In this fairy tale Regency romance by USA Today bestselling and HOLT Medallion winning author BREE WOLF, a star-crossed couple finds that sometimes Fate needs a helping hand.A forgotten love.A twist of fate.And a second chance at a happily-ever-after.After being swept out to sea, Nessa Barrett, Countess of Wentford, is nursed back to health at an abbey. While her body heals quickly, her mind … While her body heals quickly, her mind remains lost to her. Without even the knowledge of her own name, she has nothing and no one to return to.
Three years pass and Martha−as the nuns name her−settles into her new life…until one day a man shows up on the abbey’s doorstep, claiming that she is his long-lost wife.
Grant Barrett, Earl of Wentford, has followed countless leads searching for his wife and, yet, he’d never allowed himself to believe that he would ever find her alive. And then after three years, he sets foot into a remote abbey and his heart reawakens.
Overwhelmed, Grant is shocked to learn that his wife remembers neither him nor herself. Still, after finding his other half a second time, Grant is unwilling to ever let Nessa go again.
What will it take to conquer her heart once more, to make her fall in love with him all over again?
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Wonderfully written. Loved the story and the characters of Nessa and Grant. Looking forward to reading the next book about Eugene and Adrian.
Trust your heart, it always remembers
Three years gone. Lost forever to the black darkness of a blank memory. No point of reference and no touchstone. No standard by which to evaluate the present against the past. The past is gone. Still, life moves forward and so must Nessa.
How to Wake a Sleeping Lady may sound like the remake of a fairy tale, but it is so much more. It is a story of lost love that is found again. The story of a love that neither death nor time can erase. Ultimately it is the story of family.
Bree Wolf has written a beautiful love story with vibrant characters and an achingly sensual recovery of (almost) lost relationships. I could not stop reading this engrossing tale until the end of the smile-worthy epilogue.
Content 411: This is a sweetly tender read that is free of swearing and sex. It is appropriate for readers of all ages.
Just a wonderful story of love and devotion and heartbreak! A strong female who is older is able to have a great love story. Characters were very real. Best book I’ve read this week.
Agnes Bottombrook, goodness her name was dreadful. She was at yet another ball where people whispered about the poor old spinster standing in the corner. She was only 29 but her “good” years were apparently behind her. When a handsome, younger, noble man stole a glance her direction, she thought for sure he was partaking in a wager of some sort. Why on earth would someone so young and titled, be interested in her?
Grant felt an immediate connection to his “Nessa”, as he came to call Agnes. She just wouldn’t believe him. After proposing more than a dozen times she finally accepted and they started a new life together. Their family started to grow but 4 years ago it drastically changed. Then 1 year later it was forever altered by Nessa’s death. If it wasn’t for their daughter Milly, he would follow his beloved Nessa to the grave.
“Martha” has no memory of how she ended up at the Abbey 3 years ago now, and no one has every so much as recognized her. Maybe she has no family to speak of and will be on her own from now on. One day a man stops by on his way through and looks at her like he’s seen a ghost. He will send word back to a man whose wife went missing to see if she is that woman.
Grant’s father in law has never given up hope that Nessa is alive and well out in the world somewhere. Though why she wouldn’t come home, if she was, is a mystery to all who knew her. Upon seeing his presumed dead wife again, Grant will never let her go again. The only problem being, his new wife and what to do about her?
Grant and Nessa embark on a second chance love affair, where together they forge new memories while trying to draw her previous memories out. If not for his ignorant mother, who never thought Nessa was worthy of this love, theirs would be a perfect life. When Nessa finds out about Grant’s second wife, she wants to meet the woman who stole her husbands heart. Only to find out that he never lost his heart to her at all. But Nessa is happy to know that her new station in life is bringing her happiness, albeit slowly.
Nessa’s memories return with a vengeance during an unplanned stop on their travels back home. She now knows who was responsible for her accident and can’t believe it. Telling Grant and confronting the party together is how they have handled their relationship in the past. It strengthens their bond once more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. Once again, the author takes me on a whimsical journey in a time and place not unlike the current but with the fantasy air of days gone by. I love delving back into time to get a feel for how lives were led and affected in past centuries and countries. 4 ½ stars for my latest read.
