She was banished from England…and she banished him from her heart.Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse estates in the country. There’s only one problem: the future of the estate requires a strong breeding program with the services of a stallion named, Titan. A shame that the horse is owned by a man she swore to … she swore to never see again.
The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. Despite Tate’s unwillingness to forgive Ava, she comes to his aid during a deliberately lit fire at his estate. Someone is determined to destroy them. Now, the two are forced to work together to ensure the safety of their horses and their homes.
Will their previous feelings for each other rekindle their love, or will their feelings stall out at the starting gates?
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I loved this story. A second chance at love for two people who are soulmates torn apart by a cruel parent. Tate Wells, the Marquess of Cleremore and heir to the Duke of Whitstone at a young age fell in love with Ava Knight. Ava lived three miles from Tate. Ava agreed to elope with the Marquess and instead found disappointment and heartbreak. Her father sent her to France to attend finishing school. At the same time Tate was sent to America to live with his mother’s family. Ava believed Tate jilted her and Tate thought Ava jilted him. Five years later, Ava returned to run the family business after her father died. She did so successfully. Tate had returned to England when his father died to take over the dukedom. Ava was full of vinegar and piss when she thought of Tate and Tate did all he could to stay away from Ava. Circumstances forced them to deal with each other and the truth of what happened years ago came out. Tate’s mother had interfered and tore them apart. Now they had to find a new way to relate to each other knowing that neither one was at fault for the harm to the other. Ava was living a good life raising and training racehorses. Her business Knight’s Stables was well known. She was an excellent business woman, a good manager of people and had an up and coming breeding program. She loved her horses. While in France, she became close friends with a few young women who became her closest friends. She loved being her own boss and loved her independence. Tate on the other hand took his broken heart and flirted and slept his way through America and for two years when he returned to London. Something changed and he decided to get serious about his ducal duties. He returned to Berkshire estate and wanted nothing to do with Ava. But destiny had other plans for them. Tragic circumstances brought them back together and once the truth of their parting was out, they fumbled and stumbled over their renewed relationship. I fell in love with Ava and Tate’s characters. They were such good people and so compatible. But Tate’s mother still scorned Ava and mocked her simple roots to her face. Tate despised his mother’s venomous tongue and warned her to stay away from Ava and give her the respect she deserved. Of course, the Dowager Duchess would and did not comply. This story is full of emotional angst and hard-earned emotional growth. I was immersed in a different world while reading this book. The imagery was amazing. The buildings, the vast beautiful lands, the color and temperament of the horses. It was so easy to relate to all the characters. Their emotions and feelings were well described making them feel so realistic. This book covers how true love does conquer all. I enjoyed reading this and do recommend it. I only wish the epilogue would have included the results of the breeding attempt between the stud Titan and the mare Black Lace. If it worked and what the resulting foal was if there was a foal. The epilogue took us two years forward but it would have also been nice to read about how Ava and Tate balanced their ducal duties and the racehorse business. I also wonder why after two plus years they still did not have any children or would they have any. Like I said this is an enjoyable read and I do recommend it.
The story Tamara Gill has created for her readers is a wonderful look at a second chance of love & a life long love of horse breeding/training facility.
Tate Wells, future Duke of Whitstone, is now back at his estates after being in America & London for the last 5 years – his father has died & he needs to take responsibility towards the dukedom. He was supposed to be eloping with his childhood sweetheart on the fateful night when he received a “Dear John” letter from her stating she could not go through with the elopement & didn’t love him. His parents sent him to America to stay with his Mother’s family & get away from the memories of Ava.
Miss Ava Knight, daughter of Knight Training & Breeding Stables was in love with Tate since she was a child & they were planning to run away & get married. She went to meet him but instead found her father waiting for her to arrive. He gave her a letter from Tate & he stated he didn’t love her & that their stations in society would not allow him to marry so below his rank. Her Father said Tate was already on his way to America & that Ava was being taken to a finishing school in France the next day. Now, 5 years later, Ava has returned & her father has passed away so she is the owner of the best horse breeding & training stables in England. The one thing she wants is breed her mare, Black Lace to a stallion, Titan – a breeding that was promised to her father before he died. When she goes to talk to the owner, she discovers he has sold Titan to none other than Tate Wells.
The adventure starts here with them talking for the first time since the jilting of one another, fires that burned down Tate’s stables & fires being purposely set at the neighbors estates, arson, attempted rape, romance, Tate’s evil Mother, love & more. This was an excellent story with wonderful writing & the characters were so likable – you wanted them to win from the start. I highly recommend this read to all historical romance readers – it was an excellent start to a new series & I can’t wait for book 2 in the series!
Ava Knight and Tate have grown together and loved each other since childhood – their elopement thwarted, they move ahead with their lives until Ms. Knight inherits the stables from her father and so does Tate.
Mishaps haunt both the stables and Tate and Ava must band together to combat this evil.
The chemistry between them is electrifying. I liked Ava’s character – her spirit and determination.
Romance Level: 3/5
Steamy Level: 3.7/5
Excellent story line and characters–proving that true love can last through a long separation. Story was a little different in that the couple settled their differences a little earlier in the book and we were able to enjoy some of their life together. Tate finally stood up to his Mother and Mistress with a bit more determination. Looking forward to Book 2.
Tempt Me, Your Grace is book one in the League of Unweddable Gentlemen series by Tamara Gill. I enjoyed this book. There were twists and turns in the plot that I wasn’t expecting. I thought that the steamy sex scenes were a bit awkward. Gill uses the “c” word a bit too much for me. I liked the heroine Ava. She is an accomplished horse breeder and trainer. Since I am not familiar with horses, I wish Gill had inserted an appendix with definitions. “Luckily here at Knight’s Stables, Ava had her own gallop…” I thought a horse galloped. I didn’t know that a gallop is a place? I did enjoy the romantic build-up between Tate and Ava. “She closed the space between them, reached up and took his lips in a searing kiss. The moment they touched a wave of rightness swamped her, and she knew this was where she wanted to be. Not dancing with anyone else, or alone in Berkshire training horses, but in the arms of the boy whom she’d always loved, had lost and found once again as a grown man.”
So a few negatives for me, but overall a good book.
A conspiracy drives two young lovers apart. Five years later they meet again over a horse named Titan. The attraction a still there, but Ava’s insecurities keep her from committing to his life as a Duke and his mother is against them. Ava comes from a common background, but her father raised himself up as the owner of a successful horse stable and breeding farm. Adding to her anxiety is an arsonist burning barns and committing murder. Tate’s stables have already burned, will her’s be next? Will Ava finally commit to Tate? Friends to lovers romance with complications.
Another great book by Ms Gill. Look forward to reading second book in series. Excellent writer, never disappoints!
From France With Love
League of Unweddable Gentlemen book 1
by Tamara Gill
Loved this! Tamara Gill has written an amazing love story, enjoyed every page!
Ava Knight was dupped by her father and his accomplice, only at the time she thought the man she loved more than her horses, was responsible for the heartache that followed. Sent to France at a finishing school she promised to never love again and banish all thought of Tate the Duke of Whitestone. Fast forward five years she’s an independent woman with one of the largest and prosperous racehorse estates in England, rivalled only by the man that broke her heart……The Duke of Whitestone!
Tate has been trying to forget Ava for the past five years indulging in women, drink and neglecting his horses and estates. Until he gets Titan, he knows he has a winner and he’s determined to race him, only drawback is Ava Knight wants him as well! Things get complicated when his stables catch fire and secrets are exposed, only to find that Ava never betrayed him. Someone is still trying to keep them apart, will the villain succeed?
An amazing start to an exciting new series! I’m a sucker for second chance romances and this one had all the prerequisites, edge of your seat action, danger, mystery, intrigue and heart melting love! Awesome secondary characters and of course the horses!
All opinions are my own, I highly recommend to all who love a good romance.
FROM FRANCE, WITH LOVE by Tamara Gill, is a heartwarming, heart wrenching tale of second chances, secrets, danger, broken hearts and romance.
Book 1 in her new and what promises to be an exciting series, “League of Unweddable Gentlemen”.
Follow, Miss Ava Knight and Tate Wells on their journey to love and a HEA.
Well written, well crafted with well developed characters and an interesting and compelling story. While, not fast paced it will it keep you turning pages as you learn more of Ava and Tate’s love, and their past.
Brilliantly written and well excuted. An absolute delight to read!
Rating: 4 5
Heat rating: mild
Reviewer: AprilR
It is so nice to read a new Tamara Gill story. I have read many and they are varying in their scenarios (you know, not the same old, same old). What I liked about this story is that it is a slow burn and very sweet second chance romance. Tate is unbelievably tender and loving and Ava is awesome and someone that I could see as a friend. Just what I needed this week.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
5 years prior, Ava a racehorse stable owner’s daughter and Tate, a duke’s heir, planned on eloping to Gretna Green but that plan never happens and they blame each other. So 5 years later, both of them are trying to build their racehorse empires, Ava wants to breed her horse Black Lace with Tate’s horse Titan and they are thrown back together. They realize it was their parents who kept them apart and not each other. They both have the same feelings for each other but can they be together? The only surviving parent of theirs is the Duke’s mother and she is determined to keep them apart. Then someone starts fires at the Dukes stables and their surrounding neighbors also have trouble. Who is starting the fires and why? Can a duke marry a women who owns a horse racing business?
I enjoyed reading the book and thought that the story line was quite good and engaging. I read it over a period of 2 days and it kept me drawn in to the plot the entire time I was reading. I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
Tamara Gill has written a great beginning to a wonderful new series. A second chance romance mixed with the couple’s love of race horses. I loved reading Ava and Tate’s story as they reconnect after five years apart. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
3.5 stars rounded up
Having returned to England from a French boarding school to take over her family’s large racehorse farm upon her father’s death, Ava Knight has had a lot to contend with. Now the future of her breeding program could be in jeopardy if she can’t secure the services of Titan, a stallion of superb speed and size. The only problem is he’s now owned by Ava’s former love, the man she swore never to see again since he backed out of their elopement five years prior.
Tate Wells, now the Duke of Whitstone, was left heartbroken when Ava Knight failed to show up on the night of their planned elopement and he promised himself never to see her again. Now he’s determined she won’t have access to his stallion. But when a fire is deliberately set at Tate’s stables, Ava is there to help. When it becomes clear that someone is targeting them and their neighbors, Tate and Ava band together for safety. It is clear that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but that may not be enough to keep them together.
I really enjoyed the plot and how different and original it was. Plus, as a horse lover myself, I’m here for horses as a plot point. It needs quite a bit of grammar editing, but I read and ARC so I’m sure much of that will be fine in the final draft and I still understood what was going on and there was sensible flow (I’m just a linguist so these things stick out to me more than the average reader). I loved that the main characters reconnected so sweetly after such a separation, however, they both annoyed me immensely. Tate desperately needed to grow a pair and stand up to his mother. Ava was so focused on having independence at all costs that she lost sight of her own happiness. I’m always frustrated when two characters both acknowledge that they should be together and then come up with excuses to stay apart and prolong their separation. I really just found Ava to be rather selfish and immobile, and Tate as well to an extent, but alas this is exactly how people are. Luckily, both realized their faults and got it together in the end. Despite these small issues, I still enjoyed this read and will look for the forthcoming installments in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From France, with Love by Tamara Gill is the First book in the League of Unweddable Gentlemen Series. This is the story of Ava Knight and Tate Wells, The Duke of Whitstone.
Ava and Tate were in love and had set in motion to marry but then a misunderstanding broke them apart. Both are hurt and swore to stand with their feelings. Then Ava’s father died and she returns to take over the horse estate and to breed horses. But she learns one of the best horse she was going to use has been sold off to Tate which she doesn’t want to deal with. Tate too has hard feelings toward Ava but then a fire breaks out and Ava ends up coming to help him deal with the aftermath. They start to know that what they thought was true from the past isn’t the truth and they start to build a new path to the future.
Enjoyed their story.
A wonderful love story that took five years to come to a happy ending. Because of meddling by both sets of parents, Tate and Ava were separated and shipped to another part of the world. After a great tragedy, they share time together and discover the manipulation that occurred and eventually reclaim the love they thought was gone forever. As usual, the book is well written, entertaining and holds your attention. I would highly recommend this book as a great read.
This was a fun book to read, it had a mystery and renewed relationships. Ava and Tate had planned to elope five years ago, but their families interfered sending Tate to America and Ava to France. Now Ava’s father has died, and she owns and operates the family’s racehorse estates. She needs the stallion Titan to strengthen her breeding program. Tate was not going to allow Ava to use Titan until his stables are burnt down and Ava helps him stable his horses. Now Ava and Tate need to find the culprit of the stable fires before she is targeted. The book was well paced, intriguing, and the characters were so likeable. Tate and Ava’s friends are introduced in this book and the mystery of their past leads into the next book.
This book is a second chance love story. Tate and Ava were in love 5 years ago, before their family split them up. Now they are back being neighbors and know the truth about what happened. Tate is not going to give up Ava without a fight…. This story has love, with two very nice lovable main characters, Tate and Ava. They have nice friends who want to help and there is an evil person or two. This is the first book in a new series, and it is a nice beginning.
I just love Tamara Gill writing style and the story she creates, it is a nice, easy and enjoyable read.
Ava and Tate are making plans for the future. They decide to elope and on the night they sneak away Ava is caught by her father and told Tate will not be coming. He has changed his mind and is leaving for America. Devastated Ava agrees to leave for a finishing school in France.
Years later both Ava and Tate are home and both carry the hurt in their hearts. Ava is running her family horse breeding/training business and Tate is determined to best her. One evening Tate’s stables is set on fire. Ava lends a hand and the two finally get to talk. Betrayal is found and now learning the truth Tate wants Ava back. Ava now a few years older and wiser is not sure what she wants anymore. As Tate tries to win back Ava, all the surrounding evil is released. Someone is burning stables and homes down, Tate’s mom is working overtime to get what she wants and Ava is truly trying to find what she wants and Needs. Tate might just be everything she needs. Another great read from Tamara Gill
Tate Wells and Ava Knight were young and impulsive and about to elope when they each received a letter saying that other was calling it off. Both left England at the behest of their parents, Tate to New York to stay with family and Ava to France to attend school. Five years later they have returned and are neighbors again. They have not forgiven each other and do their best to avoid each other. A disagreement about a prize racehorse and a series of tragedies at Tate’s stables (and some of the other farms and estates in the area) brings them together to care for the horses and try to learn who and why these incidents happened. They are still angry and hurt and do not understand what happened five years before, but they still care for each other. Can spending time together and getting to know each other again help them discover what happened five years ago and give them a second chance? If it does, will they take it?
This is an absolutely wonderful and exciting second chance story. Add to the heartwarming romance some heart stopping action, danger, and mystery and you have a story you can’t put down. Tate and Ava are great. They are brokenhearted when we meet them, but five years later, they are mature, confident, independent, and a little wary. Hallie and Duncannon are strong friends and there to help however they are needed (including encouraging a little romance). Who causes all the trouble, and why? A spiteful mother and a crazy neighbor have those roles, and they have their own reasons. Exciting story. Great Characters. Fantastic beginning to a new series. I look forward to the next Unweddable Gentleman.
She was banished from England…and she banished him from her heart.
Ava is under the impression that Tate deceived her all those years ago when they were to elope to gretna green.
Tate is under a similar impression as both received notes saying they had made a mistake.
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse estates in the country. There’s only one problem: the future of the estate requires a strong breeding program with the services of a stallion named, Titan. A shame that the horse is owned by a man she swore to never see again.
The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. Despite Tate’s unwillingness to forgive Ava, she comes to his aid during a deliberately lit fire at his estate.
Now they discover there was a ruse perpetrated by their parents. Only one of those who deceived them still lives, the dowager duchess, Tate’s mother but will she admit to the truth?
Still Tate is determined to get the only woman he has ever loved back.
I read this book in one sitting. I do admit to loving this author’s writing style but this seemed like a warmed over trope. I did breeze through the book but could only give it 4 of 5 stars because of this being a much used scenario.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to read but had also pre-ordered the title.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.