Who Would Like This Book:
If you adore sweeping, dramatic historical romances with high-stakes passion and complex characters, "Splendor" is a wild, emotional ride. You’re not just in Regency London - you’re drifting through the intrigue of St. Petersburg, Russia. Brenda Joyce doesn’t shy away from drama or scandal, and her love story between a British commoner and a Russian prince packs all the tropes: forbidden love, disguises, witty banter, and a dash of adventure. Plus, you get inside the heads of both leads and even the supporting cast, including an endearing child character. Perfect for readers who love their romance angsty, trope-filled, and a little unhinged!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers who want more historically accurate behavior from characters or who get frustrated by characters making questionable personal choices might have trouble with this one. Some found the heroine a bit naive and self-righteous, and the prince’s actions - not always heroic. If you dislike love stories involving adultery or have little patience for soapy drama and leaps in logic, this book might not hit the right note for you.
About:
Set in Regency London and war-torn Russia in 1812, 'Splendor' by Brenda Joyce follows the story of Carolyn Browne, a commoner with noble heritage, who writes a gossip column to expose the hypocrisy of the upper class. When she meets Prince Nicholas Sverayov, a Russian colonel married to a princess, their forbidden love story unfolds, taking readers on a journey of passion and betrayal. The plot weaves through societal expectations, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of love, offering a mix of fairy tale romance and harsh reality.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of adultery and potential emotional distress related to the characters' relationships.
Has Romance?
The romance is central to the plot and is portrayed with depth and emotional intensity.
From The Publisher:
She played a dangerous game. Carolyn Browne was a poor bookseller's daughter and an enlightened thinker, delighting London with her scathingly witty columns, written under the name Charles Copperville. Penetrating the town's gilded salons in male disguise, Carolyn soon throws her barbs at the wrong man- the enigmatic Russian prince, Nicholas Sverayov.
He was a dangerous target. His notoriety, extravagances, and indulgent disregard for social convention fuel Carolyn's outrage. Nicholas has moved through the balls and soirees of high society effortlessly, a natural target of gossip, envy, and desire. But Nicholas is furious to find himself lampooned by Copperville, and quickly discovers Carolyn's dearly held secret. Now, as the two spar, a new game begins- a game of deception and pride, of longing and chance.
And they played for the ultimate prize... As Nicholas sweeps Carolyn from the teeming streets and gala balls of Regency London to the splendor and majesty of St. Petersburg, against all odds the unlikely lovers embark upon a whirlwind of passion and peril until there is no turning back- for the stakes have changed, demanding no less of them than the unwavering courage to claim the love of a lifetime.
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What can you read after
Splendor?
About the Author:
Brenda Joyce is the author of 26 novels. She lives in Colorado.
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