What a Woman Needs

other reviewers have pretty much summed up the storyline, so I'll just add a few points. The hero and heroine of this book are not your usual duo. They are older (30's), they have scandal in their past, and they are both fairly "damaged" people. The author was able to weave a highly sensuous, though heartfelt love story from these two flawed people. The love scenes are refreshing as while they are unapologetically explicit, they are also tender, and are a touch stone for both characters previous failures in life. That they were both used and used others via sex in the past but realize how beautiful, and hot!, sex with the person you love can truly be. The love scenes are scorching and not for the faint of heart:) As to it's flaws-they are few, and in my opinion, not to detracting from the storyline. I do agree with the other reviewers-the treasure hunt at the end seemed unnecessary at first, but it did help to "tidy up" some loose strings at the end. A few characters were also added in the last half of the story, that were not needed, though it seems that the author may use these characters in future books. All in all, a fresh, highly sensuous Historical that I do recommend. 4.5 stars.

From page one the characters in this charming book reached out and grabbed me. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. This book had everything you need to create a good romance: a dashing hero, a beautiful feisty heroine, something that always seems to interfere with the hero and heroine, and, most of all...PASSION! The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. A fast paced book with an intricate plot that I cannot help but enjoy. What a Woman Needs has a strong (but not obnoxious) heroine who is in no way ordinary, a back story which is compelling but doesn't get in the way of the love story, and of course a wonderful hero. Both the hero and the heroine have secrets of their own, which are slowly brought to light by the author, like layers being peeled from a (very good) onion.... It was written with an amazing level of intensity and feeling that my heart was pumping furiously with the palatable passion and keen scents of danger in the story. The relationship between the leads is endearing. The secondary characters are enjoyable as well. I found the characters to be multi-dimensional and the author weaves a mystery into the story without slowing it down or interrupting the romantic flow. The interaction between the leads was great. They really enjoyed smarting off to each other because they did not like a lot about each other in the beginning. But their disagreements were often very funny. This book is sharp and fast-moving. Filled with Lovable and exciting characters. This was a very entertaining book. This book was a pleasure to read and I couldn't put it down until it was finished. Filled with Lovable characters, exciting and not too heavy mystery twists. I positively devoured this book. :-) This book is a gem. Caroline Linden has found a perfect match for the notorious Stuart Drake with feisty Charlotte Griffolino. They are well matched in temperament, intelligence and in their unhappy childhood. It was an interesting. There is enough conflict to make the story line interesting and not so much that your left wondering why they ever got together.

I have to admit that the book slowed down slightly in the middle of the story, but I enjoyed this book very much in spite of that. I have to admit that I fell in love with Stuart also. What a dream. Even though he didn't have any money he was quite masterful. Linden could have portrayed him as weak but for the good of the story, she didn't and therefore I was glued til the end. He made the story for me. The heroine,Charlotte was an interesting character with a not so savory past and credible enough for me to be able to feel for her plights. There was just enough spice to the story to keep me interested. Great debut !

Stuart Drake needs an heiress. Decades from securing his title and ancestral properties, Stuart has bought a nice little estate--but now his father has cut off his income and Stuart stands to lose everything--unless he can find an heiress and marry her. Fortunately, there are plenty of heiresses around and Susan Tratter seems like an ideal candidate. Admittedly he doesn't love her, but she seems infatuated with him and she's pleasant enough, and rich. That is a better basis than most marriages. There's only the simple matter of persuading Susan's aunt. Charlotte Griffolino, Susan's young aunt, knows fortune-seekers too well. She recognizes Stuart's game immediately and will do whatever it takes to protect her niece. What it takes starts with ruining his reputation by repeating London gossip and, when Stuart breaks into her home in an attempt to recover his engagement ring, Charlotte repeats the favor. From there, things get sexy in a hurry. But there's something else going on--someone has tracked Charlotte to England, is rifling through her things, and absconds with Susan. Now Charlotte has no one to turn to except Stuart--the man she did everything to destroy. Author Caroline Linden starts sexy, with a bondage scene, but really hits her stride when the intrigue portion of the book kicks in. The with Charlotte and Stuart working together to solve the mystery of Susan's disappearance really work, as does Charlotte's decision to risk her reputation and have an affair with Stuart. Stuart makes a great tortured hero and Caroline is a woman with a very definite past. Fans of Amanda Quick will definitely want to get their hands on this sexy regency-era historical/adventure.

If you like the large regency romances(a la Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, etc.), this one's for you! Even if you're a romance reader but are repulsed by the regency genre, this one's still for you! I don't care for reviews that summarize the plot but let me just say it's about a rogue who's looking to marry a fortune and an aunt who's out to protect her niece from just such a rogue. Great characterization of two mature (in their 30s!) individuals who are not what they seem. Wonderful dialogue. And not a contrived plot device to be seen. What a refreshing change in the typical paperback regency! I took a chance on an unknown author and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing. Do yourself a favor and buy this book!