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jackiehorne's review
3.0
A mixed bag, with Milan's story clearly head and shoulders above the other two. Amusing to see the backstory of a minor character from one of Milan's longer works. Balogh's usual sweetness, nothing very interesting. I didn't finish the Cornick story -- writing wasn't engaging at all.
tsukikomew's review
3.0
I have recently discovered Courtney Milan with "Unveiled" and I fell in love with the Turner Series. I started looking into Ms. Milan's books at the library and discovered something a little sad. We only carry three of her books! I cannot finish the Turner series through the library or the Carhart Series. I cannot even begin the Brothers Sinister (only e-book format available). As sad as that made me I put a little of my book fund towards the third book in the Turner series since I can get book two at the library.
Then an interesting thing happened. We have this thing called the "Book Nook" where people can buy donated books or books weeded from the collection. I stumbled upon "Proof of Seduction" by Courtney Milan and immediately started googling. I do not like to read books out of order so I ordered the first book through the library system (thank goodness they had it).
The first book in the anthology by Ms. Balogh left a little to be desired. I did not really care for Julian or Verity/Blanche. Julian was a bored/spoiled-rotten brat who thought he should have a lover's weekend with an actress. He took her to the cabin thinking only of himself before realizing she was a virgin. Then she was a bit hands-off because while he could totally be cool with paying a woman for sex, de-flowering virgins was out. Of course one roll in the sack ruined him for all other women. It seemed a bit...ridiculous to say the least.
The second book in the anthology was Ms. Cornick's contribution. I didn't care much for that one either. It's a little unfortunate since I love the basic story. The woman wants the older man to help her avoid rakes. He's a known rake and therefore the perfect instructor. It doesn't hurt she has a thing for him. Of course he has baggage. I just got a little tired of his issues and in the end lost most of my interest.
The third book redeemed it a bit (Ms. Milan's contribution). William decides to pay a debt for Lavinia in exchange for one night of passion. What dragged it down for me was the long chunks of pages devoted to William's guilt. He was so guilty over everything and a bit stupid about loving Lavinia. Of course magical success happens which allows Lavinia and William to marry but by then I was basically done with the story.
I'm not sure if it was a mood issue or if these novellas were just sub-par but I didn't care much for any of them. To make up for it I switched to reading contemporaries for a week just to see if it was romance novels I was getting tired of or if it was just a book I did not like. Of course I managed to squeeze in one more historical because I became slightly obsessed with it (review coming tomorrow).
3 Stars
Published by Harlequin
October 1, 2009
Borrowed from the Library
lilasbooknook's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
suzannalundale's review
4.0
A nice selection, including some plot lines from the less common string of players, which was welcome. Almack's is all well and good, but sometimes it's nice to pop in on an intimate gathering at a hunting lodge, or a London lending library run and patronized by people of modest means.
joanav's review
3.0
este livro é composto por vários contos natalícios, sendo que para mim o primeiro foi o melhor é merecia 4* mas os outros foram todos muito fraquinhos.
menrk's review
3.0
Just keeping my personal tradition of reading a select regency romance collection every year. A nice read to greet 2012's Christmas morning with. :)
bannisterb's review
2.0
Milan's This Wicked Gift was alright, but the other two were dull and reminded me of how picky I am with romance novels. They had promising plots or characters, but either devolved into babies-make-everyone-melt stories or I just didn't care enough. I liked that This Wicked Gift was a prequel to the Carhart series. I like how she sets up her series that way.
ccgwalt's review
4.0
This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan
I didn't read the other two stories so this rating is for the Milan story alone. It's well written and has a different feel than most run-of-the-mill historical romances. I liked that it didn't involved a titled gentleman, but instead both main characters are involved in trade. Very entertaining.
I didn't read the other two stories so this rating is for the Milan story alone. It's well written and has a different feel than most run-of-the-mill historical romances. I liked that it didn't involved a titled gentleman, but instead both main characters are involved in trade. Very entertaining.