Helpful Score: 2
He is Damon Ryder (is there a Ryder series?) who falls for Gillie Giles a woman who has lived through the horrors of living in London's slums. She is in love (she thinks) with Lord Drummond, but accepts Damon's proposal because she thinks she's beneath Drumm's class. It's a wonderfully told love story, growing up story and happy ending for Damon and Gilly.
Helpful Score: 2
This book number 1 in Laytons series using the sme characters in each book. Fun and easy reading. There may have been one before this one. This is where I started reading them.
Second in a series of six
My 1st read was "The Cad" and I liked that one better but this was still a very good read. =)
Great book by a terrific author who is a giant in Regency Romance.
I just reread this book, many years after the original reading, and I forgot how good it is. Edith Layton was a superb writer, and she's not afraid to set up tricky situations. In this book, 3 different men are competing for the heroine's attention, and none of them are bad guys(the other 2 get to be heroes of other books), so at times it's touch and go who she will end up with. Great job delving into each character's motives, emotions and thought processes. The heroine has had some terrible experiences in her past, but she is by no means portrayed as a victim. She is strong and resilient, but still a bit immature at the start of the book. Her path to knowing who is the right man for her feels real and makes a compelling story.
I recommend the entire "C" series: The Cad, The Choice, The Chance, The Challenge and The Conquest(I think that is the correct order)
I recommend the entire "C" series: The Cad, The Choice, The Chance, The Challenge and The Conquest(I think that is the correct order)
Good read - this is the only book I have read of this series.
Would like to read others as they come available.
Would like to read others as they come available.
In the first book of this series, Ewen Sinclair and his wife took two young sisters, Gillie and Betsy, into their home. The girls were orphans, living on the streets by their wits. Gillie, as the older child, dressed as a young lad, in order to stay safe(r) from men's advances.
It is years later and the two girls have grown up; Gillie is hoping for marriage but understands her choices will be few because of her lack of family and status (in spite of her dowery from Ewen Sinclair). Gillie lived as a male for several years and has keen insight into the devious thoughts of many men.
Gillie is accosted by one of those devious men at a party and she is in the process of tearing the miscreant apart when Damon Ryder interferes. He thinks he's saving Gillie but he's really saving the young man. When they get back into the ball, the miscreant has told lies about Gillie to all who would listen. However, Damon steps forward and claims a betrothal to Gillie.
He makes sure her guardian understands that he did it to save Gillie's name and that she may terminate the betrothal at her discretion. Damon, who is a self-made man (in America), has stopped off in London briefly before traveling to see his large family (he's the youngest).
While Damon is courting Gillie, the reader learns that Gillie has had a long-term passion for one of her guardian's relatives (who also taught her to become a young lady). When the Earl of Drummond arrives on the scene, things take a severe turn. This is a very involved plot; I grew impatient with the twists and turns. Actually, during the long courtship, I got bored. Once Drum arrived, I didn't really believe the complication. Overall score = G+.
The Cad Series
1. The Cad (1998)
** 2. The Choice (1999)
3. The Challenge (2000)
4. The Chance (2000)
5. The Conquest (2001)
6. To Wed a Stranger (2003)
7. To Tempt a Bride (2003)
It is years later and the two girls have grown up; Gillie is hoping for marriage but understands her choices will be few because of her lack of family and status (in spite of her dowery from Ewen Sinclair). Gillie lived as a male for several years and has keen insight into the devious thoughts of many men.
Gillie is accosted by one of those devious men at a party and she is in the process of tearing the miscreant apart when Damon Ryder interferes. He thinks he's saving Gillie but he's really saving the young man. When they get back into the ball, the miscreant has told lies about Gillie to all who would listen. However, Damon steps forward and claims a betrothal to Gillie.
He makes sure her guardian understands that he did it to save Gillie's name and that she may terminate the betrothal at her discretion. Damon, who is a self-made man (in America), has stopped off in London briefly before traveling to see his large family (he's the youngest).
While Damon is courting Gillie, the reader learns that Gillie has had a long-term passion for one of her guardian's relatives (who also taught her to become a young lady). When the Earl of Drummond arrives on the scene, things take a severe turn. This is a very involved plot; I grew impatient with the twists and turns. Actually, during the long courtship, I got bored. Once Drum arrived, I didn't really believe the complication. Overall score = G+.
The Cad Series
1. The Cad (1998)
** 2. The Choice (1999)
3. The Challenge (2000)
4. The Chance (2000)
5. The Conquest (2001)
6. To Wed a Stranger (2003)
7. To Tempt a Bride (2003)
A lovely young woman whose ethereal beauty has enchanted the London ton, Miss Gillian Giles can combat a suitor's unwanted embrace with deadly efficiency. But her talent for self-protection can't help her stave off the most proper advances of one Damon Ryder, the Season's most eligible bachelor. Caught in a compromising position with himone that could irreparably ruin her reputationGilly is dismayed when Damon unhesitatingly offers marriage.
Most young ladies would be thrilled to land such a handsome, wealthy husband. Gilly, however, has a mind of her ownand more than a few secrets to hide. She believes marriage to Damon to be impossible, but Damon is equally determined to convince her otherwise. And if he isn't enough trouble, two other suitors, both charmingly irresistible, have now set their sights on winning her, too. Pursued by three devilishly persuasive men, how can the headstrong Gilly possibly resist falling in love?
Most young ladies would be thrilled to land such a handsome, wealthy husband. Gilly, however, has a mind of her ownand more than a few secrets to hide. She believes marriage to Damon to be impossible, but Damon is equally determined to convince her otherwise. And if he isn't enough trouble, two other suitors, both charmingly irresistible, have now set their sights on winning her, too. Pursued by three devilishly persuasive men, how can the headstrong Gilly possibly resist falling in love?
