Series: The Hathaways, #3
Traits & Tropes: self-made hero; compromised into marriage; antihero; hero has never known love
Publication Date: 09.22.09
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1852
Heat Level: 5
Rating: 5 stars!
Narration Rating: 5/5
Poppy Hathaway adores everyone in her unconventional family but craves the stability of a more normal life. She thinks she’s found the husband to give her that life, until she meets wealthy, mysterious hotelier and inventor, Harry Rutledge. When her erstwhile suitor deems her an inappropriate match and Harry’s flirting compromises her reputation, Poppy surprises her family by accepting Harry’s proposal. Unfortunately for Poppy, although Harry is very passionate in his ardor, he still withholds much of himself from her.
Harry will go to any lengths to make Poppy his, but he can’t give her his heart. He has remained aloof his entire life and doesn’t quite know how to deal with emotions, but Poppy demands everything from him and refuses to settle for less. Their physical connection grows but Harry has enemies threatening his burgeoning peace and if he wants to keep his wife, he’ll need to risk it all to give her a true marriage.
This was my favorite book of the series when I first read it and I still loved it this time around. I’m a sucker for heroes who’ve never received love and don’t know how to give it and Harry is still one of my favorite examples. I love Poppy because she’s unafraid of a challenge and willing to risk going against her family’s advice to do what she thinks best. I appreciated her tenacity and refusal to give up on Harry even as she stood her ground and didn’t cave in to him. I still found that Harry’s backstory pulled at my heartstrings and made the love he developed for Poppy even more delightful. These two remain my favorite couple of the series despite their rocky start because of their willingness to choose each other and to grow and learn as people and make their relationship work.
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