What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pirate and the Pagan: A Novel
Wild as a pagan goddess, Lady Summer galloped her stallion along the Cornish coast. She had dabbled in the smuggler's game to save her family estate, but a wealthy marriage would better serve her purpose now. Lord Ruark Helford seemed the answer to her reckless prayers. But as his hot, hungry kisses drew her toward deception and irresistible acts of love, she had to hesitate. Would this arrogant, handsome lord be her ticket to heaven--or hell?
From the Paperback edition.
From the Paperback edition.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1990
54 people are currently reading
2054 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Henley
66 books637 followersVirginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Read
September 19, 2021I read about 100 pages and then skimmed the rest, but wow this was truly terrible.
Want to read
September 19, 2021DNF at 42%. This book was so....interesting? I'm still not really sure what the plot was or what romance I'm supposed to be rooting for. There are wayyyyyy too many steamy scenes and no time at all spent actually developing any plot or the characters. For about 20% I couldn't even tell who the main characters were supposed to be. I had to stop this book when the heroine asks the hero for help and he gets mad and basically says they're over but still married. She threatens to cheat on him and he says he'll kill her if she does that. I looked up spoilers for the rest of the book and things get WILD, but I did not have the patience to read 300 more pages of this book.
This is what I would define as a bodice ripper that you would expect from the time period. Aggravating heroine, domineering hero whose only desire is to claim his woman, and too many steamy scenes that don't really serve any purpose.
This is what I would define as a bodice ripper that you would expect from the time period. Aggravating heroine, domineering hero whose only desire is to claim his woman, and too many steamy scenes that don't really serve any purpose.
April 7, 2018
It took me a while to read this book, because I made the stupid mistake of reading it in a PDF format.
Anyway, the book was good. It seemed that the action was rushed at some point, but in the end I understood why.
Cat/Summer was such a crazy woman! And Ru, the perfect "gentleman". The pirate? Well, here comes the big question. If you want to find out about him, read the book! It will be worth it. 😁
Anyway, the book was good. It seemed that the action was rushed at some point, but in the end I understood why.
Cat/Summer was such a crazy woman! And Ru, the perfect "gentleman". The pirate? Well, here comes the big question. If you want to find out about him, read the book! It will be worth it. 😁
did-not-finish
September 19, 2021DNF at 232/464
This is simply too weird for what I'm currently in the mood for. I'm assuming tonally this is closer to old-school bodice ripper, where lust is the primary driving force, and the heroine and hero just go at it constantly like animals in heat, always with questionable consent (and so many mentions of phallus...). Everyone is morally loose, playing mind game and lying like drinking water; I might've be able to stomach through the disjointed plot if I care about the characters, but the fluctuation of their romantic emotion is too hyperbolic (literally 'I can't leave without you, you're my Goddess.' on one page, then 'You bitch.' on the next—same goes for the heroine towards the hero) for me to relate or comprehend.
If The Pirate and the Pagan was half of its length, and with even just one element I can latch onto as a reader, I might've enjoyed it as a kooky curiosity, but as it stands the aimlessness of it bores me.
**Historical Hellions Book Club | September 2021 Selection**
This is simply too weird for what I'm currently in the mood for. I'm assuming tonally this is closer to old-school bodice ripper, where lust is the primary driving force, and the heroine and hero just go at it constantly like animals in heat, always with questionable consent (and so many mentions of phallus...). Everyone is morally loose, playing mind game and lying like drinking water; I might've be able to stomach through the disjointed plot if I care about the characters, but the fluctuation of their romantic emotion is too hyperbolic (literally 'I can't leave without you, you're my Goddess.' on one page, then 'You bitch.' on the next—same goes for the heroine towards the hero) for me to relate or comprehend.
If The Pirate and the Pagan was half of its length, and with even just one element I can latch onto as a reader, I might've enjoyed it as a kooky curiosity, but as it stands the aimlessness of it bores me.
**Historical Hellions Book Club | September 2021 Selection**
July 5, 2025
totally wild, delicious, dramatic time capsule of a bodice ripper with a ridiculous plot twist and settle in bc it’s a long one! I love a heathen FMC and Lady Summer St. Claire delivers, she’s stealing chickens from the neighboring estate to feed her and her little brother Spencer (Spider),riding her horse up and down the coast in breeches, smuggling booty from the spoils of ships and pretty much feral until she realizes she has to polish herself up to land a man to pay for her families estate that her derelict father has mortgaged to the hilt before passing away. Chaos ensues. Lots of historical tidbits as our lady Henley has a degree in history and there lots of scenes at court with the accompanying details of gowns, jewels and the like.
3.75 🌟 I felt like it could’ve been a bit shorter and with less back and forth with the couple but I enjoyed it lots.
TW: imprisonment, bodily/sexual assault, death, death of a baby (not the FMC’s), domestic violence and abuse, adultery, cheating (or is it?))
