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Linda 's Reviews > Knaves' Wager
Knaves' Wager
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Linda 's review
bookshelves: heroine-has-low-self-esteem, heroine-was-married-before, rogues-rakes-and-black-sheep, wagers-and-gambling, 1800s-period-of-history, regency-romance, hero-is-jealous, he-s-the-glitter-she-s-the-glue, historical-romance, villains-blackguards-scamps-rasc, heroine-had-troubled-childhood, second-chances, opposites-attract, editing-issues-beware, deliciously-entertaining
Nov 05, 2013
bookshelves: heroine-has-low-self-esteem, heroine-was-married-before, rogues-rakes-and-black-sheep, wagers-and-gambling, 1800s-period-of-history, regency-romance, hero-is-jealous, he-s-the-glitter-she-s-the-glue, historical-romance, villains-blackguards-scamps-rasc, heroine-had-troubled-childhood, second-chances, opposites-attract, editing-issues-beware, deliciously-entertaining
4.5 stars
Lilith Davenant, a widow at 28 years of age, is thought to be an ice queen. Appearing emotionless, no one is aware of her unhappy past. "According to some wags, Mrs. Davenant bore such a stunning resemblance to a marble statue that it was a wonder she had a pulse."
At the opening of KNAVES' WAGER, Lilith is slowly running out of monies to live on. Her deceased husband left her in debt and she had been using what she had to fund her nieces' seasons. Lilith first met Julian, the Marquess of Brandon, when she tended to him after an accident. Unaware of who he is, they part soon afterward.
Julian was a bored, spoiled scoundrel. Rich and good-looking, he lived to enjoy himself no matter how it affected others. His saving grace is that he had a kind heart toward his cousin, Lord Robert. Julian wagered with his cousin's mistress that he could seduce Lilith and he had his reasons for doing this.
Lilith learned that the man she saved is none other than the person who led her husband on days and nights of 'debauchery'. And he is the person she is in debt to. She despised him.
The story was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. There are several plots with secondary characters that helped to drive this romance. Julian's and Lilith's relationship starts out slow but it continued to grow. Julian recognized in Lilith the woman she hid: a lady who was interesting, funny and sensuous.
KNAVES' WAGER contained some delicious word-play. And Julian finally earned his 'just reward': he fell in love. Not quite five stars, the hardback edition I read had numerous grammatical mistakes. I borrowed it from the public library and I thought it was just me until I saw that some previous readers performed a no-no: they corrected errors in the book. At least it wasn't just me! Still, this was a lovely romance and if I could find a copy I would keep it.
Lilith Davenant, a widow at 28 years of age, is thought to be an ice queen. Appearing emotionless, no one is aware of her unhappy past. "According to some wags, Mrs. Davenant bore such a stunning resemblance to a marble statue that it was a wonder she had a pulse."
At the opening of KNAVES' WAGER, Lilith is slowly running out of monies to live on. Her deceased husband left her in debt and she had been using what she had to fund her nieces' seasons. Lilith first met Julian, the Marquess of Brandon, when she tended to him after an accident. Unaware of who he is, they part soon afterward.
Julian was a bored, spoiled scoundrel. Rich and good-looking, he lived to enjoy himself no matter how it affected others. His saving grace is that he had a kind heart toward his cousin, Lord Robert. Julian wagered with his cousin's mistress that he could seduce Lilith and he had his reasons for doing this.
Lilith learned that the man she saved is none other than the person who led her husband on days and nights of 'debauchery'. And he is the person she is in debt to. She despised him.
The story was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. There are several plots with secondary characters that helped to drive this romance. Julian's and Lilith's relationship starts out slow but it continued to grow. Julian recognized in Lilith the woman she hid: a lady who was interesting, funny and sensuous.
KNAVES' WAGER contained some delicious word-play. And Julian finally earned his 'just reward': he fell in love. Not quite five stars, the hardback edition I read had numerous grammatical mistakes. I borrowed it from the public library and I thought it was just me until I saw that some previous readers performed a no-no: they corrected errors in the book. At least it wasn't just me! Still, this was a lovely romance and if I could find a copy I would keep it.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
November 1, 2013
–
Finished Reading
November 5, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 5, 2013
– Shelved
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
heroine-has-low-self-esteem
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
heroine-was-married-before
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
rogues-rakes-and-black-sheep
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
wagers-and-gambling
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
1800s-period-of-history
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
regency-romance
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
hero-is-jealous
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
he-s-the-glitter-she-s-the-glue
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
historical-romance
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
villains-blackguards-scamps-rasc
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
heroine-had-troubled-childhood
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
second-chances
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
opposites-attract
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
editing-issues-beware
November 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
deliciously-entertaining
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Grace*dnfing books since 2022*
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 29, 2018 06:08AM
I just realized that I liked this book so much because it contains one of my favorite tropes--the "made to fall in love with a fake character in order to attain a dastardly goal" trope. I do rather like this trope, but it's not always done well. I think it is reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's "Sabrina" and "Love in the Afternoon," which are a couple of my favorite movies. Beast by Judith Ivory also has this trope, and I liked that as well. I'm glad you loved this book too! I felt her niece nicely propelled the plotline in a Shakespearan fashion as well.
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Grace wrote: "I just realized that I liked this book so much because it contains one of my favorite tropes--the "made to fall in love with a fake character in order to attain a dastardly goal" trope. I do rather..."the "made to fall in love with a fake character in order to attain a dastardly goal" trope Lol! I put off reading this romance for quite awhile, Grace. Then I read it and could have kicked myself for waiting so long. I will have to read Beast on your recommendation. I considered it once before but some of GR friends rated it in both directions. Besides Beast, can you think of any others with this trope?
I love Sabrina, too! I never saw Love in the Afternoon but it is streaming on Netflix so guess what I will be watching soon? I think we need to start a conversation regarding our favorite old classic movies and why we loved them. I was recently chatting with Rebekah and we agreed that the old black and white The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was one of our favorites. I enjoyed the movie much more than the story.
