Series: Isle of Synne #3
Traits & Tropes: widowed heroine; scarred hero; former soldier hero; slow burn; matchmaker; virgin hero
Publication Date: 08.24.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; England, 1819
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 4/5
Daniel Hayle, the Duke of Carlisle, has promised his mother he’ll participate in the London season this year and find a bride to protect the dukedom from his grasping cousin. But Daniel is more terrified of socializing in ballrooms than he was of fighting Waterloo, a battle that left him terribly scarred and with a formidable appearance that many find off-putting. He hopes a month visiting his mother’s friend on the Isle of Synne will give him a chance to practice socializing so that he can find a wife who can bear the sight of him.
Margery Kitteridge has spent the past four years mourning her husband’s death at Waterloo. She’s not ready to marry again but her body misses the physical aspects of marriage. When she agrees to help Daniel with his wife search, she doesn’t bank on the intense physical connection between them. When the two kiss, Margery decides Daniel is perfect for an affair. But as the two come to know each other, Daniel learns of an unexpected connection to Margery’s late husband and she must decide if she can set aside her old love to give the new a chance.
It took me an unusually long time to finish this book, partly because life got crazy, but also because I was savoring it. This story is well-written and has quite a bit of emotional depth, so I also found I had to take breaks from the sheer feelings it evoked. I adored shy, scarred, awkward Daniel. He was such a well-drawn character and he just made me want to give him a hug and take care of him. Margery was frustrating and had me wanting to shake some sense into her as she took so long to let Daniel in, but since Daniel was also afraid of being hurt again, the slow pace really did fit this couple. I loved how protective Margery was of Daniel and how she helped him find his confidence. I do wish that we’d had more time with Daniel and Margery on the page after they’d admitted their feelings for each other and maybe a bit more steam. I also think Margery confiding in Daniel would’ve made their relationship stronger and overall, I would’ve liked to see more communication from them, rather than the two of them fighting their feelings for the first 90% of the book and leaving us with only a taste of their loving relationship. Overall, however, this was a lovely story and I’m hoping for more books set on the Isle of Synne.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2347712395
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3660935630
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