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Abandoned at the Altar #2
Scandal of the Year
ONE TRYST WAS ALL SHE WANTED ...
From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.
ONE TRYST JUST WASN'T ENOUGH ...
Aidan is supposed to be looking for a bride, yet his scandalous liaison with Julia is all he can think about. Hot, erotic memories of kissing her skin, falling into her bed, pulling her naked body on top of his own continue to torment and tempt him. What is it about this brazen seductress that he finds so hard to resist? And how can he stop himself from falling into her bed a second time?
From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.
ONE TRYST JUST WASN'T ENOUGH ...
Aidan is supposed to be looking for a bride, yet his scandalous liaison with Julia is all he can think about. Hot, erotic memories of kissing her skin, falling into her bed, pulling her naked body on top of his own continue to torment and tempt him. What is it about this brazen seductress that he finds so hard to resist? And how can he stop himself from falling into her bed a second time?
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 25, 2011
113 people are currently reading
2,204 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lee Guhrke
57 books1,777 followersFrom the publication of her very first historical romance, Laura Lee Guhrke has received numerous honors and critical acclaim for her novels and her writing style. She has been honored with the most prestigious award of romance fiction, the Romance Writers of America Rita Award, and she has received additional awards from Romantic Times and All About Romance. Romantic Times has proclaimed her, “One of the most natural voices in historical romance to be found today”. Her books routinely hit the USA Today Bestseller List, and Guilty Pleasures has been honored with the Romantic Times Award for Best European Historical Romance of 2004. Among her publishing credits are twelve historical romances, including her latest, And Then He Kissed Her, now available from Avon Books.
Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.
Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
December 14, 2021
Very good!
I think this is LLG best book! The book was well written and funny. The H was honorable and good, but it was the h who shined. She was fantastic! The two MC had great chemistry. I very much enjoyed their humourous encounters.
Problems:
1. the plot was predictable though still entertaining.
2. I thought her secret could've been a bit more scandalous.
3. I also wish there had been an epilogue.
I think this is LLG best book! The book was well written and funny. The H was honorable and good, but it was the h who shined. She was fantastic! The two MC had great chemistry. I very much enjoyed their humourous encounters.
Problems:
1. the plot was predictable though still entertaining.
2. I thought her secret could've been a bit more scandalous.
3. I also wish there had been an epilogue.
March 20, 2011
5 stars – Edwardian/Historical Romance
Wow! I loved this! It's an emotional, sensual, and engaging romance between a free-spirited, indecorous, rebel heroine who's brazen ways mask a fragile soul and a steadfast, honorable, strait-laced, to-die-for duke who can't resist her scandalously tempting allure. I loved the complexities of the characters and the chemistry, connection, and passion between Julia and Aidan. Scandal of the Year is another Laura Lee Guhrke favorite! I just wish the wait wasn't so long for her next book, Trouble at the Wedding. 5 sigh-worthy stars!
Favorite quotes:
This was the pain of light and beauty and a man's tender kiss. It was the burn in your eyes when you looked into the bright, shining sun, and the pinch in your chest when you saw the first green shoots of springtime, and the lump in your throat when you heard the sound of a newborn baby's cry. It was life, life, life.
Wow! I loved this! It's an emotional, sensual, and engaging romance between a free-spirited, indecorous, rebel heroine who's brazen ways mask a fragile soul and a steadfast, honorable, strait-laced, to-die-for duke who can't resist her scandalously tempting allure. I loved the complexities of the characters and the chemistry, connection, and passion between Julia and Aidan. Scandal of the Year is another Laura Lee Guhrke favorite! I just wish the wait wasn't so long for her next book, Trouble at the Wedding. 5 sigh-worthy stars!
Favorite quotes:
This was the pain of light and beauty and a man's tender kiss. It was the burn in your eyes when you looked into the bright, shining sun, and the pinch in your chest when you saw the first green shoots of springtime, and the lump in your throat when you heard the sound of a newborn baby's cry. It was life, life, life.
November 6, 2018
El romance histórico me da VIDA.
Laura Lee Gurhke es una apuesta segura es una de mis autoras favoritas en cuanto a romance histórico se refiere es que su libros enganchan a sus protagonistas los amas y su narración es exquisita.
Tenía mis dudas con este libro porque el anterior a este me gustó muchísimo entonces las expectativas me tenían ansiosa por eso decidí no leerlo seguido fue una gran decisión porque los disfruté a lot.
Aidan y Julia son personajes secundarios en el libro anterior y vemos que no se pueden ver al menos él no la soporta y a ella le encanta sacarlo de quicio, vemos que tienen una historia pero lo que no sabemos es de que se trata.
También vemos que Julia está casada pero no soporta al marido y siempre está huyendo de él y no él no quiere darle el divorcio y al fin lo logra y gracias a la ayuda de Aidan pero de que manara.
Laura se caracteriza por hacer protagonistas atípicas y Julia es una de ellas es una mujer empoderada, alegre, independiente es sarcástica y siempre tiene una réplica ingeniosa pero por dentro es insegura y trae demonios cargando a causa de su matrimonio.
A mí Julia me encantó y su historia me pudo.
Aidan es un típico DUQUE, estirado como el mismo, orgulloso pero también es honorable obvio no me gustó tanto como Will o Mi Harryque sale aquí si estaban con el pendiente pero Aidan tiene lo suyito.
Al final quise darle un par de zapes a Julia por indecisa y terca pero de ahí en fuera todo estuvo muy bien.
Ya ni me quejo que no tiene epílogo porque es la clásica de la autora pero pues siempre me hacen falta.
Laura Lee Gurhke es una apuesta segura es una de mis autoras favoritas en cuanto a romance histórico se refiere es que su libros enganchan a sus protagonistas los amas y su narración es exquisita.
Tenía mis dudas con este libro porque el anterior a este me gustó muchísimo entonces las expectativas me tenían ansiosa por eso decidí no leerlo seguido fue una gran decisión porque los disfruté a lot.
Aidan y Julia son personajes secundarios en el libro anterior y vemos que no se pueden ver al menos él no la soporta y a ella le encanta sacarlo de quicio, vemos que tienen una historia pero lo que no sabemos es de que se trata.
También vemos que Julia está casada pero no soporta al marido y siempre está huyendo de él y no él no quiere darle el divorcio y al fin lo logra y gracias a la ayuda de Aidan pero de que manara.
Laura se caracteriza por hacer protagonistas atípicas y Julia es una de ellas es una mujer empoderada, alegre, independiente es sarcástica y siempre tiene una réplica ingeniosa pero por dentro es insegura y trae demonios cargando a causa de su matrimonio.
A mí Julia me encantó y su historia me pudo.
Aidan es un típico DUQUE, estirado como el mismo, orgulloso pero también es honorable obvio no me gustó tanto como Will o Mi Harry
Al final quise darle un par de zapes a Julia por indecisa y terca pero de ahí en fuera todo estuvo muy bien.
Ya ni me quejo que no tiene epílogo porque es la clásica de la autora pero pues siempre me hacen falta.
May 31, 2022
My first Laura Lee Guhrke book, but it definitely won’t be the last. The story did justice to one of my favorite type of pairings: a scandalous misunderstood heroine and a starchy honorable hero. The tragic backstory, a beautiful second chance romance, and rich characters made this really enjoyable.
