Series: The Deville Brothers, #2
Traits & Tropes: heroine in trouble; second chance
Publication Date: 06.12.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England
Heat Level: 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Bethany Carlow and Nathanial Deville fell in love quickly, but it was real, or so he thought, until she sent him a note detailing her lack of regard for him and then disappeared. Nathan nursed his broken heart and three years later has become a cynic skilled at hiding his emotions. This practice comes in handy when he sees her in a ballroom again after all this time.
Bethany was forced to leave London and the man she loved in order to keep her family safe. She’s only back in society now because of an even more dire threat. Nathan is civil but Bethany can tell he hasn’t forgiven her. She can feel the animosity in his glares, but she can’t let that stop her. She has a reason for being there, even if it means committing treason to protect her family. But doing so without Nathan learning the truth will be nearly impossible.
I really liked this premise of the heroine secretly in danger and I was happy to see a second chance story that didn’t dwell in flashbacks to the MCs’ previous relationship. I do think Beth’s deception was carried on too long though, and much of her decision making was faulty. Her willingness to sacrifice others as long as she and her parents stayed safe also made her difficult to like. That said, Beth was also a very human, and therefore flawed, heroine, so her conflict was relatable. I still wish she hadn’t been so rude to Nathan, especially after she was finally honest with him, and her rashness put him in a lot of danger that could’ve been avoided. I wanted more open communication between them and sooner and for her to trust Nathan more, as he’d given her no reason not to, despite her claims that he never really knew her. The romance here was perhaps not as strong as it could’ve been, but the storyline was original and enjoyable and the close relationship between the Deville brothers was my favorite aspect.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2992941803
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4058058771
Comments
Post a Comment