A kiss neither will ever forget … a forbidden attraction that can’t be denied … hide away from the society that shunned her. However, she cannot seem to forget the mysterious stranger she encountered at a ball during her Season … a man whose kiss haunts her dreams. He never even told her his name, yet Lydia cannot forget the one man who made her crave his touch in a way no other has been able to since.
Sinclair Clayton thought he’d never see the young lady he kissed in a garden during a London ball four years ago … until she turns up on his doorstep applying for the position of governess to his young son. He finds his heart quickly ensnared by Lydia, the strength of their attraction growing more powerful the longer she remains in his home. The illegitimate son of a viscount, he’s always stood on the fringes of society, never feeling as if he belongs. All that changes when he is in Lydia’s presence, and with her becomes the place he knows he should be.
Yet, Sinclair’s loveless marriage to a woman who has made his life a living hell from the moment he said ‘I do’ prevents them from being together. That does not stop them from wanting one another, despite how hard they fight to resist their visceral connection. Will the whims of fate ever allow them to spend their lives together, or are they doomed to long for each other while remaining apart?
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It’s been a long time since I read a historical romance and I do believe I’m now hooked again. Lydia and Sinclair’s story was riveting, a true page turner. I loved the background, both in scenery and time period. Reading about their forbidden love took me to a whole other world, one I hadn’t realized I missed so much. Not only was this a great book but a personal reawakening of a great love of my own. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Vale’s books.
Lydia is a woman that doesn’t want a man she wants the man. The man that changed her since the ball. Sinclair saw an angel the night a shoe fell off from his angel. Either of them knew each other’s name but after 4 years of Lydia pinning for him they meet again but he is married. She is crushed and tries to move on but Sinclair is not happy about it. She is the governess to Sinclair’s son Henry and a wonderful one at that. At first Lydia is so cold to Sinclair but learns more about him and becomes more open to him and being around him. Will she end up his mistress or will it be love and a marriage? This book is great. Kept me wanting to finish it faster than I did.
Her beautiful Bastard is a beautifully written historical romance that we have come to expect from Victoria Vale and Lydia and Sinclair’s story is no different. Lydia finds herself accepting the fact that she would never marry and embracing the loss of the one that got away. All the while Sinclair is dealing with his own troubles. They both hold alot of regret and find each other in the most unimaginable situation. As always a very enjoyable book.
Disappointed. Not as exciting as The Villain and The Dove. Couldn’t put either one down. Hoping the next one will have more umph
LOVE LOVE LOVE this new story from Victoria. I keep saying the previous was my favorite but then she writes a new story and there is a new favorite in town. Victoria has a way of making me feel everything when I read. I loved the moment the met so much. And when she finds out he is her employer and she’s crying in her room…I teared up. I loved when Sinclair visited his wife when he first got home. “Do I smell of horse?” LOL. I feel transported in time when I read her stories also. I love that both of them still thought of each other after one brief encounter 4 years prior. I didn’t want thi story to end. Thank you Victoria for another great story. Definately a re-read!!!
A kiss neither will ever forget … a forbidden attraction that can’t be denied …
Lydia Darling like dressing in breeches, shooting, drinking whisky so she wasn’t surprised when she had a disastrous season. Needing to find space to see the sky & breathe she leaves a ball & climbs a tree in the garden never believing her life was going to be changed forever when a stranger is hit by her falling slipper, he climbs the tree to return the offending slipper, they kiss & he leaves. Four years later & Lydia takes up the post as governess to a four year old boy Henry, imagine her surprise when Henry’s father is her mysterious stranger. Sinclair Clayton thought he’d never see the young lady he kissed in a tree in a garden.
I’d been waiting for Lydia’s story after meeting her in her brother Michael’s story Dominating Mr Darling. Oh the wait was well worth it, this slow burn story had me enthralled, engrossed & captivated. I yearned for Sin & Lydia to be together but their road was fraught with obstacles. I loved the characterisations & the pace of the story flowed seamlessly. Sin is swoon worthy, a bastard who is an astute businessman but also caring & honourable. The author’s heroes stay with you, I loved Camden then Michael came along & now there is Sin. I’ll also never see trees in the same light again!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read