May 30, 2020
Tropes: Second Chance, Unstarched (him), Forbidden Love, Love Triangle, Opposites Attract
Spinster, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Love, Unstarched (her)
Second chance romance is not really my thing and skipping between the past and the book’s present also does not do it for me, so it greatly coloured my enjoyment of this book.
That said, I love LLG’s writing, characters, dialogue, and plot. Things are never as they first appear, and I love the layers she gives her characters. I trust where she takes me, unlike other authors (*cough* Lisa Kleypas*cough*), and she ALWAYS keeps me engaged.
Every time I had to put it down, I was looking forward to picking it back up. Certainly not one my favourites, but I read it in less than a day.
Julia: “Why anyone would want to marry at all baffles me, I confess, and my advice would be not to bother. But if you must marry—and I can see you are quite determined to do so—promise me you’ll marry for love and no other reason, someone worthy of you who would make you happy. Believe it or not, I want you to be happy, for I do like you, you know. I always have.”
Spinster, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Love, Unstarched (her)
Second chance romance is not really my thing and skipping between the past and the book’s present also does not do it for me, so it greatly coloured my enjoyment of this book.
That said, I love LLG’s writing, characters, dialogue, and plot. Things are never as they first appear, and I love the layers she gives her characters. I trust where she takes me, unlike other authors (*cough* Lisa Kleypas*cough*), and she ALWAYS keeps me engaged.
Every time I had to put it down, I was looking forward to picking it back up. Certainly not one my favourites, but I read it in less than a day.
Julia: “Why anyone would want to marry at all baffles me, I confess, and my advice would be not to bother. But if you must marry—and I can see you are quite determined to do so—promise me you’ll marry for love and no other reason, someone worthy of you who would make you happy. Believe it or not, I want you to be happy, for I do like you, you know. I always have.”
December 13, 2021
When I first read this, I found it rather shocking and apparently not very satisfying as I rated it 3 stars. It left an impression though. I think this was my first Guhrke, and she has become a favorite of mine. She does not shy away from topics that tend to not be featured in HR, and she makes them work. I appreciate the complexities of the characters and their dilemmas.
This one features a divorcée and the man she used to secure her divorce. An impossible situation, but it works really well. I just wished the ending hadn’t felt rushed. This book also highlights the often limited options of women. It really demonstrated why secret rainy day funds/ separate bank accounts can be a necessary thing.
This one features a divorcée and the man she used to secure her divorce. An impossible situation, but it works really well. I just wished the ending hadn’t felt rushed. This book also highlights the often limited options of women. It really demonstrated why secret rainy day funds/ separate bank accounts can be a necessary thing.
September 24, 2018
4/5 stars.
I think I can safely say that after reading what many would say too many HR novels I can finally say I have never read this plot before. It was so refreshing and wonderful to read. I would definitely reccomend this book to all HR fans!
The book starts with Julia being granted a divorce by her husband due to her infidelity with Aidan Carr. You can instantly see that she's relieved at the thought of being divorced. From here starts our journey.
Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen somberly ventures into a ton dance a year later to see if he can find someone he can tolerate enough to marry. He's had two failed engagements prior to this; one where his fiance jilted him and married her long lost love, and the second where she breaks it off because he ended up in the bed of a married woman. This woman, of course, is our sprighty, foul-mouthed, independent heroine Julia.
To start with there's some mentions of abuse suffered by the heroine at the hands of her ex-husband, just so that everyone is aware. Julia's husband is a controlling, vicious man who would have felt right at home in Christian Grey's 'Red Room of Pain'. Ugh , why did I bring 50 shades into this, it was going so well. Anyways, Julia realizes that the only way to get a divorce from her husband is to be caught red-handed with another man in her bed. This forms the history between our MC's.
Or does it?
Julia is a wonderful character, you can feel her pain, her regrets and the way life has turned her hard. She has walls built up all around her, and all she wants is not to be tied down, to be free - something she's never been her whole life. Her husband's proclivities have left her with no option but to be tough and unfeeling. She numbs herself to be able to bear her life. It's a treat to read Aidan bring her out of her shell, to make her see that desire can't hurt her, and that she can feel with him - and he won't hurt her. God I loved Julia.
"No, she was just a woman. And that meant she could feel, she could need, she could give, and she could receive."
Aidan helps her to be that woman, but what's better is that she fights to get there all by herself. He was the cherry on the cake, the man with the love and desire she never thought she'd get. He wasn't her knight in shining armor, she saved herself and lived by her own rules. Hurray!
Aidan, good lord what to say about him. I'll start with hot damn he is fine.
He is everything I want in my HR hero's. He's sexy and charming without being a manwhore rake - who knew that can happen! He holds himself to a high standard of principles and honor, always placing that above all else. But he does this all this without being all holier than thou on people around him, and especially not Julia. Bless him. I could marry him. Ignore I said that. Shh.
The ending of the book is also a treat. Just go read this.
I think I can safely say that after reading what many would say too many HR novels I can finally say I have never read this plot before. It was so refreshing and wonderful to read. I would definitely reccomend this book to all HR fans!
The book starts with Julia being granted a divorce by her husband due to her infidelity with Aidan Carr. You can instantly see that she's relieved at the thought of being divorced. From here starts our journey.
Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen somberly ventures into a ton dance a year later to see if he can find someone he can tolerate enough to marry. He's had two failed engagements prior to this; one where his fiance jilted him and married her long lost love, and the second where she breaks it off because he ended up in the bed of a married woman. This woman, of course, is our sprighty, foul-mouthed, independent heroine Julia.
To start with there's some mentions of abuse suffered by the heroine at the hands of her ex-husband, just so that everyone is aware. Julia's husband is a controlling, vicious man who would have felt right at home in Christian Grey's 'Red Room of Pain'. Ugh , why did I bring 50 shades into this, it was going so well. Anyways, Julia realizes that the only way to get a divorce from her husband is to be caught red-handed with another man in her bed. This forms the history between our MC's.
Or does it?
Julia is a wonderful character, you can feel her pain, her regrets and the way life has turned her hard. She has walls built up all around her, and all she wants is not to be tied down, to be free - something she's never been her whole life. Her husband's proclivities have left her with no option but to be tough and unfeeling. She numbs herself to be able to bear her life. It's a treat to read Aidan bring her out of her shell, to make her see that desire can't hurt her, and that she can feel with him - and he won't hurt her. God I loved Julia.
"No, she was just a woman. And that meant she could feel, she could need, she could give, and she could receive."
Aidan helps her to be that woman, but what's better is that she fights to get there all by herself. He was the cherry on the cake, the man with the love and desire she never thought she'd get. He wasn't her knight in shining armor, she saved herself and lived by her own rules. Hurray!
Aidan, good lord what to say about him. I'll start with hot damn he is fine.
He is everything I want in my HR hero's. He's sexy and charming without being a manwhore rake - who knew that can happen! He holds himself to a high standard of principles and honor, always placing that above all else. But he does this all this without being all holier than thou on people around him, and especially not Julia. Bless him. I could marry him. Ignore I said that. Shh.
The ending of the book is also a treat. Just go read this.
October 30, 2021
This HR takes place at the turn of the 20th century 1903 with a divorce and a motor car. The couple in question were caught in the act, so the husband of the wife divorced her. The lady in question is Julie (Lady Yardley) and her “ lover” Aidan (Duke of Trathen). She seduces him to obtain a divorce from her husband of 11 years whom she loathes. We aren’t sure why throughout the story but suspect it isn’t good. Julie’s husband basically cut her off financially and she was in debt up to her eyeballs. Even though she used Aiden mercilessly she approached him to ask for a way to pay her debts. He hires her as his social secretary so she can help him find a suitable young lady to be his duchess. He does this so he can prove to himself he can resist lusting after her. But will this work? Aiden daydreams about her and dreams about making love to her. Julie is attracted to him but is good at hiding it. This is the beginning of the romance with lots of psychological roadblocks to wade through. There is the issue of divorce and how difficult it was for women to obtain one. This is a great read with great dialogue between the H and h. I think this author , Laura Lee Guhrke and series” Abandoned at the Altar “ will be an enjoyable read.
August 28, 2016
With this book Laura Lee Guhrke goes a little deeper into the psyche and pain of her characters than she has in her previous books, and it’s worth it. There were times in this book I felt LLG had painted herself into a corner and I would never truly like the heroine (she broke one of my romance “don’t”) or get a satisfying HEA. They go from family friends, to lovers, to ‘frienemies’, back to friends, to true loves. It is an interesting circle. Not every author can change my mind about one of my romance “don’ts”, but LLG was sneaky and a good enough author to pull it off. Congrats to her! It was one of my most satisfying reads so far this year. You know, now that I think on it, I don’t think she’s let me down yet. Must be why I continue to read her.
My favorite part: When Julia’s out smoking a cigarette (shock!) and she and Aidan talk, breaking the ice a little after the scandal. (He’s looking for a bride, and she knows it.) As he starts back inside, she stops him gently and warns him not to marry in haste. It is such a poignant scene and so well written that we can feel both their angst. We know they both have regrets and different, complex feelings for one another. It works as a bridge to a brighter future.
My favorite part: When Julia’s out smoking a cigarette (shock!) and she and Aidan talk, breaking the ice a little after the scandal. (He’s looking for a bride, and she knows it.) As he starts back inside, she stops him gently and warns him not to marry in haste. It is such a poignant scene and so well written that we can feel both their angst. We know they both have regrets and different, complex feelings for one another. It works as a bridge to a brighter future.
April 7, 2024
I enjoyed this historical romance set in the first decade of the twentieth century. It definitely has a different feel than the typical 19th or 18th century set books I usually read. There are a few motor cars (!) for one thing! But sadly at this time, the laws relating to marriage were still very old-fashioned, and limited women to quite a powerless role in their own lives.
The plot of this book is not your typical HR plot. The hero is very likeable - a man of integrity and honour. At first the divorcee heroine seems a little too abrasive and brash for the very nice hero. But the horrid experiences of her marriage clearly led her to make some of the decisions she made, and as a reader you feel deep sympathy for her life and her choices.
I haven't read much by Ms Guhrke, but I now intend to search out and explore her back list, as this one was a really good read.
I read this book for the Historical Romance Book Club 'Romance Across the Ages' Challenge, January 2024, 'Edwardian period'.
The plot of this book is not your typical HR plot. The hero is very likeable - a man of integrity and honour. At first the divorcee heroine seems a little too abrasive and brash for the very nice hero. But the horrid experiences of her marriage clearly led her to make some of the decisions she made, and as a reader you feel deep sympathy for her life and her choices.
I haven't read much by Ms Guhrke, but I now intend to search out and explore her back list, as this one was a really good read.
I read this book for the Historical Romance Book Club 'Romance Across the Ages' Challenge, January 2024, 'Edwardian period'.
October 19, 2024
My first book by this author and she writes prose well, with a nice balance of internal thoughts, dialogue, action, and description. The early 1900’s is not a time setting where I usually find myself and it was interesting, with strong Regency elements but hinting at a more modern era just around the corner. Why, then, do I feel so lukewarm about this book?
It’s strictly based on what I enjoy reading, and this book had a big strike against it on my personal preferences list: I didn’t like the MFC, Julia, in spite of my sympathy for her and what she had to endure in her marriage, which was truly awful. Her actions before her marriage were rebellious and foolish. Her living extravagantly on credit and her social shenanigans while running from Yardley were irresponsible and short-sighted. The premeditated destruction of Aiden’s reputation and engagement to gain her freedom was neither honorable nor kind, although her desperation was understandable. The hard, brittle, sophisticated facade with the glib witticisms and faux smiles that she used as a shield against honesty during and after her marriage became extremely annoying.
The lying, the obfuscation, and Julia’s rejection of accountability for her actions, in addition to some structure problems, made this a less-than-enjoyable read for me, in spite of good prose.
It’s strictly based on what I enjoy reading, and this book had a big strike against it on my personal preferences list: I didn’t like the MFC, Julia, in spite of my sympathy for her and what she had to endure in her marriage, which was truly awful. Her actions before her marriage were rebellious and foolish. Her living extravagantly on credit and her social shenanigans while running from Yardley were irresponsible and short-sighted. The premeditated destruction of Aiden’s reputation and engagement to gain her freedom was neither honorable nor kind, although her desperation was understandable. The hard, brittle, sophisticated facade with the glib witticisms and faux smiles that she used as a shield against honesty during and after her marriage became extremely annoying.
The lying, the obfuscation, and Julia’s rejection of accountability for her actions, in addition to some structure problems, made this a less-than-enjoyable read for me, in spite of good prose.
February 26, 2019
Julia me gustaba más en el libro de Will la verdad.
Y Aidan no fue tan buen protagonista.
A pesar de eso me gustó la historia pero siento que le faltó desarrollo.
Y el final... SIEMPRE TE QUEDAS SIN EPÍLOGO LAURA!!! 😒😒😒
Y Aidan no fue tan buen protagonista.
A pesar de eso me gustó la historia pero siento que le faltó desarrollo.
Y el final... SIEMPRE TE QUEDAS SIN EPÍLOGO LAURA!!! 😒😒😒
May 27, 2022
3.5! I loved Julia! What a strong heroine. She deserved her HEA so much!!
December 7, 2021
4 Stars
I read this book as a part of the BOTM challenge for HRBC. And I loved it. A big thank you to whoever nominated this book and to those who voted for it as well.
It's #2 in the series but can be read as a standalone novel.
Plot Summary
A scandalous divorcé, a right proper staid duke, and a scandal of the year.
Quick Review
- This is my first Laura Lee Guhrke book, and what a beautiful piece of writing it was.
- There was a hint of modernism in the writing which worked brilliantly considering it was the early 20th century (Edwardian era - 1901 to 1910).
- Essentially, this story gave a higher degree of relatability as opposed to the Georgian-Regency-early Victorian counterparts making it less fantastical and more real.
- The story flowed well for the majority of the book. What I admired immensely was that even though the book was written in 3rd person, it read like a 1st person POV.
- The story was unusual in the sense that it was steeped in maturity, for the most part. Now, that is something you don't see in HR novels every day, headstrong, yes, but maturity, rarely.
- The romance was subtle, dignified, and amazingly understated. It grew, had been growing for a decade, before it came forth. It's the work of the author's laudable skill, throes of passion are easy to convey, but a romance that sneaks up on you and blossoms is very difficult indeed.
- The main characters were beautifully portrayed. They were exceptional, paradoxical, opposites, and yet similar, wild yet innocent and intelligent to boot.
- Julia was a glorious example of a stoic, saucy, and strong heroine. She bore her horrors with as much dignity as she could muster and fought back every step of the way without ever crumbling and giving up. Although, it's a crying shame on the society that she had to suffer this long. I admired her fierce independence, loved the fact that she drove a Mercedes, smoked, and did what she wanted to do, prudes be damned. I connected on a very personal level with Julia. She reminded me of myself in my early twenties when I drove my Mercedes top-down, a cigarette in hand, staging a little rebellion against rigid rules (minus the dog), hmmm, fond memories.
