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Haverston Family #3
Practically Wicked
For some, virtue is a vice
As the illegitimate daughter of a scandalous woman, Miss Anna Rees is almost as well known for having been raised in the hedonistic demimonde as she is for her quiet nature. Anna longs to leave behind her mother’s world of courtesans…until she unexpectedly meets the handsome, charming and decidedly wicked Lord Dane. If only she could convince him to join her in search of respectability. . .
For him, vice is a virtue
Viscount Maximilian Dane is perfectly content being a rake. After years of obeying the dictates of proper society--with disastrous results--he stopped following the ton’s ridiculous rules, and he sees no reason to begin courting respectability anew. Except that it may be the only way for him to win the lovely and fascinating Miss Anna Rees—if only he could convince her that the grass is greener on the wicked side of the fence. . .
As the illegitimate daughter of a scandalous woman, Miss Anna Rees is almost as well known for having been raised in the hedonistic demimonde as she is for her quiet nature. Anna longs to leave behind her mother’s world of courtesans…until she unexpectedly meets the handsome, charming and decidedly wicked Lord Dane. If only she could convince him to join her in search of respectability. . .
For him, vice is a virtue
Viscount Maximilian Dane is perfectly content being a rake. After years of obeying the dictates of proper society--with disastrous results--he stopped following the ton’s ridiculous rules, and he sees no reason to begin courting respectability anew. Except that it may be the only way for him to win the lovely and fascinating Miss Anna Rees—if only he could convince her that the grass is greener on the wicked side of the fence. . .
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
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652 people want to read
About the author
Alissa Johnson
18 books367 followersAlissa Johnson lives in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, where she is hard at work on her next romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
January 28, 2013
In the vast mob of Regency romance authors, Alissa Johnson is one of the few I'll read faithfully. I can't quite put my finger on why. Maybe because her characters aren't so dumb that their anachronistic little brains fall out of their stupid heads? Johnson writes characters with at least a modicum of intelligence who mostly act appropriately for the time period.
It's telling that I will read most of an HR author's work on the premise that her characters aren't quite as fucking dumb as others in the genre. From the current state of romance, one has to take pleasure in small victories.
So in that spirit, I have to compliment Johnson for creating two well-reasoned and likable main characters. They're super-duper nice. Just snowflakes and puppy dogs, those two.
And I can't remember their names for the life of me.
Seriously, three days later, and my mind goes blank when I try to remember Who's-her-name and What's-his-face. That's the problem with overly sensible characters. Their stories aren't very interesting. Sure, my husband and I share a great, quiet love, but no one gives a shit about that. That's why we aren't characters in a romance novel.
I'm only complaining a little. I finished Who's-her-name and What's-his-face's story because I cared about their HEA. She's a bastard to a whore mother. He's a second son who inherited a viscountsy after his brother kicked the bucket. They have lots of long walks and long conversations. Misunderstandings are promptly discussed and dispelled. They're great eggs, Who's-her-name and What's-his-face, but only mildly interesting.
Case in point:
So Practically Wicked is a sweet read. Not a lot of sex, which is actually refreshing in the genre's current dependency on boring orgy-fests. But there isn't a lot of plot, either, and the story suffers for it. This is a character study, and sadly, Who's-her-name and What's-his-face aren't compelling enough for a good one.
Ah, well. At least this book didn't set off my FIFTY BELL RAGE ALARM. 3-stars to you, Practically Wicked.
It's telling that I will read most of an HR author's work on the premise that her characters aren't quite as fucking dumb as others in the genre. From the current state of romance, one has to take pleasure in small victories.
So in that spirit, I have to compliment Johnson for creating two well-reasoned and likable main characters. They're super-duper nice. Just snowflakes and puppy dogs, those two.
And I can't remember their names for the life of me.
Seriously, three days later, and my mind goes blank when I try to remember Who's-her-name and What's-his-face. That's the problem with overly sensible characters. Their stories aren't very interesting. Sure, my husband and I share a great, quiet love, but no one gives a shit about that. That's why we aren't characters in a romance novel.
I'm only complaining a little. I finished Who's-her-name and What's-his-face's story because I cared about their HEA. She's a bastard to a whore mother. He's a second son who inherited a viscountsy after his brother kicked the bucket. They have lots of long walks and long conversations. Misunderstandings are promptly discussed and dispelled. They're great eggs, Who's-her-name and What's-his-face, but only mildly interesting.
Case in point:
So Practically Wicked is a sweet read. Not a lot of sex, which is actually refreshing in the genre's current dependency on boring orgy-fests. But there isn't a lot of plot, either, and the story suffers for it. This is a character study, and sadly, Who's-her-name and What's-his-face aren't compelling enough for a good one.
Ah, well. At least this book didn't set off my FIFTY BELL RAGE ALARM. 3-stars to you, Practically Wicked.
May 21, 2017
He leaned in for a closer inspection of her features. "Aren't you supposed to be frigid and uncaring?"Alissa Johnson is a pretty reliable author, especially in the sense that there isn't usually too much angst in her books—the hero and heroine are into each other, usually willing to admit it, and there's just some little hiccup holding them back. This seemed to be a more the case here than in others I remember though, and there was a surprising lack of conflict—almost annoyingly so. Oh, there was the randomly thrown in drama, but it almost felt forced and then is neatly dispatched.
She looked at him, her eyes narrowing just a hair. "Aren't you supposed to be charming?"
He grinned at her, appreciating the sharp retort.
I also found it quite "alone" in the sense that almost all of the interactions are solely Anna and Max. Now I don't mind this—would be far worse to have the opposite—but they almost seemed to live in an isolated world and especially given that she was there to meet and get to know her newly discovered half-brothers, one would think that they would feature in more scenes. I never got that much of a sense of closeness, though they're supposed to have developed relationships by the end, and not having read either Lucien or Gideon's stories, I didn't have any other knowledge of their characters. Especially since Max is their friend, a known rake, and always there, I would expect some type of suspicion or cute protective-brother-display or something.
Now don't get me wrong, I did like the book, hence the 3.5 star rating, but it could have used some improvements. I really loved Anna and Max and there were many unusual components of the story. It's unusual to have such a reserved heroine or to have one who is the daughter of a courtesan; she has lived such a lonely life that one often forgets she's so old (don't mean that in a bad way). I was surprised by how fond I became of Anna and maybe it was the lack of sleep or something, I don't know, but I really teared up in one part of the book, where I could just feel and imagine so well her sorrow and difficulty. Max was cute and I liked that he easily admitted his mistakes; he was adorable and endearing just as Anna describes, and there romance is really quite sweet.
Overall, a nice enjoyable read with good, strong leads. Love Anna, her strength and her wit, and the exchanges and banter between her and Max were fun and lovely. Enjoy!
"Choose the one you want," he told her.Recommendation of other Alissa Johnson reads
She giggled as the puppy contorted itself in an effort to lick her hand without rolling off its back. "Oh, you are silly, aren't you? Just the silliest little ..." Her hand stilled on the puppy. Her eyes shot to his. "What did you just say?"
"Choose which pup you'd like as your own."
"My own?"
"You wanted a hound," he reminded her.
"Yes, I ..." She looked at the dogs, then back at him. "Are you giving me a dog?"
"For the sake of propriety, we are to say it is a gift from your brother, but ..."
"But it's from you. You're giving me a dog," she said, and there was a notable catch in her voice.
"Well ... More or less." For reasons that baffled him, he suddenly felt equal parts embarrassed and pleased. "It was my idea." He cleared his throat, fought off the urge to shift his feet.
Tempting Fate (Providence, #2) — 4.5 stars
McAlistair's Fortune (Providence, #3) — 4 stars
A Christmas Dance — 4 stars
Destined to Last (Providence, #4) — 4 stars
August 10, 2022
I found myself inhaling this book and I had to take some time to figure out exactly what I liked about it. Upon reflection on the story itself, I think I found myself enjoying this story so much because of how intensely focused it was on the two main characters. Other characters made some appearances, but the storytelling focus was completely on Max and Anna the entire novel. There was no series set-up, no other beloved characters that required their own page time, no distractions at all from what was needed to drive the main romance forward. Even when the other characters, such as Lucien or Winnifred made an appearance (and they were just as I remembered them from earlier in the series! I really appreciated that accuracy), they only served to shed light on Max or Anna. It was quite brilliant really how Johnson developed the story with such purpose.
It wasn't over the top in action, the setting took place primarily at Lucien's estate, and the side characters were only in the story briefly. But somehow, Johnson made a relationship developed almost entirely through dialogue doing everyday things like going for walks, playing with puppies, and having a meal seem beyond interesting. That is rare indeed.
