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geekxgirl's review against another edition
2.0
1.5/2 Stars
Well, it got off to an interesting start...but don't they all?
The hero Stephen was just as likeable as he was as a youth in the first book. And generally he never did anything to make me question his character or intelligence.
The heroine Isobel, however... what a trial she was. She seemed a fine heroine in the first chapters. Especially the first interactions with Stephen. But somewhere along the way we lose whatever potential we saw building at the beginning. She ended up being a silly indecisive and stubborn idiot.
I truly did not like her. With the melodrama and plot devices happening to keep Stephen and Isobel apart it felt a little bit like the author was trying too hard. Nevermore so than when Isobel outright refuses Stephens marriage proposal not once but twice. And each time she did refuse him she had the absolute dumbest reasons. She did it out of pure stubbornness and idiocy. She claimed to love Stephen but absolutely refused the idea he could care for her, but more so that he could be a faithful husband. That, to some degree I understood because Stephen being a ladies man was made to be part of his personality it was mentioned so frequently. But it was hardly the truth and I felt bad that she judged Stephen so unfairly when she had any opportunities to see him for his kind character and his caring heart.
Isobel was a fool with apparent abandonment issues that aren't remotely addressed until it's convenient to the plot to use them as a device to cause drama between the main couple.
This book was TRYING. It had plenty potential in the first half. I was very interested to see where it went. But things unraveled fast and before I knew it I was reading a completely unlikeable heroine who was behaving stupidly and wallowing in her poor decisions. The bad guy and intrigue plot was so predictable it was hardly worth seeing play out. And the amount of plot holes that left me with more questions than I could ask was astounding.
Poor Stephen deserved someone better than Isobel.
Well, it got off to an interesting start...but don't they all?
The hero Stephen was just as likeable as he was as a youth in the first book. And generally he never did anything to make me question his character or intelligence.
The heroine Isobel, however... what a trial she was. She seemed a fine heroine in the first chapters. Especially the first interactions with Stephen. But somewhere along the way we lose whatever potential we saw building at the beginning. She ended up being a silly indecisive and stubborn idiot.
I truly did not like her. With the melodrama and plot devices happening to keep Stephen and Isobel apart it felt a little bit like the author was trying too hard. Nevermore so than when Isobel outright refuses Stephens marriage proposal not once but twice. And each time she did refuse him she had the absolute dumbest reasons. She did it out of pure stubbornness and idiocy. She claimed to love Stephen but absolutely refused the idea he could care for her, but more so that he could be a faithful husband. That, to some degree I understood because Stephen being a ladies man was made to be part of his personality it was mentioned so frequently. But it was hardly the truth and I felt bad that she judged Stephen so unfairly when she had any opportunities to see him for his kind character and his caring heart.
Isobel was a fool with apparent abandonment issues that aren't remotely addressed until it's convenient to the plot to use them as a device to cause drama between the main couple.
This book was TRYING. It had plenty potential in the first half. I was very interested to see where it went. But things unraveled fast and before I knew it I was reading a completely unlikeable heroine who was behaving stupidly and wallowing in her poor decisions. The bad guy and intrigue plot was so predictable it was hardly worth seeing play out. And the amount of plot holes that left me with more questions than I could ask was astounding.
Poor Stephen deserved someone better than Isobel.
lahariel's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rosetyper9's review against another edition
5.0
I have read a ton of romance novels, many of them excellent, some not so excellent. This book is the first romance novel I have ever read that truly captures the essence of raw lust. It actually places your brain in the equation and you can see the characters, their feelings, emotions, and the total scope of the decisions they are making when they choose to be together. It is breathe taking and totally amazingly written...I was in complete shock as I was turning each page, that it continued to be the perfect representation of what a normal person feels like in that situation. I know the author must have put some of herself in these characters. I am still a bit shaky after reading it...crazy. I know, what's the big deal? its just a romance novel? I know this...but as I said no romance novel I have ever read made my mind latch to emotions and situations as fiercely as this one did. Ok, on to the rest of this...the plot was good, I don't know the history of King Henry V but everything seemed pretty normal, no crazy twists of history from what I can tell. It moved at a pretty good pace and there was no waiting around or gratuitous love-making inserts. The characters are amazing, and I can't wait to read the next book as well...I noticed that the two main characters in the next book should be together already before I read the next novel's page.
kriff08's review against another edition
3.0
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I read it right after I finished Mallory's Knight of Desire (Book One of All the King's Men) and the time jump threw me a bit, but overall I enjoyed the story and felt it was comparable to the first book.
mountie9's review against another edition
3.0
I have read quite a few blogs in which people have mentioned how much they enjoyed this book, and well, I am jumping on the bandwagon. It is a delightful light read, perfect for an afternoon at the beach, a hot bubble bath or in front of a fireplace on a cold Canadian winters night (well maybe not this years winter, but you get the picture).
The characters are interesting and not one dimensional which is something you don't often find in historical romance novels. The book has a riveting storyline that intertwines adventure and history so masterfully that I dare you to put it down. I do have to be honest, a couple of times I just wanted to smack Lady Isobel for some of her actions, but they ARE the actions of a women of that time, so it really shouldn't annoy me so. (But it does!) I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into detail, because I hate when someone gives too much of the story away. The secondary characters are interesting and would like to know more about them, especially the 2 french orphans. The ending is really beautiful though, and not too sugary which is something else I dislike. One of the blogs I had read mentioned that there was graphic violence and sex, but I beg to disagree. It is sensual without being overly graphic and the violence is not overly violent (dude, if you are reading a book set in medieval times -- there is going to be violence, that is how life was back then).
I would recommend to those who enjoy historical romances that are not wishy washy/lovey dovey. It is also pretty accurate historically, which many of you know is something that I require to really enjoy a historical romance.
The characters are interesting and not one dimensional which is something you don't often find in historical romance novels. The book has a riveting storyline that intertwines adventure and history so masterfully that I dare you to put it down. I do have to be honest, a couple of times I just wanted to smack Lady Isobel for some of her actions, but they ARE the actions of a women of that time, so it really shouldn't annoy me so. (But it does!) I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into detail, because I hate when someone gives too much of the story away. The secondary characters are interesting and would like to know more about them, especially the 2 french orphans. The ending is really beautiful though, and not too sugary which is something else I dislike. One of the blogs I had read mentioned that there was graphic violence and sex, but I beg to disagree. It is sensual without being overly graphic and the violence is not overly violent (dude, if you are reading a book set in medieval times -- there is going to be violence, that is how life was back then).
I would recommend to those who enjoy historical romances that are not wishy washy/lovey dovey. It is also pretty accurate historically, which many of you know is something that I require to really enjoy a historical romance.
reginaexmachina's review against another edition
4.0
For a medieval historical romance I thought this was actually pretty good. In theory I like medieval romances, but most of them in my opinion are pretty bad. There's usually some SUPER ALPHA male hero who comes off to me as a big bully and I don't like how a lot of the one's I've read contain rape scenes. I know rape, especially for the medieval period, was quite a common threat for a woman. But I don't want to read about it.
However this was actually really good and seemed to take the historical period seriously. Towards the end of the book the heroine started acting silly but for the most part it was really engaging and well done.
However this was actually really good and seemed to take the historical period seriously. Towards the end of the book the heroine started acting silly but for the most part it was really engaging and well done.
kmelso's review against another edition
5.0
Great read! The story line is unique to the series and shows a good portrayal of a fight to start a relationship. Stephen is easily related to modern day commitment- phobe men and Isobel is that one women who can change all of that. The main characters have so much personality that it is just a smooth, enjoyable read.
nicolesavinar's review against another edition
2.0
Had a blind date with a book at Barnes and noble and couldn’t resist the medieval romance and bought both “Knight of Pleasure and Desire” wrapped up in one book. This is the second book in the series and it is stronger. It continues to follow the first book’s formula of a young “strong” lady married to a terrible husband who dies within the first chapter, and her path to trusting and finding love, with a knight during English-French conflict. The hero of the second book is the brother-in-law of the heroine of the first book which was a nice tie-in. The romance was raunchy and the conflict was occasionally far-fetched which made this a guilty read. Like the first, some of the raunchy scenes were a little long (/sometimes 4 whole pages!) and may be triggering to readers. Mostly for thematic content, I do not recommend to younger readers, would be more appropriate by readers 30+.