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Average Customer Rating:

Romanticizes an abusive relationship

Customer Rating:

Romance readers will probably hate this review, but I hope you at least think my point over rather than just ignoring it. This book is a historical romance of the "beauty tames the beast" variety. As in, Robin verbally abuses Anne and physically abuses his brothers and one of his sisters, but he falls for Anne's beauty. Anne hates Robin because of his treatment of her, but she refuses all other suitors (including a very nice fellow) because "[Robin] is so beautiful!" Robin deliberately ruins Anne's reputation knowing his actions will mean no one else will marry her (even though "nothing happened" between them), yet he doesn't intend to ask her to marry him. Because of this action, though, they're forced at swordpoint to marry. I'm afraid this isn't what I'd call "romance," even though Robin apologizes in the end. It's abuse, plain and simple. I'd hate for women read this and fantasize that if they just stick with an abusive relationship in real life, they can reform the fellow. Genre Reviews [...]

Irritating leads and story is too long

Customer Rating:

I almost don't know where to begin with this review. Firstly the book is entirely too long by at least 150 pages, secondly it is well written, thirdly the leads are tiresome and fourthly some of the secondary characters are truly irritating. Robin de Piaget is a world weary gruff knight who decides to go back to his keep and his awaiting family after a five year absence. He longs to see Anne who grew up in his parent's home as a foster daughter. She was in a terrible accident as a child and suffers from a crippled leg. Robin has always loved Anne but has never offered for her. Anne has always loved Robin and prays for his return so when he comes back home does she give him a great big hug? No, Anne berates him horribly for assisting her when she almost falls down in the chapel. She is churlish and rude and wonders why Robin is not overly interested in spending time with her. Anne and Robin never have a civil conversation until about 200 pages into the book. They are constantly at odds with his demanding ways and her surly comments. Someone is intent on killing Anne which puts Robin in the role of protector; Anne is not happy about this situation and even declares she would rather be dead than have to suffer Robin's company. This is true love? Robins' family is large and they are interfering. His brother Nick wants to woo Anne and he is annoying in his attentions. I wasn't sure if Nick liked Anne or just wanted to get on his brother's last nerve. The brothers broke into fist fights several times in this novel, their actions were juvenile. His sister Amanda is petulant. However, Robin's parents seem to be kind hearted. There is very little physical romance in this novel, I guess that's okay as long as you feel that these leads actually love and like each other. I didn't feel that happened until almost the end of the novel. The sexual tension is practically non existent. The only time these two show any passion is when Robin is ordering others about or when Anne is cursing Robin or telling him how much she wants him gone from his own home.

Too long but enjoyable. Not sorry I read it.

Customer Rating:

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It could have been shorter by having less misunderstandings between Anne and Robin. There was no need whatsoever to compromise Anne's reputation by Robin's guarding Anne alone in his father's bedchamber to save her from murder. One of his sisters could have stayed with Anne while he was in the room. I was also a little disappointed in the wrapping up at the end. I enjoyed Robin's attempts at wooing Anne. I really didn't understand Edith's plans to get Artane. How could Robin's death have resulted in her getting Artane? She was hardly next in line to inherit it. Either it wasn't explained or I missed that part.

A wonderful tale

Customer Rating:

Lynn Kurland is an instant buy for me. Her stories are great and her characters are well drawn out that you experience all their trials and tribulations, despite her lack of proper love scenes. If she had included at least one love scene, I would have felt more connected with the H/H and this would have been a perfect story. That aside, I enjoyed this story and found the secondary characters to be very interesting, especially Nicholas. The hilarious scenes of sibling rivalry was entertaining and you feel the warmth and love amongst them. Loved how their teasing always resulted in a free-for-all fight. And really enjoyed the match-making interference of their grandmother. A great lady, that. Especially loved the scene when she did a makeover for Robin to send him wooing his lady-love. It was a lol moment. This is Robin and Anne's story. Robin, is a great warrior and a wonderful hero whose unskilled and awkward attempts in winning Anne is endearing. An extremely warm and entertaining story. Highly recommend this read, if you want a sweet love story.

disappointing ending...	Customer Rating:
I found this book very entertaining until the last quarter of the book. It became dull and uninteresting. I went from not being able to put it down, to barely making it to the end.