Read Book 2 in the bestselling The Unconventional Ladies series!With all that stands against them, are they willing to risk everything for their forbidden love?Lady Julia Stone has everything a woman could ask for — parents who love one another as much as they do her, the ability to live her dreams by managing her own racehorse, and now, a duke who is interested in capturing her affections. So … in capturing her affections. So why does she feel unsatisfied?
Why can she not let go of her past love for another man?
Growing up the son of a maid and a groom, Eddie Francis knows how fortunate he is to have achieved his ambitions of becoming a jockey renowned throughout England. But a past secret and a current accusation against his character have him loathing the very nobles he works for, and questioning all he knows to be true.
Everything changes during one fateful race on a Newmarket racetrack, when Julia makes an impromptu decision to disguise herself as a jockey and takes the reins herself. When she is discovered by none other than Eddie Francis, the man she once loved, she must put her trust in him to keep her secret and help her find victory.
With all that stands against them, are Julia and Eddie willing to risk everything for their forbidden love?
The Unconventional Ladies series:
Lady of Mystery
Lady of Fortune
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This story had everything that I crave in an Ellie St. Clair romance: An humble, yet swoon-worthy, leading man, a feisty and unique leading lady, deception, intrigue, scandalous secrets and forbidden love. I hated to see the book end!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Lady Julia Stone has inherited her love of horses and horse racing from her father. As a young lady she also had another reason for hanging around the stables, one that her father would not have been so happy about. A few years on and she has been given control of one of her father’s horses. There is a big race coming up.
Eddie Francis has moved on from being a groom in the stables of the Lord his father worked for. He is now a very well thought of jockey. He can’t help himself from helping a friend train for a race.
An exciting and fun story where our characters share a mutual love of racing. Neither of them are typical of the era, but both are fascinating.
This is part of a series but can easily be read on it’s own.
I think I spotted who will be in the next book and look forward to reading it.
I really enjoyed the story based around horse racing and the characters were very likable. I don’t remember reading a historical romance book with a main plot based around horse racing & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have loved/owned horses all my life & I know that special bond that can be built between horse & rider. Ellie takes you in to the good & bad side of horse racing but does such a great job describing it; you feel you are in the barns with the horses/grooms/jockeys & owners with the smell of hay all around you.
Lady Julia Stone has grown up in a privileged household with an Earl for a father, parents who have always loved one another & never wanting of anything; but there was something missing – her dreams of freedom to own, ride her own racehorse. She also has loved the groom who worked for her father since she was 14 yrs.old. He left 8 years ago but she has never forgotten him or been tempted by any other gentleman.
Eddie Francis grew up with a groom & maid for parents & was trained to be a groom as he got older but he always dreamed of becoming a jockey. He leaves the Earl’s employment to follow his dreams & in eight years he has made a name for himself as one of England’s best jockeys.
Julia & Eddie are reunited at a yearly horse race & even after 8 yrs. they find ease of conversation & sparks begin to fly. They have many obstacles to climb – mystery, danger, 2 different stations, love, romance, heartache & heartbreak. I was gifted this ARC and have chosen to give you my recommendation for this romantic tale that Ellie has conjured up for our enjoyment.
I really enjoy this series. I’ve read them out of order and is a stand alone.
There is a lot of talk about horse racing and training. I understand what the author was doing but it was dragged at times.
Isn’t the cover glorious? Love all her covers they just pull you in before you start reading. I enjoy how we meet them 8 years earlier when she was 14 and he is 18. I am such a sucker when we see them before they know about life.
There is a villain and your heart will break for the H. He is loyal and honest and has to wonder what his life will be like if he can’t make a living. He doesn’t feel he is worthy of the h because they are from different classes and he can’t give her the life he knows she is use too. But, our h is a unique person. She is quick on her feet and goes after what she wants. I found her spirited, loving and a kind hearted person. They were a good fit!
There is lovemaking within marriage with heat level 2.5.
We have no cheating, no cliffhanger , HEA, romance and a tad of spice. This is a great series, wonderful author and story. (lib)
This is a fantastic read. Lady Julia Stone has everything she could ever want. Eddie Francis knows how fortunate he is to be a renouned Jockey of England. But are these to ment to be with one another. Will they reveal there feelings. This is a fantastic story that is Wonderfully told. The Author has brought the Characters out to where you could tell what there emotions are. I highly recommend this read.
Shauna Joesten
Another wonderful story from a Ellie St Clair. Lady Julia Stone has loved Eddie, her father’s previous groom for eight years. He taught her to ride when she was in her teens and she never forgot him.
Now in Newmarket to race her favourite horse, Lady Julia takes her jockey’s place when he is found drunk just before the race. Eddie finds out after the race and agrees to help her train for the big race, the two thousand guineas cup. The story flows with many dips and climbs. Different stories within keep you engrossed and engaged. Loved this for its difference. Really enjoyable!
I received an ARC copy.
Lady Julia has grown up the youngest child and only daughter of an Earl who dotes upon her. She shares a love of horses and racing with her father. She has also had feelings for her father’s groom since the tender age of fourteen. That groom, Eddie Francis, has left her father’s employ a few years ago and become a well known jockey. The two become reacquainted as Lady Julia wishes to race her beloved horse in an upcoming race and needs a bit of assistance.
