Who is the worst hero to be successfullly reformed?

iluvarake · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 719

Who is the hero you despised the most at the beginning of the book but by the author's alchemy ended up stellar HEA material? The baddest of the bad boys who believably becomes Mr. Right. How do you think the author pulled it off?

I'm still thinking of my definitive answer but there is more than one Sebastian on my list already.
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Justin managed to look superior and bored and disbelieving all at once. No mean feat for a man who'd just fallen from a tree.

Manda · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 520

There are quite a few murderers who get reformed in romantic suspense. I'm thinking of Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer's AGNES AND THE HITMAN. Though, oddly, he didn't seem like such a terrible person.

My own choice would be Ismal AKA Comte d'Esmond from Loretta Chase's CAPTIVES OF THE NIGHT. At the end of THE LION'S DAUGHTER I *hated* that guy. I rejoiced when Varian beat him to a pulp, and I am not a violent person. So Chase had some serious work to do in making me accept Esmond as heroic. But she did it, IMO.

Wendy AAR · Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 320

Oh, Zsadist, definitely, although his metamorphosis takes place over two books.

Nicole · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:32 am Post subject:

I think that Sebastian from Gaffney's To Have and to Hold had a long way to go.
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She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain. -Louisa May Alcott

iluvarake · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 719

Yulie · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1045 Location: Elsewhere

Definitely Sebastian from To Have and to Hold. He was a terrible person for the first half of that book, and he knew it and did it anyway. I also agree with Esmond in The Lion's Daughter/Captives of the Night as well, the main difference to me being that much of Esmond's transformation took place off-stage between the books, while with Sebastian it's an integral part of the story.

It's not quite the same level of nastiness, but Michael Kenyon is pretty bad in Thunder and Roses before redeeming himself nicely at the end of the book and becoming a good guy for the rest of Putney's Fallen Angels series.

iluvarake · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 719

I remembered one more - Rex, Viscount Rawleigh in Mary Balogh's Indiscreet. His determined and dishonorable pursuit of the heroine pretty much destroyed her life. She was in a pretty precarious social and financial situation and even though she begged him to leave her in peace he kept pursuing her until her reputation and livelihood were ruined.

He did eventually realize what he had done and really worked hard to make amends and by the end I think he was redeemed.

I may have to reread that one. It got me all worked up. Laughing

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Justin managed to look superior and bored and disbelieving all at once. No mean feat for a man who'd just fallen from a tree.

Nicole · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject:

In the novella Unlocked by Courtney Milan the hero Evan taunted and mocked the heroine Elaine causing her to become an object of ridicule and be scorned by the ton. His redemption was not only handled really well, but was also extremely believable. I just recently read it and it was an A read for me.
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She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain. -Louisa May Alcott

CD · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 654 Location: London, UK

noork85 · Joined: 08 May 2011 Posts: 19

How about Adrian from uncommon vows? I loved his mean streak, but then i have a thing for bad boys.

Any other bad boys recommended?

iluvarake · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 719

I just finished The Seduction by Julia Ross and Alden should definitely be on this list. He is a genuine hardcore rake and goes through a very painful growth process that reminded me a little of Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons. He not only changes in his attitude toward the heroine but with all the women in his past.

I stayed up all night to finish this one. Going to try to sleep now and hope my daughter sleeps in this morning. Laughing

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Justin managed to look superior and bored and disbelieving all at once. No mean feat for a man who'd just fallen from a tree.

Manda · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 520

Totally agree about Alden from THE SEDUCTION. He was a true rake with all of the unpleasantness that it entails.

So glad you enjoyed it. Though the mention of it makes me sad that Julia Ross isn't writing anymore.

JaneO · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 755

I haven't read many of Anne Stuart's books, but her "heroes" seem to be pretty bad guys. I can't say I saw enough of a redemption for any of them to believe in any HEA, however.

PWNN · Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 818

Hmm, I never felt Alden truly needed redeeming so much as he learns to trust romantically again. I liked him from the start and then as more of his back story was unraveled I adored him even more. He may have been a rake though I'd call him more a true sensualist but he wasn't a user (the most important woman in his past used him) and it seems he gave more pleasure than he received. I found him rather honorable except for what happens initially with the heroine and that isn't because of how he treats women but being caught up in a scheme that was out of his control and being stuck between a rock and a very hard place. As bad as it was he did not act out of selfish reasons.
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iluvarake · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 719

Alden seduced a lot of women without consideration of the effect on their lives. He wasn't evil but he was very very thoughtless and careless with other peoples' hearts. Remember there was the woman he seduced because she wanted to be a nun and he wanted to prove she was a hypocrite. He even says that he didn't even like her. He doubtless gave a lot once the woman was in his bed but he was pretty ruthless about getting her there no matter her concerns.
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Justin managed to look superior and bored and disbelieving all at once. No mean feat for a man who'd just fallen from a tree.