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The Byrons of Braebourne #1
Tempted by His Kiss
London society knows the Byrons are "mad, bad, and dangerous" and every bit as fascinating as their poetic non-relation. Join the fun as New York Times bestselling author Tracy Anne Warren presents the first tale of this tempestuous family—famous for scandal and legendary at love . . .
Orphaned beauty Meg Amberley never planned to pose as Lord Cade Byron's fiancée. Caught in a snowstorm, she takes refuge at his estate. Stranded together, Meg soon finds herself falling under Cade's spell. When the roads clear, she intends to leave, but fate intervenes.
Haunted by his past, Cade Byron has buried himself in the country. Then Meg—with her lush curves—invades his house and his life. With her reputation compromised, he proposes a pretend engagement and a London season where she can find a husband.
But as their charade deepens, Cade can't let her go . . . vowing to tempt her with a kiss that just may lead to forever.
Orphaned beauty Meg Amberley never planned to pose as Lord Cade Byron's fiancée. Caught in a snowstorm, she takes refuge at his estate. Stranded together, Meg soon finds herself falling under Cade's spell. When the roads clear, she intends to leave, but fate intervenes.
Haunted by his past, Cade Byron has buried himself in the country. Then Meg—with her lush curves—invades his house and his life. With her reputation compromised, he proposes a pretend engagement and a London season where she can find a husband.
But as their charade deepens, Cade can't let her go . . . vowing to tempt her with a kiss that just may lead to forever.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2009
74 people are currently reading
2668 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Anne Warren
41 books791 followersTracy Anne Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of ten Regency historical romance novels, including At The Duke’s Pleasure and The Husband Trap. Her books have appeared on the USA Today Bestsellers’ list and the Borders’ Group List of Bestselling Single Title Romance Paperbacks. She has won numerous writing awards, including Romance Writers’ of America’s prestigious RITA® Award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Golden Quill, and others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
July 9, 2011
Once again, I have no time to write a full review, so I'll just make some random comments about it...
The storyline was kind of predictable, but Ms. Warren's writing made it engaging enough to keep me reading the book. Plus, Cade and Meg were likable characters, so it was fun to follow the ups and downs in their relationship. They did have a very TSTL moment followed by a Big Misunderstanding near the end of the story, and I wanted to grab them and shake some sense into them, but I still cared for them and rooted for their HEA. As it happened in Seduced By His Touch, which is the 2nd book in the series and, gasp, I read before reading this 1st installment, Tempted by His Kiss was a bit uneven: the beginning, when Cade and Meg meet, get to know each other and fall in love (even though they don't acknowledge it at the time), was very good, but when they moved to London, the "connection" between them changed and didn't work so well. Anyway, this was a good read despite its "flaws" and I'm interested enough to keep reading this series.
The storyline was kind of predictable, but Ms. Warren's writing made it engaging enough to keep me reading the book. Plus, Cade and Meg were likable characters, so it was fun to follow the ups and downs in their relationship. They did have a very TSTL moment followed by a Big Misunderstanding near the end of the story, and I wanted to grab them and shake some sense into them, but I still cared for them and rooted for their HEA. As it happened in Seduced By His Touch, which is the 2nd book in the series and, gasp, I read before reading this 1st installment, Tempted by His Kiss was a bit uneven: the beginning, when Cade and Meg meet, get to know each other and fall in love (even though they don't acknowledge it at the time), was very good, but when they moved to London, the "connection" between them changed and didn't work so well. Anyway, this was a good read despite its "flaws" and I'm interested enough to keep reading this series.
August 13, 2021
I didnt expect to love the mystery and suspense as much I did. At first I didn't care I just wanted them to be together but then it got juicy. Also, our hero is soooooo stubborn but i can understand why but it was frustrating that he wouldn't give into his feelings for our heroine.
August 30, 2024
Read for Rake Appreciation Society Live Show!
January 23, 2011
This wasn't a bad book, but I wasn't really wowed by it either. My favorite part of the book was in the beginning before they hatched that stupid plot. The friendship and connection felt way more genuine than later in the book. Perhaps that was because there was no focus beyond them interacting together.
I liked Meg in the beginning, although I was taken aback by her out of place mothering over a relative stranger. I just found it odd that she would have the gall to bring up her host's drinking and eating habits when he didn't even invite her to his home. Other than that she felt earnest and helpful and it was easy to like her.
That all changed the further into the book I got. Apparently Meg decided the book needed a village idiot and decided to elect herself. I just cannot believe how many times Meg decided that something couldn't be accomplished without her help and jumped in only to foul it up. It got repetitive and boring and I missed the early Meg.
Cade had a serious past tragedy that I was surprised to see. Usually the author will assign a hero or heroine a tragic past with no real tragedy occurring. It just makes the person seem silly and dramatic instead of tortured and sympathetic. Here the tragedy was actually tragic.
The issues in this book were dealt with using a light hand. No real concern was evinced over the fact that Cade and Meg had a relationship even though they weren't going to be married. Shouldn't that not have been treated as lightly as it was? I don't know, it just seemed like a big deal to me.
Despite my complaints I still found the book pleasant and engaging. It had a very readable style that made the pages turn quickly. I've heard good things about the later books in this series so I still plan to read on. Here's hoping that I'll like those ones a bit better.
I liked Meg in the beginning, although I was taken aback by her out of place mothering over a relative stranger. I just found it odd that she would have the gall to bring up her host's drinking and eating habits when he didn't even invite her to his home. Other than that she felt earnest and helpful and it was easy to like her.
That all changed the further into the book I got. Apparently Meg decided the book needed a village idiot and decided to elect herself. I just cannot believe how many times Meg decided that something couldn't be accomplished without her help and jumped in only to foul it up. It got repetitive and boring and I missed the early Meg.
Cade had a serious past tragedy that I was surprised to see. Usually the author will assign a hero or heroine a tragic past with no real tragedy occurring. It just makes the person seem silly and dramatic instead of tortured and sympathetic. Here the tragedy was actually tragic.
The issues in this book were dealt with using a light hand. No real concern was evinced over the fact that Cade and Meg had a relationship even though they weren't going to be married. Shouldn't that not have been treated as lightly as it was? I don't know, it just seemed like a big deal to me.
Despite my complaints I still found the book pleasant and engaging. It had a very readable style that made the pages turn quickly. I've heard good things about the later books in this series so I still plan to read on. Here's hoping that I'll like those ones a bit better.
