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Hellions of Halstead Hall #3
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady
The third novel in Sabrina Jeffries's “Hellions of Hallstead Hall” series, featuring the independent and talented Lady Minerva Sharpe.
When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.
Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him.
Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.
When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.
Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him.
Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 18, 2011
248 people are currently reading
3078 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Jeffries
82 books4,765 followersSabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of over 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 11 million books published in print and electronically in 25 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
She always dreams big.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 482 reviews
dnf
July 18, 2022DNF about 30% in...
Minevra made me dizzy with her ditzyness.. I just couldn't go on.
Minevra made me dizzy with her ditzyness.. I just couldn't go on.
September 8, 2020
Dolu dolu bir 5!!!🌟
Bu kitapla serinin ilk iki kitabını yazan kadın aynı mı diye şoka girdim!😱 Ay ay ay! Harikaydı! Bayıldım! Serinin en en en güzel kitabı sensin. Muhteşem ötesiydi! 🤩 O kadar güzeldi ki anlatamam! Gerçekten enfesti!🤫 Bence bu kadın kızların evliliğini çok daha güzel anlatacak. Celia için beklentim bu kitap sonrası oldukça -oldukçaaaaa fazla.💃🏻 Off! Giles tam bir efsaneydi. Ya Minerva 💜 Bayılıyorum böyle güçlü kadınlara! 🤧 Acaba Gabe’i atlasam mı? Ama o zaman da araştırılan sır ortada kalacak! Pft!😒
Bu kitapla serinin ilk iki kitabını yazan kadın aynı mı diye şoka girdim!😱 Ay ay ay! Harikaydı! Bayıldım! Serinin en en en güzel kitabı sensin. Muhteşem ötesiydi! 🤩 O kadar güzeldi ki anlatamam! Gerçekten enfesti!🤫 Bence bu kadın kızların evliliğini çok daha güzel anlatacak. Celia için beklentim bu kitap sonrası oldukça -oldukçaaaaa fazla.💃🏻 Off! Giles tam bir efsaneydi. Ya Minerva 💜 Bayılıyorum böyle güçlü kadınlara! 🤧 Acaba Gabe’i atlasam mı? Ama o zaman da araştırılan sır ortada kalacak! Pft!😒
February 7, 2011
I might be biased, but this is the best book I have ever read by Sabrina Jeffries. I totally didn't expect it, considering the piss poor story about the manchild Jarret. But you know about 2nd stories in a series, they are either going to be awesome or suck really hard. But there was one thing for certain after starting The Truth About Lord Stoneville, I will definitely enjoy Minerva and Giles' love story. And thankfully, SJ delivered.
Minerva, the scandalous gothic authoress of the Sharpe family, fell in love with Giles Masters at the tender age of 9. At 19, she attends a scandalous costume party to surprise her perfect knight in shining armor and finally get him to see that she was no longer a girl, but a woman. Sadly, Giles crushes her dreams, leading to Minerva's writing debut. She takes revenge in the form of creating a villainous character, Lord Rockton, inspired by her lost love, Giles. Giles is a smart and talented Barrister, but since the night her crushes Minerva's love for him, he's been acting as debauched rogue, to spy for the crown. 9 years later, he's finally has a chance to outgrow his charade and try his hand to be King's Counsel. Of course, this means, he has to reform himself and get himself a wife. And there has been no one on his mind but Minerva. Minerva, who has been sullying him in her gothic novels. They form a deal, to pretend to be courting (but really be courting in Giles' eyes), so that Minerva could convince her grandmother to recede her demand to marry off the Sharpe siblings. Of course, it never works that way, and Giles and Minerva have a lot more than lust going on between them. But, will they ever open their hearts to make it happen?
Obviously, Giles and Minerva are perfect for each other. Their chemistry almost visibly sizzles off the pages. Minerva has an understandable fear of betrayal in marriage. I mean, look at her parent's failed one. Plus, it isn't like Giles has been truthful toward her in the past, plus he had already managed to break her heart once. Giles, is sorta messed up. After years of spying and lying, it's kinda hard for him to be truthful anymore, especially to someone he has always admired, Minerva. I love the way Minerva pushes him to expose a bit of himself. That part was especially hot *fans self*.
I not only loved the main characters, but we got to see tidbits of what yet to come. Such as Gabe's story. I firmly believe that Miss Waverly is his true love and I can't wait. *squeals like a girl* It's going to be a hard, emotional one (Thank you SJ for not making him a limp noodle like his older brother, Jarret), but I'm sure its going to be good. Then there is Celia's with Pinter. Yep, they hate/want each other. At least Pinter wants her and Gran knows about it.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It was a little complicated and summarizing it was difficult, but SJ has put an extra something in this one that makes it irresistible. I recommend this to EVERYONE.
Minerva, the scandalous gothic authoress of the Sharpe family, fell in love with Giles Masters at the tender age of 9. At 19, she attends a scandalous costume party to surprise her perfect knight in shining armor and finally get him to see that she was no longer a girl, but a woman. Sadly, Giles crushes her dreams, leading to Minerva's writing debut. She takes revenge in the form of creating a villainous character, Lord Rockton, inspired by her lost love, Giles. Giles is a smart and talented Barrister, but since the night her crushes Minerva's love for him, he's been acting as debauched rogue, to spy for the crown. 9 years later, he's finally has a chance to outgrow his charade and try his hand to be King's Counsel. Of course, this means, he has to reform himself and get himself a wife. And there has been no one on his mind but Minerva. Minerva, who has been sullying him in her gothic novels. They form a deal, to pretend to be courting (but really be courting in Giles' eyes), so that Minerva could convince her grandmother to recede her demand to marry off the Sharpe siblings. Of course, it never works that way, and Giles and Minerva have a lot more than lust going on between them. But, will they ever open their hearts to make it happen?
Obviously, Giles and Minerva are perfect for each other. Their chemistry almost visibly sizzles off the pages. Minerva has an understandable fear of betrayal in marriage. I mean, look at her parent's failed one. Plus, it isn't like Giles has been truthful toward her in the past, plus he had already managed to break her heart once. Giles, is sorta messed up. After years of spying and lying, it's kinda hard for him to be truthful anymore, especially to someone he has always admired, Minerva. I love the way Minerva pushes him to expose a bit of himself. That part was especially hot *fans self*.
I not only loved the main characters, but we got to see tidbits of what yet to come. Such as Gabe's story. I firmly believe that Miss Waverly is his true love and I can't wait. *squeals like a girl* It's going to be a hard, emotional one (Thank you SJ for not making him a limp noodle like his older brother, Jarret), but I'm sure its going to be good. Then there is Celia's with Pinter. Yep, they hate/want each other. At least Pinter wants her and Gran knows about it.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It was a little complicated and summarizing it was difficult, but SJ has put an extra something in this one that makes it irresistible. I recommend this to EVERYONE.
October 6, 2018
3.5
No sé que pasó al final... él era genial... literal abre la boca y te enamoras. Pero su secreto y pasado oscuro me resultó demasiado ñeeee
Como que hizo demasiado drama para tan poco hahahah
- La pareja es adorable. Me encantan sus interacciones juntos y además me gustó conocer también lo que pasa con Oliver muajajjaja.
- Me gustó que Minerva siguiera fiel a sus convicciones a pesar de la época.
PEEEEERO... El problema en esta serie es que las situaciones y algunos diálogos están muy poco adaptados al tiempo en el que se desarrolla la historia. Si puedes pasar eso por alto estoy SEGURA de que será una serie que te va a encantar, divertir y enamorar a partes iguales.
No sé que pasó al final... él era genial... literal abre la boca y te enamoras. Pero su secreto y pasado oscuro me resultó demasiado ñeeee
Como que hizo demasiado drama para tan poco hahahah
- La pareja es adorable. Me encantan sus interacciones juntos y además me gustó conocer también lo que pasa con Oliver muajajjaja.
- Me gustó que Minerva siguiera fiel a sus convicciones a pesar de la época.
PEEEEERO... El problema en esta serie es que las situaciones y algunos diálogos están muy poco adaptados al tiempo en el que se desarrolla la historia. Si puedes pasar eso por alto estoy SEGURA de que será una serie que te va a encantar, divertir y enamorar a partes iguales.
September 17, 2021
2.5 stars. I am so irritated with this book...there was so much wasted potential!
So brief synopsis... The hero is friends with the heroine's brothers and they have known each other for many years. Supposedly he was kind to her and she's loved him from girlhood. They have one encounter when she's 18: she catches him stealing something at a party and demands a kiss to keep his secret. He kisses her and then immediately makes some harsh comments and breaks her heart. Skip ahead many many years later... I believe around 10, but I can't be sure atm, but it was long enough to be a lot of wasted time. The heroine is forced by her grandmother to find a husband and she posts an advertisement for one to anger her gma. The hero shows up and proposes marriage, which she thinks is a joke because he hasn't paid a minute of attention to her in years. Instead, we learn he's been whoring, gambling, drinking, etc. Just being a rake and a rogue with all kinds of unsavory vices. It makes sense that the heroine thinks he's insincere, but she agrees to a fake courtship to horrify her grandmother, since she assumes gma would do anything to keep him away. We also learn right away that the hero isn't quite what he appears - since he's also been a spy and is a talented attorney.
Here's where I thought this book would be different...
I expected that the hero would turn out to be more than just the picture he painted to the outside world. But at the end, it turns out he really did all those awful things. He really was whoring, and gambling, (not spending all his money, but still) and drinking, etc. He was doing all these things "for the government." LOL. What made it worse? He had been interested in the heroine the entire time! He had been secretly pining for her when he saw her around. Maybe if he didn't see her that way? I could have understood. If he had just considered her a little sister or something and didn't come around to her charms until later? That would be more understandable. But no, he was interested in her for YEARS. But all that time, he spent with TONS OF OW.
Here's a nice excerpt from nearly the end of the book, where he tells his wife how much he desired her, and then went and fucked OW instead:
Oh, I remember it very well. I ached to put my mouth right where that cameo rested.” He pulled her into his arms. “I’ve always noticed what you wear. At the Valentine’s Day ball, you wore a pink evening gown with puffy sleeves. And I already told you how well I remember the sausage curl lying on your bosom at our house party in Berkshire.”
“The party where you went off with a sultry widow, you mean?” she said tartly.
He brushed a kiss to her hair. “That was something I did for Ravenswood. He wanted me to learn what she knew about an agitator in the Commons. And I found it out for him.”
“In her bed, most likely,” she said with a sniff.
“I would rather have been in your bed,” he countered, since he couldn’t deny the accusation.
THAT IS NOT ROMANTIC TO ME!!! The heroes past is thrown in my face over and over and over again. Meanwhile, the heroine has been pathetic and stayed a virgin into her late 20's. I'm sorry, but men like this don't deserve to be romance book heroes. He's not heroic, he's disgusting.
I guess if this kind of shit doesn't bother you, this story is alright otherwise. They both make plenty of stupid decisions that made me grind my teeth together, but overall the story was fine. Nowhere close to one of my favorites by this author, unfortunately.
I'll call this one unsafe, because of the long separation and because the book made me want to stab a bitch. No others once they are together and the current storyline begins.
