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Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #3
The Duke and the Lady in Red
Sparks fly in the finale of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Place series, as the last wicked rogue meets his match.
When Rosalind Sharpe gains the attention of the deliciously wicked Duke of Avendale, she’s torn between her distracting attraction to the notorious rogue and the knowledge that he—rich as Croesus—is the perfect target for a deception that will put her swindling days behind her.
However, Avendale is no fool. After he discovers the tantalizing lady packing up to leave London with his coins in tow, he confronts her with a scandalous proposition: she can have all the money she requires…for a week in his bed.
Desperate for the funds, Rose agrees, but on one condition: he must never question her motives. Avendale quickly sees beneath her mask and discovers she is more than passion and pleasure—she is everything he has ever desired. But claiming her requires he unveil her secrets and lose her forever. Unless he can put his own dark past aside and risk everything for a chance at love.
When Rosalind Sharpe gains the attention of the deliciously wicked Duke of Avendale, she’s torn between her distracting attraction to the notorious rogue and the knowledge that he—rich as Croesus—is the perfect target for a deception that will put her swindling days behind her.
However, Avendale is no fool. After he discovers the tantalizing lady packing up to leave London with his coins in tow, he confronts her with a scandalous proposition: she can have all the money she requires…for a week in his bed.
Desperate for the funds, Rose agrees, but on one condition: he must never question her motives. Avendale quickly sees beneath her mask and discovers she is more than passion and pleasure—she is everything he has ever desired. But claiming her requires he unveil her secrets and lose her forever. Unless he can put his own dark past aside and risk everything for a chance at love.
384 pages, ebook
First published April 28, 2015
About the author
Lorraine Heath
70 books4,214 followersAlso writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 759 reviews
February 13, 2016
I can't remember the last time I cried this much reading a book. It says so much about Lorraine Heath's ability to craft her characters that she made me care for them so much. I expected a light story about about a rich rake, falling for a canny con artist. But what I got was so much more. Rosalind is a swindler, but that is the tip of the iceberg for her character; and it's her backstory and its impact on the present that kept me reading, cover to cover, without putting it down once.
The Duke of Avendale never considered a woman as more than a pleasant diversion, until he spotted Rosalind at his gaming hell. Between her stunning red dress and sharp eyes, she was captivating, and he knew he had to have her. The fact that she didn't fawn over him or accept his advances only made her more attractive, and from then on, he was completely hooked. Of course, he had no idea that she was really playing a con. She's not a widow waiting for her inheritance. She is good at reading people and can tell a convincing story. She has to. She has people to take care of.
It's not a baby. I'll tell you that. But I don't want to spoil the particulars. Heath unwraps this story one step at a time and that is part of what makes it so engaging. There are no predictable tropes. No unnecessary tripe to wade through to get to the good parts. All the parts are good parts. Even the parts that break your heart. And it will break your heart.
Rosalind is a fabulous heroine. She is smart, resourceful, and so pragmatic. I love the time spent in her point of view, watching how her mind works, fighting between her practical needs and her emotional wants. I loved watching her fall for Avendale, yet never losing sight of her priorities. As for her hero, I liked him too. He was slightly underdeveloped in comparison to Rose, but I really didn't mind. He is a good man. His actions speak so much louder than his self-derision. And together, they were wonderful.
The real scene stealer, though, is that mystery character. That person Rosalind takes care of. He is the heart of this book. The connections he makes with the other characters and his impact are impossible to overstate. I loved him and you will too.
I would heartily recommend this book for historical romance fans. But bring your Kleenex and be prepared for it to grab a hold of your heart. Until then, try to stay spoiler free, if you can.
Rating: A-
*ARC provided by Avon
The Duke of Avendale never considered a woman as more than a pleasant diversion, until he spotted Rosalind at his gaming hell. Between her stunning red dress and sharp eyes, she was captivating, and he knew he had to have her. The fact that she didn't fawn over him or accept his advances only made her more attractive, and from then on, he was completely hooked. Of course, he had no idea that she was really playing a con. She's not a widow waiting for her inheritance. She is good at reading people and can tell a convincing story. She has to. She has people to take care of.
It's not a baby. I'll tell you that. But I don't want to spoil the particulars. Heath unwraps this story one step at a time and that is part of what makes it so engaging. There are no predictable tropes. No unnecessary tripe to wade through to get to the good parts. All the parts are good parts. Even the parts that break your heart. And it will break your heart.
Rosalind is a fabulous heroine. She is smart, resourceful, and so pragmatic. I love the time spent in her point of view, watching how her mind works, fighting between her practical needs and her emotional wants. I loved watching her fall for Avendale, yet never losing sight of her priorities. As for her hero, I liked him too. He was slightly underdeveloped in comparison to Rose, but I really didn't mind. He is a good man. His actions speak so much louder than his self-derision. And together, they were wonderful.
The real scene stealer, though, is that mystery character. That person Rosalind takes care of. He is the heart of this book. The connections he makes with the other characters and his impact are impossible to overstate. I loved him and you will too.
I would heartily recommend this book for historical romance fans. But bring your Kleenex and be prepared for it to grab a hold of your heart. Until then, try to stay spoiler free, if you can.
Rating: A-
*ARC provided by Avon
September 29, 2021
UMMMM I DID NOT EXPECT TO CRY IN THIS BOOK. How could no one warn me about how heart-wrenching and sweet and perfect this book would be? I seriously loved this book so much. The beginning does kind of just dump you into the story, but I loved that we just jumped into Avendale meeting Rose. Rose meets the duke of Avendale and he is instantly captivated by her. Rose knows he's the perfect mark to get money from for her to take care of herself and those she loves. She tries to cheat him out of a large sum of money, but he catches her before she can get away to Scotland. He proposes a week with him and he'll give her the money she needs. With no other option, Rose agrees. This starts as a passionate obsession between both Avendale and Rose, which I loved. Avendale was literally obsessed with Rose and couldn't understand what he was so drawn to. But this quickly turned into something so much deeper and I loved how Avendale put everything into making Rose happy. I really don't want to spoil anything, but there's someone close to Rose who becomes a very integral part of the plot and their relationship. I was obsessed with the romance and how smitten Avendale was with Rose, but I was also obsessed with how sweet and caring they were towards one another when it came to their common desire for someone they loved. And did I mention I cried? Ughhhh my heart. The ending was great and I could not recommend this enough!
October 4, 2015
I honestly got so tired of hearing about how much of a whore Avendale is. In the beginning, it's stated almost every single time that we go to his POV that he's been with or had many women. We're literally never allowed to forget that he's pretty much the biggest whore in all of the British Empire and has probably slept with at least half the women of England alone.
And that's why it pisses me off that Rose was a virgin. I seriously had such an are-you-fucking-kidding-me moment with that. Why is it that Avendale, of all people, ends up with a virgin? It had literally no bearing on the rest of the story whatsoever and she could've just as easily been a woman who wasn't. It's not even as if she hadn't had the opportunity to lose it before -- she could've lost it to Phillip! But nope! We had to have Avendale, whore extraordinaire, end up with a virgin because why the hell not. Virgins for everybody!!
Just as we constantly hear about Avendale and his less-than-chaste sexual history, we're also never allowed to forget that Rose plans to leave Avendale eventually because he'll grow bored of her or because of her past or whatever other reason she feels like coming up with at the time. Her thoughts are a constant loop of: Oh Avendale is so kind and I misjudged him and why does he have to be so kind and generous and make me love him even more but he'll never marry me because he's a duke and needs a proper wife and I don't suit because I'm a commoner and also a swindler and I'll leave him and he'll forget me like all the other women in his life but I'll horde this memory and that and this one too for when I leave and I miss him dearly. It's this refrain playing over and over and over and over again. The author also intersperses these thoughts with moments in which their bodies still or tense or their breaths catch or there are tears or something.
This book could have been a whole lot shorter because there are a lot of unnecessary inner musings and misgivings. The exact same sentiments are literally paraphrased (sometimes not) and repeated constantly. Avendale has thoughts too but I forgot his song-and-dance because he plays second-fiddle to Rose and her story. This is all Rose with a little bit of Avendale, but I feel as though it shouldn't have been. Avendale's estrangement to his family is mentioned and then quickly resolved. He spends over 20 years of his life drinking away and avoiding his issues...and then it's literally solved in one conversation that only takes a couple of minutes. He's clearly an alcoholic but his alcoholism is glossed over. I say alcoholism because it's commented he drinks often and does so before noon. He also drinks tumblers-full rather than a splash or so. Again, it's mentioned but not given much attention apart from that. It's annoys me that it was even added in because it's pretty much completely ignored. Just because he solved what originally caused his alcoholism (his mother's involvement in his father's death), it doesn't mean that it'll just magically vanish. Alcoholism is an important issue and I hated the way it was treated in this book.
I also didn't like that Rose played such a large part in the book because I did not like her. There were a lot of minor things I didn't like about her, but what annoyed me the most was her hypocrisy. In the beginning, Merrick even tells her that they should downsize but she waves it away because she enjoys the luxury in which they live. She also has no qualms about judging Avendale for how he spends his money (she gives him looks and makes passive-aggressive comments). To Avendale, money is of no great concern because he has so much of it. He spends lavishly and without much thought -- something that grates at Rose. However, the minute Avendale takes her into his home and starts to spend on her and her brother, she never breathes a word about it about cost and waste. The only time she ever gets huffy is when he gives her jewellery and that wasn't because it was too expensive or something. Rose is such a hypocrite.
And that's why it pisses me off that Rose was a virgin. I seriously had such an are-you-fucking-kidding-me moment with that. Why is it that Avendale, of all people, ends up with a virgin? It had literally no bearing on the rest of the story whatsoever and she could've just as easily been a woman who wasn't. It's not even as if she hadn't had the opportunity to lose it before -- she could've lost it to Phillip! But nope! We had to have Avendale, whore extraordinaire, end up with a virgin because why the hell not. Virgins for everybody!!
Just as we constantly hear about Avendale and his less-than-chaste sexual history, we're also never allowed to forget that Rose plans to leave Avendale eventually because he'll grow bored of her or because of her past or whatever other reason she feels like coming up with at the time. Her thoughts are a constant loop of: Oh Avendale is so kind and I misjudged him and why does he have to be so kind and generous and make me love him even more but he'll never marry me because he's a duke and needs a proper wife and I don't suit because I'm a commoner and also a swindler and I'll leave him and he'll forget me like all the other women in his life but I'll horde this memory and that and this one too for when I leave and I miss him dearly. It's this refrain playing over and over and over and over again. The author also intersperses these thoughts with moments in which their bodies still or tense or their breaths catch or there are tears or something.
This book could have been a whole lot shorter because there are a lot of unnecessary inner musings and misgivings. The exact same sentiments are literally paraphrased (sometimes not) and repeated constantly. Avendale has thoughts too but I forgot his song-and-dance because he plays second-fiddle to Rose and her story. This is all Rose with a little bit of Avendale, but I feel as though it shouldn't have been. Avendale's estrangement to his family is mentioned and then quickly resolved. He spends over 20 years of his life drinking away and avoiding his issues...and then it's literally solved in one conversation that only takes a couple of minutes. He's clearly an alcoholic but his alcoholism is glossed over. I say alcoholism because it's commented he drinks often and does so before noon. He also drinks tumblers-full rather than a splash or so. Again, it's mentioned but not given much attention apart from that. It's annoys me that it was even added in because it's pretty much completely ignored. Just because he solved what originally caused his alcoholism (his mother's involvement in his father's death), it doesn't mean that it'll just magically vanish. Alcoholism is an important issue and I hated the way it was treated in this book.
