Series: After the War, #4
Traits & Tropes: class difference; protector; MM romance
Publication Date: 01.25.22
Genre: Setting: Historical; Regency; Yorkshire, England, 1816
Heat Level: 5
Rating: 4.5/5
Having inherited his father’s small barony, Lord Spencer Brightling was looking forward to assuming his responsibilities in Parliament at the end of his naval career, only to have that future jeopardized by a cannon blast which left him without most of his hearing. He’s no longer eager to manage the crowds of London, in fact he no longer imagines he has a place anywhere.
Declan Shelton, gamekeeper to the Duke of Malton, has lived a mostly solitary life, with nature for his company. He is despised and mistrusted by the superstitious townsfolk who judge him for his ease with animals and his unique disposition. He’s never much minded since he’d prefer to be around animals anyway and doesn’t mind his isolation, until attractive and wounded Spencer wanders into the woods and Declan can’t help but be intrigued.
Declan helps Spencer see a way to rejoin the world again and adjust to his hearing loss, but when Declan is wrongfully accused of a serious crime by the villagers, Spencer must fight to secure Declan’s freedom and make sure he doesn’t drive him away for good.
I was really rather surprised at how deeply emotional this book was. Declan was a gentle, loving soul with an extreme lack of confidence after having lived such an isolated life, so it was nice to see him come out of his shell and gain some self-esteem after realizing he was loved. Spencer’s protective instincts were brought in the very best way by Declan’s gentleness, and I really enjoyed that we got the best of both worlds here with alpha and beta heroes. Declan also helped Spencer find meaning and purpose in his life after losing his hearing and helped him cope with the changes he was learning to make and that development was delightful to read. There was such tenderness between this couple, both in and out of the bedroom and I’d like to see that in more romances. Lately it seems as if sometimes the steamy scenes are just thrown in because it seems like a good time to have one (which, I have no problem with. I’m all for the gratification), but that was not the case here. Instead, that intimacy between Declan and Spencer was also part of the drive of the plot and them coming to know one another. I’m surprised to say that I found this to be a comforting read given the threat hanging over Declan’s head for most of the book, but with Spencer and his friends rallying around him so readily, I thankfully didn’t have a chance to be stressed about it. I think part of that blessed lack of stress was also since it was very clear these two were going to be together permanently, there was no game playing, no angst, and I loved that. I’m still surprised at how well this book worked for me and I think it’s now my favorite of the series so far.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2187035031
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4462510201
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