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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I can’t believe I never commented on beautiful Lydia and gorgeous Sinclair!! This amazingly talented Author gifted me with an ARC!!
I fell in love from the beginning when Lydia meets Sinclair on a tree branch!!! How romantic!
This story had me captivated. The heroine still held their meeting in her heart and unknowingly to her so did he. He is miserably married to a beautiful lady.
He is and Lydia are shocked to meet again after so many years.
Lydia realizes she is in love with Sinclair.
This story is so beautiful, it had me crying, excited and not wanting it to end!
I have read all of Ms. Vale’s books, she is gited with her details, narrative and sroyline I highly recommend all her books <3
Lydia Darling had a disaster first Season coming out as a debutante but one night she kisses a mysterious man and she knows that part of her heart is taken. She decides to become a governess in order to escape the pressure of society.
Sinclair Clayton has never been impulsive before but there was something about the girl sitting in a tree that made him kiss her. Knowing he would never see her again he continued in his loveless marriage to Drucilla and he focused his energy on his son Henry and all of his properties. Sinclair grew up an illegitimate son but has managed to make something of himself and become respected.
When Lydia ends up as Henry’s governess will Sinclair and Lydia be able to deny their attraction to one another?
This was a great historical romance and I really enjoyed it.
I thought Lydia was a great character and I understood why she felt like she needed to leave her family when she could not find the right guy to marry. It didn’t end up helping that her heart was taken by a stranger. I wasn’t surprised at how shocked Lydia was to see Sinclair and I was super happy that she eventually gave him a chance to explain what had happened in the past and even what was happening in the present.
My heart truly broke for Sinclair and what happened with his marriage. It was obvious that he had really loved Drucilla at some point but that their marriage was now over. That being said he did not wish any ill will upon her for the sake of their son Henry and he sought her medical attention when she was sick.
I was shocked with some of the revelations at the house party and I was blown away by the actions of Sinclair when he got angry! I did not see some of those things coming at all! I was totally surprised by Drucilla’s actions and how she threw it in Sinclair’s face.
I liked the ending with the advice that Lydia’s brother Michael gave Sinclair and I loved how it all ended!
A kiss that will never be forgotten and turn one women’s life into upheaval.
This book was a read that will suck you in and tease you until the end. After a first season and a forbidden kiss from a stranger in the garden Lydia has much to think about with there future. Not wanting to give into marrying a man who doesn’t want her for herself she forges the future for her. She never does forget the stranger who gave her a kiss she will never forget. Sinclair’s marriage is full of secrets and leaves him wanting more out of life. When he she the one women who he will never forget in his house the future is bright but uncertain.
The characters in this book were great. They were perfectly imperfect. Each characters brought out so much emotion. This story is a slow burn but has many what the heck moments. There are moments of romance, anger, angst and so much more. Watch as two people who just feel like they don’t fit in discover there passion for life and for each other.
WOW! This is a great read! It has many unexpected turns and a slow building romance that will singe anything near it! Sin has had a crap hand dealt him in life and very much wants what he cant have! That is until circumstances change and he can have it as long as he is patient for a time. Lydia has fallen for Sin at the very first meeting in a tree but refuses to tarnish her reputation anymore by involving herself with a married man. Even if the married man has been unwanted by his wife and made a fool of to everyone in society. Then with a twist of fate things turn their way! I loved the journey of this book and the realistic circumstances weaved into the story!
I have not read a book by this author that I didn’t absolutely love. This one is the only book in this series that I have read, but I plan on fixing that! I love Lydia! she is like no other woman of her time. And Sin,,, oh Sin! My feelings for him at first were not good, however, reading more into the book, I fell in love with him, and my heart broke for him so many times! I will not speak of Lady Dru, as I absolutely despise her!!
This book has ALL the FEELS, it will make you fall in love with these two so hard!!
I am very picky about the historical that I read this book is definitely in my wheelhouse. Sinclair and Lydia are a true example of unrequited love. This is the era I would love in if I was forced to pick one. I loved reading this book and I hope you do too.
Absolutely loved this book and all it’s sexy steamyness. Such a great read I highly recommend it. Couldn’t put the book down
When Lydia is In London for her first season, she meets Sinclair while at a ball. Lydia steps outside to get some air. While sitting in a tree, she looses her shoe, which hits Sinclair in the shoulder. They feel the instant chemistry between the 2 of them..
They share kiss before they go there separate ways.
4 years later, Lydia is hired to become Sinclair’s son’s, Henry’s new governess.
Sin is in a loveless marriage with Drucilla, who has been unfaithful to Sin for years.
Sinclair finally starts to feel alive again as he spends time with Lydia.
Sinclair and Lydia try to fight the mutual attraction they have for each, until the passion over powers them.
