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
Rating: Summary: 2nd in the series of Rogues Review: I loved the first book and couldn't wait to read this one. I was really disappointed. I finished it but it did not capture me as the first one. I have yet to read the 3rd in the series do to being so disappointed with this one.
Rating: Summary: I've been "Ruthlessly Charmed" Review: I once made the comment, that I would read anything with Julia London's name on it. A pretty broad statement of my opinion of her writing. With The Ruthless Charmer, she has justified my having made that statement once again. I hate to use trite convenient phrases like, she just gets better with each book, but I just don't know of any better way to say it. She opens this book with Julian Dane's interpretation of the impact that Phillip Rothembow's life, and death have had, and will have, on his life. She uses this phrase: "Know ye in this death the light of our Lord, the quality of love, and the quality of life, And know ye the quality of mercy, Amen..." And in this story, Julian Dane, and Claudia Whitney learn exactly that; the quality of love, the quality of life, and the quality of mercy. Julian and Claudia lead us on an oft times emotional, tumultuous ride through the complicated pathways with which they chose to walk through their lives. The secondary characters are vivid and alive within the story. The story touches on issues that, as relevant as they were in those times, sadly, on many levels, remain so today. While still giving us the "fantasy" of romance that we love, Julia London manages to temper that with the "reality" of love, life, and the gift of mercy. The emotional depth Ms London brings to her characters will leave you breathless, and turning pages.
Rating: Summary: Must read Review: I thought this book was wonderful. I read it from start to finish; from 10pm to 6am. Finally, a male character that actually admits he loves the heroine before the last page of the book. This was a first Julia Quinn romance for me and I will definitely continue to look forward to her other books.
Rating: Summary: Okay, but there are better Review: I thought this book, along with the other 2 in the series, was okay. They were very intense and passionate, but about halfway through this one I became so fed up with Julian and Claudia behaving so blindly that I was tempted to just put it down and stop. The ending was wonderful and for the most part it was a good book, but it just irritated me in certain places. If you want to read a book similar to this & the other 2 in this series, try the Bar Cynster series by Stephanie Laurens. They're very similar, but Laurens's series is much better, in my opinion.
Rating: Summary: Okay, but there are better Review: I thought this book, along with the other 2 in the series, was okay. They were very intense and passionate, but about halfway through this one I became so fed up with Julian and Claudia behaving so blindly that I was tempted to just put it down and stop. The ending was wonderful and for the most part it was a good book, but it just irritated me in certain places. If you want to read a book similar to this & the other 2 in this series, try the Bar Cynster series by Stephanie Laurens. They're very similar, but Laurens's series is much better, in my opinion.
Rating: Summary: Definitely not a five star romance Review: I was reading the other reviews, and I can't believe anyone thought this was a five star romance. It was depressing, and I'm convinced the main characters didn't laugh once in the whole novel. Claudia was annoying, and I couldn't understand her reasons for resisting Julian. Julian was an excellent "hero" and that is what is making me give this book 2 stars. The last few pages were the only good pages in the novel. Overall, this book is not worth reading if your looking for a little romantic pick-me-up.
Rating: Summary: mediocre Review: I wasn't all that impressed with this book. I've read Julia London's previous books (which were absolutely fantastic!) and the Ruthless Charmer wasn't charming at all. It seemed that the story concentrated more on Sophie's predicament and not on Claudia and Julian. Overall though it wasn't such a bad book. It just didn't grab my attention after a few pages and it took a while for me to finish it because it lacked magic in it.
Rating: Summary: This one's a keeper! Review: I've just read, in rapid succession, "The Dangerous Gentleman" and "The Ruthless Charmer". I had very mixed feelings about the first book (yet couldn't put it down) - but I love TRC! In this novel, the heroine is the one who's a bit of a pain in the behind - she's just looking to misunderstand Julian. But she has her reasons, and ultimately they work it all out. The chemistry is good between Julian and Claudia, on all levels. The secondary characters and story line are very strong as well - unlike other reviewers, I'm glad to see a plot that hinges on something other than someone's lost treasure or some silly nonsensical mystery. This book dealt with some serious social issues, yet never detracted from the main story between the two characters. Ms London is a very strong writer, her technical skills are excellent. (Although, the dreaded cliché "Rake with a capital R" does make an appearance!) I do puzzle about two things - the more I hear about the dear, departed Phillip, the more I wonder why anyone even cares if he's dead, much less let his death screw their own lives up so much. Secondly, how is it that Adrian (the "Dangerous Gentleman") is now the Regency equivalent of Cosby or Robert Young from Father Knows Best??? Only in fiction...I can't wait for Arthur's story! (Let me guess - did Phillip have a sister??)
Rating: Summary: Not as good as #1 Review: I've read all the Rogues of Regent Street series and the only one that kept my interest was the first one (The Dangerous Gentleman). This one and #3 (The Beautiful Stranger) became just plain boring. In this one, the hero & heroine cause each other pain for such dumb reasons that I became frustrated with their relationship. When one of them would finally relent and forgive the other, the other one would be holding a grudge. The plot was simply and boring and even the love scenes weren't that steamy or interesting (as they were in The Dangerous Gentleman). Finally, I just didn't care that much about the heroine. It seems like Julia London created the heroine's charitable activities and her interest in women's suffrage in an attempt to make an otherwise uninteresting character interesting. In my estimation, she didn't succeed. Despite Claudia's charities and feelings on women's rights, she just seemed silly and childish at times. Instead of respecting Julian's right as a brother to see to the care of his sister, she buts in and messes up everything. I had to force myself to finish this one, and I wasn't very satisfied when I finally did.
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