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The Earl's Tempting Proposal
A man who thought himself unlovable.
After two decades of exile, Colin Knightsbridge returns to his ancestral home to claim his title as the Earl of Hartfield. The shy child he was when he left is a far cry from the man he has become. Driven by his desire to help and protect others, he has become a skilled physician and a master of martial arts. And yet despite his accomplishments, he believes love is a dream that will forever elude him.
A woman tortured by the past.
Abigail remembers the self effacing and gentle boy Colin once was. The man who returned bears no resemblance to that boy. He is confident, powerful, and so handsome he makes her weak with desire. But her heart bears the scars of a horrible first marriage, and she doesn't trust passion. Or men.
A marriage of convenience becomes an affair of the heart.
When circumstances bring them together, they agree to a marriage of convenience, a fragile bond built on mutual understanding and guarded hearts.
As their lives intertwine, Colin and Abigail must navigate the treacherous waters of their own insecurities. Meanwhile, threats lurk in the shadows, with unknown enemies making relentless attempts on their lives. In the midst of danger and passion they realize that only by exposing their vulnerabilities will they find the love that will heal their souls.
After two decades of exile, Colin Knightsbridge returns to his ancestral home to claim his title as the Earl of Hartfield. The shy child he was when he left is a far cry from the man he has become. Driven by his desire to help and protect others, he has become a skilled physician and a master of martial arts. And yet despite his accomplishments, he believes love is a dream that will forever elude him.
A woman tortured by the past.
Abigail remembers the self effacing and gentle boy Colin once was. The man who returned bears no resemblance to that boy. He is confident, powerful, and so handsome he makes her weak with desire. But her heart bears the scars of a horrible first marriage, and she doesn't trust passion. Or men.
A marriage of convenience becomes an affair of the heart.
When circumstances bring them together, they agree to a marriage of convenience, a fragile bond built on mutual understanding and guarded hearts.
As their lives intertwine, Colin and Abigail must navigate the treacherous waters of their own insecurities. Meanwhile, threats lurk in the shadows, with unknown enemies making relentless attempts on their lives. In the midst of danger and passion they realize that only by exposing their vulnerabilities will they find the love that will heal their souls.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 3, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A bit, yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
When mains are first on page together: Pretty soon in (7% of the book, or chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 7 months later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book format
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Glen’s Forced Alliances series.
Basic plot:
When his father’s death calls him home, Colin is surprised to find a childhood acquaintance as his step-mother’s companion
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1863)
- English countryside and London settings
- doctor/Earl hero (a very minor part)
- disability rep – hero had spine issues as a child (scoliosis?)
- widowed heroine
- heroine is a paid companion to the hero’s stepmother
- marriage of convenience
- childhood acquaintances
- jealous/possessive hero – and he crosses over into some jerky behavior so beware for those sensitive to that
- higher steam – 7 full scenes
Ages:
- Hero is 34 and heroine is 32
First line:
His chest heaved, trying to draw in a ragged breath as he ran through the darkened corridors of the boarding house.
My thoughts:
So, I had some minor things about this book that weren’t my favorite, but a lot that I loved and I definitely want to try more by Glen! This is her first pure historical, but she has another time travel series I’m eager to give a go.
I liked the first half of this book. I was liking both characters and their set up to be together. I loved the plot line of our heroine finding her sexual confidence. I liked that he blossomed under the responsibility of his earldom and the protective streak it inspired over his tenants that rely on him. I love a man that is talkative in bed and encourages and croons to his partner!
But, what didn’t work for me here was a main problem being a lack of communication between the mains. It went on too long for me and I was very anxious for them to talk it out. I also think the doctor aspect of the hero’s character was underdeveloped and I was hoping for a bit more from that since it seemed to be a big deal to him in the beginning.
I love jealousy and possessiveness in heroes, but I don’t like when they do certain jerky things...And this hero just ended up rubbing me the wrong way a bit in some of the situations. It just felt like a change from the hero I got to know in the first half.
Overall though, there was so much I loved about this one. I adored Glen’s spice – it had an emotional grab for me that I’m always chasing. I’m definitely excited to see what else Glen will come out with in the HR world.
Endearments
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own – more quotes under steam locations at end of review that go with certain scenes
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A bit, yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
When mains are first on page together: Pretty soon in (7% of the book, or chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 7 months later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book format
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Glen’s Forced Alliances series.
Basic plot:
When his father’s death calls him home, Colin is surprised to find a childhood acquaintance as his step-mother’s companion
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1863)
- English countryside and London settings
- doctor/Earl hero (a very minor part)
- disability rep – hero had spine issues as a child (scoliosis?)
- widowed heroine
- heroine is a paid companion to the hero’s stepmother
- marriage of convenience
- childhood acquaintances
- jealous/possessive hero – and he crosses over into some jerky behavior so beware for those sensitive to that
- higher steam – 7 full scenes
Ages:
- Hero is 34 and heroine is 32
First line:
His chest heaved, trying to draw in a ragged breath as he ran through the darkened corridors of the boarding house.
My thoughts:
So, I had some minor things about this book that weren’t my favorite, but a lot that I loved and I definitely want to try more by Glen! This is her first pure historical, but she has another time travel series I’m eager to give a go.
I liked the first half of this book. I was liking both characters and their set up to be together. I loved the plot line of our heroine finding her sexual confidence. I liked that he blossomed under the responsibility of his earldom and the protective streak it inspired over his tenants that rely on him. I love a man that is talkative in bed and encourages and croons to his partner!
But, what didn’t work for me here was a main problem being a lack of communication between the mains. It went on too long for me and I was very anxious for them to talk it out. I also think the doctor aspect of the hero’s character was underdeveloped and I was hoping for a bit more from that since it seemed to be a big deal to him in the beginning.
I love jealousy and possessiveness in heroes, but I don’t like when they do certain jerky things...And this hero just ended up rubbing me the wrong way a bit in some of the situations. It just felt like a change from the hero I got to know in the first half.
Overall though, there was so much I loved about this one. I adored Glen’s spice – it had an emotional grab for me that I’m always chasing. I’m definitely excited to see what else Glen will come out with in the HR world.
Endearments
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own – more quotes under steam locations at end of review that go with certain scenes
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
February 7, 2024
Over plotted, the same conversations ran in a loop, drama, drama, drama.
January 31, 2024
This is a new author for me. I have been greatly disappointed lately on some new authors I've been reading. Reviews on Amazon were not great for this book but I find there are many books I love and others didn't and some I did not like at all and others raved about. I just need to bite the bullet sometimes and check it out for myself. I will say it's a bit later than Regency era which is my favorite but sets place in early Victorian, which can sometimes read too modern for me, so hopefully since it is earlier Victorian it won’t read as modern :)
I enjoyed reading Colin and Abigail's story. I liked the couple and sex was pretty decent. Not bad at all. It looks like she only has 3 books out. I couldn't see when Book 2 of this series would come out but I will definitely read it. Overall pretty good.
I enjoyed reading Colin and Abigail's story. I liked the couple and sex was pretty decent. Not bad at all. It looks like she only has 3 books out. I couldn't see when Book 2 of this series would come out but I will definitely read it. Overall pretty good.
February 10, 2024
3.5 stars!
The Earl's Tempting Proposal was sweet and touching from the beginning to the end. Colin returns home after his father's death to become the next Earl of Hartfield. While not thrilled to be picking up the torch, it his duty despite his past.
Abigail was once married and suffered abuse by her husband that she now carries with her. She is now Colin's step-mother's companion and the two of them are surprised to see each other again after so many years. When Colin proposes to Abigail, their marriage of convenience turns into something so much deeper. But will Abigail be able to get past her insecurities? Will Colin?
This story was steamy and emotional with just the right amount of suspense. While I usually hate the whole "let's not communicate" trope, it worked really well here and I enjoyed the flow of the story. Abigail was a timid and self conscious heroine at first but grew bolder and more self assured the more she let Colin love her. Colin was dominant in subtle ways that I found incredibly sexy and I adored the way he ravished and worshiped his girl.
Overall, an enjoyable historical romance read with heat and heart!
The Earl's Tempting Proposal was sweet and touching from the beginning to the end. Colin returns home after his father's death to become the next Earl of Hartfield. While not thrilled to be picking up the torch, it his duty despite his past.
Abigail was once married and suffered abuse by her husband that she now carries with her. She is now Colin's step-mother's companion and the two of them are surprised to see each other again after so many years. When Colin proposes to Abigail, their marriage of convenience turns into something so much deeper. But will Abigail be able to get past her insecurities? Will Colin?
“I want to make love to you. I want you completely naked under my hands and mouth, the better to touch you and kiss every part of you. Will you allow that?”
This story was steamy and emotional with just the right amount of suspense. While I usually hate the whole "let's not communicate" trope, it worked really well here and I enjoyed the flow of the story. Abigail was a timid and self conscious heroine at first but grew bolder and more self assured the more she let Colin love her. Colin was dominant in subtle ways that I found incredibly sexy and I adored the way he ravished and worshiped his girl.
Overall, an enjoyable historical romance read with heat and heart!
October 19, 2024
Well written, especially writing strong emotions. I just don’t enjoy the “big misunderstanding” or the woman being miserable because she feels shame because she enjoys sex. Those are just not for me.
November 13, 2023
Thanks to BookSprout for a copy of this novel and this is my freely given opinion.
This is the second book I am reading from this author and the first fully historical romance, and start of a new series. The first was a time travel story, Time to Love the Duke.
This story is set during the Victorian period and in the opening scene, Colin Knightsbridge, the only son of the Earl of Hartfield, is a young frightened boy being abused and beaten by a gang of bullies at Eton College. He is different because of his abnormal back, and forced to wear a brace, which makes him a target for the other youths. After their attack, Colin has had enough. Despite making one friend in those last moments, he quits Eton and returns home. His parents relationship breaks down, in their disagreement on how to raise Colin, and they divorce, with Colin's mother leaving and taking Colin with her.
Twenty years pass by, and Colin has grown up estranged from his father, not hearing from him. He has made a life for himself, independently wealthy thanks to his mother's merchant family background and her own personal business savvy, which she passed onto Colin. He has become friends with a master in Kung Fu, Wang, who has taught him martial arts and other ways of coping with his spinal deformity. He has also gained a career as a physician and surgeon, financing a hospital in New York, when he learns that his father has passed away, and he has become the new Earl, with the added responsibility of his stepmother and half-sister. This is an unwanted burden and he takes his time returning to England to take up the Earldom.
At Hartfield Park, the home estate of the Earl, the widowed Countess lives with her companion, a penniless widow by the name of Abigail. She is the daughter of a marquess, but estranged from her own family, and living for the past several years at Hartfield. She remembers the young Colin as a kind boy before he left the estate, but after 20 years, has no idea what to expect, and they are fearful of how he would treat the stepmother and sister he does not know, but who have become like family to Abigail. Abigail has built quite a deep relationship with Hartfield and it's tenants, since Esther has been disabled after a carriage accident, taking over Esther's duties and helping the tenants as much as she could while the Earl remains missing. Unfortunately things are not running smoothly at Hartfield, as the steward is outright neglecting and defrauding the estate.
When Colin returns to Hartfield, he reunites with Abigail, and they work together to get rid of the corrupt steward and set things right, with Abigail acting as Colin's liaison. They forge a friendship, and Colin poses a proposition to Abigail, that she marry him and take over the role of countess to help run the estate/Earldom, oversee launching Elizabeth as a debutante, and provide him with an heir - a marriage of convenience.
As their proceed as husband and wife they marriage is challenged by many things. Abigail is very closemouthed about her previous marriage, but it was evident that her husband was abusive, and used Abigails sexuality and passion against her. She is traumatized by her previous experiences and fearful of Colin becoming like her dead husband. Colin is likewise traumatized by his own childhood and fearful of being vulnerable and undesirable to his wife, hiding himself from her and thinking her reactions to his overtures are a reaction to his deformities. Despite posing their union as a marriage of convenience, both Abigail and Colin are falling in love with each other, but fearful of exposing their vulnerable hearts to each other. Because of their poor communication, personal fears, and misunderstandings, their relationship breaks down, and they grow further and further apart.
On top of their personal problems, people from their past are adding to their stress, including one of Colin's school bullies, and they have also been the target for someone seeking to harm or kill them.
Other than some occasional anachronisms, I really enjoyed this story of two people with deep hurts and insecurities finding a second chance at love, passion, and family with each other. This was a steamy explicit romance with open door sex scenes also. Both Abigail and Colin are characters that I found well developed, that I liked and felt connected to. Colin was so caught up in his own fears and insecurities he either did not see or misinterpreted Abigail's signs until he almost lost her. I quite liked their secondary relationships too, with there being strong hints of a very intriguing future story about his friend, Gabriel. I quite liked Esther and Wang as well, but wish there was more to their story considering how it ended. Unless that will be fleshed out separately as well.
4.25 stars out of 5
This is the second book I am reading from this author and the first fully historical romance, and start of a new series. The first was a time travel story, Time to Love the Duke.
This story is set during the Victorian period and in the opening scene, Colin Knightsbridge, the only son of the Earl of Hartfield, is a young frightened boy being abused and beaten by a gang of bullies at Eton College. He is different because of his abnormal back, and forced to wear a brace, which makes him a target for the other youths. After their attack, Colin has had enough. Despite making one friend in those last moments, he quits Eton and returns home. His parents relationship breaks down, in their disagreement on how to raise Colin, and they divorce, with Colin's mother leaving and taking Colin with her.
Twenty years pass by, and Colin has grown up estranged from his father, not hearing from him. He has made a life for himself, independently wealthy thanks to his mother's merchant family background and her own personal business savvy, which she passed onto Colin. He has become friends with a master in Kung Fu, Wang, who has taught him martial arts and other ways of coping with his spinal deformity. He has also gained a career as a physician and surgeon, financing a hospital in New York, when he learns that his father has passed away, and he has become the new Earl, with the added responsibility of his stepmother and half-sister. This is an unwanted burden and he takes his time returning to England to take up the Earldom.
At Hartfield Park, the home estate of the Earl, the widowed Countess lives with her companion, a penniless widow by the name of Abigail. She is the daughter of a marquess, but estranged from her own family, and living for the past several years at Hartfield. She remembers the young Colin as a kind boy before he left the estate, but after 20 years, has no idea what to expect, and they are fearful of how he would treat the stepmother and sister he does not know, but who have become like family to Abigail. Abigail has built quite a deep relationship with Hartfield and it's tenants, since Esther has been disabled after a carriage accident, taking over Esther's duties and helping the tenants as much as she could while the Earl remains missing. Unfortunately things are not running smoothly at Hartfield, as the steward is outright neglecting and defrauding the estate.
When Colin returns to Hartfield, he reunites with Abigail, and they work together to get rid of the corrupt steward and set things right, with Abigail acting as Colin's liaison. They forge a friendship, and Colin poses a proposition to Abigail, that she marry him and take over the role of countess to help run the estate/Earldom, oversee launching Elizabeth as a debutante, and provide him with an heir - a marriage of convenience.
As their proceed as husband and wife they marriage is challenged by many things. Abigail is very closemouthed about her previous marriage, but it was evident that her husband was abusive, and used Abigails sexuality and passion against her. She is traumatized by her previous experiences and fearful of Colin becoming like her dead husband. Colin is likewise traumatized by his own childhood and fearful of being vulnerable and undesirable to his wife, hiding himself from her and thinking her reactions to his overtures are a reaction to his deformities. Despite posing their union as a marriage of convenience, both Abigail and Colin are falling in love with each other, but fearful of exposing their vulnerable hearts to each other. Because of their poor communication, personal fears, and misunderstandings, their relationship breaks down, and they grow further and further apart.
On top of their personal problems, people from their past are adding to their stress, including one of Colin's school bullies, and they have also been the target for someone seeking to harm or kill them.
Other than some occasional anachronisms, I really enjoyed this story of two people with deep hurts and insecurities finding a second chance at love, passion, and family with each other. This was a steamy explicit romance with open door sex scenes also. Both Abigail and Colin are characters that I found well developed, that I liked and felt connected to. Colin was so caught up in his own fears and insecurities he either did not see or misinterpreted Abigail's signs until he almost lost her. I quite liked their secondary relationships too, with there being strong hints of a very intriguing future story about his friend, Gabriel. I quite liked Esther and Wang as well, but wish there was more to their story considering how it ended. Unless that will be fleshed out separately as well.
4.25 stars out of 5
November 15, 2023
(It’s actually closer to 3.5 stars, but see my username as an indication of what kind of reviewer I am 😊)
This is the first book by Lavinia Glen that I’ve read and I really enjoyed the story, which is a well-trodden one in historical romance: a man estranged from his family unexpectedly inherits a title and an estate in dire straits, needs to marry and produce an heir to continue the line, and enters a marriage of convenience that proves to be a true and passionate union. In that sense, The Earl’s Tempting Proposal is not breaking any new ground. However, what I found truly refreshing compared to countless books featuring irrationally surly and brooding heroes and innocent, naïve heroines are the protagonists of this book. They are, for the most part, inherently decent and kind people who have gone through trauma and loss, and are just trying their best. Well, at least that was the case with the male protagonist of this one, Colin, the Earl of Hartfield, until later in the book, when I really wanted to knock some sense into him.
The book opens with young Colin in a very humiliating situation, being bullied at Eton. He has scoliosis, which requires him to wear a back brace, and you can imagine how understanding and sympathetic the offspring of pompous upper-class prigs were about it. His mother is affectionate, but his father is a cruel tyrant, so it’s no wonder that Colin wants nothing to do with him or the earldom. When the story starts, he’s a 34-year-old doctor in New York and is summoned to take over the estate after his father’s death. Back in England, he meets Abigail, a beautiful widow who has fallen on hard times and is working as his stepmother’s companion. They quickly establish a friendly rapport, and work together to restore the poorly managed estate. This friendly and respectful relationship with a strong mutual attraction provides a solid basis for their eventual marriage, which Colin proposes as a matter of convenience, but which, of course, turns into something unexpected.
While we do see Colin at a very low point in his life and the author doesn’t shy away from showing us the trauma he’s been through, I eventually became frustrated with his “woe is me” attitude and his refusal to believe that Abigail could possibly ever love him, despite her actions to the contrary. On the other hand, Abigail’s character really worked for me. At the start of the story, she’s a 32-year-old widow genuinely traumatized by her first marriage to a cruel bully who used her sensuality against her and convinced her that she was an unnatural creature because of it. I think her character was very sympathetic and I appreciated seeing a young woman struggle with her sexuality, which would’ve been the case with a noblewoman living in a very misogynist time, and which added to the complexity of her character.
Therefore, I understood her actions after their marriage and her refusal to let herself go completely to Colin. I understand why that would make him act jealous, but I was still a bit annoyed at how staunchly he refused to communicate and how adamant he was about being a freak, which he calls himself at several points in the book. They both refuse to open up about their hang-ups, but Colin’s behaviour started to grate after a while, and I completely supported his friend Gabriel calling him out on it. Despite this stubbornness, I found the love story compelling and believable. There are also several minor B-stories, including a mystery element, which were worked into the main love story very well.
The book is very steamy and contains several long and detailed scenes, which were excellent. The biggest issue I had with the book were anachronisms that would pop up every now and again: expressions such as “winging it”, “this guy”, Colin calling Abigail “baby”, etc. That might not be major to a less picky reader, but I couldn’t help but notice them and they are the main reason for my rating, especially because the prose is lovely otherwise.
Overall, I enjoyed the character work and the fact that the protagonists were in their thirties and for the most part had actual reasons for their behaviour, not just vague historical romance reasons for being brooding and casually cruel. The minor characters were also engaging, and I’m definitely looking forward to the story of Colin’s friend Gabriel, as well as other books planned by Lavinia.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book by Lavinia Glen that I’ve read and I really enjoyed the story, which is a well-trodden one in historical romance: a man estranged from his family unexpectedly inherits a title and an estate in dire straits, needs to marry and produce an heir to continue the line, and enters a marriage of convenience that proves to be a true and passionate union. In that sense, The Earl’s Tempting Proposal is not breaking any new ground. However, what I found truly refreshing compared to countless books featuring irrationally surly and brooding heroes and innocent, naïve heroines are the protagonists of this book. They are, for the most part, inherently decent and kind people who have gone through trauma and loss, and are just trying their best. Well, at least that was the case with the male protagonist of this one, Colin, the Earl of Hartfield, until later in the book, when I really wanted to knock some sense into him.
The book opens with young Colin in a very humiliating situation, being bullied at Eton. He has scoliosis, which requires him to wear a back brace, and you can imagine how understanding and sympathetic the offspring of pompous upper-class prigs were about it. His mother is affectionate, but his father is a cruel tyrant, so it’s no wonder that Colin wants nothing to do with him or the earldom. When the story starts, he’s a 34-year-old doctor in New York and is summoned to take over the estate after his father’s death. Back in England, he meets Abigail, a beautiful widow who has fallen on hard times and is working as his stepmother’s companion. They quickly establish a friendly rapport, and work together to restore the poorly managed estate. This friendly and respectful relationship with a strong mutual attraction provides a solid basis for their eventual marriage, which Colin proposes as a matter of convenience, but which, of course, turns into something unexpected.
While we do see Colin at a very low point in his life and the author doesn’t shy away from showing us the trauma he’s been through, I eventually became frustrated with his “woe is me” attitude and his refusal to believe that Abigail could possibly ever love him, despite her actions to the contrary. On the other hand, Abigail’s character really worked for me. At the start of the story, she’s a 32-year-old widow genuinely traumatized by her first marriage to a cruel bully who used her sensuality against her and convinced her that she was an unnatural creature because of it. I think her character was very sympathetic and I appreciated seeing a young woman struggle with her sexuality, which would’ve been the case with a noblewoman living in a very misogynist time, and which added to the complexity of her character.
Therefore, I understood her actions after their marriage and her refusal to let herself go completely to Colin. I understand why that would make him act jealous, but I was still a bit annoyed at how staunchly he refused to communicate and how adamant he was about being a freak, which he calls himself at several points in the book. They both refuse to open up about their hang-ups, but Colin’s behaviour started to grate after a while, and I completely supported his friend Gabriel calling him out on it. Despite this stubbornness, I found the love story compelling and believable. There are also several minor B-stories, including a mystery element, which were worked into the main love story very well.
The book is very steamy and contains several long and detailed scenes, which were excellent. The biggest issue I had with the book were anachronisms that would pop up every now and again: expressions such as “winging it”, “this guy”, Colin calling Abigail “baby”, etc. That might not be major to a less picky reader, but I couldn’t help but notice them and they are the main reason for my rating, especially because the prose is lovely otherwise.
Overall, I enjoyed the character work and the fact that the protagonists were in their thirties and for the most part had actual reasons for their behaviour, not just vague historical romance reasons for being brooding and casually cruel. The minor characters were also engaging, and I’m definitely looking forward to the story of Colin’s friend Gabriel, as well as other books planned by Lavinia.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
November 16, 2023
Colin and Abby's Story . . .
Life has changed Colin and Abigail after his self-imposed exile of 20 years. Colin Knightsbridge is home to take on his title of the Earl of Hartfield. In his younger days when he knew Abigail, he was picked on and bullied, small for his age. He hated himself for his weakness and misshapen body. When his fellow students at Eton chased after him to torment, he was already struggling for much-needed breath when one wrapped an arm tightly around his neck. Choking him even harder, blackness closed in on him. He woke in the middle of the courtyard where they had dressed him as a female so the entire school could mock him. The brace he wore to straighten his back was now clasped to the outside of the dress so everyone could see it. They even added red face paint to his lips. Totally mortified, he then threw up, making everything worse. As others laughed, another boy helped him up, told him he was a friend, and got him out of there. Colin had enough and was returning home. He invited his new friend, Gabriel, but he said his father would beat him if he left school. But Colin told him the offer was always open. Twenty-one years later, always protecting others, Colin is now a doctor in New York, a master of martial arts, and has just become the Earl of Hartfield on his father’s death. But love is not for him. His father had never accepted nor reconciled with him. And it was too late now. With new responsibility for his father’s second wife and a half-sister Elizabeth he never knew, he would have to leave the hospital he had founded and return to England.
Abigail remembers her gentle friend as a boy, but he is nothing like the man who returned. And the years were not kind to Abigail, as her marriage had been brutal and she no longer trusts men. He had died and left her penniless to fend for herself. Abby has become the paid companion for Esther, the Dowager Countess of Hartford who was nervously awaiting Colin’s arrival. It has been a year since Colin returned to England and only now is coming to meet his mother and sister. Would this be the end of her job? This version of her old friend is now confident, self-assured, powerful, and ruggedly good-looking, but is he cruel? Everyone had abandoned him, and now they were all dependent on his goodwill.
At Abby and his stepmother’s suggestion, he reviewed the Estate Manager’s books and found discrepancies. Since he knows nothing about estate management, he asks for her advice and guidance so he can restore the estate. He eventually asks Abby about a marriage of convenience. Although both of them truly loved each other, they never said anything about it. Still repressed by their past experiences, misunderstandings kept them from moving forward. And without apparent love, could they ever find happiness?
Life has changed Colin and Abigail after his self-imposed exile of 20 years. Colin Knightsbridge is home to take on his title of the Earl of Hartfield. In his younger days when he knew Abigail, he was picked on and bullied, small for his age. He hated himself for his weakness and misshapen body. When his fellow students at Eton chased after him to torment, he was already struggling for much-needed breath when one wrapped an arm tightly around his neck. Choking him even harder, blackness closed in on him. He woke in the middle of the courtyard where they had dressed him as a female so the entire school could mock him. The brace he wore to straighten his back was now clasped to the outside of the dress so everyone could see it. They even added red face paint to his lips. Totally mortified, he then threw up, making everything worse. As others laughed, another boy helped him up, told him he was a friend, and got him out of there. Colin had enough and was returning home. He invited his new friend, Gabriel, but he said his father would beat him if he left school. But Colin told him the offer was always open. Twenty-one years later, always protecting others, Colin is now a doctor in New York, a master of martial arts, and has just become the Earl of Hartfield on his father’s death. But love is not for him. His father had never accepted nor reconciled with him. And it was too late now. With new responsibility for his father’s second wife and a half-sister Elizabeth he never knew, he would have to leave the hospital he had founded and return to England.
Abigail remembers her gentle friend as a boy, but he is nothing like the man who returned. And the years were not kind to Abigail, as her marriage had been brutal and she no longer trusts men. He had died and left her penniless to fend for herself. Abby has become the paid companion for Esther, the Dowager Countess of Hartford who was nervously awaiting Colin’s arrival. It has been a year since Colin returned to England and only now is coming to meet his mother and sister. Would this be the end of her job? This version of her old friend is now confident, self-assured, powerful, and ruggedly good-looking, but is he cruel? Everyone had abandoned him, and now they were all dependent on his goodwill.
At Abby and his stepmother’s suggestion, he reviewed the Estate Manager’s books and found discrepancies. Since he knows nothing about estate management, he asks for her advice and guidance so he can restore the estate. He eventually asks Abby about a marriage of convenience. Although both of them truly loved each other, they never said anything about it. Still repressed by their past experiences, misunderstandings kept them from moving forward. And without apparent love, could they ever find happiness?
November 16, 2023
This book has everything I love reading about. This is the first I have read from Lavinia Glen it is also the first in the series and I’m so glad I found this book.
It’s set in 1842 and onwards. The first chapter is a prologue about Colin’s childhood and the rest of the story is set twenty one years later.
Both of the main characters Colin and Abigail feel they are flawed and have low self confidence. Even though they don’t feel deserving of love themselves, they are both so kind and caring to others. They are also both older than most main characters in other books; he is 34, she is 32.
Colin is the son of an Earl who has a curvature of his spine, he had to wear a back brace as a child to try and straighten his back but was tormented and bullied by students because of it at Eton College, where he attended for a time. He moved with his mother to America after his parents divorced and he became a doctor but he is still ashamed of his body.
Abigail is the daughter of a marquess but doesn’t use her title as she is estranged from her father and brother. She is a widow of a very unhappy marriage. She is broken and feels she will never marry again.
When Colin learns of his father’s death, he returns to his family home to becomes the Earl of Hartfield. He discovers that Abigail (who he knew as a child) is now working as a companion to Colin’s stepmother and living in his family home.
Their attraction to each other is instant but neither can believe that the other would be attracted to them. Colin decides that he should marry and have an heir. He asks Abigail to marry him for convenience (but secretly he loves her) and she accepts but she doesn’t feel he will ever love her.
There is so much character growth for both as the story progresses. Abigail learns that all men aren’t as her dead husband and learns to love herself as she is and Colin also learns that Abigail doesn’t see his body as flawed at all.
This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. The author’s style of writing is so beautiful. This book has happiness, danger, love and sadness weaved throughout the book. Most of the side characters are delightful, especially Wang, Elizabeth and Esther. There are steamy scenes that are so well written. It’s also has a lovely epilogue. There is a shocking revelation that I didn’t see coming as well!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys steamy, romantic historical books.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received this book from Bookfunnel as an ARC reader. I’m voluntarily leaving this review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
It’s set in 1842 and onwards. The first chapter is a prologue about Colin’s childhood and the rest of the story is set twenty one years later.
Both of the main characters Colin and Abigail feel they are flawed and have low self confidence. Even though they don’t feel deserving of love themselves, they are both so kind and caring to others. They are also both older than most main characters in other books; he is 34, she is 32.
Colin is the son of an Earl who has a curvature of his spine, he had to wear a back brace as a child to try and straighten his back but was tormented and bullied by students because of it at Eton College, where he attended for a time. He moved with his mother to America after his parents divorced and he became a doctor but he is still ashamed of his body.
Abigail is the daughter of a marquess but doesn’t use her title as she is estranged from her father and brother. She is a widow of a very unhappy marriage. She is broken and feels she will never marry again.
When Colin learns of his father’s death, he returns to his family home to becomes the Earl of Hartfield. He discovers that Abigail (who he knew as a child) is now working as a companion to Colin’s stepmother and living in his family home.
Their attraction to each other is instant but neither can believe that the other would be attracted to them. Colin decides that he should marry and have an heir. He asks Abigail to marry him for convenience (but secretly he loves her) and she accepts but she doesn’t feel he will ever love her.
There is so much character growth for both as the story progresses. Abigail learns that all men aren’t as her dead husband and learns to love herself as she is and Colin also learns that Abigail doesn’t see his body as flawed at all.
This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. The author’s style of writing is so beautiful. This book has happiness, danger, love and sadness weaved throughout the book. Most of the side characters are delightful, especially Wang, Elizabeth and Esther. There are steamy scenes that are so well written. It’s also has a lovely epilogue. There is a shocking revelation that I didn’t see coming as well!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys steamy, romantic historical books.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received this book from Bookfunnel as an ARC reader. I’m voluntarily leaving this review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
December 9, 2023
As a youngster, Colin suffered a lot of bullying as a result of wearing a brace to support his back. His father sees him as a weak man unworthy of the title of Earl. His mother protects him and takes him to all the doctors who can help, but he will have to live with the coil on his back for the rest of his life. This shapes Colin, especially when his parents divorce, something that was not common around 1850. When his father dies, he is the new Earl. He travels from America, where he worked as a doctor, to England, to the house where his stepmother and half-sister now live. What he didn't know until he sees her is that Abigail also lives there as the countess companion. Abby, the most beautiful girl from his youth, still just as beautiful.
Abigail is a widow and left destitute when her husband dies. She does not complain when she does paid work as a companion for a disabled woman. After an unhappy marriage to a jealous and violent man, she feels safe without men around her. But Colin awakens something in her that she has always had to suppress; passion.
Colin and Abby become closer and because Colin needs an heir, he asks her to marry him in the hope that he can win her heart.
Both bear the scars of the past but tell each other nothing until the shadows of the past affect the present. Do they dare to expose themselves to save their marriage?
A well put together story where you feel the emotions of both. A HEA is always wonderful to end a book with.
Curious to see what happens next with Gabriel. It seems as if that story will be told in subsequent parts.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Abigail is a widow and left destitute when her husband dies. She does not complain when she does paid work as a companion for a disabled woman. After an unhappy marriage to a jealous and violent man, she feels safe without men around her. But Colin awakens something in her that she has always had to suppress; passion.
Colin and Abby become closer and because Colin needs an heir, he asks her to marry him in the hope that he can win her heart.
Both bear the scars of the past but tell each other nothing until the shadows of the past affect the present. Do they dare to expose themselves to save their marriage?
A well put together story where you feel the emotions of both. A HEA is always wonderful to end a book with.
Curious to see what happens next with Gabriel. It seems as if that story will be told in subsequent parts.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2024
A great story to represent trauma and healing
First, thank you Lavinia Glen for writing a story that represents how past $exual experiences and trauma can impact a woman. While I don’t have the exact experience of the heroine, I have struggled with my own past experiences and the mental toll that it takes on a relationship in an intimate way. I’ve seen many stories where women have had their share of past trauma, but this one was explained so well and was so real. It is something hard to work through - even with an understanding partner. This was refreshing!
Colin was a wonderful hero. He had his own past trauma from a physical deformity and all the bullying that came from it. While he appeared brooding and hard, he was kind and generous. He lacked confidence to believe a pretty and good woman would truly want to choose him, but he had the heart of a Lion.
Abigail was a complex character too. She fit well with Colin as she was also kind and generous.
My only qualm with the story was the lack of communication the couple had. They both had a ton of past trauma, but neither of them ever had an inkling of “maybe I should discuss this with the other” until the very end. I understand lack of communication helps build some of the angst of the story, but I found myself frustrated that they didn’t even show any internal dialogue of considering to share their hard past. I can understand people being scared to be vulnerable, and that would have been fine. I just would have liked to see that they had an internal struggle to share.
Overall, a great book and I enjoyed it.
First, thank you Lavinia Glen for writing a story that represents how past $exual experiences and trauma can impact a woman. While I don’t have the exact experience of the heroine, I have struggled with my own past experiences and the mental toll that it takes on a relationship in an intimate way. I’ve seen many stories where women have had their share of past trauma, but this one was explained so well and was so real. It is something hard to work through - even with an understanding partner. This was refreshing!
Colin was a wonderful hero. He had his own past trauma from a physical deformity and all the bullying that came from it. While he appeared brooding and hard, he was kind and generous. He lacked confidence to believe a pretty and good woman would truly want to choose him, but he had the heart of a Lion.
Abigail was a complex character too. She fit well with Colin as she was also kind and generous.
My only qualm with the story was the lack of communication the couple had. They both had a ton of past trauma, but neither of them ever had an inkling of “maybe I should discuss this with the other” until the very end. I understand lack of communication helps build some of the angst of the story, but I found myself frustrated that they didn’t even show any internal dialogue of considering to share their hard past. I can understand people being scared to be vulnerable, and that would have been fine. I just would have liked to see that they had an internal struggle to share.
Overall, a great book and I enjoyed it.
November 14, 2023
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Colin and Abby are two people who have not dealt with the trauma from their pasts (like, AT ALL), unfortunately they are both a victim of the times where we DON’T TALK ABOUT IT. Poor Colin, who can’t forgive the child he used to be for his physical disability (scoliosis?), the bullying he experienced, or the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. And Abby, a kind woman who was bullied, shamed and abused by her former husband and who has, effectively, retreated from society.
These two started out so promising – working together and tentatively becoming friends while they partner up to right the wrongs done by the shady land steward on Colin’s rundown, inherited estate. It’s a tale as old as time, barely even friends, then somebody bends, unexpectedly - both a little scared, neither one prepared and yes, this story has beauty and the beast vibes. However, once they enter a marriage of convenience it all goes swiftly downhill. Diagnosis – FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE.
Colin and Abby each suffer with body image issues – for reasons both emotional and physical - and neither of them was comfortable or able to fully accept and love themselves in their own skin. To quote the words of RuPaul – If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?!
The last 20 pages or so are a wild ride and yes, yes ya’ll, I really enjoyed this book!
Colin and Abby are two people who have not dealt with the trauma from their pasts (like, AT ALL), unfortunately they are both a victim of the times where we DON’T TALK ABOUT IT. Poor Colin, who can’t forgive the child he used to be for his physical disability (scoliosis?), the bullying he experienced, or the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. And Abby, a kind woman who was bullied, shamed and abused by her former husband and who has, effectively, retreated from society.
These two started out so promising – working together and tentatively becoming friends while they partner up to right the wrongs done by the shady land steward on Colin’s rundown, inherited estate. It’s a tale as old as time, barely even friends, then somebody bends, unexpectedly - both a little scared, neither one prepared and yes, this story has beauty and the beast vibes. However, once they enter a marriage of convenience it all goes swiftly downhill. Diagnosis – FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE.
Colin and Abby each suffer with body image issues – for reasons both emotional and physical - and neither of them was comfortable or able to fully accept and love themselves in their own skin. To quote the words of RuPaul – If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?!
The last 20 pages or so are a wild ride and yes, yes ya’ll, I really enjoyed this book!
December 1, 2023
A charming victorian romance that sees one hard faced but kind newly titled Earl seek an arrangement with the companion of his father's widow.
Colin returns to the UK to take over his family property and attempt to make his family's lives peaceful in whatever way he can.
He may now be a strong and formidable man but as a child he was bullied mercilessly for his deformity.
Abigail is a widow who needed to find a position for comfort and found that with the countess.
A marriage of convenience seems best for the two and they waste little time tying the knot in order to produce the next heir.
Abby is also filled with self doubt, fear and alarm to be married after the abuse she received from her first husband that has cemented certain ideas into her mind.
Can they survive an unknown but serious threat?
Can they push past difficulties to survive any issues that should arise?
A fantastic romance that drags each of us into its hot ballrooms, its tender bosom and its old fashioned propriety.
The two main characters are each likeable because they suffer very real feelings of inadequacy and each have self loathing.
The vulnerability they both show is endearing yet misinterpreted at times which makes this slightly frustrating but overall the sweetest.
There are elements of intrigue as one wonders who would wish to cause them harm so openly and the reveal is bursting with drama.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Colin returns to the UK to take over his family property and attempt to make his family's lives peaceful in whatever way he can.
He may now be a strong and formidable man but as a child he was bullied mercilessly for his deformity.
Abigail is a widow who needed to find a position for comfort and found that with the countess.
A marriage of convenience seems best for the two and they waste little time tying the knot in order to produce the next heir.
Abby is also filled with self doubt, fear and alarm to be married after the abuse she received from her first husband that has cemented certain ideas into her mind.
Can they survive an unknown but serious threat?
Can they push past difficulties to survive any issues that should arise?
A fantastic romance that drags each of us into its hot ballrooms, its tender bosom and its old fashioned propriety.
The two main characters are each likeable because they suffer very real feelings of inadequacy and each have self loathing.
The vulnerability they both show is endearing yet misinterpreted at times which makes this slightly frustrating but overall the sweetest.
There are elements of intrigue as one wonders who would wish to cause them harm so openly and the reveal is bursting with drama.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2023
This is the second book I have read from this author, and she does not disappoint. Colin Knightsbridge, the Earl of Hartfield is a sweet, sensitive young boy with a deformity to his spine that requires a brace. This does not endear him to his father or to the boys at the boarding school he attended, which leaves him emotionally scared.
After the death of his father, he inherits the earldom, but he delays returning home for another year as he is now a qualified doctor, working in New York. Eventually he returns home to take over the earldom and reconnects with Lady Abigail, a childhood friend and neighbour. She herself is now a widow living with his stepmother and half-sister as a paid companion.
When the parties meet, Abigail is surprised to see Colin who is now an impressive man holding his own. Abigail on the other hand is a widow and a shell of her former self having suffered at the hands of her husband, who abused her verbally and physically.
Colin offers Abigail a marriage of convenience that she accepts and although both are emotionally scared, they help each other and grow to love and care for each other.
A beautifully written steamy novel with wonderful characters, mystery, action, and a wonderful love story to boot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After the death of his father, he inherits the earldom, but he delays returning home for another year as he is now a qualified doctor, working in New York. Eventually he returns home to take over the earldom and reconnects with Lady Abigail, a childhood friend and neighbour. She herself is now a widow living with his stepmother and half-sister as a paid companion.
When the parties meet, Abigail is surprised to see Colin who is now an impressive man holding his own. Abigail on the other hand is a widow and a shell of her former self having suffered at the hands of her husband, who abused her verbally and physically.
Colin offers Abigail a marriage of convenience that she accepts and although both are emotionally scared, they help each other and grow to love and care for each other.
A beautifully written steamy novel with wonderful characters, mystery, action, and a wonderful love story to boot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2023
I liked Colin and Abigail‘s story. It has an engaging storyline with sympathetic characters, steamy love scenes and a touch of suspense.
Colin has a hump and has been bullied in his youth until his mother decided to get a divorce from her husband and took Colin to America. He is content with his life there and works as a doctor in a hospital, but when his father dies, he is forced to return to England and resume his inheritage and title.
Abigail was abused and humiliated by her late husband because she found too much pleasure in their marital bed. Since her husband‘s death, she has worked as the companion for Colin’s stepmother and half sister.
When they both meet, Colin is instantly attracted to Abigail and proposes a marriage of convenience. But their marital life is soon overshadowed by their painful feelings of the past which lead to misunderstandings. Abigail represses her reactions to him, ashamed he might think her wanton. He is ashamed of his body and feels rejected by her cold demeanor.
And someone is trying to kill Colin...
If you like historical romances with marriage of convenience trope, heroes and heroines with life struggles, intimate scenes and suspense, you will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Colin has a hump and has been bullied in his youth until his mother decided to get a divorce from her husband and took Colin to America. He is content with his life there and works as a doctor in a hospital, but when his father dies, he is forced to return to England and resume his inheritage and title.
Abigail was abused and humiliated by her late husband because she found too much pleasure in their marital bed. Since her husband‘s death, she has worked as the companion for Colin’s stepmother and half sister.
When they both meet, Colin is instantly attracted to Abigail and proposes a marriage of convenience. But their marital life is soon overshadowed by their painful feelings of the past which lead to misunderstandings. Abigail represses her reactions to him, ashamed he might think her wanton. He is ashamed of his body and feels rejected by her cold demeanor.
And someone is trying to kill Colin...
If you like historical romances with marriage of convenience trope, heroes and heroines with life struggles, intimate scenes and suspense, you will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2023
Extremely well written, full of love, drama, romance, mystery, suspense, steam, revenge, abuse, bullies, fears, adventure, action, lots of twists and turns. Does have some beauty and the beast traits. Colin grew up being bullied by the boys at school due to his spine issues. As the new , Colin returns to find his estate is in terrible trouble. Abigail was abused by her husband before his death. After she finds a job with the Countess as a companion. The Countess is wheelchair bound for the last 5 years. He finds the estate is in terrible trouble. He reviews the estate books and lets go his steward, who had been stealing from the estate. He also finds his step mother and half sister living not as they should be. Abigail tells him of things that the steward had not been doing for the care of the tenants. He takes on the care of the earldom, trying to bring everything back to rights. He finds that he wants Abigail to become his bride and the mother of his children. Has lots of drama and action in this story. This author has again written a fabulous story that will keep you spellbound to the end. Would strongly recommend this book and other books written by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2023
This is my first book Lavinia Glen and it will not be my last! I loved it and can't wait to read her next upcoming book.
I adore the Hero, Colin, the newly appointed Earl of Hartfield. He is another cinnamon roll Hero to love. I felt his pain, suffering from a back deformity and being bullied at school for wearing a back brace. I also saw an in need strength in him to fight and this may have influenced his decision became a doctor to try to help people. I could relate to him going through a health struggle myself.
He was sweet and kind to his stepmum and sister and was happy for them to stay in his home and to be apart of a family once more.
The heroine, Abigail, a Widow, vowed to never marry ever again after an abusive previous marriage and was happy to live like a recluse as a Lady's companion. However upon meeting Colin and entering a marriage of convenience with him, she realised that she has much more life to live and they both needed each other heal from past trauma.
If you love a Beauty and the Beast retelling, marriage of convenience, steam, and tortured characters, this is book for you. It touches on themes of bullying, shame and healing.
I received an arc for free by the author and this opinion is my own and review is submitted voluntarily
I adore the Hero, Colin, the newly appointed Earl of Hartfield. He is another cinnamon roll Hero to love. I felt his pain, suffering from a back deformity and being bullied at school for wearing a back brace. I also saw an in need strength in him to fight and this may have influenced his decision became a doctor to try to help people. I could relate to him going through a health struggle myself.
He was sweet and kind to his stepmum and sister and was happy for them to stay in his home and to be apart of a family once more.
The heroine, Abigail, a Widow, vowed to never marry ever again after an abusive previous marriage and was happy to live like a recluse as a Lady's companion. However upon meeting Colin and entering a marriage of convenience with him, she realised that she has much more life to live and they both needed each other heal from past trauma.
If you love a Beauty and the Beast retelling, marriage of convenience, steam, and tortured characters, this is book for you. It touches on themes of bullying, shame and healing.
I received an arc for free by the author and this opinion is my own and review is submitted voluntarily
November 15, 2023
Colin suffered from a childhood disability which had tainted his entire existence. He remembered liking the beautiful Abigail when they were children because she was always kind to him. When an adult Colin returned to England to claim the earldom, he was pleased to see her again. However, Abigail was a shadow of her former self. Now a widow, she was reduced to working as a companion to Colin's stepmother. Her self-esteem was in shambles. In contrast, Colin who had worked hard to overcome his physical disability, was now a formidable man. Unfortunately, his emotional scars were still there. Colin ended up proposing a marriage of convenience and Abigail readily agreed. This is where their story really began. This book was so good that I couldn't put it down. There was steam, heartache, mystery, action and then some more steam. I am already looking forward to reading the next book. I received a free ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
November 17, 2023
Colin was terribly bullied when he was at Eton College because his spine was bent and twisted and he needed to wear a brace. Now he is the new Earl of Hartfield.
Abigail had a terrible marriage. Now she is a companion for the Dowager Countess of Hartford, and they all depend on the new Earl.
Both characters had scars from the past and they had to fight them in order to be happy. Luckily for them, the love they felt for each other helped them to heal although it took a bit of time because they didn’t talk to each other about their fears and insecurities.
A very beautiful story, in spite of all of the suffering Colin and Abigail had. It was well-written and easy to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Abigail had a terrible marriage. Now she is a companion for the Dowager Countess of Hartford, and they all depend on the new Earl.
Both characters had scars from the past and they had to fight them in order to be happy. Luckily for them, the love they felt for each other helped them to heal although it took a bit of time because they didn’t talk to each other about their fears and insecurities.
A very beautiful story, in spite of all of the suffering Colin and Abigail had. It was well-written and easy to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2023
This romance is charming, and I adore the characters.
I like how Colin and Abigail's relationship developed gradually, with nothing dramatic or rushed. Their marriage of convenience comes naturally and adds intensity to their relationship, which I really like. Starting with their marriage, the author takes the reader into a whirlwind of events that I find captivating.
Adding intrigue to the romance brings something special that keeps us in suspense until the end.
A beautiful romance to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I like how Colin and Abigail's relationship developed gradually, with nothing dramatic or rushed. Their marriage of convenience comes naturally and adds intensity to their relationship, which I really like. Starting with their marriage, the author takes the reader into a whirlwind of events that I find captivating.
Adding intrigue to the romance brings something special that keeps us in suspense until the end.
A beautiful romance to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 10, 2023
This a nice historical romance. It is really well written as the terminology transports you to the regency era, but you have to got in mind it is a love story.
I adored it while finding interesting the complex relations both main characters have, as the lack of communication creates marital problems.
I'd like to see about Elizabeths reaction furthermore and about our Lady's father and how he married her off to her first husbands.
All in all, i really liked it!
I adored it while finding interesting the complex relations both main characters have, as the lack of communication creates marital problems.
I'd like to see about Elizabeths reaction furthermore and about our Lady's father and how he married her off to her first husbands.
All in all, i really liked it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
4.5⭐️, 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Marriage of convenience is my all time favorite trope. I love to watch a couple go through all the stages of falling in love while having hot sex in the “sanctity” of marriage!! Ms Glen does not disappoint in that department. But I’m getting a head of myself. We open up to poor Colin as a young boy at Eton (has any HR hero enjoyed his time at Eton?) being humiliated by his bully classmates because of his back brace/deformity. You see, poor Colin has scoliosis and in 1842 the brace he wears sort of looks like a corset and his tormentors taunt him and call him a freak and have dressed him up like a woman. Fortunately a classmate helps him and takes him back to his room, but for Colin that’s it and he returns home. This sets off a division between his understanding and devoted mother and his not so understanding father. His mother leaves taking him with her , parents divorce and our main story opens up 21 years later when Colin (now 33) is a Doctor/Surgeon and living in NYC and gets the news that his father has died and he is now the new Earl of Hartfield. He eventually makes his way home a year later to take over the earldom and to meet (for the first time) his half sister and the old earl’s 2nd wife Esther, the Dowager Countess . This is where we meet Abigail. Abigail is a widow who has been Esther’s companion for the last 5 years. Abigail has had her own trials and tribulations, a horrible abusive marriage that has left her unwilling to remarry. But Abigail is curious about the new earl as she grew up visiting Hartfield as a young girl as her mother was friends with the first countess. She remembered Colin as a small, frail young boy and is stunned when she first meets to find he is now a large, strong and handsome man.
Most marriage of convenience tropes have the couple marrying almost immediate but here Ms Glen lets it develop very organically. Colin is very attracted to Abigail and because Abigail has be a de facto representative for the Dowager she is familiar with the estate and it’s tenants and is beyond helpful to Colin as he reacquaints himself with it. Abigail is attracted to Colin as well but is hesitant when Colin proposes due to her previous marriage. I loved Colin’s inward reaction when she says yes.
So up to this point we have a few passionate kisses but when the wedding night comes at about 45% wowza!!! It is well worth the wait. Ms Glen gives us a wedding night scene so full of passion that not only are are main characters exhausted, but I was as well!! But all is not smooth sailing with our newlyweds and because of the past trauma that both our MCs have faced things need to be worked out before we can get a HEA.
I really enjoyed this book and it was my first from Ms Glenn. The story was interesting and I like how she dealt with Colin’s insecurities and the abuse that had Abigail suppressing her natural sensuality. It was something that at first I thought was just the typical Victorian attitude towards sex but turned into something much more and Ms Glenn handled the telling of it very well. Also, Ms Glenn writes very sexy, steamy, hot🔥🔥🔥 sex scenes
So why did I take off a half ⭐️ if I liked this so much? There is a few cliché plot devises thrown in that I won’t spoil for you. They are tried and true devises that are just a bit over used in HR and I’m just a bit tired of reading them. But they certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment to the story.
Ms Glen also gives us a sneak peek at what I assume with be book 2 with the very intriguing Gabriel, who was the Eton boy who saves Colin from the bullies in the prologue and I am very much looking forward to reading that.
I would very much like to that the author Lavinia Glenn for entrusting me with an ARC of this book for my unbiased review. Thanks Lavina!!!
Marriage of convenience is my all time favorite trope. I love to watch a couple go through all the stages of falling in love while having hot sex in the “sanctity” of marriage!! Ms Glen does not disappoint in that department. But I’m getting a head of myself. We open up to poor Colin as a young boy at Eton (has any HR hero enjoyed his time at Eton?) being humiliated by his bully classmates because of his back brace/deformity. You see, poor Colin has scoliosis and in 1842 the brace he wears sort of looks like a corset and his tormentors taunt him and call him a freak and have dressed him up like a woman. Fortunately a classmate helps him and takes him back to his room, but for Colin that’s it and he returns home. This sets off a division between his understanding and devoted mother and his not so understanding father. His mother leaves taking him with her , parents divorce and our main story opens up 21 years later when Colin (now 33) is a Doctor/Surgeon and living in NYC and gets the news that his father has died and he is now the new Earl of Hartfield. He eventually makes his way home a year later to take over the earldom and to meet (for the first time) his half sister and the old earl’s 2nd wife Esther, the Dowager Countess . This is where we meet Abigail. Abigail is a widow who has been Esther’s companion for the last 5 years. Abigail has had her own trials and tribulations, a horrible abusive marriage that has left her unwilling to remarry. But Abigail is curious about the new earl as she grew up visiting Hartfield as a young girl as her mother was friends with the first countess. She remembered Colin as a small, frail young boy and is stunned when she first meets to find he is now a large, strong and handsome man.
Most marriage of convenience tropes have the couple marrying almost immediate but here Ms Glen lets it develop very organically. Colin is very attracted to Abigail and because Abigail has be a de facto representative for the Dowager she is familiar with the estate and it’s tenants and is beyond helpful to Colin as he reacquaints himself with it. Abigail is attracted to Colin as well but is hesitant when Colin proposes due to her previous marriage. I loved Colin’s inward reaction when she says yes.
So up to this point we have a few passionate kisses but when the wedding night comes at about 45% wowza!!! It is well worth the wait. Ms Glen gives us a wedding night scene so full of passion that not only are are main characters exhausted, but I was as well!! But all is not smooth sailing with our newlyweds and because of the past trauma that both our MCs have faced things need to be worked out before we can get a HEA.
I really enjoyed this book and it was my first from Ms Glenn. The story was interesting and I like how she dealt with Colin’s insecurities and the abuse that had Abigail suppressing her natural sensuality. It was something that at first I thought was just the typical Victorian attitude towards sex but turned into something much more and Ms Glenn handled the telling of it very well. Also, Ms Glenn writes very sexy, steamy, hot🔥🔥🔥 sex scenes
So why did I take off a half ⭐️ if I liked this so much? There is a few cliché plot devises thrown in that I won’t spoil for you. They are tried and true devises that are just a bit over used in HR and I’m just a bit tired of reading them. But they certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment to the story.
Ms Glen also gives us a sneak peek at what I assume with be book 2 with the very intriguing Gabriel, who was the Eton boy who saves Colin from the bullies in the prologue and I am very much looking forward to reading that.
I would very much like to that the author Lavinia Glenn for entrusting me with an ARC of this book for my unbiased review. Thanks Lavina!!!
April 11, 2024
The first 100+ pages were BORING. Dudville. No steam. Ready to bury the book. I ended up skimming the rest of the book which was much better! Both the H and h were so insecure and lacked confidence that it was a huge turnoff. Book was way too long.
June 17, 2024
Story with a realistic touch
It's rare to get a good historical romance with a deformity involved that wasn't just glossed over. This was a great read of Colin and Abigail and their path to learning to communicate in order to trust and truly love.
It's rare to get a good historical romance with a deformity involved that wasn't just glossed over. This was a great read of Colin and Abigail and their path to learning to communicate in order to trust and truly love.
November 17, 2023
This is the first time that I have read anything from this author i was taken in by the story it I would recommend
December 10, 2023
Colin e Abigail
Read
January 29, 2024Putting away for now and might revisit later. I didn't realize that the heroine had already been married previously (even though I should have because it CLEARLY states it in the blurb).
May 2, 2024
The language was modern. He finds her stranded in the rain and yells, Hey, do you need a ride?
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