Scandal is his chosen path—until this infamous Shaw surrenders to love . . . When Lady Charlotte Engles receives an offer of marriage from an eligible suitor, she’s finally ready to let go of her long-held hope that her engagement to Lord Valentinian Shaw will result in marriage. For despite the betrothal their families made between them, Val shows no interest in leaving his reckless life behind … his reckless life behind in favor of one with Charlotte. But when her plea to end their arrangement ends in a heated embrace, suddenly Val seems reluctant to let her go . . .
The last thing Val wants is a wife, despite how desirous his lovely bride-to-be has become. But when he discovers sweet Charlotte is planning to marry a dastardly man, he feels duty bound to keep her safe, even if that means making good on his marriage pledge. Then Charlotte is taken hostage by her dangerous suitor and suddenly Val is ready to risk everything for the woman who has won his heart . . .
“Lynne Connolly writes Georgian romances with a deft touch. Her characters amuse, entertain and reach into your heart.” —Desiree Holt
“Plots, deviousness and passion galore…a truly enjoyable read.” –Fresh Fiction on Temptation Has Green Eyes
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The blurb for this book is a bit misleading, it makes it sound like the book is about a man who doesn’t realize what he has until he loses it – which it is, but it is also so much more!
This is the story of Lord Valentinian Shaw and Lady Charlotte Engles, they have been betrothed for the last two years, but Val is in no hurry to marry. Charlotte needs to leave her father’s home and while she loves Val, she is done waiting. When another suitor makes his interest known, Charlotte asks Val to release her from their betrothal. He agrees but when they share a passionate kiss, he begins to wonder if he has made the biggest mistake of his life.
Charlotte is just as confused, but for the sake of her younger sister, she needs to leave her overbearing, controlling father and since Val has made no attempt to set a wedding date, she approaches her father about breaking the betrothal. He father agrees to consider her new suitor and she tells Val to speak to his father. But by now, Val has learned some disturbing information about the man Charlotte intends to marry and has decided that he will not let her go.
What follows is a gripping tale, filled with steamy love scenes, secrets, reunions, a duel, a trial, a case of PTSD and finally a HEA. The book is well written and flows nicely, it is not a long book, but there is a lot packed into it.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is simply because while the author obviously did her homework regarding major points in the story, smaller things were overlooked, for example Lord Valentinian Shaw is the younger son of a Marquess, he is not in possession of a peer title, he has an honorific which is Lord Valentinian, but he is constantly referred to as Lord Shaw and when Charlotte marries him she is called Lady Shaw, again this is incorrect. During the trial the legal counsel was referred to as lawyers – when in actuality they are called barristers. It is little things like this that ruin a book for me. I know not everyone notices or even cares, but for this reviewer, it matters.
I would still recommend the book, it is a very good read and I will certainly will reading any further installments.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher.*
I loved this story! A real page turner. Great characters!
A page Turner secrets revealed and a love to fight for!
Fearless by Lynne Connolly
The Shaws #1
Not your typical love story but perhaps more true to life than many historical novels. This is dark and at times gritty with hints at abuse, caning, BDSM and more.
Charlotte Engles has been betrothed to Valentinian Shaw for two years when Hervey Kellett comes to her and asks her to break off with Val and marry him instead. With her older sister gone, her younger sister in need of a safe haven and no surety that Val will ever actually marry her she considers Hervey’s potential BUT asks for one kiss from Val before they break things off. Well, who knew that one kiss might mean that the betrothal would not be called off after all…especially as more light is gradually shed on Hervey’s proclivities.
I have not read “The Emperors of London” series but imagine that it must be excellent from what I have seen online and especially so based on this book. This book is not for the faint of heart…but it is definitely worth reading. I admired Charlotte’s strength and love for her sisters. I found the Shaw family’s support, acceptance of all members a joy to behold. I fell in love with Val. This book made me thankful I did not live in the era. Women were “owned” by their fathers and then their husbands, a simple law broken could see a person publicly executed or transported, and things were definitely more difficult than they are now. This book made me think and care and desire to read more books in this series when they are published and also search out other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
Connolly has added a great follow-up series to her ‘The Emperors Of London’ series. This first book in the series is a wonderful lead-in to the series. It is action packed and leaves you wondering where it will head next.
Plots within plots, villains you didn’t expect, twists and turns and lots of passion – it sucks you in from the first page and doesn’t let you go until the end.
Lord Valentinian Shaw’s reputation exceeds his exploits – although those exploits are many. As one of several sons of a Marquess he is under no pressure to marry and produce an heir, so he’s in no hurry to give up his freedom and marry. He’s restless, unsettled and is constantly moving from adventure to adventure. However, he has been more settled over the last two years because he has found an outlet for his restless spirit – he, his brother, and their cousin have been pursuing financial ventures that are exciting and interesting.
Lady Charlotte Engles has been engaged to Val for two very long years. She suspects he will never be ready to marry and if they do marry, she is sure he won’t be faithful. She NEEDS to marry in order to get out from under her cruel father’s thumb and to provide for her younger sister. When she receives an offer from someone else, someone she feels is infinitely suitable, she asks Val if he would please release her from their engagement.
When Lady Charlotte asks Val to release her from their engagement, it unexpectedly leads to a kiss and a budding desire to keep her. However, he does reluctantly agree. Then, he gets to know her better and better and finds he is beginning to love her. He’ll live up to his agreement though – as long as the new suitor is worthy.
Val and his twin brother Darius begin to investigate and they find that the suitor isn’t just unworthy, he’s unsavory and debauched to the highest degree. Val cannot let Charlotte marry this man, but he cannot tell her the truth either. So, he does the only thing he can do – he refuses to end the marriage contract and doesn’t give her an explanation.
I won’t provide a blow-by-blow description of the entire plot, but you should know that it is a wonderful, exciting read and you will love watching Val and Charlotte find love and understanding. Val grows and matures so much through this book that you will hardly recognize him at the end. Coming to know all of the abuse Charlotte and her sisters have had to live with throughout their lives will keep you in tears.
The last twenty percent of the book will have you on pins and needles. I won’t describe it, but to tell you that it is suspenseful and gut-wrenching is putting it lightly.
“I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”