A reclusive scholar. A charming lady. An undeniable love.
Oliver, Viscount Frost, must end his reclusive ways to uncover the mysteries of an ancient text used by a ringleader of professional thieves. He emerges from his books only to find Lady Julia Hopwood blocking his path.Julia’s friendly nature and charming smile hide her desperate efforts to keep her father from succumbing to melancholy … desperate efforts to keep her father from succumbing to melancholy and illness. The purchase of an old book for his collection is her latest attempt to brighten his spirits. When the gruff viscount demands she hand it over, she refuses, even when it plunges her into a shadowy side of London she barely knew existed.
The lovely lady is a beam of light in Oliver’s dark world, but he needs the book. Passions rise as the pair cross paths, each hiding secrets even as they share stolen kisses. Julia is drawn to the solemn scholar, wanting to ease the unhappiness she senses deep inside him. Can Oliver release his demons to help Julia or will their secrets keep them apart?
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So far I have read two books in this series and have read them out of order. I can therefore attest that the books are stand alone novels, though better understood if read in order. Ms. Williams has a way with developing characters that makes them seem real and likable. Her heroes and their love interest seem unlikely matches but balance each other in ways that true soulmates only can. The romance is swoon worthy. The storyline reveals a part of Victorian London I never knew existed. This taste of history makes the mystery and suspense that much more interesting. This series has earned a permanent place on my bookshelves. I can hardly wait to read more.
Absolutely great read, couldn’t put it down!
As I have read the second book, some time ago, I’m not sure tu fully remember what were my feelings during my read.
Here I was engrossed by Oliver and Julia’s story but at time they left me very frustrated.
Oliver, Viscount Frost suffers from PTSD symptoms since his return from war, he can’t stand crowd nor social events. But to help his friend, an other retired soldier, he is ready to sometime get out from his recluse life but only for a very short time.
« Since he’d set himself on this course of aiding Hawke, his life had taken a decided turn in a good direction. He no longer felt as though he were sliding into oblivion, trapped in his home of his own volition. »
He just was not prepared to have to leave his home on a regular basis as the item he was looking for fell in other’s hands. But the more he ventures outside his study and the more he is in contact with Lady Julia Hopwood, the more he is drawn to her and the more he must stay close to her.
Julia has spent her life trying to undo the damages her selfish mother had done to her father. She sacrificed her own chances to only please him, for him, she will look for any way to bring some light in his eyes.
« In all honesty, she felt like a failure. Why couldn’t she be the reason he enjoyed life? To be enough to stave off these bouts of despair and illness? »
So when she crosses Oliver’s path as they are pursuing the same book, even attracted to him, she can’t think of a future with him as she does not imagine leaving her father’s side.
At first, I thought Julia’s character to be very selfless by how she lets always her father come before, even when he rejects her, but at time, I thought she was more of a coward, using her father’s pain to reject feelings and to hide behind instead of taking risks and live. Oliver is struggling to return to civil life, he suffers from nightmares and he feels awkward among people but for Julia, he will go more and more in social events, still unsure he is a good choice for her as he fears his past might be too much to bear for her but he is like a moth attracted by a candle, he can’t stay away.
Twice I was upset by Julia’s reactions, for a rather clever woman, she put herself in dangerous situations, only by her own doing. She was lucky to have been rescued but if she had taken sometime to gather her thoughts she would have avoided to be armed as for others.
But I do suppose it was also how would think women at this time as they were sheltered.
In all it is a 4.5 stars read as it was very entertaining with an interesting plot and great characters.
Julia and Oliver took a long time to get together, but once they did it would be forever. I didn’t like Julia’s father. He seemed way too selfish and a horrible father
Slow and verbose but I finally finished it and the ending was okay. Too much repitition for my taste. It is part of a series which is why I purchased this book. It managed to put me to sleep often.
I read the book before this one and liked the fact that there is a main story line that continues through out. I have been studying PTSD as part of my job and the main character definitely had it. Interesting. Want to read more in this series.
Made me want to know more about these characters and how their stories develop.
turn of the 20th century and women & girls are missing from the lower areas of England… Two opposite characters meet while looking for the same book about the evils of London, So what do these two things have in common. Read the book.
I wish she would publish more often!
The story line was interesting but…. too many repeats of why characters felt a certain way; no or little reason given for sudden changes given in feelings (physiological damage due to war can’t be overcome by lust); action was slow then everything happened at once then slow again. If the author would edit out the unnecessary redundancy and focus more on the story line, I definitely would have enjoyed it more. However, it does have a HEA with no cliffhangers, a big plus for me.
Loved it
I found this very enjoyable. Would like to see more of this author.
interesting
A SUPER book!
I want to read more by this author.
I enjoy historical romances when the male lead is a clueless knucklehead and the female lead is savvy and resourceful.
This was a good story that I found difficult to put down. It was an entertaining read.
Great book. I couldn’t put it down. This could actually have happened during the time period in which it is set.
Unrealistic. Nothing to grab the reader in. Didnt even read a quarter of the book before I deleted it.
Predictable; far too many errors