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Love at First Sight
Under pressure from her father to marry the infamous Marquis of Rakemoore, defiant Illa plans to avoid her fate by hiding out in a small village
Mass Market Paperback
Published September 1, 1990
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,301 books871 followersBorn in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 22, 2022
I haven’t read a Barbara Cartland book in 40 years and jumped at the chance to listen to one now. Cartland famously once declared she only uses eight plots in her books. This is when she wrote multiple books a year which are clean with some kissing. This is an audio book of a story first published in 1989. The narrator does a good job with the story doing different voices for characters.
The Marquis of Rakemoore has it all, the best houses, the best horses, all the wealth he needs. But when Queen Victoria decides he’s should settle down to avoid her selection of a German relative he decides to accept a suggestion of his neighbor the Duke of Cumberworth and become engaged to his daughter. Lady Lavinia, is 18 and is shocked when informed she is to be betrothed to a man she hasn’t met. She hasn’t had her first season yet. She is more alarmed because the arranged marriages of her two sisters are not happy. She decides to runaway. Along the way she saves the life Robin, a boy who happens to be the nephew of Rake.
Honestly the book has aged well. Cartland spins a good story with clear characters and motivations. She knows the rules of the time period and the men, Lavinia's father and Rake, have all the power. Lavinia is sweet, especially in dealing with Robin who is grieving the loss of his mother. For me it falls apart as a romance because as the title says this is love at first sight. Rake only speaks to her twice before they are professing their feelings for each other. (He is overcome with her beauty and kindness.) And the ending feels abrupt as everything is solved and handled in a day.
I think others will enjoy the story if they enjoy shorter, clean romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The Marquis of Rakemoore has it all, the best houses, the best horses, all the wealth he needs. But when Queen Victoria decides he’s should settle down to avoid her selection of a German relative he decides to accept a suggestion of his neighbor the Duke of Cumberworth and become engaged to his daughter. Lady Lavinia, is 18 and is shocked when informed she is to be betrothed to a man she hasn’t met. She hasn’t had her first season yet. She is more alarmed because the arranged marriages of her two sisters are not happy. She decides to runaway. Along the way she saves the life Robin, a boy who happens to be the nephew of Rake.
Honestly the book has aged well. Cartland spins a good story with clear characters and motivations. She knows the rules of the time period and the men, Lavinia's father and Rake, have all the power. Lavinia is sweet, especially in dealing with Robin who is grieving the loss of his mother. For me it falls apart as a romance because as the title says this is love at first sight. Rake only speaks to her twice before they are professing their feelings for each other. (He is overcome with her beauty and kindness.) And the ending feels abrupt as everything is solved and handled in a day.
I think others will enjoy the story if they enjoy shorter, clean romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2018
Like all Barbara Cartland
With Barbara, it's one story plot fits all. You are guaranteed a happy ending and the story will be interesting but not too long. She always throw a little prayer and God in her stories. They are not religious but you know that she believes in something.
With Barbara, it's one story plot fits all. You are guaranteed a happy ending and the story will be interesting but not too long. She always throw a little prayer and God in her stories. They are not religious but you know that she believes in something.
September 22, 2022
First things first, I can't find the English version of the audiobook on here, but clearly I didn't listen to what I think is the Swedish version..? Not that I would mind, cause Swedish sounds fantastic, but it would be pointless since I don't know a word. Anyways, let's get to the point!
I’m pretty sure I might have read a Barbara Cartland book before (in my younger days) cause my mom had a huge collection of Harlequin’s books so I can’t believe there was not at least one of Cartland’s books in there. But because I have the memory of a fish, I do not remember :D so let’s just consider this was my very first!
This book was pretty easy to listen to and, considering how short it was, it went so fast. Before I could know it the end was already there. The story kept me intrigued and needless to say my favourite character was the little boy! Such a cute and sweet character! I did however go into this book expecting lots of romance cause, I’ve heard Cartland’s the Queen of romance.
But then, I’d say only the last 15% of the book did involve the 2 characters interacting together, and even then, it was really love at first sight. (I know, you are telling yourself: Come on Mire, was it really a surprise? The book title is LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, duh.) I know, I know, but in my naive mind, I thought they’d see each other, fall in love but refuse to admit it, you know... Like, totally normal sane people who love to be in pain for a long time for no reason (which, somehow, I enjoy in books). ’twas not that. With 15% of the book to wrap things up ...
... you’ll understand it was a real case of love at first sight, the I don’t even doubt you type of thing, we are made for each other story, and we will live happily ever after no question asked! So, for me, it was a little disappointing. I felt like the romance part of the book was really minimal and left me rather unsatisfied.
I did enjoy the majority of the book though and still think the story was fun and interesting, I just wished for a little more on the romance side. Oh and before I forget (fish memory here!) the narration was fantastic!
Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for the free ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’m pretty sure I might have read a Barbara Cartland book before (in my younger days) cause my mom had a huge collection of Harlequin’s books so I can’t believe there was not at least one of Cartland’s books in there. But because I have the memory of a fish, I do not remember :D so let’s just consider this was my very first!
This book was pretty easy to listen to and, considering how short it was, it went so fast. Before I could know it the end was already there. The story kept me intrigued and needless to say my favourite character was the little boy! Such a cute and sweet character! I did however go into this book expecting lots of romance cause, I’ve heard Cartland’s the Queen of romance.
But then, I’d say only the last 15% of the book did involve the 2 characters interacting together, and even then, it was really love at first sight. (I know, you are telling yourself: Come on Mire, was it really a surprise? The book title is LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, duh.) I know, I know, but in my naive mind, I thought they’d see each other, fall in love but refuse to admit it, you know... Like, totally normal sane people who love to be in pain for a long time for no reason (which, somehow, I enjoy in books). ’twas not that. With 15% of the book to wrap things up ...
... you’ll understand it was a real case of love at first sight, the I don’t even doubt you type of thing, we are made for each other story, and we will live happily ever after no question asked! So, for me, it was a little disappointing. I felt like the romance part of the book was really minimal and left me rather unsatisfied.
I did enjoy the majority of the book though and still think the story was fun and interesting, I just wished for a little more on the romance side. Oh and before I forget (fish memory here!) the narration was fantastic!
Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for the free ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 21, 2023
Available on open library
It was just okay. Its a super short book. The Hero and the heroine hardly meet since the heroine decides to hide from him.
The Hero is jokingly told by his neighbor, a Duke, that he should marry his third daughter so they can merge their stables and breed a champion to beat all champions. Of course he does not take him seriously.
When he finds out that the Queen intends to arrange a marriage for him with one of her German relatives, he is horrified! He decides to take up the suggestion of his neighbor. When he visits the Duke, at first the Duke thinks he is agreeing for his stallion to service his mares, but is pleasantly surprised when the Hero says he would like to pay his address’ to his daughter.
The heroine is not pleased at all to be commanded to marry a man she has never even seen. She already sees how her two older sisters are so unhappy in the arranged marriages their father made for them. So she runs away. The Hero keeps coming over to the neighbors house, trying to meet his intended bride, but keeps getting put off with different excuses.
Meanwhile, as the heroine runs away she comes across a young boy trying to control his horse who has been stung by wasps. The horse falls over a cliff but the heroine is able to save the young boy. In the process she falls and hits her head. She is taken to a cottage where the Hero’s nanny lives. The young boy is the nephew of the Hero and does not want to leave the side of the heroine since he feels some attachment to her for saving his life.
The Hero sees her once as she is still unconscious and is struck by her beauty. After this, he hardly sees her even if he checks on her condition w his nanny from time to time. They are all intrigued by the beautiful girl who has confided that she is running away from someone.
When the heroine finds out that the Hero is their neighbor, her intended groom, she runs away again, to another cottage. The little boy manages to find her, and he doesn’t want to ever be separated from her again. Of course soon after, the Hero finds them as well. He convinces her to tell him who she is running away from, and she confesses that it is him! Then she tells him her name.
The Hero suddenly declares that he is in love with her and convinces her to marry him. Its quite cute how he tells his little nephew he needs his help w the heroine. So they marry hurriedly in the chapel in the village.
The little nephew will stay with nanny while the Hero and heroine go off on their honeymoon.
❤️❤️❤️
It was just okay. Its a super short book. The Hero and the heroine hardly meet since the heroine decides to hide from him.
The Hero is jokingly told by his neighbor, a Duke, that he should marry his third daughter so they can merge their stables and breed a champion to beat all champions. Of course he does not take him seriously.
When he finds out that the Queen intends to arrange a marriage for him with one of her German relatives, he is horrified! He decides to take up the suggestion of his neighbor. When he visits the Duke, at first the Duke thinks he is agreeing for his stallion to service his mares, but is pleasantly surprised when the Hero says he would like to pay his address’ to his daughter.
The heroine is not pleased at all to be commanded to marry a man she has never even seen. She already sees how her two older sisters are so unhappy in the arranged marriages their father made for them. So she runs away. The Hero keeps coming over to the neighbors house, trying to meet his intended bride, but keeps getting put off with different excuses.
Meanwhile, as the heroine runs away she comes across a young boy trying to control his horse who has been stung by wasps. The horse falls over a cliff but the heroine is able to save the young boy. In the process she falls and hits her head. She is taken to a cottage where the Hero’s nanny lives. The young boy is the nephew of the Hero and does not want to leave the side of the heroine since he feels some attachment to her for saving his life.
The Hero sees her once as she is still unconscious and is struck by her beauty. After this, he hardly sees her even if he checks on her condition w his nanny from time to time. They are all intrigued by the beautiful girl who has confided that she is running away from someone.
When the heroine finds out that the Hero is their neighbor, her intended groom, she runs away again, to another cottage. The little boy manages to find her, and he doesn’t want to ever be separated from her again. Of course soon after, the Hero finds them as well. He convinces her to tell him who she is running away from, and she confesses that it is him! Then she tells him her name.
The Hero suddenly declares that he is in love with her and convinces her to marry him. Its quite cute how he tells his little nephew he needs his help w the heroine. So they marry hurriedly in the chapel in the village.
The little nephew will stay with nanny while the Hero and heroine go off on their honeymoon.
❤️❤️❤️
March 19, 2012
Mon premier Barbara Cartland. Je m'attendais à tout, sauf à autant m'ennuyer à sa lecture. Depuis, j'en ai lu un autre et je confirme, je n'aime pas du tout cette auteur... On ne m'y reprendra plus!
September 28, 2022
This was my first Barbara Cartland ever. It was short and clean, with forgettable characters, and not much of a plot. It was OK, as romances go, but it felt a bit rushed. Sure, the title hints at love at first sight, but still, the declaration of love was somewhat unexpected at that point.
The narrator, Sarah Lambie, does a great job, it was really nice listening to her doing all the different characters and voices.
I had expected it being written shortly after WWII, because the author seems to hate Germans, and I was surprised to find it was only first published in 1989. Then again, the author, like my grandmother, lived through both world wars, and who knows what she suffered through for her to hold her grudge and prejudices until her old age. Since I don't know any of her other novels, I have no idea whether this is a recurrent theme, or was just used to make the rake want to marry someone else more convincing.
As romance novels go, this was OK: there is the rake. the recalcitrant virgin, the authoritative parent, and all is well that ends well -- in that respect, it doesn't really differ much from Bridgerton, which seems to have hit a nerve with many people.
If all you ask from a booklet is a sweet little story in a gorgeous setting, this book is certainly for you-
My thanks go to saga Egmont via Netgalley for my review copy of this audio book.
The narrator, Sarah Lambie, does a great job, it was really nice listening to her doing all the different characters and voices.
I had expected it being written shortly after WWII, because the author seems to hate Germans, and I was surprised to find it was only first published in 1989. Then again, the author, like my grandmother, lived through both world wars, and who knows what she suffered through for her to hold her grudge and prejudices until her old age. Since I don't know any of her other novels, I have no idea whether this is a recurrent theme, or was just used to make the rake want to marry someone else more convincing.
As romance novels go, this was OK: there is the rake. the recalcitrant virgin, the authoritative parent, and all is well that ends well -- in that respect, it doesn't really differ much from Bridgerton, which seems to have hit a nerve with many people.
If all you ask from a booklet is a sweet little story in a gorgeous setting, this book is certainly for you-
My thanks go to saga Egmont via Netgalley for my review copy of this audio book.
October 16, 2022
It's hard to know how to review this audiobook. It's a good audiobook and the narrator does a great job. This book is an old school bonkers romance novel. I generally like the characters, but there's a lot of gross stuff. The heroine is described as child-like. Her father SUCKS and her sisters are tragic. We spend a lot of time being told what a rake the hero is, but he seems boring mostly. It sort of seems like the hero and heroine get together in order to raise a child which sucks. I think if you are into this kind of romance, you will enjoy it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't very familiar with the genre.
July 24, 2023
Again a repeated plot.
Almost "The Daredevil Duke" repeated.
If not for some changes from the third chapter on, it would be a mirror image of that novel.
It's just a little annoying.
Almost "The Daredevil Duke" repeated.
If not for some changes from the third chapter on, it would be a mirror image of that novel.
It's just a little annoying.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews