In this Regency Christmas romance by USA TODAY bestselling and HOLT Medallion winning author Bree Wolf, a cold-hearted lord and self-sufficient woman find themselves tied to one another against their will…but not their hearts.England 1808: As far as society is concerned, RICHARD DAVENPORT, VISCOUNT ASHWOOD, doesn’t have a caring bone in his body. His heart is made of ice, and a single look out of … and a single look out of his piercing gray eyes sends people fleeing his presence.
Richard couldn’t care less about the way others look at him. He’s never been able to read between the lines, understand subtle facial expressions or interpret the many meanings of a smile. But does that mean he doesn’t care?
However, his own issues retreat into the background when his unmarried sister reveals to him that she is with child. Determined to maintain her secret, Richard keeps her locked away from prying eyes. Still, in order to ensure her well-being, he is forced to call upon the one woman who has always been able to melt the ice from his heart.
Wishing to follow in her father’s footsteps, EVELYN PROCTEN has always tended to those in need. Despite social convention, the only future she can see for herself is that of a doctor.
However, when Evelyn is called to Farnworth Manor to tend to Miss Davenport and her unborn child, she once again crosses paths with the young woman’s elder brother. A man who disapproves of her professional ambition. A man who has never looked at her twice. A man she’s loved from afar for many years.
And then a kiss changes everything, sending sparks flying despite the snow surrounding Farnworth Manor. Heat lingers whenever they lie eyes upon one another, and slowly Evelyn comes to see that a tender heart beats in Richard’s chest, well-hidden behind his ice-cold facade.
If you like marriage of convenience stories with a touch of mystery, a dash of humour as well as deep, heartfelt emotions, then you’ll love this winterly installment of Bree Wolf’s emotionally charged Love’s Second Chance Series. Get OPPRESSED AND EMPOWERED, grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading spot, and start this swoon-worthy romance now!
Each love story in this series can be read as a stand-alone. However, most readers prefer to read them in order.
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I loved it
This whole series is great. This book is one of the best! Loved the interaction of H and h. The characters are SO well drawn. The gradual coming together of the Viscount and the doctor is wonderful.
I have enjoyed every book I have read in this series! This was also a great read!
Good story. Lot of unnecessary dialogues and repetitive frases
Characters practically jumped off the pages. Excellent read
My first time with this author but it won’t be my last.
Page turner!
5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novel Oppressed and Empowered: The Viscount’s Capable Wife: Love’s Second Chance Series book 11/Tales of Damsels and Knights book 5 by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Best if read in series. Contains social conflicts and a cliffhanger.
Evelyn and Lord Richard Ashford’s romance is a sweet historical winter based novel of opposites both in both personality and belief in a woman’s ability to have a career, an arranged marriage, and that of hidden attraction realized. Suspenseful with some twists,multiple conflicts, an ailing father, a loving mother,an unplanned pregnancy, a well meaning brother who guards his emotions, and a young woman advocating her right to be a Doctor are just of the few of the things that make this novel interesting while reflecting concerns of the era. Although there is a happy ending for Evelyn and Richard, this novel does end in a cliffhanger.
SETTING: Two women’s stories are developed: one the daughter of a doctor, trained from youth to be a physician learning all of her father’s skills and all she could by reading; the other, a flighty young woman (sister to the current Viscount) who becomes pregnant after a run to Gretna Green, which fails to produce a marriage certificate, as the groom’s brother intercedes before the ceremony. The 2 young ladies, Evelyn and Claudia are brought together when Evelyn and her father come to attend Claudia after a fainting spell. Despite vast differences in training, skills, character and social status, both women face similar problems in working out their own lives in the early 1800’s—women are under the power of men, not free to make their own decisions and careers in the general view of society. To effect change, men’s minds have to be convinced, one man at a time. How will Evelyn gain the trust and respect of Richard, Claudia’s older brother, who initially does not want her to care for Claudia? What will it take to earn the respect of an arrogant, new apprentice to Evelyn’s father? Will Evelyn be able to find love and a husband and STILL be viewed as a competent physician in the community? And what of Claudia’s child-must it be surrendered to another couple to escape the disgrace of being a bastard? Will Claudia even have a voice in what is to become of the child?
CRITIQUE: Once again Ms. Wolf has executed a stunning novel, wrestling with complex social issues of the day. She masterfully woven a story depicting women struggling for the right of self-determination in the 1800’s. Yet, there is something more in this novel-an attempt to view the life of a young man struggling with Asperger’s syndrome at a time when such a problem had no name, nor any particular recognition by the medical community or by society. It is with Evelyn’s love and her attempt to understand Richard, that the self-protective shell he has built around himself is cracked, allowing Richard to enjoy life to a fuller extent.
The writing is excellent, the storyline superb—leaving us hungry to know…..’and then what happens??’ Of course, such a cliff-hanger will have it’s followup in another story. The depiction of how difficult it was (and often times still is) for women to be looked upon as having the same level of competence a man has, is right on target. The qualities Evelyn shows of quiet confidence and careful observation, truly are important qualities in any practicing physician. So, with excellent writing, a true grasp of the difficulties of women physicians and pregnant single women in the 1800’s, we have an outstanding novel for our enjoyment.
Great strong characters. The story pulls you in and you can feel their love grow
and develope into something beautiful. I enjoyed the book and I think you will too.
This is a book that once I started I was not putting down. The Author showed us Richard Davenport, Viscount Ashwood’s story in a caring way, I liked Evelyn Procten’s part of this story as she tried to work as a doctor in this time. A story of challenges, suspense, drama, danger, secrets, attempted murder, a health issue, challenges for women in this time. A well-written story that held my interest throughout.
This book was wonderful! I could not wait until the end of my day to read again! The relationship between Evelyn and Richard was so sweet- they spent so much time taking care of others that it was nice to see them find a relationship in which each of them could find love and understanding. However, that love and understanding was slow to come and a delight to watch, particularly given Richard’s Asperger’s syndrome. I found myself smiling in bed reading with my husband asking why I had a perpetual smile on my face. I also found my mouth often open with surprise at the twists and turns near the end. I can’t wait to read about Richard’s sister in Book 13!
From unfeeling to feeling. From fear of rejection to loving and being loved, this story has it all. Mystery, suspense, love, faith, and heartache. You will love it though. Bree is such a wonderful author you can’t go wrong with any of her books. While this is a stand alone book, you should really read it in order to get the back stories of some of the characters in this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The plot was original and the characters developed, especially the Hero, Richard Davenport, Viscount Ashwood. He can’t seem to be able to read people and they think him unfeeling. Only his family seems to love him, even though he can’t see it and has a hard time with it.
The heroine, Evelyn Procten is the local doctor’s daughter and he has taught her everything he knows about being a doctor. However, society does not recognize her as a doctor as women can’t be doctors. Evelyn proves them all wrong as you will see when you read this book. And you just have to read this book. It’s that wonderful. So pick up a copy and get to reading. Enjoy!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author without expectation of a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are purely my own and I voluntarily leave this review.
This is a good story with a cliff hanger at the end. My only negative was the first half of the book could have been shorter. Evelyn was well established as a young women and doctor. Richard appeared cold and unfeeling but inwardly confused with little understanding of others. I became a little bored and felt it could have been condensed by at least five chapters.
From the wedding it became spellbinding and I hated any interruptions till I finished. I received this as an ARC copy for an honest review
I love Evelyn and Richard! Evelyn is such a strong woman who knows her mind and will not be intimidated. So many times I thought she’d just walk away in frustration, but she always stood talk and spoke her mind. Richard is such a sweet misunderstood man. I love that he puts his trust in Evelyn to help him understand and that she takes the time to truly understand him. They have a beautiful relationship. I’m definitely anxious for the rest of Claudia’s story, but will have to be patient. Another great book to this series.
Just finished this inspiring story, what a unique viewpoint to write from loved it. Richard looks at the world differently than most which has caused him to be labeled as distant and unfeeling, Evelyn is the doctor’s daughter and has been taught all her father knows and considers her self a doctor as well. Just as Richard has problems so does Evelyn she finds nothing but resistance in being accepted as a doctor. When they learn their parents have arranged marriage for them they are both secretly pleased but are unsure of each others feelings. Her and Richard learn to talk to each and explain their perspective so that they both can grow and understand each other, Richard learns to see her for what she is and she learns he really is warm and loving he just can’t express it or always understand the quirks and hidden meanings people sometime show, the world is pretty black and white to him where as Evelyn sees things with all the color the world can offer. True love and understanding can’t be out of reach.
Evelyn is a strong woman guided by compassion and empathy. She is taught from a young age all that her father can teach her of his experience as a doctor. However, he is concerned about her future, fearing the world may not be ready to accept a female doctor.
Richard, Lord Ashford, was perceived by society as being strict and unfeeling. He had a reputation as a coldhearted Viscount. His father feared that his son did not know how to be happy and so he and Evelyn’s father believed that Evelyn and Richard would make a good match because their strengths would compliment each other and help them grow beyond their limits.
The story takes the couple on a journey of self discovery, especially in Richards case and ignites feelings so strong for one another that only soul mates can know. So many wonderful twists and turns, the book was hard for me to put down.
Amazing!
This book is based on a brilliant idea that forces one (very gently) to look at things through someone else’s eyes, to feel what they feel emotionally and to understand, in a small way, what it is like to have Asperber’s Syndrome and what it is like to live with someone with this syndrome.
I tutor two little boys with this syndrome and found this story at times very enlightening and others quite true to form.
The story itself is well written with clear and precise situations that make it very interesting and I couldn’t put it down.
I loved the strengths shown in Richard’s character as well as his frustrations and at times total helplessness. His wife, Evelyn has trained virtually all her life to become a doctors but being a female, her qualification goes unrecognized.
I truly loved everything about this story and so am happy to recommend it to you, a potential reader and hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
I read an Advance Reader’s copy of the ebook and my review above is given voluntarily and it is unbiased.Y
Evelyn Procten has always tended to those in need. Despite social convention, the only future Evelyn can see for herself is that of a doctor, until she is called to Farnworth Manor to tend to the young viscount’s sister Claudia, who finds herself unmarried and with child. Her stay at Farnworth Manor once again throws Evelyn into the path of Lord Ashwood, a man she has loved from a distance for many years. As far as society is concerned, Richard Davenport, Viscount Ashwood, is a cold-hearted and uncaring man. Although he does not overly care for society’s opinion of him, he cannot deny that there is truth in their assessment. Determined to maintain his sister’s secret, Richard keeps her locked away at Farnworth Manor. Still, in order to ensure his sister’s well-being, he is forced to call upon the one woman who has always been able to melt the ice from his heart.
Another well written book from the author, this is part of a series but could be read on its own. There are appearances from some characters of earlier books & It was enjoyable to find out what has been happening to them. Evelyn is a strong woman who really grows to fully understand Richard & his difficulties & it was so touching how she used that understanding to help him. Richard is misunderstood but likeable. I simply loved their love story & I was captivated all the way through. Another worthy addition to this outstanding series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Short review. Another great addition to the Love’s Second Chance Series. Well-written love story, Evenly is such a strong and determine likable character, Richard is a misunderstood that people think that he is cold and uncaring but there is so much more to his character. There’s twist and turns, mystery and romance which are all perfectly balance.