The Rogues of Regent Street: The Dangerous Gentleman

Rating:
Summary: The Dangerous Gentleman
Review: I couldn't put this one down even though it meant going to work the next day with no sleep! Adrian Spence is the quintessential hero. Not only is he handsome, witty and wealthy but he's the lover we all want. What he isn't is a nice man even though we understand why. He's a real treat by the time he decides to marry Lilliana; and I must say, she handles him rather well for a girl who's already head over heels in love with him. She didn't become his doormat nor did she spend all her time fighting him and the chemistry between them. These characters were well-developed and I enjoyed "watching" Lilliana grow into a woman who finally sees the "real" Adrian and achieves the maturity to wait for him to see himself. Of course, watching Adrian finally come into his own was wonderful because, like most men, he STILL doesn't get it right the first time! All in all I fell in love again last night and hated to put the book down. I can't wait to meet the other two Rogues and their loves. Kudos to Julia for taking us on yet another delightful adventure into Regency Romance.

Rating:
Summary: A really vindictive hero
Review: I devoured The Dangerous Gentleman in less than a day. As I read the first three-fourths of this book, I knew I had a five star rating in my hands. However, in the end, the misery over the continued perils of the leads' relationship was so relentless that I had to reduce it to four stars. Regardless, it was still a very engrossing read and packs more than one big surprise.

Adrian Spence, the Earl of Albright, is one vindictive hero. In the opening pages, he has just killed a man in a duel. Deciding to hide out for a while, he travels to his family's country estate. There, he encounters his enraged father. Adrian knows his father has never loved him and realizes he wants a reason to disinherit him. He wants to give his unentailed properties to his favorite son, Benedict. When Adrian's father hears of the fatal duel, he uses it as a reason to finally disinherit Adrian and tells him to never return to the family country estate. Adrian is very upset although the actual disinheritance does not surprise him. His greatest sorrow is that of losing his beloved country estate.

While departing he stops in the nearby village and discovers that his spineless brother, Benedict, is planning to marry Lilliana Dashell, the daughter of a local country gentleman. Apparently Lilliana's father is seriously in debt and has agreed to give Benedict 60% ownership of his estate in exchange for payment of his debts. Adrian sees his father's sordid manipulations in all of it and knows the marriage would be very advantageous for his father since the rich farmland property adjoins his. Adrian decides to wreak revenge on his father and brother and immediately makes a much more attractive offer for Lilliana's hand. Adrian has wealth of his own and can easily afford this well-planned revenge. His offer comes with only one condition - he and Lilliana must marry immediately. He knows that he has probably met her at some time during their childhood but does not remember her. But oh, this is such a fine revenge.

Lilliana is a spunky yet gentle heroine who has always been in love with Adrian Spence. She doesn't really want to marry his brother. But since the marriage is probable and will help her family's finances, she has resigned herself to it. When she is informed of Adrian's request to marry her, she is ecstatic. She can't believe it is really happening and is somewhat suspicious. After all, he doesn't even know her, does he? As he pours on the charm, he convinces her to marry him. He knows he is a highly desirable candidate for marriage to a titled lady much less the daughter of a country gentleman. As soon as they are married and in his coach heading toward Adrian's own country estate, his charm disappears. Adrian makes no effort to converse with Lilliana and seems not interested in her a bit. As we see into his thoughts, we realize that he thinks she is just a boring, country girl without any attractive attributes. He thinks she talks incessantly. He feels no guilt over using her so badly. And as each hour, then day, passes, we really, really want him to get his comeuppance.

Lilliana senses something is wrong as soon as they depart from their wedding. But she is an optimistic sort of gal and keeps hoping for the best. Then she discovers that he didn't even know who she was before he sought her hand. Later she realizes he totally avoids all contact with her during the day. After that, understanding dawns as his superior attitude towards her penetrates her optimism. The only time he seems to appreciate her is during the night before he retires to his own bed. At first she is distressed, then devastated, and finally believes her life is ruined and feels such a fool. At last, she decides she is not going to take it anymore. Her gentile manners are laid aside and she lets her naturally adventuresome personality take over. It is totally entertaining as she surprises Adrian and then silently crosses him or disobeys his edicts. He, in turn, attempts to conceal any emotion towards her actions. This is a thoroughly enjoyable part of the book.

Then, gradually, the real problems begin (yes - it can get a lot worse). Benedict begins to visit the couple frequently and since the brothers have never been close, Adrian is highly suspicious of his brother's actions. Benedict was a real pain - deliberately causing even more problems between Adrian and Lilliana and he finally gets very tiresome. Unfortunately, this is a book that relies heavily on The Big Misunderstanding formula. And it is not just one misunderstanding, but one piled on top of yet another. During all of this, Adrian and Lilliana's sensual relationship is interwoven - on again - off again. These scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

The Dangerous Gentleman is the first in a series of three books referred to as the Rogues of Regent Street. The second - The Ruthless Charmer and the third - The Beautiful Stranger. This is the first of London's books I have rated less than five stars. She is a favorite author and although this book had some aggravating pages, I have to highly recommend it. It is not often that I praise a book that has The Big Misunderstanding unresolved for so long. But it is just a testament to London's writing skills that it still captivated me totally - right to the last page.

Rating:
Summary: A really vindictive hero
Review: I devoured The Dangerous Gentleman in less than a day. As I read the first three-fourths of this book, I knew I had a five star rating in my hands. However, in the end, the misery over the continued perils of the leads' relationship was so relentless that I had to reduce it to four stars. Regardless, it was still a very engrossing read and packs more than one big surprise.

Adrian Spence, the Earl of Albright, is one vindictive hero. In the opening pages, he has just killed a man in a duel. Deciding to hide out for a while, he travels to his family's country estate. There, he encounters his enraged father. Adrian knows his father has never loved him and realizes he wants a reason to disinherit him. He wants to give his unentailed properties to his favorite son, Benedict. When Adrian's father hears of the fatal duel, he uses it as a reason to finally disinherit Adrian and tells him to never return to the family country estate. Adrian is very upset although the actual disinheritance does not surprise him. His greatest sorrow is that of losing his beloved country estate.

While departing he stops in the nearby village and discovers that his spineless brother, Benedict, is planning to marry Lilliana Dashell, the daughter of a local country gentleman. Apparently Lilliana's father is seriously in debt and has agreed to give Benedict 60% ownership of his estate in exchange for payment of his debts. Adrian sees his father's sordid manipulations in all of it and knows the marriage would be very advantageous for his father since the rich farmland property adjoins his. Adrian decides to wreak revenge on his father and brother and immediately makes a much more attractive offer for Lilliana's hand. Adrian has wealth of his own and can easily afford this well-planned revenge. His offer comes with only one condition - he and Lilliana must marry immediately. He knows that he has probably met her at some time during their childhood but does not remember her. But oh, this is such a fine revenge.

Lilliana is a spunky yet gentle heroine who has always been in love with Adrian Spence. She doesn't really want to marry his brother. But since the marriage is probable and will help her family's finances, she has resigned herself to it. When she is informed of Adrian's request to marry her, she is ecstatic. She can't believe it is really happening and is somewhat suspicious. After all, he doesn't even know her, does he? As he pours on the charm, he convinces her to marry him. He knows he is a highly desirable candidate for marriage to a titled lady much less the daughter of a country gentleman. As soon as they are married and in his coach heading toward Adrian's own country estate, his charm disappears. Adrian makes no effort to converse with Lilliana and seems not interested in her a bit. As we see into his thoughts, we realize that he thinks she is just a boring, country girl without any attractive attributes. He thinks she talks incessantly. He feels no guilt over using her so badly. And as each hour, then day, passes, we really, really want him to get his comeuppance.

Lilliana senses something is wrong as soon as they depart from their wedding. But she is an optimistic sort of gal and keeps hoping for the best. Then she discovers that he didn't even know who she was before he sought her hand. Later she realizes he totally avoids all contact with her during the day. After that, understanding dawns as his superior attitude towards her penetrates her optimism. The only time he seems to appreciate her is during the night before he retires to his own bed. At first she is distressed, then devastated, and finally believes her life is ruined and feels such a fool. At last, she decides she is not going to take it anymore. Her gentile manners are laid aside and she lets her naturally adventuresome personality take over. It is totally entertaining as she surprises Adrian and then silently crosses him or disobeys his edicts. He, in turn, attempts to conceal any emotion towards her actions. This is a thoroughly enjoyable part of the book.

Then, gradually, the real problems begin (yes - it can get a lot worse). Benedict begins to visit the couple frequently and since the brothers have never been close, Adrian is highly suspicious of his brother's actions. Benedict was a real pain - deliberately causing even more problems between Adrian and Lilliana and he finally gets very tiresome. Unfortunately, this is a book that relies heavily on The Big Misunderstanding formula. And it is not just one misunderstanding, but one piled on top of yet another. During all of this, Adrian and Lilliana's sensual relationship is interwoven - on again - off again. These scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

The Dangerous Gentleman is the first in a series of three books referred to as the Rogues of Regent Street. The second - The Ruthless Charmer and the third - The Beautiful Stranger. This is the first of London's books I have rated less than five stars. She is a favorite author and although this book had some aggravating pages, I have to highly recommend it. It is not often that I praise a book that has The Big Misunderstanding unresolved for so long. But it is just a testament to London's writing skills that it still captivated me totally - right to the last page.

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC!
Review: I didn't know about Julia London, and bought this book on a whim. It is refreshing and wonderful to read such a truly intense and unashamedly romantic book-- so I immediately went and bought her previous book, "Wicked Angel"-- which was even better! I had kind of gone off romance lately, because I hadn't discovered any new authors that I particularly liked, and all my old favorites (Linda Howard, Sandra Brown, Judith McNaught, Karen Robards) seem to be embarassed about the romance genre and have gone on to write disappointing suspense, with very little romance in it. The abovementioned authors seem to feel no compunction in abandoning their loyal (and frustrated) romance fans. Luckily, in Julia London, I have finally been able to find a worthy heir to their legacy!

Rating:
Summary: Maybe it's just me.
Review: I don't find women making excuses for their man's lousy treatment of them romantic.

I don't even find these men attractive.

I don't find our woman Holding On and Fighting for a mentally castrated, abusive, juvenile, spoiled, and not-too-bright hero a worthy cause. I think it's a waste of time.

I don't think a man who is good in bed good reason enough to hang on in a relationship of mental and verbal abuse.

Hence, I don't get "The Dangerous Gentleman." Hmmph. The spoiled brat in need of a spanking, more like.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Devil's Love and Wicked Angel
Review: I found it quite hard to get through the first half of the book. The writing wasn't very engaging. Fortunately, the story takes off in the second half, after the hero is involved in a life-changing accident. I recommend a huge dose of patience if you want to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Julia London Has Written Better
Review: I gave this story three stars because it was good in some areas. I could not put it down until I finished it. I gave it three stars because I could not understand why the characters did some of the things they did. I could not understand why Adrian married the heroine for revenge. I felt horrible for the things he went through, but marrying someone to hurt his brother was so cruel and vicious. It was mean to his brother and downright cruel to use a woman that way who did absolutely nothing to deserve it. I like strength in a character and marrying the woman his brother wanted to hurt him is so cruel and juvenile I could not find respect for him. The way he told Lilliana his motives after they married to hurt her was even worse. Adrian struck out at his wife constantly when he was hurt or his ego was struck. He was hurt and he lashed out to hurt other people. I felt so sorry for his wife because at the end of the story I did get the feeling that he changed.

Rating:
Summary: 1st book in the Rogues of Regent Street series
Review: I had never read any of Julia's books but was happy that someone recommended her to me. This is a series that you do need to read in order. The books all tie in with each other.

This one is about Adrian Spence, Earl of Albright. He has just done a deed that will haunt him for the rest of his life. He is struggling with that and his scheming father when he comes across a great plan. He will marry and hurt his father. Lilliana Dashell is being courted by his brother Benedict. He sweeps in and makes an offer for her that her family cannot afford to pass up. Lillie soon finds herself married to the handsome yet cold Adrian. He fills her bed with passion and heat but then in the light of day is as cold as ice to her. Only when a terrible accident happens and Adrian is forced to depend upon her does he thaw. She is utterly confused by his actions. She has fallen in love with him and can't understand what makes him act the way he does. Adrian is also confused. He is afraid to reveal his feelings to Lillie and so actually turns her away from him. the struggle for them to find the love they share is so well written that you feel as though you are watching it on a screen.

I cried at this story and laughed a bit too. I look forward to reading others in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Judith McNaught
Review: I have longed for Judith McNaught's historicals for years now. But now I have found Julia London, and I really believe she is better. I haven't read a book in a long time that could evoke the emotions this book did in me. I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy! Ms. London, thanks for the great read!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Yet From Julia London
Review: I have read all three books by Miss London. I find this one to be the very best she has written. The characters are very well developed, the plot has many twists and turns that keep the reader glued to the pages. I also enjoyed the addition of the two "pups", Hugo and Maude. What a human interest angle to her story! I found myself wanting to shout to Lilliana to avoid that Benedict at all costs, but she kept being so pleasant to him. And I am anxiously waiting to see what sex the baby turns out to be.I can't wait for the second book of the trilogy. Hurry, Julia!