Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught is a historical romance novel that follows the tumultuous relationship between Whitney Stone and Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore. Whitney, a strong-willed and independent young woman, is caught in a betrothal arrangement with Clayton, despite her affections for another man. As their relationship evolves, Clayton's behavior becomes increasingly cruel and abusive towards Whitney, leading to a complex and intense narrative filled with twists and turns. The book delves into themes of love, betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness set against the backdrop of Regency England.

Characters:

The characters include the strong-willed Whitney Stone and the possessive Clayton Westmoreland, each embodying extreme traits that contribute to the story's conflicts.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and emotionally charged, featuring vivid character portrayals and a rich historical context that adds depth to the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a tumultuous romance filled with themes of obsession, jealousy, and societal pressures. A complicated betrothal adds dramatic tension to the protagonists' relationship.

Setting:

The story is set in Regency-era England, showcasing the social customs and class dynamics of the time.

Pacing:

The pacing starts off strong but can slow down significantly during conflict-heavy moments before building to a dramatic climax.

AS THEIR ELEGANT TRAVELLING CHAISE ROCKED AND SWAYED along the rutted country road, Lady Anne Gilbert leaned her cheek against her husband's shoulder and heaved a long, impatient sigh. "Another whole ...

Notes:

The novel is set in England during the Regency period, specifically 1816.

Whitney, the heroine, starts as a strong-willed and independent character before being portrayed as more submissive later on.

Clayton Westmoreland, the hero, is depicted as a 'dark and arrogant bachelor' who feels entitled to Whitney.

Clayton's obsessive jealousy and possessiveness lead to abusive behavior, including physical violence towards Whitney.

The book features a controversial scene involving sexual assault, which has been heavily debated among readers.

Despite its problematic themes, many readers still recommend it for its emotional impact and engaging writing style.

The novel is considered a classic within the modern Regency romance genre, often referenced in discussions about romance tropes and character dynamics.

Many reviewers express a love-hate relationship with the characters, particularly with Clayton's aggressive tendencies and jealousy.

The book has been edited over the years, including the removal of some explicit content and altering of certain scenes to better fit modern sensibilities.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include non-consensual scenes and domestic abuse, along with themes of jealousy and manipulation.

Has Romance?

Romance is a significant and central theme throughout the novel.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Under the dark, languorous eyes of Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore, Whitney Stone grew from a saucy hoyden into a ravishingly sensual woman. Fresh from her triumphs in Paris society, she returned to England to win the heart of Paul, her childhood love...only to be bargained away by her bankrupt father to the handsome, arrogant Duke. Outraged, she defies her new lord. But even as his smoldering passion seduces her into a gathering storm of desire, Whitney cannot - will not - relinquish her dream of perfect love.

Rich with emotion, brimming with laughter and tears, Whitney, My Love confirms once more why "Judith McNaught is truly one of the spellbinding storytellers of our times" (Affaire de Coeur).

Ratings (15)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (35):

Read It (18)
Want To Read (11)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (5)

What can you read after
Whitney, My Love?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Judith McNaught is the #1 New York Times bestselling author who first soared to stardom with her stunning bestseller Whitney, My Love, and went on to win the hearts of millions of readers with Once and Always, Something Wonderful, A Kingdom of Dreams, Almost Heaven, Paradise, Perfect, Until You, Remember When, Someone to Watch Over Me, the #1 New York Times bestseller Night Whispers, and many other novels. There are more than thirty million copies of her books in print. She lives in Texas.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Activity

Recommendations

My Stuff

Account

More