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Bastion Club #7
The Edge of Desire
Christian, I need your help. There is no one else I can turn to . . . L.'
When Christian Allardyce, sixth Marquess of Dearne, reads these words, his world is turned upside down. Lady Letitia Randall is a woman like no other, and the day he left her behind to fight for King and Country was the most difficult of his life. He never forgot the feel of her lips against his, but never expected to see her again. Yet now she seeks his help, and Christian knows he cannot resist her plea.
Letitia believes Christian abandoned her when she needed him most, and she hates to call on his aid. But to clear his brother's name, she has sworn to use every weapon at her command, even it means seducing her former lover. Yet all the while, Christian is waging a war of his won - a campaign of pure pleasure and sweet revenge that will take them both beyond the edge of desire.
433 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 26, 2008
183 people are currently reading
1774 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,589 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
July 31, 2019
***4.0 "Widows Deserve a Second Chance" stars***
It was love at first sight for Christian and Letitia. She vowed to wait for him when he went off to war. That was 12 years ago.
Christian is the last single member of the Bastian club. All of his friends have found love and married strong intelligent women. He suspects he may never marry because the only woman he has ever loved is already married.
What a pleasant surprise this turned out to be because I wasn't expecting to enjoy this one so much. I loved the turn this one took and enjoyed the murder mystery that developed.
It was love at first sight for Christian and Letitia. She vowed to wait for him when he went off to war. That was 12 years ago.
Christian is the last single member of the Bastian club. All of his friends have found love and married strong intelligent women. He suspects he may never marry because the only woman he has ever loved is already married.
What a pleasant surprise this turned out to be because I wasn't expecting to enjoy this one so much. I loved the turn this one took and enjoyed the murder mystery that developed.
March 11, 2015
“I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you. I’ve always loved you, every day through all the years. I never stopped loving you. Even when I lay with Randall, it was you I was with in my heart.” She smiled softly. “That was yours from the first, and will be yours to the last."
This book was beautifully fast paced and well written....to me this one 'Bastion Series ' Best ! The best thing about this book was that there was an ACTUAL reason for the hero and heroine to have fallen apart...and it was just any other normal communicational misunderstanding :P
I'll be proudly stocking this book as one of this years 'Favourites ' ! Loved..loved..loved it ! Especially the ending...Just 'awwww' :')
This book was beautifully fast paced and well written....to me this one 'Bastion Series ' Best ! The best thing about this book was that there was an ACTUAL reason for the hero and heroine to have fallen apart...and it was just any other normal communicational misunderstanding :P
I'll be proudly stocking this book as one of this years 'Favourites ' ! Loved..loved..loved it ! Especially the ending...Just 'awwww' :')
October 28, 2008
I'm giving this one 4 stars, but that might be a little generous because though I did enjoy this one quite a bit, there were still some things I didn't like.
Christian is the last remaining bachelor of the Bastion Club, a group he and he friends formed so that they could find wives THEY wanted, not who they got pushed with. Like the others, he wants to marry, but his heart still belongs to the woman he loved and lost years before. She'd broken his heart and was unreachable. Until he receives a dire message from Letitia. She desperately needs his help. Her husband has been murdered and her brother stands accused. Though he knows he should stay away from her, he's helpless when it comes to her. But as he spends time with her, working on her husband's murder, he learns that things from the past aren't all that they seem. And he also learns that the passion and love that existed between them so long ago is anything but dead. The only problems are convincing Letitia to believe in a future for them, and finding out who really murdered her husband.
Like the other Bastion Club books, this one has got a decent mix of romance and moderately suspenseful plot. Though I'll admit I thought the other books has a better plot than this one, which seemed a bit predictable and obvious. I knew pretty much what was going to happen and there weren't any surprises at all with the plot resolution. But the story was still interesting enough to keep me reading.
Romance wise...I did enjoy Christian and Letitia a lot. There's an obvious chemistry between them. And their backstory adds a nice reunion element. Laurens did a great job of conveying the emotions of the characters and making me believe in them as a couple.
One of my complaints, though? A little too much sex in the book. There just seemed to me to be a lot of sex scenes...or maybe it was the fact that some of the scenes were really long. There was one that was approximately 15 pages (I counted) and halfway through I was bored to tears and just wanted them to get on with it. It made the book drag a bit at times. And it just wasn't necessary.
Another small quibble I had was the constant references to the Vaux family and their notorious reputation for being histrionic, emotional, etc. I couldn't count the number of times there were statements like "being a Vaux, and everybody knew about them" and I was just like, okay, I got it the first 10 times it was said. No need to repeat it!
So yeah, though this was mostly an enjoyable book, it had some issues. It was a pretty good edition to the series. I think if you've been reading the series, you'll probably like it. The epilogue, though? Super frustrating! Why? If you've been reading the series, you know about the mysterious Dalziel...well, the epilogue is basically an intro to his story, which whets your appetite...and then you see that his book won't be out until Fall 2009. Almost a whole year away. I don't want to wait that long! LOL. It should be an interesting story, though!
Christian is the last remaining bachelor of the Bastion Club, a group he and he friends formed so that they could find wives THEY wanted, not who they got pushed with. Like the others, he wants to marry, but his heart still belongs to the woman he loved and lost years before. She'd broken his heart and was unreachable. Until he receives a dire message from Letitia. She desperately needs his help. Her husband has been murdered and her brother stands accused. Though he knows he should stay away from her, he's helpless when it comes to her. But as he spends time with her, working on her husband's murder, he learns that things from the past aren't all that they seem. And he also learns that the passion and love that existed between them so long ago is anything but dead. The only problems are convincing Letitia to believe in a future for them, and finding out who really murdered her husband.
Like the other Bastion Club books, this one has got a decent mix of romance and moderately suspenseful plot. Though I'll admit I thought the other books has a better plot than this one, which seemed a bit predictable and obvious. I knew pretty much what was going to happen and there weren't any surprises at all with the plot resolution. But the story was still interesting enough to keep me reading.
Romance wise...I did enjoy Christian and Letitia a lot. There's an obvious chemistry between them. And their backstory adds a nice reunion element. Laurens did a great job of conveying the emotions of the characters and making me believe in them as a couple.
One of my complaints, though? A little too much sex in the book. There just seemed to me to be a lot of sex scenes...or maybe it was the fact that some of the scenes were really long. There was one that was approximately 15 pages (I counted) and halfway through I was bored to tears and just wanted them to get on with it. It made the book drag a bit at times. And it just wasn't necessary.
Another small quibble I had was the constant references to the Vaux family and their notorious reputation for being histrionic, emotional, etc. I couldn't count the number of times there were statements like "being a Vaux, and everybody knew about them" and I was just like, okay, I got it the first 10 times it was said. No need to repeat it!
So yeah, though this was mostly an enjoyable book, it had some issues. It was a pretty good edition to the series. I think if you've been reading the series, you'll probably like it. The epilogue, though? Super frustrating! Why? If you've been reading the series, you know about the mysterious Dalziel...well, the epilogue is basically an intro to his story, which whets your appetite...and then you see that his book won't be out until Fall 2009. Almost a whole year away. I don't want to wait that long! LOL. It should be an interesting story, though!
July 25, 2024
Reread on July 25, 2024: 3.5 stars. The class/deception politics is laughably so bad that it's great. Oh, Stephanie. It's wild that SL never gave Justin Vaux a book considering that every-other-boring-secondary-male-characters eventually ends up starring as a protagonist.
Finding out Dalziel's identity in the epilogue was a canon event when I was a teen. The Duke of WOLVERSTONE. A totally made-up title that sounds like a wolf. You simply had to be there. Read via audio (narrated by Steven Crossley).
Finding out Dalziel's identity in the epilogue was a canon event when I was a teen. The Duke of WOLVERSTONE. A totally made-up title that sounds like a wolf. You simply had to be there. Read via audio (narrated by Steven Crossley).
May 20, 2014
The heroine was a haughty conceited and unpleasant posh. Completely unlikable.
Moreover the author kept the mystery behind her marriage to another man, while secretly betrothed to Christian for over 110 pages, 1/3rd of the book, and that definitely killed all feelings I might have had for her if I had learnt all before.
I hated how she ordered him around, without giving him the tenth of the information he needed to pursue the investigation. Honestly in those conditions, I would have simply refused to help her. But on page 30 something, the hero wondered "what sort of self-flagellating moron" he was. I wondered too. And kept wondering that until the end of the book.
I deeply dislike when one member of one couple is completely dominated mentally by the other and behaves like a puppy. That's the case here and the reason why I did not enjoy this book.
Otherwise the investigation behind the mysterious previous husband and his business ventures was really interesting.
Moreover the author kept the mystery behind her marriage to another man, while secretly betrothed to Christian for over 110 pages, 1/3rd of the book, and that definitely killed all feelings I might have had for her if I had learnt all before.
I hated how she ordered him around, without giving him the tenth of the information he needed to pursue the investigation. Honestly in those conditions, I would have simply refused to help her. But on page 30 something, the hero wondered "what sort of self-flagellating moron" he was. I wondered too. And kept wondering that until the end of the book.
I deeply dislike when one member of one couple is completely dominated mentally by the other and behaves like a puppy. That's the case here and the reason why I did not enjoy this book.
Otherwise the investigation behind the mysterious previous husband and his business ventures was really interesting.
August 27, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Sep08
“The Edge of Desire” is Stephanie Laurens sixth book of her ‘Bastion Club’ regency novels. In short, the heroes of these novels have returned from the Napoleonic wars and found themselves prime bait for the matchmaking mamas of the ton. They formed their own club (hence the name) and decided to make their own decisions regarding their future wives as they have each now succeeded to their titles and need to marry to carry on the family name. I’ve read each of her Bastion Club novels, and I think this one is my favorite so far.
Christian returned from the war to discover the woman he loved hadn’t waited for him as she promised. He feels anger and bitterness that she broke her vow to him and has done his best to avoid contact as much as possible -- until he receives a visit from her, asking for his help. As much as he would like to turn her away…he just can’t.
Lady Letitia would rather handle problems by herself. But when her despised husband is murdered and suspicion falls on her beloved (and missing) brother, Letitia knows that only Christian can help her now. She’s well aware of what he thinks of her and knows that this would be the perfect opportunity for him to gain revenge for her ‘desertion’, but the honor of her brother and family is at stake. There’s NOTHING she won’t do to gain Christian’s assistance.
I, like many of Laurens’ fans, had begun to feel her novels had become stale, that I was reading the same novel over and again, just with different characters. I’m glad to say that with only a few exceptions, this novel has the mystery and pacing and fire of her earlier works. Ms. Laurens is a master of description, at times she tends to go a bit overboard, but she sets a stage that allows the reader to practically ‘see’ the balls and gowns, and houses and streets of London. This pacing of this novel was also much better than previous ones. The intricacies of the relationship and the mystery were slowly unfurled at an even pace throughout the book. There were only a few times that I felt any kind of lag in the plot.
My only real complaint, and how shocking is this, is her handling of the love scenes. She writes with passion and sensuality as she always does, but I also felt she was a bit TOO ‘flowery’ in this book. It came dangerously close to ‘purple prose’ and it felt like her editors had requested her to make the love scenes longer, so she added adjectives. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hot. It just felt more forced than her earlier works (and this is just MY opinion).
In any event, if you like regency romances and you haven’t read Stephanie Laurens, I really think you should. As her wildly popular ‘Cynster’ novels are now all first released in hardcover, these Bastion Club novels are the only paperback-first releases left for her fans. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Christian and Letitia and the battles they faced together and within themselves to finally come together after all their struggles and sacrifices. I’m also eagerly awaiting the last book of this series where the mystery of Dalziel will finally be revealed. His book which, according to her website, is “The Mysterious Dalziel” is to be released in Fall 2009. It’s already on my ‘buy’ list.
Til next time
JJ
“The Edge of Desire” is Stephanie Laurens sixth book of her ‘Bastion Club’ regency novels. In short, the heroes of these novels have returned from the Napoleonic wars and found themselves prime bait for the matchmaking mamas of the ton. They formed their own club (hence the name) and decided to make their own decisions regarding their future wives as they have each now succeeded to their titles and need to marry to carry on the family name. I’ve read each of her Bastion Club novels, and I think this one is my favorite so far.
Christian returned from the war to discover the woman he loved hadn’t waited for him as she promised. He feels anger and bitterness that she broke her vow to him and has done his best to avoid contact as much as possible -- until he receives a visit from her, asking for his help. As much as he would like to turn her away…he just can’t.
Lady Letitia would rather handle problems by herself. But when her despised husband is murdered and suspicion falls on her beloved (and missing) brother, Letitia knows that only Christian can help her now. She’s well aware of what he thinks of her and knows that this would be the perfect opportunity for him to gain revenge for her ‘desertion’, but the honor of her brother and family is at stake. There’s NOTHING she won’t do to gain Christian’s assistance.
I, like many of Laurens’ fans, had begun to feel her novels had become stale, that I was reading the same novel over and again, just with different characters. I’m glad to say that with only a few exceptions, this novel has the mystery and pacing and fire of her earlier works. Ms. Laurens is a master of description, at times she tends to go a bit overboard, but she sets a stage that allows the reader to practically ‘see’ the balls and gowns, and houses and streets of London. This pacing of this novel was also much better than previous ones. The intricacies of the relationship and the mystery were slowly unfurled at an even pace throughout the book. There were only a few times that I felt any kind of lag in the plot.
My only real complaint, and how shocking is this, is her handling of the love scenes. She writes with passion and sensuality as she always does, but I also felt she was a bit TOO ‘flowery’ in this book. It came dangerously close to ‘purple prose’ and it felt like her editors had requested her to make the love scenes longer, so she added adjectives. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hot. It just felt more forced than her earlier works (and this is just MY opinion).
In any event, if you like regency romances and you haven’t read Stephanie Laurens, I really think you should. As her wildly popular ‘Cynster’ novels are now all first released in hardcover, these Bastion Club novels are the only paperback-first releases left for her fans. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Christian and Letitia and the battles they faced together and within themselves to finally come together after all their struggles and sacrifices. I’m also eagerly awaiting the last book of this series where the mystery of Dalziel will finally be revealed. His book which, according to her website, is “The Mysterious Dalziel” is to be released in Fall 2009. It’s already on my ‘buy’ list.
Til next time
JJ
September 13, 2021
The Edge of Desire
2 Stars
This is the most disappointing installment in the series. While the mystery is interesting enough, the romance falls completely flat.
The heroine, Letitia Randall, is supremely unlikable. She is a shrew and a termagant who enjoys throwing temper tantrums, and the repeated excuse that her behavior, an apparent family trait, is acceptable and even welcomed by the ton wears very thin, very quickly. The hero, Christian Allardyce, seems quite happy to tune her out, which hardly adds to the romance.
Speaking of Christian, he has been on the fringes of the series thus far, and little information about his family and actions during his time undercover in France is forthcoming even in his own book. Most of the backstory revolves around his relationship with Letitia and the misunderstanding that serves as the basis for the second chances plotline.
The couple lack chemistry and their sex scenes are overly long, repetitive, and more mechanical than intimate. Aside from their physical attraction, it is difficult to understand what they see in one another.
The investigation into the death of Letitia's husband is much more interesting and the reason for my continued reading in the face of such an annoying heroine and lackluster romance. The locked-room-style mystery is entertaining and it is fun reading as the clues are uncovered and the villain is revealed. The ending is quite exciting, and the epilogue focusing on the enigmatic Dalziel makes me want to read his book right now. Alas, I have to wait for my hold at the library to come in.
On a final note, there is a factual error throughout the book that grates on the nerves. Letitia is constantly referred to as Lady Randall. This is inaccurate. As the daughter of an earl, her correct title would be Lady Letitia. Her husband, George Randall, was not a peer, and as such, she would not be Lady Randall.
2 Stars
This is the most disappointing installment in the series. While the mystery is interesting enough, the romance falls completely flat.
The heroine, Letitia Randall, is supremely unlikable. She is a shrew and a termagant who enjoys throwing temper tantrums, and the repeated excuse that her behavior, an apparent family trait, is acceptable and even welcomed by the ton wears very thin, very quickly. The hero, Christian Allardyce, seems quite happy to tune her out, which hardly adds to the romance.
Speaking of Christian, he has been on the fringes of the series thus far, and little information about his family and actions during his time undercover in France is forthcoming even in his own book. Most of the backstory revolves around his relationship with Letitia and the misunderstanding that serves as the basis for the second chances plotline.
The couple lack chemistry and their sex scenes are overly long, repetitive, and more mechanical than intimate. Aside from their physical attraction, it is difficult to understand what they see in one another.
The investigation into the death of Letitia's husband is much more interesting and the reason for my continued reading in the face of such an annoying heroine and lackluster romance. The locked-room-style mystery is entertaining and it is fun reading as the clues are uncovered and the villain is revealed. The ending is quite exciting, and the epilogue focusing on the enigmatic Dalziel makes me want to read his book right now. Alas, I have to wait for my hold at the library to come in.
On a final note, there is a factual error throughout the book that grates on the nerves. Letitia is constantly referred to as Lady Randall. This is inaccurate. As the daughter of an earl, her correct title would be Lady Letitia. Her husband, George Randall, was not a peer, and as such, she would not be Lady Randall.
August 22, 2016
Oh, man, this book kind of got pushed to the back of the shelf and I took a long hiatus from my quest to read through this series... Whoops. Well, I'm back on it now, only got this one and Dalziel's and I be done! Then I can maybe work on that one quartet of hers, Adventurer's maybe? Lol, I'd have to look it up. Anyway, back to the last Bastion boy! (Sounds like a boy band or something, no?) :D
Finished! 3.5 Stars.
Took me a minute to get back into Stephanie Laurens mode, and out of Jo Bev's Mallorens mode, as I have been absorbed in that series lately. Seriously, I kept thinking to myself, why are they not looking into this, investigating that, checking here or there? Dammit, where's Rothgar, he would have already thought of the right avenue of investigation. He'd have this sorted out in a trice! Ha! Nothing of the author's fault, just my own quirk for being stuck in that world. So once I refreshed my mind with the Bastion guys (and Dalziel, lol, he's totally the Rothgar of this series) and put myself back into the proper setting of this series, I was all in. The mystery, as usual, was totally the draw of this story. Laurens shines when there is mystery and mayhem afoot, and the lust and romance takes a secondary seat of importance for me. Yes, I liked Letitia (who, despite my never having mind-cast a previous Bastion heroine, my brain inserted Eva Green into her character (seriously, she could totally play up Letitia!) . I liked Christian as well. For him, I'm thinking to cast Pedro Soltz . So yea, there's my casting. Anywho, back to the story.
As I said, I liked the mystery, figuring out the truth behind Randall's death, and also the truth behind all of his mysterious business dealings, and his past. All very interesting. It was cool seeing Heathcote Montague pop in as the go-to man for financial dealings, as he's been a known character for a good while now. Also cool, the small cameo (or not-so cameo) appearances by good old Lady Osbaldestone and the Dowager Duchess of St. Ives (aka Devil Cynster's mum). That's a thing I always enjoy about SL's novels, is seeing other known characters, like it's all one big world, seeing different things they are up to besides the exploits of their own individual tales. When the truth comes to light about what Randall's business is, we get introduced to another one of those characters, Neville Roscoe. Least I think it's his intro, I could be, and likely am, wrong there. But yea, he turns out to be important in other books and gets his own tale as well, all of which are on my TBR. So it was cool. Made me look forward to learning about the enigma that is Roscoe. But, again, I digress! Back to this story!
The mystery was good, had me guessing, though there were only a handful of likely suspects. I was eyeballing more than one character to figure whodunnit. Meanwhile though, some of the little society scenes had me kind of looking askance, like, in what world other than this glittering SL world, would some of the things Letitia and Christian were doing, be acceptable? Like, nothing naughty in public, but like, her being in mourning, and only like a couple days into it, and yet going to salons and soirees and dinners, the theatre... Not to mention him, a man who is not a relative (though he is her ex lover) escorting her everywhere, popping in and out of her home freely at whatever hours he chooses. Just seemed as if, despite her family name, and their shared past, and the fact nobody really liked her dead husband, people wouldn't have really turned such a blind eye to the behavior of such a recently widowed (and in such scandalous fashion) high-society lady. Ah, but whatevs, this is the world of SL where powerful men and their wonder-women live, and even if I'm sighing and rolling my eyes at times, I can't help but enjoy every minute of it. Bring it on! Ok, maybe don't bring on so many long, metaphorically phrased love scenes next time. I was back to skimming em again after the first few in this one. It got to the point where they had some investigating, had some dinner, had some tea, got it on. Lather rinse repeat the next chapter. And the next. A couple scenes, ok, I can get down with that to establish/re-establish their bond and figure out their feelings. But by like, the tenth scene (I could be exaggerating :p) I was like, ok, got it, back to the investigation!
Mystery was solved in suitably exciting way, and I liked that. Still, despite only being briefly mentioned, there is still the over-arcing mystery of the secretive master spy guy who the Bastions and Dalziel have been after throughout the series. That should be solved next in Dalziel's book, and it should be interesting finally getting to know the real man behind Dalziel. His real name and title are now known to the crew, and it's his turn to claim his place in society, as well as his primal protective warrior status and a love of his own. At last! :D
Finished! 3.5 Stars.
Took me a minute to get back into Stephanie Laurens mode, and out of Jo Bev's Mallorens mode, as I have been absorbed in that series lately. Seriously, I kept thinking to myself, why are they not looking into this, investigating that, checking here or there? Dammit, where's Rothgar, he would have already thought of the right avenue of investigation. He'd have this sorted out in a trice! Ha! Nothing of the author's fault, just my own quirk for being stuck in that world. So once I refreshed my mind with the Bastion guys (and Dalziel, lol, he's totally the Rothgar of this series) and put myself back into the proper setting of this series, I was all in. The mystery, as usual, was totally the draw of this story. Laurens shines when there is mystery and mayhem afoot, and the lust and romance takes a secondary seat of importance for me. Yes, I liked Letitia (who, despite my never having mind-cast a previous Bastion heroine, my brain inserted Eva Green into her character (seriously, she could totally play up Letitia!) . I liked Christian as well. For him, I'm thinking to cast Pedro Soltz . So yea, there's my casting. Anywho, back to the story.
As I said, I liked the mystery, figuring out the truth behind Randall's death, and also the truth behind all of his mysterious business dealings, and his past. All very interesting. It was cool seeing Heathcote Montague pop in as the go-to man for financial dealings, as he's been a known character for a good while now. Also cool, the small cameo (or not-so cameo) appearances by good old Lady Osbaldestone and the Dowager Duchess of St. Ives (aka Devil Cynster's mum). That's a thing I always enjoy about SL's novels, is seeing other known characters, like it's all one big world, seeing different things they are up to besides the exploits of their own individual tales. When the truth comes to light about what Randall's business is, we get introduced to another one of those characters, Neville Roscoe. Least I think it's his intro, I could be, and likely am, wrong there. But yea, he turns out to be important in other books and gets his own tale as well, all of which are on my TBR. So it was cool. Made me look forward to learning about the enigma that is Roscoe. But, again, I digress! Back to this story!
The mystery was good, had me guessing, though there were only a handful of likely suspects. I was eyeballing more than one character to figure whodunnit. Meanwhile though, some of the little society scenes had me kind of looking askance, like, in what world other than this glittering SL world, would some of the things Letitia and Christian were doing, be acceptable? Like, nothing naughty in public, but like, her being in mourning, and only like a couple days into it, and yet going to salons and soirees and dinners, the theatre... Not to mention him, a man who is not a relative (though he is her ex lover) escorting her everywhere, popping in and out of her home freely at whatever hours he chooses. Just seemed as if, despite her family name, and their shared past, and the fact nobody really liked her dead husband, people wouldn't have really turned such a blind eye to the behavior of such a recently widowed (and in such scandalous fashion) high-society lady. Ah, but whatevs, this is the world of SL where powerful men and their wonder-women live, and even if I'm sighing and rolling my eyes at times, I can't help but enjoy every minute of it. Bring it on! Ok, maybe don't bring on so many long, metaphorically phrased love scenes next time. I was back to skimming em again after the first few in this one. It got to the point where they had some investigating, had some dinner, had some tea, got it on. Lather rinse repeat the next chapter. And the next. A couple scenes, ok, I can get down with that to establish/re-establish their bond and figure out their feelings. But by like, the tenth scene (I could be exaggerating :p) I was like, ok, got it, back to the investigation!
Mystery was solved in suitably exciting way, and I liked that. Still, despite only being briefly mentioned, there is still the over-arcing mystery of the secretive master spy guy who the Bastions and Dalziel have been after throughout the series. That should be solved next in Dalziel's book, and it should be interesting finally getting to know the real man behind Dalziel. His real name and title are now known to the crew, and it's his turn to claim his place in society, as well as his primal protective warrior status and a love of his own. At last! :D
September 13, 2016
My second book by Stephanie Laurens, I have read my first one only few months ago and I was eager to read another one. Although, I think this one was not as good as the previous one - A Gentleman's Honor.
I enjoyed the suspense part. It was interesting and well-constructed. It kept me guessing, even though it was not really innovative. But it had the atmosphere and it was enough complicated, even if a little bit slow sometimes. The suspense part definitely dominated the plot, the romance part was minor.
I also liked the characters - Letitia and Christian, both alone and as a couple, especially the heroine with her unusual for a romance book temperament. It was also nice that the characters from the previous books had such a great appearing in The Edge of Desire.
Even though, this book didn't grab me like the first one I read, I enjoyed the time I spent with it. And this is definitely not the last book by Stephanie Laurens or in this series I read. I'm looking forward to know the story of Denziel and other characters. It would be also great to read a book on Justin or Hermiona.
I enjoyed the suspense part. It was interesting and well-constructed. It kept me guessing, even though it was not really innovative. But it had the atmosphere and it was enough complicated, even if a little bit slow sometimes. The suspense part definitely dominated the plot, the romance part was minor.
I also liked the characters - Letitia and Christian, both alone and as a couple, especially the heroine with her unusual for a romance book temperament. It was also nice that the characters from the previous books had such a great appearing in The Edge of Desire.
Even though, this book didn't grab me like the first one I read, I enjoyed the time I spent with it. And this is definitely not the last book by Stephanie Laurens or in this series I read. I'm looking forward to know the story of Denziel and other characters. It would be also great to read a book on Justin or Hermiona.
September 18, 2008
This is about the same quality as the other Bastion Club novels - that is to say, mediocre at best.
It's a good thing that Stephanie Laurens includes a mystery to solve in the plot, because I don't think she does a very good job of building up romantic suspense between characters. Too much sex and not enough personality.
Her books proclaim her heroines to be strong, opinionated, intelligent, feisty women well able to negotiate society and manage a family. But somehow, other than proclaiming this, no character development actually shows any strength or intelligence. In this book, the heroine marries for money to save her family - and after her husband's murder, she has no idea where his money came from! And they've been married for many years!
I'm tempted to quit reading her novels, but I've been hooked by the little hints throughout the book about Dalziel, the Duke of Wolverstone, so I'll probably read that one when it comes out.
Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised.
It's a good thing that Stephanie Laurens includes a mystery to solve in the plot, because I don't think she does a very good job of building up romantic suspense between characters. Too much sex and not enough personality.
Her books proclaim her heroines to be strong, opinionated, intelligent, feisty women well able to negotiate society and manage a family. But somehow, other than proclaiming this, no character development actually shows any strength or intelligence. In this book, the heroine marries for money to save her family - and after her husband's murder, she has no idea where his money came from! And they've been married for many years!
I'm tempted to quit reading her novels, but I've been hooked by the little hints throughout the book about Dalziel, the Duke of Wolverstone, so I'll probably read that one when it comes out.
Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2016
Me ha gustado mucho este libro y los personajes guauuuu!!!! ella me ha divertido con su caracter vaux y el todo consideracion y aguante... ha habido momento divertidos y la trama del asesinato me ha encantado, ademas te deja con la incognita del jefe del club bastion asi que a leer el ultimo. Muy Recomendable!!!
June 11, 2017
2 y media
Stephanie nos cuenta la historia de Christian y Letitia.
