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Rothwell Brothers #3
Secrets of Surrender
First he'll learn her most intimate secrets. Then he'll arouse her deepest passions. He's the lover she’s been waiting for: the man who can rescue her from her wicked past – for a price – in Madeline Hunter's tale of sin, seduction, and irresistible, impossible love.
He catches her eye across the dining room – a handsome stranger who stands out among the lewd noblemen and bawdy painted women. But their worlds are about to collide in a way Roselyn Longworth could never have imagined. For before the night is out, she will be auctioned off to the highest bidder … and Kyle Bradwell will lead her from one kind of hell to another. Yet from the moment he wins her, Kyle treats Rose with a gentleness she hasn't known since a family scandal destroyed her reputation. And when she finally learns what is really driving Kyle, it's too late. For Rose has fallen for the man who knows her most intimate secrets. Now he has stunned her with a proposal of marriage – the first step in a seduction that will demand nothing less than her complete surrender .…
He catches her eye across the dining room – a handsome stranger who stands out among the lewd noblemen and bawdy painted women. But their worlds are about to collide in a way Roselyn Longworth could never have imagined. For before the night is out, she will be auctioned off to the highest bidder … and Kyle Bradwell will lead her from one kind of hell to another. Yet from the moment he wins her, Kyle treats Rose with a gentleness she hasn't known since a family scandal destroyed her reputation. And when she finally learns what is really driving Kyle, it's too late. For Rose has fallen for the man who knows her most intimate secrets. Now he has stunned her with a proposal of marriage – the first step in a seduction that will demand nothing less than her complete surrender .…
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
178 people are currently reading
957 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
103 books2,115 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
August 28, 2024
Another enjoyable read in this consistently good series. Each book has a different 'flavour', but they are linked by some recurring characters and, in this case, a plot line linked right back to the first book, The Rules of Seduction. IMO it would be better for readers to read the other two books first before starting this one. Otherwise, some things wouldn't make as much sense, I imagine.
Strongly drawn characters and tight plotting seem to be the hallmarks of this writer. I really like her complex and interesting characters. I could make the same statement about the plots. They are not cliched, and have interesting twists and turns. I could not predict how this book would be resolved without Rose being seriously hurt, but in fact all was resolved satisfactorily, and Rose did not suffer too much.
Rose is Alexia's cousin, from the first book. The dastardly behaviour of her two brothers has had a huge impact on her life, and at the start of the book things don't look good for her. But Kyle Bradwell saves her, and they enter into a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience. And of course, they slowly fall in love :)
Kyle is an interesting character. Son of a collier and far from a nobleman, he is a very clever man who has pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He is also a man of integrity, who refuses to forget or abandon his family or his low-class roots. And I love the scenes where he pretends that he loves Rose's tasteless pie just so he doesn't hurt her feelings.
The plot revolves around two linked themes - the behaviour and consequences for Tim Longworth, one of Rose's brothers who is on the run, and also the despicable Norbury, about whom there are more and more foul revelations as the book goes on. I just couldn't predict how either of these characters would get their just desserts, but they did.
These books are well written and engaging. I'm now going to read Christian's story - the eldest Rothwell brother, the mysterious long-haired marquess who has played a small part in each of the first three books. I'm looking forward to seeing how this will play out.
Strongly drawn characters and tight plotting seem to be the hallmarks of this writer. I really like her complex and interesting characters. I could make the same statement about the plots. They are not cliched, and have interesting twists and turns. I could not predict how this book would be resolved without Rose being seriously hurt, but in fact all was resolved satisfactorily, and Rose did not suffer too much.
Rose is Alexia's cousin, from the first book. The dastardly behaviour of her two brothers has had a huge impact on her life, and at the start of the book things don't look good for her. But Kyle Bradwell saves her, and they enter into a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience. And of course, they slowly fall in love :)
Kyle is an interesting character. Son of a collier and far from a nobleman, he is a very clever man who has pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He is also a man of integrity, who refuses to forget or abandon his family or his low-class roots. And I love the scenes where he pretends that he loves Rose's tasteless pie just so he doesn't hurt her feelings.
The plot revolves around two linked themes - the behaviour and consequences for Tim Longworth, one of Rose's brothers who is on the run, and also the despicable Norbury, about whom there are more and more foul revelations as the book goes on. I just couldn't predict how either of these characters would get their just desserts, but they did.
These books are well written and engaging. I'm now going to read Christian's story - the eldest Rothwell brother, the mysterious long-haired marquess who has played a small part in each of the first three books. I'm looking forward to seeing how this will play out.
October 10, 2022
3.5 stars. A really excellent hero paired with a heroine who was more of a prideful idiot than anything else. Still, this is an overall enjoyable story.
The hero and heroine meet at a scandalous house-party. The heroine is there as the “special” guest of the lord, with all of the other women in attendance being prostitutes. The heroine had been fooled into believing that the OM loved her, but she saw his true nature after giving him her virginity. The hero comes because he has business with the other man, and is invited to stay for dinner. During this dinner, the OM humiliates the heroine by telling everyone that she’s a bad lay and that he’s going to auction her off to the highest bidder. The hero is appalled by the interest of the “gentlemen” present, and he bids a high amount of money to ensure he wins the heroine, and so saves her from a possibly terrible fate. He returns the heroine to her family, but is soon approached with a proposition to make her his wife in order to restore some respectability back to her. He chooses to pursue her, they get married, eventually fall in love, and get the most HFN ending ever with a very precarious financial problem looming. 😑
I liked that the heroine wasn’t the typical HR virgin. She very deliberately chose to give her virginity to the OM without any commitment from him. The OM bore a grudge against her brother and took it out on her. What I didn’t like was how her lack of virginity was sometimes treated. While the hero did accept her, knowing what she had done, that knowledge disturbed him deeply and often. I know it’s a product of the time period, but JFC the hypocrisy!! I have a hard time reading about how what she did is somehow so wrong, and yet the hero had been with lovers and had random women approaching him, and somehow that was totally fine. Who are these women offering to service the hero?? Are there so many fallen women and widows who are just dying to jump on the hero’s dick?? Also, when the heroine isn’t being called a whore, there are many insinuations to how the heroine is soo much better than the prostitutes, which just pisses me off. Once again, I realize this is HR, and I’m a lot more lenient of this crap in HR, but I still can’t help but be bothered.
Besides this, the book overall was actually really enjoyable. I’m still not sure how I feel about this author overall. Two of the four books in this series were good, the other two were 💩💩. Not the best odds.
Safe; non-virgin heroine, non-manwhore hero, no major OW drama, OM drama from the heroine’s first lover, no scenes with OM/OW, no cheating.
The hero and heroine meet at a scandalous house-party. The heroine is there as the “special” guest of the lord, with all of the other women in attendance being prostitutes. The heroine had been fooled into believing that the OM loved her, but she saw his true nature after giving him her virginity. The hero comes because he has business with the other man, and is invited to stay for dinner. During this dinner, the OM humiliates the heroine by telling everyone that she’s a bad lay and that he’s going to auction her off to the highest bidder. The hero is appalled by the interest of the “gentlemen” present, and he bids a high amount of money to ensure he wins the heroine, and so saves her from a possibly terrible fate. He returns the heroine to her family, but is soon approached with a proposition to make her his wife in order to restore some respectability back to her. He chooses to pursue her, they get married, eventually fall in love, and get the most HFN ending ever with a very precarious financial problem looming. 😑
I liked that the heroine wasn’t the typical HR virgin. She very deliberately chose to give her virginity to the OM without any commitment from him. The OM bore a grudge against her brother and took it out on her. What I didn’t like was how her lack of virginity was sometimes treated. While the hero did accept her, knowing what she had done, that knowledge disturbed him deeply and often. I know it’s a product of the time period, but JFC the hypocrisy!! I have a hard time reading about how what she did is somehow so wrong, and yet the hero had been with lovers and had random women approaching him, and somehow that was totally fine. Who are these women offering to service the hero?? Are there so many fallen women and widows who are just dying to jump on the hero’s dick?? Also, when the heroine isn’t being called a whore, there are many insinuations to how the heroine is soo much better than the prostitutes, which just pisses me off. Once again, I realize this is HR, and I’m a lot more lenient of this crap in HR, but I still can’t help but be bothered.
Besides this, the book overall was actually really enjoyable. I’m still not sure how I feel about this author overall. Two of the four books in this series were good, the other two were 💩💩. Not the best odds.
Safe; non-virgin heroine, non-manwhore hero, no major OW drama, OM drama from the heroine’s first lover, no scenes with OM/OW, no cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2022
Before reading this book, you should read the first two books in the series, as they have the background for this book. Especially book 1 .
Kyle is a very nice person, coal miners son, who has done well for himself by becoming a architect.
Roselyn been lied to by her brother’s. She is now living on her own with no money and trying to survive.
Interesting story and two nice characters.
Kyle is a very nice person, coal miners son, who has done well for himself by becoming a architect.
Roselyn been lied to by her brother’s. She is now living on her own with no money and trying to survive.
Interesting story and two nice characters.
September 30, 2024
This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy historical romance novel. It has likable, engaging characters, sizzling chemistry, family drama, supportive friends, and a heartwarming romance. This is the third entry in the Rothwell Brothers series, and it can be read as a stand alone. The glimpses of the other characters who are featured in previous and future novels has piqued my interest in reading their stories. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Mr. Simon Prebble, has a captivating voice and does a wonderful job voicing the characters.
June 19, 2020
So, I hadn't planned on continuing this series as I've done but the stories are so enjoyable that I couldn't resist. This the third in the Rothwell Series by Madeline Hunter was very well written and I loved the characters involved. It was nice to venture into Rose's story..she being the cousin of Alexia from the first book and was enthralled into her story.
I actually decided to listen to this one on Audible Escape and glad I did. I am truly a fan of narrator, Simon Prebble and he did not fail to captivate my attention with this story.
Truly enjoyed and now on to Christian's story. He seems dark and mysterious and I want to find out his secrets.
I actually decided to listen to this one on Audible Escape and glad I did. I am truly a fan of narrator, Simon Prebble and he did not fail to captivate my attention with this story.
Truly enjoyed and now on to Christian's story. He seems dark and mysterious and I want to find out his secrets.
December 17, 2020
Roselyn Longworth finds herself ruined and at a shitty houseparty. When the man who invited her attempts to auction her off, Kyle Bradwell comes to her rescue. Soon they're married and boning and living happily ever after.
Also there's some stuff about Rose's scoundrel brother and Kyle's patron's son and also all the boning.
1. I DON'T KNOW OKAY. THIS IS 2020; WELCOME TO HELL.
2. I wanted more about Rose and Kyle's life as a couple who do not roll around in piles of money; I wanted to understand their life and how they operated as part of the rising middle class. Except I didn't get any of that: it starts off in that vein but abandons it quickly. THEY HAVE TWO HOUSES, I MEAN.
3. Nothing in this felt truly developed or consequential?
4. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
Also there's some stuff about Rose's scoundrel brother and Kyle's patron's son and also all the boning.
1. I DON'T KNOW OKAY. THIS IS 2020; WELCOME TO HELL.
2. I wanted more about Rose and Kyle's life as a couple who do not roll around in piles of money; I wanted to understand their life and how they operated as part of the rising middle class. Except I didn't get any of that: it starts off in that vein but abandons it quickly. THEY HAVE TWO HOUSES, I MEAN.
3. Nothing in this felt truly developed or consequential?
4. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
June 20, 2021
I didn't like the h in previous books, she was naïve and refused to listen. Now's she's stronger, and paying a terrible price for her naivety. The H was great. He's not gentry, he's building his future and he's quietly proud of his family. He can't resist saving the heroine from others including her brother. I liked seeing the h interact with his family and friends. She was finally acted graciously. Great ending.
March 2, 2020
It needed more romance. The heroine did not marry a gentleman so the difference in class is mentioned quite often as well as her ruined reputation.
July 2, 2016
Roselyn é uma dama da sociedade que por causa das leviandades e crimes do seu irmão mais novo - Tim - se encontra, logo nas primeiras páginas do livro, seduzida, humilhada e a ser leiloada como se de um objecto se tratasse. O que é ainda mais grave se pensarmos que tudo isto está a ser feito por Lord Norbury, o futuro conde de Cottington, o homem que Roselyn confiava e pensava amar.
Roselyn é leiloada e arrebatada por uma fortuna, por um homem jovem e misterioso que de modo algum pertence àquele meio. Quem ele? O que quererá de Roselyn? E quais as suas verdadeiras razões?
Um romance muito bem escrito, com personagens bem construídas, assim como o próprio enredo. Nota-se que é um livro bem estruturado e muito bem pensado.
Desde o início que me senti agarrada pelas páginas deste livro. É impossível pararmos de ler sem sentir alguma pena e/ou inquietação pelo destino da protagonista. Isto é devido, em grande parte, ao ritmo a que se desenrola o enredo e à medida que descobrimos os porquês de muita coisa que nem imaginavamos.
Um livro que recomendo e sem dúvida uma autora a seguir.
Roselyn é leiloada e arrebatada por uma fortuna, por um homem jovem e misterioso que de modo algum pertence àquele meio. Quem ele? O que quererá de Roselyn? E quais as suas verdadeiras razões?
Um romance muito bem escrito, com personagens bem construídas, assim como o próprio enredo. Nota-se que é um livro bem estruturado e muito bem pensado.
Desde o início que me senti agarrada pelas páginas deste livro. É impossível pararmos de ler sem sentir alguma pena e/ou inquietação pelo destino da protagonista. Isto é devido, em grande parte, ao ritmo a que se desenrola o enredo e à medida que descobrimos os porquês de muita coisa que nem imaginavamos.
Um livro que recomendo e sem dúvida uma autora a seguir.
June 24, 2014
This is a book to be savoured. An absolutely priceless gem. I'd say easily my favourite from Madeline Hunter.
Each word is carefully placed, not an excess to be found. Each sentence captures its meaning and delivers the message powerfully. The writing is exquisite without being flowery.
Hints aren't repeated or shouted, they're small, secretive and delicious. The characters are so rich and fully formed, the reader can actually hear their different voices and see their unique gestures.
It is a book rich with amazing characters and I only want more. I want to know more about Lord Easterbrook, about Roselyn's sister and about her friends. I want the book to continue.
The scenery and speech is exactly right for a historical yet it doesn't take away from the dialogue. Instead in enriches it until I want to go back in time and say those expressions, have those discussions, take those walks down the countryside.
The heroine is caught and rescued by a gallant man but she's no crying victim. She's brutally honest with herself, determined and resourceful without being willful or nasty. He's powerful and honourable, a perfect hero who still has his faults but rises above them.
There are issues that the couple needs to work out and they do, logically and slowly through the book. The story of how they go from acquaintances to lovers moved me. I not only believed it, I loved reading each and every word.
I could go on and on but I'll leave you with this. Take your time with this one. Let the words drip across your tongue and enjoy. It's like rich, dark chocolate, meant to be savoured. It's historical romance at its finest.
Each word is carefully placed, not an excess to be found. Each sentence captures its meaning and delivers the message powerfully. The writing is exquisite without being flowery.
Hints aren't repeated or shouted, they're small, secretive and delicious. The characters are so rich and fully formed, the reader can actually hear their different voices and see their unique gestures.
It is a book rich with amazing characters and I only want more. I want to know more about Lord Easterbrook, about Roselyn's sister and about her friends. I want the book to continue.
The scenery and speech is exactly right for a historical yet it doesn't take away from the dialogue. Instead in enriches it until I want to go back in time and say those expressions, have those discussions, take those walks down the countryside.
The heroine is caught and rescued by a gallant man but she's no crying victim. She's brutally honest with herself, determined and resourceful without being willful or nasty. He's powerful and honourable, a perfect hero who still has his faults but rises above them.
There are issues that the couple needs to work out and they do, logically and slowly through the book. The story of how they go from acquaintances to lovers moved me. I not only believed it, I loved reading each and every word.
I could go on and on but I'll leave you with this. Take your time with this one. Let the words drip across your tongue and enjoy. It's like rich, dark chocolate, meant to be savoured. It's historical romance at its finest.
March 21, 2020
After the mediocrity of the last book, I was hesitant about this one. Luckily this picks up from the first book, Rules of Seduction and deals with Rose Longworth, sister of embezzler Timothy Longworth. I won’t bother with plot summary as you can read that elsewhere. I liked that this book did an inter-class marriage well. She’s of gentry stock and he’s a collier turned real estate developer. He rescues her from a sticky situation and the romance proceeds from there. I liked everything about this: the plot, the characters, the historic details. I liked seeing my favorite characters from previous books.
Mostly I loved Kyle, who was capable and kind. He knew all of Rose’s horrible baggage and sought to shield her from the worst outcomes. I liked Rose too- she encouraged Kyle to be more of himself rather than trying to wear the cloak of another class. I didn’t always agree with her decisions but respected her choices and approach. Hunter writes good female characters who are aware of the limitations of their gender in that era but are also incisive, intelligent and sharp.
Great book, and a winner for me.
Mostly I loved Kyle, who was capable and kind. He knew all of Rose’s horrible baggage and sought to shield her from the worst outcomes. I liked Rose too- she encouraged Kyle to be more of himself rather than trying to wear the cloak of another class. I didn’t always agree with her decisions but respected her choices and approach. Hunter writes good female characters who are aware of the limitations of their gender in that era but are also incisive, intelligent and sharp.
Great book, and a winner for me.
August 9, 2011
Ah, nothing like well-written fluffy romances to bring me back to reading. I was getting pretty burnt out on these huge tomes (and then getting GR to tell me that I'm behind on my reading challenge, to boot - pffft!!) and I'm glad to have a bit of fun before I go back to those door stoppers. As I'm beginning to expect, Hunter writes another winner. :) Her plots are more intricate than your typical romance, and even the plot turns that wouldn't be a problem if her main two protagonists actually just were honest didn't bother me. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
November 21, 2010
I won't go into huge storyline detail about this book. As it has been around awhile with some detailed reviews. It took me awhile to warm up to Roselyn and wanted to someone to shake her and say wake up Princess, you brother is no darn prince, but you are married to one. I loved Kyle from the start and more patience than a saint. I can't wait to see what Lord Easterbrook has in store for us, something shocking I am sure.
May 26, 2008
Got about half way through and couldn't finish it.
December 9, 2022
Este livro foi um daqueles que se lê super rápido. As personagens (algumas) já me eram familiares e o plot tem tanto de situações que nos deixam indignados como de situações que nos deixam de coração quentinho. Existe apoio nesta família, existe quem lute pela justiça e quem seja essencialmente bom. Tenho pena que a protagonista não tenha encarado o irmão pelo que era. Lá por ser do mesmo sangue, sou da opinião que não há desculpa para tudo.
