Rating: Summary: Not for me Review: I like Karen Hawkins but I just couldn't get through this one.
Rating: Summary: Often surprising Review: I like the heroine's chutzpah in this story.... She's well-matched against her hero. It's fun to see him narrowing his focus on her while she boldly pushes him away.The aunt's romantic subplot seemed rather quick; it would have been nice if it had been developed more. And the brother's was thrown on, clashing uncomfortably with the rest of the book and involving some improbable events. Poor brother! His sister makes all kinds of decisions that should have been his. No, I think the brother needed a little more work in this. He needed to be more than just a Gimmick. But the clash between hero and heroine are what make this book quite enjoyable. Two great egos flail at each other and stir up a whole bunch of sparks, both of anger and of romance. I look forward to reading more by the author.
Rating: Summary: Disappointed Review: I ordered the book because I had read The further observations of Lady Whistledown and loved Karen's story, but I was really disappointed by this book. Not that it is not well-written - Karens Hawkins has a really nice and witty style, but what I didn't like at all was the hero, who IMHO Â'wants nothing but sex and kisses her everytime she wants to talk, also his excuse for ruining her life and abandoning her years ago was lame. I don't like this kind of hero, sorry, dashing though as he might be. That spoiled the whole book for me.
Rating: Summary: This could have been 5 stars with an epilogue Review: I really enjoyed this book, but I feel as though the ending was rushed. A lot of the middle part of the book could have been left out and more added from the marriage forward.. I just felt like the ending was rushed. I would like to have found out more of what happened with the aunts and Robert and Liza - this could have been remedied with an epilogue. I have noticed that with a lot of books lately, the story just starts getting really interesting and then ends. I just felt a bit cheated - like I said this would have been a solid 5 stars if a few pages of epilogue was added.
Rating: Summary: Worth Your Time Review: I wish I could write reviews like so many others, but usually all I can think of to say is you are missing a good book if you don't read this. I specially like a book where the secondary characters are as enjoyable as the main ones. Very enjoyable book.
Rating: Summary: A Disappointment... Review: I, too, snapped up this book thinking it was going to be as enjoyable as "The Abduction of Julia." Instead I got 2 unlikeable characters in a very boring novel. There was no sizzle in the plot and I could not bring myself to believe that the hero broke her heart years ago by marrying another as a noble sacrifice. She, on the other hand, was just an idiot who didn't move on. Don't buy the book thinking it is similar to her last.
Rating: Summary: An amusing regency romance Review: In 1814 Yorkshire, England, the groom took the turn too fast frightening the horse of Lucien Deveraux, the Duke of Wexford. The carriage's passenger, Lady Arabella Hadley recognizes the injured Due as the person who seduced her and broke her heart a decade ago. Though tempted to leave Lucien for the mice to dine on, she takes him so that her elderly aunts can take care of him. Though he feels guilty for abandoning Arabella years ago, Lucien finds himself unable to resist beginning anew with her. Besides his obvious reaction to Arabella, Lucien feels she might be involved with espionage and smuggling, the reason he is in the area. As they begin to become reacquainted, their former love rekindles, but he is on an investigation that probably involves her or a loved one and she has secrets too, making a permanent relationship unattainable. THE BELATED BRIDE is an amusing Regency romance. The story line is humorous due to the lunatic antics of Arabella's aunts who serve as the antidote to the grave-like personalities of the lead couple. Though a few too many subplots slow down what is otherwise a fast-paced fun to read tale, Karen Hawkins shows she is a talented author that sub-genre fans will enjoy reading. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: a good book but not great Review: In short, this was a good book. A good read but it wasn't fantastic. At some points I found it quite difficult to concentrate on it. The story line was alright - although I thought the baddy got killed off rather easily - and Lucien was a really great guy! He wasn't your typical hero because he didn't run from love or commitment even when he was twenty! Bella was also a good character but I found her a bit annoying at times (I can't marry him cos he doesn't want to really...blah blah blah), but on the whole I liked her too. She was a strong character and all her emotions where shown brilliantly. The best thing about this book is that it made me laugh! It was really quite funny at parts! Disapointments? Apart from the ones I've already mentioned I think the love scenes were also a bit of a disapointment - they got me quite bored because I didn't think there was much feeling in them. Basically if your in the mood for a good, light read this is the book for you: Its funny and has very well-made characters.
Rating: Summary: A wonderful Regency-era romp from a talented new author! Review: In this wonderful, humorous Regency-era romp, Karen has proven that the success of her first novel, The Abduction of Julia, was no mistake. Arabella Hadley has plenty of secrets, as well as two elderly aunts, a wheelchair bound brother, and a estate full of servants and tenants that she's trying to protect. What she certainly doesn't need is an injured duke lying around the house to upset her routine. Especially this duke. Lucien Deveraux stole her heart and then stomped on it ten years ago. Even though the Christian thing to do is rescue an injured man lying along the road on that dark night, once Arabella discovers his identity, she begins to wish she'd left him tofend for himself. Once Lucien discovers where he is, he decides to use the obvious interest of Arabella's aunts to his advantage - both to hide his own secrets and to learn more about Arabella's life in the years since he had to marry another. Once Lucien is firmly ensconced in the family home, Arabella has a devil of a time trying to kick him out. Her aunts have decided he is the perfect mate for Arabella and her brother has finally shown some interest in life again. However, the temptation of Lucien is more than poor Arabella can stand; she never quite managed to free her heart of his memories, even after he married another woman. In this funny, tender, and enjoyable ride through the English countryside and the lives of these two independent and resilient characters, Karen Hawkins has created a world that leaves us wanting more. The drama is exciting, the sexual chemistry is riveting, and the characters, from the hero and heroine down to Arabella's meddling aunts and crippled brother, Lucien's eccentric sister, and all the people working and living on or near Rosemont, can't help but worm their way into our hearts. Definitely don't miss this latest and endearing tale from a talented new author. Great job, Karen!
Rating: Summary: Love, laughter, and a lot of help from her relatives! Review: Lucien and Arabella not only were made for each other, they deserved each other. This book is hilarious. I loved the Aunts and their "meddling." They made you almost feel sorry for Lucien but, on the other hand, maybe he deserved their "attentions." Three cheers, Karen, keep them coming!
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