Customer Reviews

The Dangerous Gentleman (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 1)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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....

Julia London's newest release, her third regency era historical from Dell, is entitled The Dangerous Gentleman. It is the first in The Rogues of Regent Street trilogy, to be followed by The Ruthless Charmer in the Fall of 2000 and The Beautiful Stranger in 2001.

Adrian Spence is definitely a tortured hero; not only was he raised in an abusive home by a ruthless father that beat his mother to death and tormented Adrian, the heir, in favor of his younger brother, but the story begins with Adrian being forced to kill his cousin and one of his fellow Rogues of Regent Street in a duel gone wrong. When his father uses the duel as the excuse he's been looking for in order to disinherit Adrian in favor of his younger brother Benedict. Adrian, in his depression over the death of his cousin Phillip and his continuing rage at his father and brother, grabs the perfect opportunity to get revenge against Benedict, by marrying the woman Benedict intended to wed.

Lilliana Dashell is stunned when Adrian shows up at her home instead of Benedict, whom she has come to accept will be her future husband. Lilliana remembers Adrian favorably from when she was a young girl and visited Adrian's mother, when she first became enamored of the handsome Adrian. She is completely shocked when Adrian not only proposes marriage but makes short work of it, having already procured the special license. She agrees because he promises that they can be friends, companions, and she loves him enough to hope for more. What she gets is a lot less.

The chemistry between these two people is sizzling and the nights they spend in each other arms are irreconcilable with the distant and formal way in which Adrian treats Lilliana during the day. She is distraught that he is so unconcerned with and uninterested in her, except in her bed at night. She tries to determine what has caused Adrian to cut himself off from other people and in the process learns a lot, but also causes a number of other problems for them. When Adrian is injured in an accident, he becomes even more intolerable and her love is severely tested.

I found these characters to be completely engaging and fun, as well as sensual and exciting. The long and sometimes painful journey that Julia takes them on to reach their happily-ever-after is not only interesting and unpredictable, but also rewarding. The other two remaining Rogues of Regent Street, Adrian's friends Arthur and Julian, add an interesting element to the story and give us a glimpse of what we will find in the remaining two books in this trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed The Dangerous Gentleman and anxiously await the next book. Great work, Julia! Barb Deane Copyrightc 1999, Barb's All Romance Book Store. All rights reserved

This is the first Julia London book I read and I'm determined to buy any other book of hers I can get my eyes on. The plot is quick, very very interesting, the dialogues witty, the characters very well developed.

Lillie makes all sorts of things to attract his attention during the daytime. In the night he is a wonderful lover, but during the day he completely ignores her. Adrian certainly has good reason to avoid getting very intimate with anyone, after his father's behavior and the killing of his cousin. Adrian, though a rake, is adorable, especially after the accident he has. He married her for revenge against his brother. The simple, timid country girl proved a real surprise in their wedding night. But he is determined not to feel anything for anyone again in his life. So Lillie starts making all sorts of extreme things to provoke some feeling inside him, even if that feeling is anger! Adrian slowly starts to notice his wife and finds out she's not as simpleton or as demure as he thought. After some time he realizes that he cares for her and wants to tell that to her, but everything goes wrong. Adrian has a terrible accident that makes him even more distant than before. But in this time of need she stands beside him, despite his angry words to her. But they have to fight all the lies that are thrown between them until they realize, what the reader already knows, that they are made for each other.

I stayed up until late reading this book wanting to find out how it ends and at the same time, wishing it wouldn't end. I'm looking forward to read about the two other rogues, especially Arthur. I am only sorry I haven't found Julia London earlier. I think of her at the same level with Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught, my favorite authors. If you haven't read them, do it now!

I bought this book for the favourable reviews of other readers but I was disappointed. The relatively more entertaining part of this book was the outrageous things that Liliana did to get Adrian's attention. However, it went all the way downhill from there. I couldn't understand why Adrian considered his father's estate was his 'rightful inheritance' when he thought himself the bastard son of his mother. It is alright to have a brooding hero but not a petty one. What was there in that man for any woman to fall in love with ?

The Dangerous Gentleman is a masterpiece of circular storytelling that hits all the right emotional buttons for a highly-charged journey through Regency England. Ms. London's characterizations and vivid imagery bring the period to life. Her depiction of Adrian's point of view is right on target, and makes for a revealing view of the male perspective. The real adventure, however, is Lilliana's sense of humor and her strength of character that inevitably lead Adrian to discover his own sense of worth and the true power of love. I'm looking forward to reading Ms. London's next release!

I devoured The Dangerous Gentleman in less than a day. As I read the first three-fourths of this book, I knew I had a five star rating in my hands. However, in the end, the misery over the continued perils of the leads' relationship was so relentless that I had to reduce it to four stars. Regardless, it was still a very engrossing read and packs more than one big surprise.

Adrian Spence, the Earl of Albright, is one vindictive hero. In the opening pages, he has just killed a man in a duel. Deciding to hide out for a while, he travels to his family's country estate. There, he encounters his enraged father. Adrian knows his father has never loved him and realizes he wants a reason to disinherit him. He wants to give his unentailed properties to his favorite son, Benedict. When Adrian's father hears of the fatal duel, he uses it as a reason to finally disinherit Adrian and tells him to never return to the family country estate. Adrian is very upset although the actual disinheritance does not surprise him. His greatest sorrow is that of losing his beloved country estate.

While departing he stops in the nearby village and discovers that his spineless brother, Benedict, is planning to marry Lilliana Dashell, the daughter of a local country gentleman. Apparently Lilliana's father is seriously in debt and has agreed to give Benedict 60% ownership of his estate in exchange for payment of his debts. Adrian sees his father's sordid manipulations in all of it and knows the marriage would be very advantageous for his father since the rich farmland property adjoins his. Adrian decides to wreak revenge on his father and brother and immediately makes a much more attractive offer for Lilliana's hand. Adrian has wealth of his own and can easily afford this well-planned revenge. His offer comes with only one condition - he and Lilliana must marry immediately. He knows that he has probably met her at some time during their childhood but does not remember her. But oh, this is such a fine revenge.

Lilliana is a spunky yet gentle heroine who has always been in love with Adrian Spence. She doesn't really want to marry his brother. But since the marriage is probable and will help her family's finances, she has resigned herself to it. When she is informed of Adrian's request to marry her, she is ecstatic. She can't believe it is really happening and is somewhat suspicious. After all, he doesn't even know her, does he? As he pours on the charm, he convinces her to marry him. He knows he is a highly desirable candidate for marriage to a titled lady much less the daughter of a country gentleman. As soon as they are married and in his coach heading toward Adrian's own country estate, his charm disappears. Adrian makes no effort to converse with Lilliana and seems not interested in her a bit. As we see into his thoughts, we realize that he thinks she is just a boring, country girl without any attractive attributes. He thinks she talks incessantly. He feels no guilt over using her so badly. And as each hour, then day, passes, we really, really want him to get his comeuppance.

Lilliana senses something is wrong as soon as they depart from their wedding. But she is an optimistic sort of gal and keeps hoping for the best. Then she discovers that he didn't even know who she was before he sought her hand. Later she realizes he totally avoids all contact with her during the day. After that, understanding dawns as his superior attitude towards her penetrates her optimism. The only time he seems to appreciate her is during the night before he retires to his own bed. At first she is distressed, then devastated, and finally believes her life is ruined and feels such a fool. At last, she decides she is not going to take it anymore. Her gentile manners are laid aside and she lets her naturally adventuresome personality take over. It is totally entertaining as she surprises Adrian and then silently crosses him or disobeys his edicts. He, in turn, attempts to conceal any emotion towards her actions. This is a thoroughly enjoyable part of the book.

Then, gradually, the real problems begin (yes - it can get a lot worse). Benedict begins to visit the couple frequently and since the brothers have never been close, Adrian is highly suspicious of his brother's actions. Benedict was a real pain - deliberately causing even more problems between Adrian and Lilliana and he finally gets very tiresome. Unfortunately, this is a book that relies heavily on The Big Misunderstanding formula. And it is not just one misunderstanding, but one piled on top of yet another. During all of this, Adrian and Lilliana's sensual relationship is interwoven - on again - off again. These scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

The Dangerous Gentleman is the first in a series of three books referred to as the Rogues of Regent Street. The second - The Ruthless Charmer and the third - The Beautiful Stranger. This is the first of London's books I have rated less than five stars. She is a favorite author and although this book had some aggravating pages, I have to highly recommend it. It is not often that I praise a book that has The Big Misunderstanding unresolved for so long. But it is just a testament to London's writing skills that it still captivated me totally - right to the last page.

This was a pretty good story, but too much conflict between the hero and heroine. Let's face it. Most of the romances written revolve around the same basic plot - hero meets heroine, they fall in love but don't let each other know, misunderstandings arise and cause them to separate (either physically or emotionally), they get back together, and live happily ever after. However, our hero seems to misunderstand and push our heroine away too much in this one. The plot was interesting and the mystery light. Afraid you'll have to decide for yourself whether you like this one or not. It's certainly a mixed bag.

I didn't know about Julia London, and bought this book on a whim. It is refreshing and wonderful to read such a truly intense and unashamedly romantic book-- so I immediately went and bought her previous book, "Wicked Angel"-- which was even better! I had kind of gone off romance lately, because I hadn't discovered any new authors that I particularly liked, and all my old favorites (Linda Howard, Sandra Brown, Judith McNaught, Karen Robards) seem to be embarassed about the romance genre and have gone on to write disappointing suspense, with very little romance in it. The abovementioned authors seem to feel no compunction in abandoning their loyal (and frustrated) romance fans. Luckily, in Julia London, I have finally been able to find a worthy heir to their legacy!