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Love By Numbers #3
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart
She lives for passion.
Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one eveningrisking everything he holds dear; he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.
Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one eveningrisking everything he holds dear; he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.
384 pages, ebook
First published April 26, 2011
689 people are currently reading
10682 people want to read
About the author
Sarah MacLean
34 books15k followersNew York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide.
In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. A Rhode Island native, Sarah now lives in New York City.
In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. A Rhode Island native, Sarah now lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,342 reviews
November 5, 2016
Beautiful! Absolutely loved it
This book has it all! Two wonderful main characters, a great story, witty dialogue, sensual and hot love scenes, swoony and break-my-heart emotional moments and a beautiful happy ending
A great story:
Running away from a drunken idiot trying to maul her, Juliana tries to hide in a carriage. But she is soon discovered, not by the drunken idiot, but by the Duke of Leighton, aka The Duke of Disdain. He thinks she's there to trap him in marriage, and that only lessens his opinion of her. Soon after, Simon finds himself promising Ralston to look after Juliana, in hope he might prevent her from starting any more scandals. That, of course, doesn't work
Juliana issues a challenge, 2 weeks in which she can show Simon that passion is more important than reputation. Who will win?
Two wonderful main characters
Juliana is fiery and temperamental, she always says what's on her mind, and doesn't follow etiquete that much
Being the daughter of a woman who abandoned her and her brothers, thus making the scandal of all scandals, Juliana fears that she may be like her mother because she too (although unwillingly) causes heaps of scandal
Simon is more than ever forced to protect his reputation, now that his sister is about to give birth and cause the scandal of the year. He can't afford anything to blemish his status in society, and that's why he must marry someone with impeccable reputation. Someone that ISN'T Juliana. If he could only convince himself of it. He's drawn to her and her passion, and although he wants to prove that life isn't all about having fun, he finds he likes it, especially if it involves Julianna's kisses
Witty dialogue
I just love SM's writing
And this was just wonderful to read, their banter and fights
That's why I know I'll read everything this author publishes in the future. No matter the story, I know I'll enjoy the writing
Sensual and hot love scenes
The chemistry between them was great
even though there weren't that many love scenes (
) they were still very hot
and sparks were flying all over in this book :)Swoony and break-my-heart emotional moments
Best swoony scene was when Simon saves Juliana from the lake
just lovely
break-my-heart emotional, oh there were a few of those, but the one that most stuck to my mind was the one when and she's in the stables all heartbroken and sad, and Simon comforts her
A beautiful happy ending
It was perhaps a bit too sweet for my taste
but it was wonderful, loved the fact that it was Simon who did the big at the end of the book, and it broke my heart when she left
but then it was all hearts and flowers of course, a book like this has to have a HEA
So my conclusion is a big fat 5 star rating
December 30, 2017
2.5 stars
*Warning: Some spoilers may not be tagged*
I was hoping for a fun bodice ripper, and this one had so many glowing reviews that I thought it would be a good choice.
Unfortunately, I didn't like the Simon or Juliana.
In my opinion, the title could easily have been The Ass and the Idiot .
And really, if you don't like the characters what are you left with?
However.
I finished this in one day, so the problems I had with the book had nothing to do with readability.
Trashy Romance novels are a guilty pleasure of mine, so I tend to overlook a lot of stuff that would normally get on my nerves. Which means I don't deduct points for the theatrical love scenes or the campy dialogue.
I mean, are there really guys out there who hiss through their clenched teeth when they're aroused? Sure, I've heard my husband hiss, but it was because one of the kids accidentally clocked him in the nuts with a toy.
If he had hissed at me while we were dating, I don't think we'd be married right now to be quite honest with you.
Like the majority of every romance novel, the hero and heroine have to overcome a multitude of obstacles in order to find their Happily Ever After.
In this case, the obstacle is the hero's snobbery.
Ok. I like the stories with the rigid hero and the carefree heroine. Usually, it's fun to watch them argue and clash.
Not so much in this case.
Simon thinks Juliana is below him, and Juliana wants to teach him a lesson.
So far, so good!
If she had teased and tortured him, this would have been a fun little story. But that's not what happened.
Basically, she has the hots for him, so she (somehow) gets him to agree to this weirdo bet that made no sense. He has given her two weeks to prove to him that you can't live a life without passion.
Da fuck?
Keep in mind that he's a super-frigid Duke, who's all about duty, duty, duty. Why would he agree to this bet to start with?
*sniff, sniff*
Something smells sketchy...
Again, I'm pretty lenient when it comes to the plot in romance novels, but you've gotta at least try to give me something quasi-reasonable.
Anyway this bet, that he tries several times to get out of, consists of nothing more than Juliana stalking Simon, and making herself look desperate. Dare I say, cheap, as well?
Look, I'm not slut-shaming, but she runs around throwing herself on a guy who repeatedly refuses to acknowledge that she's in any way worth his respect or affections.
Which brings us to his fiancee. Did I forget to mention that he got engaged during this bet? Well, so did he.
Although, to be fair to the guy, he told Juliana that he was planning to ask the girl to marry him before she issued her ridiculous challenge. And yet...
At one point in the book, after a kiss that she initiated, he loses control and (with her permission) ravishes her in the stables.
They get interrupted by her brother, and she finds out that he has already gotten engaged.
Oh! How can this be?! I thought he was different!
Are. You. Serious.
During the last 10% or so of the book, she managed to slightly redeem herself a bit. She finally realized that she didn't want his crumbs, and left him in the dust.
Of course, by then, he realized he couldn't live without her passion, and proceeds to fall all over himself to win her back.
A toast...to the Happy Couple!
Overall, I just wasn't impressed.
*Warning: Some spoilers may not be tagged*
I was hoping for a fun bodice ripper, and this one had so many glowing reviews that I thought it would be a good choice.
Unfortunately, I didn't like the Simon or Juliana.
In my opinion, the title could easily have been The Ass and the Idiot .
And really, if you don't like the characters what are you left with?
However.
I finished this in one day, so the problems I had with the book had nothing to do with readability.
Trashy Romance novels are a guilty pleasure of mine, so I tend to overlook a lot of stuff that would normally get on my nerves. Which means I don't deduct points for the theatrical love scenes or the campy dialogue.
I mean, are there really guys out there who hiss through their clenched teeth when they're aroused? Sure, I've heard my husband hiss, but it was because one of the kids accidentally clocked him in the nuts with a toy.
If he had hissed at me while we were dating, I don't think we'd be married right now to be quite honest with you.
Like the majority of every romance novel, the hero and heroine have to overcome a multitude of obstacles in order to find their Happily Ever After.
In this case, the obstacle is the hero's snobbery.
Ok. I like the stories with the rigid hero and the carefree heroine. Usually, it's fun to watch them argue and clash.
Not so much in this case.
Simon thinks Juliana is below him, and Juliana wants to teach him a lesson.
So far, so good!
If she had teased and tortured him, this would have been a fun little story. But that's not what happened.
Basically, she has the hots for him, so she (somehow) gets him to agree to this weirdo bet that made no sense. He has given her two weeks to prove to him that you can't live a life without passion.
Da fuck?
Keep in mind that he's a super-frigid Duke, who's all about duty, duty, duty. Why would he agree to this bet to start with?
*sniff, sniff*
Something smells sketchy...
Again, I'm pretty lenient when it comes to the plot in romance novels, but you've gotta at least try to give me something quasi-reasonable.
Anyway this bet, that he tries several times to get out of, consists of nothing more than Juliana stalking Simon, and making herself look desperate. Dare I say, cheap, as well?
Look, I'm not slut-shaming, but she runs around throwing herself on a guy who repeatedly refuses to acknowledge that she's in any way worth his respect or affections.
Which brings us to his fiancee. Did I forget to mention that he got engaged during this bet? Well, so did he.
Although, to be fair to the guy, he told Juliana that he was planning to ask the girl to marry him before she issued her ridiculous challenge. And yet...
At one point in the book, after a kiss that she initiated, he loses control and (with her permission) ravishes her in the stables.
They get interrupted by her brother, and she finds out that he has already gotten engaged.
Oh! How can this be?! I thought he was different!
Are. You. Serious.
During the last 10% or so of the book, she managed to slightly redeem herself a bit. She finally realized that she didn't want his crumbs, and left him in the dust.
Of course, by then, he realized he couldn't live without her passion, and proceeds to fall all over himself to win her back.
A toast...to the Happy Couple!
Overall, I just wasn't impressed.
May 25, 2022
Reread/listened to the audiobook May'2022:
I really enjoyed this, but Juliana and Simon also frustrated me at times. So it's still a great 5 star romance, but I didn't quite adore it as much as the first time I read it.
Original rating/review April'2011:
5+ stars – Historical/Regency Romance
Eleven Ways to Adore the Book That Made Me Want More
Eleven Ways to Admire a Heroine With Such Fire
Eleven Ways to Croon Over the Duke Who Made Me Swoon
Eleven Ways to Rave Over a Heroine Most Brave
Eleven Ways to Gush About My Latest Crush
Eleven Ways to Be Naughty to Tempt a Duke Who’s Haughty
Okay...there’s no way I can come up with eleven of those, but you get the jest.
There just aren’t enough words or ways to convey how much I loved this book. I had very high expectations, and I’m thrilled to say that it left a big happy satisfied smile on my face. I love ‘opposites attract’ stories and the romance between passionate, feisty, spitfire Juliana and the haughty, proper, disdainful Duke of Leighton was pure combustible magic!
Juliana Fiori is a fiery Italian miss who longs to break free of the stifling rules and cutting gossip of the ton and the unfeeling, stuffy, arrogant Duke of Leighton represents everything she loathes about English society and propriety. Scandalous Juliana is bold, brash, reckless, expressive, outspoken, and deeply passionate...everything that the Duke of Leighton wants desperately to avoid.
With a family legacy to uphold and shocking secrets to protect, Leighton values his prestigious title, sterling reputation, and impeccable position in society above all else. So his intense attraction to Juliana is unbearable and unwanted. Leighton’s scorn makes Juliana seethe with frustration and hurt, and she’s determined to prove to him that passion is more powerful than the Duke’s status and rules of decorum. Juliana is the perfect match that ignites the banked fire inside Simon, and their volatile connection threatens to shatter the Duke of Disdain’s staunchly guarded control.
