Series: Victorian Rebels, #4
Traits & Tropes: damaged hero & heroine; hidden identity; soldier/spy; tortured hero; titled hero; suspense; dark themes; second chance
Setting/Genre: Historical, Victorian, London, England
Heat Level: 4/5
Publication Date: 08.07.17
Rating: 5/5
Narration Rating: 5/5!
Collin “Cole” Talmage led a fairly wild and unfettered life as a second son with a fortune. He made a name for himself as a formally recognized diplomat, though he was more of a spy and assassin for the English Crown. Then tragedy struck his family, leaving Cole as the Duke of Trenwyth and a betrayal by a man he considered a brother left him captured by the enemy and drastically injured. Though now returned to English soil, Cole still battles the demons from his time as a prisoner of war and longs for peace. He believes the only chance he has of attaining it is to find the woman he shared one tender night with on the eve of his last mission and he’s determined to locate her despite the three years that have elapsed.
Imogen Pritchard struggled to take care of her family as a nurse during the day and to work off her father’s debts as a tavern maid at night. Three years ago, as a penniless, desperate young woman, she was forced to spend a night with Cole and the passionate experience proved unforgettable. When he returned from war a year later and was brought to her hospital, Imogen even saved the life of a badly injured Cole, though he didn’t recognize her and her efforts led to her dismissal from her nursing position on the grounds of insubordination. Shortly afterwards, she was fortunate enough to marry one of her former patients, whose death left her a wealthy, titled widow. Now the Countess Anstruther, Imogen happens to be neighbor to Cole and he is very vocally opposed to her efforts to help petty criminals and downtrodden women right in the heart of Belgravia. Imogen is just relieved Cole hasn’t recognized her, but when it becomes clear someone is threatening her life, Cole’s inexplicable need to protect and claim Imogen becomes all-consuming and keeping her secret grows ever harder.
I read and enjoyed this book a couple years ago, but the narration made my audio revisit much more enjoyable. Imogen is probably one of my favorite heroines and while Cole had to grow on me a bit, he wound up being a lovely, protective yet vulnerable hero. The bond between Imogen and Cole was very sweet, yet raw, and believable and both of them had relatable inner struggles. While Cole doesn’t quite fit in with the other tortured heroes of this series, given his aristocratic arrogance, he was still a good addition to the series. I enjoyed this book yet again and will recommend it, just be prepared for it to tug at your heart strings.
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