So brief synopsis... The hero is friends with the heroine's brothers and they have known each other for many years. Supposedly he was kind to her and she's loved him from girlhood. They have one encounter when she's 18: she catches him stealing something at a party and demands a kiss to keep his secret. He kisses her and then immediately makes some harsh comments and breaks her heart. Skip ahead many many years later... I believe around 10, but I can't be sure atm, but it was long enough to be a lot of wasted time. The heroine is forced by her grandmother to find a husband and she posts an advertisement for one to anger her gma. The hero shows up and proposes marriage, which she thinks is a joke because he hasn't paid a minute of attention to her in years. Instead, we learn he's been whoring, gambling, drinking, etc. Just being a rake and a rogue with all kinds of unsavory vices. It makes sense that the heroine thinks he's insincere, but she agrees to a fake courtship to horrify her grandmother, since she assumes gma would do anything to keep him away. We also learn right away that the hero isn't quite what he appears - since he's also been a spy and is a talented attorney.
Here's where I thought this book would be different...
I expected that the hero would turn out to be more than just the picture he painted to the outside world. But at the end, it turns out he really did all those awful things. He really was whoring, and gambling, (not spending all his money, but still) and drinking, etc. He was doing all these things "for the government." LOL. What made it worse? He had been interested in the heroine the entire time! He had been secretly pining for her when he saw her around. Maybe if he didn't see her that way? I could have understood. If he had just considered her a little sister or something and didn't come around to her charms until later? That would be more understandable. But no, he was interested in her for YEARS. But all that time, he spent with TONS OF OW.
Here's a nice excerpt from nearly the end of the book, where he tells his wife how much he desired her, and then went and fucked OW instead:
Oh, I remember it very well. I ached to put my mouth right where that cameo rested.” He pulled her into his arms. “I’ve always noticed what you wear. At the Valentine’s Day ball, you wore a pink evening gown with puffy sleeves. And I already told you how well I remember the sausage curl lying on your bosom at our house party in Berkshire.”
“The party where you went off with a sultry widow, you mean?” she said tartly.
He brushed a kiss to her hair. “That was something I did for Ravenswood. He wanted me to learn what she knew about an agitator in the Commons. And I found it out for him.”
“In her bed, most likely,” she said with a sniff.
“I would rather have been in your bed,” he countered, since he couldn’t deny the accusation.
THAT IS NOT ROMANTIC TO ME!!! The heroes past is thrown in my face over and over and over again. Meanwhile, the heroine has been pathetic and stayed a virgin into her late 20's. I'm sorry, but men like this don't deserve to be romance book heroes. He's not heroic, he's disgusting.
I guess if this kind of shit doesn't bother you, this story is alright otherwise. They both make plenty of stupid decisions that made me grind my teeth together, but overall the story was fine. Nowhere close to one of my favorites by this author, unfortunately.
I'll call this one unsafe, because of the long separation and because the book made me want to stab a bitch. No others once they are together and the current storyline begins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2013
Θα μπορούσε εύκολα να χαρακτηρίσει κανείς το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο και παρόμοια με αυτό, ελαφρά αναγνώσματα ή ρομάντζα.
Δεν θα προσπαθήσω να αλλάξω γνώμη σε κανέναν σε σχέση με το θέμα και ακόμα περισσότερο δεν σκοπεύω να δικαιολογηθώ επειδή ανάμεσα σε πολλά άλλα μου αρέσει επίσης να διαβάζω κατά καιρούς και τέτοιου είδους βιβλία.
Προσωπικά είμαι ένας άνθρωπος που του αρέσει να διαβάζει όλα τα ήδη και ειδικότερα θέλω γνωρίζω κάτι από πρώτο χέρι για να το κρίνω και όχι να βγάζω συμπεράσματα μόνο και μόνο από κάτι που έχω ακούσει από άλλους, ενώ σε καμία περίπτωση δεν με τρομάζει η κριτική που μπορεί να γίνει για τα γούστα μου! Τολμώ μάλιστα να πω ότι είμαι περήφανη για τον εαυτό μου μιας και οι «ταμπέλες» δεν παίζουν κανένα ρόλο για εμένα, ότι με κάνει να περνάω καλά, με διασκεδάζει και με ψυχαγωγεί ευχάριστα μπορεί να κερδίσει μία θέση στην καρδιά μου.
Αυτό λοιπόν είναι το τρίτο μέρος της σειράς "Το χρονικό των Στόουνβιλ", όπου σε καθένα από αυτά παρακολουθούμε την προσωπική ιστορία του κάθε αδελφού – αδελφής της οικογένειας. Οι ιστορίες διαδραματίζονται στο Λονδίνο του 1800 και αν όχι για οτιδήποτε άλλο, αξίζουν συγχαρητήρια στη συγγραφέα που περιγράφει τα πάντα με ένα ξεχωριστό, ιδιαίτερο και νοσταλγικό τρόπο. Είναι εμφανές πως έχει κάνει πολύ καλή έρευνα σε σχέση με τις συνήθειες, τον τρόπο ένδυσης, τον κώδικα συμπεριφοράς των ευγενών και γενικότερα της κοινωνίας της εποχής αυτής.
Σε αυτό το βιβλίο βλέπουμε την ιστορία της μεγαλύτερης κόρης η οποία λέγεται Μινέρβα και η ίδια μάλιστα είναι συγγραφέας ρομαντικών μυθιστορημάτων η οποία παρόλο τον τίτλο και την ευγενική καταγωγή της τολμά να δημοσιεύει τις ιστορίες της υπογράφοντας με το κανονικό της όνομα και όχι με ψευδώνυμο όπως συνηθιζόταν για μία γυναίκα της τάξης της.
Φυσικά το κεντρικό θέμα του βιβλίου είναι ο έρωτας της για τον Τζάιλς Μάστερς που κρατά κρυφό για χρόνια ολόκληρα από όλους και μάλιστα οι δυό τους μοιράζονται και ένα τρυφερό αλλά ταυτόχρονα επικίνδυνο μυστικό.
Δεν νομίζω ότι χρειάζεται να πω πολλά περισσότερα, είναι πράγματι μία ρομαντική ιστορία που οπωσδήποτε όποιος αποφασίσει να τη διαβάσει θα συναντήσει τα συνηθισμένα κλισέ. Ωστόσο σε όλα τα βιβλία της σειράς, η συγγραφέας έχει πλέξει ένα γαϊτανάκι μυστηρίου σχετικά με τον ανεξιχνίαστο φόνο των γονιών της Μινέρβα και των αδελφών της πριν από πολλά χρόνια και σε κάθε ένα βιβλίο τη φορά μας δίνει μερικές ακόμα πληροφορίες όπου λογικά με το τέλος της σειράς θα αποκαλυφτεί η αλήθεια.
Σίγουρα πολλοί από εσάς θα σκεφτείτε ότι πρόκειται για ένα φτηνό ρομάντζο που πουλάνε στα περίπτερα το οποίο είναι μάλλον ανάξιο λόγου αλλά για εμένα δεν ισχύει αυτό. Η εποχή για την οποία μιλάει, το ρομαντικό στοιχείο, ο έρωτας, το Λονδίνο μίας περασμένης εποχής αλλά και οι χαρακτήρες καθώς και οι καταστάσεις με τις οποίες έρχονται αντιμέτωποι οι ήρωες δημιουργούν πολύ συχνά ένα αυθόρμητο χαμόγελο στα χείλη μου και καταφέρνουν να με ταξιδέψουν και να με γαληνέψουν.
Αυτοί οι λόγοι μου είναι αρκετοί!
Δεν θα προσπαθήσω να αλλάξω γνώμη σε κανέναν σε σχέση με το θέμα και ακόμα περισσότερο δεν σκοπεύω να δικαιολογηθώ επειδή ανάμεσα σε πολλά άλλα μου αρέσει επίσης να διαβάζω κατά καιρούς και τέτοιου είδους βιβλία.
Προσωπικά είμαι ένας άνθρωπος που του αρέσει να διαβάζει όλα τα ήδη και ειδικότερα θέλω γνωρίζω κάτι από πρώτο χέρι για να το κρίνω και όχι να βγάζω συμπεράσματα μόνο και μόνο από κάτι που έχω ακούσει από άλλους, ενώ σε καμία περίπτωση δεν με τρομάζει η κριτική που μπορεί να γίνει για τα γούστα μου! Τολμώ μάλιστα να πω ότι είμαι περήφανη για τον εαυτό μου μιας και οι «ταμπέλες» δεν παίζουν κανένα ρόλο για εμένα, ότι με κάνει να περνάω καλά, με διασκεδάζει και με ψυχαγωγεί ευχάριστα μπορεί να κερδίσει μία θέση στην καρδιά μου.
Αυτό λοιπόν είναι το τρίτο μέρος της σειράς "Το χρονικό των Στόουνβιλ", όπου σε καθένα από αυτά παρακολουθούμε την προσωπική ιστορία του κάθε αδελφού – αδελφής της οικογένειας. Οι ιστορίες διαδραματίζονται στο Λονδίνο του 1800 και αν όχι για οτιδήποτε άλλο, αξίζουν συγχαρητήρια στη συγγραφέα που περιγράφει τα πάντα με ένα ξεχωριστό, ιδιαίτερο και νοσταλγικό τρόπο. Είναι εμφανές πως έχει κάνει πολύ καλή έρευνα σε σχέση με τις συνήθειες, τον τρόπο ένδυσης, τον κώδικα συμπεριφοράς των ευγενών και γενικότερα της κοινωνίας της εποχής αυτής.
Σε αυτό το βιβλίο βλέπουμε την ιστορία της μεγαλύτερης κόρης η οποία λέγεται Μινέρβα και η ίδια μάλιστα είναι συγγραφέας ρομαντικών μυθιστορημάτων η οποία παρόλο τον τίτλο και την ευγενική καταγωγή της τολμά να δημοσιεύει τις ιστορίες της υπογράφοντας με το κανονικό της όνομα και όχι με ψευδώνυμο όπως συνηθιζόταν για μία γυναίκα της τάξης της.
Φυσικά το κεντρικό θέμα του βιβλίου είναι ο έρωτας της για τον Τζάιλς Μάστερς που κρατά κρυφό για χρόνια ολόκληρα από όλους και μάλιστα οι δυό τους μοιράζονται και ένα τρυφερό αλλά ταυτόχρονα επικίνδυνο μυστικό.
Δεν νομίζω ότι χρειάζεται να πω πολλά περισσότερα, είναι πράγματι μία ρομαντική ιστορία που οπωσδήποτε όποιος αποφασίσει να τη διαβάσει θα συναντήσει τα συνηθισμένα κλισέ. Ωστόσο σε όλα τα βιβλία της σειράς, η συγγραφέας έχει πλέξει ένα γαϊτανάκι μυστηρίου σχετικά με τον ανεξιχνίαστο φόνο των γονιών της Μινέρβα και των αδελφών της πριν από πολλά χρόνια και σε κάθε ένα βιβλίο τη φορά μας δίνει μερικές ακόμα πληροφορίες όπου λογικά με το τέλος της σειράς θα αποκαλυφτεί η αλήθεια.
Σίγουρα πολλοί από εσάς θα σκεφτείτε ότι πρόκειται για ένα φτηνό ρομάντζο που πουλάνε στα περίπτερα το οποίο είναι μάλλον ανάξιο λόγου αλλά για εμένα δεν ισχύει αυτό. Η εποχή για την οποία μιλάει, το ρομαντικό στοιχείο, ο έρωτας, το Λονδίνο μίας περασμένης εποχής αλλά και οι χαρακτήρες καθώς και οι καταστάσεις με τις οποίες έρχονται αντιμέτωποι οι ήρωες δημιουργούν πολύ συχνά ένα αυθόρμητο χαμόγελο στα χείλη μου και καταφέρνουν να με ταξιδέψουν και να με γαληνέψουν.
Αυτοί οι λόγοι μου είναι αρκετοί!
June 22, 2025
Português
Neste livro não há surpresas, nem momentos de verdadeiro impacto — e talvez essa seja a sua maior virtude e também a sua maior limitação. É um livro que não exige muito do leitor, mas também não oferece muito em troca além de algumas horas de leveza e distração.
English
There are no surprises in this book, nor moments of true impact — and perhaps that is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. It doesn’t demand much from the reader, but it doesn’t offer much in return either, beyond a few hours of lightness and distraction.
Neste livro não há surpresas, nem momentos de verdadeiro impacto — e talvez essa seja a sua maior virtude e também a sua maior limitação. É um livro que não exige muito do leitor, mas também não oferece muito em troca além de algumas horas de leveza e distração.
English
There are no surprises in this book, nor moments of true impact — and perhaps that is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. It doesn’t demand much from the reader, but it doesn’t offer much in return either, beyond a few hours of lightness and distraction.
July 17, 2017
‘Don’t forget that people are often more stupid than you expect,’
July 1, 2025
For about 55% of the book I thought I was going to love it. But the way they handled things, specifically the heroine (I think I judge only because I knew how important the hero's secrets were) that acted with disrespect towards something that could end disastrously.
Then, at the end of the day, I started disliking them. Their lack of trust made me doubt their love. by the end I was asking myself if I believe in their love story. That is why this was my least favorite book, even though I was absolutely loving the couple until the 55% mark.
Then, at the end of the day, I started disliking them. Their lack of trust made me doubt their love. by the end I was asking myself if I believe in their love story. That is why this was my least favorite book, even though I was absolutely loving the couple until the 55% mark.
February 25, 2011
how to woo a reluctant reader..
3.5 - 4 stars (undecided whether to choose 3 or 4 above)
I generally like/hate SJ's books..they are fun, fast or rather racy reads that I enjoy reading upto a point..somewhat like caramel hard candy..nice to savor initially, but the last bit is rather st(icky) to chew and swallow.
The hero in this book leads a double life, somewhat Scarlet Pimpernelish (about 5%.. I love that book too much to make a bigger allusion) and the heroine who has been infatuated with him since she was nine years old (no.. not weird considering that he comforts her at a time when she feels lost, scared and vulnerable) ..anyway she almost but not quite discovers that the hero has secrets to hide and uses that knowledge against him creatively, in a way punishing him for not having the good taste to have fallen madly in love with her:) Creatively..how? by making him the lead character in her gothic novels which she writes using her real name (which naturally increases the "gasp!" value).. oh! but the best part is, by lead character, I mean, the hero is actually the villain in her books and she mixes real life incidents with fiction just enough to annoy him into acknowledging her existence and also add some spice to his own!
Minerva is very much the trademark SJ heroine - minxish and manipulative; Giles, the troubled and secretive hero, is attracted to her for who she is rather than wanting her to be an ideal dictated by society and he even tries to get a glimpse into her real self by reading her novels which appears in a ladies journal.. aw! I liked the fact that they share a past and Minerva's brother who is also Giles' best friend senses something behind all the pseudo antagonism enough to warn him off.. titillating! *grin*
Well! all that was the good part.. then the story continued in SJ's familiar path of distasteful lies, manipulation, distrust ..using sex as a weapon, love as a synonym for one-upmanship and competition.. and then finally the H&h live happily ever after leaving a reader 'like me' to vacuum and vent just so I don't have to listen to my own diatribe in the noise..but you guys aren't so lucky, if you're reading this;) In this book, Giles is distrustful and holds back the truth from Minerva but he is made to realize how that can be hurtful and he genuinely regrets it later.. Minerva, at the same time has him investigated even after she marries him and again he is made to realize that it is for his own good..hmm!..Actually she has issues because her father had many extramarital affairs but I am still not sure whether having him investigated was the justified solution. This is nothing in comparison to SJ's book with the monkey from India, where both the hero and heroine were so horrible that I created an imaginary secondary romance in my mind for the monkey just to get through the book!
yup! this was a fun read initially and an ok to frustrating read, depending on the perspective, towards the end.
3.5 - 4 stars (undecided whether to choose 3 or 4 above)
I generally like/hate SJ's books..they are fun, fast or rather racy reads that I enjoy reading upto a point..somewhat like caramel hard candy..nice to savor initially, but the last bit is rather st(icky) to chew and swallow.
The hero in this book leads a double life, somewhat Scarlet Pimpernelish (about 5%.. I love that book too much to make a bigger allusion) and the heroine who has been infatuated with him since she was nine years old (no.. not weird considering that he comforts her at a time when she feels lost, scared and vulnerable) ..anyway she almost but not quite discovers that the hero has secrets to hide and uses that knowledge against him creatively, in a way punishing him for not having the good taste to have fallen madly in love with her:) Creatively..how? by making him the lead character in her gothic novels which she writes using her real name (which naturally increases the "gasp!" value).. oh! but the best part is, by lead character, I mean, the hero is actually the villain in her books and she mixes real life incidents with fiction just enough to annoy him into acknowledging her existence and also add some spice to his own!
Minerva is very much the trademark SJ heroine - minxish and manipulative; Giles, the troubled and secretive hero, is attracted to her for who she is rather than wanting her to be an ideal dictated by society and he even tries to get a glimpse into her real self by reading her novels which appears in a ladies journal.. aw! I liked the fact that they share a past and Minerva's brother who is also Giles' best friend senses something behind all the pseudo antagonism enough to warn him off.. titillating! *grin*
Well! all that was the good part.. then the story continued in SJ's familiar path of distasteful lies, manipulation, distrust ..using sex as a weapon, love as a synonym for one-upmanship and competition.. and then finally the H&h live happily ever after leaving a reader 'like me' to vacuum and vent just so I don't have to listen to my own diatribe in the noise..but you guys aren't so lucky, if you're reading this;) In this book, Giles is distrustful and holds back the truth from Minerva but he is made to realize how that can be hurtful and he genuinely regrets it later.. Minerva, at the same time has him investigated even after she marries him and again he is made to realize that it is for his own good..hmm!..Actually she has issues because her father had many extramarital affairs but I am still not sure whether having him investigated was the justified solution. This is nothing in comparison to SJ's book with the monkey from India, where both the hero and heroine were so horrible that I created an imaginary secondary romance in my mind for the monkey just to get through the book!
yup! this was a fun read initially and an ok to frustrating read, depending on the perspective, towards the end.
November 26, 2017
Sabrina Jeffries sevdiğim historical yazarlarından biri ve bu serisini de severek okuyorum.
Ana kadın karakterimiz 5 kardeş ve seride de bunlar anlatılıyor zaten. Büyükanneleri eğer bir yıl içinde evlenmezseniz sizi mirasımdan men ederim diyerek resti çekiyor. İlk kitapta en büyük ağabeyleri Oliver'ı, ikinci kitapta da diğer ağabeyi Jarret'ı kaybetmiştik :)) Şimdi sırada polisiye ve aşk romanları yazan, küçüklüğünden beri ağabeyinin arkadaşına aşık Minerva'mız var. İlk kitaplarda da bunun esintisini arada bir gördüğümüz için benim heyecanla beklediğim bir kitaptı. Çünkü ağabeyinin arkadaşı Giles'la aralarındaki çekim hoştu.
Giles zampara, serserinin teki, kumarbaz vs. gibi görünüyor. Ama hepsinin bambaşka sebepleri var :)) İkinci kitapta Jarret'la Minerva konusunda restleştiklerinde gönlümü kazanıp merakımı cezbetmişti kendileri.
Güzel bir kitap mıydı? Evet. İkinci kitapta Minerva ve Giles arasında aldığım o inanılmaz çekimi hissettim mi? Yaaani. Hani voovvv olmadım ama çok güzeldi.
Ayrıca bu kitapta da yine ilk iki kitapta olduğu gibi, bir yandan da anne ve babalarının katilini aramaya devam ediyorlar. Bütün seriye yayılmış bu "katili bul" oyununun ilerleyişinden de oldukça memnunum. Tamamen apayrı kitaplar değiller bu yüzden, çünkü daha büyük bir örgüyle hepsi birbirine bağlanıyor.
4. kitap Gabe'in, sonraki kitapsa en küçük kız kardeşleri Celia'nın kitabı. Dürüst olmak gerekirse 5. kitabı daha çok merak ediyorum, çünkü kızımız sanırım ailenin araştırma, avukatlık vs. gibi işlerine bakan Pinter'la bir çekim içinde :)) Umarım Gabe'in kitabını da beklentim olmadığı için daha da bir keyifle okurum.
Ana kadın karakterimiz 5 kardeş ve seride de bunlar anlatılıyor zaten. Büyükanneleri eğer bir yıl içinde evlenmezseniz sizi mirasımdan men ederim diyerek resti çekiyor. İlk kitapta en büyük ağabeyleri Oliver'ı, ikinci kitapta da diğer ağabeyi Jarret'ı kaybetmiştik :)) Şimdi sırada polisiye ve aşk romanları yazan, küçüklüğünden beri ağabeyinin arkadaşına aşık Minerva'mız var. İlk kitaplarda da bunun esintisini arada bir gördüğümüz için benim heyecanla beklediğim bir kitaptı. Çünkü ağabeyinin arkadaşı Giles'la aralarındaki çekim hoştu.
Giles zampara, serserinin teki, kumarbaz vs. gibi görünüyor. Ama hepsinin bambaşka sebepleri var :)) İkinci kitapta Jarret'la Minerva konusunda restleştiklerinde gönlümü kazanıp merakımı cezbetmişti kendileri.
Güzel bir kitap mıydı? Evet. İkinci kitapta Minerva ve Giles arasında aldığım o inanılmaz çekimi hissettim mi? Yaaani. Hani voovvv olmadım ama çok güzeldi.
Ayrıca bu kitapta da yine ilk iki kitapta olduğu gibi, bir yandan da anne ve babalarının katilini aramaya devam ediyorlar. Bütün seriye yayılmış bu "katili bul" oyununun ilerleyişinden de oldukça memnunum. Tamamen apayrı kitaplar değiller bu yüzden, çünkü daha büyük bir örgüyle hepsi birbirine bağlanıyor.
4. kitap Gabe'in, sonraki kitapsa en küçük kız kardeşleri Celia'nın kitabı. Dürüst olmak gerekirse 5. kitabı daha çok merak ediyorum, çünkü kızımız sanırım ailenin araştırma, avukatlık vs. gibi işlerine bakan Pinter'la bir çekim içinde :)) Umarım Gabe'in kitabını da beklentim olmadığı için daha da bir keyifle okurum.
April 21, 2020
The third pairing in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series is Giles Masters, barrister extraordinaire and spy for the Crown, and Minerva Sharpe, the authoress of Gothic novels and secret romantic at heart. Again the author managed to bend the convention about woman's role in society. I loved Minerva's independent spirit and sharp intelligence, her bloodthirsty imagination and her loyalty to Giles.
Giles is a man of many talents. Barrister by day and a spy/informant by night. His dedication earns him respect and admiration in certain circles, but it leaves him lonely for he can not reveal anything to the people who mean the most to him. Due to his past he is a vicious opposer of love and anything romantic. But as always such a man can not withstand the one woman who can see past the facade to what's underneath. I think that this pairing was first and foremost based on the fact that both characters were very intelligent and could challenge each other. Were Minerva as most of the ladies of the time period - frivolous, fashion oriented and seeking title above else, there would not have been much attraction to Giles to begin with.
I loved how both MCs learned to get along, their insulting conversations that later turned so warm and heartfelt, their love of books and general learning. I especially loved Giles in court, so passionate and cutthroat. The pace was steady as in previous books and included Sharpe family shenanigans, past enemies and memories long forgotten that still brought pain and anguish. The beginning and the ending of the book were both tender and so sweet. I really enjoyed their story to happy ever after.
Giles is a man of many talents. Barrister by day and a spy/informant by night. His dedication earns him respect and admiration in certain circles, but it leaves him lonely for he can not reveal anything to the people who mean the most to him. Due to his past he is a vicious opposer of love and anything romantic. But as always such a man can not withstand the one woman who can see past the facade to what's underneath. I think that this pairing was first and foremost based on the fact that both characters were very intelligent and could challenge each other. Were Minerva as most of the ladies of the time period - frivolous, fashion oriented and seeking title above else, there would not have been much attraction to Giles to begin with.
I loved how both MCs learned to get along, their insulting conversations that later turned so warm and heartfelt, their love of books and general learning. I especially loved Giles in court, so passionate and cutthroat. The pace was steady as in previous books and included Sharpe family shenanigans, past enemies and memories long forgotten that still brought pain and anguish. The beginning and the ending of the book were both tender and so sweet. I really enjoyed their story to happy ever after.
March 2, 2018
Lady Minerva Sharpe thinks that if she becomes engaged to a rake, her Grandmother will give up on her plot to marry off her grandchildren. Enter Giles Masters, a scoundrel/lout/barrister/informant, who has boners for Minerva. Their relationship is somewhat dampened by the fact that the book opens with a 9-year-old Minerva falling in love with an 18-year-old Giles. YEP THAT'S FUCKING CREEPY SORRY.
1. Minerva's book-writing could have been so interesting but it was not. Especially since it's handily revealed that Gran reads her books! And Giles reads her books! And they're the ~window to her soul or whatever! But NOPE. BORING.
2. (So much of this book felt like things happened off page. Like I had missed a bunch of character development in the earlier installments except....that's not really the case? There isn't any further development? They're just kind of half-done novels filled with half-done characters and half-done emotional development but they're like Skittles and I can't stop eating them by the goddamned handful DEAR GOD.)
3. Giles's """"""spy"""""" nonsense was nonsense.
4. I do like Gran, though, kind of? Like, she's kind of delightful in a twisted way. There is something deeply wrong with me I AM AWARE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
5. Can I just say right out how much I now hate the word 'exult' because of its overuse in this novel? BECAUSE IT IS SO OVERUSED.
6. IDK, the whole premise (that Minerva has loved Giles forever and that Giles has been lusting after Minerva forever) was just so underbaked that I'm like mad about my disappointment.
1. Minerva's book-writing could have been so interesting but it was not. Especially since it's handily revealed that Gran reads her books! And Giles reads her books! And they're the ~window to her soul or whatever! But NOPE. BORING.
2. (So much of this book felt like things happened off page. Like I had missed a bunch of character development in the earlier installments except....that's not really the case? There isn't any further development? They're just kind of half-done novels filled with half-done characters and half-done emotional development but they're like Skittles and I can't stop eating them by the goddamned handful DEAR GOD.)
3. Giles's """"""spy"""""" nonsense was nonsense.
4. I do like Gran, though, kind of? Like, she's kind of delightful in a twisted way. There is something deeply wrong with me I AM AWARE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
5. Can I just say right out how much I now hate the word 'exult' because of its overuse in this novel? BECAUSE IT IS SO OVERUSED.
6. IDK, the whole premise (that Minerva has loved Giles forever and that Giles has been lusting after Minerva forever) was just so underbaked that I'm like mad about my disappointment.
May 9, 2020
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : De weg naar haar hart - Candlelight Historische roman 993 .
Lady Minerva Sharpe is vastbesloten nooit te trouwen maar dan dreigt haar oma alle 5 haar kleinkinderen te onterven als ze niet binnen een jaar getrouwd zijn .. een fake verloving met de succesvolle advocaat Giles Masters moet uitkomst bieden , hij brak jaren geleden haar hart en staat model voor de aantrekkelijke spion in de populaire romans die zij schrijft . Wat Minerva natuurlijk niet weet is dat Giles écht een spion voor de regering is .
Ook in dit verhaal gaat het onderzoek naar de vermeende moord en zelfmoord van de ouders van de Sharpe kinderen verder , ik neem aan dat dit mysterie pas in deel 5 van deze serie opgehelderd zal worden .
Sabrina Jeffries weet altijd relevante historische feitjes in haar verhalen te stoppen wat haar boeken ook echt de sfeer van die tijd laat ademen , ze doet duidelijk onderzoek naar de leefwijze en gebruiken uit de tijd waarover ze schrijft . In dit verhaal heeft zij onderzoek gedaan naar strafrecht en advocatuur in de 19e eeuw .
Lady Minerva Sharpe is vastbesloten nooit te trouwen maar dan dreigt haar oma alle 5 haar kleinkinderen te onterven als ze niet binnen een jaar getrouwd zijn .. een fake verloving met de succesvolle advocaat Giles Masters moet uitkomst bieden , hij brak jaren geleden haar hart en staat model voor de aantrekkelijke spion in de populaire romans die zij schrijft . Wat Minerva natuurlijk niet weet is dat Giles écht een spion voor de regering is .
Ook in dit verhaal gaat het onderzoek naar de vermeende moord en zelfmoord van de ouders van de Sharpe kinderen verder , ik neem aan dat dit mysterie pas in deel 5 van deze serie opgehelderd zal worden .
Sabrina Jeffries weet altijd relevante historische feitjes in haar verhalen te stoppen wat haar boeken ook echt de sfeer van die tijd laat ademen , ze doet duidelijk onderzoek naar de leefwijze en gebruiken uit de tijd waarover ze schrijft . In dit verhaal heeft zij onderzoek gedaan naar strafrecht en advocatuur in de 19e eeuw .
April 11, 2017
The third book in "Hellions of Halstead Hall" is the story of Minerva and Giles.
The child in Minerva fell for Giles, her brothers closest friend- the teenager at the cusp of womanhood fell out of it due to his careless remarks.
Now in her late 20s, when the famous novelist Minerva is affected by her grandmothers ultimatum of marriage- she decides to post an advertisement for her husband.
Much to her chagrin, the one who replies with insistence is Giles, who has been attracted to her- as well as wants Minerva to stop writing her villain Rockton which she's based on him as well as avoid hinting on his past which treads too close to the truth.
While she agrees to the farce as she's certain that her grandmother would oppose, he genuinely wants to marry her.
What begins is a rocky courtship, leads to a couple that's compromised and married, initially filled with secrets and later confessions.
Smokin love making, good dose of angst and a glimpse into their parents murders made it a enjoyable read.
Unsafe by definition
4/5
The child in Minerva fell for Giles, her brothers closest friend- the teenager at the cusp of womanhood fell out of it due to his careless remarks.
Now in her late 20s, when the famous novelist Minerva is affected by her grandmothers ultimatum of marriage- she decides to post an advertisement for her husband.
Much to her chagrin, the one who replies with insistence is Giles, who has been attracted to her- as well as wants Minerva to stop writing her villain Rockton which she's based on him as well as avoid hinting on his past which treads too close to the truth.
While she agrees to the farce as she's certain that her grandmother would oppose, he genuinely wants to marry her.
What begins is a rocky courtship, leads to a couple that's compromised and married, initially filled with secrets and later confessions.
Smokin love making, good dose of angst and a glimpse into their parents murders made it a enjoyable read.
Unsafe by definition
4/5
May 3, 2015
4 Highly Enjoyable Stars
June 23, 2024
Author FMC, barrister MMC who also moonlights as a spy. Fake relationship
Only kissing wager and some Courtroom drama. Overall a solid read in a series I'm really enjoying.
Only kissing wager and some Courtroom drama. Overall a solid read in a series I'm really enjoying.
October 7, 2022
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady
4.5 Stars
Series note: This series should be read in order for the ongoing mystery.
After the disappointment of the previous installment, this is an excellent addition to the series.
Minerva and Giles' banter is engaging from the first. The first half of the book focuses on each one trying to out-manipulate the other as she is dead set against marriage (not desiring to give up her writing and be considered a husband's property), and he is just as determined to marry her now that he realizes she is the one woman he has always wanted.
The second half is dedicated to the primary conflict - Giles' inability to truly share himself with Minerva. While the reader is fully aware of Giles' past as a covert operative, Miranda has only her suspicions. Although the keeping secrets trope is usually a no-no for me, Jeffries handles it well in this book. Not only is Minerva not completely in the dark about Giles' actions, but there is no lack of communication between the two. Minerva is not shy about giving her opinions and Giles does not allow his anger to fester. Thus, there is no waiting for the other shoe to drop and no overly dramatic angst.
The ongoing investigation into the deaths of Minerva's parents is the weakest aspect of the book. The explanation for actions is rather ridiculous and it is annoying that will suffer no consequences for his behavior. It is clear that we will only learn the truth in the final installment, but there does need to be SOME development.
In sum, this is a delightful romance with engaging characters. Gabriel's book is next and it will be interesting to see how he overcomes the obstacles to his HEA.
4.5 Stars
Series note: This series should be read in order for the ongoing mystery.
After the disappointment of the previous installment, this is an excellent addition to the series.
Minerva and Giles' banter is engaging from the first. The first half of the book focuses on each one trying to out-manipulate the other as she is dead set against marriage (not desiring to give up her writing and be considered a husband's property), and he is just as determined to marry her now that he realizes she is the one woman he has always wanted.
The second half is dedicated to the primary conflict - Giles' inability to truly share himself with Minerva. While the reader is fully aware of Giles' past as a covert operative, Miranda has only her suspicions. Although the keeping secrets trope is usually a no-no for me, Jeffries handles it well in this book. Not only is Minerva not completely in the dark about Giles' actions, but there is no lack of communication between the two. Minerva is not shy about giving her opinions and Giles does not allow his anger to fester. Thus, there is no waiting for the other shoe to drop and no overly dramatic angst.
The ongoing investigation into the deaths of Minerva's parents is the weakest aspect of the book. The explanation for actions is rather ridiculous and it is annoying that will suffer no consequences for his behavior. It is clear that we will only learn the truth in the final installment, but there does need to be SOME development.
In sum, this is a delightful romance with engaging characters. Gabriel's book is next and it will be interesting to see how he overcomes the obstacles to his HEA.
![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 13, 2011
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 3 parts.
I've been dying to read Giles's book since I read about him in Wed Him Before You Bed Him, after a scene in particular which played a vital role in the misunderstanding between the h/h. I even voted for him in Ms. Jeffries's site for his own book. At last, it's here!
Now, I know little abt Minerva, except what I read in the early 2 books of this series. I like a feisty heroine and she is that, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I want her to teach Giles a good lesson ... ahem ... well, never mind that!
I've read 1st 4 chps, it has given me the view of their relationship from an early age. Minerva has an ambivalent attitude towards Giles and Giles being Giles wants her in his bed (not that she doesn't still ... lolz ;) ). They've known each other from a very young age, he's a friend to Oliver and Jarett, Minerva's 2 older bros. There were some stuff that went on in between that caused a strain to their relationship and now, he has offered her to marry him. If you've read the early 2 books, you'll know Minerva's Gran Hetty has this ultimatum for them ... well, Minerva's not upto it ... I understand why, being in love with a scoundrel like Giles can't be an easy feat. Just to say, good luck with that Minerva!
Now, speaking of the book, 1st few chps seemed a bit rushed to me but I know the background has been building from the last 2 books ... And it was so good to see sexy Spencer, Viscount Ravenswood again ... :D
*********************
What can I say, I love their chemistry. Really, really enjoying it. Their easy banters, genuine feelings/affections for each other. It's like they're a zigsaw puzzle, waiting to be solved and fitted. I didn't really expect such easiness in their relationship. I wanted her to give Giles hell but I like the way things turned out so far. What I would've LOVE to know is how Minerva was 'snapping' Giles's head off 6 yrs. ago! ;) Sounds like fun but there were no detailed mentioning of any of those encounters.
The courtroom scene was pretty interesting and impressive.
Now, they've gotten married after much scheming and arguing (from both sides). What I found a bit uneasy was those talk of Giles's 'other women' on the wedding night. It'd grate on my nerves if I were Minerva, even if I had some perverted thing to know about them (seriously would I? :s). I can understand why Menerva wanted to talk abt them or Giles said things he never said to anyone, but really, why on the wedding night? Another thing is the issue of trust between them, have to follow where it finally goes. Giles is already breaking promises he made to Minerva, I hope he wont do anything stupid and just talk to her.
I don't care much for heroes who have certain weaknesses for barmaids, taproom maids, maidservants of their own house (until they prove they deserve something better), so Giles, you're yet to prove your point, m'darlin'! I'd like to thank you for acknowledging the fact that it was 'wrong' (disgusting would've been more to the point!). I want more grovelling from you, more intensity ... At this point, you're only talking and sidetracking a few issues ... Those banters were good then but now that things have gotten a bit more serious (hasn't it?), I want more!
In the end, I salute Minerva for putting up with those talks of 'other women'. Seriously, I would've gotten more than a bit squirmy if I saw the man I'm so in 'love and hate' going off with widows and stuff ... Aghh! :/
Today, I read that Gabe and Celia's book will come out back to back in Nov and Jan respectively. It's gonna be a long wait since most of my fav writers will not publish until next yr. In the meantime, I'll have to finish some more authors from my TBR pile. :)
******************
I wish the last few chps weren't so slow, all the talks of 'to trust or not to trust'. :s Don't know.
Positive points were definitely the earlier moments between them, moments before marriage, as I said before they so seemed to fit with each other. Loved the other Sharpes with Gran Hetty. Giles was very impressive as a barrister, also the way he actually was besotted with Minerva, although misguided in his feelings. Minerva's ambivalent feelings towards Giles, though I was hoping for more 'snapping' moments from her. I'd give a full 5 if she made him suffer more. Loved her notion of independence and talks abt her novel.
Negetive points were of course the chaps after marriage, it kinda went slow and as I said, I didn't like all these confusions between them. Also, Minerva's taking Gile's talk of his 'other women' too easily (aghhh!). I felt Giles got her too easily, too. Steam factor was good but doesn't compare well with what I've read from SJ's other books, I expected more sexy scenes between them.
Ah well, though I wish things were different, it had its great moments. Now, I'm already so interested to read Gabe and Celia's book that the wait is going to be excruciating for me! grrrr ... 4 for me.
I've been dying to read Giles's book since I read about him in Wed Him Before You Bed Him, after a scene in particular which played a vital role in the misunderstanding between the h/h. I even voted for him in Ms. Jeffries's site for his own book. At last, it's here!
Now, I know little abt Minerva, except what I read in the early 2 books of this series. I like a feisty heroine and she is that, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I want her to teach Giles a good lesson ... ahem ... well, never mind that!
I've read 1st 4 chps, it has given me the view of their relationship from an early age. Minerva has an ambivalent attitude towards Giles and Giles being Giles wants her in his bed (not that she doesn't still ... lolz ;) ). They've known each other from a very young age, he's a friend to Oliver and Jarett, Minerva's 2 older bros. There were some stuff that went on in between that caused a strain to their relationship and now, he has offered her to marry him. If you've read the early 2 books, you'll know Minerva's Gran Hetty has this ultimatum for them ... well, Minerva's not upto it ... I understand why, being in love with a scoundrel like Giles can't be an easy feat. Just to say, good luck with that Minerva!
Now, speaking of the book, 1st few chps seemed a bit rushed to me but I know the background has been building from the last 2 books ... And it was so good to see sexy Spencer, Viscount Ravenswood again ... :D
*********************
What can I say, I love their chemistry. Really, really enjoying it. Their easy banters, genuine feelings/affections for each other. It's like they're a zigsaw puzzle, waiting to be solved and fitted. I didn't really expect such easiness in their relationship. I wanted her to give Giles hell but I like the way things turned out so far. What I would've LOVE to know is how Minerva was 'snapping' Giles's head off 6 yrs. ago! ;) Sounds like fun but there were no detailed mentioning of any of those encounters.
The courtroom scene was pretty interesting and impressive.
Now, they've gotten married after much scheming and arguing (from both sides). What I found a bit uneasy was those talk of Giles's 'other women' on the wedding night. It'd grate on my nerves if I were Minerva, even if I had some perverted thing to know about them (seriously would I? :s). I can understand why Menerva wanted to talk abt them or Giles said things he never said to anyone, but really, why on the wedding night? Another thing is the issue of trust between them, have to follow where it finally goes. Giles is already breaking promises he made to Minerva, I hope he wont do anything stupid and just talk to her.
I don't care much for heroes who have certain weaknesses for barmaids, taproom maids, maidservants of their own house (until they prove they deserve something better), so Giles, you're yet to prove your point, m'darlin'! I'd like to thank you for acknowledging the fact that it was 'wrong' (disgusting would've been more to the point!). I want more grovelling from you, more intensity ... At this point, you're only talking and sidetracking a few issues ... Those banters were good then but now that things have gotten a bit more serious (hasn't it?), I want more!
In the end, I salute Minerva for putting up with those talks of 'other women'. Seriously, I would've gotten more than a bit squirmy if I saw the man I'm so in 'love and hate' going off with widows and stuff ... Aghh! :/
Today, I read that Gabe and Celia's book will come out back to back in Nov and Jan respectively. It's gonna be a long wait since most of my fav writers will not publish until next yr. In the meantime, I'll have to finish some more authors from my TBR pile. :)
******************
I wish the last few chps weren't so slow, all the talks of 'to trust or not to trust'. :s Don't know.
Positive points were definitely the earlier moments between them, moments before marriage, as I said before they so seemed to fit with each other. Loved the other Sharpes with Gran Hetty. Giles was very impressive as a barrister, also the way he actually was besotted with Minerva, although misguided in his feelings. Minerva's ambivalent feelings towards Giles, though I was hoping for more 'snapping' moments from her. I'd give a full 5 if she made him suffer more. Loved her notion of independence and talks abt her novel.
Negetive points were of course the chaps after marriage, it kinda went slow and as I said, I didn't like all these confusions between them. Also, Minerva's taking Gile's talk of his 'other women' too easily (aghhh!). I felt Giles got her too easily, too. Steam factor was good but doesn't compare well with what I've read from SJ's other books, I expected more sexy scenes between them.
Ah well, though I wish things were different, it had its great moments. Now, I'm already so interested to read Gabe and Celia's book that the wait is going to be excruciating for me! grrrr ... 4 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2021
3,5😃 serideki en iyi kitaptı. Mükemmel değildi ama diğer 2 kitaptan daha iyi olduğu için ve sadece aralarındaki aşk değil anne babalarının katilini aradıkları kurgu bu kitapta daha sağlam olduğu için puanımı yüksek tuttum. Son kız kardeşin kitabı da merakla beklediğim bir diğer kitap 😃
December 31, 2020
Berbattı. Yazarın diğer kitaplarını da okumayı düşünmüyorum. Hiçbir historicalda görmedimki erkek kardeş kız kardeşine herkesin içinde yanında eniştesi varken sevismeleri ile ilgili soru sorsun.
November 19, 2011
4 1/2 stars.
By far my favorite in the series so far. I loved all of Minerva's and Giles' interactions - as well as all of the scenes with Minerva's brothers (who are also Giles' friends) and their utter disapproval of their engagement.
By far my favorite in the series so far. I loved all of Minerva's and Giles' interactions - as well as all of the scenes with Minerva's brothers (who are also Giles' friends) and their utter disapproval of their engagement.
July 11, 2018
Tarihi aşk romanları ile o büyülü dünyanın kapılarını bana açan Sabrina Jeffries benim en sevdiğim historical yazarlar listemin ilk beşunde yer alan yazardır. Kurduğu kurgu dünyanın içerisine rahatlıkla girip yaşattığı duyguları derinlemesine hissediyorum.
Serinin üçüncü kitabı Sır Gibi Sakladım’da Sharpe kardeşlerden Minevra’ın hikayesini okuduk. Büyükannelerinin evlilik ültimatomuyla her bir kardeş evlenip mirastan hak almaları için zorunludur. Oliver evli mutlu ve çocuklu olma yolunu yarıladı, Jarret de öyle. Evli mutlu ve bebek bekliyorlar. Onları kitap boyu yeniden görmek hatta ağabey olarak kardeşleri üzerinde titremeleri sahip çıkmaları koruyup kollamaları ve o eğlenceli diyaloglar o kadar hoşuma gitti ki bayıldım.
Minevra Sharpe'yi diğer Lady'lerden ayıran özelliği gotik aşk romanları yazması. Büyükannesinin evlilik emrini geri çekmek işin hatta bunu kullanır. Yazdığı dergide evlenmek için bir ilan bırakır ve taliplerini bekleyeceğini not düşer. Amacı büyükannesini yıldırıp bu dayatmaya bir son vermesini sağlamaktır.
Çocukluk aşkı, hayatında tek sevdiği adam Giles Masters’ı beklemediği bir anda karşısında bulmasıyla aklında fikir belirir. Oliver’ın denediği evlilik oyununu bir de kendi oynamak ister. Aile üyelerinin sert bir şekilde karşı çıkacağı bir adayla evlenmeye diretmek büyükannesinin geri adım atmasını sağlayacağını düşünür. Ama evdeki hesap çarşıya uymaz.
Ortak bir geçmişten kalan hayati bir sır ikisini yan yana getirirken, kalpleri aşka teslim olacak mı?
Bu kitapta anne ve babasının ölümü hakkında yapılan araştırmalar biraz daha yol kat ediyor. Bir şeyleri birleştirip en baştan yeniden gözlemlemek için de Minevra Giles'ten yardım alıyor. Ve birlikte göl kenarında güzel vakit geçirmek için planlar yaparken ikilinin - daha çok Minevra’nın - istemediği şekilde sonuçlanacak. Saklanması gereken sırlar, insanlara gerçekten güvenilmesi gerektiğinin öğretildiği noktalarla kitap kusur bulamayacağım şekilde final oldu.
Kaleme aldığı kötü karakterin aslında Giles olduğunu birkaç kişi bilirken Oliver’ın ısrarla üzerine alınması ve karısı Maria’nın o olduğu yönündeki tatlı heyecanı öyle sevimliydi ki kapağı kapattığımda yüzümde kocaman bir gülümseme oluştu.
Minevra karakterine gereksiz yere antipati beslemişim ve neden yarım bıraktığım hakkında hiçbir fikrim yok ama kitabı bu kadar beğeneceğimi asla da tahmin etmezdim. Sıradaki kitap Gabe’yi anlatacak ama ben daha çok Celia Sharpe'ın hikayesini merak ediyorum. Çünkü düğüm onun kitabında çözülecek gibi.
Kitap dolu doluydu. Güveni, aile sıcaklığını, tutkuyu, sadakatı ve en önemlisini, aşkı, içinde barındırıyor. Henüz Sabrina Jeffries ile tanışmamışsanız çok şey kaçırıyor olabilirsiniz.
Kesinlikle tavsiye ederim ✋
http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com/201...
Serinin üçüncü kitabı Sır Gibi Sakladım’da Sharpe kardeşlerden Minevra’ın hikayesini okuduk. Büyükannelerinin evlilik ültimatomuyla her bir kardeş evlenip mirastan hak almaları için zorunludur. Oliver evli mutlu ve çocuklu olma yolunu yarıladı, Jarret de öyle. Evli mutlu ve bebek bekliyorlar. Onları kitap boyu yeniden görmek hatta ağabey olarak kardeşleri üzerinde titremeleri sahip çıkmaları koruyup kollamaları ve o eğlenceli diyaloglar o kadar hoşuma gitti ki bayıldım.
Minevra Sharpe'yi diğer Lady'lerden ayıran özelliği gotik aşk romanları yazması. Büyükannesinin evlilik emrini geri çekmek işin hatta bunu kullanır. Yazdığı dergide evlenmek için bir ilan bırakır ve taliplerini bekleyeceğini not düşer. Amacı büyükannesini yıldırıp bu dayatmaya bir son vermesini sağlamaktır.
Çocukluk aşkı, hayatında tek sevdiği adam Giles Masters’ı beklemediği bir anda karşısında bulmasıyla aklında fikir belirir. Oliver’ın denediği evlilik oyununu bir de kendi oynamak ister. Aile üyelerinin sert bir şekilde karşı çıkacağı bir adayla evlenmeye diretmek büyükannesinin geri adım atmasını sağlayacağını düşünür. Ama evdeki hesap çarşıya uymaz.
Ortak bir geçmişten kalan hayati bir sır ikisini yan yana getirirken, kalpleri aşka teslim olacak mı?
Bu kitapta anne ve babasının ölümü hakkında yapılan araştırmalar biraz daha yol kat ediyor. Bir şeyleri birleştirip en baştan yeniden gözlemlemek için de Minevra Giles'ten yardım alıyor. Ve birlikte göl kenarında güzel vakit geçirmek için planlar yaparken ikilinin - daha çok Minevra’nın - istemediği şekilde sonuçlanacak. Saklanması gereken sırlar, insanlara gerçekten güvenilmesi gerektiğinin öğretildiği noktalarla kitap kusur bulamayacağım şekilde final oldu.
Kaleme aldığı kötü karakterin aslında Giles olduğunu birkaç kişi bilirken Oliver’ın ısrarla üzerine alınması ve karısı Maria’nın o olduğu yönündeki tatlı heyecanı öyle sevimliydi ki kapağı kapattığımda yüzümde kocaman bir gülümseme oluştu.
Minevra karakterine gereksiz yere antipati beslemişim ve neden yarım bıraktığım hakkında hiçbir fikrim yok ama kitabı bu kadar beğeneceğimi asla da tahmin etmezdim. Sıradaki kitap Gabe’yi anlatacak ama ben daha çok Celia Sharpe'ın hikayesini merak ediyorum. Çünkü düğüm onun kitabında çözülecek gibi.
Kitap dolu doluydu. Güveni, aile sıcaklığını, tutkuyu, sadakatı ve en önemlisini, aşkı, içinde barındırıyor. Henüz Sabrina Jeffries ile tanışmamışsanız çok şey kaçırıyor olabilirsiniz.
Kesinlikle tavsiye ederim ✋
http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com/201...
July 19, 2022
Maybe it’s not the spy trope, maybe it’s just me?
I loved the beginning of this book. LOVED IT. Minerva pining for Giles since she was a kid and falling in and out of love with him. Giles realizing he’s wasted enough time and has to make Minvera has right that minute only to find out she doesn’t want him. Giles proving he’s actually a respectable man. Delicious! 🤤
This took a turn for me when we get into Giles’ life. And listen, I *just* read the School for Heiresses series where we get a lot of Giles’ backstory. But, Good Lord, Sabrina Jeffries just expects me to remember a side character’s crap from a different series?! Three books into a NEW series?! I don’t remember every freaking character in your world, Sabrina! Giles keeps making comments and alluding to his past randomly and I kept being like ???????? Come on, SJ, throw me a freaking bone here to remind me who he is!!! 🥴
And I think the spy trope isn’t for me. As soon as we get into all that nonsense I found myself incredibly bored. I liked the book better when it had It’s in His Kiss vibes vs What Happens in London vibes. The former has lots of mystery solving and cute quirks and the latter is a bunch of spying and lying and trust issues and bleh. I also found myself annoyed with the way Giles SPEAKS. He can’t be honest with Minerva about anything and always asks questions or phrases things in weird ways to confuse her and it annoyed the crap out of me. She just wants you to trust her, bro! Let the freaking walls down!
But…Giles is still 100x better than Jarret 😂
Anddddddd yet again, I am so interested in this family mystery I just can’t stop myself from reading! SERIOUSLY, WHODUNNIT?!
5 stars for the beginning that is so charming and swoony and sweet! -1.5 for the remainder of the book which is a lot of misdirection, lying, and a climax to the mystery that was a serious wamp wamp let down.
I loved the beginning of this book. LOVED IT. Minerva pining for Giles since she was a kid and falling in and out of love with him. Giles realizing he’s wasted enough time and has to make Minvera has right that minute only to find out she doesn’t want him. Giles proving he’s actually a respectable man. Delicious! 🤤
This took a turn for me when we get into Giles’ life. And listen, I *just* read the School for Heiresses series where we get a lot of Giles’ backstory. But, Good Lord, Sabrina Jeffries just expects me to remember a side character’s crap from a different series?! Three books into a NEW series?! I don’t remember every freaking character in your world, Sabrina! Giles keeps making comments and alluding to his past randomly and I kept being like ???????? Come on, SJ, throw me a freaking bone here to remind me who he is!!! 🥴
And I think the spy trope isn’t for me. As soon as we get into all that nonsense I found myself incredibly bored. I liked the book better when it had It’s in His Kiss vibes vs What Happens in London vibes. The former has lots of mystery solving and cute quirks and the latter is a bunch of spying and lying and trust issues and bleh. I also found myself annoyed with the way Giles SPEAKS. He can’t be honest with Minerva about anything and always asks questions or phrases things in weird ways to confuse her and it annoyed the crap out of me. She just wants you to trust her, bro! Let the freaking walls down!
But…Giles is still 100x better than Jarret 😂
Anddddddd yet again, I am so interested in this family mystery I just can’t stop myself from reading! SERIOUSLY, WHODUNNIT?!
5 stars for the beginning that is so charming and swoony and sweet! -1.5 for the remainder of the book which is a lot of misdirection, lying, and a climax to the mystery that was a serious wamp wamp let down.
May 1, 2022
3'5 estrellas
February 8, 2017
Yorum için: Kitap Esintisi
December 16, 2011
5 bintang....
kali ini ceritanya ttg lady minerva sharpe yang independen....
dia menolak di suruh nikah oleh nenek nya...kalo gak nikah katanya dia gak bakal dapat warisan....
tapi lady minerva cuek aja....dia punya penghasilan sebagai penulis novel gotic yang sukses.....
dia pemberani dan pintar....bahkan dia menulis nmovel dengan namanya sendiri, gak mau pake nama samaran..dan cuek aja orang2 mau bilang apa...
lady minerva juga bukannya anti co banget...
waktu umur 9 tahun dia jatuh cinta sama temen abang nya yang umurnya udah 18 tahunan.....
lalu waktu minerva 18 tahun dia nekad datang ke pesta topeng berdandan ala marie antoinette dengan baju berbelahan dada rendah dengan maksud merayu giles masters, co yang dari kecil di sukai nya itu....
dalam pikiran minerva yang masih lugu, dia akan memukau giles dan akan membuat giles mencintai nya dan menikahi nya....
sayang nya itu angan2 minerva muda...giles yang disukai waktu dia kecil itu udah berubah menjadi rake....
tanpa setau minerva,,giles punya double life...1 sebagai barister (semacam pengacara atau jaksa kali ya) dan 1 lagi dia sebagai mata2 inggris.....
minerva memergoki giles yang sedang mencuri dokumen di pesta toperng tsb....
untuk tutup mulut,,,minerva meminta giles mencium nya.....
so walaupun awalnya giles gak mau...secara minerva ini adik teman akrabnya...akhir nya kissu2 minerva...
tapi giles bilang ke minerva kalo kissu2 itu gak ada arti nya...dan dandanan minerva saat itu persis gak seperti wanita baik2...
minerva sakit hati....
setelah malam itu minerva membenci giles....
dan itu berlangsung selama 9 tahun :p
setiap ketemu giles di pesta2 ..minerva cuekin giles....
giles pun sebenar nya tertarik sama minerva...cuma karena dulu dia terlalu muda ditambah pekerjaan giles sebagai mata2...makanya giles gak bisa membalas perhatian minerva..plus...kakak2 minerva bener 2 bakal menghajar giles habis2 an kalo giles berani mendekati minerva....
9 tahun kemudian...minerva berusia 27 tahun...tetep belom mau merit walaupun yang mau ngelamar banyak.....
karena neneknya ngejar2 terus, buat bikin si nenek kesal, minerva menulis pengumuman di koran kalo dia mau cari suami dan diharapkan mereka datang buat di wawancara heheheh.....
pada hari H nya...minerva heran karena gak ada pelamar yang datang..ternyata para pelamar itu udah di cegat di gerbang oleh oliver, jarret dan gabe...sodara2 laki2 minerva :p
gilles yang baca pengumumam itu pun segera ke tempat keluarga sharpe....
gilles gak mau minerva jatuh ke tangan laki2 lain....gilles merasa udah saat nya dia menikah dan memiliki keturunan..dan satu2 nya wanita yang gak bisa di lupakan gilles adalah minerva....
so gilles bilangnya mau ketemu jarret, padahal dia mau ketemu minerva...
minerva menolak gilles mentah2....
di cium pun minerva pura2 gak terpengaruh..bikin gilles tambah penasaran....
berhubung si nenek gak bakal setuju gilles merit sama minerva karena gilles ini rake banget....minerva pun punya ide...dia mau pura2 tunangan sama gilles biar nenek nya marah dan gak setuju dan pada akhirnya membebaskan minerva dari keharusan menikah...
tapi gilles punya pendapat lain....di depan m,inerva gilles pura2 setuju dengan pertunangan bohong2 an..tapi gilles bilang ke nenek minerva kalau dia serius pingin menikahi minerva dan minta izin buat courting minerva,,,
akhhirnya si nenek setuju sama si gilles....
selama pertunangan pura2 gilles punya syarat kalo dia diperbolehkan mencium minerva kapanpun...
tadinya minerva gak mau...karena walo dia bilang dia kebal dengan pesona giles tapi dalam hati nya dia tau kalo dia suka dicium dan mencium giles...
dan rupanya gilles gak bermaksud mencium aja sodara2.....dia mau merayu mionerva habis2 an biar minerva mau jadi istri nya hihihihi....
so waktu gilles membantu minerva menyelidiki pamannya yang dikira terkait dengan kematian ortu minerva, mereka mengejar sampai ke penginapan dan menyamar sebagai suami istri.....
abis membobol masuk kamar si paman...giles dan minerva balik ke kamar....
ada ranjang dan ada kesempatan...so si giles melancarkan serangan maut nya :D
minerva welcoming aja ,,gak sampe uhuk2 tapi udah sampe angkat rok hahahaha....
giles membuat minerva ....*sensoooor*
berhubung penegen tau lebih jauh tentang kontak fisik...giles dan minerva janjian ketemu di danau dekat estate keluarga sharpe (selalu ada danau :p)
again...niat mereka gak sampe kebablasan...cuma buat 'belajar' mengenaoi passion....mereka akhirnya nyebur ke danau pake pakaian dalam aja ...hmmm terus begini-begitu di danau...again...gak sampe uhuk2....cuma sampe minerva....*sensoooor* lagi :p
abis belajar berenang mereka rebahan di tepi danau, boboan berpelukan...gak sadar kalo kakak2 nya minerva datang.....
so si gilles mau di hajar deh...dipaksa di suruh nikah....
gilles nya sih mau2 aja...emang niat nya begitu kok...*hmph*
dengan terpaksa minerva setuju juga asalkan setelah menikah dia gak dilarang menulis....
so menikahlah mereka.....
gilles selalu mengatakan kepada dirinya kalo dia gak cinta minerva...dia hanya peduli dan sangat tertarik...dia akan tetap jadi suami setia...tapi dia gak percaya cinta (biasaaaa....)
abis menikah bulan madu deh.....
ada yang lucu banget....minerva kan gak pernah liat beng2 nya gilles...so dia bilang dia mau liat...pas gilles nya topless si minerva nya melongok kaget....takut 'size is matter'...minerva mau kabur dari ranjang nya...tapi di tahan si gilles yang udah 'ready' hehehehe....
sooo walo awalnya takut2 tapi pas udahan ya mau2 aja minerva ngulang2 hahahahaha...toh ternyata enak tuuuuh ;p
pas bulan madu, gilles ternyata haruys menghadapi orang dari masa lalu nya yang tau dia adalah mata2.....
org itu mau memeras giles...giles harus mencari cara supaya dia bisa kembali ke inggris dari pengasingan atau dia akan menyebarkan ke surat kabar mengenai kegiatan mata2 giles...
giles yang gak mau minerva mengalami tekanan lagi after ortu nya di temukan bunuh diri akhir nya setuju...
sayang nya sikap gilles yang misterius membikin minerva curiga..
padahal sebelum menikah minerva udah minta gak ada lagi rahasia2 an....
akhirnya salah paham dan minerva jadi menjaih dari giles..
memamng sih minerva masih melayani dan hangat in bed...tapi gak seperti dulu...seperti ada batasan antara minerva dan gille yang bikin gilles frustasi...
walo akhirnya minerva menyewa bow street runner buat menyelidik masalalu giles....
sayangnya si bow street ini ganteng banget...gilles jadi cemburu....
akhirnya giles tau juga minerva tau mengenai masa lalu nya....akhirnya dia cerita ....
dan minerva ternyata mendukung giles walau bagaimanapun....so akhirnya giles lega bisa terbuka dengan minerva...walo tetep aja dia cemburu kalo si bow street itu datang ( nanti kisah si mr.pinter aka bow street runner ada bukunya sendiri...dia bakal jadian sama celia..adik minerva)
panjang ya cerita nya.....:p
oh ya...minerva juga memasukan gilles sebagai tokoh fiktif di bukunya dengan nama mr.rockton...
mr.rockton ini di kasih sifat yang jelek2 karena dulu minerva kan benci sama gilles...bahkan mr.rockton ini juga pernah di ancem sama minerva bakal di matiin di buku nya hehehehe....
kali ini ceritanya ttg lady minerva sharpe yang independen....
dia menolak di suruh nikah oleh nenek nya...kalo gak nikah katanya dia gak bakal dapat warisan....
tapi lady minerva cuek aja....dia punya penghasilan sebagai penulis novel gotic yang sukses.....
dia pemberani dan pintar....bahkan dia menulis nmovel dengan namanya sendiri, gak mau pake nama samaran..dan cuek aja orang2 mau bilang apa...
lady minerva juga bukannya anti co banget...
waktu umur 9 tahun dia jatuh cinta sama temen abang nya yang umurnya udah 18 tahunan.....
lalu waktu minerva 18 tahun dia nekad datang ke pesta topeng berdandan ala marie antoinette dengan baju berbelahan dada rendah dengan maksud merayu giles masters, co yang dari kecil di sukai nya itu....
dalam pikiran minerva yang masih lugu, dia akan memukau giles dan akan membuat giles mencintai nya dan menikahi nya....
sayang nya itu angan2 minerva muda...giles yang disukai waktu dia kecil itu udah berubah menjadi rake....
tanpa setau minerva,,giles punya double life...1 sebagai barister (semacam pengacara atau jaksa kali ya) dan 1 lagi dia sebagai mata2 inggris.....
minerva memergoki giles yang sedang mencuri dokumen di pesta toperng tsb....
untuk tutup mulut,,,minerva meminta giles mencium nya.....
so walaupun awalnya giles gak mau...secara minerva ini adik teman akrabnya...akhir nya kissu2 minerva...
tapi giles bilang ke minerva kalo kissu2 itu gak ada arti nya...dan dandanan minerva saat itu persis gak seperti wanita baik2...
minerva sakit hati....
setelah malam itu minerva membenci giles....
dan itu berlangsung selama 9 tahun :p
setiap ketemu giles di pesta2 ..minerva cuekin giles....
giles pun sebenar nya tertarik sama minerva...cuma karena dulu dia terlalu muda ditambah pekerjaan giles sebagai mata2...makanya giles gak bisa membalas perhatian minerva..plus...kakak2 minerva bener 2 bakal menghajar giles habis2 an kalo giles berani mendekati minerva....
9 tahun kemudian...minerva berusia 27 tahun...tetep belom mau merit walaupun yang mau ngelamar banyak.....
karena neneknya ngejar2 terus, buat bikin si nenek kesal, minerva menulis pengumuman di koran kalo dia mau cari suami dan diharapkan mereka datang buat di wawancara heheheh.....
pada hari H nya...minerva heran karena gak ada pelamar yang datang..ternyata para pelamar itu udah di cegat di gerbang oleh oliver, jarret dan gabe...sodara2 laki2 minerva :p
gilles yang baca pengumumam itu pun segera ke tempat keluarga sharpe....
gilles gak mau minerva jatuh ke tangan laki2 lain....gilles merasa udah saat nya dia menikah dan memiliki keturunan..dan satu2 nya wanita yang gak bisa di lupakan gilles adalah minerva....
so gilles bilangnya mau ketemu jarret, padahal dia mau ketemu minerva...
minerva menolak gilles mentah2....
di cium pun minerva pura2 gak terpengaruh..bikin gilles tambah penasaran....
berhubung si nenek gak bakal setuju gilles merit sama minerva karena gilles ini rake banget....minerva pun punya ide...dia mau pura2 tunangan sama gilles biar nenek nya marah dan gak setuju dan pada akhirnya membebaskan minerva dari keharusan menikah...
tapi gilles punya pendapat lain....di depan m,inerva gilles pura2 setuju dengan pertunangan bohong2 an..tapi gilles bilang ke nenek minerva kalau dia serius pingin menikahi minerva dan minta izin buat courting minerva,,,
akhhirnya si nenek setuju sama si gilles....
selama pertunangan pura2 gilles punya syarat kalo dia diperbolehkan mencium minerva kapanpun...
tadinya minerva gak mau...karena walo dia bilang dia kebal dengan pesona giles tapi dalam hati nya dia tau kalo dia suka dicium dan mencium giles...
dan rupanya gilles gak bermaksud mencium aja sodara2.....dia mau merayu mionerva habis2 an biar minerva mau jadi istri nya hihihihi....
so waktu gilles membantu minerva menyelidiki pamannya yang dikira terkait dengan kematian ortu minerva, mereka mengejar sampai ke penginapan dan menyamar sebagai suami istri.....
abis membobol masuk kamar si paman...giles dan minerva balik ke kamar....
ada ranjang dan ada kesempatan...so si giles melancarkan serangan maut nya :D
minerva welcoming aja ,,gak sampe uhuk2 tapi udah sampe angkat rok hahahaha....
giles membuat minerva ....*sensoooor*
berhubung penegen tau lebih jauh tentang kontak fisik...giles dan minerva janjian ketemu di danau dekat estate keluarga sharpe (selalu ada danau :p)
again...niat mereka gak sampe kebablasan...cuma buat 'belajar' mengenaoi passion....mereka akhirnya nyebur ke danau pake pakaian dalam aja ...hmmm terus begini-begitu di danau...again...gak sampe uhuk2....cuma sampe minerva....*sensoooor* lagi :p
abis belajar berenang mereka rebahan di tepi danau, boboan berpelukan...gak sadar kalo kakak2 nya minerva datang.....
so si gilles mau di hajar deh...dipaksa di suruh nikah....
gilles nya sih mau2 aja...emang niat nya begitu kok...*hmph*
dengan terpaksa minerva setuju juga asalkan setelah menikah dia gak dilarang menulis....
so menikahlah mereka.....
gilles selalu mengatakan kepada dirinya kalo dia gak cinta minerva...dia hanya peduli dan sangat tertarik...dia akan tetap jadi suami setia...tapi dia gak percaya cinta (biasaaaa....)
abis menikah bulan madu deh.....
ada yang lucu banget....minerva kan gak pernah liat beng2 nya gilles...so dia bilang dia mau liat...pas gilles nya topless si minerva nya melongok kaget....takut 'size is matter'...minerva mau kabur dari ranjang nya...tapi di tahan si gilles yang udah 'ready' hehehehe....
sooo walo awalnya takut2 tapi pas udahan ya mau2 aja minerva ngulang2 hahahahaha...toh ternyata enak tuuuuh ;p
pas bulan madu, gilles ternyata haruys menghadapi orang dari masa lalu nya yang tau dia adalah mata2.....
org itu mau memeras giles...giles harus mencari cara supaya dia bisa kembali ke inggris dari pengasingan atau dia akan menyebarkan ke surat kabar mengenai kegiatan mata2 giles...
giles yang gak mau minerva mengalami tekanan lagi after ortu nya di temukan bunuh diri akhir nya setuju...
sayang nya sikap gilles yang misterius membikin minerva curiga..
padahal sebelum menikah minerva udah minta gak ada lagi rahasia2 an....
akhirnya salah paham dan minerva jadi menjaih dari giles..
memamng sih minerva masih melayani dan hangat in bed...tapi gak seperti dulu...seperti ada batasan antara minerva dan gille yang bikin gilles frustasi...
walo akhirnya minerva menyewa bow street runner buat menyelidik masalalu giles....
sayangnya si bow street ini ganteng banget...gilles jadi cemburu....
akhirnya giles tau juga minerva tau mengenai masa lalu nya....akhirnya dia cerita ....
dan minerva ternyata mendukung giles walau bagaimanapun....so akhirnya giles lega bisa terbuka dengan minerva...walo tetep aja dia cemburu kalo si bow street itu datang ( nanti kisah si mr.pinter aka bow street runner ada bukunya sendiri...dia bakal jadian sama celia..adik minerva)
panjang ya cerita nya.....:p
oh ya...minerva juga memasukan gilles sebagai tokoh fiktif di bukunya dengan nama mr.rockton...
mr.rockton ini di kasih sifat yang jelek2 karena dulu minerva kan benci sama gilles...bahkan mr.rockton ini juga pernah di ancem sama minerva bakal di matiin di buku nya hehehehe....
May 9, 2021
Serideki favori kitabım. Kitap o kadar eğlenceli bir tempoyla başladı ki ilk 100-150 sayfa boyunca sırıtmadan duramadım. Minerva ve Giles o kadar tatlıydı ki. Minervanın her şeyi kafasında kurması ve Giles'in öyle olmadığı halde onaylamasınada bayıldım. Ama kitabın son sayfalarına doğru Giles'in odunluğu ile karşı karşıya kalıyoruz. Gönül isterdi ki Minerva şöyle güzel bir süründürseydi Giles'i. Ama maalesef bu kısımı pek okuyamadık. Çünkü Giles'in ajanlık sendromunu okuduk... Hatta genel olarak diyebilirim ki kitap Miranda yerine Giles'e daha çok odaklanmıştı.
Diğer karakterlere bakacak olursak ikinci kitapta okuduğumuz kıskanç, kardeşlerine karşı korumacı Jarret yerine daha ılıman bir Jarret okuduk ki bu beni mutlu etti :) bu korumacı tavrı tamamen Oliver'a geçmeseydi ve azıcık çiftimizi rahat bıraksalardı daha iyi olurdu. Pinter bu kitapta gözümde o kadar tatlılaşmaya başladı ki Celia ile olan kitaplarını tekrar okumak için sabırsızlanıyorum :) Rockston ise -Mirandanın yazdığı romandaki karakter- hala Oliver olarak bilinmesi ise büyük sürpriz oldu. Üstelik Minerva adlı bir kadınla bile evlendirmesine rağmen hala Rockston'ın aslında Giles olduğunu anlamadılar. Nasıl anlamadılar bilmiyorum ama bu sırra müdahil olanlar sadece Miranda, Giles ve sonlara doğru büyük bir teşvik sonucu anlayan Ravenswood oldu. Kitap boyunca bu konu üzerinden atışmalarıda çok güzeldi.
Gelelim ailemizin ölümüne. Bu kitapta ailenin ölümüyle ilgili biraz daha detaya ulaştık. Her kitapta bir şeylere yaklaşıyoruz ama hala net olarak ne olduğunu bilemiyoruz. Hala Gabe ve Celia'nın kitaplarındaki detaylara ihtiyacımız var :) Gabe demişken o da bu kitapta kaderi olan Bayan Waeverly ile tanışıyor. Şahsi olarak Giles'in Gabe hakkındaki düşüncelerine katıldığımı söylemek zorundayım. Kitap boyunca nadiren mantıklı konuştuğunu düşünürsek bu bir başarı :/
Atışmalarını sevdiğim tatlı bir çifte 5 puan vermemek olmazdı :)
Diğer karakterlere bakacak olursak ikinci kitapta okuduğumuz kıskanç, kardeşlerine karşı korumacı Jarret yerine daha ılıman bir Jarret okuduk ki bu beni mutlu etti :) bu korumacı tavrı tamamen Oliver'a geçmeseydi ve azıcık çiftimizi rahat bıraksalardı daha iyi olurdu. Pinter bu kitapta gözümde o kadar tatlılaşmaya başladı ki Celia ile olan kitaplarını tekrar okumak için sabırsızlanıyorum :) Rockston ise -Mirandanın yazdığı romandaki karakter- hala Oliver olarak bilinmesi ise büyük sürpriz oldu. Üstelik Minerva adlı bir kadınla bile evlendirmesine rağmen hala Rockston'ın aslında Giles olduğunu anlamadılar. Nasıl anlamadılar bilmiyorum ama bu sırra müdahil olanlar sadece Miranda, Giles ve sonlara doğru büyük bir teşvik sonucu anlayan Ravenswood oldu. Kitap boyunca bu konu üzerinden atışmalarıda çok güzeldi.
Gelelim ailemizin ölümüne. Bu kitapta ailenin ölümüyle ilgili biraz daha detaya ulaştık. Her kitapta bir şeylere yaklaşıyoruz ama hala net olarak ne olduğunu bilemiyoruz. Hala Gabe ve Celia'nın kitaplarındaki detaylara ihtiyacımız var :) Gabe demişken o da bu kitapta kaderi olan Bayan Waeverly ile tanışıyor. Şahsi olarak Giles'in Gabe hakkındaki düşüncelerine katıldığımı söylemek zorundayım. Kitap boyunca nadiren mantıklı konuştuğunu düşünürsek bu bir başarı :/
Atışmalarını sevdiğim tatlı bir çifte 5 puan vermemek olmazdı :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2010
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries
Historical Romance – Jan. 18th, 2011
5 stars
Sabrina Jeffries has outdone herself! How to Woo a Reluctant Lady is a charming, funny and highly entertaining Regency romance that is not to be missed. In this 3rd installment, the author continues her Hellions of Halstead Hall series with the romance between the gothic author Lady Minerva Sharpe and the gambling rogue barrister Giles Master.
The Hellions of Halstead Hall have tried the patience of their devious grandmother and she has threatened them disinheritance if all of them do not marry. So far 2 of them have been 'hitched.' But their grandmother despairs of her young granddaughter, the stubborn writer, Lady Minerva Sharpe. Minerva does not want any man to cut short her freedom and independence, for she knows he will stop her from her beloved writing. So she pulls an outrageous ploy to try to out-maneuver her manipulative grandmother but instead gets a surprise when the man who broke her young heart proposes to her! But Minerva is wiser and wants nothing to do the arrogant and reckless gambler Giles Masters. (The man she has based on her dark and dastardly villain in her gothic novels.)
It has always bothered Giles that Minerva has used him as the basis for her infamous villain in her stories. But she is the only woman that he has ever thought he could marry. When he discovers that Minerva is interviewing for prospective husbands to shock her grandmother, he runs over to be interviewed and is stunned when she laughs at his proposal. That is until Minerva realizes that her grandmother disapproves of Giles. And she realizes that pretending to be his fiancée is a perfect opportunity to force her grandmother to recant her ruling for Minerva to marry!
But Giles is as attractive as ever, and he knows it is about time he should marry. This 'pretend engagement' is not pretend to him. He intends to use his time with Minerva to convince her to take a chance on him because thinking of Minerva with someone else disturbs him more than he wants to admit. The trouble? Giles is a spy for the government. His role as a rogue has acted as a cover and helped him retrieve delicate information. However, he can't tell her about his double life. But a dangerous man with a mission is bound to be trouble for Minerva’s poor heart!
This is an amazingly entertaining read. I loved the interplay between Minerva and Giles. Both are very intelligent, and it was fun reading them try to out do each other. Minerva doesn’t let Giles get away with anything. I thought it is hilarious that she uses him in her stories and how miffed he is even though everyone else thought the villain is based on Minerva's brother, Oliver. Giles wants Minerva to see another side of him as he takes her to see him in court and slowly reveals more of the tragic past that shaped the man he became when his father died. (There are also segments about Minerva as an author that I thought were insightful.) As Minerva realizes how good Giles is at his work, she asks him to investigate the mysterious deaths of her parents that caused a huge scandal. There are definitely some intriguing surprises that I can't wait for the next book to reveal.
This book is my favorite in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series. I was sad that it had to end. The adventures and mishaps between Giles and Minerva are perfectly funny, charming, and definitely worth the wait.
Delightfully charming and filled with intrigue and mystery, this is a guaranteed winner. Do not miss this book. I simply loved it.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
January 22, 2011
Minerva Sharpe had been in love with Giles Masters since the death of her parents when she was nine years old. Then on her nineteenth birthday, she snuck into a costume party where she hoped to find and entice Giles. For a brief moment, her dreams came true with the kiss of all kisses. That was until Giles shattered the illusion with his harsh words. It was then, she fell out of love with Giles and built a wall around her heart. Years later, Minerva had little to do with the male gender and was a successful writer of Gothic novels.
Contrary to Giles Masters's reputation as a drinking and gambling womanizer, he was a successful barrister. He was also an informant for England, and used his falsely ill reputation as a means to gain information that served his country. But, when he was being considered for a position on the King's Counsel, he felt it was time to clean up his act, retire from spying, restore honor to his reputation and take a wife. Fate must have been watching for that moment, as his employer showed Giles the recent installment in Minerva's novel along with an advertisement for a husband. While, his employer was more concerned about the resemblance between Minerva's villain and Giles and the potential repercussions both physically and professionally it would mean for him, Giles was more concerned about not being the one she married. She had always been his ideal for a wife and he was determined to be the one to fill the role of her husband.
As a friend of Minerva's brothers, Giles had known about the infamous ultimatum Hetty, their grandmother laid on the Sharpe siblings. They were to marry within a time limit or loose their inheritance. But, Giles was in for a rude awakening, if he thought it was going to be easy. When he approached Minerva and offered for her hand, she all but laughed in his face. She had no intention of marrying anyone, especially him. Who could blame her? She liked her independence and didn't want to give up her writing. Then she had an epiphany. She knew her grandmother didn't like Giles. In the hopes that Hetty would retract her ultimatum, she agreed to marry the one person Hetty didn't care for...Giles. But, Hetty was a wise old woman and saw through Minerva's facade. She had a private chat with Giles and began to have second thoughts about his character. She decided to give him a chance, much to her grand children's chagrin. From that moment on, Minerva was determine to keep her independence and Giles was determined to win her heart. But when there is no trust...there is no peace in a relationship. As their passion grew, so did their trust issues. Giles life was filled with secrets and Minerva had a need to write everything down in her novels. It was problematic. Each had to face their past and learn to trust in order to move forward.
I thought the supporting characters were entertaining as well. I love the unity of the Sharpe family, their quirky personalities, and their overall zest for life. I also appreciate how Sabrina Jeffries manages to stay true to the historical settings while embedding situations that were not only credible in the written time era, but in the reader's current one. It made the story much more engaging.
Overall, I love this book. Sabrina Jeffries's work should be considered a staple among historical romance novels and should be on every avid reader's bookshelf. How To Woo A Reluctant Lady is the third installment in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series. It's a fun and lighthearted read with each page filled with passion, wit, and depth.
Contrary to Giles Masters's reputation as a drinking and gambling womanizer, he was a successful barrister. He was also an informant for England, and used his falsely ill reputation as a means to gain information that served his country. But, when he was being considered for a position on the King's Counsel, he felt it was time to clean up his act, retire from spying, restore honor to his reputation and take a wife. Fate must have been watching for that moment, as his employer showed Giles the recent installment in Minerva's novel along with an advertisement for a husband. While, his employer was more concerned about the resemblance between Minerva's villain and Giles and the potential repercussions both physically and professionally it would mean for him, Giles was more concerned about not being the one she married. She had always been his ideal for a wife and he was determined to be the one to fill the role of her husband.
As a friend of Minerva's brothers, Giles had known about the infamous ultimatum Hetty, their grandmother laid on the Sharpe siblings. They were to marry within a time limit or loose their inheritance. But, Giles was in for a rude awakening, if he thought it was going to be easy. When he approached Minerva and offered for her hand, she all but laughed in his face. She had no intention of marrying anyone, especially him. Who could blame her? She liked her independence and didn't want to give up her writing. Then she had an epiphany. She knew her grandmother didn't like Giles. In the hopes that Hetty would retract her ultimatum, she agreed to marry the one person Hetty didn't care for...Giles. But, Hetty was a wise old woman and saw through Minerva's facade. She had a private chat with Giles and began to have second thoughts about his character. She decided to give him a chance, much to her grand children's chagrin. From that moment on, Minerva was determine to keep her independence and Giles was determined to win her heart. But when there is no trust...there is no peace in a relationship. As their passion grew, so did their trust issues. Giles life was filled with secrets and Minerva had a need to write everything down in her novels. It was problematic. Each had to face their past and learn to trust in order to move forward.
I thought the supporting characters were entertaining as well. I love the unity of the Sharpe family, their quirky personalities, and their overall zest for life. I also appreciate how Sabrina Jeffries manages to stay true to the historical settings while embedding situations that were not only credible in the written time era, but in the reader's current one. It made the story much more engaging.
Overall, I love this book. Sabrina Jeffries's work should be considered a staple among historical romance novels and should be on every avid reader's bookshelf. How To Woo A Reluctant Lady is the third installment in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series. It's a fun and lighthearted read with each page filled with passion, wit, and depth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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