I also didn't like that Rose played such a large part in the book because I did not like her. There were a lot of minor things I didn't like about her, but what annoyed me the most was her hypocrisy. In the beginning, Merrick even tells her that they should downsize but she waves it away because she enjoys the luxury in which they live. She also has no qualms about judging Avendale for how he spends his money (she gives him looks and makes passive-aggressive comments). To Avendale, money is of no great concern because he has so much of it. He spends lavishly and without much thought -- something that grates at Rose. However, the minute Avendale takes her into his home and starts to spend on her and her brother, she never breathes a word about it about cost and waste. The only time she ever gets huffy is when he gives her jewellery and that wasn't because it was too expensive or something. Rose is such a hypocrite.
July 8, 2015
THIS BOOK WAS JUST AMAZING! Lorraine Heath weaves a beautiful, deeply emotional and moving story that is both heart-breaking and heart-warming.
I love how both Avendale and Rose are such multi-layered characters… far more than they first appear. Avendale seems to be a typical rake, indulging in a life of drinking, women and gambling, caring for nothing except his own personal needs, while Rose is a con-artist fleecing wealthy noblemen. But they each have secrets that have shaped them into the people they have become.
At the age of seventeen Rose ran away from an abusive father taking her younger brother Harry with her. She was forced to do whatever was necessary to support them and her small extended “family”. Avendale had chosen to bury his dark secret beneath a life of debauchery rather than face it head on. It has left him very much a loner, afraid of becoming emotionally involved.
I love how Ms Heath takes the time to build the romance between them showing the gradual changes in their relationship and the love growing. Here are some of my favourite moments.
It had been building between them from the moment she felt his gaze on her that first night, from the first word, the first assessing glance, the first touch.
Then all thoughts fled her mind as he slowly stroked a blunt-tipped finger along the inside of her upper arm, above the glove. Down. Up once more.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m not the caring sort so I’m at a loss here, Rose. Tell me what I can do to make it better.”
Within her, he ignited flames that began at the tips of her toes and rose ever upward.
Strange how, looking at her now, he experienced a flash of contentment, surrounded by this unusual assortment of people.
If Avendale and Rose are the heart of the book then Rose’s brother Harry is surely the soul. He totally captured my heart and his story is so poignant and heart-rending that I was reduced to floods of tears. Every time I think of the book he is writing, it brings a huge lump to my throat. It’s wonderful to see the genuine friendship that develops between Harry and Avendale and the scenes they share are some of my favourites. They also reveal so much about Avendale that he has kept hidden…his compassion, his caring nature and his generosity of spirit. I love how he gives Harry the opportunity to have so many amazing experiences. It was easy to fall in love with this Avendale. I also understood the driving force behind Rose’s actions…her overwhelming love for her brother. For this reason, I couldn’t condemn her even though her actions were morally wrong. After all, she only conned wealthy men who could well afford it!
I must mention Merrick, his wife Sally and Joseph, Rose’s unusual little band of servants and stalwart supporters, who add richness to the story.
In the Epilogue, the final entry in Avendale’s journal is both beautiful and romantic, but most moving are the last words which are from Harry’s book.
How I imagine Avendale –
How I imagine Rose –
My Verdict: This is such a beautifully crafted and emotionally satisfying love story which really touches the heart. A MUST READ!
REVIEW RATING: STELLAR 5/5 STARS
Read June 2015
The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James (click on covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
I love how both Avendale and Rose are such multi-layered characters… far more than they first appear. Avendale seems to be a typical rake, indulging in a life of drinking, women and gambling, caring for nothing except his own personal needs, while Rose is a con-artist fleecing wealthy noblemen. But they each have secrets that have shaped them into the people they have become.
At the age of seventeen Rose ran away from an abusive father taking her younger brother Harry with her. She was forced to do whatever was necessary to support them and her small extended “family”. Avendale had chosen to bury his dark secret beneath a life of debauchery rather than face it head on. It has left him very much a loner, afraid of becoming emotionally involved.
I love how Ms Heath takes the time to build the romance between them showing the gradual changes in their relationship and the love growing. Here are some of my favourite moments.
It had been building between them from the moment she felt his gaze on her that first night, from the first word, the first assessing glance, the first touch.
Then all thoughts fled her mind as he slowly stroked a blunt-tipped finger along the inside of her upper arm, above the glove. Down. Up once more.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m not the caring sort so I’m at a loss here, Rose. Tell me what I can do to make it better.”
Within her, he ignited flames that began at the tips of her toes and rose ever upward.
Strange how, looking at her now, he experienced a flash of contentment, surrounded by this unusual assortment of people.
If Avendale and Rose are the heart of the book then Rose’s brother Harry is surely the soul. He totally captured my heart and his story is so poignant and heart-rending that I was reduced to floods of tears. Every time I think of the book he is writing, it brings a huge lump to my throat. It’s wonderful to see the genuine friendship that develops between Harry and Avendale and the scenes they share are some of my favourites. They also reveal so much about Avendale that he has kept hidden…his compassion, his caring nature and his generosity of spirit. I love how he gives Harry the opportunity to have so many amazing experiences. It was easy to fall in love with this Avendale. I also understood the driving force behind Rose’s actions…her overwhelming love for her brother. For this reason, I couldn’t condemn her even though her actions were morally wrong. After all, she only conned wealthy men who could well afford it!
I must mention Merrick, his wife Sally and Joseph, Rose’s unusual little band of servants and stalwart supporters, who add richness to the story.
In the Epilogue, the final entry in Avendale’s journal is both beautiful and romantic, but most moving are the last words which are from Harry’s book.
How I imagine Avendale –
How I imagine Rose –
My Verdict: This is such a beautifully crafted and emotionally satisfying love story which really touches the heart. A MUST READ!
REVIEW RATING: STELLAR 5/5 STARS
Read June 2015
The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James (click on covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
May 18, 2018
"Yes, he was handsome. Dark hair and darker eyes. Haunted eyes. He is not a joyful man."
It's a very different sort of web ...
I suppose if one is in dire straits, one will do anything to save family and survive.
He handed her Arabian Nights and she began to read ...
I might take a wee break from the series but I will definitely get back to it.
October 7, 2022
Read: 10/3/22
Another Great Lorraine Heath book!
A BOTM Nov. group read
This is book is a wonderful story and a delightful surprise! Both MC are so flawed but they bring out the best in each other.
It's amazing that the story turned from a typical blackmail mistress story to a heartwarming tell. Her brother broke my heart. I cried and laughed through the whole book. I couldn't put it down. That in itself is a worth feat!
I have to say the sex scenes were hot and I loved watching this flawed couple fall in love. The H was so endearing. The secondary characters were also well defined and interesting without over shadowing the MC. I can't say enough positive words on how good the whole book was. It was a shame it had to end :(
So if you want a heartwarming story with excellent writing then I would highly recommend this book!
Sidenote: I read the first book in the series 10 years ago so I don't remember it. So this book can definitely be read as a standalone.
Another Great Lorraine Heath book!
A BOTM Nov. group read
This is book is a wonderful story and a delightful surprise! Both MC are so flawed but they bring out the best in each other.
It's amazing that the story turned from a typical blackmail mistress story to a heartwarming tell. Her brother broke my heart. I cried and laughed through the whole book. I couldn't put it down. That in itself is a worth feat!
I have to say the sex scenes were hot and I loved watching this flawed couple fall in love. The H was so endearing. The secondary characters were also well defined and interesting without over shadowing the MC. I can't say enough positive words on how good the whole book was. It was a shame it had to end :(
So if you want a heartwarming story with excellent writing then I would highly recommend this book!
Sidenote: I read the first book in the series 10 years ago so I don't remember it. So this book can definitely be read as a standalone.
October 16, 2021
This book deserves more than five stars... It deserves all the stars in the night sky. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2021
Me encanta la habilidad que tiene esta autora para buscar conflictos con base real que le den sustento a sus argumentos. En particular, el de este libro me emocionó muchísimo .
Durante toda la serie, hemos conocido al duque de Avendale, descendiente de protagonistas de la serie Scoundrels of St. James; un hombre que ha abrazado una vida decadente y escandalosa (los habituales libertinos no le llegan ni a los talones). Por otra parte tenemos a Rosalind, una inescrupulosa estafadora a la altura de Avendale. Con estos personajes, bastante poco convencionales en el género, la novela está servida y realmente la disfruté muchísimo.
Peeeero, algo de lo que a veces peca esta autora son las resoluciones apresuradas y, aquí, verdaderamente se le fue la mano, cayendo casi en lo absurdo por la rapidez con que soluciona ciertas situaciones, especialmente el secreto que llevó a Avendale a alejarse de su familia y que, supuestamente, es lo que motiva su estilo de vida. Creo que si le dedica dos páginas estoy siendo generosa. Afortunadamente, no fue tan egoísta con el desenlace en lo que a Rose y Avendale se refiere.
Reto #48 PopSugar 2021: Un libro de tu lista TBR elegido al azar
Durante toda la serie, hemos conocido al duque de Avendale, descendiente de protagonistas de la serie Scoundrels of St. James; un hombre que ha abrazado una vida decadente y escandalosa (los habituales libertinos no le llegan ni a los talones). Por otra parte tenemos a Rosalind, una inescrupulosa estafadora a la altura de Avendale. Con estos personajes, bastante poco convencionales en el género, la novela está servida y realmente la disfruté muchísimo.
Peeeero, algo de lo que a veces peca esta autora son las resoluciones apresuradas y, aquí, verdaderamente se le fue la mano, cayendo casi en lo absurdo por la rapidez con que soluciona ciertas situaciones, especialmente el secreto que llevó a Avendale a alejarse de su familia y que, supuestamente, es lo que motiva su estilo de vida. Creo que si le dedica dos páginas estoy siendo generosa. Afortunadamente, no fue tan egoísta con el desenlace en lo que a Rose y Avendale se refiere.
Reto #48 PopSugar 2021: Un libro de tu lista TBR elegido al azar
September 13, 2016
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars
I’ve read and enjoyed the previous books in this trilogy – When the Duke Was Wicked and Once More, My Darling Rogue, finding both to be enjoyable with strongly written central characters and well developed romances. My favourite by a nose is the first, which is a really emotional read that delivered more than one metaphorical punch to the gut and made me tear up several times.
I was surprised when The Duke and the Lady in Red produced a similar emotional reaction (albeit for different reasons), because when I started reading, it seemed to be a variation on a theme: wealthy, handsome, arrogant aristocrat with-a-trauma-in-his-past-that-makes-him-eschew-the-finer-emotions-and-hide-his-true-nature-behind-a mask-of-the-dissipated-scoundrel meets and is intrigued by an adventurous-widow-who-doesn’t-swoon-at-his-feet-or-seem-as-though-she’ll-succumb-to-his-charms-without-a-lengthy-chase. But I don’t mind tropes when they are handled skilfully, so I settled in for an enjoyable – if predictable read - with just the teeniest bit of disappointment at the thought that this book wasn’t going to live up to the standards set by the other two.
How wrong I was. Yes, the Duke of Avendale is immensely rich, immensely arrogant – and immensely bored. He’s reached a point at which nothing much interests him; he indulges in drink, women and gambling almost automatically and takes little pleasure in anything, until one evening, he glimpses a striking woman he’s never seen before, wearing a seductively cut red dress and falls immediately into lust with her. Accustomed to getting exactly what he wants when he wants it, Avendale relishes the fact that here is a woman who doesn’t throw herself at him, and thus begins a rather deliciously sexy game of cat and mouse. Mrs Rosalind Sharpe is a widow recently returned to England following the death of her husband in India – or at least that’s the story she’s putting around. In fact, she’s a con artist looking for her next mark, and even though she senses that Avendale has the potential to ruin her in more ways than one, she’s as strongly attracted to him as he to her, and she can’t resist the idea of getting close enough to him to get what she wants while knowing she’ll have to be on her mettle if she’s to avoid succumbing to his seduction.
