A great read! Dearly Beloved is the first book I read by this author and truly hope to read more in the future!!

Synopsis:
A sheltered life in the countryside has left Diana Lindsay restless to see the wider world, for both herself and the son she is raising alone. She cannot marry, but perhaps as a courtesan she will find love and protection despite her painful past. Gathering her courage, she moves to London—and finds herself the city’s most desired woman, as admired for her charm as for her beauty. But it is one man who captivates her—handsome, haunted, and harboring a secret as deep as her own . . .

Bound by the sins of his youth, Gervase Brandelin, the Viscount St. Aubyn, has spent his adulthood seeking redemption through service to England. Now a spymaster, he can allow nothing to distract him from his duty. But when he meets Diana, his burdens seem to lift. Though she can never truly be his alone, their genuine love fills him with hope, until treacherous deceit—and a deadly enemy—threatens to tear them
apart forever . . .

This was a great book. I loved the characters and the pacing was done really well. Her books are always a delight to read and are so well written.

Mary No Putney : an author to not be disregarded. All the books that I read in the past uptill now did not disaapoint. This book was a perfect example. Historical romance story that keep me quessing and asking for more. Mystery kept intertwine with the characters. Romance was at its best. I loved that book and I will recommend it to those who love historical romance!

This was a book that I could not put down. It had drama, suspense and happiness in it. The characters were strong and interesting. I was pleased it had a happy ending and recommend that you read it .

I loved this book!! This is the second book I read from this author and loved! Historical Fiction is my favorite genre and this book is one reason why!!

Mary Jo Putney has a true way with words. A talent that whisks us away and has us falling in love every time one of her books is opened. A truly talent romantic this author engages us from the getgo and leads us eagerly forward until the last page. I've loved every book I've read by her and Dearly Beloved is another book I will eagerly add to my shelf. I enjoyed the opportunity to read this book and give my honest feedback. I can hardly wait for the next book by this talented writer,

I've read so many romance books over the years that seldom does a plot twist take me by surprise. This hero and heroine have a lot of work to do to reach their HEA.

An intensely emotional story that will linger in your mind long after the last page has been turned. A mistaken room and a hasty marriage. A terrible error and he hoped to never see her again.
But years later, his "wife" appears and he has no idea who she is as she lures him with her beauty.
A story of mistaken identity, anguish, longing and a long journey to love.

This review is not going to be long. I am not a huge fan of a review rehashing the entire plot and spoiling it for everyone.

This is the first book by Mary Jo Putney that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her style of writing. keeps you interested and waiting for more. I cannot wait to read more of her books.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This book was marketed as being new but after downloading and beginning to read it, it seems to have been a republishing if an older title.

Available now: Dearly Beloved
**** 3.5 stars: High seas adventure, restrained passion - exactly what you want in a historical romance.

Recommended readers:

If you like Mary Jo Putney
If you like English historical romance
If you like rekindled love stories


Here's my Rankings:

4/5 for characters
3/5 for plot
3.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Diana Lindsey has been raising her son quietly in the countryside - but something has been calling her to the city.  When she finds herself much desired in the city but meets the Viscount St. Aubyn, who's equally attracted. The two find their attraction unstoppable, but secrets dangerously threaten them both. Mary Jo Putney's Dearly Beloved is a fast-reading, passionate historical romance.

Available now: Dearly Beloved

Once again, Ms Putney has brought us a tale that causes us to think. How brutal were some fathers towards their daughters? How does a child survive having never been loved? After the first chapter I wanted to stop reading, but decided that I needed to see where it led. I'm glad I stuck with it. You will learn so much about these two people...and for me. I am happy they found their HEA.

Dearly Beloved by Mary Jo Putney is a reissue that is an intensely emotional read with discomfiting elements, as two damaged souls who have never known real love are brought together.

Gervase Brandelin is made to marry a fanatical clergyman's daughter whom he unwittingly compromised. After forcibly consummating the marriage, he sends his "wife" away with instructions that he will provide a living allowance but never wants to see her again.

Fast forward several years, and Gervase meets and is fascinated by beautiful courtesan Diana Lindsey, not realizing she is the spouse he sent away. Gervase and Diana both have to come to terms with their past before they can have a future.

Putney is a skilled writer and, while I have enjoyed many of her works, this is not one of my favorites.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warning:
Rape
Abuse
Extreme Misogyny
Ableism
I received this as an early review book and it was a struggle to the end. The "Hero" begins our story enacting violent rape as revenge and then feeling sorry for himself. He is meant to grow and redeem himself which only happens in the last 25 pages and only in a very shallow way. We get to spend the previous 485 pages watching as his rape survivor tries to heal his wounds and make him a better man while he does everything in his power to prove he is nothing but trash.

#DearlyBeloved #NetGalley

<b>**Thanks to the author and netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.** </b>

There are no words for this book. I mean literally. I don’t think I even made it to the end of the first chapter. And that in itself says a lot. I’m disgusted with the “hero” of this story, if hero is what he is.

A drunken Englishman enters the wrong bedchamber in a Scottish pub and is caught by a overly religious father. Who immediately damns that the Englishman marry his daughter. The wedding ceremony is rushed and for all appearances both are devastated by the outcome.

This is the story plot that has started many a historical romance. The drunken fool usually try’s to make up for his stupidity. And how I wish this novel had gone down that route. To have developed this human hero who would make mistakes.

But no... the hero was no hero. <b>He raped her</b> — at no point can you justify what the hero is doing. His blatant disregard and the callous way he demands to never set eyes on her again.

How are you meant to grow to love his? You can’t. He’s the perfect “bad” guy and yet she’s painting him as the hero.

I can’t bare to turn another page ... and to be frank I wish I’d read the reviews before requesting. The author is usually a solid historical romance author but this... this is something else.

It’s a 1 star and DNF from me

When it comes to strong women, author Mary Jo Putney always delivers. Her novel, Dearly Beloved, written in 1990 and re-released in 2019, is no exception. But instead of just one tough lady, this novel boasts three! Each woman has suffered and struggled. Because of the hardships and heartaches, these ladies have endured, they have become better versions of themselves.

Despite these strong female characters, I took issue with several aspects of this novel. Sadly, the first chapter concluded with a less-than-fatherly father forcing the male protagonist to marry his underage daughter. The protagonist takes out his frustration on the unsuspecting girl, raping her. Fast forward several years: This same man now treats women with barely concealed contempt while, lurking is a villain, who is much, much worse.

Like all late-20th-century bodice-ripper books, Dearly Beloved's women are used and abused, all in the name of love and romance. That is a no-no for my modern sensibilities. And no matter how likable or admirable the female characters are, I still felt slightly sullied after reading this book.

***
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zebra Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Copyright says 1990, 2019. I haven't found any reference by Putney that says anything about any revisions or updated. If not it didn't need it.
Unpleasant circumstances leave two people scarred. Years later Diana Lindsay seeks love in London. Little did she realize that the man she was forced to marry would become her lover. Once secrets are revealed, love may be lost. Set during Napoleon's war, spy's become another problem. A very emotional rollercoaster that tears the heartstrings and leaves you inevitably drained. But that HEA makes it worth it.
Putney is a master craftswoman in creating an excellent story. A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

Awful. It was awful. I know it’s a re-release, and there was some dodgy romance written in the 80’s & 90’s which doesn’t age well, but this was AWFUL. It begins with a rape. Our “hero” is bitter, angry, and horny. Our heroine is barely legal, a total stranger to him, and zonked out on laudanum. He rapes her, not a coerced into consent/compliance rape, but an actual, violent rape. It doesn’t get any better from there.

Dearly Beloved is a republishing of a book first published in 1990. 

Diana Lindsay yearns for a new life for her and her son. When a chance encounter with a former courtesan opens up new opportunities for her, she sets out with her new friend to become a courtesan, on her first night 'out' she meets the one man she never expected to attend. 

Gervase Brandelin, the Viscount St. Aubyn, is seeking to atone for the sins of his past. Now an elite spymaster he has no interest in a paramour, but when he meets Diana, he finds himself unable to resist.

Both have secrets in their past that could prove challenging to overcome, and with danger lurking around the corner, the two lovers face an uphill battle.  

This book is not for the faint of heart, I find it difficult to say too much without giving spoilers, but both characters are horrible with the "hero" being particularly loathsome. The first chapter features the hero raping a teenage girl. Do not read this book if you are sensitive to abuse. 

I received an arc of this book, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was very divided by this book. It started off very disturbing, it had alot of negativity and violence in it.
Not just one rape ( described in detail), but 2 (the 2nd told in retrospect).
I found the abuse these 2 characters suffered at the hands of their parents and then hurled upon each other was just too much.
It had the potential to be such a good story. I actually liked seeing the relationship between Diana and Gervase develope. I liked seeing Gervase thaw.
But the conclusion of the book was so harsh. It just left you feeling numb because of all the bad things that happened.
So I give it 3 stars for the middle of the book. But the beginning and the end need to go.