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Fairbourne Quartet #1
A csendestárs
Ki hallott már olyat, hogy nő vezessen egy tekintélyes londoni aukciósházat? Pedig Emma Fairbourne-nak éppen ez a szándéka, miután egy tragikus balesetben elveszíti az apját. Természetesen nem bolond, hogy nyíltan így tegyen, és ezzel elijessze a gazdag gyűjtőket. Így hát a barátnőjével együtt kieszel egy tervet: felbérel egy jóképű és elbűvölő fiatalembert, hogy a nyilvánosság előtt képviselje az aukciósházat.
Az elképzelését siker is koronázná, ha nem avatkozna közbe Darius, Southwaite arrogáns grófja, az aukciósház résztulajdonosa, a csendestárs. A grófnak egyáltalán nem áll szándékában tovább működtetni a vállalkozást, és nyilvánvalóan azt sem engedheti, hogy a bájos Miss Fairbourne irányítsa azt. Nincs más lehetőség, az üzletet el kell adni.
Ám a makacs Emma egyetlen nőhöz sem hasonlít, akivel a gróf eddig találkozott, és nem hajlandó elfogadni a döntését. Darius ezért új fronton indít támadást. Hiszen más módon is elérheti, hogy a hölgy megadja magát, és az sokkal kellemesebb lenne mindkettejük számára…
Madeline Hunter legújabb regényében két elszánt akarat feszül egymásnak, hogy aztán az egymás iránt érzett vágy, az egyre mélyülő érzelmek és a múlt titkainak útvesztőjében megleljék az egymáshoz vezető utat.
Az elképzelését siker is koronázná, ha nem avatkozna közbe Darius, Southwaite arrogáns grófja, az aukciósház résztulajdonosa, a csendestárs. A grófnak egyáltalán nem áll szándékában tovább működtetni a vállalkozást, és nyilvánvalóan azt sem engedheti, hogy a bájos Miss Fairbourne irányítsa azt. Nincs más lehetőség, az üzletet el kell adni.
Ám a makacs Emma egyetlen nőhöz sem hasonlít, akivel a gróf eddig találkozott, és nem hajlandó elfogadni a döntését. Darius ezért új fronton indít támadást. Hiszen más módon is elérheti, hogy a hölgy megadja magát, és az sokkal kellemesebb lenne mindkettejük számára…
Madeline Hunter legújabb regényében két elszánt akarat feszül egymásnak, hogy aztán az egymás iránt érzett vágy, az egyre mélyülő érzelmek és a múlt titkainak útvesztőjében megleljék az egymáshoz vezető utat.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
358 people are currently reading
1957 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
101 books2,089 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 223 reviews
April 11, 2012
Wow. I can’t recall a time that this has happened to me with Madeline Hunter. She’s not always a sure thing for me, as I can recall disliking or being disappointed in some of her books, but that’s not really unexpected when I look at how much of her backlist I have read. But I have never been so completely bored when reading when of her books.
Emma’s father, the owner of an auction house, recently died. Emma’s brother, Robert, is presumed dead after a shipwreck, but because her father refused to give up hope, he wasn’t declared dead. Emma shares the same faith in her brother’s eventual return and is determined to safeguard his inheritance (the auction house) until he makes his way home. Of course, the Earl of Southwaite, the hero, is the proverbial fly in the ointment. He owns 50% of the business and wants it sold. He’s heard some worrying rumors about the auction house being associated with smuggling and, given that he has been staunchly opposed to smuggling, it would never do politically for him to be discovered as somehow profiting from it. He’d rather just have the business sold and wash his hands of it. Of course, this difference in opinion over the future of the business causes Emma and Southwaite to butt heads.
Given the disagreement over the future of the auction house, I expected more excitement between Emma and Southwaite. Hell, I expected more excitement in general. How can someone feel so drab and monotone when they’re scheming to get their way? I enjoyed the fact that Southwaite became so completely turned around whenever he spoke to Emma. He would charge into the situation with it all planned out, but by the time he left he had won nothing and had usually ended up benefiting Emma’s cause somehow. Yet even that was a kind of drab enjoyment. I really don’t understand what was going on with this book. It was well written, but it was a chore to read. There was no excitement or emotion to catch the reader and pull them in.
I think a big strike in the ambivalence column came from the fact that I didn’t care for the hero or heroine. I didn’t care enough to out and out dislike them, but there was nothing about them that pulled me in and made me root for them. The heroine was an odd mix of naiveté and competence that never successfully gelled for me. One minute she would be subtly confounding Southwaite and getting her way and the next she would seem painfully oblivious to the realities of the world. Whenever any sexual attraction came into play she became a dim, easily manipulated creature who made me grit my teeth. She got better once they had sex, but I was never very impressed by her. Also, the way she ignored the realities of what only owning 50% of the business meant irritated me. Southwaite was really no better. He tended to bulldoze over Emma whenever he got the chance. I found his presumptuousness completely galling and was frustrated that Emma went along with it so often.
I liked that we stayed out of the ballrooms and focused mostly on trade world but I found the smuggling plot boring. So much of it hinged on the fact that Emma didn’t tell anyone. If she had spoken to her friend Cassandra or even spoken to Southwaite in the beginning I would have had more respect for her intelligence. Then again, she never really felt like she had a good handle on her plan for the auction house either, so can I really say that I was surprised by how she handled it? But then to have it all resolve in the anticlimactic way it did? Talk about going out with a whimper instead of a bang.
The whole thing just didn’t work for me. My enjoyment in the story picked up a bit after they started having sex, but that wasn’t enough to change my overall feeling of apathy. I hope this book was just a fluke and that the next one is better.
Favorite Quote:
*Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen*
Emma’s father, the owner of an auction house, recently died. Emma’s brother, Robert, is presumed dead after a shipwreck, but because her father refused to give up hope, he wasn’t declared dead. Emma shares the same faith in her brother’s eventual return and is determined to safeguard his inheritance (the auction house) until he makes his way home. Of course, the Earl of Southwaite, the hero, is the proverbial fly in the ointment. He owns 50% of the business and wants it sold. He’s heard some worrying rumors about the auction house being associated with smuggling and, given that he has been staunchly opposed to smuggling, it would never do politically for him to be discovered as somehow profiting from it. He’d rather just have the business sold and wash his hands of it. Of course, this difference in opinion over the future of the business causes Emma and Southwaite to butt heads.
Given the disagreement over the future of the auction house, I expected more excitement between Emma and Southwaite. Hell, I expected more excitement in general. How can someone feel so drab and monotone when they’re scheming to get their way? I enjoyed the fact that Southwaite became so completely turned around whenever he spoke to Emma. He would charge into the situation with it all planned out, but by the time he left he had won nothing and had usually ended up benefiting Emma’s cause somehow. Yet even that was a kind of drab enjoyment. I really don’t understand what was going on with this book. It was well written, but it was a chore to read. There was no excitement or emotion to catch the reader and pull them in.
I think a big strike in the ambivalence column came from the fact that I didn’t care for the hero or heroine. I didn’t care enough to out and out dislike them, but there was nothing about them that pulled me in and made me root for them. The heroine was an odd mix of naiveté and competence that never successfully gelled for me. One minute she would be subtly confounding Southwaite and getting her way and the next she would seem painfully oblivious to the realities of the world. Whenever any sexual attraction came into play she became a dim, easily manipulated creature who made me grit my teeth. She got better once they had sex, but I was never very impressed by her. Also, the way she ignored the realities of what only owning 50% of the business meant irritated me. Southwaite was really no better. He tended to bulldoze over Emma whenever he got the chance. I found his presumptuousness completely galling and was frustrated that Emma went along with it so often.
I liked that we stayed out of the ballrooms and focused mostly on trade world but I found the smuggling plot boring. So much of it hinged on the fact that Emma didn’t tell anyone. If she had spoken to her friend Cassandra or even spoken to Southwaite in the beginning I would have had more respect for her intelligence. Then again, she never really felt like she had a good handle on her plan for the auction house either, so can I really say that I was surprised by how she handled it? But then to have it all resolve in the anticlimactic way it did? Talk about going out with a whimper instead of a bang.
The whole thing just didn’t work for me. My enjoyment in the story picked up a bit after they started having sex, but that wasn’t enough to change my overall feeling of apathy. I hope this book was just a fluke and that the next one is better.
Favorite Quote:
”He feels obligated to make conversation if we have a meal together, and recently I have heard a lot of Miss Fairbourne this and Miss Fairbourne that. I assumed he had some fascination and, being a man, he would do what men are wont to do when they are fascinated.”
“I am flattered that he spoke well of me to you.”
“Oh, no. He didn’t. Not at all. It was never the wonderful Miss Fairbourne. More the annoying Miss Fairbourne and the exasperating Miss Fairbourne.
*Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen*
February 4, 2017
My enjoyment of this novel is pretty much all about falling for Darius early and wanting him to be happy. I wanted to attach to Emma as well, but she kept doing things that frustrated me. Not that they didn't make sense or weren't in character so much as I just wish she had been someone else. Which shouldn't have worked for a romance (because you generally want the guy to have a girl you like) but Hunter actually made it work, at least for me.
And I have to admit that I did sympathize with Emma's struggles to hold things together despite the disadvantages of her gender. Yeah, those disadvantages are socially constructed, but she faces them nonetheless and her efforts to work around them seemed both genuine and courageous even if doomed to eventual failure (there's only so long you can maintain a front-man on an operation that has so much public contact as you do in an auction house). The death of her father has left her with a business that no longer has an obvious leader. Yeah, she can do all the work as she was trained by her father and it was work she truly loves, but society is what it is and pretending her minions are running the show will only stretch so far.
Anyway, those things were sympathetic. Less so were her continual evasions of Darius. Emma's father used funds from Darius to expand his business in exchange for a half interest. So Darius is a legitimate owner and yet Emma treats him with contempt and deception at every turn pretty much right from the start. Yeah, he wants to sell the business and he's imperious and all, but he's still only part owner and she truly has him over a barrel in the sense that he doesn't want exposure as having his hands in trade and thus can't actually force her hand in any legal or potent way. She'd have been much better off treating him with enough respect to simply oppose him outright and then give them a basis for working out what it is going to mean from there. Frankly, not much of the plot would have changed as a result. Except for the stupid sneaking around she resorts to because, well, reasons. She is otherwise quite courageous and strong so being so weak in this one case bugged me.
This comes to a head for me when, near the end, she decides to
So Emma is a mix of admirable (courage and working around the system to try to keep a loved institution functioning) and off-putting (irrational dodging of Darius and bad decisions with regard to family). Darius, on the other hand, is full of win. I always have a place in my heart for the competent hero, capable in his sphere, who is caring and kind and eager to help those he cares about. Darius is all of that and honorable to boot. I particularly loved when . And his trust and care of Emma was endearing even when she was being an idiot about it. It was helped that she obviously loved him and wasn't doing the push-away thing beyond reason (as you'd almost expect given my comments above). Indeed, their private moments were outstanding and a large part of what pushed this above the three-stars the attachment to Darius alone would have warranted.
The other elements of the story were strong enough to escape notice; decent pacing, interesting plot, and the auction house setting was kind of fun (even in the face of being the source of so much anxiety for both protagonists). Add interesting secondary characters who will almost certainly feature in their own future stories and we have an excellent series introduction that has me eager to get to the next book.
A note about Steamy: There were three explicit sex scenes, putting this solidly in the middle of my steam tolerance. This was the platform for the majority of the class angst and pretty well-played out, I think. Emma's inability to see herself as more than his mistress was believably handled, at least in the terms you require for a successful Regency Romance.
And I have to admit that I did sympathize with Emma's struggles to hold things together despite the disadvantages of her gender. Yeah, those disadvantages are socially constructed, but she faces them nonetheless and her efforts to work around them seemed both genuine and courageous even if doomed to eventual failure (there's only so long you can maintain a front-man on an operation that has so much public contact as you do in an auction house). The death of her father has left her with a business that no longer has an obvious leader. Yeah, she can do all the work as she was trained by her father and it was work she truly loves, but society is what it is and pretending her minions are running the show will only stretch so far.
Anyway, those things were sympathetic. Less so were her continual evasions of Darius. Emma's father used funds from Darius to expand his business in exchange for a half interest. So Darius is a legitimate owner and yet Emma treats him with contempt and deception at every turn pretty much right from the start. Yeah, he wants to sell the business and he's imperious and all, but he's still only part owner and she truly has him over a barrel in the sense that he doesn't want exposure as having his hands in trade and thus can't actually force her hand in any legal or potent way. She'd have been much better off treating him with enough respect to simply oppose him outright and then give them a basis for working out what it is going to mean from there. Frankly, not much of the plot would have changed as a result. Except for the stupid sneaking around she resorts to because, well, reasons. She is otherwise quite courageous and strong so being so weak in this one case bugged me.
This comes to a head for me when, near the end, she decides to
So Emma is a mix of admirable (courage and working around the system to try to keep a loved institution functioning) and off-putting (irrational dodging of Darius and bad decisions with regard to family). Darius, on the other hand, is full of win. I always have a place in my heart for the competent hero, capable in his sphere, who is caring and kind and eager to help those he cares about. Darius is all of that and honorable to boot. I particularly loved when . And his trust and care of Emma was endearing even when she was being an idiot about it. It was helped that she obviously loved him and wasn't doing the push-away thing beyond reason (as you'd almost expect given my comments above). Indeed, their private moments were outstanding and a large part of what pushed this above the three-stars the attachment to Darius alone would have warranted.
The other elements of the story were strong enough to escape notice; decent pacing, interesting plot, and the auction house setting was kind of fun (even in the face of being the source of so much anxiety for both protagonists). Add interesting secondary characters who will almost certainly feature in their own future stories and we have an excellent series introduction that has me eager to get to the next book.
A note about Steamy: There were three explicit sex scenes, putting this solidly in the middle of my steam tolerance. This was the platform for the majority of the class angst and pretty well-played out, I think. Emma's inability to see herself as more than his mistress was believably handled, at least in the terms you require for a successful Regency Romance.
April 3, 2023
4 stars. I like the group of characters Ms Hunter has created for this series. The mystery aspect of this book with its smugglers and possible spies added interest to the storyline. The relationship between Darius and Emma was lovely, and as usual with Ms Hunter's books I enjoyed this aspect of the story. The scene in the empty ballroom lit only by candles was nicely done and very romantic. Overall a very good read.
August 21, 2022
Nice story, with two people from different society’s. Who are brought together , when Emma father died. Darius is her father silent partner in a auction business.
May 19, 2016
Apesar de ter dado apenas três estrelas a este livro, tenho de ser sincera e dizer que gostei do que li.
Esta história apresenta-nos algo que no século XVIII era praticamente impossível. Uma mulher solteira à frente de um negócio? Pois, era praticamente impossível e por isso Emma teve de encontrar forma de "driblar" a sociedade da época. Ao perder o seu pai num acidente, e sem saber onde está o seu irmão desaparecido no mar há mais de dois anos, ela tem de arranjar forma de continuar o negócio que o seu pai tão arduamente criou. A sua leiloeira. Ela não quer vendê-la porque sabia que era vontade do seu pai entregar a leiloeira ao seu irmão e como ela ainda acredita no regresso do irmão, é ponto assente que ela irá contra tudo e contra todos para manter o negócio na família. No entanto, Emma esquece-se de que há mais alguém que tem algo a dizer sobre o assunto. O sócio desconhecido do público em geral, Darius. A atracção patente entre os dois sempre que se encontram é inegável e é a frontalidade e impertinência de Emma que faz com que o Conde de Southwaite se veja enredado num sentimento que não consegue explicar, tão pouco evitar.
Opinião Completa
http://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
Esta história apresenta-nos algo que no século XVIII era praticamente impossível. Uma mulher solteira à frente de um negócio? Pois, era praticamente impossível e por isso Emma teve de encontrar forma de "driblar" a sociedade da época. Ao perder o seu pai num acidente, e sem saber onde está o seu irmão desaparecido no mar há mais de dois anos, ela tem de arranjar forma de continuar o negócio que o seu pai tão arduamente criou. A sua leiloeira. Ela não quer vendê-la porque sabia que era vontade do seu pai entregar a leiloeira ao seu irmão e como ela ainda acredita no regresso do irmão, é ponto assente que ela irá contra tudo e contra todos para manter o negócio na família. No entanto, Emma esquece-se de que há mais alguém que tem algo a dizer sobre o assunto. O sócio desconhecido do público em geral, Darius. A atracção patente entre os dois sempre que se encontram é inegável e é a frontalidade e impertinência de Emma que faz com que o Conde de Southwaite se veja enredado num sentimento que não consegue explicar, tão pouco evitar.
Opinião Completa
http://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
April 21, 2012
Have you ever met someone, listened to him introduce himself and talk for a while and then, suddenly, sadly, realize you’ve not registered a word he's said? I had the literary version of that experience with Ms. Hunter’s The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne. I read the novel — twice — and both times, as soon as I’d finished it, was hard-pressed to remember anything significant about it. When I think how I’d define this novel, the word that comes to mind is bland.
The heroine of this book is unsurprisingly a Miss Fairbourne, first name Emma. The Fairbourne family owns a famous and successful auction house in London which, until his recent death, was run by Emma’s father. Emma, despite the expectations of society, wishes to keep the auction house open. Emma has a brother, Robert, whom everyone but Emma believes is lost at sea and now dead. Emma is sure Robert is alive and is adamant the auction house be kept running until Robert returns to take its reins.
The auction house, however, is no longer owned solely by the Fairbourne family. Three years ago, unbeknownst to Emma, her father sold a half share to Darius Alfreton, the Earl of Southwaite. Darius is determined Emma will sell the auction house. Not only does he think a woman couldn’t possibly run such a business (this is, after all, 1798), he believes that her father was engaged in shady business practices involving smugglers and he does not want his name to be associated with anything that would besmirch his reputation.
Emma wants to keep the auction house. Darius wants her to sell it. Emma tries several different tactics to delay Darius from taking any action that would gainsay her wishes. As Darius battles with Emma for control, he realizes he’s exceedingly attracted to her and decides that rather than trying to control her through argument, he’d be more successful and vastly more pleasured if he used seduction to get his way. Emma, who has had very little experience with men, finds Darius difficult to resist and soon their relationship is about both the fate of the auction house and whether or not the two will become lovers.
Ms. Hunter is a very good technical writer and she invests this book with historical authenticity. She effortlessly explicates the conflict between England and France and showcases the role smuggling played during this era. The class distinctions between Darius, an earl, and Emma, a woman from a family in trade, are portrayed credibly. Ms. Hunter has her doctorate in art history and her book is filled with details about art, the auction world, and the artists of the time. It’s all very accurate and not very interesting.
This is a partial review. Go to All About Romance (likesbooks.com) to read the full review:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
The heroine of this book is unsurprisingly a Miss Fairbourne, first name Emma. The Fairbourne family owns a famous and successful auction house in London which, until his recent death, was run by Emma’s father. Emma, despite the expectations of society, wishes to keep the auction house open. Emma has a brother, Robert, whom everyone but Emma believes is lost at sea and now dead. Emma is sure Robert is alive and is adamant the auction house be kept running until Robert returns to take its reins.
The auction house, however, is no longer owned solely by the Fairbourne family. Three years ago, unbeknownst to Emma, her father sold a half share to Darius Alfreton, the Earl of Southwaite. Darius is determined Emma will sell the auction house. Not only does he think a woman couldn’t possibly run such a business (this is, after all, 1798), he believes that her father was engaged in shady business practices involving smugglers and he does not want his name to be associated with anything that would besmirch his reputation.
Emma wants to keep the auction house. Darius wants her to sell it. Emma tries several different tactics to delay Darius from taking any action that would gainsay her wishes. As Darius battles with Emma for control, he realizes he’s exceedingly attracted to her and decides that rather than trying to control her through argument, he’d be more successful and vastly more pleasured if he used seduction to get his way. Emma, who has had very little experience with men, finds Darius difficult to resist and soon their relationship is about both the fate of the auction house and whether or not the two will become lovers.
Ms. Hunter is a very good technical writer and she invests this book with historical authenticity. She effortlessly explicates the conflict between England and France and showcases the role smuggling played during this era. The class distinctions between Darius, an earl, and Emma, a woman from a family in trade, are portrayed credibly. Ms. Hunter has her doctorate in art history and her book is filled with details about art, the auction world, and the artists of the time. It’s all very accurate and not very interesting.
This is a partial review. Go to All About Romance (likesbooks.com) to read the full review:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
January 24, 2016
Opinião completa em: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
(...)
A história traz-nos uma premissa invulgar, uma mulher (Emma) a tentar gerir uma leiloeira numa época em que não se viam mulheres a gerirem algo que não fosse a sua própria casa.
(...)
O problema aparece quando se percebe que a leiloeira não era tão legal quanto devia ser – algo que suspeitamos desde o início mas Emma não sabia e Darius(o nosso protagonista masculino) apenas suspeitava que poderia existir ali algo que não devia lá estar.
Com uma intriga interessante, personagens cativantes e que nos deixam a querer mais e mais, O Plano de Miss Fairbourne leva-nos de volta ao glamour e enredo a que Madeline Hunter já nos habituou, com todos os toques necessários para uma leitura agradável e momentos bem passados, com sorrisos e exclamações de contentamento.
(...)
A história traz-nos uma premissa invulgar, uma mulher (Emma) a tentar gerir uma leiloeira numa época em que não se viam mulheres a gerirem algo que não fosse a sua própria casa.
(...)
O problema aparece quando se percebe que a leiloeira não era tão legal quanto devia ser – algo que suspeitamos desde o início mas Emma não sabia e Darius(o nosso protagonista masculino) apenas suspeitava que poderia existir ali algo que não devia lá estar.
Com uma intriga interessante, personagens cativantes e que nos deixam a querer mais e mais, O Plano de Miss Fairbourne leva-nos de volta ao glamour e enredo a que Madeline Hunter já nos habituou, com todos os toques necessários para uma leitura agradável e momentos bem passados, com sorrisos e exclamações de contentamento.
October 12, 2020
O que dizes quando um romance de época tem quase tudo!
Personagens incríveis, sem problemas em dizer as verdades mesmo que isso leve a discussões entre o nosso casal principal e a reconciliações profundas. Suspense qb e um fim quase perfeito. Quase! Daí as 4 estrelas, mas foi um inicio de série que nos abre o apetite para os restantes livros com um entusiasmo enorme de descobrir as suas histórias.
Adoro a escrita desta autora. Linda e envolvente.
Personagens incríveis, sem problemas em dizer as verdades mesmo que isso leve a discussões entre o nosso casal principal e a reconciliações profundas. Suspense qb e um fim quase perfeito. Quase! Daí as 4 estrelas, mas foi um inicio de série que nos abre o apetite para os restantes livros com um entusiasmo enorme de descobrir as suas histórias.
Adoro a escrita desta autora. Linda e envolvente.
March 3, 2016
While I generally like MH's work, this one was kind of on the boring side. Her love scenes were too vague at times. Emma's father has passed away and all tha that is left is his auction house. She also found out that her dad had sold half interest in the business to Dariaus Southwaite and an earl no less. Right from the get go he is already making a nuisance of himself trying to run her show. Heck no, she has to save it for her brother whom everybody believes was lost at sea two years ago. But Emma feels he isnt' and is going to fight to hang on to his legacy. So begins the battle in the office of who is going win this battle. Pretty soon though things heat up in the bedroom as well. Darius soon catches on that there is more going on that what Emma is revealing and secret meetings are being held. Pretty soon he finds out the truth and Emma puts her life on the line that will garner her a name of traitor or a lifetime of love. I had a huge beef with the final chapter of the book, it was too cut. The scene with her brother made no sense to me. The whole entire book was devoted to getting him back and then when he is back it is like no big woop. So what I was about to ruin my life for you and he is like well couldn't you have waited awhile longer? I was having such a great time as a prisoner. Very strange. Hopefull the next story will work better for me. I like Cassandra, she is a hoot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2018
Darius, Earl of Southwaite
Emma Fairbourne
Emma Fairbourne
March 27, 2024
This book is the definition of a magnificent beginning with a mediocre ending.
It's almost as if all the witticism and interesting character traits from the first chapter took so much energy, that there was noting left for the rest.
It's not very hard to see where things went wrong:
➤ Too much of the romance was eclipsed by the side plot and side characters
➤ The strange crumbling of a initially strong heroine
⤷ Emma starts strong, wanting to keep the auction house from being sold. She has a solid plan. However, as the plan begins to fail, so does her composure. Some of her ideas were solid, but most seemed just pure luck or spur of the moment, chipping away at her 'smart' heroine façade. What was left behind was a not so endearing naïve woman of her time.
➤ The charming scoundrel that was a bit too scoundrel-y
⤷ The hero starts with an attraction to the heroine he doesn't feel very comfortable with, but with time is able to put that pesky conscience aside and go for it. The problem was that before it got put away, he mentions all the reason why it would be reprehensible for him to 'go for her': lower class female alone in the world, just lost her last parent, fighting him on the sale of the auction house... Which just made his seduction distasteful.
➤ The underwhelming conclusion (taking down a network of French spies in 1798 feels like sweeping the ashes while the volcano is still spewing...)
This isn't the first time Hunter fails to deliver on a good concept (I'm looking at you The Most Dangerous Duke in London) and I don't know if I'm willing to continue to waste my resources on her anymore.
It's almost as if all the witticism and interesting character traits from the first chapter took so much energy, that there was noting left for the rest.
It's not very hard to see where things went wrong:
➤ Too much of the romance was eclipsed by the side plot and side characters
➤ The strange crumbling of a initially strong heroine
⤷ Emma starts strong, wanting to keep the auction house from being sold. She has a solid plan. However, as the plan begins to fail, so does her composure. Some of her ideas were solid, but most seemed just pure luck or spur of the moment, chipping away at her 'smart' heroine façade. What was left behind was a not so endearing naïve woman of her time.
➤ The charming scoundrel that was a bit too scoundrel-y
⤷ The hero starts with an attraction to the heroine he doesn't feel very comfortable with, but with time is able to put that pesky conscience aside and go for it. The problem was that before it got put away, he mentions all the reason why it would be reprehensible for him to 'go for her': lower class female alone in the world, just lost her last parent, fighting him on the sale of the auction house... Which just made his seduction distasteful.
➤ The underwhelming conclusion (taking down a network of French spies in 1798 feels like sweeping the ashes while the volcano is still spewing...)
This isn't the first time Hunter fails to deliver on a good concept (I'm looking at you The Most Dangerous Duke in London) and I don't know if I'm willing to continue to waste my resources on her anymore.
May 12, 2019
Apesar de ser um livro de uma escritora que adoro, este livro não foi dos que mais gostei.
Tem alturas de muito impasse e centrasse muito nos contrabandistas e no negócio da leiloeira e não é o que esperamos de um livro de Madeline Hunter.
Ainda assim não sou capaz de dar menos de 4 mas talvez seriam mais correto 3,5
Tem alturas de muito impasse e centrasse muito nos contrabandistas e no negócio da leiloeira e não é o que esperamos de um livro de Madeline Hunter.
Ainda assim não sou capaz de dar menos de 4 mas talvez seriam mais correto 3,5
January 31, 2025
Darius and Emma. What a nice yet exciting love story. I’m giving it 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 16, 2016
Há um encanto neste livro que emana da personagem principal, o mesmo encanto que chama o nosso protagonista masculino mas que não é suficiente para adorar este livro de Madeline Hunter.
Gostei da determinação de Emma e da dificuldade em abalá-la nas suas decisões mas não gostei Creio que esta visão a reduziu enquanto personagem e lhe tirou força e verosimilhança nas lutas que foi travando.
Ainda assim, esta Emma tem um encanto que chama, que prende e que nos leva a querer acompanhá-la até ao final da história embora facilmente adivinhemos como a mesma se desenrolará. O protagonista masculino é interessante e emana força e não há como não gostar da sua paixão e sentido de honra... ou falta dela!
Gostei da determinação de Emma e da dificuldade em abalá-la nas suas decisões mas não gostei Creio que esta visão a reduziu enquanto personagem e lhe tirou força e verosimilhança nas lutas que foi travando.
Ainda assim, esta Emma tem um encanto que chama, que prende e que nos leva a querer acompanhá-la até ao final da história embora facilmente adivinhemos como a mesma se desenrolará. O protagonista masculino é interessante e emana força e não há como não gostar da sua paixão e sentido de honra... ou falta dela!
May 4, 2021
London/Kent, 1798.
Middle-class woman seeks to preserve deceased father's auction business for possibly dead brother's inheritance. Gentleman auction co-owner suspects woman's father of questionable practices and wants the business sold.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, spies, virgin spinster, something kind of resembling feminism.
For me, there was 0 chemistry between MCs. Love scenes were awkwardly timed and boring. The second half of the novel is full of tedious, unnecessary sex scenes. By the end of the book I was so tired of the characters shallow love and really didn't care what happened to the characters that I was tempted to DNF.
Don't recommend.
Middle-class woman seeks to preserve deceased father's auction business for possibly dead brother's inheritance. Gentleman auction co-owner suspects woman's father of questionable practices and wants the business sold.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, spies, virgin spinster, something kind of resembling feminism.
For me, there was 0 chemistry between MCs. Love scenes were awkwardly timed and boring. The second half of the novel is full of tedious, unnecessary sex scenes. By the end of the book I was so tired of the characters shallow love and really didn't care what happened to the characters that I was tempted to DNF.
Don't recommend.
August 22, 2016
Versão Portuguesa: Queridos Leitores,
Madeline Hunter é a minha autora favorita de todos os meus autores favoritos. Foi ela quem escreveu um dos meus livros favoritos, Casamento de Conveniência, portanto é uma espécie de ídolo no mundo da literatura. Espécie porque não é a única.
Óbvio que não me desapontou, apesar de este não ser um dos seus melhores livros.
Emma é a filha de um dos recentes falecidos de uma casa de leilões, a Fairbourne’s. Estamos a falar do século XVIII por isso as mulheres não tinham poderes de herdade a não ser que estivessem casadas, o que não é o caso. A sua sorte, ou talvez não, é o, presumido, desaparecimento do seu irmão num naufrágio que nenhum o reportou como morto. Legalmente, a casa de leilões é dele. Pelo menos até ele voltar, Emma cuidara das tarefas. Se ele voltar…
Quando recebeu e começou a cuidar da contabilidade da casa de leilões, descobriu que a Fairbourne’s não era inteiramente do seu pai. Uma parte parcial pertencia a um conde, ao conde Southwaite.
Southwaite quer vender a sua parte devido a uma suspeita do seu antigo sócio estar envolvido num esquema de contrabando que a sua filha, Emma, ira dar continuidade ao legado do seu pai.
Dá-se o início a uma fria amizade, ou aliança.
