From spirited young woman to reckless widow, the beautiful Marchioness of Hadley remains a force to be reckoned with. But beneath her antics lies a broken heart . . .Since her husband’s tragic death, Lady Charlotte Hadley has embarked on a path of careless behavior and dangerous hijinks from which no one can divert her . . . until suddenly, her first—and only—true love reenters her world. Their … reenters her world. Their fiery romance was so scandalous Charlotte had no choice but to marry another, more suitable man. Surely now they are both free to pick up where they left off . . .
Julian West has returned to London a hero after making a name for himself in battle at Waterloo. Every woman is vying for his attention—except the one who stole his heart. No matter, Julian has other obligations. But when Charlotte’s sister, Eleanor, charges him with protecting the widow from ruin, what ensues is another kind of battle—one that leads a chase from London’s bars and brothels to the finest country estate as Julian and Charlotte untangle a host of secrets, regrets, and misunderstandings. For could it be that the love they’ve forced themselves to forget is exactly what they need to remember? . . .
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Even though this is a good read it’s sad. Lady Eleanor left a lot of questions about Julian &Charlotte to the readers imagination. I just never imagined this. No spoiler but grab a hankie. Parts are hard to read or just maddening but keep going, you’ll be glad you did. I was lucky enough to be given this book by Anna Bradley and I couldn’t be more grateful. It was a very nice gesture & much appreciated.
Keep reading! The goal is a happy ending for everyone, most of all for us!
I’d really give it 3.5 stars –
What an emotionally wrenching ride to reach a Happily Ever After! Toward the end of the first book in the series, Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor, you got an inkling of the issues that permeate this book. There are multiple issues but you could discern them from the first book’s story. This book deals with the aftermath and reactions of each of the main characters. You really do need to read the first book in order to gain a full appreciation for and understanding of this story. I liked these characters in the first book but somehow couldn’t come to like or be invested in them in this one. They are broken individuals and remain that way through the majority of the book – well, maybe the whole book except for perhaps the epilogue. There is a lot of melodrama.
Recap from the first book: Charlotte Sutherland was madly, deeply, passionately in love with Julian West. They had an intimate relationship until she overheard something that made her believe that he had pursued her only because it made things easier for his cousin Cam to pursue her sister. That is true, to a point. Julian did start pursuing her for that reason, but he came to love her as much as she loved him. When she announces her engagement to another man, Julian heads off to war.
A year later Julian returns from the war, except he isn’t the same Julian who left. That Julian was joyous, happy, humorous and loved life. This Julius is hard and joyless. This Julius is Captain West.
Charlotte is leading a frenetic life in London. She is courting scandal at every turn and each thing she does is more outrageous than the last. She hates to be alone. As you read the book, you’ll find out the reasons for this.
There is a new character introduced in this book and I really liked him. His name is Devon and he is an Earl. He knew all of Charlotte’s secrets and pains and helped her deal with them – he also wanted to marry her. He will be the hero in the next book and that one looks like it will be a good one. Maybe not quite so dark and angsty.
I find this review a bit hard to write without including spoilers – which I won’t do. I have a number of concerns and questions around the book and the plot and the characters, but they all hinge on those spoilers as well. The bottom line is that I liked both of these characters in the first book and was disappointed in them in this book. I did enjoy the story but don’t pick it up looking for a lighthearted, happy read because you won’t find it here.
“I requested and received this e-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.”
“There’s no such thing as bad luck, Captain. Only justice.” ~~Charlotte
The above statement is the theme of this book. It’s dark, filled with angst, made me cry, had me yelling at the characters…it just brought out a plethora of emotions. I love it when a book does that.
First off, I need to advise that the first book in the series should be read before reading this one (Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor). I think it would give the reader of this book a greater appreciation for Julian and how he is compared to how he was. This guy has been through hell. He’s heralded as a hero in London when he returns from the war, but he is so broken. It tore my heart out. He drinks too much, dreams vivid dreams to the point where he won’t lie down to sleep. He sleeps in a chair, often in Cam’s study. He carries around a broken pocket watch that was his best friend’s who died on the battlefield. He’s not the whimsical fun rake he once was and everybody knows it. Cam, his cousin, is the only one who has the guts to point it out to him. Julian is riddled with guilt and it’s eating him alive.
Charlotte, oh my goodness, sweet Charlotte. What a turn around she did from the first book, too. In the first book, she’s an incurable flirt, had a lot of fun, and was the life of the party. She’s now a widow and running around with three other wicked widows, going to whorehouses, gaming hells, smoking cheroots, and just being an all-around bad girl and having fun with it all. Superficially. But it’s enough to worry Eleanor and Cam, the latter who puts Julian to following her around to make sure she doesn’t get hurt and to persuade her to go with Ellie and him to their country home. Charlotte isn’t having any of that. She’s got her friends to keep her company and that’s all she needs.
But what happens when two former lovers are forced together? Lovers who have a deep past? Lovers who have lost everything? Lovers who still love each other, but can’t make a go of it? Lovers who deny they’re still in love? Lovers who are so consumed in their own guilt and pain that it overtakes every aspect of their lives? It turns me into a blubbering mess, that’s what. Charlotte wept. Julian wept. I wept. It was so heartbreaking and I was so caught up in it, there was no coming back.
We do get our happily ever after, but it’s a tumultuous trip to get there. Julian is so mean to Charlotte. She fights back, but she’s so subtle and demure, it was barely noticeable. But it was there. She made her point every time. Julian knows he’s an ass to her and feels bad about it, but he’s so tormented that he can’t seem to help himself.
I absolutely adored this book. I thought Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor was a great book–and it was–but this one was over the top! There was so much tension, so many feels, more steam than the first book, and love conquered all. It doesn’t get much better than this.
I would give this book ten stars if I could.
4.5 stars
Lady Charlotte Hadley is a scandalous widow who hides behind her careless behaviour and dangerous hijinks. Julian West has returned to London a hero after making a name for himself in battle at Waterloo. Every woman is vying for his attention except the one who stole his heart. Then Charlotte’s sister, Ellie, charges him with protecting the widow from ruin, what ensues is another kind of battle, one that leads a chase from London’s gambling dens and brothels to Charlotte’s country estate as Julian and Charlotte untangle a host of secrets, regrets, and misunderstandings.
If you’re looking for a light frothy read then this book isn’t for you. It’s a dark but page turning, gut wrenching read, Julian & Charlotte are both fighting their own devils but they can save each other if only they can learn to trust. The characterisation is so very, very good & their anguish draws you to tears, their verbal sparring is so often hurtful but despite everything they are drawn to each other. This is the second book in the series & whilst it could be read as a stand alone book to really appreciate it I’d recommend reading Eleanor’s story where Julian & Charlotte first met & fell in love as two carefree young people, it will give some understanding as to why & how they have changed so much in a year. It was a long road filled with poignancy & anguish for them to find their HEA
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Lady Charlotte’s First Love by Anna Bradley
The Sutherland Sisters #2
Charlotte and Julian parted on bad terms at the end of the first book in this series and I looked forward to finding out what would become of them. I was sad to read they had both gone through rough times while apart with Julian at Waterloo and losing a good friend and Charlotte married to a man she could not love. When they meet again they may still care for one another but all they seem to do is hurt rather than help when together. Julian says vicious things and Charlotte isn’t much better. I liked Devon, another person that showed interest in Charlotte, but as she never loved him and had lived in a marriage without love understood why she was not sure she could marry and be happy with him. As with most stories of this genre there is eventually a HEA ending but the two will only be happy if they are open and honest with one another…and give up their anger and pain and meanness going forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – this is my honest review.
3-4 Stars