The Trouble with True Love: Dear Lady Truelove

Although I have read hundreds of romance novels, this is my first review, simply because, like Rex, I couldn't resist. Not only is this my favorite Laura Lee Gurhke novel, it is one of my favorite romance novels of all time. It balances a reforming rake with a shy but intelligent girl, has a slowly built element of passion, and provides the reader with a totally understandable rationale for the hero's reluctance to marry. Add to that foundation much witty banter, a truly lovely friendship between the hero and heroine, and some comic moments, and you have an excellent story to be read and reread.

I enjoyed this story. I very much like the author's writing style and skill.The banter between the hero, Rex, and the heroine, Carla, is entertaining. I thought the story line was good. I liked the way the author took a lot of time building and evolving both characters. There were no other plots within to distract. Not a lot of other characters to keep track of. No mysteries to uncover. The story line focused on the two. This is the unfolding of a romance between two people who couldn't be more different. Although, they do happen to share the impact of embarrassment and hurt caused by certain extremely troublesome family members I liked how the author progressively unveils Rex' and Carla's very diverse beliefs on morality, love and marriage. The dialogue between the two, although heated at times, strives to be amicable. The need for transparency from each other; drawing out the most sensitive and intimate of feelings begins to change them both for the better.Then there are the good ole' predictable "smutty" moments so typical of romance novels. The redundant inner thoughts of Rex, dying to touch Carla, every which way, for me, became tiresome. Not to mention the tightening of his pants - quite frequently!! Then there are the two graphic sex scenes. I know there is a huge audience for this, however, all this "fluff" is not needed. A talented writer, such as this author, can evoke feelings of passion without the use of explicit sexual contents. I have come across some really good ones! Just saying ... I would have given 4 stars. I will say though that at the very least, this author managed to keep out crude words, and kept sex scenes to a minimum. Kudos!Otherwise, the story kept my interest. I liked that Carla, although overprotected all of her young life, is a strong woman. She has a backbone. Her convictions about morality and true love are unmovable. Rex, a cynic when it comes to love and marriage is well known for his "rakish" ways, and is brutally honest about it. Deep down, however, it is not hard to quickly discover that he has the qualities of a deeply caring person. A HEA.

Lovely hate-to-friendship-to-love story. Guhrke does a nice job illustrating the slow and unknowing way they both develop feelings for each other while letting the audience still see the love blooming even when the characters haven't yet. There are some passionate moments and it was nice to see how each of them handled that. Quite a well done and entertaining romance.

This is the second book in Ms. Guhrke's 'Dear Lady Truelove' series. It's wonderfully written, and the main characters, Miss Clara Deverill and Rex Galbraith, are both likable and believable. It was interesting to watch them come to know one another, and in this knowledge to also gain deeper insights into the lives they've led, and the lives they hope to lead in the future. There are some books that I read over and over again (especially when I am searching for a new book), and this is one such book.

This was a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon: interesting, believable characters, a plausible situation (sort of,) decent dialogue, some humor and an effort to stick to the social realities of the time (1890s,) and some romance. Nice! It was well written which was a relief after the recent string of bad HRs I've come across. I particularly liked that we got to know the characters; they had hopes and goals and reasons for their behavior that all hung together well and made their relationship interesting -- and their friendship made the HEA feel solid. There were parts that seemed to drag a bit; the final scene just seemed to go on and on, for example. There was lots of the hero's introspection which felt repetitious. And frankly the scene in the Yellow Room felt a bit clinical and not so romantic. But on the whole it was nice to read a nice romance that was well written and well edited! Can't wait for the next one in the series!

LLG is a terrific writer. I loved this story. It is a straight forward relationship story. The characters had realistic views and reasons for their views, delving into why Rex was so set against marriage; why Clara sought love, marriage and family. And what she expected to gain from it. Clara also finding personal strength she didnt know she had, due in part to Rex. A few places in the story they referred to each other as being friends - I think they were. As I mentioned before this is a relationship novel: between potential mates, friends, parents/children. A very, very good one at that. Highly recommend. Probably one of the best I’ve read in a while.

