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A review by loverofromance
Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney
Did not finish book.
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
I will admit that I had decided to pick up this read solely based on the cover and the sample that I had read through the Libby app. This was one of those reads that were a spontaneous decision and when I started to read the sample, I began to be so hooked into the story and I just had to read more of this one. So I decided that I would pick this one up. I absolutely love it when an author can draw me so well into a story especially when it’s a historical romance as they don’t engage me quite as much as they used to. And I have to say that this book was such a fun well worth it of a read. It’s not an easy romance, and our couple definitely has to learn to overcome some true obstacles here, but I absolutely was hooked into the connection that they had with each other and the setup of their story was so well done. Both of our main protagonists are so interesting as individuals and they aren’t your typical members of the aristocracy and I really liked that this author wrote a story that just gave something different to the reader. If you are a fan of a regency historical’s than this is definitely a book for you.
Summary
Our tale begins when our couple first meets. Our hero, Daniel, is a doctor and has a passion for helping others and the healing arts. Then he and his sister discover a woman hurt and abused and heals her wounds, and give her money to give her a fresh start from her current situation. Now its been years later, and Daniel has inherited a title when sickness spreads through a country estate party and all the heirs but he is killed. The last thing that Daniel wants is to have the responsibilities of a title and a lord but his goal is to find a wife, who can aid him in those responsibilities so that he can live his dream of being a doctor. Our heroine, Jessie, has become a widow and a single mother. When her brother-in-law threatens to take her daughter away, she is determined to protect her daughter no matter what and knows the best course of action will be to marry someone that is strong enough to stand up to her brother-in-law and prevent her from losing her daughter. Daniel and Jessie meet at a ball, and though there is instant chemistry between them, Jessie is determined not to marry someone that she is so attracted to. She wants someone more mature and older in years who will be a friend.. But Daniel is determined to show his genuine affection for Jessie, but Jessie fears that if she gives in to her desires and wants for this man, and then he will discover all of her secrets and hate her forever…
What I Loved
This is a story that I just got sucked into right away, and from their first meeting, I knew that this book would be one wild ride and it definitely was. It was NOT what I was expecting from a regency romance and this author definitely kept me on my toes. There are so many secrets that Jessie has, and she honestly doesn’t always treat Daniel so great, however, you definitely understand her fears and reservations. She is a mother wanting to protect her child at all costs, and she has been able to hide her past so well. Daniel has a determination of a heated bull in a rodeo, and he refuses to let go of Jessie, no matter what. He knows that what is between them is so real and he will fight to protect and nurture it. I absolutely adored having such a determined hero to win the affections of his lady, And once Jessie gives into Daniel, their romance really sparks fire and I absolutely was so endeared by their relationship and seeing them become both lovers but also best of friends. The plot was packed with so much intrigue and mystery, I was so fascinated to see what would be revealed and if they would overcome the intentions of the villains that rise up within the story. I was cheering our couple on all the way through.
What I Struggled With
There were a couple of things to this story that I wasn’t a big fan of. I struggled with Jessie’s character and how she treated Daniel during their courtship. I really felt like Daniel didn’t deserve her cold attitude and while I understood where she was coming from, I absolutely felt like she could have gone about it differently. And also we see her daughter Beth, but hardly at all and I would have loved to see more interaction with her, especially from Daniel.
Overall View
Overall I found Not Always A Saint to be a spectacular read that kept this reader eager and endeared from beginning to end. I was so in tune with these characters and this was a highly engaging read that kept me thrilled, focused, and had a sense of magical wonder to the romance that was a WIN!
Trigger Warnings:
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Those without integrity don’t usually understand those who have it
First Impressions
I will admit that I had decided to pick up this read solely based on the cover and the sample that I had read through the Libby app. This was one of those reads that were a spontaneous decision and when I started to read the sample, I began to be so hooked into the story and I just had to read more of this one. So I decided that I would pick this one up. I absolutely love it when an author can draw me so well into a story especially when it’s a historical romance as they don’t engage me quite as much as they used to. And I have to say that this book was such a fun well worth it of a read. It’s not an easy romance, and our couple definitely has to learn to overcome some true obstacles here, but I absolutely was hooked into the connection that they had with each other and the setup of their story was so well done. Both of our main protagonists are so interesting as individuals and they aren’t your typical members of the aristocracy and I really liked that this author wrote a story that just gave something different to the reader. If you are a fan of a regency historical’s than this is definitely a book for you.
Whether we share enough common ground, I don’t know. I think that marriage is always the triumph of hope over fear.
Summary
Our tale begins when our couple first meets. Our hero, Daniel, is a doctor and has a passion for helping others and the healing arts. Then he and his sister discover a woman hurt and abused and heals her wounds, and give her money to give her a fresh start from her current situation. Now its been years later, and Daniel has inherited a title when sickness spreads through a country estate party and all the heirs but he is killed. The last thing that Daniel wants is to have the responsibilities of a title and a lord but his goal is to find a wife, who can aid him in those responsibilities so that he can live his dream of being a doctor. Our heroine, Jessie, has become a widow and a single mother. When her brother-in-law threatens to take her daughter away, she is determined to protect her daughter no matter what and knows the best course of action will be to marry someone that is strong enough to stand up to her brother-in-law and prevent her from losing her daughter. Daniel and Jessie meet at a ball, and though there is instant chemistry between them, Jessie is determined not to marry someone that she is so attracted to. She wants someone more mature and older in years who will be a friend.. But Daniel is determined to show his genuine affection for Jessie, but Jessie fears that if she gives in to her desires and wants for this man, and then he will discover all of her secrets and hate her forever…
You have strength and vulnerability and the wisdom that comes of hard experience. Without those things, you would be merely beautiful, as a great statue is beautiful. A woman to be admired and forgotten. You, Jezebel Elizabeth Braxton Trevane Kelham Herbert, are unforgettable.
What I Loved
This is a story that I just got sucked into right away, and from their first meeting, I knew that this book would be one wild ride and it definitely was. It was NOT what I was expecting from a regency romance and this author definitely kept me on my toes. There are so many secrets that Jessie has, and she honestly doesn’t always treat Daniel so great, however, you definitely understand her fears and reservations. She is a mother wanting to protect her child at all costs, and she has been able to hide her past so well. Daniel has a determination of a heated bull in a rodeo, and he refuses to let go of Jessie, no matter what. He knows that what is between them is so real and he will fight to protect and nurture it. I absolutely adored having such a determined hero to win the affections of his lady, And once Jessie gives into Daniel, their romance really sparks fire and I absolutely was so endeared by their relationship and seeing them become both lovers but also best of friends. The plot was packed with so much intrigue and mystery, I was so fascinated to see what would be revealed and if they would overcome the intentions of the villains that rise up within the story. I was cheering our couple on all the way through.
Even more than passion, emotional closeness could bind two very different people together into a real marriage.
What I Struggled With
There were a couple of things to this story that I wasn’t a big fan of. I struggled with Jessie’s character and how she treated Daniel during their courtship. I really felt like Daniel didn’t deserve her cold attitude and while I understood where she was coming from, I absolutely felt like she could have gone about it differently. And also we see her daughter Beth, but hardly at all and I would have loved to see more interaction with her, especially from Daniel.
Overall View
Overall I found Not Always A Saint to be a spectacular read that kept this reader eager and endeared from beginning to end. I was so in tune with these characters and this was a highly engaging read that kept me thrilled, focused, and had a sense of magical wonder to the romance that was a WIN!
We can’t always have the relationship we want with another person because we can’t control how they feel.
Trigger Warnings:
Spoiler
Abuse of a animals, Domestic Abuse