Gone, but not forgotten…Alex Sommerville should have been dead. To the world, he had been dead for almost five years, and with him, the secrets he had carried as Trace, the most elusive member of the London League. When a chance to escape finally comes, Alex finds just enough life left in him to take it, and races off to return to the woman he loves….Back, but at what cost?The last person … loves.
…Back, but at what cost?
The last person Poppy Edgewood ever expected to see suddenly falls into her life again – literally. Alex is a shell of the man he once was, and on the brink of the death she thought him already lost to. What answers will he have for her when he recovers, and can she even bear to hear them?
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“A treasured thing once broken becomes more favored, does it not? More precious for the fear of losing it forever? We are more careful with it, more mindful, and more aware. The damage wakes us to the true, irreplaceable value of it, and we love it all the more.”
Such a delightful book set in Regency England with a group of swoony spies, intrigue, action and fight scenes, and heart-stopping romance! This is book 5 in The London League series and can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I do, however, recommend reading the other books in the series because they are equally delightful and fun. The author has a witty and down-to-earth writing style that really makes the reader connect at a fundamental level with the characters. And the characters! Alex is loyal, fierce yet so broken in body and spirit after having been held captive for four and a half years. Poppy, who is fiercely passionate, independent and resourceful, has loved Alex for almost all her life and spends her days in mourning after Alex’s supposed death. Their reunion is heartbreaking and thrilling. Alex has to deal with his nightmares and PTSD from his prisoner days but slowly re-enters the world with help from his brothers-in-arms and Poppy. I am totally satisfied with how the operatives of The London League have found true contentment and purpose. But there’s more to come! I can’t wait to read book 6 in this series.
If you love clever and well-written Regency romance, this book and the entire series is a must read. I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Singing Librarian Books Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I came into The London League series in the middle, but the questions surrounding the disappearance of Trace haven’t escaped me. Now, Rebecca Connolly reveals what happened to Alex Sommerville. From his escape to his arrival on Poppy’s doorstep to the past years that haunt him and the tension between the man and the woman who has refused to believe he was truly dead, Fall From Trace is an adventure you do not want to miss.
Whether seen with the eye or buried more than skin-deep, both Alex and Poppy carry scars. Both have broken dreams. Both are trying to survive in their new realities. And both are protecting themselves from pain. But sometimes, the pain and scars lead to a different, deeper kind of love if two battered, broken people are willing to open up and share their pain and risk their vulnerabilities with each other.
While there’s plenty of emotional upheaval in Connolly’s latest installment in the series, there’s also some excitement. In fact, there’s a great London League operation that takes place while bringing the whole team together again. Plus there are some new characters working with the league that I’m hoping we see again soon.
Trace’s story was most definitely worth the wait.
Disclosure statement:
This book was obtained via the Kindle Unlimited program. All opinions are my own
While I completely enjoyed this story, I feel like I sneaked a peak at my Christmas present sitting under the tree and the surprise of unwrapping it on that joyous holiday was taken away from me. I haven’t read this series yet and didn’t realize how important reading these books in order is for the reader to get the maximum enjoyment out of them. I’ve heard so many great things about this series and when this one came up on a blog tour, I jumped at my chance to dive in. So, if you haven’t read this set yet, stop now, because there are inadvertent spoilers.
Trace is alive–and I had no idea he was supposed to be dead, which is no one’s fault but my own. That said, my heart broke at the things he endured before finally finding his freedom. Can you imagine seeing your lost love suddenly reappear again, years later? My heart also broke for Poppy and the feelings she had to work through in this tough, heart wrenching situation. Being reunited causes for rediscovering connections and feelings. I loved this couple and their resiliency, and I adored the camaraderie with this group of men-turned-spies.
The tensions and action-paced story really propelled the plot of this adventuresome tale and the romance was the icing on the cake (surprise, surprise). I really need to go back and read the rest of this series, as I just know I’ll be left feeling extremely satisfied and entertained.
Content: mild romance; mild language; mild-moderate talk/flashbacks of violence (abuse, torture, etc)
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I had a small hunch while reading the previous books that Trace may still be alive, so I was thrilled to finally read his story and see where his path took him. He had some seriously traumatic experiences and returns changed, suffering from PTS, yet also beginning his healing process as Poppy and his friends provide the support he needs. It was interesting how his relationship with Poppy is full of new dynamics that are complicated, but when everything else is put aside, they are able to connect at the most basic foundational level of their personalities and find joy and laughter again. The action, adventure, and danger that is trademark to the London League series is present of course, and the story picks up speed as the suspense heightens and leads to an exiting climax and satisfying happily ever after.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Fall from Trace is the fifth installment from Rebecca Connolly’s series, London
League. Since it is part of a series, I feel that it would be best to read it in order. I have
not read the others and feel as though I may have missed a little bit. But I still very much
enjoyed the story. I loved the history, the romance, the setting and the wonderful characters.
I am giving Fall from Trace four and a half stars. I look forward to reading the
other books from the London League series.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Fall from Trace is the final installment of the London League Spy Series from Rebecca Connolly and it’s everything readers are expecting. Secretly readers have been hoping that Trace will eventually show up and he does at long last in this exciting story. In addition to this being Trace’s story, it is fun for this story to brings together all the London League Spies. An action and adventure filled story with plenty of danger, this story also has the sweet romance between Trace and Poppy with their struggles from the unexpected separation with Trace’s supposed death and then reappearance and falling in love all over again. Readers will not be disappointed with this thrilling and enjoyable story.
Series: London League
Genre: historical, regency, spy, romance, suspense
Publisher: Phase Publishing
Publication date: February 1, 2020
Number of pages: 281
Other books in the series:
1-The Lady and the Gent
2-A Rogue About Town
3-A Tip of the Cap
4-By Hook or by Rook
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Fall from Trace was an intriguing tale! I had not read the other books in the series, so I did have to play catch up with the characters. The author did a good job of writing the story so that I could figure out what had happened in the past and get to know the other characters who belonged to the London League a little bit.
I liked Poppy and Alex a lot. There was plenty of romantic tension and both of these characters had a lot of hurt from the past few years to get over. Alex also had the added difficulty of overcoming the more than four years of torture that he endured.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book to read and I can imagine that those who have read the other books in the series will love getting to find out what happened Alex, also known as Trace. There is some cursing in this book for those looking to avoid that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is a character-driven action story. There is romance but it is secondary to Trace’s recovery both physically and emotionally. Having read so much about Trace in previous books in the series, I looked forward to this book. His recovery was slow, consequently the book slowed down in the middle. That all changed in the latter quarter of the book and it became action packed. I could not relate to the horrors that Trace went through, but I could understand Poppy. So much of the time, she did not know if she was coming or going in her relationship with Trace. I am happy to say they did get a HEA.
This is not a standalone book. There are multiple references and characters from the first 4 books. Not to mention breadcrumbs for the next in the series with Sphinx.
Fall from Trace by Rebecca Connelly (5 stars)
If torture isn’t your thing, then give this one a pass. Granted, it’s not explicit, but the book deals with Trace, who has been tortured for the last 4 1/2-5 years. And the aftermath on his psyche.
The years have not been easy on our heroine, either. She’s been cast off by her family and forced to become a woman farmer who barely scrapes by. Luckily, she has a very loyal and hard-working servant who showed up about 4 1/2 years ago….
This story is complex and full of angst, but not the kind of angst that a simple conversation can solve. Both characters have to heal before they can come together.
*spoiler*
When ‘Trace’ returns, it with a vengeance and is the point at which the character’s personality changes almost completely. (Realistic? I don’t know, but it makes for a great spy novel!) Many thanks to the author that he is given the chance to defeat his tormentor and that event stops his nightmares.
This is so well written and gripping! I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, and although there are moments when I got characters mixed up with one another, it was still just fine as a stand-alone and was a real page-turner!
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
I have loved the London League stories and this one did NOT disappoint! The characters are well developed both the new ones introduced but also the ones from previous books are developed even more. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone… but I HIGHLY recommend you read them all!
There is action, suspense and tension and clean love.
Alex and Poppy are both tested in many ways to see how strong their love is for each other.
Looking forward to the next one in the series!!!
Holy Molly!!!!! Wow!!!! I LOVED it! I think this might be my new favorite! Ugh, but there is still The Gent ok so maybe they are both equally good. Maybe it’s a tie! Seriously so good! The pace was perfect. I didn’t feel like anything was repeated. The feel of this was so sad but so much hope! Nothing happened to quickly or too slow. Trace or Alex and Poppy’s reunion was exactly what I have been waiting for, for 3 books. Rebecca wrote this so well. I’m so glad they had time to just heal and that it took Alex time to come to himself! I loved that everything ended so well. People might say too well but I loved how it ended. I whooped with joy:} There is some awesome moments in this just look for the chopping wood scene. This is why Rebecca is one of my favorites. Loved it. Just loved it all. Thank you Rebecca:]
Read the whole series and you will love this even more. Sweet proper romance with some heated kisses:}
I love Rebecca Connolly’s books and this one did not disappoint! I have loved reading the London League Series and who wouldn’t when you have spies and them helping change the fate of England in the early 1800s. I am glad that we finally got Alex’s, aka Trace, and Poppy’s story. Just considering how Alex’s supposed death affected all the members of the League it was great to know he was really alive and to have him be reunited with the woman he loved. I loved how things weren’t smooth sailing for the couple once he showed back up. They had to learn that they both had changed and love the person that they have changed into. It was a hard road and my heart broke some times for them but I am so glad that things worked out. I really love this series and highly recommend picking it up! Rebecca Connolly is a wonderful author and I will always buy her books without thinking twice about it!
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I literally let out a squeal of excitement when I saw this book up for pre-order! When it showed up on my kindle, I stopped the book I was reading and immediately started this one. And oh, my, it was worth it! I LOVED this book! It was written so well! Not rushed, but not slow. Letting us feel Alex’s pain, but hold onto hope. Showing the strength of love and friendship. And as always, great action and suspense!
This is a series best understood and enjoyed when read in order.
I don’t usually pre-order books, but when I saw Fall from Trace was up for sale, I couldn’t resist. And that cover…spot on! I than anxiously waited for it to be released so I could finally learn Trace’s story. Alex Sommerville has long been thought dead, his closest friends and love of his life have spent the last five years mourning his passing. But, he wasn’t really dead, at least not physically.
This is not a standalone story, you could probably read it as one, but it is much better if you’ve read the other books in the series. It really makes the story a lot richer if you do.
This was a great story, very well written. Alex has had a very rough five years, to put it mildly. So, it’s not a happy lighthearted story, but rather one of finding himself, healing and overcoming a lot to return to himself and of course the power of love. Poppy and Alex were childhood friends, turned sweethearts. They have a phenomenal connection to each other, understand each other. Their scenes together are probably my favorite. Alex went through a lot in captivity, the author doesn’t gloss over it or make him heal too quickly. I appreciate that there are no gory details, but you also are given enough information to know he went through hell. But, we also get to see him heal.
The story is well rounded, I thought it was well paced, kept me glued to the pages. I liked that we were reunited with past characters. I appreciate that they didn’t steal the show, which can happen in series like this. It was still very much Alex and Poppy’s story, but also nice to have them woven in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Its been a really fun series to read and get into.
Content:
Romance: Clean
Language: Very mild
Violence: Moderate: nothing on page, but memories of torture & abuse, ptsd
A clean historical romance series about the member of the London League, Trace (Alex), a spy for the London League, looking for the Fraction, a group against the Crown, was captured and taken prison on a pirate’s ship. He escapes and heads to Poppy, the woman he loves and the memories with her have kept him alive during the 5 year imprisonment. Everyone including her assume he is dead, when he shows up at Poppy’s cottage in a beaten state.
Will they overcome his injuries and the horror of his imprisonment? Will Poppy still love him? Can he still love her? Are they in danger for retaliation for his escape?
This story also brings in the other four members of the London League from other books in series and has great continuity in the story.
I highly recommend this book.
I was so excited to read Fall from Trace after starting the London League series and knowing that he supposedly died during a mission gone wrong. Though I haven’t read all the books in the series yet, this novel has enough backstory and detail that I didn’t feel lost not having read all of the books and in order (though I am looking forward to doing so).
Alex and Poppy have an epic love. When Alex dies, Poppy mourns him as if they had been married or had an official agreement between them. When he shows up practically dying on her doorstep four and a half years later it’s quite a shock for both of them. There were some aspects I didn’t quite love in their reunion, but the author does a great job addressing PTSD that Trace is suffering with from all he endured during his time as a captive on a smuggler’s ship. I felt like Alex and Poppy could have had some more romantic moments earlier on, but then again, I can see that the author wanted the reader to understand the depth of Trace’s demons and how that affected his desire and ability to love Poppy. Overall, the action and romance were good and I did like the ending a lot.
I received and advance reader copy of this novel. This review is voluntary and my thoughts and opinion are my own.