BOTM 1 – Dec 2022 – Lord Ruin

[Sandra]

Discussion thread for the first BOTM for December 2022. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some HTML is ok' for instructions.)


Lord Ruin by Carolyn Jewel

Join us in reading this HR that features the theme FORCED INTO MARRIAGE!

Synopsis:
Could she trust her heart to the most notorious rake in London?

The Duke of Sin

The Duke of Cynssyr didn't believe in love. He planned to marry for beauty. But a night of unforgettable passion left him a changed man—a man tied to a bespectacled spinster. Anne Sinclair's long legs drove him wild with desire, and her quick wit challenged his mind. Ruined for any other, the notorious rake had only one choice: to court his wife. To win her confidence, however, nothing less than his love would do.

The Divine Sinclair

Anne Sinclair had sworn to protect her sister from the infamous Lord Ruin. Yet she never expected to sacrifice her own virtue. Forced to give the rogue her hand in marriage, she vowed never to relinquish her heart. But Ruan worshiped her body and valued her intelligence, making Anne long to succumb to the ultimate temptation: falling for her husband.

Happy reading!

[Maureen]

I just read this book and loved it. Even though the MC are forced into marriage they secretly care for one another. Read it and find out how this love story unfolds. I believe you will be entertained and enjoy the characters in the story.

[Lauren]

This is definitely a favorite for me too! I've read it too many times over the years.

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I have also read this book and enjoyed it.

[Sandra]

Ohh, I think, reading your comments, that I have to read this one! :)

[Lauren]

I hope you enjoy it Sandra! I haven't decided if I'll reread in Dec. , which is why I didn't vote for it.

[Susan]

I started this last night - only read 50 pages, but they been jammed packed!! It gets off to a cracking start.

[Jan]

I started a reread of this one yesterday and got hooked in. Already up to Chapter 20. It certainly fits the trope of 'forced into marriage'.

I understand why some readers have commented they don't like the book because of the incident near the start, but to me it's quite believable that this could happen. (view spoiler)[ The scene itself might be a tad exaggerated perhaps, but it worked effectively to set up the storyline.

IMO Cyn turns out to be a really likeable character, clever, sexy, and falling deeply in love with his unexpected wife.

I'm enjoying the way that Cyn and Anne, both underestimated each other at first, but are now clearly really falling for each other. (hide spoiler)]

I'm also enjoying the mystery aspect of the book. It definitely adds some interest to the storyline.

[Lauren]

I know some people don't like that an actually Duke would be investigating a series of kidnapping and murders but you have to just go with it.

[Susan]

I have finished this and really enjoyed it. I am contemplating reading the next 2 in the series

I liked the developing romance between the H and h as well as the mystery. I will say that I got a little lost with regards to the mystery - so many characters, and I am still not quite sure I fully understood it at the end - but I just went with it (and tried not to think too deeply!)

I agree with Jan - some people will be very put out by the incident. Certainly not a book that would be published these days.

4 stars from me - very enjoyable, but not perfect

[Lauren]

Glad you enjoyed it Susan! The next book in the series was just okay for me.

[Jan]

Yes, glad you enjoyed it too, Susan. I agree with Lauren. I read the other two books in the series and they weren't as good. However that was some time ago and I think I'd like to try them again after I finish my reread of this one. I would be interested to see how you find the other books if you do read them, Susan.

I agree that this is not a book that would be published these days. But in spite of 'the incident', I really like the character of Ruan.

[Jan]

I finished my reread this afternoon, and once again gave 4 enjoyable stars. A well-written book with main characters I really liked. Their relationship developed convincingly, and felt genuine and believable to me.

The mystery added interest to the story, although I do agree with Susan's comments that there were so many side characters! A little confusing, although as this was a reread for me, I think I was able to sort and remember the characters better than I did the first time around.

Hopefully others in our GR group will choose to read this BOTM and enjoy it. I would love to read everyone's thoughts and comments on the book :)

[Lauren]

I liked Passion's Song by CJ. If you're looking for another good CJ book.

[Lady Nilambari]

Susan wrote: "I have finished this and really enjoyed it. I am contemplating reading the next 2 in the series

I liked the developing romance between the H and h as well as the mystery. I will say that I got a l..."

You articulated exactly what I felt, even I haven't fully understood it

[T’Lynn]

I liked this book more than I thought it would. Admittedly, I am always curious when I see a bit of controversy discussed and while the scene that forces their marriage is a bit problematic, it is reasonably understandable that (view spoiler)[it didn't occur to him that this woman was a present placed in his bed for him to enjoy! (hide spoiler)]

I've been reading a lot of ahead-of-their-time heroines recently (which I love) but it was a nice change of pace to see Anne settle into her role as duchess.

Would a Duke investigate a crime? Maaaybe ... not likely ... but also, would a duke have been in a war?

At this point, every time I say "that would never have happened" then some author shows research of a time or two that it DID happen so, anything is possible, I suppose!

I'm going to read the rest of this series because I'm intrigued!