3.75 🌟 I felt like it could’ve been a bit shorter and with less back and forth with the couple but I enjoyed it lots.
TW: imprisonment, bodily/sexual assault, death, death of a baby (not the FMC’s), domestic violence and abuse, adultery, cheating (or is it?))
February 15, 2018
Enthralling Story of Love and Deception—a Pirate Romance to treasure—a Keeper!
Winner of the Romantic Times Award for Best English Historical Romance in 1990, this is a wonderfully complex tale of deception and love set in 17th century England in the Restoration period when Charles II ruled England.
Lady Summer St. Catherine is an innocent, but not very lady like, young woman raised on the Cornish coast with her younger brother, Spencer (nicknamed Spider). With their mother dead and their father a wastrel, who spends all their money and all his time in London, they are left quite alone and cannot afford food, much less a servant. When Summer and Spider stumble into a smuggling opportunity, they take advantage of it in order to survive.
Soon after, their father dies and Summer goes to London to stay with their aunt (a wonderful character). It is there Summer learns her father has mortgaged away their beloved home, Roseland. Her aunt, who is teaching her to be a lady, convinces her the way out of her troubles is to marry a wealthy man. Summer takes on the role of a lady and sets her cap for the neighboring Cornish lord, Ruark Helford, a friend of the king. She manages to win Ruark’s affections, both of them falling in love. Ruark has no idea his new bride is a smuggler and when she confesses, his violent temper destroys their relationship. But Ruark’s younger brother, Rory, a pirate, will come to Summer’s rescue providing her all the love she can no longer have from Ruark.
Henley weaves an intriguing story of love and deception in an interesting time in the history of England. She includes many rich historical details of the court of Charles II, including some infamous characters, and lots of steamy love scenes. Summer is a clever, courageous heroine who must deal with Ruark’s over-the-top temper—and does. I loved this book. Henley is a master of historic romance. Few romance writers today bring such rich (and accurate historical detail to their historical novels. This is a well-told pirate tale. I highly recommend it.
Winner of the Romantic Times Award for Best English Historical Romance in 1990, this is a wonderfully complex tale of deception and love set in 17th century England in the Restoration period when Charles II ruled England.
Lady Summer St. Catherine is an innocent, but not very lady like, young woman raised on the Cornish coast with her younger brother, Spencer (nicknamed Spider). With their mother dead and their father a wastrel, who spends all their money and all his time in London, they are left quite alone and cannot afford food, much less a servant. When Summer and Spider stumble into a smuggling opportunity, they take advantage of it in order to survive.
Soon after, their father dies and Summer goes to London to stay with their aunt (a wonderful character). It is there Summer learns her father has mortgaged away their beloved home, Roseland. Her aunt, who is teaching her to be a lady, convinces her the way out of her troubles is to marry a wealthy man. Summer takes on the role of a lady and sets her cap for the neighboring Cornish lord, Ruark Helford, a friend of the king. She manages to win Ruark’s affections, both of them falling in love. Ruark has no idea his new bride is a smuggler and when she confesses, his violent temper destroys their relationship. But Ruark’s younger brother, Rory, a pirate, will come to Summer’s rescue providing her all the love she can no longer have from Ruark.
Henley weaves an intriguing story of love and deception in an interesting time in the history of England. She includes many rich historical details of the court of Charles II, including some infamous characters, and lots of steamy love scenes. Summer is a clever, courageous heroine who must deal with Ruark’s over-the-top temper—and does. I loved this book. Henley is a master of historic romance. Few romance writers today bring such rich (and accurate historical detail to their historical novels. This is a well-told pirate tale. I highly recommend it.
June 15, 2025
Read: 6/15/25
Setting: Restoration England, Cornwall
Trope: second chances, second romances
Meh. I feel like VH phoned this one in. It lacked heart.
The quirky h tricking the experienced man into marriage was cute at first. Then she confesses about her brother being arrested, being broke, her property 20,000 in debt, and she basically lied to him their whole relationship. He didn't take it well. I wonder why 🤔. So Summer (dumb name) tries for about a minute to repair their marriage before moving on. While trying to earn money, she mets the pirate Rory. Rory is her husband's black sheep brother. Summer makes a smuggling deal with him. Soon, she develops feelings for him. Rory is everything her husband could be without worry and stress.
Here is where the book goes downhill for me. Summer has a brief affair with Rory. Yes, she went there. Eww! Now, she is pregnant, but who is the father? That's right, she went Jerry Springer on this book!
Summer wants her husband, but every time they are together, they fight. She can't survive long-term with a carefree Rory. Summer eventually moves out on her own and has a child. Late, she flirts at court and starts looking for a new man. To be fair, she thinks her marriage was annulled. Her husband puts up with her behavior. Behavior that would have been shunned. Are we to believe that in 1660, a woman could rent a home or open a bank account on her own? All business was handled by men. I won't even go into all the crazy stunts she pulls. Highway robber being one of the craziest! I feel like they get crazier as the plot progresses.
I just couldn't relate to Summer. At first, I could. I was impressed with a h who makes lemonade out of sucky lemons. She's not going to let an obstacle stop her, but maybe she should. 🤔 She is too busy moving forward instead of thinking about it first. I didn't feel her love for the H because she moved on too quickly. She was selfish as well. Most of her complaints were unreasonable or at least very modern thinking for the era. These are some of the reasons why I felt like I was on the outside of the story instead of sharing this journey with her.
I do think that it's funny that VH decided to put the 3 biggest events in Charles II's reign in one year. We have the plague, then the Great London Fire, and finally, those pesky Dutch attacking. Did she forget any other event?
Conclusion: I might have liked this more if I hadn't been expecting a romance. I wanted more from the MC. The sex scenes weren't the authors' best either.
I also have mixed feelings about the ending. The twist was a nice surprise, I guess. I think i would have seen it sooner had i been truly invested. Ouch! I'm still bitter about the direction the romance went.
Is this a bad book? No. I think many will like this book. It's just not what I expect from VH. I want Tempted, not this story. Still, I'd rate this book somewhere between okay and good. It's all about your mindset going in
Setting: Restoration England, Cornwall
Trope: second chances, second romances
Meh. I feel like VH phoned this one in. It lacked heart.
The quirky h tricking the experienced man into marriage was cute at first. Then she confesses about her brother being arrested, being broke, her property 20,000 in debt, and she basically lied to him their whole relationship. He didn't take it well. I wonder why 🤔. So Summer (dumb name) tries for about a minute to repair their marriage before moving on. While trying to earn money, she mets the pirate Rory. Rory is her husband's black sheep brother. Summer makes a smuggling deal with him. Soon, she develops feelings for him. Rory is everything her husband could be without worry and stress.
Here is where the book goes downhill for me. Summer has a brief affair with Rory. Yes, she went there. Eww! Now, she is pregnant, but who is the father? That's right, she went Jerry Springer on this book!
Summer wants her husband, but every time they are together, they fight. She can't survive long-term with a carefree Rory. Summer eventually moves out on her own and has a child. Late, she flirts at court and starts looking for a new man. To be fair, she thinks her marriage was annulled. Her husband puts up with her behavior. Behavior that would have been shunned. Are we to believe that in 1660, a woman could rent a home or open a bank account on her own? All business was handled by men. I won't even go into all the crazy stunts she pulls. Highway robber being one of the craziest! I feel like they get crazier as the plot progresses.
I just couldn't relate to Summer. At first, I could. I was impressed with a h who makes lemonade out of sucky lemons. She's not going to let an obstacle stop her, but maybe she should. 🤔 She is too busy moving forward instead of thinking about it first. I didn't feel her love for the H because she moved on too quickly. She was selfish as well. Most of her complaints were unreasonable or at least very modern thinking for the era. These are some of the reasons why I felt like I was on the outside of the story instead of sharing this journey with her.
I do think that it's funny that VH decided to put the 3 biggest events in Charles II's reign in one year. We have the plague, then the Great London Fire, and finally, those pesky Dutch attacking. Did she forget any other event?
Conclusion: I might have liked this more if I hadn't been expecting a romance. I wanted more from the MC. The sex scenes weren't the authors' best either.
I also have mixed feelings about the ending. The twist was a nice surprise, I guess. I think i would have seen it sooner had i been truly invested. Ouch! I'm still bitter about the direction the romance went.
Is this a bad book? No. I think many will like this book. It's just not what I expect from VH. I want Tempted, not this story. Still, I'd rate this book somewhere between okay and good. It's all about your mindset going in
May 21, 2013
This is my favorite, so far, of Henley's early books, tho I did think the hero was a little serious spoiler alert
Our heroine here is Lady Summer (Cat) St. Catherine. She and her younger brother Spencer (Spider) scrabble out a semi-legal living on their father's bankrupt estate, while the old man gambles away everything they give a damn about. Then they learn that the old cretin buried them in debt before he had the decency to stick his spoon in the wall. They don't even own the rags on their backs.
Called to London, Cat discovers that her Aunt Lil has made her living on her back. Lil encourages Cat to find a powerful protector to save her brother's estates and name (Anybody see a logic issue? No? OK, I'll pretend I don't as well).
Given a choice between Charles II and his crony Ruark Helford, lord of an estate that bounds the one Cat grew up on, she makes the sensible choice.
Not.
She picks Helford. It's presented as a decision based entirely on her attraction to the guy, but let's get real. Kings in those days—in most days, to be honest—were so busy scrabbling for funds for their silly wars and other excesses that they were often more a drain on their cronies' pockets than an asset. So Helford is actually the logical choice, even if Chuck would've been a more prestigious conquest.
Auntie Lil advises Cat to hold out for the best deal she can get, so Cat
teases Helford, hoping for carte blanche. Instead he offers marriage.
Even better, Cat and Helford actually fall in love—that's when Cat finally opens up and tells him the truth—that she needs his influence to save her brother from prison, and his money to save the family estate from creditors. Thing is, anytime Ruark feels hurt, used, offended, outraged, or just generally doesn't get his own way…
One thing I like about this gal is she fights back, but it's tough on the relationship, which goes down the
From there.
Enter Rory. He's Ruark's brother, but instead of being a stuffy
So now she's banging her husband's brother. Guilt trips and other nonsense abound; I'll admit I skipped over some of the naval-gazing. But the fireworks in the primary relationship worked for me. Add in some royal historical detail (largely to do with Chuck II's LT adultery with Barbara Palmer, Countess of Castlemaine), and a little cloak and dagger and I was sold.
This story resonated emotionally, even tho some of the plot elements didn't make sense (see spoiler), and even tho I saw the "twist" coming very early on. 3.9 stars.
January 9, 2023
After completing this book, I'm not going to lie...I feel like I'm in a bit of shock. That plot twist I didn't see coming BUT I have seen something similar done before (much better) in a different historical romance: "A Pirate's Pleasure" by Heather Graham.
To some degree, all of the main characters were annoying but the main character of Summer was intolerable. She disgusted me to be honest. I have read my fair share of dark romances and yet, I could not find it in me to excuse any of her behaviour or actions.
This book was long and it felt like the main characters were all over each other like bunnies. I know this is a romance novel so that's expected but in this book it almost seemed excessive to the point of spoiling the overall romance.
To some degree, all of the main characters were annoying but the main character of Summer was intolerable. She disgusted me to be honest. I have read my fair share of dark romances and yet, I could not find it in me to excuse any of her behaviour or actions.
This book was long and it felt like the main characters were all over each other like bunnies. I know this is a romance novel so that's expected but in this book it almost seemed excessive to the point of spoiling the overall romance.
Want to read
March 30, 2023I will be reading this book 10000% because I saw an Instagram reel where she opened the first page and the opening line was “What a beautiful cock” and it was most assuredly not about a chicken 😏
Sold. Instantly
Sold. Instantly
Read
September 22, 2021DNF @30%
Y’all…. this was BAD
Y’all…. this was BAD
July 19, 2016
DNF
HOW CAN ANYONE READ THIS CRAP?! THOUGH THIS ISNT MY FIRST HENLEY BOOK, MAN DO I WANT TO MURDER BOTH CHARACTERS. FIRST OF ALL, I ENJOY BODICE RIPPER TROUPES BUT THIS WAS JUST TERRIBLE!
OUR HERO is just overly temperamental bordering on bipolar and too hot-headed and impulsive. Quick with harsh words too. He's often sporting for a fight or having sex...that pretty much sums him, apart from some unexpected gestures that "suggests" his love. Posh! What a load of chicken poop!
OUR HEROINE is a total fucking slut. Her exotic shine lost me the moment she fucked her husband's brother. So much for being in love with her husband when she gets seduced by the younger brother. HELLO! MEANS SHE WASNT TRUE TO HER FEELINGS. Not to mention, she's often snarky and bitchy, so no endearing. When she was preggers, she didn't even know who the dad was. Damn I felt sorry for her Ruark even if he was an asshole.
OVERALL this book is absolutely terrible I don't know why it's even a romance. Is it promoting rape, adultery and just being plain selfish and a bitch/son of a bitch?! I usually love a good angst in my stories involving cheaters or betrayals but this one just didn't cut it. IT MADE ME WANT TO RIP THE PAGES TO SHRED AND MY BLOOD BOILS.
HOW CAN ANYONE READ THIS CRAP?! THOUGH THIS ISNT MY FIRST HENLEY BOOK, MAN DO I WANT TO MURDER BOTH CHARACTERS. FIRST OF ALL, I ENJOY BODICE RIPPER TROUPES BUT THIS WAS JUST TERRIBLE!
OUR HERO is just overly temperamental bordering on bipolar and too hot-headed and impulsive. Quick with harsh words too. He's often sporting for a fight or having sex...that pretty much sums him, apart from some unexpected gestures that "suggests" his love. Posh! What a load of chicken poop!
OUR HEROINE is a total fucking slut. Her exotic shine lost me the moment she fucked her husband's brother. So much for being in love with her husband when she gets seduced by the younger brother. HELLO! MEANS SHE WASNT TRUE TO HER FEELINGS. Not to mention, she's often snarky and bitchy, so no endearing. When she was preggers, she didn't even know who the dad was. Damn I felt sorry for her Ruark even if he was an asshole.
OVERALL this book is absolutely terrible I don't know why it's even a romance. Is it promoting rape, adultery and just being plain selfish and a bitch/son of a bitch?! I usually love a good angst in my stories involving cheaters or betrayals but this one just didn't cut it. IT MADE ME WANT TO RIP THE PAGES TO SHRED AND MY BLOOD BOILS.
August 26, 2014
BEST BOOK EVER!
I've read hundreds and 5 stars isn't enough to rate this one.
Lots of romance, lots of heartache, a full plot that keeps you craving for more. But what I liked the most about this story was that it did not go
From the climatic conflict to blissful happiness in the span of 2 chapters. Instead the ending is very well rounded.
Thank you Virginia Henley!!!
I've read hundreds and 5 stars isn't enough to rate this one.
Lots of romance, lots of heartache, a full plot that keeps you craving for more. But what I liked the most about this story was that it did not go
From the climatic conflict to blissful happiness in the span of 2 chapters. Instead the ending is very well rounded.
Thank you Virginia Henley!!!
November 6, 2012
You got to love the I love you, I hate You Bodice Rippers of the past.. Add some Pirate love to the mix and you have a recipe for a fun and sometimes ridiculous read. This is one of the better Pirate loving books I have read. It was my first Virginia Henley book and I loved it.
September 8, 2021
This is a bananas old school romance that's loads of fun as long as you read it in the context of when it was produced (a lot of old school romance tropes don't hold up well now). Worth reading if you want to know more about classic bodice rippers!
July 9, 2021
I don’t actually know who reads “spoiler” reviews ….well besides me (because I don’t like surprises)
First of all Ruark! He was my favorite.
Summer well I pretty much HATED her till the last couple of chapters. She was a brat of the first order and everything that went bad for her, and there was plenty, was her own doing! I never thought Ruark was a bad guy, Summer was!
And I for sure did NOT like the whole adultery gig with his “brother”. She didn’t know who that was. She was a hussy!!
But even after all that Virginia Henley had me reading for hours and hours to finish it. And yes she gave a very satisfying HEA but I could not give it 5 stars because of her deceit! Ha ha
I seriously have a love hate relationship with this author, yet I keep on reading her because she always works out all the drama to my satisfaction but it’s nerve racking along the way. Plot 7.5(1-10) steaminess 8 (1-10)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2015
There is just something about these old Virginia Henley romances that I love. You feel like you have read a whole series by the time you have finished one book. They just don't write books last this anymore... and that makes me sad.
Like most heroines in these type of books, our leading lady in this story is a survivor. Lady Summer St. Catherine (Cat) is forced into a life of theft and smuggling to put food on the table for her and her younger brother, Viscount Spencer St. Catherine (Spider). Children of a wretched father who has gambled and mortgaged their property and ancestral estate, the pair have become a bit wild to survive. So when the father dies, Cat takes on her greatest undertaking yet, learning to be a lady so she can land a rich husband or protector. When she finds him, it all goes according to plan... until it doesn't.
Ruark is tall dark and broody... and a bit schizophrenic. I can't say much about his character without giving away spoilers, but I loved his dual-natured personality (even though sometimes I really didn't understand him).
This book was filled with the dramatic and catty court intrigue that I love so much. It takes place during the Restoration Period during the reign of Charles II. Our characters are intimates of the King, so we get a lot of the history of the monarch, not to mention London society. We go thru plague, the Great Fire of London, and the war with the Dutch. There was so much action and activity going on that I couldn't stop turning pages. When you pair that with the emotional roller coaster of our love story, you will be put through the ringer with this book (in a good way).
Full review posted at Bambi Unbridled
Like most heroines in these type of books, our leading lady in this story is a survivor. Lady Summer St. Catherine (Cat) is forced into a life of theft and smuggling to put food on the table for her and her younger brother, Viscount Spencer St. Catherine (Spider). Children of a wretched father who has gambled and mortgaged their property and ancestral estate, the pair have become a bit wild to survive. So when the father dies, Cat takes on her greatest undertaking yet, learning to be a lady so she can land a rich husband or protector. When she finds him, it all goes according to plan... until it doesn't.
Ruark is tall dark and broody... and a bit schizophrenic. I can't say much about his character without giving away spoilers, but I loved his dual-natured personality (even though sometimes I really didn't understand him).
This book was filled with the dramatic and catty court intrigue that I love so much. It takes place during the Restoration Period during the reign of Charles II. Our characters are intimates of the King, so we get a lot of the history of the monarch, not to mention London society. We go thru plague, the Great Fire of London, and the war with the Dutch. There was so much action and activity going on that I couldn't stop turning pages. When you pair that with the emotional roller coaster of our love story, you will be put through the ringer with this book (in a good way).
Full review posted at Bambi Unbridled
October 5, 2021
At a more moralistic time in my life, I rated this book 2 stars because of its regressive gender politics and poor writing. Now, a bit older and wiser, I'm able to enjoy this book for what it is: an absurdly fun, gratuitous romp through Restoration England that is equally brilliant and stupid. Of course Summer is an obnoxious brat with a stupid name who immediately becomes the most desirable woman in England despite the fact that she's basically a feral teenager. Of course Ruark is an absolute nutjob and violent abuser .
The book opens with an extended dick joke. Barbara Castlemaine and Charles II (who apparently has a humongous hog) do poppers while they fuck. There are a few scenes of violence that are incredibly over the top: I'm talking exploding corpses and genital mutilation. Most of the Summer/Ruark love scenes are typical of the era (pretty rapey but she's into it), but instead of being offended by the misogyny I find it laughable. The women in this book, especially Summer, hate other women so fucking much that it's really, really funny. This book is a batshit insane time capsule of an era of romance writing that has since passed.
Once in a while I get sick of the current trend of pleasant, overly tropey contemporary romances with characters who are Good People With Good Politics, but I can't bring myself to read dark romance because a lot of that shit is just straight up abuse that's utterly humorless and lacks self-awareness. '80s/'90s bodice rippers really fill that hole when I want to read something fun and ridiculous and smutty, and this book is an exemplar of that period.
The book opens with an extended dick joke. Barbara Castlemaine and Charles II (who apparently has a humongous hog) do poppers while they fuck. There are a few scenes of violence that are incredibly over the top: I'm talking exploding corpses and genital mutilation. Most of the Summer/Ruark love scenes are typical of the era (pretty rapey but she's into it), but instead of being offended by the misogyny I find it laughable. The women in this book, especially Summer, hate other women so fucking much that it's really, really funny. This book is a batshit insane time capsule of an era of romance writing that has since passed.
Once in a while I get sick of the current trend of pleasant, overly tropey contemporary romances with characters who are Good People With Good Politics, but I can't bring myself to read dark romance because a lot of that shit is just straight up abuse that's utterly humorless and lacks self-awareness. '80s/'90s bodice rippers really fill that hole when I want to read something fun and ridiculous and smutty, and this book is an exemplar of that period.
August 7, 2022
Kind of didn’t know what was going on for like 60% of the book but
November 18, 2019
*** 4 stars ***
My first from Virginia Henley's books. It was a great story. Lots & lots of drama, plots, comedy, and likeable characters. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is for the overly explicit intimate scenes which I didn't like and found rather annoying. But other than that I loved the story it was realistic. Except for one thing which is how Lady Summer never realised that Rory was her husband?!
But many people can relate to Lady Summer and her brother Spencer who I found to be such a funny mischievous little rogue! I'll definitely be reading more from Henley.
My first from Virginia Henley's books. It was a great story. Lots & lots of drama, plots, comedy, and likeable characters. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is for the overly explicit intimate scenes which I didn't like and found rather annoying. But other than that I loved the story it was realistic. Except for one thing which is how Lady Summer never realised that Rory was her husband?!
But many people can relate to Lady Summer and her brother Spencer who I found to be such a funny mischievous little rogue! I'll definitely be reading more from Henley.
January 18, 2025
Difícil que a mí no me guste una novela histórica romántica, pero esta definitivamente rompio la regla. Es malísima, le doy 2 ⭐️ por Summer que fue lo único que me gustó del libro.
May 20, 2011
novel2 VH mengingatkanku pada novel2 tante JL walo cowoqnya sih sadisan di VH & ceweq2 di VH tuh aduh too fragile too delicate pdhl cowoq2nya tuh tipe2 big bad barbarian super duper macho alpha male.
buku ini bercerita ttg Lady Summer or Cat & her young brother, spencer, yg hidup dalam hidup serba pas2an di desa.
hal itu membuatnya ke london tinggal bersama bibinya.
summer berniat mencari suami kaya yg bisa merubah hidupnya serta spencer.
Lord Ruark Helford langsung tertarik pd Cat.
Ruark adl orang kepercayaan raja. untuk menenangkan pemberontakan ruark disuruh kembali menjadi captain rory (bener ga ya jadi rory??), perompak ternama.
ruark adl pribadi yg sangat dominan & pencemburu jg menurutku gampang terbawa emosi.
pernikahan Cat & Ruark penuh percikan.
Ruark yg dominant bertemu Cat yg sangat2 mandiri akibatnya mereka sering bertentangan.
ditengah2 itu Ruark muncul dihadapan Cat sbg Rory yg diakunya sbg saudara kembar Ruark (bego banget khan si Ruark)
senjata makan tuan Cat suka pd Rory (again...how stupid & silly Ruark)
tp Ruark tetap bungkam tentang Ruark-Rory
bahkan saat sudah memiliki anak pun mereka masih bertengkar yg berakhir pada Ruark membawa pergi puteranya dari Cat.
dengan harapan Cat akan menyusul.
nah begonya si Ruark lagi dia ninggalin Cat dalam posisi kalap tanpa apa2.
oh ya Cat nyusul Ruark & bayi mereka. by foot.
dalam penyusulan tersebut Cat tertangkap oleh musuh ruark & dijebloskan ke penjara.
Cat dipenjara bersama bbrp tawanan wanita lain.
Cat dilecehkan & dihina, dipaksa menerima segala perlakuan musuh Ruark tersebut.
tak ada yg tau Cat ditawan.
Ruark santai2 dengan puteranya & bingung kenapa Cat smp sekarang belum sampe (uh gemes gue sama Ruark)
sang bibi mengira Cat melarikan diri dengan Rory karna itu saat Ruark datang menanyakan ttg Cat dia berbohong.
si bibi ga tau kalo Rory itu ya ruark.
jd begitu semua sadar Cat hilang tanpa jejak & kabar langsung pd kelimpungan.
aduh kasian banget Cat. aq pengen nangis gero2.
Cat dari pribadi ceria menjadi wanita dingin. yah Cat harus menumpulkan perasaannya jika ingin survive.
lebih kasian lagi waktu Ruark berhasil menemukan Cat diantara wanita2 buangan dalam penjara dingin & dikelilingi tikus & kecoa.
aaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
rambut indah Cat terpotong pendek, tubuh indah Cat hilang hanya tersisa tulang terbalut kulit.
cahaya kehidupan Cat memudar digantikan wanita tak berkehidupan...
ooo God.....
aq benar2 pengen hajar si Ruark.
buku ini bercerita ttg Lady Summer or Cat & her young brother, spencer, yg hidup dalam hidup serba pas2an di desa.
hal itu membuatnya ke london tinggal bersama bibinya.
summer berniat mencari suami kaya yg bisa merubah hidupnya serta spencer.
Lord Ruark Helford langsung tertarik pd Cat.
Ruark adl orang kepercayaan raja. untuk menenangkan pemberontakan ruark disuruh kembali menjadi captain rory (bener ga ya jadi rory??), perompak ternama.
ruark adl pribadi yg sangat dominan & pencemburu jg menurutku gampang terbawa emosi.
pernikahan Cat & Ruark penuh percikan.
Ruark yg dominant bertemu Cat yg sangat2 mandiri akibatnya mereka sering bertentangan.
ditengah2 itu Ruark muncul dihadapan Cat sbg Rory yg diakunya sbg saudara kembar Ruark (bego banget khan si Ruark)
senjata makan tuan Cat suka pd Rory (again...how stupid & silly Ruark)
tp Ruark tetap bungkam tentang Ruark-Rory
bahkan saat sudah memiliki anak pun mereka masih bertengkar yg berakhir pada Ruark membawa pergi puteranya dari Cat.
dengan harapan Cat akan menyusul.
nah begonya si Ruark lagi dia ninggalin Cat dalam posisi kalap tanpa apa2.
oh ya Cat nyusul Ruark & bayi mereka. by foot.
dalam penyusulan tersebut Cat tertangkap oleh musuh ruark & dijebloskan ke penjara.
Cat dipenjara bersama bbrp tawanan wanita lain.
Cat dilecehkan & dihina, dipaksa menerima segala perlakuan musuh Ruark tersebut.
tak ada yg tau Cat ditawan.
Ruark santai2 dengan puteranya & bingung kenapa Cat smp sekarang belum sampe (uh gemes gue sama Ruark)
sang bibi mengira Cat melarikan diri dengan Rory karna itu saat Ruark datang menanyakan ttg Cat dia berbohong.
si bibi ga tau kalo Rory itu ya ruark.
jd begitu semua sadar Cat hilang tanpa jejak & kabar langsung pd kelimpungan.
aduh kasian banget Cat. aq pengen nangis gero2.
Cat dari pribadi ceria menjadi wanita dingin. yah Cat harus menumpulkan perasaannya jika ingin survive.
lebih kasian lagi waktu Ruark berhasil menemukan Cat diantara wanita2 buangan dalam penjara dingin & dikelilingi tikus & kecoa.
aaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
rambut indah Cat terpotong pendek, tubuh indah Cat hilang hanya tersisa tulang terbalut kulit.
cahaya kehidupan Cat memudar digantikan wanita tak berkehidupan...
ooo God.....
aq benar2 pengen hajar si Ruark.
September 26, 2023
As much as I love a good bodice ripper this wasn’t one for me. The heroine, Lady Summer wants to save her family’s estate in Cornwall so she ensnares and quickly marries the wealthy Lord Ruark Helford who lives nearby. Of course she’s gorgeous … even King Charles lusts after her… plus annoying, willful, selfish, greedy. Ruark is hot headed, impulsive, quick with harsh words. She’s a bitch and he’s a son of a bitch.
A convoluted story of the dissolute royal court, and the immoral shallow nobility intersperses the hate lust hate relationship of Summer and Ruark. With her reckless behavior she secretly glories in her power over him. But she’s so clueless. They do love each other passionately!!
In her hate moods she f**ks Ruark’s younger brother Rory, a pirate and decides she wants him instead… no, she changes her mind …. several times. Who is Rory exactly.. pirate, doing espionage work for the king??
This is 400+ pages of a ridiculous read full of buckets of lurid purple prose sex scenes. Usually that’s fine, but the silly story, and one dimensional characters sink this vintage HR ship.
(Cover by Sharon Spiak)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2021
It was heavenly beautiful but I wish that the dear author of the story wrote it less with so much adventure and misery. I was totally miserable and sad while reading the last fifth of it, but thank God in the end she found happiness but I can't deny when Mrs. Bishop thought :
"Oh, they might be all lovely-dovey for a while since they’d been parted so long, but she knew them well enough to know that one of these days the sparks would fly and they’d have another fight to end all fights, and she’d lead him a merry chase all over England or God-knows-which country. There would be the threats and the jealousies and the screaming matches at the top of their lungs, then he’d take her to bed and bend her to his will and tame her again. A calm, peaceful life wasn’t the Helfords style at all." after this part I've wanted to die😭😭😭 why on the earth she said that? can't we readers have a piece of mind for the heroine life after ending the story?
"Oh, they might be all lovely-dovey for a while since they’d been parted so long, but she knew them well enough to know that one of these days the sparks would fly and they’d have another fight to end all fights, and she’d lead him a merry chase all over England or God-knows-which country. There would be the threats and the jealousies and the screaming matches at the top of their lungs, then he’d take her to bed and bend her to his will and tame her again. A calm, peaceful life wasn’t the Helfords style at all." after this part I've wanted to die😭😭😭 why on the earth she said that? can't we readers have a piece of mind for the heroine life after ending the story?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2012
Just finished this little gem and I have to say I liked it. I had never read Virginia Henley before but I'm glad I discovered her. This is the classic love/hate/love/hate taken to the extreme. The emotions were all over the place. But in a hilariously entertaining way. Henley is a very good writer and I especially loved the research she put into the Court of Charless II and the history, clothing, etc.
Maybe I'm dense but I did not see the twist with Ruark's identity coming. Kinda felt cheated with this twist, because I found myself loving Rory more than Ruark! And woo boy the sex scenes were numerous and very graphic. The heroine gets smacked across the face a few times when she acts hysterical which is humorous, in my opinion at least. I mean this is fiction after all.
The Pirate and the Pagan is a fun old bodice ripper sure to keep your entertained.
Maybe I'm dense but I did not see the twist with Ruark's identity coming. Kinda felt cheated with this twist, because I found myself loving Rory more than Ruark! And woo boy the sex scenes were numerous and very graphic. The heroine gets smacked across the face a few times when she acts hysterical which is humorous, in my opinion at least. I mean this is fiction after all.
The Pirate and the Pagan is a fun old bodice ripper sure to keep your entertained.
May 7, 2019
G R O S S .
How come a person likes this book, PLUS gives five stars? I cannot believe.
I hate adultery the most and especially the ones including family bounds! I hated it. And I always love the writings of Henley —I used to, at least. This is the first time that I'm that much disgusted. Definitely not a romantic book, I assure. Couldn't even finish the book since it made me into stomach-turning.
Edit. The ending doesn't matter to me. The intents, the behaviours, and the consequences are the point.
How come a person likes this book, PLUS gives five stars? I cannot believe.
I hate adultery the most and especially the ones including family bounds! I hated it. And I always love the writings of Henley —I used to, at least. This is the first time that I'm that much disgusted. Definitely not a romantic book, I assure. Couldn't even finish the book since it made me into stomach-turning.
Edit. The ending doesn't matter to me. The intents, the behaviours, and the consequences are the point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2013
I really appreciated the Restoration England setting in an age of wall to wall boring regency romance. There so needs to be more restoration romance, I would be totally here for that. Charles II was a character in this and I actually enjoyed him slightly more than the main couple who's big misunderstandings drove me nuts after a while. On the whole I enjoyed it.
August 1, 2017
Started reading this book and I can't seem to go any further. What a load of crap I don't know what the hell i'm reading one minute they see each other the next their married and in love how just how I'm trying really hard to understand this book! How can persons rate this 5 star ???
August 30, 2011
Best love story ever! Love the characters and the drama. Made me laugh and cry. I would read this book over and over again. Highly recommend this book to avid Romance readers.
June 2, 2021
another insanely deranged and excellent old-school bodice ripper. i literally died laughing out loud at the plot twist... love the character growth here too. great stuff
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews