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Title: An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley ISBN: 0-8217-6724-0 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: December, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.24 (34 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Looking beneath the surface
Comment: Sigh -- so many readers latch on to one small incident and trash the whole thing because of it, and all without looking at the whole. As to the issue of abuse, Jo Beverley is known for dealing with difficult and sometimes uncomfortable (to be kind) issues. Abuse is one of the issues addressed in "An Unwilling Bride." Yes, the reader can be rightly concerned about the hero's temper and the one (count 'em, one) time Lucien backhands his wife. I am NOT justifying his behavior, but reading his reaction and all that follows, he seems to be even more upset about it than she is. Lucien is appalled at himself. It is also true that he is at times emotionally cruel to Beth early on, but it is the result of a very serious misunderstanding that she caused and a backlash from his own pain. As unpleasant as that is, it's real; people really do lash out at others when they themselves are in pain, particularly if the other person manges to add to the load. In addition, she is a virago early in their relationship, due in large part to her trying to get out of a marriage she doesn't want. Nevertheless, she is truly obnoxious at times and there is a portion of the book in which the reader may not like either character. Both are dealing with very difficult situations they feel powerless to change, and both have very strong, independent-minded personalities. Friction is inevitable. Moreover, responses that so berate Lucien fail to recognize that people are imperfect; they make mistakes. Odd how Lucien is condemned for one terrible mistake and the rest of his character, which is very fine indeed, is overlooked. At least Beth comes to realize that she started their problems (not "is responsible for his hitting her") and continued to exacerbate them. Like all relationships, both are responsible.
Did those who dubbed this book a typical Regency (or those who could not get past the one incidence of violence) actually finish the book? The message is that neither physical nor emotional abuse is acceptable. The couple must learn to deal with each other with respect, compassion, and understanding. And there is plenty of meat for the idea of equality between the sexes, too. Beverley's book takes a realistic look at the issue of spousal abuse in the Regency period (and one must keep in mind the historical context), as well as the misunderstandings and compromises necessary in a marriage between such high-spirited people, the gap between the aristocracy and lower classes, the sorrows and concerns of war, and much more. It is a deep book which, it seems, is not appreciated by all.
Jo Beverley has a gift for writing unique books. Somehow Beverley manages to deal with difficult subjects at the same time that she presents interesting twists on standard plots such that each book is new (not becoming repetitive as even other good authors are want to do) and the characters are individual and memorable. I liked Lucien a lot -- other than the anger, which is explained in everything he has to deal with at that moment (and all who know him agree that, although he has a temper, he is acting far from normal), and the time he hit her. I'm less pleased with Beth's stubborn and selfish actions that keep creating more problems for them. For example, one of her hang-ups is that he's of the aristocracy; it takes her a long time to start to get past that, in part because of her own self-righteousness and her ignorance of aristocratic duties. While she cannot be blamed for his hitting her, Beth was responsible (she herself admits it) for making a difficult situation horrid. She does, however, realize eventually that she's wrong and begins to soften and compromise. In the end, they come to appreciate each other's strengths and to become friends and lovers in the sort of marriage most intelligent people would appreciate (and violence has no part in it).
It is because of those two "flaws" and the fact that I would like to have had a little more attention to Lucien's parents (especially at the end when JB could have dealt with Lucien's evolving relationship with them) and a greater emphasis on the couple's falling in love with each other (making it clearer in actions, not just the sudden declaration, considering all that happened beforehand)...because of those things, I give it 4 stars.
It is not necessary to read the Company of Rogues series (and the companion books about the 3 Georges) in order; they are each delightful, intense stories, and all of the characters mentioned are given enough space to be understood even though they appeared in previous books. Having said that, however, reading them in order cannot help but add to the experience by allowing everything to fall into place in the correct order, since the plots as well as the characters overlap somewhat.
Short version: If you cannot get past the issue of violence, you'll hate this book. If you can delve deeper, looking at larger issues, motivations, the intricacies of character, and all the other realities of life (especially life in a given historical period) that Beverley refuses to smooth over or ignore, you'll have a wonderful read on your hands.
Rating: 3
Summary: I prefered Lucien in An arranged mariage
Comment: Basically the only reason I liked this book was because of the heroine. i usually really like the hero so this is a surprise!! I really sympathised with everything she went through. She seemed like a genuinely real character. She was such a strong and intelligent person. The only part where she annoyed me is when she forgave the slap she was dealt so easily. Lucien had no right to do that - but unlike other reviewers I don't judge the book on such a small happening. I didn't like this book because how can someone who adored his mistress more than life itself in 'An arranged marriage' suddenly just like her as a friend and not care if his friend wants her in a matter of days. That's sooooo unrealistic! Also I could never really be good friends with my husbands ex-mistress so I am in awe that our perfect heroine accomplished that. In short the book was unbelievable, annoying and quite boring at parts.
Rating: 1
Summary: Dreadful
Comment: Even leaving aside the revolting manner in which the so-called hero behaves, this book is dull in the extreme. she is a shrew, he is self-centered, and the whole thing comes to a convoluted and crashing halt at the end of the book. the author has totally lost her way on this one. Trying to set up for a new title in the series is never a good idea, and you would reall have had to read other books in the series to understand a lot of what is going on, or even like any of the characters. Her terror of his violence becomes all too real, and making excuses is not acceptable. I agree with the other reviewers that publishing houses and especially the predominantly female editors in these house should never make abuse or forced sexual ecounters the stuff for which they base their entertainment or their profits. And any author who thinks it is amusing for readers should donate her time and at least part of her profits to a women's shelter!
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Title: An Arranged Marriage by Jo Beverley ISBN: 0821764012 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: November, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Christmas Angel by Jo Beverley ISBN: 0821768433 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: October, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Dragon's Bride by Jo Beverley ISBN: 0451203585 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 08 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Something Wicked by Jo Beverley ISBN: 0451407806 Publisher: Topaz Pub. Date: July, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Devil's Heiress by Jo Beverley ISBN: 0451202546 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 07 August, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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