- Aidan has to be one of the most honourable heroes I have ever read about. I feel completely justified using multiple superlatives to describe him. A trustworthy, dependable, supporting, understanding man, despite his initial misgivings about Julia's behaviour, he just did not have all the info, so he is forgiven. Aidan was, in a nutshell, a dreamboat.
Where did I lose the book?
- Everything was going so well, and in the final 20%, the story completely lost the plot. The secret took too long to be revealed, and once it was revealed, the healing happened in under 24 hours. Not kidding, a couple of conversations and 12 years of trauma was overcome. Trauma psychologists of the world, shut down your practice, as sex with Aidan is apparently the answer. Ahhh, what happened to the intelligent and mature overtones?
- Another slight issue was that too many inconsequential side characters were thrown at you, and it was difficult to keep track of who was who and why did they matter or how were they connected.
My Recommendation
If you admire an uncommon premise and intelligent writing, this book is for you. Since there is not a lot of steam in this book, I will revisit this author's other works when my "I want to read steamy books" phase is over.
I read this book as a part of the BOTM challenge for HRBC. And I loved it. A big thank you to whoever nominated this book and to those who voted for it as well.
It's #2 in the series but can be read as a standalone novel.
Plot Summary
A scandalous divorcé, a right proper staid duke, and a scandal of the year.
Quick Review
- This is my first Laura Lee Guhrke book, and what a beautiful piece of writing it was.
- There was a hint of modernism in the writing which worked brilliantly considering it was the early 20th century (Edwardian era - 1901 to 1910).
- Essentially, this story gave a higher degree of relatability as opposed to the Georgian-Regency-early Victorian counterparts making it less fantastical and more real.
- The story flowed well for the majority of the book. What I admired immensely was that even though the book was written in 3rd person, it read like a 1st person POV.
- The story was unusual in the sense that it was steeped in maturity, for the most part. Now, that is something you don't see in HR novels every day, headstrong, yes, but maturity, rarely.
- The romance was subtle, dignified, and amazingly understated. It grew, had been growing for a decade, before it came forth. It's the work of the author's laudable skill, throes of passion are easy to convey, but a romance that sneaks up on you and blossoms is very difficult indeed.
- The main characters were beautifully portrayed. They were exceptional, paradoxical, opposites, and yet similar, wild yet innocent and intelligent to boot.
- Julia was a glorious example of a stoic, saucy, and strong heroine. She bore her horrors with as much dignity as she could muster and fought back every step of the way without ever crumbling and giving up. Although, it's a crying shame on the society that she had to suffer this long. I admired her fierce independence, loved the fact that she drove a Mercedes, smoked, and did what she wanted to do, prudes be damned. I connected on a very personal level with Julia. She reminded me of myself in my early twenties when I drove my Mercedes top-down, a cigarette in hand, staging a little rebellion against rigid rules (minus the dog), hmmm, fond memories.
- Aidan has to be one of the most honourable heroes I have ever read about. I feel completely justified using multiple superlatives to describe him. A trustworthy, dependable, supporting, understanding man, despite his initial misgivings about Julia's behaviour, he just did not have all the info, so he is forgiven. Aidan was, in a nutshell, a dreamboat.
Where did I lose the book?
- Everything was going so well, and in the final 20%, the story completely lost the plot. The secret took too long to be revealed, and once it was revealed, the healing happened in under 24 hours. Not kidding, a couple of conversations and 12 years of trauma was overcome. Trauma psychologists of the world, shut down your practice, as sex with Aidan is apparently the answer. Ahhh, what happened to the intelligent and mature overtones?
- Another slight issue was that too many inconsequential side characters were thrown at you, and it was difficult to keep track of who was who and why did they matter or how were they connected.
My Recommendation
If you admire an uncommon premise and intelligent writing, this book is for you. Since there is not a lot of steam in this book, I will revisit this author's other works when my "I want to read steamy books" phase is over.
July 10, 2019
Does anyone else find it really hard to write a review for a book that you're ambivalent about? because that's me right now.
This book could have been really good, but it just fell flat for me in so many ways, primarily the plot and characters. Looking back at the novel as a whole, it just feels like nothing really happened. I can't tell if the plot took place over the span of days, weeks, or months, and I still feel like I barely know the characters. I didn't read the book that comes before this one in which the characters are also featured, but even then I should still be able to read their story without feeling like something is missing.
Also, I don't completely buy the characters' love. From what we're told, they've only crossed paths a handful of times in the decade they've known each other before their scandal, then a few weeks later they're declaring their love.
So again, what is the timeline of the novel? Julia and Aidan are reunited after she returns from the continent, and then he employs her as his social secretary. How long is she his secretary for? because it seems like they've only been in each other's company for a few days before they admit to loving each other.
Overall, just frustrating
I've made a rule that if I'm not going to reread a book, I'll give it away, but I'm keeping this one because of the stepback. I mean... tell me he doesn't look like Roberto Bolle
This book could have been really good, but it just fell flat for me in so many ways, primarily the plot and characters. Looking back at the novel as a whole, it just feels like nothing really happened. I can't tell if the plot took place over the span of days, weeks, or months, and I still feel like I barely know the characters. I didn't read the book that comes before this one in which the characters are also featured, but even then I should still be able to read their story without feeling like something is missing.
Also, I don't completely buy the characters' love. From what we're told, they've only crossed paths a handful of times in the decade they've known each other before their scandal, then a few weeks later they're declaring their love.
So again, what is the timeline of the novel? Julia and Aidan are reunited after she returns from the continent, and then he employs her as his social secretary. How long is she his secretary for? because it seems like they've only been in each other's company for a few days before they admit to loving each other.
Overall, just frustrating
I've made a rule that if I'm not going to reread a book, I'll give it away, but I'm keeping this one because of the stepback. I mean... tell me he doesn't look like Roberto Bolle
June 12, 2019
**4.5 estrellitas
Uff Me Fascinó esta historia, no creí que me fuera a gustar tanto xq ninguno de los protagonista me había gustado en el libro anterior, así que la historia logro sorprenderme y atraparme desde el comienzo... si hubiese tenido más tiempo libre lo hubiese terminado más rápido.
Aiden y Julia son un amor de personajes, cada uno con sus particularidades pero que al final se complementan y Oh por Dios, hacen tan linda pareja... además percibes que hay química entre ellos y sus encuentros durante libro buenísimos, con buenos diálogos y sin tanta descripción que hace más amena la lectura.
La historia de Julia fue otra cosa que me sorprendió, no me esperaba que hubiese pasado por algo así, me imaginaba otra cosa. Y me gustó el cambio que se vio en los protagonistas, más que todo en Aidan (fue mi favorito).
Me encantó todo el libro pero creo que hizo falta un epilogo... saber como fue sus vidas luego de los años... quedé un poco triste por eso... me hizo saber más de ellos luego de ese último capítulo :>(
Lo recomiendo muuucho, es todavía mejor que el primero de esta serie...!!
Uff Me Fascinó esta historia, no creí que me fuera a gustar tanto xq ninguno de los protagonista me había gustado en el libro anterior, así que la historia logro sorprenderme y atraparme desde el comienzo... si hubiese tenido más tiempo libre lo hubiese terminado más rápido.