April 15, 2023
There wasn’t enough conflict in the story to really keep it moving but I still enjoyed reading it. Kyle was the highlight of this book and I loved everything about him.
November 15, 2024
I only made it to chapter 8. The heroine was so dumb she had me on the side of the villain. The heroine started the book being the villain's mistress/whore. She kept saying, "I thought he loved me; I thought he loved me." Dumbass, if he loved you, he would have married you and not made you his mistress/whore. The villain auctioned her off because she wasn't pleasing him sexually and for other reasons. I don't blame him; she wasn't doing her job as his mistress/whore what else was he supposed to do with her? He had to get a return on his money. He bought her gowns, jewelry, and took her out here and there. Her dumbass put herself in that situation. Now that she is auctioned off, she blames the villain for ruining her reputation. Dumbass, your reputation was ruined the minute you became his mistress/whore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2016
Jogos de Sedução é o terceiro livro da coleção Rothwell Brothers de Madeline Hunter. Eu tive a sorte de começar a ler a coleção de forma ordenada, comecei com Regras de Sedução, segui para Lições de Desejo e continuei com Jogos de Sedução. Uma das carateristicas que mais gosto nestas obras escritas por Madeline Hunter, é que a autora de um livro para o outro não se esquece das personagens, ou seja, no terceiro livro (este) a autora brinda-nos com a presença de personagens que uma pessoa tanto adorou nos dois livros anteriores. Normalmente ou é frequente acontecer que quando se passa de um livro para outro, mesmo dentro da própria coleção, as personagens principais de enredos anteriores são esquecidas e não é o que acontece com esta tetralogia.
Jogos de Sedução foi o livro que li mais rápido, dos três foi o que me agarrou logo na primeira página. Para quem leu os dois livros anteriores, facilmente reconhece Roselyn como a prima de Alexia que cai na pobreza devido aos excessos e roubos dos irmãos mais velhos. Neste livro ela torna-se a personagem principal e desde o inicio vê-se envolvida em situações difíceis que a levam a tornar-se o escândalo da sociedade inglesa da época. Com nada a ganhar e provavelmente com tudo a perder, ela lança-se nos braços do único homem capaz de a salvar na noite em que tudo poderia ter piorado. O facto de ele não fazer parte da aristocracia inglesa parece não ter importância, e ele vê neste casamento pontos positivos suficientes que o leva a querer ficar com a mulher que está na boca de todos os lordes e nobres ingleses pelas piores razões.
Madeline Hunter mantém o registo dos últimos livros, a história flui com muita facilidade. Começas na página em que acontece x e quando dás por ti já estás no acontecimento y. Em comparação aos dois livros anteriores, neste ela utiliza uma linguagem muito mais 'atual', o que talvez seja também uma marca das características das personagens principais, visto que neste livro afastamo-nos um pouco da árvore genealógica dos irmãos Rothwell.
Falta ler o último livro da coleção e talvez o mais interessante pois finalmente Madeline Hunter chegará ao marquês de Easterbrook e finalmente poderemos tentar entender esta personagem tão... única!
Jogos de Sedução foi o livro que li mais rápido, dos três foi o que me agarrou logo na primeira página. Para quem leu os dois livros anteriores, facilmente reconhece Roselyn como a prima de Alexia que cai na pobreza devido aos excessos e roubos dos irmãos mais velhos. Neste livro ela torna-se a personagem principal e desde o inicio vê-se envolvida em situações difíceis que a levam a tornar-se o escândalo da sociedade inglesa da época. Com nada a ganhar e provavelmente com tudo a perder, ela lança-se nos braços do único homem capaz de a salvar na noite em que tudo poderia ter piorado. O facto de ele não fazer parte da aristocracia inglesa parece não ter importância, e ele vê neste casamento pontos positivos suficientes que o leva a querer ficar com a mulher que está na boca de todos os lordes e nobres ingleses pelas piores razões.
Madeline Hunter mantém o registo dos últimos livros, a história flui com muita facilidade. Começas na página em que acontece x e quando dás por ti já estás no acontecimento y. Em comparação aos dois livros anteriores, neste ela utiliza uma linguagem muito mais 'atual', o que talvez seja também uma marca das características das personagens principais, visto que neste livro afastamo-nos um pouco da árvore genealógica dos irmãos Rothwell.
Falta ler o último livro da coleção e talvez o mais interessante pois finalmente Madeline Hunter chegará ao marquês de Easterbrook e finalmente poderemos tentar entender esta personagem tão... única!
June 8, 2014
This story is well written, has a good pace, interesting characters and some good doses of drama. It has great dialogue and a delicious interplay between their characters. What I found particularly good in this story is the exploration of class differences between Roselyn and Bradwell, and how difficult is Bradwell to feel comfortable in his new condition, but at the same time how easy it is to accept your Roselyn fall on the scale social. The central part of the plot, is not on the bed but on the difficulties of those who are poor, on fraud, and has some denser parts. But overall the book is enjoyable. I liked the review and find out more about some characters from previous books I have read. But Games of Pleasure also works well as a standalone novel and is a good way to spend an afternoon.
April 23, 2009
Madeline Hunter is almost always enjoyable. This current series is a little darker than her other (not sure the name of that series, but it had the Sinner, the Charmer, etc. in it). But one thing I liked and appreciated was that toward the climax, when the secrets are all inevitably coming to a head, she didn't do the expected (and cliched). The hero and heroine weren't overly dramatic about it, though there was worry and hurt, there weren't any "I hate you's" or "You were just using me's".
All in all, another good read from Hunter. I am interested in reading the Easterbrook book (the next in this series, I believe), since his character is so... different :)
All in all, another good read from Hunter. I am interested in reading the Easterbrook book (the next in this series, I believe), since his character is so... different :)
June 15, 2012
"The sexual aspect of the marriage is very important, and the love scenes beautifully track the growth of the relationship, as each learn to trust and let go of preconceived judgments. These are some of the best - and hottest - love scenes I've read this year.
Secrets of Surrender is connected to the "Rothwell Brothers" series, the head of which is the enigmatic Marquess of Easterbrook - looking forward to his book! You need not have read the previous books in the series to follow and enjoy this one, though I do recommend them. Madeline Hunter writes rich and varied characters who experience great growth arcs, and this book is no exception. I highly recommend it." -Cheryl Sneed
Secrets of Surrender is connected to the "Rothwell Brothers" series, the head of which is the enigmatic Marquess of Easterbrook - looking forward to his book! You need not have read the previous books in the series to follow and enjoy this one, though I do recommend them. Madeline Hunter writes rich and varied characters who experience great growth arcs, and this book is no exception. I highly recommend it." -Cheryl Sneed
June 5, 2008
I really like Madeline Hunter and this was a good book for her. One thing I think she does really well is create a believable story where in a class based society, two people fall in love despite their different class status. She did it with her medievals and she's sneaking it into her Regencies. She also writes darker, more emotional books, which I enjoy.
June 24, 2012
Esta foi uma daquelas leituras inesperadas. Como não é de todo o meu tipo de leitura habitual, uma amiga decidiu desafiar-me emprestando-me este livro para que lesse algo de diferente. Confesso que foi uma agradável surpresa. Não é um livro marcante, mas dentro do género acaba por ser cativante o suficiente para não se desistir da leitura. Uma leitura leve para uma tarde de sol. :)
September 22, 2012
Fairly typical Madeline Hunter stuff going on (quixotically generous/honourable hero, oblivious heroine), but not so repetitive as to make the characters or plot seem like total retreads of other books. I find Hunter's stories satisfyingly emotional and intelligent (even if the characters can sometimes be stubbornly blind), and this was no exception.
September 20, 2019
O que menos gostei da autora, não foi aquilo que esperava, os anteriores foram muito melhores. Até agora o melhor foi o primeiro, surpreendeu-me muito.
January 17, 2026
2.5/3 Stars
Well this one definitely started entirely different than I expected from the book blurb. I can admit that I didn't know what to expect exactly but it did surprise me how it opened.
And of course because of how it opened it, in a way, cast a sort of depressing fog over the entire story that I felt never really lifted.
I felt for Rose and her situation. Even the awful predicament she finds herself in at the beginning of the story. And from the previous books I wasn't sure what to think of her,. really. All I knew was she had too much pride and was stubborn about accepting help. And then as we come to learn she truly had no idea how badly her brother had behaved, how much harm he truly inflicted with his thievery. So watching her heartbreak over the realization that her brother was truly lost to her and what he did was a debt she couldn't possibly begin to repay herself as she had imagined, well, it was sad. I felt for her, I did.
Kyle I liked a lot, although for some reason I felt like he wasn't fleshed out well enough. Not in his history because we got plenty of his backstory and everything in between, enough to know the man he was and what made him who he was. But for some damn reason he seemed completely faceless to me. I think the only detail that stood out about him was his blue eyes. If there were other details about his overall looks they weren't many or even memorable. I truly can't recall what he was supposed to have looked like other than being tall, muscular and had blue eyes. Rose often described him as handsome "in his own way" and how much vitality he brought in a room. It was a weird one for me that I couldn't get a image in my head of him.
Anyway, as I said this one carried a more depressing tone tbh. I know the other books did as well in their own ways due to the overarching plot/story of Rose's family and their crimes. But man, this one just felt sad.
It was a good read and I liked Kyle and Rose for one another. They were cute later on in their marriage once they dropped their proper formalities. I just wish it hadn't taken so long I guess, or maybe we got a little more one-on-one scenes with them when things weren't so dreary or tense. There were a handful of those moments, and a few had them actually growing closer and talking of personal things and Kyle's past but I wish we had had more, ya know?