The sparks fly immediately, and it’s a wonder my Kindle didn’t short-circuit from the onslaught of the heat between them! Avendale fully expects that once he’s slaked his lust for Rose, he’ll tire of her, just as with all the other women he’s bedded, and Rose is perfectly aware of that fact. But even so, when he uncovers her deception and furiously demands she spends a week in his bed, she can’t find it in herself to refuse. It’s true that he threatens to expose her as a thief and swindler, but there’s more to it than that for Rose, because she wants to be with him. For all her adult life, has never had time for a life of her own or been able to put her own needs and wants first. Avendale’s dangerous sensuality enthrals her, the knowledge that there’s another man behind the mask of the debauched scoundrel intrigues her – and everything about him combines to make her want to know what’s behind it.
So far, so predictable – until suddenly, the author pulls a blinder in the form of Rose’s brother, Harry. He’s the one Rose has been trying so hard to protect, the one for whom she’s been scheming and stealing ever since they ran away from their abusive father when Rose was seventeen and Harry a couple of years younger. I don’t want to give away too much, but Harry is a wonderful character, a young man who hasn’t been able to have a normal life due to illness. It does perhaps require rather a large suspension of disbelief to credit that Avendale, the ultimate selfish bastard, befriends him and goes way above and beyond the call of duty to show him kindness and even to bond with him; but it’s an easy suspension to make because of the way Ms Heath uses their friendship to tell us as much about Avendale as she does about Harry. And the fact that Avendale has been written – up to this point – as a man who doesn’t know how desperate he is for real companionship (or one who knows, but won’t admit it, even to himself) makes this part of the book perfectly believable. We’re finally shown the man he could, should and would be, were it not for a youthful misunderstanding – a man with a huge capacity for love and kindness who has not had an outlet for either.
It was this aspect of the book that floored me and left me unable to pick up another book for at least twenty-four hours. The romance is very well done, it’s true, but it’s Harry’s story – and indirectly Avendale’s journey towards self-discovery – that made the deepest impression on me.
Rose and Avendale are strongly drawn characters and the push-and-pull between them is brilliantly written as both of them struggle to make sense of a relationship borne out of the debt of one to the other. Their verbal exchanges are like beautifully choreographed fencing bouts – both of them circling, advancing and retreating in a way which is both utterly enthralling and frustrating, yet wonderful to read. Avendale quickly realises he wants Rose to be with him because she wants to be and not out of any sense of obligation. Rose is pragmatic, convinced that once she’s gone, it’ll be “out of sight out of mind”, for Avendale, and is determined to make the most of the time they have. Her easy acceptance of their circumstances send the wrong signals to Avendale, who is, beneath the arrogance, someone with little sense of self-worth, and unable to believe that Rose would be with him were it not for her indebtnedness to him.
The Duke and the Lady in Red is a beautifully written and highly emotional read that really tugs at the heartstrings. What started out as a re-tread of familiar tropes is skilfully turned into something far richer and multi-layered; and most of all, Ms Heath made me care about her characters so that I was compelled to keep reading. I deliberated over the final grade for my review for a while, but because I had a couple of issues – mostly to do with the nature of the trauma in Avendale’s past and its resolution – it’s missed the DIK bracket by a hairsbreadth. But even so, it’s a very enjoyable book and one I’m strongly recommending.
I’ve read and enjoyed the previous books in this trilogy – When the Duke Was Wicked and Once More, My Darling Rogue, finding both to be enjoyable with strongly written central characters and well developed romances. My favourite by a nose is the first, which is a really emotional read that delivered more than one metaphorical punch to the gut and made me tear up several times.
I was surprised when The Duke and the Lady in Red produced a similar emotional reaction (albeit for different reasons), because when I started reading, it seemed to be a variation on a theme: wealthy, handsome, arrogant aristocrat with-a-trauma-in-his-past-that-makes-him-eschew-the-finer-emotions-and-hide-his-true-nature-behind-a mask-of-the-dissipated-scoundrel meets and is intrigued by an adventurous-widow-who-doesn’t-swoon-at-his-feet-or-seem-as-though-she’ll-succumb-to-his-charms-without-a-lengthy-chase. But I don’t mind tropes when they are handled skilfully, so I settled in for an enjoyable – if predictable read - with just the teeniest bit of disappointment at the thought that this book wasn’t going to live up to the standards set by the other two.
How wrong I was. Yes, the Duke of Avendale is immensely rich, immensely arrogant – and immensely bored. He’s reached a point at which nothing much interests him; he indulges in drink, women and gambling almost automatically and takes little pleasure in anything, until one evening, he glimpses a striking woman he’s never seen before, wearing a seductively cut red dress and falls immediately into lust with her. Accustomed to getting exactly what he wants when he wants it, Avendale relishes the fact that here is a woman who doesn’t throw herself at him, and thus begins a rather deliciously sexy game of cat and mouse. Mrs Rosalind Sharpe is a widow recently returned to England following the death of her husband in India – or at least that’s the story she’s putting around. In fact, she’s a con artist looking for her next mark, and even though she senses that Avendale has the potential to ruin her in more ways than one, she’s as strongly attracted to him as he to her, and she can’t resist the idea of getting close enough to him to get what she wants while knowing she’ll have to be on her mettle if she’s to avoid succumbing to his seduction.
The sparks fly immediately, and it’s a wonder my Kindle didn’t short-circuit from the onslaught of the heat between them! Avendale fully expects that once he’s slaked his lust for Rose, he’ll tire of her, just as with all the other women he’s bedded, and Rose is perfectly aware of that fact. But even so, when he uncovers her deception and furiously demands she spends a week in his bed, she can’t find it in herself to refuse. It’s true that he threatens to expose her as a thief and swindler, but there’s more to it than that for Rose, because she wants to be with him. For all her adult life, has never had time for a life of her own or been able to put her own needs and wants first. Avendale’s dangerous sensuality enthrals her, the knowledge that there’s another man behind the mask of the debauched scoundrel intrigues her – and everything about him combines to make her want to know what’s behind it.
So far, so predictable – until suddenly, the author pulls a blinder in the form of Rose’s brother, Harry. He’s the one Rose has been trying so hard to protect, the one for whom she’s been scheming and stealing ever since they ran away from their abusive father when Rose was seventeen and Harry a couple of years younger. I don’t want to give away too much, but Harry is a wonderful character, a young man who hasn’t been able to have a normal life due to illness. It does perhaps require rather a large suspension of disbelief to credit that Avendale, the ultimate selfish bastard, befriends him and goes way above and beyond the call of duty to show him kindness and even to bond with him; but it’s an easy suspension to make because of the way Ms Heath uses their friendship to tell us as much about Avendale as she does about Harry. And the fact that Avendale has been written – up to this point – as a man who doesn’t know how desperate he is for real companionship (or one who knows, but won’t admit it, even to himself) makes this part of the book perfectly believable. We’re finally shown the man he could, should and would be, were it not for a youthful misunderstanding – a man with a huge capacity for love and kindness who has not had an outlet for either.
It was this aspect of the book that floored me and left me unable to pick up another book for at least twenty-four hours. The romance is very well done, it’s true, but it’s Harry’s story – and indirectly Avendale’s journey towards self-discovery – that made the deepest impression on me.
Rose and Avendale are strongly drawn characters and the push-and-pull between them is brilliantly written as both of them struggle to make sense of a relationship borne out of the debt of one to the other. Their verbal exchanges are like beautifully choreographed fencing bouts – both of them circling, advancing and retreating in a way which is both utterly enthralling and frustrating, yet wonderful to read. Avendale quickly realises he wants Rose to be with him because she wants to be and not out of any sense of obligation. Rose is pragmatic, convinced that once she’s gone, it’ll be “out of sight out of mind”, for Avendale, and is determined to make the most of the time they have. Her easy acceptance of their circumstances send the wrong signals to Avendale, who is, beneath the arrogance, someone with little sense of self-worth, and unable to believe that Rose would be with him were it not for her indebtnedness to him.
The Duke and the Lady in Red is a beautifully written and highly emotional read that really tugs at the heartstrings. What started out as a re-tread of familiar tropes is skilfully turned into something far richer and multi-layered; and most of all, Ms Heath made me care about her characters so that I was compelled to keep reading. I deliberated over the final grade for my review for a while, but because I had a couple of issues – mostly to do with the nature of the trauma in Avendale’s past and its resolution – it’s missed the DIK bracket by a hairsbreadth. But even so, it’s a very enjoyable book and one I’m strongly recommending.
April 25, 2015
Summary
When Rosalind Sharpe sees the Duke of Avendale, she knows he will be the perfect target for her next con. However she can’t resist the desire he brings out in her, which she has never felt before. From their first meeting, sparks ignited, and an instant attraction was there, but Avendale is determined to make sure Rosalind stays with him for however long he wants. He knows she is keeping secrets, just like he has secrets he keeps deeply buried, but there is something more to Rose than he expected and he is drawn to her in a way that makes him feel energized and full of life, the first woman who hasn’t bored him in the longest time. But when he gives her a sum of money to help pay off her debts and he finds her attempting to flee in the night, he is furious, and catches her and gives her a proposition spend one week in his bed or he will report her to Scotland Yard. Then as secrets begins to unravel and he learns the truth of her past and who she is trying to protect, he will prove to her that their love is stronger than any fear or secrets she may possess…
The Hero
The Duke of Avendale, is the son of Winnie from the “Last Wicked Scoundrel” who married the infamous Dr. William Graves from the Scoundrel of St. James series. We learn some unique things about him that connect with that book. So if you have read it…you will understand his character, and when his “secrets” are revealed you see why he is who he is, a scoundrel and rake and lover of all things scandalous. He is a bit of a rebellious sort, he refuses to let himself love at all. He has a shield around his heart, because of an event that happened in his past that shielded him off from emotion and from his mother and step father. He has a close bond to his friends. He is loyal and dedicated, and has a heart of compassion that is hidden beneath a tough exterior of raw sensuality. He was quite a great hero, because at the beginning you just see you average wicked scoundrel, but then you start to see a deeper side to him…and what a hero he is….everything you need or want in one.
The Heroine
Rosalind Sharpe is not your normal average heroine, in fact especially in the beginning, she is quite the cunning and deceitful heroine…and I didn’t know how much I was going to like her in the beginning, and at first you know she is hiding quite a bit of herself and her past, but you also see that she is doing it for a good reason. That she wouldn’t sacrifice her integrity for something so small as money…that there has to be another reason…and boy is there ever. But no worries I refuse to divulge on the reason…because in all honesty the mystery of it is part of what makes this story superb. I kept guessing on the reason and who she was doing it for…and it definitely blew me away. What we see is a woman who has had to sacrifice many part of herself for someone she loves and will do anything for. She is sassy yet sweet, passionate and in need of love and affection. You see how she just thrives on what Avendale gives her, but you also see how she gives as much as she gets….she will do anything to protect those she loves. There is a poignancy to her.
Plot and Story Line
The Duke and Lady in Red is the third book of this latest series by Lorraine Heath. If you have yet to read this series yet, but have read her previous “Scoundrels of St. James” series…this is a series you have to pick up. Because this series is focused on their children and the stories that they have. I am not sure if this is the last book (it might be which saddens me because what fun it is reconnecting with all of these characters). It starts off at the Dodgers Club, but there is a little kick to this club…they are inviting women to be included….to drink ,gamble and taste in other certain delights. And this is the location where our hero and heroine meet for the first time and begin a passionate affair. Avendale is on the hunt for something fresh and new, and is quite bored with his current lifestyle. And he knows that Rose is his ticket to becoming alive again. Then we get to see a part of Rose, her character is stand offish at first, but then it turns into something more when you sense the secret that she is hiding…the kicker of the story is that you don’t know WHO it is. We know his name “Harry” and what a side character…one of my all time favorites. And then once you see the truth revelaed…this is where Avendale shows his true colors, and I grew to love him even more. But then I warn you that the story doesn’t end there…nope, this is where you will need a box of tissues. Before I had picked this one up, I had heart I might need one….but I didn’t believe how emotional it would get…I don’t know why I was so surprised how much I cried in this story….since Lorraine Heath is at the helm of the story, but still…it shook me to the core. I still am having aftershocks just thinking about it. It overwhelmed me in ways I didn’t see, and the love story is quite intense at times, and I couldn’t put this down once you learn certain truths, and these characters…oh my…they felt so vivid and real to me, I almost felt I could touch them, and the plot this author weaves for us is precious, engaging and intensely emotional.
