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scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good second chance love story that also includes enemies-to-lovers and a marriage of convenience. Ten years earlier, Owen was a stable hand at sixteen-year-old Lydia's family home. Lydia was charmed by the boy who gave her the affection she craved, and Owen by the girl who saw him as a person worth knowing. They carried on a secret romance until the day Owen was accused of stealing her mother's jewelry. Heartbroken by the evidence, Lydia stood by as Owen was convicted and sent to the penal colony in Australia.
Seven years later, Owen returned to London, pardoned of his crimes. A self-made man, he and a friend own a high-end gambling establishment. He spends the next three years making money and doing his best to irritate Lydia. The story opens at yet another society ball where they encounter each other. Lydia uses a cold and snarky attitude to disguise the fact that she is still attracted to him. Owen mockingly congratulates her on her upcoming marriage to Lord Kelvedon, which is the first she's heard of it. After confronting her father, she's horrified to learn that she's been essentially sold to the marquess to settle her father's debts.
I liked Owen. Though he works hard to convince Lydia that he's an unrepentant scoundrel, and himself that he doesn't care what happens to her, it is obvious that he cares very much. It was fun to see Owen's partner, Randolph, call him out on his self-deception. Owen convinces himself that offering for her himself is purely business, even though he can't keep his mind off of her.
I had a little harder time liking Lydia at first. Even though she claimed to love him at the time, her acceptance of his guilt indicated otherwise. It took me a while to realize that her constant reminders of his guilt were her way of protecting herself from falling for him again.
I enjoyed the rekindling of Owen and Lydia's romance. Sparks flew at their encounters, their overt antagonism a cover for the attraction both continued to feel. Though he denies his feelings, Owen makes her father an offer he can't resist. I loved how Owen protected Lydia from her father's desire for revenge. Once he and Lydia are married, they have to find a way to live together. I ached for Owen because the best Lydia can do is put her belief in his guilt to the side with a "truce" when all he wants is her to believe in him. I hurt a little for Lydia, too, because Owen dealt with his feelings by avoiding her altogether. It was fun to see the guilt over that finally get to him, and they start to spend some time together. I loved the event that sparked the admission that they both want more from their marriage.
At the same time that Owen and Lydia finally admit their feelings for each other, Owen receives unexpected information in his investigation into his past. He debates the wisdom of telling Lydia, who is dealing with her father's death. I ached for Lydia, who has an unpleasant conversation with her brother and an eye-opening one with Owen. I loved Owen's realization that his love for Lydia is more important than the results of his investigation and the effect it had on her. The ending was fantastic. I especially enjoyed seeing Lydia take control of her future.
I also can't say enough about Owen's partner, Randolph, and Randolph's wife, Gertie. I loved how well Randolph knew Owen and his ability to call Owen out on his self-deception. I liked the way that he and Gertie supported Lydia when Owen was an idiot. Gertie's marriage advice to Lydia was great, including the backstory of her marriage to Randolph. One of the best scenes in the book was when Owen and Lydia delivered Gertie's baby. She had me laughing out loud with her demands toward the end of her labor.
Seven years later, Owen returned to London, pardoned of his crimes. A self-made man, he and a friend own a high-end gambling establishment. He spends the next three years making money and doing his best to irritate Lydia. The story opens at yet another society ball where they encounter each other. Lydia uses a cold and snarky attitude to disguise the fact that she is still attracted to him. Owen mockingly congratulates her on her upcoming marriage to Lord Kelvedon, which is the first she's heard of it. After confronting her father, she's horrified to learn that she's been essentially sold to the marquess to settle her father's debts.
I liked Owen. Though he works hard to convince Lydia that he's an unrepentant scoundrel, and himself that he doesn't care what happens to her, it is obvious that he cares very much. It was fun to see Owen's partner, Randolph, call him out on his self-deception. Owen convinces himself that offering for her himself is purely business, even though he can't keep his mind off of her.
I had a little harder time liking Lydia at first. Even though she claimed to love him at the time, her acceptance of his guilt indicated otherwise. It took me a while to realize that her constant reminders of his guilt were her way of protecting herself from falling for him again.
I enjoyed the rekindling of Owen and Lydia's romance. Sparks flew at their encounters, their overt antagonism a cover for the attraction both continued to feel. Though he denies his feelings, Owen makes her father an offer he can't resist. I loved how Owen protected Lydia from her father's desire for revenge. Once he and Lydia are married, they have to find a way to live together. I ached for Owen because the best Lydia can do is put her belief in his guilt to the side with a "truce" when all he wants is her to believe in him. I hurt a little for Lydia, too, because Owen dealt with his feelings by avoiding her altogether. It was fun to see the guilt over that finally get to him, and they start to spend some time together. I loved the event that sparked the admission that they both want more from their marriage.
At the same time that Owen and Lydia finally admit their feelings for each other, Owen receives unexpected information in his investigation into his past. He debates the wisdom of telling Lydia, who is dealing with her father's death. I ached for Lydia, who has an unpleasant conversation with her brother and an eye-opening one with Owen. I loved Owen's realization that his love for Lydia is more important than the results of his investigation and the effect it had on her. The ending was fantastic. I especially enjoyed seeing Lydia take control of her future.
I also can't say enough about Owen's partner, Randolph, and Randolph's wife, Gertie. I loved how well Randolph knew Owen and his ability to call Owen out on his self-deception. I liked the way that he and Gertie supported Lydia when Owen was an idiot. Gertie's marriage advice to Lydia was great, including the backstory of her marriage to Randolph. One of the best scenes in the book was when Owen and Lydia delivered Gertie's baby. She had me laughing out loud with her demands toward the end of her labor.
jessbookishlife's review against another edition
5.0
By now, and after more than ten books written by Virginia Heath that I have read, I assume you all know how much I love this author's writing and storytelling. Still, I'm naive, because every time I start one of Virginia Heath's new books I think to myself "Will she surprise me with this story?" I'm saying I'm naive because I still ask that, as if ten-plus books later and getting surprised every time wasn't enough to know I WILL BE SURPRISED!
Okay, I know you are possibly questioning my sanity by now, but let me tell you something so you understand why I loved this book.
When I first started my journey through the wonderful genre of Historical Romances, I fell in love with it thanks to three authors, one of which was Virginia Heath. It was thanks to her and other lovely ladies that write this genre that I found that I enjoyed tropes more than I thought about. One of those tropes was the "Marriage of Convenience".
In this book we have that exact trope. As we follow Lady Lydia Barton and her impending arranged marriage, through the romance scenes and all the tension that makes my heart fill with excitement, I fell in love with the characters.
I was very invested in the story from start to finish, wanting to learn more about the characters and their pasts. What made them who they were and the relationships they had. I always love the characters in Virginia Heath's because they feel real and part of our reality.
From the brilliant descriptions, to the fantastic plot that made me curious and excited at each turn of a page, Virginia Heath captivated me in yet another wonderful escape through time and space.
Overall, if you love historical romances, like I do, and marriage by convenience and enemies to lovers tropes are your cup of tea, this book if meant for you.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Virginia Heath for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
Okay, I know you are possibly questioning my sanity by now, but let me tell you something so you understand why I loved this book.
When I first started my journey through the wonderful genre of Historical Romances, I fell in love with it thanks to three authors, one of which was Virginia Heath. It was thanks to her and other lovely ladies that write this genre that I found that I enjoyed tropes more than I thought about. One of those tropes was the "Marriage of Convenience".
In this book we have that exact trope. As we follow Lady Lydia Barton and her impending arranged marriage, through the romance scenes and all the tension that makes my heart fill with excitement, I fell in love with the characters.
I was very invested in the story from start to finish, wanting to learn more about the characters and their pasts. What made them who they were and the relationships they had. I always love the characters in Virginia Heath's because they feel real and part of our reality.
From the brilliant descriptions, to the fantastic plot that made me curious and excited at each turn of a page, Virginia Heath captivated me in yet another wonderful escape through time and space.
Overall, if you love historical romances, like I do, and marriage by convenience and enemies to lovers tropes are your cup of tea, this book if meant for you.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Virginia Heath for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
bookmadjo's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first book by Virginia Heath, but based on this, it definitely won’t be my last! I believe that this combination of marriage of convenience, and enemies to lovers was requested by fans of Virginia Heath and I have to say it really was a winning combination.
The characters of Lydia and Owen were instantly likeable, and although it was clear that Owen had gone through a lot, having been a stable boy, being transported to Australia for a crime against Lydia’s family, and making his own fortune, his moral compass was completely fixed and he was a good, honest man. It was clear to the reader from the outset that although Lydia believed he was guilty of the crime against her family, he had been wrongly accused and gone through so much. The chemistry between Lydia and Owen leapt off the page from the start.
When Owen discovers that Lydia is being sold to the lecherous Kelvedon, he found himself unable to stand back and do nothing to stop it. Both Lydia and Owen are connected by their past, but both of them try to keep their feelings back in the past. He makes a counter-offer to Lydia’s family, which is too good to refuse.
I loved the way in which their uncertainty and frustration comes to the fore when they marry, and it’s clear that it will only be a matter of time before they are both forced to confront one another and admit how they feel. Added into their pent-up emotions, Owen feels that he needs to prove his innocence, if only to prove it to Lydia. I loved the way their story developed, and I particularly loved the way they rallied together to help Owen’s business partner Randolph and his wife Gertie in their time of need.
This book was such a rollercoaster of emotions, but everything comes together in the most perfect way at the end.
The characters of Lydia and Owen were instantly likeable, and although it was clear that Owen had gone through a lot, having been a stable boy, being transported to Australia for a crime against Lydia’s family, and making his own fortune, his moral compass was completely fixed and he was a good, honest man. It was clear to the reader from the outset that although Lydia believed he was guilty of the crime against her family, he had been wrongly accused and gone through so much. The chemistry between Lydia and Owen leapt off the page from the start.
When Owen discovers that Lydia is being sold to the lecherous Kelvedon, he found himself unable to stand back and do nothing to stop it. Both Lydia and Owen are connected by their past, but both of them try to keep their feelings back in the past. He makes a counter-offer to Lydia’s family, which is too good to refuse.
I loved the way in which their uncertainty and frustration comes to the fore when they marry, and it’s clear that it will only be a matter of time before they are both forced to confront one another and admit how they feel. Added into their pent-up emotions, Owen feels that he needs to prove his innocence, if only to prove it to Lydia. I loved the way their story developed, and I particularly loved the way they rallied together to help Owen’s business partner Randolph and his wife Gertie in their time of need.
This book was such a rollercoaster of emotions, but everything comes together in the most perfect way at the end.
ksmarsden's review against another edition
5.0
Lady Lydia has no say in her future. She thinks it's bad being engaged to a hideous old lord; but it's even worse when she's bought by a man she hates, who only wants her title.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've got to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading Heath's work, and always jump at the chance to read a new book.
I always think she does a great job of balancing the romantic and historical aspects, as well as delivering solid plots each time.
Lady Lydia Barton has the title, the charm and the beauty; but after being betrayed by the boy she loved at sixteen, she has rejected any further suitors.
Now she's a spinster, and her cold-hearted father's poor finances means that he's ready to sell his daughter to the highest bidder. It seems that fate is playing a very cruel joke - the stableboy she loved (until he stole her dying mother's jewels) has returned from the penal colony of Australia, and has become one of the richest men in London.
Owen Wolfe knows that he is innocent, but nobody cares about the opinion of a lowly stableboy, when he is accused by a noble family.
When that same noble family is in dire straits, Owen has the chance to exact his revenge, or find his redemption, he hasn't quite decided yet.
I enjoyed this story, as it follows the two engaging in a marriage of convenience, whilst dancing around old feelings.
Owen tries to uncover the truth, unable to move forwards until he has proven his innocence to the world. But the truth comes at an awful price that he may never share it.
I liked that Heath doesn't shy away from the worst parts of sending criminals to Australia. For the nobles England, they are sweeping away convicts, without giving them a second thought.
Owen survives the inhumane journey and you get to find out more about life in the penal colony.
I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Heath's work.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've got to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading Heath's work, and always jump at the chance to read a new book.
I always think she does a great job of balancing the romantic and historical aspects, as well as delivering solid plots each time.
Lady Lydia Barton has the title, the charm and the beauty; but after being betrayed by the boy she loved at sixteen, she has rejected any further suitors.
Now she's a spinster, and her cold-hearted father's poor finances means that he's ready to sell his daughter to the highest bidder. It seems that fate is playing a very cruel joke - the stableboy she loved (until he stole her dying mother's jewels) has returned from the penal colony of Australia, and has become one of the richest men in London.
Owen Wolfe knows that he is innocent, but nobody cares about the opinion of a lowly stableboy, when he is accused by a noble family.
When that same noble family is in dire straits, Owen has the chance to exact his revenge, or find his redemption, he hasn't quite decided yet.
I enjoyed this story, as it follows the two engaging in a marriage of convenience, whilst dancing around old feelings.
Owen tries to uncover the truth, unable to move forwards until he has proven his innocence to the world. But the truth comes at an awful price that he may never share it.
I liked that Heath doesn't shy away from the worst parts of sending criminals to Australia. For the nobles England, they are sweeping away convicts, without giving them a second thought.
Owen survives the inhumane journey and you get to find out more about life in the penal colony.
I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Heath's work.
dianed's review
4.0
As a 16 year old Lady Lydia Barton fell in love with the new stable hand Owen Wolfe but then he was accused of stealing her mother's jewelry and transported for 7 long years. Now he's back in London and doing well as co-owner of a men's club. While both were heartbroken at being separated, they can never get together while she still thinks he stole and he thinks she should believe he didn't.
When her father puts her up for auction to get enough money to pay her debts she is about to be married off to a disgusting older marquess. Only one person can save her - Owen. But will he do it?
Thus begins the great new story by Virginia Heath. These two still have the same attraction but can they overlook the past to form a new future.
The secondary characters are wonderful - on the one had we have Owen's partner Randolph and his wife Gertie encouraging them to let go. On the other side the villains are deliciously evil. Lydia's brother and father no no depths of evil where they won't go to save themselves. Poor Lydia is caught between loving Owen and her feelings for her father and brother. You can't help but feels sorry for her as everything she beleived comes into question.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
When her father puts her up for auction to get enough money to pay her debts she is about to be married off to a disgusting older marquess. Only one person can save her - Owen. But will he do it?
Thus begins the great new story by Virginia Heath. These two still have the same attraction but can they overlook the past to form a new future.
The secondary characters are wonderful - on the one had we have Owen's partner Randolph and his wife Gertie encouraging them to let go. On the other side the villains are deliciously evil. Lydia's brother and father no no depths of evil where they won't go to save themselves. Poor Lydia is caught between loving Owen and her feelings for her father and brother. You can't help but feels sorry for her as everything she beleived comes into question.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
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