Aiden y Julia son un amor de personajes, cada uno con sus particularidades pero que al final se complementan y Oh por Dios, hacen tan linda pareja... además percibes que hay química entre ellos y sus encuentros durante libro buenísimos, con buenos diálogos y sin tanta descripción que hace más amena la lectura.
La historia de Julia fue otra cosa que me sorprendió, no me esperaba que hubiese pasado por algo así, me imaginaba otra cosa. Y me gustó el cambio que se vio en los protagonistas, más que todo en Aidan (fue mi favorito).
Me encantó todo el libro pero creo que hizo falta un epilogo... saber como fue sus vidas luego de los años... quedé un poco triste por eso... me hizo saber más de ellos luego de ese último capítulo :>(
Lo recomiendo muuucho, es todavía mejor que el primero de esta serie...!!
June 15, 2024
The story takes place at the beginning of the 20th century ~ século XX ~ and the main characters are scandalous! At least on the outside..Throughout the book, we go back in time a few times to better understand their story.
Sometimes the pace was too slow for me, but once the duke began to unlock his feelings, I was completely glued until the end. It's impossible not to root for them!
Missing an epilogue!! 🥲
Sometimes the pace was too slow for me, but once the duke began to unlock his feelings, I was completely glued until the end. It's impossible not to root for them!
Missing an epilogue!! 🥲
December 3, 2023
Julia quiere por fin alcanzar su ansiada libertad y sabe que Aidan Carr, duque de Trathen, es el candidato ideal y el único con el que podría lograrlo, aunque no fuera de la mejor de las maneras. Aidan no puede sacarse de la cabeza aquel momento junto a Julia y debe hacerlo si quiere encontrar esposa.
Segundo libro de la serie “Plantadas en el altar” cuyos protagonistas, Julia Yardley y Aidan Carr los conocimos en el libro anterior “La boda de la temporada”. Allí tuvieron varias escenas que nos dejaron con la intriga de saber por qué parecían no soportarse. Aidan era el prometido de Beatrix y no veía con buenos ojos a Julia, su comportamiento lo alteraba, él tan serio y correcto. Por otro lado, Julia se comportaba con total libertad y picardía, picando constantemente al duque.
En esta novela Julia ha logrado lo que tanto ansiaba, al fin libre no quiere volver a caer en las garras del matrimonio, pero tras una fachada traviesa se esconde una mujer con muchos secretos y alguna que otra inseguridad. Solo ella conoce lo que pasó una tarde con el duque de Trathen y este será uno de los motivos por los que estemos pegados a las páginas. Poco a poco la autora nos va dando las pistas, alternando hábilmente entre el pasado y el presente, iremos descubriendo (creo que lo intuimos desde el principio) lo que podría haber pasado entre ellos. Además, nos iremos al inicio mismo de cuándo se conocieron Julia y Aidan... sigue aquí: https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Segundo libro de la serie “Plantadas en el altar” cuyos protagonistas, Julia Yardley y Aidan Carr los conocimos en el libro anterior “La boda de la temporada”. Allí tuvieron varias escenas que nos dejaron con la intriga de saber por qué parecían no soportarse. Aidan era el prometido de Beatrix y no veía con buenos ojos a Julia, su comportamiento lo alteraba, él tan serio y correcto. Por otro lado, Julia se comportaba con total libertad y picardía, picando constantemente al duque.
En esta novela Julia ha logrado lo que tanto ansiaba, al fin libre no quiere volver a caer en las garras del matrimonio, pero tras una fachada traviesa se esconde una mujer con muchos secretos y alguna que otra inseguridad. Solo ella conoce lo que pasó una tarde con el duque de Trathen y este será uno de los motivos por los que estemos pegados a las páginas. Poco a poco la autora nos va dando las pistas, alternando hábilmente entre el pasado y el presente, iremos descubriendo (creo que lo intuimos desde el principio) lo que podría haber pasado entre ellos. Además, nos iremos al inicio mismo de cuándo se conocieron Julia y Aidan... sigue aquí: https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
April 7, 2011
Again, a great read from LLG. Good characters, great backstory, nice use of characters from other stories (you do have to read the story that precedes this one or it'll all be meaningless), and also nice setting (early Edwardian and in Cornwall and Devon). Very, very enjoyable. Waiting for the next story is going to be torture...
January 26, 2014
me ha gustado bastante. Como todas las historias de Guhrke es sencilla y bonita.
Aunque no es la historia que me esperaba...
Pensé que habría más tira y afloja, ironía y encontronazos entre los protagonistas... y hay mucha ternura y una historia dura detrás.
Aunque no es la historia que me esperaba...
Pensé que habría más tira y afloja, ironía y encontronazos entre los protagonistas... y hay mucha ternura y una historia dura detrás.
January 8, 2018
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
“Invictus”
William Ernest Henley, 1875
November 9, 2023
This series has yet to wow me, but I will finish the series since there's only one more installment.
February 20, 2018
I had been looking forward to Aidan and Julia's love story since reading WEDDING OF THE SEASON, the first in Guhrke's Abandoned at the Altar series, since they were, for me, the most appealing characters of that book.
If you read Book 1, you'll know that Aidan is the jilted fiance of the heroine of that book and Julia is her friend and cousin. You could tell that there were some undercurrents in Aidan and Julia's relationship and all is revealed in this book.
Here Julia finally has her divorce from her abusive husband. Unfortunately, to do so she unabashedly used Aidan as corespondent in an adultery charge to obtain it. We readers of HRs are pretty much aware by now that historically women had no power in their marriages and could not even divorce an abusive husband, so Julia was desperate to find a way to force her husband to divorce her.
You'll find out all about this in the book. You'll learn more about the 13-year history between Julia and Aidan and you'll see a beautiful romance develop between two people who superficially have been very antagonistic to each other.
The H and h of this book were very appealing to me. I love a good, noble and honorable hero, even if he seems a bit stiff and pompous on the outside. You just know he has hidden depths. And the heroine here is much more complex than she seemed in Book 1. She's more than the free-spirited, devil-may-care, cigarette-smoking, Mercedes-driving female of that book.
This was a well-written book. Laura Lee Guhrke seems to me to be growing and maturing as a writer and the relationships between her Hs and hs reflect this.
(I need to add here that this review was written in 2011 when I was still a fan of Guhrke's books. Since approximately 2016, her new releases have been rather disappointing, IMO.)
If you read Book 1, you'll know that Aidan is the jilted fiance of the heroine of that book and Julia is her friend and cousin. You could tell that there were some undercurrents in Aidan and Julia's relationship and all is revealed in this book.
Here Julia finally has her divorce from her abusive husband. Unfortunately, to do so she unabashedly used Aidan as corespondent in an adultery charge to obtain it. We readers of HRs are pretty much aware by now that historically women had no power in their marriages and could not even divorce an abusive husband, so Julia was desperate to find a way to force her husband to divorce her.
You'll find out all about this in the book. You'll learn more about the 13-year history between Julia and Aidan and you'll see a beautiful romance develop between two people who superficially have been very antagonistic to each other.
The H and h of this book were very appealing to me. I love a good, noble and honorable hero, even if he seems a bit stiff and pompous on the outside. You just know he has hidden depths. And the heroine here is much more complex than she seemed in Book 1. She's more than the free-spirited, devil-may-care, cigarette-smoking, Mercedes-driving female of that book.