The Cover
What a beautiful cover….and I just had to share the stepback..because isn’t that just beautiful. I just love the vivid red colors and the white background…and the rose on the bench beside the heroine…definitely has significance.
Overall View
What a beautifully written story to tug at your heart-strings from beginning to end. A tale that is weaved with emotion, engaging characters, a sensual setting, and a love story to remember! HEARBREAKINGLY ROMANTIC!!
When Rosalind Sharpe sees the Duke of Avendale, she knows he will be the perfect target for her next con. However she can’t resist the desire he brings out in her, which she has never felt before. From their first meeting, sparks ignited, and an instant attraction was there, but Avendale is determined to make sure Rosalind stays with him for however long he wants. He knows she is keeping secrets, just like he has secrets he keeps deeply buried, but there is something more to Rose than he expected and he is drawn to her in a way that makes him feel energized and full of life, the first woman who hasn’t bored him in the longest time. But when he gives her a sum of money to help pay off her debts and he finds her attempting to flee in the night, he is furious, and catches her and gives her a proposition spend one week in his bed or he will report her to Scotland Yard. Then as secrets begins to unravel and he learns the truth of her past and who she is trying to protect, he will prove to her that their love is stronger than any fear or secrets she may possess…
The Hero
The Duke of Avendale, is the son of Winnie from the “Last Wicked Scoundrel” who married the infamous Dr. William Graves from the Scoundrel of St. James series. We learn some unique things about him that connect with that book. So if you have read it…you will understand his character, and when his “secrets” are revealed you see why he is who he is, a scoundrel and rake and lover of all things scandalous. He is a bit of a rebellious sort, he refuses to let himself love at all. He has a shield around his heart, because of an event that happened in his past that shielded him off from emotion and from his mother and step father. He has a close bond to his friends. He is loyal and dedicated, and has a heart of compassion that is hidden beneath a tough exterior of raw sensuality. He was quite a great hero, because at the beginning you just see you average wicked scoundrel, but then you start to see a deeper side to him…and what a hero he is….everything you need or want in one.
The Heroine
Rosalind Sharpe is not your normal average heroine, in fact especially in the beginning, she is quite the cunning and deceitful heroine…and I didn’t know how much I was going to like her in the beginning, and at first you know she is hiding quite a bit of herself and her past, but you also see that she is doing it for a good reason. That she wouldn’t sacrifice her integrity for something so small as money…that there has to be another reason…and boy is there ever. But no worries I refuse to divulge on the reason…because in all honesty the mystery of it is part of what makes this story superb. I kept guessing on the reason and who she was doing it for…and it definitely blew me away. What we see is a woman who has had to sacrifice many part of herself for someone she loves and will do anything for. She is sassy yet sweet, passionate and in need of love and affection. You see how she just thrives on what Avendale gives her, but you also see how she gives as much as she gets….she will do anything to protect those she loves. There is a poignancy to her.
Plot and Story Line
The Duke and Lady in Red is the third book of this latest series by Lorraine Heath. If you have yet to read this series yet, but have read her previous “Scoundrels of St. James” series…this is a series you have to pick up. Because this series is focused on their children and the stories that they have. I am not sure if this is the last book (it might be which saddens me because what fun it is reconnecting with all of these characters). It starts off at the Dodgers Club, but there is a little kick to this club…they are inviting women to be included….to drink ,gamble and taste in other certain delights. And this is the location where our hero and heroine meet for the first time and begin a passionate affair. Avendale is on the hunt for something fresh and new, and is quite bored with his current lifestyle. And he knows that Rose is his ticket to becoming alive again. Then we get to see a part of Rose, her character is stand offish at first, but then it turns into something more when you sense the secret that she is hiding…the kicker of the story is that you don’t know WHO it is. We know his name “Harry” and what a side character…one of my all time favorites. And then once you see the truth revelaed…this is where Avendale shows his true colors, and I grew to love him even more. But then I warn you that the story doesn’t end there…nope, this is where you will need a box of tissues. Before I had picked this one up, I had heart I might need one….but I didn’t believe how emotional it would get…I don’t know why I was so surprised how much I cried in this story….since Lorraine Heath is at the helm of the story, but still…it shook me to the core. I still am having aftershocks just thinking about it. It overwhelmed me in ways I didn’t see, and the love story is quite intense at times, and I couldn’t put this down once you learn certain truths, and these characters…oh my…they felt so vivid and real to me, I almost felt I could touch them, and the plot this author weaves for us is precious, engaging and intensely emotional.
The Cover
What a beautiful cover….and I just had to share the stepback..because isn’t that just beautiful. I just love the vivid red colors and the white background…and the rose on the bench beside the heroine…definitely has significance.
Overall View
What a beautifully written story to tug at your heart-strings from beginning to end. A tale that is weaved with emotion, engaging characters, a sensual setting, and a love story to remember! HEARBREAKINGLY ROMANTIC!!
May 5, 2015
3.75 stars
I missed the chase between the leads coming together a little bit but the beginning was a deliciously decadent read followed by a later half of a wallop of emotions.
The love, whether it was between our heroine and her brother or the hero, was so powerful and deeply conveyed; it was amazingly rich and personal to read.
He loved her. It was an emotion he’d never thought to experience, and sometimes he wished he didn’t because it brought with it as much pain as it did joy. He hurt when she hurt. When sorrow visited her, it visited him. But when she smiled, it was as though that smile encompassed his entire body, his entire being. He would do whatever was required to return the smiles to her—even if it meant taking her to a boring ball.
and
He had to let her go, give up his own hopes, plans, dreams in order to ensure her happiness. He understood it fully now, the sacrifice, the pain of setting aside everything one wanted in order to ensure that someone else realized his or her dreams. It was odd that in the ache of loss there was also some joy in knowing that she would be happy.
Everyone needs an Avendale in their lives; the way he loves Rose will knock your socks off and swell your heart.
If you couldn't tell, I loved the emotion written into the later part of the story but overall, I can't help feeling there was something missing, even if I can't quite pinpoint it. This is definitely worth a read, I just probably won't find myself revisiting it.
I missed the chase between the leads coming together a little bit but the beginning was a deliciously decadent read followed by a later half of a wallop of emotions.
The love, whether it was between our heroine and her brother or the hero, was so powerful and deeply conveyed; it was amazingly rich and personal to read.
He loved her. It was an emotion he’d never thought to experience, and sometimes he wished he didn’t because it brought with it as much pain as it did joy. He hurt when she hurt. When sorrow visited her, it visited him. But when she smiled, it was as though that smile encompassed his entire body, his entire being. He would do whatever was required to return the smiles to her—even if it meant taking her to a boring ball.
and
He had to let her go, give up his own hopes, plans, dreams in order to ensure her happiness. He understood it fully now, the sacrifice, the pain of setting aside everything one wanted in order to ensure that someone else realized his or her dreams. It was odd that in the ache of loss there was also some joy in knowing that she would be happy.
Everyone needs an Avendale in their lives; the way he loves Rose will knock your socks off and swell your heart.
If you couldn't tell, I loved the emotion written into the later part of the story but overall, I can't help feeling there was something missing, even if I can't quite pinpoint it. This is definitely worth a read, I just probably won't find myself revisiting it.
June 14, 2016
Rating~ 4.75 Stars
ARC was generously provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Warning: This review contains spoilers and gifs.
This review is slightly different because this book book made me go through a rollercoaster of emotions which can only be properly expressed through gifs.
It started of very lovely, beautiful with sparks flying and tangible chemistry when our protagonist Rosalind Sharpe and the Duke of Avendale meet. They had witty banter, a great connection and I had a smile on the entire they talked.
Everytime Avendale and Rosalind would meet, we would see how much Rosalind wants to be with him (while trying to keep her head in the game of taking money from the duke and disappearing) and how much Avendale wants her and is getting maybe slightly besotted with her.
Avendale is a rake, drowning himself in drinking and orgies to forget what he saw. He has his own secrets to hide , which is why though it may seem like he has alot of friends he doesn’t. He’s a bit of a loner. When Avendale finds out the truth about Rose, he isn’t pleased to say the least but as stated earlier he is besotted with Rose and doesn’t want her to leave or get her arrested so he proposes a bargain which was his undoing.
Rose on the other hand, may seem like just another scam artist is so much more. Her story, her struggle and the way she took care of the family she made, made her a great heroine. She was both very strong, intelligent yet vulnerable. Imagine being alone in the world without anyone to help or a home to go to while trying take care of others as well when you’re just a teenager yourself is very difficult yet Rose does it even if the way she does it aren’t legal.
I think they were wonderful together, both individuals with secrets who couldn’t stay way from each other even though it would made things certainly easier.
Then we find out about Rosalind’s brother ‘Harry‘ and his scenes and life and his book; I just couldn’t. Side note I can’t deal with illness and diseases in books or movies etc they just turn me into a huge mess of emotions. He gets to enjoy some joys that life offers and it was beautiful, sweet and heartbreaking.
Weeping, I was literally brawling from half way through till the end:
Sigh…the book was emotional, with some great characters and a equally great story line…Bravo!
The book was wonderful and so much more than I expected it be when I read the blurb of it <3. Happy Reading!
ARC was generously provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Warning: This review contains spoilers and gifs.
This review is slightly different because this book book made me go through a rollercoaster of emotions which can only be properly expressed through gifs.
It started of very lovely, beautiful with sparks flying and tangible chemistry when our protagonist Rosalind Sharpe and the Duke of Avendale meet. They had witty banter, a great connection and I had a smile on the entire they talked.
Everytime Avendale and Rosalind would meet, we would see how much Rosalind wants to be with him (while trying to keep her head in the game of taking money from the duke and disappearing) and how much Avendale wants her and is getting maybe slightly besotted with her.
Avendale is a rake, drowning himself in drinking and orgies to forget what he saw. He has his own secrets to hide , which is why though it may seem like he has alot of friends he doesn’t. He’s a bit of a loner. When Avendale finds out the truth about Rose, he isn’t pleased to say the least but as stated earlier he is besotted with Rose and doesn’t want her to leave or get her arrested so he proposes a bargain which was his undoing.
Rose on the other hand, may seem like just another scam artist is so much more. Her story, her struggle and the way she took care of the family she made, made her a great heroine. She was both very strong, intelligent yet vulnerable. Imagine being alone in the world without anyone to help or a home to go to while trying take care of others as well when you’re just a teenager yourself is very difficult yet Rose does it even if the way she does it aren’t legal.
I think they were wonderful together, both individuals with secrets who couldn’t stay way from each other even though it would made things certainly easier.
Then we find out about Rosalind’s brother ‘Harry‘ and his scenes and life and his book; I just couldn’t. Side note I can’t deal with illness and diseases in books or movies etc they just turn me into a huge mess of emotions. He gets to enjoy some joys that life offers and it was beautiful, sweet and heartbreaking.
Weeping, I was literally brawling from half way through till the end:
Sigh…the book was emotional, with some great characters and a equally great story line…Bravo!
The book was wonderful and so much more than I expected it be when I read the blurb of it <3. Happy Reading!
July 21, 2021
5 Stars of I Was Completely Wrong About This Book...
All I am going to say is that... this was a DNF the first time, and it happened right when I fell out with Heath's writing. Since I've returned to her with a vengeance, I decided to give this a go again.
Let me tell you, it took my breath away. I lay in bed at 3AM, revenge-sleep-procrastinating while my husband snored next to me, and I sobbed for the final 30%. It got so bad (the tears, not the book) I had to reach into my bedside table, pull out a t-shirt and blow my nose into it (don't judge me I don't have Kleenex by the bed).