This is the second in a series of stories about unconventional young women of their day, and it’s great! The story has a romance that involves a conflict, emotion, and a plot that includes some interesting twists. The characters are interesting and there is some foreshadowing involving two in particular that I sincerely hope have a story of their own.
I highly recommend this book as a romance with a strong female and a thoroughly entertaining story.
A delightful story of a love across class lines that blooms regardless of the current strictures. Julia had grown up riding. Her father was an Earl and breed and raced horses. When she was 14, she stayed in the company of their groom Eddie, who was 4 years older and had been with them forever as his father before them. Even at her young age she had strong feelings for him, but then he left to pursue his dreams and she was heartbroken.
Fast forward eight years. Julia was in her third season and had not found a man she loved. But she had a magnificent horse that she was racing soon and her father only encouraged her. The who should come back into her life, but Eddie!
This story just warmed my heart and delving into the world of horse racing was so amazing because I love horses myself! Ellie St. Clair does a magnificent job of her descriptions and characters that make the story come alive! Can these two defy their upbringing and truly be together? Take a ride with Julia and Eddie and see what happens!
This story is unusual and well written. Julia is an independent woman and knows her own heart. She is adventurous and daring. Her heart belongs to the her former groom and trainer, now a jockey on the Newmarket circuit. This story has a few surprises around a few corners and a Duke that you think is courting her.
I just love stories with strong, stubborn ladies and the men they fall in love with. Even if the men are all wrong for them and the ladies need to prove otherwise. I like how Julia took the reins after her jockey failed to show up for the race. Also how she talked Eddie into teaching her how to jockey a horse. Falling in love should be easy but Julia is a lady and Eddie is just a jockey with no title.
What an exciting adventure of unrequited love turning into true abiding love. Julia’s character is so sincere and honest. She knows what she wants and what is important to her. And she knows she is in love with Eddie. Eddie on the other hand is an honest, happy jovial man. He falls in love with Julia only to turn her away because of their class divide. He is the son of a groom and maid. His occupation is that of a horse jockey. The love of horses brings Julia and Eddie together. Julia embarks on a once in a lifetime true adventure and with Eddie’s help she finds her dreams come true. This is truly a wonderful read and I do recommend it.
A fantastic story, full of challenges, surprises and horses’ race.
Lady Julia, a stubborn young lady, that love race and… a man not of her standing…
A duke interesting in her… and an honorable man, very expert in horse…
Surprises at every turn… that will kept you reading until the end…
Good story set in the horse racing world. Lots of angst, plus a mystery to solve. I received an ARC of this book.
Lady Julia Stone grew up in a loving society home, with great brothers and the stable master’s son, to play with as a young child. After her brothers went to university, the only one left was Eddie, from the stables, and they enjoyed riding together. Eddie even taught her how to ride astride, which was unheard of for a lady. Julia’s father raised race horses and the desire was in Julia’s blood, too. After Eddie left for a better paying position as a jockey, Julia still was deeply interested in the horses. Her father finally gave her a filly, Orianna, which, she trained for the race track. Things were going fine, until the jockey they hired for the race, was found sleeping off too much to drink. But what is a woman to do but pretend to be a jockey and ride the horse herself. Discovered, by Eddie, they soon reform a friendship that deepens into something more. Ellie St. Clair has given us a look into a society that would shun Julia and laces it with mystery and of course, a wonderful love story.
Lady Julia Stone has everything a woman could ask for , daughter of an earl, parents who love one another as much as they do her, the ability to live her dreams by managing her own racehorse, and now, a duke who is interested in capturing her affections. Growing up the son of a maid and a groom, Eddie Francis knows how fortunate he is to have achieved his ambitions of becoming a jockey renowned throughout England.
Everything changes during one fateful race on a Newmarket racetrack, when Julia makes an impromptu decision to disguise herself as a jockey and takes the reins of Oriana herself. She’s discovered by none other than Eddie Francis, the man she’s loved for the past eight years.
A lovely read of love across the social classes, it isn’t one of my favourite tropes but it worked so well this time. There was also the added interest of the world of horse racing & the skulduggery that was part & parcel of that world. The story flowed effortlessly, whilst this is the second book in the series it could well be read on its own, Phoebe from the first book makes the odd appearance, which was the icing on the cake. There were also teasers for, hopefully, a story to come as the history between a certain couple definitely needs investigating! The characters had plenty of depth & I loved Eddie who didn’t think he was good enough & the lovely Julia who was willing to give up everything for love.An enthralling, captivating read.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A tale of rank and privilege, a stubborn woman who wanted to race horses, the jockey who loved her, helping to grant her wish, a deception at the racetrack and loving parents bring together this wonderful story
This is a sweet enjoyable story about love and caring between Eddie and Julia who form a bond with each other over their love of horses and racing. The problem arises because they are from two different classes. But Julia has loved Eddie since she was young and he worked for her family and she is not going to let the difference between their class stop her from being with him.
Ellie St. Clair writes such a nice story you will not know where the time has gone. You will really enjoy this book, like you enjoy all of Ellie St. Clair books.