What do you think?
Rate this book
Cardinia's Royalty #2
Drømmenes verden
For å redde familiens ære må den ustyrlige Alexandra gå med på ekteskap med grev Vasili. Hun gjør det ikke uten motstand, hun vil ikke ha ham - like lite som han vil ha henne! Likevel er de to plutselig forlovet, og begge gjør hva de kan for å skremme bort den andre. Det slår gnister av møtene mellom dem før Alexandra forsvinner - hun rømmer til England. Det blir en lang og slitsom reise, og hun må innrømme for seg selv at hun ikke klarer å glemme den flotte Vasili hjemme i Russland. I drømme hører hun kosakkenes sang og hestenes dunderne hover. Men i virkelighetens verden kommer en rasende Vasili til London for å hente henne - det blir nok et gnistrende møte....
350 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
357 people are currently reading
2976 people want to read
About the author
Johanna Lindsey
148 books7,263 followersJohanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
February 7, 2016
I'm a very forgiving reader, I swear I am. I go into books ready to find something likable about everyone. But then stuff like this happens:
Honestly I don't even know why I kept reading this book after this. There's a lot I can forgive in an enemies to lovers story, but the hero threatening to rape the h just isn't one of them, especially so far into the book.
I tried and tried to find Vasili's redeeming qualities but came out empty handed every time. Vasili kisses Alex despite her lack of consent (and, of course, when he kisses her, she forgets that she didn't want him to, so lust dazed that she is), he would not shut up about her breasts, he slaps her, although "not hard", before that charming rape threat, he keeps trying to fuck with other women during their trip to Cardinia, he tells her she's had a gaggle of lovers, takes her virginity then gets angry because she didn't correct his misapprehension... I was so determined to like him, there were so many positive reviews for this book, but I couldn't get over my contempt for him.
“Yell at me all you like, sweetheart, only the next time you want to get physical, you can be sure I won’t hit back,” he promised.
“You won’t?
He shook his head slowly. “No. I’ll take you off in the bushes and make love to you instead.”
She had to be crazy not to try to change this subject. “Why didn’t you this time?”
“I believe in fair warning—when your choice in the matter will be taken from you.”
“You’d do it even if I fight you?”
His smile was chilling. “Exactly.”
“You know what that’s called, don’t you?” she said with biting scorn.
“When you’ve been given fair warning? I would call it an invitation.”
Honestly I don't even know why I kept reading this book after this. There's a lot I can forgive in an enemies to lovers story, but the hero threatening to rape the h just isn't one of them, especially so far into the book.
I had my issues with Vasili from the very beginning: during his first appearance he's initiating sex with three women, it's said he has one live-in mistress (who used to be a sex slave whom he freed but didn't want to leave him), three more in different households, and he fucks everything in a dress that walks and smiles at him – which admittedly is every living woman in the surrounding areas. As if it wasn't exasperating enough to keep reading about his numerous conquests, Vasili is preposterously judgmental about Alex's assumed promiscuity. He's a neverending well of hypocrisy if I ever saw one.
A Russian baroness, and you know how damn promiscuous those ladies are. This one has probably already had a dozen lovers, and I wouldn’t be the least surprised if I’m suddenly being summoned to marry her because she’s found herself with child.
I tried and tried to find Vasili's redeeming qualities but came out empty handed every time. Vasili kisses Alex despite her lack of consent (and, of course, when he kisses her, she forgets that she didn't want him to, so lust dazed that she is), he would not shut up about her breasts, he slaps her, although "not hard", before that charming rape threat, he keeps trying to fuck with other women during their trip to Cardinia, he tells her she's had a gaggle of lovers, takes her virginity then gets angry because she didn't correct his misapprehension... I was so determined to like him, there were so many positive reviews for this book, but I couldn't get over my contempt for him.
For most of this book, I was either angry or mentally exhausted. Then their feelings do an 180 out of nowhere, I did not see it coming, one moment they really don't want to marry each other and the next they're dreading finding a reason to break the betrothal – which made me impossibly irritated. Alex is amazed with Vasili's lovemaking, which was embarrassing to say the least – he's an accomplished rake who gets one thrust in and they climax at the same time. That must have been the most underwhelming orgasm in the history of the universe; she thinks it was very nice, which is the blandest way to describe an orgasm that I've ever seen, but also went on and on about being introduced to the pleasures of the body by him. On a side note, it's unbelievable to me that Alex, as an accomplished and relentless rider, still had her hymen intact – which, by the way, is not a barrier inside the vagina, but some skin before the vaginal opening; romance writers really need some basic anatomy classes.
And I can't believe Alex forgave her father with so little grovelling. These people need a lesson in resentment and holding grudges, for the love of god.
May 23, 2017
I jumped into this with high hopes but climbed out baffled and confused.
Fair warning : This is not a typical Johanna Lindsey, this is not even historical romance...there are elements of romance and this book makes you laugh.
What worked for me :
1 The premise
Leads who don't want to be married are tricked and emotionally blackmailed with childhood betrothals and honour. A lot of potential for conflict and intense romance. I liked it.
2 Alex
She started as a strong woman and finished this as one. She had honour, she knew herself, she could battle with the best and come out on top.
She does not give in to first love, gorgeous guys, blackmail, convenience or bandits. She believes in keeping her options and moves on to the next solution in a logical manner.
“There’s no call to wreck my study,” her father said stiffly.
“You’re wrecking my life,” she replied bitterly.
“Misery loves company, sweetheart,” she shot back. “So don’t think I’ll be suffering mine alone.”
I could love her for this line alone. Never have I come across a girl willing to fued till the better end. Major brownie points just for Alex.
3 Emotionally engaging
I laughed out loud but don't remember any particular scenes. You just want Vasili to be kidnapped and roughed up...You want to see him suffer...more on that later.
You will be consumed by a desire to have some pets. And whip wielding skills...
I read this in time for Wonder Woman - that's unexpected and neat.
What didn't work for me :
1 I hated Vasili.
He thought all women were fair game, he kept trying to seduce women after meeting Alex, he boasted about his mistresses - he had 4, I think.
He was mean, cruel, judgemental and comes across as shallow.
You don't take him seriously and are annoyed by his plans. And words. And his thought process. And his absolute lack of skills.
“I told you she’d make fidelity a royal command,” Vasili growled and stomped out of the room.
Cheating is unacceptable to me so this got on my nerves.
Vasili added in disgust, “Either that, or she will show up and tear the town apart until she finds whichever wench I bedded so she can cut her ears off.”
This was one of Alex's shining moments to keep Vasili in line.
2 The Absence of the following :
Grovel
Romance
Tender moments
Character Growth
Vasili not dying of frost bite. Or being thrown in a dungeon. Or thrown to hungry wild animals.
Read it for the laughs and a girl with nerves of steel.
Fair warning : This is not a typical Johanna Lindsey, this is not even historical romance...there are elements of romance and this book makes you laugh.
What worked for me :
1 The premise
Leads who don't want to be married are tricked and emotionally blackmailed with childhood betrothals and honour. A lot of potential for conflict and intense romance. I liked it.
2 Alex
She started as a strong woman and finished this as one. She had honour, she knew herself, she could battle with the best and come out on top.
She does not give in to first love, gorgeous guys, blackmail, convenience or bandits. She believes in keeping her options and moves on to the next solution in a logical manner.
“There’s no call to wreck my study,” her father said stiffly.
“You’re wrecking my life,” she replied bitterly.
“Misery loves company, sweetheart,” she shot back. “So don’t think I’ll be suffering mine alone.”
I could love her for this line alone. Never have I come across a girl willing to fued till the better end. Major brownie points just for Alex.
3 Emotionally engaging
I laughed out loud but don't remember any particular scenes. You just want Vasili to be kidnapped and roughed up...You want to see him suffer...more on that later.
You will be consumed by a desire to have some pets. And whip wielding skills...
I read this in time for Wonder Woman - that's unexpected and neat.
What didn't work for me :
1 I hated Vasili.
He thought all women were fair game, he kept trying to seduce women after meeting Alex, he boasted about his mistresses - he had 4, I think.
He was mean, cruel, judgemental and comes across as shallow.
You don't take him seriously and are annoyed by his plans. And words. And his thought process. And his absolute lack of skills.
“I told you she’d make fidelity a royal command,” Vasili growled and stomped out of the room.
Cheating is unacceptable to me so this got on my nerves.
Vasili added in disgust, “Either that, or she will show up and tear the town apart until she finds whichever wench I bedded so she can cut her ears off.”
This was one of Alex's shining moments to keep Vasili in line.
2 The Absence of the following :
Grovel
Romance
Tender moments
Character Growth
Vasili not dying of frost bite. Or being thrown in a dungeon. Or thrown to hungry wild animals.
Read it for the laughs and a girl with nerves of steel.
January 7, 2009
This is a pretty good love/hate story that goes right up to the bitter end of the novel but works and doesn’t get redundant. Vasili and Alexandra do a great job at being odious to each other making for some great sexual tension.
The story goes that they are bound by a supposed prearranged contract between their fathers when they were children to marry. She doesn’t want to lose her independence by getting married and he’s a lothario so getting married is the last thing he wants to do. They are forced to travel for about a month to his homeland together and they do everything possible to “encourage” the other to break the contract but neither wants to for honor’s sake. Both are extremely headstrong but not to the point of being annoying or bratty. It’s hard for them to be like that too. There were some interesting points: Alexandra is excellent with a whip while Vasili is not so that was a different trait for her being that he’s good at just about everything. The author does go on a bit too much about how beautiful he is and she loves to use (ie overuses!) the word “prevaricate” which bugged me.
What kept this book from a 5 star read was that there were barely enough steam scenes. There’s really only one and it’s too short and lackluster leaving you with the "that's it?!" feeling so you think that the really “big one” in coming, well it never does unfortunately. The sexual tension and the realization that they love each other is well-done but you’re expecting some good sex and it’s just not there. There’s something about Lindsey’s writing that’s always “off” for me. It’s as if there’s the potential of a Kleypas with a good story and how it flows, but it just misses the mark and seems like all the rest.
If you’re looking for a “cleaner” kind of love/hate romance you may like this one.
The story goes that they are bound by a supposed prearranged contract between their fathers when they were children to marry. She doesn’t want to lose her independence by getting married and he’s a lothario so getting married is the last thing he wants to do. They are forced to travel for about a month to his homeland together and they do everything possible to “encourage” the other to break the contract but neither wants to for honor’s sake. Both are extremely headstrong but not to the point of being annoying or bratty. It’s hard for them to be like that too. There were some interesting points: Alexandra is excellent with a whip while Vasili is not so that was a different trait for her being that he’s good at just about everything. The author does go on a bit too much about how beautiful he is and she loves to use (ie overuses!) the word “prevaricate” which bugged me.
What kept this book from a 5 star read was that there were barely enough steam scenes. There’s really only one and it’s too short and lackluster leaving you with the "that's it?!" feeling so you think that the really “big one” in coming, well it never does unfortunately. The sexual tension and the realization that they love each other is well-done but you’re expecting some good sex and it’s just not there. There’s something about Lindsey’s writing that’s always “off” for me. It’s as if there’s the potential of a Kleypas with a good story and how it flows, but it just misses the mark and seems like all the rest.
If you’re looking for a “cleaner” kind of love/hate romance you may like this one.
February 17, 2017
Such a wonderful story!
This battle of wits between Alexandra and Valisi was a fun read.
Alexandra, the daughter of Baron Constantine lives life on her own terms. When, at 25 he gets tired of her defiant behavior- he decides to use a fake ploy, forging papers that fix her betrothal to his late close friend's son.
Valisi, the playboy with insanely beautiful lion like looks has always has it easy with woman, and he expects his to be countess to be the same. What he instead encounters in an uncouth hoyden ploy, and the journey back to his estate is filled with both of them trying to get each other to break the engagement.
I adored both the characters, but especially Alexandra. Her love for animals, her insane possessiveness for what is hers, her caring for her "babies" and friends, her pride and her ability to love made her a kickass heroine. Her fake ploys and determination gives many of this book's "laugh out loud" moments.
Valisi on the other hand was a rake who finally met his match, but was certainly not a hero difficult to love. He has always had success in the past, but the challenges he faces with Alexandra change him a lot through the course of the book.
Always happy to meet Stefan and Tanya, along with other characters like Serge and Lazar.
I especially adored the last half of the book which had sass, angst, baby and a HEA.
Safe
4.5/5
This battle of wits between Alexandra and Valisi was a fun read.
Alexandra, the daughter of Baron Constantine lives life on her own terms. When, at 25 he gets tired of her defiant behavior- he decides to use a fake ploy, forging papers that fix her betrothal to his late close friend's son.
Valisi, the playboy with insanely beautiful lion like looks has always has it easy with woman, and he expects his to be countess to be the same. What he instead encounters in an uncouth hoyden ploy, and the journey back to his estate is filled with both of them trying to get each other to break the engagement.
I adored both the characters, but especially Alexandra. Her love for animals, her insane possessiveness for what is hers, her caring for her "babies" and friends, her pride and her ability to love made her a kickass heroine. Her fake ploys and determination gives many of this book's "laugh out loud" moments.
Valisi on the other hand was a rake who finally met his match, but was certainly not a hero difficult to love. He has always had success in the past, but the challenges he faces with Alexandra change him a lot through the course of the book.
Always happy to meet Stefan and Tanya, along with other characters like Serge and Lazar.
I especially adored the last half of the book which had sass, angst, baby and a HEA.
Safe
4.5/5
November 16, 2017
I read this years ago and had read another Johanna Lindsey book recently (Tender Is the Storm) that made me nostalgic for more JL books. This one was one of my favorites. It reminds me a bit of The Taming of the Shrew. I love the enemies to lovers theme and how Alex acts like a barbarian with the way she eats and how she doesn't bathe so that Vasili will call off the betroth. Pretty funny! I'll have to get the first book of this series (Once a Princess) on Kindle so I can read that one as well (since I don't think I'll be able to find my paperback copy).
March 7, 2020
This was a fun and lighthearted road-romance which I liked better than its prequel, Once a Princess. Vasili and Alexandra's attempts to force the other to break off their betrothal were amusing to read about. However, as fun as these were, I would have liked to have seen both Vasili and Alexandra express deeper feelings for each other. Any intense emotions, if they existed, seemed buried underneath the competition and physical desire. I believe they fell in love; it just wasn't passionate enough for me.
December 5, 2021
THE BOOK ABOUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GUY IN THE WORLD WHO GETS THE GREATEST GIRL IN THE WORLD AND IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY. THE END.
_________________________________________________
September 16th, 2015
Yep, as awesome as ever.
CAN I GET A WHITE HORSE NOW?
___________________________________________
July 2018
STILL FRIGGIN LOVE THIS
____________________________
December 2021
Alexandra and Valisi forever!
_________________________________________________
September 16th, 2015
Yep, as awesome as ever.
CAN I GET A WHITE HORSE NOW?
___________________________________________
July 2018
STILL FRIGGIN LOVE THIS
____________________________
December 2021
Alexandra and Valisi forever!
December 5, 2021
My least favorite book of JL.
I just couldn't deal with the manwhore hero. often I find her heroine's stubborn tactics endearing but could feel nothing besides mild annoyance in this book.
I just couldn't deal with the manwhore hero. often I find her heroine's stubborn tactics endearing but could feel nothing besides mild annoyance in this book.
August 30, 2023
I simply loved it !! I loved it from the very first word to the last one !
5 full stars :-)
I was looking for light entertainment, fun and romance and I had it !
I'm not used to reading romance novels, yet every now and then I too feel the need to read about courtship and some ardent kisses (which I can't find in cozy mysteries and classic mysteries, my usual kind of reading) and if there are love scenes (but not vulgar or exaggeratedly explicit), I'm even happier.
The story, set in Russia in the early decades of the 1800s , is very funny and full of adventure during a journey that will last for almost the entire book.
As often happens in brilliant comedies, the two protagonists can't stand each other, especially because they suddenly discover, despite being two complete strangers, to be betrothed by a contract stipulated by their fathers about 15 years earlier.
Actually this is just the plot of a desperate father who tries to find a husband for his tomboyish, rebellious and reckless daughter who use to reject every suitor.
The betrothed, cousin and personal guard of Cardinia's King, for his part is a consummate libertine who feels great in the role of a single man and who has never experienced the effect of a rejection from a woman.
Both he and she are bound to the contract by family honor, so he have to collect his bride in Russia and take her with him to Cardinia, but both of them are hoping that by pretending to be an unbearable person, the other one will decide to break the contract.
What emerges is a set of small mutual teasing, provocative jokes in which each of the two will try to win over the other, embarrassing and funny situations, witty and lively dialogues, a couple of kisses that make you dream and the moment in which they make love in a passionate overwhelming way (but there are no vulgar or too explicit descriptions).
Personally I hate libertines, but what I liked about the male character is that in fact, after having made love with her, he never touched another woman again despite claiming that he didn't want that marriage.
In the story, the female protagonist threatens several times all women who throw themselves at her betrothed's feet, but it is true that if he really wanted to sleep with another woman he could have found more than one way.
Another thing I really liked about him is that he falls in love with her by accepting her even with what seem to be her flaws (actually a fiction, but this is important to me).
I really liked her because unlike many women she was able to show so much determination and fortitude, never once did she cry or use her tears to convince someone of her will, the only time she shows tears is in a touching moment with her father.
The pride of each was of course the main obstacle to their love, but in this reverse courtship their quarrels have nevertheless led them to share experiences together and to get to know each other, even if only partially glimpsing the best part of their way of being.
I also loved all side characters.
Both our hero and heroine are accompanied on the journey by an entourage of friends or people in their employ, to whom they are bound by deep affection and who assist with heartfelt participation in the two betrothed skirmish.
If in addition to dreaming of a love story with a happy ending, you are also looking for a good mood, I assure you that with this book you'll get it.
I really like the setting of this romance, however I must warn you that in this novel you will not find historical research by the author, you only need to know where and when the story is set to mind the costumes of the characters, scenes backgrounds and of course the habits and customs of that time and way to think of that era.
Maybe the only little thing I wished was different
---> FINAL NOTE ABOUT THE BOOK : This is the second book in a series of 2, but you can read it as a stand alone.
Although in the second book there are some of the same characters of the first one, they are 2 independent stories (the protagonists of the first book are the future King of Cardinia and his future bride, who in this second book are only marginal characters.)
If you read this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and if you found any errors in my review, please forgive me, I'm Italian and therefore English is not my language
5 full stars :-)
I was looking for light entertainment, fun and romance and I had it !
I'm not used to reading romance novels, yet every now and then I too feel the need to read about courtship and some ardent kisses (which I can't find in cozy mysteries and classic mysteries, my usual kind of reading) and if there are love scenes (but not vulgar or exaggeratedly explicit), I'm even happier.
The story, set in Russia in the early decades of the 1800s , is very funny and full of adventure during a journey that will last for almost the entire book.
As often happens in brilliant comedies, the two protagonists can't stand each other, especially because they suddenly discover, despite being two complete strangers, to be betrothed by a contract stipulated by their fathers about 15 years earlier.
Actually this is just the plot of a desperate father who tries to find a husband for his tomboyish, rebellious and reckless daughter who use to reject every suitor.
The betrothed, cousin and personal guard of Cardinia's King, for his part is a consummate libertine who feels great in the role of a single man and who has never experienced the effect of a rejection from a woman.
Both he and she are bound to the contract by family honor, so he have to collect his bride in Russia and take her with him to Cardinia, but both of them are hoping that by pretending to be an unbearable person, the other one will decide to break the contract.
What emerges is a set of small mutual teasing, provocative jokes in which each of the two will try to win over the other, embarrassing and funny situations, witty and lively dialogues, a couple of kisses that make you dream and the moment in which they make love in a passionate overwhelming way (but there are no vulgar or too explicit descriptions).
Personally I hate libertines, but what I liked about the male character is that in fact, after having made love with her, he never touched another woman again despite claiming that he didn't want that marriage.
In the story, the female protagonist threatens several times all women who throw themselves at her betrothed's feet, but it is true that if he really wanted to sleep with another woman he could have found more than one way.
Another thing I really liked about him is that he falls in love with her by accepting her even with what seem to be her flaws (actually a fiction, but this is important to me).
I really liked her because unlike many women she was able to show so much determination and fortitude, never once did she cry or use her tears to convince someone of her will, the only time she shows tears is in a touching moment with her father.
The pride of each was of course the main obstacle to their love, but in this reverse courtship their quarrels have nevertheless led them to share experiences together and to get to know each other, even if only partially glimpsing the best part of their way of being.
I also loved all side characters.
Both our hero and heroine are accompanied on the journey by an entourage of friends or people in their employ, to whom they are bound by deep affection and who assist with heartfelt participation in the two betrothed skirmish.
If in addition to dreaming of a love story with a happy ending, you are also looking for a good mood, I assure you that with this book you'll get it.
I really like the setting of this romance, however I must warn you that in this novel you will not find historical research by the author, you only need to know where and when the story is set to mind the costumes of the characters, scenes backgrounds and of course the habits and customs of that time and way to think of that era.
Maybe the only little thing I wished was different
---> FINAL NOTE ABOUT THE BOOK : This is the second book in a series of 2, but you can read it as a stand alone.
Although in the second book there are some of the same characters of the first one, they are 2 independent stories (the protagonists of the first book are the future King of Cardinia and his future bride, who in this second book are only marginal characters.)
If you read this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and if you found any errors in my review, please forgive me, I'm Italian and therefore English is not my language
December 30, 2018
Read my reviews on my blog!
I’m going to keep this relatively short, since those who read my recent post about romance will know that I didn’t enjoy the initial hundred or so pages of this book. You Belong to Me came to me as a recommendation from a friend; I’d told her I was trying to get into the romance genre but that I didn’t know where to start. And even though this book did not improve in the latter portion, it did spark a foray into a whole slew of other romance novels. I’m definitely not writing off the genre as a whole, but suffice it to say that Lindsey’s writing is not for me.
Again, I already wrote a bit before about my initial impression in terms of the wordsmithing of the book–those opinions have not changed. The one new thing I’ll add is regarding the book’s conclusion, so spoilers lie directly ahead.
Ready?
Do you know the principle called Chekhov’s gun? Essentially, everything in a story should matter. Don’t leave a gun on the table and have your audience on tenterhooks wondering who’s going to get shot, then provide no payoff.
That’s a little bit how I felt at the end of the book, knowing that the MC hadn’t found out her father’s lie. And for those of you who haven’t read the book, this lie is a real doozy: her father invents a betrothal, essentially saddling his daughter to the swaggering, womanizing love interest. Of course they learn to love each other in the end, but still, we need closure on this lie. Even the MC’s brand-new husband finds out… but doesn’t bother sharing with the MC. So to me, this reads as a broken promise to the reader, similar to Chekhov’s gun. If there’s a lie forming the backbone of your plot, the dirty details and resulting fallout had better surface at the end of the book. It made the ending unsatisfying, since I’d been anticipating the MC’s tirade once she discovered her father’s misdeed for four hundred pages.
My first dive into romance wasn’t the greatest, but I’m hopeful the next time will be better. I’ve been thinking about those Deveraux books–they seemed legitimately promising. And Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory read like a dream, though I wasn’t looking for a smutty read. One of my reading goals for 2019 is to find great romance. I’ll keep you guys updated on the journey, whether it’s smooth sailing or a bit bumpy.
I’m going to keep this relatively short, since those who read my recent post about romance will know that I didn’t enjoy the initial hundred or so pages of this book. You Belong to Me came to me as a recommendation from a friend; I’d told her I was trying to get into the romance genre but that I didn’t know where to start. And even though this book did not improve in the latter portion, it did spark a foray into a whole slew of other romance novels. I’m definitely not writing off the genre as a whole, but suffice it to say that Lindsey’s writing is not for me.
Again, I already wrote a bit before about my initial impression in terms of the wordsmithing of the book–those opinions have not changed. The one new thing I’ll add is regarding the book’s conclusion, so spoilers lie directly ahead.
Ready?
Do you know the principle called Chekhov’s gun? Essentially, everything in a story should matter. Don’t leave a gun on the table and have your audience on tenterhooks wondering who’s going to get shot, then provide no payoff.
That’s a little bit how I felt at the end of the book, knowing that the MC hadn’t found out her father’s lie. And for those of you who haven’t read the book, this lie is a real doozy: her father invents a betrothal, essentially saddling his daughter to the swaggering, womanizing love interest. Of course they learn to love each other in the end, but still, we need closure on this lie. Even the MC’s brand-new husband finds out… but doesn’t bother sharing with the MC. So to me, this reads as a broken promise to the reader, similar to Chekhov’s gun. If there’s a lie forming the backbone of your plot, the dirty details and resulting fallout had better surface at the end of the book. It made the ending unsatisfying, since I’d been anticipating the MC’s tirade once she discovered her father’s misdeed for four hundred pages.
My first dive into romance wasn’t the greatest, but I’m hopeful the next time will be better. I’ve been thinking about those Deveraux books–they seemed legitimately promising. And Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory read like a dream, though I wasn’t looking for a smutty read. One of my reading goals for 2019 is to find great romance. I’ll keep you guys updated on the journey, whether it’s smooth sailing or a bit bumpy.
April 9, 2022
This was a good book! I was somewhat shocked to open it and start reading and notice the story starts in Ukraine also mentioning Kiev. It made me sad, with all that is going on there right now.
The book was good even though angst drug out pretty much the whole book, but it was more humorous antagonism than the kind that makes you want to pull your hair out. Plot 7(1-10) steaminess 7.5(1-10)
The book was good even though angst drug out pretty much the whole book, but it was more humorous antagonism than the kind that makes you want to pull your hair out. Plot 7(1-10) steaminess 7.5(1-10)
do-not-read
February 7, 2016Sexist manwhore H who's also clearly a rapist in the making. [x]
(h is a virgin, of course.)
(h is a virgin, of course.)
April 9, 2017
dnf 73%
עלבון לאינטיליגנציה
עלבון לאינטיליגנציה
May 4, 2020
«Ανήκεις σ' εμένα» ονομάζεται το δεύτερο βιβλίο της διλογίας της Johanna Lindsey, «Ο θρόνος της Καρντίνια», με το οποίο η συγγραφέας μας προσκαλεί σε ένα ακόμα ταξίδι σε άλλες εποχές, γεμάτες ρομαντισμό, έρωτα αλλά και περιπέτεια.
Ο Βασίλι Πετρόφ, ξάδελφος του βασιλιά της Καρντίνια Στέφαν, είναι λάτρης των απολαύσεων, της καλοπέρασης και του γυναικείου φύλου – χωρίς να ξεχνάει το χρέος του απέναντι στη χώρα του, τον βασιλιά του και την τιμή του. Όταν λοιπόν μαθαίνει πως ο πατέρας του είχε υπογράψει ένα σύμφωνο γάμου για τον ίδιο και την κόρη ενός φίλου του –μια γυναίκα που ο Βασίλι δεν έχει συναντήσει ποτέ στη ζωή του– η πεισματάρικη φύση του επαναστατεί. Επειδή όμως δεν μπορεί να προσβάλει τη μνήμη του πατέρα του αναγκάζεται να ταξιδέψει ως τη Ρωσία, προκειμένου να συναντήσει τη μέλλουσα γυναίκα του και να την πείσει να διαλύσει τον αρραβώνα τους.
Η Αλεξάνδρα Ρουμπλιόφ δεν νιώθει λιγότερο έξαλλη από τον Βασίλι για τον γάμο που έχει κανονίσει, εν αγνοία της, ο πατέρας της. Όμορφη κι ατίθαση, λατρεύει τα καθαρόαιμα άλογά της, τη φύση και την ελευθερία της· και δεν είναι διατεθειμένη να θυσιάσει τίποτε απ’ όλα αυτά, προκειμένου να παντρευτεί έναν άγνωστο άντρα, για τον οποίον δεν σχηματίζει ούτως ή άλλως καλή εντύπωση εξαρχής. Όμως, ούτε κι εκείνη προτίθεται να προσβάλλει τον πατέρα της, κι αποφασίζει να δείξει στον Βασίλι τον χειρότερο εαυτό της. Αυτό που δεν γνωρίζει είναι πως εκείνος έχει σκαρφιστεί το ίδιο ακριβώς σχέδιο.
Οι δυο τους ξεκινούν το μακρύ ταξίδι της επιστροφής στην Καρντίνια, κάτω από πραγματικά αντίξοες συνθήκες. Εκτός από τον βαρύ χειμώνα στα αφιλόξενα βουνά κι όλους τους κινδύνους που παραμονεύουν εκεί, ο Βασίλι και η Άλεξ έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν ο ένας τον άλλον. Οι συνεχείς συγκρούσεις και διαξιφισμοί τους εναλλάσσονται με σκηνές ζήλιας και παιχνιδιάρικα λογοπαίγνια, που στόχο έχουν να τους φέρουν στα όριά τους. Κι ενώ ο χρόνος μετράει αντίστροφα και κανείς από τους δυο τους δεν αποφασίζει να βάλει ένα τέλος σε μια κατάσταση που τους φαίνεται ανυπόφορη, αρχίζει να αναπτύσσεται ανάμεσά τους ένα αίσθημα πρωτόγνωρο· πάθος και κτητικότητα. Και μπορεί τον Βασίλι να τον απασχολούν τα αισθήματα που νιώθει να γεννιούνται μέσα του για την πεισματάρα μέλλουσα σύζυγό του, η Αλεξάνδρα όμως έχει να σκεφτεί επιπλέον κι ένα παλιό και καλά κρυμμένο μυστικό, που μπορεί να αλλάξει τη ζωή της για πάντα…
Η συγγραφέας ακολουθεί ένα παρόμοιο μοτίβο με εκείνο του προηγούμενου βιβλίου: δύο ασυμβίβαστοι χαρακτήρες που δεν μπορούν ούτε να διανοηθούν πως θα περάσουν μαζί την υπόλοιπη ζωή τους, ένας γάμος που έχει συμφωνηθεί χωρίς οι ίδιοι να το γνωρίζουν, ένα μακρινό ταξίδι, ώστε ο υποψήφιος γαμπρός να συναντήσει και να πάρει μαζί του τη μέλλουσα νύφη, και πολλές περιπέτειες κατά τη διάρκειά του. Παρ’ όλες τις ομοιότητες, όμως, καταφέρνει να πλάσει μια διαφορετική ιστορία, που διατηρεί τη δική της μοναδική ταυτότητα και φρεσκάδα. Οπωσδήποτε θυμίζει την ιστορία της Τατιάνας και του Στέφαν, όμως οι λεπτομέρειες, οι χαρακτήρες και η εξέλιξή τους δίνουν το δικό τους ιδιαίτερο στίγμα και προκαλούν το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη.
Ο Βασίλι και η Αλεξάνδρα είναι δύο πραγματικά απολαυστικοί χαρακτήρες· απολύτως αναζωογονητικοί και ενδιαφέροντες, αν σκεφτεί κανείς τ�� συντηρητική εποχή και το αυστηρό βασιλικό περιβάλλον όπου διαδραματίζεται η ιστορία. Εκεί που επικρατεί το πρωτόκολλο και η αρμόζουσα καλή συμπεριφορά, η δουλικότητα των γυναικών και η αδιαπραγμάτευτη εξουσία των ανδρών, έρχονται αυτοί οι ήρωες για να ανατρέψουν κάθε έννοια κατεστημένου! Ο Βασίλι αψηφά την εικόνα που οφείλει να έχει, προκειμένου να περνάει καλά – μάλιστα, παρουσιάζει στην Άλεξ έναν ακόμα χειρότερο εαυτό, προκειμένου να την αποθαρρύνει από το να ξελογιαστεί μαζί του. Και αντικρίζει μια περήφανη αμαζόνα, μια πανέξυπνη γυναίκα, την πρώτη που δεν έπεσε αμέσως θύμα της γοητείας του και δεν θέλησε να γίνει υποχείριό του. Έστω και απρόθυμα, παραδέχεται ενδόμυχα πως συνάντησε μια άξια ‘αντίπαλο’, μια γυναίκα που μπορεί να σταθεί στο πλάι του και να τον ταρακουνάει, όποτε αυτό είναι απαραίτητο, χωρίς να μετατραπεί σε μια πειθήνια, ερωτοχτυπημένη σκλάβα. Από την άλλη, η Αλεξάνδρα συναντά στο πρόσωπο του Βασίλη όλα όσα απεχθάνεται σε έναν άντρα και όσα δεν θέλησε ποτέ της από έναν σύντροφο· όμως, ταυτόχρονα, νιώθει να έλκεται από αυτόν άθελά της, με αποτέλεσμα να πεισμώνει ακόμα περισσότερο και να ορκίζεται πως δεν πρόκειται ποτέ να γίνει άλλο ένα τρόπαιο για εκείνον.
Και βέβαια, εκτός από το γοητευτικό γαϊτανάκι των δύο πρωταγωνιστών, την παράσταση κλέβει η καλογραμμένη αφήγηση, οι περιγραφές των άγριων τοπίων που κόβουν την ανάσα, το ίδιο το ταξίδι, οι περιπέτειες κι οι εκπλήξεις που κρύβει για τους ήρωές μας, όπως και η παραμυθένια αστερόσκονη που πασπαλίζει αθόρυβα, μα μαγικά, το κάθε κεφάλαιο. Γιατί, ας μην ξεχνάμε, πως κι αυτή η ιστορία αγάπης είναι ένα παραμύθι –μάλιστα, με ολόκληρη βασιλική οικογένεια στα μετόπισθεν!– οπότε το happy end είναι αναμενόμενο και αντάξιο της ιστορίας των δύο κεντρικών ηρώων.
Ο Βασίλι Πετρόφ, ξάδελφος του βασιλιά της Καρντίνια Στέφαν, είναι λάτρης των απολαύσεων, της καλοπέρασης και του γυναικείου φύλου – χωρίς να ξεχνάει το χρέος του απέναντι στη χώρα του, τον βασιλιά του και την τιμή του. Όταν λοιπόν μαθαίνει πως ο πατέρας του είχε υπογράψει ένα σύμφωνο γάμου για τον ίδιο και την κόρη ενός φίλου του –μια γυναίκα που ο Βασίλι δεν έχει συναντήσει ποτέ στη ζωή του– η πεισματάρικη φύση του επαναστατεί. Επειδή όμως δεν μπορεί να προσβάλει τη μνήμη του πατέρα του αναγκάζεται να ταξιδέψει ως τη Ρωσία, προκειμένου να συναντήσει τη μέλλουσα γυναίκα του και να την πείσει να διαλύσει τον αρραβώνα τους.
Η Αλεξάνδρα Ρουμπλιόφ δεν νιώθει λιγότερο έξαλλη από τον Βασίλι για τον γάμο που έχει κανονίσει, εν αγνοία της, ο πατέρας της. Όμορφη κι ατίθαση, λατρεύει τα καθαρόαιμα άλογά της, τη φύση και την ελευθερία της· και δεν είναι διατεθειμένη να θυσιάσει τίποτε απ’ όλα αυτά, προκειμένου να παντρευτεί έναν άγνωστο άντρα, για τον οποίον δεν σχηματίζει ούτως ή άλλως καλή εντύπωση εξαρχής. Όμως, ούτε κι εκείνη προτίθεται να προσβάλλει τον πατέρα της, κι αποφασίζει να δείξει στον Βασίλι τον χειρότερο εαυτό της. Αυτό που δεν γνωρίζει είναι πως εκείνος έχει σκαρφιστεί το ίδιο ακριβώς σχέδιο.
Οι δυο τους ξεκινούν το μακρύ ταξίδι της επιστροφής στην Καρντίνια, κάτω από πραγματικά αντίξοες συνθήκες. Εκτός από τον βαρύ χειμώνα στα αφιλόξενα βουνά κι όλους τους κινδύνους που παραμονεύουν εκεί, ο Βασίλι και η Άλεξ έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν ο ένας τον άλλον. Οι συνεχείς συγκρούσεις και διαξιφισμοί τους εναλλάσσονται με σκηνές ζήλιας και παιχνιδιάρικα λογοπαίγνια, που στόχο έχουν να τους φέρουν στα όριά τους. Κι ενώ ο χρόνος μετράει αντίστροφα και κανείς από τους δυο τους δεν αποφασίζει να βάλει ένα τέλος σε μια κατάσταση που τους φαίνεται ανυπόφορη, αρχίζει να αναπτύσσεται ανάμεσά τους ένα αίσθημα πρωτόγνωρο· πάθος και κτητικότητα. Και μπορεί τον Βασίλι να τον απασχολούν τα αισθήματα που νιώθει να γεννιούνται μέσα του για την πεισματάρα μέλλουσα σύζυγό του, η Αλεξάνδρα όμως έχει να σκεφτεί επιπλέον κι ένα παλιό και καλά κρυμμένο μυστικό, που μπορεί να αλλάξει τη ζωή της για πάντα…
Η συγγραφέας ακολουθεί ένα παρόμοιο μοτίβο με εκείνο του προηγούμενου βιβλίου: δύο ασυμβίβαστοι χαρακτήρες που δεν μπορούν ούτε να διανοηθούν πως θα περάσουν μαζί την υπόλοιπη ζωή τους, ένας γάμος που έχει συμφωνηθεί χωρίς οι ίδιοι να το γνωρίζουν, ένα μακρινό ταξίδι, ώστε ο υποψήφιος γαμπρός να συναντήσει και να πάρει μαζί του τη μέλλουσα νύφη, και πολλές περιπέτειες κατά τη διάρκειά του. Παρ’ όλες τις ομοιότητες, όμως, καταφέρνει να πλάσει μια διαφορετική ιστορία, που διατηρεί τη δική της μοναδική ταυτότητα και φρεσκάδα. Οπωσδήποτε θυμίζει την ιστορία της Τατιάνας και του Στέφαν, όμως οι λεπτομέρειες, οι χαρακτήρες και η εξέλιξή τους δίνουν το δικό τους ιδιαίτερο στίγμα και προκαλούν το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη.
Ο Βασίλι και η Αλεξάνδρα είναι δύο πραγματικά απολαυστικοί χαρακτήρες· απολύτως αναζωογονητικοί και ενδιαφέροντες, αν σκεφτεί κανείς τ�� συντηρητική εποχή και το αυστηρό βασιλικό περιβάλλον όπου διαδραματίζεται η ιστορία. Εκεί που επικρατεί το πρωτόκολλο και η αρμόζουσα καλή συμπεριφορά, η δουλικότητα των γυναικών και η αδιαπραγμάτευτη εξουσία των ανδρών, έρχονται αυτοί οι ήρωες για να ανατρέψουν κάθε έννοια κατεστημένου! Ο Βασίλι αψηφά την εικόνα που οφείλει να έχει, προκειμένου να περνάει καλά – μάλιστα, παρουσιάζει στην Άλεξ έναν ακόμα χειρότερο εαυτό, προκειμένου να την αποθαρρύνει από το να ξελογιαστεί μαζί του. Και αντικρίζει μια περήφανη αμαζόνα, μια πανέξυπνη γυναίκα, την πρώτη που δεν έπεσε αμέσως θύμα της γοητείας του και δεν θέλησε να γίνει υποχείριό του. Έστω και απρόθυμα, παραδέχεται ενδόμυχα πως συνάντησε μια άξια ‘αντίπαλο’, μια γυναίκα που μπορεί να σταθεί στο πλάι του και να τον ταρακουνάει, όποτε αυτό είναι απαραίτητο, χωρίς να μετατραπεί σε μια πειθήνια, ερωτοχτυπημένη σκλάβα. Από την άλλη, η Αλεξάνδρα συναντά στο πρόσωπο του Βασίλη όλα όσα απεχθάνεται σε έναν άντρα και όσα δεν θέλησε ποτέ της από έναν σύντροφο· όμως, ταυτόχρονα, νιώθει να έλκεται από αυτόν άθελά της, με αποτέλεσμα να πεισμώνει ακόμα περισσότερο και να ορκίζεται πως δεν πρόκειται ποτέ να γίνει άλλο ένα τρόπαιο για εκείνον.
Και βέβαια, εκτός από το γοητευτικό γαϊτανάκι των δύο πρωταγωνιστών, την παράσταση κλέβει η καλογραμμένη αφήγηση, οι περιγραφές των άγριων τοπίων που κόβουν την ανάσα, το ίδιο το ταξίδι, οι περιπέτειες κι οι εκπλήξεις που κρύβει για τους ήρωές μας, όπως και η παραμυθένια αστερόσκονη που πασπαλίζει αθόρυβα, μα μαγικά, το κάθε κεφάλαιο. Γιατί, ας μην ξεχνάμε, πως κι αυτή η ιστορία αγάπης είναι ένα παραμύθι –μάλιστα, με ολόκληρη βασιλική οικογένεια στα μετόπισθεν!– οπότε το happy end είναι αναμενόμενο και αντάξιο της ιστορίας των δύο κεντρικών ηρώων.
March 5, 2018
"Ταξιδεύουμε" για άλλη μία φορά κάποιες δεκαετίες πίσω, τότε που η Johanna Lindsey έκανε τα πρώτα της βήματα στον λογοτεχνικό κόσμο, με το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς "Ο θρόνος της Καρντίνια", "Ανήκεις σ' εμένα". Ένα βιβλίο που αν και η συγγραφική του αισθητική του φαντάζει κάπως ξεπερασμένη σήμερα, αποδεικνύεται μια αρκετά ευχάριστη εμπειρία για τους λάτρεις του είδους ξυπνώντας τους, ίσως, και μια νοσταλγική διάθεση, ενώ δεν μπορούμε να μην παραδεχτούμε πως για τα δεδομένα της εποχής του ήταν αρκετά μπροστά. Με αυτό θέλω να πω πως σύμφωνα με τα σημερινά δεδομένα μπορεί να μην έχει να προσφέρει κάτι το νέο ή το εξαιρετικά πρωτότυπο, ωστόσο, για την εποχή του, υποθέτω πως ήταν αρκετά ανατρεπτικό και σύγχρονο.
Έχουμε, λοιπόν, μία κλασσική ιστορία που ο κεντρικός της άξονας στηρίζεται στην ιδέα της σχέσης αγάπης-μίσους, από εκείνες που μπορεί να είναι κάπως τετριμμένες, αλλά που αν ο συγγραφέας ξέρει να χειριστεί καλά το υλικό που έχει στη διάθεσή του, μπορεί να προσφέρει ένα τελικό αποτέλεσμα παιχνιδιάρικο κι ευχάριστο. Και ακριβώς αυτό συμβαίνει στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, με την Lindsey να θέτει στον πυρήνα της δύο κεντρικούς ήρωες που όσο διαφέρουν μεταξύ τους, άλλα τόσα κοινά έχουν και, κυρίως, αντιμετωπίζουν τη ζωή και τις σχέσεις με το ίδιο σκεπτικό. Αρνούνται να υποταχθούν στα κοινωνικά πρέπει, δεν έχουν καμία πρόθεση να μπουν σε καλούπια και να κάνουν υποχωρήσεις, κάνοντας ό,τι περνάει από το χέρι τους προκειμένου τα σχέδια που άλλοι έκαναν για εκείνους να ναυαγήσουν. Κι όμως, όσο κι αν προσπαθούν, επειδή ο καθένας τους αναγνωρίζει στο πρόσωπο του άλλου κομμάτια του δικού του εαυτού, ακόμα κι αν δεν το καταλαβαίνει από την πρώτη στιγμή, η τροπή που παίρνουν τα γεγονότα είναι πολύ διαφορετική απ' αυτήν που περίμεναν.
Η Lindsey έχει πλάσει δύο χαρακτήρες, την Αλεξάνδρα και τον Βασίλι, με τους οποίους πολύ εύκολα μπορούμε να ταυτιστούμε. Οι μεταξύ τους στιχομυθίες είναι άκρως απολαυστικές, και για την εποχή τους πολύ έξυπνες και γεμάτες φρεσκάδα, και τους οδηγούν σε κόντρες γεμάτες ένταση και υποβόσκων ερωτισμό, οι οποίες είναι άκρως απολαυστικές και ευχάριστες στο να τις διαβάζεις. Βέβαια, πρέπει να παραδεχτώ πως το φινάλε με άφησε κάπως ανικανοποίητη, αφού μου δημιούργησε λίγο μεγαλύτερες προσδοκίες σε σχέση με αυτό που τελικά εισέπραξα, πράγμα που θα μπορούσε να είχε ισορροπήσει αν μου έδινε αυτό το λίγο περισσότερο που θα το απογείωνε και θα έριχνε την αυλαία με έναν τρόπο πιο στιβαρό και ολοκληρωμένο. Παρ' όλα ταύτα, δεν μπορώ να ισχυριστώ πως δεν το διασκέδασα και πως έχω τη βεβαιότητα ότι οι δύο αυτοί άνθρωποι, μέσα στην εσωτερική τους τρέλα, βρήκαν τελικά αυτό που τους έλειπε για να ισορροπήσουν οι ίδιοι.
Έχουμε, λοιπόν, μία κλασσική ιστορία που ο κεντρικός της άξονας στηρίζεται στην ιδέα της σχέσης αγάπης-μίσους, από εκείνες που μπορεί να είναι κάπως τετριμμένες, αλλά που αν ο συγγραφέας ξέρει να χειριστεί καλά το υλικό που έχει στη διάθεσή του, μπορεί να προσφέρει ένα τελικό αποτέλεσμα παιχνιδιάρικο κι ευχάριστο. Και ακριβώς αυτό συμβαίνει στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, με την Lindsey να θέτει στον πυρήνα της δύο κεντρικούς ήρωες που όσο διαφέρουν μεταξύ τους, άλλα τόσα κοινά έχουν και, κυρίως, αντιμετωπίζουν τη ζωή και τις σχέσεις με το ίδιο σκεπτικό. Αρνούνται να υποταχθούν στα κοινωνικά πρέπει, δεν έχουν καμία πρόθεση να μπουν σε καλούπια και να κάνουν υποχωρήσεις, κάνοντας ό,τι περνάει από το χέρι τους προκειμένου τα σχέδια που άλλοι έκαναν για εκείνους να ναυαγήσουν. Κι όμως, όσο κι αν προσπαθούν, επειδή ο καθένας τους αναγνωρίζει στο πρόσωπο του άλλου κομμάτια του δικού του εαυτού, ακόμα κι αν δεν το καταλαβαίνει από την πρώτη στιγμή, η τροπή που παίρνουν τα γεγονότα είναι πολύ διαφορετική απ' αυτήν που περίμεναν.
Η Lindsey έχει πλάσει δύο χαρακτήρες, την Αλεξάνδρα και τον Βασίλι, με τους οποίους πολύ εύκολα μπορούμε να ταυτιστούμε. Οι μεταξύ τους στιχομυθίες είναι άκρως απολαυστικές, και για την εποχή τους πολύ έξυπνες και γεμάτες φρεσκάδα, και τους οδηγούν σε κόντρες γεμάτες ένταση και υποβόσκων ερωτισμό, οι οποίες είναι άκρως απολαυστικές και ευχάριστες στο να τις διαβάζεις. Βέβαια, πρέπει να παραδεχτώ πως το φινάλε με άφησε κάπως ανικανοποίητη, αφού μου δημιούργησε λίγο μεγαλύτερες προσδοκίες σε σχέση με αυτό που τελικά εισέπραξα, πράγμα που θα μπορούσε να είχε ισορροπήσει αν μου έδινε αυτό το λίγο περισσότερο που θα το απογείωνε και θα έριχνε την αυλαία με έναν τρόπο πιο στιβαρό και ολοκληρωμένο. Παρ' όλα ταύτα, δεν μπορώ να ισχυριστώ πως δεν το διασκέδασα και πως έχω τη βεβαιότητα ότι οι δύο αυτοί άνθρωποι, μέσα στην εσωτερική τους τρέλα, βρήκαν τελικά αυτό που τους έλειπε για να ισορροπήσουν οι ίδιοι.
April 2, 2010
I thought I liked this the first time I read it. But after reading it a 2nd time and reading the first book of the series, I fell in love with Vasili and Alex all over again.
This is the basic love-hate, forced betrothal, rake hero, tough heroine type of story. Unlike most HR, this one takes place in Russia and Cardinia (fictional country), yet I loved the characters too much to be turned off from the change in setting. Vasili, aka the peacock (Tatiana and my favorite nickname), aka Petroff as Alex calls him, is a complete womanizer/player with the prettiest face in the entire world (seems like). Alexandra is a 25 year old Russian baroness whose marriage-less state has gotten her father worried enough to concoct a fake betrothal promise with his dead friend's son, Vasili. So the H/H meet each other in the worst possible situation and decide to pretend to be despicable so the other would call off the betrothal.
Obviously, they have great chemistry, but Vasili really needs to be brought a few pegs down. Alex is perfect for the job. She is such a badass, and the way she handles the women that come on to him and his previous mistresses, epic.
Worth a read, and even a re-read in my case. It is amongst my favorites.
This is the basic love-hate, forced betrothal, rake hero, tough heroine type of story. Unlike most HR, this one takes place in Russia and Cardinia (fictional country), yet I loved the characters too much to be turned off from the change in setting. Vasili, aka the peacock (Tatiana and my favorite nickname), aka Petroff as Alex calls him, is a complete womanizer/player with the prettiest face in the entire world (seems like). Alexandra is a 25 year old Russian baroness whose marriage-less state has gotten her father worried enough to concoct a fake betrothal promise with his dead friend's son, Vasili. So the H/H meet each other in the worst possible situation and decide to pretend to be despicable so the other would call off the betrothal.
Obviously, they have great chemistry, but Vasili really needs to be brought a few pegs down. Alex is perfect for the job. She is such a badass, and the way she handles the women that come on to him and his previous mistresses, epic.
Worth a read, and even a re-read in my case. It is amongst my favorites.
August 9, 2022
Re read 2022
October 12, 2018
4.5 - Voto
.
«Anna, amore mio, quel “tesorino”, come la chiami tu, ha venticinque anni suonati. È un po’ troppo grande per le follie cui abbiamo appena assistito. Lo sai meglio di me. A quest’ora dovrebbe essere già sposata e madre di una nidiata di bambini. Le sue due sorelle non hanno avuto alcuna difficoltà in tal senso. Lydia mi ha dato cinque nipotine ed Elizaveta ha avuto tre bambine prima di rimanere vedova. Perché è tanto difficile sistemare la mia figlia minore?»
Anna pensò bene di non far cenno alla indecorosa franchezza di Alexandra, che tanto scandalo aveva suscitato inducendo lo zar Nicola a bandirla, quanto meno ufficiosamente, da San Pietroburgo. Se glielo avesse ricordato, aveva paura di scoppiare a ridere, come accadeva tutte le volte che le tornava in mente il ricevimento a palazzo Romanov, allorché la principessa Olga si era lamentata con la ventina di ospiti seduti alla sua tavola del fatto che, per quanti sforzi facesse, non riusciva proprio a smettere di ingrassare. Nel sentirla, Alexandra aveva candidamente suggerito, animata dalle migliori intenzioni: «Ma, signora, se la smetteste di rimpinzarvi di bignè e panna acida, riuscireste a perdere almeno un paio di chili.» Dato che la principessa si stava ingozzando di quelle leccornie in quel preciso momento, non c’era da stupirsi che i convitati avessero preso a tossicchiare nei tovaglioli o a guardare sotto il tavolo, fingendo di cercare qualcosa che avevano inavvertitamente lasciato cadere, nel disperato tentativo di nascondere le loro risatine.
.
Con questo nuovo divertente capitolo ritorniamo in Cardinia, dove Re Stefan e la sua Regina continuano a essere felici e innamorati. Il bellissimo cugino del Re, nonché capo delle sue guardie del corpo, il Conte Vasili Petroff, continua imperterrito a mietere cuori femminili, ma la sua pace di scapolo sta per finire: il Barone Rubliov gli fa infatti sapere che un contratto di fidanzamento stilato fra lui e il padre di Vasili morto da tempo, lo lega a sua figlia Alexandra e che è giunto il momento che lui vada a prendere la sua promessa. Vasili parte, intenzionato a fare in modo che la giovane donna che deve sposare rinunci al matrimonio, e per questo, si impone di essere odioso e altezzoso, nonché un perfetto nobile smidollato. Quello che il giovane Conte Petroff non sa però, e che la donna che dovrebbe sposare è quanto mai originale e non intende sposare proprio nessuno, dato che il suo cuore appartiene a un giovane diplomatico conosciuto anni prima. Tuttavia per Alexandra l’onore della sua famiglia è tutto, e per questo non può venire meno alla parola che il padre ha dato al posto suo, ma è decisa a fare in modo che sia il fidanzato a fuggire, sconvolto dalle sue rozze maniere e dal suo linguaggio sboccato. Mentre Alexandra dà il peggio di sé tentando di rallentare il viaggio in ogni modo, Vasili è completamente allibito di fronte a questa donna bellissima, abilissima amazzone, ma dalle maniere tanto grossolane, che ha allevato dei meravigliosi cavalli arabi, che lei chiama i suoi “bambini”. Non si sopportano eppure, inspiegabilmente, sono attratti l’uno dall’altra, anche se la commedia che stanno recitando impedisce loro di vedere la verità e di conoscersi, e solo quando sembra che niente più li leghi, Vasili si accorgerà di volere nella sua vita quella ragazza così unica e originale.
Due personaggi davvero straordinari che danno vita ad una storia spumeggiante di amore/odio che strappa più di una risata; i dialoghi fra i due sono spettacolari e la loro storia d’amore è davvero originale. Alexandra ha fatto di tutto per rimanere fedele a un amore giovanile che, scoprirà poi, è esistito solo da parte sua: per evitare i tanti pretendenti attratti dalla sua formosa bellezza e dalla ricchezza del padre, ha scelto di sembrare una donna priva di tatto, facendosi cacciare dalla corte dello Zar per le sua incapacità di tacere, e girare poi in compagnia di cosacchi che le sono estremamente fedeli non ha giovato alla sua reputazione, così come allevare personalmente i suoi amati cavalli, e vestirsi quasi sempre con i calzoni. In realtà è una donna colta e raffinata, capace di indossare gli abiti come una regina, e di conversare con chiunque; nonostante tenti in ogni modo di evitare questo fidanzamento, non può fare a meno di trovare Vasili bellissimo e affascinante ma è anche convinta che sia incapace di essere fedele. Vasili, da parte sua, per la prima volta si trova di fronte ad una donna che non gli cade ai piedi, che anzi sembra detestarlo e lo considera un nobile incapace di provvedere a se stesso, ignara del resto che lui comandi le guardie del corpo del Re di Cardinia. Entrambi mentono e recitano una parte, eppure non possono evitare di sentirsi attratti l’uno dall’altra, ma dovrete aspettare davvero a lungo per avere una dichiarazione d’amore vera e propria anche se in fondo non se ne sente la mancanza.
Non è la classica storia romantica, ma è davvero divertente e la scrittura della Lindsey non delude, i personaggi sono insoliti e ben caratterizzati, e se anche se le scene d’amore sono davvero poche, si arriva alla fine del libro senza quasi accorgersene. Rimane per me una di quelle storie piacevoli e divertenti che mi rileggo sempre volentieri nelle giornate in cui mi sento un po’ giù.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
.
