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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Is it 4 Stars or 1 Star? I know it's not 5!, November 20, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Dangerous Gentleman (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
I couldn't decide what to rate this book - it was a toss up between 1, 2, 3, or 4 stars. All I knew was that it wasn't 5, and I'll tell you why. First, what's good about the book: 1) It's very well written. I can't say enough good things about Ms. London's skill as a writer. I'm relatively new to the genre (it's been less than 9 months since I've read my first "romance"), and I've found some atrocious writing along the way. Even stories that I have enjoyed have been rife with poor editing, insipid dialog, poor grammar/sentence construction, and overworked clichés ("Rake with a capital "R" apparently is some sort of requirement to get published!) This book is truly well written. 2) The dialog is believable, if not authentic to Regency manner of speech. Conversations between characters ring true. Although the style of speech is a bit modern, it "works" - it doesn't feel as if you are listening to a conversation of today. 3) You do get a feel for what motivates the two main characters (Adrian and Lilliana) and how they became the people that they are. 4) The subplot, revolving around Adrian's birth, is a good one. I really didn't suspect what the truth was until it was revealed. Now, let's get to why I would never give this book 5 stars...basically Adrian is a jacka** through most of the book. I don't think I'm spoiling the end when I reveal that he does find "redemption" through Lilliana's love, you just gotta wonder if a year later, this guy is back to obsessing, brooding, seeking revenge, and emotionally abusing his wife and family. But this is fiction, right? We can believe he's seen the light and changed. I know it's a fairly common plot device to set the two protagonists up to be at odds for the majority of the book, but this is the first book I've read where the two characters are just truly hateful to each other - where the primary motivation to hurt the other person is just that, to hurt the other person. By the end of the book, Lilliana isn't much better. Ironically, the thing that Adrian does that really sets her off is the ONE thing he does that I can understand (I won't reveal what that is)! So, if this novel was so awful explain this to me - why did I start reading this at 10PM on a Saturday night and stopped at 2:30AM Sunday only when my husband stumbled out into the family room with this look on his face that said, "Get to bed, idiot!" I got up early to read a few chapters before I had to get everyone ready for church then rushed back home to finish the last few chapters before noon on Sunday - in other words, I couldn't put the book down. AND, although I had just placed a big order with Amazon a few days earlier, I went out on Sunday to buy the sequel, "The Ruthless Charmer" and by Monday AM, I've already made quite a dent on it. Go figure. My final analysis - if you don't mind the idea that the "hero" is anything but, if you don't mind reading about how two people who love each other can still work pretty hard at destroying each other - get this book. It's very well written and will certainly hold your interest - but it's not a pretty love story.
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43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Dangerous Gentleman, April 29, 2000
This review is from: The Dangerous Gentleman (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
I couldn't put this one down even though it meant going to work the next day with no sleep! Adrian Spence is the quintessential hero. Not only is he handsome, witty and wealthy but he's the lover we all want. What he isn't is a nice man even though we understand why. He's a real treat by the time he decides to marry Lilliana; and I must say, she handles him rather well for a girl who's already head over heels in love with him. She didn't become his doormat nor did she spend all her time fighting him and the chemistry between them. These characters were well-developed and I enjoyed "watching" Lilliana grow into a woman who finally sees the "real" Adrian and achieves the maturity to wait for him to see himself. Of course, watching Adrian finally come into his own was wonderful because, like most men, he STILL doesn't get it right the first time! All in all I fell in love again last night and hated to put the book down. I can't wait to meet the other two Rogues and their loves. Kudos to Julia for taking us on yet another delightful adventure into Regency Romance.
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39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keep them coming Julia!, April 14, 2000
This review is from: The Dangerous Gentleman (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
After reading Wicked Angel, I eagerly awaited her next novel...... I read it in its entirety the very day I received it in the mail - I have to admit I wondered how she'd be able to top Wicked Angel... Well- here it is- Although WA is still my favorite, I loved this book as well. The plot was so unique... 3 friends (handsome young rogues!) try to go on after one of their dearest friends has been killed by Adrian in a horrible duel that should have never taken place..... The character development was amazing... You know when you read a book and you feel like you really KNOW these people? Your heart ACHES when theirs do? Well- this is that kind of book! Isn't that what a good book is all about! What a refreshingly spirited heroine Lilliana is - (she reminds me of Whitney in Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught). Her antics to get Adrian's attention had me grinning the whole way through - I love it when she paints a picture of him on a mule! Not only is she witty, beautiful and caring, she is a deep, strong person - just the woman Adrian needs to make him whole - IF HE EVER COMES AROUND! It is so touching how Julia shows us how Adrian, a MAN (in every sense of the word!) who is so determined to keep his feelings locked away, consumed with self-pity and guilt over what he has done, slowly learn to trust, love and give his heart to his spirited, country-bumpkin hoyden of a wife! This is a BEAUTIFUL love story- definitely a keeper... save this one for when you have time to savor and enjoy - and get lost in this book without any interruptions....
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