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Secrets at Thorncliff Manor #1
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires
Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London's elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart's desire...
There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?
There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
67 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Barnes
67 books1,753 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
For all the latest releases, promotions, and exclusive story updates, subscribe to Sophie Barnes’ newsletter today: www.sophiebarnes.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 25, 2015
I had a very hard time connecting with this book. I am never great with a Big Secret story, but in this case, that was compounded by the fact that I was unimpressed by the secret itself. The hero is uninspiring. And the bad guy is nothing short of a cookie cutter villain.
Sarah is not a virgin. That’s the big secret. She lost her virginity to a man who she planned to marry and it didn’t work out. Now her parents are forcing her to marry a vile man named Mr. Dennison, because they say no one else will have her, and the shame of her actions may ruin her sisters’ prospects of marriage.
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, needs to marry but he is gun-shy about love since a woman broke his heart five years ago. He is with his family, visiting the same vacation home as Sarah’s group, when they meet. He’s kind of a jerk to her, sure she is plotting to trap him into marriage, as clearly all other women must want to do. Sarah, however, is resigned to her fate and lets him know right away she is already spoken for.
Circumstances keep throwing them together. Spencer slowly thaws towards her, but Sarah tries to keep herself at arm’s length. This, as the odious Mr. Dennison practically slavers all over her.
Here’s the thing: Sarah is supposed to be strong willed and independent, yet she practically rolls over and plays dead with her situation. Her parents are horrible. Dennison is horrible. And frankly, I didn’t find Spencer to be so great either, both in the beginning and once the secret comes out.
The romance is a slow burn. OK, there isn’t really any burning. It just takes forever for anything to happen. I do mean ANYTHING, and I do mean forever. And I just didn’t care. The only character I was remotely interested in was Spencer’s scarred older brother, who was only in two or three scenes. There just wasn’t a spark anywhere to be found.
Not for me.
Rating: C-/D+
*ARC provided by Avon
Sarah is not a virgin. That’s the big secret. She lost her virginity to a man who she planned to marry and it didn’t work out. Now her parents are forcing her to marry a vile man named Mr. Dennison, because they say no one else will have her, and the shame of her actions may ruin her sisters’ prospects of marriage.
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, needs to marry but he is gun-shy about love since a woman broke his heart five years ago. He is with his family, visiting the same vacation home as Sarah’s group, when they meet. He’s kind of a jerk to her, sure she is plotting to trap him into marriage, as clearly all other women must want to do. Sarah, however, is resigned to her fate and lets him know right away she is already spoken for.
Circumstances keep throwing them together. Spencer slowly thaws towards her, but Sarah tries to keep herself at arm’s length. This, as the odious Mr. Dennison practically slavers all over her.
Here’s the thing: Sarah is supposed to be strong willed and independent, yet she practically rolls over and plays dead with her situation. Her parents are horrible. Dennison is horrible. And frankly, I didn’t find Spencer to be so great either, both in the beginning and once the secret comes out.
The romance is a slow burn. OK, there isn’t really any burning. It just takes forever for anything to happen. I do mean ANYTHING, and I do mean forever. And I just didn’t care. The only character I was remotely interested in was Spencer’s scarred older brother, who was only in two or three scenes. There just wasn’t a spark anywhere to be found.
Not for me.
Rating: C-/D+
*ARC provided by Avon
February 5, 2017
This is book one in the "Secrets at Thorncliff Manor" series. Lady Sarah has had a scandal that has resulted in her father and step mother to attach her to a older man who does not treat Lady Sarah very well during their courting. Lady Sarah has also met our hero, Christopher, Viscount Spencer. Lady Sarah doesn't feel that she deserves Christopher attention nor does her parents. But Christopher family likes her had as set their sites on Christopher courting her. Lady Sarah tries not to get attached to him but they both find it hard not to be attracted to each other. I liked this book and yes the story is a little different then some of the other historical romance but it nice to have a change.
April 28, 2015
Summary
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, has many activities he would rather be doing than be searching for a bride. He knows because of his position and title, that he will need to marry and have an heir, but is content waiting a while longer. There hasn’t been a woman to stir his interest until he meets Lady Sarah. When they meet in the conservatory searching for her pet hamster, he is intrigued, and she is so different from any other miss he has ever met before. Sarah’s life is not her own. Due to a past mistake, she knows that she can never marry someone of her own choosing. Even though the man her father has chosen for her is crude and despicable, she knows she doesn’t have a choice in her life anymore. But then she meets Christopher, and she finds a man who could she laugh and play with, a man who could make her forget who she is and enjoy the moment. But Sarah knows that if he were to ever learn of her true circumstances and her past, that he wouldn’t want her and would never risk disgracing herself in such a way, but when one is in love, you have to take a leap of faith in the man you love…
The Hero
Christopher is quite happy with having a mistress and enjoying the more sensual delights instead of looking for a wife, and despite the constant nagging from his parents and his sisters, he refuses to give in until he is good and ready. Christopher doesn’t want marriage until Sarah catches his eye and then he will do anything to get her away from her soon to be fiancée. Christopher was such a lovely hero, strong and sweet. He is quite the protective hero, I loved his closeness to his family, and how protective he is of Sarah, and even though there were some parts of the story that I felt he could have been more supportive, you see him in a very human realistic way, a man that admits when he is wrong, and I loved how he is true to his character and doesn’t hold himself back.
The Heroine
Sarah, once thought she was in love, and ruined herself, when the man she thought she loved turned out to be a blackguard. Now she is ruined in the eyes of her father and step mother, and they are desperate to have her off their hands and set up an agreement with a horse rancher, but the man she is supposed to marry disgusts her. She wonders how she can go through with it, with no other option available to her. Sarah is a heroine I grew to admire, she proved to be quite strong-willed, and what backbone…especially in the end. She proves that she deserves more than to just be a broodmare. I love her creativity and her sense of self, and her need to play and have fun with life.
Plot and Story Line
Every time I read a book by Sophie Barnes, I always know that I will have a fun time, but this latest book had a different feeling to it, but what a fantastic read this turned out to be, and it surprised me how much I loved it. This is the first book in her newest series, this series takes place at Thorncliff Manor, a huge estate, and focuses on one family and each of the siblings’ stories. The first book is Christopher’s story. We see the bantering back and forth between himself and his siblings, and what a lovely family this is. They all have affection for each other, and his siblings is different from the other, you see the difference of opinion, and I can hardly wait for the second book now. This story was quite emotional at times, and I loved Christopher and Sarah together, and struggling for a way to find their HEA. I can promise you it does happen, so no worries, but they do have some hills and valley to get through before they get there. What I loved most about this story was the tender and sweet love story. It’s very light as far as sexual scenes, we have more focus on the emotional building of their relationship, which is quite necessary. They do have some sparks, and boy when they kiss…watch out or you may get burned. But due to certain circumstances of the heroine, you see how the way the plot unravels is quite needed at times, and I loved seeing them come together in such a poignant manner that evokes quite a few emotions I wasn’t expecting. We also see quite a bit of strong development in growth of characters…especially in our heroine. Where she decides to stand up to her family and choose her own fate and not one that suits them easier. Quite frankly I couldn’t stand her family, they were horrid to her, and treated her quite poorly just because she made a mistake, and they knew the why and how. But I enjoyed seeing Sarah find a man who would love and appreciate her for who she is underneath and I loved that quality to the story.
The Cover
Now who wouldn’t love this cover? And its perfect for this time of year right? I just loved the manor in the back, and the “spring” feel of colors and what a dress….and the male model….mmm delicious…I just can’t enough of the half shirt open…quite the teaser.
Overall View
Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is a fresh start to a wonderful series, it’s a tale of loyalty, love, and sacrifice, and learning to stand up for what you deserve and a life full of affection and joy. A SWEET AND CHARMING GEM!
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, has many activities he would rather be doing than be searching for a bride. He knows because of his position and title, that he will need to marry and have an heir, but is content waiting a while longer. There hasn’t been a woman to stir his interest until he meets Lady Sarah. When they meet in the conservatory searching for her pet hamster, he is intrigued, and she is so different from any other miss he has ever met before. Sarah’s life is not her own. Due to a past mistake, she knows that she can never marry someone of her own choosing. Even though the man her father has chosen for her is crude and despicable, she knows she doesn’t have a choice in her life anymore. But then she meets Christopher, and she finds a man who could she laugh and play with, a man who could make her forget who she is and enjoy the moment. But Sarah knows that if he were to ever learn of her true circumstances and her past, that he wouldn’t want her and would never risk disgracing herself in such a way, but when one is in love, you have to take a leap of faith in the man you love…
The Hero
Christopher is quite happy with having a mistress and enjoying the more sensual delights instead of looking for a wife, and despite the constant nagging from his parents and his sisters, he refuses to give in until he is good and ready. Christopher doesn’t want marriage until Sarah catches his eye and then he will do anything to get her away from her soon to be fiancée. Christopher was such a lovely hero, strong and sweet. He is quite the protective hero, I loved his closeness to his family, and how protective he is of Sarah, and even though there were some parts of the story that I felt he could have been more supportive, you see him in a very human realistic way, a man that admits when he is wrong, and I loved how he is true to his character and doesn’t hold himself back.
The Heroine
Sarah, once thought she was in love, and ruined herself, when the man she thought she loved turned out to be a blackguard. Now she is ruined in the eyes of her father and step mother, and they are desperate to have her off their hands and set up an agreement with a horse rancher, but the man she is supposed to marry disgusts her. She wonders how she can go through with it, with no other option available to her. Sarah is a heroine I grew to admire, she proved to be quite strong-willed, and what backbone…especially in the end. She proves that she deserves more than to just be a broodmare. I love her creativity and her sense of self, and her need to play and have fun with life.
Plot and Story Line
Every time I read a book by Sophie Barnes, I always know that I will have a fun time, but this latest book had a different feeling to it, but what a fantastic read this turned out to be, and it surprised me how much I loved it. This is the first book in her newest series, this series takes place at Thorncliff Manor, a huge estate, and focuses on one family and each of the siblings’ stories. The first book is Christopher’s story. We see the bantering back and forth between himself and his siblings, and what a lovely family this is. They all have affection for each other, and his siblings is different from the other, you see the difference of opinion, and I can hardly wait for the second book now. This story was quite emotional at times, and I loved Christopher and Sarah together, and struggling for a way to find their HEA. I can promise you it does happen, so no worries, but they do have some hills and valley to get through before they get there. What I loved most about this story was the tender and sweet love story. It’s very light as far as sexual scenes, we have more focus on the emotional building of their relationship, which is quite necessary. They do have some sparks, and boy when they kiss…watch out or you may get burned. But due to certain circumstances of the heroine, you see how the way the plot unravels is quite needed at times, and I loved seeing them come together in such a poignant manner that evokes quite a few emotions I wasn’t expecting. We also see quite a bit of strong development in growth of characters…especially in our heroine. Where she decides to stand up to her family and choose her own fate and not one that suits them easier. Quite frankly I couldn’t stand her family, they were horrid to her, and treated her quite poorly just because she made a mistake, and they knew the why and how. But I enjoyed seeing Sarah find a man who would love and appreciate her for who she is underneath and I loved that quality to the story.
The Cover
Now who wouldn’t love this cover? And its perfect for this time of year right? I just loved the manor in the back, and the “spring” feel of colors and what a dress….and the male model….mmm delicious…I just can’t enough of the half shirt open…quite the teaser.
Overall View
Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is a fresh start to a wonderful series, it’s a tale of loyalty, love, and sacrifice, and learning to stand up for what you deserve and a life full of affection and joy. A SWEET AND CHARMING GEM!
April 28, 2015
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes
Book One of the Secrets at Thorncliff Manor series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London's elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart's desire...
There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?
What I Liked:
Contrary to the title, this book is not all that you think it might be. I thought there would be a lot of lust and passion and fire and sex and shenanigans in this book, and there was a dose of each... but it wasn't wild and overwhelming, like I half-expected. This is good! I found this to be a great thing! So if you were like me, and was wary of this book because of the title ("Sinful Desires", oooo), don't be turned off! And if you were hoping for example what the title promised - trust me, the author still delivered!
Lady Sarah made a terrible mistake several years ago, and her father and stepmother have not let her forget it. They bring her and her stepsisters to Thorncliff Manor, where Mr. Denison will court Sarah, thus avoiding scandal and an unwed daughter. The problem is, Sarah doesn't want to marry Mr. Denison - for one, he's older than her father. But Sarah knows what she did years ago was wrong, and that she must do as her parents ask, in order to secure a stable match and have a decent future. Christopher, Lord Spencer, is heir to the viscountcy, and has no intentions of marrying anytime soon. But he meets Sarah and is intrigued by her bold, sarcastic, feisty nature. But she's promised to another - will Christopher and Sarah act on their feelings?
I really liked this book. It reminded me of It Started With a Scandal by Julie Anne Long, and I wasn't bothered by the similarities. The protagonist went through something that she thought would work out, but didn't, leaving her with a mess, an almost-ruined reputation, and a bleak future. The protagonist does not want to grow attached to anyone, because she knows it's her duty to set things right. For Sarah, that is doing as her father and stepmother say, and marry the awful and disgusting Mr. Denison.
I like Sarah. I think it's noble of her to follow through with the courtship, despite the fact that she didn't want to do so. Of course, this is historical fiction, and it's not like she had many choices. But Sarah has every intention of doing what her parents says, because she knows the blame rests on her shoulders. Still, Sarah is very outspoken, and often says too much. But I like this about her.
Christopher does too - when they first meet, Sarah insults him intentionally and unintentionally, which is quite the feat. He's an heir, a viscount, a rich lord. He doesn't want to marry, because of his broken heart from years ago. Sarah captures his interest and cracks the stone wall around his heart. But he knows something is wrong with her situation with Mr. Denison, so he thinks to keep his distance from her... but he finds he cannot do that.
I love Christopher and Sarah together. Believe it or not, they don't even kiss until about three quarters of the way into the book. That is a looooong time, for a romance novel, especially historical romance. But this is actually a really great thing, because the slow burn romance is impeccably written. Christopher and Sarah are friends first, because they know they must be proper around each other, especially since Sarah is already in a courtship with Mr. Denison when she meets Lord Spencer (Christopher). But sparks are constantly flying between them, and it's so fun to watch them fall for each other and keep denying it - all without the physical aspect of a romance novel. But once they kiss, it's pretty much all over. Lots of physical scenes after that!
The story centers around Sarah's struggle with Mr. Denison and his courtship, her controlling, cold parents, her desire to disobey her parents, and her desire for Christopher. Sarah wants to do right by her parents, but she needs to do is forgive herself and move on. Christopher needs to forget about his long-gone lady and move on too. Together, the two of them help each other. In the end, Christopher and Sarah make a lovely couple.
The setting is quite notable; Thorncliff Manor is huge, beautiful manor, owned by an eccentric old lady who loves to do and say as she pleases. She's like an older version of Sarah. There is plenty of mystery and intrigue surrounding this manor, and plenty of budding relationships. This series has so much potential - there are sooooo many eligible ladies and gentlemen that Barnes could write about next!
What I Did Not Like:
While I liked the lack of physical scenes in the first three quarters of the book, I wouldn't have minded more ;)
Would I Recommend It:
I definitely recommend this one, especially if you're not a fan of explicit romance novels - because this one has only a few physical scenes, which is quite atypical of a historical romance novel. I loved the book, the romance, the chemistry, the story, the characters... this is probably going to be a year-end favorite. Much love!
Rating:
4 stars. This new series by Sophie Barnes is very promising! I can't wait to see which characters she chooses to write about next. Richard, perhaps? That's Christopher's younger brother. Or maybe one of Christopher's sisters, with Chadwick. Gah! The possibilities!
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes
Book One of the Secrets at Thorncliff Manor series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London's elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart's desire...
There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?
What I Liked:
Contrary to the title, this book is not all that you think it might be. I thought there would be a lot of lust and passion and fire and sex and shenanigans in this book, and there was a dose of each... but it wasn't wild and overwhelming, like I half-expected. This is good! I found this to be a great thing! So if you were like me, and was wary of this book because of the title ("Sinful Desires", oooo), don't be turned off! And if you were hoping for example what the title promised - trust me, the author still delivered!
Lady Sarah made a terrible mistake several years ago, and her father and stepmother have not let her forget it. They bring her and her stepsisters to Thorncliff Manor, where Mr. Denison will court Sarah, thus avoiding scandal and an unwed daughter. The problem is, Sarah doesn't want to marry Mr. Denison - for one, he's older than her father. But Sarah knows what she did years ago was wrong, and that she must do as her parents ask, in order to secure a stable match and have a decent future. Christopher, Lord Spencer, is heir to the viscountcy, and has no intentions of marrying anytime soon. But he meets Sarah and is intrigued by her bold, sarcastic, feisty nature. But she's promised to another - will Christopher and Sarah act on their feelings?
I really liked this book. It reminded me of It Started With a Scandal by Julie Anne Long, and I wasn't bothered by the similarities. The protagonist went through something that she thought would work out, but didn't, leaving her with a mess, an almost-ruined reputation, and a bleak future. The protagonist does not want to grow attached to anyone, because she knows it's her duty to set things right. For Sarah, that is doing as her father and stepmother say, and marry the awful and disgusting Mr. Denison.
I like Sarah. I think it's noble of her to follow through with the courtship, despite the fact that she didn't want to do so. Of course, this is historical fiction, and it's not like she had many choices. But Sarah has every intention of doing what her parents says, because she knows the blame rests on her shoulders. Still, Sarah is very outspoken, and often says too much. But I like this about her.
Christopher does too - when they first meet, Sarah insults him intentionally and unintentionally, which is quite the feat. He's an heir, a viscount, a rich lord. He doesn't want to marry, because of his broken heart from years ago. Sarah captures his interest and cracks the stone wall around his heart. But he knows something is wrong with her situation with Mr. Denison, so he thinks to keep his distance from her... but he finds he cannot do that.
I love Christopher and Sarah together. Believe it or not, they don't even kiss until about three quarters of the way into the book. That is a looooong time, for a romance novel, especially historical romance. But this is actually a really great thing, because the slow burn romance is impeccably written. Christopher and Sarah are friends first, because they know they must be proper around each other, especially since Sarah is already in a courtship with Mr. Denison when she meets Lord Spencer (Christopher). But sparks are constantly flying between them, and it's so fun to watch them fall for each other and keep denying it - all without the physical aspect of a romance novel. But once they kiss, it's pretty much all over. Lots of physical scenes after that!
The story centers around Sarah's struggle with Mr. Denison and his courtship, her controlling, cold parents, her desire to disobey her parents, and her desire for Christopher. Sarah wants to do right by her parents, but she needs to do is forgive herself and move on. Christopher needs to forget about his long-gone lady and move on too. Together, the two of them help each other. In the end, Christopher and Sarah make a lovely couple.
The setting is quite notable; Thorncliff Manor is huge, beautiful manor, owned by an eccentric old lady who loves to do and say as she pleases. She's like an older version of Sarah. There is plenty of mystery and intrigue surrounding this manor, and plenty of budding relationships. This series has so much potential - there are sooooo many eligible ladies and gentlemen that Barnes could write about next!
What I Did Not Like:
While I liked the lack of physical scenes in the first three quarters of the book, I wouldn't have minded more ;)
Would I Recommend It:
I definitely recommend this one, especially if you're not a fan of explicit romance novels - because this one has only a few physical scenes, which is quite atypical of a historical romance novel. I loved the book, the romance, the chemistry, the story, the characters... this is probably going to be a year-end favorite. Much love!
Rating:
4 stars. This new series by Sophie Barnes is very promising! I can't wait to see which characters she chooses to write about next. Richard, perhaps? That's Christopher's younger brother. Or maybe one of Christopher's sisters, with Chadwick. Gah! The possibilities!
September 8, 2015
There was a little too much slut-shaming in this one. It's safe to presume that the audience of this book is modern ladies, comfortable with scenes of a sexual nature, right? So, when we read this genre of books, particularly for the sexy bits, why were Sarah's past sexual experiences put in such a bad light? Do you think the readers are also thinking badly of her, or sympathizing with her instead? Why were we lead to believe that this was all her fault? Because when she described it, it didn't sound too far from a forced sexual encounter. That's just not right. It wasn't handled well at all.
We're not reading these books for their historical precision. Well, maybe some people are, but I'm just looking for a fun bit of escapism. If this were indeed historically accurate, I'm fully aware she would have been cast out of polite society, left to rusticate in the hinterlands. But it's not historically accurate. We all know it's not, and we willingly suspend out disbelief for the duration of the story. We read these novels because we all like a happy ending. So, why did they put the heroine through all the slut-shaming, only to have the dude be like, "Gross. You hussy." Eventually, he came around, but in a totally back-handed way. "Guess what? I'm not a virgin either." Well, of course you're not. And for you not to be written with a modern sense of egalitarianism is just not okay with me, dude.
Awful families, awful cookie-cutter villain, weird plot lines that appeared and disappeared out of nowhere.
Speaking of which, what happened to the gerbil?
We're not reading these books for their historical precision. Well, maybe some people are, but I'm just looking for a fun bit of escapism. If this were indeed historically accurate, I'm fully aware she would have been cast out of polite society, left to rusticate in the hinterlands. But it's not historically accurate. We all know it's not, and we willingly suspend out disbelief for the duration of the story. We read these novels because we all like a happy ending. So, why did they put the heroine through all the slut-shaming, only to have the dude be like, "Gross. You hussy." Eventually, he came around, but in a totally back-handed way. "Guess what? I'm not a virgin either." Well, of course you're not. And for you not to be written with a modern sense of egalitarianism is just not okay with me, dude.
Awful families, awful cookie-cutter villain, weird plot lines that appeared and disappeared out of nowhere.
Speaking of which, what happened to the gerbil?
July 7, 2024
Review from 2016
D for narration; D for content.
Sometimes – if you’re lucky – you can start a book or audio and know pretty much straight away that you’re going to enjoy it. And sometimes – if you’re UNlucky – you pick one up and immediately know the opposite. That’s what happened to me when I started listening to Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires. In the (almost) three years I’ve been reviewing for AudioGals, I think I’ve only DNFed one, perhaps two titles, but this came close to being the third. I know part of the reviewer’s lot is to take the rough with the smooth, so along with the “OMG, awesome!” listens, there are going to be a proportion of “Meh, okay, but won’t listen again” ones. This one, however, was one of the “OMG, why am I subjecting myself to this?” kind.
(The answer to that question, by the way, is so that I can tell you, dear readers, which audiobooks to avoid with a ten-foot pole. Or, in this case, a twenty-foot one.)
The story is simple. Lady Sarah, daughter of the Earl of Andover, made the mistake, a couple of years earlier, of allowing the young man she thought she was going to marry to take more liberties than she should have done. (This isn’t a spoiler – it is revealed early on). Fortunately for her, word about her indiscretion hasn’t spread, but she has been rendered unmarriageable nonetheless, because young ladies are expected to be pure on their wedding nights. Being desperate to get her off their hands, her father and nasty step-mother have found her a suitor, an old letch thirty years her senior with daughters of his own (who are older than Sarah) who is so desperate to get his hands on her young, nubile body that he is prepared to overlook her lack of virginity. Knowing she has no alternative, Sarah agrees to the match. She has to marry if her sisters’ reputations are not to be tarnished and Mr Denison has also made her father an attractive business proposition in order to seal the deal.
Christopher, Viscount Spencer, has sworn off love and marriage because his heart was broken by a faithless hussy five years before, and now thinks that every young woman who so much as talks to him is aiming to trap him into marriage. Naturally, he assumes this about Sarah on first meeting her, but she quickly disabuses him of that notion, not only by firmly putting him in his place verbally, but by telling him she’s promised elsewhere.
But of course, the two are drawn to each other; Christopher, or “Kip” as his family calls him (I confess, I’ve never come across Kip as a diminutive of Christopher – I always thought it was Kit) likes Sarah’s willingness to challenge him, and she likes… well, likes HIM. He’s sweet and a bit nerdy in addition to being devastatingly handsome, rich and titled, and his sisters immediately take to Sarah and start trying to match-make. Surely a young, gorgeous viscount would be a better marital bargain than the old letch? But – oh, woe is she – Sarah can’t possibly fall for Christopher, because she couldn’t bear for him to think badly of her. And what will happen if he finds out she’s “used goods”? [*spoiler* – he says nasty things and goes off in a sulk.] But the thing I really didn’t like was the way Sarah is constantly made to feel so ashamed that she puts up with the horrid treatment meted out to her by her parents and believes she is unworthy of love or happiness. Such passivity is quite possibly historically accurate, but as a romantic heroine, it makes her a real wet-blanket.
I’ve often said that I really like stories in which the romance IS the story. Too often, books are cluttered up with so many other plotlines that the romance is sidelined or nor properly developed; so I love a good, character-driven tale in which the central relationship takes centre stage. In Lady Sarah’s Sinful Secret, however, the pacing was so slow, the writing and characters so bland that I was DESPERATE FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. A kidnapped baby, a madwoman in the attic, zombies, aliens – anything to keep me awake while I was listening!
To make matters worse, this is one of those times when a poor story is paired with poor narration, making it even more of a non-starter. Rebecca Rogers is a new-to-me narrator, although she has almost fifty titles to her credit at Audible, and on the positive side, she has a pleasant, slightly husky voice in the contralto range which reminded me slightly of Corrie James, a narrator I always enjoy. Her gender differentiation is decent as she doesn’t have to strain in order to sustain a lowered pitch for the male characters, and she does a good job making the odious Mr Denison sound suitably lecherous and smarmy.
On the downside, her pacing so slow that it made an already dull story even more difficult to engage with, and I’m afraid her accent is a BIG no-no. Ms Rogers is American and I’m afraid that listening to a British historical narrated in an American accent is almost guaranteed to put me off (Kirsten Potter and Xe Sands get a free pass because they read dialogue using English accents – also, Joanna Bourne and Anne Stuart write much more engaging stories!). While Ms Rogers attempts to tone down her accent, it ends up somewhere in the Atlantic; much closer to East Coast “posh” Bostonian (I’m thinking Kelsey Grammar and David Hyde Pearce in Frasier) than it is to English shores. I know this is one of those things that ends up coming down to personal choice and that it may not bother some people. But it bothered me big time, and made it very difficult to listen to the story instead of to the constant mispronunciations (dool instead of dew-el, cant instead of cah –n’t, d’COR instead of DAY-cor – and worst of all, dook instead of dew-ke (duke)); and the hang-ons of the American accent such as the rhotic (pronounced) ‘r’. In British English – at least in the sort of upper-class dialect the narrator is trying to imitate – we don’t pronounce the ‘r’ on the end of the word ‘mother’, for example, but Ms Rogers does it there and on every other word that ends in an ‘r’ or, like ‘word’ has an ‘r’ in it.
Harper Collins’ Avon imprint is one of the top brands when it comes to historical romance, and has a number of highly popular and well-known authors on its roster; so I’d expect their audio division to be pairing those authors up with top narrators. However, this is the fourth audiobook I’ve listened to recently in which the mis-match of book and narrator has served their authors poorly. I gave Mandy Williams a C for her narration of Eva Leigh’s Scandal Takes the Stage, Ruth Urquhart a C+ for her performance in Gayle Callen’s The Wrong Bride and Justine Eyre (who I know is very experienced, but is not right for a British historical) a C for her narration in Sarah MacLean’s The Rogue Not Taken. I’ve decided not to review (or purchase) a number of their upcoming titles because they are using narrators with whom I’m either unfamiliar or who aren’t – in my opinion – up to the job. I know that everyone has to start somewhere, and it’s not that these narrators are bad or horribly inexperienced; they are just not right for these particular books.
Back to the case in hand; Lady Sarah’s Sinful Secret is the first in a series that I certainly won’t be continuing to listen to. The story is dull, the characterisation is bland and the narration does nothing to enliven either. Move on to something else. Quickly.
D for narration; D for content.
Sometimes – if you’re lucky – you can start a book or audio and know pretty much straight away that you’re going to enjoy it. And sometimes – if you’re UNlucky – you pick one up and immediately know the opposite. That’s what happened to me when I started listening to Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires. In the (almost) three years I’ve been reviewing for AudioGals, I think I’ve only DNFed one, perhaps two titles, but this came close to being the third. I know part of the reviewer’s lot is to take the rough with the smooth, so along with the “OMG, awesome!” listens, there are going to be a proportion of “Meh, okay, but won’t listen again” ones. This one, however, was one of the “OMG, why am I subjecting myself to this?” kind.
(The answer to that question, by the way, is so that I can tell you, dear readers, which audiobooks to avoid with a ten-foot pole. Or, in this case, a twenty-foot one.)
The story is simple. Lady Sarah, daughter of the Earl of Andover, made the mistake, a couple of years earlier, of allowing the young man she thought she was going to marry to take more liberties than she should have done. (This isn’t a spoiler – it is revealed early on). Fortunately for her, word about her indiscretion hasn’t spread, but she has been rendered unmarriageable nonetheless, because young ladies are expected to be pure on their wedding nights. Being desperate to get her off their hands, her father and nasty step-mother have found her a suitor, an old letch thirty years her senior with daughters of his own (who are older than Sarah) who is so desperate to get his hands on her young, nubile body that he is prepared to overlook her lack of virginity. Knowing she has no alternative, Sarah agrees to the match. She has to marry if her sisters’ reputations are not to be tarnished and Mr Denison has also made her father an attractive business proposition in order to seal the deal.
Christopher, Viscount Spencer, has sworn off love and marriage because his heart was broken by a faithless hussy five years before, and now thinks that every young woman who so much as talks to him is aiming to trap him into marriage. Naturally, he assumes this about Sarah on first meeting her, but she quickly disabuses him of that notion, not only by firmly putting him in his place verbally, but by telling him she’s promised elsewhere.
But of course, the two are drawn to each other; Christopher, or “Kip” as his family calls him (I confess, I’ve never come across Kip as a diminutive of Christopher – I always thought it was Kit) likes Sarah’s willingness to challenge him, and she likes… well, likes HIM. He’s sweet and a bit nerdy in addition to being devastatingly handsome, rich and titled, and his sisters immediately take to Sarah and start trying to match-make. Surely a young, gorgeous viscount would be a better marital bargain than the old letch? But – oh, woe is she – Sarah can’t possibly fall for Christopher, because she couldn’t bear for him to think badly of her. And what will happen if he finds out she’s “used goods”? [*spoiler* – he says nasty things and goes off in a sulk.] But the thing I really didn’t like was the way Sarah is constantly made to feel so ashamed that she puts up with the horrid treatment meted out to her by her parents and believes she is unworthy of love or happiness. Such passivity is quite possibly historically accurate, but as a romantic heroine, it makes her a real wet-blanket.
I’ve often said that I really like stories in which the romance IS the story. Too often, books are cluttered up with so many other plotlines that the romance is sidelined or nor properly developed; so I love a good, character-driven tale in which the central relationship takes centre stage. In Lady Sarah’s Sinful Secret, however, the pacing was so slow, the writing and characters so bland that I was DESPERATE FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. A kidnapped baby, a madwoman in the attic, zombies, aliens – anything to keep me awake while I was listening!
To make matters worse, this is one of those times when a poor story is paired with poor narration, making it even more of a non-starter. Rebecca Rogers is a new-to-me narrator, although she has almost fifty titles to her credit at Audible, and on the positive side, she has a pleasant, slightly husky voice in the contralto range which reminded me slightly of Corrie James, a narrator I always enjoy. Her gender differentiation is decent as she doesn’t have to strain in order to sustain a lowered pitch for the male characters, and she does a good job making the odious Mr Denison sound suitably lecherous and smarmy.
On the downside, her pacing so slow that it made an already dull story even more difficult to engage with, and I’m afraid her accent is a BIG no-no. Ms Rogers is American and I’m afraid that listening to a British historical narrated in an American accent is almost guaranteed to put me off (Kirsten Potter and Xe Sands get a free pass because they read dialogue using English accents – also, Joanna Bourne and Anne Stuart write much more engaging stories!). While Ms Rogers attempts to tone down her accent, it ends up somewhere in the Atlantic; much closer to East Coast “posh” Bostonian (I’m thinking Kelsey Grammar and David Hyde Pearce in Frasier) than it is to English shores. I know this is one of those things that ends up coming down to personal choice and that it may not bother some people. But it bothered me big time, and made it very difficult to listen to the story instead of to the constant mispronunciations (dool instead of dew-el, cant instead of cah –n’t, d’COR instead of DAY-cor – and worst of all, dook instead of dew-ke (duke)); and the hang-ons of the American accent such as the rhotic (pronounced) ‘r’. In British English – at least in the sort of upper-class dialect the narrator is trying to imitate – we don’t pronounce the ‘r’ on the end of the word ‘mother’, for example, but Ms Rogers does it there and on every other word that ends in an ‘r’ or, like ‘word’ has an ‘r’ in it.
Harper Collins’ Avon imprint is one of the top brands when it comes to historical romance, and has a number of highly popular and well-known authors on its roster; so I’d expect their audio division to be pairing those authors up with top narrators. However, this is the fourth audiobook I’ve listened to recently in which the mis-match of book and narrator has served their authors poorly. I gave Mandy Williams a C for her narration of Eva Leigh’s Scandal Takes the Stage, Ruth Urquhart a C+ for her performance in Gayle Callen’s The Wrong Bride and Justine Eyre (who I know is very experienced, but is not right for a British historical) a C for her narration in Sarah MacLean’s The Rogue Not Taken. I’ve decided not to review (or purchase) a number of their upcoming titles because they are using narrators with whom I’m either unfamiliar or who aren’t – in my opinion – up to the job. I know that everyone has to start somewhere, and it’s not that these narrators are bad or horribly inexperienced; they are just not right for these particular books.
Back to the case in hand; Lady Sarah’s Sinful Secret is the first in a series that I certainly won’t be continuing to listen to. The story is dull, the characterisation is bland and the narration does nothing to enliven either. Move on to something else. Quickly.
February 17, 2021
Real rating: 3.5/5 stars.
This one was similar to a notorious vow by johanna shupe but this one was a lot better. Our villain was HORRIBLE AND DISGUSTING AND MADE ME WANT TO VOMIT ON EVERY PAGE. and our heroine's family is tough and cruel towards her because she made a 'mistake' and has left her family is a tough spot. The couple meets in a garden after a runaway bunny and a friendship begins. His mother and sister meddles and plays matchmatcker between these two but he is determined to not fall in love as he's been hurt in the past.
This one was similar to a notorious vow by johanna shupe but this one was a lot better. Our villain was HORRIBLE AND DISGUSTING AND MADE ME WANT TO VOMIT ON EVERY PAGE. and our heroine's family is tough and cruel towards her because she made a 'mistake' and has left her family is a tough spot. The couple meets in a garden after a runaway bunny and a friendship begins. His mother and sister meddles and plays matchmatcker between these two but he is determined to not fall in love as he's been hurt in the past.
January 19, 2015
Despite it's rather salacious moniker, Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires, manages to remain 'nunnery chaste' for the majority of its 384 pages. Only hinting at the life altering scandal that hangs about the neck of Lady Sarah Andover like an ill-fitting snood.
What readers do get in spades, is a lively, slow building, story that is loaded with vibrant and expressive, one of a kind characters which prove to be easy to love/hate, hard to forget, and a joy to read.
Christopher Heartly,Viscount Spencer has just the right amount of quirk and charm to send any fair maiden running for the nearest fainting couch.
Titled, handsome, and determined never to marry. Christopher makes quite the layered onion dimension-wise.
Just when you think that you have discovered all there is to know about the enigmatic 'Mr. Chris'. Boom...yet another bit of special for the collection.
(FYI: It seems that our young miss is not the only soul suffering with secrets of the heart. Young Lord Christopher is a man with tears in his pocket and a story to tell.)
Mr. Denisen - dirty old man, or just plain scoundrel. He is the man that has bargained with Sarah's father for her hand in marriage, and he never lets her forget it.
He also proves to be quite the annoying foil for Chris on several occasions.
Lady Andover - Sarah's resentful stepmother and all around villainous sow.
She is the one who knows all of Sarah's secrets, and never hesitates to drop threats to expose her at the slightest provocation.
Lady Duncaster - first rate eccentric and proprietress of Thornhill Manor. Whether it be cake for breakfast or smoking at cards; one can always count on this one of a kind lady for just the right amount of oddball, wisdom, and fun.
The road to romance is a rather windy one for Chris and Sarah. Full of doubt, self recrimination, and the odd duel here and there. This is a story that is built on the principle of 'friends first'. Concentrating more so on prized character interactions in the form of shared adventures and witty rapport, rather than lust filled pages of passion.
Readers are able to get a real sense of who the characters are, and are thereby better able to bond with their favorites.
The heat level remains at a respectable simmer for most of the story. Only coming to a steaming boil near the end.
The pacing is a well chosen midrange stride. Managing to ride the fine line between too fast, and not fast enough to perfection.
Lady Sarah's secret is one that is truly unexpected and worthy of the gasps of shock and awe that it is sure to inspire.
This is a read that makes one come to realize that sometimes romance plays second fiddle to friendship, but the song that one hears is all the sweeter for it.
What readers do get in spades, is a lively, slow building, story that is loaded with vibrant and expressive, one of a kind characters which prove to be easy to love/hate, hard to forget, and a joy to read.
Christopher Heartly,Viscount Spencer has just the right amount of quirk and charm to send any fair maiden running for the nearest fainting couch.
Titled, handsome, and determined never to marry. Christopher makes quite the layered onion dimension-wise.
Just when you think that you have discovered all there is to know about the enigmatic 'Mr. Chris'. Boom...yet another bit of special for the collection.
(FYI: It seems that our young miss is not the only soul suffering with secrets of the heart. Young Lord Christopher is a man with tears in his pocket and a story to tell.)
Mr. Denisen - dirty old man, or just plain scoundrel. He is the man that has bargained with Sarah's father for her hand in marriage, and he never lets her forget it.
He also proves to be quite the annoying foil for Chris on several occasions.
Lady Andover - Sarah's resentful stepmother and all around villainous sow.
She is the one who knows all of Sarah's secrets, and never hesitates to drop threats to expose her at the slightest provocation.
Lady Duncaster - first rate eccentric and proprietress of Thornhill Manor. Whether it be cake for breakfast or smoking at cards; one can always count on this one of a kind lady for just the right amount of oddball, wisdom, and fun.
The road to romance is a rather windy one for Chris and Sarah. Full of doubt, self recrimination, and the odd duel here and there. This is a story that is built on the principle of 'friends first'. Concentrating more so on prized character interactions in the form of shared adventures and witty rapport, rather than lust filled pages of passion.
Readers are able to get a real sense of who the characters are, and are thereby better able to bond with their favorites.
The heat level remains at a respectable simmer for most of the story. Only coming to a steaming boil near the end.
The pacing is a well chosen midrange stride. Managing to ride the fine line between too fast, and not fast enough to perfection.
Lady Sarah's secret is one that is truly unexpected and worthy of the gasps of shock and awe that it is sure to inspire.
This is a read that makes one come to realize that sometimes romance plays second fiddle to friendship, but the song that one hears is all the sweeter for it.
December 22, 2014
This book was an absolute delight. Lady Sarah's Sinful desires was sweet and romantic, with very engaging characters and a few secrets along the way. It was a lovely read and I absolutely loved it.
Sarah was a wonderful heroine. She had made a single indiscretion years ago and paid for it ever since. Not only did she have to deal with her own regret and guilt over it, she had to shoulder all the disappointment and cruelty her unsympathetic parents could muster. However, all of that didn't make her bitter. Instead it humbled her to the point that she thought very little of herself. But, even though she didn't see it, she was a very kind, friendly, and likable person. She was clearly strong to live with all the shame piled on her and she only became stronger when she decided it was time to live for her own happiness.I thought she was fantastic.
Christopher was also great. He started out the book with remaining a bachelor being his goal but he changed his tune real quick when he met Sarah. For the most part, he was very sweet, kind, and all around adorable. He did have a moment where his preconceived notions threatened to ruin everything but he, thankfully, got over that quickly so it wasn't a problem. I really liked him as well.
The romance was so sweet. It was clear from the start that Sarah and Christopher were perfect together and it didn't take long for them to realize it either. But, of course, things weren't going to be that easy with a secret between them. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot moved quickly and had me hooked all the way through. The story was engaging, entertaining, and entirely enjoyable from start to finish. And the ending was perfect.
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires was a truly excellent historical romance that I absolutely loved. Enjoyable, romantic, and just an overall lovely read, this book was fantastic. Romance lovers, you won't want to miss this book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Sarah was a wonderful heroine. She had made a single indiscretion years ago and paid for it ever since. Not only did she have to deal with her own regret and guilt over it, she had to shoulder all the disappointment and cruelty her unsympathetic parents could muster. However, all of that didn't make her bitter. Instead it humbled her to the point that she thought very little of herself. But, even though she didn't see it, she was a very kind, friendly, and likable person. She was clearly strong to live with all the shame piled on her and she only became stronger when she decided it was time to live for her own happiness.I thought she was fantastic.
Christopher was also great. He started out the book with remaining a bachelor being his goal but he changed his tune real quick when he met Sarah. For the most part, he was very sweet, kind, and all around adorable. He did have a moment where his preconceived notions threatened to ruin everything but he, thankfully, got over that quickly so it wasn't a problem. I really liked him as well.
The romance was so sweet. It was clear from the start that Sarah and Christopher were perfect together and it didn't take long for them to realize it either. But, of course, things weren't going to be that easy with a secret between them. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot moved quickly and had me hooked all the way through. The story was engaging, entertaining, and entirely enjoyable from start to finish. And the ending was perfect.
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires was a truly excellent historical romance that I absolutely loved. Enjoyable, romantic, and just an overall lovely read, this book was fantastic. Romance lovers, you won't want to miss this book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 12, 2015
Sophie Barnes presents another win.
Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is one the most enjoyable reads of 2015 so far. Slowly we’ll get into all the secrets Thorncliff Manor has; a fantastic place mysterious enough to be the perfect spot for any romance. The secondary characters are fun and totally relatable, I’m curious about what will happen to them next.
I like how Sophie took the time to introduce Sarah and Christopher. Both go through some little adventures together and get close enough to start having feelings for one another. The plot is very satisfying and we’re left with the impression that this story was well completed. In the end Sophie Barnes presents another win, a very well written novel.
Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is one the most enjoyable reads of 2015 so far. Slowly we’ll get into all the secrets Thorncliff Manor has; a fantastic place mysterious enough to be the perfect spot for any romance. The secondary characters are fun and totally relatable, I’m curious about what will happen to them next.
I like how Sophie took the time to introduce Sarah and Christopher. Both go through some little adventures together and get close enough to start having feelings for one another. The plot is very satisfying and we’re left with the impression that this story was well completed. In the end Sophie Barnes presents another win, a very well written novel.
May 4, 2015
This is one story that I absolutely adored! Sarah and Christopher are adorable together. Sarah is sweet, kind and loving and living everyday with a heart that's aching for what she cannot have and what she must accept as her lot in life. Christopher, having been burned by love before, tries hard to fight his attraction to Sarah - he's funny and tender and an all around good guy. The writing style is one I prefer - telling both sides and also including some character's inner thoughts - often making me chuckle. This story brought many smiles to my face - I loved how Sarah would speak/act without first giving some thought to it. I loved when she should speak her thoughts out loud - not meaning too. There is also some sadness in this tale. The time period did not allow mistakes that were made my women and Sarah suffered because of it. My heart was sad for all she went through yet admired her for her bravery to do what she felt needed to be done. I loved Christopher's sisters - they were meddling and fun! I found this an easy read and couldn't put it down till finished. Thank you, Ms. Barnes, for such an enjoyable and romantic read! (received copy from Edelweiss for honest review)
July 28, 2019
** 2.5 stars**
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires was...nice enough. I think a lot of historical romance readers will enjoy the story, as Lady Sarah is an exceeding kind heroine who's at the mercy of a mostly uncaring family.
While I thought the story was nice, I was never more than moderately invested, and that was in Sarah herself. I felt like a spectator, when I really wanted to be dragged in. I was also very put off by the hero, Christopher. There were many moments he was kind and a friend to Sarah, but he was also judgmental about her past, which made me FURIOUS. He does redeem himself by the end, which is excellent, but at that point, I was over him. Add in Sarah's excessive self-flagellation over a past transgression (which I get, truly, being 1800s ton society)and her family's and suitor's constant berating, and I was tired by the time I finished.
Having said all the above, I will be the first to say that I can be a moody reader and perhaps that's why I didn't love the story. I liked Sarah, and I mostly liked the author's voice. On the whole, it was a nice story.
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires was...nice enough. I think a lot of historical romance readers will enjoy the story, as Lady Sarah is an exceeding kind heroine who's at the mercy of a mostly uncaring family.
While I thought the story was nice, I was never more than moderately invested, and that was in Sarah herself. I felt like a spectator, when I really wanted to be dragged in. I was also very put off by the hero, Christopher. There were many moments he was kind and a friend to Sarah, but he was also judgmental about her past, which made me FURIOUS. He does redeem himself by the end, which is excellent, but at that point, I was over him. Add in Sarah's excessive self-flagellation over a past transgression (which I get, truly, being 1800s ton society)and her family's and suitor's constant berating, and I was tired by the time I finished.
Having said all the above, I will be the first to say that I can be a moody reader and perhaps that's why I didn't love the story. I liked Sarah, and I mostly liked the author's voice. On the whole, it was a nice story.
June 3, 2024
2.5 stars
Viscount Christopher Spencer's family is pushing him to find a woman to marry. Lady Sarah has spent the past couple of years in hiding after . Spencer and Sarah meet at Thorncliff Manor and their attraction is immediate. Spencer thinks that Sarah is trying to trick him into marrying her, but she insists that she has no interest in marrying him. Sarah's parents are looking forward to marrying her to the awful Mr. Denison. Although Spencer is a more advantageous match, Sarah's stepmother insists that her marriage to Denison will protect the reputation of her stepsisters. When Spencer begins courting Sarah, she struggles to tell him the truth about her past.
Sarah's storyline is supposed to be similar to Cinderella, but I did not think it was a good comparison. Sarah's father was terrible to her. I did not like Sarah's personality, she was very negative and critical of herself. The constant reminders of how Sarah is no longer "pure" and is thus not worthy of love was really annoying and took me out of the book. Fans of historical romance can skip this book.
I read this book to complete the “title includes a name” square of the Ripped Bodice’s 2024 Summer Bingo.
Content: mentions of a miscarriage
Viscount Christopher Spencer's family is pushing him to find a woman to marry. Lady Sarah has spent the past couple of years in hiding after . Spencer and Sarah meet at Thorncliff Manor and their attraction is immediate. Spencer thinks that Sarah is trying to trick him into marrying her, but she insists that she has no interest in marrying him. Sarah's parents are looking forward to marrying her to the awful Mr. Denison. Although Spencer is a more advantageous match, Sarah's stepmother insists that her marriage to Denison will protect the reputation of her stepsisters. When Spencer begins courting Sarah, she struggles to tell him the truth about her past.
Sarah's storyline is supposed to be similar to Cinderella, but I did not think it was a good comparison. Sarah's father was terrible to her. I did not like Sarah's personality, she was very negative and critical of herself. The constant reminders of how Sarah is no longer "pure" and is thus not worthy of love was really annoying and took me out of the book. Fans of historical romance can skip this book.
I read this book to complete the “title includes a name” square of the Ripped Bodice’s 2024 Summer Bingo.
Content: mentions of a miscarriage
May 13, 2015
Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is the first book in a new series for Sophie Barnes, The Secrets at Thorncliff Manor. I really enjoyed this one; it almost is a sweet romance the main characters don’t give in to their desires until the last part of the book, almost the ending. I don’t think I would have liked it as much if it was any different, if they had acted sooner on those desires it just wasn’t who the characters were. The story flowed smoothly from beginning to end, it was witty and sweet you can easily sympathize with the characters who have things in their past that have colored their current actions. I love the concept for this series, Thorncliff Manor is a large estate run by a wise and eccentric older lady, a widow who thought it was a shame to let such a big house go to waste and so she lets out rooms in the house for vacationing families who can afford it.
Lady Sarah has a secret and it’s not the hamster hiding in her reticule, it’s a secret that can embarrass her family and ruin her sister’s chances at finding good matches. In a way to remedy this, her selfish and uncaring parents have arranged for her a marriage. Sarah is deeply sorry about her indiscretion and bears all the guilt for it, something her parents make sure she doesn’t forget to feel sorry for so she is resigned herself to her fate and together with her family she has traveled to Thorncliff Manor to meet the man she is suppose to marry. Unfortunately then man, Mr. Denison is old enough to be her father with two daughters her age and is absolutely horrible.
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, and his family are vacationing at Thorncliff Manor while the family house is being renovated. He is being pressured by his family to finally settle down and get an heir but that is the furthest thing from his mind. In his past he was betrayed by a woman and he hasn’t quite gotten over it. Looking to avoid any and all matchmaking, napping in the Conservatory changes all that.
It was easy to start a friendship with Sarah, what isn’t easy is denying they could easily make something more of it. Sarah as caring as she is, as fun as she is to be with, Christopher respects her plans to marry Mr. Denison. He knows there is another reason she is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want and confides in her his past in hopes she reveals her own. Holding out as long as she can she finally is forced to explain what happened. But will her past ruin the desire and the friendship they have created or will Christopher love her enough to look past the past.
Overall this was a great read, I think on my list of favorite historical for the year this easily falls in the top five. The name is misleading but if you can forgive that you’ll like it.
Lady Sarah has a secret and it’s not the hamster hiding in her reticule, it’s a secret that can embarrass her family and ruin her sister’s chances at finding good matches. In a way to remedy this, her selfish and uncaring parents have arranged for her a marriage. Sarah is deeply sorry about her indiscretion and bears all the guilt for it, something her parents make sure she doesn’t forget to feel sorry for so she is resigned herself to her fate and together with her family she has traveled to Thorncliff Manor to meet the man she is suppose to marry. Unfortunately then man, Mr. Denison is old enough to be her father with two daughters her age and is absolutely horrible.
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, and his family are vacationing at Thorncliff Manor while the family house is being renovated. He is being pressured by his family to finally settle down and get an heir but that is the furthest thing from his mind. In his past he was betrayed by a woman and he hasn’t quite gotten over it. Looking to avoid any and all matchmaking, napping in the Conservatory changes all that.
It was easy to start a friendship with Sarah, what isn’t easy is denying they could easily make something more of it. Sarah as caring as she is, as fun as she is to be with, Christopher respects her plans to marry Mr. Denison. He knows there is another reason she is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want and confides in her his past in hopes she reveals her own. Holding out as long as she can she finally is forced to explain what happened. But will her past ruin the desire and the friendship they have created or will Christopher love her enough to look past the past.
Overall this was a great read, I think on my list of favorite historical for the year this easily falls in the top five. The name is misleading but if you can forgive that you’ll like it.
August 3, 2015
Lady Sarah has arrived at Thorncliff Manor to meet her intended, Mr. Denison. Sarah is carrying a juicy secret that could ruin her reputation if it got out. Because of that, she knows that she has to marry Mr. Denison. She is there so he can start his courtship of her. Then she meets Christopher. He's an heir, a viscount, a rich lord. How can she go through with a marriage after meeting him? She must do everything in her power to resist him. If the truth about her were revealed neither man would have anything to do with her.
Sarah is a pretty strong girl. Yes she had a lapse in judgment years ago and hasn't been able to let it go since. She has very unsympathetic and downright cruel parents. All that put together, the guilt is heavy and the self-worth is low. She, however is a firecracker, friendly, and genuinely likeable. She clearly was stronger when she started to live her life for herself and not her parents.
Christopher has a broken heart from a past love. Although his mom is intent on finding a bride for her son, he wants nothing to do with it. He would rather have fun for the foreseeable future. All that changes when he meets Sarah. She speaks her mind and he finds that rather refreshing. He is drawn to her real quick and seems to find ways to spend time with her. He is very adorable and oh so sweet. He knows Sarah is harboring some huge secret but is willing to overlook it to have her. Does he remain true to his word when the secret is revealed??
Sophie Barnes' historical romance takes place at Thorncliff Manor. A sprawling estate for the rich to spend their summers at. There seems to be plenty of mystery surrounding the Manor and if the walls could talk! There are so many unattached guys and girls, the Secrets of Thorncliff Manor series has endless possibilities! The only downfall of this book for me, is the lack of spiciness. The title hints that there should be something sinful going on, but there really isn't. There are a few scenes but I would have liked less innuendo and more actual scenes. There is plenty of angst and that should be plenty for some. I just prefer more. That being said, the book is a very nice romance reminiscent of the Harlequin's of old. If that's your cup of tea, then you will love this book!
3.5 stars/1.5 flames
This book was provided to me by The Jeep Diva for the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions and rating in the review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
May 11, 2015
Two hearts, each broken by betrayal but wishing to be whole again. These same hearts have lost the ability to trust; one has built barricades, the other still clings to hope.
The unfairness of the times regarding sexual experience once again rears its nasty head. Sarah was seduced and charmed by a traitorous villain leaving her ruined and alone, despite having a family. Christopher was lead to believe a shallow woman on to be left behind feeling like a fool. Despite her ruin she still longs to be loved, cherished, protected and appreciated for her kindness, loyalty and her optimism. The fact that her own parents have effectively cut her from their lives has not changed who she is, it has however, blown her self-esteem to bits.
Lady Duncaster is a joy and I look forward to know and adore her more during the series that centers on her estate. Her independence and total disregard for what others of the ton thinks of her brought smiles, giggles and a few startled gasps out of me. The concept of her estate in the series is brilliant and ahead of the times, but still sticks to the period.
Christopher and Sarah are marvelous together. She is not intimidated by his stand-offish, stuffed shirt, scowling attitude. She sees in him great things and a gentle kindness she is not accustomed to. She makes him smile, laugh and have hope again. They tease each other and have an easy camaraderie that leaves you smiling. As Christopher discovers they share common past experiences he starts to think marriage might be possible for him with Sarah by his side.
Their family dynamics are polar opposites. Christopher comes from an unconditional sometimes meddlesome love and Sarah has only known apathy, distance and being seen as a social bargaining chip. I adore his sisters; they bring levity- often at Christopher’s expense- and charm to the story and keep him on his toes. In contrast, I found nothing to like about Sarah’s parents; they were egocentric, shallow and just plain mean to their daughter. At no time did they protect and defend her.
Well done and I am excited to see who is next for a visit to Thorncliff estates. Thank you Ms. Barnes for a fun read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The unfairness of the times regarding sexual experience once again rears its nasty head. Sarah was seduced and charmed by a traitorous villain leaving her ruined and alone, despite having a family. Christopher was lead to believe a shallow woman on to be left behind feeling like a fool. Despite her ruin she still longs to be loved, cherished, protected and appreciated for her kindness, loyalty and her optimism. The fact that her own parents have effectively cut her from their lives has not changed who she is, it has however, blown her self-esteem to bits.
Lady Duncaster is a joy and I look forward to know and adore her more during the series that centers on her estate. Her independence and total disregard for what others of the ton thinks of her brought smiles, giggles and a few startled gasps out of me. The concept of her estate in the series is brilliant and ahead of the times, but still sticks to the period.
Christopher and Sarah are marvelous together. She is not intimidated by his stand-offish, stuffed shirt, scowling attitude. She sees in him great things and a gentle kindness she is not accustomed to. She makes him smile, laugh and have hope again. They tease each other and have an easy camaraderie that leaves you smiling. As Christopher discovers they share common past experiences he starts to think marriage might be possible for him with Sarah by his side.
Their family dynamics are polar opposites. Christopher comes from an unconditional sometimes meddlesome love and Sarah has only known apathy, distance and being seen as a social bargaining chip. I adore his sisters; they bring levity- often at Christopher’s expense- and charm to the story and keep him on his toes. In contrast, I found nothing to like about Sarah’s parents; they were egocentric, shallow and just plain mean to their daughter. At no time did they protect and defend her.
Well done and I am excited to see who is next for a visit to Thorncliff estates. Thank you Ms. Barnes for a fun read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2015
This romance had potential...pity the characters are that bad, most of them at least. I appreciated the heroine and I liked her parents, although for different reasons, mostly because they cover opposite role. The parents are mean, they are what could be considered the antagonists and I must say they do it very well, they are actually hateful, every time the mother was in the scene I would have slapped her (same for the father although I would have done it with less zeal).
Lady Sarah, the heroine, on the other hand, is sweet, young and lively but dominated and controlled by the evil mother; despite that I wouldn't consider Sarah at fault for letting herself being dominated, in fact, if we want to be objective about her situation, she actually is somewhat responsible for her past and future actions and implications, and the mother used that against her throughout the whole romance, at every single turn.
Said that, what in this romance is extremely wrong is the hero! He's almost everything a hero shouldn't be. If I were Sarah I would have run the fastest I could from him and favoured a whole life of spinsterhood in an isolated cottage in the middle of nowhere! In one word he's a childish coward and, sorry if I say so, also a bit stupid. He looks everything but a man in love; as he is painted he sounds like the kind of man who would have held her previous actions against her.
And what is it worse than a terrible hero in an romance?...nothing, in my opinion.
VISIT MY BLOG, IL PROFUMO DELLE PERGAMENE!
Lady Sarah, the heroine, on the other hand, is sweet, young and lively but dominated and controlled by the evil mother; despite that I wouldn't consider Sarah at fault for letting herself being dominated, in fact, if we want to be objective about her situation, she actually is somewhat responsible for her past and future actions and implications, and the mother used that against her throughout the whole romance, at every single turn.
Said that, what in this romance is extremely wrong is the hero! He's almost everything a hero shouldn't be. If I were Sarah I would have run the fastest I could from him and favoured a whole life of spinsterhood in an isolated cottage in the middle of nowhere! In one word he's a childish coward and, sorry if I say so, also a bit stupid. He looks everything but a man in love; as he is painted he sounds like the kind of man who would have held her previous actions against her.
And what is it worse than a terrible hero in an romance?...nothing, in my opinion.
VISIT MY BLOG, IL PROFUMO DELLE PERGAMENE!
May 3, 2015
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires is a beautifully written historical romance , Sophie Barnes did a fantastic job. It is the story of a ruined heroine and a broken heart hero with meddlesome families.
The last thing Christopher, the viscount Spence, wants is searching for a bride in Thorncliff Manor. He knows he needs to marry and has an heir but not anytime soon until he meets Sarah, a beautiful and strong young lady who is not chasing after a handsome titled gentleman.
Lady Sarah is beautiful, sweet and ruined two years ago. Her father and stepmother has not forgiven her single indiscretion and have bargained her hand in the marriage with the awful Mr Denisen in Thorncliff Manor.
This is a delightful, fun and entertaining historical romance. I loved Sarah, Christopher and his sibling, they were so fun and interesting I can't wait for their stories.
Thank you Sophie Barnes
The last thing Christopher, the viscount Spence, wants is searching for a bride in Thorncliff Manor. He knows he needs to marry and has an heir but not anytime soon until he meets Sarah, a beautiful and strong young lady who is not chasing after a handsome titled gentleman.
Lady Sarah is beautiful, sweet and ruined two years ago. Her father and stepmother has not forgiven her single indiscretion and have bargained her hand in the marriage with the awful Mr Denisen in Thorncliff Manor.
This is a delightful, fun and entertaining historical romance. I loved Sarah, Christopher and his sibling, they were so fun and interesting I can't wait for their stories.
Thank you Sophie Barnes
December 31, 2015
A solid 3.5 stars. I would've found the big secret more interesting if it had been that Lady Sarah had a secret child instead of just having lost her virginity (which I realize was a huge deal back then). I've read other reviews that said there wasn't much romance in this novel. I disagree about the lack of romance although there was very little kissing in this book. Will be picking up the next book in the series today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2015
Loved this book and hoping for lots more of this series. This is my favorite Sophie Barnes book to date, though I do love the Summersby trilogy. I found this well written, entertaining and hard to put down. There are so many characters visiting Thorncliff I can see books and novellas for at least 5-7 of them.
June 2, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this wonderful story about Christopher (Kip), Viscount Spencer and Lady Sarah. A new and exciting experience for me.
I predict a host of thrilling adventures in this new series at Thorncliff Manor!
I predict a host of thrilling adventures in this new series at Thorncliff Manor!
August 7, 2023
This was a decent, comfortable summer read. I quite liked some of the characters (mostly the side characters, to be honest) and I enjoyed the setting and overall concept, but I did find that it dragged a bit, while being incredibly rushed in other parts. And there were also times when I found the characters and their motivations a bit... well, odd.
Like, while I totally understand that Lady Sarah couldn't go around telling her secret to everyone, what I don't get is why she didn't just ask for Lord Spender to give her his word as a gentleman not to tell anyone and explained the situation way, way earlier. Her "but then he'll despise me" explanation could maybe be explained by how tempted she was by him, but she KNEW it wouldn't work. And she was supposed to be a logical and down-to-earth kind of person? Who was also convinced her mistake was impossible to overcome? So why not handle it in the most efficient and logical way? After a while, it just felt forced, like the author simply didn't want Spencer to find out yet.
Adding to that, the villain was kind of a caricature, as were her parents. It was kind of laughable just how determined they were to be evil. Especially the highly abrupt (and equally abruptly handled) attempted rape felt tacked on and completely unnecessary. That really didn't have to be in there for how little impact it had on the story and characters. We already knew Denison was an ass so it mostly felt like a weird kind of checklist the author was going through. It's a historical romance with a lustful villain! Of course he has to try to rape the female lead at one point!
All that said, I still don't think it was bad. It's a comfortable romance read that won't change your life but it'll definitely keep you busy for a couple of hours. The characters were interesting enough (though somewhat inconsistent and one-dimensional at times) and the romance was passable.
Though, I have to say, the Swedish translation was kind of terrible. And the formatting was even worse. The number of times they forgot to add breaks to signify passages of time or switches in POV was downright embarrassing.
Also, what happened to Lisa? Did they just leave her at the inn in the end? There were no mentions of her returning in the carriage with Sarah and Spencer. Also, I hope the hamster is okay. He also disappeared from the story there at the end.
So, all in all, I'll call it a decent romance, but one you can definitely skip if you have other books you'd rather read!
Like, while I totally understand that Lady Sarah couldn't go around telling her secret to everyone, what I don't get is why she didn't just ask for Lord Spender to give her his word as a gentleman not to tell anyone and explained the situation way, way earlier. Her "but then he'll despise me" explanation could maybe be explained by how tempted she was by him, but she KNEW it wouldn't work. And she was supposed to be a logical and down-to-earth kind of person? Who was also convinced her mistake was impossible to overcome? So why not handle it in the most efficient and logical way? After a while, it just felt forced, like the author simply didn't want Spencer to find out yet.
Adding to that, the villain was kind of a caricature, as were her parents. It was kind of laughable just how determined they were to be evil. Especially the highly abrupt (and equally abruptly handled) attempted rape felt tacked on and completely unnecessary. That really didn't have to be in there for how little impact it had on the story and characters. We already knew Denison was an ass so it mostly felt like a weird kind of checklist the author was going through. It's a historical romance with a lustful villain! Of course he has to try to rape the female lead at one point!
All that said, I still don't think it was bad. It's a comfortable romance read that won't change your life but it'll definitely keep you busy for a couple of hours. The characters were interesting enough (though somewhat inconsistent and one-dimensional at times) and the romance was passable.
Though, I have to say, the Swedish translation was kind of terrible. And the formatting was even worse. The number of times they forgot to add breaks to signify passages of time or switches in POV was downright embarrassing.
Also, what happened to Lisa? Did they just leave her at the inn in the end? There were no mentions of her returning in the carriage with Sarah and Spencer. Also, I hope the hamster is okay. He also disappeared from the story there at the end.
So, all in all, I'll call it a decent romance, but one you can definitely skip if you have other books you'd rather read!
May 30, 2022
Sarah & Christopher
Only 2 stars for this one for a few reasons.
1. I hate when the only conflict between the H & h is the BIG SECRET so the author has no choice but to d r a g i t o u t f o r e v e r. This is doubly stupid as a plot device when the hero or heroine must ultimately accept the reality of that secret to get to the HEA so the whole novel feels like a exercise in futility.
2. While I enjoyed getting to know the two main characters I felt most everyone else was painted with broad strokes. I guess her fairy godmother was interesting but the other man, her parents, the other party goers, were just mean, evil, or forgetful.
3. I could appreciate the MC's chaste romance as they had both been burned previously and lady Sarah spent most of the book with the expectation that she would soon be engaged to another man, but this meant there wasn't so much as a kiss until the very end of the book. I think there were a total of 2 sex scenes one of which happened in the epilogue. 🤦♀️ Usually when you read a romance where the -sex- is delayed you get scene after scene of stolen kisses, heavy petting, and untimely interruptions. Not here, at all. Yawn.
4. My final complaint was Sarah's plan to runaway. Another failed effort IMO to push the book to a climax and on to the denouement. But Christopher was already there and honestly so were we as readers. So this little escapade really only served to allow the characters to anticipate their vows which felt very out of character for both of them and honestly left me disappointed. It was like the author was like I can't publish a HR with the only sex scene in the epilogue, so let's get these two together for a quickie a week before their wedding. It didn't work for me or the characters.
Ok all that said, I thought the writing was pretty good, so I'll try another by this author and hope she can create a conflict that will push the story along without sacrificing all the intimacy between the MCs. 🤞
I also liked the mystery of Thorncliff Manor that will undoubtedly play out in future novels.
Only 2 stars for this one for a few reasons.
1. I hate when the only conflict between the H & h is the BIG SECRET so the author has no choice but to d r a g i t o u t f o r e v e r. This is doubly stupid as a plot device when the hero or heroine must ultimately accept the reality of that secret to get to the HEA so the whole novel feels like a exercise in futility.
2. While I enjoyed getting to know the two main characters I felt most everyone else was painted with broad strokes. I guess her fairy godmother was interesting but the other man, her parents, the other party goers, were just mean, evil, or forgetful.
3. I could appreciate the MC's chaste romance as they had both been burned previously and lady Sarah spent most of the book with the expectation that she would soon be engaged to another man, but this meant there wasn't so much as a kiss until the very end of the book. I think there were a total of 2 sex scenes one of which happened in the epilogue. 🤦♀️ Usually when you read a romance where the -sex- is delayed you get scene after scene of stolen kisses, heavy petting, and untimely interruptions. Not here, at all. Yawn.
4. My final complaint was Sarah's plan to runaway. Another failed effort IMO to push the book to a climax and on to the denouement. But Christopher was already there and honestly so were we as readers. So this little escapade really only served to allow the characters to anticipate their vows which felt very out of character for both of them and honestly left me disappointed. It was like the author was like I can't publish a HR with the only sex scene in the epilogue, so let's get these two together for a quickie a week before their wedding. It didn't work for me or the characters.
Ok all that said, I thought the writing was pretty good, so I'll try another by this author and hope she can create a conflict that will push the story along without sacrificing all the intimacy between the MCs. 🤞
I also liked the mystery of Thorncliff Manor that will undoubtedly play out in future novels.
September 1, 2019
Reviewed by Colantha
Book provided by Edelweiss
As I grew up, I loved princess stories. Stories that made me feel happy that the sweet princess got the prince. Stories that made me smile when the "bad guy" doesn't get the princess. With Lady Sophie's Sinful Desires , it reminded me again why I like romances. Christopher as a hero had a mix of baggage and passion that made him one of those well written heroes. You just couldn't hate him.
I have never heard of Sophie Barnes and now that I know she writes historical, I know I will pick up more of her books. The chemistry among the characters is something I enjoyed reading. The writing style was simple, an easy read that also had hidden layers to it that didn't have me skipping pages. She writes a comedic historic with this book that doesn't continue to bring you down with the baggage the characters have and focuses on their friendship.
Something that in romances I also enjoy reading as romances should be realistic: couples should not get together if they don't have a budding friendship. Christopher and Sophie have the greatest chemistry that was a mixture of passion and feisty banter. I can't wait to get paid to buy some of her other books as I think she will be a favorite author of mine.
Book provided by Edelweiss
As I grew up, I loved princess stories. Stories that made me feel happy that the sweet princess got the prince. Stories that made me smile when the "bad guy" doesn't get the princess. With Lady Sophie's Sinful Desires , it reminded me again why I like romances. Christopher as a hero had a mix of baggage and passion that made him one of those well written heroes. You just couldn't hate him.
I have never heard of Sophie Barnes and now that I know she writes historical, I know I will pick up more of her books. The chemistry among the characters is something I enjoyed reading. The writing style was simple, an easy read that also had hidden layers to it that didn't have me skipping pages. She writes a comedic historic with this book that doesn't continue to bring you down with the baggage the characters have and focuses on their friendship.
Something that in romances I also enjoy reading as romances should be realistic: couples should not get together if they don't have a budding friendship. Christopher and Sophie have the greatest chemistry that was a mixture of passion and feisty banter. I can't wait to get paid to buy some of her other books as I think she will be a favorite author of mine.
August 22, 2023
Historisk romance, helst under regency eran, ligger mig varmt om hjärtat. Älskar Stolthet och fördom, samt Julia Quinns böcker om familjen Bridgerton. Denna bok gav inte bara blinkningar till dessa, utan även till Askungen. Missförstå mig inte, det är inte en askungesaga, men lite detaljer som liknar denna saga en aning, vilket jag uppskattade. Den var snabbläst, och väldigt svårt att lägga ifrån sig.
Lord Spencer och Lady Sarahs relation är så härligt humoristisk och underhållande, men också väldigt ömsint och fin. Sarah gjorde ett misstag för ett par år sedan, och inte nog med att hon fått bära runt på sina egna skuldkänslor och ånger, får hon också ta emot ett ytterst kyligt och nedlåtande bemötande från sin egen far och styvmor. Men att hon trots allt detta, ändå är en så otroligt godhjärtad och omtänksam kvinna, är anmärkningsvärt. Vi får följa Lord Spencer och Lady Sarahs relation utvecklas från fullt av missförstånd och drypande sarkasm, till förtroliga samtal och samförstånd. Att gå från att vilja vända om och gå åt andra hållet ifall de såg den andre i rummet, till att längta tills nästa tillfälle de kan stöta på varandra. De måste överkomma flera irriterande hinder som står i vägen för de, och avslöjanden som kan riskera att förstöra allt.
Om ni inte har läst denna pärla än så har ni något underbart att se framemot 💕
Lord Spencer och Lady Sarahs relation är så härligt humoristisk och underhållande, men också väldigt ömsint och fin. Sarah gjorde ett misstag för ett par år sedan, och inte nog med att hon fått bära runt på sina egna skuldkänslor och ånger, får hon också ta emot ett ytterst kyligt och nedlåtande bemötande från sin egen far och styvmor. Men att hon trots allt detta, ändå är en så otroligt godhjärtad och omtänksam kvinna, är anmärkningsvärt. Vi får följa Lord Spencer och Lady Sarahs relation utvecklas från fullt av missförstånd och drypande sarkasm, till förtroliga samtal och samförstånd. Att gå från att vilja vända om och gå åt andra hållet ifall de såg den andre i rummet, till att längta tills nästa tillfälle de kan stöta på varandra. De måste överkomma flera irriterande hinder som står i vägen för de, och avslöjanden som kan riskera att förstöra allt.
Om ni inte har läst denna pärla än så har ni något underbart att se framemot 💕
March 28, 2018
Ah, back to reading brain candy.
Okay. Heroine is a fallen woman. That's fine as I'm not into virginal characters. However, I HATE this woman's parents with a fiery passion. I hate her soon-to-be fiance. And I know we have to not like him so that we cheer for the Hero, but does the bad guy have to be so creepy and rapey? I didn't need to feel physically ill whenever he was on the page.
The Heroine herself is wonderful. She's full of fire and stands up for herself and isn't completely afraid to say what's on her mind. I get why her ruined state is some big secret, but to be honest and without spoiling, she didn't need to be THAT ruined.
I also liked the Hero. He was intelligent and kind and charming, and his broken heart made for some serious catnip for me. I love watching men open up their hearts and be vulnerable.
Additionally, the Lady of the Manor is delightful. Eccentric old ladies with hearts of gold are one of my fave romance tropes. They can get away with so much mischief all in the name of love.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I'm glad everything worked out.
Okay. Heroine is a fallen woman. That's fine as I'm not into virginal characters. However, I HATE this woman's parents with a fiery passion. I hate her soon-to-be fiance. And I know we have to not like him so that we cheer for the Hero, but does the bad guy have to be so creepy and rapey? I didn't need to feel physically ill whenever he was on the page.
The Heroine herself is wonderful. She's full of fire and stands up for herself and isn't completely afraid to say what's on her mind. I get why her ruined state is some big secret, but to be honest and without spoiling, she didn't need to be THAT ruined.
I also liked the Hero. He was intelligent and kind and charming, and his broken heart made for some serious catnip for me. I love watching men open up their hearts and be vulnerable.
Additionally, the Lady of the Manor is delightful. Eccentric old ladies with hearts of gold are one of my fave romance tropes. They can get away with so much mischief all in the name of love.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I'm glad everything worked out.
March 8, 2018
No Regrets
Lord Spencer and his family were heading to Thorncliff Manor. Also going to the same place was Lady Sarah and her family. Lady Sarah was in disgraced and her father was going to introduce her to her future husband. Lady Sarah shudders when she meets him but he knows her secret.
Lots of things happen through out this book, that will help you understand Lord Spencer and Lady Sarah.
Enjoy!!!!
Lord Spencer and his family were heading to Thorncliff Manor. Also going to the same place was Lady Sarah and her family. Lady Sarah was in disgraced and her father was going to introduce her to her future husband. Lady Sarah shudders when she meets him but he knows her secret.
Lots of things happen through out this book, that will help you understand Lord Spencer and Lady Sarah.
Enjoy!!!!
August 19, 2023
I was kind of hoping that when the hero found out her big secret that she wasn’t a virgin anymore he would be all “well why should that matter, I love you anyway”. Instead of his having to work to become okay with it. Especially considering that her one and only sexual encounter involved her naïveté being taken advantage of by a scoundrel who promised to marry her.
Maybe that easy acceptance wouldn’t be historically accurate but that’s not why I read these books so…
Ymmv
Maybe that easy acceptance wouldn’t be historically accurate but that’s not why I read these books so…
Ymmv
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
Gillar hur storyn är uppbyggd, stör mig lite på huvudpersonerna i början. För ej riktigt grepp först om förhållandet mellan Sophie och hennes styvmor men det klarnar senare. En helt underbar bok som innehåller alla ingredienser för en härlig romance bok :-)
January 28, 2018
Gave this a one star only because it was a DNF for me. For some reason, it didn't grab my interest right away. I listened to the audio and didn't enjoy the narrator.
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