Lord Frederick Herrington is lost. He was lost in the sea of his friends at university, lost in the orders he followed as an officer in the army, most certainly lost where anything romantic is concerned, and beyond lost when it comes to saving his estate from the ruin his father made of it. As far as he sees it, the one thing he absolutely must do is to find a way to restore the fortunes of his … his earldom and to keep the property from being sold off. But how?
Lord Reese Howsden, Marquess of Albany, is a man of power with confidence to spare. His estate and investments are thriving, his adored son has secured the continuation of the family line, and he knows who and what he is. He knows what he wants as well, and what he wants is Freddy. With an esteemed title and close friends to protect him from scorn and scandal, all he needs to do is open Freddy’s eyes to the love that has been simmering under the surface between them for years. But when?
When Reese hosts an American cattle baron and his “dollar princess” daughter for a house party that mixes business and pleasure, he inadvertently provides Freddy with a way to boost his fortunes. But will the solution be worse than the problem, especially as Freddy’s eyes are open to the truth about what his heart really wants? Or will he discover an alternative path and a love worth giving everything up for?
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam level – very spicy! And yes, this is an m/m romance, so if that’s not your thing, feel free to pass on this one.
THE MAY FLOWERS series is a continuation of THE SILVER FOXES OF WESTMINSTER series, involving the younger generation. It consists of:
A LADY’S FIRST SCANDAL
IT’S ONLY A SCANDAL IF YOU’RE CAUGHT
THE SCANDAL OF A PERFECT KISS
THE EARL’S SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
WHEN LADY INNOCENT MET DR. SCANDALOUS
THE ROAD TO SCANDAL IS PAVED WITH WICKED INTENTIONS
more
I have read a few m/m romances but they were all quick and dirty so I was anxious to see how Merry spun this tale of Freddy and Reese. All I can say is WOW! I thought the danger of being exposed as homosexual was so well portrayed in this story. A lot of emotion hit me from Freddy’s being angry with Reese over purchasing his home (I totally got that), to the villain who was blackmailing the men, to the understanding of their families, to the overwhelming love between Freddy and Reese. I thought this was a beautifully told story of two men who just wanted to live their lives and raise a family.
I adored Lenore and hope she ends up with a story down the line.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.
Two men, best friends, one who knows what he wants and will do what he has to do to get it. The other knows what he wants but is afraid to go after it. Then he realizes that all he needs has always been there waiting for him. I really enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed Reese and Freddy’s story. They start out as Freddy being unsure about many things and Reese knowing that Freddy is the one for him. I enjoyed that this was a historical romance from a m/m point of view. I loved these characters and am very glad they got their happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have adored Reese and Freddy from the very beginning of this series and am so pleased they finally got their much deserved HEA. Friendship, family, tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, hope, and love were some of the themes in this wonderfully sweet story about forbidden love in a thankfully long-gone era.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Book four in The May Flowers series a M/M romance that kept me turning pages. Lord Frederick Herrington and Lord Reese Howsden, Marquess of Albany’s story there is blackmail, suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, and a forbidden love. I want to read the next book in this series and in the new series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoyable, and kept me attention from the starts. Both POVs HFN ending so when the next book starts your be ready for a new couple to figure out life’s plans.
Reese and Freddy went to boarding school in their teenage years, Reese fell at first sight but he didn’t let his love stop hime from pleasures of others. For 10 years Reese semi-hid his love for Freddy all those years, but Freddy saw how the upperclassmen in their school forced themselves on the younger weaker men, and he view the same crimes when he was in the Army and he witnessed high ranking officers force themselves on the weaker men. So Freddy sees the act and he’s scared of that kind of pain and suffering so when Reese acts out his love with kisses and feels, Freddy will push himself away from unknown and flashbacks of the rapes he saw. So Freddy will have to open himself up for love that is foreign but pleasurable. Until Reese pulls the wool right from under Freddy by making him less then a man in society standings.
This is a great addition to the series and a wonderful book to read. I loved the story of Freddy and Reese and the struggles they faced regarding their sexual preference for men and especially for each other, considering the laws that were in effect at that time. Danger is lurking in the form of a blackmailer who is watching and photographing in the background. The story is well written, full of love and passion and it has some tense moments. This is a great read and I would highly recommend it.
This is not my type of story M/M, but I decided to read it anyway. The author did a splendid job of tell this story. I enjoyed the characters.
I wonder if Lenore will find a husband, maybe in the next story.
Seriously fun romance with a serious theme!
Reese and Freddy, friends who have to be exceedingly careful before they can be more than friends, are both wonderfully portrayed characters. Reese is the more experienced one, and he’s in a position to help Freddy find his path in life. Both of these characters are connected to the other couples in this series, so we’ve already become familiar with both before this story gets started. This is a standalone, however, so those who haven’t read the earlier books won’t feel left out at all.
I don’t mind my historical romances with a side of social awareness, especially when it’s as well-written and captivating as this story. Throughout the series, the author boldly displays the societal norms as well as the lesser-known aspects of the times, and I really appreciate the author’s acknowledgement at the end of the extensive research that supports the conclusions drawn in the story.
I loved this story, especially the heartwarming and very satisfying ending. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
The Earl’s Scandalous Bargain
The May Flowers Series #4
Merry Farmer
https://www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor/
Release date 12/13/2019
Blurb :
Lord Frederick Herrington is lost. He was lost in the sea of his friends at university, lost in the orders he followed as an officer in the army, most certainly lost where anything romantic is concerned, and beyond lost when it comes to saving his estate from the ruin his father made of it. As far as he sees it, the one thing he absolutely must do is to find a way to restore the fortunes of his earldom and to keep the property from being sold off. But how?
Lord Reese Howsden, Marquess of Albany, is a man of power with confidence to spare. His estate and investments are thriving, his adored son has secured the continuation of the family line, and he knows who and what he is. He knows what he wants as well, and what he wants is Freddy. With an esteemed title and close friends to protect him from scorn and scandal, all he needs to do is open Freddy’s eyes to the love that has been simmering under the surface between them for years. But when?
When Reese hosts an American cattle baron and his “dollar princess” daughter for a house party that mixes business and pleasure, he inadvertently provides Freddy with a way to boost his fortunes. But will the solution be worse than the problem, especially as Freddy’s eyes are open to the truth about what his heart really wants? Or will he discover an alternative path and a love worth giving everything up for?
My review :
When two friends feeling more than companionship must face threats jeopardizing their reputation and freedom …
I really awaited this one installment, I wanted for long to read a m/m romance, and there is nothing better than with an author I am confident will succeed in retranscribing male lovers feelings.
And I am happy to say Mrs Merry Farmer hits the mark, I just loved Reese and Freddy.
Freddy is so sweet and in a way so innocent, he knows his sentiments but is unsure to let them free, his only experience left him with the sense if not unnatural, it is a matter of ascendency and humiliation. Why he is wary, he loves Reese but is also afraid of let go of his control, unsure of it would lead them.
Reese shares Freddy’s feelings and it has been for years, and like him he refrained on acting on them, scared to ruin their friendship.
While he is bolder and far more experienced than Freddy, when it is a matter of love, they are on the same level. He thinks with his heart but does not reflect of how it might be perceived.
Why they make mistakes, hurting one another, letting their pride take over.
Yet, all their errors can’t damage their bond, it is up to them to find the right path and make things work for them.
This book is a wonderful story about love and acceptance, it is not the usual set of lovers and all the love scenes are sensual and gentle, they reflect the love the author has for her characters.
5 stars for this amazing tale of friendship and love.
I was granted an advance copy by the author, and prior to it I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/521215515134291?d=n&sfns=mo
After returning from war in South Africa to deal with the crippling debt his late father left behind, Lord Frederick Herrington has finally had to resort to putting his family home, Silverstone Castle, on the market. Depressed, he retreats to the country estate of his dearest friend, Lord Reese Howsden, the Marquess of Albany. Freddy is bemused to find the house full of guests including a wealthy American heiress searching for a titled husband. She could solve all of Freddy’s financial woes, yet he can’t seem to stomach the idea of courting her since he feels nothing for her and is becoming increasingly aware of the deep feelings that have been boiling just beneath the surface between himself and Reese for years.
This book was very much outside my typical wheelhouse, but as Merry is one of my favorite authors, I decided to give it a shot. And I wasn’t disappointed. I loved both of these characters in previous books of this series and wanted to read their story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be one of the most emotional romances I’ve read in some time. I’m very glad I gave it a try.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall I liked the story. There is tension from latent danger of exposure of homosexual lovers in the Victorian era. Freddy and Reese are long time friends. Freddy is rather shy, although he’s witnessed the horrors of army life. Reese is very privileged; his life seems to have been charmed so far.
What I disliked in this story was the risk taking by Reese, especially after his former lover had been arrested; he endangered himself and the man he’s loved for years. That seemed just too implausible for him not to be more circumspect. But the author uses those errors and their ramifications to continue the story.
I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.