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cindyqn4118's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
4.0
My very first Elizabeth Hoyt turned out to be a delightful introduction into her work. The Raven Prince which is the first book in the Princes trilogy certainly wets a reader’s appetite for more of Elizabeth Hoyt and that is exactly what happened throughout this wonderful story with its larger than life characters and the sizzling sexual tension that seemed to be so much a part of this whole story as it unfolded.
Anna Wren is a widow going on for 6 years and lives in Little Battleford with her mother-in-law and maid in a small cottage. Dire financial circumstances has Anna seeking employment with the reclusive 5th Earl of Swartingham, Edward De Raaf who is legendary for his ominous temper which had driven away the two previous secretaries in his employment. Scarred from smallpox from which he had been the sole survivor of his family, Edward prefers the seclusion the countryside offers and has every intention of filling up his childhood home with family and warmth once again, as soon as he manages to arrange for his marriage with a lady of suitable pedigree.
When Anna enters his life with her intelligence, quick wit and warmth, Edward sees beyond her prim and plain exterior into the woman at heart, a woman whose body tempts him unlike any other. The need to possess Anna in the most wickedest ways possible drives every sane thought from Edward’s mind until he is forced to come to the decision that a tumble in the most notorious whorehouse in London would cure him of his unwanted lust for his secretary.
When Anna finds out that Edward would rather seek the services of a whore than touch her, something deep inside of her that is already possessive of Edward and how his mere presence makes her feel makes her take matters into her own hands and thus she finds herself posing as a woman of the house, awaiting Edward to pleasure her in ways she has never even dreamed of.
Though the story was a bit slow in starting for me, I was well engrossed more than half way through, thoroughly enjoying the banter between Anna and Edward. Edward is a delicious hero, no two ways about it. I love heroes who are reclusive, those who are intent and focused on what they want and need and of course his brand of seduction when it comes to Anna, a side that he keeps hidden from the rest of the world was just sheer magic to revel in.
Anna was a wonderful heroine. She has that inner kindness deep inside of her that refuses to let society’s rule govern her actions. Anna is a woman who has been deeply hurt by her previous husband, a hurt that at first refuses to let her see just how much more she could have with Edward by her side.
Equally charming and maybe more so were the snippets from the fairy tale entitled “The Raven Prince” which I was racing through the chapters to reach its conclusion. I found the magic of the small snippets included enticing and beautiful at the same time, and for someone who to this day loves watching Disney cartoons, I cannot gush on enough about the short story included as part of Anna and Edward’s journey towards their happily ever after.
Recommended for fans of steamy historical romances.
Rating=4/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Anna Wren is a widow going on for 6 years and lives in Little Battleford with her mother-in-law and maid in a small cottage. Dire financial circumstances has Anna seeking employment with the reclusive 5th Earl of Swartingham, Edward De Raaf who is legendary for his ominous temper which had driven away the two previous secretaries in his employment. Scarred from smallpox from which he had been the sole survivor of his family, Edward prefers the seclusion the countryside offers and has every intention of filling up his childhood home with family and warmth once again, as soon as he manages to arrange for his marriage with a lady of suitable pedigree.
When Anna enters his life with her intelligence, quick wit and warmth, Edward sees beyond her prim and plain exterior into the woman at heart, a woman whose body tempts him unlike any other. The need to possess Anna in the most wickedest ways possible drives every sane thought from Edward’s mind until he is forced to come to the decision that a tumble in the most notorious whorehouse in London would cure him of his unwanted lust for his secretary.
When Anna finds out that Edward would rather seek the services of a whore than touch her, something deep inside of her that is already possessive of Edward and how his mere presence makes her feel makes her take matters into her own hands and thus she finds herself posing as a woman of the house, awaiting Edward to pleasure her in ways she has never even dreamed of.
Though the story was a bit slow in starting for me, I was well engrossed more than half way through, thoroughly enjoying the banter between Anna and Edward. Edward is a delicious hero, no two ways about it. I love heroes who are reclusive, those who are intent and focused on what they want and need and of course his brand of seduction when it comes to Anna, a side that he keeps hidden from the rest of the world was just sheer magic to revel in.
Anna was a wonderful heroine. She has that inner kindness deep inside of her that refuses to let society’s rule govern her actions. Anna is a woman who has been deeply hurt by her previous husband, a hurt that at first refuses to let her see just how much more she could have with Edward by her side.
Equally charming and maybe more so were the snippets from the fairy tale entitled “The Raven Prince” which I was racing through the chapters to reach its conclusion. I found the magic of the small snippets included enticing and beautiful at the same time, and for someone who to this day loves watching Disney cartoons, I cannot gush on enough about the short story included as part of Anna and Edward’s journey towards their happily ever after.
Recommended for fans of steamy historical romances.
Rating=4/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
jnle95's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
breezy610's review against another edition
4.0
this was pretty good. I wish the Anna had come out and say that she wanted him. I mean the man is stupid if he couln't see if she want it as well as he did. and the Clearwater girl just got on my nerves.
agray210's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sneeps's review against another edition
4.0
Look.. Liz just gets it. Some classic miscommunications keep our heroes apart, but not to worry!! True love wins!!
angelsmomreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was read as part of a " Bridgerton Challenge" Like Francesca's character we have a widow and a widower in the main characters.
I haven't read a historical romance in a long time , and this book was written so well, I read in one sitting , I had to know what happened with Edward and Anna.
The Earl is not what most would consider attractive, he has small pox scars on his face, which his former wife told him as she lay dying she wished she had never married him. He is a wealthy good man, cares about the farmers on his land ; doesn't mind getting dirty right along with them draining a field or helping with a crop. He hired Anna as a Secretary to help with paperwork in his estate; and he does fall first. He can't get her out of his head.
I really had no idea historical books would be so sexy ; a Victorian sex club ? The members wear masks? Anna decides she needs to go and enjoy the Earl on her own terms since she could never marry him?
This book far exceeded any expectations I had. I loved the characters; the banter was adorable .
And he bought her ROSE BUSHES.. not roses in a bouquet ? NO he bought her whole rosebushes for her garden. I loved how he talked to her as an equal and he loved how she listened and was interesting to talk to. He fell for her one moment at a time, I just loved every second.
4.5 stars.
I haven't read a historical romance in a long time , and this book was written so well, I read in one sitting , I had to know what happened with Edward and Anna.
The Earl is not what most would consider attractive, he has small pox scars on his face, which his former wife told him as she lay dying she wished she had never married him. He is a wealthy good man, cares about the farmers on his land ; doesn't mind getting dirty right along with them draining a field or helping with a crop. He hired Anna as a Secretary to help with paperwork in his estate; and he does fall first. He can't get her out of his head.
I really had no idea historical books would be so sexy ; a Victorian sex club ? The members wear masks? Anna decides she needs to go and enjoy the Earl on her own terms since she could never marry him?
This book far exceeded any expectations I had. I loved the characters; the banter was adorable .
And he bought her ROSE BUSHES.. not roses in a bouquet ? NO he bought her whole rosebushes for her garden. I loved how he talked to her as an equal and he loved how she listened and was interesting to talk to. He fell for her one moment at a time, I just loved every second.
4.5 stars.