Scan barcode
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good combination of a second chance and friends to lovers story. Faith is the widow of a Duke, one who had professed his love for her until they were married. After that, he became controlling, cut her off from friends and family, and carried on numerous affairs. He died under scandalous circumstances, leaving her to face society's gossip and disdain. Escaping from yet another evening of such misery, Faith is attacked by thugs, and rescued by a passing gentleman. That gentleman turned out to be an old friend.
David, an up and coming member of Parliament, used to work for her uncle. They met when she was sixteen and he was twenty and became good friends. David would have liked to be more, but their statuses in the world were too far apart. When David came to her rescue, he barely recognized the girl he once knew. This Faith was a shadow of her formerly glowing self. He was determined to help her regain her joy in life.
I loved seeing how quickly Faith and Davie reconnected. Faith found it easy to confess her troubles to him, and was happy to renew their friendship. She did not expect to be so aware of him as a man. Davie also quickly realized that the love he'd had for the young Faith had never died, and that being near her only made those feelings stronger. Though he knows that there is still no chance of a future with her, he still takes every opportunity to spend time with her.
I really enjoyed the way that they were still able to talk about anything and everything. I loved how Davie took steps to bring her into his circle of friends that are active in political and social issues. It was so sweet to see how he watched her like a proud parent as she quickly made a place for herself within the group. His support and belief in her also went a long way toward repairing her confidence in herself. Before seeing Davie again, Faith seemed to be easily intimidated by her snotty mother-in-law and the often vicious society women. With his support, and some timely advice by her new friend, she gained the courage to stand up to them. I especially loved her death glare at the snide remarks made by one woman.
Spending time together as they did, the attraction between them continued to grow. I was a bit disappointed in Faith as she considered having an affair with Davie, but never considered that they could have more. I did like seeing her take her courage in hand and make advances to him, even though she wasn't sure how it would turn out. As hard as it was for him to do, I had great respect for Davie, as he refused to do anything that could bring disgrace to her name.
Both Faith and Davie had some serious self-worth issues that were keeping them apart. Davie couldn't see past the social divide and believe that he was no longer that poor farmer's orphan. I loved that moment of truth when he realized that the Reform Bill that they were working so hard on showed that he was easily a good enough man to ask for her hand. But he was still cautious, and I loved the way that he wanted to make sure that he wouldn't create more problems for her. The support he received from his friends and mentors was wonderful. Faith had spent so long being diminished by her husband, her mother-in-law, and society, that she couldn't believe that she would hold Davie's interest for long. She was willing to accept whatever time she could get with him, just for the momentary happiness it would provide. I ached for them both when Davie made his case and Faith couldn't believe that it would last. I loved how her sister was able to talk sense into her, and Faith's big moment after that.
The secondary characters were all terrific and important parts of the book. Faith's mother-in-law was rather a nasty piece of work with the way she was constantly putting her down. I loved seeing Faith gain the confidence to stand up to her, On the other hand, Faith's brother-in-law was just plain creepy. His unwelcome advances and threats were scary, and I certainly understood Faith's fear of what he would do. I loved how Davie dealt with the problem while at the same time keeping his promise to Faith. My favorite of the secondary characters were Faith's three sons. I loved seeing how her relationship with them changed through the book as she was able to spend more time with them. I especially loved how she was determined to make sure her oldest didn't grow up to be like his father.
I also really enjoyed the attention to the detail of the politics of the time. It was fascinating to see the work done on the Reform Bill and its efforts to make things more equable for all Englishmen. Even the riots were accurately portrayed. I enjoyed the touches of the personal as Faith took care of one of the tenants and ended up showing the woman's radical grandson that not everything was as bad as he thought. I also liked seeing Davie and Faith team up to defuse another potential problem.
David, an up and coming member of Parliament, used to work for her uncle. They met when she was sixteen and he was twenty and became good friends. David would have liked to be more, but their statuses in the world were too far apart. When David came to her rescue, he barely recognized the girl he once knew. This Faith was a shadow of her formerly glowing self. He was determined to help her regain her joy in life.
I loved seeing how quickly Faith and Davie reconnected. Faith found it easy to confess her troubles to him, and was happy to renew their friendship. She did not expect to be so aware of him as a man. Davie also quickly realized that the love he'd had for the young Faith had never died, and that being near her only made those feelings stronger. Though he knows that there is still no chance of a future with her, he still takes every opportunity to spend time with her.
I really enjoyed the way that they were still able to talk about anything and everything. I loved how Davie took steps to bring her into his circle of friends that are active in political and social issues. It was so sweet to see how he watched her like a proud parent as she quickly made a place for herself within the group. His support and belief in her also went a long way toward repairing her confidence in herself. Before seeing Davie again, Faith seemed to be easily intimidated by her snotty mother-in-law and the often vicious society women. With his support, and some timely advice by her new friend, she gained the courage to stand up to them. I especially loved her death glare at the snide remarks made by one woman.
Spending time together as they did, the attraction between them continued to grow. I was a bit disappointed in Faith as she considered having an affair with Davie, but never considered that they could have more. I did like seeing her take her courage in hand and make advances to him, even though she wasn't sure how it would turn out. As hard as it was for him to do, I had great respect for Davie, as he refused to do anything that could bring disgrace to her name.
Both Faith and Davie had some serious self-worth issues that were keeping them apart. Davie couldn't see past the social divide and believe that he was no longer that poor farmer's orphan. I loved that moment of truth when he realized that the Reform Bill that they were working so hard on showed that he was easily a good enough man to ask for her hand. But he was still cautious, and I loved the way that he wanted to make sure that he wouldn't create more problems for her. The support he received from his friends and mentors was wonderful. Faith had spent so long being diminished by her husband, her mother-in-law, and society, that she couldn't believe that she would hold Davie's interest for long. She was willing to accept whatever time she could get with him, just for the momentary happiness it would provide. I ached for them both when Davie made his case and Faith couldn't believe that it would last. I loved how her sister was able to talk sense into her, and Faith's big moment after that.
The secondary characters were all terrific and important parts of the book. Faith's mother-in-law was rather a nasty piece of work with the way she was constantly putting her down. I loved seeing Faith gain the confidence to stand up to her, On the other hand, Faith's brother-in-law was just plain creepy. His unwelcome advances and threats were scary, and I certainly understood Faith's fear of what he would do. I loved how Davie dealt with the problem while at the same time keeping his promise to Faith. My favorite of the secondary characters were Faith's three sons. I loved seeing how her relationship with them changed through the book as she was able to spend more time with them. I especially loved how she was determined to make sure her oldest didn't grow up to be like his father.
I also really enjoyed the attention to the detail of the politics of the time. It was fascinating to see the work done on the Reform Bill and its efforts to make things more equable for all Englishmen. Even the riots were accurately portrayed. I enjoyed the touches of the personal as Faith took care of one of the tenants and ended up showing the woman's radical grandson that not everything was as bad as he thought. I also liked seeing Davie and Faith team up to defuse another potential problem.
booksuperpower's review
4.0
Stolen Encounters with the Duke by Julia Justiss is a 2016 Harlequin Historical publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Honor, passion, and politics collide when the Duchess of Ashedon and her old friend David Tanner Smith meet up once again when he saves her from an attack by street thugs. For Davie the reunion is bittersweet because Faith Evers is the only woman he has loved and ever will love. But, because he is the orphan son of a farmer, he knows they can never enjoy the kind of relationship he yearns for.
Faith is widowed with small children, living in the shadow of her husband’s many infidelities and forced to live under the thumb of her mother-in-law while staving off the advances of her brother-in-law.
Meeting up with Davie and spending time with him has given her a much need reprieve as she pours her heart out to him. But, Davie is not the kind of man to settle for an affair. He would not dishonor Faith or himself in such a way. Can Faith ever make him see that he is no longer that orphan boy, and marrying him would not be beneath her station?
This story is both a second chance at love story and a friends to lovers story which makes it especially appealing. David has always loved Faith, but Faith thought of him more as a friend until now. David was too hung up on his sense of honor, and I became as frustrated with him as Faith did. But, by the same token, Faith was also reticent, afraid that David’s love would not last.
I actually liked that David was unwilling to settle for just an affair, and insisted on marriage. I understood Faith’s fears, but David deserved more than she was willing to accept at first. In the end, both parties had to compromise and listen to what their hearts were telling them and take a leap of faith. David’s gesture to Faith that proved his undying love for her, past and present, was the sweetest and most heart melting moment you could ever imagine.
I always enjoy Julia Justiss’ regency romance novels, and this one is no exception.
4 stars
Honor, passion, and politics collide when the Duchess of Ashedon and her old friend David Tanner Smith meet up once again when he saves her from an attack by street thugs. For Davie the reunion is bittersweet because Faith Evers is the only woman he has loved and ever will love. But, because he is the orphan son of a farmer, he knows they can never enjoy the kind of relationship he yearns for.
Faith is widowed with small children, living in the shadow of her husband’s many infidelities and forced to live under the thumb of her mother-in-law while staving off the advances of her brother-in-law.
Meeting up with Davie and spending time with him has given her a much need reprieve as she pours her heart out to him. But, Davie is not the kind of man to settle for an affair. He would not dishonor Faith or himself in such a way. Can Faith ever make him see that he is no longer that orphan boy, and marrying him would not be beneath her station?
This story is both a second chance at love story and a friends to lovers story which makes it especially appealing. David has always loved Faith, but Faith thought of him more as a friend until now. David was too hung up on his sense of honor, and I became as frustrated with him as Faith did. But, by the same token, Faith was also reticent, afraid that David’s love would not last.
I actually liked that David was unwilling to settle for just an affair, and insisted on marriage. I understood Faith’s fears, but David deserved more than she was willing to accept at first. In the end, both parties had to compromise and listen to what their hearts were telling them and take a leap of faith. David’s gesture to Faith that proved his undying love for her, past and present, was the sweetest and most heart melting moment you could ever imagine.
I always enjoy Julia Justiss’ regency romance novels, and this one is no exception.
4 stars
wyvernfriend's review
3.0
Victorian romance between a member of the house of commons and a widow. Full of class problems.
More...