frandeb's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thisreadingcorner's review against another edition
2.0
Predictably predictable except for the final confrontation where the hero acted in a much more logical way than his love interest. The book is rooted in a shitty trope though and the author is undeniably attached to a strict formula for these characters, despite the many books in the series. I think this might be the book that finally ends my attachment to books of this style, or at least my tracking them
snarkywench's review against another edition
I cried so much reading this. So much.
dianed's review
5.0
This is the 8th book in the Heart of a Duke Series but Christi Caldwell. In this book 2 young people in love separated when Eleanor simply disappears, leaving only a note with no explanation. Marcus is heartbroken and vows to not risk his heart again. Instead he becomes a rogue, enjoying women but never risking his heart.
Eight years later, Eleanor returns to London as a war widow with a 7 year old daughter. She is now the poor relative of her aunt the Duchess of Devonshire and has come to play the role of companion. Unfortunately, her aunt lives right next door to the Earl of Wessex – her young love, Marcus.
Marcus and Eleanor struggle with their feelings. He was heartbroken needs to work through his anger and pain issues while facing the fact that he still loves her. Eleanor’s pain goes deeper. She left all those years ago because she was raped. She didn’t know how Marcus would react – either being disgusted by her ruined state or being willing to call the man out, either way she couldn’t face what might happened. Rape not only causes physical pain and injury, the emotional pain remains long after the physical bruises heal. Eleanor has issues with men and being touched. These two work through their trust issues together. Marcus is a well written character, willing to put aside his hurt and revenge when he sees that there was more the Eleanor’s leaving than he thought.
Of course, no romance novel could be without its evil villain and in this case, the rapist doesn’t remain in the past but comes to haunt/taunt Eleanor. This is probably the darkest book of the series and because it deals with issues of rape and its aftermath it explores issues that are rarely covered in Romance novels. Ms Caldwell handles the issue with taste and talent and makes the Happily Ever After even Happier after the characters have worked so hard to get there.
Eight years later, Eleanor returns to London as a war widow with a 7 year old daughter. She is now the poor relative of her aunt the Duchess of Devonshire and has come to play the role of companion. Unfortunately, her aunt lives right next door to the Earl of Wessex – her young love, Marcus.
Marcus and Eleanor struggle with their feelings. He was heartbroken needs to work through his anger and pain issues while facing the fact that he still loves her. Eleanor’s pain goes deeper. She left all those years ago because she was raped. She didn’t know how Marcus would react – either being disgusted by her ruined state or being willing to call the man out, either way she couldn’t face what might happened. Rape not only causes physical pain and injury, the emotional pain remains long after the physical bruises heal. Eleanor has issues with men and being touched. These two work through their trust issues together. Marcus is a well written character, willing to put aside his hurt and revenge when he sees that there was more the Eleanor’s leaving than he thought.
Of course, no romance novel could be without its evil villain and in this case, the rapist doesn’t remain in the past but comes to haunt/taunt Eleanor. This is probably the darkest book of the series and because it deals with issues of rape and its aftermath it explores issues that are rarely covered in Romance novels. Ms Caldwell handles the issue with taste and talent and makes the Happily Ever After even Happier after the characters have worked so hard to get there.
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