Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (Love By Numbers, 2)

So many high marks for this book. I admit that I rather enjoyed the first couple of chapters. But then we begin the interaction between Isabel and Nicholas, our h/h, and it takes a steep nose-dive.

She is losing her home as a result of her father's gambling. He shows up a day early to assess the marbles she invites him to assess. He shows up early because he thinks she is hiding something and he must discover what that is. Toot-to-la-too! Our hero to the rescue! Once arriving at her home, he then kind of takes over, wandering at will through the house so that he can find her doing 'manly' things to keep her from doing. She, just drove me nuts. In the beginning you think this herione is going to be strong and not take guff from any man, due to harboring women in her home who have been abused by men. Not so! She capulates quickly and easily then becomes the dreaded TSTL female. Seriously, she can hide what goes on her property for years and then starts vomiting out all of their secrets to this strange man because she's attracted to him. Yet, he manages to figure it all out within a day of being there. Conversations were aimless and boring, just contrived to propel the story in some direction it didn't need to go.

The secondary characters did nothing to add to the story. Rock, the giant Turk, was as British as Nicholas and immediately hits it off with Lara, Isabel's cousin. The other women in the house kept pushing Isabel toward this man they just knew was not a bad apple.

Did not feel there was any reason for the h/h to like each other, much less fall in love. Truly, the romance was lacking. Do not recommend.

Ok...I love SM, but this was not good. I mean damm, tooooo much detailed wording. starts off good. Gets very boring. The best part of the book was the last three pages. I have to agree with the person that said, "not as good as the first book in this series". I'm not sure if I want to even read the next in this series cuz this was torture to get thru. She could have done so much better with Nicholas story because he was really a good character in both books. Story just too dry!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those who thought it was such a wonderful story...I have to say I must have been reading something different.

After reading Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, I couldn't wait to enjoy the story of Ralston's brother, Nicholas St. John. He is a charming and lovable character. The novel began with a fascinating and engaging prologue. However, it quickly went downhill and became irritating to read. Initially, I thought Isabel was my type of heroine. She's independent and speaks her mind. However, she became so obsessed with appearing strong and doing everything her way without help (even at the risk of falling off a roof), that she frustrated me beyond belief. Her character goes beyond admirable independence to foolish prideful behavior. Instead of wanting Nicholas to fall in love with her, I wanted him to tell her to get over herself!

Isabel's character ruined this book for me. Although things were falling apart as she tried to prove she didn't need anyone, she still declines help. She also doesn't admit her feelings for Nicholas because she believes it will make her appear weak. She seems to have a bit of a God complex and is a control freak. She uses her home to 'help' women in need. Yet, even that seems to be a bit self-serving. She refers to the women as "her girls" and goes on endlessly about how much they need her. In her mind, everything is about her, people needing her, her way, her ideas, her strength...her, her, her... Although, Isabel eventually opens herself to love, she never develops enough to admit her flawed pride.

Therefore, I felt like Nicholas was too good for Isabel. Despite past pains and reasons to not trust, he allows himself to be open to loving Isabel. Yet, I found myself wishing he had another heroine. Their romance doesn't develop well and is poorly paced. It's a flat story that lacks depth. It was difficult for me to see how they fell in love--especially since Isabel did not really have any endearing qualities to compensate for her ignorant pride. I found myself more interested in the romance of two secondary characters we see in the book. Therefore, I can't give this one more than two stars.

When this book arrived from Amazon, I was soooooooo excited. I couldn't wait to curl up in bed and read it! Having loved Nine Rules I was anticipating a lovely, sexy, funny, heart-warming romance.

Instead I found this book hard going. I really struggled to read it, and only pushed on because I wanted to give Sarah a chance to weave her magic and because I absolutely LOVED Nine Rules To Break ..... my best historical read todate. I just kept on hoping it would get better.

It started well enough - though not as well as Nine Rules but, hey I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, in the end I gave up and skipped a large chuck of the story. I just couldn't be bothered to read most of it :-( I really tried (honestly)!

I wish it was something that I had checked out of the library than actually purchased.

This book, though well written (the few chapters that I read anyway), was disappointing. Sadly, this means I won't be pre-ordering her next book.

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord is the second book of the Love by Numbers series, and this time it's Lord Nicholas, Gabriel's brother, the one who falls in love.

Lady Isabel Townsed is without money and a house full of people, including her young brother, the next Earl. I loved Isabel, because she could take care of herself, her brother and all of the other ones who needed her help. She was brave and stubborn, but still very sweet. She would do whatever it takes to protect the ones she loves.

Nicholas was a surprise to me. I liked that I could see him as the sexy lord instead of the sweet brother of the sexy duke. I thought he was going to be sweeter, but I liked the rough past he had and that at the same time he was intellectual.

As in the first book, Sarah MacLean managed to make me feel butterflies while reading their romance. It wasn't as wicked as the first book, but very funny and still was awesome, specially the ending. I repeatedly found myself laughing out loud because of Isabel, who is not the perfect lady.

Overall, I loved it. I'm a fan.

wonderful story...there was one area that i got a bit lost in because the main character's personality didnt seem to match what i had built up in my head, but other than that i loved the wit and passion.

I enjoy historical romances when they include snippits from fictional (or even non-fiction) books to help guide or move the story along. In this case, we have excerpts from Pearls and Pelisses that lend its hand to this story, much the way Lady Whistledown's gossip column played a role in Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series or Lady Rothburg's advice from Emma Wildes' Lessons from a Scarlet Lady. But when Lord Nicholas is named in Pearls and Pelisses as "London's Lord to Land" he can't escape London fast enough to avoid all the women who have read the magazine and are now on his heels. However, when the Duke of Leighton approaches Lord Nicholas with a favor, Nick accepts the challenge to put his search and hunting skills to good use... far away from London.

Meanwhile, Lady Isabel is trying to hold it all together. Literally. The roof is leaking, she's running out of money, and she has her brother, the child earl, to take care of in addition to a household full of ...women? But when she runs into Lord Nicholas and recognizes him as the antiquarian that he is, she hopes he would be interested in looking over her marble statues because she wants to sell them. Little did she know that the innocent invitation would literally bring the fox into the henhouse... or lead the hunter to its prey.

One thing I enjoy most about MacLean's writing is that she captures you on page one, and she keeps things moving throughout the entire book. Indeed, she is a fresh, new voice in Regency romance, but really, the story boils down to nothing incredibly new plot-wise. But its the way she does it that makes her books stand out. Its almost like she takes the best elements of every Regency you've ever read and puts them all together in the same book. And hey, that totally works for me!

The hero and heroine show real chemistry, and Nick realizes Isabel's strengths (and weaknesses) and genuinely applauds her efforts and goals. Finding himself wanting nothing more than to help Isabel when she insists she doesn't need it, he tells her that maybe its time for her to allow someone to take care of her for a change since she's spent so long looking after others. To hear those words come from a man who wants nothing to do with marriage, that is huge. But to the ears of a woman who wants nothing to do with marriage after being witness to her parents' relationship, Nick has some convincing to do to soften her heart now that she's softened his.

I also liked Rock - Lord Nicholas' Turk friend that comes along with Nick for the ride. He adds a nice touch to this story with his observations and gentle advice while he struggles with a growing relationship of his own which we see blossom with one of the girls in Isabel's care. Overall, the book is just wonderful and I can't wait for book three in this debut series from MacLean. Don't miss this one!

Lady Isabel Townsend has been picking up the pieces of everyone's life since her father deserted her family when she was barely old enough to dress herself. Her mother died shortly after and Isabel knew that the only way to keep it together was to stay busy do what comes naturally to her - take care of everyone but herself. So that is what Isabel did and taking in those rejected by proper London society seemed an easy way to use that skill to everyone's advantage. The problem was having the idea and keeping it financially solvent when you father spent every dime the estate made was the difficult part.

Lord Nicholas St. John has just been voted the "Lord to Land" the Regency version of most eligible bachelor by a tabloid and it is making his life chaotic. He doesn't want the title, is tired of his twin brother finding complete pleasure in his misery and plans to run from it as fast as possible. When a job offer comes up to find the sister of a Duke who has gone missing Nicholas mastery of the hunt returns to the surface and he once again goes after his prey. It is something he is well known for and a talent he is not sure how it developed but one he takes full advantage of especially when all these eligible women have decided to follow his every move.

Finding the missing girl was easy, turning her back over to her brother becomes impossible when Nicholas meets Isabel the woman who is hiding her. Nicholas realizes that Isabel in need of a caretaker and he is a sucker for women that need him. But in truth Isabel doesn't want him anywhere near her at the off chance he may discover what she is up to and men in general have brought nothing but pain to her. But she does need money, has those statues to sell and he is an antiquarian expert so maybe she could get him in and out before he realizes the depth of her deceit. Keep dreaming Isabel the hunter in Nicholas has sensed new prey and he loves this game he has decided to embark on.

Throw in a flooded out road, a young earl in need of some manly advice, this beautiful damsel in distress and all the emotions Nicholas hides so well come to the surface and take his breath away. Both Nicholas and Isabel have so many secrets and as one after another is exposed the walls come down between them and stolen kisses turn into passionate nights and a desire to no long be alone or afraid.

This book follows Nine Rules to Break When Landing a Lord and while I thought that book was spectacular this one is even better. Isabel is so strong and doesn't need anyone to take care of her but she needs a partner which is something Nicholas has never been asked to stand in as before. They both learn the ropes of life are slippery so be careful when trying to pull yourself and someone else up. Isabel is fabulous and Nicholas is quite a white knight but certainly does have shining armor. Wonderful read everyone can enjoy.

Excellent in every way! I highly recommend! Don't blame me if you end up reading it in one sitting!

Is it just me, or does Sarah MacLean get better and better? Her titles may be long, but truly their cuteness really encompass the writing within! Ten Ways definitely delivers sparkling yet sharp wit and head-butting yet heart-fluttering romance that I have come to love! Truly a diamond of the first water - and I cannot wait for Eleven Scandals to come out!

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