Breathless

House of Rohan Series, Book 3

By: Anne Stuart

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Ruined beyond repair and shunned by London society, lovely Miranda Rohan rebelliously embraces the freedom that comes from having nothing left to lose. However, this dangerous course throws her under the power of the darkly enigmatic Lucien de Malheur - known to many as the Scorpion. Seeking to destroy the Rohans, Lucien traps Miranda in a marriage she thinks is based on friendship but instead is rooted in vengeance. Yet even when she realizes the truth, their enmity fuels a shocking passion---and perhaps even more. Such a man might drive anyone to murder.

Pay another visit to the House of Rohan.

©2010 Anne Kristine Stuart Ohlrogge (P)2011 Tantor

Entertaining

This book had a funny story and I really enjoyed it until the end! The ending was very abrupt. Which took away from me feeling satisfied with the book.

Really weird

I’m not on board with falling in love with the man who paid someone to rape the main character. That being said, it might hold more reality than I want to admit to.

Dark! But really really good!!

Not for the faint of hearts. So glad I didn’t trust some of the reviews. My only issue was the abrupt ending

Distasteful, Yet Riveting

The results of a vendetta by the Scorpion on the innocent sister of his enemy was unforgivable. The cruelty, the total lack of consideration for human life or regard for others is unexceptable, but the story kept me wanting to see how it all played out. It takes a truly talented author to keep their reader riveted to a story with such distasteful content.

Surprised by my first Anne Stuart

I must be desensitized to cruel heroes. I've avoided Stuart's books for so long because according to readers the heroes are infamously cold, harsh, horrible people. Perhaps I started with the wrong one, because I wasn't too horrified by Lucien, however, I suspect that has something to do with Miranda. She is a fantastic heroine and just wouldn't let him break her down. I LOL'd when she was telling him he reminded her of a 'brooding, romantical Lord Byron' - which horrified him. He prided himself on being terrifying and she had his number. She was funny.

I would have loved this versus just liking it, but I felt like it was uneven. The best parts were rushed. There was so much that could have been done with the climax and aftermath of the "coup de grace" of Lucien's revenge plot. So much angst, so much character development and relationship building just... lost. I still cannot believe the final shoe didn't drop until 15 minutes before the recording ended. Personally, I could have done with less of the secondary romance (although it was sweet) and more time dedicated to the rest

“I didn’t put up with all this for nothing..”

So so good. Glad I didn’t listen to the reviews. This is a prime example how important it is to understand what a review is saying. What makes a good (read or audio) book isn’t whether the plot goes in a way I didn’t like or if a character is flawed.

Is the writing well done in my eyes (showing vs. telling etc)? Is the narrator reading or performing? Am I entertained? Does any part of the story stir emotions - i.e. laugh smile to myself or cause me to think? This book has everything I look for in an excellent audiobook and more (this coming from someone who listens on average of 4 or 5 a week). The behaviors are relevant to the characters - this book is an excellent example of displaying a person’s many layers - how they view themselves, how they want the world to view them and ultimately who they are. Yes, there are questionable behaviors by certain characters, but considering all the details in the story., it’s also open to interpretation. There are ever so slight details that are well played throughout the story.
If you’re looking for the same old cookie cutter story with a different cover, this isn’t for you.
One of my top 25 favorites and will be enjoying again in the future.

Not Realistic

No woman is going to marry a man who threatens to kill her brother. If her friend is actually in the carriage while she's being forced, she sends word to a magistrate or SOMETHING. It's stupid, but still not bad.

Wish I could give it 4.5 stars for the abrupt ending

Obviously there’s a lot of very disturbing plot elements on this one but somehow I bought it. I liked this one a LOT more than the first book in the series - an anti hero is only an anti hero if he actually does do some awful things which I was never convinced of in ruthless. I didn’t buy the ending - Miranda forgave him way too easily. I would’ve given it 5 stars if the ending had been more convincing. Overall I really enjoyed the read - Miranda was an AMAZING heroine and more than held up her own against lucien. This is only my second book by Anne Stuart but I plan on reading more. The first book I read was ruthless and I was so unconvinced by the romance there that it’s taken me a long time to give her another chance.

Not Your Ordinary Love Story

I read several bad reviews of this story (in other places) and I almost did not purchase this book. However, I really enjoyed the first two books in the series so I felt in my gut that this book couldn't be that far off the mark. I'm so glad I went with my instincts and purchased the book. None of the characters in this series are the run-of-the-mill "near perfect" people you ordinarily find in romance novels, which makes them all the more fascinating! While the male lead of this story was a particularly "disturbed" character, the female lead was more than a match for him! And while many objected that he did not repent enough in the end, it was obvious to me that she brought him to his knees on a much deeper level that I found extremely gratifying.

If you want mainstream romance with soap opera beautiful characters, you won't find it here. If you want characters that are realistically flawed, edgy and sometimes dangerous, visit the House of Rohan, from the beginning story if possible. I hope there is more to come in this series.

Not your ordinary romance story

I really like this series. The heros(?) start off so bad that, although I know they are going to eventually redeem themselves, It's interesting to see how the author connects the dots to get them there. Also, the heroines aren't the usual cookie cutter women - these women aren't drop dead beautiful and they have some very realistic, gritty problems. I hope the author writes more in this series - they are never boring.