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sarahunsaker's review against another edition
2.0
This was not the clean English romance that I thought it would be. Would not be one I would recommend.
lydiaewinters's review against another edition
4.0
This book hit several of my favorite romances tropes: scarred hero, abused heroine (with baby!), marriage of convenience. If it had been a western instead of a Victorian romance it would have been a nearly perfect match for me.
It was a sweet story and it did keep me guessing. Although I feel like I should have seen things coming, I didn't. Any bits that annoyed me are due to this not being my favorite time period (Jane Austen buff I am not).
It was a sweet story and it did keep me guessing. Although I feel like I should have seen things coming, I didn't. Any bits that annoyed me are due to this not being my favorite time period (Jane Austen buff I am not).
mitzybitzyspider's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
crazychriss93's review against another edition
4.0
Her last marriage was different from everything she’s ever dreamt of. He doesn’t even want to think about marriage. When he rescues her, this will change and he will do anything to show her how great marriage can be.
Arthur is our Duke. He’s pretty gorgeous. Sure, at times, one might argue that he has no idea what a husband should do and the way he deals with our heroine’s insecurities is at times slightly cruel (even though it’s certainly not intentionally done). Still, I like that he wants to solve all problems for her but really think that he should have involved her a bit more. Anyways, nice character.
I think it’s really great the way she faces her insecurities in the end and I love that she really and honestly trusts Arthur even though she has every reason not to. I also think that she as a mom is just plain awesome.
Arthur’s aunt is absolutely freaking amazing. I love her monologues. She’s just soo much fun.
The plot has a bit of suspense in it but it’s not like we don’t know who the culprit is. I mean, sure, we don’t know everything or the motives but still…
Writing style was good. There were some mistakes, however. (words that were left out, or words that should have been omitted)
Arthur is our Duke. He’s pretty gorgeous. Sure, at times, one might argue that he has no idea what a husband should do and the way he deals with our heroine’s insecurities is at times slightly cruel (even though it’s certainly not intentionally done). Still, I like that he wants to solve all problems for her but really think that he should have involved her a bit more. Anyways, nice character.
I think it’s really great the way she faces her insecurities in the end and I love that she really and honestly trusts Arthur even though she has every reason not to. I also think that she as a mom is just plain awesome.
Arthur’s aunt is absolutely freaking amazing. I love her monologues. She’s just soo much fun.
The plot has a bit of suspense in it but it’s not like we don’t know who the culprit is. I mean, sure, we don’t know everything or the motives but still…
Writing style was good. There were some mistakes, however. (words that were left out, or words that should have been omitted)
silvercal's review against another edition
4.0
I was so excited to see that Lavinia Kent had a new book out and I had to grab it and I'm sure glad I did! This was a lovely story of a young woman, Lily is only eighteen but she seems much older due to horrible first marriage, finding it within herself to truly love and trust in another man. The abuse she suffered from her first husband makes this very hard and Arthur is cold and haughty who knows his duty and he feels it is his job to protect Lily and her newborn son and once he makes up his mind to do something, it is done. But even as his feelings grow for Lily (and he shows more of his softer side), her tentative nature proves to be troublesome and as she reveals more of her past, he struggles with how to show her his true desires without scarring her more. Also thrown into the mix is a serious of accidents that soon prove to be attempts on her life and Arthur must find a way to protect her, as he will not lose her now. This was a very moving tale of love and forgiveness, heartbreak and hope. Watching Lily and Arthur fall in love was a slow ride that could have moved a bit faster if they just would have talked with each other openly but based on Lily's past, I felt it worked for this story. I admired Arthur and his devotion to this slip of a lady that stumbled into his life and his acceptance of her son as his own. Lily had so much to overcome and I thought it was handled well. When she finally told Arthur the whole truth, it was the right time. A well written lovely, heartbreaking romance that will make you smile, laugh and tear up. Looks to be the start of a grand new series! 4 stars
georgiewhoissarahdrew's review
2.0
It's not that this was an awful book, but I don't care for books about victims, and the heroine's victimhood is ladled on in dollops - never certain of her mother's affection, no settled home, no father, unsympathetic relatives, rape, abusive marriage, teenage pregnancy, homicide in self-defence, suave pursuit by a murderous brother-in-law.... She might have had red hair and freckles too, but I'm fairly sure she didn't worry about being overweight. So that's one small relief.
All the hero has to do is save her which he does in the standard escalating triad of: the drawing-room defence against nasty people, marrying her to protect her, and finally (of course) rescue from a pistol-wielding villain.
It's all competently told, but I do prefer backbone and a soupçon of humour. It's not you, it's me.
All the hero has to do is save her which he does in the standard escalating triad of: the drawing-room defence against nasty people, marrying her to protect her, and finally (of course) rescue from a pistol-wielding villain.
It's all competently told, but I do prefer backbone and a soupçon of humour. It's not you, it's me.
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