Anice's Bargain by Madeline Martin | ARC Review

Series: Borderland Ladies, #2
Tropes & Traits: enemies to lovers; damaged hero; suspense
Genre/Setting: Historical, Medieval, English/Scottish border
Publication Date: 06.25.19
Heat Level: 4/5
Rating: 5 stars! One of my favorite heroes.

As the second eldest daughter of the Earl of Werrick, Lady Anice Barrington has always been somewhat overlooked amongst her other four talented sisters. Renowned for her beauty, Anice longs to be known as more and to prove her true worth. With enemies laying siege to Werrick Castle and her people starving, Anice has only one thing to offer to save her family: she offers to marry the son of their enemy.

James Graham longs for a peaceful, honest life, rather than the reiving his father has always led his clan in. He has no desire to marry, but at least Anice brings wealth that will open new doors for his people. James know her to be too beautiful for him and he also remembers what happened the last time he made himself vulnerable to a woman and vows never to do so again.

Despite their reservations, James and Anice begin to develop a true connection beyond their curiosity and physical attraction. All too soon betrayal and plots threaten the tentative peace James has been so desperate to establish and the future he craves with the woman he has come to love.

Despite being way behind on ARC commitments, I found myself savoring this book. James was trying so hard to be a good and honorable man and his own father was the worst sort of villain preventing that, all the while somehow still being a bit of a sympathetic character himself. James had so many understandable insecurities and it was nice to see Anice draw him out and bring him into his own as he really did the same for her. James' desperation for his father's love and approval was so heart-wrenching. The betrayal aspect between James and Anice was well done and not too drawn out as these tropes so often tend to be. This was very well-executed and I loved the characters. I liked this even more than its predecessor and I can't wait for the next one now.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2814085736?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

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