“Lush, beautifully written, and deeply romantic, My Darling Duke will sweep you off your feet. My heart was lost to this couple from the very start.” —Amalie Howard, author of The Beast of Beswick Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, … family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan…
She’ll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. No one has heard from the duke in years. Surely he’ll never find out before her sisters’ weddings, and she can go back to her own quiet life.
Soon, though, everything is out of control. At first, it’s just a few new ball gowns on the duke’s accounts. Then, it’s interviews with reporters eager for gossip. Before she knows it, Katherine has transformed herself into Kitty Danvers, charming and clever belle of the ton—with everyone eager to meet her thankfully absent fiancé.
But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives in the city, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected…
Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess
more
Series: Sinful Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 12/31/19
I finished reading this book yesterday and it has been on my mind all day today. It is a wonderful book filled with wit, humor, and hope – so much hope. We have a truly traumatized and damaged hero and I absolutely loved how this author handled him, his injuries, his spirit, and his bleak outlook on his future. This could have been one of those dark, intense, angsty books that I hate, but it wasn’t that way at all. I’m not usually a huge fan of the retelling of fairy tales, but this Beauty and the Beast retelling was almost magical. This is my first book by this author, but I can assure you I will give her books another try.
Katherine Danvers, her mother, and her sisters (Anna, Henrietta, and Judith) are in a very precarious situation. They are just one breath away from penury. When their father died without an heir, his title went to a relative – and that relative wasn’t in the least interested in providing for Kitty and her family. They had been living on their mother’s small portion and that was almost gone. The hope was that Kitty would marry well and save them all, but in her fourth season, she hasn’t had any interest at all. She’s lovely, graceful and caring, but without a dowry and no connections, the men of the ton just aren’t smart enough to see her real value.
Kitty has come up with a plan to save her family even though it will mean ruination for herself. She’s thought long and hard about it. She’s done thorough research and has now chosen the perfect person – the very, very reclusive Duke of Thornton who hasn’t been seen in London in over seven years. How can he possibly get wind of what she is doing when he is so far north at McMullen Castle in Scotland? Her plan is simple, she’ll announce her engagement to the duke, provide a cover story for their courtship, and then do her best to see that her sister Anna makes an advantageous match. That will save the family and Kitty can then announce that her betrothal has ended and while that will ruin her, the rest of her family will be safe.
Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, may not have set foot in London in over seven years, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have family and friends there. When he gets a visit from his godmother asking about his betrothal, he’s intrigued and has his butler acquire copies of any and all scandal sheets that carry stories about him and his betrothed. As he reads those stories, he becomes more and more intrigued by that brave and intrepid lady who is brazen enough to claim a betrothal with him. He’s not angry (well, maybe a little) and isn’t looking for revenge (well, maybe a little) – he is just intrigued – and he sets off for London. He’s not sure what he’ll do when he gets there, but…
Since her betrothal announcement things have sort of gotten out of hand for Kitty. Those lies have taken on a life of their own and she doesn’t have any idea how to control them. Then, at a ball, the Duke of Thornton makes his way to her and demands that they have a ‘talk’. Oh! My! Then things snowball and Kitty doesn’t know what to do. Will he denounce her and thus ruin not only her but her entire family? When he makes a demand she can’t refuse, she really is at a loss. Add in servants who want a romance between them, a sister who wants the same – well – that romance is definitely on a rocky roller coaster.
I highly recommend this story and if it is indicative of the entire series – I can’t wait for the stories of the other wallflowers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oh, what a tangled web!
I absolutely devoured this unique spin on the fake engagement trope! Kitty feels that her time has passed and she’s not going to find a husband at all, certainly not one that can help her younger sisters make suitable matches and provide for her widowed mother as well. Feminists today like to decry the marriage-minded ladies in historical romances, but the truth of the matter is that women in those situations had very few avenues to avoid starvation and abject poverty, and only one that maintained their respectability.
Kitty’s plan is to announce to all and sundry that she’s the new fiance of a reclusive duke, one who hasn’t been seen in years, hoping that she and her family can reap the social benefits from the association before the unlikely event that he discovers her tale.
Alexander removed himself from polite society after a horrific accident left him seriously injured and disfigured. But he can’t help admiring the bold ingenuity of the woman claiming to be his fiance, and he sets out to find out what’s behind the charade.
These two couldn’t be more perfect for each other, and their delightful interactions were such a joy to read. They each bring out the very best in the other, while allowing each other to be their true selves, connecting on a soul-deep level that has them both questioning their earlier conclusions.
I read this book in one lovely afternoon, and I just adored every page. As the beginning of a new series, we’re also introduced to Kitty’s friends and fellow Wallflowers and their unique situations. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Oh, how I adored this book! I’ve missed reading historical fiction and this novel made me thirst for more!
“How marvelous if we should all be guilty of doing something wicked, just for once.”
Miss Katherine AKA Kitty Danvers has the weight of her family’s well-being and future on her shoulders. After suffering as a wallflower for four seasons, she has finally worked up a wild and sinful plan to turn the family fortunes around, and give her sisters the chance to make good matches during the London season. With any luck, it will all be done and dusted in a few months, and the unwitting accomplice to her ruse would be none the wiser.
“He felt an odd compulsion stirring inside him to understand this stranger’s drive and complexities.”
Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, has been a recluse for about ten years since a terrible tragedy left him scarred physically and mentally. However, as hidden away in Scotland as he is, news of his alleged fiancée reaches his ears, and he cannot help but be intrigued by such a bold, impudent creature. He is so beguiled as to be lured to London and brave the stares of the ton to meet her himself, even though he could never offer her a future as his true duchess.
“Suddenly he wanted Kitty Danvers with all her bold impudence, reckless heart, and vivacious personality…to belong to him.”
This story was gorgeous! Kitty is just the type of heroine I love in historical romances. She’s resilient, intrepid, singular and quirky. I loved her bravery and her manner with the Duke. Alexander was a man not to be pitied. He was fiercely proud, with immense strength of character and fortitude. He was kind and had a great sense of humour. I adored how intriguing he found Kitty – he was completely in awe of her and her originality. His sexual brazenness with her made me laugh but I was delighted by Kitty’s response to his teasing. She treated him and looked at him as a desirable, undamaged man. His vulnerability plucked at my heartstrings. I was desperate for them to get their HEA. They had such a fantastic connection and considerable chemistry.
“For the first time in years, he felt the shudder of his soul and heard the echo of his heartbeat.”
This story was so beautiful written, with an audacious plot that made for an emotional and uplifting read. Simply fabulous!
I love Ms. Reid’s writing and storytelling. She has a way with words and emotions that stay with you long after you read her books. This story blew me away. A man who is horribly disfigured while saving his sister and a woman who wants to help her family in any way she can. This is a slow burn romance that is romantic and beautiful. It is definitely not what I am use to reading written by her but I think it is so much more. Read this lovely story of beautiful and compassionate love.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I have not every read a book by Stacy Reid I did not enjoy. This book was a little different than other books I read by her, but just as enjoyable. She is such a good writer, I felt the characters pain, loss and loneliness. Katherine (Kitty) was a lady who pretended to have a fiancé to help her family’s status in the town. Her pretend fiancé was, Alexander a Duke who isolated himself after an accident left him scared and disabled. When Alexander found out about Kitty, he was fascinated and had to meet her. This story will capture your attention and your feelings.
I received a copy of this book by Netgalley for an honest review.
A beautiful love story. The Duke of Thornton is still suffering from the burns he received saving his sister in the same fire that killed his parents. Never expecting to find love, he has resolved to raise his sister and live far from London in Scotland. Then the unexpected happens, he learns he is engaged to a woman he does not know. In order to save her mother and sisters, Katherine devices a scheme to be the fiancé of the reclusive Duke of Thornton hoping to attract husbands for her sisters, knowing that the charade will ruin any chance of her marrying. When Alexander hears of this, it intrigues him and he lets things proceed until he decides to show up in London and confront Kitty. What he finds is not what he expected, he is intrigued and from here the love story starts. There are ups and downs but in the end there is a HEA. It is a great love story and I would highly recommend it.
Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan or so she thinks. She’ll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. No one has heard from the duke in years. Soon, though, everything is out of control. At first, it’s just a few new ball gowns on the duke’s accounts. Then, it’s interviews with reporters eager for gossip. Before she knows it, Katherine has transformed herself into Kitty Danvers, charming and clever belle of the ton—with everyone eager to meet her thankfully absent fiancé.
But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives in the city, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected.
This is the first book in a new series & if the others are anywhere near as good as this then I’m in for a rare treat. Beauty & the beast is not a favourite trope of mine but this book was so much more. Alex had been burnt & seriously injured rescuing his sister from a fire that claimed their beloved parents. He was lucky to survive & has to rely on a wheelchair for much of the time, He’s proved his doctors wrong as he can walk. He has his days of despair but is no beast being loved by his sister, cousin & staff. Kitty is at her wits end when she invents he engagement. Sparks fly when they meet but not the anger Kitty is expecting, there’s an immediate connection which only grows the more time they spend together. I loved both Alex & Kitty, who were perfect for each other. I loved how their relationship developed & how she gave him hope & brought him truly into the light. I also loved that this was a stunning romance with no villain to be deal with, everyone wanted their relationship to work. I highly recommend this book but be warned have some hankies at hand.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Starring Honorable Iphigenia Katherine “Kitty” Danvers and Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton. Wallflower… Beauty and the Beast… Fake betrothal (so fake that the prospective groom is surprised when he finds out he’s engaged).
Kitty Danvers is desperate. She’s a wallflower with no prospects. With her family being in dire situations, she must boldly execute a plan that allows society’s doors to open so that her sisters can find worthy husbands. So she goes to the tabloids and announces that she’s betrothed to Alexander, a Duke that no one has seen in years. Her actions are so over the top flamboyant that everyone is taking notice… including the duke himself.
Alexander has been hiding from society for 10 years, but not without reason. A fire has left him scarred, constantly in pain, and he’s mostly confined to his bath chair (which I had to google and went down a fabulous history rabbit hole… I love It when an author compels me to do research). But after reading of Kitty’s exploits in the papers, he becomes extremely curious about the woman who would attach herself to his name…. what are her motives? So he leaves his safe haven in Scotland and re-enters society to find out more about his “fiancé”.
Omigosh was so anxious for the first few chapters!! I wanted the pages to fly by to their first confrontation. I was biting my nails the whole time. And their first meeting did not disappoint!! Alexander agrees to keep up with this charade if Kitty agrees to spend 2 weeks with him in Scotland… Unchaperoned. Without the watchful eyes of the Ton, these two starts to get to know each other.
Kitty is such a wonderful heroine. She’s vibrant and full of life… and Alexander just wants to bask in her sunshine. Alexander is the delicious moody and broody hero. Even though Kitty makes him happy and makes him wish for the impossible, he knows that their time together as an expiration date. “For who could ever learn to love a beast?” Sorry, I had to go there!!
I don’t even know what chapter it started, but once I hit it, I was bawling… sobbing… gut wrenching tears until the end!! I have gone beyond Ugly Crying AF!! Kitty and Alexander are LVE!! People have tackled the Beauty and the Beast theme (which is my absolute favorite trope)… but Stacy Reid has totally made it your own. I knew that Kitty and Alexander were going to have an HEA, but she gave them an obstacle that I never read in a book. And I was like, HOW?!?! And then I was clapping like mad at her brilliance!! SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!! Great start to the series and I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the SINFUL WALLFLOWERS!!
Stacy Reid is one of my “All Time Fave Authors” and she is firmly on my keeper shelf!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are 100% my own.
My star system:
5 stars: Ugly cried AF… major book hangover… characters were amazing… made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
Words can’t express how much I adored this story. I just finished reading it and my heart is so full of emotions for Kitty and Alexander!! I’ve always had a weakness for tortured and broken heroes who finally get their well deserved HEA.
It’s been 10 years since the day of the fire that killed Alexander’s parents and left him burned and broken. Ten long years of loneliness, broken dreams and excruciating pain. When Kitty comes into his life in a very unorthodox way, he doesn’t quite know what hit him! lol What a character she is and I just loved her to bits.
I thought the story so well written and I could feel every emotion leaping from the pages….the hope, the despair, the loneliness, the happy times, and oh, what an ending:) Loved, loved, loved this story!!
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
What an incredible book! The characters are personable and have such depth. This is the story of Katherine, “Kitty”, who pretends to be engaged to the elusive Duke of Thornton. Kitty is a charming young lady who will do anything to help her family. Alexander is the Duke of Thornton and he likes the impudence of Kitty to imply they are engaged. He travels to London to find out what type of lady would imply this and finds he is attracted to her. I like the way the author uses the supporting characters within the story to add more depth to the story. This is such a great story, I would definitely recommend it.
A phenomenal love story of a desperate wallflower with the responsibility of her widowed mother and three sisters. In a wicked move she declares herself engaged to the Duke of Thornton, who lives in Scotland and has not been to London in eight years. All she needs is time to get at least one sister married, in hopes for the second and the coming out of the third. When the mysterious Duke makes an appearance at a ball, Katherine sees it all fall apart. Stacy Reid has written the most emotional love story that had me laughing or in tears most of the time. A five star review isn’t enough for this keeper!!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Since her father’s death the Honorable Miss Katherine Danvers has carried a great deal of responsibility. As the oldest and only daughter out in society she needs to make a good match so she can help her three younger sisters find their own comfortable matches and ensure stability for them and their mother. But Katherine has gone unnoticed as a wallflower and is growing increasingly desperate to save her family from genteel poverty. So she develops a shocking plan: Kitty writes to a scandal column that she is betrothed to the ton’s favorite recluse, Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton. Despite the fact that he eschews society, the duke is a very powerful man with many trying to curry his favor. Kitty will simply use this to her advantage until her sisters are safely wed and then call of the engagement before the duke even finds out, for surely he’d never read gossip columns.
The plan is a smashing success and soon Kitty is the belle of the ton, but of course things quickly spiral out of control. What begins as simply the use of the duke’s name escalates to include lines of credit and a new townhouse, and Kitty remains the talk of the ton for much longer than she had anticipated, keeping everyone speculating about the mysterious duke.
Badly scarred and left walking with a cane or in a wheelchair much of the time, Alexander prefers to spend his time at his Scottish Castle with his books and artifacts from interesting foreign lands. He enjoys the company of his sister, Penny, but he does find himself increasingly lonely. When he learns of the daringly devious woman pretending to be his fiance, Alexander finds himself surprisingly more curious than angry and decides to venture to London to meet and confront Kitty. But when the duke proposes friendship between them, Kitty is shocked and it isn’t long before she begins to want more from the mysterious and oh so lonely duke.
Alexander was one of the loneliest characters I’ve read in some time. He desperately wanted to cling to the connection he felt with Kitty, even if he didn’t understand it, but he felt she deserved a whole, uninjured man so he pushed her away time and again. I loved Alexander as a broody, scarred hero. He was truly a good man and his pain was heart-wrenching. Kitty and her ridiculous audacity has to grow on me, but it soon became obvious that she and Alexander were perfect for each other and she was just what he needed. This was a very emotional book and I enjoyed it. My only complaint was the very slow pacing. Though it was appropriate for Kitty and Alexander’s unconventional relationship it never really picked up, even after they’d confessed their feelings, which had my interest waning a bit. Nevertheless, this was a great read and I’m looking forward to more installments in this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan…
When Katherine pretends to be betrothed to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, she never imagined he would come to London seeking her out. After all the man had not even been heard from in ten years and is rumored to be either mad or dead.
Association to the notorious man is just what she needs to save her family. Soon everything gets totally out of control when the Duke’s solicitors show up and ensconce herself, her mother and sisters in a townhouse they never could have afforded on their own. But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives at a ball, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected…
Stacy Reid has seldom disappointed this reader and not at all on this occasion. She has in fact surpassed everything I have come to expect from her. This book being maybe the best I have ever read from her.
This book gets a score of 4.9 of 5.0 (rounded up to 5 stars) for story line, plot and characterization.
I loved this book and went back to reread several chapters again.
I received a complimentary ARC of this title via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this New Years Eve release which I read and am reviewing voluntarily.
“You are the only person I’ve ever wanted to share my silence.”
