Series: The May Flowers, #1
Tropes & Traits: titled hero, former soldier; reunited/second chance
Genre: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1885
Publication Date: 06.21.19
Heat Level: 4/5
Rating: 5 stars
When Lord Rupert Marlowe, the Earl of Stanhope, first met Lady Cecelia Campbell, the daughter of his mother's new husband, their connection was instant and the entire family knew they belonged together. But then Rupert took an officer's army commission and left to fight in South Africa, leaving Cece behind to worry for him without ever consulting her on the decision.
Four years later Rupert has finally returned ready to take on his responsibilities as an earl, claim his seat in the House of Lords, and marry the love of his life. But Cece has changed and truly come into her own as a woman in the time he's been gone. She has her own thoughts and strong opinions and, though she loves Rupert, she won't settle for anything less than full respect and a true partnership.
When Cece joins a radical ladies' political group and takes a public stand against Rupert's high-handed assumptions, scandal ensues. Rupert must figure out how to earn Cece's forgiveness and make her fall in love with him all over again. She's shown her strength and independence, but he hopes to show her how strong they can be together.
Bless his heart but Rupert was utterly clueless. His attempts at being loving and reassuring just came off as arrogant and callous. This sort of trope doesn't typically work for me with the characters making each other jealous and dancing around one another but it did here. I think because it was obvious to everyone, including the main characters themselves, that they truly loved each other and would work it out and be together. Cece was strong and courageous without being a shrew and her interactions with Rupert were a very accurate depiction of how real relationships truly are: even after you find the person you know you belong with, you still have to work to make your relationship a success. There was also some good quality villainy and the most charming secondary characters. I'm so looking forward to more of this new series and it's off to a great start.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Four years later Rupert has finally returned ready to take on his responsibilities as an earl, claim his seat in the House of Lords, and marry the love of his life. But Cece has changed and truly come into her own as a woman in the time he's been gone. She has her own thoughts and strong opinions and, though she loves Rupert, she won't settle for anything less than full respect and a true partnership.
When Cece joins a radical ladies' political group and takes a public stand against Rupert's high-handed assumptions, scandal ensues. Rupert must figure out how to earn Cece's forgiveness and make her fall in love with him all over again. She's shown her strength and independence, but he hopes to show her how strong they can be together.
Bless his heart but Rupert was utterly clueless. His attempts at being loving and reassuring just came off as arrogant and callous. This sort of trope doesn't typically work for me with the characters making each other jealous and dancing around one another but it did here. I think because it was obvious to everyone, including the main characters themselves, that they truly loved each other and would work it out and be together. Cece was strong and courageous without being a shrew and her interactions with Rupert were a very accurate depiction of how real relationships truly are: even after you find the person you know you belong with, you still have to work to make your relationship a success. There was also some good quality villainy and the most charming secondary characters. I'm so looking forward to more of this new series and it's off to a great start.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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