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bookswithnopictures's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one. This is my first book by this author. I loved that she used the game of chess as a theme. I appreciate when an author weaves in something like to connect different parts of the story. I didn't give this five stars and the root is the title. I expected a completely different storyline based on it. I think because of that, I set myself up for something different, and when that expectation wasn't satisfied, I was a little disappointed. That being said, I do recommend it. It was a good story and I enjoyed the characters.
melissasbookshelf's review
5.0
Loved this first book in the Lockhart family series! Laura Rollins is quickly becoming a favorite author. I enjoy the way she writes sympathetic characters with plenty of heart and depth. This book had all the elements I enjoy: a dastardly villain, a slow burn swoony romance, an intelligent heroine, and definite intrigue/suspense.
Marianne Twisdale has suffered her father’s abuse for too long. When his gambling debts place her in a precarious situation where she’s forced into a betrothal to an even more violent scoundrel, she has only one way out. She must discredit Lord Sheldon Lockhart and only then can she be released from the marriage contract.
Lord Sheldon Lockhart is intrigued by Marianne when he meets her at a neighborhood party. As a new barrister, he is on the trail of a Lord Cockell, a man who preys on the gambling habits of gentleman extorting money, property, and favors when they can’t pay back his loans. He believes that Marianne’s father is Cockell’s latest victim and he’s determined to find a way to rid the area of the vile villain.
Marianne is an intelligent, sympathetic character. I enjoyed her witty banter with Lord Sheldon and the plucky way she deals with the abuse of not only her father, but Lord Cockell. Lord Sheldon is a swoony hero who is charming not only when he’s matching wits with Marianne at chess, but showing care and compassion in trying to help her. The two work so well together and it was enjoyable watching their romance bloom. Lord Cockell is a villain you love to hate. He is despicable in every way including the slimy way he acts towards Marianne.
So excited to continue on with the rest of the series! The Lockhart siblings were introduced in this story and I can’t wait to read about them. Definitely recommend this to those who love clean Regency romance with a hint of suspense.
Content: physical and mental abuse by father and betrothed
Marianne Twisdale has suffered her father’s abuse for too long. When his gambling debts place her in a precarious situation where she’s forced into a betrothal to an even more violent scoundrel, she has only one way out. She must discredit Lord Sheldon Lockhart and only then can she be released from the marriage contract.
Lord Sheldon Lockhart is intrigued by Marianne when he meets her at a neighborhood party. As a new barrister, he is on the trail of a Lord Cockell, a man who preys on the gambling habits of gentleman extorting money, property, and favors when they can’t pay back his loans. He believes that Marianne’s father is Cockell’s latest victim and he’s determined to find a way to rid the area of the vile villain.
Marianne is an intelligent, sympathetic character. I enjoyed her witty banter with Lord Sheldon and the plucky way she deals with the abuse of not only her father, but Lord Cockell. Lord Sheldon is a swoony hero who is charming not only when he’s matching wits with Marianne at chess, but showing care and compassion in trying to help her. The two work so well together and it was enjoyable watching their romance bloom. Lord Cockell is a villain you love to hate. He is despicable in every way including the slimy way he acts towards Marianne.
So excited to continue on with the rest of the series! The Lockhart siblings were introduced in this story and I can’t wait to read about them. Definitely recommend this to those who love clean Regency romance with a hint of suspense.
Content: physical and mental abuse by father and betrothed
crudelise's review
2.0
had to skip a lot cockell was too mean and the whole book was feeling hopeless and dejected...
books_n_blossoms's review
3.0
We get to know Marianne, whose father is less than reputable, sadly. She's put in a position that makes things precarious for her at best! Her father is less than reputable and the way he treats her is abominable. She has to take her life into her own hands. She's got spunk and I liked her.
Then there's Lord Sheridan who is a barrister working his way up the ranks. He's after Lord Cockell who is nefarious for robbing the gentry blind. He's one of the good guys trying to do the right thing! I liked how determined and steadfast he was. Whether it was with his brother, Marianne, or others he showed patience and consideration.
Let me tell you, Cockell is quite the evil man who thinks women are basically repugnant. He's easy to dislike ladies and gentlemen. Unfortunately, Marianne gets lured into his web of lies and deceit. Lord Sheridan is the one we're rooting for from beginning to end!
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
Then there's Lord Sheridan who is a barrister working his way up the ranks. He's after Lord Cockell who is nefarious for robbing the gentry blind. He's one of the good guys trying to do the right thing! I liked how determined and steadfast he was. Whether it was with his brother, Marianne, or others he showed patience and consideration.
Let me tell you, Cockell is quite the evil man who thinks women are basically repugnant. He's easy to dislike ladies and gentlemen. Unfortunately, Marianne gets lured into his web of lies and deceit. Lord Sheridan is the one we're rooting for from beginning to end!
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
chymerra's review
4.0
When I got the invite to review Wager for a Lady’s Hand, I was intrigued. See, I have read several books by the author, but they were all steampunk/fantasy/dystopian/paranormal/romance based books. So, to see a historical romance by her caught my attention. When I read the blurb, I was all in to read this book. I am glad that I did because this was a wonderful historical romance.
The plotline for Wager for a Lady’s Hand was fast-paced and well written. The author didn’t allow for two many secondary storylines, and in turn, allowed for a book that flowed well. There was some slight lag towards the end of the book. But the author was quick to get the book back on track.
I loved Marianne. She dealt with a lot during the book. But she wasn’t one of those heroines who screamed and fainted when it started getting tough. Instead, she came up with solutions to her problems. Her father drinks too much and starts to become abusive? She drugs him. She didn’t want to be married to Lord Cockell? She tries to bargain with him. The list could go on and on.
I did think that Sheldon was a bit clueless during the first half of the book. Not that I didn’t like him, he just didn’t put two and two together when it came to Marianne. I mean, if the woman I was interested showed up with bruises around her neck and on her arms, I would make it my business to find out what is going on. Which he did but not until the second half of the book.
The romance involving Sheldon and Marianne was sweet. I loved watching them fall in love. Even when Marianne was at her lowest, Sheldon was there for her.
I also loved that it was a clean romance. There was one kiss between Marianne and Sheldon, and that was at the end. It was refreshing. Don’t get me wrong; I like a raunchy romance as much as the next person. But sometimes a book doesn’t need that. And this one was.
There were a couple of things that I didn’t like about Wager for a Lady’s Hand. The first was there was never any explanation about who was supplying Lord Cockell with all of his information. If the author had gone more into that, it would have made for an interesting side story.
The other thing I didn’t like about Wager for a Lady’s Hand was that it got repetitive. By repetitive, I mean that Sheldon’s case and Marianne’s blackmail was addressed a lot during the book. It got to a point where I started skimming over those parts when it happened.
The end of Wager for a Lady’s Hand. It did end in a HEA. But, the lead up to the HEA was fantastic. Honestly, I couldn’t have written a better ending.
The plotline for Wager for a Lady’s Hand was fast-paced and well written. The author didn’t allow for two many secondary storylines, and in turn, allowed for a book that flowed well. There was some slight lag towards the end of the book. But the author was quick to get the book back on track.
I loved Marianne. She dealt with a lot during the book. But she wasn’t one of those heroines who screamed and fainted when it started getting tough. Instead, she came up with solutions to her problems. Her father drinks too much and starts to become abusive? She drugs him. She didn’t want to be married to Lord Cockell? She tries to bargain with him. The list could go on and on.
I did think that Sheldon was a bit clueless during the first half of the book. Not that I didn’t like him, he just didn’t put two and two together when it came to Marianne. I mean, if the woman I was interested showed up with bruises around her neck and on her arms, I would make it my business to find out what is going on. Which he did but not until the second half of the book.
The romance involving Sheldon and Marianne was sweet. I loved watching them fall in love. Even when Marianne was at her lowest, Sheldon was there for her.
I also loved that it was a clean romance. There was one kiss between Marianne and Sheldon, and that was at the end. It was refreshing. Don’t get me wrong; I like a raunchy romance as much as the next person. But sometimes a book doesn’t need that. And this one was.
There were a couple of things that I didn’t like about Wager for a Lady’s Hand. The first was there was never any explanation about who was supplying Lord Cockell with all of his information. If the author had gone more into that, it would have made for an interesting side story.
The other thing I didn’t like about Wager for a Lady’s Hand was that it got repetitive. By repetitive, I mean that Sheldon’s case and Marianne’s blackmail was addressed a lot during the book. It got to a point where I started skimming over those parts when it happened.
The end of Wager for a Lady’s Hand. It did end in a HEA. But, the lead up to the HEA was fantastic. Honestly, I couldn’t have written a better ending.
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