when I first read it it filled me up and made me whole as a horny teen, today it will forever haunt me for the stockier vibes I have only recently seen come to light. So instead of focusing on the now my vote of 5 stars is for the past. Enjoy if you are horny.

This was among my first romance novels. It's very dark and upon reflection I shouldn't have been reading it at 16. The idea of someone being in love since childhood was intriguing to me and so I could forgive the kidnapping and seduction. I also liked the idea of the hero guiding the heroine, especially since the heroine didn't really know what she wanted. However, I can also see how that could be manipulative. I enjoyed the relationship between the lead characters.
** Spoiler Alerts **
I enjoyed it up until the gang rape of the heroine - at which point I threw the book across the room and cried buckets. My older self now understands why the author did it - which I think was to show what real rape is in contrast to our hero's seduction of the heroine - but it devastated me none the less. I did manage to finish the book and thankfully the characters had a happy ending.

The 30 year old Earl of Clare falls in love with the 14 year old Cassandra because he had a teenage infatuation with her pregnant mother. Hmmm... When she is 18, he kidnaps her the day before her wedding to her sweetheart who has just come back from war. Even though he barely knows her, and she thinks of him like an uncle, he is sure that he is the right man for her and is determined to marry her. Wow!!! This is why I don't read historical romances written in the 80's. I'm only on page 50 but I'm very worried about how much worse this will get!

Much worse apparently. On page 62, Anthony says "I won't hurt you, Cassandra, you know that." just before he ties her to the bedposts and rapes her while she cries. Aww, how sweet he is. So kind and loving.

Well, I'm done - I made it to page 86. I don't have a problem with difficult subjects like an older man falling in love with a child, kidnap and rape but the whole, 'I love you, I'm raping you for your own good' and the worst bodice ripping flowery language you can conceive of is just too much for me. I'm on to (much) better things!

I read and loved The Duke (seriously, one of my faves from childhood, right), so, when in adulthood I took up this book (bought and frakking paid for) thinking 'Yay another Catherine Coulter Historical, Yay', imagine my consternation and downright disapprobation at what turned out to be a gruesome (if only for the squalid quality of the writing) GANG-rape scene in the middle of an already mediocre (I am feeling awfully meritorious tonight) book. I NEVER expected that, and it remains my biggest gripe about this book. Just Uh! You know what, I recant that star.

I still love The Duke though, that, I reread every year.

It needed better editing. Too much detail during times when none was needed, and then at the end, when a reader wanted to have details in seeing the bad guys get it, nothing.

The graphic raping and isolation on a boat turned me off an otherwise decent book! This had classic criminal minds vibes to it!

Had me hooked and I have to really love a book to read it! This was great

One of my favorite romance writers during my 20s.

Very good book 4.5 stars ⭐️!

i cant do it he just grossed me out. he’s 34 to her 18 which i dont mind age gap but he just kidnapped her so its just iffy

He also loved her mum apparently and knew the h as a lid and wanted to be around her or something and then when she turned 17 decided he’s gonna marry her. idk it was just described in a really icky way. i dont think i want to read on. plus the beginning was sooo boring and the writing style is just boring too. too many books to keep going with this one imho

edit: read the reviews. seems like its gonna stay boring af with a icky kinda psycho hero

I remember liking this ages ago but I think I need to read it again...