Series: The Survivors, #8
Traits & Tropes: friends to lovers; road trip
Genre/Setting: Historical, Regency; London --> Scottish Highlands
Publication Date: 09.08.20
Heat Rating: 4/5
Rating: 5 stars!
Ines Neves and Emmeline Wellesley have run away. Ines didn’t mean to; she was merely hiding in a carriage to avoid an unwelcome suitor, only to realize much too late that she’d traveled well north, not just around London. The carriage she chose to hide in just so happens to be that of Duncan Murray, a former soldier who served under her brother-in-law, and whom she’s desperately attracted to. Emmeline ran away on purpose. She’s sick of trying to please her mother and after four failed seasons, she’s had enough and is making her way north to her grandmother in Cumbria. From the start Emmeline has problems, finding herself locked in a closet with all her money stolen. To top it all off, undeniably attractive family friend Stratford Fortescue has come to fetch her home and she’s determined not to go.
Duncan Murray has failed at finding an English bride as his mother demanded and is returning to his native Scotland. He doesn’t know what to make of his stowaway, especially given that she seems to only speak Portuguese. He detours to the estate of his fellow former soldier, Nash Pope, in the hopes that he can translate. In route, Duncan meets up with his friend Stratford Fortescue, another former soldier, and his charge, Miss Wellesley. Things become complicated when the women refuse to be separated and the foursome winds up traveling to Scotland together. Duncan begins to return Ines’ affection even knowing he can’t marry her. Stratford has always wanted to be with Emmeline, but believes she’d never want him if she knew the truth about him. As they journey north, dealing with gunshot wounds, bandits, and an angry brother-in-law in hot pursuit, their relationships grow ever stronger, though maybe not enough to overcome the obstacles they face.
I was a bit nervous about this book when I learned it featured two couples. I was concerned I might feel like one of the couples got short-changed and it would leave me feeling unsatisfied. I’m happy to say this was not at all the case. I loved both of these couples and all four main characters were well-developed and distinctive enough that I was never confused or mixing them up. Each was charming in his or her own way and got pretty equal page-time. I’m hard-pressed to name a preference between the couples as I enjoyed the progression of both relationships. Duncan was gruff, but sweet and Ines’ boldness and decisiveness in what she wanted made them a lovely couple together. Stratford’s self-doubt and desire for love just made me want to give him a hug and I loved it once Emmeline opened her eyes to him.
This was a fun, adventurous romp and it was a joy to read. I was rooting for both couples and, despite all the shenanigans they encountered, I never grew frustrated. I didn’t want to put this down when I had to do other things and that’s been a rare occurrence for me as of late. I’ve been looking forward to this story for a while and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint. Now I can’t wait for the next book in the series and I’m hoping for a Beauty and the beast retelling for Nash.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3308635858
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2984570163
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