re-read May 23, 2014. This book was terrible. Some kind of Stockholm situation. I cannot believe I gave it four stars. ( )

I feel like the hero really was an @sshole, and the heroine was pretty dense for sticking it out with him regardless. I can still root for a hero who's maybe 70% @sshole, but this one seemed more like 97%. There really wasn't much to redeem him, just the barest minimum of decency. And the reasoning for his revenge always rang kind of weak, so it was hard to make a case that any of that bad behavior was really justified, (even if you go in for the idea of seeking revenge against someone by hurting a completely innocent other person who they love... which is already a questionable tactic). Sometimes a character is kinda sociopathic and you can tell they just don't entirely understand other humans and why what they're doing is considered wrong. I actually find that sort easier to make allowances for. This hero though doesn't have that as an excuse though. He just feels entirely justified to do whatever villainy he pleases because he blames someone for something bad that happened. I was unimpressed.

I was entertained by the story though I suppose. And the secondary couple I actually quite liked. So I'll even it out and call it 3 stars. ( )

This book is a hot mess. Mentioned in reviews of previous books in the series, this series has a quirky Shakespearean quality to it. In this novel, Stuart actually calls it out by having our heroine make fun of the hero for being a second-rate Shakespearean villain. Lucien wants to get revenge on the Rohan family and thinks he can do that by marrying Miranda Rohan and making the girl's life miserable. Lucien is very hot. He is dark and mysterious, powerful and wounded, and so fucking broody. He has a charming sense of humor and almost zero fucks to give. He reminded me a lot of Jean-Claude in the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Miranda is a boss bitch. She was "ruined" at a very young age and she's making the most of her spinster-lite life. She thinks she's found a friend in Lucien but fairly quickly realizes he wants to make her life miserable. So she does her best to play his game and she's much better at it.

These two are a couple of idiots, both trying their hardest to make each other miserable, all while its pretty obvious that they're in love. In a way, this is both an enemies to lovers story and a friends to lovers story. If you've read Shadows at Sunset by Anne Stuart, then the setup has a similar sort of vibe.

What didn't work for me was the B-plot romance. This entire series has them and this series has made me realize how much I hate romance novels with two romances getting play time. Miranda's friend Jane is falling in love and I did not care. I skimmed/skipped most of these chapters.

Also, like in other books in this series, Stuart is playing around with dubious consent in a way that doesn't feel very intentional. Miranda was kidnapped and raped as a teen. That's what "ruined" her. Her next relationship is with Lucien and though he talks a lot about the difference between rape and sex, Miranda never enthusiastically consents to sex. She wants him, she's wet for him. But given their situation, it didn't feel like enough for me. Lucien is very much giving off "I know you want this" vibes and when all of a woman's prior sexual experiences were completely nonconsensual, I think enthusiastic consent is even more important. "Enthusiastic consent" is a newer concept in the sexual assault space though. Not sure if Stuart would have known about it and am sure that Lucien wouldn't have during this time period. So it was easy for me to let go of, but I could see where it'd be a much bigger deal for other readers. ( )

If you like twisted, evil heroes, then Lucien de Malheur is for you (full disclosure: I love Lucien). He's determined to seek revenge on the Rohan family for what happened to his sister and plans to use Miranda Rohan as the instrument for that reprisal. Miranda is a resilient young lady. She was ruined by a cad and has lost her place in society, but makes the best of it. But she's lonely, and when Lucien throws out his lures, well, you can just imagine (or read the book).
I really love this series. Ms. Stuart has written a wonderful set of characters here, and what would you expect with the parents they had if you read Reckless, the second book of the series. Jane, part of the secondary romance, was a quiet counterpoint to Miranda, but her love story makes a lovely contrast to the wildness of Lucien and Miranda. Lucien is the man you love to hate and I loved how Miranda stood up to him and brought out the best in him but didn't change his character too much.
Oh, and the Lake district setting! In my opinion, Cumbria doesn't get used enough in historical romances and it should with the wild loveliness of the peaks and water. I can't wait to keep going in this series and see what Ms. Stuart has ready for me next. ( )

This one is my least favorite of the series.

Everything was predictable -- would not recommend ( )