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Intimate #2
Intimate Surrender
A Scandalous Secret
Hannah Bartlett was tossed out of her home at the tender age of fifteen, when a man of the cloth stole her innocence. To survive the streets, Hannah entered into a life that she never imagined. Now, known as Madame Genevieve—the owner of London's most infamous bordello—she dedicates her life to rescuing young girls from the streets and protecting them from a shameful fate.
An Unexpected Attraction
Vicar Rafe Waterford meets Hannah at one of his sister-in-law's country gatherings…and immediately falls for the mysterious beauty. Despite his declarations of love, Hannah insists they cannot be together. But Rafe is like no other man…and he refuses to forget a love so passionate and consuming.
Hannah Bartlett was tossed out of her home at the tender age of fifteen, when a man of the cloth stole her innocence. To survive the streets, Hannah entered into a life that she never imagined. Now, known as Madame Genevieve—the owner of London's most infamous bordello—she dedicates her life to rescuing young girls from the streets and protecting them from a shameful fate.
An Unexpected Attraction
Vicar Rafe Waterford meets Hannah at one of his sister-in-law's country gatherings…and immediately falls for the mysterious beauty. Despite his declarations of love, Hannah insists they cannot be together. But Rafe is like no other man…and he refuses to forget a love so passionate and consuming.
324 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2013
178 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Laura Landon
76books366followersLaura Landon taught high school for ten years before leaving the classroom to open her own ice-cream shop. As much as she loved serving up sundaes and malts from behind the counter, she closed up shop after penning her first novel. Now she spends nearly every waking minute writing, guiding her heroes and heroines to find their happily ever afters.
She is the author of more than a dozen historical novels, including SILENT REVENGE, INTIMATE DECEPTION, and her newest Montlake Romance release, INTIMATE SURRENDER.
Her books are enjoyed by readers around the world and you can find out more about her by visiting her website at
She is the author of more than a dozen historical novels, including SILENT REVENGE, INTIMATE DECEPTION, and her newest Montlake Romance release, INTIMATE SURRENDER.
Her books are enjoyed by readers around the world and you can find out more about her by visiting her website at
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 10, 2014
I listened to the audiobook version, and while I have some issues with the narrator, the book itself was disappointing. The story is about a woman who is abused when young, abandoned by her religious zealot of a father, and then makes a success as a prostitute then madame. She manages to stay friends with the girls who were her neighbors, and having been invited by one to a country party, meets and begins to fall for the Duke's brother. He also falls for her, and despite being a vicar, is determined to win her over.
The book is full of historical inaccuracies. I don't think that a woman who has become a famous madame would remain close friends with women who have become nobility. And if a Duke's brother is seriously injured, I suspect the Duke would have been immediately notified, higher quality help provided, and an effort made to arrest the wrong-doer. There are some of the more egregious types of errors made. And they weakened the story a great deal.
But what really bothered me was what a waste Rafe was. So he's good looking, loves children, has a great body, and is a wonderful speaker. He does nothing to help Hannah, and despite the several times she supposedly feels 'safe' with him, she is always the one saving him. Rafe is spoiled and self-absorbed. And while he comes to see the errors of his ways, I felt that Hannah's life would have been much easier and less dangerous without him. But, I guess she just wants to be loved, and has to figure out the solution herself with her prostitute friends. In a world when men held nearly all the power, the fact that none of the men could figure out anything useful was disappointing and annoying. Rafe seems to just be a pretty thing, without a lot of depth, and that left me a bit cold.
The book is full of historical inaccuracies. I don't think that a woman who has become a famous madame would remain close friends with women who have become nobility. And if a Duke's brother is seriously injured, I suspect the Duke would have been immediately notified, higher quality help provided, and an effort made to arrest the wrong-doer. There are some of the more egregious types of errors made. And they weakened the story a great deal.
But what really bothered me was what a waste Rafe was. So he's good looking, loves children, has a great body, and is a wonderful speaker. He does nothing to help Hannah, and despite the several times she supposedly feels 'safe' with him, she is always the one saving him. Rafe is spoiled and self-absorbed. And while he comes to see the errors of his ways, I felt that Hannah's life would have been much easier and less dangerous without him. But, I guess she just wants to be loved, and has to figure out the solution herself with her prostitute friends. In a world when men held nearly all the power, the fact that none of the men could figure out anything useful was disappointing and annoying. Rafe seems to just be a pretty thing, without a lot of depth, and that left me a bit cold.
June 14, 2018
Çok güzeldi. Öncelikle konudan bahsedeyim. Hannah daha 15 yaşındayken bir din adamı tarafından tecavüze uğruyor ve babasının onu reddedip kimsenin yardım etmemesiyle fahişe olmak zorunda kalıyor. Rafe ise bir papaz ve bir gün katıldığı aile davetinde Hannah'yı görüyor ve birbirlerine daha o dakika aşık oluyorlar birbirlerinin sosyal kimliklerini bilmeden. Hikayenin geri kalanıysa bol bol dram.
Bu kitap aslında çok öğretici. Altında yatan sebepleri bilmeden kimseyi değerlendirmememiz gerektiğini gösteriyor öncelikle. Hannah Rafe'in papaz olmasından nefret etti Rafe de Hannah'nın fahişe kimliğinden. Evet Rafe beklenenin aksine kitap boyunca aşkına sahip çıktı bu çok önemliydi benim için.
Farklılıklardır bizi biz yapan mottosuna sahip bir kitaptı.
Rafe'e her şeyi unutma ve Hannah ile tanışmama imkanı verilse yine Hannah ile tanışmayı seçerdi o kadar güçlü bir aşıktı.
Hannah ise yaşadığı travmaya rağmen bir din adamı olan Rafe'i sevmekten bir an olsun vazgeçmezdi.
Puan kırmamın sebebi kitabın başlarında bir türlü olayın içine giremememdi çünkü çok fazla karakter vardı sanırım bir de çeviri hataları vardı kopukluk yaşadım bazı yerlerde.
Okuyacaklara şimdiden iyi okumalar tavsiye ediyorum 🌹
Bu kitap aslında çok öğretici. Altında yatan sebepleri bilmeden kimseyi değerlendirmememiz gerektiğini gösteriyor öncelikle. Hannah Rafe'in papaz olmasından nefret etti Rafe de Hannah'nın fahişe kimliğinden. Evet Rafe beklenenin aksine kitap boyunca aşkına sahip çıktı bu çok önemliydi benim için.
Farklılıklardır bizi biz yapan mottosuna sahip bir kitaptı.
Rafe'e her şeyi unutma ve Hannah ile tanışmama imkanı verilse yine Hannah ile tanışmayı seçerdi o kadar güçlü bir aşıktı.
Hannah ise yaşadığı travmaya rağmen bir din adamı olan Rafe'i sevmekten bir an olsun vazgeçmezdi.
Puan kırmamın sebebi kitabın başlarında bir türlü olayın içine giremememdi çünkü çok fazla karakter vardı sanırım bir de çeviri hataları vardı kopukluk yaşadım bazı yerlerde.
Okuyacaklara şimdiden iyi okumalar tavsiye ediyorum 🌹
February 15, 2020
Yazarın kitaplarını üst üste okuduğuma pişmanım bu kitabın içine giremedim elimde süründü resmen 🤦♀�
February 22, 2015
This was a well-penned historical romance set in the Victorian era of England. It follows on from Ms Landon's novel 'Intimate Deception' not because you need to have read this to understand it but purely because it contains some of the same characters. Hannah (aka "Madame Genevieve") featured in 'Intimate Deception' as the brothel owner who helped Lady Grace in her quest to lose her virginity to a stranger. I was intrigued by Hannah's character at the time and so was glad to find that Ms Landon had written this novel featuring Hannah as her female lead.
We learn of Hannah's dark past in the first chapter of this novel and immediately the reader becomes sympathetic to her plight, which is necessary if the reader is to accept Hannah for who she is and what her experiences have forced her to become. It is clear from the start that the author does not want you to despise Hannah for her occupation but to understand why she is who she is and just how courageous and admirable a woman she has turned out to be. In fact, she's downright amazing. Yet it took her suitor, Vicar Rafe Waterford, the entirety of the book to figure this out. Although he loved her from the start, in order for them to be together in a successful relationship he had to appreciate the amazing things that she does to help young girls on the streets--something she would not have been able to do if she wasn't Madame Genevieve. The author makes you realize that things are not as black or white as society and religion would have you seem. Hannah and all that she stands for most definitely falls in a very grey area.
The main issue I had with this novel was the fact that Rafe, as a vicar of Victorian England, would not have been as eager to associate with Hannah once he knew who she was. I really liked Rafe's character and found him to be a likeable man, but I could not manage to combine in my head Rafe the man and Rafe the vicar. Seriously, what kind of vicar goes around kissing women at his brother's (a Duke nonetheless) country estate? Very shocking! And yet he proceeds in saying that he cannot abide the business that Hannah is in. I cannot help but fathom that the hypocrite is not the woman who knows who she is and pulls away from Rafe when he tries to insist that she is someone else, but the man who preaches the Bible and yet allows his desire for a woman to drag him all around the country. Especially in the Victorian era, when the Church of England was much more stiff than it is today.
However, intricacies aside, this was an enjoyable read just for the fact that it allowed my mind to escape to a different world for a time. One of danger, violence and heartbreak yes, but also one of joy, love and thankfulness. This was an historical romance with an unusual twist, but I'm glad that I still got the happy ending that I've come to expect from this genre.
We learn of Hannah's dark past in the first chapter of this novel and immediately the reader becomes sympathetic to her plight, which is necessary if the reader is to accept Hannah for who she is and what her experiences have forced her to become. It is clear from the start that the author does not want you to despise Hannah for her occupation but to understand why she is who she is and just how courageous and admirable a woman she has turned out to be. In fact, she's downright amazing. Yet it took her suitor, Vicar Rafe Waterford, the entirety of the book to figure this out. Although he loved her from the start, in order for them to be together in a successful relationship he had to appreciate the amazing things that she does to help young girls on the streets--something she would not have been able to do if she wasn't Madame Genevieve. The author makes you realize that things are not as black or white as society and religion would have you seem. Hannah and all that she stands for most definitely falls in a very grey area.