Miss Katherine “Kitty” Danvers is going to be bold, daring, and a wee bit wicked to save her sisters from spinsterhood. Claiming to be the betrothed to the recluse Duke of Thornton, Kitty knows her family will begin to receive invitations to balls, dinners, and all the top social functions of the ton. Being a “duchess” will make her sisters stand out amidst the crowd, and will give them the opportunity to find husbands to care and protect them. But when the Duke of Thornton suddenly comes out of hiding to meet his soon to be duchess, Kitty is not at all prepared for the “Beast” she encounters, nor the way her heart beats faster, but not out of fear…
Alexander Master, the Duke of Thornton, starts hearing rumors of his upcoming marriage to a Miss Katherine Danvers. Wondering who would dare claim to want to be engaged to a beast of a man, Alex begins to study and gather as much information about this bold woman. With his curiosity spiked, Alex does the one thing he vowed not to do…enter back into society if for no other reason than to lay his eyes on Miss Danvers. But when she does not shy away from his appearance, and in fact looks upon him with something akin to desire, Alex knows he must possess her…at least until she no longer interests him…
To convince her darling duke he is worthy of love and a happily ever after, Kitty must use the same wicked boldness that started their affair…and hope she doesn’t lose her heart in the process.
Stacy Reid is a new to me author I am ever so thankful to have discovered! My Darling Duke reads like Phantom of the Opera meets Beauty and the Beast (two of my fav kinds of romance). While heartbreaking at times, I devoured every page. Loved and highly recommend!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, was disfigured when his home had caught fire and he ran to save everyone, his parents and sister. He managed to save his sister by having to jump out a window from the third floor. He was scarred over at least half his body and the pain was excruciating when he tried to stand. He had been in isolation for ten years and lived in Scotland.
Katherine Iphigenia Danvers along with her three sisters and mother were very poor after their father died. The new Viscount would not help them. They lived in Cheapside and struggled day to day. Kitty as being the oldest tried to take care of everyone but she was a wallflower and a nobody. But she and her sisters in the little group of the Sinful Wallflowers there were five ladies including her, who tried to help each other find a husband. A nice one. She had decided to be betrothed to the Duke of Thornton. Nobody had seen him in ages and when a new rumor about him came out he ignored it. So she felt fairly safe.
I have the good luck to have read several of Stacy Reid’s enchanting books. I love her writing, it has always been so engrossing. Her characters are always warm and she uses them to keep the tale entertaining. Her words flow smoothly, are easy to read, and exciting. It should be noted that this is sexy and is detailed. I very highly recommend this wonderful book.
I received this from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Oh my! With such a tormented, broken hero, it is no wonder I was completely captivated by every word in this book.
When Kitty is in desperate need to help her family she makes a wicked decision, sure that she is safe from her lie being discovered. At least by the man she has unknowingly pulled into her deception.
Alexander lives a lonely life. He has no hope for the future and lives with the memories of horror as his constant companion. But when he learns about Kitty and the con that she is pulling on London’s society, rather than anger he is intrigued. And soon he is stepping out of the shadows of his home and back into society where Kitty offers the sweetest kind of hope that can never be fulfilled.
’He wanted to know more…everything about her until this perplexing hunger was sated. And suddenly he needed to possess her more than his next breath.’
While Kitty was an interesting heroine, it was Alexander that ruled this story. My heart ached for him and all that he had suffered, continues to suffer. I wanted, needed, him to have a happy ever after. And yet I wasn’t ever sure that was going to happen and if so, what it was going to look like.
This is a pretty angsty read with Alexander’s and Kitty’s relationship being the focal point for the drama. Though there is a lot of push and pull from Alexander, it was completely understandable. While you won’t find your standard alpha hero here, you will find a man who struggles with not only what is currently happening to him, but what the future holds.
I’m looking forward to reading more about Kitty’s friends and learning what wickedness they get themselves into.
This is my first book by this author, and I’m wondering why no one has pushed her in front of me before now. I couldn’t get enough of this book, and her words.
There is so much emotion that leaps off of the pages. The story was consuming, and the characters were everything. I swooned hard, I fell in love, my heart broke, and I couldn’t get enough. I just recently got into historical romance books. I’ve been looking for authors in the genre that could invoke a range of emotions from me while I read – she will be one of them. I think some authors get so lost in trying to recreate the time and everything from that period. I feel when they do this they lose sight of romance in the story. The characters have no chemistry, the story doesn’t hold your attention like it should, and it all just goes flat. Stacy is not one of those authors, she checked every box for me.
I’m off to read her back list of books. She’s on my radar now, and I’m so excited to get anything new from her.
My Darling Duke
Sinful Wallflowers Series #1
Stacy Reid
https://www.facebook.com/stacyreid/
Release date 12/31/2019
Publisher Entangled Amara
Blurb :
Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she’ll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan…
She’ll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. No one has heard from the duke in years. Surely he’ll never find out before her sisters’ weddings, and she can go back to her own quiet life.
Soon, though, everything is out of control. At first, it’s just a few new ball gowns on the duke’s accounts. Then, it’s interviews with reporters eager for gossip. Before she knows it, Katherine has transformed herself into Kitty Danvers, charming and clever belle of the ton—with everyone eager to meet her thankfully absent fiancé.
But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives in the city, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected…
My review :
When caught up, what a miss guilty of the deception of impersonating the betrothed of duke is to do …
I am a sucker for the beauty and beast trope, so even if it had not been written by Mrs Stacy Reid an author I do adore, I would have read it.
But here, I was sure and certain to not be disappointed.
This story goes beyond the usual scarred lord, it is not about a disfigured man, it is a demonstrative tale showing all the sufferings a crippled man went through and still faces.
When I loved easily Katherine, I just adored Alexander.
Katherine has finally decided she has reached her breaking point, she has to do something or there will be no HEA awaiting her family, and even if it is deceptive, it is to offer her sisters a better outcome than hers.
She is aware of the risk, she knows ruin lurks in the corner if she is caught; whatever, she will do it.
And when she is confronted, despite her inner fears, she faces head held high the man who holds her future in his hands.
I loved that albeit she is shaken to her core, she does not cower, and even straighten herself for what is to come. She is very devoted to her family, yet in Alexander’s presence, she feels more brazen, she is tempted to dream for things she has thought not for her. Her caring and devotion whether is for her family or Alexander, she is ready to alter everything in her future if it will bring happiness or contentment to them.
What Alexander went through is just inconceivable, the pain, hurt and loss, nobody can fathom it except him. It is only by his own will, he was able to make progress one step at a time.
It is not often I have read about the impotency a crippled person might suffer, as the usual historical hero is generally more a rake than a saint. Mrs Stacy Reid does not shy away, and her hero must deal with his inability, the humbling that goes it and what it calls for the future.
Thus a hero who can’t see himself condemning a woman to a life without pleasure nor children.
Yet, without being an erotica story, it is a very sensual tale, as while they journey together, get to know the other, Kitty is introduced slowly to the pleasure of the flesh when old stirring sensations Alexander thought dead appear from time to time, as if all was not completely lost.
Ensues a battle of wills, as Katherine fights to pass his inner defense when he tries to keep her at arm’s length.
They have their flaws and pride, why they make mistakes but never and nothing can reshape the love they have for one another.
5 stars for this stirring and poignant love story beyond physical limitations and life expectations.
Can’t wait to learn more about Katherine’s group of friends, each having her own challenge to deal with.
I was granted by the publisher Entangled an advance copy, I prior to it preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/513476475908195?d=n&sfns=mo
Original turn of the trope of a fake engagement agreed by two characters; here it is a one-sided! How daring! Kitty soon discovers her association with the duke yields those hoped-for invitations as well as some perks in the form of discounts at the modiste, but her conscience prevents her from accepting lines of credit at the shops.
Of course, word of his betrothal reaches Alexander in Scotland. He and his sister follow Kitty’s mentions in the gossip rags with a bit of humor and he is intrigued by her impudence and must meet her!
There are ups and downs, especially as Alexander’s health takes a turn for the worse.
I greatly enjoyed reading this. I’ve read a number of Stacy Reid’s books – some good, some forgettable. I found this to be very well done and it will remain a “memorable” read.
My thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity. The thoughts expressed are my own.