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This is the second book in The Outcasts series by Minerva Spencer. Her first book, Dangerous, was a book I enjoyed as well. If you read that one prior to this, you'll know 1-2 of the characters but I don't think its necessary. I was momentarily confused when reading this book because it seems like this book takes place prior to the first. You'll meet the heroine of the book Dangerous prior to most of that books events. Threw me for a loop for a minute...
I rather enjoy Minerva Spencer's writing. I love her sex scenes, they are lengthy and steamy and explore a bit beyond the twice missionary you find in some books. I think shes witty and quite funny but in a different way than Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, etc. I wouldn't suggest reading her books for a laugh because it's not the focus, but there are scenes and sentences that make me laugh and smirk. Spencer touches on hard subjects and her stories seem to me to be pretty unique. Both heroines I have read about have been experienced women, in a way, yet innocent. Trigger warning for rape, but its a past experience, not something you actively read in the book.
Hugh has left life in England to face a number of horrors, eventually becoming a privateer. He returns to his estate, long thought dead, to solve a few problems brought to his attention. Daphne has also experienced horrors in her life, which is she alternatively trying to hide from Hugh and getting the guts to tell him. The book deals with their past stories coming back to haunt them and them finding love through it.
Daphne is Hugh's aunt by marriage (She married his uncle while he was gone). He calls her “Auntie” in the book and it was slightly disturbing at first but I found it hilarious. I loved the sexual tension built in this story. Hugh was just wonderful, although sometimes I found myself wondering how he was as cheerful and positive as he was after his past experiences. He did show his dark side a few times. I guess I wouldn't have minded more of that peeking through.
My complaint about this book was I found the middle surprisingly boring. There was a lot of time spent in each main character's head but a lack of dialogue between them, or any action happening. It did drag for me a bit. Not enough to put me off her future books though.
I rather enjoy Minerva Spencer's writing. I love her sex scenes, they are lengthy and steamy and explore a bit beyond the twice missionary you find in some books. I think shes witty and quite funny but in a different way than Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, etc. I wouldn't suggest reading her books for a laugh because it's not the focus, but there are scenes and sentences that make me laugh and smirk. Spencer touches on hard subjects and her stories seem to me to be pretty unique. Both heroines I have read about have been experienced women, in a way, yet innocent. Trigger warning for rape, but its a past experience, not something you actively read in the book.
Hugh has left life in England to face a number of horrors, eventually becoming a privateer. He returns to his estate, long thought dead, to solve a few problems brought to his attention. Daphne has also experienced horrors in her life, which is she alternatively trying to hide from Hugh and getting the guts to tell him. The book deals with their past stories coming back to haunt them and them finding love through it.
Daphne is Hugh's aunt by marriage (She married his uncle while he was gone). He calls her “Auntie” in the book and it was slightly disturbing at first but I found it hilarious. I loved the sexual tension built in this story. Hugh was just wonderful, although sometimes I found myself wondering how he was as cheerful and positive as he was after his past experiences. He did show his dark side a few times. I guess I wouldn't have minded more of that peeking through.
My complaint about this book was I found the middle surprisingly boring. There was a lot of time spent in each main character's head but a lack of dialogue between them, or any action happening. It did drag for me a bit. Not enough to put me off her future books though.
Our hero, Declan, returns to England after twelve years away in the West Indies. He left following his fathers suicide, when his family was embroiled in a financial scandal. Upon his return, he learns his brother is dead and he is now the Duke.
Growing up neighbors, Alethea harbored a young tendre for Declan. Declan’s family had suggested a betrothel between them, but it was refused by her family, as he was a second son.
This book revolves around rekindling their friendship and relationship, as well as a mystery plot surrounding Declan’s father and brothers deaths.
I loved the romance in this story. So sweet to watch these two get to know each other as adults. The butterflies and all consuming feelings of wondering about them at all times. The fun, the giggles. The giddiness.
The mystery drives much of the plot in this story but I enjoyed it. It’s all wrapped up nicely by the end of the book.