It’s a wonderful, engaging, emotional, utterly enjoyable, and unforgettable romance with witty dialogue, hot sexual tension, the perfect combination of drama and humor, a lovable, brave yet vulnerable heroine, and a sexy hero whose aloof, haughty veneer masks a passionate man. I loved it just as much, if not more than, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. It’s a definite keeper worthy of very big 5 stars! I really hope this isn’t the last book of the series because Benedick and Georgiana need their own stories and HEAs.
Juliana (Italian actress Monica Bellucci)
Simon (Model Gabriel Aubry)
I really enjoyed this, but Juliana and Simon also frustrated me at times. So it's still a great 5 star romance, but I didn't quite adore it as much as the first time I read it.
Original rating/review April'2011:
5+ stars – Historical/Regency Romance
Eleven Ways to Adore the Book That Made Me Want More
Eleven Ways to Admire a Heroine With Such Fire
Eleven Ways to Croon Over the Duke Who Made Me Swoon
Eleven Ways to Rave Over a Heroine Most Brave
Eleven Ways to Gush About My Latest Crush
Eleven Ways to Be Naughty to Tempt a Duke Who’s Haughty
Okay...there’s no way I can come up with eleven of those, but you get the jest.
There just aren’t enough words or ways to convey how much I loved this book. I had very high expectations, and I’m thrilled to say that it left a big happy satisfied smile on my face. I love ‘opposites attract’ stories and the romance between passionate, feisty, spitfire Juliana and the haughty, proper, disdainful Duke of Leighton was pure combustible magic!
Juliana Fiori is a fiery Italian miss who longs to break free of the stifling rules and cutting gossip of the ton and the unfeeling, stuffy, arrogant Duke of Leighton represents everything she loathes about English society and propriety. Scandalous Juliana is bold, brash, reckless, expressive, outspoken, and deeply passionate...everything that the Duke of Leighton wants desperately to avoid.
With a family legacy to uphold and shocking secrets to protect, Leighton values his prestigious title, sterling reputation, and impeccable position in society above all else. So his intense attraction to Juliana is unbearable and unwanted. Leighton’s scorn makes Juliana seethe with frustration and hurt, and she’s determined to prove to him that passion is more powerful than the Duke’s status and rules of decorum. Juliana is the perfect match that ignites the banked fire inside Simon, and their volatile connection threatens to shatter the Duke of Disdain’s staunchly guarded control.
It’s a wonderful, engaging, emotional, utterly enjoyable, and unforgettable romance with witty dialogue, hot sexual tension, the perfect combination of drama and humor, a lovable, brave yet vulnerable heroine, and a sexy hero whose aloof, haughty veneer masks a passionate man. I loved it just as much, if not more than, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. It’s a definite keeper worthy of very big 5 stars! I really hope this isn’t the last book of the series because Benedick and Georgiana need their own stories and HEAs.
Juliana (Italian actress Monica Bellucci)
Simon (Model Gabriel Aubry)
May 14, 2011
This book was very, very, good, but I must admit the hero, Simon Pearson (the Duke of Leighton) at times drove me absolutely crazy! All that worrying about his family's reputation...his position...finding the perfect wife...avoiding any hint of scandal...arrgh! God, was he frustrating! At times I wanted to throttle him the way he continually hurt Juliana, and Juliana...I don't know why she didn't give up on him! But...I'm glad she didn't! It took over 350 pages for Simon to finally get a clue, but when he did, all my frustrations just melted away, and I adored him as much as Juliana did.:)
Simon/ Duke of Leighton...
No plot summary here--the book blurb does a good job of explaining what this one is all about. This one was hard to put down-- even though I had my issues with "the Duke of Disdain"-- and I enjoyed every page of it. Sarah MacLean is a wonderful storyteller and made me fall in love with her characters once again--the enchanting, beautiful, passionate, spirited Juliana Fiori (half sister to the St. John brothers from Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake and Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord) , and the handsome, imperious, stubborn Duke of Leighton.
Juliana...
Lots of playful banter, lots of predicaments that Juliana gets herself into (the girl was a bit clumsy), a touch of humor, and plenty of heat (and some tearful moments) in this one. I enjoyed seeing Leighton fall helplessly under Juliana's spell, but I had to wonder--what took him so long?
My favorite part, when Leighton finally "gets it":
Simon/ Duke of Leighton...
No plot summary here--the book blurb does a good job of explaining what this one is all about. This one was hard to put down-- even though I had my issues with "the Duke of Disdain"-- and I enjoyed every page of it. Sarah MacLean is a wonderful storyteller and made me fall in love with her characters once again--the enchanting, beautiful, passionate, spirited Juliana Fiori (half sister to the St. John brothers from Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake and Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord) , and the handsome, imperious, stubborn Duke of Leighton.
Juliana...
Lots of playful banter, lots of predicaments that Juliana gets herself into (the girl was a bit clumsy), a touch of humor, and plenty of heat (and some tearful moments) in this one. I enjoyed seeing Leighton fall helplessly under Juliana's spell, but I had to wonder--what took him so long?
My favorite part, when Leighton finally "gets it":
"I have spent my entire life preparing for a cold, unfeeling, unimpassioned life--a life filled with pleasantries and simplicity. And then you came into it...you...the opposite of all that. You are beautiful and brilliant and bold and so very passionate about life and love and those things that you believe in. And you taught me that everything I believe, everything I thought I wanted, everything I spent my life espousing--all of it...it is wrong. I want your version of life...vivid and emotional and messy and wonderful and filled with happiness. But I cannot have it without you..."
If you've read and enjoyed the previous two books in this series, you'll definitely want to read this one. Juliana is a wonderfully sympathetic character who teaches Leighton the meaning of passion, and most importantly, love. At the beginning of the book, be prepared to dislike him (my first thoughts about him were "what a pompous ass"). But give him a chance--he's got a terrible upbringing to overcome, so he doesn't know much about love--and by the end of the book you be rooting for him to say (and do) the right thing that will win Juliana. Thoroughly enjoyable read for me. 4 1/2 stars
January 21, 2011
yeah, i like it. :)
December 26, 2020
4 stars
A heroine who is a walking scandal in everyone’s eyes. A scandalous bomb that is bound to explode anytime. A hero who is named as the “Duke of disdain” because of how he always looks down on everyone and all he cares about is his reputation. A love story between a cold-hearted logical hero and a very passionate heroine. Then there’s Me here just reading and enjoying all the back and forth, push and pull, and the hopeless resistance.
This series has been so entertaining starting from the witty dialogue to the funny banter and the lovable characters. I think book one is still my favourite because I just really love that couple. And as much as I loved this book I felt like slapping Simon at times. He could be really frustrating. But overall this was such a fun entertaining series.
#1 Nine rules to break when romancing a rake ~ 4.25 stars
#2 Ten ways to be adored when landing a lord
~ 3.5 stars
#3 Eleven scandals to start to win a duke’s heart ~ 4 stars
“Some things are more powerful than scandal, Simon.”
A heroine who is a walking scandal in everyone’s eyes. A scandalous bomb that is bound to explode anytime. A hero who is named as the “Duke of disdain” because of how he always looks down on everyone and all he cares about is his reputation. A love story between a cold-hearted logical hero and a very passionate heroine. Then there’s Me here just reading and enjoying all the back and forth, push and pull, and the hopeless resistance.
This series has been so entertaining starting from the witty dialogue to the funny banter and the lovable characters. I think book one is still my favourite because I just really love that couple. And as much as I loved this book I felt like slapping Simon at times. He could be really frustrating. But overall this was such a fun entertaining series.
#1 Nine rules to break when romancing a rake ~ 4.25 stars
#2 Ten ways to be adored when landing a lord
~ 3.5 stars
#3 Eleven scandals to start to win a duke’s heart ~ 4 stars
January 7, 2021
4.5 Stars
I was so excited for Juliana's book when we met her in the first book. She's trying to integrate into society, but her mother's scandal follows her everywhere and she doesn't seem to care what English people think of her. Simon, on the other hand, is a duke who must marry well to save his family's reputation from a scandal that will leak any day. Juliana and Simon have immediate chemistry, but Juliana is the kind of person Simon can't associate with if he wants to save his family.
I really enjoyed Simon and Juliana's banter and dancing around each other. Neither one feels good enough for the other and Simon is actively trying to marry someone suitable to fix his family's reputation. I really loved Simon and Juliana's attraction and how they just couldn't stay away from each other. I also loved how Simon was really a softy and just wanted the best for his family. I do think this book went on a little too long and the story was dragged out by the end, but I enjoyed watching two people evaluate what they want out of life and risk everything for love.
I was so excited for Juliana's book when we met her in the first book. She's trying to integrate into society, but her mother's scandal follows her everywhere and she doesn't seem to care what English people think of her. Simon, on the other hand, is a duke who must marry well to save his family's reputation from a scandal that will leak any day. Juliana and Simon have immediate chemistry, but Juliana is the kind of person Simon can't associate with if he wants to save his family.
I really enjoyed Simon and Juliana's banter and dancing around each other. Neither one feels good enough for the other and Simon is actively trying to marry someone suitable to fix his family's reputation. I really loved Simon and Juliana's attraction and how they just couldn't stay away from each other. I also loved how Simon was really a softy and just wanted the best for his family. I do think this book went on a little too long and the story was dragged out by the end, but I enjoyed watching two people evaluate what they want out of life and risk everything for love.
August 26, 2020
4.5 ✨
I feel sick because of how good this was. My heart is so full! 🥺
I feel sick because of how good this was. My heart is so full! 🥺
May 15, 2011
I received this wonderful book as an ARC from Netgalley.com
I adored this book. I fell in love with Juliana in Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, and in Eleven Scandals, the young woman she becomes does not disappoint.
When we first met Juliana in Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, we met an impetuous unsure young lady who wasn’t sure she wanted a place in society. Juliana was fantastic, and passionate, and so desperate to prove she didn't care what the ton thought of her. But too bad she kind of did care.
Simon, "Duke of Disdain," wanted nothing to do with Juliana and her scandalous behavior. Everywhere Juliana went, scandal seemed to follow...and Simon kept getting caught in the aftermath. Poor duke with a pristine reputation, felt he could ill afford to be associated with such a common girl, sister of a marquess or not. I loved when Juliana called him an ass in Italian, but then repeated it for him in English! The banter between the two was always engaging and well-done. Oh! And we got to find out what it was Simon said to Juliana at the ball in Nine Rules that had her finally deciding on staying in England to prove how wrong everyone was about her.
I want this to be spoiler-free, so I can't go into much detail, but I think the point when Simon finally realized that Juliana did not purposely create scandals just to irritate him really made me fall for him. And the scene leading up to that epiphany? Oh man, I was soo furious for the St. John family and for (especially for) Juliana. Bravo for Simon checking up on Juliana after all that. I think that is really where I began to want less of a putting-Simon-in-his-place, and more of a true romance between them.
Speaking of romance, oh the romance in this book. The magic that is Juliana and Simon had me frantically flipping pages to see how they would overcome their obstacles. And the way that they did was so sweet, and wonderful and I wanted to be Juliana so I could feel that way. The Guy Fawkes day bonfire was so romantic and...sad. Yep, I said sad. I think that was where both Juliana and Simon realized they were not going to have their happy ending. But the way Simon came back to Juliana was so wonderful, and it broke my heart to see how the ball ended.
But their story amazes and enthralls and wraps the reader up and holds you until the end. At that point I was so sad that the story was over. I wish I could forget this book just so I could have the wonder and amazement of reading it for the first time again. Sarah MacLean brings the magic.
Sarah MacLean has created such a fabulous and vivid cast with her "Love by Numbers" series and I know I will re-read this book many times. In fact, netgalley only lends the ARC out for 60 days, and I’ve read it twice, even though I have my own deadlines and other responsibilities.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
I adored this book. I fell in love with Juliana in Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, and in Eleven Scandals, the young woman she becomes does not disappoint.
When we first met Juliana in Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, we met an impetuous unsure young lady who wasn’t sure she wanted a place in society. Juliana was fantastic, and passionate, and so desperate to prove she didn't care what the ton thought of her. But too bad she kind of did care.
Simon, "Duke of Disdain," wanted nothing to do with Juliana and her scandalous behavior. Everywhere Juliana went, scandal seemed to follow...and Simon kept getting caught in the aftermath. Poor duke with a pristine reputation, felt he could ill afford to be associated with such a common girl, sister of a marquess or not. I loved when Juliana called him an ass in Italian, but then repeated it for him in English! The banter between the two was always engaging and well-done. Oh! And we got to find out what it was Simon said to Juliana at the ball in Nine Rules that had her finally deciding on staying in England to prove how wrong everyone was about her.
I want this to be spoiler-free, so I can't go into much detail, but I think the point when Simon finally realized that Juliana did not purposely create scandals just to irritate him really made me fall for him. And the scene leading up to that epiphany? Oh man, I was soo furious for the St. John family and for (especially for) Juliana. Bravo for Simon checking up on Juliana after all that. I think that is really where I began to want less of a putting-Simon-in-his-place, and more of a true romance between them.
Speaking of romance, oh the romance in this book. The magic that is Juliana and Simon had me frantically flipping pages to see how they would overcome their obstacles. And the way that they did was so sweet, and wonderful and I wanted to be Juliana so I could feel that way. The Guy Fawkes day bonfire was so romantic and...sad. Yep, I said sad. I think that was where both Juliana and Simon realized they were not going to have their happy ending. But the way Simon came back to Juliana was so wonderful, and it broke my heart to see how the ball ended.
But their story amazes and enthralls and wraps the reader up and holds you until the end. At that point I was so sad that the story was over. I wish I could forget this book just so I could have the wonder and amazement of reading it for the first time again. Sarah MacLean brings the magic.
Sarah MacLean has created such a fabulous and vivid cast with her "Love by Numbers" series and I know I will re-read this book many times. In fact, netgalley only lends the ARC out for 60 days, and I’ve read it twice, even though I have my own deadlines and other responsibilities.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
December 1, 2018
I feel like a traitor for rating a Sarah MacLean less than 3 stars and yet, here we are.
The story is fine. I like the opposites attract thing Julianna and Simon had going. I probably would've enjoyed it more if I didn't dislike the two main characters so much. It was cute at first. Simon's orderly world is being upended by the daring and carefree Julianna. And then it just devolved into these two behaving stupidly and making even stupider decisions.
Good riddance! I was torn between banging my head against the wall or hurling it against the same said wall!
I really liked Julianna in the previous books. I loved her growing relationship with her step brothers. That was still present here, and it's one of the bright spots in the book. BUT I was disappointed with her behavior. I disliked how she keeps calling Penelope 'Grape' because she's plain and uninteresting, despite not really knowing her! For someone who has been judged in the past, she should've recognized her own behavior. But noooo! Her impulsive and often head scratching antics wasn't the thing that made me dislike her. It was her lack of self-awareness. Every time she calls Penelope, the Grape, I wanted to reach out and slap some sense into her. I dunno why but that one really bothered me.
But it wasn't Julianna who sunk this book for me. It was Simon. His continues waffling and his stubbornness and the way he led Penelope and Julianna on for 90% of the book was exhausting! I could understand his behavior up to a point, but he did not do anything except whine about how hard it is to make a decision, or whine about how trap he is. He did not make a decision. Even his decision of finally admitting his feelings for Julianna and choosing her came about because his sister threw herself under the bus for him!
His public declaration was a little too late. He did not even grovel enough. Ugh. I just hated how passive Simon is. I could've forgiven him for realizing that he can't leave without Julianna but he did not do any emotional work at all. None. Julianna, his sister, and Penelope did all the emotional labor for this one. It wasn't until the end that he got taken down a peg but after what Julianna went through and the fall out Penelope had to deal with, he got off easy.
The story is fine. I like the opposites attract thing Julianna and Simon had going. I probably would've enjoyed it more if I didn't dislike the two main characters so much. It was cute at first. Simon's orderly world is being upended by the daring and carefree Julianna. And then it just devolved into these two behaving stupidly and making even stupider decisions.
Good riddance! I was torn between banging my head against the wall or hurling it against the same said wall!
I really liked Julianna in the previous books. I loved her growing relationship with her step brothers. That was still present here, and it's one of the bright spots in the book. BUT I was disappointed with her behavior. I disliked how she keeps calling Penelope 'Grape' because she's plain and uninteresting, despite not really knowing her! For someone who has been judged in the past, she should've recognized her own behavior. But noooo! Her impulsive and often head scratching antics wasn't the thing that made me dislike her. It was her lack of self-awareness. Every time she calls Penelope, the Grape, I wanted to reach out and slap some sense into her. I dunno why but that one really bothered me.
But it wasn't Julianna who sunk this book for me. It was Simon. His continues waffling and his stubbornness and the way he led Penelope and Julianna on for 90% of the book was exhausting! I could understand his behavior up to a point, but he did not do anything except whine about how hard it is to make a decision, or whine about how trap he is. He did not make a decision. Even his decision of finally admitting his feelings for Julianna and choosing her came about because his sister threw herself under the bus for him!
His public declaration was a little too late. He did not even grovel enough. Ugh. I just hated how passive Simon is. I could've forgiven him for realizing that he can't leave without Julianna but he did not do any emotional work at all. None. Julianna, his sister, and Penelope did all the emotional labor for this one. It wasn't until the end that he got taken down a peg but after what Julianna went through and the fall out Penelope had to deal with, he got off easy.
February 9, 2017
Cute and fun, like the rest of the series. But, it really took me a long time to like the guy in the book. He was a smug jerk-face douche in the last book, and spent most of this one the same. This guy thinks he is way too good for our girl. He's a duke, after all, and she's just the half-sister of an earl. And, she's Italian - prone to emotions. A scandal waiting to happen. He might consider her for a mistress, but she is nowhere good enough to marry.
The baby is right. He totally deserved that.
Simon, also known as the Dick of Disdain. Oh, I mean the Duke of Disdain, is on the very top of the food chain in aristocracy. He is untouchable in his reputation and plans on marrying only the very best pedigreed of women. He looks down on pretty much everyone else, because there is nobody who is as good as him.
Inspiration for the name?
When he first met Juliana, he was attracted to her and intrigued. He hoped that she was some foreign princess that he could court and he was all charm and smiles. But, then he finds out that she is the half sister of an aristocratic family that already has quite a few stains on their reputation. He immediately drops her like she's a day-old, gluten-free, vegan doughnut. *shudder* And, he engages himself to a boring, safe, aristocratic girl who doesn't like him at all but is willing to do her duty and "lay back and think of England".
Of course, he still is attracted to Juliana, and she is to him. Plus, they keep running into each other as she goes from one faux pas to the next. She's kind of a walking disaster area, but it's fun and exciting - two words that have never entered his life before.
Here's the thing, though. Both of them treat his engagement to this other girl as if it is nothing. They keep meeting up and making out while he's engaged! That pissed me off.
English gardens are so majestic.
In the end, Simon did redeem himself, so it all works out. But still. Could have done without the cheating.
The baby is right. He totally deserved that.
Simon, also known as the Dick of Disdain. Oh, I mean the Duke of Disdain, is on the very top of the food chain in aristocracy. He is untouchable in his reputation and plans on marrying only the very best pedigreed of women. He looks down on pretty much everyone else, because there is nobody who is as good as him.
Inspiration for the name?
When he first met Juliana, he was attracted to her and intrigued. He hoped that she was some foreign princess that he could court and he was all charm and smiles. But, then he finds out that she is the half sister of an aristocratic family that already has quite a few stains on their reputation. He immediately drops her like she's a day-old, gluten-free, vegan doughnut. *shudder* And, he engages himself to a boring, safe, aristocratic girl who doesn't like him at all but is willing to do her duty and "lay back and think of England".
Of course, he still is attracted to Juliana, and she is to him. Plus, they keep running into each other as she goes from one faux pas to the next. She's kind of a walking disaster area, but it's fun and exciting - two words that have never entered his life before.
Here's the thing, though. Both of them treat his engagement to this other girl as if it is nothing. They keep meeting up and making out while he's engaged! That pissed me off.
English gardens are so majestic.
In the end, Simon did redeem himself, so it all works out. But still. Could have done without the cheating.
March 30, 2019
Creo que.. NO ME GUSTÓ.🤷♀️
El primer libro dejó el listón demasiado alto es otro nivel pero este ha sido un completo despropósito QUE DECEPCIÓN.
Los duques siempre suelen conquistar mi corazón y derretirme pero este es de los pocos que he odiado, para empezar es un snob, pero aparte es un imbécil, prepotente que se cree de otra raza menospreciando a la gente.
Ofendió, insultó y humilló a Juliana un montón de veces a lo largo de todo el libro y no sólo conforme con eso lo que le hizo a su hermana fue muy feo.
Yo sé que nadie se le compara nadie a Gabriel pero es que este ni a los talones le llega, al final cuando se redime y declara su amor no me provocó absolutamente nada.
Juliana es la que más me decepcionó de todos en el primer libro me caía muy bien pero en este nada que ver con la chica valiente y divertida.
Se comportó demasiado inmadura, provocando escándalos porque sí, sin ninguna razón y motivo no como los que tuvo Callie que era para sentirse viva y una persona diferente pero Juliana sólo era por orgullo y provocar a un Duque odioso que ni si quiera valía que ella dañara su reputación.
Y luego no tenía dignidad ¿Cuántas veces no la rechazó Simon? Muchas y ésta todavía ahí, y yo AMIGA DATE CUENTA🙏 pero esta hasta le propuso ser su amante no tenía dignidad. 🤦♀️
Este libro para mí es un 2.5 estrellas pero sólo por Gabriel 😍🥰y sus intervenciones que me alegraron la vida y sus interacciones con Callie le daré las 3
El primer libro dejó el listón demasiado alto es otro nivel pero este ha sido un completo despropósito QUE DECEPCIÓN.
Los duques siempre suelen conquistar mi corazón y derretirme pero este es de los pocos que he odiado, para empezar es un snob, pero aparte es un imbécil, prepotente que se cree de otra raza menospreciando a la gente.
Ofendió, insultó y humilló a Juliana un montón de veces a lo largo de todo el libro y no sólo conforme con eso lo que le hizo a su hermana fue muy feo.
Yo sé que nadie se le compara nadie a Gabriel pero es que este ni a los talones le llega, al final cuando se redime y declara su amor no me provocó absolutamente nada.
Juliana es la que más me decepcionó de todos en el primer libro me caía muy bien pero en este nada que ver con la chica valiente y divertida.
Se comportó demasiado inmadura, provocando escándalos porque sí, sin ninguna razón y motivo no como los que tuvo Callie que era para sentirse viva y una persona diferente pero Juliana sólo era por orgullo y provocar a un Duque odioso que ni si quiera valía que ella dañara su reputación.
Y luego no tenía dignidad ¿Cuántas veces no la rechazó Simon? Muchas y ésta todavía ahí, y yo AMIGA DATE CUENTA🙏 pero esta hasta le propuso ser su amante no tenía dignidad. 🤦♀️
Este libro para mí es un 2.5 estrellas pero sólo por Gabriel 😍🥰y sus intervenciones que me alegraron la vida y sus interacciones con Callie le daré las 3
June 24, 2012
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
"You are beautiful and brilliant and bold and so very passionate about life and love and those things that you believe in. And you taught me that everything I believed, everything I thought I wanted, everything I had spent my life espousing--all of it…it is wrong. I want your version of life…vivid and emotional and messy and wonderful and filled with happiness. But I cannot have it without you. I love you, Juliana. (…)"
5 scandalously shiny stars!
Scandalously entertaining. Gloriously good.
Miss Juliana Fiori is in some serious trouble. After leaving her sister-in-law's autumn ball in favor of the poorly lit gardens of Ralston House, she is unintentionally running into a fat, disgusting and drunken man. She barely escapes and is hiding in a carriage. Well, our heroine is in for a (bad) surprise. It's the Duke of Leighton's carriage. He believes that Juliana wants to trap him in marriage. The Duke of Disdain is enraged and is convinced that in a battle of reputation with Juliana, he would most certainly win. Ah, yes, Simon is such a prime example of an aristocratic British snob--at least, that's what Juliana is thinking. Juliana is such an outspoken person. *cough*
The man was infuriating. "It is amazing, indeed, because I'm sure the seal on the outside of your carriage rivals your conceit in size! I assure you, Your Grace"--she spit the honorific as if it were an epithet--"if I were after a husband, I would look for one who had more to recommend him than a fancy title and a false sense of importance."(…)
Juliana lives for passion, and she is convinced that Simon could do with a heavy dose of passion in all areas of his life. Simon has a title, a family, a secret, and a reputation to protect, though, and he thinks that he is far above such common desires. And then Juliana is challenging him.
"Let me show you that not even a frigid duke can live without heat."
Simon agrees and is giving Juliana two weeks to play her game of passion.
Wow, Ms. MacLean can do no wrong. Every single book I've read so far was a winner! And Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart was mesmerizingly good too. Compelling characters, witty dialogue, an interesting plot, and some seriously hot and sensual smexy times make this book so delightfully intriguing. If you haven't read her books, then do yourself a favor and give this author a try. She brings her stories and characters right into a reader's heart.
It happens not all the time but the time was definitely right for another story featuring a very memorable heroine. Juliana is bold, brash, feisty, wild, utterly adorable, and oh-so full of passion. She is truly magnificent and shines throughout the whole story. And Simon…well, our hero is such a conceited and pompous asshat--I really disliked him. My oh my, these two gave one another a piece of their minds. Simon, you are in for some serious trouble. Ultimately, Juliana brought the Duke of Disdain to his knees. Irrevocably. Oh, I loved the way he fell for Juliana. And he fell very hard. *grins* Juliana, the very beautiful heroine, thoroughly ruined Simon's reputation. This story was a pleasure to read from the very beginning and Simon and Juliana's HEA was a pure joy to witness. Please, Ms. MacLean, I want more--much more!
What I disliked
I totally devoured this book, however, I have a minor complaint. Simon was kinda exhausting. I get it that he had to worry about his family, especially his , and his position. Yes, he had to avoid any scandal. But. My oh my, was this frustrating from time to time. Even though he was hurting Juliana, she never gave up. Having said that, I'm so glad because it was worth the wait. When Simon finally…finally got a clue how much he needed this woman and how much he loved her, everything was just fine. *sigh*
"I am here. On my knees. But not in the name of passion," he took her hands in both of his and brought them to his lips, kissing her, worshipping her. "I am here in the name of love."
"You are beautiful and brilliant and bold and so very passionate about life and love and those things that you believe in. And you taught me that everything I believed, everything I thought I wanted, everything I had spent my life espousing--all of it…it is wrong. I want your version of life…vivid and emotional and messy and wonderful and filled with happiness. But I cannot have it without you. I love you, Juliana. (…)"
5 scandalously shiny stars!
Scandalously entertaining. Gloriously good.
Miss Juliana Fiori is in some serious trouble. After leaving her sister-in-law's autumn ball in favor of the poorly lit gardens of Ralston House, she is unintentionally running into a fat, disgusting and drunken man. She barely escapes and is hiding in a carriage. Well, our heroine is in for a (bad) surprise. It's the Duke of Leighton's carriage. He believes that Juliana wants to trap him in marriage. The Duke of Disdain is enraged and is convinced that in a battle of reputation with Juliana, he would most certainly win. Ah, yes, Simon is such a prime example of an aristocratic British snob--at least, that's what Juliana is thinking. Juliana is such an outspoken person. *cough*
The man was infuriating. "It is amazing, indeed, because I'm sure the seal on the outside of your carriage rivals your conceit in size! I assure you, Your Grace"--she spit the honorific as if it were an epithet--"if I were after a husband, I would look for one who had more to recommend him than a fancy title and a false sense of importance."(…)
Juliana lives for passion, and she is convinced that Simon could do with a heavy dose of passion in all areas of his life. Simon has a title, a family, a secret, and a reputation to protect, though, and he thinks that he is far above such common desires. And then Juliana is challenging him.
"Let me show you that not even a frigid duke can live without heat."
Simon agrees and is giving Juliana two weeks to play her game of passion.
Wow, Ms. MacLean can do no wrong. Every single book I've read so far was a winner! And Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart was mesmerizingly good too. Compelling characters, witty dialogue, an interesting plot, and some seriously hot and sensual smexy times make this book so delightfully intriguing. If you haven't read her books, then do yourself a favor and give this author a try. She brings her stories and characters right into a reader's heart.
It happens not all the time but the time was definitely right for another story featuring a very memorable heroine. Juliana is bold, brash, feisty, wild, utterly adorable, and oh-so full of passion. She is truly magnificent and shines throughout the whole story. And Simon…well, our hero is such a conceited and pompous asshat--I really disliked him. My oh my, these two gave one another a piece of their minds. Simon, you are in for some serious trouble. Ultimately, Juliana brought the Duke of Disdain to his knees. Irrevocably. Oh, I loved the way he fell for Juliana. And he fell very hard. *grins* Juliana, the very beautiful heroine, thoroughly ruined Simon's reputation. This story was a pleasure to read from the very beginning and Simon and Juliana's HEA was a pure joy to witness. Please, Ms. MacLean, I want more--much more!
What I disliked
I totally devoured this book, however, I have a minor complaint. Simon was kinda exhausting. I get it that he had to worry about his family, especially his , and his position. Yes, he had to avoid any scandal. But. My oh my, was this frustrating from time to time. Even though he was hurting Juliana, she never gave up. Having said that, I'm so glad because it was worth the wait. When Simon finally…finally got a clue how much he needed this woman and how much he loved her, everything was just fine. *sigh*
"I am here. On my knees. But not in the name of passion," he took her hands in both of his and brought them to his lips, kissing her, worshipping her. "I am here in the name of love."
April 9, 2012
I can't stand the romance heroine who's hot-headed, stubborn, self-centered, childish ... it's a character type in novels that I simply hate. I knew from the prior two books that I would have a problem with Juliana and boy did I ever.
I have issues with this character type for a few reasons. 1) They're selfish and annoying, 2) It's the kind of thing historical romance authors always do to women who are not English. Especially to French and Italian women. They're always brash and calling everyone "idiot" in their language. Running around being scandalous for the sake of nonconformity. Very annoying and cliche, and 3) Making a heroine this tempestuous hoyden type with so much "passion" (that's what they call it but it's really just spoiled bratty behavior) means the author doesn't ever have to provide a coherent reason for the character's actions. She's just that way so of course she did that outrageous thing. Yuk.
For the majority of this book I was completely annoyed with Juliana. I wanted Simon to just ignore her. Walk away and never look back. She would be hard to ignore, however, always getting in his face. Ugh. Completely selfish. Even when it's pointed out to her that her behavior is damaging to others she doesn't stop. Oh, she might think "wow, I've gotta be more careful" but within two lines she's getting angry and saying "if he thinks I'm scandalous, I'll show him scandal!" Sheesh!
I'd much rather see someone who's trying to do the right things and failing than see someone behave so selfishly. She was pretty unlikable for a good many parts of the book.
But there were moments I could sympathize with her. Her mother, her lack of family, her feelings of isolation. Sadly, I found her the most likable when she was in despair. I should have liked her more before that, but it wasn't until then that she started to mature a bit.
So, by the end of the book I was rooting for the couple. It took a long time to get there. I still recommend this author, but this is the weakest of her books that I've read. The rest are quite good.
I have issues with this character type for a few reasons. 1) They're selfish and annoying, 2) It's the kind of thing historical romance authors always do to women who are not English. Especially to French and Italian women. They're always brash and calling everyone "idiot" in their language. Running around being scandalous for the sake of nonconformity. Very annoying and cliche, and 3) Making a heroine this tempestuous hoyden type with so much "passion" (that's what they call it but it's really just spoiled bratty behavior) means the author doesn't ever have to provide a coherent reason for the character's actions. She's just that way so of course she did that outrageous thing. Yuk.
For the majority of this book I was completely annoyed with Juliana. I wanted Simon to just ignore her. Walk away and never look back. She would be hard to ignore, however, always getting in his face. Ugh. Completely selfish. Even when it's pointed out to her that her behavior is damaging to others she doesn't stop. Oh, she might think "wow, I've gotta be more careful" but within two lines she's getting angry and saying "if he thinks I'm scandalous, I'll show him scandal!" Sheesh!
I'd much rather see someone who's trying to do the right things and failing than see someone behave so selfishly. She was pretty unlikable for a good many parts of the book.
But there were moments I could sympathize with her. Her mother, her lack of family, her feelings of isolation. Sadly, I found her the most likable when she was in despair. I should have liked her more before that, but it wasn't until then that she started to mature a bit.
So, by the end of the book I was rooting for the couple. It took a long time to get there. I still recommend this author, but this is the weakest of her books that I've read. The rest are quite good.
July 12, 2013
CAUTION SPOILERS (and long rant) AHEAD
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I loved Nine Rules and Ten Ways, the first two books in the series, and enjoyed the author’s writing. I loved Juliana in those books and hoped to see her throw the Duke of Leighton off his high horse. I was hoping to love this book as well. Sadly, what I got was a lot of frustration, anger and disappointment.
To start, I found their wager to be ridiculous. She’s going to show him passion and bring him to his knees for what purpose? What would’ve happened after those two weeks when all she showed him was how he would want to bed her but she still wasn’t good enough to marry? What would be his reason for accepting when it would only lead to scandal, a scandal he was desperate to avoid and did not need?
I thought the Duke of Leighton was one of the most unlikeable heroes I’ve read. He is arrogant and judgmental. He constantly puts Juliana down, not thinking she’s good enough throughout the whole book. Oh, she’s good enough to bed but only until the end does he think she’s good enough to marry. And worst off he TELLS her she’s not good enough at every one of their interactions. He tells her she’d be a good mistress and almost calls her a wh*re. He’s worried about his reputation and decides to marry Lady Penelope because of her pristine family and reputation. But in his selfishness, he does not care about what his scandal will do to her or her family. And even as he’s “courting” her, he’s kissing and feeling up Juliana in the stables and doing much more the night his engagement is announced.
His young sister has been compromised and left pregnant. He abandons her cruelly and leaves her in the care of his friend St. John. Yet he almost compromises this same friend’s young sister numerous times while being engaged himself, including when she’s vulnerable after seeing her mother again after 10 years. I have no idea what Juliana sees in him as he’s not nice to anyone and has no redeeming qualities. If I was Ralston or St. John, I’d do much more than just punch him.
He should learn a lesson from his much younger sister. She had the courage to put others before her own reputation. She wasn’t a coward like her brother.
I enjoyed Juliana’s feistiness in the other books. In this one, I found her to act like an immature, selfish, inconsiderate brat. She has three aristocratic families (Marquess of Ralson, Duke of Rivington and Earl of Allendale), not to mention her brother Lord St. John who is liked by most of the ton, supporting her and helping her deal with the scandal of her unexpected arrival to London. But she completely disregards everything they’ve done by her selfish actions. She knows the ton expects scandals from her and instead of doing the opposite, she gives them more to talk about. Time and again she puts herself in compromising positions. Yet she’s offended when they talk about her and don’t completely accept her as one of them.
Juliana knows Leighton is to be wed to Lady Penelope, he told her he’s planning on marrying her and even goes so far as to call her his fiancée. Yet she feels heart-broken when after being caught with him in the stables, her brother tells her he’s engaged already. She has little regard for Lady Penelope when she fools around with HER fiancé at their engagement party.
Where is her self-respect? She’s constantly throwing herself at Leighton even when he’s telling her she’s not good enough and will never be good enough. He shows her over and over how his reputation is much more important than her. He never once shows her she’s better than just a roll in the hay. But she keeps coming back for more. I almost quit reading when, after Leighton already rejected her that evening, she once again throws herself at him and shows up to his room, takes off her nightgown and asks him for one night together.
You would think that’s the worst of it, but oh no. She then goes and offers to be his mistress after he marries. How can she feel offended when he later asks her to marry him and feels it’s only out of duty, that he will never treat her as an equal, when she lowers herself by asking him to be his mistress?
I don’t enjoy reading a heroine that has no pride or dignity.
Honestly, I only continued reading because I was hoping to see Ralston, St. John and Juliana finally throw their mother out of their lives for good, to give her what she really deserves and have her leave London with nothing but what she came with. Sadly that was a disappointment as well, as nothing is done to the b**ch.
The only thing I enjoyed in this book was seeing Callie and Ralston and Isabel and Nick. I was happy to see they had started their families with new additions. I enjoyed seeing Benedick and hope the next Love by Numbers book is from his POV. I would enjoy a Georgiana book as well.
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I loved Nine Rules and Ten Ways, the first two books in the series, and enjoyed the author’s writing. I loved Juliana in those books and hoped to see her throw the Duke of Leighton off his high horse. I was hoping to love this book as well. Sadly, what I got was a lot of frustration, anger and disappointment.
To start, I found their wager to be ridiculous. She’s going to show him passion and bring him to his knees for what purpose? What would’ve happened after those two weeks when all she showed him was how he would want to bed her but she still wasn’t good enough to marry? What would be his reason for accepting when it would only lead to scandal, a scandal he was desperate to avoid and did not need?
I thought the Duke of Leighton was one of the most unlikeable heroes I’ve read. He is arrogant and judgmental. He constantly puts Juliana down, not thinking she’s good enough throughout the whole book. Oh, she’s good enough to bed but only until the end does he think she’s good enough to marry. And worst off he TELLS her she’s not good enough at every one of their interactions. He tells her she’d be a good mistress and almost calls her a wh*re. He’s worried about his reputation and decides to marry Lady Penelope because of her pristine family and reputation. But in his selfishness, he does not care about what his scandal will do to her or her family. And even as he’s “courting” her, he’s kissing and feeling up Juliana in the stables and doing much more the night his engagement is announced.
His young sister has been compromised and left pregnant. He abandons her cruelly and leaves her in the care of his friend St. John. Yet he almost compromises this same friend’s young sister numerous times while being engaged himself, including when she’s vulnerable after seeing her mother again after 10 years. I have no idea what Juliana sees in him as he’s not nice to anyone and has no redeeming qualities. If I was Ralston or St. John, I’d do much more than just punch him.
He should learn a lesson from his much younger sister. She had the courage to put others before her own reputation. She wasn’t a coward like her brother.
I enjoyed Juliana’s feistiness in the other books. In this one, I found her to act like an immature, selfish, inconsiderate brat. She has three aristocratic families (Marquess of Ralson, Duke of Rivington and Earl of Allendale), not to mention her brother Lord St. John who is liked by most of the ton, supporting her and helping her deal with the scandal of her unexpected arrival to London. But she completely disregards everything they’ve done by her selfish actions. She knows the ton expects scandals from her and instead of doing the opposite, she gives them more to talk about. Time and again she puts herself in compromising positions. Yet she’s offended when they talk about her and don’t completely accept her as one of them.
Juliana knows Leighton is to be wed to Lady Penelope, he told her he’s planning on marrying her and even goes so far as to call her his fiancée. Yet she feels heart-broken when after being caught with him in the stables, her brother tells her he’s engaged already. She has little regard for Lady Penelope when she fools around with HER fiancé at their engagement party.
Where is her self-respect? She’s constantly throwing herself at Leighton even when he’s telling her she’s not good enough and will never be good enough. He shows her over and over how his reputation is much more important than her. He never once shows her she’s better than just a roll in the hay. But she keeps coming back for more. I almost quit reading when, after Leighton already rejected her that evening, she once again throws herself at him and shows up to his room, takes off her nightgown and asks him for one night together.
You would think that’s the worst of it, but oh no. She then goes and offers to be his mistress after he marries. How can she feel offended when he later asks her to marry him and feels it’s only out of duty, that he will never treat her as an equal, when she lowers herself by asking him to be his mistress?
I don’t enjoy reading a heroine that has no pride or dignity.
Honestly, I only continued reading because I was hoping to see Ralston, St. John and Juliana finally throw their mother out of their lives for good, to give her what she really deserves and have her leave London with nothing but what she came with. Sadly that was a disappointment as well, as nothing is done to the b**ch.
The only thing I enjoyed in this book was seeing Callie and Ralston and Isabel and Nick. I was happy to see they had started their families with new additions. I enjoyed seeing Benedick and hope the next Love by Numbers book is from his POV. I would enjoy a Georgiana book as well.
September 9, 2016
We got to see both Simon and Juliana in previous books. And while I liked Juliana, Simon was kind of a jackwagon. Particularly in the last book where he cast off a sister he professed/seemed to love because she got pregnant (out of wedlock and won't reveal who the guy was). So I was curious as to see how MacLean would redeem him. Answer: she didn't really bother.
Indeed, I'm struggling to see what Juliana sees in the big jerk. He's mean to her over and over and she keeps signing up for more. That sounds weaker than it really is. She's actually quite resilient and has lots of gumption, but it all bounces off the big doofus all the way to the end. Okay, physical attraction is nice. And that memory of them when they didn't yet know their respective identities was sweet. Only. Going from sweet when he doesn't know who she is to a jerk once he does only confirms how very much he is going to suck.
Which means I spent the entire novel wondering what Juliana sees in the guy. And why wouldn't she start looking around for someone better? It's not like that's a high bar to clear. So I spent the entire book impatiently waiting for the good stuff to start. I love a reform/redeem story as much as anyone, I think, and I kept waiting for that to start. Only it never did. And I can't believe MacLean had him . That lost me all sympathy for the guy and I think I continued just to see what kind of gymnastics was going to happen to pull that one out of the fire.
So yeah, totally not worth the time. I regret bothering with it. What a let down. Juliana alone keeps this in two-star territory...
A note about Steamy: There are two (and maybe a half) explicit sex scenes, so middle of my steam tolerance. And they're kinda meh. I kept wondering what Juliana thought she was doing. The guy was a dead loss and it's not like there was any future for her with him. Even now, after MacLean manipulated it to where they could get married, I don't quite see them being happy because I don't buy the alteration in Simon...
Indeed, I'm struggling to see what Juliana sees in the big jerk. He's mean to her over and over and she keeps signing up for more. That sounds weaker than it really is. She's actually quite resilient and has lots of gumption, but it all bounces off the big doofus all the way to the end. Okay, physical attraction is nice. And that memory of them when they didn't yet know their respective identities was sweet. Only. Going from sweet when he doesn't know who she is to a jerk once he does only confirms how very much he is going to suck.
Which means I spent the entire novel wondering what Juliana sees in the guy. And why wouldn't she start looking around for someone better? It's not like that's a high bar to clear. So I spent the entire book impatiently waiting for the good stuff to start. I love a reform/redeem story as much as anyone, I think, and I kept waiting for that to start. Only it never did. And I can't believe MacLean had him . That lost me all sympathy for the guy and I think I continued just to see what kind of gymnastics was going to happen to pull that one out of the fire.
So yeah, totally not worth the time. I regret bothering with it. What a let down. Juliana alone keeps this in two-star territory...
A note about Steamy: There are two (and maybe a half) explicit sex scenes, so middle of my steam tolerance. And they're kinda meh. I kept wondering what Juliana thought she was doing. The guy was a dead loss and it's not like there was any future for her with him. Even now, after MacLean manipulated it to where they could get married, I don't quite see them being happy because I don't buy the alteration in Simon...
January 10, 2012
Simon, the Duke of Leighton is described as being enormous, but he’s not going on my “hero is a mountain” shelf. He doesn’t deserve it.
The third in the “Love By Numbers” series is the one I most wanted to read. I was intrigued by the starchy Duke who had become interested in the beautiful Italian Juliana -- and then rejected her when he discovered her sketchy background. (By the way, although the characters were introduced in the earlier books, I think one this would stand alone just fine.) I looked forward to seeing him brought to his knees.
Unfortunately, it seems like for most of the book, Juliana is the one brought to her knees. She was always the one giving and always the one being rejected. Simon’s dishonorable behavior -- he gets engaged under false pretenses, and still keep trifling with Juliana -- is harder to forgive because the balance of power between them feels so off.
I liked that the book is realistic about Juliana’s difficult position: despite being the half-sister of a Marquess and the sister-in-law of a duke, there is only so much acceptance the ton will give her. There’s also a good supporting cast of secondary characters. I didn’t much care for the frothy writing style, which had a lot of filler and overuses sentence fragments. Overall it was a fairly enjoyable read, but not quite as angsty and delicious as I'd hoped.
July 21, 2011
3.5 Stars
I was really uncertain about whether or not I would like this book. The first book in the series was a big hit for me, but the second book was a letdown. I loved the tension between Simon and Juliana in the first book, but in the second Simon crossed over from being cold and arrogant (which is not necessarily a bad thing) into an outright ass. His behavior of a certain family member severely dropped his appeal in my eyes. I was hesitant to start this, but the first chapter sucked me in right away, so my hopes started to rise.
I was really into the book in the first half. Juliana and Simon sparred back and forth and the tension was high. Simon’s coldness didn’t bother me as much as it might have bothered others. I liked watching him struggle with what he desired and what he was raised to believe was right. It was fun to see him get swept into situations he would have preferred to avoid, all because he couldn’t resist Juliana (or Juliana’s challenge).
I loved getting a deeper look at Juliana. Her situation was pretty tragic. No matter what she did or how well she behaved, she couldn’t help but stand apart from the rest of the ton. She had my sympathy from the start. That said, she didn’t try very hard to behave. I know that it’s hard to want to curry favor with the very people who sneer at you, but putting yourself into scandalous situations again and again, and then being upset that people think you’re scandalous, is pretty stupid. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching the fallout after the situations combusted, but my sympathy about the ton misjudging her started to wane.
I knew going into this book that Simon would need a lot of growth to get beyond his upbringing. I felt very bad for how it must have been growing up in that family, but that doesn’t change the fact that he could be a huge jerk. But I was expecting to see that. What I wasn’t expecting was to see so much growth needed in Juliana as well. In the last couple books it was very apparent that she was untutored in the ways of the ton. She seemed full of life and a tad wild, but she never seemed as immature as she did in this one. Simon was absolutely right when he said that she was like a child, never looking beyond the moment.
Although I enjoyed the beginning of the book (and found it very quotable), I felt that it began to peter out in the second half. The banter stopped and it felt like we were spinning in circles. Horrible as it is to say, boring circles. Also, once Simon stopped being cold and caring he became so sweet and emotive that it was ridiculous. Every time he called her “Siren” I had a hard time resisting the urge to roll my eyes. And don’t get me wrong, I like a good public demonstration of feelings as much as the next girl, but that combined with the rest of his totally uncharacteristic behavior made me wince for him. The book got so sugary that I practically got a tooth ache just reading it.
I don’t usually have a problem going with the flow when I’m enjoying a book, but as my interest begins to dim I have a hard time not noticing things that make no sense. One of the biggest things in this book was how utterly absurd I found it that Simon was so worried about the scandal crippling his family name. He was a duke. They weren’t a dime a dozen, and they outranked pretty much all other nobles. You could be reprehensible and society as a whole would still curry favor with you. Because you were a duke, for Christ’s sake. So how exactly would that situation ruin the family name instead of just giving it a couple dents?
Although I only really loved one book in this trilogy, I still plan to pick up this author’s next work. I enjoy her style of writing and if I can find another gem like the first book then it’ll be worth it.
Favorite Quotes:
*For a sneak peek, check out my Tempting Teaser on Fiction Vixen*
I was really uncertain about whether or not I would like this book. The first book in the series was a big hit for me, but the second book was a letdown. I loved the tension between Simon and Juliana in the first book, but in the second Simon crossed over from being cold and arrogant (which is not necessarily a bad thing) into an outright ass. His behavior of a certain family member severely dropped his appeal in my eyes. I was hesitant to start this, but the first chapter sucked me in right away, so my hopes started to rise.
I was really into the book in the first half. Juliana and Simon sparred back and forth and the tension was high. Simon’s coldness didn’t bother me as much as it might have bothered others. I liked watching him struggle with what he desired and what he was raised to believe was right. It was fun to see him get swept into situations he would have preferred to avoid, all because he couldn’t resist Juliana (or Juliana’s challenge).
I loved getting a deeper look at Juliana. Her situation was pretty tragic. No matter what she did or how well she behaved, she couldn’t help but stand apart from the rest of the ton. She had my sympathy from the start. That said, she didn’t try very hard to behave. I know that it’s hard to want to curry favor with the very people who sneer at you, but putting yourself into scandalous situations again and again, and then being upset that people think you’re scandalous, is pretty stupid. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching the fallout after the situations combusted, but my sympathy about the ton misjudging her started to wane.
I knew going into this book that Simon would need a lot of growth to get beyond his upbringing. I felt very bad for how it must have been growing up in that family, but that doesn’t change the fact that he could be a huge jerk. But I was expecting to see that. What I wasn’t expecting was to see so much growth needed in Juliana as well. In the last couple books it was very apparent that she was untutored in the ways of the ton. She seemed full of life and a tad wild, but she never seemed as immature as she did in this one. Simon was absolutely right when he said that she was like a child, never looking beyond the moment.
Although I enjoyed the beginning of the book (and found it very quotable), I felt that it began to peter out in the second half. The banter stopped and it felt like we were spinning in circles. Horrible as it is to say, boring circles. Also, once Simon stopped being cold and caring he became so sweet and emotive that it was ridiculous. Every time he called her “Siren” I had a hard time resisting the urge to roll my eyes. And don’t get me wrong, I like a good public demonstration of feelings as much as the next girl, but that combined with the rest of his totally uncharacteristic behavior made me wince for him. The book got so sugary that I practically got a tooth ache just reading it.
I don’t usually have a problem going with the flow when I’m enjoying a book, but as my interest begins to dim I have a hard time not noticing things that make no sense. One of the biggest things in this book was how utterly absurd I found it that Simon was so worried about the scandal crippling his family name. He was a duke. They weren’t a dime a dozen, and they outranked pretty much all other nobles. You could be reprehensible and society as a whole would still curry favor with you. Because you were a duke, for Christ’s sake. So how exactly would that situation ruin the family name instead of just giving it a couple dents?
Although I only really loved one book in this trilogy, I still plan to pick up this author’s next work. I enjoy her style of writing and if I can find another gem like the first book then it’ll be worth it.
Favorite Quotes:
"Why must you constantly test me?"
"I do care, you know. I do care what you think."
"Then why?"
"Because you expect me to fail. You expect me to do wrong. To be reckless. To ruin myself."
"Why not work to prove me wrong?"
"But don't you see? I am proving you wrong. If I choose recklessness, where is the failure? If I choose it for myself, you cannot force it upon me."
*For a sneak peek, check out my Tempting Teaser on Fiction Vixen*
July 31, 2012
His eyes narrowed on the marquess, a man he barely tolerated on a good day. This was not turning out to be a good day. “I’m not marrying the girl.”
“There’s no way I’m marrying him!” she cried at the same moment.
Well. At least they agreed on something.
Wait.
She didn’t want to marry him? She could do a damned sight worse. He was a duke, for God’s sake! And she was a walking scandal.
Every once in a while, a historical romance comes along that makes all those other cliched and unabsorbing HRs, if not entirely worth the read then definitely tolerable, because they eventually led me to this historical, which restored my faith in the genre and erased the boring HRs from memory. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart is one such book.
I've always been a fan of love stories featuring a cold-hearted hero and a passionate heroine (or vice versa) because these couples tend to complete each other so well. The romance between Simon and Juliana is one of the most engaging of the lot.
Simon was absolutely imperial in all his ducal glory and Juliana was an admirable hotheaded Italian. I love how Juliana always got under Simon's skin and how these two argued endlessly. The banter between the two is my favorite part of the book. Juliana was the perfect match for the otherwise unflappable Simon and I loved watching these two go head-to-head.
One thing I didn't appreciate (the only reason for the -0.5 stars) is how Simon kept leading Juliana on and kissing her while fully admitting he had no intention of marrying her. It seemed highly hypocritical coming from the Duke of Disdain and I would have liked him to display a bit more care than that because this, more than anything else, showed that he really didn't respect Juliana as he would have any other lady of the ton.
Other than that, I loved this story and it's definitely my favorite of the series. All the characters are very well-developed and their relationships with each other are natural and effortless. I also enjoyed catching glimpses of how life has gone on for the previous two couples, Gabriel and Callie, Nick and Isabel. I hope this isn't good-bye for real and we get to see more of Simon and Juliana in his sister's book.
4.5/5 stars
For more reviews, visit my blog.
August 20, 2019
Το καλύτερο βιβλίο που έχω διαβάσει του είδους με διαφορά!
Από πλοκή έως χαρακτήρες ήταν άψογο για εμένα!!!!! 🤩🤩🤩
Από πλοκή έως χαρακτήρες ήταν άψογο για εμένα!!!!! 🤩🤩🤩
October 21, 2016
3'5 y con una generosidad enorme. Tenía echado el ojo a Leighton desde el primer libro y me frotaba las manos al leer éste. Ya podría haber frotado la lámpara de Aladino para pedirle que en lugar de once escándalos hubieran sido tres, tal vez así el libro no me hubiera parecido tan repetitivo y a veces aburrido. Ha conseguido que hasta el duque-palote-por-el-trasero me cansara. Y de ella ya ni digo nada porque no se puede ser más cansina (si dice más veces que es un escándalo andante me tiro yo al Serpentine de cabeza). Y ojo que no está mal lo que pasa pero se me ha hecho muy largo. No sé, no le he visto la gracia de la MacLean que me conquistó en el primero. Eso sí, tiene buenos momentos y sale Gabriel, lo que le sube puntuación porque a cada aparición suya he perdido unas enaguas. En fin, que no hay nada peor que ir con expectativas, que luego te llevas estos chascos. No es lo peor que he leído ni de lejos, eh, pero sí es algo mñe.
January 3, 2017
5 STARS
Holy cow! This was my favorite of the series. I cannot tell you how much I love Sarah MacLean's writing. Her characters. Her witty dialogue. Her sexy as sin heroes. And most of all her fabulous heroines. There was nothing about this book I didn't love.
"It seems you are not so immune to passion as you think, Your Grace."
Holy cow! This was my favorite of the series. I cannot tell you how much I love Sarah MacLean's writing. Her characters. Her witty dialogue. Her sexy as sin heroes. And most of all her fabulous heroines. There was nothing about this book I didn't love.
May 18, 2012
6 stars!!!!
After reading Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rakeand Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord I was excited to hear about the third book in Sarah MacLean’s “Love By Numbers” series called “Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart” and man was I totally blown away by this awesome romance novel! Full of excitement, forbidden pleasures and pure love making scenes, this novel will definitely stand the test of time!
Juliana Fiori, the Italian half sister of Nick and Gabriel Ralston, is a strong and independent woman who refuses to follow the strict rules of London society and therefore has become a huge topic of gossip for all the gossipmongers of London. Things get even more complicated when Juliana meets up with the disdainful Duke of Leighton, Simon Pearson and she eventually tries to prove to the duke about what true passion is all about!
After reading the second book, Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord, I will admit that I was a little skeptical in reading the third of the “Love by Numbers” series, but after seeing my friends’ reviews on this book and how many positive compliments I keep hearing about this book, I decided to give this book a shot anyway. Lo and behold, I found myself loving this book every second and I was a little upset that this book came to an end. Sarah MacLean has done an excellent job at writing this brilliant story about a forbidden love between two lovers who came from two different worlds, but would do anything to be together! What I really loved about Sarah MacLean’s writing is how she develops the characters in this book and my favorite characters out of this entire book would have to be the main couple Juliana Fiori and Simon Pearson, along with some returning characters that I had previously loved in previous books! At this point, Juliana Fiori is my absolute favorite heroine in any historical romance novel! I just loved the way that Juliana stood up for what she believed in, even when society is against her and I really loved how devoted she was to having passion in her life, especially when it concerns Simon Pearson, which I will now get to! Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton, was first introduced in the second book of the “Love by Numbers” series and at first, I did not like him because of his arrogant and disdainful nature, but after I read this book, I really came to love Simon! What I really loved about Simon is that he always get so tongued tied whenever he is around Juliana and when he is being romantic around Juliana, whew he is something else entirely! I also loved that fact that he is described as being muscular and large, which really got my hero senses tingling and after I heard of Simon’s tragic story about how he had to keep up with society’s expectations of him, it truly showed a caring side to Simon that we were never exposed to before. I loved how Sarah MacLean brought back some of the older characters shown in previous books which includes Gabriel and Nick Ralston, Callie, and Isabel and it was nice seeing them with their loved ones and enjoying each other’s company. I also loved the plot of the story as it sort of has a “Romeo and Juliet” feel since Juliana and Simon are held back from seeing each other because of their families and how they tried to get back together despite all the consequences they would suffer if they remained together and let us not forget the love making scenes between Juliana and Simon as they are hot and sizzling and will set your soul on fire!
For those of you who do not like sex scenes, there are plenty of sex scenes in this book, so it would be best to skim over these scenes.
Overall out of all the books I have read in Sarah MacLean’s popular “Love by Numbers” series, “Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart” is my absolute favorite and I definitely think that romance novel fans will definitely get a huge kick out of this book! Also, I hope that there is a fourth book in the series, because I want to see what becomes of Georgiana and Callie’s brother!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
After reading Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rakeand Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord I was excited to hear about the third book in Sarah MacLean’s “Love By Numbers” series called “Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart” and man was I totally blown away by this awesome romance novel! Full of excitement, forbidden pleasures and pure love making scenes, this novel will definitely stand the test of time!
Juliana Fiori, the Italian half sister of Nick and Gabriel Ralston, is a strong and independent woman who refuses to follow the strict rules of London society and therefore has become a huge topic of gossip for all the gossipmongers of London. Things get even more complicated when Juliana meets up with the disdainful Duke of Leighton, Simon Pearson and she eventually tries to prove to the duke about what true passion is all about!
After reading the second book, Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord, I will admit that I was a little skeptical in reading the third of the “Love by Numbers” series, but after seeing my friends’ reviews on this book and how many positive compliments I keep hearing about this book, I decided to give this book a shot anyway. Lo and behold, I found myself loving this book every second and I was a little upset that this book came to an end. Sarah MacLean has done an excellent job at writing this brilliant story about a forbidden love between two lovers who came from two different worlds, but would do anything to be together! What I really loved about Sarah MacLean’s writing is how she develops the characters in this book and my favorite characters out of this entire book would have to be the main couple Juliana Fiori and Simon Pearson, along with some returning characters that I had previously loved in previous books! At this point, Juliana Fiori is my absolute favorite heroine in any historical romance novel! I just loved the way that Juliana stood up for what she believed in, even when society is against her and I really loved how devoted she was to having passion in her life, especially when it concerns Simon Pearson, which I will now get to! Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton, was first introduced in the second book of the “Love by Numbers” series and at first, I did not like him because of his arrogant and disdainful nature, but after I read this book, I really came to love Simon! What I really loved about Simon is that he always get so tongued tied whenever he is around Juliana and when he is being romantic around Juliana, whew he is something else entirely! I also loved that fact that he is described as being muscular and large, which really got my hero senses tingling and after I heard of Simon’s tragic story about how he had to keep up with society’s expectations of him, it truly showed a caring side to Simon that we were never exposed to before. I loved how Sarah MacLean brought back some of the older characters shown in previous books which includes Gabriel and Nick Ralston, Callie, and Isabel and it was nice seeing them with their loved ones and enjoying each other’s company. I also loved the plot of the story as it sort of has a “Romeo and Juliet” feel since Juliana and Simon are held back from seeing each other because of their families and how they tried to get back together despite all the consequences they would suffer if they remained together and let us not forget the love making scenes between Juliana and Simon as they are hot and sizzling and will set your soul on fire!
For those of you who do not like sex scenes, there are plenty of sex scenes in this book, so it would be best to skim over these scenes.
Overall out of all the books I have read in Sarah MacLean’s popular “Love by Numbers” series, “Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart” is my absolute favorite and I definitely think that romance novel fans will definitely get a huge kick out of this book! Also, I hope that there is a fourth book in the series, because I want to see what becomes of Georgiana and Callie’s brother!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
May 4, 2016
Mi opinión del libro es completamente personal, y aunque me encanta como escribe la autora y sé que seguiré leyendo sus novelas, deteste ésta.
¿La razón? Esta pareja.
Odie a Simón, es prepotente, arrogante e indeciso. No sabe si quiere a Juliana, pero no puede dejar que sea feliz, se la pasa censurandola y diciéndole lo que es mejor para ella, cuando eso no es ni remotamente la verdad. Al menos no es la verdad que Juliana parece buscar.
Juliana, ¿qué te paso? En el primer libro te adore, eras un espíritu libre que no quería ser domado, solo deseaba ser feliz con sus hermanos y complacer a su nueva familia. Eso es entendible y adorable, porque tanto Gabriel, como Nick y ella habían sufrido mucho y necesitaban esa unidad. Pero en este libro, Juliana se humilla por Simón. Cree no ser suficiente para él, por todos sus estigmas, y él se encarga de decírselo en un par de ocasiones.
Solo al final, Simón se redime... aunque solo un poco y para mi no basta. Ya le causo muchas angustias a Juliana para que pueda perdonarlo. ¡Y ni hablemos de lo que le hace a su propia hermana Georgiana!
Simón te odio, sabelo. Y no, no te mereces a Juliana. Hubiese preferido que se quedara con Benedict, que la quiso y respeto desde el comienzo, aun antes de estar emparentados.
Lo que más me gusto de este libro es la unidad familiar y la interacción entre los hermanos, siempre dispuestos a ayudar a Julianna. Y sobretodo, las apariciones de Gabriel, como hermano celoso y preocupado. ¡Y también ver como continuo su vida con Callie!. Me encanto que todos tuvieran una participación (algo que extrañe en el segundo libro), incluso Nick e Isabel. No podía dejar de reír en las interacciones de Callie y Gabriel, los amo. Son mi pareja favorita.
¿La razón? Esta pareja.
Odie a Simón, es prepotente, arrogante e indeciso. No sabe si quiere a Juliana, pero no puede dejar que sea feliz, se la pasa censurandola y diciéndole lo que es mejor para ella, cuando eso no es ni remotamente la verdad. Al menos no es la verdad que Juliana parece buscar.
Juliana, ¿qué te paso? En el primer libro te adore, eras un espíritu libre que no quería ser domado, solo deseaba ser feliz con sus hermanos y complacer a su nueva familia. Eso es entendible y adorable, porque tanto Gabriel, como Nick y ella habían sufrido mucho y necesitaban esa unidad. Pero en este libro, Juliana se humilla por Simón. Cree no ser suficiente para él, por todos sus estigmas, y él se encarga de decírselo en un par de ocasiones.
Solo al final, Simón se redime... aunque solo un poco y para mi no basta. Ya le causo muchas angustias a Juliana para que pueda perdonarlo. ¡Y ni hablemos de lo que le hace a su propia hermana Georgiana!
Simón te odio, sabelo. Y no, no te mereces a Juliana. Hubiese preferido que se quedara con Benedict, que la quiso y respeto desde el comienzo, aun antes de estar emparentados.
Lo que más me gusto de este libro es la unidad familiar y la interacción entre los hermanos, siempre dispuestos a ayudar a Julianna. Y sobretodo, las apariciones de Gabriel, como hermano celoso y preocupado. ¡Y también ver como continuo su vida con Callie!. Me encanto que todos tuvieran una participación (algo que extrañe en el segundo libro), incluso Nick e Isabel. No podía dejar de reír en las interacciones de Callie y Gabriel, los amo. Son mi pareja favorita.
June 22, 2022
This felt fresh and new for Sarah MacLean compared to the previous 2 in the series, and it definitely feels like a turning point for her style to evolve from here. It took me a bit to get invested in the romance but once I did I really enjoyed it.
May 8, 2011
After hating the previous book I never even wondered about this one.
If there were not some funny statuses from a dear gr friend I would never have read it.
And that is horrible!
I would miss out a lot!
This book is one of those book that give you back fate in to a genre.
I read a lot of HR and to be frank it was becoming a strain. Most of the time there were no new themes,and the same old way things are narrated are ever present which make me bored even with the sex scenes.
I was tired of rakes. So when Simon, the ever so proper lord entered the scene I was thrilled!
I could call him a beta hero but he is not really that sweet and lovable. I don't think he will ever manage to be lovable even when in the blessed serenity of a marriage to Juliana. And this is why I like him. There are a lot of unlovable heroes out there. But there is just one Simon.
And along Simon goes Juliana. I wish i was her. And not just because of Simon. No. I will let her have him :) But I just fell in love with her willpower and the way she LEFT for real,not just to sulk and not believing for a minute that she was going back. I loved that she wanted a night or being a paramour or anything but when 'love was not enough' then it just was not and she had to try to find her own way. She was strong in a real way, in a way very little hr heroines are, without looking like they were teleported from the 21 century.
I wish Simon and Juliana all the happines there is,and I send them kisses and hugs because they are from now on officially my favorite HR couple.
If there were not some funny statuses from a dear gr friend I would never have read it.
And that is horrible!
I would miss out a lot!
This book is one of those book that give you back fate in to a genre.
I read a lot of HR and to be frank it was becoming a strain. Most of the time there were no new themes,and the same old way things are narrated are ever present which make me bored even with the sex scenes.
I was tired of rakes. So when Simon, the ever so proper lord entered the scene I was thrilled!
I could call him a beta hero but he is not really that sweet and lovable. I don't think he will ever manage to be lovable even when in the blessed serenity of a marriage to Juliana. And this is why I like him. There are a lot of unlovable heroes out there. But there is just one Simon.
And along Simon goes Juliana. I wish i was her. And not just because of Simon. No. I will let her have him :) But I just fell in love with her willpower and the way she LEFT for real,not just to sulk and not believing for a minute that she was going back. I loved that she wanted a night or being a paramour or anything but when 'love was not enough' then it just was not and she had to try to find her own way. She was strong in a real way, in a way very little hr heroines are, without looking like they were teleported from the 21 century.
I wish Simon and Juliana all the happines there is,and I send them kisses and hugs because they are from now on officially my favorite HR couple.
October 23, 2017
Juliana hayran kaldığım kadın karakterler arasında hızla üst sıralara tırmandı. Simon'dan nefret ettiğim kadar, Juliana'yı sevdim. Ne istediğini bilmesini, kuralları takmadan içinden geçtiği gibi yaşamasını, aşkı da tutkuyu da korkusuzca hissetmesini ve söylemesini... Her şeyini sevdim.
Bunun yanında Simon da bir o kadar antipatik geldi. Kafasına sürekli tavayla vurmak istedim. Kasıntı, kibirli, soğuk, duygusuz olmasının yanında düşüncesizlikleri beni çileden çıkardı. Kendinden emin duruşunun yanında bence tam bir korkaktı. Yapması ya da yapmaması gereken şeyleri bu kadar kesin çizgilerle ayırıyorsa, iradesine de o kadar hakim olmalıydı. Penelope'nin hikayesini bu kitaptan önce okuduğum için ona daha çok üzüldüm. Çünkü Simon'dan sonra neler yaşadığını biliyordum. Yıllarca nelere göğüs gerdiğini görmüştüm ve bunların hepsi Simon bencilce, düşüncesizce davrandığı içindi.
Simon'ı hiç sevmedim ama yazarın karakteri sevmemem için mükemmel şekilde yaratması ayrı hayranlığımı kazandı. Sonunda çok güzel şeyler yapmasına rağmen sempatimi bile kazanamadı.
Kitapta sık sık Gabriel'i okumak ise ayrı bir mutluluktu. Kendisinin neden aşık olunası bir karaker olduğunu hatırlatıyordu. 😍😍😍
Keşke seri bitmeseydi, hepsini daha çok okumak istedim. İnsanların 3 kitabı da sürekli okumalarının sebebini anladım 😃
Bunun yanında Simon da bir o kadar antipatik geldi. Kafasına sürekli tavayla vurmak istedim. Kasıntı, kibirli, soğuk, duygusuz olmasının yanında düşüncesizlikleri beni çileden çıkardı. Kendinden emin duruşunun yanında bence tam bir korkaktı. Yapması ya da yapmaması gereken şeyleri bu kadar kesin çizgilerle ayırıyorsa, iradesine de o kadar hakim olmalıydı. Penelope'nin hikayesini bu kitaptan önce okuduğum için ona daha çok üzüldüm. Çünkü Simon'dan sonra neler yaşadığını biliyordum. Yıllarca nelere göğüs gerdiğini görmüştüm ve bunların hepsi Simon bencilce, düşüncesizce davrandığı içindi.
Simon'ı hiç sevmedim ama yazarın karakteri sevmemem için mükemmel şekilde yaratması ayrı hayranlığımı kazandı. Sonunda çok güzel şeyler yapmasına rağmen sempatimi bile kazanamadı.
Kitapta sık sık Gabriel'i okumak ise ayrı bir mutluluktu. Kendisinin neden aşık olunası bir karaker olduğunu hatırlatıyordu. 😍😍😍
Keşke seri bitmeseydi, hepsini daha çok okumak istedim. İnsanların 3 kitabı da sürekli okumalarının sebebini anladım 😃
January 16, 2022
SM can write, I am drawn in on the first pages, and she keeps my attention the whole time (I usually read her books in one sitting) - but this one.....
A) Main issue - Duke of Disdain did not deserve Juliana - what a knob! I have rarely disliked a character more.
B) Beyond sizzling sexual attraction (very well written - hats off) - I can't see what they possibly see in each other.
As far as I am concerned, this relationship is heading for an unhappy ending.
A) Main issue - Duke of Disdain did not deserve Juliana - what a knob! I have rarely disliked a character more.
B) Beyond sizzling sexual attraction (very well written - hats off) - I can't see what they possibly see in each other.
As far as I am concerned, this relationship is heading for an unhappy ending.
January 8, 2021
3,5/5*
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