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The Shadows #1
Return of the Wicked Earl
A mistake she will regret for a lifetime...
Lady Annalise was a wide-eyed debutante when she fell in love and married Blake, the Earl of Payne. But their time together was ill-fated and brief. After being treated poorly by her new husband, soon Annalise's love for Blake is shattered. When he disappears entirely, their marriage seems to have ended as soon as it began.
A terrible betrayal...
Blake, the Earl of Payne, had it all: a hefty inheritance, a respectable title, and a beautiful wife. But it all crumbles when he is abducted, tortured and almost killed three months after his wedding. Now that he's back he is determined to win back his wife and take revenge on whoever is responsible for his abduction. Neither task is going as planned, especially since his wife has moved on and his abductors have a plan of their own.
A love that is stronger than hate鈥�
As suspicions flare, dark secrets emerge, and old passions are rekindled, Blake and Annalise must decide if they can trust each other again... or let go of one another forever.
This work of fiction contains adult content, strong language, violence, off page death, bullying, nightmares and other situations that might be offensive.
Reader discretion is advised.
Lady Annalise was a wide-eyed debutante when she fell in love and married Blake, the Earl of Payne. But their time together was ill-fated and brief. After being treated poorly by her new husband, soon Annalise's love for Blake is shattered. When he disappears entirely, their marriage seems to have ended as soon as it began.
A terrible betrayal...
Blake, the Earl of Payne, had it all: a hefty inheritance, a respectable title, and a beautiful wife. But it all crumbles when he is abducted, tortured and almost killed three months after his wedding. Now that he's back he is determined to win back his wife and take revenge on whoever is responsible for his abduction. Neither task is going as planned, especially since his wife has moved on and his abductors have a plan of their own.
A love that is stronger than hate鈥�
As suspicions flare, dark secrets emerge, and old passions are rekindled, Blake and Annalise must decide if they can trust each other again... or let go of one another forever.
This work of fiction contains adult content, strong language, violence, off page death, bullying, nightmares and other situations that might be offensive.
Reader discretion is advised.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2021
834 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Sadie Bosque
34听books215听followersSadie Bosque is a steamy historical romance author. Surrounded by the enchantment of the historical setting, her love stories communicate to the modern reader through the experiences of her characters. The heroes and heroines of Sadie鈥檚 stories are flawed, imperfect creatures with big hearts. Sadie believes that a happily ever after has to be hard-earned. The trials and tribulations her characters go through make them stronger and make the HEA so much sweeter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
December 3, 2023
The books opening scene with the Earl being held captive was fantastic. The return home was another good scene. Later great sex between a married couple. BUT come on the never ending I can't tell the wife what happened grew tiresome and the complete personality transplant got on my nerves. The hero was in his mid 20's and a rake but was getting sex advice from his father (come on) The book takes place in 1740 and read more like the early 1900's. I have come to the conclusion that many HR are not going to be accurate but at least give it a try. Many have enjoyed the book, so maybe a case of me. It ends on a cliff hanger, and I thought the mystery aspect another weak link. 2.75*
October 29, 2024
Pretty good but I was def more interested in the scandalous undertones!
I think there鈥檚 a mystery brewing for this series that I definitely want to go through! I鈥檝e been thinking about this series for minute and hadn鈥檛 taken the plunge so I鈥檓 glad I did with the first book. Also glad that they鈥檙e on Kindle Unlimited because I def don鈥檛 need physical copies.
I think there鈥檚 a mystery brewing for this series that I definitely want to go through! I鈥檝e been thinking about this series for minute and hadn鈥檛 taken the plunge so I鈥檓 glad I did with the first book. Also glad that they鈥檙e on Kindle Unlimited because I def don鈥檛 need physical copies.
January 19, 2022
The hero was kidnapped and presumed dead. So 14 months later when he shows up at her betrothal ball, she is stunned but he is the one who faints! Lol. He was a jerk before he was kidnapped and was seen with his ex mistress but he swears he hasn't been with anyone since he met her. I never really understood why he treated her like that. His dad gave him some very stupid advice and he just started being an ass. He was tortured for part of the 14 months, was sold into slavery and escaped. All that kept him alive was the thought of his wife. She was understandedly, underwhelmed by his plea for another chance but ultimately she succumbed. It was pretty passionate love scenes and you knew the hero really loved her. He just wouldn't communicate with her. I understand why She leapt to conclusions. But she loved him too. Plus she miscarried when she found out her been killed. She had lots of angst. He caused it. I think they call that marriage!
Ps plus you have to read the other book to see why he was kidnapped and who did it.
Ps plus you have to read the other book to see why he was kidnapped and who did it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
1 Star - DNF @ 42%
I think this is the least romantic historical romance I've ever read - which is saying a lot because I've read a ton.
Lady Annalise has a lovely courtship with Blake (the Earl of Payne) and ends up marrying him. Turns out he's an awful husband for those three months, and then he unexpectedly disappears. No one knows where he is, and he's assumed dead, until he stumbles into Annalise's betrothal party 14 months later. He was kidnapped and tortured and Annalise, obviously having no idea, was attempting to move on.
That's not a terrible start, in fact I was really intrigued and was pretty excited to give this a try. The problem though is that Blake is the absolute worst. I'm not kidding - THE WORST - hero in any historical romance I've read. He acts incredibly childish, condescending, jealous and is downright rude to Annalise as soon as he returns. He is pretending he never treated her like garbage and gets angry that she remembers that time and isn't eager to jump in his bed now that he's home. It's actually awful and I feel so bad for Annalise - I'm so sad she's stuck with Blake. He won't even tell her what happened to him while he was gone for over a year because of her delicate small woman brain (puke). He's every awful character trait thrown into one man, yet we are supposed to root for him? Oh - and minor spoiler - he treated her terribly the whole time they were married (before the kidnapping) because on his wedding day his father sat him down and said something along the lines of "Wives don't like sex so don't even try to make it pleasurable for her - oh and if it's awful it actually prepares her better for childbirth so she won't die"... Literally what? Blake is like "Thanks for the great advice" and just goes with this. Let's add stupid to his list of character traits.
I probably could have attempted to push through this, but Blake continues to treat Annalise horribly and all of a sudden things get spicy and Annalise has the betraying body syndrome. Gah I can't handle it - it's not romantic at all!
I think this is the least romantic historical romance I've ever read - which is saying a lot because I've read a ton.
Lady Annalise has a lovely courtship with Blake (the Earl of Payne) and ends up marrying him. Turns out he's an awful husband for those three months, and then he unexpectedly disappears. No one knows where he is, and he's assumed dead, until he stumbles into Annalise's betrothal party 14 months later. He was kidnapped and tortured and Annalise, obviously having no idea, was attempting to move on.
