A ruthless tycoon
Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better . . .
A sheltered beauty
Helen has had little contact with the … beauty
Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys’s determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen’s gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhys’s enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkable . . . the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss. And it all begins with…
Marrying Mr. Winterborne
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!
In the first book, Rhys was the one that most aroused my curiosity, I wanted very much to know what his story would be, and I can say that I was happy with the result. Helen and Winterborne were meant for each other.
Continuing where the first book ended, after Kathleen’s interference that resulted in the end of the engagement, Helen gets tired of having her life decided by others and has no voice, and decides to go after Winterborne to clear up the misunderstanding and ask him to return the engagement. He, who did not agree with the end of the commitment, and although he did not admit it, was hurt because he liked her, he thinks she did not accept because he was inferior to her, and when he came face to face with her, he was rude and mistreatment her, thinking that she wants a monetary compensation for the period that they were compromised. It goes without saying that this meeting is not pleasant.
Rhys is used to people always wanting something from him, and when confronted with Helen, who is good, innocent and selfless, he can not see that everything that happened before was the result of innocence, lack of information for the reclusive way she was raised. After the clash of the two, where all truth is said, he agrees to return the engagement, with one condition: he wants a guarantee that she will not run away again.
And so Helen ends up giving herself to the seducer who stole her heart without realizing it. After this step where there is no turning back, the marriage between the two is the only solution. With all right, the date set, the family agreed, the preparations being made, was to be expected that the happy ending would be close. If it were not for a small detail. Helen discovers a secret that will put her relationship with Rhys in danger.
Despite this twist and a certain tension in some moments, the whole book is centered in their relationship. Unlike the other books that follow basically the same formula: the couple knows each other, they have a secret and in the end they are together, here from the beginning the two are together, and in the course of the book the reader follows more of the story of the two.
Winterborne gained my attention in the first book and won my heart now. The hard-working man who worked hard to build an empire and wanted a bride of noble blood to finally have money and power, which was what he lacked, gives up all this for Helen, for the love of this simple and shy girl. The moments that he speaks to her in Welsh are able to melt hearts and bring tears. The gift for her, the greenhouse on the roof, only confirm how special he is.
Helen has always been neglected. Her mother never loved her, her father did not care because she was a woman, her brother was selfish, and in the midst of so many strong opinions and personalities, she was always nullifying herself to avoid conflict. The only form of love she had was her sisters. Her commitment to Rhys at first was a way for her to have her own autonomy, to live a life for herself, but little by little she fell in love with this man with so many layers.
The great secret when it finally revealed, there was no trouble, there was no misunderstand, Rhys takes satisfactions, hears her side, supports her and helps her. Lisa Kleypas once again delivers a brilliant book with a passionate couple, a love story to sigh and holds the reader, who will look forward to the next volume.
So far, Rhys is my favorite historical Hero. I’ve enjoyed this series and Rhys is so compelling. If you love rough-around-the-edges type who’s unsentimental but entirely captivated by the heroine, this one’ll get ya.
I liked this novel. It was a sweet typical romance in my opinion. Mr. Winterbourne was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks that became wealthy and Helen is the rich girl that falls in love with that guy from the wrong side of the tracks. This is an interesting read and I enjoyed the development of the characters.
Terrific read!
The second book is just as good as the first in the series. It’s great reading a series in order. The characters have already been introduced and their book just expands their personalities.
Another storytelling triumph by Lisa Kleypas! I’ve been eagerly awaiting Helen and Rhys’s story, since finishing Cold-Hearted Rake, and as usual, Ms. Kleypas did not disappoint. Rhys is a bigger than life Welshman who has amassed a fortune, despite starting from humble beginnings as the son of a shopkeeper, and along the way he’s managed to keep some ethics and the vision to enable others in realizing their dreams as well. Lady Helen Ravenel, soft spoken, ethereal looking, and a novice to society, would seem an unlikely match for Rhys Winterborne, but don’t tell her that. She’s a little afraid of the feelings aroused in her by Mr. Winterborne’s entrance to her life, but she’s more afraid of any life for her that doesn’t include him. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue and sensual interaction between these two unforgettable characters, and Rhys is now on my list of favorite male characters created by Ms. Kleypas, right along with the wickedly tempting Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent in The Devil in Winter, and the dark and dangerous Derek Craven in Dreaming of You.