I will temper my review and say, yes, some people will hate the final act/how some issues are resolved but they generally made sense to me and were very Heath-esque: they are bittersweet and oftentimes leave the reader wanting for more. Hence the tears. I also liked that Rose is kind of just a terrible person. I loved her.
This is one I will return to again and again when I need a good cry. It's beautiful, it’s blistering hot, it's agonizing, it's tumultuous, and I can't recommend it enough.
All I am going to say is that... this was a DNF the first time, and it happened right when I fell out with Heath's writing. Since I've returned to her with a vengeance, I decided to give this a go again.
Let me tell you, it took my breath away. I lay in bed at 3AM, revenge-sleep-procrastinating while my husband snored next to me, and I sobbed for the final 30%. It got so bad (the tears, not the book) I had to reach into my bedside table, pull out a t-shirt and blow my nose into it (don't judge me I don't have Kleenex by the bed).
I will temper my review and say, yes, some people will hate the final act/how some issues are resolved but they generally made sense to me and were very Heath-esque: they are bittersweet and oftentimes leave the reader wanting for more. Hence the tears. I also liked that Rose is kind of just a terrible person. I loved her.
This is one I will return to again and again when I need a good cry. It's beautiful, it’s blistering hot, it's agonizing, it's tumultuous, and I can't recommend it enough.
June 6, 2017
I've got to round up another 1/2 star because of Harry. 4.5 stars!
When I first started this book, I didn’t know if I would like it. I will say the beginning takes some patience on character development but the book pays off. Stick with it!
This book is divided into two parts with the first on Avendale and Rosalind's introduction and they have amazing chemistry. Rose is a thief and swindler and Avendale is the mark. As the story progresses, we see the reasoning behind why she’s a thief.
Now Avendale, he's a Duke and he sees what he wants and goes after it. He wants Rose and pursues her by any means necessary. He's also untrusting and does not allow anyone to get close.
By the middle of the book, the romance and chemistry is great between Rose and Avendale but the heart of the story is Harry, Rose's brother. I've not felt such empathy and love for a character in a long time. Harry definitely makes this book and how he affects everyone around him. He makes Rose and Avendale want to become better people and that makes the book so much better!
Avendale and Rose’s lonely lives and dark pasts bring them closer together with the help of Harry. They can relate with each other and they eventually learn to trust one another.
So in conclusion, The Duke and the Lady in Red gave me an emotional journey along with having interesting characters and a solid plot.
When I first started this book, I didn’t know if I would like it. I will say the beginning takes some patience on character development but the book pays off. Stick with it!
This book is divided into two parts with the first on Avendale and Rosalind's introduction and they have amazing chemistry. Rose is a thief and swindler and Avendale is the mark. As the story progresses, we see the reasoning behind why she’s a thief.
Now Avendale, he's a Duke and he sees what he wants and goes after it. He wants Rose and pursues her by any means necessary. He's also untrusting and does not allow anyone to get close.
By the middle of the book, the romance and chemistry is great between Rose and Avendale but the heart of the story is Harry, Rose's brother. I've not felt such empathy and love for a character in a long time. Harry definitely makes this book and how he affects everyone around him. He makes Rose and Avendale want to become better people and that makes the book so much better!
Avendale and Rose’s lonely lives and dark pasts bring them closer together with the help of Harry. They can relate with each other and they eventually learn to trust one another.
So in conclusion, The Duke and the Lady in Red gave me an emotional journey along with having interesting characters and a solid plot.
September 25, 2020
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2020/...
Admito que me ha gustado mucho más la primera parte que la segunda. Una vez descubierto el secreto me ha recordado mucho a una famosa película de Hitchcock, que me encanta y no diré para no spoilear demasiado y la historia se vuelve mucho más predecibles
Pero como eso tarda en suceder, se lleva las 4
Yo si hay duque estoy contenta y este no tiene mucho de particular, empieza siendo un libertino estirado y lleno de prejuicios familiares y cae desde lo más alto,quizás por eso me gustan.
Su historia romance, algo cliché si no fuera por el giro que le da la autora, me ha parecido muy bonita, quizás de forma algo exagerada, lo admito, pero me ha mantenido todo el tiempo con una sonrisa y eso se agradece.
Me ha faltado más desarrollo en la parte de reconciliación de su pasado
Creo que la historia de Harry, es dura y bonita a la vez y como explica la historia, un pequeño homenaje al personaje real
Es de esas novelas que sin tener nada especial he disfrutado mucho, posiblemente porque contiene muchos de los puntos que me gustan... es todo cuestión de gustos
Admito que me ha gustado mucho más la primera parte que la segunda. Una vez descubierto el secreto me ha recordado mucho a una famosa película de Hitchcock, que me encanta y no diré para no spoilear demasiado y la historia se vuelve mucho más predecibles
Pero como eso tarda en suceder, se lleva las 4
Yo si hay duque estoy contenta y este no tiene mucho de particular, empieza siendo un libertino estirado y lleno de prejuicios familiares y cae desde lo más alto,quizás por eso me gustan.
Su historia romance, algo cliché si no fuera por el giro que le da la autora, me ha parecido muy bonita, quizás de forma algo exagerada, lo admito, pero me ha mantenido todo el tiempo con una sonrisa y eso se agradece.
Me ha faltado más desarrollo en la parte de reconciliación de su pasado
Creo que la historia de Harry, es dura y bonita a la vez y como explica la historia, un pequeño homenaje al personaje real
Es de esas novelas que sin tener nada especial he disfrutado mucho, posiblemente porque contiene muchos de los puntos que me gustan... es todo cuestión de gustos
February 16, 2021
The Duke and the Lady in Red
4.5 Stars
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Rosalind Sharpe will do anything in her power to protect those she cares for even if it means targeting the notorious and ruthless Duke of Avendale. But when Avendale discovers Rose's deception, he demands recompense of a most scandalous sort - a week in his bed. Can Rose and her duke put aside their suspicions and mistrust to find happiness together?
It isn't often that a book makes me cry, but this story had me breaking out the Kleenex.
Rose and Avendale have excellent chemistry and the keeping secrets trope is, thankfully, disposed of quickly and with little to no unnecessary angst.
While the romance is engaging, it is Rose's other secret that is the true highlight of the book.
Despite the above, the story does have one or two issues. To begin with, it takes time for the plot points to develop and this makes the pacing slower at the start. Nevertheless, once the secrets begin unraveling, the book becomes a page-turner. In addition, Avendale's behavior in the first few chapters leaves much to be desired, and some readers may be put off by his less than savory actions. That said, I recommend persevering as the rest of the romance and the story is well worth it.
All in all, a wonderful book, and I also loved the Joseph Merrick reference (thank you Wikipedia).
4.5 Stars
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Rosalind Sharpe will do anything in her power to protect those she cares for even if it means targeting the notorious and ruthless Duke of Avendale. But when Avendale discovers Rose's deception, he demands recompense of a most scandalous sort - a week in his bed. Can Rose and her duke put aside their suspicions and mistrust to find happiness together?
It isn't often that a book makes me cry, but this story had me breaking out the Kleenex.
Rose and Avendale have excellent chemistry and the keeping secrets trope is, thankfully, disposed of quickly and with little to no unnecessary angst.
While the romance is engaging, it is Rose's other secret that is the true highlight of the book.
Despite the above, the story does have one or two issues. To begin with, it takes time for the plot points to develop and this makes the pacing slower at the start. Nevertheless, once the secrets begin unraveling, the book becomes a page-turner. In addition, Avendale's behavior in the first few chapters leaves much to be desired, and some readers may be put off by his less than savory actions. That said, I recommend persevering as the rest of the romance and the story is well worth it.
All in all, a wonderful book, and I also loved the Joseph Merrick reference (thank you Wikipedia).
April 29, 2015
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: A
The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James was a series that I’ve let sit in my TBR pile for months. And months. I stared at books 1 and 2, started to pick them up but always found a reason to just never give page 1 a go. And then I received book 3 in the series, The Duke and the Lady in Red, the blurb sounded really interesting but I always prefer to read a series in order if possible, so finally, I picked up When the Duke Was Wicked. And immediately wondered why in the world I waited so long to read this series. Lorraine Heath has never let me down before, I’ve enjoyed all of her books, so I shouldn’t have been surprised by these characters she brought to life on page and how each book was unique in the difficulties the hero or heroine (or sometimes both) had to face. This isn’t a light and fluffy series. There are fun moments, many that made me smile, but the stories are rich and deep. The books, especially the last book of this trio, is sad and heartbreaking. Yet through all three books which I read back to back to back, the characters and their stories are hard to forget.
This review will be for The Duke and the Lady in Red, but having read the series in order, I’d urge you to do the same. No you certainly don’t need to, the books read fine as standalones. And in fact, the hero of book 3, Avendale, is in and out of the first two books rather quickly and the heroine, Rosalind, isn’t introduced at all, so it’s not necessary to read the books in order. But if you don’t, you’ll miss the overall theme and tone that Heath has given this series – characters who are going through painful, sometimes ugly ordeals that aren’t easily accepted in society; most not accepted at all. These characters are dealing with breast cancer, losing loved ones, surviving rape, the topics are heavy, but the stories and characters are so memorable and watching their lives unfold on page and for the heroes and heroines, finding love, was such a satisfying ride. With The Duke and the Lady In Red, we meet Rose, a swindling woman who has her sights set on Avendale, a man with more money than he knows what to do with. He’s a darker hero, with a past that has kept him unsettled for years, he wants nor desires to have any attachments in his life, including a wife. But after seeing Rose, he wants her however he can have her. After quickly uncovering Rose’s plot to free him of some of his funds, he strikes a deal with her: he’ll give her the money if she’ll spend one week with him. She accepts and their relationship takes a turn to the bedroom before turning into so much more than either Avendale or Rose ever expected.
This is really Rose’s story to tell. Yes, she’s a swindler, stealing from wealthy men to help support her unique family. I don’t want to spoil anything related to one of the main supporting characters. But will leave it as this: Harry, the man who Rose will do anything for, has such an amazing impact on this story. From his own personal hell, to the people he meets and especially for Avendale, he impacts so many people and left this reader in tears.
So you have Rose who has lived her life full of lies, and as a result, never really living it at all. And Avendale who’s held everyone, his family included, at arms-length, with a different woman in his bed until he grows tired of them and moves on. He’s never thought about wanting a family, never wanted or had someone to care about or care for him. He gets a taste of that with Rose and he’s addicted. He feels something for her that he’s never felt before and it changes him. To see this man’s heart come out on page in the things that he does, both for Rose and the people in her life, it made me love this hero a little bit more with every page that went by. Their romance is incredibly sexy (mmmhmmm) but it’s their relationship that caught and kept my attention. It’s so easy to just feel for these two characters, I really couldn’t wait to see them find their way together in the end.
I loved everything about this story. It was engaging and kept me hooked in from the start. Avendale and Rose, especially Rose, are such interesting characters with so many layers. It took pages and pages to start to peel all those layers back before they finally lay themselves bare to each other. But it’s worth the wait. While Rose and Avendale are the driving force of this story, the heart is Harry. He’ll steal yours just as he did with mine. The Duke and the Lady in Red is a huge must read book, and it’s one that I’ll be thinking about for quite some time.
Blog rating: A
The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James was a series that I’ve let sit in my TBR pile for months. And months. I stared at books 1 and 2, started to pick them up but always found a reason to just never give page 1 a go. And then I received book 3 in the series, The Duke and the Lady in Red, the blurb sounded really interesting but I always prefer to read a series in order if possible, so finally, I picked up When the Duke Was Wicked. And immediately wondered why in the world I waited so long to read this series. Lorraine Heath has never let me down before, I’ve enjoyed all of her books, so I shouldn’t have been surprised by these characters she brought to life on page and how each book was unique in the difficulties the hero or heroine (or sometimes both) had to face. This isn’t a light and fluffy series. There are fun moments, many that made me smile, but the stories are rich and deep. The books, especially the last book of this trio, is sad and heartbreaking. Yet through all three books which I read back to back to back, the characters and their stories are hard to forget.
This review will be for The Duke and the Lady in Red, but having read the series in order, I’d urge you to do the same. No you certainly don’t need to, the books read fine as standalones. And in fact, the hero of book 3, Avendale, is in and out of the first two books rather quickly and the heroine, Rosalind, isn’t introduced at all, so it’s not necessary to read the books in order. But if you don’t, you’ll miss the overall theme and tone that Heath has given this series – characters who are going through painful, sometimes ugly ordeals that aren’t easily accepted in society; most not accepted at all. These characters are dealing with breast cancer, losing loved ones, surviving rape, the topics are heavy, but the stories and characters are so memorable and watching their lives unfold on page and for the heroes and heroines, finding love, was such a satisfying ride. With The Duke and the Lady In Red, we meet Rose, a swindling woman who has her sights set on Avendale, a man with more money than he knows what to do with. He’s a darker hero, with a past that has kept him unsettled for years, he wants nor desires to have any attachments in his life, including a wife. But after seeing Rose, he wants her however he can have her. After quickly uncovering Rose’s plot to free him of some of his funds, he strikes a deal with her: he’ll give her the money if she’ll spend one week with him. She accepts and their relationship takes a turn to the bedroom before turning into so much more than either Avendale or Rose ever expected.
This is really Rose’s story to tell. Yes, she’s a swindler, stealing from wealthy men to help support her unique family. I don’t want to spoil anything related to one of the main supporting characters. But will leave it as this: Harry, the man who Rose will do anything for, has such an amazing impact on this story. From his own personal hell, to the people he meets and especially for Avendale, he impacts so many people and left this reader in tears.
So you have Rose who has lived her life full of lies, and as a result, never really living it at all. And Avendale who’s held everyone, his family included, at arms-length, with a different woman in his bed until he grows tired of them and moves on. He’s never thought about wanting a family, never wanted or had someone to care about or care for him. He gets a taste of that with Rose and he’s addicted. He feels something for her that he’s never felt before and it changes him. To see this man’s heart come out on page in the things that he does, both for Rose and the people in her life, it made me love this hero a little bit more with every page that went by. Their romance is incredibly sexy (mmmhmmm) but it’s their relationship that caught and kept my attention. It’s so easy to just feel for these two characters, I really couldn’t wait to see them find their way together in the end.
I loved everything about this story. It was engaging and kept me hooked in from the start. Avendale and Rose, especially Rose, are such interesting characters with so many layers. It took pages and pages to start to peel all those layers back before they finally lay themselves bare to each other. But it’s worth the wait. While Rose and Avendale are the driving force of this story, the heart is Harry. He’ll steal yours just as he did with mine. The Duke and the Lady in Red is a huge must read book, and it’s one that I’ll be thinking about for quite some time.
April 28, 2015
Favorite Quote: ” I won’t give up.”
She barely turned when his words froze her on the spot.
“I will have you,” he said, his voice a whispered promise that caused a shiver of foreboding, a quiver of pleasure to ripple through her. “Because you want it as much as I do.”
I received this book unsolicited in the mail, and after a quick glance at goodreads, I saw four of my trusted reviewers (one, two, three, four) had all given it 5-stars, so I knew I had to read this one. This is the first I’ve read of this series and it works well as a stand-alone.
As it starts, Rosalind Sharpe has settled herself and her brother in London and she goes on the hunt. For what exactly, the reader is not sure but you start to assume it’s for a gentleman of wealth. She wears her best dress, puts on her most fierce face and gets an invitation to an exclusive gaming hell that has just been opened to allow women. Her story is that her late husband was attacked by a tiger in India, and after a period of mourning, she is now in London, waiting for her solicitor to put her late husband’s affairs in order so she can receive his money and start to payback her creditors. She has a small household staff and a brother she care for deeply. When Rose walks into this gaming hell, she immediately feels eyes upon her – and they belong to the Duke of Avendale.
Avendale is known for his raucous house parties and women dangling off him at all times. An intense and sometimes surly duke (those are the best kind, right?) he spots Rose and he wants her. Much to his surprise, Rose doesn’t bat her eyelashes and fall at his feet. She actually refuses him, which of course makes the hunt for Avendale that much more fun. Avendale falls hard for Rose – so hard and Rose isn’t left unaffected. She starts to notice this throat when he drinks, his hands when he dances with her, every little bit of him makes her having feelings that she has never felt before. But Rose must keep her wits about her as she has a plan, and falling in lust with a duke isn’t going to help things.
“Come with me to my residence now,” he rasped.
Her voice seemed to have deserted her. She almost nodded in acquiescence. She would give him anything, anything, if he would but make the glorious ache go away, would return sanity to her senses. She knew, without doubt, that he held the power to bank the embers he was flaming to life.
“No,” she said, her voice rough and raw. “I told you, I require affection.”
“I’ll give you more than you’ve ever known.”
“Shaking her head, she somehow found the strength to shove on his shoulders. “No.”
This book went a direction I wasn’t expecting and even left me choked up at the very end. A lovely book indeed.
As I read the first quarter of this book, I honestly thought I was going to be the oddball out amongst my friends and not like this book that they have been raving about because Rose bothered me. There is a great sultry sexual tension in the beginning of this book. You feel like Avendale is going to internally combust if he doesn’t get Rose to his bed, and she is steadfast in refusing him. He is so big and surly and intense and you just want to lick him up. They both hold onto secrets, although when Rose’s secrets are unveiled, they give much more of an impact than Avendale’s. Rose’s secrets are multifaceted. When we learn the first one, and we see how her actions play out, I was a little disappointed in her. This is where I thought I wasn’t going to like this book. She has a cold, calculated side to her, and she felt greedy and she throws away Avendale’s care for her without regard.
However, things change. She has her reasons, and as the big secret is revealed, it all made sense. I could forgive her rude behavior. Avendale’s lust starts to turn into love, as he goes from relentlessly pursuing her to being her steadfast support. He makes some romantic gestures in the second half of this book that are truly swoon-worthy and unselfish. I smiled so hard. And then I had to fight back a tear or two. Darn it Avendale!! I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll stop there. There is so much more to this story, but it’s more fun for the reader to discover on one’s own.
A very sexy book, Lorraine Heath tells a story that has hot sex, angst, and it will pull on your heartstrings. Well done.
Rating: B+
She barely turned when his words froze her on the spot.
“I will have you,” he said, his voice a whispered promise that caused a shiver of foreboding, a quiver of pleasure to ripple through her. “Because you want it as much as I do.”
I received this book unsolicited in the mail, and after a quick glance at goodreads, I saw four of my trusted reviewers (one, two, three, four) had all given it 5-stars, so I knew I had to read this one. This is the first I’ve read of this series and it works well as a stand-alone.
As it starts, Rosalind Sharpe has settled herself and her brother in London and she goes on the hunt. For what exactly, the reader is not sure but you start to assume it’s for a gentleman of wealth. She wears her best dress, puts on her most fierce face and gets an invitation to an exclusive gaming hell that has just been opened to allow women. Her story is that her late husband was attacked by a tiger in India, and after a period of mourning, she is now in London, waiting for her solicitor to put her late husband’s affairs in order so she can receive his money and start to payback her creditors. She has a small household staff and a brother she care for deeply. When Rose walks into this gaming hell, she immediately feels eyes upon her – and they belong to the Duke of Avendale.
Avendale is known for his raucous house parties and women dangling off him at all times. An intense and sometimes surly duke (those are the best kind, right?) he spots Rose and he wants her. Much to his surprise, Rose doesn’t bat her eyelashes and fall at his feet. She actually refuses him, which of course makes the hunt for Avendale that much more fun. Avendale falls hard for Rose – so hard and Rose isn’t left unaffected. She starts to notice this throat when he drinks, his hands when he dances with her, every little bit of him makes her having feelings that she has never felt before. But Rose must keep her wits about her as she has a plan, and falling in lust with a duke isn’t going to help things.
“Come with me to my residence now,” he rasped.
Her voice seemed to have deserted her. She almost nodded in acquiescence. She would give him anything, anything, if he would but make the glorious ache go away, would return sanity to her senses. She knew, without doubt, that he held the power to bank the embers he was flaming to life.
“No,” she said, her voice rough and raw. “I told you, I require affection.”
“I’ll give you more than you’ve ever known.”
“Shaking her head, she somehow found the strength to shove on his shoulders. “No.”
This book went a direction I wasn’t expecting and even left me choked up at the very end. A lovely book indeed.
As I read the first quarter of this book, I honestly thought I was going to be the oddball out amongst my friends and not like this book that they have been raving about because Rose bothered me. There is a great sultry sexual tension in the beginning of this book. You feel like Avendale is going to internally combust if he doesn’t get Rose to his bed, and she is steadfast in refusing him. He is so big and surly and intense and you just want to lick him up. They both hold onto secrets, although when Rose’s secrets are unveiled, they give much more of an impact than Avendale’s. Rose’s secrets are multifaceted. When we learn the first one, and we see how her actions play out, I was a little disappointed in her. This is where I thought I wasn’t going to like this book. She has a cold, calculated side to her, and she felt greedy and she throws away Avendale’s care for her without regard.
However, things change. She has her reasons, and as the big secret is revealed, it all made sense. I could forgive her rude behavior. Avendale’s lust starts to turn into love, as he goes from relentlessly pursuing her to being her steadfast support. He makes some romantic gestures in the second half of this book that are truly swoon-worthy and unselfish. I smiled so hard. And then I had to fight back a tear or two. Darn it Avendale!! I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll stop there. There is so much more to this story, but it’s more fun for the reader to discover on one’s own.
A very sexy book, Lorraine Heath tells a story that has hot sex, angst, and it will pull on your heartstrings. Well done.
Rating: B+
July 25, 2022
i know exactly what i want and a fictional man written by lorraine heath is IT 🥹
i could rule it out as me listening to alexander joseph’s reimagining of für elise on repeat for the past 48 hours or mayhap it be simply the sense of yearning and unspoken feelings and confession of love from both of these characters that somehow mirrored within and had me in a chokehold and on the verge of spiralling 😭
the way it went from insta-lust to “he’s so damned obsessed with her and will not stop until he has her” to “yes, let them spend more time with each other and enjoy all the small moments” to realising she’s duped him to “let’s strike a bargain and she won’t have the chance to leave him and he’ll finally get he’s wanted” to showering her with gifts to unravelling of secret to giving her and her loved ones a chance to experience the finers things of life to treasuring fleeting moments and make the most of their time together to heartbreak to unforeseen circumstances to let her be free / she was never his in the first place / she deserves to have the life she’s always wanted to realising they both can’t live without each other and they are to each other what they’ve always wanted to happily ever after (yes, that’s right! it’s not counted as romance if there’s no HEA—and that is one of the many MANY reasons why romances written my women are infinitely superior 💯).
anyway, what did send me over the edge tho—
in short this story was all of the five love languages wrapped up in one and i couldn’t be more happy about it if i tried 💯 lorraine heath really takes no prisoners and absolutely never fails to leave this hapless reader astounded at every turn. safe to say i’ve been having the most utterly joyous time with these (and hopefully continue to do so) 🤍
i could rule it out as me listening to alexander joseph’s reimagining of für elise on repeat for the past 48 hours or mayhap it be simply the sense of yearning and unspoken feelings and confession of love from both of these characters that somehow mirrored within and had me in a chokehold and on the verge of spiralling 😭
the way it went from insta-lust to “he’s so damned obsessed with her and will not stop until he has her” to “yes, let them spend more time with each other and enjoy all the small moments” to realising she’s duped him to “let’s strike a bargain and she won’t have the chance to leave him and he’ll finally get he’s wanted” to showering her with gifts to unravelling of secret to giving her and her loved ones a chance to experience the finers things of life to treasuring fleeting moments and make the most of their time together to heartbreak to unforeseen circumstances to let her be free / she was never his in the first place / she deserves to have the life she’s always wanted to realising they both can’t live without each other and they are to each other what they’ve always wanted to happily ever after (yes, that’s right! it’s not counted as romance if there’s no HEA—and that is one of the many MANY reasons why romances written my women are infinitely superior 💯).
anyway, what did send me over the edge tho—
in short this story was all of the five love languages wrapped up in one and i couldn’t be more happy about it if i tried 💯 lorraine heath really takes no prisoners and absolutely never fails to leave this hapless reader astounded at every turn. safe to say i’ve been having the most utterly joyous time with these (and hopefully continue to do so) 🤍
November 10, 2022
4 Stars
I read this book as a part of the BOTM for HRBC.
Finally, a Lorraine Heath that I did not hate! Yay! Honestly, I really liked this book...
My Thoughts
- Beautifully scripted.
- Great plot. I relished the concept of a con-woman heroine. The whole plot was wrapped up in unbridled lust, love, and swindling in one form or another, be it money or emotions. Ah, trust, thou art a fickle bitch!
- A heartwarming sub-plot. Harry was such a dear. I almost cried, and that's an achievement in itself because I almost NEVER cry.
- Could Avendale be any more amazing? I loved everything about him, starting with his unabashed debauchery to his letting her go. He tried so hard for her, but he just never found the right words. He is the reason women read romances, I believe.
- Rose was an interesting heroine, definitely, but her tight-lipped behaviour, refusal to believe what was right in front of her and the circular nonsense of I am not good enough for him, dragged the story.
- The romance was utterly, devastatingly, heart-achingly beautiful, but from Avendale's side. I could never figure out if Rose fell for him because of all he did for Harry or because he was a freaking catch. I guess I never really trusted Rose as a character.
- The final third of the book could have been made crisper. The Rose drama dragged it into boring.
In my previous review of Heath's book, I had said that the LH chapter has ended. Well, here is to never say never.
I read this book as a part of the BOTM for HRBC.
Finally, a Lorraine Heath that I did not hate! Yay! Honestly, I really liked this book...
My Thoughts
- Beautifully scripted.
- Great plot. I relished the concept of a con-woman heroine. The whole plot was wrapped up in unbridled lust, love, and swindling in one form or another, be it money or emotions. Ah, trust, thou art a fickle bitch!
- A heartwarming sub-plot. Harry was such a dear. I almost cried, and that's an achievement in itself because I almost NEVER cry.
- Could Avendale be any more amazing? I loved everything about him, starting with his unabashed debauchery to his letting her go. He tried so hard for her, but he just never found the right words. He is the reason women read romances, I believe.
- Rose was an interesting heroine, definitely, but her tight-lipped behaviour, refusal to believe what was right in front of her and the circular nonsense of I am not good enough for him, dragged the story.
- The romance was utterly, devastatingly, heart-achingly beautiful, but from Avendale's side. I could never figure out if Rose fell for him because of all he did for Harry or because he was a freaking catch. I guess I never really trusted Rose as a character.
- The final third of the book could have been made crisper. The Rose drama dragged it into boring.
In my previous review of Heath's book, I had said that the LH chapter has ended. Well, here is to never say never.
May 11, 2022
2019 rating: 5 stars
2020 rating: 4.5 stars
2022 rating: 4.5 stars
2020 review:
this story mirrors what happened with sterling and frannie in Surrender to the Devil, with both guys offering a proposition to the lady. i really liked avendale and was glad he didn't turn out as mean as his father was.
at first, i didn't like him, just like how i did not like sterling. but he started to grow on me, just like sterling did. he claims in his words that he's not a nice person, but he really is, to be doing so many things for rose and harry.
as for rose, i really liked her determination to survive and her protectiveness of harry. i felt rose and avendale had great chemistry. harry, oh darling boy, he was such an enjoyable addition to the story and made the book so much better! i adored him. i did not expect myself to shed tears for harry despite his short appearance in the book.
there were too many inner thoughts in the first half of the book so i skimmed some of it. other than that, i find no faults with this book! one of the best books i've read in a while!
2022 review:
i stand by the above review which i wrote in 2020. it was a beautiful book. the story is definitely similar to Surrender to the Devil. despite it having similarities, it did not feel copied or boring at all. i got attached to avendale, rose and harry. it was very heartwarming to see avendale do things for rose to make her and harry happy. even though he says he is only doing it for the bargain, he was actually just a really nice guy deep down. i loved seeing avendale and harry having brotherly talks. it was really nice to see, as harry did not have a good male influence in his life before avendale.
as much as i enjoyed the book, i felt Lorraine Heath could have made rose and avendale talk more about avendale's past / family. i felt it needed to be more elaborated on. it would definitely have made their bonding much deeper. i would have liked to see rose and avendale be alone and go on more dates.
other than that, the chemistry between them was alright, it wasn't the best but i did enjoy the occasional bantering they did.
i didn't expect myself to love harry so much as well as Merrick, sally--though they were supporting characters. they were a wonderful bunch of supporting characters that added much color to the story. will get the physical book if i can.
2020 rating: 4.5 stars
2022 rating: 4.5 stars
2020 review:
this story mirrors what happened with sterling and frannie in Surrender to the Devil, with both guys offering a proposition to the lady. i really liked avendale and was glad he didn't turn out as mean as his father was.
at first, i didn't like him, just like how i did not like sterling. but he started to grow on me, just like sterling did. he claims in his words that he's not a nice person, but he really is, to be doing so many things for rose and harry.
as for rose, i really liked her determination to survive and her protectiveness of harry. i felt rose and avendale had great chemistry. harry, oh darling boy, he was such an enjoyable addition to the story and made the book so much better! i adored him. i did not expect myself to shed tears for harry despite his short appearance in the book.
there were too many inner thoughts in the first half of the book so i skimmed some of it. other than that, i find no faults with this book! one of the best books i've read in a while!
2022 review:
i stand by the above review which i wrote in 2020. it was a beautiful book. the story is definitely similar to Surrender to the Devil. despite it having similarities, it did not feel copied or boring at all. i got attached to avendale, rose and harry. it was very heartwarming to see avendale do things for rose to make her and harry happy. even though he says he is only doing it for the bargain, he was actually just a really nice guy deep down. i loved seeing avendale and harry having brotherly talks. it was really nice to see, as harry did not have a good male influence in his life before avendale.
as much as i enjoyed the book, i felt Lorraine Heath could have made rose and avendale talk more about avendale's past / family. i felt it needed to be more elaborated on. it would definitely have made their bonding much deeper. i would have liked to see rose and avendale be alone and go on more dates.
other than that, the chemistry between them was alright, it wasn't the best but i did enjoy the occasional bantering they did.
i didn't expect myself to love harry so much as well as Merrick, sally--though they were supporting characters. they were a wonderful bunch of supporting characters that added much color to the story. will get the physical book if i can.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2024
4 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado mucho, y hasta este, ha sido el mejor de la serie de los hijos de los Huérfanos de Saint James. Es verdad que si ciertos detalles de la historia, Lorraine Heath los hubiese manejado de otra manera, el libro habría sido un 5 estrellas.
Vamos por partes. "The Duke and the Lady in Red" es el tercer libro de la serie de los escandalosos caballeros de Saint James, los hijos de los Huérfanos. Y ésta vez, el tercer libro es el dedicado al duque de Avendale, demasiado escandaloso y libertino para su propio bien.
Por ciertos motivos que solo él sabe, el duque de Avendale lleva una solitaria vida de excesos y libertinaje, donde no faltan mujeres. De hecho, es una suerte que no haya dilapidado su fortuna. La pena, es que en ésta persona tan disipada, puedas creerte que es el hijo de Winnie. Sinceramente, no me ha pegado.
Rosalind Sharpe es una mentirosa, una estafadora. Una noche recibe una invitación a un exclusivo club de juegos donde las mujeres están invitadas, y Rosalind acude, esperando encontrar a su próxima víctima para desplumarla.
El primer encuentro entre Avendale y Rosalind, saltan chispas. La flecha de Cupido cae fulminantemente en el duque, y por primera vez en su vida experimenta lo que puede ser amor. En cambio, Rosalind está desesperada, y tiene sus motivos. Necesita dinero rápidamente para poder huir a otro sitio y empezar de cero, junto con su extraña familia, y su hermano.
Cuando Rosalind cree que todo puede salir según lo planeado, la realidad irrumpe en ella trastocando sus planes, y descubriendo su secreto, pero el duque de Avendale será implacable, y no descansará hasta hacer suya a Rosalind, y en el camino, conquistarla.
Realmente el romance es muy bonito y el punto fuerte de éste libro, por eso me ha gustado tanto. Pero no voy a negar que ha habido algunos detalles que me ha costado creérme, me he puesto en la piel de una persona de ésa época, y no se sostiene. El libro está cargado de cierta condescendencia y buenismo para con el personaje de Harry, que no me lo he creído.
El personaje de Harry es increíble y me ha encantado, además de lo que aporta al romance para construir la historia de los protagonistas. Pero su condición es tan dura, que algunos de los métodos que ha usado Lorraine Heath para con el trato de éste personaje, no me los he creído, no, es imposible. Y ésa fachada de buenismo es la que me ha hecho bajarle al libro una estrella. Repito, si Lorraine Heath lo hubiese manejado de otra manera, me habría convencido.
Además, ha habido un último detalle, que tampoco se sostiene. El por qué Avendale es tan disipado y no se lleva bien con su familia. ¿De verdad? ¿La autora cree que ése motivo justifica su vida? ¿Realmente piensa que las lectoras podemos creernos que un trauma del pasado haya permanecido ahí veinte años, y nunca han podido resolverlo madre e hijo hasta ahora? Y más habiéndole dado tan poca importancia.
Me da pena, porque el libro podría haber sido de los mejores de Lorraine Heath, y es muy bueno, no lo niego, pero estos dos detalles me han estropeado un poco la historia.
Espero continuar en breve con la serie, porque a pesar de éste pequeñísimo chasco, la autora me ha dejado con ganas de más, sobre todo de conocer los libros de los hijos varones de Frannie y Sterling.
Vamos por partes. "The Duke and the Lady in Red" es el tercer libro de la serie de los escandalosos caballeros de Saint James, los hijos de los Huérfanos. Y ésta vez, el tercer libro es el dedicado al duque de Avendale, demasiado escandaloso y libertino para su propio bien.
Por ciertos motivos que solo él sabe, el duque de Avendale lleva una solitaria vida de excesos y libertinaje, donde no faltan mujeres. De hecho, es una suerte que no haya dilapidado su fortuna. La pena, es que en ésta persona tan disipada, puedas creerte que es el hijo de Winnie. Sinceramente, no me ha pegado.
Rosalind Sharpe es una mentirosa, una estafadora. Una noche recibe una invitación a un exclusivo club de juegos donde las mujeres están invitadas, y Rosalind acude, esperando encontrar a su próxima víctima para desplumarla.
El primer encuentro entre Avendale y Rosalind, saltan chispas. La flecha de Cupido cae fulminantemente en el duque, y por primera vez en su vida experimenta lo que puede ser amor. En cambio, Rosalind está desesperada, y tiene sus motivos. Necesita dinero rápidamente para poder huir a otro sitio y empezar de cero, junto con su extraña familia, y su hermano.
Cuando Rosalind cree que todo puede salir según lo planeado, la realidad irrumpe en ella trastocando sus planes, y descubriendo su secreto, pero el duque de Avendale será implacable, y no descansará hasta hacer suya a Rosalind, y en el camino, conquistarla.
Realmente el romance es muy bonito y el punto fuerte de éste libro, por eso me ha gustado tanto. Pero no voy a negar que ha habido algunos detalles que me ha costado creérme, me he puesto en la piel de una persona de ésa época, y no se sostiene. El libro está cargado de cierta condescendencia y buenismo para con el personaje de Harry, que no me lo he creído.
El personaje de Harry es increíble y me ha encantado, además de lo que aporta al romance para construir la historia de los protagonistas. Pero su condición es tan dura, que algunos de los métodos que ha usado Lorraine Heath para con el trato de éste personaje, no me los he creído, no, es imposible. Y ésa fachada de buenismo es la que me ha hecho bajarle al libro una estrella. Repito, si Lorraine Heath lo hubiese manejado de otra manera, me habría convencido.
Además, ha habido un último detalle, que tampoco se sostiene. El por qué Avendale es tan disipado y no se lleva bien con su familia. ¿De verdad? ¿La autora cree que ése motivo justifica su vida? ¿Realmente piensa que las lectoras podemos creernos que un trauma del pasado haya permanecido ahí veinte años, y nunca han podido resolverlo madre e hijo hasta ahora? Y más habiéndole dado tan poca importancia.
Me da pena, porque el libro podría haber sido de los mejores de Lorraine Heath, y es muy bueno, no lo niego, pero estos dos detalles me han estropeado un poco la historia.
Espero continuar en breve con la serie, porque a pesar de éste pequeñísimo chasco, la autora me ha dejado con ganas de más, sobre todo de conocer los libros de los hijos varones de Frannie y Sterling.
August 11, 2016
I had initially given this 4 stars but no review because I needed to think about it. There were several things that bothered me about this book. I've marked it down to 3. It's probably more like 3.5, but we don't get half stars here, so that's that.
The first problem I have with this book is the secret keeping. Heath is far too coy with both leads having a secret. Very annoying. If we knew one of their secrets for the first nearly 50% it would be helpful, but the constant allusions with no reveal were annoying and kept the story from starting.
I'm one of those people who feels that the story -- especially a romance -- can't begin while secrets are being kept. There are variables and sometimes it works, but by and large I find the trope to be a rut the story spins its wheels in.
I liked Rose but it took me a while to like Avendale. When Harry's story takes over, Avendale wins the reader's heart. BUT, he's still got his issue which ended up being a big problem for me.
Avendale's issue relates to his father who was a pretty important element of two books in the Scoundrels of St. James series. What young Avendale is tweaked about does NOT line up with what happened in those earlier books. Particularly the one that has had him so bothered all this time. And when he finally confronts the issue ... I guess I have to spoiler tag this ... The way Heath dealt with this entire plot line was extremely weak and disappointing considering all that happened in those earlier books.
Rose was a good character. I thought the reveal of her secret was put off too long, however. Heath gave enough hints that I was able to figure it out before it was actually outed, but as I said above, I feel the story doesn't really start until the secrets are known. Especially if you're going to keep them from the reader as well. It might not have been so bad if Avendale's had been out there, but since I thought that was a bogus "secret" I doubt it'd have made me happy anyway.
There were missed opportunities for serious ugly crying in Harry's story too. Oh, I cried. But I've read Heath's ugly cry books and while this one had potential, some of the moments she once would have written to huge effect were somewhat glossed over. I know we don't want to get into a lot of doldrums in a romance, but I was really looking forward to some "Parting Gift" style weeping and it just didn't end up happening.
There were some very sweet, memorable scenes. Bringing Harry into the mix was helpful and showed Avendale as a wonderful character when I feared he'd just be a douchebag at the start. Rose is smart and capable and seems like a great match for this male lead.
In the end I felt it wasn't bad but could have been much, much better.
The first problem I have with this book is the secret keeping. Heath is far too coy with both leads having a secret. Very annoying. If we knew one of their secrets for the first nearly 50% it would be helpful, but the constant allusions with no reveal were annoying and kept the story from starting.
I'm one of those people who feels that the story -- especially a romance -- can't begin while secrets are being kept. There are variables and sometimes it works, but by and large I find the trope to be a rut the story spins its wheels in.
I liked Rose but it took me a while to like Avendale. When Harry's story takes over, Avendale wins the reader's heart. BUT, he's still got his issue which ended up being a big problem for me.
Avendale's issue relates to his father who was a pretty important element of two books in the Scoundrels of St. James series. What young Avendale is tweaked about does NOT line up with what happened in those earlier books. Particularly the one that has had him so bothered all this time. And when he finally confronts the issue ... I guess I have to spoiler tag this ... The way Heath dealt with this entire plot line was extremely weak and disappointing considering all that happened in those earlier books.
Rose was a good character. I thought the reveal of her secret was put off too long, however. Heath gave enough hints that I was able to figure it out before it was actually outed, but as I said above, I feel the story doesn't really start until the secrets are known. Especially if you're going to keep them from the reader as well. It might not have been so bad if Avendale's had been out there, but since I thought that was a bogus "secret" I doubt it'd have made me happy anyway.
There were missed opportunities for serious ugly crying in Harry's story too. Oh, I cried. But I've read Heath's ugly cry books and while this one had potential, some of the moments she once would have written to huge effect were somewhat glossed over. I know we don't want to get into a lot of doldrums in a romance, but I was really looking forward to some "Parting Gift" style weeping and it just didn't end up happening.
There were some very sweet, memorable scenes. Bringing Harry into the mix was helpful and showed Avendale as a wonderful character when I feared he'd just be a douchebag at the start. Rose is smart and capable and seems like a great match for this male lead.
In the end I felt it wasn't bad but could have been much, much better.
January 6, 2018
4 estrellas para el mejor libro de esta trilogía. Sin duda alguna Lorraine Heath es una autora que no defrauda, y aunque algunos de sus libros puedan llegar a ser más flojos que otros, lo cierto es que no dejan indiferente.
En este nos muestra la historia de amor de Avendale, un duque libertino hasta la médula y Rosalind, una estafadora que parece que lo único que la importa es el dinero. Pero tanto uno como la otra guardan en sus vidas un secreto que les condiciona a ser como son y que, a medida que vas leyendo no puedes dejar de pensar en la crueldad de la sociedad de aquella época para las personas que eran diferentes ni en lo que puede hacer que, una escena vista cuando no debe hacerse condicione la vida de una familia.
La historia de Avendale tiene varios spoilers del relato corto que tiene su madre con William Graves, por lo que no voy a entrar en detalles.
Lo que sí diré es por qué este libro ha sido mejor que los otros. No ha sido por la pareja principal (aunque me ha gustado su relación a pesar de que a veces tenía demasiadas mentiras entre ellos), sino por los personajes secundarios y más concretamente Henry, el hermano de Rosalind. Un personaje que ha hecho las delicias de mi Yo lector y que me ha hecho sacar más de una lágrima debido a la historia que nis cuenta.
Un libro en el que el romance se cuece a fuego medio - rápido pero lleno de escenas emotivas, personajes secundarios inolvidables y un epílogo, como siempre, redondo hacen que termine esta serie con muy buen sabor de boca y deseando leer más libros de esta autora, que sigue con las andanzas de estos personajes granujas.
En este nos muestra la historia de amor de Avendale, un duque libertino hasta la médula y Rosalind, una estafadora que parece que lo único que la importa es el dinero. Pero tanto uno como la otra guardan en sus vidas un secreto que les condiciona a ser como son y que, a medida que vas leyendo no puedes dejar de pensar en la crueldad de la sociedad de aquella época para las personas que eran diferentes ni en lo que puede hacer que, una escena vista cuando no debe hacerse condicione la vida de una familia.
La historia de Avendale tiene varios spoilers del relato corto que tiene su madre con William Graves, por lo que no voy a entrar en detalles.
Lo que sí diré es por qué este libro ha sido mejor que los otros. No ha sido por la pareja principal (aunque me ha gustado su relación a pesar de que a veces tenía demasiadas mentiras entre ellos), sino por los personajes secundarios y más concretamente Henry, el hermano de Rosalind. Un personaje que ha hecho las delicias de mi Yo lector y que me ha hecho sacar más de una lágrima debido a la historia que nis cuenta.
Un libro en el que el romance se cuece a fuego medio - rápido pero lleno de escenas emotivas, personajes secundarios inolvidables y un epílogo, como siempre, redondo hacen que termine esta serie con muy buen sabor de boca y deseando leer más libros de esta autora, que sigue con las andanzas de estos personajes granujas.
March 19, 2022
Damn.. just damn. This hurt me and was beautiful at the same time.
5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale
5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale
June 14, 2022
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
Sé que se me va un poco la mano con la valoración pero ahora mismo 3'5 estrellitas se me quedan algo cortas, así que volver a disfrutar de la Heath tras el coñazo del libro anterior bien se merece media estrellita más.
No es que el libro tenga gran cosa pero la Heath lo cuenta tan bien que te intriga y te emociona a partes iguales. Le valoro mucho el trabajazo que hace con el maromo protagonista porque pasa de ser un ajo porro a ser un hombre al que achucharías sin fin sin que dejes de reconocerle. La heroína es fantástica y el tercer personaje en discordia es... ❤ Pocas como ella para escribirlo tan bien.
En fin, que son unas enaguas de la Heath las que merecen la pena.
Sé que se me va un poco la mano con la valoración pero ahora mismo 3'5 estrellitas se me quedan algo cortas, así que volver a disfrutar de la Heath tras el coñazo del libro anterior bien se merece media estrellita más.
No es que el libro tenga gran cosa pero la Heath lo cuenta tan bien que te intriga y te emociona a partes iguales. Le valoro mucho el trabajazo que hace con el maromo protagonista porque pasa de ser un ajo porro a ser un hombre al que achucharías sin fin sin que dejes de reconocerle. La heroína es fantástica y el tercer personaje en discordia es... ❤ Pocas como ella para escribirlo tan bien.
En fin, que son unas enaguas de la Heath las que merecen la pena.
June 6, 2015
Every once in a while you come across a book that has the ability to settle into your heart and stay with you. Lorraine Heath's prose has always had that capacity, she pulls my heart strings every single time I read one of her books.
This book is extremely emotional in its tranquility. It doesn't have great action scenes, no thrill of the chase. Even more remarkable that it grabs your heart and squeezes it throughout the journey. Avendale was a fine hero, tormented by the past who came to understand and accept that caring for somebody deeply and doing everything you can to ensure their happiness might not make you happy but at least content. Rose was extremely strong, her scenes with her brother Harry were heartwrenching and sweet. Avendale and Harry...sigh...those two should have had more time, this friendship went deep within a short time.
Lorraine Heath is on my auto-buy list. I can't wait for the next installment of this series!
This book is extremely emotional in its tranquility. It doesn't have great action scenes, no thrill of the chase. Even more remarkable that it grabs your heart and squeezes it throughout the journey. Avendale was a fine hero, tormented by the past who came to understand and accept that caring for somebody deeply and doing everything you can to ensure their happiness might not make you happy but at least content. Rose was extremely strong, her scenes with her brother Harry were heartwrenching and sweet. Avendale and Harry...sigh...those two should have had more time, this friendship went deep within a short time.
Lorraine Heath is on my auto-buy list. I can't wait for the next installment of this series!
June 15, 2021
Someone in my Facebook group recommended this book and boy, was I happy that I read it! I actually almost DNF after the first 20%. It started out pretty clichéd with the insipid and bored Duke, Avendale finding insta lust with a swindler, Rose at a club. Things started to get very interesting when Rose's brother, Harry was introduced to the story. Harry had a physical affliction and it was his positive outlook on life and kindness that elevated the story. There were also depths to Avendale and Rose characters (whom I thought to be shallow earlier on) . I laughed and wept whilst reading. This book had a perfectly satisfying epilogue as well. Highly recommended.
June 16, 2020
real rating: 3.5??? This one was better than the first because I saw how these two people loved each other but because of society, it's hard for them to be together together. I liked how the female love interest had a brother with a disability and it's representation in regency romance.
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