Customer Reviews

Forbidden: A Company of Rogues Classic

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I enjoyed this book, I don't agree with the previous reviewer that it is better than the previous Company of Rogues books. I didn't find it as breathtaking or compelling as either Nicholas's or Lucien's stories in the first two books.

Francis Middlethorpe is a sweet, gentle and caring man, who is half-way in love with Nicholas's wife Eleanor but knows he must marry to ensure the continuation of his title and line. He is on the point of becoming engaged to Anne Peckworth, a duke's daughter; then he meets Serena Riverton, widow of a man dubbed Randy Riverton by the ton and whose marriage - entered into when she was 15 - had been an appalling, abusive sexual servitude. Running away from her brothers' attempts to sell her into another distasteful marriage, she wonders whether life as Lord Middlethorpe's mistress might be more congenial - so she seduces him.

As a result, Francis - being an honourable man - feels that he has no choice but to marry her. But the lack of trust between them, added to Serena's own preconceptions about marriage and sex, mean that their relationship is uneasy. A man who was a virgin until his wife seduced him, and a woman who views 'bed-work' as something to be endured and in which she must not display any reluctance, have a lot of difficulties to overcome.

Fans of Lucien and Beth, and of Nicholas and Eleanor, will find their heroes making several appearances in these pages. Francis's wonderful aunt, Arabella, also takes a secondary role. And just who is Felicity, Miles's wild ward? And will she reappear in a later Company of Rogues novel?

The only aspect of this book I really didn't like was the way Beverley handled the secondary romance. In particular, the scenes in which this was being resolved seemed to me to be farcical in the extreme (relying on confusions such as those following from there being two Lady Middlethorpes, for example), though I also found Francis's mother's blackmail tale, in the second chapter, unconvincing. I'm sure this aspect of the book could have been handled better.

However, that aside, Beverley handles Serena's traumatic past with delicacy and care, and she and Francis make a lovely couple.

For me, FORBIDDEN ties with its immediate predecessor CHRISTMAS ANGEL for the position of second best book in the Company of Rogues series (my very favourite is AN UNWILLING BRIDE). Like all the Rogues novels, it's extremely original. The hero--Francis Haile, Lord Middlethorpe--is a virgin...highly unusual for a young Regency blood. The heroine, Serena Riverton, on the other hand, is only too experienced. She had been married--her husband died shortly before the beginning of the story--but she's no ordinary widow. She was married off at a young age to the depraved Sir Matthew "Randy" Riverton; over the eight years of their marriage she was essentially her husband's sex slave, or as he put it, his "well-trained wife" (by the way, I once read a description of FORBIDDEN which cautioned that some readers might be disturbed by the references to Serena's abusive first marriage. However, though Riverton _was_ a monster, there's nothing gratuitous about these references--unlike in some romances, where the heroines' sexual abuse by the villains _is_ presented in a titillating manner). Then, just months after widowhood frees Serena from the nightmare that was her first marriage, she learns that her loathsome brothers plan to sell her into marriage to a man like her late husband (or, if she refuses to cooperate, to sell her into a brothel). Her only option is to flee.

She and Francis are thrown together when he stops to offer her a ride after overtaking her on a lonely country road as a violent storm is about to break. They're forced to take refuge in a farmhouse for the night-- posing as husband and wife, since their host is a religious zealot--and in desperation, Serena seduces Francis early the next morning while he's still half-asleep, hoping that he'll make her his mistress: she's despaired of finding any respectable sanctuary, and has concluded that her best hope lies in becoming a high-priced courtesan.

Francis _is_ bewitched by her. But, he's also deeply suspicious of her. Moreover, he had been on the verge of proposing to a respectable young lady out of a sense of duty to marry suitably and carry on the family line; now those plans have been thrown into turmoil (incidentally, I really take exception the publisher's description of Anne Peckworth--the woman Francis was about to become betrothed to when he met Serena--as "dull". Though quiet and proper, she was actually a very nice young lady, and there was a genuine poignancy about her unrequited feelings for Francis. I think it's greatly to Jo Beverley's credit that she _didn't_ make Anne an insipid bore who Francis would feel no compunction over dropping--or who Serena would feel no guilt over supplanting). The story of how Serena and Francis' relationship develops from these inauspicious beginnings is a captivating one.

Serena Riverton, desperate to escape another probably-horrid marriage arranged by her anything-but-loving brothers, seduces Lord Francis. She figures she can tolerate being his mistress - it won't be as bad as anything she endured with her sexually abusive husband. She gets what she wants but with a surprise - real pleasure and true love with the sensitive Francis who's as innocent as she is jaded. Great romance. Highly recommend it

Francis is wonderful. There's no place else to start. No other man could have been what the heroine, Serena, needed. He is kind, gentle, and patient, and a world removed from most heroes in the love & morality department. He is also very honorable, which creates a difficult situation for him that ends in the love of his life.

Serena is a slightly "tainted" heroine, though through no fault of her own. Her family, her brothers in particular, are vile creatures who ultimately get what they deserve. And, thanks to Francis and the Rogues, Serena gets the place in society and the love and security that she deserves. It's a beautiful tale.

As is typical with Beverley's novels, there's darkness present--this time in the form of the humiliations of Serena's first marriage and how that affects her relationship with Francis. But it's a case of all's well that ends well. This story is somewhat bittersweet, and a part of me wonders how much difficulty they'll have making it work in the long haul. But if anyone can, it's sweet but strong Francis.

As other writers have said, the race scene is hilarious (you'll meet it again in Dangerous Joy), and the secondary romance with Francis' mother is rather silly. But all told, a great read.

This has to be one of my favourite books and I wish it would be reprinted, as it's so expensive to buy a used copy. One for the keeper shelf, Forbidden is the fourth book in the Company of Rogues series. My librarian actually blushed when I checked it out of the library, as the large print hardback edition had Black Satin Romance emblazoned along the top, along with a photo of a very sexy looking blonde in a black corset. With the title, "Forbidden", I think she thought I was checking out erotica, lol (I loved that racy cover :))

How to describe Forbidden? A Regency or a Regency Historical? In both categories it would be outstanding. I feel the tone and theme of this book fits in with the previous book in the series, Christmas Angel (another favourite), where two mature and decent adults find themselves in a marriage, not due to romantic love but other considerations. And then they have to get to know one another.

If you dislike the rake character, there are no rakes in either Forbidden or Christmas Angel. In fact, Francis, the hero, in Forbidden, is a virgin (and Beverley makes this very believable). He is a sensitive, caring and gentle character who fell in love honourably with the heroine in An Arranged Marriage, remaining her friend when she needed him and never giving in to the temptation to seduce her away from her husband. At the beginning of Forbidden he is contemplating marriage to a nice, gentle and suitable girl who has been left on the shelf due to her shy nature and bad leg (Anne really is a lovely character who is jilted yet again in The Dragon's Bride, until she find her own hero finally in Hazard).

Serena, the heroine, has much in common with the heroine of Christmas Angel. Both have been married previously, at too young an age, and have practical reasons for their second marriages of convenience. I personally prefer to read about more mature heroines with some life experience behind them. I found Serena to be as likeable as Francis.

Unlike some other reviewers here, I didn't find the plot involving Francis's mother and her lover slapstick at all. It is necessary as a deus ex machina to set up the meeting between Francis and Serena, and as a secondary romance I found it very charming in its own right while breaking again romance stereotypes.

I would never ever suspected that Francis who almost seemed boring in Arranged Marriage would turn out to be such a compelling character. He really stirred my blood - although he was a tad ackward about knowing what he needed to do to conquer Serena's fears in the bedroom - my goodness talk about an opposite paring - Serena had been a used woman in her first marriage and Francis was a virgin! What a complete opposite twist in a romance. This story just shows so much emotion and such a great love is eventually formed between these two characters. The way Beverely brings the other Rouges into the story - once again is beautiful - I love them all! But I am not sure Francis might be my favorite! READ these books in order though - you will enjoy them so much more!!

One thing that bothered me - is at the end Serena says she loves Francis but as far as I can recall he never said the words to her.

I have read all the Rogue books to date and I really like them all! Even though - I really doubt in reality that Nicholas and Lucien would be faithful husbands. Lucien getting turned on by watching Francis and Serena fight - was a little much. I think the men wouldn't mind sharing their wives or their mistresses.

Okay after all of that though - I am completely addicted to the series and can't wait to read the rest.

Finally! A Rogue's book that is a real page-turner! And is ironic that it is the story of the Rogue that less impressed me of all when I first met him in "An Arranged Marriage". I have to admit that back then I didn't think Francis was hero material. I liked him a lot, but since in that book he is always described as very sensitive, poetic and of slight build, I found him a little too "delicate". After reading this book I'm happy to say that my preconceptions about him were totally wrong. Yes, he is sensitive, caring and kind, which makes him adorable, but he also has a backbone and it is every bit a Rogue, ready to take action if it is necessary and as formidable as his more dazzling friends Nicholas and Lucien.

Serena was very likeable too. I really felt for her. She really had a terrible life and very traumatic experiences in her first marriage and just when she thought that she would find some peace after her husband's death, her despicable brothers steal her money and plan to sell her again into an unwanted and even more terrible marriage. She and Francis make a lovely couple, he is just the type of man she needs to make her get over the traumas of her first marriage.

Their interaction was believable and mature. As it is logical in their circumstamces, there were doubts and distrust on both parts at the beginning, but they always try to please each other and make the best of their situation.

The race scene was hilarious, and the plot was well thought and engaging. There is a lot of sensuality in this book and also the wickedness that characterizes Beverley's Malloren series. My only complain, and the reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that the last love scene, which is the most important of the book was kind of rushed and skimpily written.

The presence of the other Rogues is always a nice addition. They are all fantastic, I couldn't pick my favorite, since all have characteristics that are extremely appealing. I wish we would see more of Leander. Nicholas and Lucien we have seen in all of the Rogues books, but Leander was out of the country when An Arranged Marriage and An Unwilling Bride took place, and later on, on Con's story (The Dragon Bride) he doesn't appear either. It appears that Beverley does have her favorite Rogues (Nick and Luce) Also, I think it is time to bring the other Rogue we haven't heard much about-Simon St.Bride- from Canada, so that we get to know him a little before we read his story.

All in all, I can say that I enjoyed this book immensely. So far it is definitively my favorite of the Rogue's series. Of course, I haven't read Miles' story (Dangerous Joy) yet, since it is out of print, but I will a soon as it is re-issued, which fortunately will be soon.

Well done this time, Jo Beverly!

I must confess that I opened this book with a little trepidation for I wondered if Jo Beverley could keep the Rogue series going at the same pace and level as the first three books. I was not disappointed for this one was rather remarkable. She is to be congratulated for making each member of the Company of Rogues so very individual despite the collective adventures and settings in which she places them.

Serena Riverton is a most unusual heroine as others have described. The premise of using a slightly "soiled" yet very innocent woman as the partner for a man very sophisticated yet virginal was intriguing to say the least. Very few authors, in my view, could have carried it off so well. I do recall Mary Balogh's "Secret Pearl" as another example of the author taking a heroine somewhat outside the tight strictures of Regency society and letting her triumph through the love of an exceptional man.

I agree that the secondary romance was not well done; it sometimes smacked of French bedroom farce particularly when held up to Serena and Francis Middlethorpe's misunderstandings, angst and inability to communicate. However, the main story is so well done that it matters very little.

Great to meet the wonderful Lucien and Beth - my favourite Rogue couple - and Nicholas and his Eleanor once again. The author is to be congratulated for sustaining these characters from previous books so well and for showing them growing and developing in their happy marriages.

Incidentally, the scene where Francis visits Blanche Hardcastle was a little gem and revealed some tantalising details about Lucien's past.

Well, on to Dangerous Joy.The Dragon's Bride and The Devil's Heiress; I should be finished with them by the time Hazard lands on my doorstep... Wonderful series, exceptional characters and great satisfaction in the Rogue stories. Highly recommened!

I got this book for Christmas and finished it in a day and a half. Such an interesting story line - so out of the ordinary! I pulled for Serena and Francis with every turn of the page - this books does the job, I was entralled in the story!