Series: Brotherhood of the Border, #5
Traits & Tropes: forbidden; love at first sight; third son
Publication Date: 03.21.23
Genre/Setting: Historical; Medieval; English/Scottish border
Heat Level: 3.5
Rating: 5 stars
Sir Holt Waryn is widely known as a great tourney knight. Many even tout him as the greatest knight alive and he’s eager for his chance to prove it after receiving an invitation to the prestigious Round Table Tournament at Shirston Hill. He’s honed his skills for the past five years and remains undefeated, fiercely determined to establish a legacy for himself despite being the third son and therefore not set to inherit his father’s earldom.
Lady Cassandra has known nothing but duty, hers being to marry well. She has traveled to Shirston Hill with her father to make her betrothal to the earl who reigns there official. Her family needs the money her marriage will bring and the fact that the earl is old enough to be her father matters not at all.
Holt and Cassandra have an immediate connection from the first time they see one another but he cannot risk his place in the competition and she can do nothing but fulfill the duty she has to her family. Only, Holt is used to getting what he wants, and that is now Lady Cassandra.
This was a neat take on a medieval romance because our hero, Holt, is a champion, undefeated tournament knight, which makes him essentially a celebrity. That aspect made his instant interest in Cassandra and his determination to make his wife very endearing. These two took a great many risks that had me biting my nails but that also made this a fast-paced read that I didn’t want to put down. With this being a love at first sight story, I’m a bit surprised (in a good way) by how much depth and development that characters had, especially since it’s not a very long book. Dutiful Cassandra learned to stand up for what she wanted for her life and to be true to herself. Holt finally realized that he was already enough and had made his family extraordinarily proud and that winning tournament after tournament had no bearing on that worthiness. I enjoyed this couple’s story and their determination to be together despite the forbidden aspect of their relationship. I look forward to seeing what’s next for 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/5421778278
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1484663366
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