What do you think?
Rate this book
Bancroft Brothers #1
By Love Undone
SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER
Madeleine Willits was shunned by London society for a scandal that was no fault of hers, and forced to seek a paid position in the country. So when Quinlan Bancroft, Marquis of Wakefield, comes to direct the household during his uncle's illness, Maddie is determined to detest the nobleman on sight. But though the 'marquis' is easy to dislike, the 'man' himself is a different matter. Quinlan's aplomb in the face of mud, demented pigs, and musket-waving villagers is deucedly appealing. Small wonder, then, that Maddie quite forgets to repulse Quinlan when he enfolds her in a sweet embrace...
MEETS THE NOBLE LORD
Caught kissing his uncle's lovely young companion, Quinlan feels he should make amends, and use his rank to re-establish Miss Willits in society. Unfortunately, it is soon apparent that Maddie has no idea how to resist imnportunate young rakes who believe her ripe for the plucking. But Maddie knows there is only one rake whose attentions she truly needs to fear—because only Quinlan Bancroft possesses the power to break her heart.
Madeleine Willits was shunned by London society for a scandal that was no fault of hers, and forced to seek a paid position in the country. So when Quinlan Bancroft, Marquis of Wakefield, comes to direct the household during his uncle's illness, Maddie is determined to detest the nobleman on sight. But though the 'marquis' is easy to dislike, the 'man' himself is a different matter. Quinlan's aplomb in the face of mud, demented pigs, and musket-waving villagers is deucedly appealing. Small wonder, then, that Maddie quite forgets to repulse Quinlan when he enfolds her in a sweet embrace...
MEETS THE NOBLE LORD
Caught kissing his uncle's lovely young companion, Quinlan feels he should make amends, and use his rank to re-establish Miss Willits in society. Unfortunately, it is soon apparent that Maddie has no idea how to resist imnportunate young rakes who believe her ripe for the plucking. But Maddie knows there is only one rake whose attentions she truly needs to fear—because only Quinlan Bancroft possesses the power to break her heart.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1998
53 people are currently reading
1121 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Enoch
101 books2,629 followersSuzanne was born in Southern California sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. In the way that some people are born knowing they want to be astronauts or cellists, Suzanne always knew she wanted to be a writer. Early dreams of becoming a zoologist and writing true stories about her adventures in Africa were crushed, however, after she viewed a television special about the world’s most poisonous snakes; she did NOT want to write about how she’d been bitten and lost a limb to a cobra. Thankfully at the same time the movie “Star Wars” premiered, and she realized that she could make up adventures and write about them, and not be eaten by deadly predators while doing research.
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 28, 2024
This review will be one big long nitpick, strap in
The story here was mid but I could not enjoy it because I kept being pulled out by the terrible inaccuracies. This read then became an exercise in nitpicking, so now I’m going to delight in pointing that shit out.
These glaring faults are THE BASICS that anyone writing historical romance should know. I’m not a historian, but the things below are well-known and not difficult to grasp if you have any familiarity with the genre.
1. A Duke can disown his son but he cannot disinherit him. He must follow the rules of primogeniture. He can leave any unentailed properties and wealth to whomever he wants but he cannot decide who gets his title. It is the first born son who inherits and those laws are set in stone, even to this day. So his dad threatening him with losing the Duke title if he doesn’t marry as he demands is simply WRONG. He can cut him off financially until his death, but that’s it.
2. Duchesses and Dukes are referred to as his or her Grace not Lady/Lord such and such. This is basic etiquette and everyone writing histrom should know this.
3. An unmarried daughter of the peerage would not have a family title nor be called by her surname, unless in rare cases in Scotland but not while her father lived. She’d be Lady Eloise, Not Lady Stokely.
4. Quin and Maddie travelled three days in a closed carriage alone, staying overnight at inns. No chaperone or maid and yet they were looking to preserve or fix her reputation? That would have destroyed it.
5. Maddie worked as a companion for an older man, but he was well for 4 1/2 years of her employment. She would have been thoroughly ruined by this and her reputation unsalvageable. Plus older men didn’t hire companions, older women did.
6. In the first sex scene he rips her dress off and under it she’s wearing one shift. ONE SHIFT! Women at the time would have been corseted (with stays), worn petticoats, drawers etc. you couldn’t have tugged a dress and torn it off making her near naked. EVERYONE who knows ANYTHING about regency clothing knows this.
7. Quin’s uncle Malcolm is the second son of a Duke and referred to as Mr. Bancroft. He would be Lord Malcolm, no matter how many sons his brother had, same as Rafe, the younger brother would be Lord Rafe. This author messed up titles so badly in this, I wonder at the editor and publisher. This is an earlier work of hers but it’s published under Avon which is well versed in historical romance.
Add to that Quin was engaged to another woman most of this book with the intent to go forward with the marriage up until the 80% point, even though he knew he was in love with Maddie, and also kept pursuing Maddie sexually while trying to both protect her from rakes and reestablish her reputation in society. In this time he continues to kiss and fawn over his fiancée. It went on way too long for my comfort and made him look like an asshole to both women and also too weak to stand up to his father.
And with all the problems above 👆🏻, this book was very slow moving and the first half dragged at a snails pace. We don’t even get to the main plot until 35%, with all this time spent in the country before they even make their arrangement.
The sex scenes were also violent, but this is not a bodice ripper by any means. He empties a vase onto her head, throws objects at her, bruises her roughly and calls her a slut but he is supposed to be an upstanding gentleman? I get this for a dark hero, but this wasn’t that. It didn’t fit at all. He’s never soft to her and never apologizes the whole book.
And for a traditionally published book, this has a lot of typos, in my nitpicky greatness I tracked over 20.
So this wasn’t good, this is a tragedy really because the cover is gorgeous ,but since it’s one of this author’s first books, I think I might try one of her later ones to see if she’s learned anything.
The story here was mid but I could not enjoy it because I kept being pulled out by the terrible inaccuracies. This read then became an exercise in nitpicking, so now I’m going to delight in pointing that shit out.
These glaring faults are THE BASICS that anyone writing historical romance should know. I’m not a historian, but the things below are well-known and not difficult to grasp if you have any familiarity with the genre.
1. A Duke can disown his son but he cannot disinherit him. He must follow the rules of primogeniture. He can leave any unentailed properties and wealth to whomever he wants but he cannot decide who gets his title. It is the first born son who inherits and those laws are set in stone, even to this day. So his dad threatening him with losing the Duke title if he doesn’t marry as he demands is simply WRONG. He can cut him off financially until his death, but that’s it.
2. Duchesses and Dukes are referred to as his or her Grace not Lady/Lord such and such. This is basic etiquette and everyone writing histrom should know this.
3. An unmarried daughter of the peerage would not have a family title nor be called by her surname, unless in rare cases in Scotland but not while her father lived. She’d be Lady Eloise, Not Lady Stokely.
4. Quin and Maddie travelled three days in a closed carriage alone, staying overnight at inns. No chaperone or maid and yet they were looking to preserve or fix her reputation? That would have destroyed it.
5. Maddie worked as a companion for an older man, but he was well for 4 1/2 years of her employment. She would have been thoroughly ruined by this and her reputation unsalvageable. Plus older men didn’t hire companions, older women did.
6. In the first sex scene he rips her dress off and under it she’s wearing one shift. ONE SHIFT! Women at the time would have been corseted (with stays), worn petticoats, drawers etc. you couldn’t have tugged a dress and torn it off making her near naked. EVERYONE who knows ANYTHING about regency clothing knows this.
7. Quin’s uncle Malcolm is the second son of a Duke and referred to as Mr. Bancroft. He would be Lord Malcolm, no matter how many sons his brother had, same as Rafe, the younger brother would be Lord Rafe. This author messed up titles so badly in this, I wonder at the editor and publisher. This is an earlier work of hers but it’s published under Avon which is well versed in historical romance.
Add to that Quin was engaged to another woman most of this book with the intent to go forward with the marriage up until the 80% point, even though he knew he was in love with Maddie, and also kept pursuing Maddie sexually while trying to both protect her from rakes and reestablish her reputation in society. In this time he continues to kiss and fawn over his fiancée. It went on way too long for my comfort and made him look like an asshole to both women and also too weak to stand up to his father.
And with all the problems above 👆🏻, this book was very slow moving and the first half dragged at a snails pace. We don’t even get to the main plot until 35%, with all this time spent in the country before they even make their arrangement.
The sex scenes were also violent, but this is not a bodice ripper by any means. He empties a vase onto her head, throws objects at her, bruises her roughly and calls her a slut but he is supposed to be an upstanding gentleman? I get this for a dark hero, but this wasn’t that. It didn’t fit at all. He’s never soft to her and never apologizes the whole book.
And for a traditionally published book, this has a lot of typos, in my nitpicky greatness I tracked over 20.
So this wasn’t good, this is a tragedy really because the cover is gorgeous ,but since it’s one of this author’s first books, I think I might try one of her later ones to see if she’s learned anything.
August 3, 2015
I stumbled upon this by accident. It was 2 o'clock in the morning, and I had just woken up from a nightmare. After a few minutes of appreciating the small cobweb on my ceiling, I decided to get up and go to my small library.
Lo and behold, a Suzanne Enoch book welcomed me, and it was one that I haven't read before. Purchased some years back, it was dusty and rather yellowish on the side. Oh, great, I can read myself to sleep, I thought, as I started reading the first paragraph.
But sleep did not come for me.
5 hours later, I was finally on the last page of the book, sobbing stupidly on my oversized chair.
I loved it. By God, I loved it so much.
It's been a while since I read a Suzanne Enoch book, and damn it felt good to read one again. By Love Undone had everything a romance novel should have: wit, fun, passion, love. It had a feisty and independent heroine who was not afraid to stand up for herself (though she was a bit annoying at times), and an adorable hero who cherished her above anything else on earth.
Like Bram in Always a Scoundrel, Quin loved Maddie. Worshipped her, to be exact. Dear Lord, how he grovelled, pined and yearned for her!
He was so delicious! And this has got to be one of the sweetest proposals I've ever read:
YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!!! I WILL MARRY YOU QUIN!!!!!!!!!!
I loved Quin, but I couldn't help but fall for Rafe too. He was so perfect as well. Oh, the way he fell for Maddie too.
I would have rooted for him had I not been so convinced that Quin and Maddie were made for each other. Poor Rafe. I'll heal your wounds for you, you big cutie.
If there was one thing I didn't like, it would be the "hero-is-engaged-to-be-married" trope. I almost gave up on this book once I discovered that Quin was engaged--since birth--to someone else. That's usually enough reason for me to throw in the towels, because I absolutely hate cheating and I don't excuse anyone--not even the hero and heroine--from committing that sin. Cheating is cheating.
But damn, I don't know how she did it, but Suzanne Enoch pulled it off. I'm not going to spoil for you guys, but she really did manage to justify what happened between the leads in a spectacular fashion. I did not feel even the least bit guilty after The Big Reveal/The Big Justification. It didn't seem like cheating, at all. Mind you, that says something since I'm such a prude. Bravo, Suzanne Enoch. Bravo.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite books EVER. I will read it again and again and again until it disintegrates.
Lo and behold, a Suzanne Enoch book welcomed me, and it was one that I haven't read before. Purchased some years back, it was dusty and rather yellowish on the side. Oh, great, I can read myself to sleep, I thought, as I started reading the first paragraph.
But sleep did not come for me.
5 hours later, I was finally on the last page of the book, sobbing stupidly on my oversized chair.
I loved it. By God, I loved it so much.
It's been a while since I read a Suzanne Enoch book, and damn it felt good to read one again. By Love Undone had everything a romance novel should have: wit, fun, passion, love. It had a feisty and independent heroine who was not afraid to stand up for herself (though she was a bit annoying at times), and an adorable hero who cherished her above anything else on earth.
Like Bram in Always a Scoundrel, Quin loved Maddie. Worshipped her, to be exact. Dear Lord, how he grovelled, pined and yearned for her!
He was so delicious! And this has got to be one of the sweetest proposals I've ever read:
“Maddie, you are more precious to me than anything on this earth, including my title. If I have to be Quin Bancroft to marry you, then I will happily become him. We could raise pigs.”
YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!!! I WILL MARRY YOU QUIN!!!!!!!!!!
I loved Quin, but I couldn't help but fall for Rafe too. He was so perfect as well. Oh, the way he fell for Maddie too.
I would have rooted for him had I not been so convinced that Quin and Maddie were made for each other. Poor Rafe. I'll heal your wounds for you, you big cutie.
If there was one thing I didn't like, it would be the "hero-is-engaged-to-be-married" trope. I almost gave up on this book once I discovered that Quin was engaged--since birth--to someone else. That's usually enough reason for me to throw in the towels, because I absolutely hate cheating and I don't excuse anyone--not even the hero and heroine--from committing that sin. Cheating is cheating.
But damn, I don't know how she did it, but Suzanne Enoch pulled it off. I'm not going to spoil for you guys, but she really did manage to justify what happened between the leads in a spectacular fashion. I did not feel even the least bit guilty after The Big Reveal/The Big Justification. It didn't seem like cheating, at all. Mind you, that says something since I'm such a prude. Bravo, Suzanne Enoch. Bravo.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite books EVER. I will read it again and again and again until it disintegrates.
March 9, 2010
Madeleine Willits works as a companion to Malcolm Bancroft. After Malcolm falls ill his nephew, Quinlan Bancroft, Marquis of Warefield, is sent to help run the estate. Even before Maddie sees Quin she knows that she will hate him. She knows his type and is definitely not impressed. For Quin's part he isn't that thrilled to be ordered by his father to go to Langley Hall. He was supposed to be on his way to spend some time with his soon-to-be-but-not-quite-yet betrothed. After his arrival Maddie tries not at all to stifle her contempt for him and Quin finds himself quite fascinated by her (for some reason). Malcolm tries to get Maddie to be nicer to Quin which results in her insulting him in the most sugary sweet way possible. She seems to believe he's an idiot and chortles to herself about him not picking up on her oh so subtle insults. After more insults on Maddie's part and fascination on Quin's part they indulge in a kiss. Malcolm catches them in the act and much drama ensues. Because of Quin dishonoring Maddie he agrees to have his family sponsor her in town and try to reestablish her in society.
I disliked Maddie enormously. It was really hard for me to like the book because most of it is told from her perspective and she made me want to smack her. I don't have a problem with unlikeable characters that learn and grow from their mistakes, but I never saw that here. If I can understand the motivation of a character and see that it is in line with how their personality is portrayed I can deal with even the most unlikeable traits. Maddie, however, did not have a compelling reason to act how she did. I get that some lout stole a kiss and everyone in the ton (including her family) turned their back on her. I understand that she would be a little (or a lot) bitter. But she never really owns to any sense of responsibility for anything. She revels in her preconceived notions of nobility (even though she's one too) and even when shown that not all noblemen are cardboard cutouts of each other she still refuses to believe that she may be acting like a whiny immature child. She was just so rude about everything!
Quin was a little more likable than Maddie, but I never got a good grasp of his character. I didn't understand why he liked Maddie. I know that I was supposed to be taken in by the fact that he was fascinated by her, but I couldn't believe it. We are told again and again in the book that no one had ever spoken to him like Maddie did. Is the fact that he was never angry about it (for some mysterious reason) supposed to show me that she's the one? It just didn't make any sense. Added to that was the fact that he had an agreement to eventually be engaged to Eloise when he kissed Maddie. He dipped dramatically in my esteem there. I spent most of the story feeling sorry for him because he didn't have a backbone. He let people insult him (Maddie again and again) and push him around (his father) through the whole book. The fact that he finally stands up to his father at the end didn't convince me of his character growth. As I saw it, there was never any real threat from his father. He may have been able to stop paying for his lifestyle, but I didn't see how his threat to not let him inherit his title held any weight. Maybe I missed something there...
The kiss that Malcolm saw didn't seem like a good reason for Quin to have to reestablish Maddie in the eyes of the ton. She never said no. She never even tried to discuss why it wasn't a good idea. She was just as responsible for it as Quin was. I'll admit that she told his uncle as much, but she was very dramatic and nonsensical about the whole thing. Why would she try to run from Langley Hall because she felt she was ruined again? Malcolm already knew about the first kiss that ruined her. He even told her he wouldn't kick her out. Then Malcolm presents his plan to fix her reputation. Maddie tries to get out of it but ends up agreeing to go along with it for a limited duration. After that time period is up she gets to return to Langley Hall having fulfilled her part of the bargain. How does that even remotely make sense? She was ashamed and tried to leave, then she gets pressured into the bargain but only for a while and then she can come back to Langley Hall. What??? Wasn't she just trying to leave there because of the shame? Why is ok to come back after a limited time period? Maybe I'm once again missing something.
I was really disappointed with how the situation with Eloise turned out. In the beginning it seems like there's this perfectly nice girl that Quin has known since he was a child. There has always been an understanding between their families that they would eventually marry. She was understanding and let him keep dithering about the wedding date and not being officially engaged. They wrote letters to each other all the time and visited often. Instead of having Quin have to deal with wanting to be with Maddie but not wanting to hurt Eloise, which would have added depth and real conflict to his character, Quin never has to question himself or his feelings because of who Eloise is shown to be. It seemed like a cop out to the possibility of a genuine conflict. Eloise was such a caricature. Everything about her was so over the top. I get that the author had to show us why Quin could never possibly be with her, but come on. A little subtlety would have been nice.
I didn't mind the fact that this was a reissue, I knew that going in. I am a very big fan of Suzanne Enoch and have enjoyed many of her older works. However, this one really did not work for me. For those new to Suzanne Enoch: If you did not enjoy this book, do not write this author off completely. Try another (newer) book by her and see if it works better for you. It might just turn into a keeper for you.
I disliked Maddie enormously. It was really hard for me to like the book because most of it is told from her perspective and she made me want to smack her. I don't have a problem with unlikeable characters that learn and grow from their mistakes, but I never saw that here. If I can understand the motivation of a character and see that it is in line with how their personality is portrayed I can deal with even the most unlikeable traits. Maddie, however, did not have a compelling reason to act how she did. I get that some lout stole a kiss and everyone in the ton (including her family) turned their back on her. I understand that she would be a little (or a lot) bitter. But she never really owns to any sense of responsibility for anything. She revels in her preconceived notions of nobility (even though she's one too) and even when shown that not all noblemen are cardboard cutouts of each other she still refuses to believe that she may be acting like a whiny immature child. She was just so rude about everything!
Quin was a little more likable than Maddie, but I never got a good grasp of his character. I didn't understand why he liked Maddie. I know that I was supposed to be taken in by the fact that he was fascinated by her, but I couldn't believe it. We are told again and again in the book that no one had ever spoken to him like Maddie did. Is the fact that he was never angry about it (for some mysterious reason) supposed to show me that she's the one? It just didn't make any sense. Added to that was the fact that he had an agreement to eventually be engaged to Eloise when he kissed Maddie. He dipped dramatically in my esteem there. I spent most of the story feeling sorry for him because he didn't have a backbone. He let people insult him (Maddie again and again) and push him around (his father) through the whole book. The fact that he finally stands up to his father at the end didn't convince me of his character growth. As I saw it, there was never any real threat from his father. He may have been able to stop paying for his lifestyle, but I didn't see how his threat to not let him inherit his title held any weight. Maybe I missed something there...
The kiss that Malcolm saw didn't seem like a good reason for Quin to have to reestablish Maddie in the eyes of the ton. She never said no. She never even tried to discuss why it wasn't a good idea. She was just as responsible for it as Quin was. I'll admit that she told his uncle as much, but she was very dramatic and nonsensical about the whole thing. Why would she try to run from Langley Hall because she felt she was ruined again? Malcolm already knew about the first kiss that ruined her. He even told her he wouldn't kick her out. Then Malcolm presents his plan to fix her reputation. Maddie tries to get out of it but ends up agreeing to go along with it for a limited duration. After that time period is up she gets to return to Langley Hall having fulfilled her part of the bargain. How does that even remotely make sense? She was ashamed and tried to leave, then she gets pressured into the bargain but only for a while and then she can come back to Langley Hall. What??? Wasn't she just trying to leave there because of the shame? Why is ok to come back after a limited time period? Maybe I'm once again missing something.
I was really disappointed with how the situation with Eloise turned out. In the beginning it seems like there's this perfectly nice girl that Quin has known since he was a child. There has always been an understanding between their families that they would eventually marry. She was understanding and let him keep dithering about the wedding date and not being officially engaged. They wrote letters to each other all the time and visited often. Instead of having Quin have to deal with wanting to be with Maddie but not wanting to hurt Eloise, which would have added depth and real conflict to his character, Quin never has to question himself or his feelings because of who Eloise is shown to be. It seemed like a cop out to the possibility of a genuine conflict. Eloise was such a caricature. Everything about her was so over the top. I get that the author had to show us why Quin could never possibly be with her, but come on. A little subtlety would have been nice.
I didn't mind the fact that this was a reissue, I knew that going in. I am a very big fan of Suzanne Enoch and have enjoyed many of her older works. However, this one really did not work for me. For those new to Suzanne Enoch: If you did not enjoy this book, do not write this author off completely. Try another (newer) book by her and see if it works better for you. It might just turn into a keeper for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2017
Well done Regency with a cracker jack heroine with a spine of steel.
Madeiline was essentially forced out of society due to a scandal she was an innocent part of. As a result of the hypocrisy of the ton of Regency England she HATES them all. The last five years she has been the companion to a lord, younger son to a horribly arrogant Duke. Her employer's nephew shows up and it all begins, little children.
He assumes she's his Uncle's mistress while she does everything to make him leave. After a few amusing antics that include a rampaging pig and some very Austen-ish local social climbers, his uncle makes the H take her to London to re-launch her back into society. This proposal displeases several characters: the heroine who wants nothing to do with London, the H's horrible fiancee, the H's father- almost as horrible Duke, and that's about it.
Nice characters, good plot, and most of the stupidity is left to the bad guys who get a comeuppance, but in my evil spirits I am deducting a star. Downgrade to a 3 plus star!
Madeiline was essentially forced out of society due to a scandal she was an innocent part of. As a result of the hypocrisy of the ton of Regency England she HATES them all. The last five years she has been the companion to a lord, younger son to a horribly arrogant Duke. Her employer's nephew shows up and it all begins, little children.
He assumes she's his Uncle's mistress while she does everything to make him leave. After a few amusing antics that include a rampaging pig and some very Austen-ish local social climbers, his uncle makes the H take her to London to re-launch her back into society. This proposal displeases several characters: the heroine who wants nothing to do with London, the H's horrible fiancee, the H's father- almost as horrible Duke, and that's about it.
Nice characters, good plot, and most of the stupidity is left to the bad guys who get a comeuppance, but in my evil spirits I am deducting a star. Downgrade to a 3 plus star!
August 3, 2021
Wonderful romance with witty dialogue, great verbal sparring, and well-written chemistry
Suzanne Enoch is an extremely talented writer and I absolutely loved By Love Undone, the first of the Bancroft Brothers books (followed by Taming Rafe). Maddie and Quin are wonderful characters and their romance is so enjoyable to read. The witty dialogue and verbal sparring is highly entertaining and Maddie is a great heroine, a real spitfire who is not afraid to stand up for herself. It was also a wonderful change to have the hero be unafraid to declare that he's in love (in this book, it's the heroine who is reluctant to admit her feelings out loud). The secondary characters were well-written and three dimensional; the Duke and Duchess (Quin's parents) were both complex characters and neither of them was portrayed as being simply "good" or "bad," making them very realistic. I loved Rafe, Quin's younger brother, and cannot wait to read his story.
SUMMARY:
Madeleine Willits was 18 years old when she was ruined after being caught kissing a young man who was not her fiance (the guy was actually drunk and forcing himself on her). Her friends and fiance abandon her and her parents lock her in her room; she escapes and decides to create a new life for herself, leaving London behind and vowing to have nothing more to do with London society or the nobility. When we meet Maddie, she is 23 years old and has been been the companion to an elderly gentleman, Mr. Malcolm Bancroft, for four years. Malcolm receives a letter from his brother, the Duke of Highbarrow, telling him that Malcolm's nephew Quinlan Bancroft, Marquis of Warefield (30), is coming to visit. Although Maddie has promised her employer she will be on her best behavior, she can barely control her antipathy and antagonism towards Quin (she pretends to cover it by being sickeningly sweet).
Quin is the upstanding and obedient elder son who has always fulfilled his obligations and taken care of his responsibilities, yet he is confounded by the immediate hostility he encounters upon meeting his uncle's companion - whom he assumes is actually Malcolm's mistress. When Malcolm (a great secondary character!) catches Maddie and Quin kissing, he insists that Quin help reintroduce Maddie to society to make up for it. The battle of wits that ensues is highly entertaining and you will greatly enjoy seeing Quin and Maddie getting to know, like, and eventually love one another.
There is a subplot involving characters who are trying to stop Quin and Maddie from getting their HEA and although I don't usually like contrived obstacles that get in the way of the hero and heroine's love story, there were none of those major misunderstandings/mix-ups between the main characters that sometimes ensue, so it didn't really detract from the book.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Maddie is a strong and independent heroine; she's very likable and admirably overcomes a painful past and creates a new life for herself. Like I said before, she's a spitfire who sticks up for herself and it's fun to watch her clash with Quin (and the Duke!!). Quin is a terrific hero; a lot of times the guys are rakes whom the heroine tames, so it was a nice change to have the hero be a man who is normally Mr. Respectable Nice Guy and who meets in the heroine a woman who makes him want to let passion and his heart guide him.
BOTTOM LINE:
A must-read that I would recommend buying; classified as a keeper and definite re-read in my library. Other Enoch books that I have read and enjoyed include A Matter of Scandal (With This Ring, Book 3) and London's Perfect Scoundrel (Lessons in Love, Book 2), as well as Taming Rafe which is this book's sequel.
Suzanne Enoch is an extremely talented writer and I absolutely loved By Love Undone, the first of the Bancroft Brothers books (followed by Taming Rafe). Maddie and Quin are wonderful characters and their romance is so enjoyable to read. The witty dialogue and verbal sparring is highly entertaining and Maddie is a great heroine, a real spitfire who is not afraid to stand up for herself. It was also a wonderful change to have the hero be unafraid to declare that he's in love (in this book, it's the heroine who is reluctant to admit her feelings out loud). The secondary characters were well-written and three dimensional; the Duke and Duchess (Quin's parents) were both complex characters and neither of them was portrayed as being simply "good" or "bad," making them very realistic. I loved Rafe, Quin's younger brother, and cannot wait to read his story.
SUMMARY:
Madeleine Willits was 18 years old when she was ruined after being caught kissing a young man who was not her fiance (the guy was actually drunk and forcing himself on her). Her friends and fiance abandon her and her parents lock her in her room; she escapes and decides to create a new life for herself, leaving London behind and vowing to have nothing more to do with London society or the nobility. When we meet Maddie, she is 23 years old and has been been the companion to an elderly gentleman, Mr. Malcolm Bancroft, for four years. Malcolm receives a letter from his brother, the Duke of Highbarrow, telling him that Malcolm's nephew Quinlan Bancroft, Marquis of Warefield (30), is coming to visit. Although Maddie has promised her employer she will be on her best behavior, she can barely control her antipathy and antagonism towards Quin (she pretends to cover it by being sickeningly sweet).
Quin is the upstanding and obedient elder son who has always fulfilled his obligations and taken care of his responsibilities, yet he is confounded by the immediate hostility he encounters upon meeting his uncle's companion - whom he assumes is actually Malcolm's mistress. When Malcolm (a great secondary character!) catches Maddie and Quin kissing, he insists that Quin help reintroduce Maddie to society to make up for it. The battle of wits that ensues is highly entertaining and you will greatly enjoy seeing Quin and Maddie getting to know, like, and eventually love one another.
There is a subplot involving characters who are trying to stop Quin and Maddie from getting their HEA and although I don't usually like contrived obstacles that get in the way of the hero and heroine's love story, there were none of those major misunderstandings/mix-ups between the main characters that sometimes ensue, so it didn't really detract from the book.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Maddie is a strong and independent heroine; she's very likable and admirably overcomes a painful past and creates a new life for herself. Like I said before, she's a spitfire who sticks up for herself and it's fun to watch her clash with Quin (and the Duke!!). Quin is a terrific hero; a lot of times the guys are rakes whom the heroine tames, so it was a nice change to have the hero be a man who is normally Mr. Respectable Nice Guy and who meets in the heroine a woman who makes him want to let passion and his heart guide him.
BOTTOM LINE:
A must-read that I would recommend buying; classified as a keeper and definite re-read in my library. Other Enoch books that I have read and enjoyed include A Matter of Scandal (With This Ring, Book 3) and London's Perfect Scoundrel (Lessons in Love, Book 2), as well as Taming Rafe which is this book's sequel.
November 4, 2015
I give up. I will not try to like this book anymore.
In all truthfulness it might be a great read if you like the characters. I have real trouble liking Madeline. And once the heroine lost me, she lost me forever.
I read the 2nd book in the series Taming Rafe first and loved Rafe and Felicity. I re-read Rafe and Felicity and felt that the magic I felt the first time kind of faded, its plots ununlikely and outrageously historically incorrect. But I still liked Rafe and Felicity better than Quin and Madeline.
It almost always comes down to the characters for me. I liked Quin alright but I found nothing special about him. He is the more serious version of Rafe, so in short, a duke's son befitting his station. While Rafe is "the rake", Quin is the respectable and responsible heir to a dukedom. Other than that, I really cannot say anything else about him as a character. He liked Maddie from the beginning and was rather pleasant to her all throughout. I think I probably am not much for such upright characters.
As for Madeline, aka Maddie, allow me to heave a sigh before I continue ranting.
I have a very defined preference for my heroines. I prefer someone who is dignified and grafeful. That means no self-pity, no self-righteousness, no hissy fits, no being bitchy just because, no blind loyalty, no smothering people to feel needed, no pretending to be man, no desperate yearning to be regonized or loved. She doesn't have to "surrender" or be a pushover. But I absolutely need some level-headedness, some self-worth, a healthy dose of humility, the ability to handle life's bitterness with calm, responsible but not overbearing, loyal but not overly sentimental, embraces her femininity and most important of all, do not act like a ninny about things that cannot be helped.
That being said, Madeline just does not fit in my rather defined (narrow-mindedly) frame of a "lovable heroine". It is not her fault. It does not mean that the story is not fun or enjoyable. I just cannot like her. She was "ruined", being forced into a compromised position by some random guy and was forced to withdraw from polite society. Enoch portrayed her to be rather bitter about it. She despised nobility because of what happened. And she treated Quin like crap because of that. She lost me then and there in the beginning when she decided to hate Quin just because he was highborn. She went on with her Quin-hating, no matter what he did. Playing hard to get, ok, I get it. But could you do it in a more mature manner? There are other ways to put a man in his place. How is acting like a child who is denied his candy helping?
The style of the book is similar that of the 2nd book. Light-hearted and historically inaccurate. I don't usually mind that. But it is more tolerable when it happens to the second son Rafe. With Quin, who was supposed to be heir apparent, I think a little more ceremony might be appropriate.
In all truthfulness it might be a great read if you like the characters. I have real trouble liking Madeline. And once the heroine lost me, she lost me forever.
I read the 2nd book in the series Taming Rafe first and loved Rafe and Felicity. I re-read Rafe and Felicity and felt that the magic I felt the first time kind of faded, its plots ununlikely and outrageously historically incorrect. But I still liked Rafe and Felicity better than Quin and Madeline.
It almost always comes down to the characters for me. I liked Quin alright but I found nothing special about him. He is the more serious version of Rafe, so in short, a duke's son befitting his station. While Rafe is "the rake", Quin is the respectable and responsible heir to a dukedom. Other than that, I really cannot say anything else about him as a character. He liked Maddie from the beginning and was rather pleasant to her all throughout. I think I probably am not much for such upright characters.
As for Madeline, aka Maddie, allow me to heave a sigh before I continue ranting.
I have a very defined preference for my heroines. I prefer someone who is dignified and grafeful. That means no self-pity, no self-righteousness, no hissy fits, no being bitchy just because, no blind loyalty, no smothering people to feel needed, no pretending to be man, no desperate yearning to be regonized or loved. She doesn't have to "surrender" or be a pushover. But I absolutely need some level-headedness, some self-worth, a healthy dose of humility, the ability to handle life's bitterness with calm, responsible but not overbearing, loyal but not overly sentimental, embraces her femininity and most important of all, do not act like a ninny about things that cannot be helped.
That being said, Madeline just does not fit in my rather defined (narrow-mindedly) frame of a "lovable heroine". It is not her fault. It does not mean that the story is not fun or enjoyable. I just cannot like her. She was "ruined", being forced into a compromised position by some random guy and was forced to withdraw from polite society. Enoch portrayed her to be rather bitter about it. She despised nobility because of what happened. And she treated Quin like crap because of that. She lost me then and there in the beginning when she decided to hate Quin just because he was highborn. She went on with her Quin-hating, no matter what he did. Playing hard to get, ok, I get it. But could you do it in a more mature manner? There are other ways to put a man in his place. How is acting like a child who is denied his candy helping?
The style of the book is similar that of the 2nd book. Light-hearted and historically inaccurate. I don't usually mind that. But it is more tolerable when it happens to the second son Rafe. With Quin, who was supposed to be heir apparent, I think a little more ceremony might be appropriate.
June 5, 2023
Three FRUSTRATED stars. Excellent first half but after they arrive in London the story drags and Maddie and Quin are flattened out as characters.
I love a take-no-prisoners heroine and I never tired of Maddie’s piss-and-vinegar spirit, even in her immature moments. I gave her a lot of leeway because she was clearly protective of Mr. Bancroft and deeply invested in the well-being of everyone living on the estate, and I felt her grievances against and deep mistrust of London society were entirely justified. Maddie was a victim of a hypocritical patriarchal society, and I fully believed she was profoundly wounded by her experience. Unfortunately in the second half Maddie receives a character lobotomy, transforming into a painfully naive TSTL heroine who sacrifices her self-respect at the altar of the magical dick.
While Quin seemed to be an intriguingly thoughtful “not like other nobles” marquis, he’s quickly shown to be a prevaricating asshole who wants to have his cake and eat it too. He becomes hyper-focused on seducing Maddie, justifying his behaviour with the weak excuse that he’s not technically engaged yet, so why not “have a go at her” (HIS ACTUAL WORDS). When he learns Maddie’s story as a “ruined woman” I got the impression that in the back of his mind, he figures she’s ruined anyway, so should he be denied? Actually, initially he says he wants to seduce her, but as the story progressed I got the feeling that he wanted to HAVE her, to own her without any meaningful sacrifice on his part.
When he claims he wants to do the “honourable” thing by helping to restore her reputation it’s just window dressing—he wants her but can’t have her, and needs to reassure his conscience that he’s still a good guy. Quin’s arc isn’t his struggle between Duty and Desire, it’s Who Quin Thinks He Is vs. Who He Actually Is. Ultimately Quin is the worst: a spineless user who thinks he’s a “nice guy”. Any growth towards the end of the story doesn’t compensate for his lack of integrity and blindness throughout. Unforgivably, Quin was boring (maybe inevitable given how self-centered he is). Rafe was far more interesting and well-drawn: he’s a rebellious second son, could’ve been a stereotype but we get a real sense of his personality and of a deeply protective man with a core of integrity beneath the devil-may-care surface. In contrast to his brother, I think Rafe is a genuinely good and honourable man but doesn’t believe it.
Also the sex was just…not good. The first scene in particular made me uncomfortable. What was meant be read as passionate came across as forceful and ugly: Quin hurls ugly insults at Maddie because he’s jealous and frustrated with his situation (all his fault btw), slut-shaming Maddie and essentially blaming her for his attraction to her. Post-coitus he never apologizes for/retracts his hurtful words. Even at the end of the story I don’t believe he’s had a genuine paradigm shift when it comes to Maddie and other “ruined” women—she’s still a ruined woman in his and society’s eyes, but he loves(?) her despite that.
Speaking of patriarchal regency England…I loved Rafe but his final confrontation with Quin’s evil fiancé was deeply uncomfortable to read; he uses force and the threat of sexual humiliation against her. I get it, it’s a sort of turnabout-is-fair-play cutting down of the OW, but I don’t like when the (unfair) consequences of living in the patriarchy are weaponized against ANY female character in a story. And what the hell was Quin’s supposed big master plan for ending his engagement/marrying Maddie? All I got was that he began spending loads of quality time in public with his fiancé to keep her from interfering with Maddie’s reemergence into Society, and then…what? His plans don’t come to fruition but it’s never made clear. The major drama at the denouement is ridiculous, clumsy, and the ending feels rushed.
WHY did she suddenly become receptive to her odious ex-fiancé’s attention?! Why would she trust that betraying toad in any way? I thought part of her disillusionment involved her realization that he was only interested in her dowry—yet at the end she’s all wide-eyed naïveté when she realizes again he’s only motivated by money? What happened to her deep mistrust of members of the ton? The ending was anticlimactic and disappointing. I wish Maddie had saved herself instead of being reduced to a damsel who needed Quin’s white-knighting. As the Duke of Highbarrow would say, Bah!
I love a take-no-prisoners heroine and I never tired of Maddie’s piss-and-vinegar spirit, even in her immature moments. I gave her a lot of leeway because she was clearly protective of Mr. Bancroft and deeply invested in the well-being of everyone living on the estate, and I felt her grievances against and deep mistrust of London society were entirely justified. Maddie was a victim of a hypocritical patriarchal society, and I fully believed she was profoundly wounded by her experience. Unfortunately in the second half Maddie receives a character lobotomy, transforming into a painfully naive TSTL heroine who sacrifices her self-respect at the altar of the magical dick.
While Quin seemed to be an intriguingly thoughtful “not like other nobles” marquis, he’s quickly shown to be a prevaricating asshole who wants to have his cake and eat it too. He becomes hyper-focused on seducing Maddie, justifying his behaviour with the weak excuse that he’s not technically engaged yet, so why not “have a go at her” (HIS ACTUAL WORDS). When he learns Maddie’s story as a “ruined woman” I got the impression that in the back of his mind, he figures she’s ruined anyway, so should he be denied? Actually, initially he says he wants to seduce her, but as the story progressed I got the feeling that he wanted to HAVE her, to own her without any meaningful sacrifice on his part.
When he claims he wants to do the “honourable” thing by helping to restore her reputation it’s just window dressing—he wants her but can’t have her, and needs to reassure his conscience that he’s still a good guy. Quin’s arc isn’t his struggle between Duty and Desire, it’s Who Quin Thinks He Is vs. Who He Actually Is. Ultimately Quin is the worst: a spineless user who thinks he’s a “nice guy”. Any growth towards the end of the story doesn’t compensate for his lack of integrity and blindness throughout. Unforgivably, Quin was boring (maybe inevitable given how self-centered he is). Rafe was far more interesting and well-drawn: he’s a rebellious second son, could’ve been a stereotype but we get a real sense of his personality and of a deeply protective man with a core of integrity beneath the devil-may-care surface. In contrast to his brother, I think Rafe is a genuinely good and honourable man but doesn’t believe it.
Also the sex was just…not good. The first scene in particular made me uncomfortable. What was meant be read as passionate came across as forceful and ugly: Quin hurls ugly insults at Maddie because he’s jealous and frustrated with his situation (all his fault btw), slut-shaming Maddie and essentially blaming her for his attraction to her. Post-coitus he never apologizes for/retracts his hurtful words. Even at the end of the story I don’t believe he’s had a genuine paradigm shift when it comes to Maddie and other “ruined” women—she’s still a ruined woman in his and society’s eyes, but he loves(?) her despite that.
Speaking of patriarchal regency England…I loved Rafe but his final confrontation with Quin’s evil fiancé was deeply uncomfortable to read; he uses force and the threat of sexual humiliation against her. I get it, it’s a sort of turnabout-is-fair-play cutting down of the OW, but I don’t like when the (unfair) consequences of living in the patriarchy are weaponized against ANY female character in a story. And what the hell was Quin’s supposed big master plan for ending his engagement/marrying Maddie? All I got was that he began spending loads of quality time in public with his fiancé to keep her from interfering with Maddie’s reemergence into Society, and then…what? His plans don’t come to fruition but it’s never made clear. The major drama at the denouement is ridiculous, clumsy, and the ending feels rushed.
WHY did she suddenly become receptive to her odious ex-fiancé’s attention?! Why would she trust that betraying toad in any way? I thought part of her disillusionment involved her realization that he was only interested in her dowry—yet at the end she’s all wide-eyed naïveté when she realizes again he’s only motivated by money? What happened to her deep mistrust of members of the ton? The ending was anticlimactic and disappointing. I wish Maddie had saved herself instead of being reduced to a damsel who needed Quin’s white-knighting. As the Duke of Highbarrow would say, Bah!
November 15, 2008
A fiery romance with a hero and heroine whose sexual tension leaps off the page. They spend their time insulting each other and trading verbal ripostes in some very witty dialogue. I had a blast reading "By Love Undone" by Suzanne Enoch.
Madeline was ruined through no fault of her own and at the instigation of her rotten ex-fiance. Rather than stay with the family who didn't support her, she ran--and ended up as the companion to Mr. Malcolm Bancroft, good natured brother to the high and mighty Duke of Highbarrow. When Malcolm suffers an unexpected illness he writes to his brother. Rather than attend himself, the Duke sends his oldest son, Quin. With Maddie's distaste towards the peerage, she has a hard time being nice to Quin. His gorgeous good looks mean nothing to her!
Quin's whole life has been planned and programmed by his father the Duke. When he's sent to his Uncle Malcolm, he's a bit irritated that he'll have to put off going to London to spend a week rusticating in the country. But then comes Maddie. He can't quite figure out why she's so hostile towards him. He really shouldn't care, but soon finds himself enchanted with her spirit and lack of awe. When he's caught kissing her, he agrees with his Uncle. He will take to Maddie back to London and see her re-introduced into society. With his family name behind her, she'll soon find a nice man. So why does the thought of Maggie with anyone else make him so angry?
What a pair. They bicker and insult each other, but it's never truly mean. In reality they are so attracted to each other it's a bit like the grade school boy who pulls the girls' pigtails to get noticed. I spent quite a bit of time laughing at their antics when I wasn't cheering for Quin to realize that Maddie is the woman for him. "By Love Undone" was great fun to read and now I can't wait for Quin's brother's story!
Madeline was ruined through no fault of her own and at the instigation of her rotten ex-fiance. Rather than stay with the family who didn't support her, she ran--and ended up as the companion to Mr. Malcolm Bancroft, good natured brother to the high and mighty Duke of Highbarrow. When Malcolm suffers an unexpected illness he writes to his brother. Rather than attend himself, the Duke sends his oldest son, Quin. With Maddie's distaste towards the peerage, she has a hard time being nice to Quin. His gorgeous good looks mean nothing to her!
Quin's whole life has been planned and programmed by his father the Duke. When he's sent to his Uncle Malcolm, he's a bit irritated that he'll have to put off going to London to spend a week rusticating in the country. But then comes Maddie. He can't quite figure out why she's so hostile towards him. He really shouldn't care, but soon finds himself enchanted with her spirit and lack of awe. When he's caught kissing her, he agrees with his Uncle. He will take to Maddie back to London and see her re-introduced into society. With his family name behind her, she'll soon find a nice man. So why does the thought of Maggie with anyone else make him so angry?
What a pair. They bicker and insult each other, but it's never truly mean. In reality they are so attracted to each other it's a bit like the grade school boy who pulls the girls' pigtails to get noticed. I spent quite a bit of time laughing at their antics when I wasn't cheering for Quin to realize that Maddie is the woman for him. "By Love Undone" was great fun to read and now I can't wait for Quin's brother's story!
March 3, 2019
My second read by Suzanne Enoch and I loved it as much as for It’s Getting Scott in Here, but it was also a different read.
I loved both main characters plus Mr Bancroft and Rafael.
Maddie is such a spitfire, she brings havoc everywhere she goes, she was hilarious at the beginning of the story, looking for anything else than embarrass Quin and show him he might be a peer, he is no one to decide for her or around her. She had not it easy but since she ran away from the London society, she has matured a lot, knowing what she wants and what she dislikes and Quin poses as everything she hates in the nobility since she was shunned from it. But he also awakens something she didn’t know she has in her, and around him, she loses her head and heart, and attraction she fights at best.
Quinlan Bancroft, Marquess Of Warefield was breed and raised to be a Duke, he was the obedient child, always following the rules, doing what must be done, until his encounter with Maddie, he is instantly drawn to her, mistaking her as his uncle’s mistress, and he is also unsettled by her very need to put him down and show him how wrong he is about everything and especially her.
They were so wrong together, always arguing and battling but also so perfect as they completed each other, filling the other’s flaws.
Mrs Suzanne Enoch has a talented for creating compelling characters, some I adored to love and some I loved to hate.
I was on the edge until the end of the story, wondering how she will bring everything together.
I’m now jumping in Rafe’s story.
I loved both main characters plus Mr Bancroft and Rafael.
Maddie is such a spitfire, she brings havoc everywhere she goes, she was hilarious at the beginning of the story, looking for anything else than embarrass Quin and show him he might be a peer, he is no one to decide for her or around her. She had not it easy but since she ran away from the London society, she has matured a lot, knowing what she wants and what she dislikes and Quin poses as everything she hates in the nobility since she was shunned from it. But he also awakens something she didn’t know she has in her, and around him, she loses her head and heart, and attraction she fights at best.
Quinlan Bancroft, Marquess Of Warefield was breed and raised to be a Duke, he was the obedient child, always following the rules, doing what must be done, until his encounter with Maddie, he is instantly drawn to her, mistaking her as his uncle’s mistress, and he is also unsettled by her very need to put him down and show him how wrong he is about everything and especially her.
They were so wrong together, always arguing and battling but also so perfect as they completed each other, filling the other’s flaws.
Mrs Suzanne Enoch has a talented for creating compelling characters, some I adored to love and some I loved to hate.
I was on the edge until the end of the story, wondering how she will bring everything together.
I’m now jumping in Rafe’s story.
April 24, 2015
3.5/5. Fun bantering between the leads captivated me at at the start between the seemingly nice and decent Quin (Marquis of Wakefield) and the initially fiery yet enigmatic Maddie, companion to his uncle. Unfortunately, the tone changed a bit half way through with Maddie losing some of her fire and Quin misplacing his sense of decency in his disgraceful treatment of both his longterm betrothed and Maddie herself by dallying with both. Sex scenes were quite unromantic and of a humping nature, and disturbingly, Maddie was a rather enthusiastic participant despite impropriety and her past grievance, not to mention the fact that he took her virginity rather abruptly in anger after insulting her honour. That his betrothed lady in question was less than kindness herself, did not make it morally okay for both to forget themselves and their commitments. Quin took too long to man up enough to detangle himself and stand up to his father. She should have gone for his brother Rafe instead. In spite of this, the dialogue was witty enough to earn a higher rating than otherwise.
September 9, 2015
Vintage Enoch and a surprisingly entertaining romance of Madeleine, a ruined young noblewoman taking care of an elderly invalid who is the estranged brother to a duke. His nephew comes to check up on his uncle and help with management of the estate. He unwittingly falls for Madeleine, no matter how much of shrew she appears to be! He thinks she's his uncle's mistress at first, but that is cleared up soon enough. They trade insults and barbs and fight through a good part of the book - and it was a lot of fun! The plot was a bit farfetched bringing her back to London to reinstate her reputation with his mother (the duchess) overseeing her come back. I found the whole thing a quick read and I gobbled it up!
May 27, 2016
The story line had some issues, but still a entertaining read. Want to see what Rafe is up to.
July 6, 2020
If you’re tired of trying to read one of Suzanne Enoch’s newer works and failing miserably, why not go through her back catalogue and read By Love Undone?
It is simply one of her BEST works.
You might find Maddie annoying because she is rude to Quin for simply existing when he arrives on his uncle’s estate (His most egregious crime committed during his stay must have been when he sent his staff on a 3 day journey to get him replacement Hessian boots). And you might not understand why Maddie doesn’t do the smart thing, despite her aversion to titled men, to be as unobtrusive as possible and not allow her antagonism to pique his attention.
But screw logic.
Maddie seems to get a thrill out of being rude to Quin’s unsuspecting face, while Quin is intrigued by Maddie and eventually impressed by her character in keeping the books and caring for her uncle. I love Maddie because her sassy pluck and ability to stand tall and speak up to anyone comes in handy when she’s duking it out later on with Quin’s foul-mouthed father who won’t think twice of calling Maddie a whore who is sleeping with both of his sons in the vicinity of anyone with ears.
Quin is a good guy, betrothed to someone he has known since childhood, Eloise, who is comfortable in her position in society. She appears polite, if shallow, but she's a mean girl through and through. Quin hasn’t really thought about the snobbishness of his social circle until he meets Maddie. Maddie is a heroine with a secret identity. She is currently caring for Quin’s uncle after being wrongfully accused of a scandal. The plot is more or less country miss gets her proper coming out in the Ton, and the man responsible for marrying her off realizes he wants to marry her. D’oh!
By Love Undone just makes me happy because it is funny. I love when Enoch does her little internal asides ( Well, that's enough of that.) from the POV of one of the characters that undercuts the bullshit of one of the other characters and promises for a good cutdown from said character. It is sexy. The bodice ripping and button slicing when Maddie and Quin first get it on is just perfect. Side note: Rafe and Eloise in the carriage was the only reason I went ahead and read Taming Rafe. Spoiler alert: By Love Undone is more fun.
There are racist conversations as a result of Rafe’s travelling and adventuring days. Much of it comes in conversation when it is describing cannibals in Africa.
It is simply one of her BEST works.
You might find Maddie annoying because she is rude to Quin for simply existing when he arrives on his uncle’s estate (His most egregious crime committed during his stay must have been when he sent his staff on a 3 day journey to get him replacement Hessian boots). And you might not understand why Maddie doesn’t do the smart thing, despite her aversion to titled men, to be as unobtrusive as possible and not allow her antagonism to pique his attention.
But screw logic.
Maddie seems to get a thrill out of being rude to Quin’s unsuspecting face, while Quin is intrigued by Maddie and eventually impressed by her character in keeping the books and caring for her uncle. I love Maddie because her sassy pluck and ability to stand tall and speak up to anyone comes in handy when she’s duking it out later on with Quin’s foul-mouthed father who won’t think twice of calling Maddie a whore who is sleeping with both of his sons in the vicinity of anyone with ears.
Quin is a good guy, betrothed to someone he has known since childhood, Eloise, who is comfortable in her position in society. She appears polite, if shallow, but she's a mean girl through and through. Quin hasn’t really thought about the snobbishness of his social circle until he meets Maddie. Maddie is a heroine with a secret identity. She is currently caring for Quin’s uncle after being wrongfully accused of a scandal. The plot is more or less country miss gets her proper coming out in the Ton, and the man responsible for marrying her off realizes he wants to marry her. D’oh!
By Love Undone just makes me happy because it is funny. I love when Enoch does her little internal asides ( Well, that's enough of that.) from the POV of one of the characters that undercuts the bullshit of one of the other characters and promises for a good cutdown from said character. It is sexy. The bodice ripping and button slicing when Maddie and Quin first get it on is just perfect. Side note: Rafe and Eloise in the carriage was the only reason I went ahead and read Taming Rafe. Spoiler alert: By Love Undone is more fun.
There are racist conversations as a result of Rafe’s travelling and adventuring days. Much of it comes in conversation when it is describing cannibals in Africa.
April 6, 2013
Madeleine Willits after being caught up in a scandal by no fault of her own, becomes shunned, and leaves her family and becomes a companion to a elderly man who runs a estate. After living there for four years, she trust no one that is in Society. So when Malcom's nephew Quinlan, Marquis of Warefield comes to help with the estate, Maddie has much distrust for this marquis whom she finds easy to dislike yet she starts to warm up to him, but when she is caught in a passionate kiss once more, she is caught up in a plan to re introduce her into society. After Quinlan is caught kissing the lovely Maddie, he vows to make amends despite all of her protests, even if its for her own good. They journey to London despite Maddies distaste for this plan, but only agrees out of promise she makes to Malcolm who is like her family, one who has loved her like a daughter. So despite her distaste for being introduced into society that rejected her in the past, she discovers a future one where she finds herself aching for a certain Marquis to love and keep her, but is far from trusting him because she doesn't want Quinlan to break her heart as she fears, but will she find the courage to fight for the one that she loves?
Its been awhile since I have read anything from this author, but I do so love her books, they are filled with such passion and a engaging plot that will delight you. As with every one of Enoch's books, I found myself finding it hard to put By Love Undone down, for it was so uniquely written, yet this book is similar to her other books, whereas its a mixture of passion, enticing plot, and engaging characters that will only leave you breathless for more of her well written romances that takes your breath away. I truly had few complaints about By Love Undone, except for the fact that in the beginning both Maddie and Quinlan seem to act more like children than adults in their interaction with one another but as the story progressed the characters seemed to progress in maturity. But other than that it was a lovely read!!!
Its been awhile since I have read anything from this author, but I do so love her books, they are filled with such passion and a engaging plot that will delight you. As with every one of Enoch's books, I found myself finding it hard to put By Love Undone down, for it was so uniquely written, yet this book is similar to her other books, whereas its a mixture of passion, enticing plot, and engaging characters that will only leave you breathless for more of her well written romances that takes your breath away. I truly had few complaints about By Love Undone, except for the fact that in the beginning both Maddie and Quinlan seem to act more like children than adults in their interaction with one another but as the story progressed the characters seemed to progress in maturity. But other than that it was a lovely read!!!
January 29, 2015
By Love Undone is the first of the two Bancroft Brothers books by Suzanne Enoch. The story begins with our heroine, Madeleine (Maddie) working as the companion for the Duke of Highbarrow’s estranged brother, Malcom. Malcom has suffered an apoplexy and has sent word to his brother about his condition. Highbarrow sends his son and heir, Quinlan (Quin) to get the estate back under control and make sure it remains profitable. Obviously, Highbarrow is not the most caring of individuals.
Maddie is the daughter of a Viscount and hates the aristocracy ever since all her “friends” and family turned from her when a man “ruined” her 5 years earlier. Upset that she was blamed for something that was not her fault, Maddie ran away and eventually found her position with Malcom. When Quin arrives Maddie is hostile and short tempered. She is more than capable of running the estate and resents his interference. Quin, on the other hand, is intrigued and puzzled. He assumes that Maddie is Malcom’s mistress, but he cannot figure out why she would hate him so.
As the story progresses, sparks fly between the main characters. Some of the scenes at the estate are extremely funny, particularly those involving a pig named Miss Marguerite. Eventually the pair travel to Quin’s home where he convinces his mother to sponsor Maddie as they try to re-establish her within the ton. Of course, Highbarrow is rude and difficult. He continues to remind Quin of his duty and the expectation that he marry the woman his father promised him to 23 years ago.
As Maddie tries to navigate her way through London society, the path to true love is not an easy one. Plots within plots work their way throughout the story. I really did enjoy the overall book. Much of the story is fun and amusing yet there is the romance and intrigue to balance it. I can’t wait to read Rafe’s story in the next book of the series.
Maddie is the daughter of a Viscount and hates the aristocracy ever since all her “friends” and family turned from her when a man “ruined” her 5 years earlier. Upset that she was blamed for something that was not her fault, Maddie ran away and eventually found her position with Malcom. When Quin arrives Maddie is hostile and short tempered. She is more than capable of running the estate and resents his interference. Quin, on the other hand, is intrigued and puzzled. He assumes that Maddie is Malcom’s mistress, but he cannot figure out why she would hate him so.
As the story progresses, sparks fly between the main characters. Some of the scenes at the estate are extremely funny, particularly those involving a pig named Miss Marguerite. Eventually the pair travel to Quin’s home where he convinces his mother to sponsor Maddie as they try to re-establish her within the ton. Of course, Highbarrow is rude and difficult. He continues to remind Quin of his duty and the expectation that he marry the woman his father promised him to 23 years ago.
As Maddie tries to navigate her way through London society, the path to true love is not an easy one. Plots within plots work their way throughout the story. I really did enjoy the overall book. Much of the story is fun and amusing yet there is the romance and intrigue to balance it. I can’t wait to read Rafe’s story in the next book of the series.
February 19, 2021
I'm so conflicted. I thought the writing was great (though there were quite a bit of typos towards the end of the book), but overall, there were things I liked and things I just didn't like, the latter of which stood out a bit more to me. With this in mind, my star rating only reflects my own feelings about the book: it was ok.
First of all... RAFE.
Rafe was by far my favorite character in this whole book. Which is sad. Firstly, because he's barely considered a second love interest. Secondly, he had so much personality, charm, wit, and overall guile that I wished he were the main character. But most of all, he took away spotlight from the actual male lead... crap, I blanked on his name... oh, Quin! From the moment Rafe was introduced, to his subsequent appearances, he always managed to put a smile on my face, especially because Rafe and Maddie had very visible chemistry on the page. But, in a way, Rafe probably deserves better than Maddie...
So, Maddie... Maddie... I have mixed feelings about her. She's most definitely not the worst female lead by any means, but she is infuriatingly stubborn a lot of the time. I enjoyed how brave and strong she was when the situation called for it, and her sharp, hotheaded tongue was very satisfying at those times.
But that's the thing. She did not relent AT ALL. She remained stubborn and hot-tempered in every situation, to the very end, even during passionate, sweet moments. It took her FOREVER to even give Quin even an inch of ground, which is crazy because she was immediately warm to Rafe!! I felt bad for Quin. She was nasty to him from the start, and even when he was genuinely trying to get to know her, she just kept that nasty front up. She claimed that she acted that way to all nobility, which I would've believed, except that throughout the book, she seemed to exclusively act that nasty to Quin only! I almost thought she didn't love him at all, until all of a sudden halfway through the book she narrated that she loved him. To me, it didn't look like that at all...
There was plenty of really good heart-wrenching moments all around, and the drama was at times super compelling. However, there were plenty of times where the drama happened only because of Maddie's stubbornness that it became infuriating.
HE WAS LITERALLY TRYING TO HELP?? LIKE, WHAT-
Mind you, this was after they already got close and everything. This is the problem. She'll say she trusts him, but always reverts back to her initial impression of him: that he's just a shallow nobleman. AFTER HE DOES SO MUCH FOR HER, she doesn't even show a semblance of gratefulness, let alone trust, despite all the help he's given her.
I get it, she was scorned by noble society and only attempted to redeem her honor because of a promise she made to her employer (Quin's uncle), but since you've already gone so far, in both healing your image and in your relationship with Quin, you don't gotta scour the earth for a reason to distrust the guy, when he could've easily dropped your ass out his doors???
You know what, Quin's an idiot, too. If this girl is always looking to pick fights with you, you're digging your own grave, too. She's giving you so many red flags that she's impossible, and if you keep trying to make things work with someone this impossible, you have only yourself to blame.
The ending was nice, but Maddie still managed to infuriate me a bit right before the very end.
Okay, this seriously TICKED me off. So we're just going to ignore the fact that Rafe was there, too?? You know, Rafe does deserve better.
TL;DR Overall, a dramatic read, but the drama got too frustrating because Maddie willed it to be!
P.S. Editor, please spellcheck! "Kidnapped"! It's always spelled "kidnaped" in here!
First of all... RAFE.
Rafe was by far my favorite character in this whole book. Which is sad. Firstly, because he's barely considered a second love interest. Secondly, he had so much personality, charm, wit, and overall guile that I wished he were the main character. But most of all, he took away spotlight from the actual male lead... crap, I blanked on his name... oh, Quin! From the moment Rafe was introduced, to his subsequent appearances, he always managed to put a smile on my face, especially because Rafe and Maddie had very visible chemistry on the page. But, in a way, Rafe probably deserves better than Maddie...
So, Maddie... Maddie... I have mixed feelings about her. She's most definitely not the worst female lead by any means, but she is infuriatingly stubborn a lot of the time. I enjoyed how brave and strong she was when the situation called for it, and her sharp, hotheaded tongue was very satisfying at those times.
But that's the thing. She did not relent AT ALL. She remained stubborn and hot-tempered in every situation, to the very end, even during passionate, sweet moments. It took her FOREVER to even give Quin even an inch of ground, which is crazy because she was immediately warm to Rafe!! I felt bad for Quin. She was nasty to him from the start, and even when he was genuinely trying to get to know her, she just kept that nasty front up. She claimed that she acted that way to all nobility, which I would've believed, except that throughout the book, she seemed to exclusively act that nasty to Quin only! I almost thought she didn't love him at all, until all of a sudden halfway through the book she narrated that she loved him. To me, it didn't look like that at all...
There was plenty of really good heart-wrenching moments all around, and the drama was at times super compelling. However, there were plenty of times where the drama happened only because of Maddie's stubbornness that it became infuriating.
Quin swallowed, his expression becoming uncertain. "I need to tell you something."
Now she was uneasy. She didn't need another lesson to know that nothing was simple where they were concerned. "I'm listening."
"Even if you decide for some unfathomable reason that you don't want to marry me, there's something you should know about Charles Dunfrey."
"Not spreading rumors, are you?" she asked, only half teasing. He wouldn't dare to stoop so low as to lie about Charles just to convince her not to marry him. Not now.
"This is fact. Maddie, I discovered something the other day, and considering the circumstances, I don't think I should keep it from you."
"Stop stalling about and tell me, Quin."
"It's Dunfrey's finances. He's--"
"He's what, Warefield?" This was the sort of backbiting behavior she expected from the rest of nobility; she hadn't expected it of Quin. "He's not as wealthy as you?" she suggested. "I suppose not. But then again, who is?"
"Maddie, you're taking it all wrong. This is not about my pompous snobbery, or your lack thereof."
She put her hands on her hips. "Why don't you explain it to me, then, my lord?"
"I'm trying to explain it, damn it," he snapped. "Dunfrey's one step ahead of the bloody moneylenders, Maddie. Without your dowry, he'll be done for, probably by the end of the Season. I'm worried that--"
"That he's marrying me only for my money? Or for my parents' money, rather?" She shrugged, furious and hurt. "What did you expect? I suppose he couldn't possibly just happen to be poor and simply wish to marry me because he loves me. For heaven's sake, who could be that abysmally stupid?"
"Maddie--"
"Thank you, my lord, you've been a great help. Now, go marry that wretched Eloise, and leave me alone." Tears danced in her eyes, and she lowered her gaze to his chest.
He opened and shut his mouth several times. "Damnation," he cursed. "You are impossible."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you, if you'll recall. Good day, my lord."
HE WAS LITERALLY TRYING TO HELP?? LIKE, WHAT-
Mind you, this was after they already got close and everything. This is the problem. She'll say she trusts him, but always reverts back to her initial impression of him: that he's just a shallow nobleman. AFTER HE DOES SO MUCH FOR HER, she doesn't even show a semblance of gratefulness, let alone trust, despite all the help he's given her.
I get it, she was scorned by noble society and only attempted to redeem her honor because of a promise she made to her employer (Quin's uncle), but since you've already gone so far, in both healing your image and in your relationship with Quin, you don't gotta scour the earth for a reason to distrust the guy, when he could've easily dropped your ass out his doors???
You know what, Quin's an idiot, too. If this girl is always looking to pick fights with you, you're digging your own grave, too. She's giving you so many red flags that she's impossible, and if you keep trying to make things work with someone this impossible, you have only yourself to blame.
The ending was nice, but Maddie still managed to infuriate me a bit right before the very end.
"No one came after me the last time." She started crying again. "But you came."
Okay, this seriously TICKED me off. So we're just going to ignore the fact that Rafe was there, too?? You know, Rafe does deserve better.
TL;DR Overall, a dramatic read, but the drama got too frustrating because Maddie willed it to be!
P.S. Editor, please spellcheck! "Kidnapped"! It's always spelled "kidnaped" in here!
August 14, 2010
E-book is formatted horribly for my reader.
Also, most horrid, rude, obnoxious heroine I've ever read!
OK, couldn't finish. All of the reviews say that it gets better and you sympathize with the heroine later, but I just can't make it that far. I have read other books where the heroine was caught in a compromising situation and blamed and disbelieved etc and I think the other books handled it ok, in this one, she's obnoxious purely because the guy is a noble? Treats him like absolute crap based on who he was born to? How is that okay? I didn't want to keep reading to see this nice hero end up with such a bitch.
Also, most horrid, rude, obnoxious heroine I've ever read!
OK, couldn't finish. All of the reviews say that it gets better and you sympathize with the heroine later, but I just can't make it that far. I have read other books where the heroine was caught in a compromising situation and blamed and disbelieved etc and I think the other books handled it ok, in this one, she's obnoxious purely because the guy is a noble? Treats him like absolute crap based on who he was born to? How is that okay? I didn't want to keep reading to see this nice hero end up with such a bitch.
April 10, 2013
If you are fond of heroines who behave like a toddler in need of a time-out, this book is for you!
I cannot remember the last time I found a heroine this annoying - she has no manners or common sense, and spends a big chunk of the book lashing out at the unfortunate hero of this opus (and everyone else within range) for no good reason whatsoever. Yet somehow she is supposed to be charming and loveable. Ha! She is about as loveable as the plague. She was so bad that I was rooting for the "villain" over her. Ugh.
The hero is OK enough but is not particularly interesting and the whole story is tiresome.
Oh, and the anachronisms! The anachronisms!
I cannot remember the last time I found a heroine this annoying - she has no manners or common sense, and spends a big chunk of the book lashing out at the unfortunate hero of this opus (and everyone else within range) for no good reason whatsoever. Yet somehow she is supposed to be charming and loveable. Ha! She is about as loveable as the plague. She was so bad that I was rooting for the "villain" over her. Ugh.
The hero is OK enough but is not particularly interesting and the whole story is tiresome.
Oh, and the anachronisms! The anachronisms!
September 25, 2011
The plot was so-so, I mean, it was a good plot but the execution was a bit shaky. The characters I love and dialogues were absolutely witty.
The Duke was an a** and so was Eloise, but that's the kind of character you need for your villain. Rafe's story is something I'll be looking forward to. I love his character, so I hope Suzanne Enoch has something in store for him.
Overall, a good book to read. And will definitely be re-reading it.
The Duke was an a** and so was Eloise, but that's the kind of character you need for your villain. Rafe's story is something I'll be looking forward to. I love his character, so I hope Suzanne Enoch has something in store for him.
Overall, a good book to read. And will definitely be re-reading it.
June 14, 2017
3,5 stars. I enjoyed it immensely, first half at least. But then the story lost its flow and piling of obstacles seemed the only way to fill the second half. The kidnapping part was only the cherry on top of the cake too sweet at this point. Pity.
January 28, 2014
Oh I loved this! Hated Eloise so much! Hurt a bit to read it but its worth it!
Want to read
July 13, 2018Making a note for myself that I REALLY WANT TO READ THIS BOOK
October 27, 2019
Loved the book, but as I looked at the cover I noticed one of her legs looks unnaturally long...
August 10, 2015
luv it!!!!!
June 9, 2023
So Maddie, the oldest daughter of a 2nd generation viscount gets molested by a gross older man and her reputation is ruined. Nobody believes her that she did not want or initiate the kiss and groping but it doesn't matter. Her fiance breaks up with her, her father locks her in her room and tells her she had disgraced the family, so she runs away. She finds a job as a governess, but the figure out who she is and the father propositions her so she leaves. Then she gets a job as a companion and caretaker for Mr. Bancroft, the brother to a Duke. He falls ill and the Duke sends his oldest son, Quinlan, out to oversee the care of the property. When he gets there he assumes that Maddie is his Uncle's mistress, and he wants her to be his mistress. He is also surprised to find that she has been taking care of the property and that everyone likes and respects her. He makes a move on her and his uncle catches him and he yells at him and tells him who she really is. Together Quin and Malcolm hatch a plan to reintroduce Maddie to society; the Bancroft family will sponsor her, with the help of his mother the Duchess. Quin takes her home and his father hates the idea; he wants Quin to keep his mistress far away since he's already betrothed. His mother slowly warms to Maddie and together they introduce her to society. Quin gets the bright idea to enlist the help of his fiancee to help her reintroduction, but Eloise is jealous, with good reason. Maddie and Quin have amazing chemistry. Enter Quins younger brother Rafe. Just as handsome, but he and Eloise hate each other, and he has a crush on Maddie. Eloise is pretending to help while actively trying to sabotage Maddie. Quin can't keep his hands off of her. Her ex-fiance shows up, encourage by Eloise. He goes and gets her parents; her mother is so excited to have her back and her father just cares about her not embarrassing them anymore. Her ex asks her to marry him and she says no. Quin says he going to call off his engagement, but the Duke announces it early and tries to bribe her to get her to leave. Instead, she does what she always does, she runs. But, conveniently her ex is right there and offers to take her wherever she wants to go, but he heads in the opposite direction; towards Gretna Green to force a marriage. Rafe sees Eloise and forces her to tell him what she did, and we find out why they hate each other so much; Eloise is the actual ruined woman and she slept with Rafe so he wouldn't tell that he caught her with someone, actively cheating on his brother. He threatens to ruin her and she tells him that she sent a letter to Charles, Maddie's ex, and that he's taking her away. Rafe runs after her. Quin has already broken up with Eloise, goes to Maddie's and finds out that she got in a carriage and that Rafe followed her, and he assumes that Rafe is taking her to get married. Rafe catches up with her and he gets kidnapped, but leaves his horse for Quin to find. Quin finds the horse and catches up to them at an inn. The duke is not far behind and sees the brawl that is happening. Quin tells him that he doesn't care if he disowns him and he and Maddie get marries. Eloise abandons London in shame of her broken engagement. Maddie and the duke make peace when she tells him that she wants her children to know their grandfather. Maddie was so great; she was strong and independent and made the best out of a bad situation. She never gave up and was still realistic about things. Quin grew a lot because of his relationship with Maddie, and because of renewing his relationship with his uncle. Quin and Maddie helped each other be better. I loved this. But also, I cannot wait for Rafe's book. He is such a great character and he deserves just as good of a story as his brother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2018
Ehhh, it started off strong and then it just dissolved into a mess. Three stars is generous.
Maddie is a viscount's daughter, but after being ruined five years ago (when she was seen when a friend of her fiance's kissed her), she has decided she hates every member of the aristocracy, except for Mr. Bancroft, an elderly gentleman who lives in the country on an estate owned by his older brother, a duke. She has been in his employ for a while now as his companion, and she's managed his land and holdings with great skill, plus she is more or less his nurse. (An anachronism right there; young women were NOT paid to be older men's *platonic* companions.)
When Quinlan, the duke's son and a charming and handsome marquis in his own right, shows up to check in on Mr. Bancroft and see to the estate, Maddie is tremendously rude, and makes every effort to drive him away. Quin finds this fascinating; it doesn't hurt that Maddie is a babe. Of course they secretly fall in love with each other.
Quin and Maddie's banter is fun at first, and it's great to read about two people who have preconceived notions about the other realize their misconceptions. But the ridiculous setup and machinations involved in getting Maddie back to London and into society are too unrealistic to be believed.
In addition, the inconsistent manners amongst the characters is mind-boggling. On the one hand you have these folks in Regency England recognizing that a single man and woman can't be in a room with a closed door, and on the other hand you have Quin inviting himself into Maddie's bedroom, sitting on her bed and FINGERING THE HEM OF HER DRESS while they chat.
No.
It was all just too over the top. The longer it went on, the worse it got. (I was really hoping Quin's almost-fiancee wasn't going to be a bad person, that he would extricate himself from that relationship with some character growth, but no -- the author took the easy way out and made the almost-fiancee a monster. Can't have the hero in an emotionally and morally challenging dilemma, can we?)
Finally, my ebook (borrowed from the library) had MULTIPLE typos. Very distracting.
Maddie is a viscount's daughter, but after being ruined five years ago (when she was seen when a friend of her fiance's kissed her), she has decided she hates every member of the aristocracy, except for Mr. Bancroft, an elderly gentleman who lives in the country on an estate owned by his older brother, a duke. She has been in his employ for a while now as his companion, and she's managed his land and holdings with great skill, plus she is more or less his nurse. (An anachronism right there; young women were NOT paid to be older men's *platonic* companions.)
When Quinlan, the duke's son and a charming and handsome marquis in his own right, shows up to check in on Mr. Bancroft and see to the estate, Maddie is tremendously rude, and makes every effort to drive him away. Quin finds this fascinating; it doesn't hurt that Maddie is a babe. Of course they secretly fall in love with each other.
Quin and Maddie's banter is fun at first, and it's great to read about two people who have preconceived notions about the other realize their misconceptions. But the ridiculous setup and machinations involved in getting Maddie back to London and into society are too unrealistic to be believed.
In addition, the inconsistent manners amongst the characters is mind-boggling. On the one hand you have these folks in Regency England recognizing that a single man and woman can't be in a room with a closed door, and on the other hand you have Quin inviting himself into Maddie's bedroom, sitting on her bed and FINGERING THE HEM OF HER DRESS while they chat.
No.
It was all just too over the top. The longer it went on, the worse it got. (I was really hoping Quin's almost-fiancee wasn't going to be a bad person, that he would extricate himself from that relationship with some character growth, but no -- the author took the easy way out and made the almost-fiancee a monster. Can't have the hero in an emotionally and morally challenging dilemma, can we?)
Finally, my ebook (borrowed from the library) had MULTIPLE typos. Very distracting.
February 23, 2021
I love this cover so much. I want a print of this cover. I want it on a t-shirt, but then if I wore that t-shirt anywhere someone would ask me if By Love Undone was a favorite book of mine and then I'd have to talk to them at length about my issues with it, and we'd both expire from black melancholy.
Quinlan is the Marquess of Sticks Up His Ass, and Maddie is lower nobility that flew London after her ruination, now working for Quin's uncle as a paid companion. Maddie hates Quin right off the bat, but he's immediately attracted to her and enlists her in....er... stick removal. Gathering firewood (out the bum)?
I was initially rooting for these two jokers to make it, but Quin already has a fiancée (he says it's "an understanding" but they are absolutely engaged), who he treats kind of terribly, and then the book needs to turn her into a supervillain in order to make Quin look like less of a bounder. The fiancée, Eloise, gets served multiple set downs from both Quin and his brother, and her downfall was so gleeful that it made me rather uncomfortable. She is the popular girl in an 80s teen movie with shimmering blonde hair, so incredibly vacuous that the audience can't wait to take her down a peg. It's a tablespoon of misogyny that we're supposed to swallow because she was just such a bitch she deserved it.
Quinlan is the Marquess of Sticks Up His Ass, and Maddie is lower nobility that flew London after her ruination, now working for Quin's uncle as a paid companion. Maddie hates Quin right off the bat, but he's immediately attracted to her and enlists her in....er... stick removal. Gathering firewood (out the bum)?
I was initially rooting for these two jokers to make it, but Quin already has a fiancée (he says it's "an understanding" but they are absolutely engaged), who he treats kind of terribly, and then the book needs to turn her into a supervillain in order to make Quin look like less of a bounder. The fiancée, Eloise, gets served multiple set downs from both Quin and his brother, and her downfall was so gleeful that it made me rather uncomfortable. She is the popular girl in an 80s teen movie with shimmering blonde hair, so incredibly vacuous that the audience can't wait to take her down a peg. It's a tablespoon of misogyny that we're supposed to swallow because she was just such a bitch she deserved it.
March 24, 2025
This was…. Something
Very very much of the time it was published but also I feel like it was less “violent” than most histroms that were published 27 years ago so I’ll give it that although a lot of the iffy bits were directed at women.
There was A LOT of back and forth in this and it happened in every chapter a character would leave two characters to speak and then randomly appear again in the next few lines? Or a character would leave an estate, remember he forgot something at said estate and a paragraph later show up AGAIN at the estate. Like would it hurt to just stick to a setting for once? The change of scenery didn’t need to happen three times in one page.
The pov changed were unnecessary too, we got pov’s from characters that didn’t matter.
Also what was with the amount of kissing of other people that was going on in this book? The two mc’s were kissing other people 78% of the way through?
Also his brother kissed her and it was never mentioned? They literally never talked about it and tbh I felt like tbe brother was brought in and out so unnecessarily to the point that he was just aggravating me because he actually helped the fmc more than the mmc did.
Anyways it’s only a two book series and I’m curious enough to keep going so I’ll finish it and see what the weird brother is up to
Very very much of the time it was published but also I feel like it was less “violent” than most histroms that were published 27 years ago so I’ll give it that although a lot of the iffy bits were directed at women.
There was A LOT of back and forth in this and it happened in every chapter a character would leave two characters to speak and then randomly appear again in the next few lines? Or a character would leave an estate, remember he forgot something at said estate and a paragraph later show up AGAIN at the estate. Like would it hurt to just stick to a setting for once? The change of scenery didn’t need to happen three times in one page.
The pov changed were unnecessary too, we got pov’s from characters that didn’t matter.
Also what was with the amount of kissing of other people that was going on in this book? The two mc’s were kissing other people 78% of the way through?
Also his brother kissed her and it was never mentioned? They literally never talked about it and tbh I felt like tbe brother was brought in and out so unnecessarily to the point that he was just aggravating me because he actually helped the fmc more than the mmc did.
Anyways it’s only a two book series and I’m curious enough to keep going so I’ll finish it and see what the weird brother is up to
June 26, 2021
Stopped at chapter 10.
I just couldn’t like the heroine, Maddie at all. She was that hateful. When I don’t like the hero or heroine in a book, it affects my reading experience negatively. I disliked Maddie the moment she started treating Quin horribly. Even if she was against the idea of going to London, I felt she should have been a little nicer to Quin as he was helping her.
I just kept on reading and hoping that she would become better. But even at chapter 10, she’s still so horrible. And it’s disappointing because Rafe entered at that chapter and I thought it was becoming interesting. I liked Rafe more than Quin and that’s bad because Quin is the main hero of this book.
I wondered what Quin even liked about Maddie, she’s so...ugh. Stubborn and mean. She does shows her vulnerable side to him but it was not enough for me to like her. It didn’t help that I found it hard to love Quin. I like him, yes, but he doesn’t show much qualities to make me really really love him. Chemistry between Quin and Maddie is non existent as Maddie is always pushing Quin away.
But alas, I have ran out of patience for Maddie and I’m done with this book.
I just couldn’t like the heroine, Maddie at all. She was that hateful. When I don’t like the hero or heroine in a book, it affects my reading experience negatively. I disliked Maddie the moment she started treating Quin horribly. Even if she was against the idea of going to London, I felt she should have been a little nicer to Quin as he was helping her.
I just kept on reading and hoping that she would become better. But even at chapter 10, she’s still so horrible. And it’s disappointing because Rafe entered at that chapter and I thought it was becoming interesting. I liked Rafe more than Quin and that’s bad because Quin is the main hero of this book.
I wondered what Quin even liked about Maddie, she’s so...ugh. Stubborn and mean. She does shows her vulnerable side to him but it was not enough for me to like her. It didn’t help that I found it hard to love Quin. I like him, yes, but he doesn’t show much qualities to make me really really love him. Chemistry between Quin and Maddie is non existent as Maddie is always pushing Quin away.
But alas, I have ran out of patience for Maddie and I’m done with this book.
August 28, 2019
So glad to finally locate a copy of this book! I am a Suzanne Enoch fan and this one was published in 1998. Unlike a book I just finished by another author I enjoy, it did not show its age. The characters are appealing and the plot does not fade along the way. Maddie, daughter of a viscount, is now a companion to the estranged brother of a duke. Maddie was ruined the year of her first season by a drunken kiss and a fiance who did not support her. Our hero, Quinlan, a future duke, is sent to the estate of his uncle to assist after his uncle's stroke. He finds all in order there thanks to Maddie's management. And that is just the beginning of a great beach read. I'm now on the hunt for Rafe's story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews