Series: Pennyroyal Green, #10
Traits & Tropes: single mother; titled hero; hero recovering from injuries; ruined heroine; class difference; forbidden; employer/employee; slow burn; scarred hero
Publication Date: 03.31.15
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Sussex, England
Heat Level: 3.5
Rating: 5 stars
Narration Rating: 5/5
Lord Philippe Lavay has used his charm and skill with a sword in his work as a privateer, attempting to restore his family’s honor and wealth. He was nearly successful until a vicious attack nearly ended his life and sent him to Pennyroyal Green to recuperate.
Elise Fountain enjoyed an illicit tryst six years ago, but the consequences still follow her. She loves her son and doesn’t regret her actions, but they have seen her cut off from her family and most recently let go from her work as a teacher. This means she has no choice but to accept the social fall of working as a housekeeper, in a position no other has been able to keep for long, working for a temperamental French prince.
Elise sees through Philippe’s surly exterior and recognizes the pain and injuries he’s struggling with, and he can’t help but notice her as a woman. He thought himself incapable of love and she believed her trust to be irreparably broken, but they are both left battling a tempestuous passion that threatens to rise between them and could ruin both of their plans for the future.
This is the slowest burn I’ve read in some time, but it was the sort that you savor. Elise and Phillippe had a pretty immediate connection, even as they both tried to fight it. Elise is leery of being hurt again and Philippe is struggling to find his place in the aftermath of his family’s displacement by the French Revolution. The interactions between these two built into a delightful sensuality and I really enjoyed seeing their rapport develop. They both fought their connection, but it still felt inevitable, and I loved that it was Elise who pointed out what their feelings towards each other truly meant when Philippe was still a little clueless. My favorite aspect here was that Philippe got his priorities straight after he realized what he felt, and he didn’t hesitate or shy away from those feelings. He knew what truly mattered and that was exceptionally romantic to me. The admission of feelings scene between these two was utterly adorable and served as a good reminder of why I enjoy romance books in the first place. This was an excellent addition to the series, and I loved seeing a supporting character get his HEA, though now I’m dying for Seamus Duggan to find someone.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4833952285
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3023535028
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