Series: Goode Girls, #5
Traits & Tropes: age gap (older hero); compromised
Publication Date: 04.19.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1892
Heat Level: 3.5
Setting: 5/5
Elijah Wolfe has built a fortune for himself by being just as harsh and unyielding as the Nevada desert he was raised in, using his sharp wits to survive until striking gold in his mine. But his enormous wealth has brought him nothing but heartache and a reluctance to trust anyone since they all seem to want only his money and have no care for him. He clashes with British high society, but he’s come to England anyway in search of a priceless sapphire that was stolen from him back in the states and he’s prepared to have it back no matter the cost.
Rosaline Goode was left nothing but shame by her uncaring father. She has no interest in attempting to enter high society and instead spends her nights studying the stars, content to avoid the waspish tongues of the ton and its eligible men. But when she’s caught in the home of an American known for his ruthlessness, and in less than full dress, her choice in the matter slips away.
Forced to marry expediently or face consequences neither wants, Eli and Rosaline move forward with the ceremony. But as he comes to know Rosaline, Eli’s reasons for not wanting to marry soon seem small indeed and he wonders why they seem to fit so well together despite being so opposite.
This book was everything I wanted to read right now and couldn’t put into words. I was really skeptical at first because Eli is fifteen years older than Rosaline and I wasn’t sure if that would feel icky or not, but it didn’t. Somehow it really worked. Rosaline may be young and small, but she was very mature and wise, and I appreciated her ability to speak with Eli without being frightened into complete silence by his intimidating size. Eli’s hyperawareness of his large size and roughness next to Rosaline’s delicacy was endearing, especially as she assured him she wouldn’t break and gave him as good as she got, thoroughly surprising him as she did. These two were complete opposites in almost every way and yet they were each what the other needed and I found their almost instantaneous devotion to and protectiveness of one another utterly adorable. They both had issues to work through and it was lovely to seem them do so together, even after going through some rough spots. This was a great, fast read and I really liked it. I love the concept of this family and can’t wait for more installments in the 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/4010956728
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/452324252
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