Customer Reviews

Vice

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the years, I have enjoyed reading all of Jane Feather's novels. I find her stories to be quick reads with interesting plots, complex ( albeit sometimes quirky) characters, erotic sex, and a few twist and turns to keep one reading all through the night. I found "Vice" to be an entertaining story with the right mix of plot and chemistry. However, with that being said,I thought the book's characterizations were not as strong as some of her previous novels ( Velvet, violet, virtue).It is the reason I did not rate the book higher. The darkely handsome Duke, Tarquin remains a bit too emotionally removed from the story's adventures for my taste. I think it would have helped to delve a little more into the history and psych of this smoldering, private hero. The heroine, Juliana, a true firebrand and good match for Tarquin becomes a bit too reckless and fiesty. I found myself tiring of the constant bickering between the two lovers; although, things resolve nicely by the end. With that said,if you are a fan of this author, read Vice,it is still an interesting well written story .

A man who will do anything to save a family estate is not going to be the most attractive hero. Tarquin is not only all that, but he is completely selfish and unable to grasp Juliana's feelings about anything.
She is so determined to fight him that she gets herself into ever more dangerous predicaments, and her campaign to reform the prostitutes takes up way too much time in the book which should rightfully have been spent with them getting to know each other and falling in love.
As for the 'love scenes' he is there for all of two seconds and then pulls out without so much as a kiss and walks off. It is evident this author does not like writing those parts of the book, in which case let us please use our imaginations rather than be so badly let down. By the time the book is half over all the love scenes vanish anyway.

He is a selfish man who moves people around like pieces on a chess board because he is wealthy and can do it. The idea of anyone loving him because of himself, and not because he is a Duke is totally thrown away. And the idea of them living happily ever after just does not ring true.

A much better book if it were half the length as well!

Jane Feather is a wonderful author whose books I always enjoy, that having been said, I must admit I was a little disappointed with this one. I loved Tarquin, he was arrogant but very endearing. The heroine, Juliana was not quite as endearing. She was headstrong to the point of stupidity, always getting into one scrape after the other, expecting Tarquin or someone else to help, but refusing to take any responsibilty for having landed herself in such sad predicaments. She was the most ungrateful wretch. She never showed anyone gratitude for rescuing her from the consequences of her rash behavior. The plot was fast-paced but sometimes got bogged down by the heroine's zeal to reform and unionize the prostitution industry. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the heroine had not been such an idiot!!

What do you do when you accidentally kill your husband on your wedding night? If you are Juliana you run to London with no money, no contacts and hope you find a job. But suddenly you find yourself living in a bordello and "sold" to a Duke in a wild scheme that will actually make your life a lot better.

This novel was a quick and easy read and will hold your attention. The only problem is I started to immensely dislike the "heroine". Her decision making process left a lot to be desired and it got to the point where I had to side with the duke who "purchased" her. I know many historical romance readers like "strong willed" female characters, but how can you like a character that is stubborn to the point they continue to make silly decisions which always ends in harm's way?

As for the romance, I was a little disappointed the author did not take us on a "romantic journey". Juliana and the Duke instantly lusted over each other, and love was barely mentioned, which I found odd. On the plus side, I did learn a lot about prostitution in Victorian London and the infamous red-light district of Covent Garden.

I am probably going to say what most everyone said about Tarquin: he was very, very hot--sexy, handsome, amazing lover, close to a genius, a good guy underneath it all (of course). Juliana was cute and likable, particularly her clumsiness--I mean, having worn a full-skirt dress once in my life, I can say that it's no mean feat--and I can definitely relate to the poor clutz. Her strange drive "to help the girls of Russell street" seemed a bit fake, though--as did her instant to-die-for friendship with them. In that respect, her relationship with Tarquin is worked out much better.

The plot was formulaic--Juliana gets into all kinds of trouble; Tarquin comes to her rescue, time after time (three times in all, I think, throuhgout the book). (I mean, the book could've been called "Tarquin saves the day"). I would have liked to know more about him--his parents, his childhood, his relationship with his brother Quentin, Lydia, and that woman who broke his heart--all of this is just hinted on. His relationship with Juliana is endearing--as is the fact that he calls her "mignonne," literally "cutie"--particularly from Quentin's eyes.

All that said, the book would have been bad had it purported to be anything but the most blatant romance novel, the "guilty pleasure" kind. Because it does not, it is quite good... Also, lots of curious details about the life in London at the time, etc.

All in all, if you like spicy romance with fairly captivating characters and not-to-bland a plot, you will probably like this.

Jane Feather is great. I've read Vice two times now, and each time I could not put it down. Tarquin and Juliana make such a wonderful couple. I just loved how Tarquin blackmailed Juliana into marrying his sickly cousin, then fell in love with her himself. I just get lost in the wonderful world that Jane Feather creates. Keep them coming Jane.

What a different story. Love, mystery, a great hero and an evil sick man. I have read just about every book Jane Feather has written and I absolutely liked this one. Highly recommend for a different story line.

I thought this book was one of the better ones out of all those other extremely fake and boring historical romances books. The characters had depth, except that I thought Juliana was a bit unnatural in her tendency to fire up whenever she talked with Tarquin. I mean, how is she gonna live after she gets married--argue all the time? I loved Tarquin, the hero, who is dashing, attractive, and just plain breath-taking. THis is a must-read, so go and get it!

i really liked this book it had alot of qualities i liked however i thought that Juliana was alittle too childish i mean trying to get back at Redmayne in the most obsurd ways her character needed just a little mor maturity but i liked the book in general it had alot of humor in it and one thing that the two character were not perfect Juliana being clumsy and all added a certain charm to it. it's worth a read.

I woul have to say..it is a very realistic book to read..it shows about the 17th century look on London, England.I have to put the novel 3 stars, for one thing it was just the plot was too fast, kind of confusing but over all a 50/50 novel with erotic sex, good dialogue and the plot was not that bad. People reading this, I have to say, you'll may love it,or may not love it at all.But even though I'm a very young age to read romance novels(15 to be exact), I know a good romance novel when I see one. The characters are very real and their personality have so much feeling to it.Jane Feather writes a really good novel , she is a very talented author, I truly hope she will makes better novels for us romance readers, to enjoy and loved.Juliana is a suvivor, a spirited woman, and a lively character in the novel.Tarquin he is a dangerously, handsome Duke.. in a good way and a persuasive man. But the rest of the characters.. they are ok..in my perspective. So romance readers go out there and get the novel and get seduced by the seductive world of Vice.