Series: That Wicked O'Shea Family, #1
Traits & Tropes: friends to lovers
Publication Date: 02.12.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; Ballymena, Northern Ireland, 1888
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Lady Marie O’Shea has enjoyed an unconventional life of relative freedom with her sisters. That’s all about to change as her brother, Lord Fergus O’Shea, the Earl of Ballymena, has returned from England determined to see his sisters married off before they bring any further scandal to the family name. When Marie is caught in a scandalous position, Fergus arranges her marriage first.
As the second son of the Earl of Kilrea, not much is expected of Christian Darrow. He loves having fun and being around people, so of course he finds himself getting into trouble with Marie from the moment they meet. Their connection is instant and well worth any scandal, but when a prank has serious consequences, Christian will need Marie to see him through, even as he pushes her away. But the curveball they’ve been thrown may be too life-altering for Christian to ever be himself again, leaving him feeling unworthy of Marie and both of them feeling shaken and uncertain of the future.
Wow this book was a rollercoaster I wasn’t expecting, especially given its short length. The initial encounter between Marie and Christian is charming and light-hearted, although Marie’s immaturity especially was a bit annoying for me. The sad twist took me by surprise, but I’ll say no more to prevent spoilers. I loved Marie’s refusal to be stymied and her determination to see everyone happily settled with the right person, herself included. I loved that she picked up the slack and kept fighting for them when Christian was ready to give up.
What frustrated me here was something that seems to occur fairly often when characters from previous books reappear later on in a series: they totally lose their previous characterization. The Fergus I met and loved in his book would never have callously forced his sister into a loveless arranged marriage. I know that was needed for this plot, but it was totally out of his established character, even if Marie was a hellion.
I enjoyed this book overall once I got over my shock at being thrown for such a loop. This was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon and it has me sorely missing Ireland.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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