The main issue I had with this novel was the fact that Rafe, as a vicar of Victorian England, would not have been as eager to associate with Hannah once he knew who she was. I really liked Rafe's character and found him to be a likeable man, but I could not manage to combine in my head Rafe the man and Rafe the vicar. Seriously, what kind of vicar goes around kissing women at his brother's (a Duke nonetheless) country estate? Very shocking! And yet he proceeds in saying that he cannot abide the business that Hannah is in. I cannot help but fathom that the hypocrite is not the woman who knows who she is and pulls away from Rafe when he tries to insist that she is someone else, but the man who preaches the Bible and yet allows his desire for a woman to drag him all around the country. Especially in the Victorian era, when the Church of England was much more stiff than it is today.
However, intricacies aside, this was an enjoyable read just for the fact that it allowed my mind to escape to a different world for a time. One of danger, violence and heartbreak yes, but also one of joy, love and thankfulness. This was an historical romance with an unusual twist, but I'm glad that I still got the happy ending that I've come to expect from this genre.
January 2, 2014
Do yourself a favor and skip this book. Hanna was raped when she was 15 years old. Her circumstances gave her no other choice but to become a prostitute. Apparently a very good prostitute because in a few years she had saved enough money to buy the bordello and become a Madame. And this is when the story starts to get ridiculous. This experienced prostitute could give Mother Theresa a run for her money. The only reason she kept the bordello is to earn money to keep up an orphanage. She is such a good prostitute/person that her best friends are duchess. The whole story has only one very mild sex scene almost at the end. Hanna and Rafe fall in "love" at first sight yet they spend months sharing a few kisses now and then. At age 30? Oh please!! Yes our hero Rafe is a vicar but towards the end after all the morality talk he still has sex with her before marriage. Only once. The dialogue, the plot, the characters were all unrealistic, ridiculous and predictable.
The narration was ok and it's the only reason why I actually listened to the whole book but if I had know the story would be so implausible I would have saved my time and money.
The narration was ok and it's the only reason why I actually listened to the whole book but if I had know the story would be so implausible I would have saved my time and money.
September 25, 2013
"Intimate Surrender" is another fabulous Victorian-Era historical romance from talented storyteller Laura Landon. I have tremendously enjoyed all of Ms. Landon's releases from Montlake Romance Publishing, but "Intimate Surrender" is my favorite. Picking up story line elements and bringing forward some of the characters from a previous work, "Intimate Deception", this book tells the love story of Hannah Bartlett, also known as the famous courtesan, Madame Genevieve, and Vicar Rafe Waterford, a nobleman. When Hannah was a young woman, just into her teens, she was brutally raped by a man of the cloth whom her father had invited to their home. Her father was a religious zealot who blamed Hannah for the rape, viciously beat her, and then left her by the side of the road to die. Saved from death by neighboring friends, Hannah soon made her way to London to seek work. When she could find no suitable means to support herself, starvation and homelessness drove her to a life of prostitution. Her beauty, grace, and resourcefulness eventually allowed her obtain her own establishment, which she used to fund and cover her real work, rescuing young women and children from the ruthless reality of life on the streets. Years later, those same friends who had saved Hannah's life so long ago invited her to a two-week Summer Party at their country home. Seizing the chance to leave Madame Genevieve and London behind for a while Hannah accepts the invitation, and her life is forever changed. She meets a most charming and handsome man, Rafe Waterford, brother of the Marquess of Wedgewood. Both of them are immediately smitten with each other, and at first, neither one realizes the true identity of the other: she is an infamous bordello madame, and he is a respected vicar. When Hannah learns that Rafe is a vicar, she returns to London without an explanation, and without saying goodbye. Rafe's family informs him of Hannah's profession, revealing the tragic events which lead to her life in London. Lord Rafe is stunned, but his heart has been captured by the beautiful Hannah, and he later follows her to London. No matter how she tries to dissuade him and to destroy his affections, Rafe will not be swayed. The more time he spends with Hannah, and the more he learns of her devotion to the women and children of the streets, the more his heart is involved. Hannah never thought she would love and be loved in return by a man like Rafe. When he is nearly killed coming to her rescue from the vile man, Skinner, who trafficks in the young lives Hannah strives to save, she knows she must do all that is in her power to protect Rafe. When he holds her in his arms, and drowns her senses with deep, delicious kisses, she is tempted to believe along with him that they could somehow have a happy future together. But how could that be? How can a madame and a vicar overcome the prejudices of society and continue to fight the evil of the streets of London? Is marriage and a shared life an impossible dream? "Intimate Surrender" is written with a real sense of the great love and trying circumstances faced by the characters, and the story line is well-paced and balanced just right. Highly recommended for lovers of tender and thrilling historical romance.
Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
November 9, 2015
I am on some kind of a Laura Landon marathon because I am cancelling my kindle unlimited membership. The more I read the less the books could hold my interests. It is not about her writing. I almost always like her characters and she writes lyrical proses. But the plots are just too thin. They rarely go beyond the surface.
This book actually has more substance than other books I have read from her, featuring a prostitute and a vicar. I suppose it is an interesting pairing because this combination has been done. I don't know how to describe it. Her stories are.....what you see is what you get kind of simple. No imagination is required to read the book.
As for the story in this book, I feel that "a prostitute and a vicar" says it all. It is then about how they break down the social barriers and how the vicar wins the prostitute's heart. In such stories the men are always very devoted. I guess it takes a devoted man to love a woman who has had such a difficult past. Most men just don't have what it takes.
Maybe it is because of all the devotion that I find this book more boring than her other stories. I like a little more angst and struggles, more yearning and impossible love in my romance novels. When the guy is already so in love and all ready to jump to happily ever after, I kind of lost interest in what is going to happen. I mean we all know what is going to happen. It is the journey that counts. But since the guy is already commited, we are just waiting for the heroine to say yes. And I do not have the patience to wait 300 pages for that.
This book actually has more substance than other books I have read from her, featuring a prostitute and a vicar. I suppose it is an interesting pairing because this combination has been done. I don't know how to describe it. Her stories are.....what you see is what you get kind of simple. No imagination is required to read the book.
As for the story in this book, I feel that "a prostitute and a vicar" says it all. It is then about how they break down the social barriers and how the vicar wins the prostitute's heart. In such stories the men are always very devoted. I guess it takes a devoted man to love a woman who has had such a difficult past. Most men just don't have what it takes.
Maybe it is because of all the devotion that I find this book more boring than her other stories. I like a little more angst and struggles, more yearning and impossible love in my romance novels. When the guy is already so in love and all ready to jump to happily ever after, I kind of lost interest in what is going to happen. I mean we all know what is going to happen. It is the journey that counts. But since the guy is already commited, we are just waiting for the heroine to say yes. And I do not have the patience to wait 300 pages for that.
April 17, 2014
Laura Landon has a way of creating really interesting characters and situations, but Intimate Surrender gets a little repetitive in the conflict between our characters. As an owner of London's most infamous bordello, Hannah knows she isn't a good match for the Vicar Rafe Waterford. She repeatedly tells us until I hoped someone in the story would slap some sense into her. Her occupation isn't even as bad as it sounds - it once was, but now she is a woman with a mission and a purpose in life. It was all very admirable.
Vicar Rafe Waterford doesn't care that the woman he loves used to be prostitute, she isn't now, and maybe no one will recognize her if she changes locations or something. Good idea in theory - but not when a person isn't interested in changing who they are.
The most interesting part of this story wasn't the romance, unfortunately, but the turf war between the bordellos. It escalated quickly and reminded me a bit of the gang wars large cities have now. At first I was amazed at what people were willing to do to try and keep their girls, but I guess it's a matter of paying the bills in a business like that.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at:
Vicar Rafe Waterford doesn't care that the woman he loves used to be prostitute, she isn't now, and maybe no one will recognize her if she changes locations or something. Good idea in theory - but not when a person isn't interested in changing who they are.
The most interesting part of this story wasn't the romance, unfortunately, but the turf war between the bordellos. It escalated quickly and reminded me a bit of the gang wars large cities have now. At first I was amazed at what people were willing to do to try and keep their girls, but I guess it's a matter of paying the bills in a business like that.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at:
June 27, 2017
This is Hannah's story from Ultimate Deception. The best friend of the Duchess of Raeborn, and Hannah Bartlett, a girl who had raped when she was 15 and cast out by her pious father. The only way to survive was to become a whore, pretty much the only job left for a woman with no training. Fast forward 15 years and Hanna is the owner of Lady Genevieve's, a highly prosperous brothel that caters to the high society of London.- For 15 years Hannah has met her best friend, Grace, The now Duchess of Raeborn and her sisters secretly as in order to not tarnish their reputations. It is during one of these gatherings that Hannah meets Lord Rafe, a vicar, and their friendship begins. Hannah is aware of her feelings and of Rafe's for her, but she is ever practical and understands the reasons why their relationship can never be. Rafe is too naive and somewhat gets it, but not really. And so begins the flirtations of a vicar and a tart, and some potential dangers in London becasue a whore is what she is and her business may cater to the nobiiity of London, but she is still a part of the underbelly and all the dangers that lurk there, primarily an evil man named Skinner who wants Hannah out of business... for good.
October 8, 2014
I won Intimate Surrender, the paperback edition by Laura Landon, after entering a ŷ First Reads giveaway.
This book is about Hannah Bartlett who was raped by a "man of the cloth" when she was a child. Her religious father then beat her and kicked her out of her home. She goes on to become an owner of a bordello, Madam Genevieve's which is in London.
She ends up falling in love with a Vicar. The story focuses on her struggle with her love and helping other children who have been forced into London's sex trade and her competition, a man named Skinner. Skinner imports/exports children for his bordello. Hannah AKA Madam Genevieve rescues said children and takes them to a hidden house in the country where she cares for them with the help of her staff. She provides medical care, education, food and shelter for the girls and boys. She also, helps them find jobs when they are old enough, non sex jobs or if they want, those too. She also cares for the babies of all of the girls, working and not.
I struggled to get through the prologue. The prologue deals with her rape at 15. Although, I agree that rape needs to be addressed in our culture, I do not find it entertaining. It is not something I want to read about, nor something I think about when I think of a Romance novel. I know this makes the novel more 'real' to some, but it just threw a wrench in the story for me and I was unable to move past it. It was uncomfortable, which I think is what the author was trying to get across.
This is not a book that is going to give you the warm feelings of a romance novel. This novel might just cause you to weep. It is not often I find a book that I cannot make it through or don't believe the story, like I did with this one. The subject matter and the overly religious tones of the novel disgusted me.
I didn't enjoy the novel. I didn't enjoy the story. It is not believable. Yes, I know it is a work of historical fiction. But, for me,it is not my cup of tea. Hannah falls for a Vicar. She was raped someone in the church. I just don't see her even entertaining the idea once she found out who he of marriage or anything else. She is a whore. But, her and her Vicar don't have intercourse until the very end, after marriage? Uh, I don't see that happening either. Also, the undertones of religion in this novel leave much to be desired. There was one line about it was not God who raped her, but the devil. With so many real stories about children and woman who have been raped out there, this seems to undermine their pain.
What I did like.
I like the tone the author uses. She writes well and the story line was easy to follow. I was able to get a clear impression of each of the characters. The physical feel of the book is nice. The cover is pretty and attractive. The text is in large enough print and the words are fairly spaced out. This is an easy reading level and most should be able to grasp what is going on in this novel.
I wish I had this author's other works before picking up this one. I will look for more of her works because I like the way she writes, the tone and such. I just did not like the story in this one. It was not for me, but maybe others will like it.
A big thank you to the publisher, the author and ŷ for allowing me the chance to read this book.
This book is about Hannah Bartlett who was raped by a "man of the cloth" when she was a child. Her religious father then beat her and kicked her out of her home. She goes on to become an owner of a bordello, Madam Genevieve's which is in London.
She ends up falling in love with a Vicar. The story focuses on her struggle with her love and helping other children who have been forced into London's sex trade and her competition, a man named Skinner. Skinner imports/exports children for his bordello. Hannah AKA Madam Genevieve rescues said children and takes them to a hidden house in the country where she cares for them with the help of her staff. She provides medical care, education, food and shelter for the girls and boys. She also, helps them find jobs when they are old enough, non sex jobs or if they want, those too. She also cares for the babies of all of the girls, working and not.
I struggled to get through the prologue. The prologue deals with her rape at 15. Although, I agree that rape needs to be addressed in our culture, I do not find it entertaining. It is not something I want to read about, nor something I think about when I think of a Romance novel. I know this makes the novel more 'real' to some, but it just threw a wrench in the story for me and I was unable to move past it. It was uncomfortable, which I think is what the author was trying to get across.
This is not a book that is going to give you the warm feelings of a romance novel. This novel might just cause you to weep. It is not often I find a book that I cannot make it through or don't believe the story, like I did with this one. The subject matter and the overly religious tones of the novel disgusted me.
I didn't enjoy the novel. I didn't enjoy the story. It is not believable. Yes, I know it is a work of historical fiction. But, for me,it is not my cup of tea. Hannah falls for a Vicar. She was raped someone in the church. I just don't see her even entertaining the idea once she found out who he of marriage or anything else. She is a whore. But, her and her Vicar don't have intercourse until the very end, after marriage? Uh, I don't see that happening either. Also, the undertones of religion in this novel leave much to be desired. There was one line about it was not God who raped her, but the devil. With so many real stories about children and woman who have been raped out there, this seems to undermine their pain.
What I did like.
I like the tone the author uses. She writes well and the story line was easy to follow. I was able to get a clear impression of each of the characters. The physical feel of the book is nice. The cover is pretty and attractive. The text is in large enough print and the words are fairly spaced out. This is an easy reading level and most should be able to grasp what is going on in this novel.
I wish I had this author's other works before picking up this one. I will look for more of her works because I like the way she writes, the tone and such. I just did not like the story in this one. It was not for me, but maybe others will like it.
A big thank you to the publisher, the author and ŷ for allowing me the chance to read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2013
Forced into a life of prostitution after a brutal attack at the age of 15, Hannah has made peace with the life she leads. She knows what she is and has done what she has needed in order to survive. Taking a much needed break from London and her brothel at her childhood friend’s country home she meets the first man that has managed to capture her attention and awaken her heart.
For as long as he can remember women have been introduced to him in the hopes he will be smitten and one day marry. Vicar Rafe Waterford has never once been tempted� until he spots the mysterious beauty soaking up the son at his brother’s country estate. She is as interested in him as he is in her, yet keeps distancing herself from him.
There is something about the way Laura Landon writes that holds and keeps your attention from the first sentence. That was the case with this story. It opens with a horrific tragedy and keeps you hanging on every written word. I love her characters and the way she tells her stories. I found myself grinning several times and crying even more. She really has a way of bringing out the reader’s sympathy and emotions. It’s been a while since I have been so engrossed in a book that I have finished it one day, but this one couldn’t be put down.
My only complaint and the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5, is that it got to be a bit repetitive towards the end. I felt that Rafe and Hannah were going in circles with their conversations. The same things were being said but progress was slow to be made. Other than that I truly enjoyed this tale and as I am a relatively new fan, I look forward to discovering more of her works.
Cherise Everhard, October 2013
Book provided by and reviewed for the Amazon Vine Program
For as long as he can remember women have been introduced to him in the hopes he will be smitten and one day marry. Vicar Rafe Waterford has never once been tempted� until he spots the mysterious beauty soaking up the son at his brother’s country estate. She is as interested in him as he is in her, yet keeps distancing herself from him.
There is something about the way Laura Landon writes that holds and keeps your attention from the first sentence. That was the case with this story. It opens with a horrific tragedy and keeps you hanging on every written word. I love her characters and the way she tells her stories. I found myself grinning several times and crying even more. She really has a way of bringing out the reader’s sympathy and emotions. It’s been a while since I have been so engrossed in a book that I have finished it one day, but this one couldn’t be put down.
My only complaint and the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5, is that it got to be a bit repetitive towards the end. I felt that Rafe and Hannah were going in circles with their conversations. The same things were being said but progress was slow to be made. Other than that I truly enjoyed this tale and as I am a relatively new fan, I look forward to discovering more of her works.
Cherise Everhard, October 2013
Book provided by and reviewed for the Amazon Vine Program
September 19, 2013
This was an "OK" read for me. From the very beginning this book started out with a rape and the story line just kept on giving with more rape and deprivation. Thankfully none of it was described but the after affects certainly were. Hannah does her absolute best to keep Rafe from her life but he just cannot take no for an answer, much like every other man in this story. Hannah is able to overcome from not only her horrible rape but the beating abandonment from her father immediately after. If only for the love of two friends who take her to a healer is Hannah able to survive her horror. The friends were great and supportive in Hannah's desire to save the street urchins from disaster aka Skinner, a man who lures the young of the world into his trap and brutally sells their innocence to the highest bidder. I would have given this 2.5 starts but couldn't.
June 22, 2022
Dnf.
Hero is a vicar but even so I was not prepared for him to declare he’s basically in love with her so soon after meeting because god brought her to him.
I hate “love at first sight� stories. Imo it’s lazy writing because you’re telling instead of showing. I want to see it happen, not just take your word for it that it’s already happened.
Plot holes galore. People at this house party know the heroine is a madam and yet are fine with her being there? In regency England?? When even dancing the waltz without permission would get you ostracized? ‘Kay.
Also this book used the word “female� so much I felt it could be used as a drinking game—except don’t because you’ll be unconscious by chapter three. Just say woman for Pete’s sake.
Hero is a vicar but even so I was not prepared for him to declare he’s basically in love with her so soon after meeting because god brought her to him.
I hate “love at first sight� stories. Imo it’s lazy writing because you’re telling instead of showing. I want to see it happen, not just take your word for it that it’s already happened.
Plot holes galore. People at this house party know the heroine is a madam and yet are fine with her being there? In regency England?? When even dancing the waltz without permission would get you ostracized? ‘Kay.
Also this book used the word “female� so much I felt it could be used as a drinking game—except don’t because you’ll be unconscious by chapter three. Just say woman for Pete’s sake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2022
I have been plowing through Laura London books over the last months and have enjoyed every one , when I started reading this book I was not sure I was going to like it due to the opening scene which I personally found distressing but integral to the story. Once I got past the first few pages I found I could not put this story down the after effects of the rape and the choices she made were handled with compassion drawing the reader to understand her choices and empathise with her situation. Well written with a happy conclusion to a very tragic situation.
July 7, 2014
due to the circumstances of the main female character this is a darker story than many regencies - she was raped as a teenager and when she came to London she found refuge and a career in a brothel. So the big question is how can she and the Lord she falls in love with have a life together. That question kept me reading to find out how the author resolved that problem. I did like the characters and how the issue was resolved - but no spoilers here - read it for yourself.
February 20, 2016
Woman came from a soiled past meets man of the cloth. Neither one know of their past. He falls for her because he waited his whole life to if a woman that brings him to life. Due to her past, she thought she would never fall in love. But taking from the city in the country side, their love blooms, but she knows it would never work. This in present life trouble start and she pushes him out and he leaves. After a self kick in the butt, they both learn love wins.
January 2, 2014
Not bad, story-wise, but there's a mixed message about prostitution -- degrading and exploitative, yet a fine and honorable way to make a living-- that doesn't quite work for the characters ( let alone as a philosophy).
May 22, 2017
Intimate Surrender is a Regency Era historical romance. Picking up story line elements and bringing forward some of the characters from a previous work, Intimate Deception, this book tells the love story of Hannah Bartlett, also known as the famous courtesan, Madame Genevieve, and Vicar Rafe Waterford, a nobleman. When Hannah was a young woman, just into her teens, she was brutally raped by a man of the cloth whom her father had invited to their home. Her father was a religious zealot who blamed Hannah for the rape, viciously beat her, and then left her by the side of the road to die. Saved from death by neighboring friends, Hannah soon made her way to London to seek work. When she could find no suitable means to support herself, starvation and homelessness drove her to a life of prostitution. Her beauty, grace, and resourcefulness eventually allowed her obtain her own establishment, which she used to fund and cover her real work, rescuing young women and children from the ruthless reality of life on the streets. Years later, those same friends who had saved Hannah's life so long ago invited her to a two-week Summer Party at their country home. Seizing the chance to leave Madame Genevieve and London behind for a while Hannah accepts the invitation, and her life is forever changed. She meets a most charming and handsome man, Rafe Waterford, brother of the Marquess of Wedgewood. Both of them are immediately smitten with each other, and at first, neither realizes the true identity of the other: she is an infamous bordello madame, and he is a respected vicar. When Hannah learns that Rafe is a vicar, she returns to London without an explanation, and without saying goodbye. Rafe's family informs him of Hannah's profession, revealing the tragic events which lead to her life in London. Lord Rafe is stunned, but his heart has been captured by the beautiful Hannah, and he later follows her to London. No matter how she tries to dissuade him and to destroy his affections, Rafe will not be swayed. The more time he spends with Hannah, and the more he learns of her devotion to the women and children of the streets, the more his heart is involved. Hannah never thought she would love and be loved in return by a man like Rafe. When he is nearly killed coming to her rescue from the vile man, Skinner, who traffics in the young lives Hannah strives to save, she knows she must do all that is in her power to protect Rafe. When he holds her in his arms, and drowns her senses with deep, delicious kisses, she is tempted to believe along with him that they could somehow have a happy future together. But how could that be? How can a madame and a vicar overcome the prejudices of society and continue to fight the evil of the streets of London? Is marriage and a shared life an impossible dream? Intimate Surrender is written with a real sense of the great love and trying circumstances faced by the characters, and the story line is well-paced and balanced just right. Highly recommended for lovers of tender and thrilling historical romance.
October 17, 2024
Rafe and Hannah
SPOILER ALERT
Intimate Surrender by Laura Landon. Intimate duology, Book 2. Borrowed and listened through the KU Read and Listen program. Dual POV. Solo narration. Slow burn, historical romance. Tearjerker. It's listed as 8 hours 40 minutes; I listened at speed 2.50 for 3 hours 28 minutes. Narrator Sarah Coomes read well. Unnecessary intro and finalé music. Content warnings: "Brother" Jasper r@ped h (that's right a religious man r@ped a 14 year old then blamed her for it); h's father accused her of being a temptress, beat her, kicked her out, and disowned her; h lost the baby who was a product of her r@pe; sex trafficking; a young girl dies shortly after giving birth to her daughter; orphaned children; prost¡tut¡on; turf war over prost¡tutes; and both main characters are in a coma for a short time after injuries.
Time period: 1800s; 15 year time hop.
Location: London
Hannah Bartlett (15, 29; aka Genny) is Madam Genevieve, the owner of London’s most famous bordello. She also owns Coventry House, a rescue and rehabilitation home for trafficked women, boys, and girls, and the children born to them. When she was only fifteen years old, her life was forever altered when a religious man r@ped her, blamed her for it, left her battered and bleeding body on the floor of a barn, plead his case to her father who found her and heaped more blame on her, beat her to unconsciousness, threw her out, and disowned. She survived the only way she could; she became a prost¡tute, a very successful and sought-after on at that. Once she was able to (with the help of a client who left her a property), she bought the brothel and began rescuing women and children. Vicar Rafael Waterford (30; aka Rafe) meets Hannah innocently while they are visiting her friends and his brother and sister-in-law. Rafe falls for her immediately. She tries to keep him at a distance, but Rafe is persistent. Hannah is forced to tell Rafe who she is and that they can't be together because he past still always follow her and she can't be with a religious man. She even goes so far as to addiction herself off at the brothel. Rafe won, but he had to use his grandfather's watch to pay. In the end, they are happily together, and Hannah got Rafe's watch back.
I liked it, but I loved book one: Intimate Deception. I would love to have read more about them after they finally got together.
1.5 out of 5 on my spice scale.
1st listen 10-15-24 (KU Read & Listen program)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
I won the book for free from the ŷ Giveaway Program. I recommend picking up a copy to enjoy and form your own opinion as well.
I started reading this novel on February 4th, 2018. But it was such a slow read for me in the beginning - almost agonizing start for me (maybe because I was coming off from reading a 26 book series on a NOOK device) that I really didn't dive into it until almost two month later (end of March).
After Hannah left the summer vacation in the countryside, the novel picked up a lot more. I was intrigued to read more and more. The middle of the novel (after Rafe was hurt) was a bit slow. So it seemed this novel ebbed and flowed alot.
::SPOILER ALERT:: Skinners death was a little sudden and a quick sentence. But how it was written was very detailed; almost as if I was witnessing it in person.
I’m also glad Rafe discovered his mistakes in trying to change Hannah. But, I don’t agree with her auctioning herself; my heart also broke alongside hers when Rafe sold his grandfathers watch for her.
At the end, I wish we knew how Hannah got Rafes watch back. We learn every other detail - everything was just about wrapped up in a nice little bow - but then “it doesn’t matter how� oh boo :(
3.5 out of 5 stars
I started reading this novel on February 4th, 2018. But it was such a slow read for me in the beginning - almost agonizing start for me (maybe because I was coming off from reading a 26 book series on a NOOK device) that I really didn't dive into it until almost two month later (end of March).
After Hannah left the summer vacation in the countryside, the novel picked up a lot more. I was intrigued to read more and more. The middle of the novel (after Rafe was hurt) was a bit slow. So it seemed this novel ebbed and flowed alot.
::SPOILER ALERT:: Skinners death was a little sudden and a quick sentence. But how it was written was very detailed; almost as if I was witnessing it in person.
I’m also glad Rafe discovered his mistakes in trying to change Hannah. But, I don’t agree with her auctioning herself; my heart also broke alongside hers when Rafe sold his grandfathers watch for her.
At the end, I wish we knew how Hannah got Rafes watch back. We learn every other detail - everything was just about wrapped up in a nice little bow - but then “it doesn’t matter how� oh boo :(
3.5 out of 5 stars
October 30, 2017
I really enjoy historical romance and Intimate Surrender does not disappoint. Set during Victorian England, it took me on an emotional roller coaster. I laughed and cried (sad to say, multiple times). This is a book of survival, where sometimes one does awful things to survive. It is also a book of standing up for what one believes in. I loved how our heroine Hannah stood up to Rafe and refused to quit her day job because in doing so Hannah would not only give up her own identity, but she would be letting countless children succumb to a life she had to endure as a young girl herself. She wouldn't wish that life on anyone.
After listening to Intimate Surrender, I found out that it is the second book in a duet, with Intimate Deception being the first book. Thankfully I didn't feel lost or like I was missing integral parts of the story. Simply put, if you like your stories to make you feel emotional while reading or listening to them, this one is for you!
After listening to Intimate Surrender, I found out that it is the second book in a duet, with Intimate Deception being the first book. Thankfully I didn't feel lost or like I was missing integral parts of the story. Simply put, if you like your stories to make you feel emotional while reading or listening to them, this one is for you!
January 24, 2019
I listened to this as an unabridged audiobook. The story was amazing. Well-written and hooks you from the beginning. Though there are some graphically violent scenes there are also scenes that will have you crying. The characterizations were awesome and I would give the story 7 stars if I could. Unfortunately, I have to take two of those and give them to the narrator for the disappointing delivery. Rarely any difference in inflection between hero and heroine so in shared scenes, you don't know who is talking without dialogue tags or proper names thrown in. Had to rewind and relisten dozens of times to figure out who was talking. Rarely a scene with two distinct voices and those were usually scenes involving the dozen or so important secondary characters. Landon's writing skill shines through thank goodness and this one keeps the five stars...
June 20, 2017
Story started okay, then logic just went out the window
At the beginning I felt the dialogue was promising, and characters engaging. I was so disappointed when plot holes, contradictions, and just a lack of structure wasted what seemed a decent start to the story.
Wondering if this was one of author's first books. I know I've read stories from this author that I have enjoyed. This definitely wasn't one.
I tossed in the towel at 70% through. I prefer to finish books, especially before reviewing, but this was too frustrating.
Note: At 2/3 through, the romance had pretty mild love scenes (mild PG). However the story tackled issues such as rape, enforced prostitution, and worse.
I'm not sure what was the intended audience but would recommend for mature only.
At the beginning I felt the dialogue was promising, and characters engaging. I was so disappointed when plot holes, contradictions, and just a lack of structure wasted what seemed a decent start to the story.
Wondering if this was one of author's first books. I know I've read stories from this author that I have enjoyed. This definitely wasn't one.
I tossed in the towel at 70% through. I prefer to finish books, especially before reviewing, but this was too frustrating.
Note: At 2/3 through, the romance had pretty mild love scenes (mild PG). However the story tackled issues such as rape, enforced prostitution, and worse.
I'm not sure what was the intended audience but would recommend for mature only.
September 4, 2018
This book has some of the same characters of Intimate Deception. Rafe, a vicar, is the Marquess of Waterford's brother. Hannah is the infamous Madame Genevieve. They meet at a house party at the Marquess' house, where Hannah is still friends with her childhood neighbors, the Marchioness and the Duchess of Raeburn (from Intimate Deception). Rafe feels "instant love" with Hannah, and wants to change everything about her to fit into his life. Expected difficulties between a vicar and a bordello owner. I just felt there was too much going on in the book, but I never really felt why the main characters were in love with each other.
September 23, 2017
...
I’m giving this 3.5 stars. I really liked this book even though it was a little repetitive at times. I really liked the fallen woman and vicar theme. Despite the heroine being a madam this book was low on steam but the story was good enough that you didn’t miss it.
Safety: completely safe if you can overlook the heroine being a prostitute. I personally prefer books with a non-virginal heroine. No ow drama. No cheating. No manwhores.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars. I really liked this book even though it was a little repetitive at times. I really liked the fallen woman and vicar theme. Despite the heroine being a madam this book was low on steam but the story was good enough that you didn’t miss it.
Safety: completely safe if you can overlook the heroine being a prostitute. I personally prefer books with a non-virginal heroine. No ow drama. No cheating. No manwhores.
Read
December 20, 2023DNF34% So you mean to tell me that a famous madame that owns a bordello is invited to a country party and is allowed to take part in all activities alongside dukes and other members of the peerage without a worry in the world?That is absurd! 😂
Also, I fould it quite puzzling how Rafe, as a vicar and supposed man of God, lusted for her the moment he saw her. Without any remorse, I might add!!😒
Ps: English is not my first language, so I apologize for any grammatical errors
Also, I fould it quite puzzling how Rafe, as a vicar and supposed man of God, lusted for her the moment he saw her. Without any remorse, I might add!!😒
Ps: English is not my first language, so I apologize for any grammatical errors
August 19, 2021
Amazing! Laura’s writing takes you right in to the heart and mind of the characters. I couldn’t put it down. I have read 21 of her books. So yes I am a fan and would definitely recommend this author.
February 8, 2017
This was a heart jarring story. Completely broken after the first chapter. The contrasting of her religious nut father and the Vicar was beyond excellent.
May 16, 2017
Both Rage and Hannah learned a valuable lesson
They loved each other but needed to understand what was important in their lives and who they really were together.
They loved each other but needed to understand what was important in their lives and who they really were together.
June 29, 2017
.
Laura Landon is a wonderful author. She brings London and a kinder group of gentry to life. This is the first book of hers I've read but won't be my last
Laura Landon is a wonderful author. She brings London and a kinder group of gentry to life. This is the first book of hers I've read but won't be my last
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