Alone and broken…Temperance Baggington never thought of herself as worthy of love. Abused by her father, and threatened with an awful marriage, Temperance ran away to a convent determined to become a nun. Five years later, lost, ruined and unable to take her vows, she returns home seeking solace. Resigned to spinsterhood, Temperance is unprepared for the understanding she finds in the eyes of … understanding she finds in the eyes of Mr. Evan Crauford. Evan’s kindness is unlike any man she has ever known.
After all she suffered, is it possible for Temperance to believe in love again?
Perhaps Mr. Crauford can wipe away the sins of the past and finally heal her broken heart?
If Temperance can allow herself to accept happiness…
An uplifting tale of acceptance and love.
*dark themes
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I loved all the contrasting characters. This was a particularly nice read and I am really enjoying the series. Much more than I thought I would so this was a nice surprise to the mix.
I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I really enjoyed reading Temperance’s story. Isabella Thorne does a great job with self-concept and forgiveness in this book. The characters are interesting, their problems real, and the solutions believable. I have read some of the other Baggington Sisters books and they are all worth reading.
This book addresses the difficult topic of incest but in a very delicate manner. There are no descriptions of the abuse only a mention that it happened. However, it also addresses the suffering of the one who was abused. Temperance has been away for five years hiding in a convent for fear that her abusive father and her betrothed would find her. She has five years worth of letters from her family she has never read. As she decides to return home since her father passed away, she begins reading her letters. She realizes that her loving family does not hold her responsible for what happened and still loves her as a family member. Returning to her home had been more than she expected. It was a heartfelt reunion, one in which she also met a very kind and understanding friend of her brother’s who took a loving interest in her. Granted this seems like a fairytale ending but isn’t that what fictional romance books are for? I loved the HEA as it left me smiling with tears in my eyes. Ms Thorne did a wonderful and caring job of writing this book and I applaud her.
This is my first time reading this author and for awhile I stepped back from most period novels because alot of my old time favorites did not have new ones. But now I am discovering some new favorites with this I do believe that this author will fit in that after I finished this one. One of the avenues that women took was the nun status Temperance went for. At least she does not stay in bad too. Women at times had a hard time so finding their place could be so much of a struggle as with Temperance. Then there is Evan and could he be the light to her life? The things that happen in this are difficult for anyone in any time with this one giving it to us deeply. So when the light per say comes into this woman’s life it also lifts us up. This author can take our emotions and spread them all around.
Book two of The Baggington Sisters series is well written and a book I enjoyed reading. Temperance Baggington had been abused by her own father so thinks she is not worthy of love. She ran away to a convent where she stayed for five years she has now come home and she meets Mr. Evan Crauford. Theirs is a beautiful story of how the power of love can heal. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.
New riff on the return of the prodigal
Thanks to Ari of Candid Book Reviews, I’m reviewing an ARC of Almost Promised: Temperance. Thanks to Isabella Thorne’s deft and gentle handling of some extremely dark topics (incest, spousal abuse, child abuse, severe anger issues, stalking), fans of historical romance can enjoy a clean and sweet historical romance with a lovely HEA. Temperance ran away from home to a convent, the only way she could avoid her abusive father and the disgusting old crony of his who plans to marry her. Hiding her beauty, and her internal pain, she spends years in the convent but cannot fake the faith necessary to make her vacation permanent. When word reaches her of her father’s death, she declines to make her vows and returns to the family she left. She expects scorn, anger and rejection. She fears contact with society due to her family’s disgraceful reputation. She knows a life of reclusive spinsterhood is the best she can hope for, and she’s content with that. Enter Mr. Crauford, her brothe’sr (the new Viscount) best friend, a wealthy and handsome man – and an unexpectedly gentle and persistent admirer. A massive internal struggle with guilt and fear accompanies Temperance’ journey back from isolation and shame, as she negotiates the difficult return to her family, and dares at last to reach for love.
Love this!!! These sisters have endured so much and to see them open up to the truth that they are lovable is just so heartwarming. Temperance story is emotional for several other reasons as well but she is content and ready to bridge the gap that their past has caused her family. I’m glad she is not conceited, if her story pricks just a bit of sadness, Evan, her knight in shining armor boldly tips that scale with not only his instant attraction, but his patience and determination to win her. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
SETTING: The oldest daughters of a family of 9 siblings suffer from a trauma so horrendous, it can not be spoken of outside the family. The eldest daughter, Temperance, about to be married off to a lecherous old man, escapes and eventually ends up in an Abbey. Finding she is not truly fitted to be a nun, and that circumstances have dramatically changed, she returns home to the arms of her loving mother and siblings. However, she has given up on ever marrying, thinking her opportunity for marriage has passed her by, now that even her youngest sisters are “out” in society.
Isaac her brother is now the Viscount, her father having passed, and endeavors to bring light and happiness to the family. After some remodeling, he arranges for a ball and house party of his school friends and their sisters, allowing Temperance and all the family to re-enter society. Will Isaac be able to give Temperance the support she needs to reconsider her life plans to include a possible suitor? Will Temperance and her sisters be able to put their trauma behind them to embrace a happy future?
CRITIQUE: This book takes a topic difficult to discuss as the driving force behind the family’s trauma, incest, and treats it in a most discreet way— not offensive to the reader, other than to read that such a thing occurred and has had such severe consequences on the family. Further, Isaac, the eldest brother, has found the strength of character to set to rights family dynamics, and is working hard to make happy lives for his mother, sisters and brothers. His support allows Temperance to overcome her PTSS and learn to reach out for a full, rich life. Thus our H’s & h’s (all 4 of them) come to their HEA, giving us an upbuilding and encouraging story that will not soon be forgotten.