Lover Be Mine: A Legendary Lovers Novel

By Nicole Jordan

As the wickedly seductive Wilde cousins seek true love by taking a page from history’s legendary love stories, Lord Jack Wilde plays a determined Romeo courting an enchanting Juliet.
 
The last thing Sophie Fortin expects at a masquerade ball is a dazzling kiss from a pirate. Her desire quickly falters when she learns that her masked gentleman is devilishly scandalous Lord Jack, a member of the captivating Wilde clan—and a man she’s forbidden to acknowledge. But when Jack begins a breathtaking seduction, Sophie can barely resist.
 
Jack never imagined that the daughter of his family’s mortal enemy would awaken such fierce passion within him—until one unforgettable kiss changes his mind forever. Soon, Jack is hell-bent on winning Sophie’s hand, going so far as to abduct her to save her from marrying a rival nobleman. Determined to woo Sophie and her unyielding parents, Jack is faced with the one decision he’d sworn never to make. The secret heir to a prince, Jack has spurned his royal heritage for years . . . but for Sophie he’ll risk all to turn a legacy of heartbreak into love ever after.
  
Praise for Nicole Jordan and Lover Be Mine
 
“[An] engagingly, well-plotted Regency that is worthy of the Bard and is the latest in Jordan’s ‘Wilde-ly’ entertaining Legendary Lovers series featuring the scandalous Wilde cousins.”—Library Journal

“The hero and heroine in Jordan’s latest stylishly written romance have sexual chemistry to burn, making Lover Be Mine the perfect choice for readers who crave Regency-set historicals that sizzle with sensuality.”—Booklist

“Nicole Jordan’s new fairy tale series will steal your heart.”—Cathy Maxwell

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: May 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9780345525307

Reviews for Lover Be Mine

[rockstarninja_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

To preface this, I didn't read the 1st book so I didn't get the back story with most of the other characters, but It was an interesting concept for a plot device. Each main character has a love story that mimics a fairytale story. This one was Romeo and Juliette. The beginning of the story was good and even through most of it, everything that happened kept the story moving, but the end just seemed to be tacked on. It wasn't that I didn't like it, but I couldn't decide if the author kept the story going for too long or not long enough.

[tmommy4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not one of my favorite Nicole Jordan books. The beginning was great I really enjoyed the interactions between the two main characters an of course with all romance novels, at least the ones that I like there is a happy ending. However, Ms Jordan fell into the typical melodrama found in many romances where the hero and heroine push each other away for the "good of the family" and "I must do the right thing even though it makes me miserable". I get frustrated with this over dramatization. I do like the idea of following the stories of Legendary lovers. I did not read the first book yet, but plan to do so and will try the next installment, hopefully this is just a blip in the series.

[keeneam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I typically enjoy famous tales re-told and this was no exemption. Jordan did a good job with character development. I really enjoyed the hero, Jack, and heroine, Sophie. The plot was typical of a romance, but the ending was great, although I did enjoy the first book in the series more. I can't wait to read about the other cousins.

[historicalbooklover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! One of the better historical novels I have read in a long while. The characters are engaging and have there own personalities that come through the pages - this author has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are there and actually know the different people. I never read the 1st book in the series but plan to buy soon so I can catch up - and I am really looking forward to reading book 3 when it comes out - The Wilde family is full of mischief & I am very curious to read the girls stories. I would recommend this book to all historical romance lovers - Thanks Librarything for the chance to review!

[dotland101 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Lover Be Mine" - this time it's the story of Lord Jack Wilde, one of the five siblings/cousins, though adopted. His sister and cousin planned and schemed to find Jack a true love and found a gentle lady, Miss Sophie Fortin whom they thought would be a perfect match for Jack even though Jack is known as the notorious rake among the tons, worse than his older brother, Ash. This time they would follow the legendary lovers tale of Romeo and Juliet, although noone here would die like in Shakespeare's story, but there're enough similarities and serious obstacles because the two families; the Wildes and the Fortins have been enemies, the family feud has gone on for three generations. Sophie's father is so fiercely against the Wildes and adamant about keeping her away from the Wildes at all cost.Jack only meant to indulge his sister and cousin, to check out Miss Fortin, and to prove them wrong. Boy! Did he find out quickly that he was so mistaken, and had to admit that his female siblings might just be right. Their attractions for each other are undeniable, there's something about Jack that he's hidden from the world and not what it seems, and it intrigues Sophie. There's also something about Sophie that hidden deep inside this gentle and obedient young lady, but if stirred and awaken......Meanwhile, Sophie was meant to do her duty by her family and to marry a duke who is twice her age. Within a short few weeks together with Sophie, Jack decided he can't let that happen and would do anything to 'rescue' her. Sophie is more and more in doubt with her own decision, about her marriage of convenience to the duke the closer she's gotten to Jack and known him more. What would they have to do to convince her father and get him to relent and let his daughter marry for love instead of for title and wealth? All I can say without giving away the story and spoil it for others is that this Legendary Lovers series is getting better and better!

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. This was a cute book, but not outstanding...I just didn't feel terribly invested in the two characters and their romance. I'm not really sure why. The blurb at the end definitely has me looking forward to the next in the series, though--Skye's story sounds great!

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My rating: 4 of 5 starsLover Be Mine by Nicole Jordon is a 2013 Ballantine Publication. I would like to thank the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC digital copy of this book. This is the second book in the "Legendary Lovers" series. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. Lord Jack's adopted sister, Katharine and his cousin, Skye are up to their old match making tricks again. This time they have targeted him. Kate believes the five Wilde cousins can find true love by emulating legendary lovers through out history. In the first book, Cinderella was the legend. For Lord Jack, Kate has chosen "Romeo and Juliet". The reason is that Sophie Fortin is about to accept a marriage proposal from a Duke that is more much older than her and a complete bore. She is only agreeing to the marriage because of her parents and her sense of duty toward them. Kate and Skye convince Lord Jack to rescue the lady from being sold into a loveless marriage. What Lord Jack didn't count on was his immediate attraction to Sophie. The two felt a chemistry between them right away. Sophie had lost her only sibling and felt it her duty to bring a title into the family. Her father had been cheated out of a peerage title because of a long standing feud between Sophie's family and Lord Jack's family. The loss of a title and the wealth that could have been his has become an obsession for Sophie's father. But when Jack is given a journal written by one of his ancestors, he finds that his family never intended things to work out the way they did. It was all just a terrible tragedy. Once Jack has his first encounter with Sophie, he is determined to set her free from her parents and a loveless marriage. He is also determined to show her what she would be missing out on if she married the staid Duke. Once Sophie has experienced a few smoldering kisses from Jack, she discovers a passion she never knew could exist. But, she is torn between duty to her parents and her own happiness. Because her parents are so set on Sophie having a title and wealth, Jack decides he will attempt to claim his inheritance from his estranged father. This would make Sophie a princess and give her vast wealth. But, will that be enough to satisfy her unbending father? Are Sophie and Jack doomed like Romeo and Juliet? Or will they have their happy ever after?Nicole Jordan is a wonderful author of historical romances. This one is really inventive. There is adventure, romance, scandal , but also there this is a story about the power of love. Jack is in need of finding peace concerning his mother's death and his fear of loving anyone, lest he lose them. Sophie learns to step out of her parents shadow and take up for herself. I loved the way the author built the sexual tension. Hot kisses, then a slow progression from there. Having to keep the romance a secret also added a element of suspense. I also loved Sophie's Aunt Eunice. She was a lady way ahead of her time. If you love historical romances or just any kind of romance, this is one to try out. I'll give this one an A.

[amdrane2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this romance and hope to read more about this funny deeply caring family. I hadn't read the previous book in this series, as I wasn't aware that this was a series until I had already started reading this one, but once I finished I went and bought the first one.I liked that the female relatives decided that each member of the family will find their perfect mate by emulating a pair of legendary lovers. In this case it was Romeo and Juliet and Jack and Sophie definitely fit the bill as star-crossed lovers. Their families had been in a feud for a couple generations. The chase Jack takes to secure Sophie to his side was a thrill to read. Not only were we in London, but we visited Paris (briefly) and a country Navartania (not sure about that spelling). The pair were perfect for each other.Can't wait to read the next book and see who gets put through the romance drama. Doesn't have to be read as part of the series, but I'm sure it would be even more enjoyable.

[russofamily1207 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great historical romance novel. The characters are well developed and it is very well written. I did not read the first story but I did think it was neat that the series is doing each couple as a fairy tale couple. From what I could tell the first book was Cinderella and this one is Romeo and Juliet. Could not put the book down- read it in one sitting.

[addictofromance · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I had been given the ARC by Edelweiss and Ballantine Books, I was thrilled because even though I haven't read this author in a long while, I have enjoyed her in the past. I had also read some very positive reviews, that made me excited to read this story. It is definitely a bit more intense than I expected. It is based on the tale of Romeo and Juliet...only this time it actually has a happy ending (which is a requirement for any book I read) But this couple does have a bit of a bumpy road before they get to the roses and daisies.From the beginning it starts out with Jack, who is known as a rake, but is also part of a family that is practically at war with Sophie's family. Jack's cousin, is on a mission to convince him that Sophie is his mate and as such he needs to pursue her. At first he thinks she is crazy, but there is a certain connection from their first kiss, at a masquerade ball, where Sophie's passions are awakened and desire for a man that should be her enemy, is far from it. Sophie has a duty to her parents, who are financially struggling if it wasn't for her aunt. So a marriage proposal from a titled lord is what her father desires for her. But when Jack consistently pursues her ina way that she finds it hard to resist...from Jack climbing up the wall to her room, to meeting in secret for sensual rendezvous, she knows that she is in trouble of falling hard for him, especially when she knows that it isn't possible to have a future with him. Her father blames the Wilde's for quite a bit, and has hardened his heart. So Jack is forced to take desperate measures when Sophie finds herself engaged to a man that would bore her to tears. Now Sophie will have to decide what is more important: her obligation to her family, or her love and passion with Jack.Jack is very unlike most heroes you usually see. Even though he is rumored to be a rake, he is far from it. He is very protective of others, has many vulnerabilities and there is so much depth to Jack, I fell in love with him from the beginning, I so wish I could have traded places with Sophie, I would love to have Jack as my own---sexy, protective, loyal, involved in helping others in need, and a fighter for the woman he loves. Jack isn't resistant to love like most heroes of this era, he is willing to give their relationship a fighting chance to succeed. Sophie I found to be very likable, even if she could have had a bit more spin when it came to Jack. But I understood her reasons, her family is everything to her. I admired her devotion to them and her desire to sacrifice for them, but it was fun seeing her change into a fighter for both her family and the man she loves. It was interesting to see the slow change in her, and I loved seeing the development in both Jack and Sophie. There was so much depth to these characters, and seeing the side characters added to the story in a delightful way.There were so many things that I liked about this story, and I can't think of anything major that I didn't like. There was so much to LOVER BE MINE that made for a strong and sensational story...that reminded me of why I love romance novels so much. Even though I haven't read the first one in the series, I didn't feel lost or anything, it was easy to catch on, and I wasn't ever lost. The plot was fun and I enjoyed how it followed the play of Romeo and Juliet---even the whole climbing up the tower to talk to Sophie-I do love a hero who has more stubbornness than sense--makes it more exciting and unique. I love the wide variety of emotions that were displayed through the story, that only made it more vivid and almost real. Such a powerful driven story of passion, love and deep emotion that will blow you away!!!

[dd196406 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable Regency-era romance novel. Fun beach read. Brings in classic Shakespeare tale and interweaves with the main characters for an interesting and entertaining story. Good beach read.

[narshkite · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

First things first: I received this book for free from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I assure you this in no way compromises my ability to be fair in this review.I have a deal to offer Nicole Jordan. If she will forever banish the word "brazen" from her writings, I will give her another star. I am not exaggerating when I estimate this book contains well over 100 uses of the word. There were 2 facing pages where it was used 5 times. It got so bad that every time I came across the word I had to put the book down and take deep breaths. STOP with the "brazen" Nicole! Especially stop with the "bold and brazen" -- they mean the same thing. Which takes me to my next issue: stop repeating things in general. This issue takes two forms in the book. First, the lists of 3 or 4 adjectives or adverbs that mean the same thing. "Brazen, shameless, defiant, bold, etc. All the same things. Really. The second part of the repetition issue is simply stating the same things over and over again. The same stories are repeated and repeated and repeated. Like I have done in my last two sentences, our narrator says things over and over. We know why Sophie's father objects to Jack, we know why Jack is cautious with his feelings, we know why Sophie does not want to upset her parents, we know all these things. We know these things yet the stories that surround these issues are told at least half a dozen times each. This would have been a better book at 300 pages than it is at 400. I started with the negatives here, but there are a lot of positives. The story is good and the main characters are rather charming (as is Sophie's aunt, who is central to the story.) If it had not been for the sloppy writing this would have been a good read. I do want to emphasize the issue is sloppiness. I think Jordan is generally a decent writer. The story is well organized and the characters' behavior is consistent and believable (enough). This reads like a first draft. The failure to edit yielded prose so jarring it takes the reader out of the story. Bodice rippers are fantasies and if you can't get lost in this sort of book it is not worth the time.

[lostshadows · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book does a lot of things right. It has a silly premise, but it has the characters acknowledge that it is a silly premise, instead of dancing around or trying to hide the idea. The man Sophie's parents want her to marry isn't a bad guy, just not a great match. The motives of Sophie's parents aren't presented as unreasonable. It also has a refreshing discussion about birth control between the two leads, when they decide they want to be fully intimate before marriage, and the hero questioning whether he can really be in love with a woman he barely knows.But it also goes wrong in several areas. Some are minor, such as a habit of repeating information too often or the heroine's being surprised that a man she knows lived in France until he was six, actually speaks fluent French. Others are more glaring.The main one for me, was the hero's reconciliation with his father. Jack seems to get over a lifetime of blaming the man, not completely unreasonably, for his mother's death, in the span of just a few days. This just felt too abrupt, especially considering the level of hatred the reader had been presented with up to that point.I also had issues with the fact that every time Jack accused Sophie of not standing up for herself, it was to get her to do what he wanted her to do, instead of what her parents wanted her to do. Trading who's wishes you'll cave in to is not the same thing as growing a spine.Then there's a bit just a few chapters from the end, where Jack seems to abruptly change his tune about marrying Sophie. It turns out, at least partly, to be because he's working on something to help sway her parent's opinion, but there's no reason he can't tell Sophie about this plan. Nor does it really explain all of the inner turmoil he's suddenly experiencing. It seems like the author just decided to squeeze in piece of last minute conflict, which reads like arbitrary last minute conflict.It's not a bad book. Overall, I liked Sophie and Jack and could buy their relationship, and I don't think the problems detract too much from the enjoyability.

[vanianunes-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Romeo and Juliet's like story. This is how Jack's sister, Katherine, qualifies his romance with Sophie Fortin.The Wilde and Fortin families have a long-standing feud: Sophie's great-grandfather was killed in a duel by an ancestor of Jack. Because of this, the line of succession to the barony turned out to anyone other than the father of Sophie, and Mr. Fortin Wilde blames any Wilde for it. He'd never allowed his only daughter even had the company of someone in that family!Sophie was already being prepared to be proposed in marriage by the Duke Dunmore and thus be able to take her family social ostracism off and leverage their financial situation.Until she meets Jack at a masked ball ... and feels that her life changed forever.Jack was not interested in marriage. To love and worry about someone was the last thing on his list. Especially after having learned the hard way what love could cause a person. But when he was convinced by his cousin Skye to join her at the ball, and he saw the beauty of Sophie Fortin, his sense to protect the beautiful woman of a inconsequential marriage fires.He had little time to woo her ... But just relying on the best of allied ...Nicole Jordan knows how to drive a story.Her couples are always full of life, dilemmas and their dialogues are strong, accurate and engaging. As you read, you're hoping that something happens and the couple can finally live "happily ever after".Hot scenes of her books are also famous, although I found this a little less hot than the previously read. But they are still wonderful.Sophie is torn between staying with the man who is the love of her life and her obedience to her parents. With the precarious financial situation of the family and the help of her great aunt Eunice Pennant, she does not think would be fair to follow her heart desires and leave their parents in bitterness. Especially after the death of her only brother who could bring back the title to family.Jack, on the other hand, is one of the most eligible bachelors of the ton. Rich, handsome, he does not think to be involved with anyone because the simple fact of what he had seen love brought to his mother. His past was not even mentioned, but he couldnt forget. And he would do anything to help Sophie without becoming involved ...The Wilde's clan is another masterpiece.This book is number 2 of a series, I believe, will have at least five stories. The first book, "Princess Charming", brings Ashton and Maura's story.They are 5 brothers / cousins Wilde: Ashton, Quinn, Katherine, Skye and Jack.As the series is called "Legendary Lovers", this means that each character will have a story inspired by a couple of romantic literature. The first was inspired by Cinderella's. This, Romeo and Juliet. The next will be: Quinn ("Pygmalion and Galatea"), Katherine ("Taming of the Shrew") and Skye, my favorite story ("Beauty and the Beast").My impressions:I loved the book and I look forward to reading sequels.Recommend the series to all my friends who love Historical Romances and hopefully be available soon in my language.The pace of the story was perfect.Positives points: perfect pace, characters with dilemmas involving the reader, sense of humor. And this book maked me want to read book 1!!!Negative points: not found.

[librarydanielle_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

overall I rather enjoyed this installment of the fairy tale series. there were parts that made me roll my eyes, but overall I enjoyed it. one of the weakest points was the epilogue. it was way overdone, and the language too florid. it also served no point- no loose ends were tied up, there was no glimpse into the future, it was just an opportunity for an overdone sex scene. I could have done without it.
Lord Jack is the black sheep of the wilde clan. determined to play the clown and keep his family entertained he plays the part of the gentile rogue.
Lady Sophie Fortin is a dutiful daughter. she plans to marry where her father desires and have a content, if not happy life.
until lady skye steps in. she is determined that jack and sophie are a real life romeo and juilet, and are destined for love and happiness.
but the fortins and the wildes have been feuding for generations and sophie can't let her desire for jack overrule her good sense.