2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not her best book, but still good. I believe it is part of a series. There's so much tension between the hero and heroine that it almost makes you tired. It does work out okay in the end, but I was hoping for more. If you like Balogh, it's a good read, but try the Slightly series first.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
great book
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It took me awhile to warm up to these two main characters. It's only through their thoughts that we know they love each other. They usually treat each other with contempt.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have liked everything Mary Balogh has written. This is not an easy book but it comes across as real. James(brother of Alexandra-Edmund's wife from Gilded Web)is complicated, brooding, flawed and guilt ridden thanks to his father. His fear of love and need to punish himself by pushng people away-esp Madeline is heart wrenching. If you've ever known someone who brought out the nasty streak in yourself then you wanted to kick yourself after- you'll understand. I thought MB handled the angst very well.
In my head I was calling these two characters complete nitwits. I was on a plane with nothing else to do and thats why I finished it. Don't waste your time. Seriously.
From the back Cover…
When James Purhnell walks into the London drawing room and sees Lady Madeline Raine, time stops. Once she had been his for the taking. Now she is an aloof, beautiful stranger, determined to keep the devilishly handsome nobleman from seducing her again. But after four years apart, desire reignites-swift, hot, irresistible-culminating in a night of reckless lovemaking. Suddenly Madeline is faced with an unbearable choice: marry with no hope of love or risk certain ruin. Wheat she doesn’t know is how far James will to go right the wrongs of the past-and how much he’s willing to risk for the woman who already owns him…body, heart, and soul.
When James Purhnell walks into the London drawing room and sees Lady Madeline Raine, time stops. Once she had been his for the taking. Now she is an aloof, beautiful stranger, determined to keep the devilishly handsome nobleman from seducing her again. But after four years apart, desire reignites-swift, hot, irresistible-culminating in a night of reckless lovemaking. Suddenly Madeline is faced with an unbearable choice: marry with no hope of love or risk certain ruin. Wheat she doesn’t know is how far James will to go right the wrongs of the past-and how much he’s willing to risk for the woman who already owns him…body, heart, and soul.
This book is just painful. If you want dysfunctional relationships in a regency, this is your book. Last as part of the web series, while all are good and discuss difficult situations. This one was about abuse and lack and the inability to communicate. Tough read.
One of the best books I have ever read!
I like Mary Balogh's work -- this was a little downbeat though. You wonder how the protagonists ever get a common ground or work things out.
James and Madeline's story is very well written. Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors.