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Reformed Rakes #1
Until You
Much to his aggravation, the wickedly handsome Duke of Sethe, is wanted by every husband-hunting, title-chasing female in the country, or so it seems…
Twice betrayed by women he loved, Nicholas Leighton is no longer the gullible young fool he was in his youth. Having grown coldhearted and cynical, as well as older and wiser, he has vowed to never again allow another woman to affect him emotionally, for he has learned his lessons and learned them well. So, when the breathtakingly lovely Ashleigh St. John suddenly and unexpectedly enters his life, as well as his home, he is determined to keep the alluring interloper at an emotional and physical distance. Unfortunately, he quickly discovers that some things are easier said than done.
Reckless and daring, Ashleigh St. John is an unconventional young lady with the heart of a hopeless romantic. When she meets Nicholas Leighton she knows she has met the man of her dreams, but unfortunately, the man of her dreams seems bound and determined to keep her at a distance, hiding behind a self-erected wall of cool detachment and calculated indifference. Willing to do almost anything to break through the intractable barriers that guard his heart, she will willingly surrender her innocence, and time and again risk her ravaged heart to ultimately win his trust, and more importantly, his love.
Original Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Please note that the previous title of this novel was Forever and Always.**
Twice betrayed by women he loved, Nicholas Leighton is no longer the gullible young fool he was in his youth. Having grown coldhearted and cynical, as well as older and wiser, he has vowed to never again allow another woman to affect him emotionally, for he has learned his lessons and learned them well. So, when the breathtakingly lovely Ashleigh St. John suddenly and unexpectedly enters his life, as well as his home, he is determined to keep the alluring interloper at an emotional and physical distance. Unfortunately, he quickly discovers that some things are easier said than done.
Reckless and daring, Ashleigh St. John is an unconventional young lady with the heart of a hopeless romantic. When she meets Nicholas Leighton she knows she has met the man of her dreams, but unfortunately, the man of her dreams seems bound and determined to keep her at a distance, hiding behind a self-erected wall of cool detachment and calculated indifference. Willing to do almost anything to break through the intractable barriers that guard his heart, she will willingly surrender her innocence, and time and again risk her ravaged heart to ultimately win his trust, and more importantly, his love.
Original Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Please note that the previous title of this novel was Forever and Always.**
308 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2012
155 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 7, 2018
I loved the main characters in this novel. The hero was scrumptiously sexy. McNare really creates some super studly hunks in her romance novels and Nicholas was no exception. Nicholas is SO SEXY he is on par with the hunks from Judith McNaught's regency historicals. What a handsome man ! I am going to read this again now ( even though I have a LOT of books to read and many to finish ) because this novel just makes me sigh with pleasure at this wonderful and perfect alpha male hero. I think I've had a surplus of wannabe alpha male H's recently and this guy is just what I need to remind myself that some authors still know how a really masterful, sexy, gorgeous, delicious and hunky old school alpha is supposed to be. I LOVED Nicholas ( and not just because he's The Duke of Sethe ) but because he was portrayed as being that elusive type of H that women all chase after and cannot seem to be able to tie down.
Nicholas is cynical, arrogant and sometimes he can be mean and cold but he was so damn hot I forgave him anything. OK, he was a bit of an asshole to the heroine Ashleigh but he never cheated on her even though there was this OW who was throwing her boobs in his face all the time. I love a H who has the ability to say "thanks but no thanks" to a sleazy OW. He did escort her to a couple functions but things never progressed beyond that point because he was always thinking about Ashleigh. Nicholas is cynical because his father had spun a set of lies and told him and his brother that their mother was a cheating whore. Nicholas also had a horrible experience when he was a very young man who fell for a gold digger and over heard her telling her older lover that she just wants to get Nicholas to marry her because he's a rich young duke. I bet that bitch regretted those words after 10 years passed and she saw how the slender, young duke filled out to become a muscled bound hottie with even more wealth than he'd had at the age of 21.
I also loved the heroine Ashleigh. She was just as beautiful as Nick was handsome. She was one of those sexy red haired beauties that stand out among the many blondes and brunettes during Regency times. I do tend to prefer red haired and brunette heroines personally. She and Nicholas were a perfect couple, in physical appearance and otherwise. Ashleigh's grandfather is a rich Earl who has sent her to stay with Nick's grandmother ( the Dowager Duchess of Sethe ) while he is away on business for a few months. Ashleigh is only 18 and a bit of a hoyden who loves her horses. She's a bit tomboyish but she's a beautiful, sexy tomboy and the Dowager helps teach her how to dress properly like a lady.
Nick is mad because he thinks that it's just another attempt to try and parade yet another eligible young debutante for him to pick as a future wife candidate. He really doesn't want Ashleigh around, especially after he starts to lust after her 24/7. Ashleigh lusts after him too but tries her best to fight it because he is kinda cold to her. The girl did have her pride after all. He does buckle and eventually kiss her and he keeps getting jealous of every man who pays attention to her. He even thinks it's time he got himself a mistress just to get his mind off Ashleigh but he can never bring himself to do it. Lots of hot stuff happens between them and it's interspersed with their frequent verbal battles but eventually they end up having sex. Nicholas then gets scared of the depth of his emotions for Ashleigh and departs for London. Ashleigh finds out she's pregnant and then Nick's younger hottie brother Brandon turns up. He becomes Ashleigh's best new buddy and she confides her pregnancy to him. He offers to marry her when she says that she doesn't want to trap Nick into marriage. Brandon is so sweet. He even gets his own novel where he ends up saving another heroine in distress.
Nick returns home to see Brandon hugging Ashleigh and he has a jealous, titanic alpha possessive male meltdown. He says mean and nasty things about Ashleigh to Brandon but I forgave him because he was just so jealous ( the poor thing. Lol). He continues to glower, snipe and be mean to Ashleigh and Brandon almost gets into a fight with him. Then Ashleigh gets fed up of it all and departs to go stay in an old cabin that her grandfather owns. It's winter and she's pregnant so this move was very dumb. Nick ends up saving her and finds out from the doctor that she's pregnant. He goes ballistic and jealous again because he is wondering if some other guy ( like Brandon ) is the daddy. The truth comes out and he proposes marriage to her. Things are a bit stilted between them at first then Nick's jealousy rears its ugly head again when he sees her embracing a hot sexy guy. He doesn't know the guy is her uncle who had been abroad. He gets drunk but his best friend tells him the guy is Ashleigh's mother's brother. After that he goes and grovels to Ashleigh, declaring his ever lasting love and loyalty. There's also a sad part where he discovers that his dad had lied about his mom being a cheating whore. The dad had apparently killed the poor woman and then lied about her running off with some man.
The epilogue was beautiful because they have a baby that is a mini replica of his black haired and blue eyed daddy and all the family and best friends are there for the child's christening. This was my idea of a perfect Regency romance. I wish there were more like this.
Nicholas is cynical, arrogant and sometimes he can be mean and cold but he was so damn hot I forgave him anything. OK, he was a bit of an asshole to the heroine Ashleigh but he never cheated on her even though there was this OW who was throwing her boobs in his face all the time. I love a H who has the ability to say "thanks but no thanks" to a sleazy OW. He did escort her to a couple functions but things never progressed beyond that point because he was always thinking about Ashleigh. Nicholas is cynical because his father had spun a set of lies and told him and his brother that their mother was a cheating whore. Nicholas also had a horrible experience when he was a very young man who fell for a gold digger and over heard her telling her older lover that she just wants to get Nicholas to marry her because he's a rich young duke. I bet that bitch regretted those words after 10 years passed and she saw how the slender, young duke filled out to become a muscled bound hottie with even more wealth than he'd had at the age of 21.
I also loved the heroine Ashleigh. She was just as beautiful as Nick was handsome. She was one of those sexy red haired beauties that stand out among the many blondes and brunettes during Regency times. I do tend to prefer red haired and brunette heroines personally. She and Nicholas were a perfect couple, in physical appearance and otherwise. Ashleigh's grandfather is a rich Earl who has sent her to stay with Nick's grandmother ( the Dowager Duchess of Sethe ) while he is away on business for a few months. Ashleigh is only 18 and a bit of a hoyden who loves her horses. She's a bit tomboyish but she's a beautiful, sexy tomboy and the Dowager helps teach her how to dress properly like a lady.
Nick is mad because he thinks that it's just another attempt to try and parade yet another eligible young debutante for him to pick as a future wife candidate. He really doesn't want Ashleigh around, especially after he starts to lust after her 24/7. Ashleigh lusts after him too but tries her best to fight it because he is kinda cold to her. The girl did have her pride after all. He does buckle and eventually kiss her and he keeps getting jealous of every man who pays attention to her. He even thinks it's time he got himself a mistress just to get his mind off Ashleigh but he can never bring himself to do it. Lots of hot stuff happens between them and it's interspersed with their frequent verbal battles but eventually they end up having sex. Nicholas then gets scared of the depth of his emotions for Ashleigh and departs for London. Ashleigh finds out she's pregnant and then Nick's younger hottie brother Brandon turns up. He becomes Ashleigh's best new buddy and she confides her pregnancy to him. He offers to marry her when she says that she doesn't want to trap Nick into marriage. Brandon is so sweet. He even gets his own novel where he ends up saving another heroine in distress.
Nick returns home to see Brandon hugging Ashleigh and he has a jealous, titanic alpha possessive male meltdown. He says mean and nasty things about Ashleigh to Brandon but I forgave him because he was just so jealous ( the poor thing. Lol). He continues to glower, snipe and be mean to Ashleigh and Brandon almost gets into a fight with him. Then Ashleigh gets fed up of it all and departs to go stay in an old cabin that her grandfather owns. It's winter and she's pregnant so this move was very dumb. Nick ends up saving her and finds out from the doctor that she's pregnant. He goes ballistic and jealous again because he is wondering if some other guy ( like Brandon ) is the daddy. The truth comes out and he proposes marriage to her. Things are a bit stilted between them at first then Nick's jealousy rears its ugly head again when he sees her embracing a hot sexy guy. He doesn't know the guy is her uncle who had been abroad. He gets drunk but his best friend tells him the guy is Ashleigh's mother's brother. After that he goes and grovels to Ashleigh, declaring his ever lasting love and loyalty. There's also a sad part where he discovers that his dad had lied about his mom being a cheating whore. The dad had apparently killed the poor woman and then lied about her running off with some man.
The epilogue was beautiful because they have a baby that is a mini replica of his black haired and blue eyed daddy and all the family and best friends are there for the child's christening. This was my idea of a perfect Regency romance. I wish there were more like this.
May 5, 2025
England 1850
Ashleigh was the eighteen year old granddaughter of an Earl and the sole heir to his fortune.
She was soon be making her entrance into Society and her grandfather sent her to a friend of his, a Duchess, to help prepare her for her debut, while he was abroad.
The Duchess was the grandmother of twenty-eight year old Duke Nicholas Leighton.
Nicholas was not only handsome, wealthy and titled but was reputed to be the most eligible bachelor in England.
Nicholas was well accustomed to women's admiration, but he had a great mistrust towards them.
When he had been twenty and naive, he met the Season's reining beauty and fallen for her.
She told him that she loved him.
One evening he spied her in the garden, heard her say to another man that she loved him, and that their affair would continue once she managed to lure the Duke into marriage.
Nicholas having intended to propose that very night, had been devastated and felt like a fool.
He never intended to repeat this stupid mistake with any woman.
Nicholas was a little boy of ten, when his father who he feared, told him that his slut of a mother ran off with another man abandoning and betraying them all.
Two weeks later his father killed himself.
His mother never even showed up at the funeral and Nicholas never saw her again.
He and his brother were raised by their grandmother, the Duchess.
Nicholas had recently hired investigators to shed light on his mother's disappearance nineteen years ago, as she simply vanished from the face of the earth.
Nicholas returned back to his country estate. He met Ashleigh for the first time. She was not only a ravishing beauty but also intelligent and spirited.
He was instantly consumed by lust. He resisted attraction and did his best to ignore her.
Ashleigh was willful and stubborn and Nicholas got so mad at her that he put her on his lap and spanked her derriere, and right after he kissed her, only to tell her that the whole thing was a mistake, that better women than her have tried to coerce him into marriage and had not succeeded.
Ashleigh was in awe with him and it was not long that they made love.
For Ashleigh it was an act of love.
The next day Nicholas left for London.
Many weeks passed, Ashleigh was expecting a baby. She did not want to tell Nicholas who was still in London, as she knew that he did not want to marry her.
One day she overheard through an ajar door, Nicholas telling his brother:
"I mean it Brendon, stay the hell away from her. She is nothing more than a schemer looking to snare a wealthy husband. Keep your distance from the conniving vixen. In case you haven't had the pleasure to bed her yet, let me tell you that the young lady has been as free with her favours as a dockside whore."
At that moment Ashleigh opened the door, looked intently at him and ran away.
After having a good cry she decided that it was time to let go of her foolish fantasy that Nicholas would fall in love with her as she had with him. He would never love anyone.
A whole lot of dramatic situations will take place until these two people manage to close the gap and find happiness.
Do not read the following spoiler if you intend on reading the book, or if you are sensitive to disturbing content:
Ashleigh was the eighteen year old granddaughter of an Earl and the sole heir to his fortune.
She was soon be making her entrance into Society and her grandfather sent her to a friend of his, a Duchess, to help prepare her for her debut, while he was abroad.
The Duchess was the grandmother of twenty-eight year old Duke Nicholas Leighton.
Nicholas was not only handsome, wealthy and titled but was reputed to be the most eligible bachelor in England.
Nicholas was well accustomed to women's admiration, but he had a great mistrust towards them.
When he had been twenty and naive, he met the Season's reining beauty and fallen for her.
She told him that she loved him.
One evening he spied her in the garden, heard her say to another man that she loved him, and that their affair would continue once she managed to lure the Duke into marriage.
Nicholas having intended to propose that very night, had been devastated and felt like a fool.
He never intended to repeat this stupid mistake with any woman.
Nicholas was a little boy of ten, when his father who he feared, told him that his slut of a mother ran off with another man abandoning and betraying them all.
Two weeks later his father killed himself.
His mother never even showed up at the funeral and Nicholas never saw her again.
He and his brother were raised by their grandmother, the Duchess.
Nicholas had recently hired investigators to shed light on his mother's disappearance nineteen years ago, as she simply vanished from the face of the earth.
Nicholas returned back to his country estate. He met Ashleigh for the first time. She was not only a ravishing beauty but also intelligent and spirited.
He was instantly consumed by lust. He resisted attraction and did his best to ignore her.
Ashleigh was willful and stubborn and Nicholas got so mad at her that he put her on his lap and spanked her derriere, and right after he kissed her, only to tell her that the whole thing was a mistake, that better women than her have tried to coerce him into marriage and had not succeeded.
Ashleigh was in awe with him and it was not long that they made love.
For Ashleigh it was an act of love.
The next day Nicholas left for London.
Many weeks passed, Ashleigh was expecting a baby. She did not want to tell Nicholas who was still in London, as she knew that he did not want to marry her.
One day she overheard through an ajar door, Nicholas telling his brother:
"I mean it Brendon, stay the hell away from her. She is nothing more than a schemer looking to snare a wealthy husband. Keep your distance from the conniving vixen. In case you haven't had the pleasure to bed her yet, let me tell you that the young lady has been as free with her favours as a dockside whore."
At that moment Ashleigh opened the door, looked intently at him and ran away.
After having a good cry she decided that it was time to let go of her foolish fantasy that Nicholas would fall in love with her as she had with him. He would never love anyone.
A whole lot of dramatic situations will take place until these two people manage to close the gap and find happiness.
Do not read the following spoiler if you intend on reading the book, or if you are sensitive to disturbing content:
June 21, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of my goals this year is to go thru my Keeper list, and read other books by those authors. First up was the author Jennifer McNare (author of a fav of mine, To Capture a Duke’s Heart)
This book, Until You, had the best group of characters possible. I wouldn’t have changed anything about anybody.
The hero was an emotionally damaged Duke that had a huge problem seeing and believing in the goodness of the heroine. One of the best Grumpy-Sunshine combo in historical romance that I’ve read in awhile. The hero was determined to push the heroine away, and the heroine was determined to pursue the hero. He said horrible, cruel things to her… yet she couldn’t hold out her anger against him for very long.
It’s definitely not a clean story, but I would say there’s only 2-3 actual sex scenes in the whole book. Mainly because the storyline of watching how the hero falls in love and sees the error of his ways is the main focus (instead of filler sex scenes everywhere).
Would I read this again? Even though it captivated me from beginning to end, I think once is enough for me as I felt it took the hero a looooong time to get his shit together, so it had the angry overtones thru most of the book, and I actually felt sorry for the heroine (which is not how I want to generally feel when reading)
So huge amounts of angst, if you like that! But overall, it was a wonderful story of learning to trust and fall in love!
One of my goals this year is to go thru my Keeper list, and read other books by those authors. First up was the author Jennifer McNare (author of a fav of mine, To Capture a Duke’s Heart)
This book, Until You, had the best group of characters possible. I wouldn’t have changed anything about anybody.
The hero was an emotionally damaged Duke that had a huge problem seeing and believing in the goodness of the heroine. One of the best Grumpy-Sunshine combo in historical romance that I’ve read in awhile. The hero was determined to push the heroine away, and the heroine was determined to pursue the hero. He said horrible, cruel things to her… yet she couldn’t hold out her anger against him for very long.
It’s definitely not a clean story, but I would say there’s only 2-3 actual sex scenes in the whole book. Mainly because the storyline of watching how the hero falls in love and sees the error of his ways is the main focus (instead of filler sex scenes everywhere).
Would I read this again? Even though it captivated me from beginning to end, I think once is enough for me as I felt it took the hero a looooong time to get his shit together, so it had the angry overtones thru most of the book, and I actually felt sorry for the heroine (which is not how I want to generally feel when reading)
So huge amounts of angst, if you like that! But overall, it was a wonderful story of learning to trust and fall in love!
October 31, 2020
"Until You" is the first book i have ever read by Jennifer McNare and its also the first book in the "Reformed Rakes-trilogy",and it has some similarities to Once and Always and The Prize.The start of the book was a pleasure of back and forth between the cold-blooded and cynical (but sexy) hero Nicholas Leighton and the spirited and romantic heroine Ashleigh St. John.There is an instant connection between these two,and while Nicholas strongly denies it,its something Ashleigh can`t wait to explore.
I have got to admit that there was some things that put me off this story.It got relatively boring after they first make love in the library,especially since Nicholas always run away from his feelings and still refused to marry Ashleigh when he knew she was pregnant (even if i felt he didn`t really mean it).It still came off as annoying since i didn`t think that there were ENOUGH reasons for him to be that cynical of a tortured character.The heroes in "Once and Always" and "The Prize" had seen war,seeing their parents getting killed and got heavily abused both mentally and psychically in their child-hoods.But Nicholas past involved a mother who left her family for a lover,and a woman he fell for but later realizes was a gold-digger.Sigh,i know he may be bound to feel the lingering bitterness and pain of these betrayals,but it went on for soooo long that it quite got annoying.He also had a thing of getting jealous and misunderstanding to easily,and ended up hurting Ashleigh a lot.I had nothing against Ashleigh,she was a beautiful darling with a beautiful heart who was brave enough fighting for the man she loves.I did agree with Nicholas that she was too good for him by the end.
I have got to admit that there was some things that put me off this story.It got relatively boring after they first make love in the library,especially since Nicholas always run away from his feelings and still refused to marry Ashleigh when he knew she was pregnant (even if i felt he didn`t really mean it).It still came off as annoying since i didn`t think that there were ENOUGH reasons for him to be that cynical of a tortured character.The heroes in "Once and Always" and "The Prize" had seen war,seeing their parents getting killed and got heavily abused both mentally and psychically in their child-hoods.But Nicholas past involved a mother who left her family for a lover,and a woman he fell for but later realizes was a gold-digger.Sigh,i know he may be bound to feel the lingering bitterness and pain of these betrayals,but it went on for soooo long that it quite got annoying.He also had a thing of getting jealous and misunderstanding to easily,and ended up hurting Ashleigh a lot.I had nothing against Ashleigh,she was a beautiful darling with a beautiful heart who was brave enough fighting for the man she loves.I did agree with Nicholas that she was too good for him by the end.
August 14, 2016
Ok this authors writing style reminds me a lot of Judith McNaught.
She even has a book with the same title, Until You which is one of my favorite.
This book reminds me a little of it as they both have same key lines in both.
Mostly, it's the heroine of this book that reminded me of heroines in the books entitled Something Wonderful and Once and Always by Judith McNaught. She has the same sass and that giving nature that just takes what is given and keeps hoping for the best. That selflessness that is ingrained in her character.
What an absolute darling!
With a spine of steel.
Well this book I must admit was way better than I thought it would be.
While it is true that the hero had me so mad at times I almost gave up. Like when he said those unforgivable things to her after they had been together, No words here for my emotions.
However, I was convinced that he could not only be a selfish jerk he must have had some deeper emotion at play.
And there was, Yes!
Don't get me wrong he was not a nice man by any stretch of the imagination. Like I said the fact that he thought it was ok to just take her virginity and then talk trash about her is a testament to that. Also the fact that he just let her go after that, again jerk. Makes me think that if she had not gotten pregnant would he had even talked to her again? That bothered me a lot.
So I had to take away a star here.
The hero however redeems himself to me completely when he is faithful to her throughout their whole relationship. He was faithful even before they have sex. That's a keeper for me.
Part of the reason I don't like historical romance is that the heroes often feel entitled to have mistresses and/or paramours.
That's just not something I enjoy.
I understand it's historically accurate but this is romance... Talk faithful to me!
Enjoyable and completely safe with some OW/OM drama (mostly going on in their own heads here).
HEA and an sweet epilogue.
Recommend to all who enjoy vague historical and Judith McNaught books.
Thank you Jenny for letting me know about this one.
She even has a book with the same title, Until You which is one of my favorite.
This book reminds me a little of it as they both have same key lines in both.
Mostly, it's the heroine of this book that reminded me of heroines in the books entitled Something Wonderful and Once and Always by Judith McNaught. She has the same sass and that giving nature that just takes what is given and keeps hoping for the best. That selflessness that is ingrained in her character.
What an absolute darling!
With a spine of steel.
Well this book I must admit was way better than I thought it would be.
While it is true that the hero had me so mad at times I almost gave up. Like when he said those unforgivable things to her after they had been together, No words here for my emotions.
However, I was convinced that he could not only be a selfish jerk he must have had some deeper emotion at play.
And there was, Yes!
Don't get me wrong he was not a nice man by any stretch of the imagination. Like I said the fact that he thought it was ok to just take her virginity and then talk trash about her is a testament to that. Also the fact that he just let her go after that, again jerk. Makes me think that if she had not gotten pregnant would he had even talked to her again? That bothered me a lot.
So I had to take away a star here.
The hero however redeems himself to me completely when he is faithful to her throughout their whole relationship. He was faithful even before they have sex. That's a keeper for me.
Part of the reason I don't like historical romance is that the heroes often feel entitled to have mistresses and/or paramours.
That's just not something I enjoy.
I understand it's historically accurate but this is romance... Talk faithful to me!
Enjoyable and completely safe with some OW/OM drama (mostly going on in their own heads here).
HEA and an sweet epilogue.
Recommend to all who enjoy vague historical and Judith McNaught books.
Thank you Jenny for letting me know about this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2016
This story is about sweet virginal Lady Ashleigh. She is being sent to stay with the Dowager Duchess of Sethe and her son Nicholas the Duke of Sethe. Ashleigh is only 17 but when she meets Nicholas she realizes he is the love of her life. Sadly Nicholas is a bitter man with trust issues. His mother abandoned him and the woman he loved betrayed him and cheated on him. He distrusts all women and Ashleigh is not an exception. Ashleigh however is not discouraged. She believes that true love will prevail and that she will win Nicholas’s heart. But he has been hurt too deeply and he is determined to never allow himself to love Ashleigh. Instead he hurts her again and again but she always forgives him. The end was amazing. When he cried and told her “Until you I didn’t know the true meaning of the word love” I was swooning! Super romantic words from a very brooding cynical hero. I loved that Ashleigh managed to heal his broken heart. Like another reviewer said it is amazing to see Nicholas learning from a 17 year old young lady what unconditional love is all about!
The epilogue was heartwarming, it was nice to see them happy with their cute baby boy. Kudos to Jennifer McNare, she is an amazing author and from now on I will be buying every single book she writes!!
The epilogue was heartwarming, it was nice to see them happy with their cute baby boy. Kudos to Jennifer McNare, she is an amazing author and from now on I will be buying every single book she writes!!
January 8, 2018
It was a good read if you like heroine to be the one to do all the chasing. Everyone that knows me knows that I prefer my H to do the chasing! Still it was a decent read. Thanks Ivy H!
March 12, 2015
Jennifer McNare is fast becoming one of the best Historical Romance authors I have ever read!! That is saying something. I have been reading HR for over 20yrs. and this author stays true to the period/era. I love that she writes beautiful, young intelligent and rich female leads. I am so sick of the ugly or plain Wallflower female, that suddenly turns beautiful a few pages later. I am sick and tired of reading about Spinsters with no fortune. I want Romance that reminds me of when I was young. I want stories that take me to another place and poverty is not one of them.I have lived through that too and I don't want to read about. You won't find this with Lady Ashleigh St. John I feel like I am right there in the story with the characters. I wanted to slap and box Nicholas the Duke of Sethe ears for his mean spirit against Lady Ashleigh St. John. The way he is written invoked my emotions and had me believing he was real. I had to remind myself that I was reading a book!! LOL thats great writing. Kudos to Jennifer McNare!!
The story is about a very beautiful, young, rich virginal Lady Ashleigh being sent to stay with the Dowager Duchess of Sethe and her handsome very powerful rich son Nicholas the Duke of Sethe. Ashleigh is only 17 but she is written as a very strong and intelligent young lady. She knows what she want and that's Nicholas and she goes after him. Nicholas on the other hand has issues of desertion and abandonment by women. His mother is one such person or is she really hummm? The others are titled hunting women of the Ton who want to gain his title and his wealth. Nicholas has been used before when he was younger and betrayed by the women he loved. He now distrust all women and at times he goes way to far with his loathing attitude toward Ashleigh, but Love does conquer all. You also see how true real love can overcome past hurts and heal a person heart. You literally see this happen to Nicolas as he learns from a 17 year old young lady what unconditional love is all about!!
I Highly Recommend Bk.1 Until You and Bk.2 You and Only You, which I read first and then realized there was a book before it. These books can stand alone, But I recommend you read them in order. Now I am off to start Bk.3 When Only A Rake Will Do!! I hope that there are more HR books coming from Jennifer McNare!! I love her work so far!!
The story is about a very beautiful, young, rich virginal Lady Ashleigh being sent to stay with the Dowager Duchess of Sethe and her handsome very powerful rich son Nicholas the Duke of Sethe. Ashleigh is only 17 but she is written as a very strong and intelligent young lady. She knows what she want and that's Nicholas and she goes after him. Nicholas on the other hand has issues of desertion and abandonment by women. His mother is one such person or is she really hummm? The others are titled hunting women of the Ton who want to gain his title and his wealth. Nicholas has been used before when he was younger and betrayed by the women he loved. He now distrust all women and at times he goes way to far with his loathing attitude toward Ashleigh, but Love does conquer all. You also see how true real love can overcome past hurts and heal a person heart. You literally see this happen to Nicolas as he learns from a 17 year old young lady what unconditional love is all about!!
I Highly Recommend Bk.1 Until You and Bk.2 You and Only You, which I read first and then realized there was a book before it. These books can stand alone, But I recommend you read them in order. Now I am off to start Bk.3 When Only A Rake Will Do!! I hope that there are more HR books coming from Jennifer McNare!! I love her work so far!!
February 13, 2022
Reread February 12, 2022: 36 books read this year and I still haven't come across a 5 star read for me, so I decided to reread one of my 5 star reads. (Also, because I had been thinking about this book & Jennifer McNare's stories). It still brought tears to my eyes in the same place (though those tears didn't fall), but I'm not sure this was a 5 star read the second time around. I guess 21 year old Audrey needs more from romances than 19 year old Audrey did.
I still don't think Nicholas really deserved Ashleigh...
***
Ahhh this book is SO good but the angst.... Oh, and the sexual tension was so good in the beginning.
jeez, this is like the opposite of the last book I read, where the girl had her walls up so high. In this one, Nicholas's walls are like 10 feet high.
Honestly, Jennifer McNare is my new favorite author. I started this book and I knew immediately that I would really enjoy it. She writes the best historical romances where the girl (a young woman-17) gets pregnant.
Thank god Ashleigh (is it pronounced Ashley?) was super persistent otherwise they would never have been married and Nicholas wouldn't have known love. If not for Ashleigh, jeez, he would have been practically alone his whole life. She was too good for him tbh. He was really lucky she felt so strongly about him, loved him so much, cared about him so much after all he put her through.
Omg, when I found out what happened to his mom, I actually cried. That was incredibly sad, and to think he blamed and resented his mother the whole time, when she really loved him. I'm glad he got that mystery squared away.
I still don't think Nicholas really deserved Ashleigh...
***
Ahhh this book is SO good but the angst.... Oh, and the sexual tension was so good in the beginning.
jeez, this is like the opposite of the last book I read, where the girl had her walls up so high. In this one, Nicholas's walls are like 10 feet high.
Honestly, Jennifer McNare is my new favorite author. I started this book and I knew immediately that I would really enjoy it. She writes the best historical romances where the girl (a young woman-17) gets pregnant.
Thank god Ashleigh (is it pronounced Ashley?) was super persistent otherwise they would never have been married and Nicholas wouldn't have known love. If not for Ashleigh, jeez, he would have been practically alone his whole life. She was too good for him tbh. He was really lucky she felt so strongly about him, loved him so much, cared about him so much after all he put her through.
Omg, when I found out what happened to his mom, I actually cried. That was incredibly sad, and to think he blamed and resented his mother the whole time, when she really loved him. I'm glad he got that mystery squared away.
December 7, 2025
I don't know how I feel about this book
I love angst, but just how many misunderstandings can you use until you're fed up?
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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I love angst, but just how many misunderstandings can you use until you're fed up?
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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July 10, 2017
There are some books that grab your attention from early on and books that you just cannot help but read. This book is not one of those books as I started thinking of DNF-ing really early on because I found neither the heroine nor the hero lovable and their instant attraction is just something I do not like, in fact I found it to be horrible.
I like my heroes and heroines to get to know each other gradually, I adore slow burn romance, but when a romance novel starts with the unconventional heroine (who has not been introduced in the society yet) thinking that the hero is one of the most handsome men she has ever met (she saw him only on a painting) and the hero thinks of bedding the heroine from the very first meeting onwards, it's simply something I do not like.
And when you add a spanking session (not the sexual kind) to the mix, it just gets a bit too much for my liking. But for some reason the author seemed to think that everything's OK when the hero kisses the heroine after the spanking session because "he feels bad for spanking her". Oh hell to the no. The heroine ought to have run as fast and as far as possible because that hero is just wacko. Oh, wait, he is no hero. The duke of Sethe seemed to be a controlling and abusive man whom no-one should want to know, therefore I don't really think he's fit for the descriptive term hero.
I have to be honest here and say that I did not care for the writing as well and I don't think I will try anything from Ms McNare again. I skimmed from 17% onwards and I honestly cannot force myself to read past 41%.
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I like my heroes and heroines to get to know each other gradually, I adore slow burn romance, but when a romance novel starts with the unconventional heroine (who has not been introduced in the society yet) thinking that the hero is one of the most handsome men she has ever met (she saw him only on a painting) and the hero thinks of bedding the heroine from the very first meeting onwards, it's simply something I do not like.
And when you add a spanking session (not the sexual kind) to the mix, it just gets a bit too much for my liking. But for some reason the author seemed to think that everything's OK when the hero kisses the heroine after the spanking session because "he feels bad for spanking her". Oh hell to the no. The heroine ought to have run as fast and as far as possible because that hero is just wacko. Oh, wait, he is no hero. The duke of Sethe seemed to be a controlling and abusive man whom no-one should want to know, therefore I don't really think he's fit for the descriptive term hero.
I have to be honest here and say that I did not care for the writing as well and I don't think I will try anything from Ms McNare again. I skimmed from 17% onwards and I honestly cannot force myself to read past 41%.
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August 12, 2013
Before I begin, I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the second book I have read by Jennifer McNare. The first, Dreaming of You, blew my mind and I was amazed at all the emotions the book stirred in me so of course I jumped right in to the next book I saw by the same author! While this book was delightful, there were some issues I had with the characters.
First, Nicholas, the Duke of Sethe. Reading about his awful childhood and failed relationships was tragic, and I completely understood why he was always cynical and emotionally unattached. However, his attitude towards Ashleigh was completely unwarranted and most of the conflicts he found himself in were all avoidable if he'd just opened his eyes a bit earlier and realized Ashleigh wasn't like the other women he courted. This doesn't mean I dislike Nicholas, no, but I felt like a lot of the conflicts in the book and the attitudes he formed were unjustified and avoidable.
That being said, I do love Ashleigh's character. She is full of innocence, yet bold and daring enough to go after what she wants. No subterfuge and unconventional, which is such a breath of fresh air. Only when Nicholas truly hurt her did she tell lies back, but I could sympathize with her. Nicholas did deserve it. Even so, she is compassionate and forgiving, and because she truly, deeply loves Nicholas, she forgives him for everything, even the
Overall, this book was a delightful read and is engaging enough for me to finish in one setting. The characters were great and portrayed well. If you do read this book, though, definitely check out Jennifer's Dreaming of You.
3.5-4 STARS!!!
This is the second book I have read by Jennifer McNare. The first, Dreaming of You, blew my mind and I was amazed at all the emotions the book stirred in me so of course I jumped right in to the next book I saw by the same author! While this book was delightful, there were some issues I had with the characters.
First, Nicholas, the Duke of Sethe. Reading about his awful childhood and failed relationships was tragic, and I completely understood why he was always cynical and emotionally unattached. However, his attitude towards Ashleigh was completely unwarranted and most of the conflicts he found himself in were all avoidable if he'd just opened his eyes a bit earlier and realized Ashleigh wasn't like the other women he courted. This doesn't mean I dislike Nicholas, no, but I felt like a lot of the conflicts in the book and the attitudes he formed were unjustified and avoidable.
That being said, I do love Ashleigh's character. She is full of innocence, yet bold and daring enough to go after what she wants. No subterfuge and unconventional, which is such a breath of fresh air. Only when Nicholas truly hurt her did she tell lies back, but I could sympathize with her. Nicholas did deserve it. Even so, she is compassionate and forgiving, and because she truly, deeply loves Nicholas, she forgives him for everything, even the
Overall, this book was a delightful read and is engaging enough for me to finish in one setting. The characters were great and portrayed well. If you do read this book, though, definitely check out Jennifer's Dreaming of You.
3.5-4 STARS!!!
August 8, 2017
Disgusting
In spite of the writer's disclaimer, this book thoroughly disgusted me. The woman was emotionally and physically abused. There were scenes of horrible attempted rape. But in spite of it, she kept on forgiving him every time he said sorry. It's a typical abusive cycle that is seen in real life. I can't give a book that glorifies spousal abuse a high rating. I'm surprised that this was written by McNare, the same writer who wrote the sensitive Dreaming Of You.
In spite of the writer's disclaimer, this book thoroughly disgusted me. The woman was emotionally and physically abused. There were scenes of horrible attempted rape. But in spite of it, she kept on forgiving him every time he said sorry. It's a typical abusive cycle that is seen in real life. I can't give a book that glorifies spousal abuse a high rating. I'm surprised that this was written by McNare, the same writer who wrote the sensitive Dreaming Of You.
July 25, 2013
I completely understand that novel ideas are.....well.....not that novel but this book has so many similar elements to one of my favorite books (Whitney,my love by Judith McNaught) that it made me disturbed a little bit.
The main characters could be twins- Ashleigh (rhymes with Whitney?) is an accomplished horsewoman, she is well-educated which is uncommon for the time period, her coloring is the same, and she is an innocent with a remarkable maturity.
Nicholas and Clayton are both dukes, Nicholas' irrational distrust of Ashleigh is the same as Clayton's is of Whitney and they both have a doting rogue of a brother half in love with the heroine who becomes her ally in securing the affections of the duke. Oh! Notably present in both books is another rogue vying for the heroine's attention- whose sole role seems to be to drive the duke into a jealous rage.
Many of the descriptions and scenes are similar (the spanking scene, the chess playing, the finding the heroine reading a copy of the Illiad in Latin) while some have been altered barely (actual rape vs almost rape) The authors even share a similar pen name and Judith McNaught did go on to write a sequel to Whitney, my love titled 'Until You'. Please, somebody else read these two books and tell me if you didn't feel like in one instance you were reading the 'abridged' version of the other.
The main characters could be twins- Ashleigh (rhymes with Whitney?) is an accomplished horsewoman, she is well-educated which is uncommon for the time period, her coloring is the same, and she is an innocent with a remarkable maturity.
Nicholas and Clayton are both dukes, Nicholas' irrational distrust of Ashleigh is the same as Clayton's is of Whitney and they both have a doting rogue of a brother half in love with the heroine who becomes her ally in securing the affections of the duke. Oh! Notably present in both books is another rogue vying for the heroine's attention- whose sole role seems to be to drive the duke into a jealous rage.
Many of the descriptions and scenes are similar (the spanking scene, the chess playing, the finding the heroine reading a copy of the Illiad in Latin) while some have been altered barely (actual rape vs almost rape) The authors even share a similar pen name and Judith McNaught did go on to write a sequel to Whitney, my love titled 'Until You'. Please, somebody else read these two books and tell me if you didn't feel like in one instance you were reading the 'abridged' version of the other.
August 24, 2014
I get that he was hurt previously and didn't trust women but he was abusive both physically and verbally to Ashleigh and I would have kicked him into touch right from the start!!
May 4, 2025
3.7 stars
Recommendations for this book have long been floating around and I am glad that I finally took the plunge. Overall, I liked as it had many good things going. However, there were also some imperfections.
The bases and mechanics of the angsty tension between Ashleigh and Nicholas were on point. JMN obviously has a real knack at finding these little plot triggers that were conducive to high dramatics between the main couple. However, despite the delicious theoretical drama in place, on the feels side, I did not wholly experience the emotional side of the angst. Personally (because maybe my romantic heart is by now a bit too old and jaded to be candid), I think it was because of the particular writing style. It was well written but was also problematic for me on some levels:
🐎 Too wordy at times on mundane details, thus creating a too shiny, skin deep atmosphere.
🐎 A bit too obvious contrived plotting, thus leading to the angst coming across as a bit shallow e.g. Uncle suddenly visiting h in rear garden in the moonlight for only a brief moment only so they can be observed by jealous H from afar.
🐎 Unrealistic characterisation that makes it difficult to suspend disbelief e.g. Ashleigh being so intuitive and wise at 18 while analysing the grumpy behaviour of Nicholas.
🐎 Final drama was so underwhelming with the way Ashleigh's too easy bestowing of her I❤U cut a definitive stop to Nicholas' grovel attempt. Why??? After a whole book of Nicholas treating her unjustly and throwing all those horrors at her, we readers deserved some wordy grovel! I feel cheated!
🐎 I love 3rd person narrative style because I grew up with it. But the use of it here was a bit confounding for me, with the way the pov of a scene kept jumping from Ashleigh's to Nicholas', para to para. It was mentally exhausting for me.
I am still rounding up my GR rating because there was a real, intentional design by JMN to bring in maximum angsty clashes between the leads. I only needed some gut punch writing to make it epic along with some unaborted grovel.
P.S. I am in love with that cover!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2016
I didn't finish reading this book. I only gave it 1 star because I couldn't go any lower.
This book frustrated me until I couldn't read it after maybe page 80 or so. I read romance novels and I know one of the tropes is the "If he's mean to me, he likes me," but I hate that trope and this one almost, ALMOST, saves itself when she finally, after being spanked, spoken rudely to, and embarrassed in public because she was out with a friend and her friends father to see a play, and she decides she isn't going to take it anymore; what does she do a few scenes later? Hopes into bed with him because she can't say "NO" because what? He's a good kisser, he's being nice to her in the moment, he looks sad? He's saying stop him and she says "I can't I want you." Okay she doesn't say that, but she may as well have.
GRRRRRRRR I wanted to like this book and just couldn't keep reading it because I don't want her to end up with the love interest who is a jack ass no matter what excuses she makes for him.
This book frustrated me until I couldn't read it after maybe page 80 or so. I read romance novels and I know one of the tropes is the "If he's mean to me, he likes me," but I hate that trope and this one almost, ALMOST, saves itself when she finally, after being spanked, spoken rudely to, and embarrassed in public because she was out with a friend and her friends father to see a play, and she decides she isn't going to take it anymore; what does she do a few scenes later? Hopes into bed with him because she can't say "NO" because what? He's a good kisser, he's being nice to her in the moment, he looks sad? He's saying stop him and she says "I can't I want you." Okay she doesn't say that, but she may as well have.
GRRRRRRRR I wanted to like this book and just couldn't keep reading it because I don't want her to end up with the love interest who is a jack ass no matter what excuses she makes for him.
July 7, 2024
Good story with H who doesn't trust women. He falls for the wonderful h but it's all too easy for him to believe she betrayed him. He treats her badly rather then actually listen to her. Then when he finds out his family secret he rushes to apologise. He's not a hero, the heroine was ridiculously talented, beautiful and of course, forgiving. I could not help but like this book.
May 6, 2013
Free book for review. The heroine, Ashleigh, is feisty, spirited, she rides a stallion in breeches, plays a mean game of chess and cheats at poker. Most importantly, she is quite perceptive. She feels an immediate attraction to Nicholas, the Duke of Sethe, and intuitively realizes it is a mutual pull. After learning about Nicholas' background, she catches on from the onset that Nicholas might be guarded and remote because of his past experiences with women who have failed him (his mother and an ex-girlfriend). She is mature for her age (17), I guess because she was raised by her grandfather under special circumstances, namely to take over her family's business and fortune. All in all, she's so sweet that it's hard not to like her.
Nicholas is wounded and tortured and rejects his attraction for Ashleigh as soon as he discovers she's his grandmother's guest at their country manor. I disliked him for 70% of the book, he's arrogant and demeaning and it is both frustrating and annoying, I felt like shaking him and telling him to move on already. Inevitably at the end, I softened up to him, especially after a family mystery is finally resolved.
The author often uses a rapid switch in POV that is sometimes abrupt but actually works well for me. We'll be in Nicholas' head and several paragraphs later in Ashleigh's head and rapidly back and forth in the middle of one scene. Some readers may find this choppy or prefer more dialogue and less introspection.
The storyline flows well and I liked the author's descriptions. The chemistry between both is patent regardless of all the misunderstandings and doubts. The epilogue was great and I would love to find out what happens to Brendon, Tiffany and Alex...
Nicholas is wounded and tortured and rejects his attraction for Ashleigh as soon as he discovers she's his grandmother's guest at their country manor. I disliked him for 70% of the book, he's arrogant and demeaning and it is both frustrating and annoying, I felt like shaking him and telling him to move on already. Inevitably at the end, I softened up to him, especially after a family mystery is finally resolved.
The author often uses a rapid switch in POV that is sometimes abrupt but actually works well for me. We'll be in Nicholas' head and several paragraphs later in Ashleigh's head and rapidly back and forth in the middle of one scene. Some readers may find this choppy or prefer more dialogue and less introspection.
The storyline flows well and I liked the author's descriptions. The chemistry between both is patent regardless of all the misunderstandings and doubts. The epilogue was great and I would love to find out what happens to Brendon, Tiffany and Alex...
June 7, 2018
I loved it, I hated it!
I literally just read this author back to back, and can almost post the same review. This author keeps the angst HIGH in this book.
The H was such a D***, I wanted to throw my kindle several times from the angst of it all. Here’s the deal, it’s well written, we as readers are aware or have some idea of the real truth and all of Nicolas’ hang ups. But, he never does, it’s only ever slowly revealed to him inch by agonizing inch, as he makes epic mistakes after mistakes with Ashleigh. So very dang 1840s stiff upper lip. Very true to the era.
A Frustrating and hair pulling read. This is no easy trip to the alter. Brace yourselves to suck it up buttercups, lol.
Ashleigh is there as the guest of her Grandfather an Earl as he travels, soliciting for his business. So he arranges for her to stay at The Duchess house. She’s an heiress in her own right, she doesn’t need a husband. She loves Nicolas grandmother, he’s the Duke....
She thrives, until he shows up. Sparks fly, it’s very enemy to lovers. Our Duke, is broody, mean, cantankerous, suspicious, jealous, and he falls hard, lol.......
That was all great, but man, it was like pulling teeth afterwards........
I will say this author gives good grovel. It was justified and extremely rewarding to see Nicolas humbled, Ashleigh deserved every word.
The supporting characters were great. This, is not an easy read. Prepare thyself! LOL
Recommend.
I literally just read this author back to back, and can almost post the same review. This author keeps the angst HIGH in this book.
The H was such a D***, I wanted to throw my kindle several times from the angst of it all. Here’s the deal, it’s well written, we as readers are aware or have some idea of the real truth and all of Nicolas’ hang ups. But, he never does, it’s only ever slowly revealed to him inch by agonizing inch, as he makes epic mistakes after mistakes with Ashleigh. So very dang 1840s stiff upper lip. Very true to the era.
A Frustrating and hair pulling read. This is no easy trip to the alter. Brace yourselves to suck it up buttercups, lol.
Ashleigh is there as the guest of her Grandfather an Earl as he travels, soliciting for his business. So he arranges for her to stay at The Duchess house. She’s an heiress in her own right, she doesn’t need a husband. She loves Nicolas grandmother, he’s the Duke....
She thrives, until he shows up. Sparks fly, it’s very enemy to lovers. Our Duke, is broody, mean, cantankerous, suspicious, jealous, and he falls hard, lol.......
That was all great, but man, it was like pulling teeth afterwards........
I will say this author gives good grovel. It was justified and extremely rewarding to see Nicolas humbled, Ashleigh deserved every word.
The supporting characters were great. This, is not an easy read. Prepare thyself! LOL
Recommend.
June 2, 2013
The book was very heavy for my taste. Based on my opinion the male character was in constant rage and cruel to the female character. There were moments when I really hated him and I don't know how the heroine put with him and keep forgiving him. The most turn off moment in the book was when he slept with the heroine ( no marriage) and it didn't occur to him to marry her until he found out that she is pregnant. I don't know how he thought that she will be able to marry another when she is not innocent. I didn't like how the author constantly describing how beautiful and handsome are both characters and the repetition of some words such sophisticated. There were few moments of humor between the main characters and other character which made me to continue reading the book. My opinion is that the author must add less drama and focus on developing smooth and entertaining romance between the male and female characters.
July 31, 2020
wow the H in the book was REALLY mean. like at points, my heart ached for the h. However, sometimes I just love the angst, yanno? 😁
This plot reminded me of Whitney, My Love. There seemed to be a lot of misunderstandings and resisting attraction.
I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5, because there were too many instances that lacked communication that caused misunderstandings, and in my head, I was like, again?? Have we not learned our lesson?
I appreciated that the H didn’t sleep with anyone else since meeting her. The book also had a lot of sexual tension, yet when they ultimately did engage in the act, it was very okay but I guess I didn’t mind too much because I was riveted by the constant action in the plot. All in all, very enjoyable read! If you like hyper alpha H’s, this is def your cup of tea!
Looking forward to Alex and Brendon’s stories!
This plot reminded me of Whitney, My Love. There seemed to be a lot of misunderstandings and resisting attraction.
I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5, because there were too many instances that lacked communication that caused misunderstandings, and in my head, I was like, again?? Have we not learned our lesson?
I appreciated that the H didn’t sleep with anyone else since meeting her. The book also had a lot of sexual tension, yet when they ultimately did engage in the act, it was very okay but I guess I didn’t mind too much because I was riveted by the constant action in the plot. All in all, very enjoyable read! If you like hyper alpha H’s, this is def your cup of tea!
Looking forward to Alex and Brendon’s stories!
July 30, 2014
Oh yes, domineering, controlling men who treat women in their lives like children are soooo attractive. The public spanking for riding her horse as well as a man was particularly endearing. Was this written by a wife beating man using a woman's name? 2nd worst book of the year.
November 3, 2020
Cliche. 2.5.
Note to self to stay away from this author, this is the third by her and not my cup.
Note to self to stay away from this author, this is the third by her and not my cup.
March 15, 2022
Very enjoyable!
Loved this book! A great story of unrequited love, my favorite trope! Can’t wait to get started on the next in the series.
Loved this book! A great story of unrequited love, my favorite trope! Can’t wait to get started on the next in the series.
June 2, 2013
God how hard it is to be from money in the mid 1800's. To have a title & then to guard the future of this said title. The games that are played between the nobility of this time. The old view of a woman being too loose & a man having his way with mistresses. Reputations of women & men. God it just seems so hard. Then ad to the mix the misinterpretations of reading a situation & presuming what some ones agenda is & just assuming they have an agenda.
We have a Duke, called Nicholas Leighton, who for all intent & purposes is the most handsome man in all of England. He is rich, gorgeous & very much sought after by single & married women alike. He also has so many issues when it comes to women due mainly because of the fact his mother left when he was 10 & his father killed himself, so now 19 years later he still has these issues. Fuelled by the fact that he has had his heart broken by someone who he was to marry, but he found out that she had a lover & only wanted his money.
When Nicholas's grandmother, Madeline, while doing a favour for an old friend seems to be up to her old tricks & he believes has picked another young lady for him to court. He is determined to put a stop to it before it starts. Little does he know it truly is not a set up & really is just a favour for a friend, when Lady Ashleigh St John comes to stay. Ashleigh's grandfather has to go out of the country for a few months & as Ashleigh is only 17 & hasn't been presented to the court social scene yet, he feels this is a good opportunity to have Madeline coach her. Ashleigh's parents past away when she was young so a Noble females influence is he feels much needed.
When they first meet, we get the whole nine yards. Instant attraction, but as Ashleigh is only 17, Nicholas feels she is too young & thinks she is out to trap him. Yeah keep telling yourself that, eventually you might even believe it. He has built a wall around his heart & tries to keep Ashleigh out. Thing is without her trying, she gets in there, situations happen, he starts to lose control. Nicholas treats her like utter crap, but Ashleigh knows he has issues & has fallen for him anyway.
I don't know how she does it, but she continues to forgive him. Time & time again, he treats her like crap, then comes onto her again & then pushes her away, it's exhausting at times. But she forgives him again. Things happen & then they hook up for one night & yep he plucks her cherry. Then he runs again, she still holds out for his love & now we have more misunderstandings than we know what to do with. It gets ugly & things are said & then we have a situation which Nicholas doesn't handle well.
He finds out the truth about his past & that changes so much of how he sees life. There is more drama than we know what to do with. It's not all horrible for them. We do have some fun times, but you know if he just had known the truth about his mother & father he might not have had such issues. The love of this period in time has just increased for me, if that's possible.
Painful, raw, sensual, romantic, brilliant & emotional.
We have a Duke, called Nicholas Leighton, who for all intent & purposes is the most handsome man in all of England. He is rich, gorgeous & very much sought after by single & married women alike. He also has so many issues when it comes to women due mainly because of the fact his mother left when he was 10 & his father killed himself, so now 19 years later he still has these issues. Fuelled by the fact that he has had his heart broken by someone who he was to marry, but he found out that she had a lover & only wanted his money.
When Nicholas's grandmother, Madeline, while doing a favour for an old friend seems to be up to her old tricks & he believes has picked another young lady for him to court. He is determined to put a stop to it before it starts. Little does he know it truly is not a set up & really is just a favour for a friend, when Lady Ashleigh St John comes to stay. Ashleigh's grandfather has to go out of the country for a few months & as Ashleigh is only 17 & hasn't been presented to the court social scene yet, he feels this is a good opportunity to have Madeline coach her. Ashleigh's parents past away when she was young so a Noble females influence is he feels much needed.
When they first meet, we get the whole nine yards. Instant attraction, but as Ashleigh is only 17, Nicholas feels she is too young & thinks she is out to trap him. Yeah keep telling yourself that, eventually you might even believe it. He has built a wall around his heart & tries to keep Ashleigh out. Thing is without her trying, she gets in there, situations happen, he starts to lose control. Nicholas treats her like utter crap, but Ashleigh knows he has issues & has fallen for him anyway.
I don't know how she does it, but she continues to forgive him. Time & time again, he treats her like crap, then comes onto her again & then pushes her away, it's exhausting at times. But she forgives him again. Things happen & then they hook up for one night & yep he plucks her cherry. Then he runs again, she still holds out for his love & now we have more misunderstandings than we know what to do with. It gets ugly & things are said & then we have a situation which Nicholas doesn't handle well.
He finds out the truth about his past & that changes so much of how he sees life. There is more drama than we know what to do with. It's not all horrible for them. We do have some fun times, but you know if he just had known the truth about his mother & father he might not have had such issues. The love of this period in time has just increased for me, if that's possible.
Painful, raw, sensual, romantic, brilliant & emotional.