This was a well-written book. Laura Lee Guhrke seems to me to be growing and maturing as a writer and the relationships between her Hs and hs reflect this.
(I need to add here that this review was written in 2011 when I was still a fan of Guhrke's books. Since approximately 2016, her new releases have been rather disappointing, IMO.)
January 11, 2011
This was one of those books that was SO good, that I had to think on it before I could even write a review. Julia and Aiden were simply wonderful together; two such opposite personalities who balance, and were looking for something that they never expected to find with each other. As with the first book in the trilogy, the early 20th century was a nice and unusual time period that allowed for great social changes to be captured within the story, including Julia's scandalous divorce with Aiden named as her lover. A year or so later, Julia is looking for redemption and Aiden is looking for marriage. Aiden is haunted by his memories of his one time with Julia and their past as young friends. Julia can't help but feel that Aiden might be the one man to make her forget herself and FEEL. Their chemistry was sizzling and charming all at once. You felt their attraction and both of them are fighting it for personal reasons, but as a reader you can't help but root for a happily ever after, and that both of them conquer their fear of passion, commitment, and marriage. I can't wait for the third book in the series.
October 3, 2021
Another winner from one of my fave HR authors! I love a pompous, full--of-himself grim hero, and Aidan fit the bill perfectly.
Julia is a rich and complex character, and while some of her actions might be suspect, I rarely judge an HR heroine harshly for her less -than- perfect actions. It was a time in which survival for a woman with zero agency over herself was challenging, to say the least.
Julia is a rich and complex character, and while some of her actions might be suspect, I rarely judge an HR heroine harshly for her less -than- perfect actions. It was a time in which survival for a woman with zero agency over herself was challenging, to say the least.
August 10, 2011
The second book in the Abandoned at the Altar series, SCANDAL OF THE YEAR is a beautifully crafted love story from the very talented Laura Lee Guhrke.
"On the afternoon of August 21, 1903, I had intimate relations of a sexual nature with Aidan Carr, the Duke of Stathen."
With these words Julia, Baroness Yardley, is finally free after twelve long years of a loveless marriage. But her freedom has come at a price because, seeing Aidan Carr as she leaves the courtroom, she is overcome with guilt for the way in which she has used him and compromised his honour and stolen his self-respect.
Several months pass and, mindful of his duty, Aidan must start looking for a wife again. The fact that he has been jilted twice and rumours surrounding the divorce scandal are still circulating does not exactly fill him with confidence. Added to which, he finds himself constantly thinking about Lady Yardley and can still imagine the texture of her skin, like warm satin against his mouth. He is determined to consign her to the past where she belongs but it isn't easy when their paths seem destined to cross.
Julia is keen to make a fresh start but first she needs to settle the debts accumulated over the years, after her husband cut off her allowance. She needs a job and, knowing of his business acumen, she approaches Aidan hoping he might have a solution to her problems. Aidan offers her a job as his social secretary to aid him in finding a suitable wife, but working so closely with Julia, he finds he can longer deny that she is the only woman he truly wants. Certain the attraction is mutual, Aidan is determined to pursue Julia until she admits her feelings for him. But he finds he must uncover her deepest secrets before there can be any future for them.
Having met Julia and Aidan in Wedding of the Season, the first book in this series, I was really intrigued to see just how Ms Guhrke would bring two such dissimilar people together. Julia is brash, impudent, immoral, dances until dawn, smokes and drives too fast. Aidan is a gentleman, honorable, kind, understanding and always striving to do the right thing. Not exactly a match made in heaven! However, I discovered that there is far more to Julia than meets the eye and that Aidan's thoughts are not always honorable.
I love Julia because she's such a complex and fascinating character. As her secrets are gradually revealed, it is like fitting the parts of a jigsaw puzzle together and it is only when the last piece falls into place that the real Julia is fully revealed. Gradually I saw beyond the facade of a woman scandalizing society with her outrageous behaviour and numerous affairs, to discover a very vulnerable woman desperately trying to escape a hellish marriage, which has left her with deep emotional scars.
But she also shows strength, resilience and courage by choosing to fight back rather than be a victim of her husband and I really admired her for this stand. When she finally reveals the truth about her marriage to Aidan, it does put all her actions into perspective and I could fully sympathize with her plight. It also reveals the attitude prevailing at the time towards women and divorce. Yardley's behaviour was not considered grounds for divorce by the lawyers of the day and, if Julia had tried to reveal publicly what he was like, she would have been condemned for her lack of discretion because wives aren't supposed to air their dirty linen in public. It does make you glad to be living in the 21st century!
I adore Aidan and I'm sure it must be something to do with that handsome face and those warm, steady eyes that Julia has always been drawn to. He's honorable, honest and trustworthy with a deep sense of duty. In fact, he's the epitome of a gentleman with only one weakness – his desire for Julia. In flashbacks, we learn that they met each other when they were both seventeen and it had a definite impression on him:
He'd never before been given a view like this – a view of shapely calves, delicate ankles and slender feet boldly displayed in broad daylight. Adolescent lust began coursing through his body in the space of two heartbeats, a sudden, powerful wave that disconcerted him, embarrassed him, and robbed him of the ability to think or even breath.
Although their lives go in very different directions, when they meet again many years later, Aidan fears that when it came to Lady Yardley, he was in fact hopelessly depraved. I love the fact that he thinks he can discipline himself in mind and body to conquer his desire for Julia but fails completely.
The final love scene between Julia and Aidan is a wonderful combination of eroticism, sensuality and tenderness. Knowing her fears about her sensuality, I adore Aidan for the way in which he is determined to make everything as pleasurable as possible for Julia. He constantly coaxes her into saying what she's feeling so he knows what pleases her and this makes for some very steamy moments! Ultimately, it is an emotionally and sexually healing process for Julia and I love the way she expresses how she feels afterwards:
She was awake and alive, and the world was full of new beginnings and glorious possibilities. She was still a bit wobbly and weak like a colt trying to walk on shaky legs. But with Aidan's arms around her, she didn't mind any of that, because for the first time in over twelve years she was truly free. She was free, she was beautiful and she had just made love with a man for the very first time.
Julia let the tears fall.
Julia and Aidan's story dominates this book but I do have soft spot for Julia's ill-mannered, belligerent, man-hating bulldog, Spike, who provides some wonderful moments in the book. My favourite is the scene in which Aidan is determined to prove that Julia is attracted to him despite her denials and challenges her to meet him in the maze at midnight and prove that she can resist his advances. What he doesn't count on is for her to arrive with Spike in tow! What follows is a hilarious moment when Aidan suddenly takes on the unsuspecting Spike:
With a savage sound that caused Julia to jump back in alarm, Aidan moved. Within the blink of an eye, he'd taken Spike by the muzzle and hip and pushed him down onto his side in the grass and using his superior body weight, he kept the animal firmly pinned. "No," he said in a calm, firm voice. "No, Spike".
What a memorable picture that conjured up in my mind!!
My only complaint about the book is the ending seems a little too abrupt. I feel there should have been more tension before Julia finally accepts Aidan's marriage proposal given their exchanges in the previous scene. But this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book and I can forgive Ms Guhrke for any shortcomings when she gave a wonderful Happy Ever After to two people who truly deserved it.
SCANDAL OF THE YEAR is a compelling and emotionally satisfying love story with a hero and heroine who will surely capture your heart. I can highly recommend this book to all lovers of historical romance.
http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews.
"On the afternoon of August 21, 1903, I had intimate relations of a sexual nature with Aidan Carr, the Duke of Stathen."
With these words Julia, Baroness Yardley, is finally free after twelve long years of a loveless marriage. But her freedom has come at a price because, seeing Aidan Carr as she leaves the courtroom, she is overcome with guilt for the way in which she has used him and compromised his honour and stolen his self-respect.
Several months pass and, mindful of his duty, Aidan must start looking for a wife again. The fact that he has been jilted twice and rumours surrounding the divorce scandal are still circulating does not exactly fill him with confidence. Added to which, he finds himself constantly thinking about Lady Yardley and can still imagine the texture of her skin, like warm satin against his mouth. He is determined to consign her to the past where she belongs but it isn't easy when their paths seem destined to cross.
Julia is keen to make a fresh start but first she needs to settle the debts accumulated over the years, after her husband cut off her allowance. She needs a job and, knowing of his business acumen, she approaches Aidan hoping he might have a solution to her problems. Aidan offers her a job as his social secretary to aid him in finding a suitable wife, but working so closely with Julia, he finds he can longer deny that she is the only woman he truly wants. Certain the attraction is mutual, Aidan is determined to pursue Julia until she admits her feelings for him. But he finds he must uncover her deepest secrets before there can be any future for them.
Having met Julia and Aidan in Wedding of the Season, the first book in this series, I was really intrigued to see just how Ms Guhrke would bring two such dissimilar people together. Julia is brash, impudent, immoral, dances until dawn, smokes and drives too fast. Aidan is a gentleman, honorable, kind, understanding and always striving to do the right thing. Not exactly a match made in heaven! However, I discovered that there is far more to Julia than meets the eye and that Aidan's thoughts are not always honorable.
I love Julia because she's such a complex and fascinating character. As her secrets are gradually revealed, it is like fitting the parts of a jigsaw puzzle together and it is only when the last piece falls into place that the real Julia is fully revealed. Gradually I saw beyond the facade of a woman scandalizing society with her outrageous behaviour and numerous affairs, to discover a very vulnerable woman desperately trying to escape a hellish marriage, which has left her with deep emotional scars.
But she also shows strength, resilience and courage by choosing to fight back rather than be a victim of her husband and I really admired her for this stand. When she finally reveals the truth about her marriage to Aidan, it does put all her actions into perspective and I could fully sympathize with her plight. It also reveals the attitude prevailing at the time towards women and divorce. Yardley's behaviour was not considered grounds for divorce by the lawyers of the day and, if Julia had tried to reveal publicly what he was like, she would have been condemned for her lack of discretion because wives aren't supposed to air their dirty linen in public. It does make you glad to be living in the 21st century!
I adore Aidan and I'm sure it must be something to do with that handsome face and those warm, steady eyes that Julia has always been drawn to. He's honorable, honest and trustworthy with a deep sense of duty. In fact, he's the epitome of a gentleman with only one weakness – his desire for Julia. In flashbacks, we learn that they met each other when they were both seventeen and it had a definite impression on him:
He'd never before been given a view like this – a view of shapely calves, delicate ankles and slender feet boldly displayed in broad daylight. Adolescent lust began coursing through his body in the space of two heartbeats, a sudden, powerful wave that disconcerted him, embarrassed him, and robbed him of the ability to think or even breath.
Although their lives go in very different directions, when they meet again many years later, Aidan fears that when it came to Lady Yardley, he was in fact hopelessly depraved. I love the fact that he thinks he can discipline himself in mind and body to conquer his desire for Julia but fails completely.
The final love scene between Julia and Aidan is a wonderful combination of eroticism, sensuality and tenderness. Knowing her fears about her sensuality, I adore Aidan for the way in which he is determined to make everything as pleasurable as possible for Julia. He constantly coaxes her into saying what she's feeling so he knows what pleases her and this makes for some very steamy moments! Ultimately, it is an emotionally and sexually healing process for Julia and I love the way she expresses how she feels afterwards:
She was awake and alive, and the world was full of new beginnings and glorious possibilities. She was still a bit wobbly and weak like a colt trying to walk on shaky legs. But with Aidan's arms around her, she didn't mind any of that, because for the first time in over twelve years she was truly free. She was free, she was beautiful and she had just made love with a man for the very first time.
Julia let the tears fall.
Julia and Aidan's story dominates this book but I do have soft spot for Julia's ill-mannered, belligerent, man-hating bulldog, Spike, who provides some wonderful moments in the book. My favourite is the scene in which Aidan is determined to prove that Julia is attracted to him despite her denials and challenges her to meet him in the maze at midnight and prove that she can resist his advances. What he doesn't count on is for her to arrive with Spike in tow! What follows is a hilarious moment when Aidan suddenly takes on the unsuspecting Spike:
With a savage sound that caused Julia to jump back in alarm, Aidan moved. Within the blink of an eye, he'd taken Spike by the muzzle and hip and pushed him down onto his side in the grass and using his superior body weight, he kept the animal firmly pinned. "No," he said in a calm, firm voice. "No, Spike".
What a memorable picture that conjured up in my mind!!
My only complaint about the book is the ending seems a little too abrupt. I feel there should have been more tension before Julia finally accepts Aidan's marriage proposal given their exchanges in the previous scene. But this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book and I can forgive Ms Guhrke for any shortcomings when she gave a wonderful Happy Ever After to two people who truly deserved it.
SCANDAL OF THE YEAR is a compelling and emotionally satisfying love story with a hero and heroine who will surely capture your heart. I can highly recommend this book to all lovers of historical romance.
http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews.
January 12, 2011
I was really looking forward to reading this book, which follows Wedding of the Season, and features the straight laced Aidan, Duke of Trathen, and the carefree Julia and I am so glad that it was just as excellent, if not a bit more, than the first! The book opens with Julia finally getting her divorce from her hateful husband, Yardley. But in the process of getting it, she ends up causing yet another broken engagement and scandal for Aidan as she uses him in her desperate plan to leave her husband.
Now six months later, Aidan is entering back into the ton in hopes of finding a proper duchess and producing an heir. He keeps thinking about Julia and their afternoon together in the cottage but is only having hazy memories. When they bump into each at a ball, the sparks are still there but they both ignore them. Julia keeps up her pretense of carefreeness that she has built all around herself as a result of some horrible actions done to her from her ex husband and continues to believe that she can never be good enough for Aidan. At the same time Aidan keeps having these memories of all their past run ins, which include the first time they meet thirteen years ago, that he just can not seem to let go.
As the book unfolds and we learn more and more of both Aidan and Julias past together and Julias deep emotional scars, Aidan slowly transforms from the stuck up man and gradually loosens up a bit and when Aidan and Julia finally reconnect....so romantic, sweet, and hot. After reading the first book and seeing how Aidan was with Trix (Julias cousin) I wasn't sure how he could change enough to satisfy Julia, but Ms Guhrke seems to have done a good job. And I was surprised at how long Julia and Aidan have known each other and how they always had these lingering feelings even though they barely knew each other. There are plenty of fun moments as Julia is quite a character with everyone and her dog Spike adds some good doses of humor as well. It was really an emotional ride as you want to know what Julias secrets are and what really happened that afternoon and when she finally confides to Aidan how Yardley treated her, well, it was worth the wait. Overall, if you are in the mood for a fun, sexy, emotional (but not deep) this is a great book to check out. 4 1/2 stars
I received this ebook from netgallery.com
Now six months later, Aidan is entering back into the ton in hopes of finding a proper duchess and producing an heir. He keeps thinking about Julia and their afternoon together in the cottage but is only having hazy memories. When they bump into each at a ball, the sparks are still there but they both ignore them. Julia keeps up her pretense of carefreeness that she has built all around herself as a result of some horrible actions done to her from her ex husband and continues to believe that she can never be good enough for Aidan. At the same time Aidan keeps having these memories of all their past run ins, which include the first time they meet thirteen years ago, that he just can not seem to let go.