Well this one definitely started entirely different than I expected from the book blurb. I can admit that I didn't know what to expect exactly but it did surprise me how it opened.
And of course because of how it opened it, in a way, cast a sort of depressing fog over the entire story that I felt never really lifted.
I felt for Rose and her situation. Even the awful predicament she finds herself in at the beginning of the story. And from the previous books I wasn't sure what to think of her,. really. All I knew was she had too much pride and was stubborn about accepting help. And then as we come to learn she truly had no idea how badly her brother had behaved, how much harm he truly inflicted with his thievery. So watching her heartbreak over the realization that her brother was truly lost to her and what he did was a debt she couldn't possibly begin to repay herself as she had imagined, well, it was sad. I felt for her, I did.
Kyle I liked a lot, although for some reason I felt like he wasn't fleshed out well enough. Not in his history because we got plenty of his backstory and everything in between, enough to know the man he was and what made him who he was. But for some damn reason he seemed completely faceless to me. I think the only detail that stood out about him was his blue eyes. If there were other details about his overall looks they weren't many or even memorable. I truly can't recall what he was supposed to have looked like other than being tall, muscular and had blue eyes. Rose often described him as handsome "in his own way" and how much vitality he brought in a room. It was a weird one for me that I couldn't get a image in my head of him.
Anyway, as I said this one carried a more depressing tone tbh. I know the other books did as well in their own ways due to the overarching plot/story of Rose's family and their crimes. But man, this one just felt sad.
It was a good read and I liked Kyle and Rose for one another. They were cute later on in their marriage once they dropped their proper formalities. I just wish it hadn't taken so long I guess, or maybe we got a little more one-on-one scenes with them when things weren't so dreary or tense. There were a handful of those moments, and a few had them actually growing closer and talking of personal things and Kyle's past but I wish we had had more, ya know?
December 24, 2021
Mostly pretty middle of the road for me. I liked the couple alright. There were some better parts here and there.
Side note, the heroine does something just ridiculously dumb in the first chapter or so, and I think it was supposed to be something quickly dismissed, but it rubbed at me for a long, long while. lol. It's never mentioned again, so I'm sure the author just meant it to be a small aside or something, but the absolute reckless stupidity of it galls me. *pulls hair out* lol.
Side note, the heroine does something just ridiculously dumb in the first chapter or so, and I think it was supposed to be something quickly dismissed, but it rubbed at me for a long, long while. lol. It's never mentioned again, so I'm sure the author just meant it to be a small aside or something, but the absolute reckless stupidity of it galls me. *pulls hair out* lol.
November 19, 2020
I probably would put it at a 3.5, so I rounded up.
After my disappointment in Book 2 (Elliot was a real jerk for most of the novel after being so sweet in Book 1! WTH?!), I was worried going into this one. I was happy to read Roselyn’s story, though, and get back to a more Longworth focused story. It turned out to be a pretty great book. The main couple had a lot of obstacles to overcome, and I like how realistically their difficulties were portrayed. Kyle was a wonderful human, and I enjoyed reading a book with a hero from a lower social class. The MCs were not mismatched, though (like those ridiculous novels where a duke marries a shopgirl), as the Hero was educated, well-spoken, and used to mixing with members of the ton, while the heroine had been down on her luck for years and had learned to economize and do housework. They really worked as a couple.
One of my complaints is that it sometimes felt like the H/h conversations with one another came across as kind of flat or wooden. While I appreciate the characterization of Rose as a downtrodden lady who uses her grace and pride as a protective shield, I felt there should have been a way to infuse more emotion into her personality. The lack of spark was especially dichotomous with how passionate their physical relationship became. Somehow that didn’t translate into their everyday interactions.
My second complaint is that the ending seemed rather abrupt. I don’t really mind loose ends, but the ending should feel like an ending, and this one didn’t. I’m not sure how else to describe it.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book, especially after the disappointment I had been feeling after coming out of the second book. I’m glad the series got back on track, and I’m curious to see how Christian’s book develops. I would recommend reading the books in order, as the backstory in the first book informs the rest of the series, particularly this book. I would imagine feeling somewhat lost if I had read this one before Alexia and Hayden’s.
After my disappointment in Book 2 (Elliot was a real jerk for most of the novel after being so sweet in Book 1! WTH?!), I was worried going into this one. I was happy to read Roselyn’s story, though, and get back to a more Longworth focused story. It turned out to be a pretty great book. The main couple had a lot of obstacles to overcome, and I like how realistically their difficulties were portrayed. Kyle was a wonderful human, and I enjoyed reading a book with a hero from a lower social class. The MCs were not mismatched, though (like those ridiculous novels where a duke marries a shopgirl), as the Hero was educated, well-spoken, and used to mixing with members of the ton, while the heroine had been down on her luck for years and had learned to economize and do housework. They really worked as a couple.
One of my complaints is that it sometimes felt like the H/h conversations with one another came across as kind of flat or wooden. While I appreciate the characterization of Rose as a downtrodden lady who uses her grace and pride as a protective shield, I felt there should have been a way to infuse more emotion into her personality. The lack of spark was especially dichotomous with how passionate their physical relationship became. Somehow that didn’t translate into their everyday interactions.
My second complaint is that the ending seemed rather abrupt. I don’t really mind loose ends, but the ending should feel like an ending, and this one didn’t. I’m not sure how else to describe it.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book, especially after the disappointment I had been feeling after coming out of the second book. I’m glad the series got back on track, and I’m curious to see how Christian’s book develops. I would recommend reading the books in order, as the backstory in the first book informs the rest of the series, particularly this book. I would imagine feeling somewhat lost if I had read this one before Alexia and Hayden’s.
November 5, 2020
3 Estrelas!
Mais um livro de Madeline Hunter e este gostei do início e adorei o final porque foi surpreendente e bastante diferente dos romances de época que costumo ler. Normalmente leio estes romances sobre nobres e neste caso temos um homem trabalhador que lutou para alcançar onde está hoje. Não é rico, ele trabalha arduamente para ter o que tem e é bem recebido pelos lordes devido ao seu trabalho.
O problema é que quando vê uma jovem da alta sociedade num momento bastante constrangedor e humilhante ele decide ajudá-la e salvá-la da situação, para isso tem que gastar uma pequena fortuna. A protagonista foi enganada, ela serviu apenas como vingança e agora é tarde demais para voltar atrás. Ou talvez não, quando Kyle Bradwell a salva de uma completa humilhação ela vê esperança.
Eu gostei de como a autora iniciou a história, todos os acontecimentos em volta do leilão e todos os "julgamentos" típicos da sociedade desta altura em relação ao comportamento da Roselyn estava bem interessante. O final também gostei porque é diferente, a Roselyn vai ter que abdicar de muito se realmente quer voltar a ser feliz e até mesmo na última página do livro foi surpreendente, admito que não esperava aquele final, mas foi interessante porque foi bastante diferente de tudo o resto que leio, mostra uma vulnerabilidade dos personagens que não esperava e gostei.
O problema foi o meio do livro, achei o desenvolvimento chato, o irmão da protagonista é um personagem bastante parvo que só pensa nele próprio e acha que ele é que tem razão e que pode fazer tudo o que quer. O Kyle não compreendia que quanto mais dizia não, mais a Roselyn queria fazer, bastante ele explicar a ela as consequências que ela compreendia. O romance até foi bonitinho, mas achei muito forçado, afinal de contas ela não tinha opção. Mas o final inesperado valeu a pena a leitura e salvou o livro!
Opinião para o instagram @docesonhadorablogue
Mais um livro de Madeline Hunter e este gostei do início e adorei o final porque foi surpreendente e bastante diferente dos romances de época que costumo ler. Normalmente leio estes romances sobre nobres e neste caso temos um homem trabalhador que lutou para alcançar onde está hoje. Não é rico, ele trabalha arduamente para ter o que tem e é bem recebido pelos lordes devido ao seu trabalho.
O problema é que quando vê uma jovem da alta sociedade num momento bastante constrangedor e humilhante ele decide ajudá-la e salvá-la da situação, para isso tem que gastar uma pequena fortuna. A protagonista foi enganada, ela serviu apenas como vingança e agora é tarde demais para voltar atrás. Ou talvez não, quando Kyle Bradwell a salva de uma completa humilhação ela vê esperança.
Eu gostei de como a autora iniciou a história, todos os acontecimentos em volta do leilão e todos os "julgamentos" típicos da sociedade desta altura em relação ao comportamento da Roselyn estava bem interessante. O final também gostei porque é diferente, a Roselyn vai ter que abdicar de muito se realmente quer voltar a ser feliz e até mesmo na última página do livro foi surpreendente, admito que não esperava aquele final, mas foi interessante porque foi bastante diferente de tudo o resto que leio, mostra uma vulnerabilidade dos personagens que não esperava e gostei.
O problema foi o meio do livro, achei o desenvolvimento chato, o irmão da protagonista é um personagem bastante parvo que só pensa nele próprio e acha que ele é que tem razão e que pode fazer tudo o que quer. O Kyle não compreendia que quanto mais dizia não, mais a Roselyn queria fazer, bastante ele explicar a ela as consequências que ela compreendia. O romance até foi bonitinho, mas achei muito forçado, afinal de contas ela não tinha opção. Mas o final inesperado valeu a pena a leitura e salvou o livro!
Opinião para o instagram @docesonhadorablogue
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