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St. John Family #1
Lady Gallant
AN INNOCENT TEMPTRESS
The ladies of the palace called Nora Becket "mouse." But beneath her shy, artless ways hid the heart of a lioness. A daring spy in Queen Mary's court, she risked her life to rescue the innocent from a terrible fate. Yet it was Nora who needed rescuing when cutthroats attacked her--and when Christian de Rivers, a lusty, sword-wielding rogue, swept her out of harm's way ... and into his arms.
A BOLD ADVENTURER
As magnificent and mesmerizing as a hawk, Christian both frightened and excited Nora, even as he pursued her with a single-minded passion that left her longing to be caught. Yet soon she would discover that she had reason to be frightened. For the dashing nobleman had his own secrets to keep, his own enemies to rout--and his own brand of vengeance for a wide-eyed beauty whom he loved only too well....
The ladies of the palace called Nora Becket "mouse." But beneath her shy, artless ways hid the heart of a lioness. A daring spy in Queen Mary's court, she risked her life to rescue the innocent from a terrible fate. Yet it was Nora who needed rescuing when cutthroats attacked her--and when Christian de Rivers, a lusty, sword-wielding rogue, swept her out of harm's way ... and into his arms.
A BOLD ADVENTURER
As magnificent and mesmerizing as a hawk, Christian both frightened and excited Nora, even as he pursued her with a single-minded passion that left her longing to be caught. Yet soon she would discover that she had reason to be frightened. For the dashing nobleman had his own secrets to keep, his own enemies to rout--and his own brand of vengeance for a wide-eyed beauty whom he loved only too well....
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1991
136 people are currently reading
2957 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Robinson
34 books59 followersLynda Suzanne Robinson (b. July 6, 1951 in Amarillo, Texas) is an American writer, author of romance (under the name Suzanne Robinson) and mystery novels (under the name Lynda S. Robinson). She is best known for her series of historical whodunnits set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Tutankhamun and featuring Lord Meren, "the Eyes and Ears of Pharaoh". She lives in Texas with her husband and has a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
February 10, 2017
Ahhhhh. There is no satisfaction quite like the satisfaction gained when a heroine is deeply, grossly, hideously wronged by the Hero, having the Hero realize he's made a colossal mistake, and then watching him reap every scrap of anguish he's sown. I feel a perverse anticipation every time I read an HP where the Hero treats the heroine in an unforgivably horrible manner, because I'm hoping for the the exquisite justice of a perfect comeuppance to follow. Too often I'm let down, but this book did not disappoint! Gut-twisting angst, tortured suffering, and delicious remorse. Sometimes this kind of stuff just really hits the spot!
Also the setting was convincing, the characters often funny and charming, and I enjoyed the language with its Faugh!'s and Mayhap's.
Also the setting was convincing, the characters often funny and charming, and I enjoyed the language with its Faugh!'s and Mayhap's.
February 21, 2025
A swashbuckler set under the reign of Bloody Mary, with both protagonists acting as spies for the future Queen Elizabeth, Suzanne Robinson's Lady Gallant is sure to please most fans of historical romance.
While I liked the humorous writing style, the heroine was a bit of a Mary Sue, and the hero too arrogant. After realizing that he had unjustly accused and abused her for alleged treason, this is his idea of an apology:
"Oh sweeting, if I made you want me once, I can do it again. And when I've delved between your thighs and taken my pleasure, you'll forget my trespass. I'll thrust it from your mind as I thrust my seed into your body."
Dude, seriously?
Then, further down the storyline, he allows yet another fiend to AGAIN make him doubt heroine, accusing her once again of betraying him. To me, I could not believe in their HEA because all his talk of love is cheap. His behavior consistently demonstrates that he neither trusts nor respects the heroine. They will have a blissful marriage only until the next Great, Big, Terrible Misunderstanding or venomous Iago puts ideas in his head again.
I was really sucked into the story initially because the author has such an engaging style and there are so many intrigues at play so that it never becomes boring, but the protags and their romance ultimately did not pay off for me, personally.
While I liked the humorous writing style, the heroine was a bit of a Mary Sue, and the hero too arrogant. After realizing that he had unjustly accused and abused her for alleged treason, this is his idea of an apology:
"Oh sweeting, if I made you want me once, I can do it again. And when I've delved between your thighs and taken my pleasure, you'll forget my trespass. I'll thrust it from your mind as I thrust my seed into your body."
Dude, seriously?
Then, further down the storyline, he allows yet another fiend to AGAIN make him doubt heroine, accusing her once again of betraying him. To me, I could not believe in their HEA because all his talk of love is cheap. His behavior consistently demonstrates that he neither trusts nor respects the heroine. They will have a blissful marriage only until the next Great, Big, Terrible Misunderstanding or venomous Iago puts ideas in his head again.
I was really sucked into the story initially because the author has such an engaging style and there are so many intrigues at play so that it never becomes boring, but the protags and their romance ultimately did not pay off for me, personally.
May 7, 2021
Trigger Warnings:
Ok so here's the thing, I'm really stupid. This book takes place during the 1500s, it's older English, reminds me of the times I read Shakespeare in class. This was another book recommended by Shilpa and she was right, this book made me cry like crazy. She recommended it for the grovel and honestly, the grovel was really good imo, it's just I couldn't follow the story well which made my reading experience less enjoyable and I wasn't a huge fan of Christain. I had a hard time following the story because of the writing, the first half was just really hard to get through because it is older English, I caught things here and there but couldn't really follow what was going on. So if I get anything wrong, don't even hesitate to correct me because as I have said, I am really stupid.
So I really liked Nora, she deserves all my stars. The girl is a sweetheart who is a badass, she starts off as shy and timid and changes because of the disgusting stuff she had to deal with. I really felt for Nora, I cried so much for her. She is a lover of animals, loyal to others, and would never give anything up even if it would end up ruining her life. Christian is just an asshole like even before he did the shitty stuff he did, the guy was an asshole. When we first meet him I'm like how the hell is this guy charming in any way? This book does have and I did go into this book knowing that so I wasn't surprised when it happened.
Again, I am stupid so I could be getting the story wrong but from my understanding, Nora is a spy working in Queen Mary's court. She cares for animals and never stands up for herself, her father wants her to get married to a guy that is crazy and unliked by many, rumored to have some sort of pox disease. Christian is a crazy lad, super adventurous, and has a traumatic past. After meeting Nora he notices that she is different from other girls, Nora, the girl everyone calls "mouse" is surprisingly refreshing which is what pushes him to pursue her. They go through so much and continuously cross paths for better or worse.
Now for spoilers...
That is all, stay safe folks!
Ok so here's the thing, I'm really stupid. This book takes place during the 1500s, it's older English, reminds me of the times I read Shakespeare in class. This was another book recommended by Shilpa and she was right, this book made me cry like crazy. She recommended it for the grovel and honestly, the grovel was really good imo, it's just I couldn't follow the story well which made my reading experience less enjoyable and I wasn't a huge fan of Christain. I had a hard time following the story because of the writing, the first half was just really hard to get through because it is older English, I caught things here and there but couldn't really follow what was going on. So if I get anything wrong, don't even hesitate to correct me because as I have said, I am really stupid.
So I really liked Nora, she deserves all my stars. The girl is a sweetheart who is a badass, she starts off as shy and timid and changes because of the disgusting stuff she had to deal with. I really felt for Nora, I cried so much for her. She is a lover of animals, loyal to others, and would never give anything up even if it would end up ruining her life. Christian is just an asshole like even before he did the shitty stuff he did, the guy was an asshole. When we first meet him I'm like how the hell is this guy charming in any way? This book does have and I did go into this book knowing that so I wasn't surprised when it happened.
Again, I am stupid so I could be getting the story wrong but from my understanding, Nora is a spy working in Queen Mary's court. She cares for animals and never stands up for herself, her father wants her to get married to a guy that is crazy and unliked by many, rumored to have some sort of pox disease. Christian is a crazy lad, super adventurous, and has a traumatic past. After meeting Nora he notices that she is different from other girls, Nora, the girl everyone calls "mouse" is surprisingly refreshing which is what pushes him to pursue her. They go through so much and continuously cross paths for better or worse.
Now for spoilers...
That is all, stay safe folks!
September 18, 2025
I went in with zero expectations and still ended up disappointed 👁👄👁
November 24, 2022
Oh, for old-fashioned cruelty!
This book packs a wallop. No small measures here. Everything is OTT.
It has an excessively sweet and timorous h (but with the heart of a tigress), a besotted-despite-himself alphajerk H, heartwarming and mushy pursuit, secrets within secrets, court intrigues, real-life historical events and characters that skip in and out, serious triggers, ass-hattery of the extreme kind - the ugly love turned to hate revenge kind and a grovel like none other (imagine a roaring tiger turning into a mewling, cuddly kitten with big soulful eyes.)
Been a while since I read it. So, no detailed review. Just that it is a page turner and hugely entertaining. Just the thing for those who love cruel alpha Hs and enjoy seeing them brought to their knees, nay make it their nose rubbed in the dirt - by a mite of an h.
This book packs a wallop. No small measures here. Everything is OTT.
It has an excessively sweet and timorous h (but with the heart of a tigress), a besotted-despite-himself alphajerk H, heartwarming and mushy pursuit, secrets within secrets, court intrigues, real-life historical events and characters that skip in and out, serious triggers, ass-hattery of the extreme kind - the ugly love turned to hate revenge kind and a grovel like none other (imagine a roaring tiger turning into a mewling, cuddly kitten with big soulful eyes.)
Been a while since I read it. So, no detailed review. Just that it is a page turner and hugely entertaining. Just the thing for those who love cruel alpha Hs and enjoy seeing them brought to their knees, nay make it their nose rubbed in the dirt - by a mite of an h.
March 29, 2022
The H treats the h badly. He is mostly an ass through the entire book. So it's hard to explain why I loved it but I did!
The H was such an interesting character. When he was a 8 he was kidnapped and lived with cutpurses and other unsavory people for 4 years. He was finally saved but not before surviving some horrific experiences. Now he serves as a spy for Princess Elizabeth Tudor and still hangs around thieves. He is of course handsome and captivating.
The h is referred to as a mouse. She has a very cruel father, who tries to marry her to an old man with the pox. She doesn't stand up for her self but is fierce when it comes to animals and children. I enjoyed watching her go from a mouse to a dragon.
There so many other plots in the story that I couldn't put it down. Love or hate it, it is never boring!
The H was such an interesting character. When he was a 8 he was kidnapped and lived with cutpurses and other unsavory people for 4 years. He was finally saved but not before surviving some horrific experiences. Now he serves as a spy for Princess Elizabeth Tudor and still hangs around thieves. He is of course handsome and captivating.
The h is referred to as a mouse. She has a very cruel father, who tries to marry her to an old man with the pox. She doesn't stand up for her self but is fierce when it comes to animals and children. I enjoyed watching her go from a mouse to a dragon.
There so many other plots in the story that I couldn't put it down. Love or hate it, it is never boring!
February 16, 2022
bro i did get the grovel i had wanted, but at what cost ??
June 27, 2011
This was a really difficult read for me,i only gave 2 stars is one star for the mystery-suspense part and second for the grovelling
The way hubby treated his wife was really hard for me to read,sleeping with OW woman in front of his wife and purposely doing it next to the room of her and making loads of noises so that she comes and sees he is doing it with them and also in one scene he says "Just don't stand there i have to finish what i started and ask her to close the door if she is getting disturbed"
the horrible way he humiliates her,hurts her is just ............ he had to do grovelling but i still felt he was forgiven easily after the way he treated his wife like that
I had skipped loads of pages in between when he treats her badly specially after the scene when he does it purposely and makes noises so that wife comes and sees them doing it,skipped from there and started directly when he comes to know he was a jerk and misunderstood the whole thing,his wife is innocent
The list of his cruelty and aweful behaviour towards his wife is endless and cause of one misunderstanding he treats her that way,most disappointing thing is he is said to be a soldier of high caliber and when he suspects a person does'nt even bothers to cross check the evidence or directly go and confront the suspect,just jumps to conclusions and rest we knoe how he proceeds,he realises he is wrong when his father clears the misunderstanding,he grovels but i just could'nt forgive him,nope i can never forgive the pig
Not recommended by me
The way hubby treated his wife was really hard for me to read,sleeping with OW woman in front of his wife and purposely doing it next to the room of her and making loads of noises so that she comes and sees he is doing it with them and also in one scene he says "Just don't stand there i have to finish what i started and ask her to close the door if she is getting disturbed"
the horrible way he humiliates her,hurts her is just ............ he had to do grovelling but i still felt he was forgiven easily after the way he treated his wife like that
I had skipped loads of pages in between when he treats her badly specially after the scene when he does it purposely and makes noises so that wife comes and sees them doing it,skipped from there and started directly when he comes to know he was a jerk and misunderstood the whole thing,his wife is innocent
The list of his cruelty and aweful behaviour towards his wife is endless and cause of one misunderstanding he treats her that way,most disappointing thing is he is said to be a soldier of high caliber and when he suspects a person does'nt even bothers to cross check the evidence or directly go and confront the suspect,just jumps to conclusions and rest we knoe how he proceeds,he realises he is wrong when his father clears the misunderstanding,he grovels but i just could'nt forgive him,nope i can never forgive the pig
Not recommended by me
August 25, 2022
Re-read 2022 (read this 10yrs ago, and loved it, I might hate it now)
DNF 😂 10%
I stopped re-reading because of my newly developed pet peeve;
slow burn + spineless insecure h.
I still love this authors writing enough to try reading this again, so I am keeping my rating.
Self note
heroins nickname is mouse, for she is a timid little wren and a coward (that’s what it says in the book). I am sure she becomes stronger later on. I do recall her making the H work to get her back after he cheats, so she doesn’t remain a coward.
Not much chemistry between the mc at the first scene, but this is a slow burn. Actually, they cared so little for each other that, in her pov, H slept with a “big breasted” maid, on their journey back to court.
The h is not beautiful, shes a plain Jane with black hair and brown eyes.
Shes unwanted and unloved by her own father, and in court because she lacked beauty (she dressed like an old lady - too modest), and is so quiet, she’s mostly overlooked.
Of course she has a kind personality (she saves animals), and she’s quite likable. But don’t worry, this is a romance novel so this super hot, totally gorgeous manho H, that all the females are after but he’s never drawn to, will fall to his knees for her… for her sweet and adorable personality.🙄
I think I am just too old, jaded, and skeptical for this book now.
——————————
Had some of the best grovel scenes, and the hero completely redeemed himself in my eyes.
Spoiler:
Cheating scene is pretty vague, and questionable. I read it as cheating but I know some people did not view it as such. I just wanted to mention this here because I didn't want to turn people off from my cheating tag. Some authors can pull off cheating without making the reader go crazy (Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers), this author pulled it off as well.
This was a great book. Absolutely recommended.
DNF 😂 10%
I stopped re-reading because of my newly developed pet peeve;
slow burn + spineless insecure h.
I still love this authors writing enough to try reading this again, so I am keeping my rating.
Self note
heroins nickname is mouse, for she is a timid little wren and a coward (that’s what it says in the book). I am sure she becomes stronger later on. I do recall her making the H work to get her back after he cheats, so she doesn’t remain a coward.
Not much chemistry between the mc at the first scene, but this is a slow burn. Actually, they cared so little for each other that, in her pov, H slept with a “big breasted” maid, on their journey back to court.
The h is not beautiful, shes a plain Jane with black hair and brown eyes.
Shes unwanted and unloved by her own father, and in court because she lacked beauty (she dressed like an old lady - too modest), and is so quiet, she’s mostly overlooked.
Of course she has a kind personality (she saves animals), and she’s quite likable. But don’t worry, this is a romance novel so this super hot, totally gorgeous manho H, that all the females are after but he’s never drawn to, will fall to his knees for her… for her sweet and adorable personality.🙄
I think I am just too old, jaded, and skeptical for this book now.
——————————
Had some of the best grovel scenes, and the hero completely redeemed himself in my eyes.
Spoiler:
Cheating scene is pretty vague, and questionable. I read it as cheating but I know some people did not view it as such. I just wanted to mention this here because I didn't want to turn people off from my cheating tag. Some authors can pull off cheating without making the reader go crazy (Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers), this author pulled it off as well.
This was a great book. Absolutely recommended.
May 12, 2016
Read this years back and I still think one of the best grovelling by hero books!
April 2, 2021
***Re-read - 2nd April, 2021***
'He dropped his hands and transferred a dissecting gaze to Eleanora Becket. “God deliver me from the imbecility of women. Don’t you know how to kick? Next time make use of your feet and your legs instead of ensconcing yourself in the middle of a fight like a maypole with tits.”'
I'm so impressed of the dialogues of this book! I just gawked, awed and laughed. Christian and Eleanora are of two kinds. I'm speechless, I've no words.
(I'm simply going to include dialogues)
"Easy, we’re going,” Christian said.
“My lord,” Hext said. “The lady.”
“Leave her to my pretty geese. They’ll be here soon enough.”
“My lord, you can’t leave a woman to that lot.”
“So she has to pay them for their help with a ride or two. Some good vagabond seed up her might turn her from a worm into a tigress.”
Set in the Tudor period, after the death of King Henry VIII, his daughter Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth in a battle of religion and politics, into this combustible setting comes Christian de Rivers, a swordsman and a lady's man. Eleonara Becket, an awkward lady-in-waiting of Queen Mary. She is her father's bastard (this information is a secret at the court) who sends her to Queen so she can manage to find a husband. But half the court mocks her and her attire.
Christain meets Eleonara who unfortunately needed rescuing from thieves, Christain at that moment was fighting sword with his enemy when Eleonara happened.
'She had decided it had been divinely ordained that she would be the victim of a robbery, only to be rescued by a young man whose reputation was worse than that of a highwayman. He behaved as if she’d purposely thwarted his plan to skewer that villain with the silly name. For the past two days Lord Montfort had exhibited the fury of a spurned courtesan, and he vented that fury with verbal floggings that made her cringe. Her only comfort lay in the realization that he could reduce even the most false hearted thief or callous dock hand to blancmange. Why did her rescuer have to come in the form of this violet-eyed cobra with the terrible smile? What ill fortune.'
Eleonara is a mouse. The author starts the narration of the heroine with bad qualities. She shakes and shivers when you scold her and abides to her fathers rules silently but is she a dumb old hag in a young body? No. Prove?
"You’ve got kittens in that sack,” she said to Pigsey. “They’re frightened. Let them out.”
Pigsey gaped at her. His two friends dug elbows into each other’s ribs and sniggered.
“Them’s my animals, mistress,” Pigsey said. “We’re going to use them in football, we are.”
“You are not.” Nora pulled herself up to her full height and pointed a finger at Pigsey. “Give those kittens to me, sirrah.”
Christain and Eleonara began different - no kind words nor attraction just irritation and fear. More time in Eleonara's company, Christain is surprised and awed of her.
'While Nora was freeing the kittens, Christian fussed. “I don’t understand it. I truly don’t. You can’t defend yourself from silly maids at court. You wilt like a babe in need of physick at the least harsh word, and tremble at the attack of thieves, and yet you furbish up your courage in an instant to attack three knaves over a sack of kittens.”'
Both Christain and Eleonara are in favour of Queen Mary but secretly serve Princess Elizabeth and both of them doeasn't know where each other loyalties are. After Christain and Eleonary marry (long story short, Christain comes to Eleonara's rescue once again) starts their huge disaster of their life. Christain believes Eleonara betrayed him by attempting to kill his father. He insults her infront of everyone, takes a whore to his bed making sure Eleonara is inthe room beside. His cruelties are of 40 pages or so. His harsh treatment makes Eleonara hide in her room and she gets ill.
"Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “It’s your fault for behaving like a mouse and then attacking like the god Mars. Don’t you know what it does to a man to see a woman burst into fire and passion like that?”
“I was furious,” she said in protest. “When we first met, you chastised me for lacking courage.”
He groaned and rubbed his forehead. “God’s teeth, she’s furious. Don’t you understand that you should defend yourself as well as you did those kittens?”
“It’s not the same.”
“You’re right, my sweeting. You’re more important than the kittens.”
She lifted her skirts and stepped into the street. “Oh, no, I’m not. Animals are creatures of God, too, and someone has to care for them.”
“You need to take care of yourself first, Nora Becket.”
(I know this is third inclusion of "kitten" dialogues but it's too cute)
By the time Christain discovered he wronged Eleonara he remembers his passion and realises he loves her despite still believing she betrayed him. That's nice, but he still doesn't beleive her and expects Eleonara to forgive him. Eleonara turned into a new leaf, she was hurt to the core and wouldn't accept him. There was grovelling and romantic scenes after which Eleonara relents.
The secondary characters - Arthur, Eleonara's recued page and Sebastian, Christain's loving father are my favourite. And lastly Jack Midnight scene ruined whatever the climax was building from the beginning of the book. The story has dramas, I like this kind of setting where there is a separate story with a background Tudor setting, makes me live in it. I highly recommend this book. The humorous dialogues might lose it's charm by the end but you can bear it.
'He dropped his hands and transferred a dissecting gaze to Eleanora Becket. “God deliver me from the imbecility of women. Don’t you know how to kick? Next time make use of your feet and your legs instead of ensconcing yourself in the middle of a fight like a maypole with tits.”'
I'm so impressed of the dialogues of this book! I just gawked, awed and laughed. Christian and Eleanora are of two kinds. I'm speechless, I've no words.
(I'm simply going to include dialogues)
"Easy, we’re going,” Christian said.
“My lord,” Hext said. “The lady.”
“Leave her to my pretty geese. They’ll be here soon enough.”
“My lord, you can’t leave a woman to that lot.”
“So she has to pay them for their help with a ride or two. Some good vagabond seed up her might turn her from a worm into a tigress.”
Set in the Tudor period, after the death of King Henry VIII, his daughter Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth in a battle of religion and politics, into this combustible setting comes Christian de Rivers, a swordsman and a lady's man. Eleonara Becket, an awkward lady-in-waiting of Queen Mary. She is her father's bastard (this information is a secret at the court) who sends her to Queen so she can manage to find a husband. But half the court mocks her and her attire.
Christain meets Eleonara who unfortunately needed rescuing from thieves, Christain at that moment was fighting sword with his enemy when Eleonara happened.
'She had decided it had been divinely ordained that she would be the victim of a robbery, only to be rescued by a young man whose reputation was worse than that of a highwayman. He behaved as if she’d purposely thwarted his plan to skewer that villain with the silly name. For the past two days Lord Montfort had exhibited the fury of a spurned courtesan, and he vented that fury with verbal floggings that made her cringe. Her only comfort lay in the realization that he could reduce even the most false hearted thief or callous dock hand to blancmange. Why did her rescuer have to come in the form of this violet-eyed cobra with the terrible smile? What ill fortune.'
Eleonara is a mouse. The author starts the narration of the heroine with bad qualities. She shakes and shivers when you scold her and abides to her fathers rules silently but is she a dumb old hag in a young body? No. Prove?
"You’ve got kittens in that sack,” she said to Pigsey. “They’re frightened. Let them out.”
Pigsey gaped at her. His two friends dug elbows into each other’s ribs and sniggered.
“Them’s my animals, mistress,” Pigsey said. “We’re going to use them in football, we are.”
“You are not.” Nora pulled herself up to her full height and pointed a finger at Pigsey. “Give those kittens to me, sirrah.”
Christain and Eleonara began different - no kind words nor attraction just irritation and fear. More time in Eleonara's company, Christain is surprised and awed of her.
'While Nora was freeing the kittens, Christian fussed. “I don’t understand it. I truly don’t. You can’t defend yourself from silly maids at court. You wilt like a babe in need of physick at the least harsh word, and tremble at the attack of thieves, and yet you furbish up your courage in an instant to attack three knaves over a sack of kittens.”'
Both Christain and Eleonara are in favour of Queen Mary but secretly serve Princess Elizabeth and both of them doeasn't know where each other loyalties are. After Christain and Eleonary marry (long story short, Christain comes to Eleonara's rescue once again) starts their huge disaster of their life. Christain believes Eleonara betrayed him by attempting to kill his father. He insults her infront of everyone, takes a whore to his bed making sure Eleonara is inthe room beside. His cruelties are of 40 pages or so. His harsh treatment makes Eleonara hide in her room and she gets ill.
"Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “It’s your fault for behaving like a mouse and then attacking like the god Mars. Don’t you know what it does to a man to see a woman burst into fire and passion like that?”
“I was furious,” she said in protest. “When we first met, you chastised me for lacking courage.”
He groaned and rubbed his forehead. “God’s teeth, she’s furious. Don’t you understand that you should defend yourself as well as you did those kittens?”
“It’s not the same.”
“You’re right, my sweeting. You’re more important than the kittens.”
She lifted her skirts and stepped into the street. “Oh, no, I’m not. Animals are creatures of God, too, and someone has to care for them.”
“You need to take care of yourself first, Nora Becket.”
(I know this is third inclusion of "kitten" dialogues but it's too cute)
By the time Christain discovered he wronged Eleonara he remembers his passion and realises he loves her despite still believing she betrayed him. That's nice, but he still doesn't beleive her and expects Eleonara to forgive him. Eleonara turned into a new leaf, she was hurt to the core and wouldn't accept him. There was grovelling and romantic scenes after which Eleonara relents.
The secondary characters - Arthur, Eleonara's recued page and Sebastian, Christain's loving father are my favourite. And lastly Jack Midnight scene ruined whatever the climax was building from the beginning of the book. The story has dramas, I like this kind of setting where there is a separate story with a background Tudor setting, makes me live in it. I highly recommend this book. The humorous dialogues might lose it's charm by the end but you can bear it.
December 21, 2023
I've stopped counting...
05/02/2022 reading again...I'm seeing a pattern here. Annual Lady Gallant read!
Anyway, after reading this several times, I feel like it's time to give it a proper review (minor spoilers). For those who do not like arrogant heroes STAY AWAY. Christian is a hurt little boy who feeds off of revenge and carelessness. He's attractive, rich, popular- he knows it and he uses it. In his defense he did have a few fucked up years as a kid and women throw themselves at him, so I give him a minor pass. However, if you read this be ready to have your heart cut out right along with the precious heroine by asshole Christian. He stomps her into dust. It is brutal. He used all of her insecurities as a weapon and struck to kill.
Nora *sigh*…I want Nora as my friend. Suzanne Robinson did such a great job making Nora humble and sweet without being a total wimp. She simply had a good heart. Christian fell in love with her and in her unassuming way didn't believe it. At first she didn't even notice that Christian was after her, and those are some of my favorite scenes in the book. After all, Christian was everything she was not. She finally relents and lets her love for Christian out, it was so sweet to watch her grab what she wanted (Christians love)… And boy when I tell you he ended up breaking her heart....he SMASHED IT INTO PIECES!!!!!!!!!!!
The only reason Christian got my forgiveness for hurting Nora was that he literally got on his knees and begged, pleaded, used magic...anything and everything to get Nora to forgive him. Nora held strong for weeks! It was glorious to watch Christian descend into a sobbing mess.
I think this is the best groveling HR ever!
PS anyone notice that so many of the brutal hero’s in BR Land have the name Christian?!? Lemonade for example…
re-read 06/29/21....still a damn good book.
LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
05/02/2022 reading again...I'm seeing a pattern here. Annual Lady Gallant read!
Anyway, after reading this several times, I feel like it's time to give it a proper review (minor spoilers). For those who do not like arrogant heroes STAY AWAY. Christian is a hurt little boy who feeds off of revenge and carelessness. He's attractive, rich, popular- he knows it and he uses it. In his defense he did have a few fucked up years as a kid and women throw themselves at him, so I give him a minor pass. However, if you read this be ready to have your heart cut out right along with the precious heroine by asshole Christian. He stomps her into dust. It is brutal. He used all of her insecurities as a weapon and struck to kill.
Nora *sigh*…I want Nora as my friend. Suzanne Robinson did such a great job making Nora humble and sweet without being a total wimp. She simply had a good heart. Christian fell in love with her and in her unassuming way didn't believe it. At first she didn't even notice that Christian was after her, and those are some of my favorite scenes in the book. After all, Christian was everything she was not. She finally relents and lets her love for Christian out, it was so sweet to watch her grab what she wanted (Christians love)… And boy when I tell you he ended up breaking her heart....he SMASHED IT INTO PIECES!!!!!!!!!!!
The only reason Christian got my forgiveness for hurting Nora was that he literally got on his knees and begged, pleaded, used magic...anything and everything to get Nora to forgive him. Nora held strong for weeks! It was glorious to watch Christian descend into a sobbing mess.
I think this is the best groveling HR ever!
PS anyone notice that so many of the brutal hero’s in BR Land have the name Christian?!? Lemonade for example…
re-read 06/29/21....still a damn good book.
LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25, 2022
Historical romance set in Tudor England in 1500’s with a dash of spy intrigue in the midst of Queen (Bloody) Mary’s reign.
Eleanora Becket (Nora) is the unwanted bastard child of Sir William. She has been sent to court to find a husband because her dad wants rid of her. She is awkward, meek, wears outdated clothes, and is ridiculed by the others at court…and nicknamed the mouse. She loves animals because she has been ignored and unloved most of her life.
Christian de Rivers (Lord Montfort) is a noble rake, he’s loved at court (especially the ladies) he’s a swordsman, showman, and a spy for Elizabeth. He has a past; he was kidnapped by Jack Midnight abused, and forced to participate in criminal stuff as a lad. His dad rescued him, but he straddles the “legal” life and goes by Kit as his street name. He is angry, lacks patience, and is OBSESSED with getting revenge against Jack.
Christian finds himself drawn to Nora, and slowly she melts his icy heart. Both have emotional baggage, and are keeping secrets that blow up and become the catalyst to the major conflict of the book. Christian intercepts a message that leads to a major misunderstanding, and causes him to treat Nora horribly. I thought the reasoning for Christian feeling betrayed was believable; it looked really bad. I understood that it was a HUGE deal for him to love Nora… so I get why he lashed out. I also understood it was a HUGE deal for Nora to feel loved…so I get why she was so deeply hurt. It helped that his cruel part was relatively short.
He does immediately feel remorseful. ”God’s Mercy, what have I done?” He’d hope to shame and hurt her, but it was himself he was torturing. He was killing his own soul. This begins the start of Christian's epic grovel…which I was satisfied with. He gets desperate, doesn’t eat or sleep, and she makes him work for it for about 20% of the book.
All in all, I thought it was a great read, that was well researched and written. Neither MC is perfect, and Chris makes mistakes, but they both grow and develop so much as individuals as well as a couple. I thought there were a couple loose ends I wish were settled. We never know what goes on with Jack. **Did anyone else feel like the Black Jack Randall from Outlander was based on him? He had that creepy affectionate touchy lust thing going on with Christian. ** I thought the “Mags” issue was just brushed away. She had so much hate towards Nora, and such a weird Mrs. Robinson possessiveness with Kit that it didn’t feel finished.
Eleanora Becket (Nora) is the unwanted bastard child of Sir William. She has been sent to court to find a husband because her dad wants rid of her. She is awkward, meek, wears outdated clothes, and is ridiculed by the others at court…and nicknamed the mouse. She loves animals because she has been ignored and unloved most of her life.
Christian de Rivers (Lord Montfort) is a noble rake, he’s loved at court (especially the ladies) he’s a swordsman, showman, and a spy for Elizabeth. He has a past; he was kidnapped by Jack Midnight abused, and forced to participate in criminal stuff as a lad. His dad rescued him, but he straddles the “legal” life and goes by Kit as his street name. He is angry, lacks patience, and is OBSESSED with getting revenge against Jack.
Christian finds himself drawn to Nora, and slowly she melts his icy heart. Both have emotional baggage, and are keeping secrets that blow up and become the catalyst to the major conflict of the book. Christian intercepts a message that leads to a major misunderstanding, and causes him to treat Nora horribly. I thought the reasoning for Christian feeling betrayed was believable; it looked really bad. I understood that it was a HUGE deal for him to love Nora… so I get why he lashed out. I also understood it was a HUGE deal for Nora to feel loved…so I get why she was so deeply hurt. It helped that his cruel part was relatively short.
He does immediately feel remorseful. ”God’s Mercy, what have I done?” He’d hope to shame and hurt her, but it was himself he was torturing. He was killing his own soul. This begins the start of Christian's epic grovel…which I was satisfied with. He gets desperate, doesn’t eat or sleep, and she makes him work for it for about 20% of the book.
All in all, I thought it was a great read, that was well researched and written. Neither MC is perfect, and Chris makes mistakes, but they both grow and develop so much as individuals as well as a couple. I thought there were a couple loose ends I wish were settled. We never know what goes on with Jack. **Did anyone else feel like the Black Jack Randall from Outlander was based on him? He had that creepy affectionate touchy lust thing going on with Christian. ** I thought the “Mags” issue was just brushed away. She had so much hate towards Nora, and such a weird Mrs. Robinson possessiveness with Kit that it didn’t feel finished.
May 20, 2010
I was so excited to read this book! It is set in the Tudor era and if you are reading this book PLEASE read Robinson's introduction. It gives a nice "back drop" to the story and describes what was going on in England during that time. It was very interesting.
Then the book started.
This is a case of "too little too late". Christian de Rivers is not a nice man. He has been through a lot in his life, but he is a mean and nasty man. Not my kind of hero material. The heroes I love don't have to be saints.....I love "bad boys", but they CAN'T be jerks, and this hero is. He is so mean to Nora...hating her for how he feels about her ect. Always believing the worst in her. Verbally assaulting her in various ways. Cheating on her with other women and the throwing it in her face! Aghhh! The list goes on and on.
I will agree that when Christian finally comes to his senses, his groveling is some of the best in the genre, but it is not enough to make me love him (or even like him)! Sorry, this one was not for me.
Then the book started.
This is a case of "too little too late". Christian de Rivers is not a nice man. He has been through a lot in his life, but he is a mean and nasty man. Not my kind of hero material. The heroes I love don't have to be saints.....I love "bad boys", but they CAN'T be jerks, and this hero is. He is so mean to Nora...hating her for how he feels about her ect. Always believing the worst in her. Verbally assaulting her in various ways. Cheating on her with other women and the throwing it in her face! Aghhh! The list goes on and on.
I will agree that when Christian finally comes to his senses, his groveling is some of the best in the genre, but it is not enough to make me love him (or even like him)! Sorry, this one was not for me.
December 29, 2015
H is a huge POS and makes the h, his wife, suffer over and over and over again (even cheating on her at one point and making sure that she sees).
There's not enough grovelling in the world.
There's not enough grovelling in the world.
November 23, 2022
4 stars
Mannnnnn how I love historical romances!!!!!!!! They always always alwayssss undoubtedly deliver; with its foul mouthed hero, timid heroine, sizzling angst and slow burn romance.
I am accustomed to reading enemies to lovers books where the MC’s hate each other from the get-go. In Lady Gallant, however, Christian de Rivers (H) and Nora Roberts (h) confessed their love for each other early on in the book before the juicy conflict happened right after they married each other and Christian turned into achivalrous nasty, cheating, menacing sonofabitch.
There is nothing more endearing to me than a man who has sworn off ever falling in love but when he does inadvertently fall in love, he is betrayed in the worst way possible and then comes his villain era, which is quite literally my favorite part since the hero turns absolutely remorseless and impervious to all the heroine’s pleas and explanations.
How my heart singed when Christian lacerated Nora with his vicious tongue, called her cooking-pot plain *gasps outrageously*, and pasty-faced and a small crow with the stomach of a worm 😶 AND my personal favorite when he kissed the hand of his ex-fuck buddy and publicly made the declaration of later taking her to bed while his wife, Nora, stood beside him 🧍🏻♀️and when he called her plain and prudish in front of his ex-mistresses when he knew she was insecure about being called plain *chef’s kiss* and th..then, when he deliberately lured her to the bedchamber where he lay suckling on the breast of another women, t-this this is exactly the kind of torture I want my dear heroes inflicting on the poor unsuspecting, gullible heroines.
And I’ve seen people swooning over how good the grovel was BUT one page of Christian grovelling had me bristling and mentally admonishing him because so whattt if he was cruel to Nora, it was her penance for having fallen in love with him. You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. And all. In my opinion, Christian didn’t unleash his true monster, he could have done better to engrave in Nora’s mind that she was nothing but dirt beneath his shoes 🫦🫦🫦
Mannnnnn how I love historical romances!!!!!!!! They always always alwayssss undoubtedly deliver; with its foul mouthed hero, timid heroine, sizzling angst and slow burn romance.
“Imagining his hands wrapped around Nora's throat, he saw himself squeeze and squeeze, saw her face turn purple. No!
"Damn your soul, Nora Becket."
Very well. He couldn't kill her. After all, she had failed. But he would have revenge, and in having it, tear her out of his heart.
I am accustomed to reading enemies to lovers books where the MC’s hate each other from the get-go. In Lady Gallant, however, Christian de Rivers (H) and Nora Roberts (h) confessed their love for each other early on in the book before the juicy conflict happened right after they married each other and Christian turned into a
There is nothing more endearing to me than a man who has sworn off ever falling in love but when he does inadvertently fall in love, he is betrayed in the worst way possible and then comes his villain era, which is quite literally my favorite part since the hero turns absolutely remorseless and impervious to all the heroine’s pleas and explanations.
“He stepped closer to her, studying her as a butcher studies a carcass he has dismembered. "You see, I wanted so badly to kill you. But even I, lost to decency as I am, can't kill a woman. So I'll comfort myself with your suffering. If I can't kill your body, I'll kill your happiness, your pleasure, your blessings of life, and any small enjoyments I detect that give you respite from my revenge.”
How my heart singed when Christian lacerated Nora with his vicious tongue, called her cooking-pot plain *gasps outrageously*, and pasty-faced and a small crow with the stomach of a worm 😶 AND my personal favorite when he kissed the hand of his ex-fuck buddy and publicly made the declaration of later taking her to bed while his wife, Nora, stood beside him 🧍🏻♀️and when he called her plain and prudish in front of his ex-mistresses when he knew she was insecure about being called plain *chef’s kiss* and th..then, when he deliberately lured her to the bedchamber where he lay suckling on the breast of another women, t-this this is exactly the kind of torture I want my dear heroes inflicting on the poor unsuspecting, gullible heroines.
“From your response," he said, "I take it you refuse my offer."
Nora was too busy trying to keep from vomiting to answer.
"Very well. I'll have the news soon anyway, and I'll be spared a tedious chore, for which I thank you. And since you don't require my service, I'll go back to Mag."
He left, and Nora sank to the floor. It was possible to die and still breathe, she realized, for she accomplished the feat herself, there in that dusty room, on the night her husband lay between the thighs of a whore while she watched. And since she was dead inside, she couldn't be hurt again. So at last, she was free.”
And I’ve seen people swooning over how good the grovel was BUT one page of Christian grovelling had me bristling and mentally admonishing him because so whattt if he was cruel to Nora, it was her penance for having fallen in love with him. You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. And all. In my opinion, Christian didn’t unleash his true monster, he could have done better to engrave in Nora’s mind that she was nothing but dirt beneath his shoes 🫦🫦🫦
January 7, 2020
Me anytime Christian does something:
Lady Gallant is a gem and I want to give it all the stars. If you’re in the mood for a novel starring an a-hole hero who gives great grovel, this is a keeper. Not since Stormfire have I truly felt the hero was a bad boy, but damn Christian was bad. Boy oh boy did I feel all the feels. Suzanne Robinson is a master.
Christian and Nora are amazing. The relationship between Christian and Nora is that of the rakish guy who quickly falls in love with the quiet girl who is a little bit of a kook. Christian is the most charming bully. He's dangerous, sure, but he has this manic pixie dream boy energy that balances out his darker moods. Full of spontaneous energy, at one point described as spinning around in a circle with his arms flung wide, there’s this Lestat, Peter Pan - Idk, Pan god energy. Mean but full of levity. He’s verbally and physically nasty but there's still this veneer of polish over him. He is a Golden Child - a hero so beautiful everyone lets him get away with everything, and sure enough, so does the reader.
It was a very humourous bit throughout the story where everyone wanted a piece of Christian. He is literally pawed at by women and case in point, the villain . However, Christian's insults or comebacks are so fun and he doesn't even have to resort to insulting prostitutes or gay men in the process!
Nora can stand up for everybody except for herself. Her negging father has starved any sense of self-worth out of her. She is in Queen Mary's court to secure marriage, but she has been labeled a mouse so it's not going so well. That is, until she gets Christian's attention. When Nora eventually learns to stand up for herself, it is amazing. And of course she learns how to do that from a courtesan who came by in the hope of spending the night with Christian (I’M DYING).
Robinson did such an amazing job with Christian and Nora’s relationship. From their initial meeting to their sweet conversation during their dance for the queen, to the hilarious antics of Christian pushing Nora to break off her betrothal to her father and her fiance- their initial courtship is wonderfully whimsical. It is so friggin' sweet. And then it became devastatingly messed up with the Big Misunderstanding. But always so funny. I absolutely loved Arthur, Nora's page, and also Blade, Christian's captive. Lady Gallant won me over so completely, I was cackling at every little thing.
By the end of the first chapter, I was into Christian's whole deal but after reading Nora’s POV I was super excited. This was Nora's POV after first meeting Christian:
He behaved as if she’d purposely thwarted his plan to skewer that villain with the silly name. For the past two days Lord Montfort had exhibited the fury of a spurned courtesan, and he vented that fury with verbal floggings that made her cringe.
So good. And there are so many great Nora moments, such as when she talks back to Christian, after getting a backbone:
“Beshrew you, woman, I am your husband, and you owe me obedience before God.”
“I’ve been thinking about that for a while. God’s word was written down by infallible men. I’m sure He meant for women to be equal, but men perverted his truth.”
Nora's so sassy! And I'm here for it. Lady Gallant is a medieval HR. I don’t read a lot of medieval but I may have to do something about that. I found myself really digging the scenes of daily life, whether it was the political machinations of London's courtiers, or simply the quaintness of reading about characters using the Thames river as their main mode of transportation. I also loved the theatrical dialogue - “mean you?”, “beshrew you”, “cozen me not”, “anon”, “baggage” - it was a lot of fun. I cannot wait to read Blade’s story!
Lady Gallant is a gem and I want to give it all the stars. If you’re in the mood for a novel starring an a-hole hero who gives great grovel, this is a keeper. Not since Stormfire have I truly felt the hero was a bad boy, but damn Christian was bad. Boy oh boy did I feel all the feels. Suzanne Robinson is a master.
Christian and Nora are amazing. The relationship between Christian and Nora is that of the rakish guy who quickly falls in love with the quiet girl who is a little bit of a kook. Christian is the most charming bully. He's dangerous, sure, but he has this manic pixie dream boy energy that balances out his darker moods. Full of spontaneous energy, at one point described as spinning around in a circle with his arms flung wide, there’s this Lestat, Peter Pan - Idk, Pan god energy. Mean but full of levity. He’s verbally and physically nasty but there's still this veneer of polish over him. He is a Golden Child - a hero so beautiful everyone lets him get away with everything, and sure enough, so does the reader.
It was a very humourous bit throughout the story where everyone wanted a piece of Christian. He is literally pawed at by women and case in point, the villain . However, Christian's insults or comebacks are so fun and he doesn't even have to resort to insulting prostitutes or gay men in the process!
Nora can stand up for everybody except for herself. Her negging father has starved any sense of self-worth out of her. She is in Queen Mary's court to secure marriage, but she has been labeled a mouse so it's not going so well. That is, until she gets Christian's attention. When Nora eventually learns to stand up for herself, it is amazing. And of course she learns how to do that from a courtesan who came by in the hope of spending the night with Christian (I’M DYING).
Robinson did such an amazing job with Christian and Nora’s relationship. From their initial meeting to their sweet conversation during their dance for the queen, to the hilarious antics of Christian pushing Nora to break off her betrothal to her father and her fiance- their initial courtship is wonderfully whimsical. It is so friggin' sweet. And then it became devastatingly messed up with the Big Misunderstanding. But always so funny. I absolutely loved Arthur, Nora's page, and also Blade, Christian's captive. Lady Gallant won me over so completely, I was cackling at every little thing.
By the end of the first chapter, I was into Christian's whole deal but after reading Nora’s POV I was super excited. This was Nora's POV after first meeting Christian:
He behaved as if she’d purposely thwarted his plan to skewer that villain with the silly name. For the past two days Lord Montfort had exhibited the fury of a spurned courtesan, and he vented that fury with verbal floggings that made her cringe.
So good. And there are so many great Nora moments, such as when she talks back to Christian, after getting a backbone:
“Beshrew you, woman, I am your husband, and you owe me obedience before God.”
“I’ve been thinking about that for a while. God’s word was written down by infallible men. I’m sure He meant for women to be equal, but men perverted his truth.”
Nora's so sassy! And I'm here for it. Lady Gallant is a medieval HR. I don’t read a lot of medieval but I may have to do something about that. I found myself really digging the scenes of daily life, whether it was the political machinations of London's courtiers, or simply the quaintness of reading about characters using the Thames river as their main mode of transportation. I also loved the theatrical dialogue - “mean you?”, “beshrew you”, “cozen me not”, “anon”, “baggage” - it was a lot of fun. I cannot wait to read Blade’s story!
January 9, 2014
***************************spoilers************************************8
This so called hero tried to destroy this sweet heroine for crimes he thought she committed, without any proof that she did, then they tried to tell us he was sorry and suffered for his wrong against her, sorry, I didn't see it.
We were there in her mind when he was hurting her, when he ripped out her heart and ground it to dust, then tried to destroy her soul, were with her every second and minute of her pain, heard and felt it through her thoughts as it happened, not so with him.
We never got to see in his mind, hear his thoughts of how he suffered for what he did to her, we were told through others as they spoke to him about it.
Some say it was pretense, it might have been, but he and Mad were naked, as she stretched on that bed with her thighs apart, it was he laying between them, suckling her, rubbing his chest on hers, that was not fake, they were that way when the heroine saw them, no one can make me believe he was not really having sex with her, Mag was moaning, the bed was creaking from their movements.
I know he did that because of what he thought she did, but he had no proof and wouldn't trust her, knowing she had a good, kind heart, she saved he and his fathers life,helping and protecting the unwanted and the weak in a way she never did for her self.
After he did that to her, I didn't want to hear about all he suffered by the hand of Jack Midnight,because I frankly didn't care. I don't understand how she forgave him, because I can certainly see that down the line if he suspects she did anything again he will destroy her, whether she was guilty or not. Him believing that she sent that letter after she forgave him is proof of that.
I was pissed to hear the heroine felt guilt and regret for causing the jerks pain. Why should she? He caused his own by the disgusting acts he committed against her. He needed to suffer to sink and drown in the hell he created for himself. I swear every time I hear some say how the jerk loved the heroine or he say he loved her, I wanted to throw up and didn't believe it one bit.
You know, he never showed regret for what he did with Mag in front of her, the heroine was never even allowed to bring it up but once briefly, then it was swept under the rug. He committed adultery in front of his wife and the only thing he seem to show a small amount of regret for was what happened on the wedding night, so how could he really be sorry for anything he did. you can't bring on an adultery situation and not deal with it, because that was one of the most painful things done to the heroine, watching the man she had loved with another woman.
As far as I'm concerned his so called grovel was a little bit too late, he condemned her without proof, it wasn't enough for the cruelty he did against the heroine, not even close. I don't see how anyone could look on this pig as a hero, but I guess we all have our own ideas of a hero, he definitely wasn't mine.
At the end of the book I still saw him as a jerk, you know I won't call him a pig, because a pig is better than ass. It would have been better to have allowed her to leave, allow her to keep a measure of self respect and pride. Since Mag and the rest were friends of his for years, so I can see mag and the others coming by from time to time, rubbing salt in her wounds, having to put up with the ones who helped destroy her soul and spirit.
I am so amazed how anyone can think of him as a good man and perfect hero. I am really stumped here. I wonder how everyone would react if the heroine was in the hero's shoes and did what he did.
This so called hero tried to destroy this sweet heroine for crimes he thought she committed, without any proof that she did, then they tried to tell us he was sorry and suffered for his wrong against her, sorry, I didn't see it.
We were there in her mind when he was hurting her, when he ripped out her heart and ground it to dust, then tried to destroy her soul, were with her every second and minute of her pain, heard and felt it through her thoughts as it happened, not so with him.
We never got to see in his mind, hear his thoughts of how he suffered for what he did to her, we were told through others as they spoke to him about it.
Some say it was pretense, it might have been, but he and Mad were naked, as she stretched on that bed with her thighs apart, it was he laying between them, suckling her, rubbing his chest on hers, that was not fake, they were that way when the heroine saw them, no one can make me believe he was not really having sex with her, Mag was moaning, the bed was creaking from their movements.
I know he did that because of what he thought she did, but he had no proof and wouldn't trust her, knowing she had a good, kind heart, she saved he and his fathers life,helping and protecting the unwanted and the weak in a way she never did for her self.
After he did that to her, I didn't want to hear about all he suffered by the hand of Jack Midnight,because I frankly didn't care. I don't understand how she forgave him, because I can certainly see that down the line if he suspects she did anything again he will destroy her, whether she was guilty or not. Him believing that she sent that letter after she forgave him is proof of that.
I was pissed to hear the heroine felt guilt and regret for causing the jerks pain. Why should she? He caused his own by the disgusting acts he committed against her. He needed to suffer to sink and drown in the hell he created for himself. I swear every time I hear some say how the jerk loved the heroine or he say he loved her, I wanted to throw up and didn't believe it one bit.
You know, he never showed regret for what he did with Mag in front of her, the heroine was never even allowed to bring it up but once briefly, then it was swept under the rug. He committed adultery in front of his wife and the only thing he seem to show a small amount of regret for was what happened on the wedding night, so how could he really be sorry for anything he did. you can't bring on an adultery situation and not deal with it, because that was one of the most painful things done to the heroine, watching the man she had loved with another woman.
As far as I'm concerned his so called grovel was a little bit too late, he condemned her without proof, it wasn't enough for the cruelty he did against the heroine, not even close. I don't see how anyone could look on this pig as a hero, but I guess we all have our own ideas of a hero, he definitely wasn't mine.
At the end of the book I still saw him as a jerk, you know I won't call him a pig, because a pig is better than ass. It would have been better to have allowed her to leave, allow her to keep a measure of self respect and pride. Since Mag and the rest were friends of his for years, so I can see mag and the others coming by from time to time, rubbing salt in her wounds, having to put up with the ones who helped destroy her soul and spirit.
I am so amazed how anyone can think of him as a good man and perfect hero. I am really stumped here. I wonder how everyone would react if the heroine was in the hero's shoes and did what he did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2023
I’m totally going for it and giving this 5 stars DESPITE (in spite of?) the fact that I had to stop midway to take a break (page 191 to be exact when Christian full on becomes a b*stard and it’s not until page 236 when he starts the slow process of making amends. 45 pages of hard reading of ultimate douchebag-ery). But who’s counting? Me apparently… Looking back I can’t believe it was only 45 pages because it felt so much more intense and soul killing. And THIS is why I give it 5 stars. Robinson puts a lot of effort in developing these characters and the first 190 pages of Christian courting/marrying Nora is truly sweet (even though leading up to the marriage we see the buildup for the upcoming heart ache). Christian, who has lived with prostitutes, thieves and murderers and yet is as naïve as a young boy when it comes to actually courting and falling in love with Nora is so sweet, it just sucks you in. Nora is such a sweet, kind yet very vulnerable person that it makes Christian’s cruelty that much worse. But you also get Christian’s side and understand what his life was like and that he’s not just a one dimensional *sshat. His unconditional love for his father, Sebastian, and his sweet and single minded pursuit of Nora also wins you over because they’re genuine. In fact, what makes it even funnier is that no one can control Christian’s actions EXCEPT his father who is a master of reverse psychology. Example:
“Not at all, my son. If the truth be sought, I think Nora Becket an unsound choice for a wife for any man. Too quiet, too plain, and she fidgets and dithers when faced with travail of any kind. If I thought you entertained yearnings for her other than physical ones, I would forbid you to seek her out.”
Christian nodded, his wits unraveling like the threads of an old tapestry. “Too quiet and plain. Fidgets, yes, she fidgets.”
“And dithers.”
“Dithers, yes. An unsound choice.” Christian took another step down. “Mark you, sire, I wasn’t thinking of Nora Becket for a wife.”
“Then we agree.”
“Of course,” Christian said in a faint voice. He shook his head and managed a chuckle. “Besides, what man wants a woman who prattles that he makes her uncomfortable.”
Ah Sebastian, I need to take lessons from you.
Back to Christian and his cruel treatment of Nora. If taken by itself (subjecting her to humiliation, cruel words and one truly unforgivable act) it’s nothing more than has happened in other books by other douchebag H’s. Yet, it hits so hard because again, Robinson really gets you to care about these characters and become invested in their relationship so when Christian strikes out at Nora, it hits you as well as you follow both their griefs (Christian gets no joy out of his cruelty and suffers for it as well). Then of course, the best part. You get over 200 pages of Christian groveling and trying to atone. It takes months and months of hard work and by gawd, it serves him right. And do you know what I loved? That even though they do reconcile, they still have a knee jerk reaction and deep fears that start to surface again (his distrust of her, her fear of him becoming cruel again). But we see that they know this and leave you feeling that yes, they will have obstacles but will try to work it out which is really what an HEA is all about. I can tell this is going to go on my shelf of re-reads…
Re-read: I just love this story. The language is flowery beyond all belief yet not something I've read before. Christian is over the top as the quick tempered, foul mouthed, "lusty" young man. Nora is extremely likable. Christian's one huge betrayal still gut punches you. One trigger in the spoiler.
“Not at all, my son. If the truth be sought, I think Nora Becket an unsound choice for a wife for any man. Too quiet, too plain, and she fidgets and dithers when faced with travail of any kind. If I thought you entertained yearnings for her other than physical ones, I would forbid you to seek her out.”
Christian nodded, his wits unraveling like the threads of an old tapestry. “Too quiet and plain. Fidgets, yes, she fidgets.”
“And dithers.”
“Dithers, yes. An unsound choice.” Christian took another step down. “Mark you, sire, I wasn’t thinking of Nora Becket for a wife.”
“Then we agree.”
“Of course,” Christian said in a faint voice. He shook his head and managed a chuckle. “Besides, what man wants a woman who prattles that he makes her uncomfortable.”
Ah Sebastian, I need to take lessons from you.
Back to Christian and his cruel treatment of Nora. If taken by itself (subjecting her to humiliation, cruel words and one truly unforgivable act) it’s nothing more than has happened in other books by other douchebag H’s. Yet, it hits so hard because again, Robinson really gets you to care about these characters and become invested in their relationship so when Christian strikes out at Nora, it hits you as well as you follow both their griefs (Christian gets no joy out of his cruelty and suffers for it as well). Then of course, the best part. You get over 200 pages of Christian groveling and trying to atone. It takes months and months of hard work and by gawd, it serves him right. And do you know what I loved? That even though they do reconcile, they still have a knee jerk reaction and deep fears that start to surface again (his distrust of her, her fear of him becoming cruel again). But we see that they know this and leave you feeling that yes, they will have obstacles but will try to work it out which is really what an HEA is all about. I can tell this is going to go on my shelf of re-reads…
Re-read: I just love this story. The language is flowery beyond all belief yet not something I've read before. Christian is over the top as the quick tempered, foul mouthed, "lusty" young man. Nora is extremely likable. Christian's one huge betrayal still gut punches you. One trigger in the spoiler.
January 17, 2013
Content: Sex, swearing, profanity, violence
4.25 stars. I am re-reading an old favorite, now on kindle. This historical has it all -- history, action and suspense, chemistry and sex, tenderness, heartbreak, heapings of angst (!!), and a good deal of humor. I truly did laugh and cry. Again. Wow!!
Set in Tudor England in 1558, after the death of King Henry the VIII, who had ousted Catholicism and established the Protestant Church of England, so that he could divorce Catherine of Aragon. Now Henry is dead and Catherine's daughter Mary is queen. Mary is trying to abolish Protestantism and force everyone to become Catholic again, killing hundreds of "heretics" -- including commoners who couldn't read the documents. Everyone is a potential heretic and/or a political enemy, siding with the competition, her half-sister Princess Elizabeth. Elizabeth is younger than Mary, and far too savvy to try to force religious dogma on the people.
Into this combustible setting comes Christian (Kit), a noble rogue, a swordsman, beloved by the court, and yet a traitor to Queen Mary, for he secretly serves Elizabeth. Christian meets Nora (Eleanora) a lady-in-waiting for Mary. She is awkward and unsophisticated. Her father sneers at her, right along with half the court. (appalling) But there is more to Nora than it seems, for like Christian, she also secretly spies for Elizabeth, sickened by Mary's paranoia, fanaticism and religious persecution.
Christian gradually comes to love Nora, despite their rough beginning. The wedding is set. But suddenly he thinks Nora has betrayed him. He also thinks she tried to murder his beloved father.
So...he treats his brand new wife badly. Very. Very. Badly. (angst city, my heart broke for Nora, especially when he lashed her with insults in front of others, and worse.
Nora cannot explain what really happened, because the secret belongs to her liege, Elizabeth. She is trapped. So badly does Christian treat Nora that she becomes heartsick and ill. She hides from him, and successfully eludes him.
When Christian discovers that he misjudged her, he is beside himself, for he really does love her. (The good news is that even when he still thought she had betrayed him, he was softening. That goes a long way with me -- that even when the evidence seemed to suggest her treachery, he was starting to remember all the compassion she had shown to the poor.) But she will have nothing to do with him, which shocks this ladies' man, for women just fall at his feet. Nope! Nora attacks him when he comes too close. Kudos to her!
Major and multiple grovel scenes follow. Some are pretty funny. I loved the midnight scene in the woods, with the fire and the.....(spoiler). Haha! Slowly, Nora begins to trust in his love again.
Great secondary characters! Loved little Arthur, the urchin.
Flaws: The author threw us into the deep end of Tudor England and the rivalry between Mary and Elizabeth, with little context. Also, the final scene with Jack Midnight was just stupid. I also thought that Robinson went over the top a few times, with all the drama and especially the angst. Some anachronistic language, too. In addition, the hero sings a lot of stupid songs. Ugh. Finally, the suspense plot sorta gave way to many pages on fighting, then groveling, then making up.
4.25 stars. I am re-reading an old favorite, now on kindle. This historical has it all -- history, action and suspense, chemistry and sex, tenderness, heartbreak, heapings of angst (!!), and a good deal of humor. I truly did laugh and cry. Again. Wow!!
Set in Tudor England in 1558, after the death of King Henry the VIII, who had ousted Catholicism and established the Protestant Church of England, so that he could divorce Catherine of Aragon. Now Henry is dead and Catherine's daughter Mary is queen. Mary is trying to abolish Protestantism and force everyone to become Catholic again, killing hundreds of "heretics" -- including commoners who couldn't read the documents. Everyone is a potential heretic and/or a political enemy, siding with the competition, her half-sister Princess Elizabeth. Elizabeth is younger than Mary, and far too savvy to try to force religious dogma on the people.
Into this combustible setting comes Christian (Kit), a noble rogue, a swordsman, beloved by the court, and yet a traitor to Queen Mary, for he secretly serves Elizabeth. Christian meets Nora (Eleanora) a lady-in-waiting for Mary. She is awkward and unsophisticated. Her father sneers at her, right along with half the court. (appalling) But there is more to Nora than it seems, for like Christian, she also secretly spies for Elizabeth, sickened by Mary's paranoia, fanaticism and religious persecution.
Christian gradually comes to love Nora, despite their rough beginning. The wedding is set. But suddenly he thinks Nora has betrayed him. He also thinks she tried to murder his beloved father.
So...he treats his brand new wife badly. Very. Very. Badly. (angst city, my heart broke for Nora, especially when he lashed her with insults in front of others, and worse.
Nora cannot explain what really happened, because the secret belongs to her liege, Elizabeth. She is trapped. So badly does Christian treat Nora that she becomes heartsick and ill. She hides from him, and successfully eludes him.
When Christian discovers that he misjudged her, he is beside himself, for he really does love her. (The good news is that even when he still thought she had betrayed him, he was softening. That goes a long way with me -- that even when the evidence seemed to suggest her treachery, he was starting to remember all the compassion she had shown to the poor.) But she will have nothing to do with him, which shocks this ladies' man, for women just fall at his feet. Nope! Nora attacks him when he comes too close. Kudos to her!
Major and multiple grovel scenes follow. Some are pretty funny. I loved the midnight scene in the woods, with the fire and the.....(spoiler). Haha! Slowly, Nora begins to trust in his love again.
Great secondary characters! Loved little Arthur, the urchin.
Flaws: The author threw us into the deep end of Tudor England and the rivalry between Mary and Elizabeth, with little context. Also, the final scene with Jack Midnight was just stupid. I also thought that Robinson went over the top a few times, with all the drama and especially the angst. Some anachronistic language, too. In addition, the hero sings a lot of stupid songs. Ugh. Finally, the suspense plot sorta gave way to many pages on fighting, then groveling, then making up.
March 28, 2023
I couldn't get over Nora walking in on him. All the butterflies that came before and after got sucked in the pit that that scene left behind.
How am I supposed to get over THIS
i would've given all the stars for the animals (especially Cat), Arthur, Earl and Blade.
And Nora, ofcourse Nora. ♡
But Christian's mere existence rubs me wrong way. I know he grovelled and suffered a fair share too but the level of cruelty he'd shown is abhorrent.
I've reread his grovel parts and realised that while his offences were shown in vivid detail, his grovelling bits were piled one on top of another so the desired effect of the hurt he felt at nora's rejection wasn't as magnified as her pain was.
This is my logical side. My logical side does not read romance books to escape reality.
I've been hurt by this book and it has become a pattern now that every book i ever take up from r/romancebooks leaves me w bitter taste but then I'd still go and do the magic search button thing like an idiot and not see the tags for cheating or other bullshit cruelty by the hands of "hero".
I deserve to live in this hurt cause I was stupid enough to get hurt in the first place.
How am I supposed to get over THIS
It was possible to die and still breathe, she realized, for she accomplished the feat herself, there in that dusty room, on the night her husband lay between the thighs of a whore while she watched. And since she was dead inside, she couldn't be hurt again. So at last, she was free.
i would've given all the stars for the animals (especially Cat), Arthur, Earl and Blade.
And Nora, ofcourse Nora. ♡
But Christian's mere existence rubs me wrong way. I know he grovelled and suffered a fair share too but the level of cruelty he'd shown is abhorrent.
I've reread his grovel parts and realised that while his offences were shown in vivid detail, his grovelling bits were piled one on top of another so the desired effect of the hurt he felt at nora's rejection wasn't as magnified as her pain was.
This is my logical side. My logical side does not read romance books to escape reality.
I've been hurt by this book and it has become a pattern now that every book i ever take up from r/romancebooks leaves me w bitter taste but then I'd still go and do the magic search button thing like an idiot and not see the tags for cheating or other bullshit cruelty by the hands of "hero".
I deserve to live in this hurt cause I was stupid enough to get hurt in the first place.
April 26, 2021
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It delivered on the angst and grovel.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It’s set in Tudor England and the language is very flowery, which I enjoyed. It seemed authentic to the time period.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I felt the h’s pain and I loved that she grew a backbone and defended herself. Christian’s treatment of her was deplorable but he really groveled, to the point that he didn’t sleep or eat. I enjoyed the secondary characters too. Especially Arthur!
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: When they finally reconciled it was wonderful!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: H punishes falsely accused h and grovels, spy and intrigue
* What did you think about the ending?: I would’ve loved an epilogue.
* What is your impression of the author?: This is my first read by this author.
Triggers: cheating
* How did the book make you feel?: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It delivered on the angst and grovel.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It’s set in Tudor England and the language is very flowery, which I enjoyed. It seemed authentic to the time period.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I felt the h’s pain and I loved that she grew a backbone and defended herself. Christian’s treatment of her was deplorable but he really groveled, to the point that he didn’t sleep or eat. I enjoyed the secondary characters too. Especially Arthur!
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: When they finally reconciled it was wonderful!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: H punishes falsely accused h and grovels, spy and intrigue
* What did you think about the ending?: I would’ve loved an epilogue.
* What is your impression of the author?: This is my first read by this author.
Triggers: cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2022
listen, i like cruel heroes but i don’t like cheating heroes. some acts of cruelty you just can’t forgive. for him to berate her looks and dig into her insecurities, and then also force her to watch him having sex with his side hoe is too brutal.
when it’s cruel to the point where the h wants to kill herself, it’s too much and you can’t root for their happy ending anymore. I did not want h to end up with him at the end. also H is a disgusting manwhore. to have to read that disgusting scene of him in a foursome with 3 other girls was so unnecessary and gross.
when it’s cruel to the point where the h wants to kill herself, it’s too much and you can’t root for their happy ending anymore. I did not want h to end up with him at the end. also H is a disgusting manwhore. to have to read that disgusting scene of him in a foursome with 3 other girls was so unnecessary and gross.
April 24, 2022
spoiler alert
ZERO stars. Cheating I didn’t realize there was cheating in this book. By the 37% mark he was having a foursome with whores who are his friends btw and the head whore taught him everything he knows and he cheats on her after they are married. And he only did it to hurt her purposely wanted her to catch him. Nope. Not for me. Also where the he’ll was this grovel everyone was talking about? I missed it.
ZERO stars. Cheating I didn’t realize there was cheating in this book. By the 37% mark he was having a foursome with whores who are his friends btw and the head whore taught him everything he knows and he cheats on her after they are married. And he only did it to hurt her purposely wanted her to catch him. Nope. Not for me. Also where the he’ll was this grovel everyone was talking about? I missed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2008
I had this book in the TBR pile for a very long time. I heard very good things about it but at the same time I was unsure about how I would feel as I'd also heard the hero behaves very badly towards the heroine. I'm happy to say this was an A read!.
The ladies of the palace called Nora Becket "mouse". But beneath her shy, artless ways hid the heart of a lioness. A daring spy in Queen Mary's court, she risked her life to rescue the innocent from a terrible fate. Yet it was Nora who needed rescuing when cutthroats attacked her - and when Christian de Rivers, a lusty sword-wielding rogue, swept her out of harm's way...and into his arms. As magnificent and mesmerizing as a hawk, Christian both frightened and excited Nora, even as he pursued her with a single- minded passion that left her longing to be caught. Yet soon she would discover that she had reason to be frightened. For the dashing nobleman had his own secrets to keep, his own enemies to rout - and his own brand of vengeance for a wide-eyed beauty whom he loved only too well...
I think one of Robinson's strong points is how well she conveys the atmosphere of the period and bloody Mary's reign. I found myself nodding in agreement while I read her historical note in the beginning and how she understood the politics of that time. She manages to express that in the story's setting and background.
Kit and Nora could not have been more different but it's easy to see how she would be attracted to him and what attracts him to her. The story flows very nicely and Kit and Nora seem set for a happy ending when he believes he has found proof of her betrayal. Those were not easy times to be trusting when that might mean a horrible death. Till he can be sure of her actions he treats her as a traitor whose intentions are to spy on his family.
Those scenes are particularly intense. Kit's abuse is hard to read about as he plays with Nora's insecurities and uses them against her. Knowing from the beginning whose side she is on only makes it more painful for the reader.
He does eventually find out the truth and goes back to her to ask for forgiveness, But the strength that Nora could not find on her own she finds when she feels she needs to protect her little page. Kit grovels for while but Nora is inflexible and while I enjoy a good grovel scene as much as anyone I'm glad that Robinson didn't use it to end the story. Kit and Nora needed to get to know each other better and eventually change which does happen in the course of the last chapters. Nora stops being the mouse she used to be and starts demanding (and getting) respect, and Kit learns to trust her.
One last word of praise for how she wrote the characters. They are interesting, complex and attractive. We can feel their pain and their sorrows. And in the end, their happiness.
Grade: A-
The ladies of the palace called Nora Becket "mouse". But beneath her shy, artless ways hid the heart of a lioness. A daring spy in Queen Mary's court, she risked her life to rescue the innocent from a terrible fate. Yet it was Nora who needed rescuing when cutthroats attacked her - and when Christian de Rivers, a lusty sword-wielding rogue, swept her out of harm's way...and into his arms. As magnificent and mesmerizing as a hawk, Christian both frightened and excited Nora, even as he pursued her with a single- minded passion that left her longing to be caught. Yet soon she would discover that she had reason to be frightened. For the dashing nobleman had his own secrets to keep, his own enemies to rout - and his own brand of vengeance for a wide-eyed beauty whom he loved only too well...
I think one of Robinson's strong points is how well she conveys the atmosphere of the period and bloody Mary's reign. I found myself nodding in agreement while I read her historical note in the beginning and how she understood the politics of that time. She manages to express that in the story's setting and background.
Kit and Nora could not have been more different but it's easy to see how she would be attracted to him and what attracts him to her. The story flows very nicely and Kit and Nora seem set for a happy ending when he believes he has found proof of her betrayal. Those were not easy times to be trusting when that might mean a horrible death. Till he can be sure of her actions he treats her as a traitor whose intentions are to spy on his family.
Those scenes are particularly intense. Kit's abuse is hard to read about as he plays with Nora's insecurities and uses them against her. Knowing from the beginning whose side she is on only makes it more painful for the reader.
He does eventually find out the truth and goes back to her to ask for forgiveness, But the strength that Nora could not find on her own she finds when she feels she needs to protect her little page. Kit grovels for while but Nora is inflexible and while I enjoy a good grovel scene as much as anyone I'm glad that Robinson didn't use it to end the story. Kit and Nora needed to get to know each other better and eventually change which does happen in the course of the last chapters. Nora stops being the mouse she used to be and starts demanding (and getting) respect, and Kit learns to trust her.
One last word of praise for how she wrote the characters. They are interesting, complex and attractive. We can feel their pain and their sorrows. And in the end, their happiness.
Grade: A-
June 9, 2014
Honestly, I read this because I heard it was the best "grovel" ever by a hero. Yes, it does go on longer than most, but I still don't see that he deserved to be forgiven yet (if ever). What he did to make her forgive him was "cute" but not the depth of emotion I wished to see. I also did not like the language. It was probably accurate to the time, but it didn't work for me. I feel the same way about Regency's. I just can't stand the way they speak. It's just a personal preference, I suppose.
May 26, 2022
I'm not going to write a full review since there are a few great reviews for this book already.
I will state that I adore the father-son relationship in this book since it's rare to see such a loving father-son relationship in a historical romance novel. This book is set in the Renaissance.
I will state that I adore the father-son relationship in this book since it's rare to see such a loving father-son relationship in a historical romance novel. This book is set in the Renaissance.
February 10, 2022
Reread 2/9/2022… this popped into one of my feeds and I decided to do a reread. I liked it a little more on the reread.
Not as enamored as I’d expected, but still worth 4 stars.
I adored Nora, Blade, Arthur and Sebastian. Our hero, Christian? Not so much and came very close to DNFing @ around 80%. He was so wrong and it took him so long to drop the disingenuousness, he’s hurt her beyond reason and he thinks to seduce her. What saved it? The puppy and the love potion, so clueless.
Not as enamored as I’d expected, but still worth 4 stars.
I adored Nora, Blade, Arthur and Sebastian. Our hero, Christian? Not so much and came very close to DNFing @ around 80%. He was so wrong and it took him so long to drop the disingenuousness, he’s hurt her beyond reason and he thinks to seduce her. What saved it? The puppy and the love potion, so clueless.
October 27, 2019
Plot:
Christian de Rivers is a hard man with a lot of hatred in him. He is a trusted spy for Lady Elizabeth, who will be succeeding the crown after Queen Mary’s death. Christian meets one of Queen Mary’s ladies in waiting, Lady Eleanora Becket, whom he is immediately attracted to.
Nora is shy and kind, she is insecure about her looks and thus, Christian's attraction towards her. She finds herself falling in love with Christian.
An incident occurs causing Christian to view Nora as a traitor. He uses cruel ways to hurt Nora while denying his own love for her.
Thoughts:
I love love love Nora. Even though her shyness may be a turnoff for a lot of readers, it never bothered me. Though I have to say that weak or shy heroines never bother me, so I could be bias. Nora becomes a stronger person when she goes through a huge transformation of character near the end. I found this change unbelievable, I think I like the shy Nora a little better than the strong one.
I like Christian’s character, especially during the groveling at the end. How can I resist a man trying to lure a lady with a love potion? ;)
The beginning of the story before Nora and Christian get married is mediocre. Christian did some horrible things to Nora but I started forgiving him the moment the author showed us how much Christian was hurting from what he did to Nora. The groveling was cute and sweet, the get-back-together-lovemaking-scene is one that I will be revisiting, along with the two days afterwards where Christian keeps Nora in bed. *grins*
I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t mind a hero that makes mistakes. If you are concerned about the sex scene between Christian and his “lover” let me tell you now that Christian never cheated on Nora, he just wanted it to seem that way.
Happy Reading!
Favourite quote: "Nora instantly cuddled the animal, and she brought its nose level with her own. As she nuzzled the puppy, Christian curled his hands into fists to keep from shoving his way between the two and taking the animal's place."
Christian de Rivers is a hard man with a lot of hatred in him. He is a trusted spy for Lady Elizabeth, who will be succeeding the crown after Queen Mary’s death. Christian meets one of Queen Mary’s ladies in waiting, Lady Eleanora Becket, whom he is immediately attracted to.
Nora is shy and kind, she is insecure about her looks and thus, Christian's attraction towards her. She finds herself falling in love with Christian.
An incident occurs causing Christian to view Nora as a traitor. He uses cruel ways to hurt Nora while denying his own love for her.
Thoughts:
I love love love Nora. Even though her shyness may be a turnoff for a lot of readers, it never bothered me. Though I have to say that weak or shy heroines never bother me, so I could be bias. Nora becomes a stronger person when she goes through a huge transformation of character near the end. I found this change unbelievable, I think I like the shy Nora a little better than the strong one.
I like Christian’s character, especially during the groveling at the end. How can I resist a man trying to lure a lady with a love potion? ;)
The beginning of the story before Nora and Christian get married is mediocre. Christian did some horrible things to Nora but I started forgiving him the moment the author showed us how much Christian was hurting from what he did to Nora. The groveling was cute and sweet, the get-back-together-lovemaking-scene is one that I will be revisiting, along with the two days afterwards where Christian keeps Nora in bed. *grins*
I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t mind a hero that makes mistakes. If you are concerned about the sex scene between Christian and his “lover” let me tell you now that Christian never cheated on Nora, he just wanted it to seem that way.
Happy Reading!
Favourite quote: "Nora instantly cuddled the animal, and she brought its nose level with her own. As she nuzzled the puppy, Christian curled his hands into fists to keep from shoving his way between the two and taking the animal's place."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
I will admit that I was excited for this one. This one came to me as a recommendation but I really wasn't prepared for the level of angst in this one. I wanted to really love it, but this style of angst just isn't for me to be honest. We also have a hero that cheats in this one and too much dramatics in the groveling that just didn't seem genuine and I just could finish it. So I decided to DNF this one as it just wasn't for me. This style of historical romance just doesn't quite work for me anymore.
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