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ariana25's review against another edition
2.0
Simon is a piece of shit. He tells Louisa that they are going to marry, and she tries to object, but really he bullied her into it. And he only does it for his career. I fucking hate him. What kind of a man plays with a girls feelings like that. And the worst part? HE DOESNT EVEN FUCKING CARE. He says 'oh well, not my fault she believed I loved her, I EVEN THOUGH I FUCKING TOLD HER I DID.'
migema's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mariasaracco's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
labwa_0712's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very entertaining book. I really loved Louisa. How stubborn and determined she was. She didn’t easily let Simon sway her with pretty words and seductive touches. I loved how she resisted him. She was quite argumentative and while that’s not ideal for any relationship it was kinda fun. I also liked Simon and their relationship. It was a good and enjoyable book.
bookish_kristina's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up because I like this author’s style, but this was a clanger
I enjoy Jeffries light and smutty books most of the time. They are great, quick brain candy. But this one didn’t quite work for me. It still had her usual style; a strong and independent heroine vs. a somewhat broken and idiotic hero, but this hero just skirted too closely to the wrong side of asshole for my liking.
There were some good parts to this, as I said I always like this author’s writing style, she keeps to historical accuracy while still maintaining a light feel. And this was a rare historical second chance romance where the hero was celibate during their 7 year separation. That’s almost unheard of in this genre, especially as this was written over ten years ago.
But beyond that there were a few things that lowered my enjoyment levels:
1. The main lines of action for this book take place in a previous series, not a previous book in the series. Louisa and Simon’s history originally played out in Jeffries’ ‘Royal Brotherhood’ series, which I read but only vaguely remember. So for readers who didn’t read those books, they will feel somewhat thrown into the middle of the story here.
2. Her reasons for not being with him are a little weak. She was traumatized by her half sister’s death in childbed so has eschewed marriage and children to avoid dying. This is an extreme reaction and one that she gets over very quickly when witnessing a healthy birth. This woman seems intelligent and logical, so why does she need to witness a birth to be convinced that not all women die in childbed? She has many friends and family who have had children and none of that convinces her? This just made me roll my eyes at the ridiculousness of the premise. A better idea would have been to have her political and social obligations being her deterrent for marriage and babies, that would have worked with this politically driven plot much better.
3. The hero is manipulative and plotting throughout the entire book. How he convinces her to marry him, to resign from her ladies club, and pretty much everything he wants from her, he does through machinations, bullying, seduction and lying. I couldn’t get behind everyone saying that he’d grown and changed in their seven years apart, when his behaviour showed the exact opposite of that.
4. The abusive dead grandfather storyline was extremely ott. Simon had his misogynistic and evil dead Grampy’s voice in his head determining his actions and preventing him from giving in to his feelings for Louisa. It was seriously weird and creepy. Instead of just making him think of things his grandfather used to say, his grandfather actually speaks to him and gives advice on present circumstances and it was silly. Also his history of abuse from his grandpa was very melodramatic, it’s difficult to sympathize when you are rolling your eyes at a dead villain’s dastardly deeds.
And lastly just a small note; I am rereading this series and I never noticed the first time through that none of these ‘School for Heiresses’ books actually take place at the school or have anything to do with the school. This particular book has Mrs. Harris in it for all of two scenes and, other than the letters to her cousin Michael that begin every chapter, this book had nothing at all to do with that school. Not sure why this school is even the hook in this series, but at least the first book kinda has something to do with it, this book just didn’t fit in the series at all.
So, though I enjoy Jeffries generally, this one was more of a a stinker for me, as it didn’t really have any of her usually sweetness and was just a bit to ott for my liking.
I enjoy Jeffries light and smutty books most of the time. They are great, quick brain candy. But this one didn’t quite work for me. It still had her usual style; a strong and independent heroine vs. a somewhat broken and idiotic hero, but this hero just skirted too closely to the wrong side of asshole for my liking.
There were some good parts to this, as I said I always like this author’s writing style, she keeps to historical accuracy while still maintaining a light feel. And this was a rare historical second chance romance where the hero was celibate during their 7 year separation. That’s almost unheard of in this genre, especially as this was written over ten years ago.
But beyond that there were a few things that lowered my enjoyment levels:
1. The main lines of action for this book take place in a previous series, not a previous book in the series. Louisa and Simon’s history originally played out in Jeffries’ ‘Royal Brotherhood’ series, which I read but only vaguely remember. So for readers who didn’t read those books, they will feel somewhat thrown into the middle of the story here.
2. Her reasons for not being with him are a little weak. She was traumatized by her half sister’s death in childbed so has eschewed marriage and children to avoid dying. This is an extreme reaction and one that she gets over very quickly when witnessing a healthy birth. This woman seems intelligent and logical, so why does she need to witness a birth to be convinced that not all women die in childbed? She has many friends and family who have had children and none of that convinces her? This just made me roll my eyes at the ridiculousness of the premise. A better idea would have been to have her political and social obligations being her deterrent for marriage and babies, that would have worked with this politically driven plot much better.
3. The hero is manipulative and plotting throughout the entire book. How he convinces her to marry him, to resign from her ladies club, and pretty much everything he wants from her, he does through machinations, bullying, seduction and lying. I couldn’t get behind everyone saying that he’d grown and changed in their seven years apart, when his behaviour showed the exact opposite of that.
4. The abusive dead grandfather storyline was extremely ott. Simon had his misogynistic and evil dead Grampy’s voice in his head determining his actions and preventing him from giving in to his feelings for Louisa. It was seriously weird and creepy. Instead of just making him think of things his grandfather used to say, his grandfather actually speaks to him and gives advice on present circumstances and it was silly. Also his history of abuse from his grandpa was very melodramatic, it’s difficult to sympathize when you are rolling your eyes at a dead villain’s dastardly deeds.
And lastly just a small note; I am rereading this series and I never noticed the first time through that none of these ‘School for Heiresses’ books actually take place at the school or have anything to do with the school. This particular book has Mrs. Harris in it for all of two scenes and, other than the letters to her cousin Michael that begin every chapter, this book had nothing at all to do with that school. Not sure why this school is even the hook in this series, but at least the first book kinda has something to do with it, this book just didn’t fit in the series at all.
So, though I enjoy Jeffries generally, this one was more of a a stinker for me, as it didn’t really have any of her usually sweetness and was just a bit to ott for my liking.
caitlinmchugh24's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book because it has a good mix of things present in historical romance, such as royal connections, a bastard character, and marriage deals leading to marriage. However, the heroine was refreshing in several ways. She was politically active, but in a historically accurate way. She had valid concerns regarding childbirth and children, and the hero accepted that when she eventually discussed it with them. Lastly, of the many historical romances I've read lately, this was the only one that explicitly had the the heroine choose to use birth control methods and discuss it openly (after the drama with the husband). This mean the traditional baby epilogue felt earned and realistic--whereas it normally seems perfunctory. This also led me to reading the Hellions of Halstead Hall series, which I really enjoyed.
iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
4.0
From New York Times bestselling author and "grand mistress of storytelling" (Romantic Times) Sabrina Jeffries comes the second seductive story in her School for Heiresses Series.
"You can't avoid him forever, Louisa. Just tell him you're not interested, and put an end to it."
-- Mrs. Charlotte Harris, headmistress
Marry? Never! It would end Louisa North's work with her ladies reform group -- and truth be told, she likes her independence very much, despite her royal father's protests. So when Simon Tremaine, the dashing Duke of Foxmoor whom she once loved -- and had exiled from England -- returns bent on marrying her, she's skeptical. Does he truly care for her, or does he simply want revenge? It's difficult to resist Simon's dangerous charms, because the fire between them still burns as hot as ever. But when his ulterior motive for marriage is exposed, along with the deeply buried secrets of his past, Louisa vows to make him pay . . . and the price will be his heart.
**
somasunshine's review against another edition
The fast pace was definitely more believable in this one because they were already in love in the past
winterreader40's review against another edition
3.0
Louisa had Simon banished to India 7 years ago after he toyed with her heart, now that he's back he seems to be trying to court her which she suspects is just him trying to get revenge, but it's really her father the King convincing him that if he marries her the King will make him prime minister. Simon isn't certain he believes the King but he is certain that Louisa has only grown more lovely in the last 7 years and he definitely still wants her. Also there's a pet monkey.
I didn't love either of these characters, they were both to angry and stubborn for me right now and I just kept rolling my eyes every time someone went back on their word or did something sneaky.
TW: witnessed traumatic childbirth
I didn't love either of these characters, they were both to angry and stubborn for me right now and I just kept rolling my eyes every time someone went back on their word or did something sneaky.
TW: witnessed traumatic childbirth
sn4p's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book! Enjoyed it immensely.
Favorite had to be Raji though ;)
Favorite had to be Raji though ;)