The Matter of a Marquess by Jess Michaels | ARC Review

Series: The Duke's Bastards, #3
Tropes & Traits: tortured hero; military hero; widow; second chance
Genre/Setting: Historical, Regency; England, 1816 
Publication Date: 08.18.20
Heat Level: 4.5/5
Rating: 5 stars!

Aurora, Viscountess Lovell, has never stopped loving the man she grew up with, even though she was never able to be with him, entering an arranged marriage to a titled nobleman to please her father instead after her love left her to go off to war.  Now widowed and embroiled in a nasty scandal, Aurora is trying to cope and locate her missing friend when an invitation to a country house comes from a new friend and she finds she can’t refuse.

War hero Nicholas Gillingham has never felt he belonged anywhere.  He’s stuck between two worlds as the bastard son of the former Duke of Roseford but raised by a servant.  Now he’s up for a gifted title of marquess in recognition of his heroic actions in war.  Nicholas is surprised by how much he truly wants that title, a way to ensure he’s never helpless again as he was nine years ago when Aurora’s father laughed at his marriage proposal.  But to secure the title, Nicholas needs to make some connections, so when his half-brother, the current Duke of Roseford, invites him to a country house party, he agrees to attend.

The nine years between them seem to shrink in an instant when Aurora and Nicholas meet once again.  The chemistry between them is electric, but there’s also a wealth of betrayal and resentment, not to mention that Aurora’s scandal could destroy Nicholas’ hopes for a title.  With so much in their way, their second chance could wind up causing even more pain than the first.

This is definitely my favorite of the series thus far.  Second chance tropes are often very hit or miss for me because I have a hard time getting over my sadness at the wasted time and separation.  This was well done in that the future was the focus, rather than the past, and Nicholas and Aurora didn’t waste much time in resentment but were honest with each other fairly early on.  These two had a ridiculous amount of chemistry and glorious steam.  Their connection was palpable and their devotion to each other made them a couple I loved.  Now I’m very much looking forward to a story for Fitzhugh and Imogen.

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

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1056451038

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3399311685

54081599. sy475

Comments