April 28, 2023
Despite the contrived plot devise at the end of the story, I still really like Tracey Anne Warren's writing.
Is it typical regency? Yep. Is it implausible? Yep. Is it amusing, romantic and sexy (when it needs to be)? Yep. And, frankly that's what I look for when I pick up a regency these days.
Lately I've been reading some things that have really had problems. Mainly because of something lacking in one or both of the characters. It's historical romance! I expect implausibility! (except in certain cases and they are few and far between and always surprise the heck out of me) It's all part of the fun. But if I can't warm to the characters or one of the characters becomes a shrew/monster by the end, I just don't feel like suspending my disbelief anymore.
Okay, that said, this is implausible and contrived. But the lead characters are really very nice and they have excellent chemistry. The heroine's sudden descent into TSTL notwithstanding, she's actually a pretty well-made character. And that's why I liked this story and why I'm looking forward to reading the next one in TAW's Byrons series. For me it's all about the characters. Sometimes the plot can get so absurd that I can't get over it, but really, if the protagonists are engaging and entertaining, I can put up with a lot. This plot is not absurd. Just not new. Enoch did it better with England's Perfect Hero, but that one's pretty hard to beat.
So, I recommend this one for a decent, lazy day read. And the villain's a true baddie and he's going to get his by the end. *evil laugh* Pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
Is it typical regency? Yep. Is it implausible? Yep. Is it amusing, romantic and sexy (when it needs to be)? Yep. And, frankly that's what I look for when I pick up a regency these days.
Lately I've been reading some things that have really had problems. Mainly because of something lacking in one or both of the characters. It's historical romance! I expect implausibility! (except in certain cases and they are few and far between and always surprise the heck out of me) It's all part of the fun. But if I can't warm to the characters or one of the characters becomes a shrew/monster by the end, I just don't feel like suspending my disbelief anymore.
Okay, that said, this is implausible and contrived. But the lead characters are really very nice and they have excellent chemistry. The heroine's sudden descent into TSTL notwithstanding, she's actually a pretty well-made character. And that's why I liked this story and why I'm looking forward to reading the next one in TAW's Byrons series. For me it's all about the characters. Sometimes the plot can get so absurd that I can't get over it, but really, if the protagonists are engaging and entertaining, I can put up with a lot. This plot is not absurd. Just not new. Enoch did it better with England's Perfect Hero, but that one's pretty hard to beat.
So, I recommend this one for a decent, lazy day read. And the villain's a true baddie and he's going to get his by the end. *evil laugh* Pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
May 20, 2022
You know when two characters feel like they were made for each other? Even fighting they seem to fit. It was a wonderful chemistry. And the whole family was also wonderful.
Spoilers from here.
I just will not give this book a 5 star because I don't like couples that have a sexual relationship for too long before deciding if they will marry or not. I understand why the hero took so long and I agree he needed to take his time to heal his conscience, but I would rather they had their intimate moments without actually having sex. At least not until deciding what they wanted.
Spoilers from here.
I just will not give this book a 5 star because I don't like couples that have a sexual relationship for too long before deciding if they will marry or not. I understand why the hero took so long and I agree he needed to take his time to heal his conscience, but I would rather they had their intimate moments without actually having sex. At least not until deciding what they wanted.
November 5, 2018
So I liked this, but I'm not sure if I am the biggest fan of this author's style it seems like she's the type with heroes who don't recognize they are in love with the heroines until like the last 5 pages of the book, and are just overwrought with miscommunication or straight up inability to communicate, because that's how I felt here as well as in book 2
October 7, 2024
Currently undecided.
Will discuss in the Rake Appreciation Society Summer Session
Will discuss in the Rake Appreciation Society Summer Session
October 18, 2025
3,5 stars!
July 20, 2020
Tempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren is the first book in the Byron Brothers series and is the first book by the author that I've read.
So, I was looking for a book to read on a Saturday because I was bored and this was one of the offering on Audible Escape. I listened to the sample and I recognized the narrator but when I saw the name it wasn't the narrator I thought it was. But I kept thinking about it and it bothered me because I was sure Audible had made a mistake, I'm really good with voices, like really good and I was sure the narrator was Bianca Amato, not just sure - positive but the book listed a Rebecca De Leeuw as the narrator. I did some research and came to find out that it WAS Bianca Amator but that she narrated explicit romantic/erotica books under the nom de plume of Rebecca De Leeuw. Not just her, other narrator do this too! I found a whole list, it was crazy.
Anywho! I loved Bianca Amato and while I wasn't convinced by the book summary (it sounded kind of cheesy) the book was free and as I said, I was bored. Anyway, the story is about the second oldest of the five Byron (no relation to Lord Byron) brothers, Cade Byron, who after suffering a horrific experience as a soldier in Portugal during the Napoleonic wars has become a recluse at his estate in the north of England. There is a terrible snowstorm and a young woman Meg Amberley seeks shelter at his home, at first he refuses but when he sees how bad of a snowstorm it is, he relents and allows her to stay. She's traveling to Scotland to go live with her aunt but is only traveling with a made. They spend a couple of weeks together, snowed in, and people in the village find out and now Meg is compromised so her and Cade become fake engaged. Cade takes her to London with the idea of giving her a season and finding her a real husband. Told ya, the premise was silly.
However, it didn't feel very silly and the author did a good job selling us the story. Cade and Meg have great chemistry and the smut is first rate. The story faltered though the angst is contrived at times, the author extends it to far and it becomes frustrating for the reader. The characters, especially the heroine who was acted maturely throughout most of the book, because an immature child towards the end "He doesn't really love me, so I can't be with him, because he hasn't told me he loves me." What! Like, I get some of the insecurity but it was pushed way too far for way too long, which just made the story suffer because it veered into telenovela territory. And I love telenovelas but telenovelas embrace their crazy and don't try to pretend to be anything but what they are.
The narrator was great, as I expected, and she probably made the book much better than what it really was. I managed to listened to the entire book, though I was quite annoyed by the end.
Overall, it was an okay historical romance. Good smut, nice chemistry, not a great love story but an easy escape if you're bored.
So, I was looking for a book to read on a Saturday because I was bored and this was one of the offering on Audible Escape. I listened to the sample and I recognized the narrator but when I saw the name it wasn't the narrator I thought it was. But I kept thinking about it and it bothered me because I was sure Audible had made a mistake, I'm really good with voices, like really good and I was sure the narrator was Bianca Amato, not just sure - positive but the book listed a Rebecca De Leeuw as the narrator. I did some research and came to find out that it WAS Bianca Amator but that she narrated explicit romantic/erotica books under the nom de plume of Rebecca De Leeuw. Not just her, other narrator do this too! I found a whole list, it was crazy.