That's not a terrible start, in fact I was really intrigued and was pretty excited to give this a try. The problem though is that Blake is the absolute worst. I'm not kidding - THE WORST - hero in any historical romance I've read. He acts incredibly childish, condescending, jealous and is downright rude to Annalise as soon as he returns. He is pretending he never treated her like garbage and gets angry that she remembers that time and isn't eager to jump in his bed now that he's home. It's actually awful and I feel so bad for Annalise - I'm so sad she's stuck with Blake. He won't even tell her what happened to him while he was gone for over a year because of her delicate small woman brain (puke). He's every awful character trait thrown into one man, yet we are supposed to root for him? Oh - and minor spoiler - he treated her terribly the whole time they were married (before the kidnapping) because on his wedding day his father sat him down and said something along the lines of "Wives don't like sex so don't even try to make it pleasurable for her - oh and if it's awful it actually prepares her better for childbirth so she won't die"... Literally what? Blake is like "Thanks for the great advice" and just goes with this. Let's add stupid to his list of character traits.
I probably could have attempted to push through this, but Blake continues to treat Annalise horribly and all of a sudden things get spicy and Annalise has the betraying body syndrome. Gah I can't handle it - it's not romantic at all!
September 1, 2021
Reconciliation marriage story.
Dual POV.
Husband has been gone 14 months, presumed dead.
He was kidnapped, beaten and tortured, there is a mystery regarding the reason and who did it.
Heroine is attending her betrothal ball as the Hero turns up. She was in financial difficulty so had little choice than to plan to remarry.
The tale of their meeting, courtship, early married days is told in bits and pieces and he has memories and dreams of his time in captivity.
They were only married 2 months I think it was when he was taken.
Spoiler
X
X
X
X
I found the reasons he treated her badly were a bit inconsistent.
He is charming and passionate before the wedding.
His father talks to him about wives and mistresses and lack of enjoyment in sex and the need to be rough to toughen up a wife for childbirth so he changes on his wedding day.
He goes off with the men after the wedding ceremony, gets drunk, returns and goes to his wife and wakes her up and has sex with her, with little regard for her.
When he tries a repeat performance and she resists at a later time, he takes an actress out publicly to give the illusion of cheating, feed gossip and hurt his wife.
He says he never cheated.
She believed he did and was leaving him when he is taken.
It just felt like an instant change in him.
Yes he was a cad before, he was uncaring of society rules but he wasn't cruel until the wedding.
His experience of captivity and returning have had an effect on him and he is very repentant.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
Loads of breadcrumbs dropped for the future books in series, a bit too much at times I felt.
Dual POV.
Husband has been gone 14 months, presumed dead.
He was kidnapped, beaten and tortured, there is a mystery regarding the reason and who did it.
Heroine is attending her betrothal ball as the Hero turns up. She was in financial difficulty so had little choice than to plan to remarry.
The tale of their meeting, courtship, early married days is told in bits and pieces and he has memories and dreams of his time in captivity.
They were only married 2 months I think it was when he was taken.
Spoiler
X
X
X
X
I found the reasons he treated her badly were a bit inconsistent.
He is charming and passionate before the wedding.
His father talks to him about wives and mistresses and lack of enjoyment in sex and the need to be rough to toughen up a wife for childbirth so he changes on his wedding day.
He goes off with the men after the wedding ceremony, gets drunk, returns and goes to his wife and wakes her up and has sex with her, with little regard for her.
When he tries a repeat performance and she resists at a later time, he takes an actress out publicly to give the illusion of cheating, feed gossip and hurt his wife.
He says he never cheated.
She believed he did and was leaving him when he is taken.
It just felt like an instant change in him.
Yes he was a cad before, he was uncaring of society rules but he wasn't cruel until the wedding.
His experience of captivity and returning have had an effect on him and he is very repentant.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
Loads of breadcrumbs dropped for the future books in series, a bit too much at times I felt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2021
* This work of fiction contains adult content, strong language, violence, death, bullying, nightmares, miscarriage and other content that might be triggering to some.
A Return of the Wicked Earl, by Sadie Bosque. Sadie what are you doing to me lady? It鈥檚 just one hit after another from you. You leave begging for more loves stories like these to be sent my way. Thank you with providing me with some awesome entertainment.
I did not want this story to end. I made it to the end and I was like what?! That鈥檚 not fair! I need to know! Pleeeeeaaaassseeee!
It鈥檚 ok. I鈥檓 ok. I can be patient. My anxiety is getting the best of me, just a little bit. I give you one month to release the next story.
I am screaming out loud with so much excitement over this extraordinary romantic love story. Ugh! I want a man like Blake. I need a hero to carry me around, throw me on a bed and make mad passionate love to me. In my mind I was singing that song by the Great Ms. Whitney H.
You ladies know that song: 鈥淚 Want To Run To You鈥�. God I can鈥檛 get enough of Blake and his naughty tongue 鈥�. Er, I mean his mouth. Dang it! His dirty mind.
That鈥檚 no better! I know that you agree with me. If your shy, don鈥檛 worry I鈥檒l say all the naughty things for you. How does one come back to reality after reading a love story that鈥檚 as good as this one? You simply don鈥檛!
The action had my emotions on high alert. While there was a number of things happening during these emotional scenes and unsaid words revealed or come to light. The writer made sure to not lose her readers by clearly, and repeatedly providing important details to help give the readers some clarity to unanswered questions. I genuinely loved the excitement of the book. For me it was my high.
I simply couldn鈥檛 get enough of the romance, the drama, the action, the suspense and the dark shadows in the night (no pun intended). The romance and passion that explodes between Blake and Annalise was so worth the wait in the story. These two really gave me a romance story like no other. As I read the dialogue between the two, I could feel the raw emotions, the heartache, the hope and desperation from Blake and Annalise. In my mind I was yelling Annalise, please forgive him.
He鈥檚 a man. Sometimes they don鈥檛 think. Annalise, she was a lady with grace. Her character was strong, thoughtful and caring. I give her credit.
She didn鈥檛 shy away from anything, or crying in the night. In the end I think she became a stronger woman. Back to Blake. My Knight and shining armor. The things that he went through.
While reading his journey through the book, his story pulled at my heart. My heart went out to him. How could one not have compassion for his story? I only wanted good things to happen to him and for Glinas to like him. I enjoyed all the characters from the book, these characters definitely added to the excitement in the story.
All these extraordinary things linked together made this story all the more real. I will say yes that this book is a page turner that just keeps on giving, even to the end. Yes, it鈥檚 a gripping story. And yes, there is some pleasurable steamy moments that are delectable treat as well. Such as a desk.
Blake in a banyan looking like a wolf who has found and cornered his prey. Yes, please! I give this book all the snaps and the twist that it deserves. Until next time my fellow readers鈥� read on!
A Return of the Wicked Earl, by Sadie Bosque. Sadie what are you doing to me lady? It鈥檚 just one hit after another from you. You leave begging for more loves stories like these to be sent my way. Thank you with providing me with some awesome entertainment.
I did not want this story to end. I made it to the end and I was like what?! That鈥檚 not fair! I need to know! Pleeeeeaaaassseeee!
It鈥檚 ok. I鈥檓 ok. I can be patient. My anxiety is getting the best of me, just a little bit. I give you one month to release the next story.
I am screaming out loud with so much excitement over this extraordinary romantic love story. Ugh! I want a man like Blake. I need a hero to carry me around, throw me on a bed and make mad passionate love to me. In my mind I was singing that song by the Great Ms. Whitney H.
You ladies know that song: 鈥淚 Want To Run To You鈥�. God I can鈥檛 get enough of Blake and his naughty tongue 鈥�. Er, I mean his mouth. Dang it! His dirty mind.
That鈥檚 no better! I know that you agree with me. If your shy, don鈥檛 worry I鈥檒l say all the naughty things for you. How does one come back to reality after reading a love story that鈥檚 as good as this one? You simply don鈥檛!
The action had my emotions on high alert. While there was a number of things happening during these emotional scenes and unsaid words revealed or come to light. The writer made sure to not lose her readers by clearly, and repeatedly providing important details to help give the readers some clarity to unanswered questions. I genuinely loved the excitement of the book. For me it was my high.
I simply couldn鈥檛 get enough of the romance, the drama, the action, the suspense and the dark shadows in the night (no pun intended). The romance and passion that explodes between Blake and Annalise was so worth the wait in the story. These two really gave me a romance story like no other. As I read the dialogue between the two, I could feel the raw emotions, the heartache, the hope and desperation from Blake and Annalise. In my mind I was yelling Annalise, please forgive him.
He鈥檚 a man. Sometimes they don鈥檛 think. Annalise, she was a lady with grace. Her character was strong, thoughtful and caring. I give her credit.
She didn鈥檛 shy away from anything, or crying in the night. In the end I think she became a stronger woman. Back to Blake. My Knight and shining armor. The things that he went through.
While reading his journey through the book, his story pulled at my heart. My heart went out to him. How could one not have compassion for his story? I only wanted good things to happen to him and for Glinas to like him. I enjoyed all the characters from the book, these characters definitely added to the excitement in the story.
All these extraordinary things linked together made this story all the more real. I will say yes that this book is a page turner that just keeps on giving, even to the end. Yes, it鈥檚 a gripping story. And yes, there is some pleasurable steamy moments that are delectable treat as well. Such as a desk.
Blake in a banyan looking like a wolf who has found and cornered his prey. Yes, please! I give this book all the snaps and the twist that it deserves. Until next time my fellow readers鈥� read on!
December 28, 2021
Astonishingly bad. I鈥檓 shocked this has any good reviews. Before his kidnapping, the hero is鈥攂y his own admittance鈥攃ruel, selfish, sexually abusive, irresponsible, jealous, and neglectful (I鈥檓 too tired to go list examples, but suffice to say it was bad). After his return, he is jealous, irresponsible, selfish, and neglectful. His wife is passive and naive throughout. Instead of a story about redemption and reconciliation, the author spends a dozen chapters describing two miserable people playing hot and cold until a dangerous situation in the last chapter convinces them they are meant to be. The mystery subplot is also profoundly boring.
The hero does not respect his wife at all, or even trust her. He even suspects her of orchestrating his kidnapping and torture. And despite her begging to know why he left her, he tells her it鈥檚 not her business, placating their friends and acquaintances with made-up stories about his swashbuckling adventures. He never invites her to help him solve this mystery or recover emotionally from his ordeal. He never warns her they might be in danger. He just lies and lies and lies. She only discovers he was kidnapped when she is kidnapped herself. They are not partners at any point in this story, even at the end.
They have nothing in common, either. Almost every single conversation they have is about their relationship (mostly what鈥檚 missing from it). I know nothing about these characters鈥� likes or dislikes, except that she enjoys music, and nothing about their values. They are so, so shallow.
And they don鈥檛 ever learn about one another鈥攁lthough she makes more of an effort to do so than he does. He keeps asking her to give him a chance, and she keeps insisting she鈥檚 trying to trust him again, but there is no actual evidence of change. He gives her a compliment, and then has another jealous outburst. He gives her jewels, and then runs off for days without telling her where he鈥檚 going. His grand unselfish gesture 鈥攁llowing her to live apart from him鈥攊s unconvincing, because she never actually does. Based on the previous chapters, I would just assume he鈥檇 chase her down as soon as he heard she was dancing with another man. I just didn鈥檛 buy any of it. Their declarations of love seemed so empty.
I would have liked a more complex and compelling mystery plot, or else a story about an actual courtship. Repentance, intimacy, and partnership were missing entirely from this book. There was no humor. The sex scenes weren鈥檛 even sexy! It just depressed me!
The hero does not respect his wife at all, or even trust her. He even suspects her of orchestrating his kidnapping and torture. And despite her begging to know why he left her, he tells her it鈥檚 not her business, placating their friends and acquaintances with made-up stories about his swashbuckling adventures. He never invites her to help him solve this mystery or recover emotionally from his ordeal. He never warns her they might be in danger. He just lies and lies and lies. She only discovers he was kidnapped when she is kidnapped herself. They are not partners at any point in this story, even at the end.
They have nothing in common, either. Almost every single conversation they have is about their relationship (mostly what鈥檚 missing from it). I know nothing about these characters鈥� likes or dislikes, except that she enjoys music, and nothing about their values. They are so, so shallow.
And they don鈥檛 ever learn about one another鈥攁lthough she makes more of an effort to do so than he does. He keeps asking her to give him a chance, and she keeps insisting she鈥檚 trying to trust him again, but there is no actual evidence of change. He gives her a compliment, and then has another jealous outburst. He gives her jewels, and then runs off for days without telling her where he鈥檚 going. His grand unselfish gesture 鈥攁llowing her to live apart from him鈥攊s unconvincing, because she never actually does. Based on the previous chapters, I would just assume he鈥檇 chase her down as soon as he heard she was dancing with another man. I just didn鈥檛 buy any of it. Their declarations of love seemed so empty.
I would have liked a more complex and compelling mystery plot, or else a story about an actual courtship. Repentance, intimacy, and partnership were missing entirely from this book. There was no humor. The sex scenes weren鈥檛 even sexy! It just depressed me!
June 7, 2022
The hero ruined things for me. I read this from the Brazen Belles Anthology (which I received a free ARC of) and it was frustrating trying to make it through this.
It wouldn't be so bad, in my opinion, if the hero was written differently. He was cruel to his wife throughout the majority of this book, acting jealous and possessive but also refusing to tell her anything or be involved. He was only different at the end, but it was a sudden shift and there was no clear evidence that he changed, except for a promise that didn't matter. I felt so bad for Annalise and I honestly think she should have left him without looking back.
As a heroine, Annalise wasn't bad but she didn't have that much of a presence. However, she kept forgiving Blake and begging, crying, and pleading for a change in their marriage and their characters but she would be the only one compromising or following through to be better. I can't tell if she's too naive or what, because I never felt a 'relationship/romantic' vibe from them, even when Blake was courting her. She could do so much better than the hero, and I don't believe he could ever be good enough for her, because I spent however many days trying to get through a couple of hundred pages of him being exactly the same, no matter his promises.
200+ pages are too much. Normally, it would be an okay length, but trying to push through while hating the hero only drags it out longer.
It wouldn't be so bad, in my opinion, if the hero was written differently. He was cruel to his wife throughout the majority of this book, acting jealous and possessive but also refusing to tell her anything or be involved. He was only different at the end, but it was a sudden shift and there was no clear evidence that he changed, except for a promise that didn't matter. I felt so bad for Annalise and I honestly think she should have left him without looking back.
As a heroine, Annalise wasn't bad but she didn't have that much of a presence. However, she kept forgiving Blake and begging, crying, and pleading for a change in their marriage and their characters but she would be the only one compromising or following through to be better. I can't tell if she's too naive or what, because I never felt a 'relationship/romantic' vibe from them, even when Blake was courting her. She could do so much better than the hero, and I don't believe he could ever be good enough for her, because I spent however many days trying to get through a couple of hundred pages of him being exactly the same, no matter his promises.
200+ pages are too much. Normally, it would be an okay length, but trying to push through while hating the hero only drags it out longer.
December 7, 2023
This is one of those books that once you start reading it you don't stop til you get to the end.. It's so good.. It's a talent of Sadie's that I'm really enjoying.. I definitely plan on reading the next book in this series.
July 1, 2024
Return of the Wicked Earl by Sadie Bosque, book one of The Shadows series
.
Cover: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Steam: 馃敟 馃敟 馃敟 馃敟
Ending: HEA but ends in cliffhanger for next book
.
Stand Alone or Series: Best as a series. Ongoing mystery plot.
.
England, Georgian Era (1741)
Earl Who Was Lost
Lovetorn Skeptical Countess
Marriage in Trouble
Second Chance
Reformed Husband
Reformed Rake
Tortured Hero
Deeply Guarded Secrets
Danger & Peril
Mystery Plot
.
This book contains themes that some readers may find disturbing or overly traumatic. If you are someone who is concerned about triggers, please see the content warning section at the end of this review.
.
Oh, this is a dark one. If you enjoyed "Maiden Lane," this twisted tale might just be for you. While I enjoyed the mystery plot, I felt the romantic storyline missed the mark and felt a touch thin.
Blake is such an assh*le. It shouldn't have taken what he went through to realize he needed to stop being HORRIBLE to his young wife. No doubt Annalise wished he would have stated de*d. I understand her hesitation and confusion regarding Blake and his apparent brain transplant. That's how different he was from the beginning of their marriage. He could have had an evil twin for all I know. Blake likes to flip-flop between being Mr. Perfect Husband and being Mr. MEANIE. His jealousy is over the top, and I like a protective hero! He ruined it for me. The end.
There is a lot of set up for the next few books in the series.
As for steam, this is a high-steam book, and the steam is the best part of the book. Bosque uses a variety of explicit and non-explicit terms in her writing. There is a variety of scenes, actions, and length. A third star was given simply because the steam was gooood.
.
Read as a physical copy and eBook.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Mention of ab*se of child- physical
Absentee parenting
Nightmares
Ab*uction
To*ture
Scene that some readers may interpret as marital S.A.
Neglectful spouse
Pr*gnancy
Mi*carriage
G*n vi*lenc and injury
Imprisonment
.
Cover: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Steam: 馃敟 馃敟 馃敟 馃敟
Ending: HEA but ends in cliffhanger for next book
.
Stand Alone or Series: Best as a series. Ongoing mystery plot.
.
England, Georgian Era (1741)
Earl Who Was Lost
Lovetorn Skeptical Countess
Marriage in Trouble
Second Chance
Reformed Husband
Reformed Rake
Tortured Hero
Deeply Guarded Secrets
Danger & Peril
Mystery Plot
.
This book contains themes that some readers may find disturbing or overly traumatic. If you are someone who is concerned about triggers, please see the content warning section at the end of this review.
.
Oh, this is a dark one. If you enjoyed "Maiden Lane," this twisted tale might just be for you. While I enjoyed the mystery plot, I felt the romantic storyline missed the mark and felt a touch thin.
Blake is such an assh*le. It shouldn't have taken what he went through to realize he needed to stop being HORRIBLE to his young wife. No doubt Annalise wished he would have stated de*d. I understand her hesitation and confusion regarding Blake and his apparent brain transplant. That's how different he was from the beginning of their marriage. He could have had an evil twin for all I know. Blake likes to flip-flop between being Mr. Perfect Husband and being Mr. MEANIE. His jealousy is over the top, and I like a protective hero! He ruined it for me. The end.
There is a lot of set up for the next few books in the series.
As for steam, this is a high-steam book, and the steam is the best part of the book. Bosque uses a variety of explicit and non-explicit terms in her writing. There is a variety of scenes, actions, and length. A third star was given simply because the steam was gooood.
.
Read as a physical copy and eBook.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Mention of ab*se of child- physical
Absentee parenting
Nightmares
Ab*uction
To*ture
Scene that some readers may interpret as marital S.A.
Neglectful spouse
Pr*gnancy
Mi*carriage
G*n vi*lenc and injury
Imprisonment
April 22, 2022
A quick courtship then marriage. Blake, the Earl of Payne, is not the man who courted Annalise and not the same man on the night of their wedding. Then he disappears and doesn't return until fourteen months later, when Annalise is marrying another man. Blake wants to forget the past, his kidnapping and look to the future. If he doesn't trust Annalise to reveal past, they can't go forward. A troubled marriage and Blake's obsession of the Shadows in connection with his kidnapping make for a depressing book and unanswered questions.
Includes violence and what I consider rape. Heat level 4.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book included in The Brazen Belles Anthology via Booksprout.
Includes violence and what I consider rape. Heat level 4.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book included in The Brazen Belles Anthology via Booksprout.
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January 15, 2025DNF 10%
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September 30, 2023DROPPED.
30% into the story and I couldn't help eye-rolling at all the melancholy woes of "IF ONLY, IF ONLY, IF ONLY." I got sick of it. Boggled and annoyed by how the MCs constantly immersed in woe of their past mistakes without the reader even knowing WHAT IT WAS, tested my patience. While I understood it was meant to build mystery or anticipation...it dragged when nothing was revealed except snippets of their supposedly happy courtship, WHICH at that point, I know most readers couldn't care less except to read about the future, not the past.
Perhaps the fault is mine, to have so little patience.
All I know, Blake's willing and desperate to make amends with his wife, while Annalise is skeptical and on the fence about reconciling. There's a bad guy out there who possibly orchestrated Blake's kidnapping, and his marriage is falling apart. What else could go wrong? Sounds exciting, right? But, I digress. Something was missing here.
The MCs and their romance failed to grip and shake me by the shoulders, screaming at my face 'Look at me!'. While there was angst, the passion felt...lackadaisical. Usually angst and passion should complement each other.
Annalise was too starry eyed and trusting, while Blake was just a rake who got the wrong marriage advice from his old man. There were in love, but didn't know how to make it work until it all shot to hell.
I've never been a fan of second chance romances, because it's not easy to find one that is well done. Often times the reader is left with remnants of angst and unsatisfactory feelings - loose ends that weren't tied well, or either characters still didn't deserve each other. I suppose it all depends on how forgiving a person you are.
OVERALL if you're willing to give this a try, I'd say maybe you'll like it, or won't, because there were plenty of other readers who enjoyed this immensely.
30% into the story and I couldn't help eye-rolling at all the melancholy woes of "IF ONLY, IF ONLY, IF ONLY." I got sick of it. Boggled and annoyed by how the MCs constantly immersed in woe of their past mistakes without the reader even knowing WHAT IT WAS, tested my patience. While I understood it was meant to build mystery or anticipation...it dragged when nothing was revealed except snippets of their supposedly happy courtship, WHICH at that point, I know most readers couldn't care less except to read about the future, not the past.
Perhaps the fault is mine, to have so little patience.
All I know, Blake's willing and desperate to make amends with his wife, while Annalise is skeptical and on the fence about reconciling. There's a bad guy out there who possibly orchestrated Blake's kidnapping, and his marriage is falling apart. What else could go wrong? Sounds exciting, right? But, I digress. Something was missing here.
The MCs and their romance failed to grip and shake me by the shoulders, screaming at my face 'Look at me!'. While there was angst, the passion felt...lackadaisical. Usually angst and passion should complement each other.
Annalise was too starry eyed and trusting, while Blake was just a rake who got the wrong marriage advice from his old man. There were in love, but didn't know how to make it work until it all shot to hell.
I've never been a fan of second chance romances, because it's not easy to find one that is well done. Often times the reader is left with remnants of angst and unsatisfactory feelings - loose ends that weren't tied well, or either characters still didn't deserve each other. I suppose it all depends on how forgiving a person you are.
OVERALL if you're willing to give this a try, I'd say maybe you'll like it, or won't, because there were plenty of other readers who enjoyed this immensely.
September 4, 2021
Almost 4 stars.
August 24, 2021
馃幁 A Return of the Wicked Earl 馃幁
The Shadows Book 1
鉁掞笍 Sadie Bosque
Release Date 08/31/2021
鉃�
饾棔饾椆饾槀饾椏饾棷
A mistake she will regret for a lifetime...
Lady Annalise was a wide-eyed debutante when she fell in love and married Blake, the Earl of Payne. But their time together was ill-fated and brief. After being treated poorly by her new husband, soon Annalise's love for Blake is shattered. When he disappears entirely, their marriage seems to have ended as soon as it began.
A terrible betrayal...
Blake, the Earl of Payne, had it all: a hefty inheritance, a respectable title, and a beautiful wife. But it all crumbles when he is abducted, tortured and almost killed three months after his wedding. Now that he's back he is determined to win back his wife and take revenge on whoever is responsible for his abduction. Neither task is going as planned, especially since his wife has moved on and his abductors have a plan of their own.
A love that is stronger than hate鈥�
As suspicions flare, dark secrets emerge, and old passions are rekindled, Blake and Annalise must decide if they can trust each other again... or let go of one another forever.
饾棩饾棽饾槂饾椂饾棽饾槃
Will his return erase his faults 鈥�
Two books in a raw with returning husbands, and while both circumstances were different, both ill-behaved toward their young spouses.
Blake is no dream girl鈥檚 Prince Charming, he might have duped Annalise about his true nature, but he is truly the bad boy with a lazy side.
He injected everything he had to conquer the girl of the season but once he had won here, he clearly lost all interest in her. Worth, he treated her like a nobody, wounding her deeply in her soul.
His devastating experience kind of erased in his mind his bad actions to his wife, until reality slaps him in the face and reminds him how he ill-treated her and pardon is not something he will gain simply by coming back from the dead.
But for long, he does not listen, just following the same pattern as prior his disappearance with more demands and broken promises.
But the past is written in stone, so it can鈥檛 be erased but atoned.
And it is a lesson Drake struggles to understand.
He must give to receive, and he alas gives nothing. He believes he changed, but it is mostly those around who moved too, he never questioned his actions, taking everything for granted. And even on the eve of losing his wife, he can鈥檛 tear his blinders and accepts he will have to share more than a few words with her to clean the slate.
Annalise had stars in the eyes when she was wooed by the rake of the season, until he doused the fire burning between on their wedding-night and the days after. In a matter of hours, the man who seduced her is no more, just a stranger who at the best ignore her and at the worst wound her by his actions and threatening words.
His disappearance is the final straw over their love.
His return disrupts once more her life, she had accepted her fate, as a destitute widow and was ready to the page of her abysmal failed first marriage but with the return for the dead of her late husband, she has to create once more a new path for herself. And she is lost, whom to believe, the man who courted her so outrageously, the husband who neglected and hurt her or this man who professes his love but still acts like only his whims count.
What of her, her hope, her safety, her dream when he has shattered everything not once but twice.
This is no all rosy read, not it is a Regency set story. Women were disregarded and overlooked, they were wives or prostitutes but nothing else in many men鈥檚 closed eyes. The speech of Blake鈥檚 father, OMG, so much trash!
And while there is no hope to see things move before centuries, Blake has his eyes finally opened, it is violent, heart wrenching but needed. And he can thank his lucky star Annalise is no virago, and very forgiving, because groveling he should have, much more.
5 stars
饾棪饾榿饾棽饾棶饾椇 饾椆饾棽饾槂饾棽饾椆 onscreen lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote
The Shadows Book 1
鉁掞笍 Sadie Bosque
Release Date 08/31/2021
鉃�
饾棔饾椆饾槀饾椏饾棷
A mistake she will regret for a lifetime...
Lady Annalise was a wide-eyed debutante when she fell in love and married Blake, the Earl of Payne. But their time together was ill-fated and brief. After being treated poorly by her new husband, soon Annalise's love for Blake is shattered. When he disappears entirely, their marriage seems to have ended as soon as it began.
A terrible betrayal...
Blake, the Earl of Payne, had it all: a hefty inheritance, a respectable title, and a beautiful wife. But it all crumbles when he is abducted, tortured and almost killed three months after his wedding. Now that he's back he is determined to win back his wife and take revenge on whoever is responsible for his abduction. Neither task is going as planned, especially since his wife has moved on and his abductors have a plan of their own.
A love that is stronger than hate鈥�
As suspicions flare, dark secrets emerge, and old passions are rekindled, Blake and Annalise must decide if they can trust each other again... or let go of one another forever.
饾棩饾棽饾槂饾椂饾棽饾槃
Will his return erase his faults 鈥�
Two books in a raw with returning husbands, and while both circumstances were different, both ill-behaved toward their young spouses.
Blake is no dream girl鈥檚 Prince Charming, he might have duped Annalise about his true nature, but he is truly the bad boy with a lazy side.
He injected everything he had to conquer the girl of the season but once he had won here, he clearly lost all interest in her. Worth, he treated her like a nobody, wounding her deeply in her soul.
