Rating: 
Summary: Great, but Blanche was a little too bold
Review: It was great to read about Lucien and Nicholas again, and Lucien's wife, Beth was a wonderful and intelligent woman. I didn't like that Lucien's ex-mistress Blanche was in it so much, and I especially didn't like the way she spoke to Nicholas about his own ex-mistress in front of the sweet Eleanor. All in all, though, this is a wonderful, wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: A One of a Kind Hero....
Review: It would be best if new fans of J.B. read An Arranged Marriage before this book, as you will get a better understanding of Lucien; otherwise, you will never understand this guy. For some reason, the author made it difficult to get to know Lucien, and his subsequent appearances in other Rogue novels will not help him any, as he doesn't come across as very likeable unless you already know about him.
Rating:
Summary: No One Gorgeous Enough For Lucien
Review: It wouldn't have mattered how beautiful a heroine was, she still wouldn't match Lucien, Marquess of Arden, in looks. THAT'S how handsome this guy was. He had alot of maturing to do, and I didn't find it necessary to make the heroine Beth so plain, but I loved her and Lucien. Just a great, great story.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and compelling Regency romance
Review: Jo Beverley is rapidly becoming another of my favourite writers. I really enjoyed this story about an arranged marriage between the Marquess of Arden and an ordinary schoolteacher; the reason for the marriage was fascinating, and certainly made for an interesting story.The character dynamics in the book were excellent. I really liked the Duke and Duchess, and their interest in Lucien and Beth - though I was somewhat disappointed that the Duke never told Lucien what he told his wife: that he was proud of Lucien and happy to have him as his heir. Given the distressing news he gave Lucien at the start of the book, and Lucien's obvious hurt at that news, it would have been a worthy reconciliation. I liked Nicholas and Eleanor, and am looking forward to reading their story next; it certainly sounds intriguing. But, most of all, I loved Lucien and Beth. These two struck sparks off each other right from the start, and gradually accepted that they had to come to some sort of accommodation. Finally, by the day of their wedding, they became friends, and that period in which their friendship grew was a beautiful section of the book. There was some sexual tension, but mostly what we saw was two people who had a lot in common and who gradually realised that they were, in fact, soulmates. Beverley's knowledge of the period again stands her in excellent stead; I really hate finding elementary historical inaccuracies in Regencies, but so far Beverley hasn't failed me. Another excellent book!
Rating: 
Summary: Well Written, Witty and Engaging
Review: Jo Beverly has taken a very overdone plot and made it into a very engaging story. After the death of his two older sons, the Duke of Belcraven is left with one heir, Lucien, who is not of his blood but a product of an affair his wife had. Although he cares about Lucien, he wants his future heirs to be of his blood so he comes up with an idea. Lucien will marry his newly discovered illegitimate daughter, Beth Armitage, to preserve the lineage. so he breaks the news to Lucien that he is not really his father, and tells him what he wants him to do. Beth Armitage is happy in her life as a school teacher. She is independent and free to do as she pleases. One day, the Duke of Belcraven comes to see her, tells her he is really her father, announces she will marry his son or he will put the school where she works out of business. These two are very much forced into a marriage neither of them wants, and they say and do some hurtful things to each other until they both realize that they can't avoid this marriage and declare a truce. Beverly does a great job of letting the reader see the point of view of both Lucien and Beth, and what causes them to do what they do. And although there is alot of fighting and insults, they are done with wit and intelligence. I hate romances where all the hero and heroine do is call each other petty names between bouts of rough sex. These two make peace with each other, become friends and realize they care deeply about each other before they get intimate. All in all, a very well written, entertaining story.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved Lucien & Beth's Home...
Review: Lucien was so sure of himself yet when Beth came into his life, he became almost comicial as he didn't quite know how to behave or what to think of her. She was the perfect woman for him; actually she could have been perfect for Nicholas too, no disrespect to Eleanor intended. She was a wonderful woman but I'm sure it would have been trying to be married to someone that handsome, when you're supposed to be "plain."
Rating:
Summary: A Bit Disappointing from my favorite author...
Review: Maybe this book should be rated just on the dialogue which was a continuous verbal war. A battle of wits from 2 people trying to destroy each other with words. Ms. Beverley went deep to come up with such sophisticated insults. She had to have done a lot of research, as well, to find so many perfect literary quotes. Still when the "Rogues" entered the story the excitement began and at that point I couldn't put the book down. The best is Nicholas' toast to Dare and all on page 327, so perfect too. That is why I gave it a 4 instead of the 3 I started to and because I love Blanche, Nicholas, Hal and all the other "Rogues" I have read about.(dare I end a sentence with a preposition??) My copy is one of the first printings in 1992, very much read and bought at auction and glad I won the bid. Looking forward to reading the 3 Georges books and finding more of all her "Rogue" and older Renfrew/Kyle series.
Rating:
Summary: Great ! With TWO exceptions.
Review: No one in their right mind would condone domestic violence. However, Lucien and Beth were a great couple, and the story was fantastic. He shouldn't have backhanded her: he knew it, we knew it, and the author knew it, as was her point. His love for her was so strong he panicked and went crazy in a single instant! I did think how they settled it immediately afterward was a little weak, with Beth simply asking him if it was ever going to happen again. He was deeply sorry, yet he answered her too nonchalantly.
I was (almost) more irritated by everyone else's awareness of Lucien's good looks. When considering Beth for a wife, her attractiveness - or lack of - was far too important to him and to some of the other characters, mostly women. If you're 'plain-looking' you are not equal to someone of beauty. A less-confident woman than Beth would have crumbled. What a great gal she was! If you can get past those two parts of the story, it ends up being very enjoyable.
Lucien was very intelligent, and after a while, was smart enough to see in Beth all the things that were important. It raised my respect for the guy immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Lucien was an overall good man...
Review: No one liked Lucien's behavior toward Beth - he had a strange moment of insanity there - but HELLO? That was the turning point of his life with Beth. I hated what he did but he honestly suffered and I think we should let him off the hook. He can't be put in the same category as abusive husbands.
Rating:
Summary: Even better the second time around
Review: Okay, the slap was a little too much, but it doesn't change the fact that this is still a very good story. What's more is that the love that develops between the characters is actually believable. As far as the slap goes, it was unneccesary to push the plot forward. However, this is a fast and highly entertaining read. I would recommend that you read it and form your own opinion.
|