Anywho! I loved Bianca Amato and while I wasn't convinced by the book summary (it sounded kind of cheesy) the book was free and as I said, I was bored. Anyway, the story is about the second oldest of the five Byron (no relation to Lord Byron) brothers, Cade Byron, who after suffering a horrific experience as a soldier in Portugal during the Napoleonic wars has become a recluse at his estate in the north of England. There is a terrible snowstorm and a young woman Meg Amberley seeks shelter at his home, at first he refuses but when he sees how bad of a snowstorm it is, he relents and allows her to stay. She's traveling to Scotland to go live with her aunt but is only traveling with a made. They spend a couple of weeks together, snowed in, and people in the village find out and now Meg is compromised so her and Cade become fake engaged. Cade takes her to London with the idea of giving her a season and finding her a real husband. Told ya, the premise was silly.
However, it didn't feel very silly and the author did a good job selling us the story. Cade and Meg have great chemistry and the smut is first rate. The story faltered though the angst is contrived at times, the author extends it to far and it becomes frustrating for the reader. The characters, especially the heroine who was acted maturely throughout most of the book, because an immature child towards the end "He doesn't really love me, so I can't be with him, because he hasn't told me he loves me." What! Like, I get some of the insecurity but it was pushed way too far for way too long, which just made the story suffer because it veered into telenovela territory. And I love telenovelas but telenovelas embrace their crazy and don't try to pretend to be anything but what they are.
The narrator was great, as I expected, and she probably made the book much better than what it really was. I managed to listened to the entire book, though I was quite annoyed by the end.
Overall, it was an okay historical romance. Good smut, nice chemistry, not a great love story but an easy escape if you're bored.
March 25, 2018
Hmmm no great shakes. In fact the very formulaic read made me drop it for few weeks and I had to push myself to get back to it.
Happily the second half had a stirring twist
Happily the second half had a stirring twist
January 20, 2011
I am a fan of the "trapped together because of a snowstorm" conceit, and this was good enough at first. It very quickly turns into a "fake engagement but we both wish it was real only are too shy also I am in love with his family and don't like lying" book with a touch of "dead first love" and "French spy poses as English nobility". These cliche plots are well used for a reason, and I don't mind them, but this ended up being nothing BUT a cliche. The heroine's hair looks like "moonlight". The family loves her. The loveable and wacky family who will all get their own book. The family friend of the brothers who will clearly end up with the sister. The hero knowing best and telling the heroine so. The heroine deciding she knows best and doing something dumb anyway. The dumb thing gets her in trouble, and the hero has to save the day.
Spoiler?
It even has one of the oldest and most done cliches at the end. The heroine, rather than ask the hero what his feelings are, decides that she doesn't want to be an obligation, so she runs away. By mail coach. Alone. Like an idiot. Then, the hero chases the coach and everyone is like oh my is that a highwayman? and he is like no I'm not but that lady needs to come with me (other works often slip a "that lady has stolen my heart" quip, but no matter what the coach ALWAYS assumes the beautiful horse and/or carriage is a highwayman) and the heroine is like no Im not coming with you and the coach is all like yeah you tell him, sister but the hero says she's my wife! and the coach does that scratching record sound that is in every shitty movie preview ever. They start saying, well if thats your husband, you cant run away from him missy and the heroine is like no he is lying, that dick, and the hero says something about her running away and often insinuates that she drinks and/or is super spoiled and is running away because she hates housework or to be with a lover but no matter what it is always super insulting to her and the coach people shove her off and she makes a big show of saying that she will just wait for the next one and then they finally talk and realize that they love each other and the book ends.
This scene takes place in pretty much every third regency romance I read and I am so sick of it.
Spoiler?
It even has one of the oldest and most done cliches at the end. The heroine, rather than ask the hero what his feelings are, decides that she doesn't want to be an obligation, so she runs away. By mail coach. Alone. Like an idiot. Then, the hero chases the coach and everyone is like oh my is that a highwayman? and he is like no I'm not but that lady needs to come with me (other works often slip a "that lady has stolen my heart" quip, but no matter what the coach ALWAYS assumes the beautiful horse and/or carriage is a highwayman) and the heroine is like no Im not coming with you and the coach is all like yeah you tell him, sister but the hero says she's my wife! and the coach does that scratching record sound that is in every shitty movie preview ever. They start saying, well if thats your husband, you cant run away from him missy and the heroine is like no he is lying, that dick, and the hero says something about her running away and often insinuates that she drinks and/or is super spoiled and is running away because she hates housework or to be with a lover but no matter what it is always super insulting to her and the coach people shove her off and she makes a big show of saying that she will just wait for the next one and then they finally talk and realize that they love each other and the book ends.
This scene takes place in pretty much every third regency romance I read and I am so sick of it.
October 19, 2016
Sweet passionate romance! I love a tortured hero especially a hero with glasses!
September 19, 2024
#1 historical romance book idgaf
November 7, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Feb09
When I read the back cover blurb for “Tempted By His Kiss” by Tracy Anne Warren, for some reason I expected a humorous book. And I guess there were some humorous parts, but this story is written as a more serious historical about a physically and mentally wounded soldier. Is it strange that I read this tale back-to-back with another historical about a suffering military man? Or is it that the ‘wounded warrior’ theme is one that has special meaning for us these days?
Warren’s new series is about the Byron family. They’re not related to that Lord Byron, but they are, at times, just as scandalous. Our first Byron is Cade. He returned from war a tortured and broken man and has removed himself to the countryside, far from his family and society. NOTHING can budge him from his ‘fortress of solitude’. Until, that is, a young lady, Meg, ends up stranded at his ‘fortress’ by a freak snowstorm…with only her maid for a chaperone…for three weeks! Now, to save her reputation, the two have no choice but to head for London and feign an engagement. Meg will stay with the Byron family for the duration of the season. During which time she will find a husband and ‘jilt’ Cade. Unfortunately Cade just doesn’t seem to approve of any of the men she meets! And to make matters worse, he’s accusing a recent war hero of being the spy who had him tortured and murdered his French fiancée…the reason he says he won’t marry Meg. But if he doesn’t want to marry Meg, why does he keep making love to her?
I honestly can’t recall if I’ve read anything by this author before. The hero and heroine were likable enough if a bit dim-witted. I thought the villain was smarter than both of them. The plot is not particularly complex and easy to follow, but that also makes it easy to figure out the upcoming events. I would have liked to have gotten a bit more information about the other brothers who I assume will be the upcoming heroes in the remaining two books of this series. On the other hand, I enjoyed the very passionate, if unlikely, love scenes between the lead characters and did enjoy the beautiful descriptions and bits of humor as they appeared.
I would describe Tracy Anne Warren’s “Tempted By His Kiss” as a ‘whip cream’ historical romance. Fun, light reading that leaves you with a grin…at least it’s not fattening!
When I read the back cover blurb for “Tempted By His Kiss” by Tracy Anne Warren, for some reason I expected a humorous book. And I guess there were some humorous parts, but this story is written as a more serious historical about a physically and mentally wounded soldier. Is it strange that I read this tale back-to-back with another historical about a suffering military man? Or is it that the ‘wounded warrior’ theme is one that has special meaning for us these days?
Warren’s new series is about the Byron family. They’re not related to that Lord Byron, but they are, at times, just as scandalous. Our first Byron is Cade. He returned from war a tortured and broken man and has removed himself to the countryside, far from his family and society. NOTHING can budge him from his ‘fortress of solitude’. Until, that is, a young lady, Meg, ends up stranded at his ‘fortress’ by a freak snowstorm…with only her maid for a chaperone…for three weeks! Now, to save her reputation, the two have no choice but to head for London and feign an engagement. Meg will stay with the Byron family for the duration of the season. During which time she will find a husband and ‘jilt’ Cade. Unfortunately Cade just doesn’t seem to approve of any of the men she meets! And to make matters worse, he’s accusing a recent war hero of being the spy who had him tortured and murdered his French fiancée…the reason he says he won’t marry Meg. But if he doesn’t want to marry Meg, why does he keep making love to her?
I honestly can’t recall if I’ve read anything by this author before. The hero and heroine were likable enough if a bit dim-witted. I thought the villain was smarter than both of them. The plot is not particularly complex and easy to follow, but that also makes it easy to figure out the upcoming events. I would have liked to have gotten a bit more information about the other brothers who I assume will be the upcoming heroes in the remaining two books of this series. On the other hand, I enjoyed the very passionate, if unlikely, love scenes between the lead characters and did enjoy the beautiful descriptions and bits of humor as they appeared.
I would describe Tracy Anne Warren’s “Tempted By His Kiss” as a ‘whip cream’ historical romance. Fun, light reading that leaves you with a grin…at least it’s not fattening!
December 9, 2021
Fun snowed in romance where two people learn to understand each other. The writing easily drew me into the story and I was engaged throughout. I loved watching the hero’s journey to learning to love again, he is disabled and became so during a tragic event in his past where his first love was raped and murdered in front of him. I loved watching the heroine learn to trust the hero and how she is drawn to him and wants to help him any way she is able. There are a few really lovely sex scenes and I love how the hero taught the heroine to adjust and try new positions to help him with his injured leg.
November 29, 2021
Good historical romance. I was in the mood for one. I'm also trying to start my New Year's resolution early which is to read more of my paperback books that I already own. This one has been on that shelf for awhile.
I enjoyed the story but wasn't wowed by it. I like her writing and will definitely read the other books in the series.
I enjoyed the story but wasn't wowed by it. I like her writing and will definitely read the other books in the series.
May 27, 2012
2.5, but I'll be fair and give it a 3. This was a fairly good romance. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and that it spanned the course of a season instead of a the H/H madly falling in love within the span of 3 days.
Meg was a sensible and a charming heroine, until (and this is when the book dropped from 4...to 3...and to 2.5 stars) the insipid mystery/murder plot. It was similar to watching those awful B- horror films, when you're screaming at the screen "DON'T GO DOWN THE BASEMENT! THE KILLER'S THERE! Y SO STUPID???"
Anyway it just completely made me roll my eyes when our once sensible & intelligent heroine Meg takes it upon herself to chase after a man who brutally murdered (and not to mention raped) a number of people and near-killed the Hero, Cade. Especially when Cade repeatedly (let me say this again, REPEATEDLY) asked her not do so. And going so far as to making her promise him, but of course she does the roundabout promising.
AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW, SHE GETS CAUGHT BY THE KILLER! Actually never mind, writing all that out pissed me off a lot so I'm downgrading to 2 stars again! Man, I'm so disappointed because that completely ridiculous and contrived TSTL behavior from the Heroine ruined the whole book for me.
Meg was a sensible and a charming heroine, until (and this is when the book dropped from 4...to 3...and to 2.5 stars) the insipid mystery/murder plot. It was similar to watching those awful B- horror films, when you're screaming at the screen "DON'T GO DOWN THE BASEMENT! THE KILLER'S THERE! Y SO STUPID???"
Anyway it just completely made me roll my eyes when our once sensible & intelligent heroine Meg takes it upon herself to chase after a man who brutally murdered (and not to mention raped) a number of people and near-killed the Hero, Cade. Especially when Cade repeatedly (let me say this again, REPEATEDLY) asked her not do so. And going so far as to making her promise him, but of course she does the roundabout promising.
AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW, SHE GETS CAUGHT BY THE KILLER! Actually never mind, writing all that out pissed me off a lot so I'm downgrading to 2 stars again! Man, I'm so disappointed because that completely ridiculous and contrived TSTL behavior from the Heroine ruined the whole book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2015
I liked when we are first introduced to the characters and how they play off one another. Their initial interactions and Cade's antagonistic nature made it amusing to read, especially because Meg could--and would--give as good as she got. However, once the story moved to London, the relationship and the feel of the story changed and I felt that it didn't have the same magic the beginning did. Although I did like the addition of Cade's family, I would've preferred if Meg and Cade were as they had been at his estate. After the story started in on the Season, the Cade/Meg relationship suffered and it felt like a really standard fare HR.
Meg really started to annoy me with the Everett situation because she had some super TSTL tendencies. This nineteen year old thinks she can outsmart a turncoat and professional spy? Really? This is a guy who's outsmarted his own government and the prince himself. I know Cade was telling her to be cautious so it annoyed me further and showed even more how TSTL she was being.
Meg really started to annoy me with the Everett situation because she had some super TSTL tendencies. This nineteen year old thinks she can outsmart a turncoat and professional spy? Really? This is a guy who's outsmarted his own government and the prince himself. I know Cade was telling her to be cautious so it annoyed me further and showed even more how TSTL she was being.
December 9, 2015
It started out fine. But then the squire shows up so they decide they must pretend to be engaged - why didn't they just give the squire a false name and she could go on her way? The set up was not constructed on strong enough legs for me to buy in to her going off to London with this stranger. (Which he really was - a stranger - basically.) The other books in this series look to be built on the same weak stilts so I'm going to abandon this series for now. I may come back to it, but the next summary doesn't do much for me.
May 30, 2009
Ok... so i read it and after page 200 it got a bit better... the chemistry picked up... not enough to really keep me hooked... but I sped through it to the end. This is a series so I will possibly keep my eye out for the others... the next one seems to have an interesting plot with a bluestocking and another Byron brother.
August 2, 2023
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Verwarm mij - Candlelight Historische roman 946 .
Meg Amberley is onderweg naar haat tante in Schotland maar door hevige sneeuwval vindt de koetsier het op een gegeven moment niet meer verantwoord om verder te reizen en zij zijn gedwongen om bij het eerste huis dat zij tegenkomen om onderdak te vragen . Daar blijkt de teruggetrokken ex militair Cade Byron te wonen . Cade is thuis aan het bijkomen van zowel mentale als lichamelijke verwondingen en hij is niet zo blij met de onverwachte gasten maar na een paar dagen begint hij toch te genieten van Meg's gezelschap .
Na enkele dagen komt er een buurman op visite en om Meg's reputatie te beschermen wordt er een verloving voorgewend . Wanneer het weer het toelaat gaan zij naar zijn familie in Londen en krijgt Meg een seizoen in Londen om een andere huwelijks kandidaat te vinden .
Daar loopt Cade de man tegen het lijf die verantwoordelijk was voor zijn verwondingen . De verrader moet natuurlijk ontmaskerd worden !
Meg Amberley is onderweg naar haat tante in Schotland maar door hevige sneeuwval vindt de koetsier het op een gegeven moment niet meer verantwoord om verder te reizen en zij zijn gedwongen om bij het eerste huis dat zij tegenkomen om onderdak te vragen . Daar blijkt de teruggetrokken ex militair Cade Byron te wonen . Cade is thuis aan het bijkomen van zowel mentale als lichamelijke verwondingen en hij is niet zo blij met de onverwachte gasten maar na een paar dagen begint hij toch te genieten van Meg's gezelschap .
Na enkele dagen komt er een buurman op visite en om Meg's reputatie te beschermen wordt er een verloving voorgewend . Wanneer het weer het toelaat gaan zij naar zijn familie in Londen en krijgt Meg een seizoen in Londen om een andere huwelijks kandidaat te vinden .
Daar loopt Cade de man tegen het lijf die verantwoordelijk was voor zijn verwondingen . De verrader moet natuurlijk ontmaskerd worden !
May 5, 2025
Za ljubitelje povijesnih romana – idealna poslastica!
Wow, kakva knjiga, ljudi moji!
Nisam tip čitatelja koji voli tematiku povijesnih romana, ali ovoj sam knjizi zbog preporuka odlučila dati šansu!
Odmah na početku mi se svidjelo – totalno me uvukao u taj bogati svijet vojvoda i princeza/kraljeva. Imala sam osjećaj kroz cijelu knjigu da sam na nekom skrovitom imanju, da je doba balova i traženja muža, jednostavno mi je bilo tako toplo oko srca.
Mislila sam da nijedna knjiga neće moći promijeniti moj stav o povijesnim romanima, a ova me spisateljica potpuno razoružala – dokazala je da engleski dvor ipak može biti savršen!
Od mene ogromna preporuka ❣️
P.S. Jedva čekam saznati kako napreduje priča...
Danica 😊💚
Wow, kakva knjiga, ljudi moji!
Nisam tip čitatelja koji voli tematiku povijesnih romana, ali ovoj sam knjizi zbog preporuka odlučila dati šansu!
Odmah na početku mi se svidjelo – totalno me uvukao u taj bogati svijet vojvoda i princeza/kraljeva. Imala sam osjećaj kroz cijelu knjigu da sam na nekom skrovitom imanju, da je doba balova i traženja muža, jednostavno mi je bilo tako toplo oko srca.
Mislila sam da nijedna knjiga neće moći promijeniti moj stav o povijesnim romanima, a ova me spisateljica potpuno razoružala – dokazala je da engleski dvor ipak može biti savršen!
Od mene ogromna preporuka ❣️
P.S. Jedva čekam saznati kako napreduje priča...
Danica 😊💚
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 12, 2011
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 3 parts.
Must say I'm loving this one so much that already read 8 chps. So much more enjoyable that I was hooked from the very first page. I so love Cade, felt so much for him that just wanna drag him outta book and give him a tight hug and lots of kisses! :( I have a thing for scarred/tortured heroes, ex-soldiers with PTSD theme and this one's proving to be quite good. Another book I really really loved was Lord of Ice, I adored Damien so much. I only hope this one is almost as good as Lord of Ice. The heroine, Meg, is very warm, nice and sensible, someone matured enough to handle Cade IMO. Fingers crossed. :)
****************
So, now it's going a bit slow. Mainly because they're (Cade and Meg) acting like some confused children. Why on earth Meg wanna put herself in jeopardy by trying to 'glean information' from a snake like Everett? The whole thing was stupid since Meg seemed like a smart girl in the beginning. And Cade, tell me if you aren't planning to marry her then why oh why make love to her (more than once if I might add)? I mean, I thought you're smarter than this Cade! If you want her so badly, why not simply marry her! I really liked you, I understand why Meg consented since she already is in love with you but you knew better. Didn't you think her husband (as you so wanna marry her off to someone else, then again can't stand the idea of someone else touching her, grr) would want her to be a virgin? Ugh!! This part of their relationship, it's like they're not taking it very seriously, with which I just couldn't agree.
1st 10 chp was very good. Now, won't say it's as bad as some other books but they are confusing me with their activities. I keep rolling my eyes and tsk tsking myself more and more throughout the book.
Another thing caught my attention, Cade's birthday. Funny but mine is 27th Jan whereas Cade's is 28th. I actually smiled a little when I read it. :p
PS: They are 8 siblings? Man, last two Bridgerton books weren't upto the mark. I can only hope this doesn't happen to the Byrons.
****************
I do agree when one review here said that the villain was smarter than the h/h, seeing the way they played right into his trap lolz. I don't know, I certainly hoped for more twists and turns, more emotional angst. It started out nice as I already said, I loved about 1st 10 chps of the book. Then all their supposed confusions over this and that and all the other plain, simple things just ... it killed the fun, at least quite a bit.
I saw no more of Cade's PTSD, not certainly after they started making love, no resolve there. So, don't know where it went, how it went away so quickly! I would've love to see Meg doing something about it. And speaking of Meg, don't know how she became so stupid (in her own words mind you!). I mean I wasn't that annoyed but the fun/the anticipation that I felt at first wasn't there anymore.
Still, I'm giving it a 4, plainly because I liked the book quite a bit even after everything and looking forward to Cade's other siblings' stories. :)
Must say I'm loving this one so much that already read 8 chps. So much more enjoyable that I was hooked from the very first page. I so love Cade, felt so much for him that just wanna drag him outta book and give him a tight hug and lots of kisses! :( I have a thing for scarred/tortured heroes, ex-soldiers with PTSD theme and this one's proving to be quite good. Another book I really really loved was Lord of Ice, I adored Damien so much. I only hope this one is almost as good as Lord of Ice. The heroine, Meg, is very warm, nice and sensible, someone matured enough to handle Cade IMO. Fingers crossed. :)
****************
So, now it's going a bit slow. Mainly because they're (Cade and Meg) acting like some confused children. Why on earth Meg wanna put herself in jeopardy by trying to 'glean information' from a snake like Everett? The whole thing was stupid since Meg seemed like a smart girl in the beginning. And Cade, tell me if you aren't planning to marry her then why oh why make love to her (more than once if I might add)? I mean, I thought you're smarter than this Cade! If you want her so badly, why not simply marry her! I really liked you, I understand why Meg consented since she already is in love with you but you knew better. Didn't you think her husband (as you so wanna marry her off to someone else, then again can't stand the idea of someone else touching her, grr) would want her to be a virgin? Ugh!! This part of their relationship, it's like they're not taking it very seriously, with which I just couldn't agree.
1st 10 chp was very good. Now, won't say it's as bad as some other books but they are confusing me with their activities. I keep rolling my eyes and tsk tsking myself more and more throughout the book.
Another thing caught my attention, Cade's birthday. Funny but mine is 27th Jan whereas Cade's is 28th. I actually smiled a little when I read it. :p
PS: They are 8 siblings? Man, last two Bridgerton books weren't upto the mark. I can only hope this doesn't happen to the Byrons.
****************
I do agree when one review here said that the villain was smarter than the h/h, seeing the way they played right into his trap lolz. I don't know, I certainly hoped for more twists and turns, more emotional angst. It started out nice as I already said, I loved about 1st 10 chps of the book. Then all their supposed confusions over this and that and all the other plain, simple things just ... it killed the fun, at least quite a bit.
I saw no more of Cade's PTSD, not certainly after they started making love, no resolve there. So, don't know where it went, how it went away so quickly! I would've love to see Meg doing something about it. And speaking of Meg, don't know how she became so stupid (in her own words mind you!). I mean I wasn't that annoyed but the fun/the anticipation that I felt at first wasn't there anymore.
Still, I'm giving it a 4, plainly because I liked the book quite a bit even after everything and looking forward to Cade's other siblings' stories. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2020
3,5*
Dvoumila sam se između 3 i 4* pa mislim da je ova ocena sasvim u redu..
Knjiga je slatka, zanimljiva, ali nisam oduševljena. Dok sam čitala imala sam osećaj kao da ne usporena, okej možda i jeste, ali mislim da je to i zbog stila pisanja. Pre nisam čitala ništa od ove autorke..
Dvoumila sam se između 3 i 4* pa mislim da je ova ocena sasvim u redu..
Knjiga je slatka, zanimljiva, ali nisam oduševljena. Dok sam čitala imala sam osećaj kao da ne usporena, okej možda i jeste, ali mislim da je to i zbog stila pisanja. Pre nisam čitala ništa od ove autorke..
May 4, 2009
19 year old Meg Amberley seeks shelter in a heavy snow storm from Lord Cade Byron. Her parents have both died and she's traveling to Scotland to live with a Great Aunt she's never met.
Cade is recovering from wounds he received from being caught and tortured during the war. He suffers from nightmares of the French (English) speaking interrogator beating him and torturing his fiancee to death.
Meg, being the dauther of a Naval Officer, recognizes his anguish and draws him out by challenging him to chess. When the local Squire comes to visit, Cade introduces Meg as his fiancee in order to protect her reputation.
He then convinces her to accompany him to London as his pretend fiancee and share in the Season with his younger sister so that she can find herself a suitable husband. While attending a Ball, he recognizes the voice of the man who tortured him only the man is not French, but an English War Hero. He sets out to prove him guilty of treason, and course Meg must do her part even when he demands she stay out of it.
More love story than mystery. Not a Hot book (no sex until pg 250 or so), but good dialogue between H/h. I also enjoyed meeting Cade's large family. Good ending with HEA and bad guy getting his just deserts.
Cade is recovering from wounds he received from being caught and tortured during the war. He suffers from nightmares of the French (English) speaking interrogator beating him and torturing his fiancee to death.
Meg, being the dauther of a Naval Officer, recognizes his anguish and draws him out by challenging him to chess. When the local Squire comes to visit, Cade introduces Meg as his fiancee in order to protect her reputation.
He then convinces her to accompany him to London as his pretend fiancee and share in the Season with his younger sister so that she can find herself a suitable husband. While attending a Ball, he recognizes the voice of the man who tortured him only the man is not French, but an English War Hero. He sets out to prove him guilty of treason, and course Meg must do her part even when he demands she stay out of it.
More love story than mystery. Not a Hot book (no sex until pg 250 or so), but good dialogue between H/h. I also enjoyed meeting Cade's large family. Good ending with HEA and bad guy getting his just deserts.
June 11, 2016
I'll start of by saying this is the book I've liked the least from Tracy Anne Warren. I really loved her 'Trap' series, but I'm sorry to say this one isn't looking very promising. The story is full of clichés, the plot sometimes didn't make a whole lot of sense, and the characters seemed pre-fabricated to me.
Things did get a bit more entertaining towards the end, and I quite liked some bits at the beginning, so I wouldn't say the book is a complete waste of time; it just wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped.
Update:
I've just noticed I already read Mallory and Adam's story about a year and a half ago -which btw was very good. No wonder theirs was the story I was hoping to read about next.
Things did get a bit more entertaining towards the end, and I quite liked some bits at the beginning, so I wouldn't say the book is a complete waste of time; it just wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped.
Update:
I've just noticed I already read Mallory and Adam's story about a year and a half ago -which btw was very good. No wonder theirs was the story I was hoping to read about next.
June 1, 2015
This is for those who are looking for a Regency romance with some sex written on a 3rd grade level.
December 18, 2022
"Stop and simply let her go."
The theme of the day here is pacing. I am a stickler for pacing so it really is no surprise that this was my biggest issue with the book.
I did not hate the book but it simply kept me...wanting more. For starters, I felt like the two halves of the book were almost two separate books. I thought the second half was actually very good and I sped through it but I struggled to get through that first half. My ebook wasn't even 300 pages and I was having to take constant breaks just to allow myself to focus again.
I feel that the plot began at the 50% mark rather than begin about a quarter earlier. I will say that the book was solid when it came to a plot and the set up was definitely important but it didn't need that much of a set up.
I actually rather liked Meg, the female main character. I did find her very naive and young (and she is incredibly young at 19) but I thought that made her endearing. She almost reminded me of a little sister in a way. I thought she was very sweet. I liked Cade, as well, to be completely honest, but I ...don't know if they were meant for each other. Cade, already being her senior by eleven years, also has just .
The two of them seem worlds apart. Yes, the sexual chemistry is through the roof (Warren can write spicy scenes like no one can, truly. That was the most impressive part of the book for me), but I felt that their emotional connection lacked. I felt that
The writing style was fine. I have no issues with it except for the excessive use of 'deuce' in the first quarter of the book. This book was published in 2009. You can print bad words-I promise you that they were using them back then.
I did feel like certain aspects of the historical setting were not very well researched at all-I'm not a professional historian or anything of the like, but there were certain parts (including Cade's absolutely ridiculous and stupid fake engagement plan) that made me raise my eyebrow.
Overall, it was a fun read. I would recommend this to someone who wants to pass the time. Do keep in mind though that there are several extremely triggering flashback moments in the book, so please proceed with caution.
The theme of the day here is pacing. I am a stickler for pacing so it really is no surprise that this was my biggest issue with the book.
I did not hate the book but it simply kept me...wanting more. For starters, I felt like the two halves of the book were almost two separate books. I thought the second half was actually very good and I sped through it but I struggled to get through that first half. My ebook wasn't even 300 pages and I was having to take constant breaks just to allow myself to focus again.
I feel that the plot began at the 50% mark rather than begin about a quarter earlier. I will say that the book was solid when it came to a plot and the set up was definitely important but it didn't need that much of a set up.
I actually rather liked Meg, the female main character. I did find her very naive and young (and she is incredibly young at 19) but I thought that made her endearing. She almost reminded me of a little sister in a way. I thought she was very sweet. I liked Cade, as well, to be completely honest, but I ...don't know if they were meant for each other. Cade, already being her senior by eleven years, also has just .
The two of them seem worlds apart. Yes, the sexual chemistry is through the roof (Warren can write spicy scenes like no one can, truly. That was the most impressive part of the book for me), but I felt that their emotional connection lacked. I felt that
The writing style was fine. I have no issues with it except for the excessive use of 'deuce' in the first quarter of the book. This book was published in 2009. You can print bad words-I promise you that they were using them back then.
I did feel like certain aspects of the historical setting were not very well researched at all-I'm not a professional historian or anything of the like, but there were certain parts (including Cade's absolutely ridiculous and stupid fake engagement plan) that made me raise my eyebrow.
Overall, it was a fun read. I would recommend this to someone who wants to pass the time. Do keep in mind though that there are several extremely triggering flashback moments in the book, so please proceed with caution.
February 11, 2022
*all of my reviews contain possible spoilers*
**NOTE: This review is written using my old process. Which is just me chatting about the book. All new reviews starting in 2022 will be written with my easy to read, easy to understand, review layout!
This is my first time diving into Stacy's works since I read her Mistress series many many years ago. And I'm super happy I decided to because this book was such a great read, and a great introduction into the series!
Our heroine Meg (recently orphaned) finds herself turning to Cade for shelter during a severe snowstorm. Cade is very gruff and private and keeps himself locked away from the world. For understandable reasons.
After some cajoling, he agrees to let her stay until it's safe to travel again. This doesn't happen for days though, so as you might guess, these 2 get to spend some time alone together!
At first Cade keeps to himself and doesn't show Meg any hospitality as a guest in his home. She soon finds a way for him to spend time with her though, and it was such a sweet time during the book! It was a very romanticly cozy atmosphere while they spent time alone during the storm. Having dinner each night, playing chess afterwards, conversing, and becoming closer to one another. I loved it. I almost wanted the whole book just to be them alone at his place all winter long!
You could tell almost from the start that Meg was besotted with Cade. He's extremely attractive but super grumpy and closed-off. And has a wound on his right thigh which causes pain and sometimes a limp. You could tell Meg's heart reaches for him as soon as she meets him, and even more so as they get to know one another. She is extremely caring and thoughtful. Honesty is highly valued to her as well. And as their journey together progressed, I found that she was also extremely brave and loyal. Sometimes so much so that it was a bit foolhardy. She decibel needed to think a bit more before acting. 😆 But she always had the best intentions and Cade's interests and safety at the forefront of her mind.
It takes Meg a little time to realize that she loves Cade, but as the reader it was immediately obvious that she was falling in love with him within their first week of acquaintance. You can tell her heart is his already and she doesn't even realize it.
It takes alot more time and some change for Cade to realize his own feelings though. Cade has a dark past. His wounded leg and scarred neck give visible proof that he went through something very traumatic. As you read the book you learn exactly what happened, and it was very horrible indeed. I could imagine the scene in my head as I read it and it was very hard to do so. I will try to leave out the details so as not to entirely spoil the story for anyone who hasn't read it, but it was rough to read for sure. And once it was all done you find out that he had been thrown in a ditch with the dead bodies of the others who were murdered. Even though he wasn't actually dead. And to imagine such a thing was very upsetting. I definitely felt for Cade in this book, he went through something so horrible that I wouldn't be surprised if a person could never get over it.
But that's what made his connection and love for Meg even more magical and beautiful. To see this man become himself again, yet also something entirely new. Someone peaceful, and happy, it was amazing. I loved how they felt so strongly for one another. And even while fighting their feelings, they still found themselves worrying over each other and caring for one another. Giving into their feelings by small degrees, all the while pretending they weren't.
I found myself a bit saddened at times as well, after Meg realized she loved him. She would find herself hoping that they would be together one moment, then Cade would do or say something, or not do or say something, and then she'd find herself forcing those hopes away. Trying to remind herself that it would never be, and that he didn't want her. It was so heartbreaking! If it were me I would've been crying daily and locked away in my room to wallow in my misery. 😆 But I totally love some good angst and drama and emotion, so Tracy completely delivered!
I was also very happy to see Cade point out the distinction between his love for his past fiance and his love for Meg. He did not love Calida the same way (and did not love her any longer) though he did mourn her, and remember her, and regret many things. With Meg it was a love he'd never experienced before though. Something all-together new and whole and true. With Calida they had been young and it was a different kind of love. Cade's words were:
"Yes, I loved Calida, and I mourned her. But I think a part of my grief came more out of guilt than a true sense of loss."
I found it beautiful that his love for Calida was shown as important and real. Because she was a sweet and innocent girl who was also a main aspect of an important time in Cade's past. She was very worthy of remembrance and love.
But I was very glad to see that there also was a clear distinction between what he'd had for Calida and what he'd found with Meg. Given that this is Meg and Cade's story, you want that kind of special connection and love between them, that they can only find with each other. So I was happy to see that there was a clear distinction between the two. With Meg it was that true love, that you'll only find once in your life.
There were some great humorous moments and a nice dose of angst in this story. It was a very well-rounded story, and even had a little bit of adventure thrown in and some intrigue as well! It was a truly great read.
**Content warning:
There is mention of rape in this. It is nothing that happened to any current characters and it is only mentioned in past tense. There is also mention of some torture and murder as well.
**NOTE: This review is written using my old process. Which is just me chatting about the book. All new reviews starting in 2022 will be written with my easy to read, easy to understand, review layout!
This is my first time diving into Stacy's works since I read her Mistress series many many years ago. And I'm super happy I decided to because this book was such a great read, and a great introduction into the series!
Our heroine Meg (recently orphaned) finds herself turning to Cade for shelter during a severe snowstorm. Cade is very gruff and private and keeps himself locked away from the world. For understandable reasons.
After some cajoling, he agrees to let her stay until it's safe to travel again. This doesn't happen for days though, so as you might guess, these 2 get to spend some time alone together!
At first Cade keeps to himself and doesn't show Meg any hospitality as a guest in his home. She soon finds a way for him to spend time with her though, and it was such a sweet time during the book! It was a very romanticly cozy atmosphere while they spent time alone during the storm. Having dinner each night, playing chess afterwards, conversing, and becoming closer to one another. I loved it. I almost wanted the whole book just to be them alone at his place all winter long!
You could tell almost from the start that Meg was besotted with Cade. He's extremely attractive but super grumpy and closed-off. And has a wound on his right thigh which causes pain and sometimes a limp. You could tell Meg's heart reaches for him as soon as she meets him, and even more so as they get to know one another. She is extremely caring and thoughtful. Honesty is highly valued to her as well. And as their journey together progressed, I found that she was also extremely brave and loyal. Sometimes so much so that it was a bit foolhardy. She decibel needed to think a bit more before acting. 😆 But she always had the best intentions and Cade's interests and safety at the forefront of her mind.
It takes Meg a little time to realize that she loves Cade, but as the reader it was immediately obvious that she was falling in love with him within their first week of acquaintance. You can tell her heart is his already and she doesn't even realize it.
It takes alot more time and some change for Cade to realize his own feelings though. Cade has a dark past. His wounded leg and scarred neck give visible proof that he went through something very traumatic. As you read the book you learn exactly what happened, and it was very horrible indeed. I could imagine the scene in my head as I read it and it was very hard to do so. I will try to leave out the details so as not to entirely spoil the story for anyone who hasn't read it, but it was rough to read for sure. And once it was all done you find out that he had been thrown in a ditch with the dead bodies of the others who were murdered. Even though he wasn't actually dead. And to imagine such a thing was very upsetting. I definitely felt for Cade in this book, he went through something so horrible that I wouldn't be surprised if a person could never get over it.
But that's what made his connection and love for Meg even more magical and beautiful. To see this man become himself again, yet also something entirely new. Someone peaceful, and happy, it was amazing. I loved how they felt so strongly for one another. And even while fighting their feelings, they still found themselves worrying over each other and caring for one another. Giving into their feelings by small degrees, all the while pretending they weren't.
I found myself a bit saddened at times as well, after Meg realized she loved him. She would find herself hoping that they would be together one moment, then Cade would do or say something, or not do or say something, and then she'd find herself forcing those hopes away. Trying to remind herself that it would never be, and that he didn't want her. It was so heartbreaking! If it were me I would've been crying daily and locked away in my room to wallow in my misery. 😆 But I totally love some good angst and drama and emotion, so Tracy completely delivered!
I was also very happy to see Cade point out the distinction between his love for his past fiance and his love for Meg. He did not love Calida the same way (and did not love her any longer) though he did mourn her, and remember her, and regret many things. With Meg it was a love he'd never experienced before though. Something all-together new and whole and true. With Calida they had been young and it was a different kind of love. Cade's words were:
"Yes, I loved Calida, and I mourned her. But I think a part of my grief came more out of guilt than a true sense of loss."
I found it beautiful that his love for Calida was shown as important and real. Because she was a sweet and innocent girl who was also a main aspect of an important time in Cade's past. She was very worthy of remembrance and love.
But I was very glad to see that there also was a clear distinction between what he'd had for Calida and what he'd found with Meg. Given that this is Meg and Cade's story, you want that kind of special connection and love between them, that they can only find with each other. So I was happy to see that there was a clear distinction between the two. With Meg it was that true love, that you'll only find once in your life.
There were some great humorous moments and a nice dose of angst in this story. It was a very well-rounded story, and even had a little bit of adventure thrown in and some intrigue as well! It was a truly great read.
**Content warning:
There is mention of rape in this. It is nothing that happened to any current characters and it is only mentioned in past tense. There is also mention of some torture and murder as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews