Helpful Score: 3
Her father's a jerk and had her mother killed. She is married by force and her new husband is a jerk too. She changes and becomes subservent in order to win his love. Completely unbelievable part of the book is the part where you discover why it is called Rosehaven. Really, don't want to spoil it because it is a good book as a whole because Coulter does a great job of keeping with the times and what life was like way back then, so I won't spoil it even though I know you will agree with me that it is completely unbelievable once you read it too.
Helpful Score: 2
Although better than I expected it to be, the "hero" was a real jerk to the lady of the story until the very end.
Helpful Score: 2
Well written and not at all boring. A story of two people who hardly know each other but are married anyway, and all the power stuggles that ensue. Hastings married a man she probably wouldn't have chosen for herself, but is still depicted as a strong female. The end just gets better, and even takes a surprising twist...
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be revolting. The heroine is told over and over again that it is her behavior that causes her husband, Severn, to be abusive. He rapes her and blames her for the state of their relationship, and the servants in the castle agree! When Sewvern leaves to tour the other holdings (which he's gotten through marrying her), he beds a girl younger than his new 18-year-old wife and -- after having sex with her 3 times -- feels a little guilty.
I understand that this story may be closer to historically accurate than others set in this time period (13th century), but that is not the reason I read this genre of book. There is always a suspension of disbelief when reading a story, and sometimes the rules of those worlds are greater than others. However, as long as the "rules" the story goes by are held to and not violated, it can become an enjoyable read. This book was far from that.
I understand that this story may be closer to historically accurate than others set in this time period (13th century), but that is not the reason I read this genre of book. There is always a suspension of disbelief when reading a story, and sometimes the rules of those worlds are greater than others. However, as long as the "rules" the story goes by are held to and not violated, it can become an enjoyable read. This book was far from that.
Helpful Score: 2
I normally like Catherine Coulter's books. Not this one. Things seemed fine at first, until, early in the book, the male lead (can't call him a hero) rapes the female lead. At that point, the two leads falling in love becomes an unbelievable outcome. I don't see how anyone can believe that a woman could fall in love with a man who not only raped her, but tied her to a dog and made her eat on the floor with the dogs in front of the entire household, including her main rival. Sorry, I just can't believe a woman falling in love with someone who raped and humiliated her.
