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The Stranger I Married

by Sylvia Day (Goodreads Author)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 3,682 ratings · 290 reviews

Lady Pelham could not have designed a husband more suited to her needs. The Marquess of Grayson is a dear and enchanting friend and an unrepentant ladies man. Their union is solid; their hearts safe from one another. But every marriage has its surprises...

They Were Together For All The Wrong Reasons

They are London's most scandalous couple. Isabel, Lady Pelham, and Gerard F...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published January 1st 2007 by Brava

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Community Reviews

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May 28, 2012 Karla rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Karla by: Kathleen

Shelves: 2-love-stories, awesome-alpha, bad-boy, erotic, strong-willed-heroine, terrific-dialogue, wonderful-secondary-characters, the-dust-bowl-stirred

4 ½ Stars! Sooo good!

“Theirs was a union made for all the wrong reasons, but in the end it was one that could not have been more right.”

When I started reading this I somewhat thrown by the beginning of the book, even thought of putting it aside for a while. BUT I heard Kathleen in my head telling what a great read this was, plus I loved Sylvia Day’s book, Bared To You, so I forged ahead. I was pleasantly surprised at the turn this book took, and thoroughly enjoyed the development and strength in...more

30 likes · like · see review

Jul 19, 2012 Michelle [Helen Geek] marked it as to-read

Shelves: tbr-kindle

The blurb just sounded so good and I just found Sylvia Day -- yeah!!

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 03, 2013 Gina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Gina by: Kathleen

Shelves: romance-historical, best-of-the-best, favorites

OMG OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

this is exactly what I needed after the last book i read was such a disappointment!!

This is about Grayson and Isabel, two people who decide to marry to make each of their lives simpler (or so they think of course). Grayson is a scoundrel, he has two lovers and lives for his own pleasure. Isabel was hurt badly from her first marriage and is not going to let another man get close to her heart again. She has a lover as well, and because of her beauty men are constantly ch...more OMG OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

this is exactly what I needed after the last book i read was such a disappointment!!

This is about Grayson and Isabel, two people who decide to marry to make each of their lives simpler (or so they think of course). Grayson is a scoundrel, he has two lovers and lives for his own pleasure. Isabel was hurt badly from her first marriage and is not going to let another man get close to her heart again. She has a lover as well, and because of her beauty men are constantly chasing her (poor thing...haha). Isabel also has a bad reputation and marrying her would drive Grayson mother insane and since her doesn't like her mother much this is added incentive to marry her. so they agree to marry and not change either of their lives, and for a while they are both happy.

Well something happens in Grayson's life that completely devastates him, it shakes him to his core and he takes off. He doesn't return for 4 years. When he comes back he is different, he is a man changed, mentally and emotionally he is wiser and apparently he has more muscles and a butt to die for! (sorry i had to mention this, but i did love his butt). What Grayson wants is a real wife, so the challenge begins!

I loved the dialogue between these two: "I am afraid," she admitted, baring what he had known, but was waiting for her to say. "How strong you are to reveal that," he praised, "and how lucky I am to be the man you share your fears with." And this one: "I think your ass is divine, and I wish to bite it" "Bite it?" He blinked. "My ass?"

And the sex between these two was hot, sensual, the chemistry you could feel. There is one encounter between them that just blows me away, I read it once and then went back and read it again! OH MY MY!!!

And I even loved the secondary romance in this book between Isabel's brother Rhys and Abby. That was charming, fun and wonderfully romantic.

Overall I found this a wonderful, sensual historical romance. It fulfilled everything i wanted and needed. I was in a funk yesterday, but today i will go to work smiling from ear to ear because yesterday I read a fantastic book! I love books for this reason! I will be reading this again.....and again i am positive!!

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Jun 21, 2012 Alexis ~*Too many books, not enough time*~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Historical Romance Lovers

Shelves: adult-romance-erotica, discovery, erotica, hot_as_hell_male, strong_female_lead, steamy, historical-romance

Spoiler Free Review
4 STARS
Genre: Historical Romance

" I pledge my troth to you my wife. Not for my needs, as i did before, but for yours. You have given me so much- friendship, laughter, acceptance. You have never judged me or chastised. When i did not know who i was, you cared for me anyway." -Gerard in The Stranger I Married

The once married Lady Pelham has no need for a man besides good company and sex. But when Lady Pelham(Isabel)is appraoched by a young Gerard Faulkner the Marquess of Grayso...more

7 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2012 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was my favorite book from Sylvia Day. I absolutely LOVED it!

5/5/2012

Story Rating 5 Stars
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 stars

It has bee a long time since I have read this book. I remembered that I loved it and not much else. I must say that it was like I was reading this book for the first time and loved it just as much as the first time around.

Isabel and Gerard married but not for the normal reason's. She accepted the proposal knowing it w...more

14 likes · like · see review

Aug 01, 2008 Coffcat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, erotica

After reading a ton of awesome reviews about this book I was really excited to finally be able to read it. The first thing I loved about this book was the new and refreshing storyline. The heroine of this story is not a shrinking violet of a girl waiting to be ravished by the handsome suitor. Oh no. Quite the opposite! I loved the fact that she was "experienced" and could handle herself with aplomb. It made me realize how dissatisfied I'd become with book after book of women who couldn't tie a r...more

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May 22, 2013 Francesca Morelli rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romanzo, rosa

Ho scoperto questa autrice navigando in rete per cercare le recensioni della tanto discussa trilogia delle 50 sfumature. Come era successo con le ‘cinquanta sfumature di grigio’ per curiosità, ho cercato in giro qualche romanzo della Day.
Mi è capitato tra le mani questo romance facente parte di una delle decine di categorie in cui sono suddivisi ormai gli Harmony, ebbene, non mi è piaciuto per niente.
La trama era accattivante e mi ricordava vagamente la storia dello splendido romanzo della Sherr...more

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May 04, 2013 Poppy Pots♥ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Comencé un extraño en mi cama el mismo día que salio a la venta. Ventajas del Ebook. Pero hasta ahí, todo lo que ha sido una ventaja.

Me encanta Sylvia Day, y debo decir que nunca había encontrado ninguna pega a ninguna de sus obras, pero Un extraño en mi cama se me ha hecho... eterno.

Lo primero que recomiendo a todas las personas que vayan a leerlo es... UNA MENTALIDAD ABIERTA, MUY MUY ABIERTA sobre todo si sois lectoras de histórica dado que, lo que entendemos por mujeres y su comportamiento en...more

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Mar 20, 2013 Kitty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Tras leérmelo en apenas día y medio, una vez más caigo a los pies de Sylvia Day, porque esta mujer tiene una forma de narrar y de construir las historias que me tiene enamorada. No son escenas de sexo porque sí, sin ton ni son, no, y aunque a veces usé palabras un poco bruscas, o que podrían escandalizar a las más puristas, en ningún momento te saca de la historia ni te hace poner los ojos en blanco.

Como ya me acostumbró con su otra saga, esta mujer sabe construir los personajes a la perfección...more
Tras leérmelo en apenas día y medio, una vez más caigo a los pies de Sylvia Day, porque esta mujer tiene una forma de narrar y de construir las historias que me tiene enamorada. No son escenas de sexo porque sí, sin ton ni son, no, y aunque a veces usé palabras un poco bruscas, o que podrían escandalizar a las más puristas, en ningún momento te saca de la historia ni te hace poner los ojos en blanco.

Como ya me acostumbró con su otra saga, esta mujer sabe construir los personajes a la perfección y hacerlos evolucionar, todos con sus sombras y sus complejidades hacen que la historia sea más creíble y no se quede en otra estúpida historia de amor.

Lady Isabel Pelham es un personaje bastante avanzado para la época, y me ha encantado su forma de pensar, su fortaleza y sobretodo que por fín tenemos una protagonista que no es virgen ni inocentona en la cama (¡¡ya era hora!!).