I think I would have liked a prologue maybe showing a scene from their past because of their history together. I also would have loved an epilogue to see if they remained in England or traveled to the West Indies together. But maybe we get more from them in the following book? Either way, I can’t wait to read the next story.
Growing up neighbors, Alethea harbored a young tendre for Declan. Declan’s family had suggested a betrothel between them, but it was refused by her family, as he was a second son.
This book revolves around rekindling their friendship and relationship, as well as a mystery plot surrounding Declan’s father and brothers deaths.
I loved the romance in this story. So sweet to watch these two get to know each other as adults. The butterflies and all consuming feelings of wondering about them at all times. The fun, the giggles. The giddiness.
The mystery drives much of the plot in this story but I enjoyed it. It’s all wrapped up nicely by the end of the book.
I think I would have liked a prologue maybe showing a scene from their past because of their history together. I also would have loved an epilogue to see if they remained in England or traveled to the West Indies together. But maybe we get more from them in the following book? Either way, I can’t wait to read the next story.
Phoebe, as I think everyone knows, is Sebastian and Evies daughter (their story is Devil in Winter of the Wallflower series). She’s a widow with two young children. As the book starts, she is ending mourning after her husbands death 2 years prior and is ready to start participating in life again, starting with her brother Gabriels wedding (book 3 of the Ravenels, Devil in Spring).
West is cousin to Pandora, who is marrying Gabriel, hence they officially meet at this gathering. What West doesn’t know, is that Phoebe well knows who he is, having been her husbands closest confident about the bully tormenting him at school years ago.
As this story began, I thought I was NOT going to like Phoebe and her whole grudge holding over the bullying incidents. I actually enjoyed Phoebe though. I liked seeing her relationships with her children. I loved seeing her come into her own as her own woman after taking care of her husband for so long. One thing I really respected about this book was how well done the prior relationship was written. It was acknowledged yet not overdone. You felt the love but didn’t feel it was hanging over her and West’s relationship. I’ve read a few widow books and it seems the prior husband needs to be fully evil or the author tends to go on a bit too much for me to able to really accept and be excited for a new relationship. So I liked that a lot.
West really was wonderful to me for most of the book. He’s actually enjoyable in all the books. So funny and engaging was just that burst of sunlight in every story. I love his humor. He was amazing with Phoebes children. The only thing that got me was I felt his angst over why they couldn’t be together was a bit contrived and I wish he would have come to his solution on his own. I wanted him to be stronger than what the ending was. More demanding, himself, I guess.
Anyway, I don’t think I’d necessarily reread this book because the feels weren’t really strong for me. But I did find it a really pleasant read. I had a dopey smile on my face for most of it. I also liked that there wasn’t a ton of drama, especially coming off of Hello Stranger, which felt like all drama.
I have heard so much negative talk about the Ravenel series. People saying LK should reconsider writing or just stop altogether. I am liking this series more than the Hathaway’s I think. But the wallflowers are still my favorite, overall. So far my favorite from this series is still Marrying Winterbourne.
West is cousin to Pandora, who is marrying Gabriel, hence they officially meet at this gathering. What West doesn’t know, is that Phoebe well knows who he is, having been her husbands closest confident about the bully tormenting him at school years ago.
As this story began, I thought I was NOT going to like Phoebe and her whole grudge holding over the bullying incidents. I actually enjoyed Phoebe though. I liked seeing her relationships with her children. I loved seeing her come into her own as her own woman after taking care of her husband for so long. One thing I really respected about this book was how well done the prior relationship was written. It was acknowledged yet not overdone. You felt the love but didn’t feel it was hanging over her and West’s relationship. I’ve read a few widow books and it seems the prior husband needs to be fully evil or the author tends to go on a bit too much for me to able to really accept and be excited for a new relationship. So I liked that a lot.
West really was wonderful to me for most of the book. He’s actually enjoyable in all the books. So funny and engaging was just that burst of sunlight in every story. I love his humor. He was amazing with Phoebes children. The only thing that got me was I felt his angst over why they couldn’t be together was a bit contrived and I wish he would have come to his solution on his own. I wanted him to be stronger than what the ending was. More demanding, himself, I guess.
Anyway, I don’t think I’d necessarily reread this book because the feels weren’t really strong for me. But I did find it a really pleasant read. I had a dopey smile on my face for most of it. I also liked that there wasn’t a ton of drama, especially coming off of Hello Stranger, which felt like all drama.
I have heard so much negative talk about the Ravenel series. People saying LK should reconsider writing or just stop altogether. I am liking this series more than the Hathaway’s I think. But the wallflowers are still my favorite, overall. So far my favorite from this series is still Marrying Winterbourne.
*sigh* so loving the Anna Bradley books. Her writing just totally pulls me in. Gives me butterflies. Makes me feel feels. Makes me tear up. I love it.
This book is the second of the Sutherland Scandals series. It can be read as a stand-alone. Of course I recommend you read the first book, A Wicked Way to Win an Earl, because it’s my favorite book ever 😍 and you’ll get some history on Robyn, as well as Delia and Alec’s story, who are occasionally secondary characters in this story.
Robyn’s family has invited Lily to London with them to experience the season. Robyn has no interest in Lily, and knows she’s perfectly off limits to him. He’s content to continue drinking, partying, and flirting his way through London. No one holds him responsible for his actions, and when they try to, he jokes and charms until he’s forgiven and can continue his routine. I don’t think Robyn even really understands or admits the full path he’s on. His behavior started when he was young as a direct result of his fathers parenting style and being a constant disappointment to him.
Lily likes her life controlled and proper. She lost her loving parents in a carriage accident fairly recently. She doesn’t like risk, preferring the safety of missing an experience versus taking a chance. Unfortunately for her, she walks into the wrong room at a house party in chapter one. And from there, everything changes for both of them.
Robyn throws Lily completely off balance. She becomes someone she doesn’t recognize. He can’t help but continue to poke and prod her until she shows some of the passion that lies beneath.
I didn’t like this book as much as the previous in the series (A Wicked Way to Win an Earl). I found Robyn to be quite a bit more immature and it took him forever to come around. But at the same time, it felt very real. He felt like a real man, with real flaws and struggles. And as the time goes by in this book (perhaps 1-2 months?) he just keeps getting in deeper and deeper. He’s totally falling in love and he can’t stop it no matter what he does. He doesn’t understand half of what he’s feeling and he’s reacting and confused. So much of this book felt like it was from his perspective which is something I love love love love in a book. Absolutely loved falling through that process with him.
I also loved the side storyline with Lady Chase 😍 That part made me so happy, especially after reading the previous book.
As far as steam, you get a few kiss scenes, a few more in depth fun, and one full scene at the end. I was slightly irritated with the one full scene as Robyn had just suffered a serious head wound and a broken rib. I mean, I felt like I couldn’t fully enjoy it because I’m thinking, isn’t he bleeding on her? He was literally just bleeding...lol.
This book is the second of the Sutherland Scandals series. It can be read as a stand-alone. Of course I recommend you read the first book, A Wicked Way to Win an Earl, because it’s my favorite book ever 😍 and you’ll get some history on Robyn, as well as Delia and Alec’s story, who are occasionally secondary characters in this story.
Robyn’s family has invited Lily to London with them to experience the season. Robyn has no interest in Lily, and knows she’s perfectly off limits to him. He’s content to continue drinking, partying, and flirting his way through London. No one holds him responsible for his actions, and when they try to, he jokes and charms until he’s forgiven and can continue his routine. I don’t think Robyn even really understands or admits the full path he’s on. His behavior started when he was young as a direct result of his fathers parenting style and being a constant disappointment to him.
Lily likes her life controlled and proper. She lost her loving parents in a carriage accident fairly recently. She doesn’t like risk, preferring the safety of missing an experience versus taking a chance. Unfortunately for her, she walks into the wrong room at a house party in chapter one. And from there, everything changes for both of them.
Robyn throws Lily completely off balance. She becomes someone she doesn’t recognize. He can’t help but continue to poke and prod her until she shows some of the passion that lies beneath.
I didn’t like this book as much as the previous in the series (A Wicked Way to Win an Earl). I found Robyn to be quite a bit more immature and it took him forever to come around. But at the same time, it felt very real. He felt like a real man, with real flaws and struggles. And as the time goes by in this book (perhaps 1-2 months?) he just keeps getting in deeper and deeper. He’s totally falling in love and he can’t stop it no matter what he does. He doesn’t understand half of what he’s feeling and he’s reacting and confused. So much of this book felt like it was from his perspective which is something I love love love love in a book. Absolutely loved falling through that process with him.
I also loved the side storyline with Lady Chase 😍 That part made me so happy, especially after reading the previous book.
As far as steam, you get a few kiss scenes, a few more in depth fun, and one full scene at the end. I was slightly irritated with the one full scene as Robyn had just suffered a serious head wound and a broken rib. I mean, I felt like I couldn’t fully enjoy it because I’m thinking, isn’t he bleeding on her? He was literally just bleeding...lol.
Review of A Wicked Way to Win an Earl by Anna Bradley
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow. I LOVED this book. I’m so sad it’s from the library. I’m contemplating just keeping it forever and dealing with the late fees. How else can I clutch it to my chest and sleep with it under my pillow forever?
This is the first book in the Sutherland Scandals series. Delia and Alec’s family have...a history. A generation ago, Delia’s mom created a scandal by breaking an engagement to Alec’s father. Choosing love, her family scorned the tons gossip and lived the country life happily.
Robyn, Charlotte, and Eleanor (Alec’s siblings) become friends with sisters Delia and Lily and invite them to a two week house party. Alec hears rumors of Robyn’s interest in Delia. He is determined to keep Robyn away from Delia, to protect his family from rehashing the scandal. He is drawn to Delia and cannot stop the challenge of ruining her reputation, almost as a type of revenge.
That is what he starts out as his goal anyway, before it transforms into something totally different.
I absolutely love Anna Bradley’s writing. All her characters seem to just come to life so easily. The relationship between Delia and Lily just captures that sister bond so well. None of her characters fall flat for me. I am curious about them all, and I come to love them all.
When Alec first meets Delia he compares his reaction as when he was 11 and fell off his horse and knocked the breath out of him. It’s not love at first sight. It’s something he doesn’t really understand. And it makes him angry. The attraction is undeniable, except maybe to him, which he fights tooth and nail. How can he be interested in the daughter of a walking scandal?
I actually loved both main characters so much. Usually I love one over the other (usually the hero). But, I want to be Delia’s friend. She’s fun and smart and witty and can be oh so sassy and genuine. And Alec. Mmm. I want him for other things 🤣
Alec can definitely be a jerk. I have heard all Anna Bradley’s heroes are horrible and mean but I don’t think Alec fits that description. There’s one scene where he could have. Oh he could have. I was like “Don’t do it. No! I’ll hate you. You’ll have to grovel! Much groveling!” And it twists around in away that I totally loved him then, if I didn’t already. He makes some bad choices, and says some horrible things. BUT. Then he is lost in anguish over it. He hates himself. And he can’t rest until he knows he’s forgiven.
He is overcome with possessiveness and jealousy the moment he meets her. Anger. Snarling. Growling. God I LOVE IT. Sorry, not sorry. He doesn’t want anyone looking at his woman, touching his woman. He’s fighting it so hard but all he wants to do is seek her out just to look and touch any moment he can. He’s a man possessed.
So yeah. I recommend this book. 😆 If you like that stuff like me.
I guess this books steam is debatable. But the tension! Oh the tension is what I LIVE for. Couldn’t have hacked through it with a machete. I think there’s 3 kisses until you get to almost the end of the book. I loved them. It’s the kind of tension and kisses that yes you can’t wait for culmination but at the same time you are loving every minute of waiting. Then you get 2 good scenes at the end. Plus on in the epilogue. This book is also a little shorter - it’s less than 300 pages but it didn’t feel lacking in anything.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow. I LOVED this book. I’m so sad it’s from the library. I’m contemplating just keeping it forever and dealing with the late fees. How else can I clutch it to my chest and sleep with it under my pillow forever?
This is the first book in the Sutherland Scandals series. Delia and Alec’s family have...a history. A generation ago, Delia’s mom created a scandal by breaking an engagement to Alec’s father. Choosing love, her family scorned the tons gossip and lived the country life happily.
Robyn, Charlotte, and Eleanor (Alec’s siblings) become friends with sisters Delia and Lily and invite them to a two week house party. Alec hears rumors of Robyn’s interest in Delia. He is determined to keep Robyn away from Delia, to protect his family from rehashing the scandal. He is drawn to Delia and cannot stop the challenge of ruining her reputation, almost as a type of revenge.
That is what he starts out as his goal anyway, before it transforms into something totally different.
I absolutely love Anna Bradley’s writing. All her characters seem to just come to life so easily. The relationship between Delia and Lily just captures that sister bond so well. None of her characters fall flat for me. I am curious about them all, and I come to love them all.
When Alec first meets Delia he compares his reaction as when he was 11 and fell off his horse and knocked the breath out of him. It’s not love at first sight. It’s something he doesn’t really understand. And it makes him angry. The attraction is undeniable, except maybe to him, which he fights tooth and nail. How can he be interested in the daughter of a walking scandal?
I actually loved both main characters so much. Usually I love one over the other (usually the hero). But, I want to be Delia’s friend. She’s fun and smart and witty and can be oh so sassy and genuine. And Alec. Mmm. I want him for other things 🤣
Alec can definitely be a jerk. I have heard all Anna Bradley’s heroes are horrible and mean but I don’t think Alec fits that description. There’s one scene where he could have. Oh he could have. I was like “Don’t do it. No! I’ll hate you. You’ll have to grovel! Much groveling!” And it twists around in away that I totally loved him then, if I didn’t already. He makes some bad choices, and says some horrible things. BUT. Then he is lost in anguish over it. He hates himself. And he can’t rest until he knows he’s forgiven.
He is overcome with possessiveness and jealousy the moment he meets her. Anger. Snarling. Growling. God I LOVE IT. Sorry, not sorry. He doesn’t want anyone looking at his woman, touching his woman. He’s fighting it so hard but all he wants to do is seek her out just to look and touch any moment he can. He’s a man possessed.
So yeah. I recommend this book. 😆 If you like that stuff like me.
I guess this books steam is debatable. But the tension! Oh the tension is what I LIVE for. Couldn’t have hacked through it with a machete. I think there’s 3 kisses until you get to almost the end of the book. I loved them. It’s the kind of tension and kisses that yes you can’t wait for culmination but at the same time you are loving every minute of waiting. Then you get 2 good scenes at the end. Plus on in the epilogue. This book is also a little shorter - it’s less than 300 pages but it didn’t feel lacking in anything.
I give Lisa Kleypas’ Cold Hearted Rake (first book of the ravenel series) 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The hero, Devon, inherits an earldom upon his cousins death. As he visits the estate, he finds a widow, 3 unmarried female cousins and a multitude of problems.
I really loved Devon. He’s a possessive hero. He knows he wants Kathleen soon after meeting her and I kinda loved how immediately started working towards that goal. He did it in sweet ways, with gifts, with working hard to fix and heal his new home and the tenants that depended on him.
I thought Kathleen’s personality was okay. Not going to lie, she was a little annoying in some parts but I loved when she would bend to Devon.
My favorite things included the shawl, and when he returns and sees Kathleen for the first time after his injury. Totally melted my heart. I enjoyed the letters they wrote to each other.
My complaints are that I felt like this story wasn’t even about Devon and Kathleen. It was about Winterborne, which made me angry because he gets his own damn book after this. I get it’s a series but there was a lot of set up of the other characters and I felt like Devon and Kathleen got easily lost and it made me sad. They had like a 50 page separation towards the beginning (that was mostly used to set up West) and honestly it got to the point where I had to double check the synopsis to see who the hero was. Then when Winterborne enters the story, it’s all about him and Helen.
This doesn’t bother many people so don’t let it deter you. I’m sure I’ll be happy as I delve into the second book to have this background but still, it just made wish they had more of their own story.
The hero, Devon, inherits an earldom upon his cousins death. As he visits the estate, he finds a widow, 3 unmarried female cousins and a multitude of problems.
I really loved Devon. He’s a possessive hero. He knows he wants Kathleen soon after meeting her and I kinda loved how immediately started working towards that goal. He did it in sweet ways, with gifts, with working hard to fix and heal his new home and the tenants that depended on him.
I thought Kathleen’s personality was okay. Not going to lie, she was a little annoying in some parts but I loved when she would bend to Devon.
My favorite things included the shawl, and when he returns and sees Kathleen for the first time after his injury. Totally melted my heart. I enjoyed the letters they wrote to each other.
My complaints are that I felt like this story wasn’t even about Devon and Kathleen. It was about Winterborne, which made me angry because he gets his own damn book after this. I get it’s a series but there was a lot of set up of the other characters and I felt like Devon and Kathleen got easily lost and it made me sad. They had like a 50 page separation towards the beginning (that was mostly used to set up West) and honestly it got to the point where I had to double check the synopsis to see who the hero was. Then when Winterborne enters the story, it’s all about him and Helen.
This doesn’t bother many people so don’t let it deter you. I’m sure I’ll be happy as I delve into the second book to have this background but still, it just made wish they had more of their own story.
This review is going to be super short because I've been reading this book forever and I just want to be done with it. This book really did not hold my interest but I made myself pick it back up tonight and finish. I thought this story was okay. I didn't love it but it wasn't bad. I personally thought the heroine was extremely naive and some of her behaviors were a little annoying. The plot was also super dramatic with a lot going on. Some people love that. It's a road trip romance and action packed. To me, the romance fell just a bit flat in here. Overall the characters are likeable but I didn't find them having a great depth and I wasn't particularly attached to either. I'm glad I finished it. I would read another from the series. Not the most intrigued by her writing though. Hopefully I like another by her more.
I really enjoyed this book! Great for any homeschooling family, but I also think I would find this useful, motivating and comforting as a stay at home parent as well. Many of the ideas in the book can be applied to daily life with children prior to school age.
So much good advice I found in this book. Not only ideas for creating the best home environment for schooling, but also helpful things for me to employ as a parent for my own self love and sanity.
I love the idea of clearing the coffee table, poetry tea time, and the always open art table. So many relatable stories for this journey that can be so isolating and lonely at times. I’m glad I read it.
So much good advice I found in this book. Not only ideas for creating the best home environment for schooling, but also helpful things for me to employ as a parent for my own self love and sanity.
I love the idea of clearing the coffee table, poetry tea time, and the always open art table. So many relatable stories for this journey that can be so isolating and lonely at times. I’m glad I read it.
I LOVED this book. I already know I am partial to Byrne's writing, having loved most of the Victorian Rebel series and The Hunter being one of my all time favorite books. And this one was another memorable, emotional roller coaster for me.
Safety warning attached at end. (So you can avoid if you don't want to know)
Alexandra has been paying a blackmailer for well upon a decade now. With her funds running out and her family impoverished, she is waiting for the gauntlet to fall with repercussions of missing two payments. She's done well in life, protecting herself as a single, spinster woman of 28. Shes become a doctor, an archaeologist and is at home in tombs and among old bones.
I really enjoyed Alexandra's character. I think I fell in love with her during a beginning scene, where she wrangles an out of control horse. She's a beautiful character, broken but pieced together by her own strength and the friendship of her life long friends Frank and Cecil.
Piers is the Terror of Torcliff, returning to England with a scarred face and a heart full of revenge. His past love life has left pain and his only goal now is to secure the Dukedom with marriage and heirs.
Oh, Piers. I just loved him. I always have a soft spot for a scarred hero. And this man is big. Burly. Bearded (unusual for my reads). Scarred. Slightly bitter and distrusting due to his life experiences. But I thought they were just perfect for each other. The healing that happens in this story is wonderful. Kudos especially on the epilogue. I adored it. Piers is one of those heroes that falls hard for his woman. Even though there are trust issues between them, he just cannot help his draw to Alexandra. It borders on obsessive. It's jealous. It's all consuming. Its just everything I love in a romance. I loved how much I got to be in Pier's head.
This book had a ton of feels for me. (For those that have read, the laundry room scene – OMG. There went my heart. Flung against a wall. Stomped on. Cracked. Barely pieced back together by their love.) I felt the pain. The anger. The uncertainty of a new relationship. The hurt. The healing. The love. Oh, the love. I felt Pier's love for her so much. His ultimate desire to keep his woman safe and happy.
I adore Byrne's kisses and sex scenes. Just sexy, long, detailed wonderfulness. Sigh. Adored this book.
There were a few minor things that slightly bothered me, but not enough for me to knock anything in the rating.
Possible spoilers – please leave review now if you haven't read the book
My minor issues: Pier's mistrust, which he was forgiven given his family background and the revelations he had about Alexandra
I also thought the ending scenes with the villains was a liiiiittle silly how they trailed in one after the other after the other, but still nothing that ruined the book for me.
Safety warnings: sexual assault, murder, violence
Safety warning attached at end. (So you can avoid if you don't want to know)
Alexandra has been paying a blackmailer for well upon a decade now. With her funds running out and her family impoverished, she is waiting for the gauntlet to fall with repercussions of missing two payments. She's done well in life, protecting herself as a single, spinster woman of 28. Shes become a doctor, an archaeologist and is at home in tombs and among old bones.
I really enjoyed Alexandra's character. I think I fell in love with her during a beginning scene, where she wrangles an out of control horse. She's a beautiful character, broken but pieced together by her own strength and the friendship of her life long friends Frank and Cecil.
Piers is the Terror of Torcliff, returning to England with a scarred face and a heart full of revenge. His past love life has left pain and his only goal now is to secure the Dukedom with marriage and heirs.
Oh, Piers. I just loved him. I always have a soft spot for a scarred hero. And this man is big. Burly. Bearded (unusual for my reads). Scarred. Slightly bitter and distrusting due to his life experiences. But I thought they were just perfect for each other. The healing that happens in this story is wonderful. Kudos especially on the epilogue. I adored it. Piers is one of those heroes that falls hard for his woman. Even though there are trust issues between them, he just cannot help his draw to Alexandra. It borders on obsessive. It's jealous. It's all consuming. Its just everything I love in a romance. I loved how much I got to be in Pier's head.
This book had a ton of feels for me. (For those that have read, the laundry room scene – OMG. There went my heart. Flung against a wall. Stomped on. Cracked. Barely pieced back together by their love.) I felt the pain. The anger. The uncertainty of a new relationship. The hurt. The healing. The love. Oh, the love. I felt Pier's love for her so much. His ultimate desire to keep his woman safe and happy.
I adore Byrne's kisses and sex scenes. Just sexy, long, detailed wonderfulness. Sigh. Adored this book.
There were a few minor things that slightly bothered me, but not enough for me to knock anything in the rating.
Possible spoilers – please leave review now if you haven't read the book
My minor issues: Pier's mistrust, which he was forgiven given his family background and the revelations he had about Alexandra
I also thought the ending scenes with the villains was a liiiiittle silly how they trailed in one after the other after the other, but still nothing that ruined the book for me.
Safety warnings: sexual assault, murder, violence