The night that changes everything…
Life for Victoria Lacey should be perfect. And it is — perfectly boring. Agree to marry a lord who has yet to inspire a single, solitary tingle? Why, of course. Smile as though this is not the thousandth time he’s mentioned hounds and hunting? It’s all in a day’s work for the oh-so-proper sister of the Duke of Blackmore. Surely no one would suspect her secret … secret longing for heart-racing, head-spinning passion. Except, perhaps, a dark stranger… on a terrace… at a ball where she should definitely not be kissing a man she has only just met.
The obsession that leads to ruin…
Hatred, not love, drives Lucien Wyatt, Viscount Atherbourne, to tempt the “Flower of Blackmore” into sin. Her brother has done unthinkable damage to Lucien’s family, and he intends to exact revenge in the only way left to him: Ruining his enemy’s sister, then stealing her from Blackmore by making her his own.
The woman who will set fire to her husband’s heart.
As Lucien carries out his ruthless plan, tutoring his new bride in the finer points of pleasure, her surrender leaves him breathless… and soon a new obsession awakens — a scandalous fascination with his irresistible wife.
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I saw this title on Bookbub and went to Amazon to read more about it. Because I’m frugal with my Kindle purchases, I put it in my wishlist and waited…and waited…and waited. I get to the point that I need to get it off my list, and that’s when I purchase a title.
The hero’s brother dies tragically and the hero blames the heroine’s brother. He contrives to marry her and keep her from her brother. Eventually they fall in love, but struggle with the circumstances they’ve become embroiled in.
I liked it enough to buy it. I only had a hard time with the separation issue and had to keep reminding myself that it was a different time back then. Good writing and the story flowed.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Lady Victoria Lacey has done everything expected of a well-bred society lady like herself and is now engaged to a dull but well-titled lord who makes her feel nothing. But Victoria is known for being proper in all things and ignores her deeply hidden desire for passion. Until she’s caught kissing a stranger on a terrace at a very well-attended ball.
Lucien Wyatt, Viscount Atherbourne, is driven by his need for revenge against Victoria’s brother, the Duke of Blackmore. His first step is to compromise Victoria and steal her away from Blackmore, keeping her for himself. But as his plan comes together, Lucien’s reaction to his new wife is beyond anything he’d imagined, and he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.
This book was not quite what I expected, and it took me a very long time to get into it and subsequently to finish it. I think some of the issue was that I listened to the audiobook and I didn’t much care for the narration. I’m also not a huge fan of the revenge trope, though I think it was well done here. The steamy connection between Victoria and Lucien was undeniable and I really liked that she wasn’t cowed by him and still managed to stand up for herself despite his impressive will. I’d have liked to have more time with them together on the page after they finally started communicating and were open with each other about their feelings, but I still found the ending satisfying and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-madness-of-viscount-atherbourne-by.html
Lucian and Victoria are a match made in Heaven. I hate spoilers so I will keep them brief. Lucien sets out to bring down an enemy but in the process finds himself hopelessly in love with enemies sister. I loved the humor and wit that ran thruout, and how the prim Victoria just destroyed his walls.
This was the first book I read of this author and I couldn’t put it down after I started it. Loved it and can’t wait to read more by her.
4.75 Stars!
(ebook and audio)
Loved this Regency romance. Everything about it was delicious – A brooding, broken, and irascible (anti)hero; a lovely, yet feisty heroine; and a gossiping ton. I couldn’t get enough. I’m thrilled to have found this author and equally excited to read the next book in the series. “Rescued from Ruin” is the perfect name for the series, because Lucien and Victoria had much to overcome, and the next couple will, as well. Overall, a perfectly fun read with an amazing romance.
I also listened to the audio intermittently and it was a wonderfully done production.
I really enjoy this whole series. I’ve read it a few times.
Loved this book! The premise was inspired….never thought of dealing with vengeance that way, but very believable ending. Really didn’t want it to end and look forward to reading the rest of the series!!
I love the entire series by Ms. Braden. They have deepened my appreciation of the genre. This author understands the period well and writes beautifully. The characters come to life on the pages, and I can’t wait for the next in the series. I have read all seven twice and look forward to the next.