Series: Love on Holiday, #2
Traits & Tropes: unexpected inheritance; titled hero; indebted hero
Publication Date: 11.29.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England/Edinburgh, Scotland, October 1897
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 4 stars!
Lady Lucy Westmont has spent most of her life trying to take care of others and smooth the way for everyone around her, but she longs to do something for herself. When her free-spirited aunt invites her to Scotland for a visit, Lucy decides it’s the perfect getaway to evaluate her true desires.
James Pembroke has just learned of his estranged uncle’s death, making him the new Earl of Rossbury and saddling him with debts. He already owes one of London’s most unsavory lenders after a business deal went very wrong and took down his shipping company. The only thing of value he’s inherited is the Scottish manor house occupied by his uncle’s mistress. He has no desire to displace the woman, but he needs the capital he stands to gain from the sale of the house.
Lucy and James wind up sharing a train car on the ride up to Scotland and are shocked to meet again at the manor house with Lucy’s aunt absent. Lucy is determined not to let any of this derail her holiday, even if her newfound feelings for James threaten to upend her entire life.
This was a really cute instalove/instant connection story and just the sort of low angst read I need at this time of year especially. Although she was a bit prickly at first, I liked the fact that Lucy didn’t shy away from the feelings James ignited in her, but rather she wanted to spend more time with him and explore them. Lucy and James may not have known each other very long, but their openness and mature communication made their relationship believable as they came to know each other quite deeply in a short amount of time. James’ past was very fraught and sad, so I really enjoyed seeing him find not only love but a family. He struggled a bit with belonging, but that was really endearing, and Lucy always seemed to know what he needed. I think perhaps my favorite part of this book was Lucy and James’ exploration of Edinburgh, my favorite city. Circumstances allowed these two to have a good deal of alone time together and I ate that up. This was a fun, quick read and I look forward to others in the series to follow.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2213232467
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4666640103
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