Series: Matchmaking Chronicles, #3
Traits & Tropes: titled hero; snowed in; only one bed; widow; forced proximity; second chance; reformed rake; house party
Publication Date: 12.27.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Yorkshire, January 1802/Warwickshire, October 1803
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 3.5/5
Widowed and independent at last, Juliana Sheldon enjoyed her first affair nearly two years ago whilst stranded at a snowy inn with Viscount Audlington only to find he’d disappeared the next morning without a word. She thought his abrupt departure had merely wounded her pride, only to learn that her upset went much deeper when she meets him again at a country house party. He is eager to pick up where they left off, but she decides to torment him instead. Though Juliana eventually gives in to the viscount’s charms, she is thrown off once more when he begins to discuss marriage, something she was certain she’d never want again.
Lucas Trask, Viscount Audlington, has expectations to meet as the heir to an earldom. This means he must abandon his rakish ways and finally get married. He has kept Juliana in his thoughts all this time and now that they’ve met again it seems like a sign that she’s the one for him. The only catch is that he has a secret he hasn’t shared with anyone, but he of course must be open with Juliana if she agrees to marry him. Unfortunately, a sudden tragedy means Lucas must leave Juliana behind yet again and she may not be willing to give him yet another chance.
This was a sweet, lighthearted story and I enjoyed that it explored a variety of tropes. We start out with a snowed-in, only one bed, one night stand situation, then we get a second half that becomes a second chance story in which the hero falls first, all set at a house party. There was a lot going on here because that held my attention. My only issues here were with Juliana’s immature, somewhat bratty behavior, and the fact that, although her fears of being hurt were certainly understandable and relatable, she was quite wishy-washy in her behavior, and I expected more maturity from a thirty-year-old widow. I’m also a bit sensitive on the subject of babies at the moment as my husband and I face tons of pressure to reproduce and are working to decide if we want to, so the fact that babies and Juliana’s believe that she can’t have them are such a huge plot point in this story made it a struggle for me at times. If we could’ve had all those tropes without those two issues, this would’ve been a perfect book for me, but I did still enjoy it and I liked that fact that once they finally decided to be together, Juliana and Lucas created their own family and didn’t worry about what anyone else might think about any of the reasons society might shun them as a bad match. Overall, this is a quick, playful read that many will find enjoyable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/775391944
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5160390954
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