A thoroughly engrossing story about a man, whose wife goes missing for three years. Lord Grant and Lady Agnes were an unusual couple, but a true love match, when after just a few years of marriage, Agnes, or “Nessa”, disappeared without any trace. Grant is left , along with their young daughter, to search for his missing wife and to grieve his loss. He eventually gives up the pursuit and remarries so his daughter can have a mother.
Nessa’s father continues to write letters, talk to people, and hunt for information for a few years until quite by chance, she is found. She is brought home, but has no memory of who she was prior to her being located, as she has some form of amnesia.
The plot involves a bit of intrigue, more than one conflict, and the characters are interesting. I enjoyed it, and hope to read the next as I am looking forward to what happens to the woman Lord Grant married. I am so hoping Eugenie will have her story told!
Although this is a stand alone, I believe it’s the first of a series and if the rest are as good as this one, I can’t wait….
This is a sweet and clean romance with engaging characters and just enough angst to make the happy ending really satisfying!
A interesting story with our heroine “Nessa” who had global amnesia after an accident, in which she was washed out to sea before being rescued. She spent 3 years in an Abbey with the amnesia continuing. How her disappearance, then reappearance, affected her husband and daughter, as well as solving the mysteries that surface along the way, make for an interesting story that I could not put down!
Unique storyline, likable H & h, and a HEA in a clean Regency Romance readers of all ages will enjoy.
A dramatic Regency romance, this novel is well written, suspenseful and emotive. Even though Grant, Earl of Wentford, has moved on with his life, he lives under a cloud of pain and sorrow due to the loss of his beloved wife. When news arrives that there is a chance that she might be alive, Grant follows up on the lead, only to discover that the lady without any recall of the past, is indeed his wife. Unfortunately, finding Nessa comes with a host of complication, not the least of which is what to do about his now bigamous marriage and his new wife’s unborn child. Bringing Nessa home is fraught with complications as Nessa battles to find her way and deal with a total blackout of her past. She is faced with a barrage of impressions as she reconnects with her beloved father, her beautiful daughter, and her ominous mother-in-law. Unraveling the past brings a new perspective and as treachery is discovered within their own circle, it drives Grant and Nessa to dig deeper into the mystery. The story hints at growing feelings between Grant and Nessa as she falls in love with her husband again, but it remains clean without unnecessary bedroom scenes or bad language. It is a tale of tragic events and the pain of the main characters is drawn out on the pages of the book, leaving one despairing of them ever truly finding each other again. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
If I do remember well, this is my second read of Mrs Bree Wolf’s work.
I can only say she is a great writer, with emotional characters facing harsh circumstances.
This book is a retelling of The Sleeping Beauty with a twist. Instead of sleeping for decades and venturing in a new world, the heroine lost her memory, she can’t recall who she is nor her family. Found after three years thought dead, she has to create a new path for herself in these unknown kinsfolks.
I do understand the devastation both parties felt and the difficulties they face to rekindle. But I would have loved to see Nessa’s spirit closer to her younger self, full of quips and wits.
Here, she was more a woman graving her obscur past than one willing to regain her place among her kin.
Sure with time, she is able to feel love again and fight for a future with her husband.
Still, her distrust for her husband upset me. Sure he made mistakes trying to spare her feelings but at no time did he wronged her. She should have gave him more credits and trust him more easily.
Grant is like a lovebird, one and only one woman was his destiny, so when life robbed her from him, it was like he continued living as an empty shell, only kept alive because of his daughter’s love.
I do know he did the right thing when he tried to find an answer to his new wife’s predicament as their marriage being declared void would bring only ruin in her life but exchanging her from one marriage bed to another felt so wrong.
I do know he remarried to give a mother to his orphan daughter but with no body to attest of her death, why to hurry, it had only been two years when he went back to the altar.
He is also too kind, unable to see his mother for the dark soul she is. Her bitterness taints everything around her, even putting a shadow over Nessa’s return.
In all it was a heartbreaking tale of second chance when two persons have to learn again to love, and let the past go in the hope of a new future together.
