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Regency #2
The Rebel Bride
THE UNLIKELY YOUNG LADY
Clearly young Lady Katharine Brandon was a beauty, with her rich auburn hair, striking green eyes, flawless face and form. But a beauty was one thing Katharine clearly had no interest in being.
She dressed in a young man's breeches, practiced dueling with pistol and rapier, gambled with cards, defied her father's commands and evaded all suitors.
Imagine Katharine's surprise when the fabulously wealthy, notoriously pleasure-loving , Julien St. Clair, Earl of March, demanded her as his wife. Imagine her dismay when her father asked and received his price for yielding her to this man. But no one in all of English society could ever imagine what could happen when a lord who would not be denied and a woman who refused to be mastered turned marriage into a game in which it took far more than love to conquer all ....
Clearly young Lady Katharine Brandon was a beauty, with her rich auburn hair, striking green eyes, flawless face and form. But a beauty was one thing Katharine clearly had no interest in being.
She dressed in a young man's breeches, practiced dueling with pistol and rapier, gambled with cards, defied her father's commands and evaded all suitors.
Imagine Katharine's surprise when the fabulously wealthy, notoriously pleasure-loving , Julien St. Clair, Earl of March, demanded her as his wife. Imagine her dismay when her father asked and received his price for yielding her to this man. But no one in all of English society could ever imagine what could happen when a lord who would not be denied and a woman who refused to be mastered turned marriage into a game in which it took far more than love to conquer all ....
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 25, 2011
I don't even know were to start with this one. I hated this book. I had struggled to get through most of the book just waiting for something excititng to happen...for anything to happen, and when it did (at about 80% through the story) I couldn't believe what the author had done. It was so stupid and unbelieveable that I almost just closed the book, but being so close to the end I decided just to finish it.
Kate (h) is a young woman living in the country with her older but loving brother and her abusive father. She spends her time wearing boys breeches and an old leather hat, fishing and playing duels with her brother. When one day the two are playing duel Julien (H) happens to run into them. Thinking that the duel was real Julien jumps in to intervine, though to late he holds the young lad in his arms. That's when he finds out that not only was the duel a fake but that the "lad" is a lady.
Julien has come to his country estate to rest and enjoy the time with some friends of his. As he starts to spend more time with Kate he begins to fall for the hoydenish and spirited girl. So he sets out to marry her. Kate, with some dark repressed memories, knows that she fears men and never plans to marry anyone. She tells Julien this but he knows what's best for both of them and he will have her no matter what.
*************SPOILERS*******************************************************************************
Now I'm not one of those who hate when the author has the H rape the h in the story. I love bodice ripers and that's part of what makes them exciting and an emotional roller coaster,imo. However this one was the worst, I don't know what Catherine Coulter was thinking. Here we have a hero who knows that his wife (who he forces to marry him)has a fear of men and sex and he hasn't pressed her to consumate their marriage. However his big plan to show her how wonderful sex can be is to dress up like a German man (he spoke with a German accent) wearing a mask and attack her while she was out riding one day. He then uses cloriform and kidnapes her. He takes her to a little cabin and ties her to a bed. When she wakes up he rapes her. He starts out soft and sweet but when he finds that there is no maidenhead her roughs her up, enough that she was bleeding at the end of it. Now if that doesn't teach her to enjoy sex what will???? UGGGH
Kate (h) is a young woman living in the country with her older but loving brother and her abusive father. She spends her time wearing boys breeches and an old leather hat, fishing and playing duels with her brother. When one day the two are playing duel Julien (H) happens to run into them. Thinking that the duel was real Julien jumps in to intervine, though to late he holds the young lad in his arms. That's when he finds out that not only was the duel a fake but that the "lad" is a lady.
Julien has come to his country estate to rest and enjoy the time with some friends of his. As he starts to spend more time with Kate he begins to fall for the hoydenish and spirited girl. So he sets out to marry her. Kate, with some dark repressed memories, knows that she fears men and never plans to marry anyone. She tells Julien this but he knows what's best for both of them and he will have her no matter what.
*************SPOILERS*******************************************************************************
Now I'm not one of those who hate when the author has the H rape the h in the story. I love bodice ripers and that's part of what makes them exciting and an emotional roller coaster,imo. However this one was the worst, I don't know what Catherine Coulter was thinking. Here we have a hero who knows that his wife (who he forces to marry him)has a fear of men and sex and he hasn't pressed her to consumate their marriage. However his big plan to show her how wonderful sex can be is to dress up like a German man (he spoke with a German accent) wearing a mask and attack her while she was out riding one day. He then uses cloriform and kidnapes her. He takes her to a little cabin and ties her to a bed. When she wakes up he rapes her. He starts out soft and sweet but when he finds that there is no maidenhead her roughs her up, enough that she was bleeding at the end of it. Now if that doesn't teach her to enjoy sex what will???? UGGGH
April 25, 2011
I first read The Rebel Bride in its original Signet imprint. Several years later, I picked it up in this new edition. Either way, it was totally disappointing. Apparently in the 80's the idea of the hero raping the leading lady was considered cutting edge (I didn't think so then and certainly don't think so now), because it seemed a standard trope for many authors. And not only was the character Kate raped and brutalized in childhood, but Julien, the man who supposedly loves her, thinks that her reticence in the bedroom is merely a case of nerves and sets out to forcibly change her mind.
Now, I realize that the characters of Kate and Julien are loosely based upon Taming of the Shrew, but where that play was strictly comedy (I don't even take the Shakespearean Katherine's end soliquy seriously--and neither does she), this Katherine is not only a royal pushover, she seems bent on forgiving everything. And Julien, you are no Petruccio!
In the beginning, Kate shows a bit of gumption, and she's quite appealing, especially dressed in men's clothes and engaging in a mock duel with her brother. She speaks her mind freely and one could see why Julien would be interested in her. As the story progresses, she turns into that simpering little waif that can drive most readers to distraction. She does, however, show a little spirit when she takes down a scandalous former love interest who was trying to get her hands upon the oh so virile Julien.
And Julien...Ms. Coulter has created some wonderful and warm male leads, and Julien St. Clair simply isn't one of them. A narcissistic rake who needs to have his ears boxed in, he's a completely clueless cad who doesn't think beyond his own needs.
I guess the only saving grace to this entire mess of a book was that Ms. Coulter dealt with the subject of child abuse long before it was fashionable. Kate's father was evil incarnate and it would have been nice to have him get his just deserts.
Now, I realize that the characters of Kate and Julien are loosely based upon Taming of the Shrew, but where that play was strictly comedy (I don't even take the Shakespearean Katherine's end soliquy seriously--and neither does she), this Katherine is not only a royal pushover, she seems bent on forgiving everything. And Julien, you are no Petruccio!
In the beginning, Kate shows a bit of gumption, and she's quite appealing, especially dressed in men's clothes and engaging in a mock duel with her brother. She speaks her mind freely and one could see why Julien would be interested in her. As the story progresses, she turns into that simpering little waif that can drive most readers to distraction. She does, however, show a little spirit when she takes down a scandalous former love interest who was trying to get her hands upon the oh so virile Julien.
And Julien...Ms. Coulter has created some wonderful and warm male leads, and Julien St. Clair simply isn't one of them. A narcissistic rake who needs to have his ears boxed in, he's a completely clueless cad who doesn't think beyond his own needs.
I guess the only saving grace to this entire mess of a book was that Ms. Coulter dealt with the subject of child abuse long before it was fashionable. Kate's father was evil incarnate and it would have been nice to have him get his just deserts.
May 5, 2021
I’m too Nigerian to tell this author to go to hell, but I will say that God will deal with her. I’m so serious.
September 7, 2016
WARNING: This might be the longest review I'll ever write...
I'd be lying if I said this book didn't piss me off. Much as appreciate the standard elements of a historical romance novel, I often find myself annoyed by either the heroine, the hero, or the many, many unnecessary ways they choose to wound each other. Even the best of these books show immaturity by the main characters. The worst demonstrate every stereotypical extreme that exists within the genre.
Taken for what it is, The Rebel Bride isn't a bad book. There's a discernible flavor in the world this author creates, and her characters feel alive. From the beginning, I enjoyed both Katherine and Julien. Though neither were perfect, I thought they complimented one another. Because this is often rare for me in historicals (within the first hundred pages I typically hate either the guy or the girl), I was enthusiastically anticipating their union.
Then their antics began. Katherine doesn't want to marry, for reasons even she doesn't fully understand. She considers Julien a friend, and is disappointed - even hurt - that he wants more. To give Julien his due, he does actually propose in a very charming, forthright manner. He believes himself in love, and cannot understand why this girl - whom he knows cares for him - rejects the idea of marriage.
I won't linger on his high-handed decision to force her to comply with his wishes. At this point, I still wanted them together. I was amused by Katherine's efforts to thwart him, and pleased that Julien took these in stride. He appreciated Katherine for what she was. He didn't want to change her. For the first time in a long time, I believed the notion that this historical hero was really in love.
Unfortunately, it went downhill from here. (Spoilers Ahead)
Katherine has a real fear of intimacy. She struggles with her husband's desire and, though he doesn't force himself on her, the knowledge that their marriage will not forever go unconsummated ruins what is truly a very delightful relationship.
Julien is trying. His bride is afraid of sex. He isn't oblivious to this, and is trying to be understanding that an inexperienced young woman might not be too eager to jump into the sack. From his internal monologue, however, one can almost feel what's about to unfold.
Long story short, Julien dons a mask and abducts his wife. Taking her to a secluded area, he ties her up and blindfolds her, beginning a slow, anonymous seduction. He believes that if he can introduce her to pleasure (by forcing her to experience passion), they can finally begin to have a real marriage.
Are there problems with this idea? Hell yes. Not only is Katherine afraid of sex, generally, she most certainly wouldn't want to respond to some strange dude who just kidnapped her. Even so, I was willing to put logic behind me and go with the flow here. I did want them together, after all, and - if it worked, I'd be on board with that... especially given the care the author took with this questionable approach.
Look, I've read a lot of rape scenes in romance novels. I mean a LOT. It was a staple of 70s romance and I'd devoured hundreds before I was twenty. Anyway, this is the first time I truly bought the good intentions of the hero. He doesn't want to hurt his wife. The reader understands that he wants nothing more than to open her eyes, and fix whatever problems have led to the current state of affairs in their marriage. Julien could have had no idea those problems were much more serious, more permanent, more damaging than a virgin's fear of sex.
See, Katherine isn't a virgin. Because this is a historical and that's a no-no, I'll explain the reasons why in a minute. For now, let's focus on Julien's reaction to that revelation. He put too much stock in his own assumption (which was, to be fair, realistic) that inexperience drove her fears. He'd been patient. He'd tried to be understanding. He'd come up with the perfect (dumbass) idea to free her from preconceived notions, and he'd seduced her with the utmost care. When he realizes that she's not quite so innocent, he loses it. She wasn't what he thought she was, so he stops treating her like a human being.
I stopped liking Julien right here, though I can't say he was beyond redemption for me. He was going to need to grovel. I wouldn't have minded someone beating the shit out of him - preferably Katherine. I wanted him to pay dearly, for a long time. Did I hate him? Well, no. The time period of this novel prevented me from completely detesting him. This is a historical romance, after all, and to embrace the genre readers must also embrace the hard rules enforced therein.
Anyway, Julien is angry and disgusted with both himself and with her. He no longer has any desire to reveal himself to her, and basically drugs her and leaves. Katherine gets herself home. She's devastated, physically wounded, emotionally destroyed. She tries to tell her husband what happened to her and he cuts her off, insisting that she had a fall, riding. Somewhat gratefully, Katherine accepts the story and goes to bed. That night, she wakes in the throes of a nightmare, and her past is revealed to her husband.
Katherine never gave herself to any man. As a young child, she was gang-raped, and her mind blocked the memory of the attack - until her husband's similar attack forced those long-forgotten nightmares to the surface.
To be honest, most of my pleasure in this book was gone at this point. I read with cynical eyes, waiting for the redemption of a hero who does actually begin to hate himself almost as much as I want him to. While I appreciated that the author shows this guilt, and has her characters react with mostly realistic behavior afterwards, it was never quite enough for me.
Yes, Julien becomes a pretty selfless husband working diligently to "heal" his wife. He demands nothing from her, spends every waking moment entertaining her and putting her at ease, while striving to resolve the deeper issues of her past, and his present crimes. He knows, for example, that he will have to admit to what he's done. There are complications that demand explanation, and he can't avoid the truth, but Katherine is suffering from too many traumas already. What further damage could he cause by admitting to what he's done?
This is a difficult situation, requiring a skilled approach from the author. While I think she was on the right track, initially, the ending just didn't work for me. This was a book with many deep, uncomfortable issues woven throughout. I didn't expect, nor did I want, a quick, neat-and-tidy wrap up using an obnoxious plot device that never really belonged.
In my opinion, Julien was on the road to redemption. Circumstances left him with no choice but to confess to his crimes during a less-than-ideal moment, and pray that his wife could forgive him. Was Katherine calm and understanding? No. Should she have been? Hell NO! This heroine had suffered so greatly, was she not entitled to vent? To rage against him? To want to punish him in any way possible? The author, evidently, didn't think so.
Though I struggled with this novel from about the halfway mark, it was the ending that completely ruined it for me - a case of not nearly enough of what I needed to see, and far too much of what I couldn't stand.
I'd be lying if I said this book didn't piss me off. Much as appreciate the standard elements of a historical romance novel, I often find myself annoyed by either the heroine, the hero, or the many, many unnecessary ways they choose to wound each other. Even the best of these books show immaturity by the main characters. The worst demonstrate every stereotypical extreme that exists within the genre.
Taken for what it is, The Rebel Bride isn't a bad book. There's a discernible flavor in the world this author creates, and her characters feel alive. From the beginning, I enjoyed both Katherine and Julien. Though neither were perfect, I thought they complimented one another. Because this is often rare for me in historicals (within the first hundred pages I typically hate either the guy or the girl), I was enthusiastically anticipating their union.
Then their antics began. Katherine doesn't want to marry, for reasons even she doesn't fully understand. She considers Julien a friend, and is disappointed - even hurt - that he wants more. To give Julien his due, he does actually propose in a very charming, forthright manner. He believes himself in love, and cannot understand why this girl - whom he knows cares for him - rejects the idea of marriage.
I won't linger on his high-handed decision to force her to comply with his wishes. At this point, I still wanted them together. I was amused by Katherine's efforts to thwart him, and pleased that Julien took these in stride. He appreciated Katherine for what she was. He didn't want to change her. For the first time in a long time, I believed the notion that this historical hero was really in love.
Unfortunately, it went downhill from here. (Spoilers Ahead)
Katherine has a real fear of intimacy. She struggles with her husband's desire and, though he doesn't force himself on her, the knowledge that their marriage will not forever go unconsummated ruins what is truly a very delightful relationship.
Julien is trying. His bride is afraid of sex. He isn't oblivious to this, and is trying to be understanding that an inexperienced young woman might not be too eager to jump into the sack. From his internal monologue, however, one can almost feel what's about to unfold.
Long story short, Julien dons a mask and abducts his wife. Taking her to a secluded area, he ties her up and blindfolds her, beginning a slow, anonymous seduction. He believes that if he can introduce her to pleasure (by forcing her to experience passion), they can finally begin to have a real marriage.
Are there problems with this idea? Hell yes. Not only is Katherine afraid of sex, generally, she most certainly wouldn't want to respond to some strange dude who just kidnapped her. Even so, I was willing to put logic behind me and go with the flow here. I did want them together, after all, and - if it worked, I'd be on board with that... especially given the care the author took with this questionable approach.
Look, I've read a lot of rape scenes in romance novels. I mean a LOT. It was a staple of 70s romance and I'd devoured hundreds before I was twenty. Anyway, this is the first time I truly bought the good intentions of the hero. He doesn't want to hurt his wife. The reader understands that he wants nothing more than to open her eyes, and fix whatever problems have led to the current state of affairs in their marriage. Julien could have had no idea those problems were much more serious, more permanent, more damaging than a virgin's fear of sex.
See, Katherine isn't a virgin. Because this is a historical and that's a no-no, I'll explain the reasons why in a minute. For now, let's focus on Julien's reaction to that revelation. He put too much stock in his own assumption (which was, to be fair, realistic) that inexperience drove her fears. He'd been patient. He'd tried to be understanding. He'd come up with the perfect (dumbass) idea to free her from preconceived notions, and he'd seduced her with the utmost care. When he realizes that she's not quite so innocent, he loses it. She wasn't what he thought she was, so he stops treating her like a human being.
I stopped liking Julien right here, though I can't say he was beyond redemption for me. He was going to need to grovel. I wouldn't have minded someone beating the shit out of him - preferably Katherine. I wanted him to pay dearly, for a long time. Did I hate him? Well, no. The time period of this novel prevented me from completely detesting him. This is a historical romance, after all, and to embrace the genre readers must also embrace the hard rules enforced therein.
Anyway, Julien is angry and disgusted with both himself and with her. He no longer has any desire to reveal himself to her, and basically drugs her and leaves. Katherine gets herself home. She's devastated, physically wounded, emotionally destroyed. She tries to tell her husband what happened to her and he cuts her off, insisting that she had a fall, riding. Somewhat gratefully, Katherine accepts the story and goes to bed. That night, she wakes in the throes of a nightmare, and her past is revealed to her husband.
Katherine never gave herself to any man. As a young child, she was gang-raped, and her mind blocked the memory of the attack - until her husband's similar attack forced those long-forgotten nightmares to the surface.
To be honest, most of my pleasure in this book was gone at this point. I read with cynical eyes, waiting for the redemption of a hero who does actually begin to hate himself almost as much as I want him to. While I appreciated that the author shows this guilt, and has her characters react with mostly realistic behavior afterwards, it was never quite enough for me.
Yes, Julien becomes a pretty selfless husband working diligently to "heal" his wife. He demands nothing from her, spends every waking moment entertaining her and putting her at ease, while striving to resolve the deeper issues of her past, and his present crimes. He knows, for example, that he will have to admit to what he's done. There are complications that demand explanation, and he can't avoid the truth, but Katherine is suffering from too many traumas already. What further damage could he cause by admitting to what he's done?
This is a difficult situation, requiring a skilled approach from the author. While I think she was on the right track, initially, the ending just didn't work for me. This was a book with many deep, uncomfortable issues woven throughout. I didn't expect, nor did I want, a quick, neat-and-tidy wrap up using an obnoxious plot device that never really belonged.
In my opinion, Julien was on the road to redemption. Circumstances left him with no choice but to confess to his crimes during a less-than-ideal moment, and pray that his wife could forgive him. Was Katherine calm and understanding? No. Should she have been? Hell NO! This heroine had suffered so greatly, was she not entitled to vent? To rage against him? To want to punish him in any way possible? The author, evidently, didn't think so.
Though I struggled with this novel from about the halfway mark, it was the ending that completely ruined it for me - a case of not nearly enough of what I needed to see, and far too much of what I couldn't stand.
December 18, 2012
In general... it was slow, predictable, and aggravating. Not to mention that it is downright offensive to have a the main male character rape his wife... and then that be okay later.
There you go. I think that aside from the fact that it was pretty slow and the story itself wasn't that interesting... I just had a really big problem with how domineering and overpowering the main male role was. It wasn't endearing, he wasn't being overprotective... he actually destroyed his wife emotionally in some grand master plan to get her to love him. Wow.
Not to mention that this woman didn't want to get married in the first place. So now she's been forced into marriage and she's been forced into the marriage bed (okay, might I also add that the husband pretended to be a stranger and ABDUCTED her? So the main female role had NO IDEA what was going on. How is that sexy?)
Oh, and we find out towards the end that that our main character had been raped as a child, but the author makes sure that her "husbands" actions actually help her heal from her past trauma. Uh... What?
I wanted to slap the main male role throughout the entire book.
Ok, but see.. you know what makes EVERYTHING better? A baby. She's pregnant and now the whole world is happy.
Ah, but wait. Because her husband is an ass, she ends up running her horse right into a bush (or something, can't recall) and flies off, causing a miscarriage. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS and the book ends happily with the two goopily in love. Right.
I guess I just can't get past how unlovable the main male role was. He didn't just posture... he was legitimately a jerk. At least he had the decency in the end to fell bad about his behavior, but I say damage already done.
It's just not believable that a woman could still fall head over heels in love with a man that put her through that kind of misery.
Plus, I don't like the way he yells at her all the time. He's always raising his voice and telling her what to do, and regardless of the fact that she's supposed to be stubborn and strongwilled she still gets jerked around. Bravo for such and for such an inspiring love story Ms. Coulter. Bravo indeed.
I haven't read any of Coulter's other books. Honestly, I plan on picking up a few others. I doubt that this woman's Romances became so popular if they were all that bad.
Every author with long series will have one or two duds, surely. So, I cast no judgement on Ms. Coulter as an author. I just didn't like this book very much. Hopefully the next one will change my mind about her writing.
Anyway. I don't recommend this one. Try one of her others, and I will too.
There you go. I think that aside from the fact that it was pretty slow and the story itself wasn't that interesting... I just had a really big problem with how domineering and overpowering the main male role was. It wasn't endearing, he wasn't being overprotective... he actually destroyed his wife emotionally in some grand master plan to get her to love him. Wow.
Not to mention that this woman didn't want to get married in the first place. So now she's been forced into marriage and she's been forced into the marriage bed (okay, might I also add that the husband pretended to be a stranger and ABDUCTED her? So the main female role had NO IDEA what was going on. How is that sexy?)
Oh, and we find out towards the end that that our main character had been raped as a child, but the author makes sure that her "husbands" actions actually help her heal from her past trauma. Uh... What?
I wanted to slap the main male role throughout the entire book.
Ok, but see.. you know what makes EVERYTHING better? A baby. She's pregnant and now the whole world is happy.
Ah, but wait. Because her husband is an ass, she ends up running her horse right into a bush (or something, can't recall) and flies off, causing a miscarriage. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS and the book ends happily with the two goopily in love. Right.
I guess I just can't get past how unlovable the main male role was. He didn't just posture... he was legitimately a jerk. At least he had the decency in the end to fell bad about his behavior, but I say damage already done.
It's just not believable that a woman could still fall head over heels in love with a man that put her through that kind of misery.
Plus, I don't like the way he yells at her all the time. He's always raising his voice and telling her what to do, and regardless of the fact that she's supposed to be stubborn and strongwilled she still gets jerked around. Bravo for such and for such an inspiring love story Ms. Coulter. Bravo indeed.
I haven't read any of Coulter's other books. Honestly, I plan on picking up a few others. I doubt that this woman's Romances became so popular if they were all that bad.
Every author with long series will have one or two duds, surely. So, I cast no judgement on Ms. Coulter as an author. I just didn't like this book very much. Hopefully the next one will change my mind about her writing.
Anyway. I don't recommend this one. Try one of her others, and I will too.
June 15, 2017
Julian is a bored aristocrate in London, who goes to his country estate. He meets Kathryn, while she is dressed as a boy and pretend dueling with her brother. It's love at first sight for Julian. Kathryn enjoys his company but doesn't see him as a romantic partner. She lives with a brutal and tyrannical father, once Julian finds out her circumstances he offered to marry her. Instead of seeing his proposal as a saving grace, Kathryn is scared and becomes obnoxious to push Julian away. But he will no be denied, so he arranges for her to go to London where he courts her. I was annoyed with the characters, they didn't communicate. Kathryn doesn't know why she's scared of Julian and it's not revealed until the end. Julian is persistent and chases her from England to France until he forces her into marriage. He is so in lust, because I didn't see any love in his actions, he kidnaps and rapes her. I just wanted this to be over.
February 23, 2017
I really liked the story, except (and it is a big except) for the rapes and child abuse. But I still enjoyed this book a lot, because I love the premise of the story: Hero is besotted with the heroine from the minute he saw her, and will go to any length to have her, as she fights him until almost the end. There are so few romance books (like this one) where the hero has no commitment issues, and does not struggle with his attraction for the heroine. I also love that the heroine takes her time to fall in love. A great change from the usual plot line. --- Diane ™
The story is compelling. The hero is very alpha, yet can be very patient and understanding (though not always). And the heroine is beautiful, unconventional and emotionally damaged. How they work through their problems is a page turner.
The story is compelling. The hero is very alpha, yet can be very patient and understanding (though not always). And the heroine is beautiful, unconventional and emotionally damaged. How they work through their problems is a page turner.
July 28, 2012
This book was very good...the plot was just enough of a "plot" to interest me and keep me engaged with the right amoutn of romance. I thought the herioine clever, but a bit silly, which actually added to her charm. I also liked the hero, however he solved the mystory a bit too easy. I thought the book took an interesting look at rape, though frankly I didn't like the hero's involvement in that at all and thought it didn't treat the subject with the seriousness it deserved. However, overall, I had a great time with this novel. It was the perfect book to listen to when painting a shed... :)
March 31, 2010
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. I was actually so angry after I read it that I wrote a letter to the author the next day. It has exactly what is wrong with "bodice rippers" embodied in the relationship in this book. Just skip it.
May 17, 2017
Hero did a deplorable thing, but I couldn't put down this book. I like it and then I hate it because of what he did.
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June 4, 2023usually I like reading bad review books. But this one probably deserved the bad reviews. If you are into emo torture type love then this book might be for you. Maniacal bible thumping father, 2 evil mistresses, child rape, husband rape, miscarriage, general misery because the h has intimacy problem. I would not even classify this as a romance book, more like dude is douchbag and lady needs a shrink book. uhhh The writing itself was not bad but I did not get warm and fuzzy awww it is true love at any point while reading eternal victim bride’s story. Did not feel I ever understood h feelings other than she was a victim and wanted to keep it all a secret
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2021
For the entire first half of the book she did nothing to encourage this man. In fact, she went out of his way to show her contempt for him. There is no “love story” here. She is an immature ungrateful brat. Being that this story takes place during a time when women had no rights, were seen as property, and were married off to finance their families and advance their social standing without a care or concern about “love,” she was foisted off onto to someone who treated her well, liked her the way she was, and didn’t try to change her knowing full well she was a hot MESS!!!! Moreover she became a countess, he was rich, and supposedly good looking and highly sought after yet all she wanted to complain about is why can’t he just be her “friend.” Then around the 60% mark he does something so disgusting and unforgivable (dressing up as a random highway man, drugging his wife, raping her, and then returning her safe abs sound to her home and “husband”) that I needed to give up on this book.
SKIP - read Whitney, My Love instead by Judith McNaught.
SKIP - read Whitney, My Love instead by Judith McNaught.
March 25, 2014
I was very disappointed at the route this story took. It was the very height of the overly-traumatized, soul wrenching GOTHIC novel, except the horror is ratcheted up a few notches by adding something (I won't say) that never would have been in a 19th century novel. It was not an improvement, believe me.
There is just too much going on here. It isn't enough that our heroine does not wish to web the Earl, but she must also be unaware of why she doesn't want to? That was utterly unnecessary, and unrealistic, to be honest. Traumatic memories are almost never buried to that degree unless they happen at a very, VERY, early age, but that is not the case here. Subtle hints here and there imply that the heroine was an older child, perhaps nine or ten when her traumatic event occurred, yet it has been completely buried? What a load of nonsense, especially considering that her father's entire attitude toward her was ABOUT said event.
This story could have been just as easily pulled off had the entire "I don't remember" thing simply been removed and the heroine been allowed to acknowledge and act on her personal history. THAT, quite frankly, would have made for a more interesting story. Not these silly scenes of her having waking dreams and nightmares in which she speaks in clear words about the traumatic event. She told you everything you needed to know while talking in her sleep? Oh! How un-originally convenient!
It is also unsatisfying because the villains in this story either don't get any kind of comeuppance or are entirely absent from the story. I also think the author demonstrates a very poor lack of knowledge of Regency era culture and society, or she just chose to ignore it. There is a scene in which a very haughty patroness at Almacks takes a liking to our heroine BECAUSE she has the gall to openly insult her and act arrogant. What a load of crap. Haughty people only long for someone to "stand up to them" in badly written novels, not in reality.
There is just too much going on here. It isn't enough that our heroine does not wish to web the Earl, but she must also be unaware of why she doesn't want to? That was utterly unnecessary, and unrealistic, to be honest. Traumatic memories are almost never buried to that degree unless they happen at a very, VERY, early age, but that is not the case here. Subtle hints here and there imply that the heroine was an older child, perhaps nine or ten when her traumatic event occurred, yet it has been completely buried? What a load of nonsense, especially considering that her father's entire attitude toward her was ABOUT said event.
This story could have been just as easily pulled off had the entire "I don't remember" thing simply been removed and the heroine been allowed to acknowledge and act on her personal history. THAT, quite frankly, would have made for a more interesting story. Not these silly scenes of her having waking dreams and nightmares in which she speaks in clear words about the traumatic event. She told you everything you needed to know while talking in her sleep? Oh! How un-originally convenient!
It is also unsatisfying because the villains in this story either don't get any kind of comeuppance or are entirely absent from the story. I also think the author demonstrates a very poor lack of knowledge of Regency era culture and society, or she just chose to ignore it. There is a scene in which a very haughty patroness at Almacks takes a liking to our heroine BECAUSE she has the gall to openly insult her and act arrogant. What a load of crap. Haughty people only long for someone to "stand up to them" in badly written novels, not in reality.
April 18, 2015
One of the worst books I've ever read.
I didn't like the writing, it showed being a rewritten story. It was boring in parts and I must have lost my sense of humor somewhere along the line for I didn't get the (sporadic) quips and jokes the h and H were suppose to share.
There was also no falling in love at all. He just suddenly decides he will marry her and that she will like it but just doesn't know it yet (stalker material, yep, definately).
The heroine's character was all over the place. She wasn't the feisty, witty, tomboy girl tried to be shown in the first encounters. Her background wasn't consistent with her behaviour. Being abused by a parent would have had a much more profound impact on a person. She didn't have the expected trust issues. It actually only served as an excuse to get her to move out.
Same for the hero. At the start there is an interlude that portrays him as a certain person, but then as the story unfolds, I don't see that person anywhere. The hero was a condescending asshole who stalked her, forced her into a marriage and then when he rapes her, feels it is somehow acceptable considering the circumstances.
She even goes to him in the end to make up. I mean.. WTF?
The overall tendency was so sickening. The older guy knowing better than she herself that she needed him. C'mon.. next thing I know you'll be telling me raping her was for the best so she could remember her past and get over it *puke*
I didn't like the writing, it showed being a rewritten story. It was boring in parts and I must have lost my sense of humor somewhere along the line for I didn't get the (sporadic) quips and jokes the h and H were suppose to share.
There was also no falling in love at all. He just suddenly decides he will marry her and that she will like it but just doesn't know it yet (stalker material, yep, definately).
The heroine's character was all over the place. She wasn't the feisty, witty, tomboy girl tried to be shown in the first encounters. Her background wasn't consistent with her behaviour. Being abused by a parent would have had a much more profound impact on a person. She didn't have the expected trust issues. It actually only served as an excuse to get her to move out.
Same for the hero. At the start there is an interlude that portrays him as a certain person, but then as the story unfolds, I don't see that person anywhere. The hero was a condescending asshole who stalked her, forced her into a marriage and then when he rapes her, feels it is somehow acceptable considering the circumstances.
She even goes to him in the end to make up. I mean.. WTF?
The overall tendency was so sickening. The older guy knowing better than she herself that she needed him. C'mon.. next thing I know you'll be telling me raping her was for the best so she could remember her past and get over it *puke*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2011
This one is a good one but has a few elements that are problematic. The hero rapes the heroine while married to her because she won't sleep with him after they marry and he's tired of waiting. He only intends to make love to her but when he realizes she isn't a virgin, he gets mad and hurts her. After he figures out that she had been raped as a young girl he is sorry but I think he should have been sorry that he physically hurt her. No woman deserves to be raped even if she isn't a virgin when you were expecting one. I don't usually have problems with rape in a book if the author can somehow redeem the hero but she mostly fails here. Still I did enjoy it the first time I read it and I've read it maybe 3 times so there must be something worth while here. Maybe it's the angst level. It's very high and I typically enjoy the angst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2018
This was a big disappointment. This story had promise. A sassy heroine who likes to sword fight, duel and wear pants. A rogue hero who seems smitten by the heroine's sassiness. Then the author ruins the entire story by having Julien rape his wife. Not just in an historically accurate--you're my wife, you must obey--sort of way. No, he plots an elaborate plan to kidnap her, bind her to the bed, and proceed to have his way with her, ostensibly to show her that the pleasure would be worth it and then she could stop being afraid of him. When he discovers she isn't a virgin (no spoilers as to why), he loses it and really treats her like a thing instead of a person. I just can't deal with stories like these. Even if marital rape is historically accurate, there is no reason why, in a romance novel, authors have to stoop to it. Why can't historical heros actually be heros?
December 9, 2011
Well, I tried to like it. A significant portion of the plot was right up my alley (abused heroine). But... I will continue to read Catherine Coulter because she has a penchant for abused heroines and angst, but this one was beyond the pale for me.
October 30, 2008
A little on the slow side so far, but hinting at just enough plot points that I am looking forward to finishing it. Great characters, loveable but not so perfect that they are unbelieveable.
After finishing the book I am horrified. It was ruined! I loved the characters until they turned into a spineless whiner and a rapist. AND SHE FORGAVE HIM!!!! Interesting way to bring the issues to a head, but not forgivable!
After finishing the book I am horrified. It was ruined! I loved the characters until they turned into a spineless whiner and a rapist. AND SHE FORGAVE HIM!!!! Interesting way to bring the issues to a head, but not forgivable!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2011
Wow this one had it all! Gang rape of the h as child, beatings from her father, raped by the H, and miscarriage.
The h was stubborn, irratating, but it was her repressed memory and beatings that made her this way. I didn't like her much through about 2/3s of the book and even then she was just okay.
The H was controlling and stubborn as well. He was okay until he came up with the seduction idea that turned into rape.
I wish the ending would have been more satisfying.
The h was stubborn, irratating, but it was her repressed memory and beatings that made her this way. I didn't like her much through about 2/3s of the book and even then she was just okay.
The H was controlling and stubborn as well. He was okay until he came up with the seduction idea that turned into rape.
I wish the ending would have been more satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2019
Worst romance book ever written or read.
May 23, 2019
This has to be one of the dumbest books I've ever read. And believe me, I've read a lot of stupid books.
January 21, 2023
This review is for the original edition published in 1979 as a Signet Regency category romance. I have not read the revised novel which was re-written and published by Topaz in 1994.
TW/CW: emotional abuse, kidnapping, physical abuse, pregnancy loss, PTSD, r*pe, sexual trauma, stalking
This is Catherine Coulter's second novel, and I am still processing how this thing was popular enough to have multiple reprints -- and worthy of a rewrite? I can only compare this experience to that of being a witness to a horrific and gory car accident with the simultaneous feelings of morbid fascination, revulsion, and shame that you can't look away. For pity's sake this was a horrendous piece of popular literature.
In sum, the theme of the novel is that men know better than women what women want and need to experience joy and personal fulfillment. The sexist alpha male spends all of his time manipulating and re-abusing his lady fair who, despite her desperate efforts, cannot break free of his influence and presence in her life. And because this is all about "true love" and romance, she ultimately forgives him for 250 pages of abuse after abuse in the last 5 pages, while also blaming herself for putting him into situations(!) where he was forced to force her to accept him and the delight he knew she'd have with him.
The fact that I was so outraged -- and still am 2 days later -- is in some ways a testament to Catherine Coulter's talent as a writer, however, because she does have the ability to craft characters that a reader will emotionally connect with (positively and negatively). Her talent is clear from her earliest novels.
But I will never understand why women in 1979 both wrote and lapped up trash like this, and so many others in this bodice-ripper genre of the day, where sexual awakening and love are born from r*pe. If this type of hero was represented to them as a romantic ideal, no wonder our fathers and their sons are misogynist abusive creepers, and our mothers suffered from it and the internal misogyny of generations.
I would not recommend that anyone read this for pleasure. This one is best suited for research purposes for those who are studying bodice-rippers and the evolution of the American romance genre, and Catherine Coulter's writing.
TW/CW: emotional abuse, kidnapping, physical abuse, pregnancy loss, PTSD, r*pe, sexual trauma, stalking
This is Catherine Coulter's second novel, and I am still processing how this thing was popular enough to have multiple reprints -- and worthy of a rewrite? I can only compare this experience to that of being a witness to a horrific and gory car accident with the simultaneous feelings of morbid fascination, revulsion, and shame that you can't look away. For pity's sake this was a horrendous piece of popular literature.
In sum, the theme of the novel is that men know better than women what women want and need to experience joy and personal fulfillment. The sexist alpha male spends all of his time manipulating and re-abusing his lady fair who, despite her desperate efforts, cannot break free of his influence and presence in her life. And because this is all about "true love" and romance, she ultimately forgives him for 250 pages of abuse after abuse in the last 5 pages, while also blaming herself for putting him into situations(!) where he was forced to force her to accept him and the delight he knew she'd have with him.
The fact that I was so outraged -- and still am 2 days later -- is in some ways a testament to Catherine Coulter's talent as a writer, however, because she does have the ability to craft characters that a reader will emotionally connect with (positively and negatively). Her talent is clear from her earliest novels.
But I will never understand why women in 1979 both wrote and lapped up trash like this, and so many others in this bodice-ripper genre of the day, where sexual awakening and love are born from r*pe. If this type of hero was represented to them as a romantic ideal, no wonder our fathers and their sons are misogynist abusive creepers, and our mothers suffered from it and the internal misogyny of generations.
I would not recommend that anyone read this for pleasure. This one is best suited for research purposes for those who are studying bodice-rippers and the evolution of the American romance genre, and Catherine Coulter's writing.
October 21, 2024
The Rebel Bride is Coulter’s second book. It was originally written as a Regency. She then rewrote it as an historical 15 years later.
Katherine Brandon is a tomboyish young woman raised in the north country with only her brother for company. Harry is their father’s fair haired boy. Katherine is despised and abused by her father; no explanation given. Their mother died when they were young.
Julian St. Clair, earl of March, is handsome, charming, wealthy, and bored. He returns home for a break and in the hopes he will find something to amuse/distract him. He discovers a duel, and Katherine dies dramatically at his feet. It was her turn, after all.
Katherine and Julian are fascinated with one another. They are clever and well matched at least temperamentally. Julian decides to wed her in spite of her fear of marriage and vow to never wed. He ultimately forces her into a wedding. Up until this point, the characters are appealing and the story engaging. Julian is very patient with Katherine. He hope his patience will bring her to his bed, and they will restore the friendship they had.
From my view, the story turns dark and motivations murky. Julian does something that pushes their relationship over the edge. How could he ever think his plan was a good idea? Of course, he didn’t know Katherine’s secret, but neither did she. I found this segment of the story, much of the second half, to be shocking and incomprehensible. He becomes paternalistic and patronizing. Katherine, who had so much spirit before, withdraws and becomes a shadow of her former self. Then suddenly, all is well. Disappointing from a good beginning.
Readalikes:
Anne Gracie – The Scoundrel’s Daughter; Mary Balogh – First Comes Marriage; Sally MacKenzie – The Naked Duke; Isabella Bradford – When You Wish Upon a Duke; Julia Quinn – Just Like Heaven; Elizabeth Hoyt – To Taste Temptation.
Pace: Moderately paced
Character: Likable, then less so
Identities: Standard hero and heroine; some good secondary characters
Storyline: Intricately plotted
Writing style: Character-driven
Tone: Dark
Mood: Unsettling
Frame: North country, London, Paris, Switzerland; Regency
Themes: Friends to enemies;
Red flags/Trigger warning: Cruelty to children; Rape
Katherine Brandon is a tomboyish young woman raised in the north country with only her brother for company. Harry is their father’s fair haired boy. Katherine is despised and abused by her father; no explanation given. Their mother died when they were young.
Julian St. Clair, earl of March, is handsome, charming, wealthy, and bored. He returns home for a break and in the hopes he will find something to amuse/distract him. He discovers a duel, and Katherine dies dramatically at his feet. It was her turn, after all.
Katherine and Julian are fascinated with one another. They are clever and well matched at least temperamentally. Julian decides to wed her in spite of her fear of marriage and vow to never wed. He ultimately forces her into a wedding. Up until this point, the characters are appealing and the story engaging. Julian is very patient with Katherine. He hope his patience will bring her to his bed, and they will restore the friendship they had.
From my view, the story turns dark and motivations murky. Julian does something that pushes their relationship over the edge. How could he ever think his plan was a good idea? Of course, he didn’t know Katherine’s secret, but neither did she. I found this segment of the story, much of the second half, to be shocking and incomprehensible. He becomes paternalistic and patronizing. Katherine, who had so much spirit before, withdraws and becomes a shadow of her former self. Then suddenly, all is well. Disappointing from a good beginning.
Readalikes:
Anne Gracie – The Scoundrel’s Daughter; Mary Balogh – First Comes Marriage; Sally MacKenzie – The Naked Duke; Isabella Bradford – When You Wish Upon a Duke; Julia Quinn – Just Like Heaven; Elizabeth Hoyt – To Taste Temptation.
Pace: Moderately paced
Character: Likable, then less so
Identities: Standard hero and heroine; some good secondary characters
Storyline: Intricately plotted
Writing style: Character-driven
Tone: Dark
Mood: Unsettling
Frame: North country, London, Paris, Switzerland; Regency
Themes: Friends to enemies;
Red flags/Trigger warning: Cruelty to children; Rape
December 20, 2023
This book made me feel sad and helpless. Just like how women back then felt!
H forced h to marry him. After marriage she wasn’t interested in intimacy so hero got this crazy idea to kidnap, drug her, “seduce” her!
So he dressed like German man with german accent, he did What he wanted however, he found out, she wasn’t a virgin so he ended up brutally raping her. heroine didn’t know it was hero. Later, he acted like he found her and saved her blah blah.
The worst thing was h was victim of child sexual assault, gangR and also physically abused by her father as well. I just feel so sick reading that 😢 hero found out everything. In his POV he felt guilty but his action spoke different story. He cheated on h. When she found out he was the one who R her, He told her, I am paraphrasing, he only wanted her because she was not throwing herself on to him, she isn’t special and he could get any woman he wanted.
In the end, she had no choice but to accept him. Worst part is she went to him. He easily moved on, he was with OW. Cheater! She even blamed herself for his rape! That it did for me 😡
I skimmed most parts, it’s disgusting! Hero does not a single redeemable quality.
H forced h to marry him. After marriage she wasn’t interested in intimacy so hero got this crazy idea to kidnap, drug her, “seduce” her!
So he dressed like German man with german accent, he did What he wanted however, he found out, she wasn’t a virgin so he ended up brutally raping her. heroine didn’t know it was hero. Later, he acted like he found her and saved her blah blah.
