Series: After the War, #2
Traits & Tropes: house party; mm romance
Publication Date: 10.26.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Yorkshire, England
Heat Level: 5.5
Rating: 4/5
Lord Barrett Landers, Viscount Copeland, has just been decommissioned from his position as a naval officer after the defeat of Napoleon but he can’t stomach returning to his family estate just yet. He has no interest in the marriage his mother will no doubt try to force upon him so he’s happy to accept an invitation to spend the summer with his friends at Wodehouse Abbey in Yorkshire.
Barrett never expects to be tempted by the estate’s owner, Anthony Wodehouse, the Duke of Malton. Since being widowed several years ago, Anthony only wants to spend as much time as possible in the country with his beloved children. He’s very aware of his duties to his family, his tenants, and to parliament, and he’s not thrilled to have his retreat overrun by guests. But when Barrett begins to stir feelings he never thought possible for himself, Anthony begins to rethink his priorities.
Anthony and Barrett fall into a passionate affair that challenges their ideas on duty and happiness, but everything is thrown into turmoil when Anthony’s overbearing aunt arrives and invites even more guests for a matchmaking house party.
I love a good house party trope and the original house party taking place here was excellent; the second one with the more or less uninvited guests was mostly an exercise in frustration though, as it was meant to be. I liked this couple more than I thought I would. These two brought out the best in one another and that was quite endearing. I did find myself losing patience with Anthony and his refusal to stand up for himself, which thankfully did eventually happen though it was a long time coming. I got a little annoyed with both MCs actually for taking so long in declaring themselves to each other when I was longing for open communication, though I must say this annoyance didn’t come close to my frustration with the female characters in this book. [Communication is sexy, and I don’t think we get enough of it in romance]. Anyway, once that declaration did come, phew it was well worth the wait. I enjoyed this story and will be continuing the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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