Customer Reviews

The Ruthless Charmer (The Rogues of Regent Street, Book 2)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Julia London is to be congratulated from veering from standard plot devices and resolutions in this masterful book. Our hero, Julian, has known our heroine, Claudia, for years since she was the childhood friend of his numerous sisters and spent many summers at his family's estate. She had long had a crush on him, but was crushed when he failed to return for a promised dance in her first season. This failure has led her to hold a grudge against him (which, frankly, was one of the many realistic touches in the book. Don't many of us hold grudges against the first man or boy to touch and break our hearts?) Later, Julian becomes attracted to Claudia, but bows out when a close friend evinces interest in her before Julian can speak of his own. This friend later dies of alchoholism and both Claudia and Julian blame Julian for failing to prevent the death. The novel begins at this point and the above is told through conversation between the characters and some descriptive prose. Claudia and Julian are caught in a compromising position and Claudia's father, who is more concerned about his political career than her happiness, forces her to marry much against her will. Meanwhile, Claudia has been anything other than the typical Regency miss concerned only with clothes and reading novels (ahem). She has begun a battered women's shelter, secret from everyone in her life. Kudos to London for introducing an important social issue without resorting to writing gratitious violence. All too often we forget that domestic violence has always existed and London educates us without ramming it down our throats. Claudia's knowledge in this area does not, however, permit her to see that her sister-in-law's suitor is a batterer waiting to happen and against her husband's wishes urges the sister-in-law to elope. Julian had known of the suitor's abusive nature and had done everything in his power to prevent the marriage, but had been unable to tell his wife or his sisters of the suitor's violence because of societal constraints against such conversation between men and women. I found this totally believable both for the time period in question (and unfortunately all too often in our own time). Julian, needless to say, has trouble forgiving his wife for aiding his sister's marriage to this abuser. In the end, Julian finds an imperfect solution to the sister's abusive marriage that, in contrast to most romances, does not involve the fortuitous death of the villian. I loved this book because the characters were realistic; the author not only developed the characters well but she was able to give them a history without getting bogged down in pages of descriptive prose; the hero was a rake (i.e. gorgeous, sexy and experienced)who was in fact loving and kind not only to his wife but to his family (I mean, who wouldn't want this guy?); the heroine had her own life and interests beyond Society; the love scenes were never perfunctory and always served to provide depth to the relationship; also the couple did not have fabulous sex even when they were angry or hurt -- their sex life did suffer as it would in reality. (I get so aggravated when I read love scenes in which the status of the relationship appears to be irrelevant to the sex life. I don't believe that would be accurate for the majority of women.) This book stands alone without having read any of the others in this series. A keeper of a book, full of depth and richness. Some of the plot devices are quite serious, but I never felt this was a gloom and doom book that was a chore or depressing to read. Even though there is not a lot of humor in this book, which is normally a requirement for a keeper for me, the characters and story are so compelling that I will return to this book again and again.

It's hard to tell you how much I enjoyed this book!! I've loved ALL of Julia's books to date & wish she could write faster!!

Julian & Claudia are a H/H to die for!! He is even better than Adrian from The Dangerous Gentleman..

Claudia is feisty & independent, you will love her she is SO before her time! Opening a home for battered women & using her influence in society to support her cause! It's a wonderful story & warms the heart!!

Julian, is guilt ridden & tortured because he's loved Claudia for two years & feels he may have held back, helping his dear friend because of that love. When he compromises her at a party it's the beginning of the end of his bachelor days & his peace of mind! You'll love the ride this story takes you on & you'll feel like your watching a movie!! That is how vivid Julia writes!!

The sexual tension keeps you turning pages to get to the "HOT" part.. *G* But really the story is written with the heart & feeling that makes you able to "SEE" the story as it unfolds!! This is a tribute to an author's talent & Julia sure has that & more. When you read an author this good you wish they had a back list that could keep you busy until her next book comes out!!

In 1834, Julian Dane feels like his world ended when his friend Adrian Spence was forced to kill another crony Phillip Rothembow in a duel. Two years later, the death still haunts Julian, who seems bored with everything, finding temporary amusement in the precarious arms of a parade of females. In his entire life, only his childhood friend Lady Claudia Whitney has rejected his charm. Claudia has labeled Julian as a Rake with a capital R.

However, that changes when Julian and Claudia are caught kissing. To save her reputation, he knows he must marry her. She wants nothing to do with him, especially at the cost of her beloved independence. He broods over the death of Phillip, who Julian feels was Claudia's true love. Although passion threatens to enflame them, neither one is ready to admit, even to themselves, that love has blossomed between them.

The ruthless charmer, the second novel in Julia London's "The Rogues of Regent Street" (See THE DANGEROUS GENTLEMAN) is a captivating historical romance. The story line continues the train of thought set in the first novel as readers gain an understanding of the psychological problems eroding Julian's well being. The era comes alive through the cast and Claudia is a wonderful, feisty heroine, but Ms. London's plot belongs to THE RUTHLESS CHARMER whose mind has frozen that one deadly moment, haunting him forever.

Harriet Klausner

Eagerly, I purchased the three books that make up The Rogues of Regent Street series. I had absolutely loved both The Devil's Love and Wicked Angel and rated them both five stars when I reviewed them on this site. But this series has not lived up to my expectations. The first in this series, The Dangerous Gentleman, was quite good but lacking when compared to her those first two London books I had read. I easily rated it a solid four stars when I reviewed it. However, The Ruthless Charmer, barely holds on to a four star rating. I would rate it a three and one-half if that option was available.

Julian Dane is the roguish hero who is tiring of that lifestyle. The suicide/death of one of his closest friends, Phillip, has left him shaken, even two years later, and he blames himself for his friend's death. He believes he could have prevented it had he just paid more attention. We don't really see Julian in full rogue mode. He has become increasingly interested in a long time friend, Claudia Whitney, and wants to pursue a relationship with her. However, she doesn't seem the least bit interested.

Claudia is a nineteenth century feminist. She is quite happy with her life as a single woman who spends her time and efforts on helping women. She is constantly attempting to raise funds for both a woman's shelter and a future girl's school for the less fortunate. She had been involved with Phillip prior to his death and blames their mutual friend, Julian Dane, for his death. If only Julian hadn't always encouraged Phillip's rakish ways, he probably would still be living. There is a lot of history between Claudia and Julian. She had grown up as a close friends to his many sisters and had a crush on him as a teenager. Although she is still attracted to him, she would never be foolish enough to hope for his love because she believes him to be too corrupt to ever be faithful. It seems Claudia is one very judgmental heroine. And she is one of the more belligerent and hateful ones I have read as well.

Julian proves to be a very likable character with much more patience than the average hero. The leads argue most of the book and don't even seem to like each other all that much. They each hold affection for the other but neither seems able to comprehend this glaring fact. Their continued conflicts become old quickly and it becomes tiresome, as we are privy to their insecure thoughts again and again and again. This is one story that is based largely on The Big Misunderstanding but in this case it should be referred to as The Big Misunderstandings. This couple has so many of these misunderstandings between them as one determines to show their love to the other only to give up just as the other has determined to show their love in return. There is so much angst between the two and they both appear a little stupid to not recognize or believe actions or actual words of love from one to the other.

Despite these conflicts, I still managed to be entertained and there are certainly some tender moments between the two. The sensual scenes are infrequent and rate about a 3.75 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). This is a story that is primarily about the romance. There is a villain but thankfully, he only occupies a little of the story.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the second in a series of three. Although I was aggravated with the leads' interactions, I still recommend this series for some enjoyable reading. I am currently reading the third, The Beautiful Stranger, and it looks like it will be a five star rating. Julia London is an author I will continue to follow as her new books are released and I look forward to reading the remaining books on her backlist.

Julia London's Ruthless Charmer is neither ruthless, nor particularly charming. I gave it a C.

Centering on Earl and guardian Julian Dane and Earl's daughter and woman's activist Lady Claudia Whitney. While both characters are initially compelling both suffer from a variety of issues that are never fully flushed out. He ends up being overbearing in things that make no sense to even himself and she becomes a whiney, shortsighted brat.

Having known each other for years, one night they are compromised into a marriage neither of them want. They both love the other but believe the other hates them, then convince themselves that they hate the other. With no one main issue dividing them, it becomes a mishmash that you ultimately don't care much about.

In the background is a tragic story with Julian's youngest, self-conscious sister Sophie. She runs off with a terrible man who ends up extorting money from the family and beating her. The helplessness felt by the entire family is too big a thing to be a background to Julian and Claudia's bickering.

While Sophie is saved in the end, things are wrapped up too quickly and suddenly for the main couple.

A Shame, the characters if they would have remained true, rather than wishing washing between strange fights and long romantic and self effacing monologues, they might have been a good couple.

I once made the comment, that I would read anything with Julia London's name on it. A pretty broad statement of my opinion of her writing. With The Ruthless Charmer, she has justified my having made that statement once again. I hate to use trite convenient phrases like, she just gets better with each book, but I just don't know of any better way to say it.

She opens this book with Julian Dane's interpretation of the impact that Phillip Rothembow's life, and death have had, and will have, on his life. She uses this phrase:

"Know ye in this death the light of our Lord, the quality of love, and the quality of life, And know ye the quality of mercy, Amen..."

And in this story, Julian Dane, and Claudia Whitney learn exactly that; the quality of love, the quality of life, and the quality of mercy.

Julian and Claudia lead us on an oft times emotional, tumultuous ride through the complicated pathways with which they chose to walk through their lives. The secondary characters are vivid and alive within the story. The story touches on issues that, as relevant as they were in those times, sadly, on many levels, remain so today. While still giving us the "fantasy" of romance that we love, Julia London manages to temper that with the "reality" of love, life, and the gift of mercy. The emotional depth Ms London brings to her characters will leave you breathless, and turning pages.

Julia London is an incredibly talented writer, but frankly: she needs to dream up better characters. The central character in RUTHLESS CHARMER is Claudia, and she is capricious, petulant, irrational, dishonest, spoiled, and annoying in the extreme. I kept rooting for Julian to dump her and look for someone else. How is that for romantic? Claudia can't seem to have a honest conversation with anyone, and repeatedly jumps to stupid conclusions about Julian that go against everything she knows about him. UGH. There are FOUR "big misunderstandings" in this book, a lame plot device that substitutes for a real plot. Rarely have I ever disliked a main character more. The only reason this book gets two stars is because of the high quality of writing. This author just needs to come up with a better conflict to further the plot, rather than resorting to turning the main character into a lunatic who doesn't behave rationally. It is a complete mystery at the end of the book when Julian proclaims his love for her. The reader is left wondering why on earth he would want to have anything further to do with her. I know I wouldn't.

This is was the primary problem for me. Julian is quite wonderful, but it is primarily his attempts to keep from being hurt by her that cause him to contribute negatively to their relationship. Claudia, however, makes huge mistake after serious erroneous assumption, often dating back to childhood and teenage slights, and repeatedly makes hasty judgments wihtout thinking them through first. These things inevitably lead to her hurting Julian, putting someone else in harm's path, etc. The worst thing is that she never truly learns or admits just how wrong she was. Oh, she does somewhat, but it's never enough to be convincing. Julian, on the other hand, makes this discovery and admission, but he allows Claudia too much credit in his changed perceptions.

These neverending problems and misunderstandings drag down an otherwise good book. The look at domestic violence and historical gender inequalities is realistic and eye- and heart-opening (even if you already know the facts). Claudia's youthful insecurities are understandable, but they are taken too far here. There are many good things in this book, and the slightly messy ending of Sophie and the rest is realistic. I wish London had not taken the couple's difficulties so far; they hurt each other so much (especially Claudia hurting Julian), that forgiveness came much too easily and quickly.

This is the second book from the series 'Rouges of Regent Street'. It was great, a good follow up from the first book. This story revolves around Julian Dane, a terribly handsome rake. Now, here is the leading lady, Lady Claudia Whitney. Julian has known her since her childhood and only looked upon her like a sister at that time. But, as Claudia grows up to be a stunning woman with a kind heart, she has capture Julian's attention and heart ever since.
What I loved about this book was the way Julian treats Claudia. He besotted his affection to her, his passion and of course his love, even though she was wary of him (because of a childhood experience).
The reason why this book deserves 4 stars instead of 5 is because:
Seriously, Sophie is extremely irritating and willful which gets to my nerves. And also the part when you feel like ripping out your hair when Claudia does not return any of Julian's affection, when it is so clear that he is in love with her.
But overall this book is a good read. Not even Sophie's naivety could dampen the satisfied feeling I got when I finished this book. Go get it!

I loved the first book 'The Dangerous Gentleman' and I couldn't wait for this one. What a mistake. I wish I had of brought it second hand or borrowed it. I personally like exciting, romantic love stories and this one was not. I really didn't like they way the two main characters were written and I was disappointed with the storyline, also women getting beaten up is not my idea of a good story. I don't even want to read the third & final book. I haven't read Julia London's 'The Devil's Love' or 'Wicked Angel' but I hope they are so much better than this.

If you like exciting, romantic love stories stick with Stephanie Laurens & Julia Quinn.