Family secrets, an unlikely alliance—and a love neither expected…After his parents’ sudden death, Daniel Frith, Viscount Whitfield, is struggling to unravel a web of chaotic family records. He is astonished to learn his father’s will contains a mysterious legacy: a house left to a complete stranger. He knows nothing about the beautiful Penelope Pendleton and he’s not sure he wants to…until … sure he wants to…until she turns out to be a whiz at all those nasty tasks involved in estate administration…
Penelope has no idea why Rose Cottage was left to her. But it’s a godsend after her brother’s reckless actions disgraced her family. She had planned to stay out of Viscount Whitfield’s way, not grow ever closer to him. But when they discover how entwined their families really are, Daniel and Penelope must collaborate to avoid a scandal that reaches much higher than they could have guessed…
The Way to a Lord’s Heart:
Brave New Earl (Book 1)
A Lord Apart (Book 2)
Praise for Jane Ashford:
“An endearing, optimistic story of second chances.”—Publishers Weekly for Brave New Earl
“A refreshingly different, sweetly romantic love story [readers] will long remember.”—Booklist for Brave New Earl
“[P]lenty of wit, matchmaking, sweetness and sensuality to keep readers highly entertained.”—RT Book Reviews for The Duke Knows Best
“Expertly crafted…another triumph of nuanced characterization and sparkling wit.”—Booklist for Nothing Like a Duke
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Read the entire book in a few hours. I can’t wait to finish rest of the series. What will become of Tom? Will Lord Macklin find love?
I received a copy of A Lord Apart by Jane Ashford from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I have read Jane Ashford a few times and she is always a hit or miss. This is the second in her The Way to a Lord’s Heart series but can be read as a standalone since I have not read the first book in the series.
After his parents’ sudden death, Daniel Frith is struggling to unravel the family paperwork. He is surprised however, to find out that his father has left a house to a complete stranger. He knows nothing about Penelope Pendleton and is unsure if he even wants to; until he realizes she is wonderful at organization.
After a year of chaos, Penelope has no idea why she was given Rose Cottage by a complete stranger. But, it’s a godsend after he brother disgraces her family by his reckless actions. Now struggling to get use to this new life, Penelope tries to maintain a detached air around Daniel. But that proves difficult and the laws of attraction pulls them both towards one another.
I loved the description of the book but the writing left something wanting. Both Daniel and Penelope felt only about 3/4 developed as if something was missing. The story and plot were all very predictable and I never figured out some of the secondary characters. #ALordApart #NetGalley
Some books start out with a bang. The hero and heroine are instantly in love – and lust. Others meander pleasantly along, letting our leads get to actually know and like each other before love comes to call. This lovely story fits in the second category.
Penelope Pendleton is moving into Rose Cottage, after having to move from her family home. This cottage was willed to her by a mysterious benefactor; she knows not who or why. Daniel Frith, the fairly newly minted Viscount Whitfield, comes across her moving into her new home. That cottage was part of his estate, and he knew nothing about how all this came about. After getting to know each other better, Daniel discovers that Penelope helped run her father’s estate and was great at organization. Daniel, who is decidedly NOT, desperately needs help. They come to an agreement – she will help him organize the frightening amount of paperwork now his responsibility, and he will help her discover how she became owner of the cottage.
I loved the slow-burning relationship between Daniel and Penelope. We learn much more about Daniel’s globetrotting parents and how he felt ignored and abandoned by them. Also revealed is the pain and hardship Penelope endured after the death of her radical brother. I enjoyed seeing the joy and humor come back into their lives. There is a bit of mystery plus the lurking danger from Penelope’s past because of the fallout from her brother’s actions. Add in some interesting supporting characters, including two strange dogs who adopt a goat, and you have a sweet, entertaining romance.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.