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An American Heiress in London #4
No Mistress Of Mine
Alternate cover edition for B0191FJJU6
USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke is back with the latest in her dazzling An American Heiress in London series, in which a reformed rogue finds all his honorable resolutions tested by the only woman who ever broke his heart...
After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.
Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?
USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke is back with the latest in her dazzling An American Heiress in London series, in which a reformed rogue finds all his honorable resolutions tested by the only woman who ever broke his heart...
After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.
Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?
384 pages, ebook
First published August 30, 2016
199 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lee Guhrke
48 books1,821 followersFrom the publication of her very first historical romance, Laura Lee Guhrke has received numerous honors and critical acclaim for her novels and her writing style. She has been honored with the most prestigious award of romance fiction, the Romance Writers of America Rita Award, and she has received additional awards from Romantic Times and All About Romance. Romantic Times has proclaimed her, “One of the most natural voices in historical romance to be found today”. Her books routinely hit the USA Today Bestseller List, and Guilty Pleasures has been honored with the Romantic Times Award for Best European Historical Romance of 2004. Among her publishing credits are twelve historical romances, including her latest, And Then He Kissed Her, now available from Avon Books.
Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.
Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.
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February 9, 2019
#RetoRita3
#RetoLaura
Este es el primer año en que voy a intentar este reto y estoy muy emocionada porque la primera autora que tocó es Laura Lee Guhrke que es una de mis favoritas en romance histórico.
Este libro no es de los mejores de Laura de hecho toda la serie no es de lo mejor, pero esta mujer tiene algo que te hace seguir leyendo, escribe de manera muy sencilla pero adictiva.
Sus protagonistas siempre son muy diferentes y arriesgadas, ellas son independientes y saben lo que quieren.
En esta ocasión tenemos a una actriz y cantante de cabaret que ha heredado la mitad de un teatro y lo compartirá junto con Denys un Vizconde del cual ella fue amante años atrás pero que lo dejó para cumplir sus sueños y de paso le rompió el corazón.
Es una historia de segundas oportunidades, donde la confianza y el perdón son fundamentales para que ahora si ellos puedan ser felices.
Me daba mucha curiosidad esta historia porque si recordamos Lola era esa chica por la que los amigos peleaban en el pasado y quería saber como se iba a desarrollar esta historia y a la vez pensé que no me iba a gustar porque eso de que se la hayan compartido no era muy de mi agrado.
Pero no todo es lo que parece.
Hay cosas que no me gustaron mucho como el cambio repentino de actitud de Denys hacia Lola primero la podía ver ni en pintura y después todo relajado y hasta ya la había perdonado o la actitud de Lola al principio.
Lo que más me gustó es como todos los amigos apoyaron y respaldaron públicamente a Denys con su relación censurada por la sociedad.
Discúlpenme por mis reseñas hediondas pero tengo un slump en cuanto a reseñas se refiere desde hace tiempo.
#RetoLaura
Este es el primer año en que voy a intentar este reto y estoy muy emocionada porque la primera autora que tocó es Laura Lee Guhrke que es una de mis favoritas en romance histórico.
Este libro no es de los mejores de Laura de hecho toda la serie no es de lo mejor, pero esta mujer tiene algo que te hace seguir leyendo, escribe de manera muy sencilla pero adictiva.
Sus protagonistas siempre son muy diferentes y arriesgadas, ellas son independientes y saben lo que quieren.
En esta ocasión tenemos a una actriz y cantante de cabaret que ha heredado la mitad de un teatro y lo compartirá junto con Denys un Vizconde del cual ella fue amante años atrás pero que lo dejó para cumplir sus sueños y de paso le rompió el corazón.
Es una historia de segundas oportunidades, donde la confianza y el perdón son fundamentales para que ahora si ellos puedan ser felices.
Me daba mucha curiosidad esta historia porque si recordamos Lola era esa chica por la que los amigos peleaban en el pasado y quería saber como se iba a desarrollar esta historia y a la vez pensé que no me iba a gustar porque eso de que se la hayan compartido no era muy de mi agrado.
Pero no todo es lo que parece.
Hay cosas que no me gustaron mucho como el cambio repentino de actitud de Denys hacia Lola primero la podía ver ni en pintura y después todo relajado y hasta ya la había perdonado o la actitud de Lola al principio.
Lo que más me gustó es como todos los amigos apoyaron y respaldaron públicamente a Denys con su relación censurada por la sociedad.
Discúlpenme por mis reseñas hediondas pero tengo un slump en cuanto a reseñas se refiere desde hace tiempo.
October 5, 2016
2.5 stars
Even competent writing couldn't save this story for me. Contrived plot, unlikable characters, second-chance romance that supposed to revive the character' "grand passion" but turned into a boring story. It's not as bad as the third installment in the series but definetly not on par with some other author's work.
September 16, 2017
Con su habitual estilo sencillo pero muy cuidado, la autora se adentra en el mundillo del teatro de finales del siglo XIX y lo hace con elegancia y conocimiento. Buena ambientación, buen ritmo, personajes bien construidos y un buen conflicto, aunque no sea original (amor y matrimonio entre personas de clase social distinta) consiguen indudablemente una buena novela. Sin embargo, he echado en falta ese toque especial que suele tener esta autora y que convierte una buena historia en una historia deliciosa que emociona y llega directa al corazón. El romance entre Denys y Lola se ha quedado en mi cabeza y seguirá en mi memoria, porque es bonito y un tanto diferente en el sentido en que nos lo cuenta principalmente desde el recuerdo (la novela es un continuo flasback), pero no me ha conmovido, no "traspasa la batería", como diríamos en la jerga teatral. Lo que sí me ha gustado es que la autora rompa el cliché de que las actrices de variedades tienen tendencia a la promiscuidad, y presente a Lola como una mujer con principios morales, aspiraciones, capacidad intelectual suficiente para alcanzarlas y voluntad para hacerlo. La protagonista personifica algunas ideas que valen para cualquiera de nosotros, sea cual sea nuestra profesión: que el talento sin preparación sirve de muy poco, que hay que luchar siempre por un sueño y que los tropiezos o errores del pasado pueden dejarse atrás, a pesar de que marquen nuestro camino. También él, Denys, ejemplifica esto último en cierto modo, pero no le veo mucha más miga. Un hombre con el orgullo herido porque ella lo abandonó y que se muestra reacio a volver a aceptarla en su vida, dispuesto a casarse con una mujer de su clase porque es lo que la sociedad, su entorno y su familia le exigen de forma tácita. Su lucha interior entre lo que siente y lo que debe hacer está poco reflejada en la novela y creo que eso lo convierte en un protagonista masculino un tanto frío y distante del lector. Me habría gustado que la autora sacara más partido de él, quizá centrándose menos los recuerdos del pasado y el deseo físico reprimido del presente, un presente en el que la relación entre ambos avanza con cautela y te mantiene bastante enganchada a las páginas del libro. A veces, la novela me ha resultado un poco repetitiva y no es de las mejores de Guhrke ni la mejor de esta serie, en mi opinión, pero sí creo que es de las más trabajadas técnicamente. Una buena lectura que no deja una huella profunda y que recomiendo solo a las adictas a la romántica histórica, a Gurke y a las que os atraiga el mundillo del teatro.
June 5, 2017
2 Estrellas y gracias porque es de Laura Lee Guhrke, si fuera de otra autora se quedaba con una estrellita. Lo primero y principal es que éste libro es un tostón. Quizás fue culpa mía porque esperaba más de ésta historia... no sé, desde el primer libro se nos habló de una cabaretera que había vuelto locos a éste grupo de chicos, que fue amiga de varios y hasta llegaron a las pistolas por ella. ¿Y qué me encuentro? Que Lola sólo fue amante de Denys, y que estuvieron varios años juntos, hasta que ella le abandonó.
La historia no inventa nada nuevo, es como si estuvieras leyendo "La Dama de las Camelias" pero sin tuberculosis ni muertes. Un hombre de familia rica y pudiente que se enamora de una fulana. Pero es que en realidad Lola no es tal cosa, sólo es una bailarina que quiere ser actriz de teatro, y conociéndola no se la puede tachar de prostituta. Entonces ¿qué tenemos? Su historia de segunda oportunidad. No tenemos nada del cómo se conocieron, enamoraron y se separaron.
El libro empieza en 1892, tras seis años de ausencia, Lola ha vuelto a Londres, ésta vez con una importante herencia que la ha convertido en una mujer autosuficiente y propietaria de la mitad de un teatro, cuya otra mitad pertenece al padre de Denys. Tras la derrochadora juventud de Denys, y la frustrante separación de Lola, éste sentó cabeza y empezó a intervenir en los negocios de su padre, creando importantes beneficios. Puede que su padre sea el propietario, pero Denys es quien está cosechando los frutos. ¿Para qué? Para que su padre esté orgulloso de él y vea que se ha convertido en un hombre de provecho, tanto que está decidido a sentar cabeza y casarse con la mujer que le tenían asignada desde la cuna.
Todos sus planes se ven descabalados cuando les llega la notificación de quién es su nuevo socio en el teatro: Lola. El actual Denys no siente más que rencor y resentimiento hacia Lola, aquella mujer a la que amó y que le traicionó de la peor de las maneras cuando él estaba dispuesto a hacer de ella una mujer honrada. Lola sabe que su camino en el nuevo negocio es difícil, pero está dispuesta a sortear todos los obstáculos que Denys le ponga por delante con tal de que el negocio del teatro vaya a flote.
Pues sí, la primera mitad del libro ha sido un rollo sin sentido, con nada más que pullas y tiras y aflojas insustanciales entre los protagonistas, me he aburrido un montón. La segunda mitad de la novela ha cambiado a algo para mejor, pero no mucho mejor, porque tampoco entiendes muy bien cómo pasa Denys del resentimiento a volver a enamorarse. En cuanto al final, mentiría si dijera que no es bonito, pues realmente me ha encantado cómo Denys se las ingenia para que Lola al fin pueda aceptarle, pero en general la actitud de los personajes me ha parecido forzada y nada creíble, demasiado peliculera.
A ver, que estamos ante un libro de Laura Lee Guhrke, es indiscutible, pero éste libro es de lo peor que Laura puede ofrecernos, es un rollo aburrido que no aporta nada, más bien me creo que es de esos escritos por presión editorial, que tiene que escribir una serie de cuatro libros y como vengan. Lo asombroso es que las críticas pusieron peor al libro de Jack (el anterior), pero si bien ése libro no es una joya, por lo menos no me aburrió.
En cuanto al último apunte negativo, éste no va contra el libro, ni contra la autora, si no contra la editorial y su traductora: éste libro está muy pobremente traducido y no está corregido ni revisado, casi en cada página me he encontrado alguna errata y errores ortográficos de campeonato, la falta de tildes en ciertas palabras me hacía sangrar los ojos. En cuanto a la traducción, puedo pasar que a un cabriolé de alquiler le llamen taxi, pero ¿un autobús? ¿de verdad se puede emplear la palabra autobús en 1892? Señora traductora ¿se ha dado usted cuenta de que éste libro ocurre a finales del siglo XIX? ¿No sabe que en muchas ciudades densamente pobladas existían los omnibuses y que no son el actual trasto a motor que tenemos hoy en día? Quizás si la editorial y su traductora hubieran hecho un mejor trabajo de publicación podría haber pasado por alto ciertas faltas, pero cuando dicen que la lectora de novela romántica es exigente es porque lo es, y no aceptamos cualquier basura o trabajo mal hecho que nos quieran vender.
No cierro las puertas a Laura Lee Guhrke porque sé que a pesar de que puede escribir muchos bodrios, puede seguir escribiendo muchas maravillas, como "Un pacto audaz" de ésta misma serie y que es uno de los mejores libros que he leído. Mi cabreo final viene cuando la serie "acaba", y me encuentro que uno de los protagonistas no tiene libro: James (alias Pongo). Ésta serie trata de un grupo de cinco amigos que se casan todos con herederas americanas, pero son cuatro libros, y Pongo se nos ha quedado descolgado ¿De verdad Laura, Pongo no es digno de protagonizar un libro? Ale, ya lo he dicho.
La historia no inventa nada nuevo, es como si estuvieras leyendo "La Dama de las Camelias" pero sin tuberculosis ni muertes. Un hombre de familia rica y pudiente que se enamora de una fulana. Pero es que en realidad Lola no es tal cosa, sólo es una bailarina que quiere ser actriz de teatro, y conociéndola no se la puede tachar de prostituta. Entonces ¿qué tenemos? Su historia de segunda oportunidad. No tenemos nada del cómo se conocieron, enamoraron y se separaron.
El libro empieza en 1892, tras seis años de ausencia, Lola ha vuelto a Londres, ésta vez con una importante herencia que la ha convertido en una mujer autosuficiente y propietaria de la mitad de un teatro, cuya otra mitad pertenece al padre de Denys. Tras la derrochadora juventud de Denys, y la frustrante separación de Lola, éste sentó cabeza y empezó a intervenir en los negocios de su padre, creando importantes beneficios. Puede que su padre sea el propietario, pero Denys es quien está cosechando los frutos. ¿Para qué? Para que su padre esté orgulloso de él y vea que se ha convertido en un hombre de provecho, tanto que está decidido a sentar cabeza y casarse con la mujer que le tenían asignada desde la cuna.
Todos sus planes se ven descabalados cuando les llega la notificación de quién es su nuevo socio en el teatro: Lola. El actual Denys no siente más que rencor y resentimiento hacia Lola, aquella mujer a la que amó y que le traicionó de la peor de las maneras cuando él estaba dispuesto a hacer de ella una mujer honrada. Lola sabe que su camino en el nuevo negocio es difícil, pero está dispuesta a sortear todos los obstáculos que Denys le ponga por delante con tal de que el negocio del teatro vaya a flote.
Pues sí, la primera mitad del libro ha sido un rollo sin sentido, con nada más que pullas y tiras y aflojas insustanciales entre los protagonistas, me he aburrido un montón. La segunda mitad de la novela ha cambiado a algo para mejor, pero no mucho mejor, porque tampoco entiendes muy bien cómo pasa Denys del resentimiento a volver a enamorarse. En cuanto al final, mentiría si dijera que no es bonito, pues realmente me ha encantado cómo Denys se las ingenia para que Lola al fin pueda aceptarle, pero en general la actitud de los personajes me ha parecido forzada y nada creíble, demasiado peliculera.
A ver, que estamos ante un libro de Laura Lee Guhrke, es indiscutible, pero éste libro es de lo peor que Laura puede ofrecernos, es un rollo aburrido que no aporta nada, más bien me creo que es de esos escritos por presión editorial, que tiene que escribir una serie de cuatro libros y como vengan. Lo asombroso es que las críticas pusieron peor al libro de Jack (el anterior), pero si bien ése libro no es una joya, por lo menos no me aburrió.
En cuanto al último apunte negativo, éste no va contra el libro, ni contra la autora, si no contra la editorial y su traductora: éste libro está muy pobremente traducido y no está corregido ni revisado, casi en cada página me he encontrado alguna errata y errores ortográficos de campeonato, la falta de tildes en ciertas palabras me hacía sangrar los ojos. En cuanto a la traducción, puedo pasar que a un cabriolé de alquiler le llamen taxi, pero ¿un autobús? ¿de verdad se puede emplear la palabra autobús en 1892? Señora traductora ¿se ha dado usted cuenta de que éste libro ocurre a finales del siglo XIX? ¿No sabe que en muchas ciudades densamente pobladas existían los omnibuses y que no son el actual trasto a motor que tenemos hoy en día? Quizás si la editorial y su traductora hubieran hecho un mejor trabajo de publicación podría haber pasado por alto ciertas faltas, pero cuando dicen que la lectora de novela romántica es exigente es porque lo es, y no aceptamos cualquier basura o trabajo mal hecho que nos quieran vender.
No cierro las puertas a Laura Lee Guhrke porque sé que a pesar de que puede escribir muchos bodrios, puede seguir escribiendo muchas maravillas, como "Un pacto audaz" de ésta misma serie y que es uno de los mejores libros que he leído. Mi cabreo final viene cuando la serie "acaba", y me encuentro que uno de los protagonistas no tiene libro: James (alias Pongo). Ésta serie trata de un grupo de cinco amigos que se casan todos con herederas americanas, pero son cuatro libros, y Pongo se nos ha quedado descolgado ¿De verdad Laura, Pongo no es digno de protagonizar un libro? Ale, ya lo he dicho.
September 12, 2017
This was delightful -- I am sure in no small part to the narrator whose timing was spot on. She was a treat to listen to.
Second-chance stories are one of my favorite tropes. When well-done, they can be very sweet and lovely and show real personal growth and a maturity in their love for each other, which I relish and enjoy. However, it is a bit of a hat trick to pull off, IMO. They need to prove that the reason it didn't work the first time is convincing, that they deserve a second chance. Oftentimes one or both parties is an undeniable ass (or arse) or there is a BIG misunderstanding and that can be difficult to overcome. Forces outside the couple's control is a very convenient separator, but those storylines are often implausible and ridiculous. Laura Lee Ghurke manages to combine a little of all of these without going too far making a secondary-chance story that is worthy of praise.
Lola and Denys' former relationship is mentioned in the previous novels. Lola is a burlesque dancer in Paris when they first meet, and Denys (who is a Viscount and heir to an earldom) pursues her for the better part of two years before they begin a discreet affair. Despite her profession, Lola is not interested in the position of mistress and wants to be a serious actress because she knows she can't dance forever. Denys tries to move mountains and make her dreams come true with little thought of how he goes about it, and when everything comes crashing down, Lola decides she must leave and let him think the absolute worse of her through how it's done. I thought this worked well because they clearly cared for each other, but if the story had started here, it would have been much weaker. There were too many obstacles for it to make sense that it could work here.
Six years later, Lola has returned from NYC and has inherited a controlling interest in a theater that Denys is the manager and other controlling interest. This story, btw, takes place in late Victorian time. Lola is determined to be a part of managing the theater, and this forces the two of the to work civilly together, after some initial blowouts. They start to get to know each other and understand the other. I thought this was very well done. Denys realizes how little he knew Lola before, and he begins to appreciate that while his heart was in the right place before, he was inadvertently reinforcing Lola's opinion that he didn't love her but the illusion of her.
Denys was great as a hero because he was considerate and compassionate. He loved unreservedly and was able to forgive, forget and trust again when rational reasons were presented. He did the right thing per his conscience and not society's dictates.
Lola was a great heroine because she experienced so much in her short life and had a rosy attitude rather than a bitter one. She thought about her future and had no desire to lean on a man. She was resilient and willing to make the hard choice to protect the one she loves.
Their eventual reunion is lovely and heart warming. I will likely be reading this one again. I loved the grand gesture at the end. This is a couple that really deserved their HEA.
Second-chance stories are one of my favorite tropes. When well-done, they can be very sweet and lovely and show real personal growth and a maturity in their love for each other, which I relish and enjoy. However, it is a bit of a hat trick to pull off, IMO. They need to prove that the reason it didn't work the first time is convincing, that they deserve a second chance. Oftentimes one or both parties is an undeniable ass (or arse) or there is a BIG misunderstanding and that can be difficult to overcome. Forces outside the couple's control is a very convenient separator, but those storylines are often implausible and ridiculous. Laura Lee Ghurke manages to combine a little of all of these without going too far making a secondary-chance story that is worthy of praise.
Lola and Denys' former relationship is mentioned in the previous novels. Lola is a burlesque dancer in Paris when they first meet, and Denys (who is a Viscount and heir to an earldom) pursues her for the better part of two years before they begin a discreet affair. Despite her profession, Lola is not interested in the position of mistress and wants to be a serious actress because she knows she can't dance forever. Denys tries to move mountains and make her dreams come true with little thought of how he goes about it, and when everything comes crashing down, Lola decides she must leave and let him think the absolute worse of her through how it's done. I thought this worked well because they clearly cared for each other, but if the story had started here, it would have been much weaker. There were too many obstacles for it to make sense that it could work here.
Six years later, Lola has returned from NYC and has inherited a controlling interest in a theater that Denys is the manager and other controlling interest. This story, btw, takes place in late Victorian time. Lola is determined to be a part of managing the theater, and this forces the two of the to work civilly together, after some initial blowouts. They start to get to know each other and understand the other. I thought this was very well done. Denys realizes how little he knew Lola before, and he begins to appreciate that while his heart was in the right place before, he was inadvertently reinforcing Lola's opinion that he didn't love her but the illusion of her.
Denys was great as a hero because he was considerate and compassionate. He loved unreservedly and was able to forgive, forget and trust again when rational reasons were presented. He did the right thing per his conscience and not society's dictates.
Lola was a great heroine because she experienced so much in her short life and had a rosy attitude rather than a bitter one. She thought about her future and had no desire to lean on a man. She was resilient and willing to make the hard choice to protect the one she loves.
Their eventual reunion is lovely and heart warming. I will likely be reading this one again. I loved the grand gesture at the end. This is a couple that really deserved their HEA.
September 21, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
In No Mistress Of Mine we have a marvelous romance that I instantly fell in love with. Lately this author has been a hit or miss with me, but
this book worked for me in every way. Our two main characters are Lord Denys and Lola Valentine. Both Denys and Lola love each other but their stations in society are very different. Denys knows he loves Lola and is willing to marry her. However Lola is a dancer and actress in the making. Lola knows that marrying Denys would damage Denys especially in his relationship with his famil. So she makes him think the worst and moves to America. Now its been years later, and Denys has changed. He is more responsible, taking over more financial leadership in the family and is starting to court the woman his family wants him to marry. But when he hears news that his American Business partner has died, he is shocked when Lola appears as his new business partner. Denys is still feeling hurt and angry from how Lola betrayed him. Lola trained in America with her benefactor, to become an actress which has always been her dream. And she wants to make everyone in London see her true talent. But as Denys and Lola start to work into a partnership, Denys uncovers hidden truths about the past and won't let Lola go a second time.....but Lola will have to decide if the love they have is worth fighting for....
This is a powerfully and emotionally charged romance that had me on the edge from beginning to end here. I simply fell in love with this couple and their dilemma. Because this is quite a challenge that they overcome. Now I did like how this author put on a more realistic role of society and how families view marrying "outside" of your station that you were born into. My heart did go out with Lola, seeing the circumstances she was dealt with when she was young and seeing how much she grows over the years and goes after her own dreams. The biggest problem in their conflict here is Denys' family. Denys is close to his family and loves them dearly. And Lola knows this, and so she doesn't want to just jump into a relationship with Denys a second time and have to be forced to leave him again. However Denys also has powerful and influential friends who will support his relationship with Lola no matter what. I did enjoy the aspect of seeing Denys and Lola overcome the challenges that they are faced with and seeing how love can conquer. It was heartbreaking at times though, because I just wanted these two to WIN and boy what a gratifying ending we have here.
Overall No Mistress Of Mine was a heart wrenching romance that drives home the need for a happy ending and fighting for what you want!! FULLY GRATIFYING READ
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In No Mistress Of Mine we have a marvelous romance that I instantly fell in love with. Lately this author has been a hit or miss with me, but
this book worked for me in every way. Our two main characters are Lord Denys and Lola Valentine. Both Denys and Lola love each other but their stations in society are very different. Denys knows he loves Lola and is willing to marry her. However Lola is a dancer and actress in the making. Lola knows that marrying Denys would damage Denys especially in his relationship with his famil. So she makes him think the worst and moves to America. Now its been years later, and Denys has changed. He is more responsible, taking over more financial leadership in the family and is starting to court the woman his family wants him to marry. But when he hears news that his American Business partner has died, he is shocked when Lola appears as his new business partner. Denys is still feeling hurt and angry from how Lola betrayed him. Lola trained in America with her benefactor, to become an actress which has always been her dream. And she wants to make everyone in London see her true talent. But as Denys and Lola start to work into a partnership, Denys uncovers hidden truths about the past and won't let Lola go a second time.....but Lola will have to decide if the love they have is worth fighting for....This is a powerfully and emotionally charged romance that had me on the edge from beginning to end here. I simply fell in love with this couple and their dilemma. Because this is quite a challenge that they overcome. Now I did like how this author put on a more realistic role of society and how families view marrying "outside" of your station that you were born into. My heart did go out with Lola, seeing the circumstances she was dealt with when she was young and seeing how much she grows over the years and goes after her own dreams. The biggest problem in their conflict here is Denys' family. Denys is close to his family and loves them dearly. And Lola knows this, and so she doesn't want to just jump into a relationship with Denys a second time and have to be forced to leave him again. However Denys also has powerful and influential friends who will support his relationship with Lola no matter what. I did enjoy the aspect of seeing Denys and Lola overcome the challenges that they are faced with and seeing how love can conquer. It was heartbreaking at times though, because I just wanted these two to WIN and boy what a gratifying ending we have here.
Overall No Mistress Of Mine was a heart wrenching romance that drives home the need for a happy ending and fighting for what you want!! FULLY GRATIFYING READ
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September 20, 2017
Libro leído para el club de lectura, dudaba entre ponerle 1 1/2 estrellas, lo dejo en 2 porque técnicamente es una buena novela.
Laura Lee Guhrke es una de mis escritoras "clásicas" preferidas (he tenido la suerte de traducir varias de sus obras) y no soy objetiva con ella. Sé de lo que la señora Guhrke es capaz, sé que puede crear grandes historias con momentos tan emotivos y románticos que te dejan la piel de gallina y en esta novela no he encontrado ninguno.
"El lord y la plebeya" (título en español) es la cuarta entrega de una serie y creo que esto no le juega a favor. Cuando la leía tenía la sensación de que la señora Guhrke sabía que estos dos protagonistas tenían que acabar juntos, son los últimos que le quedaban, y que ha montado la historia a su alrededor sin demasiada emoción. El argumento no es nada arriesgado, está lleno de clichés, pero aun así podría haber funcionado si Lola y Denys hubiesen actuado con más pasión y con más sentimiento.
Lo mejor de la historia es Lola, este personaje es el único que sufre una evolución y que llegas a conocer, pero no basta para aguantarla. El resto de elementos son previsibles y el conjunto final es incluso aburrido, a pesar de que es cierto que se lee con mucha rapidez.
"El lord y la plebeya" es una novela romántica de manual, con aires sin duda clásicos y que yo como lectora probablemente he dejado atrás y ahora busco algo más, así que con toda seguridad el problema soy yo y no la señora Gurkhe. Creo que esta historia puede gustar a muchas lectoras de siempre del género, pero si alguien quiere descubrir a esta autora le recomiendo que elija otra de sus historias. En mi opinión "Y entonces él la besó", "Un pacto audaz" (segunda entrega de la serie a la que pertenece "El lord y la plebeya") o "Amor prohibido" son novelas románticas históricas maravillosas, originales y sorprendentes. "El lord y la plebeya" es prescindible.
Laura Lee Guhrke es una de mis escritoras "clásicas" preferidas (he tenido la suerte de traducir varias de sus obras) y no soy objetiva con ella. Sé de lo que la señora Guhrke es capaz, sé que puede crear grandes historias con momentos tan emotivos y románticos que te dejan la piel de gallina y en esta novela no he encontrado ninguno.
"El lord y la plebeya" (título en español) es la cuarta entrega de una serie y creo que esto no le juega a favor. Cuando la leía tenía la sensación de que la señora Guhrke sabía que estos dos protagonistas tenían que acabar juntos, son los últimos que le quedaban, y que ha montado la historia a su alrededor sin demasiada emoción. El argumento no es nada arriesgado, está lleno de clichés, pero aun así podría haber funcionado si Lola y Denys hubiesen actuado con más pasión y con más sentimiento.
Lo mejor de la historia es Lola, este personaje es el único que sufre una evolución y que llegas a conocer, pero no basta para aguantarla. El resto de elementos son previsibles y el conjunto final es incluso aburrido, a pesar de que es cierto que se lee con mucha rapidez.
"El lord y la plebeya" es una novela romántica de manual, con aires sin duda clásicos y que yo como lectora probablemente he dejado atrás y ahora busco algo más, así que con toda seguridad el problema soy yo y no la señora Gurkhe. Creo que esta historia puede gustar a muchas lectoras de siempre del género, pero si alguien quiere descubrir a esta autora le recomiendo que elija otra de sus historias. En mi opinión "Y entonces él la besó", "Un pacto audaz" (segunda entrega de la serie a la que pertenece "El lord y la plebeya") o "Amor prohibido" son novelas románticas históricas maravillosas, originales y sorprendentes. "El lord y la plebeya" es prescindible.
June 9, 2017
Reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
Muy del estilo de esta autora. Entretenido, pero no es de los mejores
Es una novela muy tópica en la que se repiten conversaciones y situaciones.
De todas formas me ha durado un suspiro. Esta mujer es especialista en coger un argumento de lo más trillado y engancharte. Aquí lo consigue con ese pasado de Lola (qué gracia me hace ese nombre)
sorprende, no? Nada y es de esas historias que dentro de una semana ya no recordaré y por el pequeño reflejo del mundo del teatro.
Pero el romance no tiene nada de particular, algo soso, la verdad
Está bien escrito, aunque tiene algunas palabras que tengo que averiguar si son cosas de traducción o de la autora, a ver si alguien que se anime a leerlo en original
Lo recomiendo, pues sí... a mí esta autora me gusta y creo que es ideal para leer una historia ligera, bien escrita, sin complicaciones.
Eso sí, me gustaría que hubiera arriesgado un poquito más. Aunque después del anterior, con este iba con mucho miedo. Así que al menos, no me he llevado un chasco. Entretiene, que es su cometido y con eso me conformo. Pero no creo que sea de los mejores de Laura Lee Guhrke
Muy del estilo de esta autora. Entretenido, pero no es de los mejores
Es una novela muy tópica en la que se repiten conversaciones y situaciones.
De todas formas me ha durado un suspiro. Esta mujer es especialista en coger un argumento de lo más trillado y engancharte. Aquí lo consigue con ese pasado de Lola (qué gracia me hace ese nombre)
sorprende, no? Nada y es de esas historias que dentro de una semana ya no recordaré y por el pequeño reflejo del mundo del teatro.
Pero el romance no tiene nada de particular, algo soso, la verdad
Está bien escrito, aunque tiene algunas palabras que tengo que averiguar si son cosas de traducción o de la autora, a ver si alguien que se anime a leerlo en original
Lo recomiendo, pues sí... a mí esta autora me gusta y creo que es ideal para leer una historia ligera, bien escrita, sin complicaciones.
Eso sí, me gustaría que hubiera arriesgado un poquito más. Aunque después del anterior, con este iba con mucho miedo. Así que al menos, no me he llevado un chasco. Entretiene, que es su cometido y con eso me conformo. Pero no creo que sea de los mejores de Laura Lee Guhrke
September 26, 2017
In general, Second Chance stories are not my favorite. Don't get me wrong, I believe in second chances and Redemption for individuals. However, once a romance has come to an end, whether divorced, ex-mistress, ex-lovers, whatever, I am not a huge fan of the two people getting back together years later.
I also have a hard time with stories where the hero or the heroine feels they cannot be together due to social status. I know it was unlikely for a commoner and a Viscount to get married. However, I just get frustrated when they make excuses or decide they can only be lovers. I want my historical romance to be a fantasy where love conquers all.
This book made it feel more plausible and less of just an excuse. It did a great job communicating each of their points of view on the same events. It let us into the minds and emotions of both of them.
This second chance love story worked! It started off slow. I was leaning toward a three-star rating, but it ended up absolutely perfect, 5 Stars! I decided to split the difference and rate four.
I also have a hard time with stories where the hero or the heroine feels they cannot be together due to social status. I know it was unlikely for a commoner and a Viscount to get married. However, I just get frustrated when they make excuses or decide they can only be lovers. I want my historical romance to be a fantasy where love conquers all.
This book made it feel more plausible and less of just an excuse. It did a great job communicating each of their points of view on the same events. It let us into the minds and emotions of both of them.
This second chance love story worked! It started off slow. I was leaning toward a three-star rating, but it ended up absolutely perfect, 5 Stars! I decided to split the difference and rate four.
April 21, 2017
I can go either way with a second-chance-at-love story. Sometimes, they fall flat, because I feel like I missed the best part, where the couple initially falls in love. Other times, it works, because you have a real reason to believe in the characters’ emotional investment, almost from the beginning. It can make you care about their feelings, without feeling rushed. For me, this story fell into the second category. I didn’t feel like I missed anything, as the author filled in the pieces from the past. I cared about the hero; I felt his hurt. Maybe a bit too well… because it took me a while to get on-board with the heroine.
It’s been six years since Lola Valentine walked away from Denys and broke his heart. She was a beautiful dancer with dreams of becoming an actress. He was a young noble, entranced with her charm and willing to do anything to keep their affair from ending –even marrying her, despite their difference in station. But just as he was about to propose, Lola told him she got a better offer from his business partner, Henry, and went back to the States to pursue a career as an actress.
Now Henry is dead. And he’s given Lola his shares of the theater he shared with Denys. She returns to London with ambitions of not only running the theater, but acting in its productions. Denys only wants her to stay far, far away. It’s taken him years to mend his heart and to regain the respect of his family. Seeing Lola brings back all of the old hurts –and desire. But no matter how he tries, she refuses to keep her distance. Despite what it means for him personally, he has no choice but to make room for her in his professional life.
Of course, we come to learn that Lola had her reasons for what she did. Of course, she didn’t leave him for another man. Of course, she was being noble… well, noble-ish. But I just kept feeling Denys’s hurt and betrayal. I resented Lola, not only for her initial betrayal, but for the cavalier way she came back, knowing how she stomped on his heart and expecting him to get over it. Even as her reasoning came out, I struggled to forgive her –and found Denys did it much easier than I did.
I did, eventually, come around to the romance, if for no other reason than I wanted Denys to be happy. But it wasn’t really until the end of the book that I rooted for Lola. The thing was –there wasn’t really that much different about their circumstances the second time around than the first (when an HEA was so unthinkable.) I felt like the ending was a little… easy, but by then, I was just ready to get past the idea they couldn’t make it work.
That aside, I did enjoy the book for the most part. It’s book 4 in a series, but it holds up fine as a standalone. I was engaged, especially with the hero, and I cared what happened. I may go back and check out some of the earlier books.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
It’s been six years since Lola Valentine walked away from Denys and broke his heart. She was a beautiful dancer with dreams of becoming an actress. He was a young noble, entranced with her charm and willing to do anything to keep their affair from ending –even marrying her, despite their difference in station. But just as he was about to propose, Lola told him she got a better offer from his business partner, Henry, and went back to the States to pursue a career as an actress.
Now Henry is dead. And he’s given Lola his shares of the theater he shared with Denys. She returns to London with ambitions of not only running the theater, but acting in its productions. Denys only wants her to stay far, far away. It’s taken him years to mend his heart and to regain the respect of his family. Seeing Lola brings back all of the old hurts –and desire. But no matter how he tries, she refuses to keep her distance. Despite what it means for him personally, he has no choice but to make room for her in his professional life.
Of course, we come to learn that Lola had her reasons for what she did. Of course, she didn’t leave him for another man. Of course, she was being noble… well, noble-ish. But I just kept feeling Denys’s hurt and betrayal. I resented Lola, not only for her initial betrayal, but for the cavalier way she came back, knowing how she stomped on his heart and expecting him to get over it. Even as her reasoning came out, I struggled to forgive her –and found Denys did it much easier than I did.
I did, eventually, come around to the romance, if for no other reason than I wanted Denys to be happy. But it wasn’t really until the end of the book that I rooted for Lola. The thing was –there wasn’t really that much different about their circumstances the second time around than the first (when an HEA was so unthinkable.) I felt like the ending was a little… easy, but by then, I was just ready to get past the idea they couldn’t make it work.
That aside, I did enjoy the book for the most part. It’s book 4 in a series, but it holds up fine as a standalone. I was engaged, especially with the hero, and I cared what happened. I may go back and check out some of the earlier books.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
February 20, 2018
(2.5 stars) I'm a longtime fan of Laura Lee Guhrke's work but, IMO, this HR is really quite bland. Yes, I like the characters. Yes, the love is shown on paper quite nicely. Yes, we have an HEA, arrived at with very little annoying behavior or failures to communicate. Yes, the writing is competent, although not up to Guhrke's best. And it's a second-chance romance. I like those.
So with all those "yeses" above, this should be a 4-star book for me, but, as I said, it's rather bland and been-there/done-that. Hero Denys is of the English peerage. Heroine Lola Valentine is a showgirl/dancer/singer (with ambitions to become a serious actress). Lola grew up very poor in America, deserted by her mother at a young age and living with a drunken father until he died when she was in her early teens. Yep, struggling, desperate, lower class all the way.
Denys and Lola had been lovers 6 years in the past, when he was a young man stricken with lust upon seeing Lola on the stage. He was so in love he was willing to brave family and society by asking her to marry him. But Lola was frightened off by Denys' father and her own conscience about their class differences and left to go back to America. Purposefully she breaks Denys's heart by leading him to believe that she has found better options and does not love him or want to be with him.
6 years later fate has them partners in a successful London theater. Denys is angry, hurt and resentful but still attracted to Lola. She's still a showgirl with ambitions to become a good actress, still with her secrets about her life and why she left him. There's still that huge social divide and here we are, full circle.
It all works out in the end, of course, because it's a romance and must do. If it were real life, those two would have had to run off to live in South Dakota to open a saloon/music hall, far from the English peerage. Instead we have all the H/h characters from the previous books of this American Heiresses series circling their wagons around this couple to protect them from the snootiest of the upper class snobs. It's fanciful stuff, even though Guhrke does not sugarcoat the class difference issues the couple faces.
There's not much to this story. No real conflicts (other than the class divide). Not much plot. Just a lot of talk between H and h until they have finally come clean about everything in the past. Yes, it's a pleasant romance and competently written, but there's no real oomph or spark to the story, IMO.
So with all those "yeses" above, this should be a 4-star book for me, but, as I said, it's rather bland and been-there/done-that. Hero Denys is of the English peerage. Heroine Lola Valentine is a showgirl/dancer/singer (with ambitions to become a serious actress). Lola grew up very poor in America, deserted by her mother at a young age and living with a drunken father until he died when she was in her early teens. Yep, struggling, desperate, lower class all the way.
Denys and Lola had been lovers 6 years in the past, when he was a young man stricken with lust upon seeing Lola on the stage. He was so in love he was willing to brave family and society by asking her to marry him. But Lola was frightened off by Denys' father and her own conscience about their class differences and left to go back to America. Purposefully she breaks Denys's heart by leading him to believe that she has found better options and does not love him or want to be with him.
6 years later fate has them partners in a successful London theater. Denys is angry, hurt and resentful but still attracted to Lola. She's still a showgirl with ambitions to become a good actress, still with her secrets about her life and why she left him. There's still that huge social divide and here we are, full circle.
It all works out in the end, of course, because it's a romance and must do. If it were real life, those two would have had to run off to live in South Dakota to open a saloon/music hall, far from the English peerage. Instead we have all the H/h characters from the previous books of this American Heiresses series circling their wagons around this couple to protect them from the snootiest of the upper class snobs. It's fanciful stuff, even though Guhrke does not sugarcoat the class difference issues the couple faces.
There's not much to this story. No real conflicts (other than the class divide). Not much plot. Just a lot of talk between H and h until they have finally come clean about everything in the past. Yes, it's a pleasant romance and competently written, but there's no real oomph or spark to the story, IMO.
February 12, 2019
Me resistía a leer esta novela porque no me habían gustado demasiado las anteriores de la serie (excepto "Un pacto audaz"). Tampoco tenía comentarios demasiado brillantes.
Pero era la única traducida al castellano que no había leído de la autora y debía leer alguna para el retoRita.
Dudé entre releer mi favorita ("La cosa más dulce") y esta y me decidí por esta. Me dije, si es muy mala la dejo y releo "La cosa..."
Y realmente ME ENCANTÓ. La leí en dos tardes y no podía soltarla.
Sí, como dicen por ahí, es como la historia de "La dama de las camelias" pero con final feliz.
No sé si es para tanto, pero disfruté mucho de esta historia de segundas oportunidades que tiene desde supuestas traiciones, diferencias sociales, pasado turbio, etc., pero mucho amor.
Reconozco que Lola a veces cansa con tanta repetición de que no quiere complicar la vida de Denys. Y el final me pareció medio facilongo (me hubiera gustado más drama familiar al final).
Dicen también que tiene algunas palabras mal traducidas.
Pero bueno, cuando a una la atrapa una historia no ve cosas por las que defenestra a otras.
Y para gustos hay colores, como dicen.
Dos escenas hot muy apasionadas.
Serían más bien 4 estrellas, pero me dejó tan linda sensación que le subo 1 más.
Pienso que tiene bastante paralelismo con "La cosa..." (ambas protagonistas son plebeyas por ej) aunque Lola tiene un pasado mucho más sórdido.
Por ahí me cansé de las virgencitas.
Pero era la única traducida al castellano que no había leído de la autora y debía leer alguna para el retoRita.
Dudé entre releer mi favorita ("La cosa más dulce") y esta y me decidí por esta. Me dije, si es muy mala la dejo y releo "La cosa..."
Y realmente ME ENCANTÓ. La leí en dos tardes y no podía soltarla.
Sí, como dicen por ahí, es como la historia de "La dama de las camelias" pero con final feliz.
No sé si es para tanto, pero disfruté mucho de esta historia de segundas oportunidades que tiene desde supuestas traiciones, diferencias sociales, pasado turbio, etc., pero mucho amor.
Reconozco que Lola a veces cansa con tanta repetición de que no quiere complicar la vida de Denys. Y el final me pareció medio facilongo (me hubiera gustado más drama familiar al final).
Dicen también que tiene algunas palabras mal traducidas.
Pero bueno, cuando a una la atrapa una historia no ve cosas por las que defenestra a otras.
Y para gustos hay colores, como dicen.
Dos escenas hot muy apasionadas.
Serían más bien 4 estrellas, pero me dejó tan linda sensación que le subo 1 más.
Pienso que tiene bastante paralelismo con "La cosa..." (ambas protagonistas son plebeyas por ej) aunque Lola tiene un pasado mucho más sórdido.
Por ahí me cansé de las virgencitas.
Want to read
September 23, 2019This book won the RITA, and I might read it. I used to be a big LLG fan, but this latest series has been average at best. I notice that the ratings at GR and AMZ are not great. Not sure what the RITA voters were thinking, giving the award to this book over Loretta Chase's first-rate Dukes Prefer Blondes.
October 24, 2022
Uno más de la Guhrke que está bien, pero sin más. Hay otros de la autora que recomendaría mucho más.
August 24, 2016
No Mistress of Mine is the fourth book in the 'American Heiress in London' series by Laura Lee Guhrke. I haven't had the opportunity to read the previous books but this one can easily be read as a stand alone one.
This is the story of Lola Valentine and Lord Denys Somerton. She is an American woman who makes her living as a show girl. He is a Lord and eventually will become an Earl. His family have high expectations of him and of who he will marry. Six years ago Denys didn't care about his family's expectations, he thought himself in love with Lola and was determined to marry her. Lola on the other hand knew he could never cope with the fall out if they were to marry and when an opportunity to escape Paris to go to New York and have her own show, while also learning to become a proper actress, arises, she jumps at the chance. She knows that Denys will be better off without her so when he comes after her in Paris and proposes to her, she tells him no, and that she's had a better offer. Leaving him to believe she is going to be another man's mistress. Broken hearted Denys spent the next six years sewing his oats, and not taking relationships seriously. He realises though that he has to marry and is settling down to that fact, and making moves to court the woman who it has been expected he marry since they were young. Life is now good for him, and he feels settled. That is until the unthinkable happens. Lola comes back into his life!
Her friend, Henry, the man who looked after her and took her to America, has died. He was joint owner with Denis' father of a London theatre. Henry was just a silent partner and left all the decisions up to Denys who managed the theatre for his father. When Henry died he left his half of the theatre to Lola. He thought she could follow her dreams, by using the theatre to showcase her acting skills that she had worked so hard to learn.
When Denys learns what's happened he can't help but be angry, he doesn't want Lola there, and definitely doesn't want her acting in what he considers his theatre. He wants her to be a silent partner just like Henry was, but she refuses. Can they possibly work together, can he ever forgive her for leaving him, can they get past what happened and at least have a good working relationship together. Denys doesn't think so. And among all his feelings of anger and betrayal, in the back of his mind he still has to fight his attraction to her. All of a sudden all his plans, and his readiness to settle down and marry his childhood friend come into question. Lola still doesn't feel good enough for him, so even if he does decide she is worth giving up his plans for, will he be able to convince her that he doesn't care about the fall out if they get together?
I absolutely adored this story, the love that Lola feels for Denys is so strong. To be able to leave him, making him hate her so that he could move on with his life, was the ultimate sacrifice. She's such a strong character, at least on the surface, but inside she's a fragile butterfly. Denys, well he has had a lot of growing up to do, and that starts with trying to curb the anger at Lola that is so quick to surface when she returns to London as half owner of the theatre. This is truly a tale of class wars, and the growth of both main characters was a delight to read. I am definitely going to go back and read the other books in the series because if they are all as good as this one then I have got some great reading coming up.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of Lola Valentine and Lord Denys Somerton. She is an American woman who makes her living as a show girl. He is a Lord and eventually will become an Earl. His family have high expectations of him and of who he will marry. Six years ago Denys didn't care about his family's expectations, he thought himself in love with Lola and was determined to marry her. Lola on the other hand knew he could never cope with the fall out if they were to marry and when an opportunity to escape Paris to go to New York and have her own show, while also learning to become a proper actress, arises, she jumps at the chance. She knows that Denys will be better off without her so when he comes after her in Paris and proposes to her, she tells him no, and that she's had a better offer. Leaving him to believe she is going to be another man's mistress. Broken hearted Denys spent the next six years sewing his oats, and not taking relationships seriously. He realises though that he has to marry and is settling down to that fact, and making moves to court the woman who it has been expected he marry since they were young. Life is now good for him, and he feels settled. That is until the unthinkable happens. Lola comes back into his life!
Her friend, Henry, the man who looked after her and took her to America, has died. He was joint owner with Denis' father of a London theatre. Henry was just a silent partner and left all the decisions up to Denys who managed the theatre for his father. When Henry died he left his half of the theatre to Lola. He thought she could follow her dreams, by using the theatre to showcase her acting skills that she had worked so hard to learn.
When Denys learns what's happened he can't help but be angry, he doesn't want Lola there, and definitely doesn't want her acting in what he considers his theatre. He wants her to be a silent partner just like Henry was, but she refuses. Can they possibly work together, can he ever forgive her for leaving him, can they get past what happened and at least have a good working relationship together. Denys doesn't think so. And among all his feelings of anger and betrayal, in the back of his mind he still has to fight his attraction to her. All of a sudden all his plans, and his readiness to settle down and marry his childhood friend come into question. Lola still doesn't feel good enough for him, so even if he does decide she is worth giving up his plans for, will he be able to convince her that he doesn't care about the fall out if they get together?
I absolutely adored this story, the love that Lola feels for Denys is so strong. To be able to leave him, making him hate her so that he could move on with his life, was the ultimate sacrifice. She's such a strong character, at least on the surface, but inside she's a fragile butterfly. Denys, well he has had a lot of growing up to do, and that starts with trying to curb the anger at Lola that is so quick to surface when she returns to London as half owner of the theatre. This is truly a tale of class wars, and the growth of both main characters was a delight to read. I am definitely going to go back and read the other books in the series because if they are all as good as this one then I have got some great reading coming up.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2016
'He'd been ready to sacrifice everything dear to him, to turn his back on everyone else he loved, in order to keep her. And then, she had left him."
FINAL DECISION: This is my favorite book of the series. I loved just about everything about this book. The characters were good people, intelligent and demonstrated growth in the story. The romance was difficult and there was no magic solution for these two but rather a mature acceptance of the painful things that can go with love.
THE STORY: Lord Denys Somerton has finally regained the respect of his family after a wild period where he fell for a cancan dancer and thought to make her his future countess until she abandoned him for another man. Now Denys is considering marrying his childhood friend while managing his family businesses. Then Lola Valentine walks back into his life. Having inherited half a theater from the man she left Denys for, Lola has returned to London to fulfill her dream of being an actress. Denys finds himself an unwilling business partner of Lola. Denys knows that Lola is bad for him but he has never been able to resist her.
OPINION: I don't if I can express how much I loved this book. A fallen woman. Class differences. Hero is a genuine nice guy. Heroine is smart. Setting someplace other than the ton balls. Second chance at love. Accepting love requires sacrifice. This hit so many of the points that make my heart soft and gooey.
I loved Lola. This woman is a survivor. Intelligent and self made. She has taken risks and brought herself so far. And yet she is haunted by the choices she has made to get where she needs to be. Being with Denys challenges her because she feels unworthy because of her past and because of their class differences. She let Denys before in order to protect him from the sting of their relationship, but she also wanted to save herself. She has returned, older and stronger and perhaps willing to try harder.
Denys is adorable. I love that he acknowledges his mistakes and tries to remedies them. He is also completely devoted to Lola. Even when he is hurt from her actions, he still treats her with more respect than other people. I like that he attempts to understand her. When he realizes that he did not know Lola as well as he assumed, he takes actions to remedy that. It takes a brave man to toss everything he loves away for a woman and an even stronger one to try and convince those he loves to support her.
The romance between Denys and Lola begins in this book with them being equals in a way that they were not in their prior relationship. Lola, especially, feels the inequality between them so it means something for the two of them to be equal business partners. Their equality in business which Denys accepts become a proxy or a more equal personal relationship. Their equality also refreshingly comes into their acceptance of their sexual history. Denys realizes that he cannot condemn Lola for her sexual experience in light of his own. He cannot judge Lola and that allows him to see her in way that is personal and meaningful.
I adored that this book is about two people recognizing their mistakes, learning to trust and talk to one another and then just jumping into love with all it's complications and pitfalls. At the end of this book, Denys and Lola know that not everyone will accept their love but the important ones will.
WORTH MENTIONING: I hope Pongo eventually gets his own story.
CONNECTED BOOKS: NO MISTRESS OF MINE is the fourth book in the An American Heiress in London series. While characters from the other books make appearances, it is not necessary to have read those books to enjoy this one. This book can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
FINAL DECISION: This is my favorite book of the series. I loved just about everything about this book. The characters were good people, intelligent and demonstrated growth in the story. The romance was difficult and there was no magic solution for these two but rather a mature acceptance of the painful things that can go with love.
THE STORY: Lord Denys Somerton has finally regained the respect of his family after a wild period where he fell for a cancan dancer and thought to make her his future countess until she abandoned him for another man. Now Denys is considering marrying his childhood friend while managing his family businesses. Then Lola Valentine walks back into his life. Having inherited half a theater from the man she left Denys for, Lola has returned to London to fulfill her dream of being an actress. Denys finds himself an unwilling business partner of Lola. Denys knows that Lola is bad for him but he has never been able to resist her.
OPINION: I don't if I can express how much I loved this book. A fallen woman. Class differences. Hero is a genuine nice guy. Heroine is smart. Setting someplace other than the ton balls. Second chance at love. Accepting love requires sacrifice. This hit so many of the points that make my heart soft and gooey.
I loved Lola. This woman is a survivor. Intelligent and self made. She has taken risks and brought herself so far. And yet she is haunted by the choices she has made to get where she needs to be. Being with Denys challenges her because she feels unworthy because of her past and because of their class differences. She let Denys before in order to protect him from the sting of their relationship, but she also wanted to save herself. She has returned, older and stronger and perhaps willing to try harder.
Denys is adorable. I love that he acknowledges his mistakes and tries to remedies them. He is also completely devoted to Lola. Even when he is hurt from her actions, he still treats her with more respect than other people. I like that he attempts to understand her. When he realizes that he did not know Lola as well as he assumed, he takes actions to remedy that. It takes a brave man to toss everything he loves away for a woman and an even stronger one to try and convince those he loves to support her.
The romance between Denys and Lola begins in this book with them being equals in a way that they were not in their prior relationship. Lola, especially, feels the inequality between them so it means something for the two of them to be equal business partners. Their equality in business which Denys accepts become a proxy or a more equal personal relationship. Their equality also refreshingly comes into their acceptance of their sexual history. Denys realizes that he cannot condemn Lola for her sexual experience in light of his own. He cannot judge Lola and that allows him to see her in way that is personal and meaningful.
I adored that this book is about two people recognizing their mistakes, learning to trust and talk to one another and then just jumping into love with all it's complications and pitfalls. At the end of this book, Denys and Lola know that not everyone will accept their love but the important ones will.
WORTH MENTIONING: I hope Pongo eventually gets his own story.
CONNECTED BOOKS: NO MISTRESS OF MINE is the fourth book in the An American Heiress in London series. While characters from the other books make appearances, it is not necessary to have read those books to enjoy this one. This book can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
September 14, 2016
This book didn't really do it for me, but it's well-written enough to merit an extra star. I do love Guhrke and the quality is all here.
So why didn't I like this very much? Simply put, I didn't care about the two protagonists and I never felt invested in their love story. We're told over and over again that they were once sooooo in love. Sure, we get some flashbacks in the form of memories, but I never really felt like I got their connection. Were they in love or did they just like having sex all the time? Even in the present, I felt they had little chemistry. It was all a case of telling without showing.
I don't know what was "off" about this. Guhrke has written some of my favorite historical romances with deeply romantic stories.
Having said that, it isn't a "bad" book by any means. I thought Lola was an interesting character - her background is slowly revealed to us - even if I never quite warmed up to her. I found I liked Denys more as a secondary character in previous books than when he's at the front and center, but he's charming enough when he's not growling at Lola in the beginning.
I did feel sorry for Georgiana and I hope she gets her own happy ending. I keep wondering how different the story could've been if he ended up with a girl he knew his whole life and it grew from affection to love. But I realize that's entirely different and so I can only hope there's someone out there for her...maybe Pongo?!
So why didn't I like this very much? Simply put, I didn't care about the two protagonists and I never felt invested in their love story. We're told over and over again that they were once sooooo in love. Sure, we get some flashbacks in the form of memories, but I never really felt like I got their connection. Were they in love or did they just like having sex all the time? Even in the present, I felt they had little chemistry. It was all a case of telling without showing.
I don't know what was "off" about this. Guhrke has written some of my favorite historical romances with deeply romantic stories.
Having said that, it isn't a "bad" book by any means. I thought Lola was an interesting character - her background is slowly revealed to us - even if I never quite warmed up to her. I found I liked Denys more as a secondary character in previous books than when he's at the front and center, but he's charming enough when he's not growling at Lola in the beginning.
I did feel sorry for Georgiana and I hope she gets her own happy ending. I keep wondering how different the story could've been if he ended up with a girl he knew his whole life and it grew from affection to love. But I realize that's entirely different and so I can only hope there's someone out there for her...maybe Pongo?!
January 11, 2017
Et voici le 4ème tome de nos amis d'Eton qui ont épousé des héritière américaine.... (bon le 5ème il n'a pas son tome de prévu pour l'instant semble-t-il vu qu'en Mars, Laura Lee Guhrke commence une nouvelle série.... mais un truc me dit que "Pongo" ne va peut-être pas épouser une Américaine....)
Ici nous allons suivre Denys... Denys c'est celui qui avait la fameuse Lola comme maîtresse, qui avait provoquer un certain raffut dans leur jeunesse aventureuse. Denys c'est celui qui a un père plutôt sympa que l'on croise dans le tome 1 puis que c'est lui qui monte une brasserie avec Nick, dans le premier tome.
Denys donc, depuis ce premier tome a décidé aussi de prendre sa vie en main et en plus de la brasserie, il gère désormais les affaires familiales (Papa rassuré s'étant mis en semi-retraite) en particulier le théâtre dans lequel son père avait investi avec l'aide d'Henri un producteur américain.
Le Henri étant le producteur avec qui la fameuse Lola était partie 6 ans plus tôt, brisant le coeur de Denys. Qui s'en est remis et se dit qu'il pourrait finalement épouser une amie d'enfance toussa....
Sauf qu'Henry meurt, et qu'il a laissé sa part dans le théätre londonien à... Lola (bravo pour ceux qui suiven cette intrigue compliquée au fond ^^). Lola qui revient donc sur Londres pour à la fois prendre les rênes aussi du théâtre et remonter sur scène ici, après une prestation désastreuse, pour prouver qu'elle est enfin devenue une actrice et pas uniquement une danseuse de cancan. Elle n'est pas stupide non plus, elle ne réclame pas le premier rôle.
Bref tout ça pour dire que c'est moyen du goût de Denys (et son père) parce que voilà, Lola, il l'a dans la peau. Et l'inverse est vrai. Et nous sommes en 1893, les scandales arrivent vite tout ça, tout le monde se demande si la Lola ne va pas redevenir la maitresse du Vicomte Machin, est-ce que Lola Valentine sait réellement jouer ou a-t-elle eu son rôle pour d'autres raisons, etc.
Une situation, permettez-moi de vous le dire, casse-c.... bonbons.
Alors j'ai beaucoup aimé parce qu'on n'a pas une héritière américaine au sens classique du terme, effectivement Lola a hérité et elle est américaine, mais elle n'est pas de la bonne société. On a aussi une relation entre Denys et sa famille normale... des parents aimants, un vrai lien, mais avec le poids énorme du quand-dira-t-on. Comme on se doute dans cette histoire de seconde chance, c'est le poids de la différence sociale qui fait barrière entre les deux héros, et comme toujours Laura Lee Guhrke nous montre bien que les barrières sociales de l'époque sont un obstacle assez fort, même dans la tête des héros, à surmonter pour ne rien rajouter de plus.
Ici nous allons suivre Denys... Denys c'est celui qui avait la fameuse Lola comme maîtresse, qui avait provoquer un certain raffut dans leur jeunesse aventureuse. Denys c'est celui qui a un père plutôt sympa que l'on croise dans le tome 1 puis que c'est lui qui monte une brasserie avec Nick, dans le premier tome.
Denys donc, depuis ce premier tome a décidé aussi de prendre sa vie en main et en plus de la brasserie, il gère désormais les affaires familiales (Papa rassuré s'étant mis en semi-retraite) en particulier le théâtre dans lequel son père avait investi avec l'aide d'Henri un producteur américain.
Le Henri étant le producteur avec qui la fameuse Lola était partie 6 ans plus tôt, brisant le coeur de Denys. Qui s'en est remis et se dit qu'il pourrait finalement épouser une amie d'enfance toussa....
Sauf qu'Henry meurt, et qu'il a laissé sa part dans le théätre londonien à... Lola (bravo pour ceux qui suiven cette intrigue compliquée au fond ^^). Lola qui revient donc sur Londres pour à la fois prendre les rênes aussi du théâtre et remonter sur scène ici, après une prestation désastreuse, pour prouver qu'elle est enfin devenue une actrice et pas uniquement une danseuse de cancan. Elle n'est pas stupide non plus, elle ne réclame pas le premier rôle.
Bref tout ça pour dire que c'est moyen du goût de Denys (et son père) parce que voilà, Lola, il l'a dans la peau. Et l'inverse est vrai. Et nous sommes en 1893, les scandales arrivent vite tout ça, tout le monde se demande si la Lola ne va pas redevenir la maitresse du Vicomte Machin, est-ce que Lola Valentine sait réellement jouer ou a-t-elle eu son rôle pour d'autres raisons, etc.
Une situation, permettez-moi de vous le dire, casse-c.... bonbons.
Alors j'ai beaucoup aimé parce qu'on n'a pas une héritière américaine au sens classique du terme, effectivement Lola a hérité et elle est américaine, mais elle n'est pas de la bonne société. On a aussi une relation entre Denys et sa famille normale... des parents aimants, un vrai lien, mais avec le poids énorme du quand-dira-t-on. Comme on se doute dans cette histoire de seconde chance, c'est le poids de la différence sociale qui fait barrière entre les deux héros, et comme toujours Laura Lee Guhrke nous montre bien que les barrières sociales de l'époque sont un obstacle assez fort, même dans la tête des héros, à surmonter pour ne rien rajouter de plus.
April 19, 2025
3.75 rounded up to 4. I really enjoyed this series!
July 8, 2019
2.5 stars
January 19, 2025
DNF at 45%. The storyline is preposterous and it's just plain boring.
August 29, 2016
I’m a fan of Laura Lee Guhrke, though I’ve noticed a trend in her writing that had me worried about this latest novel in the An American Heiress in London series. It seems like there’s always one book that’s a standout DIK, one that’s a disappointment, and other books that can vary widely between better, average and good. Since I already picked a DIK, and decided the last book (Catch a Falling Heiress) had to be the disappointment – where was No Mistress of Mine going to fall on the spectrum? Good news Guhrke fans – though
When the Marquess Met His Match
remains my favorite, the love story between Lord Denys Somerton and actress Lola Valentine more than redeems the disappointment of the last book. This one is passionate, romantic, and a nice tease for the final book in this charming series. Though you could read it as a standalone, it’s helpful to have read the previous three books to familiarize yourself with recurring characters.
All the books in this series nominally feature an American heroine, but the true link is a deep and abiding friendship between five school friends, now British peers, whom the American women eventually wed. Though No Mistress of Mine is the fourth story told, Lord Denys Somerton was the first to fall in love. Six years ago, on a night out carousing in Paris with his friends, Denys spotted cabaret dancer Lola Valentine and couldn’t resist her. He pursued her relentlessly, they became lovers and eventually he convinced her to return to London with him where he leased her a home in St. John’s Wood. To the dismay of friends and family, he was mad for her.
He’d been ready to sacrifice everything dear to him, to turn his back on everyone else he loved, in order to keep her.
The relationship came to an abrupt and shocking end shortly after Denys financed a production of Ibsen’s Quicksand at the Imperial Theatre (where his father was co-owner) showcasing Lola in her first dramatic role. The production, and Lola, bombed, and afterwards, without so much as a goodbye, she fled to her old theatre and friends in Paris. Desperate, Denys tracked her down, but surprised her in her dressing room, discovering her in déshabille with Henry Latham – his father’s business partner and friend. Heartbroken and furious over her presumed infidelity, he believes Lola when she tells him Henry made her a better offer. After emerging from days of drunken excess, Denys vows put the past behind him, redeem his reputation and fulfill his duties.
Fast forward six years, and Denys has succeeded in putting the past behind him and is contemplating marriage to a longtime family friend. One morning, when his worried father informs him he’s received a letter and that his Imperial Theatre partner, Henry Latham, is dead, Denys confidently assures him that the change in ownership is no cause for concern. Though he’s never been able to forget her, Denys believes he’s put his feeling for Lola behind him.
When he walks into his office that same morning and discovers Lola Valentine waiting for him, he’s shocked – and frustrated by how deeply he’s affected by her reappearance. Though it’s a struggle, he manages to maintain his composure when she greets him. Lola quickly gets to the point of the visit and informs him she inherited Henry’s share in the Imperial and is the new co-owner. Denys is livid – he nearly ruined his life over her once before and has no intention of sharing the Imperial with her in any capacity. Lola...
Click here to read my full review of No Mistress of Mine for All About Romance .
All the books in this series nominally feature an American heroine, but the true link is a deep and abiding friendship between five school friends, now British peers, whom the American women eventually wed. Though No Mistress of Mine is the fourth story told, Lord Denys Somerton was the first to fall in love. Six years ago, on a night out carousing in Paris with his friends, Denys spotted cabaret dancer Lola Valentine and couldn’t resist her. He pursued her relentlessly, they became lovers and eventually he convinced her to return to London with him where he leased her a home in St. John’s Wood. To the dismay of friends and family, he was mad for her.
He’d been ready to sacrifice everything dear to him, to turn his back on everyone else he loved, in order to keep her.
The relationship came to an abrupt and shocking end shortly after Denys financed a production of Ibsen’s Quicksand at the Imperial Theatre (where his father was co-owner) showcasing Lola in her first dramatic role. The production, and Lola, bombed, and afterwards, without so much as a goodbye, she fled to her old theatre and friends in Paris. Desperate, Denys tracked her down, but surprised her in her dressing room, discovering her in déshabille with Henry Latham – his father’s business partner and friend. Heartbroken and furious over her presumed infidelity, he believes Lola when she tells him Henry made her a better offer. After emerging from days of drunken excess, Denys vows put the past behind him, redeem his reputation and fulfill his duties.
Fast forward six years, and Denys has succeeded in putting the past behind him and is contemplating marriage to a longtime family friend. One morning, when his worried father informs him he’s received a letter and that his Imperial Theatre partner, Henry Latham, is dead, Denys confidently assures him that the change in ownership is no cause for concern. Though he’s never been able to forget her, Denys believes he’s put his feeling for Lola behind him.
When he walks into his office that same morning and discovers Lola Valentine waiting for him, he’s shocked – and frustrated by how deeply he’s affected by her reappearance. Though it’s a struggle, he manages to maintain his composure when she greets him. Lola quickly gets to the point of the visit and informs him she inherited Henry’s share in the Imperial and is the new co-owner. Denys is livid – he nearly ruined his life over her once before and has no intention of sharing the Imperial with her in any capacity. Lola...
Click here to read my full review of No Mistress of Mine for All About Romance .
October 3, 2025
[ESP/ENG]
ESP:
Ciertamente, Laura Lee Guhrke sabe escribir bien y sabe crear historias y personajes. Ya luego es cuestión de conectar más o menos.
En este caso, la historia está bien. Los personajes están bien. No tengo mucho que objetar. Sencillamente, me han hecho sentir poca cosa.
Sí que vale la pena destacar que es un romance que se mueve a través del diálogo entre ellos dos.
ENG:
There's nothing actually wrong with this one. It's safe to say that Laure Lee Guhrke knows how to write well and how to build solid characters. However, I simply lacked a connection with their story.
Narrator: Susan Ericksen
ESP:
Ciertamente, Laura Lee Guhrke sabe escribir bien y sabe crear historias y personajes. Ya luego es cuestión de conectar más o menos.
En este caso, la historia está bien. Los personajes están bien. No tengo mucho que objetar. Sencillamente, me han hecho sentir poca cosa.
Sí que vale la pena destacar que es un romance que se mueve a través del diálogo entre ellos dos.
ENG:
There's nothing actually wrong with this one. It's safe to say that Laure Lee Guhrke knows how to write well and how to build solid characters. However, I simply lacked a connection with their story.
Narrator: Susan Ericksen
August 30, 2017
Creo que es la primera novela que leo en que los protagonistas ya han tenido una relación entre ellos previa a la historia. Como alguien me dijo, se trata de una historia de segundas oportunidades, y he de constatar que me ha gustado como está explicada.
Los dos protagonistas son dos personajes complejos, que de inicio parecen una cosa, pero que, al avanzar la historia, los conoces mejor y ves los motivos por los que actúan como actúan, especialmente en el pasado.
También ha sido el primer libro que leo de Laura Lee Guhrke y seguro que no será el último.
Novela muy recomendable.
Los dos protagonistas son dos personajes complejos, que de inicio parecen una cosa, pero que, al avanzar la historia, los conoces mejor y ves los motivos por los que actúan como actúan, especialmente en el pasado.
También ha sido el primer libro que leo de Laura Lee Guhrke y seguro que no será el último.
Novela muy recomendable.
March 26, 2017
Another fabulous addition to this series. I really liked this one. Loved both Denys and Lola. Great, great read. Full review to come soon-ish.
December 28, 2017
I liked that the couple acted mature - after the very bad start, that is - and worked through their issues, talking and being honest to each other, ending all the lies and secrets that had destroyed their relationship the first time.
Sadly I did not care for most of the other characters. They mostly seemed there to do certain things, be there in certain situations, but they did not have much depth.
Also, while I was kind of invested in the relationship, I wasn’t that much into the story. After a while I started skimming through the book, as I wanted to know how it all would work out. The obstacles were very real and seemed impossible to overcome. I am not sure I am all that impressed with the resolution. It was ok, quite romantic, but not brilliant.
Sorry. I wanted to like it more. And there isn’t anything in the writing or the style that I disliked. I just didn’t seem to „get it“.
Sadly I did not care for most of the other characters. They mostly seemed there to do certain things, be there in certain situations, but they did not have much depth.
Also, while I was kind of invested in the relationship, I wasn’t that much into the story. After a while I started skimming through the book, as I wanted to know how it all would work out. The obstacles were very real and seemed impossible to overcome. I am not sure I am all that impressed with the resolution. It was ok, quite romantic, but not brilliant.
Sorry. I wanted to like it more. And there isn’t anything in the writing or the style that I disliked. I just didn’t seem to „get it“.
December 10, 2023
This was good! I would've listened to this whole book in one sitting if my ear buds hadn't died halfway through. The narrator for this audiobook is fantastic; she nailed the delivery. I also really admired Lola as a character, though I did think she was being stupid at times.
The only thing is that I didn't buy the romance at all, and for a historical romance, that's the kiss of death. While i did like the couple, the author relied too heavily on the couple's past as a way of building the relationship. I just didn't buy that these two were passionately in love.
This was an okay series, with the first one and this one being the hits. I just really admired how this whole series focuses on unconventional heroines and heroes willing to go to bat for their loves. I didn't always like the romances but I do appreciate the uniqueness compared to other historicals.
The only thing is that I didn't buy the romance at all, and for a historical romance, that's the kiss of death. While i did like the couple, the author relied too heavily on the couple's past as a way of building the relationship. I just didn't buy that these two were passionately in love.
This was an okay series, with the first one and this one being the hits. I just really admired how this whole series focuses on unconventional heroines and heroes willing to go to bat for their loves. I didn't always like the romances but I do appreciate the uniqueness compared to other historicals.
July 12, 2017
Another good book from Laura Lee Guhrke. This is a story of second chances and having the courage to buck the system. It begins with our couple reuniting years after a very hurtful breakup. Lola is an American cancan dancer that aspires to be a respected actress. Denys is an Earl-to-be and a theater owner. The passion between them was indisputable, but there was also a lot of anger and hurt. Denys, in particular, spent about half the book being hostile and resentful. He gradually worked his way through his conflicting emotions, but some aspects of his evolution weren't clear to me. The ending was very satisfying, but a little simplistic. A good book, but not my favorite from Guhrke.
July 6, 2017
Soy muy poco objetiva con esta autora. El 90% de sus novelas me han gustado y aunque esta última serie ha bajado un pelín el nivel, este último título me ha hecho recordar porque Laura Lee Gurkhe nunca decepciona.
La historia de segunda oportunidad de Denys y Lola es preciosa. Se va gestando poco a poco y la autora no abusa del "deseo" preexistente para colarnos escenas de sexo o pasión sin ton ni son.
Son personajes maduros que con sus dudas van tejiendo una historia muy bonita y sencilla y te cautiva.
Le pondría un pero y es al final; demasiado happy ending y no por ellos, si no por la familia del Duque, ya veréis ya.
La historia de segunda oportunidad de Denys y Lola es preciosa. Se va gestando poco a poco y la autora no abusa del "deseo" preexistente para colarnos escenas de sexo o pasión sin ton ni son.
Son personajes maduros que con sus dudas van tejiendo una historia muy bonita y sencilla y te cautiva.
Le pondría un pero y es al final; demasiado happy ending y no por ellos, si no por la familia del Duque, ya veréis ya.
November 10, 2020
No tengo mucho que decir, la premisa era buena, pero es que no parece un libro de Laura Lee Guhrke y lo he logrado terminar de milagro.
Una pena porque los otros no estaban nada mal, sobre todo el primero y el segundo.
Una pena porque los otros no estaban nada mal, sobre todo el primero y el segundo.
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