Series: Standalone
Traits & Tropes: Forbidden romance; titled hero; widowed heroine; enemies to lovers
Genre/Setting: Historical; Edwardian; Dartmoor, England, 1903
Publication Date: 03.27.19
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Rating: 4/5
Narration Rating: 4/5
Mallon de Wolfe left England as a soldier and has spent the last twenty years abroad. With the death of his cold-hearted father, Mallon is left with the title of Viscount Wolverton and is finally returning to Dartmoor to face the mistakes of his youth and right some of his father’s wrongs. Mistrustful of women after his mother’s abandonment and believing himself to be unfeeling, Mallon is alarmed by the attraction he feels for his sister-in-law’s relation by marriage, the widowed Countess Rosseline, a guest for the Christmas festivities.
Genevieve was left well off by a generous widow’s portion but her low birth means she’s still denied the acceptance she craves in French society. She hopes to secure another husband to gain respectability and marrying Hugo, Mallon’s heir, would serve the purpose nicely and also ensure she could remain at Chateau Rosseline, the only place that has ever felt like home to her. She has no issues working her wiles on young Hugo, but Mallon is determined to protect his inexperienced nephew. In so doing, Mallon and Genevieve struggle against their growing attraction for each other, but their past hurts may prove too much to overcome in securing a happy future.
Man did these two go through some back and forth. Mallon started out extremely bitter towards women, especially those he thought could potentially be unfaithful. He automatically assumed Genevieve would fall into this category and it took him some time to overcome his trust issues. For her part, Genevieve was also preoccupied with being accepted by society, thinking this would bring her happiness, and it took a bit for her to reevaluate her priorities and realize what she really needed, but when she did she was quick to set things right with Mallon. He took more time, but his grand romantic gestures were endearing and these two made a cute, if unlikely, couple. The gothic feel of the moor along with the Christmas setting gave this book a unique vibe, the story flowed well, and I enjoyed it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3604226002
Comments
Post a Comment