Usually I do not care for a story across classes like this because the HEA always feels so unattainable, but I thought the solution that Johnson had her characters come to was brilliant and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, a very interesting character study and one that explored many different issues, particularly for women not of the upper classes. Strongly character-driven with leads who struggled and finally succeeded to identify who they really are and what they want out of life. Recommended.
It wasn't over the top in action, the setting took place primarily at Lucien's estate, and the side characters were only in the story briefly. But somehow, Johnson made a relationship developed almost entirely through dialogue doing everyday things like going for walks, playing with puppies, and having a meal seem beyond interesting. That is rare indeed.
Usually I do not care for a story across classes like this because the HEA always feels so unattainable, but I thought the solution that Johnson had her characters come to was brilliant and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, a very interesting character study and one that explored many different issues, particularly for women not of the upper classes. Strongly character-driven with leads who struggled and finally succeeded to identify who they really are and what they want out of life. Recommended.
June 19, 2015
Guess what did I just do?
Well, instead of studying like a normal student would before The Anatomy exam, I started this book this morning as a relaxation. I said to myself, just ten minutes while I drink my coffee.
And guess what. I just finished the book. No break needed, no fussing around like when I'm studying. No. I sat there very calmly and read the whole effing book. And it was worth it. I guess.
It was a great distraction, one I really needed. And now I'm satisfied with my new calm state.
Great books can do that to me. I just loved about everything in this. The cute, adorable love story. Le sigh.
Well, instead of studying like a normal student would before The Anatomy exam, I started this book this morning as a relaxation. I said to myself, just ten minutes while I drink my coffee.
And guess what. I just finished the book. No break needed, no fussing around like when I'm studying. No. I sat there very calmly and read the whole effing book. And it was worth it. I guess.
It was a great distraction, one I really needed. And now I'm satisfied with my new calm state.
Great books can do that to me. I just loved about everything in this. The cute, adorable love story. Le sigh.
April 5, 2013
4.5 stars
Sums up my reaction after finishing this awesomesauce book in one day.
Sums up my reaction after finishing this awesomesauce book in one day.
May 7, 2013
Reading this book left me feeling slightly unsatisfied, in part due to my own expectations formed from its intriguing premise, which might have set me up for some disappointments.
Anna Rees had grown up with her mother in the demimonde, living a cloistered life until one night when she encounters Viscount Maximilian Dane, who, despite being drunk, fascinated her in his charming demeanor. Max was equally enchanted with the innocent Anna, who had never seen such a mix of refreshing honesty and shyness. Max promised to call on Anna again, but due to a misunderstanding their meeting was postponed for four years, when Anna came to visit her newly discovered half-brother, the Marquess of Engsly, where Max was also present as a visiting friend.
In spite of the initial hostility Max displayed towards Anna, his distrust and anger quickly vanished when their earlier misunderstanding was cleared up. This led the story to be told pleasantly for a great part of the book, as Max and Anna amicably got to know each other and became increasingly fond of each other. Anna had the most character development in this story, as she experienced independence for the first time, away from the possessive influence of her jealous (but not strictly mean) mother, and realized how to sacrifice her own life for the love of a lifetime.
Max, on the other hand, is not very multidimensional. He eludes briefly to having a conflict with his father and brother, but not enough is expanded on either subject to provide a deeper background for the reason of his choosing to be a rake. Certainly, he is charming and kind and does care for Anna, but I would like have for his past to have had more mention, as the bit about his sister's fate seemed perfunctorily added, just for the sake of giving him some additional depth. In conjunction with the fact that Max's point of view is told less than Anna's, it is hard to truly get a grasp on his character.
A problem I had with Anna is that her character, despite experiencing changes throughout the story, is still rather flat. Her archetype is an innocent flower who's grown up in a scandalous and unfit environment, turning her to a wild-eyed adventurer when suddenly confronted with the outside world and her new family. Instead, Anna is stubborn, highly argumentative, and behaves like someone who cannot accept any help from others. Her assertion of independence is somewhat understandable, but ultimately not likable.
The final resolution leading to the HEA also seemed forced, very much a last-minute revelation, of dealing with problems that were largely ignored (but always present) throughout Anna and Max's growing courtship.
To sum it up, I feel ambivalent about this book; the story lacked a concise plot, and the characters, though charming as the author had crafted them so, were dry and mediocre. In the nicest way, this was a pleasant read of acceptable quality. More critically put, this is not very unappealing and there are other stories with better plots and characters.
It is not of my opinion that every story must have a central conflict or struggle, but the presence of some strong antagonistic forces only gives the final HEA a more fulfilling taste. The main antagonist here was Anna's mother, who actually served as only a minor character, a mere plot device to create more action in the story.
I would like to stress that this isn't a bad book at all, but it lacks elements that would have made this a great historical romance. Alissa Johnson is a wonderful author who wrote several interesting stories (my favorite being As Luck Would Have It), so while this one may not be a clear success, I urge readers to try her other books and experience the finer points of her writing.
Anna Rees had grown up with her mother in the demimonde, living a cloistered life until one night when she encounters Viscount Maximilian Dane, who, despite being drunk, fascinated her in his charming demeanor. Max was equally enchanted with the innocent Anna, who had never seen such a mix of refreshing honesty and shyness. Max promised to call on Anna again, but due to a misunderstanding their meeting was postponed for four years, when Anna came to visit her newly discovered half-brother, the Marquess of Engsly, where Max was also present as a visiting friend.
In spite of the initial hostility Max displayed towards Anna, his distrust and anger quickly vanished when their earlier misunderstanding was cleared up. This led the story to be told pleasantly for a great part of the book, as Max and Anna amicably got to know each other and became increasingly fond of each other. Anna had the most character development in this story, as she experienced independence for the first time, away from the possessive influence of her jealous (but not strictly mean) mother, and realized how to sacrifice her own life for the love of a lifetime.
Max, on the other hand, is not very multidimensional. He eludes briefly to having a conflict with his father and brother, but not enough is expanded on either subject to provide a deeper background for the reason of his choosing to be a rake. Certainly, he is charming and kind and does care for Anna, but I would like have for his past to have had more mention, as the bit about his sister's fate seemed perfunctorily added, just for the sake of giving him some additional depth. In conjunction with the fact that Max's point of view is told less than Anna's, it is hard to truly get a grasp on his character.
A problem I had with Anna is that her character, despite experiencing changes throughout the story, is still rather flat. Her archetype is an innocent flower who's grown up in a scandalous and unfit environment, turning her to a wild-eyed adventurer when suddenly confronted with the outside world and her new family. Instead, Anna is stubborn, highly argumentative, and behaves like someone who cannot accept any help from others. Her assertion of independence is somewhat understandable, but ultimately not likable.
The final resolution leading to the HEA also seemed forced, very much a last-minute revelation, of dealing with problems that were largely ignored (but always present) throughout Anna and Max's growing courtship.
To sum it up, I feel ambivalent about this book; the story lacked a concise plot, and the characters, though charming as the author had crafted them so, were dry and mediocre. In the nicest way, this was a pleasant read of acceptable quality. More critically put, this is not very unappealing and there are other stories with better plots and characters.
It is not of my opinion that every story must have a central conflict or struggle, but the presence of some strong antagonistic forces only gives the final HEA a more fulfilling taste. The main antagonist here was Anna's mother, who actually served as only a minor character, a mere plot device to create more action in the story.
I would like to stress that this isn't a bad book at all, but it lacks elements that would have made this a great historical romance. Alissa Johnson is a wonderful author who wrote several interesting stories (my favorite being As Luck Would Have It), so while this one may not be a clear success, I urge readers to try her other books and experience the finer points of her writing.
July 24, 2019
4.5/5
“You . . . are Miss Anna Rees, The Ice Maiden of Anover House.” There was a slight pause before she spoke. “And you are Mr. Maximilian Dane, the Disappointment of McMullin Hall.” “Ah . . . Not,” he informed her with a quick jab of his finger at the ceiling, “anymore. At half past seven this morning, or somewhere . . . thereabouts, I became Viscount Dane . . . the Disappointment of McMullin Hall.”
And so the protagonists met, Anna, the socially isolated daughter of one of the demimonde's most sought after courtesans, and the mostly inebriated rakish Max, who reluctantly and unexpectantly inherited the viscountcy after his brother's passing. Anna had been exclusively kept away from polite and not so polite society by her domineering and self-serving mother, only allowed to observe and be observed like a kept, rare bird in a gilded cage high above everyone else. Although if you look closely, the gold was plated and a tad worn. Her only friend and confidante had been her governess turned companion - until she accidentally stumbled upon the tipsy Max and in upstairs bedroom. Their subsequent verbal exchange tantalised both enough to want a repeat, Anna because Max allowed her a glimpse into a world she had never been allowed to enter while even the drunken Max could appreciate that the bright and witty Anna was nothing like the cool and detached ice maiden she was reputed to be.
“Am I slurring?” he asked and smacked his lips experimentally.
“Considerably, but it’s the yawning that renders you unintelligible.”
“I like the way you smile. It’s tremendously sweet. And that little eyetooth, there on the right. It’s a bit crooked. I find that beguiling.”
“Beg your pardon?”
He realized he was yawning again.
“Beguiling. Your tooth is beguiling.” “An entire ballroom of charmers just like yourself, did you say? I’d no idea what delights I was missing.”
Suddenly, he didn’t like the idea of her mingling with other gentlemen. Particularly not the sort of gentlemen to be found downstairs. “I may have exaggerated the allure of the ballroom. You’re far better off up here.”
“I have always suspected.”
After their charming first meeting, they parted ways but Max's promised visit never came about and she put it down to another hard lesson learnt. Four years have past by since and Anna finally comes across information revealing her father's identity as the late Marquess of Engsley and his promise of supportive payments owed to her. This is the key to allow her to escape her mother's house and to realise her dream of living a peaceful and normal existence in a country cottage away from notoriety and depravity. She pays an invited visit to her half-brother's (the current marquess) estate after he agrees to make good on their father's monetary obligation to her. What is meant to be a short visit only turns into a prolonged stay thanks to her brother's desire to establish real family ties with her. Conveniently to the plot but inconveniently to Anna, Max is her brother's friend and neighbour. The four years have changed them both and they are now distrustful of the other.
There he was, looming like a specter. Only one might imagine a specter to be less substantial in appearance.
Blessedly the wariness and misunderstanding does not drag on, as it is soon established who the real villain was behind their missed opportunity 4 years earlier. Max gets over his suspicious mind and is man enough to owe up to his erroneous misjudgment of Anna.
“My arrival at Caldwell shocked you into behaving like an arse?” “More or less,” he replied with a slight shrug. “I said I had an explanation, not an excuse. If I had an excuse, I wouldn’t need to be apologizing.”
The author did a great job of portraying Anna's loneliness and social isolation and how it impacted on her perception of the world and her wariness of it.
Much of how a person defined himself was through his interactions with the world. When that world was very small, it probably felt as if the opportunities for definition were very limited
Anna started and spun around. And then, just like that, the Ice Maiden returned. Her expression became closed, her eyes shuttered. The transformation was so swift and so complete, it left Max wondering if she was fully aware of the change, or if it had become automatic to her. The latter possibility sat poorly with him for a multitude of reasons.
There were plenty of humour and great bantering as is typical of AJ’s books. The instant love was slightly unconvincing. I can understand that they were instantly fascinated with one another, but to the point of wanting to marry her after just one meeting - just a touch impulsive maybe. Anna's stubborn adherence to her conviction that they would not suit also lost the book some points for me. But all in all, super-enjoyable.
Some random amusing quotes:
She felt good in his arms, a pleasant weight. At first. After a solid ten minutes of walking and making polite small talk, however, the weight became less pleasant and more . . . weighty.
If she was disappointed by his decision to leave, no sign of it reached her face. Her smile was polite, but distant. It irritated him no end. Which is why he made a point of whispering in her ear as he brushed by her on his way to the door. “Sweet dreams, Anna.” He’d never know if she had visual reaction to his words, but he heard her breath hitch, and that was enough for him, for now.
“It can be . . . unpleasant, to be the center of unwanted attention. I hope I did not wound your feelings by laughing so hard.”
“My feelings are far more steeled than that, love. My pride, on the other hand, will require some restorative care. Tell me I’m handsome.”
Max considered and rejected the idea of asking Anna if she wished for direct assistance in dealing with her mother. There was every possibility she might say no, in which case she would be all the angrier that he had decided to assist anyway. Besides, begging permission was generally less successful than begging forgiveness.
“I could have them gone by tomorrow.”
The innkeeper’s eyebrows lifted near to the top of his head as he realized Max hadn’t come for a social call.
“Will they now?” He flicked a glance upstairs. “Can you see to that without breaking me walls?” The inn's construction was fairly new, the walls still sturdy.
“Possibly.”
“You would hide behind the skirts of a woman?”
“One does not hide behind a sword, Madame. One wields it.”
“You might have asked me at the very least,” she cut in.
“I should have,” he agreed, hoping a quick apology would soften her displeasure. “I apologize.” “That was very quick.” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You knew from the start it was wrong.” “No. Not at all.” He’d known from the start she’d not like it, which was entirely different.
“You knew I’d not like it,” she bit off.
Damn.
“It occurred to me that might be the case,” he admitted, catching his hands behind his back. “And I will apologize for being presumptuous. But not for protecting you.”
“I didn’t ask to be protected. I wanted to do it for myself.”
“And I needed to do something for you.”
“Why?”
“Because . . . that’s how things are done,” he tried, frustrated. “Because I wanted to, that’s all. Because . . .” He swore, looked away and back again. Bloody hell, he hated conversations like this. “Because I failed to do something, anything, for you four years ago. I needed to do this for you—” She cut him off by holding up a single finger.
“Am I to understand that you’ll not apologize for having done something wrong, because you did that something out of apology for something you did four years ago that wasn’t wrong and does not require an apology?”
“No . . . Maybe . . .” Good God, he could feel his left eye want to twitch. “Say it again, but slower.” She dropped her finger. “I take back what I said about men being simpler. You made this all much harder than it needed to be.” (less)
“You . . . are Miss Anna Rees, The Ice Maiden of Anover House.” There was a slight pause before she spoke. “And you are Mr. Maximilian Dane, the Disappointment of McMullin Hall.” “Ah . . . Not,” he informed her with a quick jab of his finger at the ceiling, “anymore. At half past seven this morning, or somewhere . . . thereabouts, I became Viscount Dane . . . the Disappointment of McMullin Hall.”
And so the protagonists met, Anna, the socially isolated daughter of one of the demimonde's most sought after courtesans, and the mostly inebriated rakish Max, who reluctantly and unexpectantly inherited the viscountcy after his brother's passing. Anna had been exclusively kept away from polite and not so polite society by her domineering and self-serving mother, only allowed to observe and be observed like a kept, rare bird in a gilded cage high above everyone else. Although if you look closely, the gold was plated and a tad worn. Her only friend and confidante had been her governess turned companion - until she accidentally stumbled upon the tipsy Max and in upstairs bedroom. Their subsequent verbal exchange tantalised both enough to want a repeat, Anna because Max allowed her a glimpse into a world she had never been allowed to enter while even the drunken Max could appreciate that the bright and witty Anna was nothing like the cool and detached ice maiden she was reputed to be.
“Am I slurring?” he asked and smacked his lips experimentally.
“Considerably, but it’s the yawning that renders you unintelligible.”
“I like the way you smile. It’s tremendously sweet. And that little eyetooth, there on the right. It’s a bit crooked. I find that beguiling.”
“Beg your pardon?”
He realized he was yawning again.
“Beguiling. Your tooth is beguiling.” “An entire ballroom of charmers just like yourself, did you say? I’d no idea what delights I was missing.”
Suddenly, he didn’t like the idea of her mingling with other gentlemen. Particularly not the sort of gentlemen to be found downstairs. “I may have exaggerated the allure of the ballroom. You’re far better off up here.”
“I have always suspected.”
After their charming first meeting, they parted ways but Max's promised visit never came about and she put it down to another hard lesson learnt. Four years have past by since and Anna finally comes across information revealing her father's identity as the late Marquess of Engsley and his promise of supportive payments owed to her. This is the key to allow her to escape her mother's house and to realise her dream of living a peaceful and normal existence in a country cottage away from notoriety and depravity. She pays an invited visit to her half-brother's (the current marquess) estate after he agrees to make good on their father's monetary obligation to her. What is meant to be a short visit only turns into a prolonged stay thanks to her brother's desire to establish real family ties with her. Conveniently to the plot but inconveniently to Anna, Max is her brother's friend and neighbour. The four years have changed them both and they are now distrustful of the other.
There he was, looming like a specter. Only one might imagine a specter to be less substantial in appearance.
Blessedly the wariness and misunderstanding does not drag on, as it is soon established who the real villain was behind their missed opportunity 4 years earlier. Max gets over his suspicious mind and is man enough to owe up to his erroneous misjudgment of Anna.
“My arrival at Caldwell shocked you into behaving like an arse?” “More or less,” he replied with a slight shrug. “I said I had an explanation, not an excuse. If I had an excuse, I wouldn’t need to be apologizing.”
The author did a great job of portraying Anna's loneliness and social isolation and how it impacted on her perception of the world and her wariness of it.
Much of how a person defined himself was through his interactions with the world. When that world was very small, it probably felt as if the opportunities for definition were very limited
Anna started and spun around. And then, just like that, the Ice Maiden returned. Her expression became closed, her eyes shuttered. The transformation was so swift and so complete, it left Max wondering if she was fully aware of the change, or if it had become automatic to her. The latter possibility sat poorly with him for a multitude of reasons.
There were plenty of humour and great bantering as is typical of AJ’s books. The instant love was slightly unconvincing. I can understand that they were instantly fascinated with one another, but to the point of wanting to marry her after just one meeting - just a touch impulsive maybe. Anna's stubborn adherence to her conviction that they would not suit also lost the book some points for me. But all in all, super-enjoyable.
Some random amusing quotes:
She felt good in his arms, a pleasant weight. At first. After a solid ten minutes of walking and making polite small talk, however, the weight became less pleasant and more . . . weighty.
If she was disappointed by his decision to leave, no sign of it reached her face. Her smile was polite, but distant. It irritated him no end. Which is why he made a point of whispering in her ear as he brushed by her on his way to the door. “Sweet dreams, Anna.” He’d never know if she had visual reaction to his words, but he heard her breath hitch, and that was enough for him, for now.
“It can be . . . unpleasant, to be the center of unwanted attention. I hope I did not wound your feelings by laughing so hard.”
“My feelings are far more steeled than that, love. My pride, on the other hand, will require some restorative care. Tell me I’m handsome.”
Max considered and rejected the idea of asking Anna if she wished for direct assistance in dealing with her mother. There was every possibility she might say no, in which case she would be all the angrier that he had decided to assist anyway. Besides, begging permission was generally less successful than begging forgiveness.
“I could have them gone by tomorrow.”
The innkeeper’s eyebrows lifted near to the top of his head as he realized Max hadn’t come for a social call.
“Will they now?” He flicked a glance upstairs. “Can you see to that without breaking me walls?” The inn's construction was fairly new, the walls still sturdy.
“Possibly.”
“You would hide behind the skirts of a woman?”
“One does not hide behind a sword, Madame. One wields it.”
“You might have asked me at the very least,” she cut in.
“I should have,” he agreed, hoping a quick apology would soften her displeasure. “I apologize.” “That was very quick.” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You knew from the start it was wrong.” “No. Not at all.” He’d known from the start she’d not like it, which was entirely different.
“You knew I’d not like it,” she bit off.
Damn.
“It occurred to me that might be the case,” he admitted, catching his hands behind his back. “And I will apologize for being presumptuous. But not for protecting you.”
“I didn’t ask to be protected. I wanted to do it for myself.”
“And I needed to do something for you.”
“Why?”
“Because . . . that’s how things are done,” he tried, frustrated. “Because I wanted to, that’s all. Because . . .” He swore, looked away and back again. Bloody hell, he hated conversations like this. “Because I failed to do something, anything, for you four years ago. I needed to do this for you—” She cut him off by holding up a single finger.
“Am I to understand that you’ll not apologize for having done something wrong, because you did that something out of apology for something you did four years ago that wasn’t wrong and does not require an apology?”
“No . . . Maybe . . .” Good God, he could feel his left eye want to twitch. “Say it again, but slower.” She dropped her finger. “I take back what I said about men being simpler. You made this all much harder than it needed to be.” (less)
October 2, 2019
I loved this book. Honestly, just loved it. I cried at multiple points, which... honestly has become unusual for me with HR. I think they generally seem too formulaic to move me like that.
Anna was just ... so tremendously alone. And if I were to quibble, I wish this book had spent more time growing her relationship with the Haverstons. I understand why we didn't get much time there - the book would have been mammoth - but Anna ... she was so alone, and I was so desperate for her to discover the love of a family, something she has missed her entire life. I just wanted ... I don't know. More than the little nods to their relationships slowly creeping forward. I wanted a concerned-yet-proud brother in the room after she saved the child from drowning. A deep anger that Max was being inappropriate. I wanted to feel them straining to take care of her. She deserved that.
And I wanted them to truly understand how much she was afraid of ... tainting them. Hurting them, just by being present.
These are little beats that we never got, and I feel we should have.
That's not to say I didn't care for Max - I did. Even though I found him to be ... tremendously arrogant - his privileged views of the demimonde, and his resistance to seeing it from her standpoint, really did hurt - he did care for Anna. He just did it in a very arrogant way, as if he knows best regarding everything. I think that's also why I wish there was some family presence - one of her brothers needed to shake some sense into him.
I feel like... this book probably should have been longer. A little more development of this shift would have been awesome.
Another quibble is Madame.
I'm still giving it 4.5 stars though. I have to acknowledge and respect a book that moves me to tears at several points. So despite the quibbles, it's well worth a read.
Anna was just ... so tremendously alone. And if I were to quibble, I wish this book had spent more time growing her relationship with the Haverstons. I understand why we didn't get much time there - the book would have been mammoth - but Anna ... she was so alone, and I was so desperate for her to discover the love of a family, something she has missed her entire life. I just wanted ... I don't know. More than the little nods to their relationships slowly creeping forward. I wanted a concerned-yet-proud brother in the room after she saved the child from drowning. A deep anger that Max was being inappropriate. I wanted to feel them straining to take care of her. She deserved that.
And I wanted them to truly understand how much she was afraid of ... tainting them. Hurting them, just by being present.
These are little beats that we never got, and I feel we should have.
That's not to say I didn't care for Max - I did. Even though I found him to be ... tremendously arrogant - his privileged views of the demimonde, and his resistance to seeing it from her standpoint, really did hurt - he did care for Anna. He just did it in a very arrogant way, as if he knows best regarding everything. I think that's also why I wish there was some family presence - one of her brothers needed to shake some sense into him.
I feel like... this book probably should have been longer. A little more development of this shift would have been awesome.
Another quibble is Madame.
I'm still giving it 4.5 stars though. I have to acknowledge and respect a book that moves me to tears at several points. So despite the quibbles, it's well worth a read.
June 23, 2017
The third in the Haverston Family Trilogy, and another enjoyable story. This time, the heroine seems to be the one with more problems than the hero. I suppose having a controlling, slightly crazy courtesan as your mother is going to have some fall-out. Anna Rees has lived in her mother's house of ill-repute all her life but has been kept away from the goings-on. She is well-informed and under no illusions, but has never participated in any of the high jinks and learned to protect herself by assuming a coldly remote facade, thus earning her nick-name The Ice Maiden. When she manages to escape to find her newfound half-brothers, (I have to say I adored the open way her half-brother -Lucien, who we met in a previous book and who is such a sweetie- welcomes her) she runs into a family friend, our hero, Max, again. (They had met 4 years earlier while he was drunk at her mother's house.)
I had some issues with Max and his obsession with the life of the demimonde: a polite way of saying he frequented brothels and paid for sex on a regular basis? And I felt the terrific speech Anna made about the options "fallen" women had at that time to rehabilitate themselves in society (they simply could NOT) compared with a man, particularly a gentleman, who indulged in the same activities, was never adequately explored. Indeed, Anna APOLOGISES to Max after- even though she was 100 percent on the money. Come on, Ms Johnson- you missed an opportunity here to condemn the double standard and strike a blow for equality. Max could have had an epiphany, acknowledge her point and admit regret for not having seen it this way. It didn't happen :(
Max is much more of an open book than Anna - way less complex - and he knows he wants her, but Anna feels they have no future for a number of reasons. (Perhaps the marriage of the daughter of a courtesan to a Viscount was stretching credibility here, but it's romantic fiction- we have to believe that anything can happen!)
In the end, they manage to work through all their issues, but it is a beautifully choreographed dance: advance, retreat, turn, come together, move apart. One issue that I thought would be impossible to overcome is resolved very nicely and it is wonderful to see them so very prepared to meet each other half-way (both literally and figuratively), instead of one giving it all up for the other.
I had some issues with Max and his obsession with the life of the demimonde: a polite way of saying he frequented brothels and paid for sex on a regular basis? And I felt the terrific speech Anna made about the options "fallen" women had at that time to rehabilitate themselves in society (they simply could NOT) compared with a man, particularly a gentleman, who indulged in the same activities, was never adequately explored. Indeed, Anna APOLOGISES to Max after- even though she was 100 percent on the money. Come on, Ms Johnson- you missed an opportunity here to condemn the double standard and strike a blow for equality. Max could have had an epiphany, acknowledge her point and admit regret for not having seen it this way. It didn't happen :(
Max is much more of an open book than Anna - way less complex - and he knows he wants her, but Anna feels they have no future for a number of reasons. (Perhaps the marriage of the daughter of a courtesan to a Viscount was stretching credibility here, but it's romantic fiction- we have to believe that anything can happen!)
In the end, they manage to work through all their issues, but it is a beautifully choreographed dance: advance, retreat, turn, come together, move apart. One issue that I thought would be impossible to overcome is resolved very nicely and it is wonderful to see them so very prepared to meet each other half-way (both literally and figuratively), instead of one giving it all up for the other.
August 10, 2021
This is the second book I read in the “Trilogy in Name Only” Haverston Family series. The romance between Anna and Max is lovely and funny and sweet. I devoured it in one day, as I did the other two.
April 6, 2017
The third book in the Haverston Family series by Alissa Johnson. Miss Anna Rees is the illegitimate daughter of a demimonde. When Anna learns who her father was she takes steps to leave her mother's house. So she travels to the country to meet her brother and get the money her father owed her. When there she encounters Viscount Maximilian Dane. Years prior, Anna met Max when he was visiting her mother's house and got lost. Max can't help feel concerned that Anna could be trying to scam his friend's family. But he soon realizes she doesn't have it in her to do that.
I have always loved Alissa Johnson's work. And I enjoyed this one too. Maybe not as much as her other books but it was still entertaining for me.
I have always loved Alissa Johnson's work. And I enjoyed this one too. Maybe not as much as her other books but it was still entertaining for me.
October 29, 2012
I still remember the first time I read Georgette Heyer's Venetia. I loved that story because the intelligent characters made me want, more than anything, for them to fall in love and live happily ever after. I found myself having similar feelings as I read Practically Wicked by Alissa Johnson. The characters utterly charmed me, and the dialogue just sparkled as I flew through the pages of a book I didn't want to end.
Readers in Romancelandia have grown accustomed to rakes as heroes, but in this novel, both Maximilian (Max) Dane and Anna Rees have notorious reputations. Max is a rake with little care for society's opinions and Anna has the questionable luck of being daughter to one of the most infamous courtesans in London. The two meet one night at the home of Anna's mother when a drunken Max wanders away from the party and finds himself in Anna's old nursery. The morosely intoxicated Max and unusually sheltered Anna find themselves quite taken with one another as they sit talking, and Max vows to call on her properly.
This is a partial review. The complete review can be found at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
Readers in Romancelandia have grown accustomed to rakes as heroes, but in this novel, both Maximilian (Max) Dane and Anna Rees have notorious reputations. Max is a rake with little care for society's opinions and Anna has the questionable luck of being daughter to one of the most infamous courtesans in London. The two meet one night at the home of Anna's mother when a drunken Max wanders away from the party and finds himself in Anna's old nursery. The morosely intoxicated Max and unusually sheltered Anna find themselves quite taken with one another as they sit talking, and Max vows to call on her properly.
This is a partial review. The complete review can be found at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
October 29, 2012
Review to come.
*For a sneak peek, check out my Tempting Teaser on Fiction Vixen*
*For a sneak peek, check out my Tempting Teaser on Fiction Vixen*
November 29, 2018
3.5-Voto
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"In meno di undici ore aveva lasciato Londra e sua madre probabilmente per sempre. Aveva incontrato un fratello di cui era venuta a conoscenza solo un mese prima. In qualche modo, era stata obbligata a rimanere a Caldwell Manor per diversi giorni, così che potesse incontrare l’altro fratello. E, per soprammercato, per la prima volta in quattro anni si trovava sotto lo stesso tetto di Max Dane. Ognuno di quegli sviluppi era monumentale, anche uno solo di essi avrebbe reso quel giorno indimenticabile, eppure era l’ultimo a farle accelerare il cuore. Accidenti a quell’uomo, perché non era ingrassato o diventato calvo? Perché doveva essere ancora così bello e attraente? Anna non poteva affrontarlo, figurarsi sostenere una conversazione educata senza ricordare tutte le ragioni per cui ne era stata così attratta quattro anni prima. Di certo non sarebbe stata in grado di guardarlo senza ripensare al loro bacio. Come avrebbe potuto, quando era stata così attenta a catturare ogni dettaglio mentre accadeva? Ogni sapore e suono e sensazione inebriante erano rimasti indelebilmente impressi nella sua mente. Come altri mille particolari di quella notte: il modo in cui l’aveva fatta ridere, facendola sentire intelligente e interessante, bella e desiderabile. Dandole speranza. Non era mai stata così piena di speranza come nelle settimane immediatamente successive al loro incontro."
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Home / Recensione libri / Recensione: “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3)
Recensione: “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3)
Pubblicato da Kiki in Recensione libri 29/11/2018 Commenti disabilitati su Recensione: “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3) 4 Visite
Care Fenici, oggi Lucia ci parla di “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3)
Anna è figlia di Rebecca Wrayburn, regina del demi-monde londinese. Una compagnia di cortigiane che mal si addice al carattere di Anna! Una sera, durante un ricevimento della madre, la ragazza si imbatte in Maximilian Dane. Max, che ha saputo da poco della morte del fratello e di aver ereditato il titolo di visconte, è affascinante, ma completamente ubriaco. La conversazione è talmente accattivante che lui le propone il matrimonio, giurando di farsi vivo nei giorni seguenti, ma poi scompare nel nulla. Solo quattro anni dopo Anna ritrova quel giovane che le aveva fatto battere il cuore così ardentemente, e nonostante le convenienze…
In meno di undici ore aveva lasciato Londra e sua madre probabilmente per sempre. Aveva incontrato un fratello di cui era venuta a conoscenza solo un mese prima. In qualche modo, era stata obbligata a rimanere a Caldwell Manor per diversi giorni, così che potesse incontrare l’altro fratello. E, per soprammercato, per la prima volta in quattro anni si trovava sotto lo stesso tetto di Max Dane. Ognuno di quegli sviluppi era monumentale, anche uno solo di essi avrebbe reso quel giorno indimenticabile, eppure era l’ultimo a farle accelerare il cuore. Accidenti a quell’uomo, perché non era ingrassato o diventato calvo? Perché doveva essere ancora così bello e attraente? Anna non poteva affrontarlo, figurarsi sostenere una conversazione educata senza ricordare tutte le ragioni per cui ne era stata così attratta quattro anni prima. Di certo non sarebbe stata in grado di guardarlo senza ripensare al loro bacio. Come avrebbe potuto, quando era stata così attenta a catturare ogni dettaglio mentre accadeva? Ogni sapore e suono e sensazione inebriante erano rimasti indelebilmente impressi nella sua mente. Come altri mille particolari di quella notte: il modo in cui l’aveva fatta ridere, facendola sentire intelligente e interessante, bella e desiderabile. Dandole speranza. Non era mai stata così piena di speranza come nelle settimane immediatamente successive al loro incontro.
Arrivata alla fine di questa lettura mi sono trovata in una situazione che non mi capita spesso: decidere se il libro mi è piaciuto o meno. Mi spiego meglio, la scrittura dell’autrice è notevole, i suoi libri hanno sempre una certa leggerezza e i suoi personaggi sono davvero ben caratterizzati, ma in questo accade davvero così poco che si ha una sensazione di incompletezza.
Anna non è un personaggio che si incontra spesso in un libro, è una donna all’apparenza freddissima che ha vissuto una vita solitaria e inusuale. Figlia di una famosa cortigiana, ha vissuto in una casa in cui feste e situazioni imbarazzanti sono all’ordine del giorno, eppure non ne è stata toccata. La madre la metteva in mostra come un quadro, senza però permettere a nessuno di conoscerla, anzi, facendo in modo che a parte la sua governante, non entrasse in confidenza con nessuno. Senza che la giovane donna ne sia a conoscenza, la donna la dipingeva come una ragazza avida, gelida, che non voleva ricevere nessuno, e questo ha fatto in modo che attorno alla sua persona, venissero fatte orribili scommesse.
Max la incontra una sera in cui, ubriaco, si è recato in una parte della casa non aperta ai partecipanti la festa data da Rebecca, e si trova incapace di proseguire senza aiuto. Anna lo soccorre e i due parlano per alcune ore al termine delle quali, Max le promette che tornerà a trovarla. Da quella sera sono passati 4 anni, e grazie a un incidente accorso alla madre e al laudano somministratole, Anna ha finalmente scoperto il nome di suo padre, che Rebecca le ha sempre negato. A causa di questa rivelazione la ragazza è in fuga verso la casa abitata da suo fratello. Spera che il giovane le dia il denaro promesso dal padre per il suo mantenimento e mai arrivato, per poter avere la possibilità di realizzare il suo sogno: un piccolo cottage dove vivere in pace, lontano da Londra e dalla nobiltà che ha imparato a detestare. Ed è proprio a casa del fratello Lucien Haverston Marchese di Engsly, che ritrova Lord Maximilian Dane, il quale dopo essersi accertato che lei non intenda fare del male alla famiglia del suo amico, le rivela che sua madre le ha nascosto molte più cose di quanto lei possa immaginare.
È un romanzo che vede i due protagonisti conoscersi gradualmente e scoprire che sono stati ingannati entrambi. C’è ben poca interazione con gli altri personaggi, che rimangono sempre in secondo piano, e di cui non scopriamo assolutamente niente di più di ciò che è emerso nei libri precedenti, e questo fa sì, che il tutto risulti abbastanza monotono.
Il personaggio che più colpisce è la madre di Anna, che tenterà di riprendere ciò che considera suo, evidenziando una sorta di tragica ed egoistica pazzia abbastanza originale. È una donna che non ama separarsi dalle sue cose, da ciò che considera una sua proprietà, persino gli sfarzosi vestiti con cui vestiva la figlia non erano di proprietà della ragazza, e venivano poi rinchiusi in una sorta di camera di Aladino, piena di lettere compromettenti, diari e preziosi gioielli. Rebecca rivuole la figlia per continuare ad imperare sulla sua vita, tenendola parzialmente segregata in casa e completamente nelle sue mani, tuttavia non si comprende bene quale sia lo scopo ultimo di un tale atteggiamento. Rebecca è una donna combattiva che non è disposta ad arrendersi, e il suo agire ci regala gli unici brevi attimi di azione, che tuttavia non riescono a ravvivare un libro in cui tutto rimane troppo piatto e lineare.
Neppure tra i due protagonisti si percepisce una grande passione: Max capisce di volere Anna nella sua vita, ma tutto avviene in maniera dolce e romantica senza alcuno slancio, impetuosità, tranne la convinzione di Anna che per loro non ci sia un futuro. Lei infatti non intende essere di nuovo oggetto di sguardi e sussurri come è stato per tutta la sua vita e diventare la moglie di un Lord, con una tale madre, vorrebbe dire fomentare le chiacchiere del ton per molti anni.
In ultima analisi, è un libro carino, con due personaggi abbastanza originali, ma a cui manca sia un pizzico di passione che di azione, e ha nella trama, priva di grandi accadimenti, la sua pecca più grande. Un romanzo, ammetto con rammarico, che nel tempo non ricorderò sicuramente.
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Lucia63 - per RFS
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"In meno di undici ore aveva lasciato Londra e sua madre probabilmente per sempre. Aveva incontrato un fratello di cui era venuta a conoscenza solo un mese prima. In qualche modo, era stata obbligata a rimanere a Caldwell Manor per diversi giorni, così che potesse incontrare l’altro fratello. E, per soprammercato, per la prima volta in quattro anni si trovava sotto lo stesso tetto di Max Dane. Ognuno di quegli sviluppi era monumentale, anche uno solo di essi avrebbe reso quel giorno indimenticabile, eppure era l’ultimo a farle accelerare il cuore. Accidenti a quell’uomo, perché non era ingrassato o diventato calvo? Perché doveva essere ancora così bello e attraente? Anna non poteva affrontarlo, figurarsi sostenere una conversazione educata senza ricordare tutte le ragioni per cui ne era stata così attratta quattro anni prima. Di certo non sarebbe stata in grado di guardarlo senza ripensare al loro bacio. Come avrebbe potuto, quando era stata così attenta a catturare ogni dettaglio mentre accadeva? Ogni sapore e suono e sensazione inebriante erano rimasti indelebilmente impressi nella sua mente. Come altri mille particolari di quella notte: il modo in cui l’aveva fatta ridere, facendola sentire intelligente e interessante, bella e desiderabile. Dandole speranza. Non era mai stata così piena di speranza come nelle settimane immediatamente successive al loro incontro."
.
Home / Recensione libri / Recensione: “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3)
Recensione: “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3)
Pubblicato da Kiki in Recensione libri 29/11/2018 Commenti disabilitati su Recensione: “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3) 4 Visite
Care Fenici, oggi Lucia ci parla di “Un perfetto libertino” di Alissa Jonhson (Trilogia della Famiglia Haverston #3)
Anna è figlia di Rebecca Wrayburn, regina del demi-monde londinese. Una compagnia di cortigiane che mal si addice al carattere di Anna! Una sera, durante un ricevimento della madre, la ragazza si imbatte in Maximilian Dane. Max, che ha saputo da poco della morte del fratello e di aver ereditato il titolo di visconte, è affascinante, ma completamente ubriaco. La conversazione è talmente accattivante che lui le propone il matrimonio, giurando di farsi vivo nei giorni seguenti, ma poi scompare nel nulla. Solo quattro anni dopo Anna ritrova quel giovane che le aveva fatto battere il cuore così ardentemente, e nonostante le convenienze…
In meno di undici ore aveva lasciato Londra e sua madre probabilmente per sempre. Aveva incontrato un fratello di cui era venuta a conoscenza solo un mese prima. In qualche modo, era stata obbligata a rimanere a Caldwell Manor per diversi giorni, così che potesse incontrare l’altro fratello. E, per soprammercato, per la prima volta in quattro anni si trovava sotto lo stesso tetto di Max Dane. Ognuno di quegli sviluppi era monumentale, anche uno solo di essi avrebbe reso quel giorno indimenticabile, eppure era l’ultimo a farle accelerare il cuore. Accidenti a quell’uomo, perché non era ingrassato o diventato calvo? Perché doveva essere ancora così bello e attraente? Anna non poteva affrontarlo, figurarsi sostenere una conversazione educata senza ricordare tutte le ragioni per cui ne era stata così attratta quattro anni prima. Di certo non sarebbe stata in grado di guardarlo senza ripensare al loro bacio. Come avrebbe potuto, quando era stata così attenta a catturare ogni dettaglio mentre accadeva? Ogni sapore e suono e sensazione inebriante erano rimasti indelebilmente impressi nella sua mente. Come altri mille particolari di quella notte: il modo in cui l’aveva fatta ridere, facendola sentire intelligente e interessante, bella e desiderabile. Dandole speranza. Non era mai stata così piena di speranza come nelle settimane immediatamente successive al loro incontro.
Arrivata alla fine di questa lettura mi sono trovata in una situazione che non mi capita spesso: decidere se il libro mi è piaciuto o meno. Mi spiego meglio, la scrittura dell’autrice è notevole, i suoi libri hanno sempre una certa leggerezza e i suoi personaggi sono davvero ben caratterizzati, ma in questo accade davvero così poco che si ha una sensazione di incompletezza.
Anna non è un personaggio che si incontra spesso in un libro, è una donna all’apparenza freddissima che ha vissuto una vita solitaria e inusuale. Figlia di una famosa cortigiana, ha vissuto in una casa in cui feste e situazioni imbarazzanti sono all’ordine del giorno, eppure non ne è stata toccata. La madre la metteva in mostra come un quadro, senza però permettere a nessuno di conoscerla, anzi, facendo in modo che a parte la sua governante, non entrasse in confidenza con nessuno. Senza che la giovane donna ne sia a conoscenza, la donna la dipingeva come una ragazza avida, gelida, che non voleva ricevere nessuno, e questo ha fatto in modo che attorno alla sua persona, venissero fatte orribili scommesse.
Max la incontra una sera in cui, ubriaco, si è recato in una parte della casa non aperta ai partecipanti la festa data da Rebecca, e si trova incapace di proseguire senza aiuto. Anna lo soccorre e i due parlano per alcune ore al termine delle quali, Max le promette che tornerà a trovarla. Da quella sera sono passati 4 anni, e grazie a un incidente accorso alla madre e al laudano somministratole, Anna ha finalmente scoperto il nome di suo padre, che Rebecca le ha sempre negato. A causa di questa rivelazione la ragazza è in fuga verso la casa abitata da suo fratello. Spera che il giovane le dia il denaro promesso dal padre per il suo mantenimento e mai arrivato, per poter avere la possibilità di realizzare il suo sogno: un piccolo cottage dove vivere in pace, lontano da Londra e dalla nobiltà che ha imparato a detestare. Ed è proprio a casa del fratello Lucien Haverston Marchese di Engsly, che ritrova Lord Maximilian Dane, il quale dopo essersi accertato che lei non intenda fare del male alla famiglia del suo amico, le rivela che sua madre le ha nascosto molte più cose di quanto lei possa immaginare.
È un romanzo che vede i due protagonisti conoscersi gradualmente e scoprire che sono stati ingannati entrambi. C’è ben poca interazione con gli altri personaggi, che rimangono sempre in secondo piano, e di cui non scopriamo assolutamente niente di più di ciò che è emerso nei libri precedenti, e questo fa sì, che il tutto risulti abbastanza monotono.
Il personaggio che più colpisce è la madre di Anna, che tenterà di riprendere ciò che considera suo, evidenziando una sorta di tragica ed egoistica pazzia abbastanza originale. È una donna che non ama separarsi dalle sue cose, da ciò che considera una sua proprietà, persino gli sfarzosi vestiti con cui vestiva la figlia non erano di proprietà della ragazza, e venivano poi rinchiusi in una sorta di camera di Aladino, piena di lettere compromettenti, diari e preziosi gioielli. Rebecca rivuole la figlia per continuare ad imperare sulla sua vita, tenendola parzialmente segregata in casa e completamente nelle sue mani, tuttavia non si comprende bene quale sia lo scopo ultimo di un tale atteggiamento. Rebecca è una donna combattiva che non è disposta ad arrendersi, e il suo agire ci regala gli unici brevi attimi di azione, che tuttavia non riescono a ravvivare un libro in cui tutto rimane troppo piatto e lineare.
Neppure tra i due protagonisti si percepisce una grande passione: Max capisce di volere Anna nella sua vita, ma tutto avviene in maniera dolce e romantica senza alcuno slancio, impetuosità, tranne la convinzione di Anna che per loro non ci sia un futuro. Lei infatti non intende essere di nuovo oggetto di sguardi e sussurri come è stato per tutta la sua vita e diventare la moglie di un Lord, con una tale madre, vorrebbe dire fomentare le chiacchiere del ton per molti anni.
In ultima analisi, è un libro carino, con due personaggi abbastanza originali, ma a cui manca sia un pizzico di passione che di azione, e ha nella trama, priva di grandi accadimenti, la sua pecca più grande. Un romanzo, ammetto con rammarico, che nel tempo non ricorderò sicuramente.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
September 4, 2019
3.5 stars
Compared to the other two books I liked this a tad less, but this was still plenty enjoyable.
Compared to the other two books I liked this a tad less, but this was still plenty enjoyable.
Want to read
August 21, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/21/2020)! 🎁
November 19, 2021
Dnf halfway through.
March 8, 2013
So sweet and satisfying. THIS is how heroes should be done. And heroines. I could see them as real people, not overdone stereotypes. If you are as tired as I am with alpha assholes and TSTL( too stupid to live) heroines, well have I got a book for you.
November 4, 2012
The exchanges between the heroine and hero are excellent. Several very funny passages,sometimes you can't keep from laughing out loud. Indeed, a keeper.
January 20, 2017
I really liked the characters and the writing style, but this book needed to be 80 pages shorter.
May 29, 2021
The series was wonderful.
The weiting, the humor, the characters who are genuine and likeable, all make for a very enjoyable series. Recommended reading.
The weiting, the humor, the characters who are genuine and likeable, all make for a very enjoyable series. Recommended reading.
September 2, 2020
Practically Wicked (Haverston Family Trilogy Book 3)
The love story of Anna and Maximilia. Anna is the daughter of London most notorious Mrs. Waryburn and the large Marquees of Engsly. When she learn of who her father was she travel to met het brothers Lucien and Gideon and hope yo gain 1000 pounds from the new Marquees. She had once again met Viscount Maximilia Dane. He believes she has refuse to see him 4 years ago but it was her mother who would not let her see him and now he thinks she is trying to fool Lucien. Will he be prove right or will they find love? Great story.
The love story of Anna and Maximilia. Anna is the daughter of London most notorious Mrs. Waryburn and the large Marquees of Engsly. When she learn of who her father was she travel to met het brothers Lucien and Gideon and hope yo gain 1000 pounds from the new Marquees. She had once again met Viscount Maximilia Dane. He believes she has refuse to see him 4 years ago but it was her mother who would not let her see him and now he thinks she is trying to fool Lucien. Will he be prove right or will they find love? Great story.
October 12, 2020
“And if there is no place for us?” The question slipped out before she could bite it back. “If there is nowhere we can both belong?”
“I don’t care. I don’t care if I spend the rest of my life searching for the perfect place. I don’t care if I die having never found it…as long as I’m searching with you. As long as the last thing I see on this earth is you. This…” At last he stepped close enough to touch. He took her face in his hands. “This is what I need to be happy. This is where I belong. I love you, Anna Rees. You are all I need.”
This book is amazingly written. It is perfect...absolutely perfect!
“I don’t care. I don’t care if I spend the rest of my life searching for the perfect place. I don’t care if I die having never found it…as long as I’m searching with you. As long as the last thing I see on this earth is you. This…” At last he stepped close enough to touch. He took her face in his hands. “This is what I need to be happy. This is where I belong. I love you, Anna Rees. You are all I need.”
This book is amazingly written. It is perfect...absolutely perfect!
January 3, 2022
meh
This book wasn’t terrible, the writing was well done and the story flowed, but for some reason It just fell flat to me. Maybe it was the manwhore hero, and the ad nauseum repetitions of his past scumbaggery sticking his overused appendage into any STD-trap willing to let him use them to relieve his balls into. It just doesn’t inspire any swoon.
I also didn’t care for the ending, which was lackluster, and no babies.
Not safe. Hero is a slimy manwhore, and he also sleeps with other women after meeting the heroine, when they’re separated for 4 years. Heroine is innocent, gives the hero the gift of all her firsts. No abuse. No babies. HEA, but unsatisfactory
This book wasn’t terrible, the writing was well done and the story flowed, but for some reason It just fell flat to me. Maybe it was the manwhore hero, and the ad nauseum repetitions of his past scumbaggery sticking his overused appendage into any STD-trap willing to let him use them to relieve his balls into. It just doesn’t inspire any swoon.
I also didn’t care for the ending, which was lackluster, and no babies.
Not safe. Hero is a slimy manwhore, and he also sleeps with other women after meeting the heroine, when they’re separated for 4 years. Heroine is innocent, gives the hero the gift of all her firsts. No abuse. No babies. HEA, but unsatisfactory
November 5, 2017
Practically Wicked is the third book in the Haverston Family Trilogy and the better story of this historical romance series. I enjoyed this story the most because the chemistry and attraction between the Hero and Heroine made for some flirty and fun dialogue. It’s a simple, straightforward romance that is very sweet and endearing.
Nearly a Lady: 3 stars
An Unexpected Gentleman: 2 stars
Practically Wicked: 4- stars
Miss Anna Rees is the illegitimate daughter of a scandalous woman and was raised in a house of ill repute. Anna’s mother is more conniving than Anna knows and she portrays her daughter in an elevated, unattainable light to benefit her own standing in Society. Anna is said to be reclusive and spoilt and becomes known as the Ice Maiden of Anover House. Yet, Anna longs to leave behind her mother’s world of courtesans, and she dreams of a country cottage and a pet hound. Anna has been sheltered and hidden among the demimonde but she’s informed, educated, and not naive. It was a relief to not have her character whimpering or playing dumb. Anna’s pedantic need to be respectable and proper verges on annoying in the sense that she’s like a dog with a bone when in an argument.
Viscount Maximilian Dane is content with his life in London on his terms. Max has stopped following the Ton’s rules and enjoys his freedom. A chance meeting with Anna in Anover House (when he’s inebriated, no less) begins the spark between these two yet it will be four years before the air is cleared (the misunderstanding). Anna eventually calls him adorable, and I’d agree with that. Max is a romantic and I liked his heart-fluttering grand gestures of courtship (think picnic under the stars, or scaling a wall to clamber over a balcony). I really liked his need to protect her.
Their sexy time (note: singular) was just right for them in regards to pacing of the story and timing of their romance. The fact that Max had to endure flirtatious touches with Anna when they’d see each other during the day was funny in a restrained way. It was quite the tempered romance.
I would have liked more interaction and scenes between Anna and her half-brothers, Gideon and Lucien. They each had a substantial scene with her after introductions but ongoing daily encounters would have built on those relationships and brought more weight to the story. I would have also liked to see more encounters with Anna and her new sisters-in-law.
Also, the number of spelling mistakes or omitted words in sentences was remarkably disappointing. Not sure how many in total but after I had counted eight, I was astonished.
There’s not a lot of sexy times. The final conflict between Anna and Max is basically geography.
There’s much more character development than action. Yet I’d highly recommend this third book in the Haverston Trilogy as a sweet, simmering, innocent romance. Best read of the three, imo.
Nearly a Lady: 3 stars
An Unexpected Gentleman: 2 stars
Practically Wicked: 4- stars
Miss Anna Rees is the illegitimate daughter of a scandalous woman and was raised in a house of ill repute. Anna’s mother is more conniving than Anna knows and she portrays her daughter in an elevated, unattainable light to benefit her own standing in Society. Anna is said to be reclusive and spoilt and becomes known as the Ice Maiden of Anover House. Yet, Anna longs to leave behind her mother’s world of courtesans, and she dreams of a country cottage and a pet hound. Anna has been sheltered and hidden among the demimonde but she’s informed, educated, and not naive. It was a relief to not have her character whimpering or playing dumb. Anna’s pedantic need to be respectable and proper verges on annoying in the sense that she’s like a dog with a bone when in an argument.
Viscount Maximilian Dane is content with his life in London on his terms. Max has stopped following the Ton’s rules and enjoys his freedom. A chance meeting with Anna in Anover House (when he’s inebriated, no less) begins the spark between these two yet it will be four years before the air is cleared (the misunderstanding). Anna eventually calls him adorable, and I’d agree with that. Max is a romantic and I liked his heart-fluttering grand gestures of courtship (think picnic under the stars, or scaling a wall to clamber over a balcony). I really liked his need to protect her.
Their sexy time (note: singular) was just right for them in regards to pacing of the story and timing of their romance. The fact that Max had to endure flirtatious touches with Anna when they’d see each other during the day was funny in a restrained way. It was quite the tempered romance.
I would have liked more interaction and scenes between Anna and her half-brothers, Gideon and Lucien. They each had a substantial scene with her after introductions but ongoing daily encounters would have built on those relationships and brought more weight to the story. I would have also liked to see more encounters with Anna and her new sisters-in-law.
Also, the number of spelling mistakes or omitted words in sentences was remarkably disappointing. Not sure how many in total but after I had counted eight, I was astonished.
There’s not a lot of sexy times. The final conflict between Anna and Max is basically geography.
There’s much more character development than action. Yet I’d highly recommend this third book in the Haverston Trilogy as a sweet, simmering, innocent romance. Best read of the three, imo.
January 22, 2013
I am so glad I read this book. It is my first Alissa Johnson and it really met all my expectations. This book has been garnering some really good reviews and it deserves them. Anna Reese is completely believable as her role as a sheltered, hidden child of an aging courtesan who just wants to escape. She is naive, but extremely well-educated thanks to her governess/companion. It was a shock to me when her actual age is revealed at the end of the book.
Max is the perfect foil for her. He is initially perceived as your typical, not a care in the world lord. Nice, but forgettable. When the story jumps ahead four years, his true character makes itself known and I loved him! He may be the only hero I have ever read who not only quickly realized he was wrong, but also had enough strength of character to seek out Anna and apologize. He had me at I'm sorry.
Now the story has some flaws, which is why I didn't give it five stars. The biggest problem I had was the premise that the daughter of a courtesan would be allowed to wander about her mother's London house for over 25 years and never pressured to marry or worse. I also was a tad skeptical that the family of a Marquess would happily accept their father's illegitimate daughter into their home to live forever. That is until I read the summary of the book about this family that was first in this series. Apparently the current Marquess and his brother have experience in finding and embracing wards of their father who have been neglected. He was a peach and his second-wife a holy terror. Also, the whole plot-line of her mother wanting her back just seemed crazy.
So, this is a nice story about two normal, lonely people who are perfect for each other. Read it, you won't be sorry.
Max is the perfect foil for her. He is initially perceived as your typical, not a care in the world lord. Nice, but forgettable. When the story jumps ahead four years, his true character makes itself known and I loved him! He may be the only hero I have ever read who not only quickly realized he was wrong, but also had enough strength of character to seek out Anna and apologize. He had me at I'm sorry.
Now the story has some flaws, which is why I didn't give it five stars. The biggest problem I had was the premise that the daughter of a courtesan would be allowed to wander about her mother's London house for over 25 years and never pressured to marry or worse. I also was a tad skeptical that the family of a Marquess would happily accept their father's illegitimate daughter into their home to live forever. That is until I read the summary of the book about this family that was first in this series. Apparently the current Marquess and his brother have experience in finding and embracing wards of their father who have been neglected. He was a peach and his second-wife a holy terror. Also, the whole plot-line of her mother wanting her back just seemed crazy.
So, this is a nice story about two normal, lonely people who are perfect for each other. Read it, you won't be sorry.
February 7, 2013
4.0 Sterne
Am Anfang war ich überrascht, dass die Geschichte 4 Jahre nach dem kennenlernen spielt und es ein Missverständnis zwischen beiden gab, für das beide nichts können. Ich war überrascht, da ich vom Klappentext her etwas anderes erwartet hätte, sodass es wenigstens am Anfang ein paar Überraschungen gab, wenn auch nicht später.
Was der Roman ist:
- locker-leicht
- unterhaltsam
- romantisch
- witzig
Was der Roman beinhaltet:
- sympathische Charaktere
- eine außergewöhnliche Heldin
- einen nicht ganz so außergewöhnlichen Helden
- eine realistische Liebesgeschichte, die sich langsam aber glaubwürdig entwickelt
- ein verbesserungswürdiges Ende, das so etwas unnötig und umständlich war
Was der Roman nicht ist:
- sehr erotisch oder heiß
- dramatisch
- spannend
- überraschend
Ich mag Alissa Johnsons Historicals wirklich sehr gerne, weil sie so schön entwickelte und romantische Liebesgeschichten beinhalten, sie sehr glaubwürdig sind. Außerdem bevorzuge ich meine Historicals etwas weniger erotisch, allerdings fehlt es ihren Romanen etwas an Dramatik und Spannung, wodurch sie mich teilweise nicht richtig fesseln können, dies trifft auch auf "Practically Wicked" zu. Aber schlecht war der Roman auf keinen Fall.
Fazit:
Für mich ist "Nearly a Lady" zwar immer noch mein liebster Roman von Alissa Johnson, aber nichtdestotrotz ist sie ihrem Stil in ihren letzten Roman treu geblieben, weshalb der Roman sicherlich jedem gefallen wird, der ihre vorherigen Romane mochte. Und wer die Autorin nicht kennt sollte sie unbedingt ausprobieren, falls er Interesse an locker-leichten unterhaltsamen Historicals hat.
Am Anfang war ich überrascht, dass die Geschichte 4 Jahre nach dem kennenlernen spielt und es ein Missverständnis zwischen beiden gab, für das beide nichts können. Ich war überrascht, da ich vom Klappentext her etwas anderes erwartet hätte, sodass es wenigstens am Anfang ein paar Überraschungen gab, wenn auch nicht später.
Was der Roman ist:
- locker-leicht
- unterhaltsam
- romantisch
- witzig
Was der Roman beinhaltet:
- sympathische Charaktere
- eine außergewöhnliche Heldin
- einen nicht ganz so außergewöhnlichen Helden
- eine realistische Liebesgeschichte, die sich langsam aber glaubwürdig entwickelt
- ein verbesserungswürdiges Ende, das so etwas unnötig und umständlich war
Was der Roman nicht ist:
- sehr erotisch oder heiß
- dramatisch
- spannend
- überraschend
Ich mag Alissa Johnsons Historicals wirklich sehr gerne, weil sie so schön entwickelte und romantische Liebesgeschichten beinhalten, sie sehr glaubwürdig sind. Außerdem bevorzuge ich meine Historicals etwas weniger erotisch, allerdings fehlt es ihren Romanen etwas an Dramatik und Spannung, wodurch sie mich teilweise nicht richtig fesseln können, dies trifft auch auf "Practically Wicked" zu. Aber schlecht war der Roman auf keinen Fall.
Fazit:
Für mich ist "Nearly a Lady" zwar immer noch mein liebster Roman von Alissa Johnson, aber nichtdestotrotz ist sie ihrem Stil in ihren letzten Roman treu geblieben, weshalb der Roman sicherlich jedem gefallen wird, der ihre vorherigen Romane mochte. Und wer die Autorin nicht kennt sollte sie unbedingt ausprobieren, falls er Interesse an locker-leichten unterhaltsamen Historicals hat.
November 3, 2012
This is almost ALL character development. Not much in the way of action but that's what I liked about it. I love when characters are mature and slowly develop their relationships.
There wasn't a lot of drama though and Lord Dane wasn't particularly wicked. Which is fine....I loved him but with little to no conflict and not enough steamy sex scenes it felt a little slow.
Practically Wicked would be a good book when you want a slow simmering romance with two intelligent characters that you can't help but root for.
There wasn't a lot of drama though and Lord Dane wasn't particularly wicked. Which is fine....I loved him but with little to no conflict and not enough steamy sex scenes it felt a little slow.
Practically Wicked would be a good book when you want a slow simmering romance with two intelligent characters that you can't help but root for.
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