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Kingsland #1
Innocence Undone
Jessica Fox wasn't always the beautiful, composed young woman who is the toast of the London ton. Born in poverty, Jessica wandered the streets until fate found her a guardian in the aging Marquess of Belmore. Now, it is fate she tempts with her longing for the Marquess's son, the arrogant and handsome Captain Mathew Seaton.
Upon his return from the sea, Matthew is forced to confront the sensuous beauty he believes has set her sights on the Belmore title. Though his mind tells him to beware, his blood boils with thoughts of luring her into his bed. To win his love, Jessica will do anything. But when desire flames and the dark shadow of her childhood lengthens, she risks everything she has dreamed of in a dangerous dance of denial.
Upon his return from the sea, Matthew is forced to confront the sensuous beauty he believes has set her sights on the Belmore title. Though his mind tells him to beware, his blood boils with thoughts of luring her into his bed. To win his love, Jessica will do anything. But when desire flames and the dark shadow of her childhood lengthens, she risks everything she has dreamed of in a dangerous dance of denial.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 15, 1997
63 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
189 books3,149 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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August 10, 2016I've never read this book but it was checked out on my library card a few years ago.
I was confused when I'd been told I could not check anything out because of an overdue book. "What book?" I innocently inquired.
"INNOCENCE UNDONE!!"
"I've never heard of that book. There must be some sort of mistake", I spluttered.
"INNOCENCE UNDONE!!!!!!!"
I became red and flustered and tried to reason with the librarian but she wasn't having it.
"INNOCENCE UNDONE!!!" the librarian hollared over a megaphone. The entire library turned to stare at me. This was worse than the time I failed to return "Sweet November" at Blockbuster.
I wasn't able to check anything out. I relayed the story to my older sister who tilted her head down and evilly grinned. She had checked that book out under my card.
I was confused when I'd been told I could not check anything out because of an overdue book. "What book?" I innocently inquired.
"INNOCENCE UNDONE!!"
"I've never heard of that book. There must be some sort of mistake", I spluttered.
"INNOCENCE UNDONE!!!!!!!"
I became red and flustered and tried to reason with the librarian but she wasn't having it.
"INNOCENCE UNDONE!!!" the librarian hollared over a megaphone. The entire library turned to stare at me. This was worse than the time I failed to return "Sweet November" at Blockbuster.
I wasn't able to check anything out. I relayed the story to my older sister who tilted her head down and evilly grinned. She had checked that book out under my card.
January 27, 2012
This book could have been so much better if written properly.
1. Story has too many cliches.
2. Repetitive use of same phrases over and over again. Like, the heroine is always on the verge of crying at every possible situation ("tears sprang into her eyes", "tears burned the backs of her eyes", "tears rolled down her cheeks"!)..."aching tenderness inside her heart".."tightening of heart"..."squeezing of heart"...
3. Undeveloped and depth-less character. The author wrote in a very simple straightforward manner. There is no proper description of thoughts,feelings,tumults,conflicts that goes inside the characters mind.
4. Second half turns out to be too melodramatic; mature characters start acting immaturely; too stereotypical.
5. The writer tried to include everything in one book.
Recommend to young new HR readers.
1. Story has too many cliches.
2. Repetitive use of same phrases over and over again. Like, the heroine is always on the verge of crying at every possible situation ("tears sprang into her eyes", "tears burned the backs of her eyes", "tears rolled down her cheeks"!)..."aching tenderness inside her heart".."tightening of heart"..."squeezing of heart"...
3. Undeveloped and depth-less character. The author wrote in a very simple straightforward manner. There is no proper description of thoughts,feelings,tumults,conflicts that goes inside the characters mind.
4. Second half turns out to be too melodramatic; mature characters start acting immaturely; too stereotypical.
5. The writer tried to include everything in one book.
Recommend to young new HR readers.
January 11, 2020
While this was enjoyable, I completely forgot I had read this last weekend so I can't say it's memorable. That being said, if you haven't read a lot of romances, this may perk up your ears. My expectations were high for asshole hero Matthew but aside from being a snob and a sexist, like all the heroes are, he wasn't as crazy as I thought he would be. The innocence theme was very heavy-handed. I lost count of how many times Matthew wondered whether Jessie was a "Good Girl" or a "Bad Girl" and I am glad I lost count. The only reason Matthew cared was so that he could treat Jessie like a prostitute without any of the social repercussions or post-coital guilt. Ugh. I enjoy starchy heroes that must confront the fact that they have desires outside of their duty, that may even conflict with that duty, but he wasn't a Darcy figure. Meanwhile, Jessie has had a crush on him her whole life and now she has the opportunity to show him she is no longer a Poor but a lady he should take seriously.
My biggest beef with asshole heroes is when they are paired with spineless heroines. Jessie tries so hard to be Perfect that she becomes a doormat. She makes excuses for Matthew's behaviour and never once thinks about herself or that she's got options. I want a heroine that wises up to her own power and gives some tit for tat. And if that means she acts a little irrationally - good for her.
Overall, this was a fun read and it is worth checking out if you're in the mood for these tropes. I say this every time I read a Pygmalion-esque tale, but Karen Robards' Loving Julia remains my favourite take of the lord transforming the guttersnipe into a lady.
My biggest beef with asshole heroes is when they are paired with spineless heroines. Jessie tries so hard to be Perfect that she becomes a doormat. She makes excuses for Matthew's behaviour and never once thinks about herself or that she's got options. I want a heroine that wises up to her own power and gives some tit for tat. And if that means she acts a little irrationally - good for her.
Overall, this was a fun read and it is worth checking out if you're in the mood for these tropes. I say this every time I read a Pygmalion-esque tale, but Karen Robards' Loving Julia remains my favourite take of the lord transforming the guttersnipe into a lady.
August 12, 2013
omfg. why in the heck are these "heroes" suck a$$holes?? really. matthew spends 95% of the book being the world's biggest jerk. he's mean, rude, emotionally and sexually abusive, and yet somehow he's still the "perfect" man and jessie loves him. why can't they write a hero that isn't a horrible human being? I spent most of the book wanting to deck matthew and smack some sense into jessie. she's the perfect victim. rationalizes everything and justifies it with "but I love him." awful. if I hadn't been completely out of other reading material I never would have finished it. and now? dumpster. and I wont feel guilty.
September 17, 2011
Kat Martin is absolutely one of my favorite historical romance novelist and my aunt had been urging me to read this particular book...but it was soooo difficult to find..no library had and not many bookstores..its one of her earlier novels so that might have been the problem..but we finally found it and let me tell you it wont disappoint. I love the character of Jessie she's head-strong and determined to win the heart of the very proper but devilishly handsome Matthew Seaton...who by the way is the most frustrating and bull-headed man but who just needs a little lesson in the art of love and of course manipulation. :) Papa Reggie is definitely my favorite character he is set on getting his sons and ward married and in love and if it calls for a little artful planning and twisting of some vital limbs he does it. I love that old man. overall its a book worth reading especially if you're a historical romance lover like me. ;) happy reading ! :)
December 30, 2020
For the first half of the book I kind of hate the ML.
He goes on and on about how the FL is a whores daughter...yet he's the one acting like a whore and worse towards the FL when she does not deserve it in the least. He's a fucking bigot - so much for honour and being a gentleman. He's in fact a total scum.
So was I happy of his suffering later on and only after that did kinda like him 'cuz he'd learned his lesson.
Makes me smile just thinking of the spectacle he made of himself... hehehehe, serves the jerk right.
But sadly, few chapters later and off he goes back to his old ways. Sigh.
It was an ok book.
The ML was a disappointment most of the time. Sooo...meh.
It's ok to read to pass the time, but not something I'd say was good.
Out of 10 * I'd give it 5. Since that's not an option...2.5*
He goes on and on about how the FL is a whores daughter...yet he's the one acting like a whore and worse towards the FL when she does not deserve it in the least. He's a fucking bigot - so much for honour and being a gentleman. He's in fact a total scum.
So was I happy of his suffering later on and only after that did kinda like him 'cuz he'd learned his lesson.
Makes me smile just thinking of the spectacle he made of himself... hehehehe, serves the jerk right.
But sadly, few chapters later and off he goes back to his old ways. Sigh.
It was an ok book.
The ML was a disappointment most of the time. Sooo...meh.
It's ok to read to pass the time, but not something I'd say was good.
Out of 10 * I'd give it 5. Since that's not an option...2.5*
August 19, 2019
A strong female character, but her early crush on the hero rings false and is not necessary. Between the many secondary characters, subplots, and various events, there's a lot going on here - sometimes feels rushed and kitchen-sinky, other times the suspense is great. One scene in particular is delightfully over the top. The main romance plot does a lot of two steps forward, one step back, to the point of being tiresome, and subplot resolutions are rushed. A solid and engaging read, but I prefer some of her other works.
April 5, 2022
I liked, I didn't love it.
I thought the female main character should be more resilient, after all that she's been through or perhaps the love she's having since she was a little girl should have been better explored... Matthew had a lot of not so nice attitudes*. He was so caught up in prejudice that nothing Jessie did could change his mind. His obsession, arrogance and jealousy were too much, seeming that everything was justified, but it wasn't... Even so, I liked the male character even though it might not look like it :D
The whole story seemed to me a bit shallow, with little depth, but neverthless nice. It seemed the all pieces didn't fit well together.
*
I thought the female main character should be more resilient, after all that she's been through or perhaps the love she's having since she was a little girl should have been better explored... Matthew had a lot of not so nice attitudes*. He was so caught up in prejudice that nothing Jessie did could change his mind. His obsession, arrogance and jealousy were too much, seeming that everything was justified, but it wasn't... Even so, I liked the male character even though it might not look like it :D
The whole story seemed to me a bit shallow, with little depth, but neverthless nice. It seemed the all pieces didn't fit well together.
*
August 13, 2019
This book did the Star Slide...
I gave my first Kat Martin book 5 stars, so I was excited to read this one. After a few pages, it was clear that the writing is bad: sloppy, ungainly, never the mot juste, with frequent slips in consistency and logic (i.e., one time the hero walks into a room without stopping, and a few paragraphs later we discover that he closed and locked the door behind him). 4 stars. Then we have "Papa Reggie", who's supposedly the heroine's guardian, but who seems really creepy. (Coincidentally, the last book I read was a Victoria Holt in which the heroine, also named Jessica, has an older guardian who wants her to marry his biological son. But Holt can pull that sort of thing off.) 3 stars. The hero and heroine both hurt people who don't deserve it. 2 stars. THEN we get to the midpoint, at which the author needs to restructure her story and stakes for the second half. But NOTHING in the second half was set up in the first half of the book. The hero becomes controlling, suddenly decides he doesn't want her after all, we're reassured that nevertheless they continue to have a hot sex life, etc., etc. So at this point, the flimsy characterization, which has been upheld by my acceptance of tropes, completely disintegrates into both psychological and narrative implausibility. It's utter nonsense. I have stopped reading. 1 star.
I gave my first Kat Martin book 5 stars, so I was excited to read this one. After a few pages, it was clear that the writing is bad: sloppy, ungainly, never the mot juste, with frequent slips in consistency and logic (i.e., one time the hero walks into a room without stopping, and a few paragraphs later we discover that he closed and locked the door behind him). 4 stars. Then we have "Papa Reggie", who's supposedly the heroine's guardian, but who seems really creepy. (Coincidentally, the last book I read was a Victoria Holt in which the heroine, also named Jessica, has an older guardian who wants her to marry his biological son. But Holt can pull that sort of thing off.) 3 stars. The hero and heroine both hurt people who don't deserve it. 2 stars. THEN we get to the midpoint, at which the author needs to restructure her story and stakes for the second half. But NOTHING in the second half was set up in the first half of the book. The hero becomes controlling, suddenly decides he doesn't want her after all, we're reassured that nevertheless they continue to have a hot sex life, etc., etc. So at this point, the flimsy characterization, which has been upheld by my acceptance of tropes, completely disintegrates into both psychological and narrative implausibility. It's utter nonsense. I have stopped reading. 1 star.
August 18, 2023
HR Letter vs Sci-Fi Letter Fun Read
For my own entertainment (because I never know what to choose from my TBR) I'll choose a book starting with the same letter from two genres: Historical Romance and Sci-Fi Romance, my two favorites.
This the HR for the letter I
3 stars
★★★☆☆
The angst in this book was
Suffice to say I enjoyed every bit of it.
My problem was surprisingly enough, the way the hero finally decides to claim the heroine.
I was enjoying the built up of his jealousy, the suspense of when he would intervene and then it happened in a way that would be considered romantic in a contemporary novel. In an HR set in 1805... It made me cringe.
Add to that the fact Matt was dead drunk and it just killed any semblance to romance in his action. Which is bad since this is a romance novel.
I actually liked the hero. He was a starchy, snobbish prig. He keeps thinking how he would love to make Jess his mistress and would do it if it weren't for his father. Exactly what you would expect from a man in his position at the time. The romance is to see him overcome all his prejudices and fall in love despite his preconceptions.
Which is what happens... But it's all tainted with the way they marry... I just hated it. If he had done the same thing the night before, even drunk, it would have been better. But she was already vulnerable to scandal because of her origins, and such a public, embarrassing scene just made everything worse.
I might be too harsh, but sadly this tainted a lot of the story for me.
If you ignore it, all the angst in the early marriage is what I live for. I love a hero who doesn't want to feel, yet becomes jealous, possessive and irrational. I love it when a hero accuses the heroine of something only to be proven wrong and having to grovel or feeling like a lowling bug. I love a pining heroine/hero. I. Love. It.
This book gave me all that. Too bad about the church scene.
This is the Sci-Fi I read for my HR Letter vs Sci-Fi Letter Fun Read
For my own entertainment (because I never know what to choose from my TBR) I'll choose a book starting with the same letter from two genres: Historical Romance and Sci-Fi Romance, my two favorites.
This the HR for the letter I
3 stars
★★★☆☆
The angst in this book was
Suffice to say I enjoyed every bit of it.
My problem was surprisingly enough, the way the hero finally decides to claim the heroine.
I was enjoying the built up of his jealousy, the suspense of when he would intervene and then it happened in a way that would be considered romantic in a contemporary novel. In an HR set in 1805... It made me cringe.
Add to that the fact Matt was dead drunk and it just killed any semblance to romance in his action. Which is bad since this is a romance novel.
I actually liked the hero. He was a starchy, snobbish prig. He keeps thinking how he would love to make Jess his mistress and would do it if it weren't for his father. Exactly what you would expect from a man in his position at the time. The romance is to see him overcome all his prejudices and fall in love despite his preconceptions.
Which is what happens... But it's all tainted with the way they marry... I just hated it. If he had done the same thing the night before, even drunk, it would have been better. But she was already vulnerable to scandal because of her origins, and such a public, embarrassing scene just made everything worse.
I might be too harsh, but sadly this tainted a lot of the story for me.
If you ignore it, all the angst in the early marriage is what I live for. I love a hero who doesn't want to feel, yet becomes jealous, possessive and irrational. I love it when a hero accuses the heroine of something only to be proven wrong and having to grovel or feeling like a lowling bug. I love a pining heroine/hero. I. Love. It.
This book gave me all that. Too bad about the church scene.
This is the Sci-Fi I read for my HR Letter vs Sci-Fi Letter Fun Read
June 22, 2017
One of the very few books I have not read until now by Kat Martin. I'm never very good at updating always on this site, but when I do I try my best to give my opinion if/ when I have one. Compared to her newest series (I really enjoy the Against series), this book is of only "two" book series, though she has a stand alone it is considered apparently containing one of the other characters from these two in Kingsland I believe.
Anywho, Jessie is amazing and smart for a female lead and I love the idea of her and her friend Gwen getting into trouble in real life. As usual, you have to have the hard, jerk-like male lead (Matthew here) that finally admits how he feels. However, I must say compared to other romance books I have read he isn't as much of an a** as many of the others' personalities. Yeah, there are times where he can be a bit abusive seeming, but, personally, I think he's suffering from lack of love/ affection issues throughout his life until being with Jessie.
Overall, I loved the sailor aspect of the book and will never get sick of her historical series, even if I do love the contemporary ones of late.
Anywho, Jessie is amazing and smart for a female lead and I love the idea of her and her friend Gwen getting into trouble in real life. As usual, you have to have the hard, jerk-like male lead (Matthew here) that finally admits how he feels. However, I must say compared to other romance books I have read he isn't as much of an a** as many of the others' personalities. Yeah, there are times where he can be a bit abusive seeming, but, personally, I think he's suffering from lack of love/ affection issues throughout his life until being with Jessie.
Overall, I loved the sailor aspect of the book and will never get sick of her historical series, even if I do love the contemporary ones of late.
April 4, 2018
Kat ha superato se stessa e non in senso positivo. È riuscita a creare la storia più stupida e tragica che io abbia letto negli ultimi anni. Lui e Lei si innamorano, ma non vogliono, perciò fingono di non amarsi. Questo li conduce a fare scelte e adottare strategie completamente fuori da ogni logica o sentimento. L’apoteosi viene raggiunta quando Lui maltratta Lei perché lo costringe ad amarla. O quando Lei fugge da Lui per non infangare il suo nome a causa del suo passato pieno di macchie. Sono stata tentata più volte di abbandonarlo, ma l’ho finito. Non avrei perso niente. Le stelle sono tre, ma tirate con le pinze.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
Jessica Fox doesn’t believe Captain Matthew Seaton will remember her with any fondness when he returns home to his ancestral estate. Her unsavory background as a doxy’s daughter is hidden from society, thanks to Matthew’s father, the Marquess of Belmore, who has become her guardian. Now dressed as a lady, she hopes to impress Matthew. But even as they fall for each other, can she keep her past a secret from the ton? Or should she keep her distance from Matthew so as not to embroil his family in scandal? This predicament presents an interesting conflict as the tale unfolds. Readers will anticipate the ultimate decision the heroine is forced to make.
June 12, 2025
Fantastic book.
I’ve loved every book I’ve read from this author. I devoured this book in a day, it’s so good. Loved how Jessie worked hard at becoming a lady. Matthew knew her when she was young and a thief. Loved how he fought his feelings for her but finally fell hard. I cried a bit and loved their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
I’ve loved every book I’ve read from this author. I devoured this book in a day, it’s so good. Loved how Jessie worked hard at becoming a lady. Matthew knew her when she was young and a thief. Loved how he fought his feelings for her but finally fell hard. I cried a bit and loved their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
June 16, 2025
Now I need to research
Great sweet story but maybe I remember reading over 50 years ago about British/ French(Spanish) war & Lord Nelson & the French fleet caught and trapped in low tide & losing because they were trapped. Long time ago but different than open water battle described in Innocence Undone. Now Kat you are going to make me research that battle—great work!
Great sweet story but maybe I remember reading over 50 years ago about British/ French(Spanish) war & Lord Nelson & the French fleet caught and trapped in low tide & losing because they were trapped. Long time ago but different than open water battle described in Innocence Undone. Now Kat you are going to make me research that battle—great work!
June 25, 2025
Extraordinary Storytelling!!!
Love Mathew's and Jessie's story. He believed protecting himself from love was a wise decision. She had fought for all she accomplished. They were total opposites but once they started to get to know each other as adullts , all that changed!!! I also very much enjoy the love story of the secondary characters in this novel. Hugely Recommend!!!!
Love Mathew's and Jessie's story. He believed protecting himself from love was a wise decision. She had fought for all she accomplished. They were total opposites but once they started to get to know each other as adullts , all that changed!!! I also very much enjoy the love story of the secondary characters in this novel. Hugely Recommend!!!!
March 6, 2022
Mathew does and says alot of shitty stuff to Jessica. Needed waaayy more groveling and apologizing imo. I hate it when the story is brought to a climax that never amounts to much and leaves me unsatisfied.
July 31, 2025
As a book published in 1997, it's an old-fashioned kind of story in the best meaning of this term.
The story is rich, original and full of twists and surprises.
The main characters are tangled in various emotional conflicts with themselves and each other, but still, there are no naiveties so common in modern novels.
They sort out their problems in straight conversations, avoiding any resemblance of this story to a soap opera.
Great entertainment.
The story is rich, original and full of twists and surprises.
The main characters are tangled in various emotional conflicts with themselves and each other, but still, there are no naiveties so common in modern novels.
They sort out their problems in straight conversations, avoiding any resemblance of this story to a soap opera.
Great entertainment.
August 18, 2018
Highly recommend 😘
September 17, 2018
Blah, blah.
October 11, 2019
The stars are for Gwen and her parts of the story cause that’s really the only part I liked..
June 10, 2021
3.5 stars rounded down. Full review to follow
July 19, 2021
3.5 stars
November 20, 2024
It started off solid but I grew to despise the characters. Too much crammed into one book without enough character building.
June 16, 2025
Good read
This is probably one of the best I have read in a long time. Everything was always moving characters, scenes, telling of the tale.
This is probably one of the best I have read in a long time. Everything was always moving characters, scenes, telling of the tale.
June 26, 2025
Very entertaining
Excellent writing. Characters were very likeable. Kat Ma,rtin's books are all very well written and historically accurate. I recommend to any romance reader.
Excellent writing. Characters were very likeable. Kat Ma,rtin's books are all very well written and historically accurate. I recommend to any romance reader.
August 31, 2025
It was not bad but the h was too pathetic.
I hate such spineless h.
Also it’s unsafe. The H sleeps with ow even after being attracted to the h. He actually enjoys the sex with ow.
Dnf. Bad book.
I hate such spineless h.
Also it’s unsafe. The H sleeps with ow even after being attracted to the h. He actually enjoys the sex with ow.
Dnf. Bad book.
October 3, 2025
First half 1 star, second half 4 stars
October 10, 2025
By and1515
Jessie.
Jessie she'd had been the bane of his existence since the day she show up.
She knew no matter how hard she tried Jessica wouldn't never overcome the circumstances of her birth or the fact her mother had been the worst kind and had done nothing to care for her.
Matthew couldn't believe his father had actually taken in that little gutter brat and now she was supposed to have out grown her wild ways and behave like a lady.
However neither one is willing to admit that there truly something between them an when Matthew returns to his ship Jessie makes a life changing decision.
Matthew honestly couldn't have more shocked by his father's letter informing him of Jessie's engagement to some duke.
Booze, Liquor, and of course the all famous gut rut was all he was interested in at the moment.
Matthew's head felt like it was going to explode and then something drew his attention next to him. He most still be drunk because he was seeing things or more importantly someone but then she spoke esuring him he wasn't losing his mind.
Matthew did what any man would do after kidnapping the bride from her wedding. He married Jessie himself.
His father esured him they'd weather the scandle he created just fine it would take a little time and a lot of money to ease certain people's hurt feelings.
Jessie never expected to see her brother again let alone the fact he was hitting her up for money. She always knew he was a bad penny but seriously to sale something so precious.
Jessie couldn't let Matthew and his family suffer because of her the rumors and dreadful innuendos would scare there reputation no she couldn't let that happen.
Once he knew what had truly happened Matthew didn't have to contemplate his next action.
She was his wife and he was going after her and no one better get in his way.
Jessie.
Jessie she'd had been the bane of his existence since the day she show up.
She knew no matter how hard she tried Jessica wouldn't never overcome the circumstances of her birth or the fact her mother had been the worst kind and had done nothing to care for her.
Matthew couldn't believe his father had actually taken in that little gutter brat and now she was supposed to have out grown her wild ways and behave like a lady.
However neither one is willing to admit that there truly something between them an when Matthew returns to his ship Jessie makes a life changing decision.
Matthew honestly couldn't have more shocked by his father's letter informing him of Jessie's engagement to some duke.
Booze, Liquor, and of course the all famous gut rut was all he was interested in at the moment.
Matthew's head felt like it was going to explode and then something drew his attention next to him. He most still be drunk because he was seeing things or more importantly someone but then she spoke esuring him he wasn't losing his mind.
Matthew did what any man would do after kidnapping the bride from her wedding. He married Jessie himself.
His father esured him they'd weather the scandle he created just fine it would take a little time and a lot of money to ease certain people's hurt feelings.
Jessie never expected to see her brother again let alone the fact he was hitting her up for money. She always knew he was a bad penny but seriously to sale something so precious.
Jessie couldn't let Matthew and his family suffer because of her the rumors and dreadful innuendos would scare there reputation no she couldn't let that happen.
Once he knew what had truly happened Matthew didn't have to contemplate his next action.
She was his wife and he was going after her and no one better get in his way.
November 18, 2014
* 4.5 stars*
This was my first Kat Martin read and it certainly won't be the last.
This book was near perfect for my historical romance aficionado tastes. If it weren't for the fact that Matthew annoyed me like hell with his insistence that Jessie was sure to be a fake and a whore like her mother, I would have given it 5 stars.
For pity's sake, man! Let go of your prejudice and just see the real woman you have in front of you!
Jessie was a saint for putting up with his prejudiced, self-righteous, arrogant crap and so was I, because, as unbelievable as it seems, we both fell in love with him.
What can I say? He was a sexy piece of tortured captain ass and I can't resist those!
Anyway, this book has a lot of subplots I adore in historical romance - commoner heroine/aristocrat hero, heroine rises out of her low station, unrequited love, heroine loving the hero for years, tortured pasts and awful situation happening and so much more.
If you love these as much as I do, then this book is for you. If not, do it anyway. 'Innocence Undone' has good writing, great characters and an interesting plot.
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