As the book unfolds and we learn more and more of both Aidan and Julias past together and Julias deep emotional scars, Aidan slowly transforms from the stuck up man and gradually loosens up a bit and when Aidan and Julia finally reconnect....so romantic, sweet, and hot. After reading the first book and seeing how Aidan was with Trix (Julias cousin) I wasn't sure how he could change enough to satisfy Julia, but Ms Guhrke seems to have done a good job. And I was surprised at how long Julia and Aidan have known each other and how they always had these lingering feelings even though they barely knew each other. There are plenty of fun moments as Julia is quite a character with everyone and her dog Spike adds some good doses of humor as well. It was really an emotional ride as you want to know what Julias secrets are and what really happened that afternoon and when she finally confides to Aidan how Yardley treated her, well, it was worth the wait. Overall, if you are in the mood for a fun, sexy, emotional (but not deep) this is a great book to check out. 4 1/2 stars
I received this ebook from netgallery.com
January 22, 2023
"La besó y fue como si saliera el sol, trayéndole luz, calor y un brillante resplandor, encendiéndola desde dentro, irradiando calor por todo su cuerpo".
Amé la historia de Julia y Aidan 😍, realmente no les tenía mucha fé cuando lo empecé pero OMG me sorprendió muy gratamente 🤩, su relación no tiene el mejor inicio en el libro pero una vez que fui avanzando descubrí que tienen un pasado en común que esconde una chispa de pasión 🔥 que no se apagó y fue creciendo hasta volverse incontrolable 🤭.
Julia es una mujer que muestra ante todos una fachada de persona despreocupada y liberal pero en realidad esconde un dolor inmenso por culpa de su exmarido. Y Aidan es el epítome de un "Caballero", lo amé por sus valores y nobleza de corazón 🥺. Ambos merecían un poco de felicidad y cuando surge la oportunidad de estar cerca del otro verán que la atracción entre ellos va más allá de cualquier cosa.
Me encantó cómo se conocían mutuamente y se complementaban. Una vez que están juntos me enamoraron con todo lo que se decían y me quedé con ganas de saber más de ellos pero en general los amé 😍❤️.
Amé la historia de Julia y Aidan 😍, realmente no les tenía mucha fé cuando lo empecé pero OMG me sorprendió muy gratamente 🤩, su relación no tiene el mejor inicio en el libro pero una vez que fui avanzando descubrí que tienen un pasado en común que esconde una chispa de pasión 🔥 que no se apagó y fue creciendo hasta volverse incontrolable 🤭.
Julia es una mujer que muestra ante todos una fachada de persona despreocupada y liberal pero en realidad esconde un dolor inmenso por culpa de su exmarido. Y Aidan es el epítome de un "Caballero", lo amé por sus valores y nobleza de corazón 🥺. Ambos merecían un poco de felicidad y cuando surge la oportunidad de estar cerca del otro verán que la atracción entre ellos va más allá de cualquier cosa.
Me encantó cómo se conocían mutuamente y se complementaban. Una vez que están juntos me enamoraron con todo lo que se decían y me quedé con ganas de saber más de ellos pero en general los amé 😍❤️.
July 14, 2020
I loved this book... even though it had me feeling teary eyed for practically the whole thing. I couldn’t help but feel absolutely all the feels while reading this. This is a really touching story about two people who are meant to be together being kept apart for many years. I cannot express just how much this book hurt my heart and yet also made me feel the love between the hero & heroine. The hero is my absolute favorite of recent memory. I love him and wish he was real. The heroine had to endure a lot but managed to stay strong despite all of her hardship. This book is definitely a favorite now and worth the read for any historical romance fan.
Safe with exception; this book contains rape and abuse by a spouse (off page). Heroine is also married and divorced after meeting the hero.
Safe with exception; this book contains rape and abuse by a spouse (off page). Heroine is also married and divorced after meeting the hero.
April 19, 2011
Since reading Wedding of the Season, I’ve been looking forward to the story of Aidan -- a priggish duke who gets tiddly much too easily has a lot of entertaining potential. But although those factors do play into the plot, this didn’t turn out to be the “bad girl makes the good boy loosen up” theme I was expecting. Instead it was a “good boy makes the scared bad girl open up” story, and a lovely one.
The book opens with Lady Julia Yardley being divorced by her husband, after he caught her in bed with Aiden, the Duke of Trathen. (I was a bit disappointed that the story began with the naughty stuff already in the past, but we do learn the truth about the incident through flashbacks.) Aidan is resentful of Julia, whom he believes -- correctly -- used him to force her husband to divorce her. Now he’s trying to forget “that woman” and continue with the important task of finding a Duchess. There’s just one problem: he can’t seem to stop wanting Julia.
Aidan, in this story, is not the somewhat dull character he appeared before, but a model of just about everything good: honorable, faithful, trustworthy. Perhaps we’re seeing him from Julia’s point of view, because we now learn that she deeply respects his excellent qualities, although she can’t resist teasing him for them. We also see another side of Julia: her apparent wildness is protection against a powerful fear of vulnerability.
This was an unusual romance in having a far more interesting heroine than hero. Not that Aidan isn’t charming, but the main focus of the story is on Julia; she’s a complex and intriguing character, who does some terribly dishonest and manipulative things. She's forgivable because we see her redeeming qualities, and the terrible demons that drove her.
The book has a bit of a bittersweet air, tempered by the playfulness that Guhrke draws so well between her lovers. The happy ending felt rushed to me, and even though I live for HEAs, I almost felt this one was imposed on the story by romance novel convention. But no matter; it's still a very good book.
The book opens with Lady Julia Yardley being divorced by her husband, after he caught her in bed with Aiden, the Duke of Trathen. (I was a bit disappointed that the story began with the naughty stuff already in the past, but we do learn the truth about the incident through flashbacks.) Aidan is resentful of Julia, whom he believes -- correctly -- used him to force her husband to divorce her. Now he’s trying to forget “that woman” and continue with the important task of finding a Duchess. There’s just one problem: he can’t seem to stop wanting Julia.
Aidan, in this story, is not the somewhat dull character he appeared before, but a model of just about everything good: honorable, faithful, trustworthy. Perhaps we’re seeing him from Julia’s point of view, because we now learn that she deeply respects his excellent qualities, although she can’t resist teasing him for them. We also see another side of Julia: her apparent wildness is protection against a powerful fear of vulnerability.
This was an unusual romance in having a far more interesting heroine than hero. Not that Aidan isn’t charming, but the main focus of the story is on Julia; she’s a complex and intriguing character, who does some terribly dishonest and manipulative things. She's forgivable because we see her redeeming qualities, and the terrible demons that drove her.
The book has a bit of a bittersweet air, tempered by the playfulness that Guhrke draws so well between her lovers. The happy ending felt rushed to me, and even though I live for HEAs, I almost felt this one was imposed on the story by romance novel convention. But no matter; it's still a very good book.
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