I don't give many one star reviews. When I do, it means the book hit me wrong on many levels.I found the writing style irritating. Technically, it was correct grammatically. Her descriptions however rubbed me wrong. Eye-rolling wrong.The heroine was a totally brat. While I understand that she was a teenager acting out for percieved slights from her neglectful father, she took it out on the world. She insulted others for no fault of their own and felt self-righteous about it. I disliked her immensely.The hero was just as bad. He decided to give her a comeuppance that included making her want him sexually. He was not nice, but he must have magic dimples.They fought all the time, then when they had sex, suddenly they are in love. I waited for the 'reveal' where he finally understands the motivations behind her acting out, but it didn't happen. So I kept reading, past the point I wanted to stop because I hoped the wrap-up was sweet and would make up for all the fighting. But no. He is cold and pridefully hurt, she is reduced to broken sobbing tears, he is moved by the tears, forgives her, and oh let's go have sex... ew ew ew.Hence the one star. This is the second book in the Elusive Lords series, and is Lord Thomas Armstrong and Lady Amelia Bertram's story. The tension between the two of them is palpable, even if they are initially unaware, and call it dislike/hatred. Amelia thinks Thomas is a rake and just out to get one thing, and Thomas thinks Amelia is a spoiled little brat. When Amelia derides Thomas's sensual skills at a ball for everyone to hear, Thomas decides it's time to teach her a lesson. With Amelia's father gone to the colonies to establish a business venture, he leaves Amelia with Thomas and tells him to keep an eye on her.This book is a 4.5/5 for me. It was interesting to see Thomas and Amelia come to the realization that what they felt for each other was on the opposite side of the spectrum of dislike/hate, and their rationalization for their dislike to be discredited. The only detail I thought could have been explained better is about Thomas's past interaction with Duchess Louisa. We the reader are told about the back history there and how Thomas feels about it, but it's not really discussed between Amelia and Thomas.Beverley Kendall has currently self published the third book in the series, An Heir of Deception, and is currently writing full time and running the romance reviewing website, theseasonforromance.com
What do You think about Désir Ardent (2014)?
Loved this book. I enjoyed the story and didnt want to put it down!
—Soccer13
Why wasn't there an epilogue!!! end was too abrupt:(
—Static_Pulse
