Customer Reviews

Tonight or Never (Legendary Lovers)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Dara Joy is one of my favorite authors. She's one of the few authors that I run out to the bookstore and buy brand new, usually the day of their release, because I know they aren't sticking around on the shelves for long after being put there. Her first two novels, KNIGHT OF A TRILLION STARS and HIGH ENERGY, are two of my most beloved reads of all time. They're filled with funny characters, sexier than sin heroes, laugh out loud situations and originality. REJAR was also a good read for me but I thought the sexy cat-man deserved a better heroine, one with a little more bite but I still recommend it because the hero was amazing enough to carry the book. Because her other books were so magical for me I think I went into TONIGHT OR NEVER with too high expectations and ended up being a little let down.

Tonight Or Never started out promising and had my eyes glued to the pages. I loved the introduction of the hero, John, it was just so apropos considering he was nicknamed the "Lord of Sex", and the heroine, Chloe, was much, much better than Lilac (in REJAR). She was likable, she had spunk and she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. She definitely wasn't a bore or a whimp. I wasn't sure if I could imagine a rake like John, who slept with any female that crossed his path, settling down with one woman. But I have to hand it to Dara Joy, midway through the story I really bought it.

So why wasn't this another keeper? Well, I just didn't find it all that funny, definitely not as funny as her previous work. Some of the situations were cute but nothing made me laugh. And I found the subplot featuring the search for the Black Rose a little on the boring side. Then there were the sex scenes. Much to my delight there were a lot of 'em but to my dismay they weren't the kind that draw me into the scene and make me feel a part of them. I guess I kept waiting for the "Lord of Sex" to do something truly extraordinary but this is probably more the publisher than the author's fault. And one last niggle, I wish John's true sensitive nature had been revealed in little bits and pieces throughout the novel, rather than in one short paragraph towards the very end (that one short paragraph made my eyes fill with tears but it was too darn short!) I would've liked to have been witness to more of his past.

If I hadn't read Dara Joy's previous works and loved them so much I feel I may have enjoyed this one much more than I did and have been less picky. Still, if you like light-hearted romps and ultra-sexy heroes (with sensitive hearts) you'll want to give this one a try.

Here's a coming of age story - a cross between `Sabrina' and `The Scarlet Pimpernel'. Chloe - part French by birth, very French in temperament - has been in love with her friend Viscount John Sexton for years. Being a determined woman, who knows to get what she wants takes some risks, Chloe removes herself from his circle for a year and a half, time for her to mature from girl to woman, so that she can return as something more than a friend in John's eyes.

John, the `Lord of Sex', but not much else as his father gambled away his inheritance, is a rouge and libertine. He is well known amongst the ton for his affairs, and his nickname is of long standing. Chloe has always been dear to John, and is very much valued as a friend. He is startled by her transformation, but stunned by her admission that she wants to be just like him - in effect, Lady Sex. Chloe manipulates John into agreeing to marry her, so that she will be free to follow this path (never for one minute actually planning to go through with it). John agrees, because he cannot countenance Chloe putting her proposal to anyone else. And once he views Chloe as a sexual being, he finds he wants her for himself, and not to share. With Chloe comes her house, estate and charming, naughty grandmother, and household of eccentrics - all of whom John realises have made him feel at home. But not as much as Chloe does.

It's a simple story, and Dara Joy tells it well. There is plenty of steaminess in the book, as you'd expect from the Lord and Lady of Sex, and this is told with Joy's customary straightforward erotic style - not flowery or embellished, just hot.

The fun part is the escape from tragedy that is the French revolution and guillotine for the aristocracy, as more and more of those friends of Chloe's family rescued from jail and certain death by the Black Rose find sanctuary at their home. As they descend, much fun is had by Joy as they all attempt to get along. I particularly enjoyed the 7 Cyndreac brothers, and Baronne Dufond's hair accessories. Ms Joy clearly had fun writing this book, and it was also a joy to read.

John Sexton is a rake, a man who knows how to please the ladies of the ton and never lose control. He is with one such lady when a message from his uncle interrupts him at a very important moment(lol) with a single line "Chole has returned" he leaves the lady and heads towards Chole.

Chole has been Johns confidant, friend, his self appointed ward since she arrived to live with her aunt when she was only six. Chole knows Johns reputation as Lord of Sex and is determined that he will be hers. She went away to the states to grow up a bit and now at 19 is ready to claim her rake. It's obvious John cares for her but she wants him to see her as a woman... his woman.

To do this Chole deceives John into thinking that she wants to marry him only for the pleasures he can teach her. She tells him she wants a marriage free to explore her sexual side and that after he teaches her all he knows they will be able to each go there own way. There marriage one in name only. Plus he will get her land. After a lot of soul searching John realizes that he wants Chole badly. Something he's never felt before.

Each chapter name is sure to make you grin. Add to this book a bit of adventure (a must in any Dara book), steamy scenes so hot you'll need a fan, plus the added bonus of humor this book is a must own!

I liked this book but not as much as I have the other books by Dara Joy. This one is a historical that is packed with very interesting secondary characters that drive the hero, Lord John Sexton crazy. His heroine, Chloe, has decided to set her trap for the Lord of Sex, as he has come to be known. They have known each other since childhood and are very close friends. She tells him that she wants to be a "Rake" like him and needs him to teach her how to go about it. And since it is unheard of for a unmarried woman to have sex she asks him to marry her so that it will not be considered such a scandal. He agrees but isn't quite sure what he has agreed to. He cares for her but is afraid to really love her and she must convince him that he really does love her. Its a wild tail that leaves you cheering in the end. I laughed at the humor and blushed at the sensual love scenes. They are hot!. I will still recommend this book to anyone.

I have read every single one of Dara Joy's books (a couple of them more than once), and this is the book responsible for me discovering her. I LOVE this book. I laughed practically all the way through it, earning me strange looks from friends and co-workers. I really enjoy how she puts humor in the story, even in the middle of her love scenes, of which there are plenty.

Her characters are so real with their foibles and habits. Chloe and John just seem like a couple that was meant to be, and their chemistry heats up the book. If you like a story that will make you laugh, and still delivers a believable and hot love story, read this book.

(Note to Ms. Joy: Please, please, write a book about the Black Rose! )

Dara Joy is usually great and I'll read as many futuristic romances as she'll write. They are so much fun, and so well done!! But this book was a serious disappointment. The sex was pretty good, but as far as I'm concerned, the only reason to read this book. If you have limited time to read, choose one of her other books--you'll truely enjoy THEM!

Dara Joy takes on Don Juan for the Legendary Lovers line. Lord John makes a marvelously unrepentant "Lord of Sex." Chloe is wonderful as the girl who makes marriage a game with him. The book is full of well meaning relatives, and the setting, England during the French Revolution, allows weaving in of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

This is full of Dara Joy's wonderful humor, and steamy love scenes. The only beef that I have is that the love scenes sometimes interfere with the plot, instead of naturally flowing through the plot. But what can you expect with Don Juan?

A wonderful, funny read. I hope that she does the Scarlet Pimpernel with full book treatment as well

This is the first book I read by Dara Joy & it turned out ok. I'm used to the Sci-fiction 5-7 book 700 page series & wanted a light romantic book to read for a change. This was just so. The story..... well.. there wasn't a story really!! A little romance, a background story about the french revolution & the "Black Rose" -a mysterious hero who saved the french aristocrts from the revolutionaries- there were LOTS of steamy sex scenes & some funny scenes as well.. I liked the twist at the end ...... But that's all! Then again I got what I was looking for ;-)

I recomend it if you want to read a light book to fuel your imagination & put you in a good mood. I will be re-reading some of the chapters & I'll certainly be looking for Dara Joy's other books!

I read Mine to Take just before I read this book; I don't think Tonight or Never is nearly as good. The romance was OK. It had some cute moments but almost all the romance seemed to consist of was sex, and this sex did nothing for me. I found myself skipping ahead to get back to the story. But chacun a son gout (also the name of the estate in the book). There are some very funny scenes and I liked the Scarlet Pimpernal subplot. But where Mine to Take set me on fire, this one was for me just an amusing read.

Just finished reading 'Tonight or Never' by Dara Joy. It was a fun, light-hearted read (along with some really steamy scenes too). There were a number of times that I couldn't stop chuckling for a few minutes. The plot wasn't much, but it was cute. Even the chapter titles were cute. It was mainly steamy romance but involved the French Revolution & 'The Black Rose' - a mysterious hero who saved a number of aristocrats from death at that time... Sometimes I get tired off plots that come off dark or where the main characters spend most of the book hating each other. If you want real involved plots this is not your book. If you want light reading & fun, then this is it.