Rating: 
Summary: OH, WAS I DISAPPOINTED!
Review: Let me begin by saying I have read all of Christina Dodd's novels, but "Rules of Attraction" is a total clinker. She is one of my favorite writers and has given me many hours of pleasure. Because of that history, when I read "Attraction," I kept telling myself it would get better. It never did. From the time that Hannah meets her husband, from whom she has run away years before, he is abusive and threatening. Other novelists have portrayed such dark men, but the levening agent is their deep love for the heroine. It has been almost a formula: the love and attraction of the hero must be greater than his hurt and hostility . Ms Dodd ignores this balance and throughout the novel Dougald is potentially violent in his cruelty, both past and present. Lacking this balance, I kept waiting for that "ah ha moment" when he realizes what an abusive husband he has been to Hannah and his true repentance. That never really happened, except weakly. After he blames her entirely for the end of their marriage, after he still continues to employ the servant who caused this break up and who still is hostile to Hannah, after he threatens to take all her savings for the past years, he then demolishes her by telling her that he was sexually using her, that he did not love or respect her. Somehow, after weeks of abuse, Hannah senses that Dougald is doing this to protect her from a murderer, in an attempt to drive her away. Before this truly awful moment, Hannah still is sexually attracted to Dougald and they become intimate, without any real affection between them. In the past, I have loved Dodd's love scenes, some of which have deftly balanced the hero's force with his restraint and concern. Ms Dodd's magic was entirely missing in this novel and I advise you NOT TO BUY IT.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Dark and Broody works for me!
Review: Loved Dougald. He can come and brood in my bedroom anytime. He reminded me of Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. Great story, too, great wind up for the Governess Series ... except I guess there's another one coming. Yes!
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner by Christina Dodd
Review: Most of the reviewers have aptly described this wonderful book. Douglad and Hannah are wonderful lovers, just misunderstood each other those many years ago.Tha aunts are truly delightful and add much to this wonderful story. Nice conclusion to the Hannah, Pamela and Charlotte stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Good as the First Two
Review: Ms Dodd is very talented in her story telling and, therefore, this story held my interest. It lacked the fun and laughter of the first two book in the series. The laughs I had while reading the first two books were the best I've had. This story was all seriousness, and the old ladies weren't that intertaining though they were lovable. Dougald was unlikable up until the end when he seen the light (so to speak), but he did know how to make love and so did she. On to another Dodd book, she seldom disappoints.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the series.
Review: Of all the books in this series (and I read them all) this is my favorite. Get it and save it for a dull and rainy day when you need a ray of sunshine and a happy ending.
Rating:
Summary: gothic grabber!
Review: Okay, Dougald isn't a "pretty" hero. He's wicked, bad and dangerous. That's JUST the fantasy type of hero I like, one who has a lot of torture stored up, one who is obsessed with the heroine, one who makes my spine tingle with maybe fear and maybe something else. If you like wicked bad-boys, heroines who are drawn against their will to their men, and a moody broody castle ... this one is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Right when you thought Dodd couldn't get any funnier
Review: or cleverer in her plots or, lordy, darker and sexier, she delivers this quirky pair of wonderfully drawn characters (and plenty of beautifully rich side characters) to make you burn the spaghetti, which I did while trying to sneak in a few more riveting pages. This is not your classic sweet miss tale, but then we knew that about Ms. Dodd, who is not your classic sweet miss romance writer. Hannah is an older, wiser woman, thank goodness, because she has the challenge of Dougald to content with, a handful of a human being at the beginning to say the least. But Dougald grows in his way, which was charming to see, and so much fun to root for, since he is such a snot sometimes. The pair find bliss, of course. And the reader will, too. This is the work of a maturing writer who is at the top of her form. Well done, Ms. Dodd!
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one!
Review: Remind me not to start a book by Christina Dodd until I've got lots of time. I read this book in the grocery store check-out, at my in-laws, while I was waiting for my kids to get out of school. I finally got time to myself after the kids went to bed, and was up until midnight finishing it. Dougald was the darkest hero I've read of Dodd's, but he was so focused on Hannah it was hot and sexy beyond belief. I need ice!
Rating:
Summary: A Perfect End to a Charming Trilogy
Review: The long awaited final book in Christina Dodd's Governess Bride trilogy is out at last, and is well worth the wait. Hannah Setterington sells the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, and takes a job as a companion to the new Earl of Raeburn's elderly aunt. She arrives at the estate and is immediately showered in tales of how the new earl has murdered his wife and the previous earls, who mysteriousely died. When hannah sets eyes upon the earl, she knows that this rumor is blatantly false, because she is his wife. Lord Raeburn had been looking for Hannah for all the nine years since she left him and vanished without a trace. Once he discovered her whereabouts, he concocted an elaborate plan to trap her with him, but his plans are foiled when the passion that has always been between them flares again. Both the lead characters were believable and interesting. It is not always clearly understood why their marriage did not work out on the first try, but as they grow and learn through the book, both characters come to a better understanding of themselves and of their spouse. This book is nice because it is not about an experienced and jaded male tamed by the young ingenue, but is about two people experienced in the world who learn together what it means to love. Added to this are Lord Raeburn's aunt and her four elderly companions who provide much comic relief with their outspoken and blunt comments. Of course, we get to see Pamela and Charlotte again, which is the great thing about sequels- you get to revisit old characters. Dodd, however is very careful to make sure that they do not take over the book, which can happen in a series. All together this book combines a perfect balance of dynamic lead characters and plucky secondary characters wound in a plot of mystery and love. I highly recommend it and wish y'all happy reading!
Rating: 
Summary: worth the read
Review: The story of two lost souls is handled with delicate finesse by Christina Dodd. She also included a mystery which did not overwhelm the plot, but merely enhanced it. The characters did not evolve as much as in her previous books, but i think they were limited more by the length of the book than a lack of ability of the author. I would definately recommend this book, it's an awesome rainy day read
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