turophile's review against another edition
3.0
For a first book, Ms. Carr displayed talent - which may help explain why she's gone on to become a bestselling author. I liked but did not love this historical romance set in Restoration England.
As other reviews have noted, the book is well plotted with a simple clear writing style. I appreciated that the two characters did not fall into bed together almost immediately, as happens with many of the more recently written historicals. Both characters matured and their love built slowly throughout the book. Let me emphasize slowly, the book built way too slowly.
What drove me crazy is that heroine, Cheylnne, and the hero, CHad were kept apart for most of the book because Chad was acting like a dumb*i*t. He was a complex, well-drawn hero with an important secret, he was a widow with a small child but didn't disclose this fact to his wife. He knows how gossip flows through the court and in fact warns his wife on that aspect, but he does not worry this will get back to her?? Dumb*ss. And did I mention he cheated on her after the marriage? A**hat. That especially troubled me. The only reason I did not reject the book on that basis is that in many ways it was true to the time period and made more sense in the story arc than would a story in which Chad remained celibate the entire time.
At the beginning of the book I also found it hard to like the heroine, Chelynne. Taking an unnecessary risk once is believable, but after awhile you just shake your head and begin to think she deserves any harm that might come to her. She did mature, but was a tad insufferable throughout the book.
Despite these nits, I still enjoyed it - perhaps it was because of the supporting characters such as King Charles or John Bollering.
Rated on my 5 star romance novel scale.
As other reviews have noted, the book is well plotted with a simple clear writing style. I appreciated that the two characters did not fall into bed together almost immediately, as happens with many of the more recently written historicals. Both characters matured and their love built slowly throughout the book. Let me emphasize slowly, the book built way too slowly.
What drove me crazy is that heroine, Cheylnne, and the hero, CHad were kept apart for most of the book because Chad was acting like a dumb*i*t. He was a complex, well-drawn hero with an important secret, he was a widow with a small child but didn't disclose this fact to his wife. He knows how gossip flows through the court and in fact warns his wife on that aspect, but he does not worry this will get back to her?? Dumb*ss. And did I mention he cheated on her after the marriage? A**hat. That especially troubled me. The only reason I did not reject the book on that basis is that in many ways it was true to the time period and made more sense in the story arc than would a story in which Chad remained celibate the entire time.
At the beginning of the book I also found it hard to like the heroine, Chelynne. Taking an unnecessary risk once is believable, but after awhile you just shake your head and begin to think she deserves any harm that might come to her. She did mature, but was a tad insufferable throughout the book.
Despite these nits, I still enjoyed it - perhaps it was because of the supporting characters such as King Charles or John Bollering.
Rated on my 5 star romance novel scale.
donnah's review against another edition
4.0
Since this was the first novel for Robyn Carr I thought it was well written and thought out for a first novel. I agree with some that it was hard to like Chad at times. But the story is a good romance that I downloaded at the sale price of $1.99.
IN THE DECADENT COURT OF CHARLES II, SHE WANTED A MOST UNSUITABLE MAN—HER HUSBAND.
Orphaned and raised by her uncle, the feisty sixteen-year-old Chelynne resolves to show her gratitude by marrying the man of her uncle's choice. Bracing herself for a graying, sickly noble, the last man she expects for a husband is the dashing future Earl of Bryant, Chadwick Hawthorne—suddenly, being a loving wife doesn't seem too hard a task. But he spurns her affection and remains her husband only in name, never in deed. Tormented by unfinished business from his past and an uprising threatening his land, Chad resolves to keep his distance from everyone, including his young wife.
Chelynne will go to any lengths to ignite her husband’s passion and save their marriage. But when she finally goes too far, the Earl must share his dark secret before Chelynne loses her reputation—or worse, her life.
IN THE DECADENT COURT OF CHARLES II, SHE WANTED A MOST UNSUITABLE MAN—HER HUSBAND.
Orphaned and raised by her uncle, the feisty sixteen-year-old Chelynne resolves to show her gratitude by marrying the man of her uncle's choice. Bracing herself for a graying, sickly noble, the last man she expects for a husband is the dashing future Earl of Bryant, Chadwick Hawthorne—suddenly, being a loving wife doesn't seem too hard a task. But he spurns her affection and remains her husband only in name, never in deed. Tormented by unfinished business from his past and an uprising threatening his land, Chad resolves to keep his distance from everyone, including his young wife.
Chelynne will go to any lengths to ignite her husband’s passion and save their marriage. But when she finally goes too far, the Earl must share his dark secret before Chelynne loses her reputation—or worse, her life.
katiev's review against another edition
2.0
This was something I vaguely remembered reading as a teenager and tracked down through the forums here. It was apparently Robyn Carr's first published novel, which is funny because I would have sworn I'd never read anything by her. The only thing I remembered was a portion where the heroine almost dies of basically a broken heart and is nursed through by the hero.
I didn't particularly like it in an enjoyable way, but I thought it had some lovely quotes and showed the potential that has made Robyn Carr a popular writer. Overall it is a rather dark novel until the last few chapters. I do plan to look into some of her more popular novels.
The story takes place in England during the latter half of the 17th century (Restoration period) during the reign of King Charles II. He's the king who took over after the monarchy was restored and power taken back from Cromwell and his supporters.
Chelynne was married off to the hero at the age of 16. This may make some uncomfortable, but it was realistic. He was in his early to mid thirties.
The hero, Chad (that seems an odd name for that time period, but perhaps I'm mistaken), did not want to marry Chelynne. He did not want to marry anyone. Some spoilery background:
Chelynne is most definitely not what he wants in a wife. She's beautiful and desirable and he's determined not to sully his first wife's memory by moving on. He's doubly pissed about the situation since she is so tempting. Basically, he's either an ass or pretends indifference to her.
Chelynne is young and very idealistic/naive. Some may hate her for being a doormat. But at 16, I was a complete and utter idiot about love too. The first time around, many of us aren't smart enough to have any defenses and when that love fails we really do think we'll die (although perhaps not quite as dramatically as Chelynne does it). She was also raised in a time when obedience, meakness etc. was a virtue in a woman.
She falls hopelessly in love with Chad and does everything she can to make him love her back. He refuses to even bed her due to his misguided allegiance to his wife's memory and because he doesn't want a child who would compromise his son's claim to the title. He kept this child and his first marriage secret from Chelynne, leading to her confusion and making her vulnerable to schemers at court. He's also a complete ass to her at times simply because he unfairly blames her for his father's machinations and she tempts him with her big tatas.
Anyway, Daddy doesn't live long after the marriage and Chad comes into the title. But there is still lots of intrigue he's dealing with and he's still stuck on his first wife, so he continues to mistreat and/or ignore Chelynne.
The sex is fade to black and doesn't come until VERY far into the novel (which is 400+ pages). So, if you're looking for a sexy read this isn't the one for you. There is also adultery on the part of the Earl. It's not a particularly romantic romance until very, very far in. Many would lose patience, no doubt.
I didn't particularly like it in an enjoyable way, but I thought it had some lovely quotes and showed the potential that has made Robyn Carr a popular writer. Overall it is a rather dark novel until the last few chapters. I do plan to look into some of her more popular novels.
The story takes place in England during the latter half of the 17th century (Restoration period) during the reign of King Charles II. He's the king who took over after the monarchy was restored and power taken back from Cromwell and his supporters.
Chelynne was married off to the hero at the age of 16. This may make some uncomfortable, but it was realistic. He was in his early to mid thirties.
The hero, Chad (that seems an odd name for that time period, but perhaps I'm mistaken), did not want to marry Chelynne. He did not want to marry anyone. Some spoilery background:
Spoiler
Chad had married a servant girl he fell in love with and she died giving birth to his son. His father, an Earl was all bent out of shape about the marriage and disinherited Chad, refusing to even acknowledge the marriage. Chad had to become a working man (merchanr ships) to support himself and his wife. After her death, he swore never to love again. He also keeps his young son a secret for his protection from various intrigues. Then Daddy pops up with an offer to take him back into the fold if he'll take a suitable wife and produce heirs. Of course, Chad just wants to be successor again so he can make his secret son his eventual heir.Chelynne is most definitely not what he wants in a wife. She's beautiful and desirable and he's determined not to sully his first wife's memory by moving on. He's doubly pissed about the situation since she is so tempting. Basically, he's either an ass or pretends indifference to her.
Chelynne is young and very idealistic/naive. Some may hate her for being a doormat. But at 16, I was a complete and utter idiot about love too. The first time around, many of us aren't smart enough to have any defenses and when that love fails we really do think we'll die (although perhaps not quite as dramatically as Chelynne does it). She was also raised in a time when obedience, meakness etc. was a virtue in a woman.
She falls hopelessly in love with Chad and does everything she can to make him love her back. He refuses to even bed her due to his misguided allegiance to his wife's memory and because he doesn't want a child who would compromise his son's claim to the title. He kept this child and his first marriage secret from Chelynne, leading to her confusion and making her vulnerable to schemers at court. He's also a complete ass to her at times simply because he unfairly blames her for his father's machinations and she tempts him with her big tatas.
Anyway, Daddy doesn't live long after the marriage and Chad comes into the title. But there is still lots of intrigue he's dealing with and he's still stuck on his first wife, so he continues to mistreat and/or ignore Chelynne.
The sex is fade to black and doesn't come until VERY far into the novel (which is 400+ pages). So, if you're looking for a sexy read this isn't the one for you. There is also adultery on the part of the Earl. It's not a particularly romantic romance until very, very far in. Many would lose patience, no doubt.
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