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Bruton Street Bookstore #1
Desire Laid Bare
The beautiful Rosalind St. Vincent has saved her bookshop from the bailiffs through hard work and fierce determination. But now Fitz Monckton, Duke of Groveland, is set on tempting her away in order to seal a lucrative development deal.
This caddish rake has never met a woman he couldn't seduce, but Rosalind must try to resist: these pleasures, however tempting, might be her very ruin if she isn't careful.
This caddish rake has never met a woman he couldn't seduce, but Rosalind must try to resist: these pleasures, however tempting, might be her very ruin if she isn't careful.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2009
48 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
About the author
Susan Johnson
264 books574 followersAnd it all began rather serendipitously. Long ago, as they say, in another time, when fast food hadn't reached our area and the only shopping was what the feed mill offered, I was reading a book that annoyed me .
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 23, 2015
★★★★★! Bruton Street Bookstore, book 1 of 4. Fitz Monckton, Duke of Groveland attempts at seduction in hopes of acquiring a bookstore from headstrong widow!
US EDITION SERIES INFO & REVIEW
Bruton Street Bookstore
Book 1
Formats: Kindle & Paperback (Same for the UK)
The Bruton Street Bookstore series, courtesy Susan Johnson aka C.C. Gibbs, is published by different publishers in the US and UK, hence the different titles and covers. Series follows four titled bachelor friends in London in the early 1890’s.
These are stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: (Year 1891)
Gorgeous As Sin (US) / Desire Laid Bare (UK)
Book 2: (Year 1892)
Sexy As Hell (US) / Promise Laid Bare (UK)
Book 3: (Year 1893)
Sweet As The Devil (US) / Temptation Laid Bare (UK)
Book 4: (Year 1894)
Seductive As Flame (US) / Intensity Laid Bare (UK)
FITZ MONCKTON, DUKE OF GROVELAND: 35 years/Lord/Business mogul/$$$$/dark hair/grey eyes.
ROSALIND ST. VINCENT: 25-30 years/widow/bookshop owner/auburn hair/green eyes.
Gorgeous As Sin (book 1) introduces Fitz Monckton, Duke of Groveland, one of my all-time favorite alpha male heroes. He’s a handsome, rich and sexy playboy. His heritage and title has afforded him power and respect. But Fitz is also a successful business man in his own right.
Nothing can stand in his way or at least so he thought until he encounters a very independent widow, Rosalind St. Vincent, whose bookshop sits in the site of Fitz's latest building development project. She is set on not selling. May the games of seduction begin! The year is 1891.
Excellent story-telling! Interesting and entertaining plot! Scorching sex scenes! Memorable hero! I highly recommend Fitz and Rosalind’s story!
***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
******************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
Be sure to join CCGibbsFANS here on GR for the latest news:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
(Public group for members 18 years and older)
August 15, 2017
★★★★★! Bruton Street Bookstore, book 1 of 4. Fitz Monckton, Duke of Groveland attempts at seduction in hopes of acquiring a bookstore from headstrong widow!
UK EDITION SERIES INFO & REVIEW
Bruton Street Bookstore
Book 1
Formats: Kindle & Paperback (Same for the US)
The Bruton Street Bookstore series, courtesy Susan Johnson aka C.C. Gibbs, is published by different publishers in the US and UK, hence the different titles and covers. Series follows four titled bachelor friends in London in the early 1890’s.
These are stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: (Year 1891)
Gorgeous As Sin (US) / Desire Laid Bare (UK)
Book 2: (Year 1892)
Sexy As Hell (US) / Promise Laid Bare (UK)
Book 3: (Year 1893)
Sweet As The Devil (US) / Temptation Laid Bare (UK)
Book 4: (Year 1894)
Seductive As Flame (US) / Intensity Laid Bare (UK)
FITZ MONCKTON, DUKE OF GROVELAND: 35 years/Lord/Business mogul/$$$$/dark hair/grey eyes.
ROSALIND ST. VINCENT: 25-30 years/widow/bookshop owner/auburn hair/green eyes.
Gorgeous As Sin (book 1) introduces Fitz Monckton, Duke of Groveland, one of my all-time favorite alpha male heroes. He’s a handsome, rich and sexy playboy. His heritage and title has afforded him power and respect. But Fitz is also a successful business man in his own right.
Nothing can stand in his way or at least so he thought until he encounters a very independent widow, Rosalind St. Vincent, whose bookshop sits in the site of Fitz's latest building development project. She is set on not selling. May the games of seduction begin! The year is 1891.
Excellent story-telling! Interesting and entertaining plot! Scorching sex scenes! Memorable hero! I highly recommend Fitz and Rosalind’s story!
***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
******************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
Be sure to join CCGibbsFANS here on GR for the latest news:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
(Public group for members 18 years and older)
April 20, 2009
Susan Johnson is an accomplished writer of erotica and has penned over thirty novels and many short stories. Her writing runs the gamut from historical to contemporary but she's most well known for her scorching sex scenes and smoldering heroes and heroines. I classify her books as erotica because the sex plays a major part in her plots. I would go so far as to say the sexual acts and resulting sexual connection between her heroes and heroines is so important to her plots it's almost a characters in and of itself! Her heroes are Alphas to the core--dominant, arrogant, profligate, and most other appellations ascribed to this type of man. Her heroines are usually women who find themselves in an unhappy situation who fall for the hero in spite of themselves...and these heroines also become almost slaves to their libidos. It's that almost involuntary pull that sometimes makes me want to toss her books against the wall. So be warned before you pick up one of her novels.
"Gorgeous as Sin" is Susan Johnson's latest historical (is that an oxymoron?) and her characters and plot run true to form. He's an almost despicable womanizer, a Duke, vastly wealthy, and 'gorgeous as sin'. She's a widow whose book store is the only thing standing in the way (literally) of his latest construction project in 1890s London. Although they begin as antagonists, it doesn't take long for them to connect sexually and become almost addicted to each other. The rest of plot revolves around their affair and their business...and neither runs as smoothly as either would wish.
In the end, I didn't fling "Gorgeous As Sin" against the wall. Instead I finished it. There were no surprises, but the Duke did finally 'evolve' into something less despicable and more palatable. This isn't a book that will go on my keeper shelf, but it did provide me an afternoon's entertainment and several sweaty moments!
"Gorgeous as Sin" is Susan Johnson's latest historical (is that an oxymoron?) and her characters and plot run true to form. He's an almost despicable womanizer, a Duke, vastly wealthy, and 'gorgeous as sin'. She's a widow whose book store is the only thing standing in the way (literally) of his latest construction project in 1890s London. Although they begin as antagonists, it doesn't take long for them to connect sexually and become almost addicted to each other. The rest of plot revolves around their affair and their business...and neither runs as smoothly as either would wish.
In the end, I didn't fling "Gorgeous As Sin" against the wall. Instead I finished it. There were no surprises, but the Duke did finally 'evolve' into something less despicable and more palatable. This isn't a book that will go on my keeper shelf, but it did provide me an afternoon's entertainment and several sweaty moments!
August 31, 2021
Blech! I didn't buy the MCs happily ever after at all. I believe he will cheat on her after they're wedded. He did sleep with other women after he slept with the heroine and he didn't own up to it. The hero was a man-whore and the heroine was such a sap over him. It felt more like a contemporary romance rather than historical. The women were simply too blasé about casual sex at the age where contraceptive was not exactly reliable. And STDs (shudder).
So, not exactly an enjoyable read to me but the 3 stars were for the fact that I managed to finish the book and Ms. Johnson's pleasant writing style.
So, not exactly an enjoyable read to me but the 3 stars were for the fact that I managed to finish the book and Ms. Johnson's pleasant writing style.
March 16, 2024
steamy interesting story. But the H doinks 2 others then goes to h. I get it was part of his arc but I hate dirty D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2012
I was totally not into this book. The hero, Fitz was a complete dog. He fell on every available woman in the story and he had a really, really bad habit of calling the heroine the B word! Ms. Johnson's signature erotic writing was hot as usual but the story left me really cold and feeling disgust with these characters and the plot, which only showcased how low this hero could go. And don't even get me started on the heroine who had to have zero self respect to give that loser the time of day, much less her heart and body.
April 5, 2009
A big dud. Simply dreadful & a dead bore. What a waste of time & money.
April 10, 2011
What I liked about this book:
The heroine - the lovely Mrs St. Vincent was sweet, caring and feisty. She held her own against our arrogant, over-privileged hero and didn't budge an inch no matter how hard he tried to strong arm her into selling her bookshop. I also loved how she handled her circumstances -- being a woman of great ambition and intellect trying to carve out her own path in a deeply patriarchal society -- with graceful stride. She was very much the modern woman of her time, a suffragette, but she didn't come across as cold or bitter and most importantly, didn't possess an irrational hatred of men.
Feminist undertones - this might come as a surprise to those who are familiar with my sentiments toward (modern) feminism. Being a woman myself, I'm very much for women's advancement, but I don't consider myself a feminist. Normally when romance authors attempt to address the movement through their books I'm often left with a bad taste in my mouth rather than a willingness to take up the cause. This book was different. It wasn't too up in your face. It didn't condemn the women who wanted love and family instead of going out into the workforce. This might be ironic to say since this is indeed a romance novel (where love is the cornerstone of its existence), but I've read many such books where this was in fact the case; where the heroine's commitment to the hero didn't seem genuine due to her belief that all men were essentially oppressive, sexist pricks who don't care about women. I personally don't share this belief (and it is exactly for this reason why I'd never endorse modern feminism) so its hard for me to sympathize with a heroine who has these feelings. Thankfully, with the heroine of this book, this was not the case.
What I didn't like so much:
The hero - this is a first because even though they're often selfish, led-by-their-cocks bastards, Johnson's heroes have always had redeemable qualities that eventually won me over. In fact, it's not that I don't like Fitz. I like him, but the major difference between him and some of her other heroes is that this guy fucked around just for sport. While other Johnson heroes had either a tortured past or were dealing with some sort of trauma which could perhaps excuse their perverse sexual exploits, Groveland had no such excuse. The guy just love wagging his willy. There were some brief mentions of a not so wonderful childhood, but the guy is so spoiled and pampered that he seemed to have passed through that stage of his life relatively unscathed. Rosalind's first impression of him was that he's a selfish, over-privileged oaf with far too many YES people around him and I completely agree. Of course, he has his good side as well. For eg, he loves his mommy dearest, compensates his servants handsomely and lavish his many lovers with priceless jewels. But still, if I'm to deal with a hero that sleeps around even AFTER he has met (and slept with) our heroine, please don't have him run around just because he can! It's disrespectful to our heroine -- especially when she's a great heroine like Rosa -- and to us, the readers!
The sex scenes - it is very, very unusual for me to walk away from a Johnson sex scene with deep feelings of indifference. I mean, this just does NOT happen. This woman has been writing erotic romance long before it became fashionable and mainstream. In fact, this is the very reason Johnson shot to fame amongst the readership. Her stories resonated with those who preferred to have our sex scenes described in vivid detail. So it was with great disappointment that I just did not feel pulled into the action.
Conclusion:
I love Susan Johnson. I love everything about her work -- her writing is sophisticated and beautiful, and she has produced some of the most amazing love stories I've ever had the pleasure to read. Her heroes are HAWTTTT and alpha to the max. Just the way I like them. And her heroines are feisty and loyal. I'll always be a fan, but unfortunately I think Johnson's heyday has passed. Compared to some of her earlier works, this book felt like Johnson was scratching at the surface of her own greatness. Everything felt half done to me: the writing wasn't as sharp and vivid, and while likable in their own right, the characters weren't as tautly drawn, and finally the main historical event (the fledgling women's rights movement) driving the story was not properly fleshed out. I don't know what it is, if its because of old age or because Johnson has attained a certain amount of acclaim she longer sees the purpose of going all out, but in the past when presenting any historical event Johnson was always thorough, even providing footnotes as to where we can read more about a given topic or issue. So while Gorgeous As Sin has the usual Johnson trademarks, much was left to be desired. I'm hoping Sexy as Hell will be better, but I won't hold my breath.
It's so sad when authors relax the standards that made them great. I'm a very loyal reader. Once I find an author who writes the type of stories I like to read, I stick with them for life, but lately I've just been very disappointed with what my favourite authors have been putting out. Laura Kinsale, another of my favs, was also not up to par with her latest novel, Lessons in French, and to add insult to injury the woman writes a new book every 10 years! Talk about torturing your fans!!! Hopefully Susan Johnson won't go down this path, for while her later offerings aren't as impressive I'd much rather read what she has to offer instead of the wholly underwhelming series of historicals being published these days.
The heroine - the lovely Mrs St. Vincent was sweet, caring and feisty. She held her own against our arrogant, over-privileged hero and didn't budge an inch no matter how hard he tried to strong arm her into selling her bookshop. I also loved how she handled her circumstances -- being a woman of great ambition and intellect trying to carve out her own path in a deeply patriarchal society -- with graceful stride. She was very much the modern woman of her time, a suffragette, but she didn't come across as cold or bitter and most importantly, didn't possess an irrational hatred of men.
Feminist undertones - this might come as a surprise to those who are familiar with my sentiments toward (modern) feminism. Being a woman myself, I'm very much for women's advancement, but I don't consider myself a feminist. Normally when romance authors attempt to address the movement through their books I'm often left with a bad taste in my mouth rather than a willingness to take up the cause. This book was different. It wasn't too up in your face. It didn't condemn the women who wanted love and family instead of going out into the workforce. This might be ironic to say since this is indeed a romance novel (where love is the cornerstone of its existence), but I've read many such books where this was in fact the case; where the heroine's commitment to the hero didn't seem genuine due to her belief that all men were essentially oppressive, sexist pricks who don't care about women. I personally don't share this belief (and it is exactly for this reason why I'd never endorse modern feminism) so its hard for me to sympathize with a heroine who has these feelings. Thankfully, with the heroine of this book, this was not the case.
What I didn't like so much:
The hero - this is a first because even though they're often selfish, led-by-their-cocks bastards, Johnson's heroes have always had redeemable qualities that eventually won me over. In fact, it's not that I don't like Fitz. I like him, but the major difference between him and some of her other heroes is that this guy fucked around just for sport. While other Johnson heroes had either a tortured past or were dealing with some sort of trauma which could perhaps excuse their perverse sexual exploits, Groveland had no such excuse. The guy just love wagging his willy. There were some brief mentions of a not so wonderful childhood, but the guy is so spoiled and pampered that he seemed to have passed through that stage of his life relatively unscathed. Rosalind's first impression of him was that he's a selfish, over-privileged oaf with far too many YES people around him and I completely agree. Of course, he has his good side as well. For eg, he loves his mommy dearest, compensates his servants handsomely and lavish his many lovers with priceless jewels. But still, if I'm to deal with a hero that sleeps around even AFTER he has met (and slept with) our heroine, please don't have him run around just because he can! It's disrespectful to our heroine -- especially when she's a great heroine like Rosa -- and to us, the readers!
The sex scenes - it is very, very unusual for me to walk away from a Johnson sex scene with deep feelings of indifference. I mean, this just does NOT happen. This woman has been writing erotic romance long before it became fashionable and mainstream. In fact, this is the very reason Johnson shot to fame amongst the readership. Her stories resonated with those who preferred to have our sex scenes described in vivid detail. So it was with great disappointment that I just did not feel pulled into the action.
Conclusion:
I love Susan Johnson. I love everything about her work -- her writing is sophisticated and beautiful, and she has produced some of the most amazing love stories I've ever had the pleasure to read. Her heroes are HAWTTTT and alpha to the max. Just the way I like them. And her heroines are feisty and loyal. I'll always be a fan, but unfortunately I think Johnson's heyday has passed. Compared to some of her earlier works, this book felt like Johnson was scratching at the surface of her own greatness. Everything felt half done to me: the writing wasn't as sharp and vivid, and while likable in their own right, the characters weren't as tautly drawn, and finally the main historical event (the fledgling women's rights movement) driving the story was not properly fleshed out. I don't know what it is, if its because of old age or because Johnson has attained a certain amount of acclaim she longer sees the purpose of going all out, but in the past when presenting any historical event Johnson was always thorough, even providing footnotes as to where we can read more about a given topic or issue. So while Gorgeous As Sin has the usual Johnson trademarks, much was left to be desired. I'm hoping Sexy as Hell will be better, but I won't hold my breath.
It's so sad when authors relax the standards that made them great. I'm a very loyal reader. Once I find an author who writes the type of stories I like to read, I stick with them for life, but lately I've just been very disappointed with what my favourite authors have been putting out. Laura Kinsale, another of my favs, was also not up to par with her latest novel, Lessons in French, and to add insult to injury the woman writes a new book every 10 years! Talk about torturing your fans!!! Hopefully Susan Johnson won't go down this path, for while her later offerings aren't as impressive I'd much rather read what she has to offer instead of the wholly underwhelming series of historicals being published these days.
May 25, 2023
THIS STORY'S PLOT RINGS A FAMILIAR BELL. IT'S A REPETITION OF SUSAN JOHNSON'S OTHER BOOKS. WHILE SOMETIMES IT WORKS, I FOUND IT ABHORRENT HERE. WHY? BECAUSE THE HERO WAS A TOTAL SHITHEAD.
FITZ was a Duke who had everything done according to his will. He had power. He was THE man, and no woman has ever said no to him. I absolutely despised his character. Usually, this doesn't bother me - I'm all for alphahole MCs but, frankly Fitz didn't have a single honorable bone in his body. And I hated how DISRESPECTFUL he was to our heroine, who deserved none of his bitter cruelty, games and childish treatment. To simplify it, let me point out what I found distasteful about Fitz :
1. Womanizer + Cheating - Yes, if you're familiar with Susan Johnson's stories', then you know she never writes about heroes who aren't players. Her male leads are always led around by their cocks. It proved annoying and detrimental because Fitz was self-serving. I honestly lost any respect I had for both Fitz and especially Rosalind. Why? Because one minute she's angry with him for demanding like spoilt rich brat, and next she's falling into bed with him! WTF just happened?! Where are my "Romeo, Romeo" sessions?
Anyhow, during his sexual escapades with Rosalind - FINE, they never promised exclusivity but we all know Fitz and Rosalind are the MCs so I count it as cheating when Fitz went out of his way to fuck other women just to justify his feelings for Rosalind. Ugh pathetic!
2. Disrespectful - I absolutely hate it when men call women 'a BITCH' when she doesn't deserve it. There were several times Fitz called Rosalind a BITCH whether it's his inner monologue or to her face. Was this like a culture for medieval men? Fitz was mostly being spiteful. He had the guts to be ridiculously offended when Rosalind called him out on his atrociousness. Armed with pride and arrogance, he couldn't face facts and accused her of being a Cold Bitch. Ugh! You're the DICK!
3. MANIPULATION - Fitz was so determined to drive Rosalind out of her bookshop that he wasn't above sexual manipulation and blackmail. He ordered his men to search her home while he distracted her, all to find dirt on Rosalind so that he could blackmail her to sell her bookshop. What an ass! For a man who was "developing feelings" for Rosalind, he had a shit way of showing he cares. I utterly dislike how sometimes the heroes are DUMB about their feelings and do stupid shit to botch up their relationship progression. When Fitz found dirt on Rosalind, he had her arrested and only when she was thrown into jail, did he realize his love for her. Ughh GO TO HELL, FITZ!
ROSALIND needed more dignity as a woman. Every moment where I was rooting for her to turn Fitz down and ask him to shove it...SHE FUCKING CAVES IN, HAVE SEX AND EVEN THANKS HIM FOR IT! OMGGGGG! Yes, she's a widow who hasn't had sex in ages. Now that this Sex God came into her life and she's putty in his hands, but OH WAIT, even if she was fucking the man who was threatening to boot her out of her bookshop, she's still wasn't going to budge. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY WRONG ABOUT THAT PICTURE HERE.
OVERALL this whole manipulation and only sex between the characters failed to endear me to them. Am I reading a love story, or a book on how to gaslight and humiliate a human being? I've got zero appreciation for this story. The love between them wasn't real - at least not to me. When I arrived towards the epilogue, I did a double take. I'm like....THAT WAS IT? Gorgeous as Sin seemed like a rushed job, so NO to this book by S.J.
If this is your first time trying Susan Johnson, then I won't recommend this at all. Try another book, because while this disappointed me, I'm still a S.J. fan when I want to read angst and dickwads. Haha!
FITZ was a Duke who had everything done according to his will. He had power. He was THE man, and no woman has ever said no to him. I absolutely despised his character. Usually, this doesn't bother me - I'm all for alphahole MCs but, frankly Fitz didn't have a single honorable bone in his body. And I hated how DISRESPECTFUL he was to our heroine, who deserved none of his bitter cruelty, games and childish treatment. To simplify it, let me point out what I found distasteful about Fitz :
1. Womanizer + Cheating - Yes, if you're familiar with Susan Johnson's stories', then you know she never writes about heroes who aren't players. Her male leads are always led around by their cocks. It proved annoying and detrimental because Fitz was self-serving. I honestly lost any respect I had for both Fitz and especially Rosalind. Why? Because one minute she's angry with him for demanding like spoilt rich brat, and next she's falling into bed with him! WTF just happened?! Where are my "Romeo, Romeo" sessions?
Anyhow, during his sexual escapades with Rosalind - FINE, they never promised exclusivity but we all know Fitz and Rosalind are the MCs so I count it as cheating when Fitz went out of his way to fuck other women just to justify his feelings for Rosalind. Ugh pathetic!
2. Disrespectful - I absolutely hate it when men call women 'a BITCH' when she doesn't deserve it. There were several times Fitz called Rosalind a BITCH whether it's his inner monologue or to her face. Was this like a culture for medieval men? Fitz was mostly being spiteful. He had the guts to be ridiculously offended when Rosalind called him out on his atrociousness. Armed with pride and arrogance, he couldn't face facts and accused her of being a Cold Bitch. Ugh! You're the DICK!
3. MANIPULATION - Fitz was so determined to drive Rosalind out of her bookshop that he wasn't above sexual manipulation and blackmail. He ordered his men to search her home while he distracted her, all to find dirt on Rosalind so that he could blackmail her to sell her bookshop. What an ass! For a man who was "developing feelings" for Rosalind, he had a shit way of showing he cares. I utterly dislike how sometimes the heroes are DUMB about their feelings and do stupid shit to botch up their relationship progression. When Fitz found dirt on Rosalind, he had her arrested and only when she was thrown into jail, did he realize his love for her. Ughh GO TO HELL, FITZ!
ROSALIND needed more dignity as a woman. Every moment where I was rooting for her to turn Fitz down and ask him to shove it...SHE FUCKING CAVES IN, HAVE SEX AND EVEN THANKS HIM FOR IT! OMGGGGG! Yes, she's a widow who hasn't had sex in ages. Now that this Sex God came into her life and she's putty in his hands, but OH WAIT, even if she was fucking the man who was threatening to boot her out of her bookshop, she's still wasn't going to budge. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY WRONG ABOUT THAT PICTURE HERE.
OVERALL this whole manipulation and only sex between the characters failed to endear me to them. Am I reading a love story, or a book on how to gaslight and humiliate a human being? I've got zero appreciation for this story. The love between them wasn't real - at least not to me. When I arrived towards the epilogue, I did a double take. I'm like....THAT WAS IT? Gorgeous as Sin seemed like a rushed job, so NO to this book by S.J.
If this is your first time trying Susan Johnson, then I won't recommend this at all. Try another book, because while this disappointed me, I'm still a S.J. fan when I want to read angst and dickwads. Haha!
August 22, 2014
An image of Fitz figuring it out…
This is another terrific Susan Johnson read – she has such a fantastic way of mixing HR with Erotica! Fitz and Rosalind are two very strong and independent individuals. Fitz is a businessman. Rosalind is a widow, has a bookstore, is involved in the women’s suffrage movement, and she writes erotica (an interesting woman). Fitz is determined to acquire Rosalind’s bookstore and there is a lot of scheming on his part to do so. Rosalind has her principles and is quite steadfast as far as her viewpoint concerning her bookstore. I’m quite sure some readers will have their own “feeling” concerning Rosalind’s stance when it comes to her bookstore. I did also but I’m not telling :)
Of course, Fitz and Rosalind become sexually and emotionally involved. But to Rosalind’s credit she doesn’t get “strung out” over Fitz, so regardless of how much he sexually pleases her, the bookstore remains separate. Fitz is also “very much so” desired by many of the society ladies AND HE TRULY IS A RAKE! Again I’m quite sure some readers will have their own “feeling” regarding Fitz rake activities. I did also but again I’m not telling :)
You may wonder – why I am not telling. Well… because I don’t want to give too much away. Instead, read the story – enjoy it for yourself- and I would love to read your thoughts.
Anyway, Fitz seriously f—ks up and he has to find a way to make it “right” with Rosalind. And of course he figures it out! I’m such a hopeless romantic that I DO always have a big cheesy smile when “love wins”! And now, you can picture my “cheesy” smile :)
January 18, 2025
ยอมรับตามตรงเลยนะคะว่า แม็กซ์ไม่ได้คาดหวังผลจากการอ่านหนังสือเรื่องนี้ว่า จะออกมาเป็นยังงี้ มันผิดไปจากที่คาดทุกอย่างเลยค่ะ ดังนั้นก่อนที่จะเริ่มต้นรีวิว ขอแม็กซ์ท้าวความย้อนอดีตกันสักหน่อยแล้วกัน
สมัยที่แม็กซ์เริ่มต้นอ่านโรแมนซ์ใหม่ ๆ เพื่อนคนนึงของเราซึ่งเรานับถือให้เป็นผู้รู้และผู้เชี่ยวชาญในเรื่องโร แมนซ์ (เขาอ่านโรแมนซ์ทุกเรื่องที่แม็กซ์รู้จัก และยังแนะนำเรื่องที่เราไม่รู้จักอีกเป็นร้อย ๆ เล่ม) บอกกับเราว่า แม็กซ์ไม่น่าจะชอบงานของซูซาน จอห์นสันนะ ซึ่งถือว่าแปลกมาก เพราะเขาเองก็อ่านงานของซูซานอยู่
แต่เราก็เชื่อเขานะคะ ดังนั้นจึงแทบจะไม่เคยซื้องานของซูซานมาอ่านเลย จนกระทั่งระยะหลังในช่วงสามสี่ปีที่ผ่าน ที่เราเริ่มรู้สึกว่า น่าจะลองอ่านงานของเขาได้แล้วนะ เพราะซูซานก็เป็นนักเขียนดัง และมีหลายคนชอบงานของเขามาก แม็กซ์จึงไปซื้องานเก่าของเธอเรื่องนึง เรื่องที่หลายคนยกให้เป็นหนังสือในดวงใจ
และแม็กซ์ไม่ชอบมันค่ะ มันมีองค์ประกอบหลายอย่างที���น่าจะดีได้ แต่แม็กซ์รู้สึกว่า พระเอกเสเพลเกินกว่าที่จะจริงใจรักนางเอกเพียงคนเดียวในตอนจบเรื่องได้ นางเอกมักเริ่มต้นที่เป็นสาวน้อยไร้เดียงสา แม้ว่าคาแร็คเตอร์ของเธอจะพัฒนาไปพอสมควรในเรื่อง แต่เรากลับรู้สึกว่า เธอไม่ถึงกับมีเสน่ห์มากพอจะรั้งตัวหนุ่มเสเพลอย่างพระเอกของเราได้
ดังนั้นแม็กซ์จึงหยุดอ่านงานของซูซาน จอห์นสันไป จนกระทั่งไปเจอชื่อของหนังสือเรื่องนี้ในเน็ต
มีคนถามแม็กซ์ในบลอกว่า เราใช้เกณฑ์อะไรในการเลือกซื้อหนังสือ ซึ่งแม็กซ์ตอบว่า มันหลากหลายและขึ้นอยู่กับอารมณ์อย่างแท้จริง และครั้งนี้ก็เช่นกัน สิ่งแรกที่ดึงดูดแม็กซ์ไปที่หนังสือเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ชื่อเรื่อง เราคิดว่าหนังสือเรื่องนี้มีชื่อเรื่องที่น่าสนใจอย่างมาก
และนั่นมากพอที่จะทำให้แม็กซ์ซื้อหนังสือเรื่องเมื่อเห็นมันในร้าน หนังสือได้ แม้ว่าเราจะบอกกับตัวเองว่า อย่าไปคาดหวังอะไรมากจากมัน โดยเฉพาะเมื่อยิ่งดูจากเนื้อเรื่องแล้ว มันเป็นพล็อตเดิม ๆ ที่ซูซาน จอห์นสันชอบใช้ เรื่องราวของขุนนางหนุ่มผู้ร่ำรวย เสเพล และได้ทุกอย่างที่เขาต้องการ จนกระทั่งเขาได้พบกับผู้หญิงที่เขาไม่อาจปฏิเสธได้
Gorgeous As Sin ของซูซาน จอห์นสัน
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มแรกในชุด Bruton Street Bookstore (ซึ่งเห็นบอกกันว่าจะมีทั้งหมดสี่เล่ม) เช่นเดียวกับงานทุกเล่มของซูซาน จอห์นสัน พระเอกของเรา ฟิทซ์ มังค์ตัน เป็นขุนนางชั้นสูง โดยเป็นถึงดยุคแห่งโกรฟแลนด์ และนอกจากจะเป็นชายเสเพลผู้ร่ำรวย เขายังประสบความสำเร็จในธุรกิจ และหนึ่งในโครงการที่ฟิทซ์สนใจทำก็คือ การพัฒนาที่ดิน แต่ปัญหาก็คือ ร้านหนังสือเล็ก ๆ ของโรสลินด์ เซ็นต์วินเซ็นต์
โรสลินด์เป็นแม่หม้ายของสามีผู้ไร้ความรับผิดชอบ เธอมีความสุขกับร้านหนังสือที่ซึ่งเธอใช้เป็นสถานที่ในการพบปะกับผู้คน และมีชีวิตอย่างที่เธอต้องการ นั่นก็คืออิสระที่ผู้หญิงในยุควิคทอเรียตอนปลายเริ่มจะมีกัน ดังนั้นเธอจึงไม่สบอารมณ์อย่างมากที่อยู่ ๆ ดยุคผู้เอาแต่ใจ ก็จะใช้เงินฟาดหัว แล้วสั่งให้เธอย้ายออกไปจากร้านหนังสือที่เป็นเสมือนบ้านของเธออีก
ซึ่งโรสลินด์ก็กล้าพอที่จะบอกกับฟิทซ์เช่นนั้นเมื่อเขาเดินทางมาที่ร้าน หนังสือของเธอเพื่อเจรจาขอซื้อร้าน และนั่นทำให้ฟิทซ์ที่ไม่เคยไม่ได้อะไรที่ตัวเองต้องการโกรธมาก เขาถึงกับสั่งให้ลูกน้องทำทุกอย่างเพื่อให้โรสลินด์ย้ายออกไป ถึงแม้มันจะไม่ค่อยถูกกฎหมายนัก
แต่การที่ทั้งคู่ยืนอยู่ตรงข้ามกัน ก็ไม่ได้ทำให้ทั้งคู่ลบเลือนอีกฝ่ายออกไปจากใจได้ อย่างไม่เต็มใจ ฟิทซ์ถูกดึงดูดโดยแม่หม้ายปากร้ายคนนี้ อย่างไม่ต้องการ โรสลินด์ก็ไม่อาจปฏิเสธฟิทซ์ได้ แม้ว่าเมื่อค่ำคืนจบลง ทั้งคู่จะกลายเป็นศัตรูที่ต้องต่อกรกันอีกครั้ง
แม็กซ์ชอบเรื่องนี้นะคะ ซึ่งเป็นเรื่องน่าแปลกใจ เพราะบอกตามตรงนะคะว่า คาแร็คเตอร์ของฟิทซ์นั้นเป็นผู้ชายชนิดที่แม็กซ์เกลียดที่สุดในหนังสือโร แมนซ์ เขาเป็นคนเห็นแก่ตัว เอาแต่ใจ และคิดถึงตัวเอง พฤติกรรมหลายอย่างของเขาก็ไม่เ็ป็นที่ยอมรับกันในหมู่นักอ่านโรแมนซ์ และมันไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องทำร้ายจิตใจนางเอก (สปอยล์) เขามีความสัมพันธ์กับผู้หญิงคนอื่นในเวลาช่วงเดียวกับที่อยู่กับนางเอกแล้ว บอกตามตรงนะคะ หลังจากฉากนั้นผ่านไป แม็กซ์ถามตัวเองเลยล่ะว่า ยังชอบเรื่องนี้อยู่ไหม
คำตอบที่น่าแปลกใจก็คือ เรายังชอบค่ะ ด้วยเหตุผลบางอย่าง มันเป็นส่วนประกอบที่ทำให้เรื่องนี้เวิร์ค
เพราะบางครั้งคุณไม่จำเป็นต้องชอบพระเอก (หรือกระทั่งนางเอก) ในการอ่านหนังสือให้สนุกได้
หนังสือเรื่องนี้สอบผ่านสำหรับแม็กซ์ เพราะความสอดรับกันของทั้งพระเอกและนางเอก อย่างที่บอกค่ะฟิทซ์ไม่ใช่คนที่มีพฤติกรรมเป็นพระเอกนิยายโรแมนซ์ในสายตาของ เรา แต่ในขณะเดียวกัน โรสลินด์ก็รู้จักเขาดี อย่างที่เขาเป็น และเธอแสดงออกอย่างชัดเจนว่า เธอคือคนที่เหมาะกับเขามากที่สุด เพราะในท้ายที่สุดแล้ว เราเชื่อค่ะว่า สองคนนี้จะไปกันรอด เราเชื่อว่า โรสลินด์จะทำให้ฟิทซ์กลายเป็นสามีที่ดีที่สุด ซึ่งนี่เป็นสิ่งที่นิยายหลายเล่มไม่อาจทำได้
เราเชื่อว่า แม้ทั้งฟิทซ์และโรสลินด์จะไม่ใช่คาแร็คเตอร์ที่น่าจดจำ แต่พวกเขาทั้งสองมีเรื่องราวความรัก (ถ้าคุณจะเรียกว่าอย่างนั้นนะ) ที่น่าเชื่อ นั่นเพราะโรสลินด์รู้จักฟิทซ์ดีที่สุด เธอรู้ว่าเขาเป็นคนยังไง และมีข้อเสียยังไงซึ่งในท้ายที่สุดแล้ว เธอเลือกที่จะยอมรับเขาอย่างที่เขาเป็น
แต่นั่นคือสำหรับแม็กซ์ เราไม่แน่ใจว่า หนังสือเล่มนี้จะเวิร์คสำหรับคนอื่นไหม เพราะประเด็นที่ล่อแหลมมีเยอะเหลือเกิน คุณเคยอ่านหนังสือที่พระเอกเรียกนางเอกด้วยคำที่ขึ้นต้องด้วย B (ซึ่งตามด้วยพยัญชนะอีกสี่ตัว) และ C (ที่ตามด้วยพยัญชนะอีกสามตัว) เราเกลียดพระเอกที่ใช้คำแบบนี้เรียกนางเอก แต่ฟิทซ์ทำ และเขาทำจนกระทั่งท้ายเรื่อง แต่สิ่งที่ทำให้เรา (อาจจะเรียกว่า) ให้อภัยเขาได้ ก็คือ ฟิทซ์ไม่เคยเปลี่ยนแปลงจากคนที่เขาเป็น แต่ในท้ายทีสุดแม็กซ์ก็เชื่อว่า เขาจะหยุดตัวเองลงที่โรสลินด์ และซื่อสัตย์ต่อเธอตลอดไป นั่นเพราะโรสลินด์คือผู้หญิงที่เหมาะสมกับเขา และเขาก็รักเธอในแบบของเขาเอง ซึ่งมันอาจจะไม่ใช่ความรักเสียสละอันยิ่งใหญ่ แต่ก็คือรัก ชนิดที่คนอย่างเขาทำได้มากที่สุด
ถ้าใครคาดหวังว่าจะอ่านเจอพระเอกที่สำนึกผิด แล้วคุกเข่าลงไปขอโทษนางเอกคงผิดหวังนะคะ เพราะดยุคของเราไม่เคยขอโทษใคร เขาไม่โทษตัวเองด้วยซ้ำที่เป็นต้นเหตุให้โรสลินด์ติดคุก (เพราะการวางแผนของเขาและลูกน้องในการเอาชนะเธอ) แต่ก็แปลกอีกนั่นแหละที่แม็กซ์โอเคมาก ๆ กับมัน
ส่วนหนึ่งที่ทำให้เราคิดว่าเรื่องนี้เวิร์ค ก็คงเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ของโรสลินด์ เธอคู่ควรกับฟิทซ์อย่างแท้จริง แน่ละเธออาจจะไม่ใช่นางเอกที่เพียบพร้อม แต่เธอมีความมุ่งมั่นไม่น้อยไปกว่าฟิทซ์ในการเอาชนะในการต่อสู้กับเขา และเธอก็เป็นผู้หญิงที่รักศักดิ์ศรีตัวเองพอที่จะไม่แคร์ฟิทซ์ (มากจนเกินไป)
อาจเพราะเรื่องนี้เขียนในช่วงตอนปลายศตวรรษที่ 19 ก็ว่าได้ค่ะ เลยทำให้แม็กซ์สามารถยอมรับด้านที่เลวร้ายของตัวละครได้ดีกว่า เราไม่ได้คาดหวังว่าจะเจอพระเอกที่เป็นสุภาพบุรุษหรือคนดีทุกกระเบียดนิ้ว และเราก็ไม่ได้พบกับเขาในเล่มนี้
มันจึงไม่มีความผิดหวัง
ดีเกินคาดมาก ๆ ค่ะ คะแนนที่ 73
สมัยที่แม็กซ์เริ่มต้นอ่านโรแมนซ์ใหม่ ๆ เพื่อนคนนึงของเราซึ่งเรานับถือให้เป็นผู้รู้และผู้เชี่ยวชาญในเรื่องโร แมนซ์ (เขาอ่านโรแมนซ์ทุกเรื่องที่แม็กซ์รู้จัก และยังแนะนำเรื่องที่เราไม่รู้จักอีกเป็นร้อย ๆ เล่ม) บอกกับเราว่า แม็กซ์ไม่น่าจะชอบงานของซูซาน จอห์นสันนะ ซึ่งถือว่าแปลกมาก เพราะเขาเองก็อ่านงานของซูซานอยู่
แต่เราก็เชื่อเขานะคะ ดังนั้นจึงแทบจะไม่เคยซื้องานของซูซานมาอ่านเลย จนกระทั่งระยะหลังในช่วงสามสี่ปีที่ผ่าน ที่เราเริ่มรู้สึกว่า น่าจะลองอ่านงานของเขาได้แล้วนะ เพราะซูซานก็เป็นนักเขียนดัง และมีหลายคนชอบงานของเขามาก แม็กซ์จึงไปซื้องานเก่าของเธอเรื่องนึง เรื่องที่หลายคนยกให้เป็นหนังสือในดวงใจ
และแม็กซ์ไม่ชอบมันค่ะ มันมีองค์ประกอบหลายอย่างที���น่าจะดีได้ แต่แม็กซ์รู้สึกว่า พระเอกเสเพลเกินกว่าที่จะจริงใจรักนางเอกเพียงคนเดียวในตอนจบเรื่องได้ นางเอกมักเริ่มต้นที่เป็นสาวน้อยไร้เดียงสา แม้ว่าคาแร็คเตอร์ของเธอจะพัฒนาไปพอสมควรในเรื่อง แต่เรากลับรู้สึกว่า เธอไม่ถึงกับมีเสน่ห์มากพอจะรั้งตัวหนุ่มเสเพลอย่างพระเอกของเราได้
ดังนั้นแม็กซ์จึงหยุดอ่านงานของซูซาน จอห์นสันไป จนกระทั่งไปเจอชื่อของหนังสือเรื่องนี้ในเน็ต
มีคนถามแม็กซ์ในบลอกว่า เราใช้เกณฑ์อะไรในการเลือกซื้อหนังสือ ซึ่งแม็กซ์ตอบว่า มันหลากหลายและขึ้นอยู่กับอารมณ์อย่างแท้จริง และครั้งนี้ก็เช่นกัน สิ่งแรกที่ดึงดูดแม็กซ์ไปที่หนังสือเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ชื่อเรื่อง เราคิดว่าหนังสือเรื่องนี้มีชื่อเรื่องที่น่าสนใจอย่างมาก
และนั่นมากพอที่จะทำให้แม็กซ์ซื้อหนังสือเรื่องเมื่อเห็นมันในร้าน หนังสือได้ แม้ว่าเราจะบอกกับตัวเองว่า อย่าไปคาดหวังอะไรมากจากมัน โดยเฉพาะเมื่อยิ่งดูจากเนื้อเรื่องแล้ว มันเป็นพล็อตเดิม ๆ ที่ซูซาน จอห์นสันชอบใช้ เรื่องราวของขุนนางหนุ่มผู้ร่ำรวย เสเพล และได้ทุกอย่างที่เขาต้องการ จนกระทั่งเขาได้พบกับผู้หญิงที่เขาไม่อาจปฏิเสธได้
Gorgeous As Sin ของซูซาน จอห์นสัน
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มแรกในชุด Bruton Street Bookstore (ซึ่งเห็นบอกกันว่าจะมีทั้งหมดสี่เล่ม) เช่นเดียวกับงานทุกเล่มของซูซาน จอห์นสัน พระเอกของเรา ฟิทซ์ มังค์ตัน เป็นขุนนางชั้นสูง โดยเป็นถึงดยุคแห่งโกรฟแลนด์ และนอกจากจะเป็นชายเสเพลผู้ร่ำรวย เขายังประสบความสำเร็จในธุรกิจ และหนึ่งในโครงการที่ฟิทซ์สนใจทำก็คือ การพัฒนาที่ดิน แต่ปัญหาก็คือ ร้านหนังสือเล็ก ๆ ของโรสลินด์ เซ็นต์วินเซ็นต์
โรสลินด์เป็นแม่หม้ายของสามีผู้ไร้ความรับผิดชอบ เธอมีความสุขกับร้านหนังสือที่ซึ่งเธอใช้เป็นสถานที่ในการพบปะกับผู้คน และมีชีวิตอย่างที่เธอต้องการ นั่นก็คืออิสระที่ผู้หญิงในยุควิคทอเรียตอนปลายเริ่มจะมีกัน ดังนั้นเธอจึงไม่สบอารมณ์อย่างมากที่อยู่ ๆ ดยุคผู้เอาแต่ใจ ก็จะใช้เงินฟาดหัว แล้วสั่งให้เธอย้ายออกไปจากร้านหนังสือที่เป็นเสมือนบ้านของเธออีก
ซึ่งโรสลินด์ก็กล้าพอที่จะบอกกับฟิทซ์เช่นนั้นเมื่อเขาเดินทางมาที่ร้าน หนังสือของเธอเพื่อเจรจาขอซื้อร้าน และนั่นทำให้ฟิทซ์ที่ไม่เคยไม่ได้อะไรที่ตัวเองต้องการโกรธมาก เขาถึงกับสั่งให้ลูกน้องทำทุกอย่างเพื่อให้โรสลินด์ย้ายออกไป ถึงแม้มันจะไม่ค่อยถูกกฎหมายนัก
แต่การที่ทั้งคู่ยืนอยู่ตรงข้ามกัน ก็ไม่ได้ทำให้ทั้งคู่ลบเลือนอีกฝ่ายออกไปจากใจได้ อย่างไม่เต็มใจ ฟิทซ์ถูกดึงดูดโดยแม่หม้ายปากร้ายคนนี้ อย่างไม่ต้องการ โรสลินด์ก็ไม่อาจปฏิเสธฟิทซ์ได้ แม้ว่าเมื่อค่ำคืนจบลง ทั้งคู่จะกลายเป็นศัตรูที่ต้องต่อกรกันอีกครั้ง
แม็กซ์ชอบเรื่องนี้นะคะ ซึ่งเป็นเรื่องน่าแปลกใจ เพราะบอกตามตรงนะคะว่า คาแร็คเตอร์ของฟิทซ์นั้นเป็นผู้ชายชนิดที่แม็กซ์เกลียดที่สุดในหนังสือโร แมนซ์ เขาเป็นคนเห็นแก่ตัว เอาแต่ใจ และคิดถึงตัวเอง พฤติกรรมหลายอย่างของเขาก็ไม่เ็ป็นที่ยอมรับกันในหมู่นักอ่านโรแมนซ์ และมันไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องทำร้ายจิตใจนางเอก (สปอยล์) เขามีความสัมพันธ์กับผู้หญิงคนอื่นในเวลาช่วงเดียวกับที่อยู่กับนางเอกแล้ว บอกตามตรงนะคะ หลังจากฉากนั้นผ่านไป แม็กซ์ถามตัวเองเลยล่ะว่า ยังชอบเรื่องนี้อยู่ไหม
คำตอบที่น่าแปลกใจก็คือ เรายังชอบค่ะ ด้วยเหตุผลบางอย่าง มันเป็นส่วนประกอบที่ทำให้เรื่องนี้เวิร์ค
เพราะบางครั้งคุณไม่จำเป็นต้องชอบพระเอก (หรือกระทั่งนางเอก) ในการอ่านหนังสือให้สนุกได้
หนังสือเรื่องนี้สอบผ่านสำหรับแม็กซ์ เพราะความสอดรับกันของทั้งพระเอกและนางเอก อย่างที่บอกค่ะฟิทซ์ไม่ใช่คนที่มีพฤติกรรมเป็นพระเอกนิยายโรแมนซ์ในสายตาของ เรา แต่ในขณะเดียวกัน โรสลินด์ก็รู้จักเขาดี อย่างที่เขาเป็น และเธอแสดงออกอย่างชัดเจนว่า เธอคือคนที่เหมาะกับเขามากที่สุด เพราะในท้ายที่สุดแล้ว เราเชื่อค่ะว่า สองคนนี้จะไปกันรอด เราเชื่อว่า โรสลินด์จะทำให้ฟิทซ์กลายเป็นสามีที่ดีที่สุด ซึ่งนี่เป็นสิ่งที่นิยายหลายเล่มไม่อาจทำได้
เราเชื่อว่า แม้ทั้งฟิทซ์และโรสลินด์จะไม่ใช่คาแร็คเตอร์ที่น่าจดจำ แต่พวกเขาทั้งสองมีเรื่องราวความรัก (ถ้าคุณจะเรียกว่าอย่างนั้นนะ) ที่น่าเชื่อ นั่นเพราะโรสลินด์รู้จักฟิทซ์ดีที่สุด เธอรู้ว่าเขาเป็นคนยังไง และมีข้อเสียยังไงซึ่งในท้ายที่สุดแล้ว เธอเลือกที่จะยอมรับเขาอย่างที่เขาเป็น
แต่นั่นคือสำหรับแม็กซ์ เราไม่แน่ใจว่า หนังสือเล่มนี้จะเวิร์คสำหรับคนอื่นไหม เพราะประเด็นที่ล่อแหลมมีเยอะเหลือเกิน คุณเคยอ่านหนังสือที่พระเอกเรียกนางเอกด้วยคำที่ขึ้นต้องด้วย B (ซึ่งตามด้วยพยัญชนะอีกสี่ตัว) และ C (ที่ตามด้วยพยัญชนะอีกสามตัว) เราเกลียดพระเอกที่ใช้คำแบบนี้เรียกนางเอก แต่ฟิทซ์ทำ และเขาทำจนกระทั่งท้ายเรื่อง แต่สิ่งที่ทำให้เรา (อาจจะเรียกว่า) ให้อภัยเขาได้ ก็คือ ฟิทซ์ไม่เคยเปลี่ยนแปลงจากคนที่เขาเป็น แต่ในท้ายทีสุดแม็กซ์ก็เชื่อว่า เขาจะหยุดตัวเองลงที่โรสลินด์ และซื่อสัตย์ต่อเธอตลอดไป นั่นเพราะโรสลินด์คือผู้หญิงที่เหมาะสมกับเขา และเขาก็รักเธอในแบบของเขาเอง ซึ่งมันอาจจะไม่ใช่ความรักเสียสละอันยิ่งใหญ่ แต่ก็คือรัก ชนิดที่คนอย่างเขาทำได้มากที่สุด
ถ้าใครคาดหวังว่าจะอ่านเจอพระเอกที่สำนึกผิด แล้วคุกเข่าลงไปขอโทษนางเอกคงผิดหวังนะคะ เพราะดยุคของเราไม่เคยขอโทษใคร เขาไม่โทษตัวเองด้วยซ้ำที่เป็นต้นเหตุให้โรสลินด์ติดคุก (เพราะการวางแผนของเขาและลูกน้องในการเอาชนะเธอ) แต่ก็แปลกอีกนั่นแหละที่แม็กซ์โอเคมาก ๆ กับมัน
ส่วนหนึ่งที่ทำให้เราคิดว่าเรื่องนี้เวิร์ค ก็คงเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ของโรสลินด์ เธอคู่ควรกับฟิทซ์อย่างแท้จริง แน่ละเธออาจจะไม่ใช่นางเอกที่เพียบพร้อม แต่เธอมีความมุ่งมั่นไม่น้อยไปกว่าฟิทซ์ในการเอาชนะในการต่อสู้กับเขา และเธอก็เป็นผู้หญิงที่รักศักดิ์ศรีตัวเองพอที่จะไม่แคร์ฟิทซ์ (มากจนเกินไป)
อาจเพราะเรื่องนี้เขียนในช่วงตอนปลายศตวรรษที่ 19 ก็ว่าได้ค่ะ เลยทำให้แม็กซ์สามารถยอมรับด้านที่เลวร้ายของตัวละครได้ดีกว่า เราไม่ได้คาดหวังว่าจะเจอพระเอกที่เป็นสุภาพบุรุษหรือคนดีทุกกระเบียดนิ้ว และเราก็ไม่ได้พบกับเขาในเล่มนี้
มันจึงไม่มีความผิดหวัง
ดีเกินคาดมาก ๆ ค่ะ คะแนนที่ 73
December 28, 2010
What I love about Susan Johnson books is that when she writes about a man being a rake, he really is a rake. We get to see that trait throughout the book. In this story the hero wants to buy the heroine's book store so that he can build another building in it place, but she refuses to sell. Her store doesn't make much money, but she makes money on the side secretly selling erotic stories. He and the heroine make a deal and begin to have a torrid affair. What I like most about this book is that even the hero was attracted to the heroine he didn't stop his womanizing ways for her. When he realized that he was in love that was when he was in love. When I read about a rake I really want to see him be a rake, not just take the authors word for it.
January 29, 2016
This was FANTASTIC in so many ways.
I first discovered Johnson's style of writing in the Anthology 'Perfect Kisses' and I fell in love with it. It was such an easy read. I think the wittiness between both Fitz and Roselind is what made me want to read non-stop. And I found their story to be very romantic. It gave love at first sight a new meaning. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!
I first discovered Johnson's style of writing in the Anthology 'Perfect Kisses' and I fell in love with it. It was such an easy read. I think the wittiness between both Fitz and Roselind is what made me want to read non-stop. And I found their story to be very romantic. It gave love at first sight a new meaning. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!
August 7, 2010
I like all Susan Johnson books (hot). Many didn't like this book because of hero’s sleeping around. To me it’s believable aristocratic behavior (& sensual) for the time period. What I liked was the heroine’s character and hero’s groveling.
May 20, 2011
Omg, this book was utter trash. The heroine was so weak minded...all she wanted was sex...sex...and sex. No willpower at all. Weakest heroine I've yet to read on.
Read
August 13, 2025It has been a long time indeed since I last read a book by Susan Johnson. My memory was that they generally included loads of steamy scenes (fun) and often rather unexpectedly generous male anatomy. Also I think that in some of her books (I hope I'm not mixing this up with another author), there were fascinating footnotes about things like contraceptive devices and other accessories in her stories.
I ordered this from the virtual library as part of my project to shift some of mid-series books on my TBR bookshelf by reading previous books in the series. For example, I have the second in this series, so now I can, sooner or later, read that without being stymied because of my preference to read series in order.
Moving on to this specific book - this fits in the "reform a rake" trope, and the best to do the job here seems to be the independent, socially minded widow - who fortunately is as keen on eroticism as the rake.
A few things move this away from the standard mold for this type of story - for one, the warm, loving and almost complicit relationship between the hero and his mother is not so common. Likewise the hero's vindictiveness towards the heroine in trying to push through his housing project is perhaps less common in this type of novel, but it certainly felt realistic in the business world.
An entertaining read.
I ordered this from the virtual library as part of my project to shift some of mid-series books on my TBR bookshelf by reading previous books in the series. For example, I have the second in this series, so now I can, sooner or later, read that without being stymied because of my preference to read series in order.
Moving on to this specific book - this fits in the "reform a rake" trope, and the best to do the job here seems to be the independent, socially minded widow - who fortunately is as keen on eroticism as the rake.
A few things move this away from the standard mold for this type of story - for one, the warm, loving and almost complicit relationship between the hero and his mother is not so common. Likewise the hero's vindictiveness towards the heroine in trying to push through his housing project is perhaps less common in this type of novel, but it certainly felt realistic in the business world.
An entertaining read.
May 29, 2023
A re-read. Took place London 1891. Gave this v. sexy
read 3 stars.
In April 2011, I first read this. At the time I thought
hero Fitz (a duke) a charming manipulator. This time
I saw a manipulating schemer who couldn't pass on
OW sex, or w/ a bawdy house woman, even though
he'd already met challenging in-all-ways widowed
Rosiland. He felt 'raging lust' after physical intimacy
with her. Rosa was a striking, voluptuous, auburn
haired beauty, with a quick mind.
Fitz was obsessed w/ business & sex. He offered Rosa
20K (pounds) for her bookstore worth 3K (pounds).
Her store was the only hold-out in the way of his
business plan.
Fitz manipulated others just because he could. Rosa
told him "I'm not for sale." He played with her mind
using his masculine, sexy ways. He had someone
dig up dirt on her to use against her.
The author used modern words IE flunkey, top of his
game, pimping now etc, taking away from the story.
I liked best Julia, mother of Fitz.
read 3 stars.
In April 2011, I first read this. At the time I thought
hero Fitz (a duke) a charming manipulator. This time
I saw a manipulating schemer who couldn't pass on
OW sex, or w/ a bawdy house woman, even though
he'd already met challenging in-all-ways widowed
Rosiland. He felt 'raging lust' after physical intimacy
with her. Rosa was a striking, voluptuous, auburn
haired beauty, with a quick mind.
Fitz was obsessed w/ business & sex. He offered Rosa
20K (pounds) for her bookstore worth 3K (pounds).
Her store was the only hold-out in the way of his
business plan.
Fitz manipulated others just because he could. Rosa
told him "I'm not for sale." He played with her mind
using his masculine, sexy ways. He had someone
dig up dirt on her to use against her.
The author used modern words IE flunkey, top of his
game, pimping now etc, taking away from the story.
I liked best Julia, mother of Fitz.
September 8, 2024
First 30% was a drag and their first encounter was rather hard to believe. But from the second night and potential problem brewing in the horizon with Fitz’s stupid decisions, the story became much more interesting and I couldn’t put it down to find out what’s going to happen with them. Also their witty banters did help. I really like the book and would have given the five stars the scores, the five stars Fitz wronged Rosalind three times which are hard to go on without proper Apology.
The first he slept around and didn’t own it up. Without proper closure, this is no happily ever after!!!
The second his wrong decision led to her arrest and stay in prison, and his apology was so cliche. Who would believe that she got over her arrest after seeing rose garden?!
The lastly, he plays very dirty and sent his barrister to her parents to Influence her decision which is so over the line.
The bottom line I enjoyed the book even she is pushover, he is cheater, go figure.
The first he slept around and didn’t own it up. Without proper closure, this is no happily ever after!!!
The second his wrong decision led to her arrest and stay in prison, and his apology was so cliche. Who would believe that she got over her arrest after seeing rose garden?!
The lastly, he plays very dirty and sent his barrister to her parents to Influence her decision which is so over the line.
The bottom line I enjoyed the book even she is pushover, he is cheater, go figure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
Second book by Susan and I am loving the stories. Alpha male, yes please. Angst, double yes. Experienced woman who knows what she wants, sometimes. No crap given whatsoever, certainly. Fitz and Rosalind know their relationship and what is “not” expected. Some might take exception to some aspects of the story but I think you have to take the story as a whole and not bits and pieces. I get that Fitz and Rosland are really using each other for what they want but as in all romance, they discover that love moves into those feelings and outweighs all other feelings. Fitz did do the grand gesture but I needed him to grovel more.
January 15, 2020
DNF
I read 98 pages and could not continue, this was just not my cup of tea.
I thought I would like this: enemies to lovers, check. Red head nerdy heroine who owns a bookstore, awesome! But alas, overall, the rest of the story was not for me.
The sex scenes were hot but there was a lot of role playing and clichés and the characters were a little over the top and they were a little all over the place.
I read 98 pages and could not continue, this was just not my cup of tea.
I thought I would like this: enemies to lovers, check. Red head nerdy heroine who owns a bookstore, awesome! But alas, overall, the rest of the story was not for me.
The sex scenes were hot but there was a lot of role playing and clichés and the characters were a little over the top and they were a little all over the place.
September 25, 2023
The sex was mostly hot, the hero was such an ass with no redeeming qualities or redeeming arch, and the heroine went from strong and independent to weak and groveling. So many messed up situations and events just swept away.
I will not be continuing the series.
I will not be continuing the series.
August 11, 2019
Another hero who keeps sleeping around while he’s with the heroine. It’s unspoken, but I think the heroine has an idea of what’s happening.
Lots and lots and lots of sexy times happening here.
Lots and lots and lots of sexy times happening here.
December 6, 2024
needed more grovelling for me
Read
February 1, 2026DNF
June 26, 2016
Okay, this was my first book by this author and really not my cup of tea at all. Don't get me wrong it was well written, and I did indeed finish it, I just didn't like what happened in it. I don't like it when the Hero / Heroine aren't faithful to eachother... And the reason behind the Hero's behavior was thin at best. I'll include a summary below for any who are interested...
September 5, 2011
Fitz Monckton, Duke of Groveland, is in the middle of a very expensive development deal. Upon coming home, Fitz discovers that a piece of property he needs to start the building process is still unavailable. The person who owns the property is refusing to sell. Fitz is more than aggravated, but believes he can change this person's mind. Finding out that the owner is a woman, Fitz is overly confidant he can get her to give up the property easily enough.
Rosalind has been very adamnant about not wanting to sell her home/bookstore. She has worked hard to keep her business open after her husband's death left her in debt. To make matters worse, Fitz shows up, thinking she can be seduced into selling. A battle begins between Rosalind and Fitz, and pretty soon Rosalind finds herself falling under his spell, but knows she must not give in so easily. Will temptaion be her downfall?
Susan Johnson writes another great historical romance. The characters were amazing and the passion between them was explosive from the first meeting. A couple of things I especially enjoyed about Rosalind is her forthrightness and confidance. Fitz may seem a little arrogant at times, but he isn't as unfeeling as he wants to appear. Rosalind and Fitz are some of Ms. Johnson's most fiery characters to date. I never knew what to expect with them. Ms. Johnson has a knack for creating emotionally scarred characters that make a change for the better and that is one of the reasons I love her books. Ms. Johnson really delivers with GORGEOUS AS SIN. I will be waiting impatiently for her next book.
Rosalind has been very adamnant about not wanting to sell her home/bookstore. She has worked hard to keep her business open after her husband's death left her in debt. To make matters worse, Fitz shows up, thinking she can be seduced into selling. A battle begins between Rosalind and Fitz, and pretty soon Rosalind finds herself falling under his spell, but knows she must not give in so easily. Will temptaion be her downfall?
Susan Johnson writes another great historical romance. The characters were amazing and the passion between them was explosive from the first meeting. A couple of things I especially enjoyed about Rosalind is her forthrightness and confidance. Fitz may seem a little arrogant at times, but he isn't as unfeeling as he wants to appear. Rosalind and Fitz are some of Ms. Johnson's most fiery characters to date. I never knew what to expect with them. Ms. Johnson has a knack for creating emotionally scarred characters that make a change for the better and that is one of the reasons I love her books. Ms. Johnson really delivers with GORGEOUS AS SIN. I will be waiting impatiently for her next book.
July 10, 2011
3.5 stars
Quick, fun read. I actually liked this book a tick better than some Susan Johnson books I've read in the past. In the admittedly few books of hers that I've read prior to this one, her H/h interactions have always seemed to me to edgy or harder than the normal historical romance. They are usually two worldly people who are strong mined, clash and have lots of sex. I've often liked that because I find the overabundance of the innocent heroine somewhat wearying. But SJ's characters seem...well..mean.
With this one I didn't get that vibe. And I am glad that this seems to be the case with the follow up book as well. I liked the h/H interactions in this one. They were both still strong minded and each had a goal that was in complete opposition of the other one. But there was none of that prickly hardness I've come to associate with her characters. Quite the contrary actually. I found Fitz and Rosalind's unwilling (and eventually willing) attraction to each other to be quite engaging. So yeah they do clash and have lots of explicit sex. I also liked the conflict. And I loved his grand gesture in the end.
Good book. I plan to read the others in the series.
Quick, fun read. I actually liked this book a tick better than some Susan Johnson books I've read in the past. In the admittedly few books of hers that I've read prior to this one, her H/h interactions have always seemed to me to edgy or harder than the normal historical romance. They are usually two worldly people who are strong mined, clash and have lots of sex. I've often liked that because I find the overabundance of the innocent heroine somewhat wearying. But SJ's characters seem...well..mean.
With this one I didn't get that vibe. And I am glad that this seems to be the case with the follow up book as well. I liked the h/H interactions in this one. They were both still strong minded and each had a goal that was in complete opposition of the other one. But there was none of that prickly hardness I've come to associate with her characters. Quite the contrary actually. I found Fitz and Rosalind's unwilling (and eventually willing) attraction to each other to be quite engaging. So yeah they do clash and have lots of explicit sex. I also liked the conflict. And I loved his grand gesture in the end.
Good book. I plan to read the others in the series.
December 31, 2011
This book I have to say was horribly written. I honestly did not finish it, which is a rarity if you ask any of my friends. The entire book was about sex. I believe that 3/4 of anything written in there was what took place during their sexual intercourse. It was not necessary to go into such detail, and there honestly was no plot line at all. The characters were extremely flat, and had no rounding and were especially not dynamic. I mean, they had a background to their story, but they did not feel real. It frustrates me that authors write books just so that people can read them and either get ideas for themselves, or to sexually satisfy themselves. I usually skip over the sex scenes, but this book was a little difficult to read because, for one, there was little else but sex scenes, the characters thinking about having sex, and about them wishing that the other was there so they could have sex. It was ridiculous and rather revolting if you ask me. And another thing that was frustrating, the language and the way they talked was not the 1800's, especially with saying dick, fuck, and shit. I am sorry for my language there, but they did not talk that way back then. A stupid book and I honestly say no one should read it!
June 24, 2014
This is the first book I've ready by Susan Johnson, and it doesn't make me want to rush to buy any others.
Gorgeous as Sin is the first in a trilogy, and I was looking forward to an enjoyable read with 2 more to purchase afterwards.
Unfortunately I didn't find it. The storyline is as you would expect, priviliged man finds a woman who doesn't immediately bow to his role, he finds her annoying and interesting so of course he pursues.
On almost every page of the book is either a sex scene or reference to one. The writing was unbelievable, long and I found it to be hard reading. A number of times I felt that Ms Johnson had plundered a dictionary for words to use, either to try to raise the reading level or just to show her writing skills.
I kept going and finally finished the book - at the end I only felt relief that it was finally over. The ending you can probably guess, so I won't explain it.
It is a shame that I can't recommend this book, and in fact can only warn people away...
Gorgeous as Sin is the first in a trilogy, and I was looking forward to an enjoyable read with 2 more to purchase afterwards.
Unfortunately I didn't find it. The storyline is as you would expect, priviliged man finds a woman who doesn't immediately bow to his role, he finds her annoying and interesting so of course he pursues.
On almost every page of the book is either a sex scene or reference to one. The writing was unbelievable, long and I found it to be hard reading. A number of times I felt that Ms Johnson had plundered a dictionary for words to use, either to try to raise the reading level or just to show her writing skills.
I kept going and finally finished the book - at the end I only felt relief that it was finally over. The ending you can probably guess, so I won't explain it.
It is a shame that I can't recommend this book, and in fact can only warn people away...
December 10, 2009
First, I found out I did not like the period - at all. Second, the characters were too "perfectish" with the usual head-strong female lead with huge debts courtesy of her late husband and the much acclaimed lover of all time in the personna of the Duke (plz, as if a man like that wouldn't have died of an MST by the age of 20). Third and last but not least, I'm astonished not one author I've read that used the 'not-spilling-sperm-at-the-last-moment-inside-the-vagina' type of preventive hadn't discovered by now that a woman ould get pregnant with just pre-cum? (Can you imagine the number of 'natural' children our beloved heroes all have hidden somewhere in the country?
But hey, that's just my opinion (really that would be too much, I can just see the heroine getting pregnant and the hero being all 'You've lain with another man! I could never be the father as I hadn't spilled my seed in you once. Or have you forgotten Madam' (insert the cold look of a man overraged by jealousy)
But hey, that's just my opinion (really that would be too much, I can just see the heroine getting pregnant and the hero being all 'You've lain with another man! I could never be the father as I hadn't spilled my seed in you once. Or have you forgotten Madam' (insert the cold look of a man overraged by jealousy)
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