Just about perfect! I must admit I’ve never read a LLG book I didn’t love. Our heroine, Clara, is delightfully shy...at first. But with the introduction of our wonderful hero she blossoms and becomes her true glorious and confident self. Meanwhile, Rex, our handsome and gifted hero, is in need of some straight talk. This is cleverly provided with great wit by Clara. These two prove to be just what the other needs. This is a page-turner that will cost you sleep. Actually, it’s all perfect!

Loved this story a lot. Clair showed her growth of confidence with the help of Rex. Neither thought they were headed for love. Enjoyed how Rex finally figured out that he loved Clair. I also liked that Irene and Henry returned from the Truth about Love and Dukes.

I don't know if you've noticed, but contemporary romances have typically been my thing. You see, I adore Jane Austen, and though her books are very tame by today's standards, they nevertheless have a power over me, one that brings me back time and again for more Darcy. (I love other classics, too, but I am an Austen fangirl.) I had an unfortunate experience with the first historical romance I read, back when I first became a blogger three years ago, and it has coloured my view of the genre. I have, for the most part, avoided it since then.This book was completely unputdownable. I haven't eaten in 16 hours, aside from a couple pieces of dark chocolate. I managed to pull myself away long enough to get 5 hours of sleep and go to the bathroom when I couldn't hold it in any longer. I was completely and utterly transfixed by The Trouble with True Love. Laura wrote this with not a single dull moment. In fact, her execution in terms of pacing, plot, and chemistry were flawless. I am sitting sitting at my desk now, trying to put all these feelings into words. It's tough, as all I want to do is daydream and sigh and wish the book had an extended epilogue. I think I will be sighing all weekend at this rate.I loved both characters. I saw myself in Clara, especially younger me. Her lack of confidence in herself and her shyness was relatable, and the traditional future she wanted for herself was understandable. It made sense for her as a character. During the course of the book, she gained confidence, not just from her interactions with Rex, but through the challenges thrown at her that she was able to concur. I was completely on the same page as her regarding Rex, thinking he was gorgeous but despicable at first in his advice for his friend. But, like her, Rex surprised me, and over time, I learned that there was more to him than his devilish ways, and that his ideas of relationships and sexuality were actually very modern. I could also understand his aversion to marriage, given his history.Both characters were able to grow and compromise without completely sacrificing their own beliefs, and it was all done in a natural and endearing manner. And that chemistry? OH BOY. I almost combusted during their first kiss, and that was just the first course. The banter was also A++, with me laughing out loud several times, and then returning to holding my breath...If she was the rose, he was the sun and spring rain that had lifted her out of a lifetime of winter.I experienced a moment of personal growth, myself, as I am willing to concede that maybe I was a bit harsh on historical romances. Maybe I need a more varied romance diet. What I've learned is from The Trouble with True Love is that historical romances can be just as delicious as contemporaries, and I should endeavour to seek out more, particularly ones that refer to women's rights movements like this one did!I never give a book 5 stars unless I am certain that I could quite happily pick the book up and read it again. A lot of fantastic books end up getting 4.5 stars from me, but it's the only way I can make sure that my 5-star recommendations are the best of the best. And you know what? I could read this book again.

I really enjoy this author but I was disappointed with the amount of Americanisms used. True there were no uses of cream instead of milk in tea but we do not have blocks in the UK there are streets and to refer to an MP for the British Labour party as a Labor MP is just wrong. Also I would point out that the Labour Party was formed in 1900.Overall however the story was good and was a quick read.

Enjoyable story of a woman learning that she is capable of more than she thought she was and the man who helped her realise this.

Loved, loved, loved Clara and Rex's story - Rex was such a cynic about love and when he demonstrates for Lionel how to baffle his lover into continuing the affair and not get married, he was hilarious - all through the novel he defines himself as a rogue but he is too nice for me to believe that - Clara deserves a man who will appreciate her sweet simplicity after all the heartbreak she has been through with her father - loved these two characters - the plot was unique with Rex and Clara running the newspaper as well as trying not to fall in love - the humor in this novel was lacking in the prior story but was a hit in this one -

Sehr gut beschriebene Personen, äußerst glaubhaft erklärt, wie jemand wurde, wie er ist und warum er so handelt. Auch die Entwicklung der Geschichte ist nachvollziehbar und trotzdem spannend.Sehr empfehlenswert