Not really A Romance

I did not like the story. The heroine is raped by the twin brother of the hero ( who she marries). Everytime she has to encounter the brother , I felt a little creeped out..she has so much contact with the man that raped her. I could not do it.
The other problem is that the author has the heroine get pregnant, but no one knows which brother is the father. I have two brothers and neither one would be okay with this kind of situation. I just get a weird feeling in my stomach at the thought of never knowing who is my child's real father ( a little too much like a Jerry Springer episode).
The H/H don't really spend much time together. Most of what the heroine knows about the hero is told to her from other people. The hero when they are together, is not romantic or loving by word or deed.
The heroine seems to just love him for no reason...even though he lies, cheats and leaves her. The heroine is such a doormat I can't have any concern for her, so am not invested in what happens to her. this makes liking this book impossible.
I wish the author had an idea of what romance is before writing another book...but it's not this!

11 people found this helpful

It was okay

At first Eleanor was about as annoying as they come. She whined about everything and went from elated to suicidal over a look from Nicholas.

I considered bailing on the story, but stuck it out. It WAS a bit of a complicated plot for not really any reason, but isn't that true of many books? I think perhaps it was partially related to the time period the book was set in, when it seems to me many things that were fussed over were trivial.

I finished it yesterday and noticed myself missing them today. Jill Tanner did a great job of narrating.

8 people found this helpful

Definitely not my favorite audio book!

I became so annoyed with the whole story that I was unable to finish it by Part 3. It was a very strange and complicated plot for no reason at all. I could not relate to any of the characters, especially the main ones: Eleanor and Nicholas. The way they reacted to situations was often ridiculous. In addition, sometimes the book was confusing and I would have to re-listen to sections before moving forward. It was too tiresome! Not worth it.

8 people found this helpful

Do not read!

1st chapter main character is more or less raped by future love interest. Both are drugged, but not something I am looking for in romance novel.

2 people found this helpful

Not your typical romance!

Vikki’s Musings

I have been a huge fan of Jo Beverley’s for many years. Recently as you are aware, I have gotten into audio books. While I read An Arranged Marriage quite a few years ago, I decided I want to revisit the Company of Rogues series and what better way to start than with the first one. I vaguely remembered the characters, but none of the details of the plot. I’m so glad I listened to this astonishing book!

Ms. Beverley has taken quite a few liberties that as a newbie writer, I’ve been told are big no-nos. Firstly, the heroine is raped in the opening scene, but Ms. Beverley handles this so well that she immediately captured my attention and held it throughout the book. It is a horrendous scene and the rapist is doing it under extreme duress. He is actually the hero’s brother, a man in fear of his very life if the truth ever came out that he preferred men. As you can see, very compelling and riveting!

Secondly, the hero commits adultery, another issue that is frowned upon. Again, Ms. Beverley makes it such an essential part of the story that she has my heart aching for Nicholas and what he has to endure at the hands of the very evil French courtesan, who is suspected of trying to put Bonaparte back in power. Not only does he have to commit adultery, he falls desperately in love with Eleanor, the woman he felt obligated to marry to get his brother out of his troubles. Again, a horrid circumstance that moved me to tears on several occasions.

This is not a story for the faint of heart. It’s messy and emotionally- charged throughout the entire book. Poor Eleanor’s situation is truly heart-wrenching from the first page until the very end. At times, I even wondered if this couple would have a happy ending, but a las it is romance and dear Eleanor and Nicholas do have their “happily ever after”, one that is well deserved. They had to walk through fire to get it!

If you enjoy a story that will tear at your heart and have you sitting on the edge of your seat, then I highly recommend this fantastic book. Just remember you have been warned it is not a heart and flowers kind of tale. Of course, Ms. Beverley’s novel rarely are. Happy reading!

2 people found this helpful

Disgusting premise

Cavalier treatment of rape and infidelity with constant angst created by victimizing series of events. Didn't bother finishing book.

1 person found this helpful

Twisted

She's drugged by her brother so that a creep can rape her. Then she's raped and all she says is, "Please." As if "no" was harder. Then she marries his twin who treats her like a piece of furniture and cheats on her. Oh, and despite that he does nothing at all she loves him. So stupid.

1 person found this helpful

A whole lot of dribble

Would you try another book from Jo Beverley and/or Jill Tanner?

Maybe

What do you think your next listen will be?

paranormal

What didn’t you like about Jill Tanner’s performance?

Her character voices and intonation were good but some pauses in narration were too long.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

The story was too predictable.

1 person found this helpful

Disappointing ending-

I made myself finish listening till the end cause I wanted to know how the female protagonist would react to finding out how and why she was raped by her husband’s twin but like many of the incidents in the book, no explanations given.

Really enjoyed

Not your hearts and roses romance. At least not in the beginning. Lots of growth and an emotional ride. I really enjoyed the story. Narration was good just a few awkward pauses here and there, but she did a good job telling thus story.