To Love an Earl

I really enjoyed this book. You had to headstrong, passionate people trying to get their own way and that, to me, make for a great story. Deirdre Fenton first passionate encounter with Gareth ended in heartache and they both parted ways. Dee went on to raise her rakehell brother Armand and Gareth went to war. They meet again the animosity hasn't changed. Nor had the feelings. Gareth never made it a point to hide his feelings from Dee but Dee, still reeling from her own parents failed marriage, buried hers in bitterness and fear. I loved Gareth determination. It may seem stalkery to some but I saw it as a man going after what he wanted. Dee was am immovable force and needed to bend in order to be happy. Dee's devotion to her brother, while understandable, was at times annoying. Sometimes, I found myself wanting to shake her and scream "Let the man be a MAN!!" This was a very good read and I recommend it to anyone.

She said no. She said no, No, NO! She left the country to get away from him not once but twice. But he was a big tough military officer with connections and special skills, and she was just a country maid. She had no chance. He used all his skills against her. He had her followed. He bankrupted her farm. He cheated at cards to ruin her brother. He lied to her. He manipulated her. He coerced her. He used other women to make her jealous. He raped her. He blackmailed her into marrying him, and then he bullied her and threatened to beat her. He terrorized her! So why did I give the book 4 stars? Because the book has value. It was well written, and it gives you something. Maybe it is an understanding of the sick, co-dependent relationship of one of your girlfriends that you just can't understand what she sees in that man. Or maybe a kind of relief that as bad as your personal relationships are, at least you escaped the trap this poor woman found herself in. I can't believe this book ends with a happily ever after. It ends with a sort of truce between the two protagonists, but I can't believe the future will be that good for them. Their relationship is unhealthy. It's based on brutality and mistrust, and who knows what little thing in the future will set him off and he really will beat her. Regardless, the story was worth telling, even if it is frustrating and upsetting. I found the book to be a real page turner, even though I hate that guy. Not exactly light reading, but I'm not sorry I read it.

This was one of the first Thornton books I read. I love the characters. Although the Earl's actions seem extreme, they demonstrate how much he desires her, some may even see it as an obsession. He is a very passionate man who wants what he wants. She is a woman who hasn't had time to figure out what she wants because she's been to busy raising her brother. It makes perfect sense that the Earl has to be extreme in order to get through to her since she is so focused on her brother, the only person who has been a lovely part of her life.

I don't know what the fuss is about, it is not rocket science and all about reading something that entertains you. This certainly caught my attention and kept it there until the very last page.