Cuando eran jóvenes vivieron un romance apasionado, sin asignaturas pendientes. Luego él se fue a la guerra con la promesa de regresar para casarse. A los cuatro años Christian vuelve y encuentra a Letitia casada, aparentemente por amor, con otro hombre. Decepcionado y traicionado, luego de ocho años recibe un mensaje de ella pidiéndole ayuda. Va a verla más dispuesto a vengarse por su desplante que a ayudarla. La encuentra vestida de negro, viuda, con un marido recién asesinado y un hermano acusado del hecho. Letitia le pide ayuda para limpiar el nombre de su hermano Justin, ahora en fuga, y está dispuesta a pagar “cualquier precio”. Ella también siente que Christian la traicionó pero pasarán muchos capítulos para enterarnos qué pasó hace doce años entre ellos, quién mató a su esposo y quién era su esposo. Durante el trascurso, Letitia le irá dando apasionados adelantos del “pago”.
Debo decir que me gustó. Tiene un buen argumento, hay amor, desplantes, reencuentros, un crimen, misterios.
Muy bien, pero ……… me parece increíble lo que voy a decir: las escenas hot me hartaron!!!!!!!!
Las dos primeras, bien, pero quizá son demasiadas y al final las pasaba por arriba.
No sé, quizá el lenguaje excesivamente almibarado y poético, transcribo: y así… así….
Les digo porque a lo mejor a alguna de uds les gusta y lo disfruta. En realidad lo que pasó es que Christian le dió a Letitia, para que tenga, contra la ventana, contra el poste de la cama y un vuelta y vuelta sobre la cama. Está bueno, pero relatado así en páginas y páginas…. Me superó!
De cualquier manera, como el argumento está bueno, son detalles.
Stephanie nos cuenta la historia de Christian y Letitia.
Cuando eran jóvenes vivieron un romance apasionado, sin asignaturas pendientes. Luego él se fue a la guerra con la promesa de regresar para casarse. A los cuatro años Christian vuelve y encuentra a Letitia casada, aparentemente por amor, con otro hombre. Decepcionado y traicionado, luego de ocho años recibe un mensaje de ella pidiéndole ayuda. Va a verla más dispuesto a vengarse por su desplante que a ayudarla. La encuentra vestida de negro, viuda, con un marido recién asesinado y un hermano acusado del hecho. Letitia le pide ayuda para limpiar el nombre de su hermano Justin, ahora en fuga, y está dispuesta a pagar “cualquier precio”. Ella también siente que Christian la traicionó pero pasarán muchos capítulos para enterarnos qué pasó hace doce años entre ellos, quién mató a su esposo y quién era su esposo. Durante el trascurso, Letitia le irá dando apasionados adelantos del “pago”.
Debo decir que me gustó. Tiene un buen argumento, hay amor, desplantes, reencuentros, un crimen, misterios.
Muy bien, pero ……… me parece increíble lo que voy a decir: las escenas hot me hartaron!!!!!!!!
Las dos primeras, bien, pero quizá son demasiadas y al final las pasaba por arriba.
No sé, quizá el lenguaje excesivamente almibarado y poético, transcribo: y así… así….
Les digo porque a lo mejor a alguna de uds les gusta y lo disfruta. En realidad lo que pasó es que Christian le dió a Letitia, para que tenga, contra la ventana, contra el poste de la cama y un vuelta y vuelta sobre la cama. Está bueno, pero relatado así en páginas y páginas…. Me superó!
De cualquier manera, como el argumento está bueno, son detalles.
November 24, 2023
I'm not a huge fan of second romance and while i enjoyed this one , there's a certain loss when it comes to seduction scenes. The suspense part is good. One thing i enjoy about Laurens book is they are unapologetically patrician. They treat the aristocracy, the nobles as above the common folks and with clear master servant relationships with house staff.. While the sex scenes are abundant, one can say they are making up for 12 years of separation.
August 31, 2009
When I first read this book, I thought it was okay and that the author really had some promise if she could learn to focus more on driving the plot and less on explaining every deatial of the charaters' motives. Then to find out this author is an international best-seller and had written almost 50 books--well, I just couldn't believe it.
An experienced author like this really should understand the elements of "show, don't tell" and should have a balance between charater and plot. That alone made me change my rating from a three to a two. I have now read two of her other books--both written in the last year--and don't see the writing getting any better or any charaters standing out.
I know this sounds harsh, but if you can suggest any of her books that won't make me feel this way, I'm willing to give her another try.
An experienced author like this really should understand the elements of "show, don't tell" and should have a balance between charater and plot. That alone made me change my rating from a three to a two. I have now read two of her other books--both written in the last year--and don't see the writing getting any better or any charaters standing out.
I know this sounds harsh, but if you can suggest any of her books that won't make me feel this way, I'm willing to give her another try.
November 16, 2017
"The Edge of Desire" is the story of Christian and Letitia.
Christian is the last unmarried member of the Bastion Club. He has the same aspirations of marriage as the others- however he is cautious, having been burned by love before. All is well until he receives a letter from his once lover Letitia, to help her investigate her husband's death and clear the name of her brother Justin.
The story then progresses to the reason why Letitia married Randall, the mystery behind his death, the notorious "Vaux" family as well as exploring the re-ignited sparks between Christian and Letitia.
Honestly, the couple humped each other's brains throughout the book- the story was just a filler. Second chance romance, I struggled with the book because it felt repetitive and it was 300 pages too long.
Safe with major exceptions/Unsafe
2.5/5
Christian is the last unmarried member of the Bastion Club. He has the same aspirations of marriage as the others- however he is cautious, having been burned by love before. All is well until he receives a letter from his once lover Letitia, to help her investigate her husband's death and clear the name of her brother Justin.
The story then progresses to the reason why Letitia married Randall, the mystery behind his death, the notorious "Vaux" family as well as exploring the re-ignited sparks between Christian and Letitia.
Honestly, the couple humped each other's brains throughout the book- the story was just a filler. Second chance romance, I struggled with the book because it felt repetitive and it was 300 pages too long.
Safe with major exceptions/Unsafe
2.5/5
September 6, 2009
This was a murder mystery storyline with a ton of sex. The love story wasn't really there, though. Christian and Letitia were sweethearts, but he went off to be a spy and she got forced into a marriage to save her family's funds. her husband was murdered, and she asked Christian to help her clear her brother's name (the main suspect) and to find the real killer. They have a lot of sex, and find the killer Sherlock Holmes style. While I think it was a good storyline, it bored me a bit.
September 22, 2021
My least favorite of the Bastion Club series. I didn't find Letitia a sympathetic character. Or, frankly, Christian. The teaser epilogue is wonderful, though.
2018--liked it better this time through. Still not quite 4 stars
2019--Ditto. Favorite character is Justin...well after Dalziel.
2018--liked it better this time through. Still not quite 4 stars
2019--Ditto. Favorite character is Justin...well after Dalziel.
May 2, 2012
3.5 stars
Not sure why I keep reading this series, since most of the books are very similar to one another. Just the Hero and Heroine change. Guess the author has a way with words? Characters?
All I know is that if she'd trim 50 pages or so and cut through all the vacillating crap where the Heroine has a secret or something she's keeping to herself because she doesn't know if she can trust the Hero... and the Hero has his own agenda about deciding the Heroine is THE ONE for him, except he figures he needs to seduce her first and then tell her...
And yet, I still read them! Letitia and Christian were lovers 13 years ago, when she was 16-17 and he was 19-20. Then Christian joined the Guards, where he was quickly snapped up by Dalziel to join the British secret intelligence ranks in the war against Napoleon. Christian hadn't even had the time to officially offer for Letitia's hand, but the two of them knew it was official. Letitia promised to wait for Christian.
Except that Christian discovered 8 years ago that Letitia married George Randall, and it was supposedly a love-match. Christian is still furious with Letitia for her betrayal. And since he's been "retired" from his secret service, he's been avoiding her. Except that today, she showed up at The Bastion Club with an urgent message, which said she needed his help - he was the only one who could help her. When he bothered to appear, he noticed she was in mourning black. She quickly told him that her husband had been murdered the night before, and that her brother Justin was suspected of the murder - which, she claims, is completely ridiculous. Letitia needs Christian's help to find Justin (who's disappeared) and clear him of the murder AND discover who the true murderer is.
Except then we have to go thru pages and pages of wondering WHY Letitia won't tell Christian her reasons for marrying Randall and not waiting for him. Or IF her marriage was a happy one. And we have to endure Christian teasing and seducing Letitia - his price for her request - when he's really trying to drive her mad and punish her.
At least in this book, other members of The Bastion Club come to aid Christian quickly. And there's an obvious reason why Christian and Letitia can't be together until the mystery is solved. But because Letitia is a "Vaux" (an old ton family known for drama, temper, and emotional outbursts), she can still move freely about in Society without raising eyebrows; she knows just how to play it, and being a Vaux, she's expected not to stay with strict mourning rules. Especially since most of the ton was as bewildered as Christian is about why she married Randall at all. They all saw her with Christian, and even the day after Randall's murder, the influential ladies of the ton make it clear they expect Christian to come through this time and marry her.
THEN we have to endure pages and pages of the secrets of George Randall... It's somewhat fascinating, except, as usual, the author stretches it out way too long. No one knows quite where Randall came from. He doesn't seem to have any friends - none showed up at the funeral. He wasn't much for Society, except he did like to be around influential members of the ton, although Randall never asked for favors or befriended or tried to ingratiate himself with them. Randall seemed to show up in town 12 years ago with a boat load of cash. And he's 1/3 owner of something called Orient Trading Company, which has 14 unknown businesses that deposit large sums of cash into 3 different banks each week. So The Bastion Club members, including Dalziel, get involved to figure it all out with the help of their man-of-business Montague.
Since I skipped 4,5,&6, I don't know if Dalziel was in those books, but he was in #3 more than in 1 & 2. I wonder if he slowly made more and more appearances in this series? In this book, Dalziel figures prominently, hiding Justin in his own home after Christian finds him. It seems that Letitia and Justin know Dalziel's real name and address - something that intrigues the other members of the Bastion Club, because they don't know who he is. They know Dalziel's not his real name, and that he's "one of them" (aristocracy/gentry). But other than that, they don't know a thing about him.
I suspect because Christian is the last club member to have his story told (even though I suspect all of these stories occurred within the same London Season), Dalziel's story is in the final book. Which is likely why he figures prominently in this book. And why we start to learn more and more about him. He's fascinating!
Anyway... this book goes along as expected. The whodunnit isn't too surprising, although the reasons behind it are. Lots of secrets: Personal secrets, financial secrets, secret rooms, secret passions....
But Letitia and Christian are a good couple - as good as Penny and Charles from book #3. It's much easier to accept the main plot line of quick seduction when the two people in question knew each other well in the past - were friends and/or lovers before.
Not sure why I keep reading this series, since most of the books are very similar to one another. Just the Hero and Heroine change. Guess the author has a way with words? Characters?
All I know is that if she'd trim 50 pages or so and cut through all the vacillating crap where the Heroine has a secret or something she's keeping to herself because she doesn't know if she can trust the Hero... and the Hero has his own agenda about deciding the Heroine is THE ONE for him, except he figures he needs to seduce her first and then tell her...
And yet, I still read them! Letitia and Christian were lovers 13 years ago, when she was 16-17 and he was 19-20. Then Christian joined the Guards, where he was quickly snapped up by Dalziel to join the British secret intelligence ranks in the war against Napoleon. Christian hadn't even had the time to officially offer for Letitia's hand, but the two of them knew it was official. Letitia promised to wait for Christian.
Except that Christian discovered 8 years ago that Letitia married George Randall, and it was supposedly a love-match. Christian is still furious with Letitia for her betrayal. And since he's been "retired" from his secret service, he's been avoiding her. Except that today, she showed up at The Bastion Club with an urgent message, which said she needed his help - he was the only one who could help her. When he bothered to appear, he noticed she was in mourning black. She quickly told him that her husband had been murdered the night before, and that her brother Justin was suspected of the murder - which, she claims, is completely ridiculous. Letitia needs Christian's help to find Justin (who's disappeared) and clear him of the murder AND discover who the true murderer is.
Except then we have to go thru pages and pages of wondering WHY Letitia won't tell Christian her reasons for marrying Randall and not waiting for him. Or IF her marriage was a happy one. And we have to endure Christian teasing and seducing Letitia - his price for her request - when he's really trying to drive her mad and punish her.
At least in this book, other members of The Bastion Club come to aid Christian quickly. And there's an obvious reason why Christian and Letitia can't be together until the mystery is solved. But because Letitia is a "Vaux" (an old ton family known for drama, temper, and emotional outbursts), she can still move freely about in Society without raising eyebrows; she knows just how to play it, and being a Vaux, she's expected not to stay with strict mourning rules. Especially since most of the ton was as bewildered as Christian is about why she married Randall at all. They all saw her with Christian, and even the day after Randall's murder, the influential ladies of the ton make it clear they expect Christian to come through this time and marry her.
THEN we have to endure pages and pages of the secrets of George Randall... It's somewhat fascinating, except, as usual, the author stretches it out way too long. No one knows quite where Randall came from. He doesn't seem to have any friends - none showed up at the funeral. He wasn't much for Society, except he did like to be around influential members of the ton, although Randall never asked for favors or befriended or tried to ingratiate himself with them. Randall seemed to show up in town 12 years ago with a boat load of cash. And he's 1/3 owner of something called Orient Trading Company, which has 14 unknown businesses that deposit large sums of cash into 3 different banks each week. So The Bastion Club members, including Dalziel, get involved to figure it all out with the help of their man-of-business Montague.
Since I skipped 4,5,&6, I don't know if Dalziel was in those books, but he was in #3 more than in 1 & 2. I wonder if he slowly made more and more appearances in this series? In this book, Dalziel figures prominently, hiding Justin in his own home after Christian finds him. It seems that Letitia and Justin know Dalziel's real name and address - something that intrigues the other members of the Bastion Club, because they don't know who he is. They know Dalziel's not his real name, and that he's "one of them" (aristocracy/gentry). But other than that, they don't know a thing about him.
I suspect because Christian is the last club member to have his story told (even though I suspect all of these stories occurred within the same London Season), Dalziel's story is in the final book. Which is likely why he figures prominently in this book. And why we start to learn more and more about him. He's fascinating!
Anyway... this book goes along as expected. The whodunnit isn't too surprising, although the reasons behind it are. Lots of secrets: Personal secrets, financial secrets, secret rooms, secret passions....
But Letitia and Christian are a good couple - as good as Penny and Charles from book #3. It's much easier to accept the main plot line of quick seduction when the two people in question knew each other well in the past - were friends and/or lovers before.
September 28, 2012
The Edge of Desire ของสเตฟานี ลอว์เรนส์
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่เจ็ดในชุดสมาคมบาสชั่น แต่คุณไม่จำเป็นหรอกนะคะที่ต้องอ่านเรียงลำดับ และส่วนตัวแม็กซ์ก็คิดว่ามันเป็นการเสียเวลาด้วย เมื่อคิดว่าเกือบทั้งหมดหกเล่มในชุดมันไม่ได้สนุกสมราคมความเป็นสเตฟานีเลยด้วยซ้ำ
สมาคมบาสชั่นเป็นกลุ่มของอดีตสายลับเจ็ดคนที่กลับมาจากสงคราม และเผชิญหน้ากับความจริงที่ว่า พวกเขาไม่ได้เป็นทหารหรือสายลับอีกต่อไป แต่เป็นขุนนางแห่งราชอาณาจักรซึ่งมีความคาดหวังในการสืบทอดสกุลและบรรดาศักดิ์อยู่ แต่พวกเขาไม่ต้องการเป็นเหยื่อของบรรดาแม่ ๆ ที่ต้องการจับลูกเขยรวยให้ลูกสาวของตัวเอง ดังนั้นทั้งเจ็ดคนจึงร่วมมือกันตั้งสมาคมบาสชั่นขึ้น เพื่อเ็ป็นปราการด่านสุดท้ายในการปกป้องพวกเขาจากการแต่งงาน แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าพวกเขาไม่อยากแต่งหรอกนะ เพียงแต่อยากแต่งกับผู้หญิงที่เขาแต่ละคนเป็นฝ่ายเลือก ไม่ใช่โดนจับ
และคริสเตียน อัลลาไดซ์คือสมาชิกคนสุดท้ายที่ยังเป็นโสด และมันก็ไม่ใช่เพราะเขายังไม่เจอผู้หญิงที่ใช่หรอก หากแต่เพราะเขาพบเธอแล้วตั้งแต่เมื่อสิบสองปีก่อน ผู้หญิงคนเดียวที่กุมหัวใจของเขาไว้ทั้งดวง แต่ก็เป็นคนเดียวกับที่หักอกเขาเมื่อเธอแต่งงานกับไปกับคนอื่น
แต่โชคชะตาก็นำเลทิเชียกับมาสู่ชีวิตของคริสเตียนอีกครั้ง เธอต้องการความช่วยเหลือให้เขาสืบหาความจริงว่าใครคือคนร้ายที่ฆ่าสามีของเธอ และทำให้น้องชายของเธอกลายเป็นผู้ต้องสงสัยและถูกต้องการตัวจากตำรวจ (เป็นการเปรียบเทียบนะคะ สมัยนั้นยังไม่มีตำรวจ แต่เป็นเจ้าหน้าที่จากบอนด์สตีท) และเพื่อความช่วยเหลือนั้น เลทิเชียทำได้ทุกอย่าง และคริสเตียนก็รู้ว่าเขาต้องการอะไรจากเธอด้วย
หนังสือเล่มนี้จับใจแม็กซ์ตั้งแต่แรกที่เราเริ่มอ่าน นั่นเพราะความรักที่คริสเตียนมีต่อเลทิเซีย หญิงสาวที่ทรยศความรักของเขามันไร้ขอบเขต แม้จะรู้ว่าเขาควรจะใช้โอกาสนี้ในการแก้แค้นที่เธอปันใจจากเขาไปให้คนอื่น แต่คริสเตียนก็ยังต้องยอมรับกับตัวเองว่า ถึงอย่างไรก็ยังรักเธออยู่
"The truth was... even through he knew that she hadn't truly loved him, that contrary to what he'd believed, all that they'd shared in the past had been nothing more than a passing fancy to her, it didn't seem to matter.
He'd loved her then.
And he still did."
ซึ่งนี่่เป็นประเด็นที่ดึงความสนใจของเราเอาไว้ได้ ทำให้เราอยากรู้ว่า ทำไมเลทิเซียถึงทิ้งผู้ชายอย่างคริสเตียนไป แน่ล่ะมันเดาได้ไม่ยากนัก แต่สิ่งที่เราชอบมากก็คือ เมื่อความจริงเปิดเผย มันไม่ใช่เลทิเซียที่ต้องเป็นฝ่ายขอโทษ เธอเกรี้ยวกราด และโทษว่าเป็นความผิดของคริสเตียน และก็เป็นคริสเตียนนั่นแหละที่ต้องไถ่โทษ และขอหัวใจของเธอคืนมา
และนี่คงเป็นเหตุผลที่ไม่ค่อยได้เรื่องเท่าไหรที่แม็กซ์ชอบเล่มนี้ แต่มันก็ห้ามตัวเองไม่ได้หรอกนะคะ เพราะตั้งแต่อ่านหนังสือมา ก็เพิ่งมีเล่มนี้แหละที่แม็กซ์รู้สึกว่า นางเอกของเรื่องมีลักษณะนิสัยเหมือนตัวเราเองมากเลย
ไม่ใช่ที่ความสวยหรอกนะคะ (แม้แม็กซ์จะสวยมากไม่แพ้กัน) แต่เป็นที่นิสัยขาวีน และจอมโวยวาย ในเรื่องตระกูลนางเอกทั้งตระกูลขึ้นเรื่องในเรื่องอารมณ์ร้าย และปากจัด เวลาโมโหขึ้นมาก็จะโวยวาย และบ่นด่าจนอารมณ์เย็นลง ทำให้คนในวงสังคมหวาดกลัวเป็นอันมาก แต่ก็มีคริสเตียนเพียงคนเดียวที่รู้นิสัย และเห็นว่ามันน่ารัก (แล้วเราจะไม่รักคริสเตียนได้ไงเนี่ย) เขาเป็นคนเดียวที่รู้วิธีจัดการกับเลทิเซียเวลาเธอโมโห
นอกจากนี้แล้วเลทิเซียยังเป็นนางเอกที่อ่อนแอ และรอความช่วยเหลือ แม้กระทั่งเริ่มแรกเมื่อเธอต้องบากหน้ามาหาคริสเตียนเพื่อขอให้เขาช่วย เธอยังหยิ่งในศักดิ์ศรี และมีวิธีตอบสนองข้อเรียกร้องในการให้ความช่วยเหลือของคริสเตียนได้เด็ดขาดมาก (เขาขอให้เธอจูบเขา แต่เลทิเซียให้มากกว่านั้น และทิ้งให้เขานอนหอบหายใจอยู่บนพรม)
และคริสเตียน ไม่รู้สิคะ แต่พระเอกที่ชื่อว่าคริสเตียนมันเป็นพระเอกที่ยอดเยี่ยมเสมอ (ซุปเปอร์แมนจากสตีล สตรีท จำกันได้ไหม) และคริสเตียนในเล่มนี้ก็ไม่น้อยหน้า เขาเป็นพระเอกชนิดที่เรารักมาก คนที่แม้จะเข้าใจว่า นางเอกเป็นคนผิด และอยากแก้แค้นที่เธอทิ้งเขาไป แต่ก็ไม่เคยทำได้ เพราะเขารักเธอมากเกินกว่าจะทำเช่นนั้น
"My heart only ever had one thought, one want. One need. Despite all, in spite of all... All my heart has ever wanted is you."
แม็กซ์เชื่อในความรักของคริสเตียนและเลทิเซียมาก ตั้งแต่วินาทีแรกที่สองคนนี้กลับมาเจอกันอีกครั้ง จนถึงวันที่เลทิเซียยอมลดปราการที่หัวใจ และรับเขากลับเข้ามาในใจอีกครั้ง
เล่มนี้เป็นการกลับมาของสเตฟานี ลอว์เรนส์กับแม็กซฺอย่างรุนแรง หนังสือเรื่องสุดท้ายของเธอที่ทำให้แม็กซ์ชอบมากได้เท่านั้นก็ย้อนกลับไปเมื่อแปดปีก่อนกับเรื่อง A Secret Love (หรือพิศวาสสาวสองหน้าอ��นโด่งดังของพี่บานเขา) เล่มนี้ทำให้ศรัทธาที่เราเคยมีกับสเตฟานีกลับมา และทำให้เรารอคอยที่จะได้อ่านเรื่องราวของดาซิลเอล ซึ่งเป็นหัวหน้าสายลับของเหล่าสมาชิกแห่งสมาคมบาสชั่น ที่แม้จะไม่ใช่สมาชิกของสมาคมนี้ เรื่องของเขาก็ถูกรวมอยู่ในชุดด้วย
เขียนชมมากขนาดนี้ นางเอกยังนิสัยเหมือนเราอีกต่างหาก คะแนนจะไม่สูงได้ไง อยู่ที่ 87
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่เจ็ดในชุดสมาคมบาสชั่น แต่คุณไม่จำเป็นหรอกนะคะที่ต้องอ่านเรียงลำดับ และส่วนตัวแม็กซ์ก็คิดว่ามันเป็นการเสียเวลาด้วย เมื่อคิดว่าเกือบทั้งหมดหกเล่มในชุดมันไม่ได้สนุกสมราคมความเป็นสเตฟานีเลยด้วยซ้ำ
สมาคมบาสชั่นเป็นกลุ่มของอดีตสายลับเจ็ดคนที่กลับมาจากสงคราม และเผชิญหน้ากับความจริงที่ว่า พวกเขาไม่ได้เป็นทหารหรือสายลับอีกต่อไป แต่เป็นขุนนางแห่งราชอาณาจักรซึ่งมีความคาดหวังในการสืบทอดสกุลและบรรดาศักดิ์อยู่ แต่พวกเขาไม่ต้องการเป็นเหยื่อของบรรดาแม่ ๆ ที่ต้องการจับลูกเขยรวยให้ลูกสาวของตัวเอง ดังนั้นทั้งเจ็ดคนจึงร่วมมือกันตั้งสมาคมบาสชั่นขึ้น เพื่อเ็ป็นปราการด่านสุดท้ายในการปกป้องพวกเขาจากการแต่งงาน แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าพวกเขาไม่อยากแต่งหรอกนะ เพียงแต่อยากแต่งกับผู้หญิงที่เขาแต่ละคนเป็นฝ่ายเลือก ไม่ใช่โดนจับ
และคริสเตียน อัลลาไดซ์คือสมาชิกคนสุดท้ายที่ยังเป็นโสด และมันก็ไม่ใช่เพราะเขายังไม่เจอผู้หญิงที่ใช่หรอก หากแต่เพราะเขาพบเธอแล้วตั้งแต่เมื่อสิบสองปีก่อน ผู้หญิงคนเดียวที่กุมหัวใจของเขาไว้ทั้งดวง แต่ก็เป็นคนเดียวกับที่หักอกเขาเมื่อเธอแต่งงานกับไปกับคนอื่น
แต่โชคชะตาก็นำเลทิเชียกับมาสู่ชีวิตของคริสเตียนอีกครั้ง เธอต้องการความช่วยเหลือให้เขาสืบหาความจริงว่าใครคือคนร้ายที่ฆ่าสามีของเธอ และทำให้น้องชายของเธอกลายเป็นผู้ต้องสงสัยและถูกต้องการตัวจากตำรวจ (เป็นการเปรียบเทียบนะคะ สมัยนั้นยังไม่มีตำรวจ แต่เป็นเจ้าหน้าที่จากบอนด์สตีท) และเพื่อความช่วยเหลือนั้น เลทิเชียทำได้ทุกอย่าง และคริสเตียนก็รู้ว่าเขาต้องการอะไรจากเธอด้วย
หนังสือเล่มนี้จับใจแม็กซ์ตั้งแต่แรกที่เราเริ่มอ่าน นั่นเพราะความรักที่คริสเตียนมีต่อเลทิเซีย หญิงสาวที่ทรยศความรักของเขามันไร้ขอบเขต แม้จะรู้ว่าเขาควรจะใช้โอกาสนี้ในการแก้แค้นที่เธอปันใจจากเขาไปให้คนอื่น แต่คริสเตียนก็ยังต้องยอมรับกับตัวเองว่า ถึงอย่างไรก็ยังรักเธออยู่
"The truth was... even through he knew that she hadn't truly loved him, that contrary to what he'd believed, all that they'd shared in the past had been nothing more than a passing fancy to her, it didn't seem to matter.
He'd loved her then.
And he still did."
ซึ่งนี่่เป็นประเด็นที่ดึงความสนใจของเราเอาไว้ได้ ทำให้เราอยากรู้ว่า ทำไมเลทิเซียถึงทิ้งผู้ชายอย่างคริสเตียนไป แน่ล่ะมันเดาได้ไม่ยากนัก แต่สิ่งที่เราชอบมากก็คือ เมื่อความจริงเปิดเผย มันไม่ใช่เลทิเซียที่ต้องเป็นฝ่ายขอโทษ เธอเกรี้ยวกราด และโทษว่าเป็นความผิดของคริสเตียน และก็เป็นคริสเตียนนั่นแหละที่ต้องไถ่โทษ และขอหัวใจของเธอคืนมา
และนี่คงเป็นเหตุผลที่ไม่ค่อยได้เรื่องเท่าไหรที่แม็กซ์ชอบเล่มนี้ แต่มันก็ห้ามตัวเองไม่ได้หรอกนะคะ เพราะตั้งแต่อ่านหนังสือมา ก็เพิ่งมีเล่มนี้แหละที่แม็กซ์รู้สึกว่า นางเอกของเรื่องมีลักษณะนิสัยเหมือนตัวเราเองมากเลย
ไม่ใช่ที่ความสวยหรอกนะคะ (แม้แม็กซ์จะสวยมากไม่แพ้กัน) แต่เป็นที่นิสัยขาวีน และจอมโวยวาย ในเรื่องตระกูลนางเอกทั้งตระกูลขึ้นเรื่องในเรื่องอารมณ์ร้าย และปากจัด เวลาโมโหขึ้นมาก็จะโวยวาย และบ่นด่าจนอารมณ์เย็นลง ทำให้คนในวงสังคมหวาดกลัวเป็นอันมาก แต่ก็มีคริสเตียนเพียงคนเดียวที่รู้นิสัย และเห็นว่ามันน่ารัก (แล้วเราจะไม่รักคริสเตียนได้ไงเนี่ย) เขาเป็นคนเดียวที่รู้วิธีจัดการกับเลทิเซียเวลาเธอโมโห
นอกจากนี้แล้วเลทิเซียยังเป็นนางเอกที่อ่อนแอ และรอความช่วยเหลือ แม้กระทั่งเริ่มแรกเมื่อเธอต้องบากหน้ามาหาคริสเตียนเพื่อขอให้เขาช่วย เธอยังหยิ่งในศักดิ์ศรี และมีวิธีตอบสนองข้อเรียกร้องในการให้ความช่วยเหลือของคริสเตียนได้เด็ดขาดมาก (เขาขอให้เธอจูบเขา แต่เลทิเซียให้มากกว่านั้น และทิ้งให้เขานอนหอบหายใจอยู่บนพรม)
และคริสเตียน ไม่รู้สิคะ แต่พระเอกที่ชื่อว่าคริสเตียนมันเป็นพระเอกที่ยอดเยี่ยมเสมอ (ซุปเปอร์แมนจากสตีล สตรีท จำกันได้ไหม) และคริสเตียนในเล่มนี้ก็ไม่น้อยหน้า เขาเป็นพระเอกชนิดที่เรารักมาก คนที่แม้จะเข้าใจว่า นางเอกเป็นคนผิด และอยากแก้แค้นที่เธอทิ้งเขาไป แต่ก็ไม่เคยทำได้ เพราะเขารักเธอมากเกินกว่าจะทำเช่นนั้น
"My heart only ever had one thought, one want. One need. Despite all, in spite of all... All my heart has ever wanted is you."
แม็กซ์เชื่อในความรักของคริสเตียนและเลทิเซียมาก ตั้งแต่วินาทีแรกที่สองคนนี้กลับมาเจอกันอีกครั้ง จนถึงวันที่เลทิเซียยอมลดปราการที่หัวใจ และรับเขากลับเข้ามาในใจอีกครั้ง
เล่มนี้เป็นการกลับมาของสเตฟานี ลอว์เรนส์กับแม็กซฺอย่างรุนแรง หนังสือเรื่องสุดท้ายของเธอที่ทำให้แม็กซ์ชอบมากได้เท่านั้นก็ย้อนกลับไปเมื่อแปดปีก่อนกับเรื่อง A Secret Love (หรือพิศวาสสาวสองหน้าอ��นโด่งดังของพี่บานเขา) เล่มนี้ทำให้ศรัทธาที่เราเคยมีกับสเตฟานีกลับมา และทำให้เรารอคอยที่จะได้อ่านเรื่องราวของดาซิลเอล ซึ่งเป็นหัวหน้าสายลับของเหล่าสมาชิกแห่งสมาคมบาสชั่น ที่แม้จะไม่ใช่สมาชิกของสมาคมนี้ เรื่องของเขาก็ถูกรวมอยู่ในชุดด้วย
เขียนชมมากขนาดนี้ นางเอกยังนิสัยเหมือนเราอีกต่างหาก คะแนนจะไม่สูงได้ไง อยู่ที่ 87
March 4, 2017
This one is my least favorite of the series. On the bright side, we have a break in the formula of Bastion club books. Here it seems, that Christian Allardyce has been in love with Letitia for over 12 years...but some 8 years back or so, she married another man and broke Christian's heart (while he was int he war). Now, her husband has been murdered, her brother is the suspect and Letitia wants Christian's help.
At the 30% mark, I nearly threw my Kindle across the room. That rarely happens to me. And this requires revealing a major I also think the biggest reason I had problems with this is because we start out with Christian's point of view, experiencing his pain and vulnerability. To have it .
Oh, and the Vaux personality...the temper which needs to vent periodically and for short durations. Not really all that amusing. It's actually quite childish and doesn't make me like the heroine any more. It's like a toddler on a temper tantrum. Ignore it and it's over...which is precisely what the hero does. Wish I could have done it with this book. So then I have to watch them having lots of sex (she still hasn't forgiven him and he's doing everything he can to earn her forgiveness...not that I think he needs to) while tracking down a murder. And this whole romance is hinging on her vulnerability and his not wanting to ever hurt her again - only I didn't buy into him having hurt her in the first place - so it all really feels pointless. I kept waiting for some revelation that would make her realize that it was never really his fault either. And then of course, the book took forever and there were entirely too many sex scenes...as is typical of this series.
At the 30% mark, I nearly threw my Kindle across the room. That rarely happens to me. And this requires revealing a major I also think the biggest reason I had problems with this is because we start out with Christian's point of view, experiencing his pain and vulnerability. To have it .
Oh, and the Vaux personality...the temper which needs to vent periodically and for short durations. Not really all that amusing. It's actually quite childish and doesn't make me like the heroine any more. It's like a toddler on a temper tantrum. Ignore it and it's over...which is precisely what the hero does. Wish I could have done it with this book. So then I have to watch them having lots of sex (she still hasn't forgiven him and he's doing everything he can to earn her forgiveness...not that I think he needs to) while tracking down a murder. And this whole romance is hinging on her vulnerability and his not wanting to ever hurt her again - only I didn't buy into him having hurt her in the first place - so it all really feels pointless. I kept waiting for some revelation that would make her realize that it was never really his fault either. And then of course, the book took forever and there were entirely too many sex scenes...as is typical of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2019
I'm giving this book 3 stars soley because of the mystery. I wish the author had concentrated more on this aspect of the book than the "romance."
Yes, I put it in quotes. Christian is a moron. He's mad at Letitia because she didn't wait for him to come home from the war. She married another man. Then you find out he was gone TWELVE YEARS because he enjoyed the excitement!!! And HE'S mad at her. What a jerk! To top it off Letitia married under duress because Christian left no way for her to contact him.
And then there's sex. Right away. Even though they're both mad at each other. And then MORE sex. In fact, the first half of the book was mainly sex. I like a steamy scene or two but then it becomes filler.
The who-done-it part was well done. Justin, her brother, is the prime suspect only because he does something incomprehensible to me. Without even checking that his conclusion is correct!
I barely made it through the book and without the mystery, I wouldn't have.
I find Stephanie Laurens' books are hit and miss. Some I really didn't like and some were wonderful.
Yes, I put it in quotes. Christian is a moron. He's mad at Letitia because she didn't wait for him to come home from the war. She married another man. Then you find out he was gone TWELVE YEARS because he enjoyed the excitement!!! And HE'S mad at her. What a jerk! To top it off Letitia married under duress because Christian left no way for her to contact him.
And then there's sex. Right away. Even though they're both mad at each other. And then MORE sex. In fact, the first half of the book was mainly sex. I like a steamy scene or two but then it becomes filler.
The who-done-it part was well done. Justin, her brother, is the prime suspect only because he does something incomprehensible to me. Without even checking that his conclusion is correct!
I barely made it through the book and without the mystery, I wouldn't have.
I find Stephanie Laurens' books are hit and miss. Some I really didn't like and some were wonderful.
March 26, 2012
Best Romance Nomanee RITA Awards...
Yah.. Emang keren kok ceritanya.. Romantis dari Awal.. hahahha...
Sempet sebel sama Letitia nya... tapi ternyata.. Emang salah Christian... hahahhha...
Gw suka cara Christian memperjuangkan Letitia disini.. manisnya... xD
Dalziel banyak banget peran disini... Feeling gw sih.. karna dia masih ada hubungan keluarga sama keluarga Vaux, keluarga nya Letitia (bener ga yaaahhh??? #Sotoy)
Abis ini mau baca Dalziel...
Dalziel.. dalziel.. Dalziel.. xD
==PecintaPriaNakalBersaksi...Pada serius banget disini.. hahahha====
Yah.. Emang keren kok ceritanya.. Romantis dari Awal.. hahahha...
Sempet sebel sama Letitia nya... tapi ternyata.. Emang salah Christian... hahahhha...
Gw suka cara Christian memperjuangkan Letitia disini.. manisnya... xD
Dalziel banyak banget peran disini... Feeling gw sih.. karna dia masih ada hubungan keluarga sama keluarga Vaux, keluarga nya Letitia (bener ga yaaahhh??? #Sotoy)
Abis ini mau baca Dalziel...
Dalziel.. dalziel.. Dalziel.. xD
==PecintaPriaNakalBersaksi...Pada serius banget disini.. hahahha====
December 22, 2008
Picked this up at the airport in Las Vegas out of desperation after missing my flight. To put it simply, this book is absolutely terrible. I passed it off to a friend who is a fan of earlier books by author Laurens and she thought it was awful too. Went directly to the donation pile. Really an awful book.
April 29, 2010
I wasn't very wowed in Christian and Leticia as a couple. He had an interesting history and I liked him on his own, but she was a bossy, nagging pill. He could've done much better.
The mystery portion of the story was fairly engaging and ended up being the best part of this book. But obviously, if you're looking for a MYSTERY, don't pick up this book.
The mystery portion of the story was fairly engaging and ended up being the best part of this book. But obviously, if you're looking for a MYSTERY, don't pick up this book.
May 12, 2011
OUCH! I didn't even get through the first five chapters. I am sorry but I refuse to finish a romance where the couple gets together in the biblical way within the first three chapters of the book. What is to keep my interest now? The big secret our fiesty heroine is keeping? Sorry but we all have secrets but not all of us have hunky men after us.
April 20, 2011
I sorta liked the whole concept...but it was sooooo dragged out! I actually couldn't finish it. I usually finish a book in one night but I found myself taking 2 nights to only read 210 pages because I kept putting it down out of boredom!
January 20, 2025
I don't know why I love Stephanie Laurens so much. The stories are SO predictable, the sex scenes are SO boring and repetitive (to the point where I skip them entirely), and yet, I can't stop reading them.
March 12, 2020
4 Stars
June 28, 2023
En la misma línea q las demás, pero con sustanciales diferencias.
Christian es el último soltero que queda en el Club Bastion. Pero no está soltero xq se niegue a casarse, sino xq años antes entregó su corazón y fue traicionado...o al menos eso es lo q él cree.
Christian&Letitia son una pareja de décadas atrás q se ven separados, primero x la guerra y luego x las circunstancias, q no son otras q el matrimonio de ella con otro hombre. Por años Christian se ha sentido traicionado xq Letitia no lo esperó y ella se ha sentido traicionada xq él cree q ella lo traicionó. Obviamente hay mucha más tela q cortar y tengo q reconocer q la autora se ha superado en esta trama xq el suspense, q en libros anteriores era accesoria, x no decir meramente anecdótica en algunos casos, está íntimamente conectado con las circunstancias q separaron a nuestros amantes en el pasado y x la supuesta "traición" de Letitia.
También me ha gustado muchísimo la pareja estelar, principalmente ella. Letitia tiene todo en común con las demás damas del Club Bastion, xq es una mujer adulta, sumamente inteligente y lidera su clan como solo lo hace quien nació para gobernar. Pero a diferencia de las demás féminas de la serie - todas mujeres prudentes, controladas, nada temperamentales - Letitia es un vendaval desatado, a la q le gusta hacer drama y dejarse llevar x sus pasiones. Como personaje femenino no es usual permitir q una mujer inteligente y capaz sea igualmente emocional, supongo q x resabios de feminismo mal entendido q cree q una mujer no puede armar una gran camorra cuando así lo ameriten las circunstancias y seguir siendo inteligente y capaz cuando pasa la tormenta. Pero esa es precisamente la carácterística no solo de Letitia sino de toda su familia, gente emocional, q hace un drama de absolutamente todo, sea para bien o para mal, invocan una tempestad, la doman y juegan con ella para luego permitir q vuelva la calma y seguir como si nada. Y resulta q a Christian le encanta esa característica de su amor, le fascina y hasta se regodea en ella, relajado y absolutamente encantado con el vendaval q arma Letitia cuando y cuanto se le antoja.
Hay un marcado clasismo en la trama, al punto q nos pasamos toda la novela recordando q Letitia lleva nombre de casada pero nación con otro de soltera; pero entendemos eso conforme nos vamos enterando con quien se casó. Y aunq muchos dirán q esta mujer es de lo más snob del mundo, creo q es importante tomar las cosas con una mente menos democrática a la hora de leer y entender a estos personajes, xq en la época q toca esta historia, simplemente existían cosas q uno no hacía y personas con las q simplemente no te casabas, especialmente si estabas perdidamente enamorada de otro q sí llenaba - y con solidez - los altos standares de la Buena Sociedad.
Muy buenos secundarios pero con participación justa para rellenar y aunq el villano final resulta previsible, cuesta un poco llegar a él, descansando todo el peso de la trama en el romance y el suspense. Y como guinda para del pastel: finamente sabemos quien es Dalziel...pero esa es otra historia...
Christian es el último soltero que queda en el Club Bastion. Pero no está soltero xq se niegue a casarse, sino xq años antes entregó su corazón y fue traicionado...o al menos eso es lo q él cree.
Christian&Letitia son una pareja de décadas atrás q se ven separados, primero x la guerra y luego x las circunstancias, q no son otras q el matrimonio de ella con otro hombre. Por años Christian se ha sentido traicionado xq Letitia no lo esperó y ella se ha sentido traicionada xq él cree q ella lo traicionó. Obviamente hay mucha más tela q cortar y tengo q reconocer q la autora se ha superado en esta trama xq el suspense, q en libros anteriores era accesoria, x no decir meramente anecdótica en algunos casos, está íntimamente conectado con las circunstancias q separaron a nuestros amantes en el pasado y x la supuesta "traición" de Letitia.
También me ha gustado muchísimo la pareja estelar, principalmente ella. Letitia tiene todo en común con las demás damas del Club Bastion, xq es una mujer adulta, sumamente inteligente y lidera su clan como solo lo hace quien nació para gobernar. Pero a diferencia de las demás féminas de la serie - todas mujeres prudentes, controladas, nada temperamentales - Letitia es un vendaval desatado, a la q le gusta hacer drama y dejarse llevar x sus pasiones. Como personaje femenino no es usual permitir q una mujer inteligente y capaz sea igualmente emocional, supongo q x resabios de feminismo mal entendido q cree q una mujer no puede armar una gran camorra cuando así lo ameriten las circunstancias y seguir siendo inteligente y capaz cuando pasa la tormenta. Pero esa es precisamente la carácterística no solo de Letitia sino de toda su familia, gente emocional, q hace un drama de absolutamente todo, sea para bien o para mal, invocan una tempestad, la doman y juegan con ella para luego permitir q vuelva la calma y seguir como si nada. Y resulta q a Christian le encanta esa característica de su amor, le fascina y hasta se regodea en ella, relajado y absolutamente encantado con el vendaval q arma Letitia cuando y cuanto se le antoja.
Hay un marcado clasismo en la trama, al punto q nos pasamos toda la novela recordando q Letitia lleva nombre de casada pero nación con otro de soltera; pero entendemos eso conforme nos vamos enterando con quien se casó. Y aunq muchos dirán q esta mujer es de lo más snob del mundo, creo q es importante tomar las cosas con una mente menos democrática a la hora de leer y entender a estos personajes, xq en la época q toca esta historia, simplemente existían cosas q uno no hacía y personas con las q simplemente no te casabas, especialmente si estabas perdidamente enamorada de otro q sí llenaba - y con solidez - los altos standares de la Buena Sociedad.
Muy buenos secundarios pero con participación justa para rellenar y aunq el villano final resulta previsible, cuesta un poco llegar a él, descansando todo el peso de la trama en el romance y el suspense. Y como guinda para del pastel: finamente sabemos quien es Dalziel...pero esa es otra historia...
February 6, 2024
Ehhh, Christian might be the villain.
First of all, the age difference. When they met and fell in love she was "barely 16" and he was 22. Ew. I know writers have this whole idea that it was normal, but it wasn't and even if it was, why are you feeding into it? Even going so far as to make her the one pushing for them to be sexually active.
So they had a year of getting to know each other before he went to war. She would have been 17, he was 23. She promises to wait for him to return. 4 years go by and she hasn't heard from him, when she tries to contact him where he said he'd be she's told he hasn't been there in years. He never made any arrangements for her so she's on her own and backed into a corner and she marries to save her family. Three more years go by and he finds out she's married. Instead of thinking to himself- well. It has been SEVEN years since I've been in touch. She might have thought I DIED. Christian instead thinks - she's betrayed me. And then progresses to sleeping around for the next five years. Even if her marriage to Randall had been a love match he has no grounds for anger. And this is from someone (me) who has said since day one with my husband that he is and will ever be my only. So I get devotion.
And then Randall. He easily could have been written as the hero of the story and actually, somebody should. He starts life as a farmer's son and is able to go to a good school. He conceives of an idea to better himself, not doing anything illegal. He marries a woman for her family, like most everyone, and leaves her to do what she wants. He doesn't pressure her for sex or children. He asks that she be a good hostess. She in turn speaks abusively to and about him, denies him companionship, and compares him to a lover she had. Rather than ruin her for having a lover before marriage, he leaves her be. His staff are loyal to him, he has an extremely low turnover rate of employees. He handles his business meticulously and wisely. He employs women in positions with authority. He is eventually killed by one of his two friends for the simple crime of wanting to sell, but not forcing anyone to do so.
And Letitia. Verbally abusive to her husband and staff. She also throws things. But it's okay because she a 'Vaux' and they're just passionate like that. Toxic as hell more like. When she finds out her husband was a farmer's son she is mortified. She'd never stoop so low as to marry a man who...worked to drag himself up higher than most in the ton? She's disgusted, and disgusting in her views.
Aside from those things, the book is entirely too long and it's moral compass is busted.
First of all, the age difference. When they met and fell in love she was "barely 16" and he was 22. Ew. I know writers have this whole idea that it was normal, but it wasn't and even if it was, why are you feeding into it? Even going so far as to make her the one pushing for them to be sexually active.
So they had a year of getting to know each other before he went to war. She would have been 17, he was 23. She promises to wait for him to return. 4 years go by and she hasn't heard from him, when she tries to contact him where he said he'd be she's told he hasn't been there in years. He never made any arrangements for her so she's on her own and backed into a corner and she marries to save her family. Three more years go by and he finds out she's married. Instead of thinking to himself- well. It has been SEVEN years since I've been in touch. She might have thought I DIED. Christian instead thinks - she's betrayed me. And then progresses to sleeping around for the next five years. Even if her marriage to Randall had been a love match he has no grounds for anger. And this is from someone (me) who has said since day one with my husband that he is and will ever be my only. So I get devotion.
And then Randall. He easily could have been written as the hero of the story and actually, somebody should. He starts life as a farmer's son and is able to go to a good school. He conceives of an idea to better himself, not doing anything illegal. He marries a woman for her family, like most everyone, and leaves her to do what she wants. He doesn't pressure her for sex or children. He asks that she be a good hostess. She in turn speaks abusively to and about him, denies him companionship, and compares him to a lover she had. Rather than ruin her for having a lover before marriage, he leaves her be. His staff are loyal to him, he has an extremely low turnover rate of employees. He handles his business meticulously and wisely. He employs women in positions with authority. He is eventually killed by one of his two friends for the simple crime of wanting to sell, but not forcing anyone to do so.
And Letitia. Verbally abusive to her husband and staff. She also throws things. But it's okay because she a 'Vaux' and they're just passionate like that. Toxic as hell more like. When she finds out her husband was a farmer's son she is mortified. She'd never stoop so low as to marry a man who...worked to drag himself up higher than most in the ton? She's disgusted, and disgusting in her views.
Aside from those things, the book is entirely too long and it's moral compass is busted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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