His devastating experience kind of erased in his mind his bad actions to his wife, until reality slaps him in the face and reminds him how he ill-treated her and pardon is not something he will gain simply by coming back from the dead.
But for long, he does not listen, just following the same pattern as prior his disappearance with more demands and broken promises.
But the past is written in stone, so it can鈥檛 be erased but atoned.
And it is a lesson Drake struggles to understand.
He must give to receive, and he alas gives nothing. He believes he changed, but it is mostly those around who moved too, he never questioned his actions, taking everything for granted. And even on the eve of losing his wife, he can鈥檛 tear his blinders and accepts he will have to share more than a few words with her to clean the slate.
Annalise had stars in the eyes when she was wooed by the rake of the season, until he doused the fire burning between on their wedding-night and the days after. In a matter of hours, the man who seduced her is no more, just a stranger who at the best ignore her and at the worst wound her by his actions and threatening words.
His disappearance is the final straw over their love.
His return disrupts once more her life, she had accepted her fate, as a destitute widow and was ready to the page of her abysmal failed first marriage but with the return for the dead of her late husband, she has to create once more a new path for herself. And she is lost, whom to believe, the man who courted her so outrageously, the husband who neglected and hurt her or this man who professes his love but still acts like only his whims count.
What of her, her hope, her safety, her dream when he has shattered everything not once but twice.
This is no all rosy read, not it is a Regency set story. Women were disregarded and overlooked, they were wives or prostitutes but nothing else in many men鈥檚 closed eyes. The speech of Blake鈥檚 father, OMG, so much trash!
And while there is no hope to see things move before centuries, Blake has his eyes finally opened, it is violent, heart wrenching but needed. And he can thank his lucky star Annalise is no virago, and very forgiving, because groveling he should have, much more.
5 stars
饾棪饾榿饾棽饾棶饾椇 饾椆饾棽饾槂饾棽饾椆 onscreen lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote
August 28, 2021
This is such a beautiful, but heart wrenching story of a couple that passionately love one another, but he can鈥檛 open up his life to her, and she can鈥檛 trust him. Blake, Lord Payne, is an Earl, who was abducted over a year prior, beaten, tortured and sold to a slave ship. He miraculously makes his way home, arriving in time for his wife鈥檚 betrothal party to a Duke. His wife, Annalise, always loved him, but was leaving him, even before his disappearance, because he treated her abominably. How can he show her he鈥檚 a changed man and , at the same time, find the thugs who wanted him dead. This one tugged at my heart strings, and at times, looked as though they would never be able to work things out between them. A wonderful read!
February 1, 2023
The Adventurous Earl
Excellent story about the various adventures of the ton elites. Blake (the Earl) was kidnapped and tortured by thugs.His wife Annalise (beautiful name) was very lonely and was going to marry her friend because she thought Blake was dead. All the characters were great and the action was thrilling. As always lack of communication and trust ruined a marriage. I would recommend this book to a friend and plan to read the series.
Excellent story about the various adventures of the ton elites. Blake (the Earl) was kidnapped and tortured by thugs.His wife Annalise (beautiful name) was very lonely and was going to marry her friend because she thought Blake was dead. All the characters were great and the action was thrilling. As always lack of communication and trust ruined a marriage. I would recommend this book to a friend and plan to read the series.
June 13, 2023
My Musings
While I enjoyed the fast pace of the book, it's set in the mid 18th century. It didn't have any descriptions that match that the period. Also, it bounces between the time of their marriage and 14 months later. The hero refers to himself several times as stupid, ad I just agree. His thoughts were quite idiotic at times. Happy reading!
While I enjoyed the fast pace of the book, it's set in the mid 18th century. It didn't have any descriptions that match that the period. Also, it bounces between the time of their marriage and 14 months later. The hero refers to himself several times as stupid, ad I just agree. His thoughts were quite idiotic at times. Happy reading!
August 2, 2022
This book kept me turning the pages, waiting to see if Annalise would be able to forgive her husband for his past failures as a partner. You could feel the emotions from both main characters and the secondary characters were interesting with their own personal woes, which will hopefully play out in further books. I enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the rest in the series. The love scenes between the main characters were tender and at the same time spicy. Highly recommend.
December 15, 2022
The book was decent enough with an entertaining story, I just found the hero extremely annoying. He was so deliberately obtuse it took away from the story, especially because the heroine really wasn鈥檛 asking much of him to begin with.
April 16, 2023
O mist茅rio foi o que me segurou nesse livro, al茅m de certo angst no come莽o. Achei realista como a rela莽茫o dos dois se iniciou e como foi o come莽o do casamento deles. Cenas hot divertidas. S贸 o fim foi meio sem gra莽a.
September 27, 2023
2.5 stars
I was about to say that Return of the Wicked Earl was inoffensive but that's actually not true. A better word, perhaps, would be beige. Or bland. The very opposite of what I had anticipated from the synopsis. I expected drama and adventure. Alas, our Earl is not "wicked" in a sort of swashbuckling, hedonistic way. It is implied that he might have been rakish while courting our heroine, but as we barely see said courtship, it failed to inspire. Instead, his wickedness consists of making some poor decisions out of fear, after his father convinces him that his mother died because he was too gentle with her and thus she wasn't toughened up for childbirth. The wedding night scene was thus deliberately cruel and honestly quite unpleasant to read.
At some point during his abduction he realises that he actually quite likes his wife. Twenty-odd chapters of him waxing lyrical about her looks whilst the two of them fail to communicate in any meaningful way left me rolling my eyes. I could perhaps have gotten past this, had we spent time with him as he tried to investigate his kidnappers. Some cheeky sleuthing might have been fun. I would have settled for him solving the puzzle, even if that happened off page. Alas, the mystery appears to continue into the next book, which I am not motivated to read.
As an aside, the grammar is mainly decent, although I wish the author knew how to use the past perfect. The syntax is not awful, but a little awkward/inelegant in places.
I was about to say that Return of the Wicked Earl was inoffensive but that's actually not true. A better word, perhaps, would be beige. Or bland. The very opposite of what I had anticipated from the synopsis. I expected drama and adventure. Alas, our Earl is not "wicked" in a sort of swashbuckling, hedonistic way. It is implied that he might have been rakish while courting our heroine, but as we barely see said courtship, it failed to inspire. Instead, his wickedness consists of making some poor decisions out of fear, after his father convinces him that his mother died because he was too gentle with her and thus she wasn't toughened up for childbirth. The wedding night scene was thus deliberately cruel and honestly quite unpleasant to read.
At some point during his abduction he realises that he actually quite likes his wife. Twenty-odd chapters of him waxing lyrical about her looks whilst the two of them fail to communicate in any meaningful way left me rolling my eyes. I could perhaps have gotten past this, had we spent time with him as he tried to investigate his kidnappers. Some cheeky sleuthing might have been fun. I would have settled for him solving the puzzle, even if that happened off page. Alas, the mystery appears to continue into the next book, which I am not motivated to read.
As an aside, the grammar is mainly decent, although I wish the author knew how to use the past perfect. The syntax is not awful, but a little awkward/inelegant in places.
January 29, 2022
Poor Blake! You can鈥檛 help but feel for this lost and wounded Earl. From the start I was full of sympathy for the torture he endured, but no amount of physical pain can prepare for the true heartache of unmatched emotions. Trying his best to repair his marriage is continuously beaten back by his own reticence to share his mind. I have always said the biggest struggle in romance novels is communication. Blake and Annalise are the perfect example, if each one shared their fears and hopes, so much pain could have been avoided. I love a good angsty story, but this had my heart clenching for the entire journey. Well written, powerful angst with the reward of release in their happily ever after. Now here鈥檚 hoping Olivia can get her own HEA and one day Lavinia can find he way into Kensington鈥檚 heart.
September 1, 2021
Excellent book.
This is a very complex story there is a great deal woven into the mix. Yes is a love story but there are dangers and mystery in the mix too. Let us not forget the chemistry it is steamy! The twist at the very end well that was outstanding and unexpected. I really enjoyed read this piece, I liked the character, where the author took the reader was grand, and it was written so well. High praise for this gem I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
This is a very complex story there is a great deal woven into the mix. Yes is a love story but there are dangers and mystery in the mix too. Let us not forget the chemistry it is steamy! The twist at the very end well that was outstanding and unexpected. I really enjoyed read this piece, I liked the character, where the author took the reader was grand, and it was written so well. High praise for this gem I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
February 5, 2022
Too sweet and too idiot MCs!
August 25, 2021
I have read all of Bosque鈥檚 books in her Necessary Arrangements series so when I saw she had a new series I just had to read an ARC. And it certainly did not disappoint!
The story follows Annalise and Blake after the Earl returns after 14 months of captivity. The dream he had of his perfect wife waiting for him with open arms is dashed when he returns and sees she has not forgotten or forgiven him for everything he put her through in the months after their marriage. Determined to win her back, he refuses to acknowledge the past, content to move forward with a clean state, something Annalise finds much harder to do.
I adored Annalise and loved that whilst Blake hurt her abominably before his capture, she manages to open herself up and try to give him a second chance whilst making sure to guard her heart. She was strong and brave but also so very kind, and I couldn鈥檛 help but love her spirit. She was strong enough to tell him what she needed and that even if she loved him, she knew she deserved more from him and wouldn鈥檛 settle for less 鈥� such a beautiful and inspirational aspect of her story to read.
I enjoyed Blake鈥檚 character a lot and I liked that Bosque showed that he is still affected but the experience from the unimaginable trauma he went through but still manages to keep the story full of romance, love, and healing. I also thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of not knowing captured him and was on edge throughout dying to discover the truth.
The story very much brought to the forefront that women in this era were disregarded and overlooked, expected to fulfill a duty to provide heirs not to be loved or cared for. Blake鈥檚 attitude before his capture was truly awful and whilst knowing how he suffered was heart-wrenching, it gave him the much-needed clarity to see his wife as a treasure, not something to be used and discarded. I haven鈥檛 read any historical romance with this type of story but I really loved the themes this book explored and that it wasn鈥檛 a story about a rare and special love but a love that needed work and commitment to maintain.
The relationship between Annalise and Blake was complicated, full of history and complex feelings. I loved this slow-burn romance and felt the pace was perfect for their story. The steamy scenes were sinful perfection and added to the way the romance unfolded. The angst was painfully exquisite, and I was constantly wishing that he would just be honest with her and I couldn鈥檛 help but speed through the book, dying to see how it would play out. Overall, the romance was a different tone to the usual historical romances I read, more of a second chance romance and more focussed on trying to get over past hurts and trauma. I really enjoyed this style and loved the layers of angst this added.
Another aspect I loved was all of Annalise鈥檚 friends, I just adored meeting all the new characters and learning about their lives and am strongly hoping that we get a book for each of them to experience all of their stories!
Overall, this book was as deliciously entertaining as always, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. I also cannot wait to see what comes next in this series! Bosque delivered a beautiful romance, full of love, hope, past hurts, and growth, as well as an intriguing mystery with darker undertones. It blended wonderfully together, and I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other.
The story follows Annalise and Blake after the Earl returns after 14 months of captivity. The dream he had of his perfect wife waiting for him with open arms is dashed when he returns and sees she has not forgotten or forgiven him for everything he put her through in the months after their marriage. Determined to win her back, he refuses to acknowledge the past, content to move forward with a clean state, something Annalise finds much harder to do.
I adored Annalise and loved that whilst Blake hurt her abominably before his capture, she manages to open herself up and try to give him a second chance whilst making sure to guard her heart. She was strong and brave but also so very kind, and I couldn鈥檛 help but love her spirit. She was strong enough to tell him what she needed and that even if she loved him, she knew she deserved more from him and wouldn鈥檛 settle for less 鈥� such a beautiful and inspirational aspect of her story to read.
I enjoyed Blake鈥檚 character a lot and I liked that Bosque showed that he is still affected but the experience from the unimaginable trauma he went through but still manages to keep the story full of romance, love, and healing. I also thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of not knowing captured him and was on edge throughout dying to discover the truth.
The story very much brought to the forefront that women in this era were disregarded and overlooked, expected to fulfill a duty to provide heirs not to be loved or cared for. Blake鈥檚 attitude before his capture was truly awful and whilst knowing how he suffered was heart-wrenching, it gave him the much-needed clarity to see his wife as a treasure, not something to be used and discarded. I haven鈥檛 read any historical romance with this type of story but I really loved the themes this book explored and that it wasn鈥檛 a story about a rare and special love but a love that needed work and commitment to maintain.
The relationship between Annalise and Blake was complicated, full of history and complex feelings. I loved this slow-burn romance and felt the pace was perfect for their story. The steamy scenes were sinful perfection and added to the way the romance unfolded. The angst was painfully exquisite, and I was constantly wishing that he would just be honest with her and I couldn鈥檛 help but speed through the book, dying to see how it would play out. Overall, the romance was a different tone to the usual historical romances I read, more of a second chance romance and more focussed on trying to get over past hurts and trauma. I really enjoyed this style and loved the layers of angst this added.
Another aspect I loved was all of Annalise鈥檚 friends, I just adored meeting all the new characters and learning about their lives and am strongly hoping that we get a book for each of them to experience all of their stories!
Overall, this book was as deliciously entertaining as always, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. I also cannot wait to see what comes next in this series! Bosque delivered a beautiful romance, full of love, hope, past hurts, and growth, as well as an intriguing mystery with darker undertones. It blended wonderfully together, and I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other.
September 5, 2022
Blake and Annalise. While I couldn't put the book down, there just wasn't enough for me (IDK enough of what). We start out with some pretty stomach turning torture so if you can get through the first chapter then the story is engaging. The timeline jumping was a little hard to keep up with. We start with him being tortured by some ruffians looking for information on the Shadows (even by the end of the book, I'm not 100% clear what the Shadows are other than a myth). Whoever ordered him to be kidnapped comes in and realizes they kidnapped the wrong person. They sell him to a slave ship where he was brutalized some more. He manages to escape and returns home to find that after 14 months, Annalise (his wife and love that kept him going) is announcing her engagement to her lifelong Duke friend. Blake comes in and everyone is shocked (he passes out). Upon waking, he see his wife but she isn't happy to see him. They first met and instantly liked each other. He refused to do a traditional courtship and she found that very attractive. They marry and it all goes down hill. On their wedding day, his dad tells him that wives are for baring children and mistresses are for pleasure. He tells him not to give his wife pleasure because it makes her soft and unable to go through childbirth. Like a true dumbass, he takes it to heart. We have a drunken wedding night followed up with him going MIA all the time and returning hammered. Its like he wasn't done being a wastrel. We have a follow up attempt where he tells her that if she doesn't pleasure him then he would find someone else that would. He proceeds to take his former mistress around town on his arm (despite being married). He goes to a bar and when leaving, is kidnapped and disappears for 14 months. Now that he's back, he wants to do things right but he still manages at every turn to screw up. He refuses to tell her where he's been or talk about the past in general. She had promised him 2 months for him to be able to prove himself but after 1 month it hasn't changed and she's miserable. He gives her $$$ and tells her she can leave (she had planned to leave him before he was kidnapped). She leaves but is kidnapped by the same ruffians that kidnapped him. In an attempt to find his kidnappers, they wanted him to stop and took her. She escaped and was rescued by Blake, a thief-taker (no clue what that is) and his lifelong friend Jarvis. The ruffians (one escaped) were in jail and they visit them to ask them why he was kidnapped and they tell him he was the wrong guy. They were supposed to kidnap Jarvis (see book 2). This book left me IDK...Blake made it really hard to like him but he was tortured so you can't hate him. I don't care how much attraction you felt for someone, that shit wains when he is truly a douch茅. It would be really hard...nah impossible to forget what had happened before he left. If I had the wedding night that she had with him, I would have zero interest in having another sexual encounter with him. Like zero! Not to mention the things he said to her. So we have history and now he won't even tell her where he's been...oh, and he had her listed as a possible suspect in his kidnapping. Just writing this review had me deduct another star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2022
This story was very well plotted and chock full of intrigue. The reader never quite knows the full story or what is going to happen yet, but it鈥檚 not because of confused writing. It鈥檚 because this author knows how to layer revelations so the reader learns only what is necessary to understand each scene, before moving on to the next. Bit by bit, we learn about Blake and Annaliese, their courtship, marriage, and discontent.
Reading Blake鈥檚 recollection of his father鈥檚 advice to him about the differences between a wife and a mistress is disturbing. Only slightly less disturbing is Annaliese鈥檚 mother鈥檚 advice and warning on what to expect from marriage. I鈥檓 sure it鈥檚 a good thing no one was watching me read because I鈥檓 sure my face was a mask of horror. It鈥檚 as if they started with a handicap designed to interfere with their ability to bond and create a healthy marriage.
I didn鈥檛 feel satisfied with the ending in terms of fully understanding the reason that Blake had been kidnapped. I guess we鈥檙e not supposed to understand what the 鈥渂ad guys鈥� are looking for, and if we want to learn more, we鈥檒l need to read additional stories in this series. I鈥檓 open to doing that because I did enjoy this one.
Reading Blake鈥檚 recollection of his father鈥檚 advice to him about the differences between a wife and a mistress is disturbing. Only slightly less disturbing is Annaliese鈥檚 mother鈥檚 advice and warning on what to expect from marriage. I鈥檓 sure it鈥檚 a good thing no one was watching me read because I鈥檓 sure my face was a mask of horror. It鈥檚 as if they started with a handicap designed to interfere with their ability to bond and create a healthy marriage.
I didn鈥檛 feel satisfied with the ending in terms of fully understanding the reason that Blake had been kidnapped. I guess we鈥檙e not supposed to understand what the 鈥渂ad guys鈥� are looking for, and if we want to learn more, we鈥檒l need to read additional stories in this series. I鈥檓 open to doing that because I did enjoy this one.
September 5, 2021
Lady Annalise fell in love with Blake, the Earl of Payne who she married.
With his treatment of his new wife being rather terrible, he disappeared not long after.
When he returns after two years, she has moved on and is betrothed to a new man.
As well as his revenge for the kidnapping and torture he endured, he is determined to win back the love of his wife.
He may find these tasks harder than he first thought.
This is a romance with danger, revenge, anger, mystery, violence and pain all thrown in also.
I did find this to be heartbreaking in parts especially for Annalise who was naive in a way.
A brilliant thought out story that had all the right ingredients to make you thoroughly satisfied.
This was my first time reading by this author but it has awakened a need to browse any other work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With his treatment of his new wife being rather terrible, he disappeared not long after.
When he returns after two years, she has moved on and is betrothed to a new man.
As well as his revenge for the kidnapping and torture he endured, he is determined to win back the love of his wife.
He may find these tasks harder than he first thought.
This is a romance with danger, revenge, anger, mystery, violence and pain all thrown in also.
I did find this to be heartbreaking in parts especially for Annalise who was naive in a way.
A brilliant thought out story that had all the right ingredients to make you thoroughly satisfied.
This was my first time reading by this author but it has awakened a need to browse any other work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2021
Taken by mistake?
Mistaken identity? This story was certainly not what you think of when a husband is taken beaten and sold and his wife is "widowed" without provision and goes through her own brand of hell! Blake idolize his father who was a horrible example of a man and fatherhood!
Annalise was very young and not told nearly enough good that can happen in a marriage! Blake chased her, caught here and then didn't know what to do with her!!! There was so very much wrong when Blake was beaten, taken and sold! So much so Blake still can't discuss the horrors!
When evil visits Annalise all bets are off!
The horror and evil visited Blake was a mistake? By whom? The love they shared is slowly being brought back to life and Caroline and Olivia Annalise closest friends just got their lives torn apart!
Love can grow again but trust is so much harder I hope these two can do both! They are certainly on their way!! HEA with leads into the next story!
Mistaken identity? This story was certainly not what you think of when a husband is taken beaten and sold and his wife is "widowed" without provision and goes through her own brand of hell! Blake idolize his father who was a horrible example of a man and fatherhood!
Annalise was very young and not told nearly enough good that can happen in a marriage! Blake chased her, caught here and then didn't know what to do with her!!! There was so very much wrong when Blake was beaten, taken and sold! So much so Blake still can't discuss the horrors!
When evil visits Annalise all bets are off!
The horror and evil visited Blake was a mistake? By whom? The love they shared is slowly being brought back to life and Caroline and Olivia Annalise closest friends just got their lives torn apart!
Love can grow again but trust is so much harder I hope these two can do both! They are certainly on their way!! HEA with leads into the next story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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