“Why was he looking at her? Was he looking at her?” Agnes could not figure out why Grant,Lord Wentworth was looking at her from across the ballroom. She was decidedly on the shelf at eight and twenty, had no dowry and not much to recommend her. “In addition she possessed one of the most unfortunate names to ever reach ears. Agnes Bottombrook. Could it get any worse?” Then he made his way to her and asked her to dance. Agnes could not believe it and only tried to push him away, but in the end he convinced her he was serious and asked her to marry him! Love at first sight or at least first notice on his part. sigh…
Then fast forward to several years later and the real story begins! Everyone thought Agnes had died but she had actually been swept out to sea and when rescured, she ended up in an Abbey. No memory. Could you imagine? She settles into life there but does not regain her memory.
But what would happen if she was found and learns of her marraige and child? I loved this story so much. The first few pages drew me in and I could not wait to read more.
Bree Wolf, with her brilliant writing, has started an amazing series with a wonderful premise of a loose take on Sleeping Beauty which I adore. Engaging, mysterious, a love that endures and a few twist and turns not expected. I cannot not wait to read the rest of this series!
Miss Agnes Bottombrook can’t believe that such a handsome young man would even look at her. She has nothing to attract such a man. She’s older than him with no dowry and too opinionated.
Grant Barrett, the Earl of Wentford knew who he wanted for his wife as soon as he set eyes on her.
Their world will get turned upside down several times. Many people will be affected by the actions of another, and suffer years of unhappiness. Can they ever get that loving family life they want or is it lost forever??
I must admit although I guessed the villian I didn’t expect the way it would play out.
A very unusual, entertaing and sweet historical romance with fabulous characters.
5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel How to Wake a Sleeping Lady (# 1 Happy Ever Regency Series) By Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
An emotional start to the series. Hope, faith and unending love are combined with a twisted plot of hatred and social snobbery in this poignant story containing interesting characters, humor, intrigue, a precocious little girl and a happy ending.
Just after Grant Barrett, Earl of Wentford accepts that he will never again see his first wife Nessa, who was lost in a carriage accident three years ago, he marries Eugenie only to find the amnesiac Nessa in a monastery.
HAPPY EVER REGENCY SERIES books 1-6
1. Book 1: How to Wake a Sleeping Lady: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel How to Wake a Sleeping Lady (# 1 Happy Ever Regency Series) By Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
An emotional start to the series. Hope, faith, and unending love are combined with a twisted plot of hatred and social snobbery in this poignant story containing interesting characters, humor, intrigue, a precocious little girl, and a happy ending.
Just after Grant Barrett, Earl of Wentford accepts that he will never again see his first wife Nessa, who was lost in a carriage accident three years ago, he marries Eugenie only to find the amnesiac Nessa in a monastery.
2. Book 2: How to Tame a Beastly Lord: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the historical romance novel How to Tame a Beastly Lord (# 2 Happy Ever Regency Series) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
A dramatic, ironic, and poignant holiday story of forgiveness, redemption, loyalty, love and revenge. A moment of indiscretion, the sacrifice of a friend, a marriage of convenience, and a family curse.
When Lord Wentford learns his first wife is still alive, the now pregnant Lady Eugenie must leave the family she has learned to love and marry the reclusive “Beast of Ravengrove” aka battle-scarred Adrian Brooks, 9th Earl of Remsemere.
3. .Book 3: How to Climb a Lady’s Tower: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical romance How to Climb a Lady’s Tower: Happy Ever Regency Series book(# 3) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
A complex and ironic mix of humor and intrigue with a time frame that overlaps part of the previous book revisiting Rebecca’s trip to her school friend Eugenie at Ravengrove and contains the ” by chance” and at times awkward meetings between Rebecca and Zach. Bored with her quiet life and controlling uncle, Miss Rebecca Hawkins with the aid of her seemingly mousy cousin Caroline challenge rules and seek excitement while portraying models of the convention until the arrival of the new Earl of Pembroke, American Zachary Caswell and his mysterious friend Lord Markham the Black Baron give them hope.
4. Book 4: How to Steal a Thief’s Heart:5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel How to Steal a Thief’s Heart (Happy Ever Regency Book 4): Pierce and Caroline by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
A strange courtship of not-so-chance meetings occurring roughly over a year’s time and a two-year-old murder mystery which follows the same time frame as Caroline’s cousin Rebecca’s story, How to Climb a Lady’s Tower.
A few surprises are interspersed between the entwined stories of Lady Caroline and her cousin Lady Rebecca’s sneaky schemes to avoid arranged marriages and, Lord Markham, Pierce Byrne’s dual personalities of day time parental Lord and night time masked “Robinhood” as they search for truth, justice, help the unfortunate, and finally find love.
Devoted to the children at her orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins remains virtually unnoticed behind a dowdy image until a chance observation at a ball by Baron Pierce Marham peaks both his interest and protective instincts.
5. Book 5: How to Turn A Frog Into A Prince: 4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel Happy Ever Regency Series Book 5: How to Turn A Frog Into A Prince: Nathanial and Charlaine by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Complex with multiple romances this second chance at love story features two wildly different foreigners, the optimistic and mischievous orphaned Jamaican Charlaine and the heartbroken, introverted and regimental American Iron Furnace magnet Nathanial Caswell, who become friends despite their differences but almost lose each other when trust and loyalty are questioned.
Best if read in sequence. Good on its own but, as it features Lord Zach Pembroke and Zach’s twin brother Nathanial Caswell as well as the same time frame as book 4, there is a significant amount of recap in the first third of the book.
6. Book 6: How to Return a Lady’s Slipper:4 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical romance novel How to Return a Lady’s Slipper: Happy Ever Regency book 6 by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing, complex and tension-filled story with vivid descriptions, two romances with hints at a third, realistic character including the couples from prior sequels, some violence, the triumph of good over evil, and a happy ending.
Single mother Miss Emma Glass seeking help for her seriously ill two-year-old daughter Susan finds security as the governess of Pierce Byrne, The Black Baron aka Lord Markham, and his wife Caroline’s young ward Daphne only to have that security challenged when his distinguished detective friend Hugh Lawrence, Duke of Ashhaven, returns from the continent to solve the murder of Daphne’s parents which opens up bad memories, threatens Emma’s sense of security and unearths a deeper darker plot involving Susan’s father, Horace Aldrich, Earl of Amhurst.
7. Book 7: Really book 0 the prequel: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical romance novella How to Live Happily Ever After The series Prologue (Happy Ever Regency Series Book 7) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Oh, the tender but persistent pursuit! A fast-paced love at first sight romance where the Earl finds his happily ever after in an overlooked gem and despite ruthless parental manipulation and expectations.
An intense attraction results in an awkward first meeting, disbelief, and a determined quest when Grant Barrett, Earl of Wentford professes his intentions moments after meeting the outspoken and skeptical spinster Agnes “Nessa” Bottombrook.
Formulaic and melodramatic. . I’ve deleted this author from my list. A waste of time
I loved Anne & Calum! From the beginning and throughout their characters are consistent and they both learn to see things from the others side and I loved how they truly cared for each other. I was ad when the story ended and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. The villain in this one was truly awful and more so because there really were hateful men like him. I love a good Bree Wolf tale!
Easy read with a nice plot twist. A few historical/Regency era mistakes but not enough to seriously distract from the sweet story.
Nessa Barrett, Countess of Wentford, could remember nothing. Her name, where she was from, all she had was a terrible blackness in her memory. Her body heals from the wounds from being thrown into the sea and rescued by a fisherman. She remains at an abbey where she heals and is tended too. But her mind remains blank. Grant Barret, Earl of Wentford and Nessa’s father search for her constantly hoping too to find the smallest lead. But they find nothing. Finally, a friend of her fathers. write to tell them of a mysterious lady that is living at the abbey. But no one knows her name or where she came from. Mystery surrounds this women and Grant journeys to discover that she is his wife. Bree Wolf has written a wonderful mystery surrounding, this family, full of discovery, romance and an evil villain. What a page tuner this turned out to be. I cannot wait until the next adventure is written.