From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bedding Proposal comes a seductive new novel about the most devilishly dangerous men in London…When Lady Esme Byron happens upon a gorgeous naked man sleeping beside a secluded country lake, she can’t resist the impulse to sketch him. But when her highly improper drawing is mistakenly revealed at a party, she finds her once-pristine reputation … revealed at a party, she finds her once-pristine reputation in tatters.
Gabriel, Lord Northcote, may be a notorious rakehell, but he is still stunned to find himself accused of despoiling a duke’s sister—especially since he’s never set eyes on her. When Esme’s six irate brothers demand a hurried trip down the aisle, he has no choice but to comply. He thinks he can forget about his inconvenient bride but Esme Byron is no ordinary woman and Gabriel is about to learn just how unforgettable she can be.
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Starring Lady Esme Byron and Gabriel Landsdowne, Viscount Northcote.
Tropes: Ruined, Compromised, Barely Acquainted, Married in Haste.
It’s been a while since I read a Tracy Ann Warren story and I was reminded why I love her writing so much. Esme and Gabriel certainly gave me all the feels… then made me ugly cry AF!! Loved it!!
Gabriel was a like mood pendulum. When he was moody, he was a brooding bear… and when he’s happy, he’s very loving and attentive. Poor Esme never knew how he was going to swing. He had some emotional baggage to sort out, but he was wonderful once he let Esme’s sunshine in. I do think he was a swoon-worthy hero.
Esme is a very strong heroine because she’s always been surrounded by a very protective and supportive family… who lets her be herself. That was actually kind of refreshing. She does show some vulnerability at times, when she’s unsure how to get Gabriel to come out of his emotional shell. But she certainly had a back bone and I was happy that she fought her own battles instead of easily turning to her brothers fir reinforcements. Esme was totally delightful.
All in all I totally loved this book. Tracy Anne Warren is a keeper shelf author and I enjoy her stories very much.
5 stars: Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be reading this story over and over and over again!!
A wonderfully familiar Regency marriage-of-necessity plot, but done so well that it becomes fresh. Ms Warren tells a great story!
It has been a while since I read a Tracy Anne Warren book and, to be honest, I wasn’t really impressed with the last few books in this series. However, for some reason, the youngest Bryon sister, Esme, has always stood out in my mind. So when her book was released, I put aside my disinterest in the series and decided to read it. I’m glad I did!
Esme is an artist and a bit of a rebel. That combination leads her into trouble when she decides to draw a naked man she spies on her neighbor’s property. This, of course, leads to a scandal when that picture is accidentally revealed at a house party. Thus, Esme and her model, Gabriel, while they have never meet, are forced to get married. I have a fondness for books where the couple have to get married and then are forced to figure out their relationship as they slowly start to fall in love. This book follows those plot points. Two strangers are forced to marry and figure out their lives together. I did like that Gabriel didn’t hold a grudge against Esme for causing their situation. It was clearly her fault and he could have easily blamed her. Instead, the conflicts in their relationship steam from his childhood scars. Esme starts the book as a young girl whose impulsive nature gets her forced into a marriage. However, as the book goes on, she starts to mature and temper her impulsiveness. She begins to settle into her life as a wife and mistress of the manor but does so while remaining true to herself. Gabriel, in turn, learns to work through the emotional trauma of his past and to rely on his wife. Overall, a very pleasant read.