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Book Reviews of By Design

By Design
By Design
Author: Madeline Hunter
ISBN-13: 9780553582239
ISBN-10: 0553582232
Publication Date: 1/2/2001
Pages: 400
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 133

3.7 stars, based on 133 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

lizarina21 avatar reviewed By Design on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This was my first book by this author, and I must admit that it was much more than I thought it was going to be. Fairly complex and well-developed primary and secondary characters with a good bit of medeaval court intrigue and history thrown in. The author apparently really knows her period. Really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it.
marame avatar reviewed By Design on
Helpful Score: 7
A beautiful medieval love story about a patient and kind London merchant and displaced noblewoman. It continues to haunt me years after reading it. Rhys is every woman's dream of a good man. Part of a series: By Posession (Addis and Moira's story), By Design and Stealing Heaven (Marcus's story).
reviewed By Design on + 143 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
2nd in Madeline's trilogy- Rhy's story, Just loved him. I recomend anything by this author
reviewed By Design on + 331 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting!! Not your usual historical romance of lords and ladies but life from the prspective of the "middle class". Good reading and well written!
klokanek avatar reviewed By Design on + 64 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another thoughtful, compelling romance from this author. I enjoy how she shows the stupidity of class as a way to gauge worth.
reviewed By Design on + 911 more book reviews
A good read.
Jerseygirltoo avatar reviewed By Design on + 452 more book reviews
The 3rd of Hunter's Medieval series(1st and 2nd are "By Arrangement" and "By Possession"). Like the others, it does not gloss over the harshness of life in those days especially for women. The heroine comes from a noble family, but has to learn to survive after losing everything. He rescues her, and they develop a great bond which is enhanced by their artistic creativity. Both are admirable characters who know what it is to make sacrifices for someone you love. I loved that this story took place among the middle/working classes instead of nobility. When Joan does get a chance to return to her former place in life, she finds she is no longer happy there. But of course they end up back together and there is an HEA!
reviewed By Design on + 265 more book reviews
I have to finish books but this one was rather laborious! Not a bad story but...just not one I enjoyed reading.
reviewed By Design on + 22 more book reviews
The moment Rhys saw the stunning young woman selling her exquisitely crafted pottery in the marketplace, he was captivated.

Traditional romance very well written
reviewed By Design on + 35 more book reviews
Historical romance better than most of the genre.
reviewed By Design on + 79 more book reviews
Bound by Honor

The moment Rhys saw the stunning young woman selling her exquisitely crafted pottery in the marketplace, he was captivated. But the wealthy freemason would never have guessed that just a few days later, a misunderstanding would land Joan in the stown stocks and he would become her unlikely savior. After the grueling ordeal, Rhys tenderly cares for Joan's bruised body-and her bruised pride. Yet he longs to do much more...to satisfy the fire that sparks between the pair the moment they are alone.

Rhys could not have known that Joan once enjoyed a more priviledged life. She'd had no choice but to become an indentured servent, but she is detemined to avenge the crimes that ruined her family and destroyed her world. When Rhys meets with her employer to buy potter-and buys her instead-Joan is furious. Se vows to resist falling under the spell of the handsome, imposing Rhys. But she finds that her resolve quickly softens when tempted by Rhy's powerful charms-and she can only hope to find a way to avoid surrendering to her potent desire...