Series: The Wallflowers of West Lane, #2
Traits & Tropes: forced proximity; tortured hero; titled hero; spies; arranged marriage
Genre/Setting: Historical, Regency; London, England; Scotland
Publication Date: 09.29.20
Heat Level: 3/5
Rating: 4/5
After her dear friend’s disastrous marriage, Lady Faith Landon is terrified when her parents announce her betrothal to a man she’s never met. Her fiancé is cloaked in mystery and not long returned from France, causing Faith to wonder about his loyalties and if he could be betraying his country. Faith couldn’t be more wrong, as her fiancé is indeed a spy, but has just returned to England after infiltrating Napoleon’s network of spies in a very dangerous mission.
Nicholas Ellsworth, the Duke of Breckenridge, is just happy to be home and longs to settle down into a peaceful life with his new wife. But when he learns Faith has been lying to him in order to investigate him, he’s infuriated by her deceit and uncertain he can abide a marriage without trust. Despite their rocky start, there is a definite connection between Faith and Nicholas and when she realizes she’s misjudged him, Faith arranges a secluded, if forced, getaway with Nicholas to explore their chance at a loving marriage away from prying eyes. But her plan has dire consequences when three French spies, former connections of Nicholas’, take advantage of their seclusion to exact revenge on Nicholas. Though their love seems more assured than ever, surviving to see it through seems increasingly unlikely.
This book is an improvement on its predecessor by leaps and bounds. The writing was good once I settled into the style and the wallflowers were much more likable and endearing. This story jumps straight into the middle of things as the estrangement between Nick and Faith comes about because of the events of the first book, so I’d definitely recommend reading this series in order or you may be confused. We’re light on the steam here, but several scenes feature torture and some pretty dark scenes, more so than a typical historical romance. Along those lines, I would’ve liked to see more on page scenes between Nick and Aurora as they discussed their shared experiences, so I’m hoping that was plugged in this book to be revisited later in the series. I thought Faith and Nick were lovely together and so sweet, especially Nick, but I would’ve liked to see each of them have more confidence in the other’s feelings. After everything they went through together, it took them entirely too long to be completely forthright with each other. Their repeated encounters with the French villains got to be a bit much as well and Nick was put in several situations that were rather unbelievable given his rank as a duke. I also wanted punishment for the villains that was not forthcoming, but maybe that’s also being saved for later. This ending was also just a bit abrupt (I’m an epilogue fan), but I’m guessing that’s because the next book will again pick up immediately after this one and hopefully leave me feeling more satisfied as I really wanted to see Nick put Faith’s parents in their place. Complaints aside, I really did enjoy this book and this couple, and I’ll look forward to the next book in this series now and I’m glad I gave it another shot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advanced review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1566607836
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