Rating: 
Summary: A charmer yes - but certainly not ruthless
Review: Eagerly, I purchased the three books that make up The Rogues of Regent Street series. I had absolutely loved both The Devil's Love and Wicked Angel and rated them both five stars when I reviewed them on this site. But this series has not lived up to my expectations. The first in this series, The Dangerous Gentleman, was quite good but lacking when compared to her those first two London books I had read. I easily rated it a solid four stars when I reviewed it. However, The Ruthless Charmer, barely holds on to a four star rating. I would rate it a three and one-half if that option was available.Julian Dane is the roguish hero who is tiring of that lifestyle. The suicide/death of one of his closest friends, Phillip, has left him shaken, even two years later, and he blames himself for his friend's death. He believes he could have prevented it had he just paid more attention. We don't really see Julian in full rogue mode. He has become increasingly interested in a long time friend, Claudia Whitney, and wants to pursue a relationship with her. However, she doesn't seem the least bit interested. Claudia is a nineteenth century feminist. She is quite happy with her life as a single woman who spends her time and efforts on helping women. She is constantly attempting to raise funds for both a woman's shelter and a future girl's school for the less fortunate. She had been involved with Phillip prior to his death and blames their mutual friend, Julian Dane, for his death. If only Julian hadn't always encouraged Phillip's rakish ways, he probably would still be living. There is a lot of history between Claudia and Julian. She had grown up as a close friends to his many sisters and had a crush on him as a teenager. Although she is still attracted to him, she would never be foolish enough to hope for his love because she believes him to be too corrupt to ever be faithful. It seems Claudia is one very judgmental heroine. And she is one of the more belligerent and hateful ones I have read as well. Julian proves to be a very likable character with much more patience than the average hero. The leads argue most of the book and don't even seem to like each other all that much. They each hold affection for the other but neither seems able to comprehend this glaring fact. Their continued conflicts become old quickly and it becomes tiresome, as we are privy to their insecure thoughts again and again and again. This is one story that is based largely on The Big Misunderstanding but in this case it should be referred to as The Big Misunderstandings. This couple has so many of these misunderstandings between them as one determines to show their love to the other only to give up just as the other has determined to show their love in return. There is so much angst between the two and they both appear a little stupid to not recognize or believe actions or actual words of love from one to the other. Despite these conflicts, I still managed to be entertained and there are certainly some tender moments between the two. The sensual scenes are infrequent and rate about a 3.75 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). This is a story that is primarily about the romance. There is a villain but thankfully, he only occupies a little of the story. As I mentioned earlier, this is the second in a series of three. Although I was aggravated with the leads' interactions, I still recommend this series for some enjoyable reading. I am currently reading the third, The Beautiful Stranger, and it looks like it will be a five star rating. Julia London is an author I will continue to follow as her new books are released and I look forward to reading the remaining books on her backlist.
Rating:
Summary: A charmer yes - but certainly not ruthless
Review: Eagerly, I purchased the three books that make up The Rogues of Regent Street series. I had absolutely loved both The Devil's Love and Wicked Angel and rated them both five stars when I reviewed them on this site. But this series has not lived up to my expectations. The first in this series, The Dangerous Gentleman, was quite good but lacking when compared to her those first two London books I had read. I easily rated it a solid four stars when I reviewed it. However, The Ruthless Charmer, barely holds on to a four star rating. I would rate it a three and one-half if that option was available. Julian Dane is the roguish hero who is tiring of that lifestyle. The suicide/death of one of his closest friends, Phillip, has left him shaken, even two years later, and he blames himself for his friend's death. He believes he could have prevented it had he just paid more attention. We don't really see Julian in full rogue mode. He has become increasingly interested in a long time friend, Claudia Whitney, and wants to pursue a relationship with her. However, she doesn't seem the least bit interested. Claudia is a nineteenth century feminist. She is quite happy with her life as a single woman who spends her time and efforts on helping women. She is constantly attempting to raise funds for both a woman's shelter and a future girl's school for the less fortunate. She had been involved with Phillip prior to his death and blames their mutual friend, Julian Dane, for his death. If only Julian hadn't always encouraged Phillip's rakish ways, he probably would still be living. There is a lot of history between Claudia and Julian. She had grown up as a close friends to his many sisters and had a crush on him as a teenager. Although she is still attracted to him, she would never be foolish enough to hope for his love because she believes him to be too corrupt to ever be faithful. It seems Claudia is one very judgmental heroine. And she is one of the more belligerent and hateful ones I have read as well. Julian proves to be a very likable character with much more patience than the average hero. The leads argue most of the book and don't even seem to like each other all that much. They each hold affection for the other but neither seems able to comprehend this glaring fact. Their continued conflicts become old quickly and it becomes tiresome, as we are privy to their insecure thoughts again and again and again. This is one story that is based largely on The Big Misunderstanding but in this case it should be referred to as The Big Misunderstandings. This couple has so many of these misunderstandings between them as one determines to show their love to the other only to give up just as the other has determined to show their love in return. There is so much angst between the two and they both appear a little stupid to not recognize or believe actions or actual words of love from one to the other. Despite these conflicts, I still managed to be entertained and there are certainly some tender moments between the two. The sensual scenes are infrequent and rate about a 3.75 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). This is a story that is primarily about the romance. There is a villain but thankfully, he only occupies a little of the story. As I mentioned earlier, this is the second in a series of three. Although I was aggravated with the leads' interactions, I still recommend this series for some enjoyable reading. I am currently reading the third, The Beautiful Stranger, and it looks like it will be a five star rating. Julia London is an author I will continue to follow as her new books are released and I look forward to reading the remaining books on her backlist.
Rating:
Summary: Missed Dinner to Read the Book!
Review: I bought this book to read on a cruise to mexico, thinking I'd rarely find the time to read with all the activities of such a vacation. Initially the story started out slow enough that I did indeed put it down and managed to enjoy my vacation. But by the 3-4 chapter I was so hooked, I actually missed the Captain's dinner in order to read further! It was so nice to read a story where the motivations behind the 2 characters, from the beginning was heartfelt love. Despite all the layers on top, that remained consistent and had me rooting for them from the get-go! I'll go back and read the first book in this collection and wait for the next one!
Rating: 
Summary: It doesn't get any better than this!
Review: I have not read a romance novel as good as this in years. Julia London has a magic pen - her writing is head and shoulders above most. But what I really love is the reality she puts in her books. The characters are so believable and the settings are so vivid you feel like you are there. The best part is that she uses real issues, I read this book in one setting and I am about to read it again. Julia London, thanks for the best novel I have read this year. I cannot wait for Arthur's story!
Rating:
Summary: Romance with substance
Review: I have read all of Julia London's books and am always captivated. Ruthless Charmer was no exception. Her characters are very well drawn - you feel like you actually know these people. I think what sets Julia apart from the pack is her substance of writing. Her stories include real life situations that not only make me think, but make me feel. Thank you, Julia, for another great read!
Rating:
Summary: great vacation reading
Review: I just finished reading the book on a beach in Mexico. It was perfect light reading for the whole day. The characters were interesting and the writing fairly well done. The main story and the subplot were a bit predictable, but with good writing it can be enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!!
Review: I just finished reading this book and I couldn't put it down! I really didn't think that The Devil's Love or Wicked Angel could be bested, but I believe they have. I absolutely loved The Devil's Love, but The Ruthless Charmer was even better. You will fall in love with Julian Dane. His love for Claudia brought tears to my eyes and I loved the storyline involving him and Sophie, his sister, as well. This books beats anything I have read! I cannot imagine how Julia London will top this, but I thought that when I read The Devil's Love and along came the Ruthless Charmer. I can't wait to read Arthur's story. Please Hurry Julia!
Rating: 
Summary: This isn't a good romance book
Review: I loved the first book 'The Dangerous Gentleman' and I couldn't wait for this one. What a mistake. I wish I had of brought it second hand or borrowed it. I personally like exciting, romantic love stories and this one was not. I really didn't like they way the two main characters were written and I was disappointed with the storyline, also women getting beaten up is not my idea of a good story. I don't even want to read the third & final book. I haven't read Julia London's 'The Devil's Love' or 'Wicked Angel' but I hope they are so much better than this. If you like exciting, romantic love stories stick with Stephanie Laurens & Julia Quinn.
Rating:
Summary: This isn't a good romance book
Review: I loved the first book 'The Dangerous Gentleman' and I couldn't wait for this one. What a mistake. I wish I had of brought it second hand or borrowed it. I personally like exciting, romantic love stories and this one was not. I really didn't like they way the two main characters were written and I was disappointed with the storyline, also women getting beaten up is not my idea of a good story. I don't even want to read the third & final book. I haven't read Julia London's 'The Devil's Love' or 'Wicked Angel' but I hope they are so much better than this. If you like exciting, romantic love stories stick with Stephanie Laurens & Julia Quinn.
Rating:
Summary: Not a good romance story
Review: I loved the first book 'The Dangerous Gentleman' and I couldn't wait to read this one. What a mistake. I wished I had brought it second hand or borrowed it. I like exciting, romantic stories - this was not one of those. I didn't like the way the two main characters were written and was disappointed with the storyline, also women getting beaten up is not my idea of a good read. I don't even want to read the third and final book. I hope that Julia London's 'The Devil's love' and 'Wicked Angel' are much better than this. If you want exciting romantic stories stick with Stephanie Laurens and Julia Quinn
| 
