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Dreaming of You
(The Gamblers of Craven's #2)
by
She stood at danger's threshold—then love beckoned her in.
In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven—and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gamb ...more
In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven—and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gamb ...more
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Mass Market Paperback, 373 pages
Published
June 30th 2015
by Avon
(first published January 1st 1994)
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Start your review of Dreaming of You (The Gamblers of Craven's, #2)
Quick review finally completed 10/31/13
FANTASTIC!!! HUGE 5 Stars!
Dreaming of You is one of the most beautifully told love stories I've read. It's full of vibrant and flawed characters that will touch your heart like few other characters will. There's nothing new I can say about this slightly heartbreaking yet wonderfully heartwarming story that hasn't already been said other than Derek Craven and Sara Feilding and their love story is why I read romance. It doesn't get better than this!
...more
FANTASTIC!!! HUGE 5 Stars!
Dreaming of You is one of the most beautifully told love stories I've read. It's full of vibrant and flawed characters that will touch your heart like few other characters will. There's nothing new I can say about this slightly heartbreaking yet wonderfully heartwarming story that hasn't already been said other than Derek Craven and Sara Feilding and their love story is why I read romance. It doesn't get better than this!
...more
Did my 5th re-read of this book yesterday. I used to love it--really, I did.
But things changed. My views have changed, and I can't let the fact that Derek shagged that housewench as a sub for Sara go. It felt unclean for me, and was so downright disrespectful to women in general. No woman should be used for her body like that. Enough.
And this delineation between pure, naive Sara and the unclean OTHER women? Yeah, that can go to hell. I'm sick of that shit. ...more
But things changed. My views have changed, and I can't let the fact that Derek shagged that housewench as a sub for Sara go. It felt unclean for me, and was so downright disrespectful to women in general. No woman should be used for her body like that. Enough.
And this delineation between pure, naive Sara and the unclean OTHER women? Yeah, that can go to hell. I'm sick of that shit. ...more
Mar 20, 2009
Shawna
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Lisa Kleypas fans, historical romance readers, and tortured hero lovers
Recommended to Shawna by:
Eastofoz
5++ stars – Historical/Regency Romance
This is such a beautiful, heartrending love story that I savored like the finest Vosges chocolate! And it’s no wonder why this is such a sentimental, LK fan favorite...Derek Craven...*dreamy sigh*.
Author Sara Fielding wants to observe the workings of London’s underground gaming halls for her latest novel, including the most famous gambling club of all, Craven’s, and the notorious man who runs it. Derek Craven, the sexy, cynical, hardened cockney son of a pro ...more
This is such a beautiful, heartrending love story that I savored like the finest Vosges chocolate! And it’s no wonder why this is such a sentimental, LK fan favorite...Derek Craven...*dreamy sigh*.
Author Sara Fielding wants to observe the workings of London’s underground gaming halls for her latest novel, including the most famous gambling club of all, Craven’s, and the notorious man who runs it. Derek Craven, the sexy, cynical, hardened cockney son of a pro ...more
Mar 29, 2015
Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
5 I-so-marrying-Derek-in-my-next-life stars ! ♥
This book was a BLOODY AMAZING READ !! I can't believe I just struck gold in a mine full of books,so unintentionally....
She felt him tremble with the force of his need. He spoke just beneath her ear, his voice thick with tormented pleasure. "You have to leave, Sara ... because I want to hold you like this until your skin melts into mine. I want you in my bed, the smell of you on my sheets, your hair spread across my pillow. I want to take your inno ...more
This book was a BLOODY AMAZING READ !! I can't believe I just struck gold in a mine full of books,so unintentionally....
She felt him tremble with the force of his need. He spoke just beneath her ear, his voice thick with tormented pleasure. "You have to leave, Sara ... because I want to hold you like this until your skin melts into mine. I want you in my bed, the smell of you on my sheets, your hair spread across my pillow. I want to take your inno ...more
I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 60 on my shelf. This is book 22.
(Tropes: Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love, Wallflower, Love Triangle)
This is how my 22nd re-read held up.
I cannot believe how I have chosen to ignore a MAJOR big problem in this book the first time I read it. CHEATING. Not once. But twice! The second time was sort of out of his control, but the first time was NOT, so
The thing is, this book is pretty awesome. Was pretty awesome – whatever.
At least ...more
(Tropes: Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love, Wallflower, Love Triangle)
This is how my 22nd re-read held up.
I cannot believe how I have chosen to ignore a MAJOR big problem in this book the first time I read it. CHEATING. Not once. But twice! The second time was sort of out of his control, but the first time was NOT, so
The thing is, this book is pretty awesome. Was pretty awesome – whatever.
At least ...more
ALERT! ALERT! Cheating hero!
Hero was not celibate during the separation. I will avoid this book since I had a BAD experience with the last book I read by Kleypas:
Forever My Love
Forever My Love? Oh, really?
I don't know if people can understand this but, I CONSIDER that a hero is a cheater when AFTER he MEETS the heroine and HAS SEX with her, and maybe he started to feel "something" for her, he dumps her and sleeps with other woman/women. This separation was not for YEARS!
I like my heros being cel ...more
Hero was not celibate during the separation. I will avoid this book since I had a BAD experience with the last book I read by Kleypas:
Forever My Love
Forever My Love? Oh, really?
I don't know if people can understand this but, I CONSIDER that a hero is a cheater when AFTER he MEETS the heroine and HAS SEX with her, and maybe he started to feel "something" for her, he dumps her and sleeps with other woman/women. This separation was not for YEARS!
I like my heros being cel ...more
Oct 30, 2008
Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Fans of historical romance
This book is a beautiful love story. Derek Craven is a self-made man who is not interested in love, and certainly not with a sheltered provincial spinster like Sara. But when he falls for her, he falls hard. The beauty of this story is how deeply Derek comes to love Sara. Some of the things he says to her, and the way he shows his love move d me intensely when I read it, and still do, though it has been years since I read this book. And Sara is worthy of his love. She might be rather plain and c
...more
I read this book long ago when it first came out.
It was one of my fav as the tortured hero goes he was the best.
However, I must say looking back on it now I can see that it was an ok read but it also had some questionable moments like when he first sees her and does not help her out but she saves his life.
He is a street rat and does not know any other way to be but basic. The fact that he does not have sex with her when she throws herself at him says how hard he was trying to do right by her. ...more
It was one of my fav as the tortured hero goes he was the best.
However, I must say looking back on it now I can see that it was an ok read but it also had some questionable moments like when he first sees her and does not help her out but she saves his life.
He is a street rat and does not know any other way to be but basic. The fact that he does not have sex with her when she throws herself at him says how hard he was trying to do right by her. ...more
Liked this one. I always like a tortured hero ... and Derek Craven really is tortured. He feels that because of his upbringing he is unworthy of love, especially the love of a sweet person.
Loved catching up with Lily and Alex again. I loved the first book.
Derek fights his attraction to Sara. She is not even his "type": a country maiden from a small village. He is used to the flirtatious ladies of the ton.
Separately they had different strengths. Together they were complete.
Loved catching up with Lily and Alex again. I loved the first book.
Derek fights his attraction to Sara. She is not even his "type": a country maiden from a small village. He is used to the flirtatious ladies of the ton.
He was so far f...more
I absolutely get the fascination and obsession with Derek Craven now. My heart, ya’ll.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 30, 2010
Annie
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Everyone, especially historical romance fans
5+++ STARS!!!
MARRY ME, MR. CRAVEN!!!
I don’t think it’s possible for me to talk about this book without excessive gushing! I’ve heard great things about Derek Craven, about how he’s Kleypas’ favourite hero that she’s ever written and now I understand why! Derek is the most haunted, the most broken out of all the heroes she has written. And I thought Kev from the Hathaways was intense! Derek easily stole my heart in Then Came You and he broke it in Dreaming of You!
And then there’s Sara Rose Fie ...more
MARRY ME, MR. CRAVEN!!!
I don’t think it’s possible for me to talk about this book without excessive gushing! I’ve heard great things about Derek Craven, about how he’s Kleypas’ favourite hero that she’s ever written and now I understand why! Derek is the most haunted, the most broken out of all the heroes she has written. And I thought Kev from the Hathaways was intense! Derek easily stole my heart in Then Came You and he broke it in Dreaming of You!
And then there’s Sara Rose Fie ...more
6++++ Stars
HOLY HISTORICAL HOTNESS. Derek Craven's got to be thee finest historical male that was ever written!! Need any more reason to read this?? Didn't think so- 'nuff said.
Derek grew up in the gutters. He is now the richest man in London as the owner of Craven's, a renowned gaming hell. His upbringing has left him extremely guarded and cynical. Sara Fielding is a young writer from the country who visits the casino for research on her latest book, but what she finds is one *irresistible* man ...more
HOLY HISTORICAL HOTNESS. Derek Craven's got to be thee finest historical male that was ever written!! Need any more reason to read this?? Didn't think so- 'nuff said.
Derek grew up in the gutters. He is now the richest man in London as the owner of Craven's, a renowned gaming hell. His upbringing has left him extremely guarded and cynical. Sara Fielding is a young writer from the country who visits the casino for research on her latest book, but what she finds is one *irresistible* man ...more
I have never read a Lisa Kleypas book and shame on me for waiting so long. I do know that lots of my friends love her stories and as I do like historicals, I decided to jump on the back wagon.
Derek Craven and his tortured soul......the “I don’t deserve love because of my background” and his reputation as a rogue is known far and wide around London. Sara Fielding, the sweet, country maiden, savvy author, who might I add is also a virgin, is a strong woman of her convictions but wants to know if s ...more
Derek Craven and his tortured soul......the “I don’t deserve love because of my background” and his reputation as a rogue is known far and wide around London. Sara Fielding, the sweet, country maiden, savvy author, who might I add is also a virgin, is a strong woman of her convictions but wants to know if s ...more
I read this book at least once a year, and have been doing so for the past 5 years. There really are not enough words for this love story. Each time I read it, I think that I've romanticized it in my mind, and each time I am left with the same amazed, giddy, and warm-fuzzies that I experienced that last time I read it. If you are a romance fan...this is an absolute MUST READ. DEREK CRAVEN is a name that you'll take with you to the grave!
This man is so positively unforgettable that I struggle to ...more
This man is so positively unforgettable that I struggle to ...more
Apr 13, 2010
Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Romance fans
Miss Sara Fielding, a celebrated but reclusive author, is researching her new book about gambling in the seedier parts of London a long way from her sedate live in the country. When she saves a man from being attacked she is astounded to realize that it is none other than the owner of the renowned gaming hall Mr Derek Craven. In repayment for saving his life he lets the spinsterish but adventurous Miss Fielding into his club for her research; however, the little “mouse” seems to be getting u ...more
Looking at my friend's ratings it is clear that I am once again the black sheep.
The thing is, despite loving the Wallflower and the Hathaway series to bits, I tend to have some problems with Lisa Kleypas older books _apparently this was written back in 2003 o_O _, they feel very soap operish to me, and I'm sick and tired of idiotic heroines always placing themselves in dangerous situations, so that the hero can save them!
That's what happened here: Sarah is supposed to be an intelligent woman but ...more
5+ stars for Derek Craven!
I have a new book boyfriend, his name is Derek Craven.
“He was a powerful man with street swagger and absolute confidence, a man who could no more conceal his appetite for the finer things of life than he could keep the sun from rising.”
This book was beyond perfection! A virgin, and a scoundrel. However will this work out?! Trust me, it works out, and is so steamy. I love Derek’s cockney accent..his scar. The fact that he is a sexual beast, and falls head over feet for ...more
I have a new book boyfriend, his name is Derek Craven.
“He was a powerful man with street swagger and absolute confidence, a man who could no more conceal his appetite for the finer things of life than he could keep the sun from rising.”
This book was beyond perfection! A virgin, and a scoundrel. However will this work out?! Trust me, it works out, and is so steamy. I love Derek’s cockney accent..his scar. The fact that he is a sexual beast, and falls head over feet for ...more
This has to be one of the all time greats for historical romances, it was beautiful! Ms Kleypas has outdone herself as an author. Her magical use of words, enthrals and brings the reader into a magical world of passionate love between the enigmatic Craven and the virginal Sarah. Derek Craven is the notorious gambling hell owner, Sarah a novelist, in London researching for her new book. Sarah saves his life, and the "game is on". Derek Craven believes he is unworthy of the love Sarah has to offer
...more
***4.25 Stars***
"Everything I have is yours," he said raspily. "Everything."
"I only want you."
Alright, I've done it. I've finally met Derek Craven. Contentiously lauded as the #1 Lisa Kleypas hero, I've finally had the pleasure of meeting him.
And he certainly did not disappoint. He may not be my new #1...it's gonna be hard to knock Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent from that spot...but he certainly ranks up there, and I clearly see why he's a reader favorite!
If anyone knows me, I'm a suc ...more
Nov 13, 2016
Holly
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance,
2018-read
Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite Historical Romance authors, but based on this I am not sure I want to go further back than her Wallflowers series. The writing style is still the same, which I like, but the insta-romance is a downer and there weren't any "fun" interactions like we later see in her Hathaways series (and I hope to see with West in her book coming out next year, Devil's Daughter). This one also felt a bit slow at times. This was good, but I know this author wrote much better late
...more
3.5 stars. I liked but didn't love this sweet HR about Sara the apparently mousy writer who is really quite a strong and interesting person, and Derek the poor Cockney orphan made good. Derek has had a very tough life but he has pulled himself up by his bootstraps and is now highly successful.
On the surface, they don't seem like an obvious couple, but they fall deeply in love and it's soon clear they were meant for each other. There are a few twists and turns to the plot, including a suitably t ...more
On the surface, they don't seem like an obvious couple, but they fall deeply in love and it's soon clear they were meant for each other. There are a few twists and turns to the plot, including a suitably t ...more
This was such a beautiful story that had me reading it in about one sitting!
You met Derek Craven in The Came You as a gambling club owner with a dark past who had to claw his way up to the top and do everything in his power to stay there. When he’s suddenly attacked he’s saved by a well-known author Sara Fielding. After finding out who Derek is, Sara asks in the name of research for her next book to view his gambling club but, when sparks fly between them Derek and Sara they both face obstacl ...more
You met Derek Craven in The Came You as a gambling club owner with a dark past who had to claw his way up to the top and do everything in his power to stay there. When he’s suddenly attacked he’s saved by a well-known author Sara Fielding. After finding out who Derek is, Sara asks in the name of research for her next book to view his gambling club but, when sparks fly between them Derek and Sara they both face obstacl ...more
DEREK CRAVEN 😍😍😍 THAT’S ALL.
Okay, I'd like to start off this review by saying that if Lily were alive in this day and age, this would be her fave T-shirt:
She invades this book with her sexist bitchiness, always blabbing on about how men are "useless creatures" and "easy to manage" etc... It's a wonder she actually decided to marry a man, what with the way she loathes them.
Moving on from Lily.
So, Derek. He is my man. I love his guts. Seriously. Lily claimed he was a heartless, uncaring man, when, obviously, he was not. Lil ...more
She invades this book with her sexist bitchiness, always blabbing on about how men are "useless creatures" and "easy to manage" etc... It's a wonder she actually decided to marry a man, what with the way she loathes them.
Moving on from Lily.
So, Derek. He is my man. I love his guts. Seriously. Lily claimed he was a heartless, uncaring man, when, obviously, he was not. Lil ...more
I have wanted to read "Dreaming of You" ever since i read "Then Came You" last year and got to meet the very beloved Anti-hero Derek Craven!(i see that every member in Goodreads are madly awed by this hero)I was so captivated by his dark mysterious character that i wanted to meet the one lady who would bring this rake down his knees.Lisa Kleypas is a marvelous writer who delivered much drama,intrigue,emotions,love,passion that was so smoldering that i simply couldn`t stop reading.I love the stor
...more
Jul 30, 2011
Tammy Walton Grant
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Tammy by:
Every romance reader on GR
This is going to be another review where I apologize to every GR friend who loves this book. I'm sorry guys, I just didn't. I tried - I really did!
I didn't connect with either Derek or Sara, I didn't care for the story, and found myself skipping the love scenes. SKIPPING THE LOVE SCENES, folks. (That doesn't happen very often, I'm a bit of a dirty girl.)
The whole book was meh for me, and frankly some parts made me uncomfortable. I dunno what it was, but it was like my brain shied away as soon as ...more
I didn't connect with either Derek or Sara, I didn't care for the story, and found myself skipping the love scenes. SKIPPING THE LOVE SCENES, folks. (That doesn't happen very often, I'm a bit of a dirty girl.)
The whole book was meh for me, and frankly some parts made me uncomfortable. I dunno what it was, but it was like my brain shied away as soon as ...more
"You have to leave, Sara ... because I want to hold you like this until your skin melts into mine. I want you in my bed, the smell of you on my sheets, your hair spread across my pillow. I want to take your innocence. God! I want to ruin you for anyone else."
Lisa Kleypas is my favorite HR author. I just love her books. And Dreaming of You was great. It reminded me of Devil in Winter, probably because of the whole gambling house, and Derek thinking he wasn’t good enough for Sara. Der
...more
3.75. I'm rounding to 4 stars.
I'll begin by saying that LK's earlier works are definitely from a different era. Perhaps one that doesn't allow romance authors to get too explicit with their love scenes (unfortunately). Not only was I made to wait until 70+% through the book before I actually got to it, the scenes themselves felt rushed, leaving a feeling of dissatisfaction.
Now, I know LK can write pretty hot love scenes. By the time the Hathaways series came along, she was already taking the he ...more
I'll begin by saying that LK's earlier works are definitely from a different era. Perhaps one that doesn't allow romance authors to get too explicit with their love scenes (unfortunately). Not only was I made to wait until 70+% through the book before I actually got to it, the scenes themselves felt rushed, leaving a feeling of dissatisfaction.
Now, I know LK can write pretty hot love scenes. By the time the Hathaways series came along, she was already taking the he ...more
I'm a suckerrrr for regency romance books. It's always just the right amount of cheesy.
-----------
Not a perfect book, but it was mesmerizing at times. Lisa Kleypas’ characters always fill me with such strong emotions, whether they are positive or negative. This book is not one of my favorites out of all of her books, but there is definitely something charming and intriguing about Derek Craven and his world of gambling, drinking, and other vices. He is an interesting figure for sure. I also love ...more
-----------
Not a perfect book, but it was mesmerizing at times. Lisa Kleypas’ characters always fill me with such strong emotions, whether they are positive or negative. This book is not one of my favorites out of all of her books, but there is definitely something charming and intriguing about Derek Craven and his world of gambling, drinking, and other vices. He is an interesting figure for sure. I also love ...more
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| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Historical Romance novel about a woman who is an author and goes to a man who has many brothels to write about it and falls in love with him. [s] | 4 | 751 | Aug 23, 2020 04:43AM | |
| Romance, Historic...: Book of the Month Giveaway - Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas | 3 | 9 | Sep 25, 2018 11:47AM | |
| Happily Ever Afte...: Book of the Month Giveaway - Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas | 3 | 4 | Sep 24, 2018 08:01PM | |
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“A long time ago I learned not to explain things to people. It misleads them into thinking they're entitled to know everything I do. —[Sara]”
—
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“Derek's breath touched Sara's throat in unsteady urges. "Sometimes," he whispered, "I'm so close to you ... and I'm still not close enough. I want to share your breath ... every beat of your heart."
He cradled her head in both his hands, his mouth hot on her neck. "Sometimes," he murmured, "I want to punish you a little."
"Why?"
"For making me want you until I ache with it. For the way I wake at night just to watch you sleeping." His face was intense and passionate above her, his green eyes sharp in their brightness. "I want you more each time I'm with you. It's a fever that never leaves me. I can't be alone without wondering where you are, when I can have you again." His lips possessed hers in a kiss that was both savage and tender, and she opened to him eagerly.”
—
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More quotes…
He cradled her head in both his hands, his mouth hot on her neck. "Sometimes," he murmured, "I want to punish you a little."
"Why?"
"For making me want you until I ache with it. For the way I wake at night just to watch you sleeping." His face was intense and passionate above her, his green eyes sharp in their brightness. "I want you more each time I'm with you. It's a fever that never leaves me. I can't be alone without wondering where you are, when I can have you again." His lips possessed hers in a kiss that was both savage and tender, and she opened to him eagerly.”
