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The End of Her Innocence
Before her heart became the latest one discarded by Darius Maynard, housekeeper Chloe Benson fled her beloved village. Returning home years later, she finds the notorious rogue's flashing green eyes and mocking comments still infuriate…and excite her! Suddenly crowned an heir, Darius is enduring an onslaught of personal torment. However, he's been the black sheep of the Maynard family for as long as the gossipmongers can remember. And there are some old habits – like indulging in beautiful women – that Darius has no intention of breaking…
Hardcover
Published January 1, 2012
About the author
Sara Craven
500 books269 followersAnne Bushell was born on October 1938 in South Devon, England, just before World War II and grew up in a house crammed with books. She was always a voracious reader, some of her all-time favorites books are: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and "The Code of the Woosters" by P. G. Wodehouse.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 28, 2018
He came back home from wherever he was and found the grown-up h, there was some seduction until she let it slip that she was still grooming unicorns so he stopped in time for her license not to be revoked. Next day the whole town is scandalized because the H was found in a compromising position with his sister-in-law.
Sometime later, the h is asked by a vet to get married and she accepts but first she's going to work for some rich people. When she gets back the vet is not as sure anymore and the prodigal H is back. How did she learn that? Our virgin h saw her fiancé's jeep and saw a man with his back at her so she had the great idea of sneaking her hands around him and grabbing his male part because she's never slept with the guy but it's a nice way of saying hello... BTW it wasn't the vet's tool she grabbed...
So the dramas begin with her trying to establish herself in the small town and everybody else wanting just the contrary.
One of the things that bothered me was that apparently, the h was in a relationship of some kind with the vet the first time around while she was swooning over the H and then the vet kissing her even though
Sometime later, the h is asked by a vet to get married and she accepts but first she's going to work for some rich people. When she gets back the vet is not as sure anymore and the prodigal H is back. How did she learn that? Our virgin h saw her fiancé's jeep and saw a man with his back at her so she had the great idea of sneaking her hands around him and grabbing his male part because she's never slept with the guy but it's a nice way of saying hello... BTW it wasn't the vet's tool she grabbed...
So the dramas begin with her trying to establish herself in the small town and everybody else wanting just the contrary.
One of the things that bothered me was that apparently, the h was in a relationship of some kind with the vet the first time around while she was swooning over the H and then the vet kissing her even though
December 16, 2011
The heroine Chloe has been time working away and is now ready to go back home and marry her long term boyfriend. However when she gets back home, nothing seems to go as planned; her boyfriend is distant and preoccupied, her Aunt and Uncle are planning to move away, and the hero Darius is back, which makes Chloe feel awkward. Darius was once the village bad boy, whom left in disgrace seven years ago after apparently being found in bed with his brother's wife. That had also been the same night that he almost seduced Chloe and then rejected her, causing her hurt and humiliation that she has never quite forgotten. When Chloe and Darius meet again Chloe tries to ignore him lest he see her humiliation, especially from his sometimes salacious comments. But she can't forget the attraction she felt towards him, that has never really gone away. Despite her attempts to avoid him Darius manages to be around a lot, which unnerves her especially as her so-called boyfriend has told her they need to space and seems to be hiding something. Darius makes it clear that he still desires her, and Chloe can't deny her feelings towards him, but knows that she is likely to end up heartbroken.
This is a little different from the more recent Sara Craven books (there's no 'forced seduction' here!), and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I like the way the author gradually revealed the backstory and hidden truths, it created some delicious tension and a touch of mystery, and the whole thing is done like a true master. I really responded to the simplicity of both the love-story and the setting. So many Modern/Presents these days are set in such glamorous, international, and glitzy worlds, which don't get me wrong I love, but it was very refreshing to read this book set in a small rural English village. And it still managed to include all elements you would want (Alpha-hero, aspiration, etc).
The heroine really does go on a journey throughout this book, which I loved reading; she started off naive yet thinking she knew everything, and gradually grew up. This gives the book a wonderful flow. The interaction between the hero and heroine is fantastic, packed full of chemistry.
I have two complaints though! First, there is no POV from the hero, and I really wanted it, it would have added a bit more depth. Secondly, the writing is a little stiff and old fashioned, and if I read the phrase "on the contrary" one more time I may have screamed!
Nevertheless, I really liked this book.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
This is a little different from the more recent Sara Craven books (there's no 'forced seduction' here!), and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I like the way the author gradually revealed the backstory and hidden truths, it created some delicious tension and a touch of mystery, and the whole thing is done like a true master. I really responded to the simplicity of both the love-story and the setting. So many Modern/Presents these days are set in such glamorous, international, and glitzy worlds, which don't get me wrong I love, but it was very refreshing to read this book set in a small rural English village. And it still managed to include all elements you would want (Alpha-hero, aspiration, etc).
The heroine really does go on a journey throughout this book, which I loved reading; she started off naive yet thinking she knew everything, and gradually grew up. This gives the book a wonderful flow. The interaction between the hero and heroine is fantastic, packed full of chemistry.
I have two complaints though! First, there is no POV from the hero, and I really wanted it, it would have added a bit more depth. Secondly, the writing is a little stiff and old fashioned, and if I read the phrase "on the contrary" one more time I may have screamed!
Nevertheless, I really liked this book.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
January 20, 2017
DNF @ 68% Sadly it didn't hold my interest!
October 11, 2023
Quick Summary: A road not taken, second chance romance
My Review: The End of Her Innocence by Sara Craven is 2012 Harlequin Presents.
About the Book: A young woman returns home only to find the man who broke her heart and shed her innocence has returned as well. The mutual attraction they feel for each other remains, as does the open hostility and disdain. When poor miscommunication and misunderstandings are finally cleared up, will the would-be lovers have the chance to celebrate something special or will they part ways again?
My Final Say: Lots of familiar tropes in this one. It followed the classic HP formula. Readers who are fans of Harlequin Presents romances will like this one.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⏳
#libraryfind
My Review: The End of Her Innocence by Sara Craven is 2012 Harlequin Presents.
About the Book: A young woman returns home only to find the man who broke her heart and shed her innocence has returned as well. The mutual attraction they feel for each other remains, as does the open hostility and disdain. When poor miscommunication and misunderstandings are finally cleared up, will the would-be lovers have the chance to celebrate something special or will they part ways again?
My Final Say: Lots of familiar tropes in this one. It followed the classic HP formula. Readers who are fans of Harlequin Presents romances will like this one.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⏳
#libraryfind
November 7, 2012
I am such a Sara Craven fangirl and this book didn't disappoint me. It was a slow build to a sexual love. There are 2 evil other women in this one as well as a decoy safe fiance that the heroine purports to love. It is angsty and it is Old Skool. <3
November 27, 2020
3.5 stars
August 18, 2014
I have never been so bored in my life. I skimmed through at least half of it. The interaction between the hero and heroine is dull and isn't the central part of the story. Not a good read. And certainly not one of her best.
December 3, 2016
Spoilers:
Very weird. The heroine is a dodo who doesn't know her own feelings, strings her boyfriend (from age 16) along for 7 years, suddenly decides she is ready to get married so after a year of not seeing him at all, goes home expecting to plan her wedding. Apparently when she was 18, and said boyfriend was away at training camp, she had an almost affair with the hero (town's bad boy). Hero is quite disgusting himself, having been accused of having an affair with his sister in law, he doesn't even try to explain / remedy the situation. Then, after when he claims he loved heroine all along, why didn't he try harder to get in touch with her, or at least try to explain the real situation to her? Everyone acted like idiots in this story. Even the boyfriend. It turns out he had been having a relationship with someone else while she was away, and he couldn't even tell her about it, then he jilts her by letter.
Very weird. The heroine is a dodo who doesn't know her own feelings, strings her boyfriend (from age 16) along for 7 years, suddenly decides she is ready to get married so after a year of not seeing him at all, goes home expecting to plan her wedding. Apparently when she was 18, and said boyfriend was away at training camp, she had an almost affair with the hero (town's bad boy). Hero is quite disgusting himself, having been accused of having an affair with his sister in law, he doesn't even try to explain / remedy the situation. Then, after when he claims he loved heroine all along, why didn't he try harder to get in touch with her, or at least try to explain the real situation to her? Everyone acted like idiots in this story. Even the boyfriend. It turns out he had been having a relationship with someone else while she was away, and he couldn't even tell her about it, then he jilts her by letter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2021
Before her heart became the latest one discarded in wild abandon by the even wilder Darius Maynard, housekeeper Chloe Benson fled her beloved village. Returning home years later, she finds the notorious rogue's flashing green eyes and mocking comments still infuriate…and excite her!Suddenly upgraded from spare to heir, Darius is enduring an onslaught of personal torment. However, he's been the black sheep of the Maynard family for as long as the gossipmongers can remember. And there are some old habits—indulging in beautiful women, for example—that Darius has no intention of breaking…
July 18, 2019
This was all over the place. Hero waits to the last second to drop everything on heroine who literally had no clue about anything that is happening. Cause he told her nothing. Heroine wasn’t very likable. Why was she allowing that other dude to string her along? She is used a lot by the characters around her. Hero pops in says something smoldering then jumps away. Skip.
November 25, 2020
Ok, time for a break from these little romances and get back to book club books!! Covid, election, no Thanksgiving so I thought I would zone out with a nice little English contemporary. Many, many misunderstandings before the HEA.
January 11, 2021
The blurb mentions a housekeeper, which is misleading. Heroine has made her living that way the last couple years but is now home, waiting for her tepid boyfriend to set a date.
Pure Sara Craven, full of emotion and making us feel right along with her.
Pure Sara Craven, full of emotion and making us feel right along with her.
May 10, 2017
leído el 19/04/2012
April 7, 2020
No substance to this one at all.
January 21, 2022
Sara Craven can get away with murder with me in terms of plotting and lack of communication between characters because her writing is so well paced and her sexual tension so strong (albeit old school - it still hits the spot). I think she also drops some great dialogue and one liners that can really make you punch the air. I enjoyed this one for all the above reasons but I can understand why it wouldn't appeal to the newer generations of HP/M&B readers. I am likely to revisit Darius and Chloe. I liked the scene in the restaurant and the ones in the stables.
January 30, 2013
Hilarious. From the description, I did think it was going to be more historical instead of "present day," but whatever.
The sex scenes were quite steamy, but not that well written. And the virgin seduced by rich younger son is pretty over-used, but it's not like I picked this up for the literary quality.
The sex scenes were quite steamy, but not that well written. And the virgin seduced by rich younger son is pretty over-used, but it's not like I picked this up for the literary quality.
May 2, 2015
I liked the story. However, it had the potential to be better. The couple have chemistry, unfortunately, spend little time together. Chloe was as naive. It was obvious what was happening with the fiance. I liked most of her uncle. I found he more affectionate.
If had more romance would be one of my favorites.
If had more romance would be one of my favorites.
May 9, 2015
This is a great book. This Harlequin romance actually has, if not a new plot, a maximized one in the way of character development and interest. The two drawbacks of this book are as follows. First, Ian, a main character in this book, should have been more fully drawn. Secondly, I wish this book would have been longer.
October 1, 2012
loved this novel.. As a matter of fact this is what a real Romance novel is suppose to be about. Everything was imaginable from the characters to the setting , conflict, and plot. Praise to Sara Craven.
February 19, 2014
I really liked it. I am a big fan of most of Sara Craven's books. This one was a pleasant refreshing change from the same old formula in most harlequin books. I like the h & H and their chemistry was convincing. Definitely planned to re-read! Thank goodness no questionable forced seductions!
January 2, 2026
Me encanta esta autora, es de mis favoritas de Harlequin y la historia estuvo genial y entretenida. Darius y Chloe tuvieron un romance que supo durar y permanecer en el corazón a pesar del tiempo. Me encantó.
May 4, 2014
The heroine is a nitwit. She's in total denial of her feelings, tries to ride a dangerous horse she's been warned to stay away from, and worst of all, she assumes. Nitwit.
Read
December 30, 2012not too shabby :) Kind of just wish they would have got together sooner than just at the end of the book.
April 14, 2016
Perfect escapism and I adored Darius.
Read
April 8, 2019No me ha gustado del todo por la trama y la credibilidad de algunos hechos. Pero no es mala lectura.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews