An arrogant lord cut-off by his family. A penniless widow in desperate need. In their reduced circumstances, can love save them both?
Lord Neil Duncan, third son of the Marquess of Alderton, finally angers his father enough to be cut off from the family. Neil believes it is only a matter of time before he is reinstated, but time is passing slowly and he needs to eat. His so-called friends … and he needs to eat. His so-called friends have abandoned him, no one else trusts him, and it is not until he comes upon a young widow that he finds someone who needs his help as badly as he needs hers.
Teresa Clapham has been without a husband’s provision and protection for over a year. Supporting her mother and daughter on the pittance her brother-in-law provides has required her to stretch every farthing. When Lord Neil arrives at her doorstep proposing he work for her to earn his keep, she sees possibility in the man everyone else has deemed an arrogant good-for-nothing.
As Lord Neil works for the first time in his life, Teresa sees in him a tender heart long repressed by his family’s expectations – a heart that causes her own to open once more. But her brother-in-law Frederick Clapham is less charmed by Teresa’s new servant. When Lord Neil discovers the secret Mr. Clapham has been keeping, he must decide whether to embrace the man Teresa believes him to be, or fall back on the privileged lifestyle he’s always known.
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WHAT IT’S ABOUT
An arrogant lord cut-off by his family. A penniless widow in desperate need. In their reduced circumstances, can love save them both?
As Lord Neil works for the first time in his life, Teresa sees in him a tender heart long repressed by his family’s expectations – a heart that causes her own to open once more. But her brother-in-law John Clapham is less charmed by Teresa’s new servant. When Lord Neil discovers the secret Mr. Clapham has been keeping, he must decide whether to embrace the man Teresa believes him to be, or fall back on the privileged lifestyle he’s always known.
MY TAKE
*sigh* It’s been a while since I’ve listened to two other books in this series, but I definitely want to go back now and listen to them again so I can see Neil. I love stories of redemption, and this is certainly Neil’s. As you get to see how his family functions (or dysfunctions), you can see why he’s a jerk in the earlier books. But given an opportunity to be himself, his true character really shines.
Some books can really drag in the middle, but I didn’t want to skip ahead in this one. Britton held me the entire way through.
I listened to the audiobook, and Marian Hussey did a great job with the narration!
Who knew one could root so much for Lord Neil of all people?
Sally Britton has managed to pull off what no one could have imagined after reading Rescuing Lord Inglewood, that is, to reform and redeem Lord Neil. And oh, what a journey it was. Granted, that’s why it’s necessary to read the series in order, or at least, Engaging Sir Isaac before this one, (in order to start seeing his change of heart), but still, getting to read about his thoughts and motivations, as well as having him face a new set of challenges in his circumstances made for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Of course, the reader wouldn’t have been able to see/experience much of this change were it not for Mrs. Teresa Clapham’s character, as well as her family. I loved how these two found each other when they needed it the most, and how they were able to help each other in different ways throughout the book. Their love story was definitely swoony, and I definitely loved the pace of it as well as the warm feelings it evoked. Of course, having some of the previous couples in the series make an appearance was definitely great :).
Now, this being an audiobook upped the enjoyable factor by a thousand since, once again, Marian Hussey delivered a wonderful performance of each and every one of the characters. It doesn’t matter if it was as young as Caroline (Teresa’s daughter), or as old as a magistrate, or if, on the other hand, the characters were having a heated argument, were being threatening to others, or were having a tender moment, she nailed every single one of them .
Thus, if you love Sally Britton’s work, or if you’re just a fan of Sweet Historical Romance books, I can’t recommend this audiobook and this series enough. Go and grab your copy! ~ 5 stars
This was a wonderful ending to the series. Great characters that came to life. Couldn’t put it down once started. Highly recommend the entire series.
Reforming Lord Neil by Sally Briton
Teresa Clapham’s husband died. She could not stand her brother-in-law. He rude and said awful things about her husband to them. She had inherited a small farm from an aunt. The three ladies lived there. They had given everything up and hoped to live on what they made. Lord Neil had a fight with his father and had been kicked out. He left his mother and sister there. His father was the Marquess of Alderton and quite an unlikeable man. Neil was the third son and did not plan to inherit. His father wanted him to seduce a married woman so he could increase his political power. Neil and Teresa meet at her farm. He is wondering, trying to find a place to hang his hat. He has been rejected by all. So he comes up with the idea that he can help Teresa on her farm for only a bed and food. She agrees.
A lovely story about the Clapham family and Lord Neil. How they help each other and start to heal the lies and deceit that has come their way. The characters are warm and friendly. The tale has a strong plot. So many things happen, but Their struggles are far from over. I highly recommend this wonderful book.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
A study in character.
I found I thoroughly enjoyed this study in character.
Is a man a result of his nature or nurture? Neil is a third son of a heinous aristocrat. He’s forced to run with little means in his pocket.
Teresa is a widow with a daughter and mother to support. She’s been living rough in greatly reduced circumstances since her husband died.
I liked that they both had to find out what they are made of in order to survive, especially Neil who has had no occupation or talents. Is he the product of his father or is he a better man?
Recommend. Well done.
Touching story of a widow fallen onto hard times and a third son of a Marquess disinherited and sent away with little more than the evening clothes on his back. A reality check of life on an English farm for a widow, her mother and daughter with almost no funds, scraping out a living, yet educating the daughter as well as any school would have done. (Is there a lesson in there for parents today, struggling with home schooling during the pandemic?)
I appreciated the clean story, showing how our H & h struggled with their desires, holding them in check with their values. The value of working hard DESPITE adversity, while maintaining a positive outlook, is timeless, and may be especially valuable in these distressing times. Good plot, wonderful characters, uplifting moral tone, topped by a HEA for our H & h.
Another wonderful addition to the Inglewood series. I really disliked Lord Neil in the previous books though he was pretty good about not blaming the twins when he was injured in the accident. In #4 I began to like him some because he actually did some good though still acted aloof and like he didn’t care about anything or anyone. But in this book he really did reform himself. I was surprised by how easily he moved into working for his keep. And I think he surprised himself by turning out to be a good caring person. I quite liked him by the end. I like that he humbled himself to ask a man he detested and who detested him to assist him in helping Teresa because he was now powerless to do it himself. And to actually apologize for the wrong he had done! I also thought Teresa and her mother were remarkable women. Teresa’s daughter is cute.
His family is still pretty awful though. I kind of thought that Neil’s father was going to turn out to be okay at the end of #4 but boy was I wrong. His mother at least showed herself to be something of a caring mother even though I doubt she has changed that much herself. At least she put herself out to try for her son in the only ways she could.
I had been looking forward to Lord Neil’s story and it didn’t disappoint. Now if his sister could just stop being a snoot.
Sex: references to his parent’s adultery
Language: no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Wonderful complex and interesting characters fill this enjoyable regency romance story. Lots of surprises that I did not expect. Really good read
From the title – and the description given it was expected that Lord Neil would go through some ‘reforming’ life changes – right? Well, this is not your routine – ‘arrogant Lord looses fortune, and has a change of heart, etc, etc’, kind of story. It is so much more!
I did not expect to love Neil’s character so much!
I would give this book more than 5 stars if possible!
I loved this book. Let me clarify – I loved this book a lot.
It is probably my favorite book that I’ve read by Sally Britton.
Before I even got to the end, I was already thinking… I can’t wait to read this again! lol
There are abundant emotions expressed in this story. Feelings of rejection, heartbreak, and loneliness just pour over you and you are pulled in. And then there are the feelings of hope, anticipation, suspense, attraction, love, and joy.
This book is loaded.
I love the clean romance that builds between Neil and Teresa. So tender. There is great chemistry and some sparky kissing. The actual feelings and emotions inside Neil are surprising. The depth of his love was sweet, and the willingness for self sacrifice was unexpected.
This is a well thought out and well written story. I loved every bit of it.
I highly recommend it! You might just love it too!
Finally! I have been waiting for Lord Neil’s story for far too long. Once I heard that author Sally Britton was going to redeem Lord Neil, I’ve been waiting with anticipation to see just how she went about it. Enter Teresa, an impoverished widow, along with her daughter and mother.
I loved Teresa. Her pluck and strength in the face of uncertainty made her very real to me.
I really sank deep into this story.
It was a perfect ending to the Inglewood saga.
I have loved this series and this was a beautiful ending. Lord Neil was a very unlikable character from the beginning of the series, but in book 4 we were able to see there was hope for him yet. After that I was excited for his story, but did not expect this storyline. I loved it. It was so unexpected and so against who I thought Lord Neil was that it made his redemption even better. I loved Teresa and her family. They were so strong and seemed to handle their change in circumstances really well. I was so impressed. I loved this story and the changes that came over both of them. They deserve a HEA.
I really liked this book! I liked that this story was one of redemption. I loved the Lord Neil wasn’t as bad of a guy as we thought he was in the other books. I liked seeing him learn about hard work and helping others and that he found value in it. I love how both he and Teresa didn’t want to fall in love with each other because they didn’t think it would ever work but then how they came together. I have loved the other books in this series but I think this might be my favorite. I loved the characters and I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Sally Britton’s series has featured ladies outside the society norms and the men who came to love them. The characters are fun, well-developed and not ready for love. This is the perfect scenario for Lord Neil. He actually starts his reformation in Engaging Sir Isaac but really comes into his own in the book. Just a hint in the author’s ear, I sure would love to see Olivia get her comeuppance and a change of heart and attitude.
This was another great installment in the Inglewood series! I am so glad that Neil was able to get his own story since we get to see him slowly changing over the course of a few of the books in the series. Britton is amazing at writing characters that feel real and that her reader’s can connect with and I loved the characters in this book! I loved seeing the growth in all the characters throughout the book and how their relationships grew. It was so fun to see a few characters from the other books in the series in Neil’s story as well! I loved how everything played out and loved the setting! I hope there are more books in this series! I highly recommend this book and series to Regency romance fans!
Oh my! Can I say how much I loved this book. Lord Neil was the last person I ever though I could like. But reformed he is. Did his circumstances force him into it? Yes, but he rose to the occasion. Everyone needs a little bit of humble pie! I thought the characters were wonderful and the story well written. This whole series is great, but this is one of my favorites. The earlier stories really set the stage for Lord Neil. I would suggest reading them in order, but could be read as stand alone. They are all clean regency romances with great chemistry.
While this can be read on it’s own as a standalone, I personally don’t recommend doing so. I think I enjoyed it so much because of the history I have with Lord Neil throughout the series. He’s that character pictured as both a villain and a friend in the first four books, depending on the perspective. He’s slyly heroic and searching for happiness in not quite the right places.
At the beginning of Reforming Lord Neil, he is as one would expect his character to be from reading the others: self-absorbed, lackadaisical, and intentionally dependent on his father’s title and money. When he’s cut off, Neil finds himself with nowhere to go and no one to champion his cause, at the mercy of a widow with her own set of financial woes.
Teresa Clapham has little prospects beyond a dilapidated farm to manage with her mother and daughter after her brother-in-law coerces her to leave the life she has for over 10 years. When Neil Duncan arrives on her doorstep, she accepts his help in exchange for room and board.
I love redemption stories and big opportunities for character growth. I also love that Neil’s transgressions and actions from Rescuing Lord Inglewood are addressed. As much as I wish this series would continue, it ends very satisfactorily.
Such a sweet story of redemption and love! I have been excited to read Neil’s story as the last few books in the series have hinted at his character development, and his redeeming journey of self-discovery did not disappoint! I admired Teresa’s character – only a woman of great strength and courage pass through the challenges she did and not become bitter or fall into despair.
I really enjoyed visiting characters from the rest of the series and their inclusion seemed to bring the story arc for the series in full circle. It feels like Neil, who has been a part of all the other stories, finally has a chance at his own happy ending and is now, at least tenuously, part of the circle of friends.
This story was elegantly beautiful and made me sigh with contentment at the end. It will be one I re-read over and over.
I received a complimentary copy of the book but am voluntarily leaving my own opinions.
This was such a well-crafted and enjoyable story of redemption as fans of Sally Britton’s Inglewood series finally see the real man that Lord Neil is and has become. I am so glad Britton gave us Lord Neil’s story to finish off the Inglewood series, in many ways it brought things full circle and I love that Silas and Esther played an important role in the story. Neil was an icky guy to begin with, but learning his back story and seeing him work throughout this book really created an empathy for him and I found myself cheering for his happiness. The secondary characters (and animals) were wonderful and really created a lovely depth to the novel. Finishing this book makes me want to revisit the entire series, it was just that good. 4.5 stars, I definitely recommend this book!
I am never left disappointed from one of Sally Britton’s books. I have long anticipate the reforming of Lord Neil and wasn’t sure how it could believably be done knowing his past. But of course, we are all capable of change even Neil Duncan and Teresa is just the kind hearted woman to help him do it. A great reminder that some times our greatest trials can end up being our greatest blessings. I would recommend this book and entire series to anyone it was all wonderful.
Loved the characters, setting, and storyline.
The dialog fits the setting and the characters.
Also loved the heart of the main characters.
I cried happy tears at the end.