Emma precisa de Southwaite para continuar com a Fairbourne’s e Southwaite precisa de Emma para descobrir se as suas suspeitas são verdadeiras. Bem, eles precisam um do outro, mas não quer dizer que precisem de se dar bem.
Esta não foi uma leitura excitante ou entusiasmante que Madeline Hunter habituou os seus leitores. A história desenrola-se vagarosamente, introduzindo as personagens, que suponho eu, serão os novos heróis e heroínas dos romances desta série, uma vez que este é o primeiro do Quarteto Fairbourne.
O próprio romance desenrola-se devagar, existindo tempo para as picardias engraçadas entre um e outro, para se conhecerem melhor e para se apaixonarem. Apesar de, neste, esteve mais focado na parte misteriosa do contrabando do que no romance.
As grandes emoções, como sempre, estão perto do final.
Madeline Hunter coloca melodia nas palavras. Descreve cada parte com um notório pormenor que dá ao leitor a sensação que realmente estamos ali, a sentir e a ver. Por vezes, são passagens longas e maçadoras, mas, na minha opinião, é isso que a faz ser completamente diferente e notória de qualquer outro autor.
No entanto, se esta é a primeira vez que ouviu falar de Madeline Hunter, este livro não é o mais perfeito para começar. Talvez pela série os irmãos Rothwell ou Medieval, nas quais apenas 3 estão traduzidos para português: Casamento de Conveniência, O Protetor e Mil Noites de Paixão.
Para aqueles que já conhecem bem a autora, nada de novo.
English Version: Dear Readers,
Madeline Hunter is my favorite author from my favorite authors. She wrote the favorite of my favorite books, By Arrangement, therefore, she is kind of my role model in the literature world. Kind of because she is not the only one.
Of course, she didn’t disappoint me, even though this one is not one of her best works.
Emma is the daughter of the recent deceased owner of an auction house, Fairbourne’s. We’re talking about the XVIII century so women didn’t have any power of heritage unless she was married, which is not the case. Her luck, or not, was her, presumed, missing brother in a shipwreck that nobody gives him as dead. So legally, the action house is his. At least, until he comes back, Emma will take care of the cores. If he comes back…
When she receives and starts to take care of the accounting of the action house she finds out that Fairbourne’s wasn’t entirely of her father. A partial part was from an earl, the Earl of Southwaite.
Southwaite wants to sale his share because he suspects that his previous partner was in a smuggling scheme and his daughter, Emma, is going to continue her father legacy.
So a cold friendship, or alliance, begins.
Emma needs Southwaite to continue to have the Fairbourne’s and Southwaite needs Emma to find out if his suspects are real. Well, they need each other but it doesn’t mean that they will get along well.
This wasn’t a thrilled and excited story that Madeline Hunter got her readers used to. The story unfolds slowly, introducing new characters, that I suppose, will be the new heroes and heroines of the coming series, once this is the first book of the Fairbourne Quartet.
The romance itself also unfolds slowly, letting have the time for the funny burnings of one to another, to get to know each other and to fall in love. Even though, this one, is more focused on the smuggling part than the romance.
The big emotions, as typical, came near the end.
Madeline Hunter puts melody into words. She describes every piece with the notorious detail that gives the reader the sensation that we are actually there, feeling and seeing. Sometimes they are a little bit long and inconvenient, but, in my opinion, that’s what makes her different and so notorious from every other author.
However, if this is the first time that you heard of Madeline Hunter, this book is not the perfect one to start. Perhaps the Rothwell Brothers series or the Medieval Series are the best ones.
For those who already knows Madeline Hunter, nothing new.
Madeline Hunter é a minha autora favorita de todos os meus autores favoritos. Foi ela quem escreveu um dos meus livros favoritos, Casamento de Conveniência, portanto é uma espécie de ídolo no mundo da literatura. Espécie porque não é a única.
Óbvio que não me desapontou, apesar de este não ser um dos seus melhores livros.
Emma é a filha de um dos recentes falecidos de uma casa de leilões, a Fairbourne’s. Estamos a falar do século XVIII por isso as mulheres não tinham poderes de herdade a não ser que estivessem casadas, o que não é o caso. A sua sorte, ou talvez não, é o, presumido, desaparecimento do seu irmão num naufrágio que nenhum o reportou como morto. Legalmente, a casa de leilões é dele. Pelo menos até ele voltar, Emma cuidara das tarefas. Se ele voltar…
Quando recebeu e começou a cuidar da contabilidade da casa de leilões, descobriu que a Fairbourne’s não era inteiramente do seu pai. Uma parte parcial pertencia a um conde, ao conde Southwaite.
Southwaite quer vender a sua parte devido a uma suspeita do seu antigo sócio estar envolvido num esquema de contrabando que a sua filha, Emma, ira dar continuidade ao legado do seu pai.
Dá-se o início a uma fria amizade, ou aliança.
Emma precisa de Southwaite para continuar com a Fairbourne’s e Southwaite precisa de Emma para descobrir se as suas suspeitas são verdadeiras. Bem, eles precisam um do outro, mas não quer dizer que precisem de se dar bem.
Esta não foi uma leitura excitante ou entusiasmante que Madeline Hunter habituou os seus leitores. A história desenrola-se vagarosamente, introduzindo as personagens, que suponho eu, serão os novos heróis e heroínas dos romances desta série, uma vez que este é o primeiro do Quarteto Fairbourne.
O próprio romance desenrola-se devagar, existindo tempo para as picardias engraçadas entre um e outro, para se conhecerem melhor e para se apaixonarem. Apesar de, neste, esteve mais focado na parte misteriosa do contrabando do que no romance.
As grandes emoções, como sempre, estão perto do final.
Madeline Hunter coloca melodia nas palavras. Descreve cada parte com um notório pormenor que dá ao leitor a sensação que realmente estamos ali, a sentir e a ver. Por vezes, são passagens longas e maçadoras, mas, na minha opinião, é isso que a faz ser completamente diferente e notória de qualquer outro autor.
No entanto, se esta é a primeira vez que ouviu falar de Madeline Hunter, este livro não é o mais perfeito para começar. Talvez pela série os irmãos Rothwell ou Medieval, nas quais apenas 3 estão traduzidos para português: Casamento de Conveniência, O Protetor e Mil Noites de Paixão.
Para aqueles que já conhecem bem a autora, nada de novo.
English Version: Dear Readers,
Madeline Hunter is my favorite author from my favorite authors. She wrote the favorite of my favorite books, By Arrangement, therefore, she is kind of my role model in the literature world. Kind of because she is not the only one.
Of course, she didn’t disappoint me, even though this one is not one of her best works.
Emma is the daughter of the recent deceased owner of an auction house, Fairbourne’s. We’re talking about the XVIII century so women didn’t have any power of heritage unless she was married, which is not the case. Her luck, or not, was her, presumed, missing brother in a shipwreck that nobody gives him as dead. So legally, the action house is his. At least, until he comes back, Emma will take care of the cores. If he comes back…
When she receives and starts to take care of the accounting of the action house she finds out that Fairbourne’s wasn’t entirely of her father. A partial part was from an earl, the Earl of Southwaite.
Southwaite wants to sale his share because he suspects that his previous partner was in a smuggling scheme and his daughter, Emma, is going to continue her father legacy.
So a cold friendship, or alliance, begins.
Emma needs Southwaite to continue to have the Fairbourne’s and Southwaite needs Emma to find out if his suspects are real. Well, they need each other but it doesn’t mean that they will get along well.
This wasn’t a thrilled and excited story that Madeline Hunter got her readers used to. The story unfolds slowly, introducing new characters, that I suppose, will be the new heroes and heroines of the coming series, once this is the first book of the Fairbourne Quartet.
The romance itself also unfolds slowly, letting have the time for the funny burnings of one to another, to get to know each other and to fall in love. Even though, this one, is more focused on the smuggling part than the romance.
The big emotions, as typical, came near the end.
Madeline Hunter puts melody into words. She describes every piece with the notorious detail that gives the reader the sensation that we are actually there, feeling and seeing. Sometimes they are a little bit long and inconvenient, but, in my opinion, that’s what makes her different and so notorious from every other author.
However, if this is the first time that you heard of Madeline Hunter, this book is not the perfect one to start. Perhaps the Rothwell Brothers series or the Medieval Series are the best ones.
For those who already knows Madeline Hunter, nothing new.
February 6, 2022
Fiquei indecisa entre dar duas ou três estrelas.
Dei três pela autora, gosto no geral dos livros dela, mas não gostei particularmente deste.
Muito descritivo, muitos impasses, foi uma leitura muito lenta porque o livro fazia-me adormecer de tão monótono que se tornava ao focar-se demasiado em pormenores e descrições que não eram assim tão relevantes.
É bom para insonias.
Dei três pela autora, gosto no geral dos livros dela, mas não gostei particularmente deste.
Muito descritivo, muitos impasses, foi uma leitura muito lenta porque o livro fazia-me adormecer de tão monótono que se tornava ao focar-se demasiado em pormenores e descrições que não eram assim tão relevantes.
É bom para insonias.
December 9, 2012
When Emma Fairbourne’s father unexpectedly falls off a cliff and dies
She makes a number of dismaying discoveries.
First, unbeknownst to her, her father had a partner. The obnoxious, officious, domineering, condescending, gorgeous, overbearing, dictatorial, Earl of Southwaite, who is set on closing the auction house (because god knows a woman couldn’t manage the place properly).
Second, unbeknownst to her, her father had fallen in with smugglers. And the smugglers now expect her to take up where Daddy left off.
Third, the obnoxious, officious, domineering, condescending, gorgeous, overbearing, dictatorial, Earl of Southwaite and his two BFF’s are actually agents of the government, trying to catch smugglers/French spies.
Fourth, it turns out the reason Daddy had been helping smugglers is that her brother Robert, whom most believed to be dead, was actually being held hostage to assure her father’s –and now Emma's—cooperation, even to the point of treason.
And finally, it seems that when the obnoxious, officious, domineering, condescending, gorgeous, overbearing, dictatorial, Earl of Southwaite wants to win an argument with her, all he has to do is…
…
…
…
…
…and she's Silly Putty.
This one was a little too alpha/sub for me. The hero never did have to check his domineering tendencies. She might've been described as having a biting tongue, but in truth, at times when I think any normal woman would
The story redeems itself by the end, though, so four stars.
She makes a number of dismaying discoveries.
First, unbeknownst to her, her father had a partner. The obnoxious, officious, domineering, condescending, gorgeous, overbearing, dictatorial, Earl of Southwaite, who is set on closing the auction house (because god knows a woman couldn’t manage the place properly).
Second, unbeknownst to her, her father had fallen in with smugglers. And the smugglers now expect her to take up where Daddy left off.
Third, the obnoxious, officious, domineering, condescending, gorgeous, overbearing, dictatorial, Earl of Southwaite and his two BFF’s are actually agents of the government, trying to catch smugglers/French spies.
Fourth, it turns out the reason Daddy had been helping smugglers is that her brother Robert, whom most believed to be dead, was actually being held hostage to assure her father’s –and now Emma's—cooperation, even to the point of treason.
And finally, it seems that when the obnoxious, officious, domineering, condescending, gorgeous, overbearing, dictatorial, Earl of Southwaite wants to win an argument with her, all he has to do is…
…
…
…
…
…and she's Silly Putty.
This one was a little too alpha/sub for me. The hero never did have to check his domineering tendencies. She might've been described as having a biting tongue, but in truth, at times when I think any normal woman would
The story redeems itself by the end, though, so four stars.
March 2, 2013
If you have read the other reviews, you'll notice to words: bland and/or boring. I can only confirm it. This book is so forgettable that one star may be too much. Yes, the author writes in a competent manner, the plot seems interesting enough. But when all is said and done, everything is flat.
The problems start with the title itself. There's no surrender. Because there's no battle. We are promised a strong and intelligent heroine. But I failed to see her. After the first promising chapters, less than 20% in to the book, she transforms into a whimpering mass of hormones. He smiles, she whimpers and literally stop thinking. He seduces her in a bat. Literally.
There's no conflict that keeps you interested. Yes, the smuggling plot is there, but you don't feel it. You do not feel her desperation or his betrayal.
I really did not enjoy this book a whiff. Pity. Because the class difference for once weren't downplayed too much.
For a five star review, please read Hannah's: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The problems start with the title itself. There's no surrender. Because there's no battle. We are promised a strong and intelligent heroine. But I failed to see her. After the first promising chapters, less than 20% in to the book, she transforms into a whimpering mass of hormones. He smiles, she whimpers and literally stop thinking. He seduces her in a bat. Literally.
There's no conflict that keeps you interested. Yes, the smuggling plot is there, but you don't feel it. You do not feel her desperation or his betrayal.
I really did not enjoy this book a whiff. Pity. Because the class difference for once weren't downplayed too much.
For a five star review, please read Hannah's: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
November 29, 2012
Emma Fairbourne’s father has recently passed away, leaving her alone in the world. What Emma should do is allow the sale of the family business – the prestigious Fairbourne auction house – which would provide the money she needs to continue to live in the family home. But Emma has other ideas. She hopes that she can run the business herself, and preserve it for her lost brother’s return – for although everyone believes her brother died in a shipwreck a long time ago, Emma will not give up hope. But it won’t do to have a woman running such an establishment, even if she has spent most of her life helping her father to do it. Society just won’t allow it, and as Emma finds out, there will be many unforeseen obstacles in her way. One such obstacle is Darius Alfreton, the Earl of Southwaite. Why does he keep hanging around the auction house and why is he suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her father’s death? When Emma learns that he is actually a secret partner in the business, she begins to wonder what other secrets her father had.
This book is a Regency era romance between two people who seem destined to be apart – not only does society suggest they shouldn’t be together, but initially they also find each other deeply irritating. Emma may not be a great beauty, but there is something about her that people cannot pinpoint. She is honest and direct, and Darius finds her impossibly single-minded in her bid to keep the auction house running. Darius, meanwhile, is tall, handsome, moody and intense. He too is tenacious in his plans for the auction house. More experienced, he knows the physical effect he has on Emma and he hopes to use it to gain the upper hand, but to his frustration, he finds her obstinacy and directness somewhat alluring, and he is unexpectedly drawn to her.
The plot follows Emma and Darius’s separate paths of discovery in solving the mystery behind Emma’s father’s death and their frequent misunderstandings regarding the running of the auction house. The book is well written, detailing both Emma and Darius’s point of view, which helps you to engage with both characters and understand their motivations and viewpoints. I loved the descriptions of and witty comments about Emma and Darius’s tumultuous relationship, which often made me smile:
“You would also be wise not to call me presumptuous unless you are eager to see just how presumptuous an earl can be.”
“Then I will find other appropriate words. High-handed. Conceited. Arrogant…” She burned his ears with every other descriptive she could think of while the horse bore them away.
She stood. Her color rose. Her eyes flashed lightning. He half expected a spear to appear in her hand and for her to bellow a Celtic battle cry.
There were also some lovely descriptions of tender moments, where you are reminded of how alone and out-of-her-depth Emma must be feeling:
She did not have to stand alone in that embrace, or be strong. There was no sorrow while those kisses pressed her lips, her face and neck, and no worry or calculations. No thought at all, just the delight of new, fresh sensations, much like feeling the first warm spring breeze after a hard winter.
This book features many of the societal scandals typical of the Regency period, and with some spies, smugglers, art history and a country at war with France thrown into the mix, it provides an interesting backdrop to Emma and Darius’s story. With a rounded, heart-warming ending, I really enjoyed reading this first book in Madeline Hunter’s new series, and I look forward to reading more.
This book is a Regency era romance between two people who seem destined to be apart – not only does society suggest they shouldn’t be together, but initially they also find each other deeply irritating. Emma may not be a great beauty, but there is something about her that people cannot pinpoint. She is honest and direct, and Darius finds her impossibly single-minded in her bid to keep the auction house running. Darius, meanwhile, is tall, handsome, moody and intense. He too is tenacious in his plans for the auction house. More experienced, he knows the physical effect he has on Emma and he hopes to use it to gain the upper hand, but to his frustration, he finds her obstinacy and directness somewhat alluring, and he is unexpectedly drawn to her.
The plot follows Emma and Darius’s separate paths of discovery in solving the mystery behind Emma’s father’s death and their frequent misunderstandings regarding the running of the auction house. The book is well written, detailing both Emma and Darius’s point of view, which helps you to engage with both characters and understand their motivations and viewpoints. I loved the descriptions of and witty comments about Emma and Darius’s tumultuous relationship, which often made me smile:
“You would also be wise not to call me presumptuous unless you are eager to see just how presumptuous an earl can be.”
“Then I will find other appropriate words. High-handed. Conceited. Arrogant…” She burned his ears with every other descriptive she could think of while the horse bore them away.
She stood. Her color rose. Her eyes flashed lightning. He half expected a spear to appear in her hand and for her to bellow a Celtic battle cry.
There were also some lovely descriptions of tender moments, where you are reminded of how alone and out-of-her-depth Emma must be feeling:
She did not have to stand alone in that embrace, or be strong. There was no sorrow while those kisses pressed her lips, her face and neck, and no worry or calculations. No thought at all, just the delight of new, fresh sensations, much like feeling the first warm spring breeze after a hard winter.
This book features many of the societal scandals typical of the Regency period, and with some spies, smugglers, art history and a country at war with France thrown into the mix, it provides an interesting backdrop to Emma and Darius’s story. With a rounded, heart-warming ending, I really enjoyed reading this first book in Madeline Hunter’s new series, and I look forward to reading more.
November 7, 2020
Romance com paixão, suspense e algum humor... aborda personagens intensas e com caráter. História de um amor improvável entre um conde e uma senhorita não aristocrata, de ideais concisos, teimosa, inteligente e sentido de responsabilidade.
É emocionante o desenrolar da paixão entre ambos, sem tabus ou imposições e que acaba em amor profundo.
Escrita acessível e fluente que nos prende até ao último parágrafo.
É emocionante o desenrolar da paixão entre ambos, sem tabus ou imposições e que acaba em amor profundo.
Escrita acessível e fluente que nos prende até ao último parágrafo.
September 26, 2013
I should have been warned off by the word "Surrender" in the title.
It's good that you're warned because it then feels like that word or an equivalent synonym is included in every description of her interaction with or feelings towards the 'hero'.
Ugh, what a pathetic weak woman when it came to her man. I understand that's how women were raised in that time, but it wasn't that she was weak-willed or spineless. She's described as sharp tongued, she's determined to & shown to be able to run a business. I should've liked her.
Instead I rather despised her by the end. Everything was about her Submission/Surrender/giving in to him/her feelings, etc.
I refuse to go back to the book to find specific quotes - but descriptions of the hero were about his being "Frighteningly masculine" (frighteningly?? being frightened is not a good thing!) On and on about how masculine he was. He/his kisses Overwhelm her, blah blah blah. Even the sex scenes where described as him doing things to a rather passive recipient. I'm not saying she needed to be an experienced active lover, it was the descriptions that just reinforced my perception of her as a passive object.
The "hero" also annoyed me. He spends the book trying to boss her around, gets annoyed when she didn't listen. Then KIDNAPS her in order to get his way.
Which of course she forgives almost immediately, because you know he was right to take away her agency/decision in this matter --
because he's such a MANLY MAN who makes her lose her brain when he's around. puke!
I did not feel like there was any character development or getting to know each other - there was just Insta-lust which was labelled as "love". I felt that she merely gave in to him & became dependent, mostly due to lust & his bossiness/arrogance.
And would a previously rather sheltered Regency woman describe her feelings at seeing him as arousal or muse about erotic days?
[I felt like the author misused the word erotic in that scene. The heroine describes a two day period as 'erotic days'? I feel like you would label most of the activities you engaged in during those days erotic (not the days themselves) - but now I'm just nitpicking.)
It's good that you're warned because it then feels like that word or an equivalent synonym is included in every description of her interaction with or feelings towards the 'hero'.
Ugh, what a pathetic weak woman when it came to her man. I understand that's how women were raised in that time, but it wasn't that she was weak-willed or spineless. She's described as sharp tongued, she's determined to & shown to be able to run a business. I should've liked her.
Instead I rather despised her by the end. Everything was about her Submission/Surrender/giving in to him/her feelings, etc.
I refuse to go back to the book to find specific quotes - but descriptions of the hero were about his being "Frighteningly masculine" (frighteningly?? being frightened is not a good thing!) On and on about how masculine he was. He/his kisses Overwhelm her, blah blah blah. Even the sex scenes where described as him doing things to a rather passive recipient. I'm not saying she needed to be an experienced active lover, it was the descriptions that just reinforced my perception of her as a passive object.
The "hero" also annoyed me. He spends the book trying to boss her around, gets annoyed when she didn't listen. Then KIDNAPS her in order to get his way.
Which of course she forgives almost immediately, because you know he was right to take away her agency/decision in this matter --
because he's such a MANLY MAN who makes her lose her brain when he's around. puke!
I did not feel like there was any character development or getting to know each other - there was just Insta-lust which was labelled as "love". I felt that she merely gave in to him & became dependent, mostly due to lust & his bossiness/arrogance.
And would a previously rather sheltered Regency woman describe her feelings at seeing him as arousal or muse about erotic days?
[I felt like the author misused the word erotic in that scene. The heroine describes a two day period as 'erotic days'? I feel like you would label most of the activities you engaged in during those days erotic (not the days themselves) - but now I'm just nitpicking.)
April 22, 2013
I'm a huge MH fan, I never thought I would say this...ever. But this is one of the most boring books I have ever read. So bland, I wasn't excited when the two main characters got into bed together. And to think that this is the woman who gave the world the Rarest Blooms. In fact I thought she'd written this book back in the day, like early 2000's, only to learn that this book is quite recent.
Her writing is still good, and the banter between the characters has some charming moments but Emma gets so annoying and Darius can get too hypocritical. In fact these two seem to be meant for each other because on these pages they seem...colorless. I doubt I will remember their names in a week.
I'm disappointed and as I write this review I have about 80 pages to the end of the book and I don't care. I think I will skip to find out the end of the mystery and that will be it.
I think it is time I take a break from MH for a while, and wait until she comes out with a better book.
Her writing is still good, and the banter between the characters has some charming moments but Emma gets so annoying and Darius can get too hypocritical. In fact these two seem to be meant for each other because on these pages they seem...colorless. I doubt I will remember their names in a week.
I'm disappointed and as I write this review I have about 80 pages to the end of the book and I don't care. I think I will skip to find out the end of the mystery and that will be it.
I think it is time I take a break from MH for a while, and wait until she comes out with a better book.
March 22, 2020
Ahh I went on a Madeline Hunter bender and now I’m
fed up of her style. Three of her last four books I read had an extremely wealthy, successful man who is out to seduce a woman in some peril. Sure we can make the woman sharp or direct but she doesn’t stand much of a chance against her rich, powerful seducer even if he becomes noble late in the plot.
The power disparity was too much and too depressing for my taste.
The sad part is this book had potential to be very witty, sharp and funny. I imagine it in the hands of Loretta Chase and it would sing. The plot in three sentences: The lady wants to run her late father’s auction house and resorts fo subterfuge to do so! An Earl is the silent partner who won’t let her! Hijinks ensue!
Three stars since the plot and writing were decent.
Now I’m off to some Liz Carlyle or Loretta Chase to soothe my rage.
fed up of her style. Three of her last four books I read had an extremely wealthy, successful man who is out to seduce a woman in some peril. Sure we can make the woman sharp or direct but she doesn’t stand much of a chance against her rich, powerful seducer even if he becomes noble late in the plot.
The power disparity was too much and too depressing for my taste.
The sad part is this book had potential to be very witty, sharp and funny. I imagine it in the hands of Loretta Chase and it would sing. The plot in three sentences: The lady wants to run her late father’s auction house and resorts fo subterfuge to do so! An Earl is the silent partner who won’t let her! Hijinks ensue!
Three stars since the plot and writing were decent.
Now I’m off to some Liz Carlyle or Loretta Chase to soothe my rage.
March 27, 2012
Now finished:
I love the slow, luxurious quality of Hunter's writing. Her characters take their time to fall in love and frustrate one another, but the ending is more satisfying for it. I also think her books are better upon reread, when I'm not in a hurry to see how the book is resolved, but rather take the time to enjoy.
While reading:
This is going to sound like a backhanded compliment and I don't mean it that way at all, but --
I love how Hunter's characters say bland nothings to one another and the nothing they say mean everything through a small incline of the head or short pause. So much subtext!
I love the slow, luxurious quality of Hunter's writing. Her characters take their time to fall in love and frustrate one another, but the ending is more satisfying for it. I also think her books are better upon reread, when I'm not in a hurry to see how the book is resolved, but rather take the time to enjoy.
While reading:
This is going to sound like a backhanded compliment and I don't mean it that way at all, but --
I love how Hunter's characters say bland nothings to one another and the nothing they say mean everything through a small incline of the head or short pause. So much subtext!
August 26, 2024
I have been re-listening to available audiobooks from Madeline Hunter. I enjoy the settings and strong unconventional female characters. This one takes place with an auction house as the setting. Very unique and interesting. This is one of the first Hunter stories I ever read and the setting stood out and made the story somewhat more memorable than others. It is a great HR if you want something different with mystery and intrigue included, but may not suit you if your looking for something sweet and romantic story.
May 9, 2022
Terminado. En realidad ya terminé los cuatro libros de la serie Fairbourne Quartet pero los voy a comentar todos aquí. Brevemente.
Fairbourne es una casa de subastas. Los protagonistas masculinos son cuatro aristócratas amigos preocupados por lo que pasa en la Francia post revolución.
Es una serie que me atrajo porque:
- Ambientación no frecuente: en Inglaterra entre 1798 y 1799 en la etapa pre napoleónica, con miedo a una invasión francesa, con muchos espías y contrabandistas dando vuelta.
- Las heroínas son diferentes: Una dirige una casa de subastas, otra es una mujer de mundo, la siguiente una sospechosa francesa emigrada y por último, la despechada hermana de un conde con ansias de libertad. Ninguna es una delicada rosa inglesa.
Pero...
Pareciera que las cuatro novelas tienen el mismo esquema: las damas son empoderadas pero ocultan cosas que quieren resolver por ellas mismas pero, finalmente, es el héroe el que las salva.
Eso no estaría mal. El problema es que son tan ocultos los problemas que tienen que ni el lector los tiene claro. Y hacia el final, hablando, se aclara todo. Y no era para tanto. Y hacia el final surgen cosas nuevas, todo traído de los pelos y, en algunos casos, innecesarias.
Pensaba que eran mis problemas idiomáticos pero leyendo las críticas en inglés veo que no. Eso hace que no haya un enganche con la trama porque, como lector, uno quiere saber algo de lo que va la cosa y sino se vuelve aburrido. Y parece que hablan en clave, etc. etc.
Y si la seguí, justamente, es porque quería que me quedara claro la razón por la cual se habían batido a duelo en duque con el vizconde Lakewood. Un incidente de años atrás que impactó a todos y que atraviesa los cuatro libros. Pero se aclara en una página del cuarto.
El que más me gustó fue el tercero. Pero peca de lo mismo.
Fairbourne es una casa de subastas. Los protagonistas masculinos son cuatro aristócratas amigos preocupados por lo que pasa en la Francia post revolución.
Es una serie que me atrajo porque:
- Ambientación no frecuente: en Inglaterra entre 1798 y 1799 en la etapa pre napoleónica, con miedo a una invasión francesa, con muchos espías y contrabandistas dando vuelta.
- Las heroínas son diferentes: Una dirige una casa de subastas, otra es una mujer de mundo, la siguiente una sospechosa francesa emigrada y por último, la despechada hermana de un conde con ansias de libertad. Ninguna es una delicada rosa inglesa.
Pero...
Pareciera que las cuatro novelas tienen el mismo esquema: las damas son empoderadas pero ocultan cosas que quieren resolver por ellas mismas pero, finalmente, es el héroe el que las salva.
Eso no estaría mal. El problema es que son tan ocultos los problemas que tienen que ni el lector los tiene claro. Y hacia el final, hablando, se aclara todo. Y no era para tanto. Y hacia el final surgen cosas nuevas, todo traído de los pelos y, en algunos casos, innecesarias.
Pensaba que eran mis problemas idiomáticos pero leyendo las críticas en inglés veo que no. Eso hace que no haya un enganche con la trama porque, como lector, uno quiere saber algo de lo que va la cosa y sino se vuelve aburrido. Y parece que hablan en clave, etc. etc.
Y si la seguí, justamente, es porque quería que me quedara claro la razón por la cual se habían batido a duelo en duque con el vizconde Lakewood. Un incidente de años atrás que impactó a todos y que atraviesa los cuatro libros. Pero se aclara en una página del cuarto.
El que más me gustó fue el tercero. Pero peca de lo mismo.
February 7, 2024
3.5 stars
I love the way Ms. Hunter builds her worlds and the detail in her writing. Emma was a fantastic heroine. It was a bit odd that she wasn't more upset about her father's recent death given that it sounded like they had a strong relationship. In fairness, she explicitly acknowledged this at one point, so I suppose she was just so focused on saving the auction house (and other things) that she just didn't yet have the time or energy to grieve fully?
I thought the auction house-related aspects of the story were handled very well. The only reason I'm not giving this a true 4 stars is that the amount of time spent on those intrigues meant that we weren't really shown how or why Emma and Southwaite progressed from physical attraction to emotional attachment. I guess I'm just a sucker for those quiet scenes in which you get to watch the characters fall in love.
I love the way Ms. Hunter builds her worlds and the detail in her writing. Emma was a fantastic heroine. It was a bit odd that she wasn't more upset about her father's recent death given that it sounded like they had a strong relationship. In fairness, she explicitly acknowledged this at one point, so I suppose she was just so focused on saving the auction house (and other things) that she just didn't yet have the time or energy to grieve fully?
I thought the auction house-related aspects of the story were handled very well. The only reason I'm not giving this a true 4 stars is that the amount of time spent on those intrigues meant that we weren't really shown how or why Emma and Southwaite progressed from physical attraction to emotional attachment. I guess I'm just a sucker for those quiet scenes in which you get to watch the characters fall in love.
September 6, 2018
I didnt warm up to this book. It actually has a good plot, a mistery and such, but I just didnt fell in love with Darius and Emma. Emma is too naive for a merchant daughter of her age and Darius... I dont know, he always seem flat, no seductive at all. Maybe its just that I dont like bossy males too much lol But, the side characters are funny and Im looking forward for the next ones
January 1, 2020
I love the writing and the tension between Emma and Darius. I don't understand her reasons for reusing the Earl. She runs an auction house and he owns a stake in the venture. I have to say the author has done some stellar research about the art world! Would love to read the rest of the series!
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