Will their vows last a lifetime… Not just for Christmas?Abandoned by her husband, and society because her father was a slave, Honora Blake will never rely on anyone again. Until dashing Lord Lovell breaks the news that she is a widow–and penniless–and insists she spend Christmas with him and his pregnant ward. Beneath the mistletoe, passion flares between Honora and Isaac. Then childbirth … childbirth places his ward’s life in jeopardy, and these strangers suddenly face marriage to protect the baby!
“I was invested in His Runaway Lady throughout. A historical romance with a sweet romance at its heart.”
–Rae Reads on His Runaway Lady
“This book is a sensation; deeply moving, fabulously original plot with two of the most engaging characters who I can guarantee you will love from the onset.”
–Chicks, Rogues and Scandals on Scandalously Wed to the Captain
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Isaac, Lord Lovell, carries news to Honora that the husband who abandoned her three years ago is dead. Honora expects to receive the farm she has been working in her husband’s absence—and her widow’s jointure besides. Instead, she finds herself alone and penniless.
With nowhere else to go, Honora seeks shelter from Lord Lovell in a snowstorm. She hates taking charity from the handsome rake who reminds her too much of her ne’er-do-well husband.
Lord Lovell can’t ignore his attraction to the beautiful but abrasive widow. A kiss under the mistletoe confirms that she feels the pull between them, too. Plus, she’s the only one who can soothe the heartache of his orphaned ward, a sixteen-year-old girl in desperate need of a mother figure. Can love bloom between two people determined not to wed?
This is a well-written story with strong characters and an intriguing plot. It engaged me from the beginning. The pace is steady, never rushed or lagging. A heart-warming holiday romance.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.
I did feel for Honora, in a different country, alone except for her maid and subject to prejudice because of her colour. Little wonder she was defensive and distrustful of people she didn’t know. Honora was a caring and brave person, and she had always longed for a child. Her first meeting with Isaac, Lord Lovell did not go well. Due to circumstances. Isaac had a wakeup call and had decided to mend his ways. Due to his past experiences with his father, he doesn’t wish to marry. Honora and Isaac are attracted to each other but they fight against it. As they get to know each other, and appreciate each other’s good qualities, they do become closer. However, there is a secret that Isaac is keeping from Honora that may spoil everything. This story had some wonderful characters, but it was a little slow in pace and the ending was quite abrupt. I would have liked an epilogue. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 Stars
A very different historical romance, Honoria is the daughter of a freed slave & a plantation owners daughter who travelled to England to be married, she was then abandoned & now over three years later finds herself a penniless, homeless widow. Luckily Lord Lovell insists she spends Christmas with him and his pregnant ward. Beneath the mistletoe, passion flares between Honora and Isaac. Then childbirth places his ward’s life in jeopardy, and these strangers suddenly face marriage to protect the baby.
A well written book but I found the pace to be slow & so found my attention wandering. The characters had depth & were likeable, I especially liked the relationship between Honoria & Charlotte. I also liked Isaac but didn’t feel that there was much chemistry between him & Honoria. An interesting read but not a book I would re read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Good book with an unusual twist. Honora’s parents were a freed slave and a plantation owner’s daughter who fell in love, married and lived in the mountains of Virginia. Honora fell in love with a visiting Englishman and married him against her parents’ advice. Once in England, her husband Frank resumed his rakish ways and, after a couple of years, abandoned Honora. She hadn’t seen him in three years when Isaac, Lord Lovell, arrived to tell her that Frank was dead, and she needed to attend the reading of his will.
I enjoyed the first meeting between Isaac and Honora. Isaac broke into her house, not realizing it was occupied, and she confronted him at gunpoint. The antagonism between them is fierce, as Honora believes Isaac was Frank’s friend, and Isaac wants nothing to do with Frank’s wife. However, when Isaac realizes that Honora doesn’t have the money to get to the will reading, Isaac offers to take her with him. During the journey, it becomes evident that underneath the antagonism are sparks of attraction.
I liked the development of the relationship between Isaac and Honora. Honora is feisty and independent, thanks to her upbringing. Still under the impression that Isaac was one of Frank’s friends, she makes no secret of her dislike and disapproval. Though she doesn’t want to admit it, Honora is also attracted to him. Isaac finds Honora intriguing and is attracted to her. His mental chastisements to himself reveal his low opinion of marriage and his determination not to become involved with her. But when the reading of the will reveals that Honora is both penniless and homeless, Isaac steps up and invites her to spend Christmas with him and his ward while exploring her options.
Things begin to change when they are under one roof. Honora meets Charlotte, Isaac’s young and pregnant ward. I loved watching the two women connect. Charlotte brings out Honora’s mothering instinct, while Honora’s practical attitude helps Charlotte adjust to her situation. Meanwhile, the more time they spend together, the more Honora realizes that she misjudged Isaac. Her feelings for him change and grow. At the same time, Isaac can’t help thinking about Honora and how well she fits in his life. But he’s keeping a huge secret that could ruin anything that they might have together.
Their lives become more complicated when complications of childbirth put Charlotte’s life at risk, and she begs them to marry to protect the baby. Isaac’s secret weighs on him even more, as he misses several chances to come clean because he’s afraid of losing her. I ached for them both when the truth comes out. Honora once again feels betrayed and used. Isaac is heartbroken at losing the woman he loves. I loved how Charlotte gave him the kick in the pants he needed to make things right. Isaac’s big moment at the end was sweet and romantic. I would have liked an epilogue, perhaps involving the promised trip to Virginia, to see how their future works out.