blounsbury's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.75
melamtz's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, the couple is so different than usual and although they are both widows it is still a very romantic story. I loved Charles and Julia.
madeleinehelena's review against another edition
3.0
"Nothing is so tedious as maudlin self-sacrifice."
That line from the Dragon kind of sums up the lingering annoyance at the back of my mind. Come on Julia, let him decide how he wants to live his life! I feel sympathy, but can't bring myself to think it is romantic that she tries to run away all the time instead of talk to him. I'm not a fan of "the chase" trope.
I like the structure of this novella, where you get to see their relationship evolve through flashbacks. It was nice getting to know these characters better, as there are only short glimpses in the previous books in the series. Especially learning more about Charlie's relationship with his dragon mother.
That line from the Dragon kind of sums up the lingering annoyance at the back of my mind. Come on Julia, let him decide how he wants to live his life! I feel sympathy, but can't bring myself to think it is romantic that she tries to run away all the time instead of talk to him. I'm not a fan of "the chase" trope.
I like the structure of this novella, where you get to see their relationship evolve through flashbacks. It was nice getting to know these characters better, as there are only short glimpses in the previous books in the series. Especially learning more about Charlie's relationship with his dragon mother.
fbullock01's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I'm loving this series on audio. The narration is really good. The fact that I love this novella is a nice surprise because normally I hate them lol. This one is very sweet.
I'm loving this series on audio. The narration is really good. The fact that I love this novella is a nice surprise because normally I hate them lol. This one is very sweet.
julianaphilippa's review against another edition
4.0
His arm came hard around her waist, forcing her back into his body. That long, lean, athletic body.A fun and light novella (doesn't have to be read in order of the series). The main characters were sweet and the chemistry between them is sizzling!! Charles is a very adorable hero and I love that he's normally viewed as quite staid and calm, but when it comes to Julia is overcome by his feelings for her. Great to have an older-than-usual couple as well.
"Where do you think you can hide from me, Julia?" The words were more heat than sound against her nape. "Here in Dunston's library? A dowager cottage in Bedfordshire? There is nowhere I would not find you."
This was the man only Julia seemed able to see. His mother's son. Fierce and determined. A dragon in his own right. He wanted her. She knew that. Perhaps he even loved her, as she did him. But wanting something—even loving something—did not make possessing it the proper choice.
The "disastrous" encounters between them are quite funny, and it was nice to have the flashbacks charting their relationship. It did make the transition from formality to "Charlie" a bit rougher and I think could have used one or two more, but regardless—high enjoyable novella that I would definitely recommend.
My one annoyance was the often-used ploy of I-won't-tell-him/her-why-I'm-splitting-us-up-because-it's-for-her/his-good-even-though-I-love-them-etc. Drove me bonkers, because I've always hated that ploy; I'm not big on the miscommunication ploys in romance and while not the most annoying kind (don't get me started!), it definitely falls in that category.
SERIES. I recommend reading the series in order, though I honestly would say to skip the two books that I didn't like; of course it's always completely subjective, but the fact that I'm saying skip them while also saying read the whole series in order ... well, that tells you something about how much I disliked them. The others were GREAT!!
#0.5 — [b:Ever Yours, Annabelle|45303273|Ever Yours, Annabelle (Rescued from Ruin #0.5)|Elisa Braden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556477842l/45303273._SY75_.jpg|70025365] (TBR)
#1 — The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (DNF)
#2 — [b:The Truth About Cads and Dukes|25570980|The Truth About Cads and Dukes (Rescued from Ruin, #2)|Elisa Braden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1432147366l/25570980._SY75_.jpg|45371031] (4 stars)
#3 — [b:Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel|28012116|Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel (Rescued from Ruin, #3)|Elisa Braden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448852806l/28012116._SY75_.jpg|48021343] (TBR)
#4 — [b:The Devil Is a Marquess|29965525|The Devil Is a Marquess (Rescued from Ruin, #4)|Elisa Braden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461877011l/29965525._SY75_.jpg|50360158] (4-4.5 stars)
#5 — [b:When a Girl Loves an Earl|31571515|When a Girl Loves an Earl (Rescued from Ruin, #5)|Elisa Braden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471816237l/31571515._SY75_.jpg|52259767] (TBR)
#5.5 — Twelve Nights as His Mistress (4 stars)
#6 — [b:Confessions of a Dangerous Lord|35389115|Confessions of a Dangerous Lord (Rescued from Ruin, #6)|Elisa Braden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496931892l/35389115._SY75_.jpg|56632819] (TBR)
#7 — Anything but a Gentleman (2 stars)
#8 — A Marriage Made in Scandal, this book (4 stars)
#9 — A Kiss from a Rogue (4 stars)
whatcaroread's review against another edition
3.0
Charles Bainbridge, Marquess of Wallingham and Lady Julia Willoughby meet while Julia is married to another. Two years later, Julia is now a widow and Charles is hell bent on pursuing her. Now at a winter hunting party, he has one last chance to persuade her they're meant to be. He makes her an offer - spend twelve nights in his bed and if she can still deny their attraction, he'll finally let her go.
This wasn't my favourite in this series. The writing style was enjoyable but the story jumps around alot with flashbacks that got pretty confusing and I felt they didn't really work for a book this short.
This wasn't my favourite in this series. The writing style was enjoyable but the story jumps around alot with flashbacks that got pretty confusing and I felt they didn't really work for a book this short.
squishies's review against another edition
1.0
Yiiiiikes, this was probably the worst of the series - thank goodness it's just a novella, I don't think I could have handled it if it was longer.
I was not emotionally invested in either protagonists and honestly, the Dowager (little quips at the beginning of the chapters and all) was probably the only parts that I enjoyed.
I think it's because she's made a decision for the both of them, even though it made them both miserable. I found it to be more on the selfish side than anything else and totally disregarded what he was trying to tell her.
I was not emotionally invested in either protagonists and honestly, the Dowager (little quips at the beginning of the chapters and all) was probably the only parts that I enjoyed.
I think it's because she's made a decision for the both of them, even though it made them both miserable. I found it to be more on the selfish side than anything else and totally disregarded what he was trying to tell her.
reading_in_brussels's review against another edition
4.0
We finally get properly acquainted with The Dowager's son, Charles, and Julia, the widow he's been patiently wooing for two years. Another hit from Braden.
melodicfate's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite in the series, but watching Charles and Julia get their HEA was great. Loved how strong Julia was, and seeing Charles take on some of his mother's traits was interesting.
jennifer_jennifer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
This was so lovely. So much yearning. The extremely satisfying culmination of a long courtship fraught with mishaps. Poor Charlie rarely gets a mention when I see discussions of the Rescued From Ruin series, but there’s so much fire burning beneath that controlled, silver-templed exterior. I will never look at a tea service in quite the same way.
I do think this is probably more enjoyable if you've been following Lady Wallingham's musings throughout the prior books in the series.
Excellent audiobook narration by Mary Sarah.
I do think this is probably more enjoyable if you've been following Lady Wallingham's musings throughout the prior books in the series.
Excellent audiobook narration by Mary Sarah.