Gerard Faulkner es….. ¿Cómo decirlo?... mmmmmmm…..sexy, divertido, sarcástico, protector, carismático (se me cae la baba….). En fín que es un cañón de hombre y el que mejor momentos y más sonrisas logra sacarte en el libro.

Pero lo que más me ha gustado de libro es que entremedias te introduce otra historia de amor que, desde mi punto de vista, hubiera merecido libro propio, pero clarísimamente, sobre todo por ella, que me ha parecido un personaje genial. No os voy a dar más datos, porque esta historia es el extra que hace que el libro termine de encandilarte (desde mi punto de vista, claro). Pero quizás, el que solo sea un "extra" es lo que ha hecho que no le dé la máxima puntuación, porque me he quedado con ganas de saber más sobre su historia de amor, y me temo que me voy a quedar con las ganas...

En esta historia tendremos un matrimonio que en inicio no tenía ni una pizca de pasión o de amor. Un joven que vuelve convertido en todo un hombre apasionado. Y muchos tiras y afloja entre marido y mujer, muchas escenas de pasión preciosa, y sobretodo mucho amor (aunque ellos se nieguen a verlo).

Definitivamente seguiré comprándome libros de esta autora, porque por ahora no me ha defraudado con sus historias ni con su forma de narrar.

(http://leyendo-entre-horas.blogspot.c...)
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Jan 19, 2013 Marleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica

I received my copy from Penguin UK through Nudge.

Lady Isabel Pelham is a 26 year old widow, happy to live the rest of her life fleeting from lover to lover and never marrying again. When the man she loved deeply and married betrayed her in ways that broke her heart she vowed she’d never make herself that vulnerable again, and she’s determined to keep her word.

Gerard Faulkner, the Marquess of Grayson is 22 year old. The woman he loves has married somebody else, and although he enjoys his flirtati...more I received my copy from Penguin UK through Nudge.

Lady Isabel Pelham is a 26 year old widow, happy to live the rest of her life fleeting from lover to lover and never marrying again. When the man she loved deeply and married betrayed her in ways that broke her heart she vowed she’d never make herself that vulnerable again, and she’s determined to keep her word.

Gerard Faulkner, the Marquess of Grayson is 22 year old. The woman he loves has married somebody else, and although he enjoys his flirtations and nights with various women he is tired of being looked at as profitable marriage material.

The solution seems simple. If Grayson and Pelham were to marry they could both continue their scandalous life-style without being bothered by people wanting more than just an affair. It seems a good plan and for the first few months after their marriage it works out fine. When a personal loss hits Grayson hard he leaves London and his new wife behind for destinations unknown.

Four years later Grayson returns to London a changed man. No longer is he looking for adventure and lust. He has grown up and wants his marriage to be real instead of the sham Isabel and he agreed upon years ago. Isabel though is convinced that this can never work. Grayson is too much like her first husband; he too will get bored with her and betray her. And there is no way she could survive such a betrayal again. With Isabel determined to keep her husband as a platonic friend and their life-style unchanged, Grayson will have to convince her that he is indeed a changed man. During what is a sensuous process of seduction, Grayson slowly manages to lower the walls surrounding Isabel’s heart. But with outside forces determined to break them and their scandalous marriage up and their own painful past experiences making them cautious, the couple is going to need to rely on and trust in each other implicitly if they want to have a chance at a future.

Set in the first half of the 19th century this is a charming and very sensual historical romance; the story about a man and a woman who are made for each other but are unable to see that clearly for themselves. I liked the way the two main characters sparked together, the way in which they were able to get the worst but also the best out of each other. The dialogue between them is clever, runs smoothly and is written in such a way that it is almost possible to actually hear their voices.

The fact that the romance between these two characters is almost exclusive conducted in the bedroom may put some readers off. Having said that, while there may be a lot of, quite vividly described, intimacy in these pages, the content of this book is never shocking nor intended to be.

I guess this story and the characters in it are a bit simplistic. Characters are either wonderful and charming or horrid and selfish. And the story has a typical romance story-arc; strong lust and a reluctance to talk about the things that matter and could avoid confusion is nothing new or original. However, when those ingredients are encountered in a well written and entertaining story they tend to add to it rather than detract, and that is certainly true in this book.

I’m not quite sure why the author felt the need to include the story about Isabel’s brother Rhys and the “unsuitable” woman he falls for. Not that their story wasn’t interesting, but it didn’t add anything to the real subject of the book. In fact, I think that story-line could easily have warranted a book of its own.

Overall this is a well written, easy to read and very sensual romance; a book sure to be enjoyed by anybody who likes their historical romance a bit spicy.
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Sep 20, 2012 Samountha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ah, what once started as a marriage of convenience… Spawns into a passionate game of cat and mouse of the body, mind, and soul.
I LOVED this book. But more than that, I LOVED the Hero and heroine. Lady Pelham (Isabel) and the Marquess of Grayson (Gerard) have always been well acquainted. She’s a widow with a trail of broken hearted lovers, and he a bachelor with two mistresses, one married and one unattached. Both Lady Pelham and Grayson are not interested in marriage at all. Isabel has had a st...more Ah, what once started as a marriage of convenience… Spawns into a passionate game of cat and mouse of the body, mind, and soul.
I LOVED this book. But more than that, I LOVED the Hero and heroine. Lady Pelham (Isabel) and the Marquess of Grayson (Gerard) have always been well acquainted. She’s a widow with a trail of broken hearted lovers, and he a bachelor with two mistresses, one married and one unattached. Both Lady Pelham and Grayson are not interested in marriage at all. Isabel has had a string of lovers that all wanted more from her. She was not willing nor was she ready to ever marry again. Lord Grayson is young, handsomely boyish, and completely selfish, making decisions in haste without thinking of the consequences.

One night, Grayson meets the mistress he’s loved since his teenage years for their routine rendezvous and she reveals quite a shocking piece of news that will change everything. He goes to find Isabel to share his plan with her; a marriage of convenience for both parties involved. If Society sees the couple married, Lady Pelham can continue on with her paramours and the long line of debutantes desiring Grayson’s hand in marriage will cease. He’s so charming she can’t do anything but agree to it.

Then one letter from Gerard’s miserable mother drastically alters his life. Unable to bear the bad news, he flees without a backward glance and without a word to anyone. Isabel has no idea where Lord Grayson has gone but she writes him letters for the next four years, hoping her friendship will bring him back.

Four years later, he does return…a stranger. Gerard is impossibly tall, dark, and handsome in every sense of the word. His bright blue eyes now take on a darker hue. Gone is the selfish, careless young twenty two year old boy and in his place is a brooding, mature man who wants to right his wrongs… Starting with his marriage to the seductively sensual Isabel.

The characters are well developed and I love the banter they share between each other. Isabel is horrified to find herself attracted to this sexy, dark new man, her husband. He realizes what he’s always had and wants to make it right with her.

Isabel has her own hang ups regarding her first marriage that seeps its way into her second one. Gerard brings back all the painful memories and insecurities of her first marriage to Lord Pelham and his philandering ways. But Gerard is not the late Pelham. At all. He fights to prove to her that he wants only her. All of her. Her body, her mind, her love.

Good GOD, the sex scenes are STEAMY! I was reading this book late night and found myself waking my hubby up to sate the desire that this book spawned. It’s truly THAT good. :)

Of course, there are people who don’t want their marriage to work. Including his mother who is NEVER happy with anything and Isabel’s previous lover who was given the boot the moment Gerard came back into her life. There’s also a cute side story going on with Isabel’s brother and the mysterious woman who’s caught his eye and attentions.
This book is a must read. It’s scorching hot, sexy, full of emotion.

“You and I and no one else, Isabel. If it drives me into the grave, I will find a way to be what you need.”

“I am rebuilding you, rebuilding US. I want to be the only man whose kiss you remember.”
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Sep 19, 2012 Michaela rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you're a fan of history and romance this novel is for you. It follows Lady Pel and Lord Grayson through a world win romance. The couple marry only out of convenience. They both want the best of both worlds..a companion to come home to and the lustful relationship of a paramour. When Lord Grayson disappears for four years, lady Pel believes her fate has been sealed, she will forever be the woman who's husband strayed.

Lord Grayson reappears four years later and has drastically changed. Pel tak...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: brain-junkfood, historical-romance, i-have-a-crush, lovey-dovey, teenage-dreams

It has been quite a while since I enjoyed myself a little bit of historical romance, and since I am currently nurturing my growing obsession with Sylvia Day's works, this book was a perfect match for me in every way!

I think one of the most important messages in this book is that past relationships will inevitably leave their scars on your soul, and bad break ups or experiences will leave you jaded, and your barriers more secure than ever, but with the proper coercion and the right amount of time...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Sandy M rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

This book isn’t one I was to review. I picked it up just to take a peek. Just a little peek. But, heavens, it’s Sylvia Day. Who can take just a peek? Not me. Before I knew it, I was halfway through it, then it was finished. All in nothing flat. Ms. Day is just so danged good, if I’d been able to get my hands on another book of hers from the TBR pile, I would have cracked it open too. You can’t read just one.

And how good she is, Gerard, the hero of this book, in the beginning is not a man I would...more This book isn’t one I was to review. I picked it up just to take a peek. Just a little peek. But, heavens, it’s Sylvia Day. Who can take just a peek? Not me. Before I knew it, I was halfway through it, then it was finished. All in nothing flat. Ms. Day is just so danged good, if I’d been able to get my hands on another book of hers from the TBR pile, I would have cracked it open too. You can’t read just one.

And how good she is, Gerard, the hero of this book, in the beginning is not a man I would like very much in the hands of a lesser author. Of course, he’s very young at the start of the story, so he loves the ladies and is as wild as can be. All of that changes very quickly and the man shoots straight into your heart when he runs the gamut of emotion he, and you, never thought he’d see.

To keep his decadent and pleasurable way of life on track, Gerard approaches the mistress of his best friend and proposes they are perfect for each other and should marry, each going their own way after vows are said, not to be bothered . Isabel at first refuses the idea, but Gerard is very persuasive that they both would benefit from such an arrangement and she finally agrees to become his wife in name only.

Emotion hits both a high and a low for Gerard when, first, the love of his life is married. And pregnant by Gerard. He’s ecstatic to be a father, even though he won’t be able to neither acknowledge nor raise his child. Then tragedy strikes and both mother and child are lost in childbirth and Gerard is grief stricken. That scene is just heart wrenching, seeing this carefree character break down. The next thing Isabel knows, he’s gone from her life without a word, so she carries on just as they had agreed and awaits word from her broken, absent husband.

It’s four years later when Gerard returns, and he’s not the man Isabel married. He’s much more serious, harder, and intense than the Gerard she knew before. And he wants a real marriage, something Isabel resists. Her life has gone on just as she likes, she has a current lover who knows the score and she’s happy with that. But Gerard bombards her at every turn with his new self and she’s confused by and in a constant state of arousal with this stranger.

There are stumbling blocks for them from every corner, and though at first Isabel thinks to use one to get out of an impossible situation, she hangs in there to learn about the new man Gerard has become. The scenes showing how he has changed are very telling and you end up loving that man more than ever. Their attraction slowly grows into a wonderful, mature love, despite those problems thrown their way. I also enjoyed the side story of Isabel’s brother, Rhys, and Abby.

There’s not one thing about this book I didn’t like. I doubt Ms. Day will ever write a book I will dislike. She just doesn’t have it in her, as far as I’m concerned.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Jan 26, 2011 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: alpha-male, historical-romance, regency, older-woman-younger-man, good-sex, tender-love-story, reviewed, england

Another one I hung on to for too long because of some nit picky reviews I read about it.

Bah - this book was excellent.

Older woman/younger man

Lots of thought went into creating these characters...thank you Sylvia Day.

I'm not going to review the story line, that's been done enough. What I'm concentrating on here is the realistic depiction of these characters.

H - Gerard Faulkner, 6th Marquess of Grayson, 22 years old. How does a wealthy, immature (but not for a young man who is only 22), self cente...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Bronwyn Rykiert rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I loved this, my first Sylvia Day novel, it was hot! hot! hot!

Gerard Faulkner, Marquess of Grayson has admired Isabel Pelham (Pel or Bella) since he first met her. He is a rake of the worst kind and has 2 mistresses on the go at the same time. Isabel has one paramour at a time but does not plan on remarrying after the disappointment of her marriage to Pelham.

Gerard asks Pel to marry him just to ward off unwanted debutante’s etc and she agrees because he proposes a marriage in name only and agree...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Chanse Lowell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Get ready for the gushing... A rain slicker may be required. You've been warned.

I absolutely loved every single freaking second of this story. Gray was to die for, and what I mean by that, is if I could've gone into the book, offed Isabel, even if I adore her as well, and she quite possibly could be my bestest friend ever, I'd do it. That's how delicious that rakish man is.

And let me say, normally, when the guy's all nice and almost too froofy, I get bored real quick. That just doesn't do it for...more

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Oct 20, 2010 Kaetrin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paper-book

I was blog hopping the other day and came across a review of this book which reminded me that I had meant to read it. Sadly, I can't now find that particular blog (grr) which is disappointing, because I enjoyed the review and wanted to check it out again... oh well, maybe I'll stumble across it again one day and actually Bookmark it this time!

I remember being intrigued by the premise of this story when it first came out but, not having read anything by this author before, I didn't want to plonk...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Jacqueline rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was so enjoyable, containing all the things I like in a book - romance, really steamy rude bits and a happy ending. I did wonder initially whether the plot would stretch to 294 pages as it was pretty obvious from the off how it was going to end. Day's solution to stretching a thin plot over 300 pages was by means of page after page of heaving, lusting body parts beautifully described in in an old fashioned, flowery language.

The only reason this one was a 4 star rather than a 5 star was the...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Christine M rated it 2 of 5 stars

Hard to rate these things. This book was in some respects better written than a couple of books that I gave four stars to, but the story was less interesting and more repetitive.

Or it is just possible that I've finally burned out on these types of novels. It happens.

Before I do the vague spoilery review...Sylvia Day is clearly a Joss Whedon fan. She literally names a character "Lord Whedon" - I giggled. Then rolled my eyes. I'm guessing she wrote Buffy fanfic. And I most likely read it - her wri...more Hard to rate these things. This book was in some respects better written than a couple of books that I gave four stars to, but the story was less interesting and more repetitive.

Or it is just possible that I've finally burned out on these types of novels. It happens.

Before I do the vague spoilery review...Sylvia Day is clearly a Joss Whedon fan. She literally names a character "Lord Whedon" - I giggled. Then rolled my eyes. I'm guessing she wrote Buffy fanfic. And I most likely read it - her writing style is vaguely familiar.

The story is rather innovative - instead of a younger, virginal woman and much older guy. We have an older, rather experienced woman and a younger man. They are both rakes. She has various lovers, as does he. Her rule - two years, maybe three - if the guy starts to fall for her or proposes marriage...she breaks up with him. Lord Grayson proposes to her, because he knows she'll never fall in love with him, they can basically be each others shield against unwanted marriage, have as many affairs as they wish, and he can continue to sleep with his first love, Emily, who is married to another. Plus he rather likes the heroine, Isobel. They are friends. But alas, Emily becomes pregnant with his child and then dies in child-birth along with the kid, which his devilish mother takes fiendish delight in relating to him in a lengthy and bitter letter. Over-wrought, Grayson leaves Isobel and takes off to Scotland for four years. She writes, he never answers. Until one day, he pops up again and decides out of the blue to romance her, declaring his undying love for her. Which appears to take the form of lots and lots of sexual encounters. 80% of the novel is sex scenes and while entertaining and fairly well written, as far as sex scenes go, they also become a bit repetitive and outlandish at times. (Kiddies? Do not try this at home.) By about the sixth or seventh sex scene, I was starting to skim. There is a nifty sub-plot involving Isobel's younger brother and an American heiress that is never fully developed and eventually falls flat.

Like most of these novels...the ending feels a bit rushed, as if the writer ran out of ideas or got stuck. Everyone appears to suck at endings.

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Sep 16, 2010 Slavena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-romance-books, favorite-hero, favorite-heroine, historical-erotica, historical-romance

You have to love determined males. There is something very exciting and terribly sexy about a man who is set to do whatever it takes to woo a woman. Meet The Marquess of Grayson, a known rake and libertine who goes through life without a care, does not want any attachments to anyone since he has lost his childhood sweetheart when she married another. To beat of the ton’s mama’s trying to shackle him in marriage and to do revenge on his mother he marries Lady Pelham a widow who wants the same thi...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Manuela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: venduto, storico

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 19, 2010 Crista rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2-star, historical, hot, reformed-rake

Wow! This one will definitely forced me to turn on my AC (one of the most erotic stories I've ever read), but unfortunately this one will be one that I will forget all to easily.

My main complaint is this....I didn't care for either of the leads. Pel is about the "most unique" heroine I've ever come across. She is almost more promiscuous than Gray her "husband". This, while in some ways refreshing, kept me from really connecting with her character. She was far to disconnected from her emotions f...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, erotic-fiction, historical-romance

I'm a big fan of second chances, especially the well-written ones with a fantastic story that could arouse and at the same time touch.

It was a marriage of convenience for Gerard and Isabela, despite she being older, they are alike in most ways. Both of them have casual relationships and both were hurt from a previous love.

I liked how the story progressed, I found myself excited to read on. I could've finished this in a matter of hours if I weren't working. I liked how Ms Day balanced erotica and...more

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May 20, 2013 ~V~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

**4 1/2 stars**

I swear, the more historical romances i read the more and more i'm finding i love them!! Stiiiillll, not an overly huge fan of the lingo...i mean...a man's smalls..really?...what the heck are smalls?...men's underwear?...can we not just say underwear? or if we want it to be more formal maybe undergarments? Oh well, small nitpick but i thinking i'm coming to understand what it is exactly that i'm loving about this genre! Not only are the men very alpha male and swoon worthy but the...more

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May 14, 2012 Jenny - totallybookedblog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult

More like a 4.5 and I only deducted half a star because I liked Seven Years to Sin a little better.

That said, I loved this book. It was simply luscious. If I keep reading these wonderful Historical Romances I'm going to run out of adjectives before too long.

The building of trust between Isabella (Pel) and Gray was slow but by no means tedious. The sexual tension and passion between these two was palpable and built up as the book went on.

I was drawn to these characters and really wanted them to h...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: love, sylvia-day, drama, erotica

Living in London during these times is fascinating. Their thinking & the way society works, oh my. Gerard, Lord Grayson is a rake of the traditional kind, the exploits he gets up to, oh my. A marriage of convenience is what it starts out to be when he weds Isabel. She is a widow, to a man that pursued her but then continually cheated on her. Would seem they all married to procreate but all had their affairs & it was all the norm.

Gerard loved Emily, but Emily was married to someone else,...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Susana Guerra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book goes back to the 1800s with an erotic twist to it and it does captures your mind and imagination to run wild. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The steamy sexy parts of the book are quite fun and flirty but with a sweet and romantic side to it...

You have two love determined males. There is something very exciting and terribly sexy about a man who is set to do whatever it takes to woo a woman. Meet The Marquess of Grayson, a known rake and libertine who goes through life without a care,...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Gerard Grayson is a handsome, charming rake and he proposes marriage to Isabelle Pelham who is a beautiful and sexual, but jaded widow. She agrees to the marriage under their terms. Gerard (Gray) wants to be married because he does not want his mistresses trapping him into marriage and he does not want the attention from mothers looking to marry off their daughters and so that his mother will stop pressuring him to marry. Basically he feels that he has to be married but doesn’t want to commit to...more Gerard Grayson is a handsome, charming rake and he proposes marriage to Isabelle Pelham who is a beautiful and sexual, but jaded widow. She agrees to the marriage under their terms. Gerard (Gray) wants to be married because he does not want his mistresses trapping him into marriage and he does not want the attention from mothers looking to marry off their daughters and so that his mother will stop pressuring him to marry. Basically he feels that he has to be married but doesn’t want to commit to a marriage. Isabelle (Pel) does not want to be married because the man she fell in love with and married was not faithful to her. After his death she had no intention of falling in love again or chaining herself to a man that would not be faithful. Instead she takes on lovers that she is faithful to but discards after a year or two or when they continue to press her to marry. For her, marrying Gerard eliminates her lover's ability to pursue marriage and makes her relationships easier. They marry and are both happy with their own exploits. After six months of marriage Gray receives a letter from his mother, who is not a loving and nurturing type, letting him know that Emily has passed during child birth and the child did not survive. Emily was a mistress of Gerard’s (but was married to someone else) and was pregnant with his child. Gerard, the man without a care in the world, instantly changes into a man who felt unworthy of existing. He left his home and did not return for four years. Pel would write to him regularly and all letters would be returned unopened. He finally returns with the sole purposes of being a husband to Pel. She is not interested, but there is a strong physical attraction between them that did not exist before. Gerard pursues her, being in the most interesting position of wanting something that belongs to him but still isn’t his Together they learn about themselves and each other. Ultimately they end up together and in love. I really liked the story and the changes that the characters went through together. Gray could be rather possessive and I liked that Day wove in that he was interested in having as much of Pel’s time as he could even when they were first married. There is a second story about Pel’s brother Rhys who is not a believer in true love. He meets and falls for Abigail who is an heiress and therefore not properly suited as a wife for him as a Duke’s son. She is not interested in marriage because she has been consistently pursued for her fortune and she wishes only to fall in love. She does not accept his marriage proposal because she believes he is only asking because they were caught kissing. He then attempts to kidnap her because he can’t take no for an answer. This part is fairly unrealistic but also so very entertaining. Basically he is a character that has always felt that love is annoying and tried to avoid having anyone fall in love with him and then when he falls in love and it isn’t returned he simply can’t take it. They do end up together after Abby hears Rhys say to Pel that he loves her. The novel hit most of the marks for me. I laughed some, I shed a tear (literally one I think), I held my breath a few times and my breath hitched a few times. I look forward to my next Day novel. (less)

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Jan 10, 2013 Katchya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

4.5 stars

This wasn't at all what I expected. The title and short description of the novel discouraged me many times. I thought it would be a boring narrative on a marriage that had lost it's spark and needed some revitalizing.

I should know by now that Sylvia Day doesn't do boring, or conventional for that matter. She offers an element of surprise, and gives the right amount of sexual intrigue & tension from start to finish.

For me personally, one of Sylvia Day's biggest strengths is her abi...more

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About Sylvia Day

Sylvia Day (aka S. J. Day and Livia Dare) is the #1 New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of more than a dozen award-winning novels translated into over three dozen languages. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Author and her work has been honored as Amazon's Best of the Year in Romance. She has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award and been n...more

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A Dark Kiss of Rapture (Renegade Angels, #0.5)

A Touch of Crimson (Renegade Angels, #1)

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