Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Avon (1993), Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Description
A woman with a secret . . .Reckless beauty Lily Lawson delights in shocking London society. She will break any rule to get what she wants . . . and she is determined to stop her younger sister from marrying Alex, Lord Wolverton, a handsome and arrogant earl who has vowed never to fall in love. A man who will do anything to possess her . . .To Alex's fury, the headstrong hellion presents a temptation he can't resist. He vows to make her pay dearly for her interference-with her body, her soul, and her stubborn, well-guarded heart. As Alex and Lily challenge each other at every turn, they are caught up in a white-hot desire that burns through every defense and exposes the mystery of Lily's past . . . and together they discover that love is the most dangerous game of all.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dukedukegoose
I wanted to like this book so much more. I have so much respect for Lisa Kleypas, and she's been a huge favorite of mine in the past, but the consent in this book was just too dubious for me to handwave.
Lily had been through so much trauma with men, and Alex was too aware (even without knowing the
Not to mention that he bought her body for a night and refused to listen to her protests. This wasn't even a handwaving romance novel way of she says no but she's already stroking his cock, either. She's literally resisting him in every single way a person can resist another human being and he tells her to just "let it happen" until she literally resigns herself to just letting him have his way.
It was disturbing. And frustrating. There were so many things about this book that I did enjoy, but not nearly enough to make up for how traumatic I found many of their love scenes.
Lily had been through so much trauma with men, and Alex was too aware (even without knowing the
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details) for me to accept that his treatment of her was in any way okay. Not to mention that he bought her body for a night and refused to listen to her protests. This wasn't even a handwaving romance novel way of she says no but she's already stroking his cock, either. She's literally resisting him in every single way a person can resist another human being and he tells her to just "let it happen" until she literally resigns herself to just letting him have his way.
It was disturbing. And frustrating. There were so many things about this book that I did enjoy, but not nearly enough to make up for how traumatic I found many of their love scenes.
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LibraryThing member ut.tecum.loquerer
Two likable protagonists, and probably the best version of 'all the men love and totally accept that pretty girl who does manly things like gambling and hunting' that I've seen. By 'best', of course, I mean that it didn't make me want to stab someone in the face. I didn't totally buy it, but close
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enough. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kaetrin
3.5 stars.This is the story of single mother Lily Lawson (the child is not only a secret but has been abducted by her evil cad father – boo hiss), who, in trying to stop the marriage of her sister Penny to Lord Alex Raiford, Earl of Wolverton, finds herself the object of his attentions instead.
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Raiford and Penny don’t love each other – Penny is in love with an unfortunately poor, childhood friend, Zachary.Lily has an outrageous reputation. She rides to hounds, astride no less, she gambles at Cravens and is the only female member and she’s always up for adventure. Zachary enlists her aid to stop the marriage of his love top Raiford. Much to Alex’s initial dismay, he finds Lily fascinating and lovely. What is a very nice change in this story is that Alex falls in love first and he acknowledges his feelings, at least to himself, quite early. It’s Lily who’s the holdout. Lily is desperate to find her daughter but has run out of money for the search. Can she trust Alex and tell him she has a bastard daughter? Will she find her daughter? Will they all live HEA? (well, it is a romance so, you’d be safe in your guess here!).This is only my second Kleypas on audio and the first historical. My only other experience with a Lisa Kleypas historical wasn’t all that successful so I went into this one hoping I’d like it but not sure I would. Then Came You is also my second audio narrated by Rosalyn Landor. In fact, it was my pick for the “give a less than favoured narrator another try” category for the SOA Listening Challenge.Good news: I liked it! I don’t know that Landor will ever be a favourite narrator but I think this book suited her better than the other one I listened to (What Happens in London by Julia Quinn). I think it is because there isn’t much humour in Then Came You whereas What Happens in London was a farce. Landor’s style is slowish and kind of toffy and I don’t think she does humour very well. But, Then Came You is mostly an angsty story and suits her much better. Personally, I don’t find Landor’s narrator voice super pleasing to the ear but her male voices are easily discernable from the female ones (which I quite liked actually) and I didn’t struggle to identify who was talking. I didn’t like Derek Craven’s voice much BUT – I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be – cockney with many “h’s” dropped. I’ve heard others bemoan the voice Landor uses for Craven, who (I gather) is the hero in Dreaming of You and is a secondary character in this book. Listening to the story however, it is clear that Derek isn’t well spoken – he’s a street child who managed to make money and owns a gaming hell/brothel. He’s not an aristocrat. I think if I read him I would unconsciously make his voice nicer on the ear but I can’t fault Landor for the voice she used – it isn’t sexy or hero-ish (to me anyway!) though so I don’t think I’ll be listening to Dreaming of You (– I may read it though).I found the story quite engaging and although Landor isn’t my favourite narrator, she did a good job with this one I think. Show Less
LibraryThing member megan_harnett
I love Lisa Kleypas!! All her stories are awesome. I will read one and then say this one is my favorite until I read the next one. All of them are my favorites and she has become my favorite author!