The worst thing was h was victim of child sexual assault, gangR and also physically abused by her father as well. I just feel so sick reading that 😢 hero found out everything. In his POV he felt guilty but his action spoke different story. He cheated on h. When she found out he was the one who R her, He told her, I am paraphrasing, he only wanted her because she was not throwing herself on to him, she isn’t special and he could get any woman he wanted.
In the end, she had no choice but to accept him. Worst part is she went to him. He easily moved on, he was with OW. Cheater! She even blamed herself for his rape! That it did for me 😡
I skimmed most parts, it’s disgusting! Hero does not a single redeemable quality.
March 27, 2024
So I never DNF and I never 1 star but I just can’t with this one. I read a few reviews and there is a part that I knew was going to be troublesome. I thought maybe it’s not that bad. I was wrong.
Trigger warning here and spoilers. Something in Late’s past has made her afraid of affection with men. You are lead to believe she was sexually assaulted. I didn’t get a full answer on that bc I’m unwilling to finish the book. What I do know is that her husband who claims to love her but forced her to marry him kidnaps her (not in a good way) ties her up and r**** her! And he even admits to it! He gets mad bc she doesn’t have a “maidenhead” and assumes she has been with other men. Then he chloroforms her again to get her back to the house! He doesnt tell her he’s the one that did it and he blindfolded her so she didn’t know who did it to her.
I really couldn’t continue. Thats my line and this book went over it. It’s a huge no for me. One what playbook the author got but it must have been written by a man.
Trigger warning here and spoilers. Something in Late’s past has made her afraid of affection with men. You are lead to believe she was sexually assaulted. I didn’t get a full answer on that bc I’m unwilling to finish the book. What I do know is that her husband who claims to love her but forced her to marry him kidnaps her (not in a good way) ties her up and r**** her! And he even admits to it! He gets mad bc she doesn’t have a “maidenhead” and assumes she has been with other men. Then he chloroforms her again to get her back to the house! He doesnt tell her he’s the one that did it and he blindfolded her so she didn’t know who did it to her.
I really couldn’t continue. Thats my line and this book went over it. It’s a huge no for me. One what playbook the author got but it must have been written by a man.
May 24, 2025
a rating of 3 is too generous,I feel a 2.5 is sufficient
well I was actually surprised to see the author is an old lady, because of how the novel was written
why would a man force upon himself a lady all because they shared a kiss and he thought she fancied,she clearly told him she won't get married to any man not just him.
Why would he deem it right,to kidnap her then rape her to teach her womanly pleasure as he so convinced himself,then get angry when he finds out she's no virgin
I mean the girl was always a statue every time she thought of sharing a bed with you couldn't you do more research?
this is not a romance novel, it's a male thinking he knows best
I did read it to the end,to see if it will get better,but it didn't,she did nothing to salvage the outrageous acts
End of rant.
well I was actually surprised to see the author is an old lady, because of how the novel was written
why would a man force upon himself a lady all because they shared a kiss and he thought she fancied,she clearly told him she won't get married to any man not just him.
Why would he deem it right,to kidnap her then rape her to teach her womanly pleasure as he so convinced himself,then get angry when he finds out she's no virgin
I mean the girl was always a statue every time she thought of sharing a bed with you couldn't you do more research?
this is not a romance novel, it's a male thinking he knows best
I did read it to the end,to see if it will get better,but it didn't,she did nothing to salvage the outrageous acts
End of rant.
December 27, 2018
Forced rape
I hated this book. It was long and dull except for the far too exciting scenes of forced rape and unbelievable closing scene where the author tried miserably to wrap up the missing pieces into a shoddy and rather ugly bow. I will say one good thing, however. The author has a great vocabulary. But the forced rape ruined it for me. One hardly allows this trash to be called a romance novel and must call it what it is--a hodgepodge of angst, fear, and power. What a stupid plot line it had! He loves her so much he rapes her to remind her of her repressed memories of her childhood rape. Oh great. Let's NOT read this one and say we did.
I hated this book. It was long and dull except for the far too exciting scenes of forced rape and unbelievable closing scene where the author tried miserably to wrap up the missing pieces into a shoddy and rather ugly bow. I will say one good thing, however. The author has a great vocabulary. But the forced rape ruined it for me. One hardly allows this trash to be called a romance novel and must call it what it is--a hodgepodge of angst, fear, and power. What a stupid plot line it had! He loves her so much he rapes her to remind her of her repressed memories of her childhood rape. Oh great. Let's NOT read this one and say we did.
June 27, 2019
I don't read a lot of historical romances. I'm more of a romantic suspense kind of person but someone gave this to me years ago and it has been collecting dust so I decided to give it a try. At first, I really liked it. The characters were witty and funny and likeable.
Then the rape happened. And it was horrible. Not only did he rape her, he drugged her too. And this poor girl was made to feel guilty throughout the rest of the book. Her rapist finally confessed to her and he wasn't even remorseful. And she forgave him. Pardon my french, but that's a crock of sh🤬it. This was extremely disappointing and very very disturbing. 😠
Then the rape happened. And it was horrible. Not only did he rape her, he drugged her too. And this poor girl was made to feel guilty throughout the rest of the book. Her rapist finally confessed to her and he wasn't even remorseful. And she forgave him. Pardon my french, but that's a crock of sh🤬it. This was extremely disappointing and very very disturbing. 😠
December 18, 2020
Admittedly I haven’t read a lot of romance novels that were written before 2000. I picked this one up at a used book story because of the pretty cover. I don’t know if it’s a Catherine Coulter thing or just the nature of reading older bodice rippers, but I expected more from the characters. I kept reading along because I thought at SOME point they would turn and evolve. I don’t know if they ever did. Due to the issues that some other reviewers brought up in their reviews, this one became a DNF after making it about 75% of the way through the book. Unfortunately that whole but was just a giant no from me, dawg.
May 5, 2019
I usually like Catherine Coulter's works. This one had me exasperated with both of the main characters on a regular basis. She waffles between anger fueled mainly by fear but some is justifiable, pertinence, frustration, selfishness, whipped puppy, downright stupidity, thoughtlessness, and many more emotions that it's hard to tell who the real woman is. And he is just as bad. If he loves her so much, he has a funny way of showing it. He makes really stupid decisions on how to handle her. His arrogance is astounding.
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