Series: Second Chance Manor, #2
Traits & Tropes: grumpy hero; sunshine heroine; hero's reputation is ruined
Publication Date: 07.01.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; Yorkshire, England
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 4/5
Since several of her former finishing school charges have failed to make matches, Miss Julia Twittingham, now the Countess of Fangfoss, has decided to host a matchmaking house party for them in the hopes of meeting with more success. Lady Angeline O’Shea hoped to find a husband after school but had to return immediately to her home in Ireland to nurse her ailing father. Now she’s a bit older, but her sweet disposition is intact, and she’s determined to find herself a suitable husband.
Lord Rafe McAllister, the Marquess of Rothbury, has just suffered a blow to his pride when his fiancé broke off their engagement and ruined his reputation in the process. Now he hopes to hide away in Yorkshire for the summer and regroup. He knows he must marry eventually but isn’t sure how he can trust another woman when he knows them to be fickle.
Rafe is attracted to Angeline but keeps his distance, feeling sure her cheerful disposition must be an ingenuine ploy. Angeline sets out on a campaign to gain a smile from sullen, sulky Rafe but the more time the two spend together, the more irresistible their attraction becomes.
This was a light and thoroughly enjoyable book. The attraction between Rafe and Angeline came quickly, especially given that this is a short book, but never felt rushed or unbelievable. Angeline’s anxiety was relatable, and her maturity made her a heroine I could root for. Rafe’s sulkiness could’ve gotten a bit old, but Angeline pulled him out of his shell just enough to make him roughly charming. My favorite feature here was the communication between Angeline and Rafe and the lack of game playing once he had given up trying to protect his heart from her. That maturity and refusal to use miscommunication as a plot device made this work for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/389968264
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4083504728
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