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kelswid's review
4.0
I wish the male lead had been a bit more interesting, but I loved Anna and the plot really kept me hooked. Will definitely be reading more Lavinia Kent!
katelynne's review
4.0
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
I really enjoyed this book. The writing and the characters were wonderful. The plot was a little dramatic, but still (somewhat) believable and was carried out well.
But I cannot say enough about the characters. Anna and Struthers are two of the best-written characters I have found in a romance novel - or any novel, really. I was really surprised by how real they seemed. Neither was too perfect or too flawed or too one-dimensional. They were fantastic characters and Ms. Kent really knows how to show her characters interacting in realistic ways. Their courtship - that incidentally takes place after their marriage - was appropriate for their personalities.
The writing, as I said earlier, was superb. The only problem I had was with the plot, which was simply too dramatic for me, but it was carried out well, without turning into an even more dramatic scene (which it easily could have).
I have never read any of Ms. Kent's books before, but this one has me convinced that I need to change that!
I really enjoyed this book. The writing and the characters were wonderful. The plot was a little dramatic, but still (somewhat) believable and was carried out well.
But I cannot say enough about the characters. Anna and Struthers are two of the best-written characters I have found in a romance novel - or any novel, really. I was really surprised by how real they seemed. Neither was too perfect or too flawed or too one-dimensional. They were fantastic characters and Ms. Kent really knows how to show her characters interacting in realistic ways. Their courtship - that incidentally takes place after their marriage - was appropriate for their personalities.
The writing, as I said earlier, was superb. The only problem I had was with the plot, which was simply too dramatic for me, but it was carried out well, without turning into an even more dramatic scene (which it easily could have).
I have never read any of Ms. Kent's books before, but this one has me convinced that I need to change that!
chrisistrangerthanu's review
3.0
I liked this book on this re-read, I liked Anna, and I enjoyed the more serious discussion on gender inequality too. However, the hero was a bit of an ass.
jkh107's review
3.0
More of a companion book to _Bound by Temptation_ this book actually shares scenes with that book a la Jo Goodman's Compass Club books which I think is kind of neat. An independent single heiress, attempting to protect her sister, is caught in a compromising position and societal pressure is brought to make her marry the man, whom she has known since childhood. She has reasons of her own for needing a husband; her American cousins are after her wealth and are willing to declare her insane if needs be. Like all of Kent's books, _Taken by Desire_ explores the choices available to--and the social/legal limitations of -- women in the Regency milieu, even privileged ones (widows, and the independently wealthy).
I've enjoyed Lavinia Kent's books; although they have their flaws, they feature independent, sexy (and only occasionally stupid) heroines who value family and friendship, and attempt to assert what power they can as women--which disappointingly often, is sexual power over men.
I've enjoyed Lavinia Kent's books; although they have their flaws, they feature independent, sexy (and only occasionally stupid) heroines who value family and friendship, and attempt to assert what power they can as women--which disappointingly often, is sexual power over men.
georgiewhoissarahdrew's review
4.0
Upped this to 4 stars on re-reading it.
Two strong characters and some great dialogue make this one of Kent's winners. I liked the fact that the heroine in particular was not a standard-issue virgin - it's rare to find an unmarried woman in Regency times who has willingly slept with a number of lovers. She has her own set of ethics and moral standards and much of the book is about how the hero slowly learns to appreciate these. Their relationship is a balanced one - he's not a bully, she's not a simpering miss - and part of the satisfaction of the book is how their emotional balance is mirrored by a more social equality too.
There were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. (1) Anna is accepted by society, even though she's had lovers. I found that implausible. (2) She's got enormous strength of character, but the plot is founded on the premise thatshe won't be able to prove herself sane. Yet she hasn't taken any steps to counter the threat, other than the fairly extreme one of marrying Struthers, and she sees herself as completely helpless . This doesn't jell with her other actions. (3) The subplot involving Anna's sister is ill-formed, and isn't properly developed - though the relationship with her father in particular offered a promising line.
Overall, definitely worth reading, and I will look out others by [a:Lavinia Kent|2907092|Lavinia Kent|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1306271020p2/2907092.jpg].
Two strong characters and some great dialogue make this one of Kent's winners. I liked the fact that the heroine in particular was not a standard-issue virgin - it's rare to find an unmarried woman in Regency times who has willingly slept with a number of lovers. She has her own set of ethics and moral standards and much of the book is about how the hero slowly learns to appreciate these. Their relationship is a balanced one - he's not a bully, she's not a simpering miss - and part of the satisfaction of the book is how their emotional balance is mirrored by a more social equality too.
There were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. (1) Anna is accepted by society, even though she's had lovers. I found that implausible. (2) She's got enormous strength of character, but the plot is founded on the premise that
Overall, definitely worth reading, and I will look out others by [a:Lavinia Kent|2907092|Lavinia Kent|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1306271020p2/2907092.jpg].
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