I'm sorry to have to say it and apparently most readers don't agree with me, but I was very disappointed by this book. I rushed out to get it before work this morning and was anticipating getting home this evening, snuggling up, and enjoying a great new read. I *never* start a book without finishing - I'm just unable to do it - but here I skimmed through about the second half of the book and will be posting it on Paperback Swap after I finish writing this review. I'm not even going to split my comments into "Pros" and "Cons," because frankly I don't know what I would put under the first section. I loved Lord Stoneville in "The School for Heiresses" series and was one of the many who thought - and hoped - that he was the mysterious benefactor "Cousin Michael" that would be revealed in Wed Him Before You Bed Him, the final book of that series. I was very happy with who it ended up being and how that book turned out, and all the more excited by the idea that Stoneville's story still lay ahead! What didn't I like exactly? 1) THE CHARACTERS --- They were not at all three-dimensional and if you're a longtime historical romance reader, many of them feel very, very familiar. You have Freddy, the clumsy can't-hold-his-tongue completely clueless side character; Maria, the innocent, pure, spitfire of a heroine who somehow instantly sees through the hero's devil-may-care facade to the lost-boy who feels guilty and only wants love; and the tortured hero who has been sleeping his way through society until he meets the woman who immediately changes his views on everything and makes him realize the burden he carries is not his fault. 2) STONEVILLE'S WICKED WAYS --- For those of us who read "The School for Heiresses" series, we're very familiar with (and dare I say fond of) Stoneville's bad-boy ways. Here, we hardly see any of that - we're *told* repeatedly what a rake and charmer he is, and everyone harps on this fact, but after meeting Maria (in the first few pages) he so quickly begins to experience the I-feel-about-a-woman-the-way-I-never-have-before phenomena that the remarkable change he is supposedly undergoing is not very remarkable at all. If you've never been introduced to his character before, you'll be left floundering, and if you have ... well Wed Him Before You Bed Him came out 6 months ago and maybe it's just me, but I've read so many other romances since then that his wicked ways are not all that fresh in my mind. 3) THE ROMANCE --- I did not find this romance at all believable because everything happens *SO* quickly! It's almost impossible (IMHO) to have a book span 1-2 weeks of time and contain a credible romance, however when it does work it's only because the characters have known each other for a lengthy time before the book starts, so although the reader is meeting them for the first time they already have a history together, whatever that history may be. Also, echoing what I wrote in another review for an equally disappointing book (Suzanne Enoch's The Care and Taming of a Rogue): "We're never really shown why he is THE ONE for her and she is THE ONE for him." I didn't understand why Maria is the first one to be able to see past Stoneville's defenses; we're told on two different occasions that he's surprised when she remarks on things that even his closest friends haven't noticed - I'm sorry, is she psychic or is everyone else just absolutely clueless? I think even Dr. Phil could have picked up on some of those clues and made those insights into Oliver's personality. Likewise, I'm not sure why Oliver is all of a sudden drawn to this one young woman when for the past two decades he's viewed the female sex as valuable for pretty much only one thing - and even that is done without any attachment, as he only has bed partners and no short- or long-term mistresses. What's so special about *her* in particular? 4) THE ROMANTIC ACTION --- Another romance-related problem I had was one I've had with a few other of Jeffries' books, the main one that comes to mind being Never Seduce a Scoundrel. After literally only 24 hours of knowing one another, Maria and Oliver are getting hot and heavy in his carriage on the ride between the investigator's office and the dress shop - they practically do everything but have sex. Going that fast is not usually something I like when reading contemporary romances, so in historicals forget it! We're supposed to be watching them fall in love, but all I really saw was a strong case for lust, which is great but definitely not why I buy romance books. "THE HELLIONS OF HALSTEAD HALL" SERIESI enjoyed the family's interactions and am hoping that the other siblings' books will be better. I'm particularly looking forward to Minerva and Celia's stories, as I think they'll be strong and unusual heroines and I'm hoping that one of them will have Jackson Pinter (the investigator) as their hero. I really liked him in Wed Him Before You Bed Him and was happy to see him again here. He seems like he would be a very interesting and definitely not run-of-the-mill hero. RECOMMENDATIONSThough it pains me to say this because I'm a Sabrina Jeffries fan, skip this book and read one (or more) of the following instead:~ By Sabrina Jeffries: Wed Him Before You Bed Him, The Pirate Lord, or In the Prince's Bed~ Fake engagements: Mary Balogh's A Summer to Remember, Slightly Sinful or At Last Comes Love; Amanda Quick's The Paid Companion ~ Where the bad-boy-turned-good is done right: Suzanne Enoch's London's Perfect Scoundrel, Always a Scoundrel, The Rake, or Taming Rafe; Gaelen Foley's Lord of Fire; Mary Jo Putney's The Rake or Thunder and Roses; Lisa Kleypas' Worth Any Price
So this week I was feeling a bit emo, partially because I am a woman and we go through spurts of being emotional, and partially because I just had a crazy week! I set out to find a cheesy romance to get lost into, and found myself diving into the world of the Hellions of Hallstead Hall with full force. This is the first time I’ve read a Sabrina Jeffries novel, even though I do have several on my shelf in that massive ever growing TBR pile. I have to say this author has made it to the top of my must read list! This book is fantastic, I loved the mystery of learning about Oliver's parents, and slowly chipping away at the man Oliver is. I fell very in love with Oliver. I have a thing for the bad boys in books, the scoundrels, and the rakes, and the boys with the bad reputations. I think it is because in real life we woman always want to change the bad boys, and in books the woman always succeed in changing them.For some reason when I read historical romances I am always picturing the leading man as Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice the movie. Don't ask me why, I've barely begun to figure it out myself! I also always picture Mr. Darcy's accent in my mind, I think I may have a thing for him. Anyhow, before you start questioning my sanity let's move on. Oliver was a great leading man, with a troubled past trying to hide from his ghost. Maria is a strong willed American in search of her missing fiancée' and along the way she lands herself in a bit of hot water.I can normally decide which character in a book is my favorite, but in this book I simply could not choose. Every character had me chuckling, and cheering them on. I enjoyed all of Oliver's crazy family, and loved Maria and her cousin. Definitely pick up a copy of this book. It was a great read, but it is for adult readers only do to sexual content.
Do You like book The Truth About Lord Stoneville (2010)?
3 ½ stars. If you’re in the mood for historical romance, it’s pretty good.It’s pleasant and enjoyable, but kind of forgettable.The characters are typical and likeable. Maria is honest with principles. Oliver is tormented by something in his past and believes he’s no good, so he acts that way. Maria sees the good in him. Grandmother Hetty has given her grandchildren an ultimatum. She’s fun to watch.DATA:Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 392 pages. Swearing language: mild including religious swear words, not often used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 5. Setting: 1806 and 1825 England. Copyright: 2010. Genre: historical romance.
—Jane Stewart
For everything I heard about this book, I wasn't expecting much from Ms. Jeffries new series. I picked it up only because it was about the rakish Lord Stoneville who had graced the previous books as the notoriously wild bachelor who I was hoping to see as Cousin Michael. The fact is, SB made Stoneville's story even better since it has a largely new cast of siblings and suitors (with future love stories), a grandmother forcing them to marry (or suffer being cut off), and an American heroine. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for the American-British pairing.Blond, buxom Maria, named after the Virgin Mary, ventures into a brothel (now what do you say about Irony) with only her cousin to protect her as she searches for a lead on her missing fiance. Lo and behold, she meets our shameless hero, Oliver (it's not often you find a HR hero named 'Oliver', kinda reminded me of Oliver Wood *drool) who proposes to have her pose as his fiancee to convince his grandmother to cease her new stipulations to marry off her grandchildren within the year. In return, he would help her find her missing fiance.When you really think about the situation, especially from Maria's side, Oliver is hardly complimentary toward her person as he parades her to his grandmother, it all seems so unlikely and just plain crazy that they would end up together. But I guess that was the point. Stoneville was thought to NEVER marry, and he gets up and affiances with an unknown American.Stoneville's past is a bit melodramatic and the self-loathing is a little over the top, and Mr. Hyatt's character is very cliche, but I still enjoyed it, possibly for the very reason. SJ just never takes her stories too seriously and lets us just enjoy the fantasy and humor she creates.The future pairings are already clear for the girls, though I am pretty sure the Halstead boys will meet their one true love soon enough. I really enjoyed this but it's a book that should be enjoyed for its melodrama. I loved the cast and pairing, however unlikely, and I cannot wait until the next books.
—Nisha
The first book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall by Sabrina Jeffries. Likable characters and a fun read. Gran has decided her grandchildren need to marry and gives them one year to do so or they will be disinherited. In an attempt to change her mind, Oliver decides to look for his "bride" at a brothel. Maria has come to England to look for her fiance who has disappeared. Her and her cousin, Freddie, end up at a brothel where they followed a lead to. Oliver persuades Maria to pretend to be his fiance and he will asists her in locating her real one. But he didn't count on one thing.... Love. I loved Freddie and thought he was adorable.
—Pamela(AllHoney)