February 10, 2013
"Until you, I didn't know the true meaning of the word."
Nicholas Leighton has been deeply hurt by two women in his life. He no longer believed in truth love and thinks that every woman who shows an interest in him is either wanting his money or the title as Duchess of Sethe. Then came Ashleigh Elizabeth St. John, a young lady is nothing conventional. It was love at first sight when she laid eyes on the Duke of Sethe. Believing that she had the power to change him, she tolerate with his insult, his temper and even his rude attitude towards her. Does she have the power to change him?
The story between Nicholas & Ashleigh is the old fashion historical romance we have read about. However, my heart still cringed at every hurtful words that Nicholas hurled at Ashleigh and my heart melts on the rare occasion when his affection towards her shows up unknowingly. Yes, despite it being so cliched, I like it. The tiny twist at the end of the story revealing the family secret didn't came as a surprise to me. I have sort of guessed it from the start.
However, the first quarter of the book is really slow for me and I had a hard time getting into the story. The characters wasn't appealing to me and the cold attitude of Nicholas was seriously putting me off. How can I even like a character like him? In fact, I still doesn't like him now that I have completed the book. Brendan and Alex are definitely more likeable. I honestly felt that Ashleigh is too good for him.
The epilogue sounds like the author had a sequel upcoming for the secondary characters in this book and I am definitely interested to read about them if she decided to write it. I am recommending this book to all historical romance lovers who doesn't mind reading the same old fashion romance all over again.
Note: I have received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.
Nicholas Leighton has been deeply hurt by two women in his life. He no longer believed in truth love and thinks that every woman who shows an interest in him is either wanting his money or the title as Duchess of Sethe. Then came Ashleigh Elizabeth St. John, a young lady is nothing conventional. It was love at first sight when she laid eyes on the Duke of Sethe. Believing that she had the power to change him, she tolerate with his insult, his temper and even his rude attitude towards her. Does she have the power to change him?
The story between Nicholas & Ashleigh is the old fashion historical romance we have read about. However, my heart still cringed at every hurtful words that Nicholas hurled at Ashleigh and my heart melts on the rare occasion when his affection towards her shows up unknowingly. Yes, despite it being so cliched, I like it. The tiny twist at the end of the story revealing the family secret didn't came as a surprise to me. I have sort of guessed it from the start.
However, the first quarter of the book is really slow for me and I had a hard time getting into the story. The characters wasn't appealing to me and the cold attitude of Nicholas was seriously putting me off. How can I even like a character like him? In fact, I still doesn't like him now that I have completed the book. Brendan and Alex are definitely more likeable. I honestly felt that Ashleigh is too good for him.
The epilogue sounds like the author had a sequel upcoming for the secondary characters in this book and I am definitely interested to read about them if she decided to write it. I am recommending this book to all historical romance lovers who doesn't mind reading the same old fashion romance all over again.
Note: I have received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.
July 14, 2019
A SOLID 3.5 STARS!
I WOULD HAVE RATED IT BETTER IF ONLY THE HERO WASNT AN IDIOT WHO JUMPED TO CONCLUSIONS TOO EARLY AND ALLOWED HIS PAST HURT TO CLOUD HIS JUDGEMENT.
HERO may be rich and husband, but he definitely isn't the smartest man. Yes he has been hurt by women and vows never to be that vulnerable again or even marry. When his grandmother writes him that a certain lady is going to stay at the family seat for awhile, he is absolutely against the idea. Mainly because he thinks all women are conniving bitches. Why did I say he's not the smartest man? Because...for all his vast experience with women he obviously cannot differentiate a bitch from an innocent, pure hearted young female. I disliked him intensely when the green eyed monster came knocking on his cold heart and the insults and accusations he simply hurls at dear Ashleigh? They were absolutely uncalled for and he goes on this way till almost the end. It's annoying because it's clear he loves her. I mean what man who doesn't care or love a woman becomes frantic with fear and despair when he believes she's dying? A man in love that's what!
HEROINE was a gem. I'm glad even if the hero is an arse, Ashleigh stays true to her character throughout. She's the one who gets hurt the most but she continues to forgive Nicholas even after he insulted her, took her virgiNity, never offered marriage and still can be cruel to her. Some would call her a doormat but I digress for she never goes back to him, merely they always meet again after separating awhile.
OVERALL I can't say I'm angry about the angst though because it was what made it a page turner. Sure the hero was a cork brain but at least he asked for forgiveness in the end.
I WOULD HAVE RATED IT BETTER IF ONLY THE HERO WASNT AN IDIOT WHO JUMPED TO CONCLUSIONS TOO EARLY AND ALLOWED HIS PAST HURT TO CLOUD HIS JUDGEMENT.
HERO may be rich and husband, but he definitely isn't the smartest man. Yes he has been hurt by women and vows never to be that vulnerable again or even marry. When his grandmother writes him that a certain lady is going to stay at the family seat for awhile, he is absolutely against the idea. Mainly because he thinks all women are conniving bitches. Why did I say he's not the smartest man? Because...for all his vast experience with women he obviously cannot differentiate a bitch from an innocent, pure hearted young female. I disliked him intensely when the green eyed monster came knocking on his cold heart and the insults and accusations he simply hurls at dear Ashleigh? They were absolutely uncalled for and he goes on this way till almost the end. It's annoying because it's clear he loves her. I mean what man who doesn't care or love a woman becomes frantic with fear and despair when he believes she's dying? A man in love that's what!
HEROINE was a gem. I'm glad even if the hero is an arse, Ashleigh stays true to her character throughout. She's the one who gets hurt the most but she continues to forgive Nicholas even after he insulted her, took her virgiNity, never offered marriage and still can be cruel to her. Some would call her a doormat but I digress for she never goes back to him, merely they always meet again after separating awhile.
OVERALL I can't say I'm angry about the angst though because it was what made it a page turner. Sure the hero was a cork brain but at least he asked for forgiveness in the end.
January 13, 2013
Forever & Always is a historical novel set in the English countryside in the 1850's. The novel is fast paced and the storyline has mystery, jealousy and passion.
Nichloas Leighton is a man who living in the past. He is troubled by two childhood events;his mother's disapperance and his father's death. He is self centered and assumes that woman flock to him because of his title and money.
He makes several serious judgement errors throughout the story. He saw events from his perspective and did not view the entire situation.
Ashleigh St John is a sheltered, wealthy heiress who is sent to stay with Nicholas's grandmother while her Grandfather is away on an extended trip. Ashleigh is young and headstrong and of course she fall for Nicholas--her polar opposite.
I enjoyed reading the novel and enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside, clothing and scenry. I loved the scences with Ashleigh and Brendon. Although I did not like Nicholas, I wanted to see if Nicholas would overcome his issues and open his heart to Ashleigh.This kept me reading the book!
I am hoping the author will revisit these characters. I would like to see what happens to Brendon, Alex and Tiffany.
I received a free copy of this novel for an honest review.
Nichloas Leighton is a man who living in the past. He is troubled by two childhood events;his mother's disapperance and his father's death. He is self centered and assumes that woman flock to him because of his title and money.
He makes several serious judgement errors throughout the story. He saw events from his perspective and did not view the entire situation.
Ashleigh St John is a sheltered, wealthy heiress who is sent to stay with Nicholas's grandmother while her Grandfather is away on an extended trip. Ashleigh is young and headstrong and of course she fall for Nicholas--her polar opposite.
I enjoyed reading the novel and enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside, clothing and scenry. I loved the scences with Ashleigh and Brendon. Although I did not like Nicholas, I wanted to see if Nicholas would overcome his issues and open his heart to Ashleigh.This kept me reading the book!
I am hoping the author will revisit these characters. I would like to see what happens to Brendon, Alex and Tiffany.
I received a free copy of this novel for an honest review.
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