An arrogant lord cut-off by his family. A penniless widow in desperate need. In their reduced circumstances, can love save them both?
Lord Neil Duncan, third son of the Marquess of Alderton, finally angers his father enough to be cut off from the family. Neil believes it is only a matter of time before he is reinstated, but time is passing slowly and he needs to eat. His so-called friends … and he needs to eat. His so-called friends have abandoned him, no one else trusts him, and it is not until he comes upon a young widow that he finds someone who needs his help as badly as he needs hers.
Teresa Clapham has been without a husband’s provision and protection for over a year. Supporting her mother and daughter on the pittance her brother-in-law provides has required her to stretch every farthing. When Lord Neil arrives at her doorstep proposing he work for her to earn his keep, she sees possibility in the man everyone else has deemed an arrogant good-for-nothing.
As Lord Neil works for the first time in his life, Teresa sees in him a tender heart long repressed by his family’s expectations – a heart that causes her own to open once more. But her brother-in-law Frederick Clapham is less charmed by Teresa’s new servant. When Lord Neil discovers the secret Mr. Clapham has been keeping, he must decide whether to embrace the man Teresa believes him to be, or fall back on the privileged lifestyle he’s always known.
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Lord Neil Duncan grew up in a family where they all had their secrets and were never close. He lived a life of privileged luxury and thought nothing of making selfish decisions until out of nowhere his father cuts him off and banishes him. While being a rich, handsome, charmer earns him many friends, when he is cast out he realizes how superficial these relationships really were.
Teresa Clapham is a strong woman who has had to go through a lot after losing her gentlewoman way of life when her husband gambles away her fortune. While a likable character, she does seem a bit naive at times.
Neil is a unique sort of rake. Here is a charmer and makes poor decisions but has a soft heart and doesn’t seem malicious. Considering where he came from and knowing of some of his past from a previous book in the series Rescuing Lord Inglewood, it is surprising to see Neil’s gentleness with children and dogs. He is also a hard worker and can be incredibly vulnerable.
I enjoyed that the scenes take you to a different location than you often see during this time period. I also loved how the different animals played a part in the story.
I have been loving this series. While Reforming Lord Neil wasn’t my favorite in the series, it was a great addition. I really liked finding out more about the real Neil.
I absolutely loved Lord Neil’s story. I have been so excited to read this story because I just knew there was a truly good heart being revealed within Lord Neal at the end of the last story.
This might have been my favorite of the entire Inglewood series — even though I have loved them all. I loved everything about this one. I loved Neil, I loved Teresa, I certainly loved Cara and Teresa‘s mom, Mrs. Godwin. And it was wonderful to have a bit of a reunion with the characters from the previous stories.
I have my own little hope that perhaps someday Sally will write a story with Cara as the main character, thus allowing us to have updates on Neil, Teresa, and the rest of the Inglewood characters.
Absolutely lovely story about how love can transform peoples lives. Teresa is sweet and dedicated. Neil is the swoony farmer. We get to catch glimpses of past characters, but knowledge of them is not needed to enjoy this story. Of course read the entire series!
I have been looking forward to this story! As always Sally Britton’s carefully crafted characters are like friends I get to visit. I really enjoyed exploring the ‘what if…?’ of Lord Neil’s situation and how it shapes his character. Really happy with it overall!
Another wonderful happily-ever-after from Sally Britton! After reading the other books in the Inglewood series, I didn’t think I would care for Lord Neil as a romantic hero, but I really liked him by the end. Although hints of his good nature start coming through in some of the earlier books, in this story we learn more about his background and come to appreciate the difficulty of choosing different priorities than his family. I also admired Teresa’s character and thought they were a well-matched couple. Both needed each other to progress.
Oh wow! Can it be possible?! I think this might actually be my favourite book out of the Inglewood series yet! I had an inkling that I was going to enjoy Lord Neil’s character from the last book but Britton exceeded my expectations! I love how well done this book was. You DEFINITELY have to read the previous books in the series… ALL of them! Because Lord Neil first appears right at the beginning and each book he appears in is referred back to in this one. Honestly, it fills out the background for his character and how his reform starts well before this one, so you won’t regret it – plus they are fantastic stories! I loved them all.
I know I go on a lot about character development with all of my reviews but seriously people, this is important! If the characters aren’t developed properly they appear as very 1-dimensional. Like the words just written on the page. But a well developed character, comes to life in any receptive imagination! They start to feel like friends and acquaintances. I love it when this happens. Britton does an excellent job of this. Plus – clean and wholesome with still all the joy and excitement and suspense a romance can bring. Perfectly balanced humour and wit throughout. Sigh. What’s not to love in a reformed bad-boy who is actually, secretly, very kind and caring along with a lady who is spirited and strong-willed despite having trials thrown at her constantly and villains trying to crush her at every opportunity?
I can definitely recommend this book… Along with the entire series! Plus, I’m hoping that one day we’ll also get to read Cara’s story
4.5* Sally Britton masterfully develops her characters in this satisfying conclusion to the Inglewood series. Best read after Rescuing Lord Inglewood and Engaging Sir Isaac. Lord Neil has seen a gradual transformation throughout the books and his perspective and change of heart is well written. The underlying themes were being inspired to be your best self and accepting with grace your circumstances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I thought the story was engaging. Sally Britton held my attention with her writing. I thought the interactions with the h & H were well done and their romance was developed sweetly. I liked how a few old characters came back and played a role in the story. I thought this helped show how Lord Neil grew as a character. I could feel the highs, lows and whatever emotions the character was feeling and emphatize. I do wish Lord Neil’s fathers actions were explained. That part of the story didn’t feel as developed. I was happy for the couple but I felt a part was missing or story not as complete becuase of this. I do like while it was a Regency setting the plot and story was fresh and new and unique.