«Anna, amore mio, quel “tesorino”, come la chiami tu, ha venticinque anni suonati. È un po’ troppo grande per le follie cui abbiamo appena assistito. Lo sai meglio di me. A quest’ora dovrebbe essere già sposata e madre di una nidiata di bambini. Le sue due sorelle non hanno avuto alcuna difficoltà in tal senso. Lydia mi ha dato cinque nipotine ed Elizaveta ha avuto tre bambine prima di rimanere vedova. Perché è tanto difficile sistemare la mia figlia minore?»
Anna pensò bene di non far cenno alla indecorosa franchezza di Alexandra, che tanto scandalo aveva suscitato inducendo lo zar Nicola a bandirla, quanto meno ufficiosamente, da San Pietroburgo. Se glielo avesse ricordato, aveva paura di scoppiare a ridere, come accadeva tutte le volte che le tornava in mente il ricevimento a palazzo Romanov, allorché la principessa Olga si era lamentata con la ventina di ospiti seduti alla sua tavola del fatto che, per quanti sforzi facesse, non riusciva proprio a smettere di ingrassare. Nel sentirla, Alexandra aveva candidamente suggerito, animata dalle migliori intenzioni: «Ma, signora, se la smetteste di rimpinzarvi di bignè e panna acida, riuscireste a perdere almeno un paio di chili.» Dato che la principessa si stava ingozzando di quelle leccornie in quel preciso momento, non c’era da stupirsi che i convitati avessero preso a tossicchiare nei tovaglioli o a guardare sotto il tavolo, fingendo di cercare qualcosa che avevano inavvertitamente lasciato cadere, nel disperato tentativo di nascondere le loro risatine.
.
Con questo nuovo divertente capitolo ritorniamo in Cardinia, dove Re Stefan e la sua Regina continuano a essere felici e innamorati. Il bellissimo cugino del Re, nonché capo delle sue guardie del corpo, il Conte Vasili Petroff, continua imperterrito a mietere cuori femminili, ma la sua pace di scapolo sta per finire: il Barone Rubliov gli fa infatti sapere che un contratto di fidanzamento stilato fra lui e il padre di Vasili morto da tempo, lo lega a sua figlia Alexandra e che è giunto il momento che lui vada a prendere la sua promessa. Vasili parte, intenzionato a fare in modo che la giovane donna che deve sposare rinunci al matrimonio, e per questo, si impone di essere odioso e altezzoso, nonché un perfetto nobile smidollato. Quello che il giovane Conte Petroff non sa però, e che la donna che dovrebbe sposare è quanto mai originale e non intende sposare proprio nessuno, dato che il suo cuore appartiene a un giovane diplomatico conosciuto anni prima. Tuttavia per Alexandra l’onore della sua famiglia è tutto, e per questo non può venire meno alla parola che il padre ha dato al posto suo, ma è decisa a fare in modo che sia il fidanzato a fuggire, sconvolto dalle sue rozze maniere e dal suo linguaggio sboccato. Mentre Alexandra dà il peggio di sé tentando di rallentare il viaggio in ogni modo, Vasili è completamente allibito di fronte a questa donna bellissima, abilissima amazzone, ma dalle maniere tanto grossolane, che ha allevato dei meravigliosi cavalli arabi, che lei chiama i suoi “bambini”. Non si sopportano eppure, inspiegabilmente, sono attratti l’uno dall’altra, anche se la commedia che stanno recitando impedisce loro di vedere la verità e di conoscersi, e solo quando sembra che niente più li leghi, Vasili si accorgerà di volere nella sua vita quella ragazza così unica e originale.
Due personaggi davvero straordinari che danno vita ad una storia spumeggiante di amore/odio che strappa più di una risata; i dialoghi fra i due sono spettacolari e la loro storia d’amore è davvero originale. Alexandra ha fatto di tutto per rimanere fedele a un amore giovanile che, scoprirà poi, è esistito solo da parte sua: per evitare i tanti pretendenti attratti dalla sua formosa bellezza e dalla ricchezza del padre, ha scelto di sembrare una donna priva di tatto, facendosi cacciare dalla corte dello Zar per le sua incapacità di tacere, e girare poi in compagnia di cosacchi che le sono estremamente fedeli non ha giovato alla sua reputazione, così come allevare personalmente i suoi amati cavalli, e vestirsi quasi sempre con i calzoni. In realtà è una donna colta e raffinata, capace di indossare gli abiti come una regina, e di conversare con chiunque; nonostante tenti in ogni modo di evitare questo fidanzamento, non può fare a meno di trovare Vasili bellissimo e affascinante ma è anche convinta che sia incapace di essere fedele. Vasili, da parte sua, per la prima volta si trova di fronte ad una donna che non gli cade ai piedi, che anzi sembra detestarlo e lo considera un nobile incapace di provvedere a se stesso, ignara del resto che lui comandi le guardie del corpo del Re di Cardinia. Entrambi mentono e recitano una parte, eppure non possono evitare di sentirsi attratti l’uno dall’altra, ma dovrete aspettare davvero a lungo per avere una dichiarazione d’amore vera e propria anche se in fondo non se ne sente la mancanza.
Non è la classica storia romantica, ma è davvero divertente e la scrittura della Lindsey non delude, i personaggi sono insoliti e ben caratterizzati, e se anche se le scene d’amore sono davvero poche, si arriva alla fine del libro senza quasi accorgersene. Rimane per me una di quelle storie piacevoli e divertenti che mi rileggo sempre volentieri nelle giornate in cui mi sento un po’ giù.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
June 23, 2015
I read it long, long ago and loved it, especially the heroine. Absolutely adored her. :)
June 2, 2015
The only redeeming thing about the book was the heroine, Alex. She is well developed, has her own interests and stands up for herself. She is a well rounded character and feels real.
BUT
Vasini, the hero, is disgusting. His looks are used as an excuse for him to sleep around. He hits Alex, and threatens to rape her, and is only nice to her in the last 10 pages of the book. I understand that it is set in 1800's Russia, but it doesn't read or feel that way. It feels modern and there was little to no information on Russian culture or society to make me believe we are at that time period (therefore explaining the patriarchal dynamic).
I would have preferred her to have ended up alone breeding horses or with someone else.
BUT
Vasini, the hero, is disgusting. His looks are used as an excuse for him to sleep around. He hits Alex, and threatens to rape her, and is only nice to her in the last 10 pages of the book. I understand that it is set in 1800's Russia, but it doesn't read or feel that way. It feels modern and there was little to no information on Russian culture or society to make me believe we are at that time period (therefore explaining the patriarchal dynamic).
I would have preferred her to have ended up alone breeding horses or with someone else.
September 13, 2019
Johanna Lindsey a été mon auteur de romances historiques préférées pendant plusieurs années. Quel plaisir de redécouvrir ce livre que je n'avais plus lu depuis longtemps. J'adore les héros, la tension qui grandit entre eux au fil de l'histoire.
April 4, 2020
Loved the idea, hated the execution 🙄
December 13, 2022
Wow, wow, wow… chi lo avrebbe mai detto? Di certo non io, assolutamente.
Ho iniziato questo libro con aspettative medie, ho conosciuto da poco l autrice e non mi aveva esattamente convinto ma che dire… potrei essermi innamorata! La lettura è scorrevole e tanto, tanto divertente.
Ho trascorso delle ore molto piacevoli a perdermi in questo mondo, con dei personaggi fantastici che mi hanno fatto morire dal ridere e che mi hanno trasmesso la loro passione e la loro testardaggine haha.
Penso di aver incontrato poche volte personaggi femminili testarde come Alexandra, mi ha tanto conquistato con la sua ingenuità e ottusità e con la sua fierezza. Assolutamente consigliato e sono davvero triste sia già finito.
È il terzo libro però senza un epilogo e penso mi manchino terribilmente 😔
5 stelle piene forse no ma 4 e tre usarti probabile haha quanto è più facile recensire un libro che vi ha fatto stare bene? Quanto è veloce capire un punteggio? Forse mi sbaglio perché sono poco oggettiva e magari troppo emotiva ma alla fine questo conta, quanto stiamo bene mentre leggiamo il nostro libro, quando non ci accorgiamo del tempo o delle pagine che scorrono…
Quanto é bello finire un libro è quanto è brutto dovergli dire addio? Maledizione
Ho iniziato questo libro con aspettative medie, ho conosciuto da poco l autrice e non mi aveva esattamente convinto ma che dire… potrei essermi innamorata! La lettura è scorrevole e tanto, tanto divertente.
Ho trascorso delle ore molto piacevoli a perdermi in questo mondo, con dei personaggi fantastici che mi hanno fatto morire dal ridere e che mi hanno trasmesso la loro passione e la loro testardaggine haha.
Penso di aver incontrato poche volte personaggi femminili testarde come Alexandra, mi ha tanto conquistato con la sua ingenuità e ottusità e con la sua fierezza. Assolutamente consigliato e sono davvero triste sia già finito.
È il terzo libro però senza un epilogo e penso mi manchino terribilmente 😔
5 stelle piene forse no ma 4 e tre usarti probabile haha quanto è più facile recensire un libro che vi ha fatto stare bene? Quanto è veloce capire un punteggio? Forse mi sbaglio perché sono poco oggettiva e magari troppo emotiva ma alla fine questo conta, quanto stiamo bene mentre leggiamo il nostro libro, quando non ci accorgiamo del tempo o delle pagine che scorrono…
Quanto é bello finire un libro è quanto è brutto dovergli dire addio? Maledizione
March 4, 2018
3.5
this might be the first old-school romance i actually enjoyed and you just know it would be an enemies-to-lovers marriage of convenience type........
and they were so!! in denial!! and in love!! and everyone knew. it was infuriating and i was Into It
and when he entered the ballroom all gorgeous and every woman around was fainting and alexandra was all fluttery and happy and in love but then he opened his mouth and immediately she was like im gonna have to kill this fucker
it was [clenches fist] beautiful
but just. one thing. when you have russian characters. a russian setting. CAN'T YOU JUST RESEARCH THE GODDAMN NAMES? THE ENDINGS ARE NOT THAT HARD. HAVE MERCY ON MY BRAIN. and how u could not call alexandra sasha is beyond me
this might be the first old-school romance i actually enjoyed and you just know it would be an enemies-to-lovers marriage of convenience type........
and they were so!! in denial!! and in love!! and everyone knew. it was infuriating and i was Into It
and when he entered the ballroom all gorgeous and every woman around was fainting and alexandra was all fluttery and happy and in love but then he opened his mouth and immediately she was like im gonna have to kill this fucker
it was [clenches fist] beautiful
but just. one thing. when you have russian characters. a russian setting. CAN'T YOU JUST RESEARCH THE GODDAMN NAMES? THE ENDINGS ARE NOT THAT HARD. HAVE MERCY ON MY BRAIN. and how u could not call alexandra sasha is beyond me
April 15, 2022
3.5 ☆
November 29, 2018
da www.sognipensieriparole.com
Ho iniziato questo libro aspettandomi il peggio e invece ho sghignazzato di frequente.
Seppur ambientato nell'improbabile regno di Cardinia (ai confini con la Russia?) e pur essendo un romanzo "vecchiotto", questa storia riserva più di una bella sorpresa.
Partiamo col dire che il barone Rubliov, padre di una figlia intrepida, amatissima, ma anche "sorda" a ogni richiesta di accasarsi e renderlo nonno, è talmente angosciato dall'idea che decide di manipolare lievemente la realtà (possiamo non essere solidali con lui? diciamo che la cosa era stata discussa, ma non tradotta nei fatti pratici) per invocare l'esistenza di un fidanzamento combinato con il figlio di un suo grande amico, il bellissimo conte Vasili Petroff.
Ora, entrambi i giovani non vogliono neppure essere sfiorati dal matrimonio: Alexandra è felice autonoma, pienamente soddisfatta della sua carriera di allevatrice di cavalli (che lei considera i suoi "bambini"), Vasili è altrettanto felice nella sua carriera di libertino reale.
Ma il barone insiste, Vasili è un uomo d'onore: Alexandra si trova "messa all'angolo".
Cosa fare, allora, per convincere Vasili che lei non è la donna adatta a lui?
Semplice, trasformare la loro dolce vita coniugale in un inferno e trascinare il poveraccio in intimità con una maleducatissima cafona, che pensa solo ai cavalli, non si lava, puzza, lo tratta a pesci in faccia...
Non anticipo come prosegue, ma tante scenette sono davvero divertenti e si finisce il libro senza neanche accorgersene. Vasili è superpaziente ma ogni tanto sbrocca, Alexandra è una malandrina ma non così cattiva (e pure lei, alla lunga, capisce i vantaggi d'essere sposata con un nobile da sogno, anche se arrogante).
Nel complesso, quindi, una lettura che mi ha allietato e che non posso non promuovere e consigliare.
Ho iniziato questo libro aspettandomi il peggio e invece ho sghignazzato di frequente.
Seppur ambientato nell'improbabile regno di Cardinia (ai confini con la Russia?) e pur essendo un romanzo "vecchiotto", questa storia riserva più di una bella sorpresa.
Partiamo col dire che il barone Rubliov, padre di una figlia intrepida, amatissima, ma anche "sorda" a ogni richiesta di accasarsi e renderlo nonno, è talmente angosciato dall'idea che decide di manipolare lievemente la realtà (possiamo non essere solidali con lui? diciamo che la cosa era stata discussa, ma non tradotta nei fatti pratici) per invocare l'esistenza di un fidanzamento combinato con il figlio di un suo grande amico, il bellissimo conte Vasili Petroff.
Ora, entrambi i giovani non vogliono neppure essere sfiorati dal matrimonio: Alexandra è felice autonoma, pienamente soddisfatta della sua carriera di allevatrice di cavalli (che lei considera i suoi "bambini"), Vasili è altrettanto felice nella sua carriera di libertino reale.
Ma il barone insiste, Vasili è un uomo d'onore: Alexandra si trova "messa all'angolo".
Cosa fare, allora, per convincere Vasili che lei non è la donna adatta a lui?
Semplice, trasformare la loro dolce vita coniugale in un inferno e trascinare il poveraccio in intimità con una maleducatissima cafona, che pensa solo ai cavalli, non si lava, puzza, lo tratta a pesci in faccia...
Non anticipo come prosegue, ma tante scenette sono davvero divertenti e si finisce il libro senza neanche accorgersene. Vasili è superpaziente ma ogni tanto sbrocca, Alexandra è una malandrina ma non così cattiva (e pure lei, alla lunga, capisce i vantaggi d'essere sposata con un nobile da sogno, anche se arrogante).
Nel complesso, quindi, una lettura che mi ha allietato e che non posso non promuovere e consigliare.
May 14, 2019
An arranged marriage, enemies to lovers historical romance set in the fictional Cardinia, between Alex, an unladylike baroness who spends most of her time with her horses, and Vasili, one of the king's bodyguards and a well-known womanizer.
Both Alex and Vasili are surprised when they are told about their father's betrothal agreement for the two of them, .
Neither of them are happy about it and they are determined to break it, but neither feels that they can call it off, since it's a matter of honor for both of them. Instead, they do their best to get the other to cry off by being their worst selves around each other on the long journey to the capital, where their marriage is supposed to take place.
They might not want to marry, but the attraction between them is undeniable, and they end up falling for one another before they reach their destination. Unfortunately, .
A fun story with a couple locked in a battle of wills that lasts nearly until the very end of the book, where they eventually get their happily ever after.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Once a Princess (Cardinia's Royalty #1)
Both Alex and Vasili are surprised when they are told about their father's betrothal agreement for the two of them, .
Neither of them are happy about it and they are determined to break it, but neither feels that they can call it off, since it's a matter of honor for both of them. Instead, they do their best to get the other to cry off by being their worst selves around each other on the long journey to the capital, where their marriage is supposed to take place.
They might not want to marry, but the attraction between them is undeniable, and they end up falling for one another before they reach their destination. Unfortunately, .
A fun story with a couple locked in a battle of wills that lasts nearly until the very end of the book, where they eventually get their happily ever after.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Once a Princess (Cardinia's Royalty #1)
dnf
December 3, 2021DNF @ 66% - these characters just aren't very likable. All the other bad reviews seem to point to the H as the insufferable one... and yeah, he's not *great*... I really got annoyed that he kept attempting to bed OW, and only didn't because the h intervened... but, it kinda makes sense in context... there were plenty of hints being dropped that he was unlikely to actually follow through... 🤷🏼♀️
No, my issue is the ballbusting badass manish h... she comes off as a know-it-all foul-tempered shrew. She’s so super Alpha at absolutley everything and spent way too much time trying to emasculate the H. 😐
She DOESN'T NEED A MAN, guys!!
(So why are we here, exactly?? You know, in a ROMANCE novel.) 👀🙄
Once I started imagining her as Annie Oakley, I was done.
🎶Anything you can do, I can do betterrrrrr....🎶 🤡
No, my issue is the ballbusting badass manish h... she comes off as a know-it-all foul-tempered shrew. She’s so super Alpha at absolutley everything and spent way too much time trying to emasculate the H. 😐
She DOESN'T NEED A MAN, guys!!
(So why are we here, exactly?? You know, in a ROMANCE novel.) 👀🙄
Once I started imagining her as Annie Oakley, I was done.
🎶Anything you can do, I can do betterrrrrr....🎶 🤡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2008
Quite a bit better than Once a Princess but still not that great. The "hero", Vasili is a male whore, to be blunt. And apparently, this isn't his fault because of the fact that he's so handsome, women throw themselves at him. What is a poor, helpless man to do? What else but catch a few...hundred. That's just plain disgusting. Maybe it was the idea that when a female offers, a rich handsome man cannot possibly refuse her favors. And yet, despite all this bed-hopping, Vasili is somehow still appealing, perhaps due to his ready sense of the ridiculous. Alexandra, however, was just plain irritating. I wanted to slap her in a dozen different ways by the fourth or fifth chapter.
September 30, 2024
💕 Αλεξάνδρα Ρουμπλιόφ & Βασίλι Πετρόφ 💕
⭐ Ο ΘΡΟΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΡΝΤΙΝΙΑ ⭐
Βιβλίο 1: Η εξόριστη πριγκίπισσα
Βιβλίο 2: Ανήκεις σ' εμένα
⭐ Ο ΘΡΟΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΡΝΤΙΝΙΑ ⭐
Βιβλίο 1: Η εξόριστη πριγκίπισσα
Βιβλίο 2: Ανήκεις σ' εμένα
Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews