He wants the best for her, and that's not it. From the beginning, Draker is miserable to Regina. His ruggard good looks and mysterious ways, not the mention to calm light expression he gets when he thinks of his sister, means nothing to Regina, especially since he seems to be down right mean to her from the start. He doesn't know her. How dare he judge her? But what she comes to realize is he's hurt. He thinks he's lost hope on any life with a family of his own who loves him besides his sister.
He doesn't realize what life really is until he meets Regina, and how hard it will be to change his ways, and to trust her and finally, to woo her. I can honestly say this was an amazing read. I'm fairly new to the Historical romance genre, but man I'm glad I started it! I highly recommend this series, it's one you won't want to miss! May 19, Inna rated it really liked it Shelves: favorite-heroine , , enemies-to-lovers , favorite-hero , safe , hero-not-a-man-whore , separation-before-end , virginal-heroine , historical-romance , om-drama.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Marcus, the hero, is yet another by-blow of Prinny. Regina the heroine and Marcus meet when she shows up at his estate and confronts him about allowing her brother to court his sister. Marcus believes that her brother a close friend to Prinny has alternative motives f 4 stars. Marcus believes that her brother a close friend to Prinny has alternative motives for pursing his sister. He agrees to allow the courtship to continue if Regina in turn allows Marcus to court her.
So they begin to spend time together, develop feelings, etc, etc. The ending, as I expected, was super sweet with a decent epilogue.
Safe; virgin heroine, mild OM drama, hero not a man whore Sep 26, Claudine rated it did not like it Shelves: woobie-backstory-or-past-abuse , hated-it , gross-heroes-abuse-a-lovely-lady , invisible-disabilities. As much as I enjoyed reading about a dyslexic heroine who was insecure about something other than her looks, its hard to enjoy a story when the leading man is an abusive asshole.
Its not only that he uses verbal abuse to hurt her emotionally, or that he hypocritically judges her based on her manners, appearance, and reputation while he simultaneously hates all of society for judging him based on his manners, appearance, and reputation.
He is deliberately cruel, he insults her constantly, and he As much as I enjoyed reading about a dyslexic heroine who was insecure about something other than her looks, its hard to enjoy a story when the leading man is an abusive asshole. He is deliberately cruel, he insults her constantly, and he treats her and others so badly that it is impossible to like him. Yes, he has a reputation that precedes him.
But it is also clear that it is his appalling behaviour, and not his reputation, for which society does not accept him: This is proven when he view spoiler [ A single night of polite conversation has him wholly accepted by the peerage, proving that he was wrong about literally everything the whole time.
He insists that he has been wrongly persecuted, but apparently he was only a shave, a change of clothing, and a polite conversation away from acceptance the whole time. Marcus insists that it is other people who are shallow, but he does everything to Regina literally everything that he complains was unfair in his own treatment.
The writing itself is also compelling-- Jeffries has a way of writing intriguing characters that have nuance. Unfortunately, Marcus has little nuance. He is a shallow, selfish, cruel bastard in both senses of the word who hates women. Yes, he hates women. Despite his professed love for his sister, it is clear that Marcus's relationship with his mother has poisoned his opinion on all women. He assumes that women are cold-hearted or cruel by nature, that affection is given only so long as he performs adequately and will be withdrawn the minute he does anything a woman dislikes.
He also, unfairly, assumes women are incapable of rational thought, that they must be protected from making their own decisions and this is shown, again and again, by his treatment of his sister. He claims to love Louisa, but he never tells her about her dubious parentage. He purposely keeps her ignorant, because he has decided it is better for her. And he makes this pronouncement again and again. Rather than explain to her his suspicions about Simon's motivations, he proclaims that Simon a duke in his own right is unsuitable as a suitor.
Rather than warn Louisa that the prince is interested in her, likely for his own purposes, he keeps her ignorant of the situation. And his refusal to justify his actions, behaviour, or pronouncements, his refusal to be polite to Louisa's friends and suitors, his purposely keeping his fully grown sister ignorant of her own situation is what drives her right into Simon's arms.
Confining someone against their will is a form of physical abuse. He does this to Louisa. Name calling, blaming problems on a person, preventing someone from having contact with their family and friends, mocking or humiliating someone, intimidating or using fear to control someones actions, and threatening to abandon someone or have them sent away are all forms of emotional abuse.
He does these things to Louisa or to Regina. Not allowing a competent person to make decisions, treating them like a child or servant, inappropriately controlling a persons actions, socially isolating someone, and witholding companionship or affection are all forms of psychological abuse. He does all of this to both Lousia and Regina. Expressing negative expectations, recalling past mistakes, name-calling, telling a person they are worthless, expressing distrust, witholding important information, and ordering around someone are all forms of verbal abuse.
He does most of these things to Regina, and some to Louisa. Taken together, they show Marcus as a particularly abusive man, which is sad. I wanted to like him. I enjoyed the story. But Marcus spends most of the book abusing both Regina and Louisa, being deliberately cruel to Regina or other society ladies, and becoming enraged at any sign his little sister is slipping out from his control.
By the final, explosive confrontation, I hated him. Despite knowing just how much Regina needs to have other people around, and knowing about her dyslexia and how she cannot entertain herself with reading either music or books, he insists she leave town and go back to the country house with him until he decides she can come back.
He threatens his wife and her cousin-- who he knows she loves dearly and begged to have live with them after their wedding-- with abandonment, pronouncing that she would be barred from their home and never allowed back if she doesn't acquiesce to his demands. Demands that she, amongst other things, never see her own brother-- and single remaining family member-- ever again. He tells the cousin that she will not be provided with an income unless she comes with him. And, as a final nail in the coffin, he leaves for the country with his sister, confident that Regina will be fine on her own.
He later finds out that she is living with his half-brother and his wife, because he failed to give her keys to the house he rented for her-- not because he was hoping she would come ask for them and they could talk, but because he never gave any thought to her once she was out of his sight. He brooded and sulked and contemplated how long it would take her to start mistreating him, but he never worried about her safety or comfort. Regina does everything in her power to prevent rumour about Louisa, she even does damage control with regards to Marcus's assaulting her cousin earlier on, and ensures that he will be well received if he should return.
She also stands her ground and refuses to be cowed, for which she is an exceptional and resilient leading lady. I would love to read more books about women like Regina, in fact. Unfortunately, Marcus ruins this book for me in every way.
I can't even be satisfied by the HEA because Marcus didn't grow enough as a person to deserve a happy ending. I decided to give the next book a try, but if this is the sort of relationship Jeffries writes, I cant say I will read any more.
Dec 06, Cheryl rated it really liked it Shelves: historical-romance , borrowed , sabrina-jeffries. I really enjoyed this book that was reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast Lady Regina Tremaine is beautiful and has turned down 11 proposals of marriage.
She could have any man that she wants but because of a secret that she carries she never plans on marrying. Many rumors surround him about his treatment of his mother whom he banished from his castle and other women who have been rumored to I really enjoyed this book that was reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast Many rumors surround him about his treatment of his mother whom he banished from his castle and other women who have been rumored to have been locked away in his dungeon.
Regina and Marcus are immediately attracted to each other, but at the same time throw insults at one another. I loved their banter and the way Marcus's beastly behavior didn't scare Regina one whit and the way she stood her ground.
She was intrigued by the man hiding behind this dragon image and he found himself falling for the spell that she seemed to cast over all the men. The courtship that follows was fast-paced and, of course, steamy! It was very sweet and touching to read about their road to a happily ever after! I would definitely recommend reading this series before the School for Heiresses Series for that reason alone. Jan 23, Heidi rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. So good!
I have yet to read anything by Sabrina Jeffries that's even mildly disappointing. In other words: She rocks!!!! Also: Mistress Heidi gives this book 5 lashes of the whip. Jan 28, Carisa rated it really liked it Shelves: g-historical , hero-type-loner , favorites-romance , t-disabty-scars , t-forced-marriage. Well written, great characters, original plot.
I enjoyed so much the love story between the heroine and the surly, stubborn and passionate hero, both characters well developed. Kept me interested until the end. HERO is a Loner, a Viscount who disdains aristocrats, secret son of the prince, moody, obstinate and bad-tempered. He strikes a deal with a Lady to jointly chaperone his sister, a lady who's forcing him to get out of his isolation and is making him fall in love. Dec 10, StrangeBedfellows rated it it was ok. The Story: Lord Marcus, Viscount Draker, is a social outcast despite his wealth and title but, if his debutante sister is going to have a successful season, he must play nice with the popular Lady Regina.
Regina would do anything to help her friend, Marcus's sister Louisa. Even strike a bargain with Marcus to let him court her for a month, but Regina's reputation may not be enough to protect this unlikely couple from scorn and scandal. My Thoughts: I was a few chapters from the end when I realize The Story: Lord Marcus, Viscount Draker, is a social outcast despite his wealth and title but, if his debutante sister is going to have a successful season, he must play nice with the popular Lady Regina.
My Thoughts: I was a few chapters from the end when I realized the book was pissing me off. Jeffries writes well, and it's a very good idea, and Regina is a decent enough character Lord Marcus will annoy you to no end. Curiosity glinted in her eyes, but something in his face must have warned her not to ask, for she merely changed the direction of her exploration, slipping her fingers down to caress his jaw. I expected it to be prickly.
Her tenderness unsettled him. A coy look crossed her face. He bent his head to nibble her earlobe. She jerked back, her face aflame. Iversley stepped inside, then froze. His gaze swung from Marcus to Regina.
When Regina faced Iversley, that reserved mask she generally wore had already slipped down over her face, banishing the tenderness of a few minutes before. Marcus wanted to howl his frustration. Marcus knew she was perfectly in her rights to preserve her reputation.
But with his blood still in wild riot, he reacted to her calmness as if it were an assault. Anger flared in her eyes, and she slapped him. Then she fled. For an elegant female, her ladyship had quite a swing. And quite a little temper. Iversley shook his head. God help him, he did. A pox on her. Nothing happened. So go back to your guests, and send someone for me when dinner is served. Sabrina Jeffries. Product Details. Related Articles. Resources and Downloads.
Get a FREE ebook by joining our mailing list today! By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use. Must redeem within 90 days. The truth: she won't marry because she carries a dark secret. She sees no good reason, however, why her brother shouldn't court the lovely Louisa North—even if the girl's brother, the notorious "Dragon Viscount," objects.
Marcus North, Viscount Draker—bastard son of the Prince of Wales—is rumored to be a monster who holds women captive in his dark castle to have his way with them. He has been exiled from polite society for years.
But when Lady Regina makes a plea on her brother's behalf, Marcus proposes an outrageous deal: her brother can court Louisa so long as Marcus can court Regina.
Can the beauty and the beast survive a proper courtship when the devastatingly improper passion between them threatens to cause the scandal of the century? Languages English. The sizzling and passionate Royal Brotherhood series from the New York Times bestselling author of Never Seduce a Scoundrel returns with this sexy story featuring three illegitimate sons of the Prince of Wales and the women who snare them. Details Publisher: Pocket Books Awards:.
Sabrina Jeffries - Author.
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