I love historical romance and this one did not fail to impress! The author pulls you into the book and you won’t want to put it down until you find out all of the secrets hiding in plain sight. The foreshadowing was amazing and the surprises will have you glued to the pages anticipating what will happen next. Great read!
This was a new trope for me and I have to say I enjoyed it.
I liked the time frame it was set in and that Lydia did not fit the typical female role, she had her own personality and wasn’t afraid to let it show. I liked how well she worked with Henry and his mischievous pranks, it added a fun element to this story.
My heart went out to Sinclair as the story unraveled and I wanted so much more for him.
I will say there were parts that I was a little scared to read on, but I’m glad I kept an open mind and continued.
Move over Camden and Maggie, a new favorite has emerged – Lydia and Sinclair. I love their story. The heartache, the struggle, the remorse, the longing, and the wanting. Everything about their journey had me on the edge of my seat. I was not sure they could ever be together. Could they? There are so many emotions in the book. Nothing is black and white. We love who we love. Did they act on it? Ms. Vale is amazing in that she puts so much into these stories and we are only along for the ride.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
A forbidden attraction between Sinclair and Lydia that turns into an everlasting love. A beautifully crafted story of longing, passion and love. Sinclair and Lydia were undeniable and forbidden to each other but that didn’t stop them wanting, hoping, reaching and finding love.
Incredibly beautiful romance!! I cried and I loved!! I fell in love with this book, with the main characters!!!!!!! If I could give this book 100 Stars I would!!
It all started with a kiss on tree branch!
Longing for the forbidden! Book six in the Scandalous Ballroom Encounters series. Some secondary characters from the previous book but can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Full length told in dual POV with HEA. Lydia grew up with the freedoms of being raised in the country on a farm. After not fitting in in London for her first season she decided to become a governess. Sinclair in a loveless marriage is surprised the new governess is a woman he had a connection with years ago. This story truly is a “scandalous” romance, but it is written beautifully. Great adult historical romance, I highly recommend!
Loved it!
Her Beautiful Bastard – Scandalous Ballroom Encounters – Book 6 – Victoria Vale
It started with a slipper! A satin slipper that fell through the tree branches and hit the man in the ally on the shoulder…
Lydia Darling’s first season in London was to be her last season as well. She was raised in the country and she realized early on in her season although she could hold her own if she wanted to, she had nothing in common with the Lords and Ladies in London and she could never be herself if she married any of the Lords she had met. Until she lost her slipper – a handsome man who was unlucky or maybe lucky enough to have caught her slipper, told her she was beautiful and she would find someone special – but it couldn’t be him, he said he was a bastard in every sense of the word. He called her an angel – and helped her out of the tree and then disappeared.
I’ve read a number of Victoria Vale’s books. She is an amazing writer. She can grab you and pull you into the story and you have no way to stop yourself from being a part of it all. I continually commend her on her ability to stop a reader in their tracks. Her stories always touch me, it’s her writing, her ability to place me right there with the characters to make me feel what they feel.
In this story she caught me on page one of the prologue. We hadn’t even hit Chapter 1, she had me, feelings and all! Vale is well known for her Erotic stories and there are some very erotic scenes in this story, but to get to those you have to survive the heartache, the disappointment, the misunderstandings and the sadness that makes the characters Lydia Darling and Sinclair Clayton who they are. Two people who met once, a young lady who wanted someone like the man (Sinclair) she had met that night in the tree, the man she knew she could love and who it took her four years to find. When Lydia found Sinclair it was only to learn even then they could never have a relationship as he was married.
Vale evokes all sorts of emotions from the beginning of the story, sadness, hope, wit, longing, then sadness and finally love for Lydia and Sinclair.
It ended with two lovers racing through an orchard, one climbing up a tree and a satin slipper falling through the branches to hit a gentleman in love on the shoulder.
Really enjoyed the characterization!
Loved the book!!
A matter of time
A kiss from a stranger in the garden during a ball, changes the life of a young lady unhappy during her first season in London. No names are exchanged, but it doesn’t stop Lydia from looking for him for the rest of the season. Four years later, Lydia lives her life as a governess abstaining from thoughts of marriage. Only one man would she marry, but that’s in the past, until she shows up for a new position and the father of the little boy is the man she’s never forgotten.
A lot of obstacles and pain confront them and no hope of being together. Is it bad to wish things were different? A great read for an afternoon.
I can understand how it is not to fit in with the “norm,” so I felt for Lydia when she met a man who took over her soul in mere minutes and then disappeared. He understood who she was in such a short amount of time, and still thought she was beautiful and worthy. No one else would be enough…and then they meet again in different circumstances. It’s a little painful knowing he’s out of reach and that he wants her just as badly. I love reading this type of romance.