Series: The House of Lovell, #2
Tropes & Traits: titled hero; widow; second chance
Publication Date: 04.30.19
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England, 1822
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Still mourning his father's recent death, Lord Edward Lovell, now the Earl of Chatham, is saddled with the responsibility of restoring the earldom to its former glory. To do that, he's decided he must marry for money, no matter how distasteful he finds that notion. Thanks to the Bachelor's Bible, a pamphlet delineating the estimated dowry's of the ton's eligible females, he knows just who he should focus his attentions on. Unfortunately, that young lady's sponsor is none other than Anne, the woman who still holds Edward's heart and whom he lost years ago.
Now widowed, Lady Anne Howard is still young and beautiful, but she's determined not to be hurt again. When she last saw Edward, he was still Lord Bredon and she was madly in love with him. Now she has no desire to give up her freedom for marriage and must somehow protect both her young charge and her own heart.
The timing just never worked out for Edward and Anne. He had intended to marry her upon his return from his Grand Tour of Europe (so they could marry with his father's blessing) only to learn she'd married another while he was away. Now he's not free to follow his heart and she won't lower herself to being his mistress. But the more Edward considers a life without Anne, the more he reconsiders his priorities and the responsibilities of the estate that bear down upon him.
I had a hard time getting into this one. The pacing was a bit slow and didn't quite peak my interest until finally for the last few chapters I couldn't put it down. Also, I really just didn't like Anne. She was entirely too wishy-washy and hypocritical for me and much of the troubles between her and Edward could've been eliminated or at least mitigated if she'd been honest with him, both before he left and years afterward when they were reunited. Her willingness to hurt him under the guise of not wanting to be selfish was just a bit trying for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Now widowed, Lady Anne Howard is still young and beautiful, but she's determined not to be hurt again. When she last saw Edward, he was still Lord Bredon and she was madly in love with him. Now she has no desire to give up her freedom for marriage and must somehow protect both her young charge and her own heart.
The timing just never worked out for Edward and Anne. He had intended to marry her upon his return from his Grand Tour of Europe (so they could marry with his father's blessing) only to learn she'd married another while he was away. Now he's not free to follow his heart and she won't lower herself to being his mistress. But the more Edward considers a life without Anne, the more he reconsiders his priorities and the responsibilities of the estate that bear down upon him.
I had a hard time getting into this one. The pacing was a bit slow and didn't quite peak my interest until finally for the last few chapters I couldn't put it down. Also, I really just didn't like Anne. She was entirely too wishy-washy and hypocritical for me and much of the troubles between her and Edward could've been eliminated or at least mitigated if she'd been honest with him, both before he left and years afterward when they were reunited. Her willingness to hurt him under the guise of not wanting to be selfish was just a bit trying for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2743164500?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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