Series: Once Upon a Scandal, #3
Tropes & Traits: titled hero; unconventional heroine
Genre/Setting: Historical, England
Publication Date: 10.21.19
Heat Level: 3/5
Rating: 5 stars
After a devastating fire took his father's life along with the lives of many of his prized racehorses, Christian Andrews, the Marquess of Amstead, is struggling to keep the family stud farm afloat and restore his family's legacy. He notices his new assistant trainer has an innate ability with horses, especially his prime colt. When he discovers his talented trainer is actually a woman, a very beautiful one in fact, he knows he should fire her to avoid potential scandal, but with an important stakes race in just a few weeks, he knows he should keep Flora in her place as trainer.Duke's daughter Lady Flora Campbell chafes against society's strictures and her responsibilities as hostess for her brother Niall, a marquess with political ambitions. Flora longs to one day own her own stud farm, so when an opportunity arises to work for one of England's premiere horse trainers, Christian Andrews, she disguises herself as a man and takes advantage. Now if she can just keep her feelings for the marquess from developing and keep her true identity a secret, she might have a real chance at fulfilling her dreams.
But when the relationship between Flora and Christian becomes more personal than professional, they both find themselves in uncharted territory and unsure how to proceed. Flora fears Christian will send her away if he learns who her family actually is. Of course when the full truth eventually does come out Christian is appalled at his treatment of a lady and finds all his beliefs and prejudices he didn't even realize he had questioned. These two were perfect for each other, if a bit stubborn in realizing that for themselves. Christian was terribly arrogant and high-handed and Flora had some selfish and short-sighted tendencies, but those flaws are what made these characters real and relatable. The fact that they recognized and worked through them to meet each other halfway without compromising their dreams, but whilst being willing to admit to being wrong, is what made this story work for me. This was a rather modern take on the historical and I quite loved it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B35n5gAAsAg/
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2931875971
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3019335568?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Comments
Post a Comment