Series: Love on Holiday, #1
Traits & Tropes: class difference; working heroine; titled hero; starched hero; beta hero; low angst
Publication Date: 12.28.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; Cornwall, England, 1894
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 4 stars
Since inheriting his title, William Hart, the Duke of Ashmore, has done everything in his power to undo the damage his unscrupulous father did to the family name. Unfortunately, his ruthless honesty has gained him a reputation for being a joyless prig. He may be a catch thanks to his title, but his reputation as a dullard makes him less than a success in London society. His sisters all but force him to a neglected ducal property in Cornwall for some relaxation and he reluctantly agrees to go try to find the man he was before he assumed so much responsibility.
Madeline Ravenwood likes to stay as busy as possible. For her this means running the plant nursery business her parents established and left to her and co-chairing the Royal Visit Committee in her small Cornish town. The work of preparing for Princess Beatrice’s visit to the town is enough to keep Maddie hopping and she doesn’t need the distraction of a stern but very attractive duke.
When Maddie, on behalf of the committee, asks Will to make some repairs to his eyesore of an estate, he reluctantly agrees, but only if she’ll spend time showing him around Cornwall in exchange. As they spend days, and soon enough nights, together, Will falls ever more in love with Maddie, but she’s acutely aware of how different their lives are and he’s not sure he’ll be able to convince her to subject herself to the changes becoming his duchess will bring to her life.
I loved how light-hearted and low angst this book was. It left me feeling happy and satisfied without the MCs having spent copious amounts of time apart doing soul searching. Maddie and Will did spend a good amount of time ruminating on all the reasons they shouldn’t be together, but they ultimately followed their hearts and there was never any real doubt that they belonged together given how strong their connection so obviously was. I enjoyed the easiness that existed between Maddie and Will and how they just came together through mutual attraction and minimal drama. She got to know Will as no one else had, without judging him for his father’s actions or his ruthless attempts to right the wrongs he inherited. He also got Maddie to slow down and take some time to acknowledge what she truly wanted to be doing, rather than focusing so much on upholding her parents’ legacy. These two were just wholesome and endearing together and I loved the building and natural progression of their relationship with a real foundation in their connection beyond just physical attraction. It was also nice to have pretty open communication between them and I enjoyed that she was able to help Will relax and just be himself outside of the expectations placed on him. I do wish their intimacy had been a bit more detailed, just because I think that would’ve added a little extra oomph to their relationship development, but otherwise I really enjoyed this one and I was very refreshed by the Cornish setting, so I’m looking forward to the rest of this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4356766108
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3246401389
Comments
Post a Comment