LibraryThing member ReginaR
Not quite 4 stars, but better than 3 stars so I will give it my unofficial rating of 3.5 stars.
Then Came You is a book that I started to listen to several years ago and was just not interested in Lily, the main character. She seemed selfish and attention seeking and I was just not interested. I
Then Came You is one of Kleypas's earlier written historicals. And in both books in this series, the content is darker in terms of what is happening to the main characters. The main character, Lily, has been spurned by her family, left at the alter by a fiancee, and seduced and abandoned by a man who left her pregnant and unmarried. Two years before the novel begins, poor Lily's daughter is kidnapped from her and she has spent her fortune and the past two years hunting for her daughter. Then Came You is an emotional ride. The hero, is also recovering from his own emotional trauma. I admit to tearing up several times in this book. Of course Kleypas wraps the novel up nearly perfectly.
My one complaint is that I just didn't buy into that Lily would be able to raise her daughter as her daughter. That society would accept it and her husband would accept it. Kleypas failed to explain how this was going to happen.
Then Came You is a book that I started to listen to several years ago and was just not interested in Lily, the main character. She seemed selfish and attention seeking and I was just not interested. I
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should have kept listening and I am glad I gave this book another chance. Then Came You is one of Kleypas's earlier written historicals. And in both books in this series, the content is darker in terms of what is happening to the main characters. The main character, Lily, has been spurned by her family, left at the alter by a fiancee, and seduced and abandoned by a man who left her pregnant and unmarried. Two years before the novel begins, poor Lily's daughter is kidnapped from her and she has spent her fortune and the past two years hunting for her daughter. Then Came You is an emotional ride. The hero, is also recovering from his own emotional trauma. I admit to tearing up several times in this book. Of course Kleypas wraps the novel up nearly perfectly.
My one complaint is that I just didn't
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LibraryThing member TheLustyLiterate
This book white hot! Super sexy and passionate. Alex is fierce and intense. They fight and scratch at each other. I loved the angst and fire between the two. They are a perfect match. I devoured this great romance in one sitting. Couldn't put it down!
LibraryThing member LadyIsis
I am not sure I have ever read this book before. I thought at one time that I had but now I am not as sure. I don’t remember Derek Craven’s cockney accent being quite so strong. This is the first book that he appears in and he is quite the character. I felt sorry that he and Lily couldn't get
Wilhelmina “Lily” Lawson is a hellion of the first order. She rides like a man, hunts, gambles, cusses, and drinks. I was a little surprised that she didn't smoke. She gives Alex a run for his money. Lily is compassionate and reckless. Her big heart gets her into some nasty scrapes. She is loyal to those she loves not tolerating anything being said against those people. She is also a mother with all that entails. I think her unpredictable behavior is one of her best traits. She is never truly bitchy but she does have a smart mouth. Her friendship with Derek Craven is strained at times after she meets Alex. I was very glad that she found everything she needed to be happy and loving.
Alex, Earl of Raiford, is a man that has had responsibility thrown at him from a young age. He is controlled, cautious, and honorable. He has always played it safe and is totally unprepared for Lily and the havoc that she can cause. Lily makes it possible for her sister and the man she loves to elope, leaving Alex without a bride. She ties Alex to a bed to keep him from following the couple. There are a number of things that go on between Alex and Lily that are very funny. There are some very sad things as well. I liked Alex very much. He isn't afraid to use whatever is necessary to protect and take care of Lily. He is a wonderful person and earns the happiness he finds in this story.
As always that are all kinds of wonderful characters in this story; Henry, Alex’s younger brother; Lady Lyon, Alex’s aunt; Penelope, Lily’s sister; Zachary, Viscount Stamford and Lily’s butler Burton. Ms. Kleypas always writes the best characters. You always want to know what happens to all of them. We don’t always find those things out but sometimes we do. Lisa Kleypas is a must buy author for me and she has been for a long time. You can’t go wrong with one of her books.
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together. However, I know that he meets his match in the future and that helps with the disappointment. This story is a little different from most of the other historical romances. Lily’s daughter being kidnapped and Lily being blackmailed by the child’s father are things I have read in stories of this genre before. I am not sure what I would do in a similar situation. During this period of time a woman would have had few resources to bring to bear to solve the crime. Father’s had all the rights. The man that stole Nicole away is a despicable man and gets what he deserves in the end. Men likes this give males everywhere a bad name and need to be gotten rid of permanently. I was also glad that the police officer that was in on the blackmail was also caught. He is another villain that will probably get punished very harshly for giving his fellow officers a bad name. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have to enforce the law in some place like London during this time period.Wilhelmina “Lily” Lawson is a hellion of the first order. She rides like a man, hunts, gambles, cusses, and drinks. I was a little surprised that she didn't smoke. She gives Alex a run for his money. Lily is compassionate and reckless. Her big heart gets her into some nasty scrapes. She is loyal to those she loves not tolerating anything being said against those people. She is also a mother with all that entails. I think her unpredictable behavior is one of her best traits. She is never truly bitchy but she does have a smart mouth. Her friendship with Derek Craven is strained at times after she meets Alex. I was very glad that she found everything she needed to be happy and loving.
Alex, Earl of Raiford, is a man that has had responsibility thrown at him from a young age. He is controlled, cautious, and honorable. He has always played it safe and is totally unprepared for Lily and the havoc that she can cause. Lily makes it possible for her sister and the man she loves to elope, leaving Alex without a bride. She ties Alex to a bed to keep him from following the couple. There are a number of things that go on between Alex and Lily that are very funny. There are some very sad things as well. I liked Alex very much. He isn't afraid to use whatever is necessary to protect and take care of Lily. He is a wonderful person and earns the happiness he finds in this story.
As always that are all kinds of wonderful characters in this story; Henry, Alex’s younger brother; Lady Lyon, Alex’s aunt; Penelope, Lily’s sister; Zachary, Viscount Stamford and Lily’s butler Burton. Ms. Kleypas always writes the best characters. You always want to know what happens to all of them. We don’t always find those things out but sometimes we do. Lisa Kleypas is a must buy author for me and she has been for a long time. You can’t go wrong with one of her books.
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LibraryThing member M_Sims
I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book initially because the beginning didn't grab me. As it gained speed it turned out really great. It was very well written and MOST of the characters were realistic.
I loved Lawless Lilly! She was uber strong but also vulnerable at times so she seemed
I loved Lawless Lilly! She was uber strong but also vulnerable at times so she seemed
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real. There were moments that I expected her to be more forthcoming and resourceful. The situation at her home when she and the butler were so nonchalant and conspiratorial during her little deception was priceless. Such an outrageous character. I read this twice and might check it out again sometime. Be sure to pick this one up. You won't regret it. Show Less
LibraryThing member grapeapril75
What a great story! I laughed and cried many times! Such wonderful writing and really engaging characters!! I love this authors work!!
I am currently on a Regency kick and this one was terrific!!
I am currently on a Regency kick and this one was terrific!!
LibraryThing member phyllisd
Books like this are why Lisa Kleypas is my five star historical romance writer. The plot is suspenseful and the characters are complicated. As are all of us. Lily Lawson is a particularly compelling heroine, a mixture of strength and insecurity. One of Kleypas's older works; it may be her best
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series to date. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
I decided to edit my review after I finished reading this book, at the beginning Alex will seem like a cold jerk and Lily like a reckless woman. But after you reach chapter 7 and Alex bets on Lily everything changes!! I absolutely loved the book!! Alex is a great husband and lover, and when you
I loved when Alex says: "Yes. Yes. I want other people to look at you and know you're mine. I want you to take my name and my money. I want you to live with me. I want to be inside you...part of your thoughts...your body...all of you. I want you to trust me. I want to give you whatever elusive, impossible, goddamned mysterious thing it is you need in order to be happy. Does that frighten you? Well, it frightens the hell out of me.”
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understand Lily more you would certainly fall in love with her. I cried at the end when Lily found her missing 4-years-old daughter Nicole. And I'm dying to start with "Dreaming of You" because I loved Derek though he was an asshole sometimes but I think he is a great man. I just found out that Ross has his own book "Lady Sophia's Lover" so I'm looking forward to this book as well! In the end, Lisa Kleypas knows how to write memorable romances that touches the heart! I loved when Alex says: "Yes. Yes. I want other people to look at you and know you're mine. I want you to take my name and my money. I want you to live with me. I want to be inside you...part of your thoughts...your body...all of you. I want you to trust me. I want to give you whatever elusive, impossible, goddamned mysterious thing it is you need in order to be happy. Does that frighten you? Well, it frightens the hell out of me.”
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LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
I decided to edit my review after I finished reading this book, at the beginning Alex will seem like a cold jerk and Lily like a reckless woman. But after you reach chapter 7 and Alex bets on Lily everything changes!! I absolutely loved the book!! Alex is a great husband and lover, and when you
I loved when Alex says: "Yes. Yes. I want other people to look at you and know you're mine. I want you to take my name and my money. I want you to live with me. I want to be inside you...part of your thoughts...your body...all of you. I want you to trust me. I want to give you whatever elusive, impossible, goddamned mysterious thing it is you need in order to be happy. Does that frighten you? Well, it frightens the hell out of me. 1D
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understand Lily more you would certainly fall in love with her. I cried at the end when Lily found her missing 4-years-old daughter Nicole. And I'm dying to start with "Dreaming of You" because I loved Derek though he was an asshole sometimes but I think he is a great man. I just found out that Ross has his own book "Lady Sophia's Lover" so I'm looking forward to this book as well! In the end, Lisa Kleypas knows how to write memorable romances that touches the heart! I loved when Alex says: "Yes. Yes. I want other people to look at you and know you're mine. I want you to take my name and my money. I want you to live with me. I want to be inside you...part of your thoughts...your body...all of you. I want you to trust me. I want to give you whatever elusive, impossible, goddamned mysterious thing it is you need in order to be happy. Does that frighten you? Well, it frightens the hell out of me. 1D
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
Lily leads a wild life and is a gambler working at a gaming club to make the money she needs for her secret. Meanwhile her sister is to be married in an arranged marriage to a man Lily believes is cold and unfeeling and intervenes to prevent the wedding. While setting this situation into play, Alex
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begins to fall in love with her but Lily won't allow herself to care about any man and keeps up the charade of reckless party girl until Alex wins a night with her in a card game. Show Less
LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Lily Lawson is beautiful, wild, reckless, and the toast of the Ton. She's been ostracized by her family for her behavior, but when she finds that her younger, gentle sister Penny is to marry in a loveless marriage, Lily agrees to help Penny's real love and stop the wedding. However, Alex, Earl of
This is a great story. I read the second book in the series first a while ago, so I knew that Lily and Alex got together, but the how of it kept me riveted. Lisa Kleypas is a wonderful romance writer. She made the transformation of both Alex and Lily totally believable, and their love was truly evident in all their actions. Alex knows how to calm Lily without controlling her, and Lily finds trust in a man for maybe the first time in her life. I read the book all in one go; it's that kind of book. Wonderful story.
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Raiford, is determined to marry Penny. He wants a loveless, bland marriage because of the death of his earlier fiancee. Lily makes him crazy with her exploits, but she also brings him out of the shell he's been living in. But Lily has her own issues; she fears and dislikes most men, and she's being blackmailed by a man who holds her young daughter.This is a great story. I read the second book in the series first a while ago, so I knew that Lily and Alex got together, but the how of it kept me riveted. Lisa Kleypas is a wonderful romance writer. She made the transformation of both Alex and Lily totally believable, and their love was truly evident in all their actions. Alex knows how to calm Lily without controlling her, and Lily finds trust in a man for maybe the first time in her life. I read the book all in one go; it's that kind of book. Wonderful story.
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LibraryThing member MyaB
I enjoyed the characters, and their interactions. It was an enjoyable read :)
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Then Came You
4 Stars
Known around London for her notorious escapades, Lily Lawson is not above playing dirty when it comes to her sister’s happiness, and she is determined to stop Penny’s marriage to the cold and reserved Alex Raiford. Alex’s fury knows no bounds when Lily begins to interfere
An enjoyable love/hate romance with some interesting if harsh insights into Georgian society. Nevertheless, there are a couple of tropes that do not appeal to me namely the fact that the heroine has a child with another man and she keeps this secret from her love interest.
The chemistry between Lily and Alex sizzles on the pages and their banter and shenanigans are laugh-out-loud funny at times. That said, under the surface humor there are several harsh and troubling themes, including women’s rights (or the lack thereof), child abuse and human trafficking. All of which demonstrate that the Georgian period was not all dukes and balls and soirées.
Lily is a charming heroine although her reckless behavior is not always consistent with her characterization as a woman desperately searching for her missing child. While she is determined to find her daughter, she also takes unnecessary chances and risks her life repeatedly. This does not make sense as what would have happened to Nicole if Lily had died?
Alex is my favorite type of hero. A man who conceals his huge heart and tremendous capacity for love beneath a dark, cold and brooding facade. It is clear from the start that he is in dire need of something or someone to shake him from his doldrums, and Lily is just was the doctor ordered.
This is also the book in which Derek Craven, widely considered to be Kleypas’s most incredible hero, is introduced. While much as been said in many a review and an article about him, I am not as certain of his appeal as he comes across as self-absorbed and manipulative. Perhaps my appreciation for him will increase once I read his book, which is next.
In sum, a delightfully entertaining read as is to be expected from Lisa Kleypas.
4 Stars
Known around London for her notorious escapades, Lily Lawson is not above playing dirty when it comes to her sister’s happiness, and she is determined to stop Penny’s marriage to the cold and reserved Alex Raiford. Alex’s fury knows no bounds when Lily begins to interfere
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with his plans, but he cannot help the desire he feels whenever she is near and he becomes intent on possessing her, body, heart and soul.An enjoyable love/hate romance with some interesting if harsh insights into Georgian society. Nevertheless, there are a couple of tropes that do not appeal to me namely the fact that the heroine has a child with another man and she keeps this secret from her love interest.
The chemistry between Lily and Alex sizzles on the pages and their banter and shenanigans are laugh-out-loud funny at times. That said, under the surface humor there are several harsh and troubling themes, including women’s rights (or the lack thereof), child abuse and human trafficking. All of which demonstrate that the Georgian period was not all dukes and balls and soirées.
Lily is a charming heroine although her reckless behavior is not always consistent with her characterization as a woman desperately searching for her missing child. While she is determined to find her daughter, she also takes unnecessary chances and risks her life repeatedly. This does not make sense as what would have happened to Nicole if Lily had died?
Alex is my favorite type of hero. A man who conceals his huge heart and tremendous capacity for love beneath a dark, cold and brooding facade. It is clear from the start that he is in dire need of something or someone to shake him from his doldrums, and Lily is just was the doctor ordered.
This is also the book in which Derek Craven, widely considered to be Kleypas’s most incredible hero, is introduced. While much as been said in many a review and an article about him, I am not as certain of his appeal as he comes across as self-absorbed and manipulative. Perhaps my appreciation for him will increase once I read his book, which is next.
In sum, a delightfully entertaining read as is to be expected from Lisa Kleypas.
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LibraryThing member PNRList
Not my favorite, but I do love me some Kleypas.
LibraryThing member samnreader
This book was a bit of a mixed bag. I enjoyed both characters in their own right, but they also both did inexcusable things to one another. By the end they were quite charming, but this book was actually fairly horrifying at times.
LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
This had bits that I quite enjoyed, a side character that was compelling, a sex scene that was steamy, or a particularly humorous description of something. But most of the book was in the middle for me, and it seemed like every especially good part had another that was equally disappointing or I really don't care for heroes to say "you bitch!" to the heroines. Especially not at the drop of a hat, or after they've begun to care for them. Same with heroines slapping heroes. I am just solidly opposed to normalizing or excusing that shit. They should be the behaviors of the unlikable characters, not our leads. More specific spoiler- I found it difficult to like the heroine. Every character is expected to have flaws, immaturity or pride or something, but every time I started to think 'she's maybe alright I suppose' she would damn a character for doing something and then turn around and damn him for not doing it a moment later *eye roll*, or make a serious bargain and then try to back out of holding up her end! I don't have to always agree with the leads, but I want to at least be able to respect them!
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annoying. I see this one was written a while back, I think Kleypas has largely improved since. Fairly vague/minor spoilers~ Show Less
Subjects
Awards
AAR Top 100 Romances (43 — [Previously 2000-86] Most Recent Rank - 2007)
Language
Original publication date
1993-06
Physical description
384 p.; 6.81 inches
ISBN
038077013X / 9780380770137
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