Say You Love Me

CA: "old school" romance misogyny and treatment of woman's sexuality (though it was on the mild end--not like Woodiwiss-level or anything)
CW: attempted rape; non-con sadism

A somewhat "old school" romance, Say You Love Me is a historical and part of Lindsey's long series about the Malory family. I enjoyed this very much, save for a ~50-page episode where the villain of the story kidnaps the heroine and we're subjected to some (obviously) very non-con sexual sadism (I had to skim). This scenario felt a little shoehorned into the story and wildly unpleasant in a way that I didn't think really added much to the story, either during it or afterwards. (I'm also really tired of the coupling of kink with villainy and/or mental instability, the show more latter of which this story leaned on hard, but that's a bit of a separate issue, I guess, especially as the book in question is twenty-five years old.) But aside from that (the book is over 400 pages long, so I don't really mean that facetiously--it was a pretty small portion of the story), this was a bit of an unexpected delight. There are some attitudes that wouldn't really fly in romance today but honestly most of it didn't really bother me, as it fit into the story and the time period reasonably well. It was a story I could just sink into (YMMV here, of course, depending on how the old school romance elements strike you), and I keep thinking about the atmosphere and tone of the book. I'll likely read more of Lindsey. show less

Kelsey finds out her family is facing some money trouble and lets her uncle talk her into auctioning herself to the highest bidder as a 'mistress' and that could have gone so horribly because there's this super-depraved woman-beater bidding on her, but she's rescued by Derek Malory, which is great because he's gorgeous and rich and nice. Old, evil guy is still obsessed, though, so there's some suspense here, too. Also, some secrets revealed about the eldest Malory, Derek's father which sets us up nicely for the next book, The Present.

Brief Synopsis: Kelsey Langton and her younger sister are living with her aunt and uncle since their parents' deaths. Late one night, Kelsey's uncle confides that their fortune is gone, and they are ruined if he cannot pay his debts. He offers one suggestion for how she can save her younger sister: become the mistress of a wealthy lord. Lord Derek Malory cannot believe his eyes when he sees a young woman being auctioned to the highest bidder. When Lord David Ashford ups the bidding, Derek decides to win her at all costs, knowing Ashford to be brutal to women. He realizes Ashford will beat her and wants to save her. Derek does not know she is a gentle-born lady with a respectable family, and no one is more surprised than he when he falls show more in love. But how can he save her from Lord Ashford, who is determined to get his revenge?

The Verdict: If you've read the synopsis, then you have an idea of how ridiculous the story is. It's not realistic in the least, and is certainly not the best historical romance you'll likely read. The dialogue is iffy; sometimes it seems authentic, but other times it's awkward and does not seem historically accurate in the least. Due to the nature of their relationship, sex occurs before they fall in love. There was one sex scene (Kelsey's first time), but their other exploits were not elaborated on. It's unclear why they fall in love, exactly. For Kelsey's part, I think she views Derek as a savior of sorts, but I'm not sure why he falls in love with her. This part was very unsatisfying for me. If you like to get in the head of the characters, you'll likely be disappointed. This was a very quick read with a happy ending, but it suffered from an overall lack of development. show less

Kelsey Langton has been convinced by the relatives that took her in that the only way to save her sister is to put herself on the auction block. Lord Derek Malory is the highest bidder for her but his motives are suspect.

It's a fun read, falls apart if you poke it in any way but otherwise fun.

I couldn't put this book down. I stayed up late last night to finish this book. I knew if I had tried to go to sleep I wouldn't because I wanted to reach the ending of this book. I also realized that this is the first book I had ever read by Johanna Lindsey. It had be about 10 years or more since I read this and I still loved it this time around.

Say You Love Me is the romance of Derek Malory, heir to the Marquis of Haverston and Kelsey Langton. Kelsey is a lady but Derek does not know this when he purchases her at an auction just to thwarts Lord Ashford who is known to beat his whores.

Kelsey is talked into selling herself to help her uncle avoid the creditors. She has to lie and she knows that once she does this she will never be able show more to marry. She has to tell a story of why she talks and acts like a lady.

When they start falling in love with each other it is interesting. And seeing Derek's Uncles James and Tony noticing how much Derek is smitten with Kelsey. Only one family member learns the truth and that is Reggie. She knew when she first met Kelsey at the dress makers that they would be great friends.

Lord Ashford kidnaps Kelsey as she is leaving the dressmakers one day. Luckily James has his butler tailing Lord Ashford and know that he has taken a woman. When James learns about it and hears the description he knows it has to be Kelsey. This is when I just couldn't stop reading. I needed to reach the end and know what would happen to Kelsey and Derek.

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. show less

It is not the best Malory novel, but it is still a Malory. And as far as unrealistic, Hello!!!! Who wants realistic? I am looking for an escape from reality. I want the impossible to be possible. Maybe it's just me. Derek is one of my favorite Malory's as we have known him from the start, Kelsey is exactly who I had seen him ending up with. I thought she was more Jeremy's type.

Typical Lindsey historical. Overblown emotional yarn with great characters. Quick read.