Series: The Survivors, #10
Traits & Tropes: starched heroine; class difference; soldiers; self-made hero
Publication Date: 06.15.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 5/5
Since his ducal father disowned him, Rowden Payne has made his living with his fists, first with the army and now as a bareknuckle boxer known as the Royal Payne. He needs the focus and discipline of his training to keep himself from dwelling on the pain of his past. Just when he’s about to win his latest match against one of his most competitive rivals, Rowden is distracted by a woman in the crowd with the most beautiful hazel eyes he’s ever seen. The next thing he knows, Rowden is down and out, and short the fifty pound purse he was set to win.
Modesty Brown returns from an errand to find her father has disappeared. He’s an uptight minister who adheres to very strict routines and has never done anything like this before. Left to her own devices, Modesty decides to try seeking out her aristocratically connected aunt whom she’s only ever seen once before. Modesty can’t think of anyone who could help her other than Rowden Payne, even if she did just cause him to lose his fight.
Rowden doesn’t want to become emotionally involved with anyone ever again, but helping Modesty find her father should be quick work and then he can be rid of her. But her father has secrets and when other situations put Modesty, Rowden, and their friends in danger, Rowden will lose Modesty forever if he can’t admit to the inevitable feelings he has for her.
If I could get a few more books like this that I can really enjoy, I might be able to pull myself out of my book slump at last. While I didn’t care for Modesty’s uptight prudishness at first, she rapidly grew past that, developing into her own person while maintaining her faith on her own terms and out from under her father’s dictates. I also enjoyed Rowden’s useless fighting against his feelings and most especially his eventual giving in to them. His pain was heart wrenching and I loved how perceptive Modesty was to what he needed. I would’ve liked to see more apology from her father and more on page comeuppance for our villain here, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Several of the supporting characters did rather steal the show but I liked them, so I didn’t mind. I found myself most especially charmed by bumbling, good-natured Trogdon surprisingly enough. I loved that this story had enough intrigue and plot to keep me interested while keeping the angst levels low. This was another hit for me, and this remains one of my favorite series. I look forward to Aiden and especially reclusive Nicholas’ stories now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4036482746
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3458244415
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