Series: The 1797 Club, #2
Traits & Tropes: titled hero; I've loved you for years; forbidden; brother's best friend; friends to lovers
Publication Date: 06.06.17
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; England
Heat Level: 4/5
Rating: 4.5/5Narration Rating: 4/5
Having known her since he was a young boy, Simon Greene, the Duke of Crestwood, has always felt quite a bit more than friendship for Lady Margaret Rylon. Unfortunately, she is betrothed to another man, who also happens to be one of his best friends. Simon is determined to keep a tight rein on his control and not ruin any friendships, but when he and Meg wind up stranded in a small cabin together overnight during a storm, a scandal explodes, breaking Meg’s engagement and leaving Simon with no choice but to offer her.
Meg never wanted to hurt her brother, who arranged the match, or her fiancé, but she’s only ever wanted to be with Simon. When she finds that Simon returns her passions, she’s all the more desperate to be close to him in other ways and create a truly happy marriage. But outside the bedroom Simon is too wracked by guilt to allow himself a happiness he believes he is unworthy of and if he doesn’t soon join Meg in the fight for their future, she might soon give up as well.
This was a delightful listen full of angst and pining. Simon was as adorable as he was idiotic at times, willing to sacrifice his happiness and Meg’s for the sake of honor. Thankfully, he overcame that eventually but the guilt and self-loathing he experienced were heart-rending. I loved that Meg was so protective of Simon and didn’t hesitate to stand up for him, especially to his awful mother. I really think Graham was a bit more of a villain for me here than a wronged party, simply because he suspected Simon’s feelings for Meg but would’ve been content to marry her anyway and never say a word. In fact, several of Simon’s friends suspected his feelings and yet they were willing to stand by and do nothing but were happy to criticize Simon for the wrong done to Graham. Sure, the circumstances could’ve been better, but I think Simon and Meg were very much let down by their friends and family, much more so than Graham was. Anyway, I loved the closeness and communication that manifested between Meg and Simon as the story drew to a close and the chemistry between them was explosive. This was a rather hard-won HEA, but I loved that a lot of the conflict arose after the main characters were married in the form of them working things out, rather than leaving me stressing the whole book about how they were going to wind up together.
Having known her since he was a young boy, Simon Greene, the Duke of Crestwood, has always felt quite a bit more than friendship for Lady Margaret Rylon. Unfortunately, she is betrothed to another man, who also happens to be one of his best friends. Simon is determined to keep a tight rein on his control and not ruin any friendships, but when he and Meg wind up stranded in a small cabin together overnight during a storm, a scandal explodes, breaking Meg’s engagement and leaving Simon with no choice but to offer her.
Meg never wanted to hurt her brother, who arranged the match, or her fiancé, but she’s only ever wanted to be with Simon. When she finds that Simon returns her passions, she’s all the more desperate to be close to him in other ways and create a truly happy marriage. But outside the bedroom Simon is too wracked by guilt to allow himself a happiness he believes he is unworthy of and if he doesn’t soon join Meg in the fight for their future, she might soon give up as well.
This was a delightful listen full of angst and pining. Simon was as adorable as he was idiotic at times, willing to sacrifice his happiness and Meg’s for the sake of honor. Thankfully, he overcame that eventually but the guilt and self-loathing he experienced were heart-rending. I loved that Meg was so protective of Simon and didn’t hesitate to stand up for him, especially to his awful mother. I really think Graham was a bit more of a villain for me here than a wronged party, simply because he suspected Simon’s feelings for Meg but would’ve been content to marry her anyway and never say a word. In fact, several of Simon’s friends suspected his feelings and yet they were willing to stand by and do nothing but were happy to criticize Simon for the wrong done to Graham. Sure, the circumstances could’ve been better, but I think Simon and Meg were very much let down by their friends and family, much more so than Graham was. Anyway, I loved the closeness and communication that manifested between Meg and Simon as the story drew to a close and the chemistry between them was explosive. This was a rather hard-won HEA, but I loved that a lot of the conflict arose after the main characters were married in the form of them working things out, rather than leaving me stressing the whole book about how they were going to wind up together.
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