Customer Reviews

Forced Offer

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
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This Regency didn't have the normal things a Regency does. Most Regencies that I have read have a mystery to be solved in them. This one did not. This Regency novel dealt more with feelings than anything else. Belinda Presleigh was definitely not a beauty. However, the Earl of Berrington was quite a catch. Poor Belinda gets "tricked" by her mother into "trapping" the Earl of Berrington into marriage. Upon their marriage, they go to the Earl's country estate. The Earl returns immediately to London leaving Poor Belinda with the "wicked" sister-in-law and sister. I did find this a very enjoyable read and would definitely recommend it.

This was my first novel by Gloria Gay and I will look forward to more offerings by her.

This novel was somewhat of a Cinderella story with not a wicked step-mother but rather, the mother from hell. Shunned and mostly forgotten her first 13 years of life in lieu of an older sisters beauty, Belinda came to believe herself to be unattractive and not worthy. But, she had a secret love for the neighboring Earl of Berrington, since she first saw him at the age of 13.

Enter the pushy ambitious mother who tricks both into a compromising position and a forced offer of marriage. With such a start and the Earl thinking Belinda part of the scheme, this was not a match made in heaven. Not only a bad start but Belinda is then left, after a few days of the marriage consummation, with the "jealous" sister-in-law whose pettiness is nothing short of torture. Trying to maintain his fury at having been tricked into the marriage, Richard, Earl of Berrington, must fight his arousal of the mouse he is now married to.

This was a very nice story, that moved swiftly and I enjoyed very much. A very delightful read.

I bought this book based on other reader reviews, and thought I would really like it. What disappointed me the most was that I was expected to believe that the hero and heroine barely spoke to each other during the daytime(he being angry at being tricked into marriage, she feeling guilty about letting her mother get away with plotting to "force" the marriage), yet they had heart-stopping intimate encounters at night, in the dark! Belinda, the heroine, supposedly fell in love with the hero when she was 13, after accidentally seeing him skinny-dipping? This is the basis for love? No, it was infatuation, and the author never really told us what later made the hero so attractive to the heroine(she was an innocent, so sex didn't seem to be a good enough compelling reason to put herself through all she went throught!) There wasn't much about how he was honorable, or even likable, and she wasn't described as bringing warmth or whatever into his life. She was a timid mouse, and she didn't improve that much over time. The final thing that really ruined this book for me was the terrible editing. There were typos, mis-spellings, and the author used hyphens so much it was sometimes difficult to read the sentences. This book could have been so good, with better editing. The basic plot was a good one, but the author should have been encouraged to elaborate on the main characters, and show the growth of their love. The editor also should have cleaned up the typos and other errors before the book went to print.

I have just read Forced Offer by Gloria Gay . This book is very good I would have liked more interaction between Belinda and Lord Berrington,but,the story is a very good one. It showes how mother's durning the regency time really did do all they could to make matches for their daughter's,especially if one of the choice's was a man with a title. It must have been hard on the daughter's that wanted to either remain unmarried, or to pick their own mates. Mrs Presleigh really gave no thought to her daughter's fleeings and only wanted her to marry a Title. I'm glad of the happy ending and to see that Belinda did get what she wanted. A love match. A very good read and a keeper.

A young woman is tricked into a compromising position with a man she has secretly loved for many years. When Lord Berrington 'does the right thing' and proposes to her, Belinda, for once in her life, makes a decision with only her heart in mind. She loves Lord Berrington, and would rather be married to him knowing that he doesn't love her, than to not have him in her life. Once married, she vows to herself to allow Lord Berrington to live his life as he will, while keeping her love for him secret in her heart. I loved this story. I like the way Belinda grew into her own. She was a very insecure young woman, that grew into her own person despite being surrounded by distrust and hate. In the end, her self-sacrifice is rewarded. A wonderful story I recommend to others looking for a happily ever after ending.

One has to feel sympathy for our heroine Belinda Presleigh. She has been living in her sister Roselle's shadow for almost 13 years until Roselle's death. Then she was ignored by her parents in their grief. Belinda was 18 when the family took off to London for a round of balls. The object of this trip was to find a rich husband for shy, quiet and plain Belinda. Belinda's domineering mother tricks her into trapping the Earl of Berrington in marriage. This is a dream come true for Belinda, for she had loved the Earl since she first saw him at the age of 13. During the 3 days it takes to go to the Earl's country estate after their marriage, the nights with Belinda are more passionate then the Earl has ever experienced. At the country estate he leaves Belinda under the care of the "jealous" sister-in-law, and goes back to London. Belinda is sick and near death , and the Earl finally realizes just how much he loves Belinda, but is it to late?
Gloria Gay did an excellent job of blending different emotions in this book. From happiness to sorrow, she makes you feel them all.
GOOB BOOK - A KEEPER.

I loved Forced Offer... When the worries of the world are getting to you, there is nothing like escaping to another time and place... The characters develop quickly, the tension is palpable, and the resolution is truly satisfying... A great bargain for a few great hours of time away from the woes of the real world! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I've read it a few times and STILL enjoy it!