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Roxton Family Saga #1
Midnight Marriage
DISCOVER THE WORLD OF LUCINDA BRANT, FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME
Set in the opulent world of the 18th century aristocracy and inspired by real events, MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE is the standalone second book in the acclaimed ROXTON family saga.
Two noble teenagers are married against their will. Drugged, Deb has no recollection of events. Disgraced, Julian is banished to the Continent. Nine years later, Deb falls in love with a wounded duelist, only to later discover it is her husband returned incognito! Can Deb forgive his cruel deception? Can their marriage survive beyond seduction? Meanwhile, Julian’s nemesis plots to destroy them both…
With witty prose and a deft palette of historical detail, Lucinda Brant delivers another lavish 18th century experience in her trademark style: Heart-wrenching drama with a happy ending.
FIVE ANGELS--Fallen Angels Reviews-...Lucinda Brant writes her characters with such depth and feeling...a spellbinding, outstanding story. This was my second Lucinda Brant book; and with more stories like this one she will stay at the top of my 'buy' list.
FIVE HEARTS--The Romance Studio...Ms. Brant once again has done an excellent job with a story and brings life to her characters... A must read for lovers of romance.
FIVE FLAMES--Sizzling Romances...a terrific story. It's fast-paced and the writing is simply wonderful. Several intriguing secondary characters add some interesting twists. This story is full of surprises. I highly recommend it.
FIVE ROSES--A Romance Review...I look forward to reading more of Ms. Brant's work, she is definitely an author to be on the lookout for.
Set in the opulent world of the 18th century aristocracy and inspired by real events, MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE is the standalone second book in the acclaimed ROXTON family saga.
Two noble teenagers are married against their will. Drugged, Deb has no recollection of events. Disgraced, Julian is banished to the Continent. Nine years later, Deb falls in love with a wounded duelist, only to later discover it is her husband returned incognito! Can Deb forgive his cruel deception? Can their marriage survive beyond seduction? Meanwhile, Julian’s nemesis plots to destroy them both…
With witty prose and a deft palette of historical detail, Lucinda Brant delivers another lavish 18th century experience in her trademark style: Heart-wrenching drama with a happy ending.
FIVE ANGELS--Fallen Angels Reviews-...Lucinda Brant writes her characters with such depth and feeling...a spellbinding, outstanding story. This was my second Lucinda Brant book; and with more stories like this one she will stay at the top of my 'buy' list.
FIVE HEARTS--The Romance Studio...Ms. Brant once again has done an excellent job with a story and brings life to her characters... A must read for lovers of romance.
FIVE FLAMES--Sizzling Romances...a terrific story. It's fast-paced and the writing is simply wonderful. Several intriguing secondary characters add some interesting twists. This story is full of surprises. I highly recommend it.
FIVE ROSES--A Romance Review...I look forward to reading more of Ms. Brant's work, she is definitely an author to be on the lookout for.
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First published September 18, 2010
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About the author
Lucinda Brant
41 books495 followersHello! I'm a history geek who loves the 18th Century!
I write about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters. When I'm not in my writing cave in the 1700s I live in the middle of a koala reserve, so the neighbors are cute and cuddly and sleep all day!
I write because I must, and I write from the heart, and only what I love to read.
My books have been on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Audible bestseller lists, and have won numerous awards. All are available as audiobooks narrated by British actors Alex Wyndham, Mary Jane Wells and Matthew Lloyd Davies, and voice talent Marian Hussey. My books are also available in translation— French, German, Italian, and Japanese languages. I love to hear from my readers.
I write about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters. When I'm not in my writing cave in the 1700s I live in the middle of a koala reserve, so the neighbors are cute and cuddly and sleep all day!
I write because I must, and I write from the heart, and only what I love to read.
My books have been on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Audible bestseller lists, and have won numerous awards. All are available as audiobooks narrated by British actors Alex Wyndham, Mary Jane Wells and Matthew Lloyd Davies, and voice talent Marian Hussey. My books are also available in translation— French, German, Italian, and Japanese languages. I love to hear from my readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 489 reviews
August 30, 2019
3.75 stars. Kindle freebie romance (I think it's a permanent freebie?) set in Georgian times in England and in France (whatever they called that time period there). It's an enjoyable read for a romance junkie, and good fun if you like the historical ones.
The story begins in 1761, with two aristocratic teenagers in England being unexpectedly married in the dead of night, in a marriage of convenience. The girl, Deborah, was only 12, and was given a dose of laudanum to make her sleepy and pliable. She forgets that the marriage even happened. The boy, Julian, was about 16 and had just gotten himself in extremely deep trouble with his father, because of Reasons. He's married off to Deb and then shipped off to the Continent for several years.
Eight or nine years later, there's a meet-cute. Deb is in the forest outside of Bath, illicitly playing musical instruments with her younger nephew. They stumble across a handsome guy who's been gravely wounded in a swordfight. Deb sends Jack off for a doctor and she and Julian (neither of them knowing who the other is) have a flirtatious conversation, or at least as flirtatious as you can get when one of you is nursing a serious injury.
Later they both are looking for each other in town, but Julian also knows that it's time to find his long-lost wife and get serious about marriage, or at least about siring an heir. He's more than delighted to find out that the lovely woman he met in the woods is actually his wife. So he decides to woo her and marry her again ... for whatever reason, putting off telling her that, hey, we were actually married years ago! Also he's been masquerading as a run of the mill gentleman, not telling Deb that he's a marquis, son of a duke--and both he and his father have a Reputation. AND moreover, Julian is in legal trouble in France because of accused sexual shenanigans. So many secrets!
Seriously bad move, dude.
To thicken the plot, you've got other people plotting against Julian's life (remember the sword fight?) and some family drama.
Anyway, I picked this up as a freebie a few years ago, and I've enjoyed it enough to reread it a time or two. It's slightly steamy, not squeaky clean, but not what I'd call explicit. Julian makes a few boneheaded moves but he's a good person ... and I could kind of say the same for Deb. :) But they both say awful things to each other in anger at a couple of points, which struck me as out of character for both. So minus points for that, and for a few tedious parts of the story. After reading a few Lucinda Brant novels, she has a tendency to wander off the main point in some kind of odd ways and get bogged down in political or whatever other subplots that I don't really care about.
No worries about this being the second book in a series; it's pretty much a stand-alone read. The first one, Noble Satyr, is about the hero's parents, but I really can't recommend it (I dnf'd it).
The story begins in 1761, with two aristocratic teenagers in England being unexpectedly married in the dead of night, in a marriage of convenience. The girl, Deborah, was only 12, and was given a dose of laudanum to make her sleepy and pliable. She forgets that the marriage even happened. The boy, Julian, was about 16 and had just gotten himself in extremely deep trouble with his father, because of Reasons. He's married off to Deb and then shipped off to the Continent for several years.
Eight or nine years later, there's a meet-cute. Deb is in the forest outside of Bath, illicitly playing musical instruments with her younger nephew. They stumble across a handsome guy who's been gravely wounded in a swordfight. Deb sends Jack off for a doctor and she and Julian (neither of them knowing who the other is) have a flirtatious conversation, or at least as flirtatious as you can get when one of you is nursing a serious injury.
Later they both are looking for each other in town, but Julian also knows that it's time to find his long-lost wife and get serious about marriage, or at least about siring an heir. He's more than delighted to find out that the lovely woman he met in the woods is actually his wife. So he decides to woo her and marry her again ... for whatever reason, putting off telling her that, hey, we were actually married years ago! Also he's been masquerading as a run of the mill gentleman, not telling Deb that he's a marquis, son of a duke--and both he and his father have a Reputation. AND moreover, Julian is in legal trouble in France because of accused sexual shenanigans. So many secrets!
Seriously bad move, dude.
To thicken the plot, you've got other people plotting against Julian's life (remember the sword fight?) and some family drama.
Anyway, I picked this up as a freebie a few years ago, and I've enjoyed it enough to reread it a time or two. It's slightly steamy, not squeaky clean, but not what I'd call explicit. Julian makes a few boneheaded moves but he's a good person ... and I could kind of say the same for Deb. :) But they both say awful things to each other in anger at a couple of points, which struck me as out of character for both. So minus points for that, and for a few tedious parts of the story. After reading a few Lucinda Brant novels, she has a tendency to wander off the main point in some kind of odd ways and get bogged down in political or whatever other subplots that I don't really care about.
No worries about this being the second book in a series; it's pretty much a stand-alone read. The first one, Noble Satyr, is about the hero's parents, but I really can't recommend it (I dnf'd it).
January 25, 2013
At 12, Lady Deborah is rousted out of bed and married to a teenager whose name she doesn't catch. The whole episode is so strange that she soon dismisses it as a dream. She grows up to be a beautiful young lady, but is so independent (she travels to France unchaperoned at age 16 to nurse her scandalous older brother, for instance) that she is not particularly well thought of in Society. Then she comes across a man bleeding in the forest after a duel and saves his life. A few weeks later, they encounter each other again--and he realizes that she is the woman he married 9 years ago. Even before he saw her again, Julian was determined to claim his bride and get an heir from her, to put his ailing father's mind at ease. Now that he's met her, he's even more determined that they should consummate the marriage. But since Deb doesn't remember that she's already married to him, he decides to make him fall in love with him. He courts her for two days, then kidnaps her in order to have another marriage ceremony (without any of her family and friends present, because what's more romantic!). Apparently overcome by her attraction, Deb agrees to marry him and they have a blissful honeymoon.
Then, in one moment, his true identity, their secret marriage as children, and his current court case for having seduced&abandoned [random French lady] are all revealed, and Deb (understandably) freaks out. Immediately Julian threatens to rape her so he can get a son from her, storms off, storms back a few months later, accuses her of infidelity and AGAIN threatens to rape her, then storms off and cries. At this point, any and all interest I had in their romance had dried up completely, and I was reduced to hissing "get ouuuuutttt" whenever he popped up on the page. He and Deb both turn up at his parents' mansion for their marriage ball, where they randomly behave very cosily with each other (even though the last time they saw each other she told him she was planning on having their marriage annulled by claiming he was mad, and he threatened to rape her YET AGAIN) and he finally tells her that he never had sex with [random French lady], which is apparently all Deb needs to hear. No apologies for any of his behavior, naturally. Cut to the epilogue, where Deb is giving birth to her fourth child in four years. Hurrah!
Even if the "romance" between Julian and Deb had been less ooky, this would still be a bad book. Every single plot point would have been avoided if Julian's dad the Duke OR Julian himself had told the truth. The whole family lives under the scandalous shadow of the Duke, who supposedly fathered a bastard who was born the same month as Julian. This bastard devotes his entire being to ruining Julian's life, and is the source of all the problems Julian&family face. The Duke never had sex with the bastard's mom, so he knows full well that he didn't father the bastard, but he still lets everyone believe this lie even though there is no reason I can possibly see to let the falsehood stand. Julian gets himself into a similar scrape: he is accused of impregnating&abandoning a French lady, but in fact he never even spoke to her, let alone slept with her. But he makes his family go through a huge lawsuit, lets himself and his family be lampooned in the press, is nearly killed in a duel, all because he won't just say "nope, never slept with her." I suppose gentlemen weren't supposed to contradict ladies (although of course they did), but given that Julian&friends call the [random French lady] a putain and a whore, and make various coarse jokes about her opening her legs to everyone, I really doubt it's his chivalry that keeps him silent.
Aside from the nonsensical plot, the writing itself is competent, if uninspired.
Then, in one moment, his true identity, their secret marriage as children, and his current court case for having seduced&abandoned [random French lady] are all revealed, and Deb (understandably) freaks out. Immediately Julian threatens to rape her so he can get a son from her, storms off, storms back a few months later, accuses her of infidelity and AGAIN threatens to rape her, then storms off and cries. At this point, any and all interest I had in their romance had dried up completely, and I was reduced to hissing "get ouuuuutttt" whenever he popped up on the page. He and Deb both turn up at his parents' mansion for their marriage ball, where they randomly behave very cosily with each other (even though the last time they saw each other she told him she was planning on having their marriage annulled by claiming he was mad, and he threatened to rape her YET AGAIN) and he finally tells her that he never had sex with [random French lady], which is apparently all Deb needs to hear. No apologies for any of his behavior, naturally. Cut to the epilogue, where Deb is giving birth to her fourth child in four years. Hurrah!
Even if the "romance" between Julian and Deb had been less ooky, this would still be a bad book. Every single plot point would have been avoided if Julian's dad the Duke OR Julian himself had told the truth. The whole family lives under the scandalous shadow of the Duke, who supposedly fathered a bastard who was born the same month as Julian. This bastard devotes his entire being to ruining Julian's life, and is the source of all the problems Julian&family face. The Duke never had sex with the bastard's mom, so he knows full well that he didn't father the bastard, but he still lets everyone believe this lie even though there is no reason I can possibly see to let the falsehood stand. Julian gets himself into a similar scrape: he is accused of impregnating&abandoning a French lady, but in fact he never even spoke to her, let alone slept with her. But he makes his family go through a huge lawsuit, lets himself and his family be lampooned in the press, is nearly killed in a duel, all because he won't just say "nope, never slept with her." I suppose gentlemen weren't supposed to contradict ladies (although of course they did), but given that Julian&friends call the [random French lady] a putain and a whore, and make various coarse jokes about her opening her legs to everyone, I really doubt it's his chivalry that keeps him silent.
Aside from the nonsensical plot, the writing itself is competent, if uninspired.
July 9, 2021
Five stars! Lucinda Brant and Alex Wyndham are a winning combination. I'm hooked.
A twelve-year-old girl is awakened in the middle of the night and escorted to her brother’s library where a bishop in full regalia marries her to a drunk, distraught teenaged boy. The groom and the two elderly men who accompanied him disappear, and the bride returns to the nursery. I had a hard time buying into this situation until I learned that this book was inspired by the real-life story of the second Duke and Duchess of Richmond.
Fast forward nine years to 1769 and Deb Cavendish is living in Bath – alone, which is somewhat scandalous – except for her nine-year old nephew Jack, the orphaned son of her late half-brother – which also is somewhat scandalous, as his mother was a Gypsy. One day Jack and Deb stumble across a wounded young man, apparently a participant in a duel, in the woods near Bath. Deb tends to his wounds and falls in love at the same time, but the man is carried off by a stranger to recuperate, and Deb is left to dream about what might have been.
Julian Hesham, Marquess of Alston, cannot get the image of his beautiful savior out of his mind, but he doesn’t even know her name. Later, when Deb visits the home of Martin Ellicott, her French tutor, she comes face to face with Julian, who is Ellicott’s godson. Thus begins Julian’s courtship of his own wife.
After their forced marriage, Julian's father, the powerful the Duke of Roxton, had banished him to the Continent, with Martin Ellicott as his chaperon and teacher, on account of Julian's outrageous behavior toward his mother. Knowing that his son was headstrong and rebellious and fearing that he would marry some unsuitable foreign lady, the duke had decided that Deb Cavendish would make a proper wife for Julian, and Deb's brother and guardian Gerald agreed.
After the wedding, Deb was convinced by her nurse that the strange ceremony had been merely a dream. At the age of eighteen, she had defied her brother Gerald and traveled alone to Paris to nurse her brother Otto through a fatal illness. When he and his wife both died, she returned with Jack to live in a respectable but not fashionable part of Bath. Her reputation had suffered among the high sticklers, but being a cousin to the Duke of Devonshire and a considerable heiress ensured that she was accepted among certain segments of Bath society.
Julian is smitten with his wife, but he fears that she will reject him because of his tarnished reputation. He is thought by all to be a rake and he has been accused by an influential Parisien, M. Lefevbre, of seducing his daughter and refusing to marry her. Deb is Julian's wife in law, but he does not want her to feel compelled into becoming his wife in fact. Thus, he decides to court her as plain Mr. Julian Hesham and hopes to secure her affection before it becomes necessary to tell her the truth.
This aspect of the plot was a bit too far-fetched for me. I understood what the old duke was trying to do by selecting Julian's bride, but why the secret wedding in the middle of the night? Why did Deb's brother never tell her the truth? Here she is larking around Bath with suitors galore and she's utterly unaware that she's already married! Indeed, during her stay in Paris she came close to eloping with the artist Evelyn Ffolkes (who happens to be Julian's cousin), and now she is being pursued by Mr. Robert Thesiger (heir to a baron but rumored to be the natural son of the Duke of Roxton). My goodness, this is an awfully small world. And when Deb does fall in love with Julian and they "marry” again, why does he still not tell her the truth.? And why does this otherwise kind and loving man eventually reveal everything in the cruelest manner possible? And why does Deb go completely around the bend upon learning that she is married to a man she loves and who loves her back?
These are among the issues that really irked me as I was reading this book, but when I listened to the audio, they pretty much dissolved into the ether. I decided to quit asking questions and just listen to the beautiful voice of Alex Wyndham and his marvelous narration of this book. This was the first time that I have read a book and then immediately listened to the audio, and it really doesn't surprise me that while I might have rated the book at 3.5 stars or so, Mr. Wyndham's ten-star performance compels me to award the audiobook a full five stars.
Don't get me wrong; the writing is excellent. In fact, everything that I have read by Lucinda Brant is first-class and immerses the reader in the world of Georgian England. But in the reading, I kept second-guessing the characters' decisions, while in the listening I was swept up by dialogue and events. And there were plenty of events: marriage, separation, meeting the in-laws, dodging a murderous villain, and all sorts of intrigue. One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Brant's style is that she doesn't keep the reader dangling for too long. Instead, she reveals pieces of the story as the book progresses, which has the effect of keeping me turning the pages, or listening late into the night as the case may be.
For those historical romance fans who have been gobsmacked by Nicholas Boulton's presentation of Laura Kinsale's books, I am thrilled to report that Alex Wyndham is every bit as good. His narrative voice is deep and lovely, but he skillfully segues from the aging, imperious Roxton to the French duchess to the young boys, Jack and his best friend Harry. He is very good with the various female voices – avoiding the falsetto that some male narrators adopt – but the star of this audiobook has to be Julian. He is young and cocky but also tremendously warm and quite funny, all of which comes through beautifully in his voice.
Alex Wyndham already has narrated Ms. Brant's Alex Halsey mystery/romance series and is set to do the remainder of the Roxton series. For reasons not clear to me, the first Roxton book, Noble Satyr, will be the last one brought out in audio, but I don't think that it's necessary to have read it in order to enjoy the remainder of the books.
Despite my quibbles about parts of the plot, I unreservedly recommend that you listen to Midnight Marriage. (Interested readers also might enjoy the Audiogals' charming interview with Brant and Wyndham, where we discover that he is a Georgette Heyer fan.)
A twelve-year-old girl is awakened in the middle of the night and escorted to her brother’s library where a bishop in full regalia marries her to a drunk, distraught teenaged boy. The groom and the two elderly men who accompanied him disappear, and the bride returns to the nursery. I had a hard time buying into this situation until I learned that this book was inspired by the real-life story of the second Duke and Duchess of Richmond.
Fast forward nine years to 1769 and Deb Cavendish is living in Bath – alone, which is somewhat scandalous – except for her nine-year old nephew Jack, the orphaned son of her late half-brother – which also is somewhat scandalous, as his mother was a Gypsy. One day Jack and Deb stumble across a wounded young man, apparently a participant in a duel, in the woods near Bath. Deb tends to his wounds and falls in love at the same time, but the man is carried off by a stranger to recuperate, and Deb is left to dream about what might have been.
Julian Hesham, Marquess of Alston, cannot get the image of his beautiful savior out of his mind, but he doesn’t even know her name. Later, when Deb visits the home of Martin Ellicott, her French tutor, she comes face to face with Julian, who is Ellicott’s godson. Thus begins Julian’s courtship of his own wife.
After their forced marriage, Julian's father, the powerful the Duke of Roxton, had banished him to the Continent, with Martin Ellicott as his chaperon and teacher, on account of Julian's outrageous behavior toward his mother. Knowing that his son was headstrong and rebellious and fearing that he would marry some unsuitable foreign lady, the duke had decided that Deb Cavendish would make a proper wife for Julian, and Deb's brother and guardian Gerald agreed.
After the wedding, Deb was convinced by her nurse that the strange ceremony had been merely a dream. At the age of eighteen, she had defied her brother Gerald and traveled alone to Paris to nurse her brother Otto through a fatal illness. When he and his wife both died, she returned with Jack to live in a respectable but not fashionable part of Bath. Her reputation had suffered among the high sticklers, but being a cousin to the Duke of Devonshire and a considerable heiress ensured that she was accepted among certain segments of Bath society.
Julian is smitten with his wife, but he fears that she will reject him because of his tarnished reputation. He is thought by all to be a rake and he has been accused by an influential Parisien, M. Lefevbre, of seducing his daughter and refusing to marry her. Deb is Julian's wife in law, but he does not want her to feel compelled into becoming his wife in fact. Thus, he decides to court her as plain Mr. Julian Hesham and hopes to secure her affection before it becomes necessary to tell her the truth.
This aspect of the plot was a bit too far-fetched for me. I understood what the old duke was trying to do by selecting Julian's bride, but why the secret wedding in the middle of the night? Why did Deb's brother never tell her the truth? Here she is larking around Bath with suitors galore and she's utterly unaware that she's already married! Indeed, during her stay in Paris she came close to eloping with the artist Evelyn Ffolkes (who happens to be Julian's cousin), and now she is being pursued by Mr. Robert Thesiger (heir to a baron but rumored to be the natural son of the Duke of Roxton). My goodness, this is an awfully small world. And when Deb does fall in love with Julian and they "marry” again, why does he still not tell her the truth.? And why does this otherwise kind and loving man eventually reveal everything in the cruelest manner possible? And why does Deb go completely around the bend upon learning that she is married to a man she loves and who loves her back?
These are among the issues that really irked me as I was reading this book, but when I listened to the audio, they pretty much dissolved into the ether. I decided to quit asking questions and just listen to the beautiful voice of Alex Wyndham and his marvelous narration of this book. This was the first time that I have read a book and then immediately listened to the audio, and it really doesn't surprise me that while I might have rated the book at 3.5 stars or so, Mr. Wyndham's ten-star performance compels me to award the audiobook a full five stars.
Don't get me wrong; the writing is excellent. In fact, everything that I have read by Lucinda Brant is first-class and immerses the reader in the world of Georgian England. But in the reading, I kept second-guessing the characters' decisions, while in the listening I was swept up by dialogue and events. And there were plenty of events: marriage, separation, meeting the in-laws, dodging a murderous villain, and all sorts of intrigue. One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Brant's style is that she doesn't keep the reader dangling for too long. Instead, she reveals pieces of the story as the book progresses, which has the effect of keeping me turning the pages, or listening late into the night as the case may be.
For those historical romance fans who have been gobsmacked by Nicholas Boulton's presentation of Laura Kinsale's books, I am thrilled to report that Alex Wyndham is every bit as good. His narrative voice is deep and lovely, but he skillfully segues from the aging, imperious Roxton to the French duchess to the young boys, Jack and his best friend Harry. He is very good with the various female voices – avoiding the falsetto that some male narrators adopt – but the star of this audiobook has to be Julian. He is young and cocky but also tremendously warm and quite funny, all of which comes through beautifully in his voice.
Alex Wyndham already has narrated Ms. Brant's Alex Halsey mystery/romance series and is set to do the remainder of the Roxton series. For reasons not clear to me, the first Roxton book, Noble Satyr, will be the last one brought out in audio, but I don't think that it's necessary to have read it in order to enjoy the remainder of the books.
Despite my quibbles about parts of the plot, I unreservedly recommend that you listen to Midnight Marriage. (Interested readers also might enjoy the Audiogals' charming interview with Brant and Wyndham, where we discover that he is a Georgette Heyer fan.)
August 26, 2016
Written August 23, 2015
4 Stars - A great audiobook!! I'm impressed by this narrators style and this old fashioned kissing romantic historical
A bargain. Just $2 for a 10 hours m/f historical audiobook narrated by Alex Wyndham. I read some happy reviews about the narrator and downloaded on impulse.
Wow!! This was a great surprise
So well worth the time and two bucks. A bit old fashioned in style and plot. Just kisses, light steam and then a closed door but I felt their lust and longins and that's enough for me. Best of all an fabulous good narrator. He made this story addictive interesting from start to finish.
*********************************************
England 1769
It all starts in Gloucestershire 1761 when a young noble 12 years old girl is drugged and wedded secretly to a mighty duke's teenage wild son in the middle of the night.
Years later and Lady Deborah Cavendish soon to be 21 has still no recollection of that strange night. Julian Hesham, the Marquis of Alston (and son of the Duke of Roxton), was both drunk and a very angry boy that long gone night and later banished to years on the 'Continent'. He is back in England and these two once again meets. This time in Bath. — To add exciting drama: Deb still doesn't know that this charming goodlooking man is actually her since nine years wedded husband. She doesn't even know that that Julian Hesham and the Marquis of Alston, the heir of the Roxton dukedom, are one and the same gentleman.
Misunderstandings, lies, unclear purposes and dark old secrets. Awwww!! The always so lovely grand romance excitement was delivered. I love to step into these old worlds.
********************************************
Audiobook and narrator
Alex Wyndham was new for me but I'm already convinced he is an excellent narrator. He has his own style and a way to read which gives a hint of a melancholy feel and it fitted here. I don't know how this book would have worked if I had read it by myself, so one of my stars is for a superb audio book edition.
*********************************************
Midnight Marriage felt 'calm' and thoughtful yet filled with very strong emotions.There was never ridiculously cheesy moments, the storyline drama worked and all those grand big emotions felt actually genuine when they appeared. I liked many of these characters (there were a big bunch) a lot and I'm looking forward to maybe meet some of them once again.
I'm happy enough and take some small noble dance steps —with my hair in the pompous huge white powdered style— the noblesse long ago liked. It was wonderful to visit the 1770's and France, for once.
*********************************************
I LIKE - much more than expected
4 Stars - A great audiobook!! I'm impressed by this narrators style and this old fashioned kissing romantic historical
A bargain. Just $2 for a 10 hours m/f historical audiobook narrated by Alex Wyndham. I read some happy reviews about the narrator and downloaded on impulse.
Wow!! This was a great surprise
So well worth the time and two bucks. A bit old fashioned in style and plot. Just kisses, light steam and then a closed door but I felt their lust and longins and that's enough for me. Best of all an fabulous good narrator. He made this story addictive interesting from start to finish.
*********************************************
England 1769
It all starts in Gloucestershire 1761 when a young noble 12 years old girl is drugged and wedded secretly to a mighty duke's teenage wild son in the middle of the night.
‘She had no idea what this boy’s Christian names were, despite there being a string of them, because she could not take her eyes from his face. Her nightmare had unexpectedly turned into a wondrous dream. Her youthful husband was the handsomest boy she had ever seen.’
Years later and Lady Deborah Cavendish soon to be 21 has still no recollection of that strange night. Julian Hesham, the Marquis of Alston (and son of the Duke of Roxton), was both drunk and a very angry boy that long gone night and later banished to years on the 'Continent'. He is back in England and these two once again meets. This time in Bath. — To add exciting drama: Deb still doesn't know that this charming goodlooking man is actually her since nine years wedded husband. She doesn't even know that that Julian Hesham and the Marquis of Alston, the heir of the Roxton dukedom, are one and the same gentleman.
Misunderstandings, lies, unclear purposes and dark old secrets. Awwww!! The always so lovely grand romance excitement was delivered. I love to step into these old worlds.
********************************************
Audiobook and narrator
Alex Wyndham was new for me but I'm already convinced he is an excellent narrator. He has his own style and a way to read which gives a hint of a melancholy feel and it fitted here. I don't know how this book would have worked if I had read it by myself, so one of my stars is for a superb audio book edition.
*********************************************
Midnight Marriage felt 'calm' and thoughtful yet filled with very strong emotions.There was never ridiculously cheesy moments, the storyline drama worked and all those grand big emotions felt actually genuine when they appeared. I liked many of these characters (there were a big bunch) a lot and I'm looking forward to maybe meet some of them once again.
“Since we parted on that most hideous of days, I’ve spent every day wishing you were at my side,” he confessed. “I’m lonely without you. I need you to make me laugh, to make me forget my cares and responsibilities, to just be there for me—Julian.”
I'm happy enough and take some small noble dance steps —with my hair in the pompous huge white powdered style— the noblesse long ago liked. It was wonderful to visit the 1770's and France, for once.
*********************************************
I LIKE - much more than expected
April 6, 2016
Ugh.
My first finished read of 2013, and it had to be this book. THIS BOOK. I was alternately charmed and repulsed by Midnight Marriage. On one hand, the settings and vignettes were nicely detailed; on the other, the writing was clunky and the characters inconsistent. (If you're still reading the first couple of chapters of Midnight Marriage and you're already sick of the phrase "injured duelist", don't worry. It's only used about 19 times. It'll soon end.) Archaic words are used throughout the book, which I can't really complain about, since they are period-accurate. But then a word like "thuggish" (a word not in the English lexicon until the publication of "Confessions of a Thug" in 1839, according to Wikipedia) slips in among the 18th-century vocabulary exercises. A minor quibble, sure, but one that stalled my reading progress for a good thirty minutes, because I was busy having a coronary over it. Don't make me look up a word like "riband," when "ribbon" would save me the trouble, and then try to slip "thug" past me. (As an aside, I know a lot of useless things. In this case, I learned where the word "thug" came from as a kid, thanks to Indiana Jones. And now I know about "ribands" and "toad-eating", thanks to Lucinda Brant.)
As for the plot, I wasn't looking for anything complicated. I mean, it's a historical romance. There's going to be a headstrong heroine and a rake of a leading man, who turns out to have pure intentions. Blah blah blah. I read the plot summary, I knew the premise. But that didn't make the idea of a child bride, married at midnight WHILE DRUGGED, any less squicky, no matter the outcome. And, I won't get into the misogyny that even the characters we are supposed to be rooting for indulge in. That poor dumb Dominique. She just can't help the way she was written, but really. The whole Virgin-Whore thing was really heavy handed here.
And speaking of characters: I don't even know who these people are. Is Deb a headstrong, independent girl, or is she an emotionally-incontinent idiot who blames her mood swings on Is Julian a girl-hating douche with a bad temper, or is he just a misunderstood "good guy" with unrealistic expectations of how others should behave around him? Either way, he's an asshole.
In the end, I have no one to blame but myself for reading Midnight Marriage all the way through. In my defense, it started out nicely enough (and it was FREE). But by the time I found myself halfway through and committed to finish, it all fell apart. Next time I need a quick read, I'll stick to a fluffy YA novel or a Batman comic.
My first finished read of 2013, and it had to be this book. THIS BOOK. I was alternately charmed and repulsed by Midnight Marriage. On one hand, the settings and vignettes were nicely detailed; on the other, the writing was clunky and the characters inconsistent. (If you're still reading the first couple of chapters of Midnight Marriage and you're already sick of the phrase "injured duelist", don't worry. It's only used about 19 times. It'll soon end.) Archaic words are used throughout the book, which I can't really complain about, since they are period-accurate. But then a word like "thuggish" (a word not in the English lexicon until the publication of "Confessions of a Thug" in 1839, according to Wikipedia) slips in among the 18th-century vocabulary exercises. A minor quibble, sure, but one that stalled my reading progress for a good thirty minutes, because I was busy having a coronary over it. Don't make me look up a word like "riband," when "ribbon" would save me the trouble, and then try to slip "thug" past me. (As an aside, I know a lot of useless things. In this case, I learned where the word "thug" came from as a kid, thanks to Indiana Jones. And now I know about "ribands" and "toad-eating", thanks to Lucinda Brant.)
As for the plot, I wasn't looking for anything complicated. I mean, it's a historical romance. There's going to be a headstrong heroine and a rake of a leading man, who turns out to have pure intentions. Blah blah blah. I read the plot summary, I knew the premise. But that didn't make the idea of a child bride, married at midnight WHILE DRUGGED, any less squicky, no matter the outcome. And, I won't get into the misogyny that even the characters we are supposed to be rooting for indulge in. That poor dumb Dominique. She just can't help the way she was written, but really. The whole Virgin-Whore thing was really heavy handed here.
And speaking of characters: I don't even know who these people are. Is Deb a headstrong, independent girl, or is she an emotionally-incontinent idiot who blames her mood swings on Is Julian a girl-hating douche with a bad temper, or is he just a misunderstood "good guy" with unrealistic expectations of how others should behave around him? Either way, he's an asshole.
In the end, I have no one to blame but myself for reading Midnight Marriage all the way through. In my defense, it started out nicely enough (and it was FREE). But by the time I found myself halfway through and committed to finish, it all fell apart. Next time I need a quick read, I'll stick to a fluffy YA novel or a Batman comic.
August 1, 2024
Review from 2015
A+ for narration / B+ for content.
Midnight Marriage is the second book in Lucinda Brant’s Roxton Family saga, but is the first of them to be made available in audio. It works perfectly well as a standalone, and the good news is that the other books, all of them narrated by the hugely talented Alex Wyndham (squee!), will be released in the coming months.
The book opens with the Midnight Marriage of the title. Twelve-year-old Deborah Cavendish is roused from sleep, drugged and taken to her brother’s study, where she is faced by her brother Gerald and two older men she does not know, one of whom is obviously a man of some consequence. She is sleep-fogged and the effects of the drug are addling her wits, but she is sensible enough to understand that she is about to be married to someone she has never met. A very drunk, very angry boy a few years her senior is dragged into the room and the ceremony begins.
We then skip ahead almost a decade, to a forest somewhere near Bath where Deb and her young nephew, Jack, have snuck out of the house in order to practice their violas because Gerald can’t bear the noise. Jack is the son of Deb’s other brother, Otto, a talented musician and composer who was cast out from the family when he chose to pursue his career on the Continent and made an unsuitable marriage. When, aged sixteen, Deb travelled to Paris to care for Otto in the time leading up to his death, she risked censure and ruin, but her family name and her wealth have ensured that she is still welcomed by all but the highest sticklers in society.
During their practice session, Jack literally stumbles across a badly wounded gentleman who has clearly been in a sword-fight. Deb sends Jack for assistance and then tends to the man as best she can until help arrives. Over the next few days, Deb’s thoughts keep returning to her mysterious duellist, but without a name or knowing where he was taken, she has to resign herself to the fact that she will never be able to find him again.
Meanwhile, Julian, Marquess of Alston and heir to the powerful Duke of Roxton has returned to England under a cloud. He has been accused by one Monsieur Lefevbre – a man of influence in the French government – of seducing his daughter and then refusing to marry her. Lefevbre is bringing a lawsuit for breach of promise against Julian, and things got even uglier when he and his two sons followed Julian from Paris to England and then attempted to kill him. Alston has a reputation for wildness – he’s known to be a womaniser and a gambler, but Lefevbre is adamant that he must marry his daughter.
The biggest problem with that, of course, is that Julian is already married. Knowing of his son’s contrary nature and fearing he would marry an unsuitable woman simply to spite him, the Duke of Roxton arranged a marriage with a well-connected, well-dowered young lady of good birth and saw the union solemnised before sending his son off on his Grand Tour. Julian is now ready to claim his bride and do his duty, but his return to London was delayed by the attack upon him. He is staying with his godfather, Martin Ellicott, to recuperate, and is surprised when Martin tells him that he is acquainted with Deborah and will arrange for them to meet. Martin also reminds him that Deb has no recollection of their marriage and that both families decided to allow her to remain in ignorance of it until Julian’s return from the Continent.
Julian is both astonished and relieved to discover that he is married to the enchanting young woman who bound his wounds in the forest. He can’t believe his luck, for not only is Deb very beautiful, she is compassionate, vivacious and witty.
Given the state of his reputation and the lawsuit hanging over his head, Julian determines to woo and win her as simple Mr Julian Hesham. Deb was forced to wed him all those years ago, and now he wants her to have at least some semblance of a choice. He hopes that he will be able to gain her affection before he has to reveal the truth of his identity and that by that time, she will love him enough to be able to understand his reasons for the deception and forgive him.
Obviously, Julian hasn’t read enough romantic novels, otherwise he’d have known he was just asking for trouble!
While the story proceeds very much as one would expect – complete with a determined rival suitor and a years-old enmity that once again threatens Julian’s life – that’s no bad thing, because Ms Brant has created a couple of engaging and attractive characters in her two leads, and I very much wanted to find out how they would work through their difficulties and get together in the end. Deb is intelligent and independent of spirit, but isn’t one of those curl-tossing heroines who is contrary for the sake of it. Her reaction to the sudden disclosure of her husband’s true identity is perhaps a little over the top, but given the way she finds out and his reaction afterwards, I can certainly understand why she’d be so upset.
Julian is a wonderful hero, handsome, witty and sexy, who shows himself time and again to be steady and reliable – a complete contrast to the rumours that continually circulate about him. He comes to care deeply for Deb, and is more than a little hurt that she would listen to gossip rather than rely on what she has come to know of the man she has married.
Alex Wyndham once again gives a wonderfully accomplished and entirely captivating performance that only serves to confirm the opinion I formed when listening to Deadly Engagement. He never puts a foot wrong and I really can’t find a single thing to criticise. Every character is distinctly voiced according to age and situation, and I continue to be impressed with his portrayal of the females, who never sound squeaky or too high-pitched. His performance of the Duchess of Roxton is especially good, as she is French and therefore speaks English with a distinct accent. Mr Wyndham expertly steers clear of caricature and gives her an attractive gallic lilt which perfectly defines her as a woman of both good sense and elegance.
My favourite interpretation of a secondary character is that of the Duke of Roxton, a man in his seventies, but whose resonant tone, while gravelly and definitely indicating his advanced years, is nonetheless indicative of a man of great authority (I’m very much looking forward to listening to his story in Noble Satyr). There are two young boys in the story, Deb’s nephew Jack and his friend Henri (Harry), who is Julian’s much younger brother. Both boys are easily distinguishable from each other, and when, in the epilogue, they appear as teenagers, they sound exactly that – they’re no longer young boys, but don’t yet have the deeper tones of men.
As with most audio romances, the portrayal of the hero is key to the listener’s enjoyment, and all I can say is that while Julian is an attractive hero on paper, in audio, he’s to die for. Mr Wyndham deepens his natural speaking voice very slightly – which serves to make a good distinction between dialogue and narrative – to portray him and imbues him with a great deal of warmth and humour. As for the more romantic moments… the love scenes in the story are by no means explicit, but it’s quite possible that my knees weakened on at least two occasions.
As is obvious, I really enjoyed listening to Midnight Marriage. Ms Brant has delivered a nicely character-driven romance that doesn’t rely on silly misunderstandings or lots of external conflict to drive the story forward. Alex Wyndham’s performance is simply outstanding, and I am utterly delighted to think that I am going to have very great pleasure of listening to him narrating more audiobooks.
It’s official – my top three (Boulton, Landor, Reading) has now become a Fab Four ;-)
A+ for narration / B+ for content.
Midnight Marriage is the second book in Lucinda Brant’s Roxton Family saga, but is the first of them to be made available in audio. It works perfectly well as a standalone, and the good news is that the other books, all of them narrated by the hugely talented Alex Wyndham (squee!), will be released in the coming months.
The book opens with the Midnight Marriage of the title. Twelve-year-old Deborah Cavendish is roused from sleep, drugged and taken to her brother’s study, where she is faced by her brother Gerald and two older men she does not know, one of whom is obviously a man of some consequence. She is sleep-fogged and the effects of the drug are addling her wits, but she is sensible enough to understand that she is about to be married to someone she has never met. A very drunk, very angry boy a few years her senior is dragged into the room and the ceremony begins.
We then skip ahead almost a decade, to a forest somewhere near Bath where Deb and her young nephew, Jack, have snuck out of the house in order to practice their violas because Gerald can’t bear the noise. Jack is the son of Deb’s other brother, Otto, a talented musician and composer who was cast out from the family when he chose to pursue his career on the Continent and made an unsuitable marriage. When, aged sixteen, Deb travelled to Paris to care for Otto in the time leading up to his death, she risked censure and ruin, but her family name and her wealth have ensured that she is still welcomed by all but the highest sticklers in society.
During their practice session, Jack literally stumbles across a badly wounded gentleman who has clearly been in a sword-fight. Deb sends Jack for assistance and then tends to the man as best she can until help arrives. Over the next few days, Deb’s thoughts keep returning to her mysterious duellist, but without a name or knowing where he was taken, she has to resign herself to the fact that she will never be able to find him again.
Meanwhile, Julian, Marquess of Alston and heir to the powerful Duke of Roxton has returned to England under a cloud. He has been accused by one Monsieur Lefevbre – a man of influence in the French government – of seducing his daughter and then refusing to marry her. Lefevbre is bringing a lawsuit for breach of promise against Julian, and things got even uglier when he and his two sons followed Julian from Paris to England and then attempted to kill him. Alston has a reputation for wildness – he’s known to be a womaniser and a gambler, but Lefevbre is adamant that he must marry his daughter.
The biggest problem with that, of course, is that Julian is already married. Knowing of his son’s contrary nature and fearing he would marry an unsuitable woman simply to spite him, the Duke of Roxton arranged a marriage with a well-connected, well-dowered young lady of good birth and saw the union solemnised before sending his son off on his Grand Tour. Julian is now ready to claim his bride and do his duty, but his return to London was delayed by the attack upon him. He is staying with his godfather, Martin Ellicott, to recuperate, and is surprised when Martin tells him that he is acquainted with Deborah and will arrange for them to meet. Martin also reminds him that Deb has no recollection of their marriage and that both families decided to allow her to remain in ignorance of it until Julian’s return from the Continent.
Julian is both astonished and relieved to discover that he is married to the enchanting young woman who bound his wounds in the forest. He can’t believe his luck, for not only is Deb very beautiful, she is compassionate, vivacious and witty.
Given the state of his reputation and the lawsuit hanging over his head, Julian determines to woo and win her as simple Mr Julian Hesham. Deb was forced to wed him all those years ago, and now he wants her to have at least some semblance of a choice. He hopes that he will be able to gain her affection before he has to reveal the truth of his identity and that by that time, she will love him enough to be able to understand his reasons for the deception and forgive him.
Obviously, Julian hasn’t read enough romantic novels, otherwise he’d have known he was just asking for trouble!
While the story proceeds very much as one would expect – complete with a determined rival suitor and a years-old enmity that once again threatens Julian’s life – that’s no bad thing, because Ms Brant has created a couple of engaging and attractive characters in her two leads, and I very much wanted to find out how they would work through their difficulties and get together in the end. Deb is intelligent and independent of spirit, but isn’t one of those curl-tossing heroines who is contrary for the sake of it. Her reaction to the sudden disclosure of her husband’s true identity is perhaps a little over the top, but given the way she finds out and his reaction afterwards, I can certainly understand why she’d be so upset.
Julian is a wonderful hero, handsome, witty and sexy, who shows himself time and again to be steady and reliable – a complete contrast to the rumours that continually circulate about him. He comes to care deeply for Deb, and is more than a little hurt that she would listen to gossip rather than rely on what she has come to know of the man she has married.
Alex Wyndham once again gives a wonderfully accomplished and entirely captivating performance that only serves to confirm the opinion I formed when listening to Deadly Engagement. He never puts a foot wrong and I really can’t find a single thing to criticise. Every character is distinctly voiced according to age and situation, and I continue to be impressed with his portrayal of the females, who never sound squeaky or too high-pitched. His performance of the Duchess of Roxton is especially good, as she is French and therefore speaks English with a distinct accent. Mr Wyndham expertly steers clear of caricature and gives her an attractive gallic lilt which perfectly defines her as a woman of both good sense and elegance.
My favourite interpretation of a secondary character is that of the Duke of Roxton, a man in his seventies, but whose resonant tone, while gravelly and definitely indicating his advanced years, is nonetheless indicative of a man of great authority (I’m very much looking forward to listening to his story in Noble Satyr). There are two young boys in the story, Deb’s nephew Jack and his friend Henri (Harry), who is Julian’s much younger brother. Both boys are easily distinguishable from each other, and when, in the epilogue, they appear as teenagers, they sound exactly that – they’re no longer young boys, but don’t yet have the deeper tones of men.
As with most audio romances, the portrayal of the hero is key to the listener’s enjoyment, and all I can say is that while Julian is an attractive hero on paper, in audio, he’s to die for. Mr Wyndham deepens his natural speaking voice very slightly – which serves to make a good distinction between dialogue and narrative – to portray him and imbues him with a great deal of warmth and humour. As for the more romantic moments… the love scenes in the story are by no means explicit, but it’s quite possible that my knees weakened on at least two occasions.
As is obvious, I really enjoyed listening to Midnight Marriage. Ms Brant has delivered a nicely character-driven romance that doesn’t rely on silly misunderstandings or lots of external conflict to drive the story forward. Alex Wyndham’s performance is simply outstanding, and I am utterly delighted to think that I am going to have very great pleasure of listening to him narrating more audiobooks.
It’s official – my top three (Boulton, Landor, Reading) has now become a Fab Four ;-)
August 12, 2025
All the decadence has me befogged
Before you read this review, I have to admit to a bias: I LOVE the Georgian era. It's such decadent escapism, full of excess, colors and men in heels with swords (*swooooonnnn*)
However, even my love of all things paniers couldn't quite blind me to the occasional flicker of anachronistic or unrealistic moment.
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ .
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
➻❥ The central pillar of this book, the actual midnight marriage, goes somewhat unexplained. We eventually know why the duke wants to marry his son off at such a young age, but I really don't understand how or why he chose the heroine.
Her lineage is described at the beginning, but that's not enough, imo. Young heiresses with the proper lineage were not overcrowding ballrooms, but they weren't rare either. The duke is also on the 'competing with Croesus' level, financially speaking, so the fact that she's an heiress doesn't really feel like a good enough reason. If money wasn't an issues, nobs always went for the highest ranks.
My point is we are never given a concise reason as to why her specifically.
➻❥ The villain and the weird villain-non-villain.
One ends predictably (though with the information given at the end, it made the villain look waaaay too sympathetic) and the other doesn't? In fact, I would argue it never officially ended. We are never told how and even if we can safely infer it all went away, the taint of scandal will follow them forever and that kind of took the shine out of the HEA.
➻❥ There was also an almost kidnapping that really soured me because, if successful what. was. the. plan.? Seriously, thinking long term, what was the villain's intent?? I've come to detest the kidnapped-by-the-villain-at-the-end trope because so many times it makes no sense long term!!!! It's simply unsustainable...
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓮 . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ .
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
➻❥ I didn't mind the hero's lies or deceptions. Him wanting to be loved for who he is was the cutest, most adorable thing. Despite all the horrid rumors that follow him he's not bitter or angry at the world, but he is a bit disappointed.
This isn't to say I didn't agree with the heroine's reaction. She had every reason to be mad at him.
What I'm saying is I didn't take sides, I was just cheering for them.
➻❥ The insa-love: it had a very Romeo and Juliet feel to it. Fantastical? Yes. Unrealistic? Yes. But also classically romantic.
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷-𝓭𝓲𝓽 . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ .
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
I liked the couple. They were 24 (H) and 21 (h), with familial issues and light baggage from past experiences. Neither was unlikable and it was easy to just want to see the two of them happy.
However, their romance does take a secondary roll in lieu of outside drama and scandal that not only isn't resolved well, it was also hard to believe. The grand proportions it took and the how it came to be so were not, imo, believable.
In conclusion, maybe give it a chance if you really like the Georgian era, clean (or clean-ish) romance and HEAs tied in neat little bows.
Before you read this review, I have to admit to a bias: I LOVE the Georgian era. It's such decadent escapism, full of excess, colors and men in heels with swords (*swooooonnnn*)
However, even my love of all things paniers couldn't quite blind me to the occasional flicker of anachronistic or unrealistic moment.
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ .
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
➻❥ The central pillar of this book, the actual midnight marriage, goes somewhat unexplained. We eventually know why the duke wants to marry his son off at such a young age, but I really don't understand how or why he chose the heroine.
Her lineage is described at the beginning, but that's not enough, imo. Young heiresses with the proper lineage were not overcrowding ballrooms, but they weren't rare either. The duke is also on the 'competing with Croesus' level, financially speaking, so the fact that she's an heiress doesn't really feel like a good enough reason. If money wasn't an issues, nobs always went for the highest ranks.
My point is we are never given a concise reason as to why her specifically.
➻❥ The villain and the weird villain-non-villain.
One ends predictably (though with the information given at the end, it made the villain look waaaay too sympathetic) and the other doesn't? In fact, I would argue it never officially ended. We are never told how and even if we can safely infer it all went away, the taint of scandal will follow them forever and that kind of took the shine out of the HEA.
➻❥ There was also an almost kidnapping that really soured me because, if successful what. was. the. plan.? Seriously, thinking long term, what was the villain's intent?? I've come to detest the kidnapped-by-the-villain-at-the-end trope because so many times it makes no sense long term!!!! It's simply unsustainable...
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓮 . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ .
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
➻❥ I didn't mind the hero's lies or deceptions. Him wanting to be loved for who he is was the cutest, most adorable thing. Despite all the horrid rumors that follow him he's not bitter or angry at the world, but he is a bit disappointed.
This isn't to say I didn't agree with the heroine's reaction. She had every reason to be mad at him.
What I'm saying is I didn't take sides, I was just cheering for them.
➻❥ The insa-love: it had a very Romeo and Juliet feel to it. Fantastical? Yes. Unrealistic? Yes. But also classically romantic.
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷-𝓭𝓲𝓽 . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠ .
────────────── ˚ ₊‧ ♛ ‧₊˚──────────────
I liked the couple. They were 24 (H) and 21 (h), with familial issues and light baggage from past experiences. Neither was unlikable and it was easy to just want to see the two of them happy.
However, their romance does take a secondary roll in lieu of outside drama and scandal that not only isn't resolved well, it was also hard to believe. The grand proportions it took and the how it came to be so were not, imo, believable.
In conclusion, maybe give it a chance if you really like the Georgian era, clean (or clean-ish) romance and HEAs tied in neat little bows.
April 30, 2011
Because I just have to occasionally filk my reviews:
I was woken up at midnight and my nurse made me high
They married me off to a drunken teenager cuz I was high
I don't remember getting married at all, and now I know why-y-y
Because I was high
Because I was high
Because I was high
da da dum dum dum dum
In this novel which was apparently partially based on a true story, a 12-year-old girl is woken up at midnight, drugged, and married off to a Duke's son for reasons that make sense only if you're an aristocrat dealing with a problem child but nonetheless scared of a mesalliance. Years later they meet again--and the husband decides to claim his bride by wooing and wedding her (again) without telling her about the original marriage. This is an awesome idea. As expected, it sows distrust into the couple's precarious relationship at the point in time when a family enemy is ready to strike.
Lucinda Brant's books remind me of the romances I used to read when I was younger, but I don't see much of anymore. The heat level is mild. The main characters are charming. The aristocrats are, probably historically accurately, simultaneously charming and horrible snobs. There are duels and elopements and secrets and intrigue--all the ingredients you want to have a really swashbuckling tale . They remind me a little bit of Georgette Heyer's early romances without being annoyingly derivative.
I was woken up at midnight and my nurse made me high
They married me off to a drunken teenager cuz I was high
I don't remember getting married at all, and now I know why-y-y
Because I was high
Because I was high
Because I was high
da da dum dum dum dum
In this novel which was apparently partially based on a true story, a 12-year-old girl is woken up at midnight, drugged, and married off to a Duke's son for reasons that make sense only if you're an aristocrat dealing with a problem child but nonetheless scared of a mesalliance. Years later they meet again--and the husband decides to claim his bride by wooing and wedding her (again) without telling her about the original marriage. This is an awesome idea. As expected, it sows distrust into the couple's precarious relationship at the point in time when a family enemy is ready to strike.
Lucinda Brant's books remind me of the romances I used to read when I was younger, but I don't see much of anymore. The heat level is mild. The main characters are charming. The aristocrats are, probably historically accurately, simultaneously charming and horrible snobs. There are duels and elopements and secrets and intrigue--all the ingredients you want to have a really swashbuckling tale . They remind me a little bit of Georgette Heyer's early romances without being annoyingly derivative.
October 25, 2012
"Marriages did not happen in the dead of night, between strangers. And they certainly did not happen in nightgowns after taking a measured dose of laudanum."
The bride was twelve, and sent back to the nursery with no memory of the the wedding. The groom was in disgrace and very, very drunk. After the ceremony he was banished to the continent for the Grand Tour until it was time to return and claim his bride…
And that's really all I want to tell you, I don't want to spoil the fun. I loved this to bits and had a hard time putting it down (damn that book sale that got in the way). I love the way Julian and Deb first meet as strangers, and according to the author based on real couple who were married young, separated and when the groom returned he unknowingly fell in love with his own wife. Julian and Deb definitely share plenty of chemistry, but while they steam up the pages the sex is on the tamer side. Not a bad thing in my book, but as always YMMV. Midnight Marriage is actually the second book in a trilogy, but stands well enough on its own.
FTC disclosure: Kindle freebie.
The bride was twelve, and sent back to the nursery with no memory of the the wedding. The groom was in disgrace and very, very drunk. After the ceremony he was banished to the continent for the Grand Tour until it was time to return and claim his bride…
And that's really all I want to tell you, I don't want to spoil the fun. I loved this to bits and had a hard time putting it down (damn that book sale that got in the way). I love the way Julian and Deb first meet as strangers, and according to the author based on real couple who were married young, separated and when the groom returned he unknowingly fell in love with his own wife. Julian and Deb definitely share plenty of chemistry, but while they steam up the pages the sex is on the tamer side. Not a bad thing in my book, but as always YMMV. Midnight Marriage is actually the second book in a trilogy, but stands well enough on its own.
FTC disclosure: Kindle freebie.
July 21, 2020
Julian is injured in the woods. Debs find him and saves his life. Later he is happy to find out that Debs is the young girl his father made him marry, 9years before. When he was 15 and she was 12. Nice enjoyable story.
May 2, 2017
What an amazing introduction to the world of audiobooks this was! The combination of writer Lucinda Brant and narrator Alex Wyndham was definitely a match made in heaven.
This is the second book in the series and Ms. Brant certainly captured my attention with the hasty, secretive marriage of the title. It left me intrigued to know the “whys and wherefores” surrounding this mysterious event and so I had to keep reading. As the story unfolds there are various twists and turns, with hidden secrets, deception, heartbreak, passion and old enmities.
Julian is charming, caring and witty but, as son and heir to the powerful Duke of Roxton, he has also inherited the Roxtons’ arrogant streak. His reputation as a libertine is widely known but sometimes things aren’t always what they seem. Sorry to be rather cryptic here but I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone. His relationship with his father has never been an easy one for reasons we discover later in the story and I found this a very interesting facet of the story.
As cousin to the 5th Duke of Devonshire, Deborah is well-connected. However, her reputation was severely tarnished when, at the age of sixteen, she went to Paris to care for her sick brother, Otto. He is the black sheep of the family having married a gypsy. Deborah only compounded things by bringing Otto’s son Jack home to live with her, after both his parents died. Deborah cared more for her brother and her nephew than society’s censure and I admired her for that.
The idyllic time Julian and Deborah spend together before she discovers his true identity makes the subsequent events more heart-breaking. Julian thought he would be able to just smooth things over and Deborah would simply forgive him…foolish man! Deborah has a mind of her own and, although I might question her reaction given how much she loves him, Julian’s subsequent cruel and harsh treatment of her had me sympathising with her. There is a lot of anger and hurt to overcome plus a very dramatic finale before these two can finally share a Happy Ever After together.
The secondary characters all add depth to the story and I will definitely be listening to Noble Satyr , the story of Julian’s parents, the Duke of Roxton and his younger wife, Antonia.
Ms Brant really made me feel as though I was stepping back in time to the Georgian world of powdered wigs, panniers and sedan chairs.
Alex Wyndham is a superb narrator and I was totally swept away by his deep, rich voice. Each character is pitched perfectly – male or female, old or young, noble or servant – and I was amazed at his ability to sustain such a wide range of characters’ voices throughout the book. I found it easy to distinguish between narrative and dialogue and I knew instantly which character was speaking.
MY VERDICT: Ms Brant weaves an intricate and compelling story which Alex Wyndham brings superbly to life. Highly Recommended!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
Roxton Series (click on the book cover for more information):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
This is the second book in the series and Ms. Brant certainly captured my attention with the hasty, secretive marriage of the title. It left me intrigued to know the “whys and wherefores” surrounding this mysterious event and so I had to keep reading. As the story unfolds there are various twists and turns, with hidden secrets, deception, heartbreak, passion and old enmities.
Julian is charming, caring and witty but, as son and heir to the powerful Duke of Roxton, he has also inherited the Roxtons’ arrogant streak. His reputation as a libertine is widely known but sometimes things aren’t always what they seem. Sorry to be rather cryptic here but I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone. His relationship with his father has never been an easy one for reasons we discover later in the story and I found this a very interesting facet of the story.
As cousin to the 5th Duke of Devonshire, Deborah is well-connected. However, her reputation was severely tarnished when, at the age of sixteen, she went to Paris to care for her sick brother, Otto. He is the black sheep of the family having married a gypsy. Deborah only compounded things by bringing Otto’s son Jack home to live with her, after both his parents died. Deborah cared more for her brother and her nephew than society’s censure and I admired her for that.
The idyllic time Julian and Deborah spend together before she discovers his true identity makes the subsequent events more heart-breaking. Julian thought he would be able to just smooth things over and Deborah would simply forgive him…foolish man! Deborah has a mind of her own and, although I might question her reaction given how much she loves him, Julian’s subsequent cruel and harsh treatment of her had me sympathising with her. There is a lot of anger and hurt to overcome plus a very dramatic finale before these two can finally share a Happy Ever After together.
The secondary characters all add depth to the story and I will definitely be listening to Noble Satyr , the story of Julian’s parents, the Duke of Roxton and his younger wife, Antonia.
Ms Brant really made me feel as though I was stepping back in time to the Georgian world of powdered wigs, panniers and sedan chairs.
Alex Wyndham is a superb narrator and I was totally swept away by his deep, rich voice. Each character is pitched perfectly – male or female, old or young, noble or servant – and I was amazed at his ability to sustain such a wide range of characters’ voices throughout the book. I found it easy to distinguish between narrative and dialogue and I knew instantly which character was speaking.
MY VERDICT: Ms Brant weaves an intricate and compelling story which Alex Wyndham brings superbly to life. Highly Recommended!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
Roxton Series (click on the book cover for more information):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
July 29, 2020
3.5 stars
The story was set up very well. It kept me interested. There are some elements that reminded me of Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer especially Julian of Alston and his father and mother.
Favorite elements: 18th century France and England, long haired hero, swords, entangled web of a story.
But there were gapping holes in actions of our characters. Our heroine in my opinion came out not just independent and courageous but straightforwardly rude and illogical.
And there was something about the writing style that not only didn’t pulled me in but made hard to pay attention. I was tried to figure out what was wrong with her sentence structure. I think verbs came too late in sentence structure so my mind stop payment attention thinking its just a filler, description of sort only to realize ‘wait that was important information’. Maybe it was meant to be artistic but instead made me lost in what I was reading.
The story was set up very well. It kept me interested. There are some elements that reminded me of Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer especially Julian of Alston and his father and mother.
Favorite elements: 18th century France and England, long haired hero, swords, entangled web of a story.
But there were gapping holes in actions of our characters. Our heroine in my opinion came out not just independent and courageous but straightforwardly rude and illogical.
And there was something about the writing style that not only didn’t pulled me in but made hard to pay attention. I was tried to figure out what was wrong with her sentence structure. I think verbs came too late in sentence structure so my mind stop payment attention thinking its just a filler, description of sort only to realize ‘wait that was important information’. Maybe it was meant to be artistic but instead made me lost in what I was reading.
April 27, 2019
It took a while before I realised that I had already read this book, so I guess that is a bit of a worry. I think I began to compare it (somewhat unfavourably) with Devil's Cub and that distracted me.
I think the colourful descriptions of Georgian clothes and Bath society were great, and the writing is good. But I was annoyed with the heroine, who needed to grow a backbone and not be so trusting and gullible, and I didn't like the deception and sheer manipulation by the hero, so by the time we got the information about the hero that is supposed to explain, even excuse his behaviour, it was just a bit too late for me. (And we never got a resolution on the hero's epileptic little brother- had the hero's attack on his mother leading to a premature birth caused the illness or not? He never seemed especially burdened with the guilt or anything. Weird.)
I think the colourful descriptions of Georgian clothes and Bath society were great, and the writing is good. But I was annoyed with the heroine, who needed to grow a backbone and not be so trusting and gullible, and I didn't like the deception and sheer manipulation by the hero, so by the time we got the information about the hero that is supposed to explain, even excuse his behaviour, it was just a bit too late for me. (And we never got a resolution on the hero's epileptic little brother- had the hero's attack on his mother leading to a premature birth caused the illness or not? He never seemed especially burdened with the guilt or anything. Weird.)
January 5, 2020
How did I not know about Lucinda Brant before??? And another amazing performance by Alex Wyndam.
not-going-to-finish
September 21, 2020
Nope, can't do it. No more.
This is a blatant Heyer rip-off which, you know, whatever, except Heyer's heroines would be smart enough not to marry a guy they've had * looks at notes * 4 conversations with?
If my own good sense wasn't screaming loudly enough that this wasn't going anywhere I wanted to be, the 1 star reviews have me convinced that the lack of communication only leads to further predictable and idiotic misunderstandings.
No thank you!
Not finishing at 50%
October 1, 2012
Another enthusiastic keeper! I guess everyone has a favorite style, era, genre, author... Lucinda Brant hits every single one of mine. She is an incredibly gifted writer, pulling the reader in immediately, then never allowing them a minute to close the book until the final page is reluctantly turned, sighed over, and digested.
"Midnight Marriage" is the second in a three book series (oh please, oh please, let there be more!) It focuses on Julian, son of The Duke of Roxton and his much younger wife, Antonia - the protagonists in the first book of the series. Julian was forcibly married at 16 years old to 12 year old Deborah Cavendish, in the middle of the night with Deborah barely aware of the proceedings. Julian was then immediately shipped out of the country. The story takes off like a bullet from the moment the two meet again - under different circumstances and without any knowledge on Deborah's part of who Julian actually is.
It's full of anger and angst and sexual tension and emotion and, and, and.... oh just everything one absolutely loves in a good romance! The descriptions of the Georgian era in which they live are rich and just detailed enough to transport the reader right into the thick of things without stalling the story. Deborah's actions got a little tedious when she stubbornly refused to believe anything but the worst in Julian without even asking for explanations, but that little glitch is all that mars this readers love of yet another Lucinda Brant confection!
"Midnight Marriage" is the second in a three book series (oh please, oh please, let there be more!) It focuses on Julian, son of The Duke of Roxton and his much younger wife, Antonia - the protagonists in the first book of the series. Julian was forcibly married at 16 years old to 12 year old Deborah Cavendish, in the middle of the night with Deborah barely aware of the proceedings. Julian was then immediately shipped out of the country. The story takes off like a bullet from the moment the two meet again - under different circumstances and without any knowledge on Deborah's part of who Julian actually is.
It's full of anger and angst and sexual tension and emotion and, and, and.... oh just everything one absolutely loves in a good romance! The descriptions of the Georgian era in which they live are rich and just detailed enough to transport the reader right into the thick of things without stalling the story. Deborah's actions got a little tedious when she stubbornly refused to believe anything but the worst in Julian without even asking for explanations, but that little glitch is all that mars this readers love of yet another Lucinda Brant confection!
September 1, 2019
"Devil's Cub" lite...
September 5, 2019
Midnight Marriage by Lucinda Brant is the second book in the Roxton Family Saga and a delight read. This is the first for me by this author as I’ve had several of her books on my TBR but never read. I found this book to be quite enjoyable and pleasant to listen as the narration was also done by a newcomer to this reader…an excellent narrator in Alex Wyndham.
The book opens right away with action when an inebriated fifteen year old, Julian is being forced to marry a drugged, twelve-year-old Deborah by her brother Gerald and two older men she does not know. Nine years later, she comes across an injured and unknown stranger who she finds out, after he woos her heart to love, that he is her long-lost husband, the heir to the Duke of Roxton.
The narration by Wyndham draws you into the story and the lives of the characters and an interest of knowing the ending. I really loved this story and look forward to listening to the others in the series although this could be read as a standalone.
4-Stars
The book opens right away with action when an inebriated fifteen year old, Julian is being forced to marry a drugged, twelve-year-old Deborah by her brother Gerald and two older men she does not know. Nine years later, she comes across an injured and unknown stranger who she finds out, after he woos her heart to love, that he is her long-lost husband, the heir to the Duke of Roxton.
The narration by Wyndham draws you into the story and the lives of the characters and an interest of knowing the ending. I really loved this story and look forward to listening to the others in the series although this could be read as a standalone.
4-Stars
February 7, 2022
Julian and Deb's initial meeting and marriage was strange and unique. Julian and Deb are forced to marry as mere children before Julian is exiled to the continent. Deb having been drugged does not know if she has memories or dreams of a handsome boy. Julian comes back for his bride, not only to make his marriage more than name only but to take his rightful place in society as a dukes heir. He needs Deb's forgiveness for his deception and that he does love her despite the forced marriage.
This was my first Lucinda Brant book and it was very different from any other HR I have read. The writing, story, & characters were all uninteresting and hollow. Alex Wyndham's narration elevated the story, but it still average and forgettable.
This was my first Lucinda Brant book and it was very different from any other HR I have read. The writing, story, & characters were all uninteresting and hollow. Alex Wyndham's narration elevated the story, but it still average and forgettable.
July 2, 2017
Series: Roxton Family Saga #2
Publication Date: 3/5/11
It is midnight, and twelve-year-old Deborah (Deb) is dragged from a drug induced sleep. Everything is surreal around her and she's sure she's still dreaming because she is attending her own wedding. She is wedding a very sad boy who is not much older than she is. However, when she awakes the next morning she is assured that it was all just a bad dream.
Fifteen-year-old Julian has done a shameful, damaging thing and is being banned to the continent for the foreseeable future. In order to keep him from making a scandalous match while on the continent, his father, the Duke of Roxton, has forced him into a midnight marriage. He's unhappy, ashamed and totally drunk.
Nine years later Julian is ready to return to England, claim his bride and create an heir. Except, his bride doesn't know she's married to him and he's in the middle of yet another scandal (not of his own making). He is attacked by three men and left for dead in a wood where Deb finds him - and begins to fall in love with him. She doesn't know who he is and doesn't equate his given name with the Roxton's and that is a good thing because she holds the Roxton's in very low regard.
Julian woos and wins Deb -- until she discovers who he really is. Winning her and keeping her is the challenge of a lifetime for Julian, and sometimes you are rooting for him and other times you just want to kick him in the rear.
The story involves you in their lives and you have a vested interest in the characters. I especially liked the Duchess of Roxton (and she gets her own story later in the series). You can read this as a stand-alone book even though it is part of a series.
Publication Date: 3/5/11
It is midnight, and twelve-year-old Deborah (Deb) is dragged from a drug induced sleep. Everything is surreal around her and she's sure she's still dreaming because she is attending her own wedding. She is wedding a very sad boy who is not much older than she is. However, when she awakes the next morning she is assured that it was all just a bad dream.
Fifteen-year-old Julian has done a shameful, damaging thing and is being banned to the continent for the foreseeable future. In order to keep him from making a scandalous match while on the continent, his father, the Duke of Roxton, has forced him into a midnight marriage. He's unhappy, ashamed and totally drunk.
Nine years later Julian is ready to return to England, claim his bride and create an heir. Except, his bride doesn't know she's married to him and he's in the middle of yet another scandal (not of his own making). He is attacked by three men and left for dead in a wood where Deb finds him - and begins to fall in love with him. She doesn't know who he is and doesn't equate his given name with the Roxton's and that is a good thing because she holds the Roxton's in very low regard.
Julian woos and wins Deb -- until she discovers who he really is. Winning her and keeping her is the challenge of a lifetime for Julian, and sometimes you are rooting for him and other times you just want to kick him in the rear.
The story involves you in their lives and you have a vested interest in the characters. I especially liked the Duchess of Roxton (and she gets her own story later in the series). You can read this as a stand-alone book even though it is part of a series.
July 23, 2015
Narrator Alex Wyndham makes this one 5 stars as his narration was 5+ stars. Think Nicholas Boulton's narration twin. Simply marvelous. I am a full fledged fan.
Brant's writing is fantastic - classy, detailed historicals. However, the heroine's actions kept the content from 5 stars. Content - 4 stars.
Brant's writing is fantastic - classy, detailed historicals. However, the heroine's actions kept the content from 5 stars. Content - 4 stars.
April 18, 2013
In the beginning, the interaction between Deb and Julian was loving and sweet. I really enjoyed both characters, that is, until Deb found out who he really was. Then the book went downhill for me. I mean, what the heck happened?! Julian turned angry, mean and rude. WHAT?! There are just no words for his behavior. And Deb’s reaction is no better. After this big reveal, the struggle to get to our HEA was just chaotic and frustrating and I wasn’t really into the story anymore. But I finished.
Some random thoughts:
- I thought the history authentic, but the author over explained it. It hit you over the head instead of being subtle learning.
- I am not a fan of over explanation of dress, food and the use of snuff.
- I do not quite understand why Deb’s marriage was kept secret from her, especially after her
- Deb’s brother is made out to be a big doofus whose only intentions are to climb up society’s ladder. He was one dimensional and I find it hard to believe he did not have one redeeming quality. He was always wrong and selfish, always! and Deb and Julian were always the ones to put him in his place. That was annoying.
- Deb’s sister-in-law was sweet and a comfort to Deb in the beginning, but then turns into a spiteful person – huh?
Some random thoughts:
- I thought the history authentic, but the author over explained it. It hit you over the head instead of being subtle learning.
- I am not a fan of over explanation of dress, food and the use of snuff.
- I do not quite understand why Deb’s marriage was kept secret from her, especially after her
- Deb’s brother is made out to be a big doofus whose only intentions are to climb up society’s ladder. He was one dimensional and I find it hard to believe he did not have one redeeming quality. He was always wrong and selfish, always! and Deb and Julian were always the ones to put him in his place. That was annoying.
- Deb’s sister-in-law was sweet and a comfort to Deb in the beginning, but then turns into a spiteful person – huh?
January 15, 2023
2018 October (First Read)
I really loved the creative plot and the author's skill at storytelling, but still struggled with the character development. The MCs were essentially thrown into the same boat from the get-go! How they turned into such different people, regardless of their shared desire to find a marriage based on love, niggled me along the way.
I adored Julian yet found myself grasping for something to like about Deb as she constantly dithers about EVERYTHING ... who she loves, what she wants, yadda-yadda. However, her portrayal as secured my lack of empathy for her. Her over-the-top reaction to Julian's reveal is painful to get through. This book is a big improvement over the *original* prequel Noble Satyr, and it is worth seeing it through to the end
**(Audible version) Alex Wyndham's narration skill at a vast range of believable characters is spot-on, as always!
I really loved the creative plot and the author's skill at storytelling, but still struggled with the character development. The MCs were essentially thrown into the same boat from the get-go! How they turned into such different people, regardless of their shared desire to find a marriage based on love, niggled me along the way.
I adored Julian yet found myself grasping for something to like about Deb as she constantly dithers about EVERYTHING ... who she loves, what she wants, yadda-yadda. However, her portrayal as secured my lack of empathy for her. Her over-the-top reaction to Julian's reveal is painful to get through. This book is a big improvement over the *original* prequel Noble Satyr, and it is worth seeing it through to the end
**(Audible version) Alex Wyndham's narration skill at a vast range of believable characters is spot-on, as always!
August 19, 2024
I’m so over these contrived conflicts, very simple solutions that the characters refuse to do, needless lying from the hero and irrational hysterics from the heroine
April 2, 2013
Could not finish this. Interesting premise but it just kept going and going repeating the same stuff over and over and became irritating. The male lead has a Jekyl and Hyde personality which is not at all appealing. He lied to get Deb to marry him. The subplot about a possible trial back in France for breach of promise was just stupid. I don't see how the key 'evidence' is apparently the size of the male lead's gentials. I got tired of the excessive usage of 'green-eyed gaze' and 'dark red hair that fell to her thighs'. Also, the author seems to think that people used er a lot when speaking. Some of the language felt too modern and stood out like a sore thumb into all the French thrown in by the author. This was just a boring pretentious mess.
May 9, 2015
Loved the cover..... but the writing was clunky with too many seemingly random characters. I was totally confused by the time I dnf'd at 25%
March 12, 2017
2.5 stars. It was okay. Good in parts, but other sections dragged. I liked the H and h.
July 21, 2020
Deborah (Deb) and Julian. Forced to marry as children. Julian goes away for years on his big tour. A virgin ish hero who had a "lover" while on that tour. Julian has a scandalous reputation. Deb meanwhile grows up and does some scandalous things (like attempting to elope and raising her nephew against her brothers wishes). This couple does not talk to each other about the scandalous issues. Julian does a ton of trust me, but does not explain himself to Deb for most of the story. Julian and Deb do have great chemistry together though their love story gets watered down with Julian's parents love story. However, after they go through a bunch of stuff and different locations and finally talk to each other about the issues the they have their hea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
A pleasant surprise. Romance. Drama. Intrigue. Family secrets. All in the splendor of Georgian England and the court of Louis XV. Most importantly - I didn't feel cheated on historical accuracy. And some twists got me by surprise.
Lucinda Brant has a chance to become another favourite writer of historical romance/adventures taking place somewhere between the XVII and the end of the XVIII century (next to Patricia Veyran and Stela Riley).
I had to admit some things were a bit too far-fetched, nonetheless, I had a great time reading the novel.
[4-4.5 stars]
Lucinda Brant has a chance to become another favourite writer of historical romance/adventures taking place somewhere between the XVII and the end of the XVIII century (next to Patricia Veyran and Stela Riley).
I had to admit some things were a bit too far-fetched, nonetheless, I had a great time reading the novel.
[4-4.5 stars]
Read
December 22, 2020DNF, the story isn't keeping my attention without some juicy sexy bits.
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