A childhood tragedy had shaped the life of Robert Forsythe, the Duke of Montvale Hall, forever. He kept himself isolated from the world and the people in it, reveling in his reputation as a monster. Locked in a world of guilt and grief, nobody had ever been able to break down the walls he kept around him. Nobody had ever tried. And if being a monster kept everyone away, then a monster he would … then a monster he would be.
Abigail Langton was as headstrong as she was mischievous, so it was no surprise that she wasn’t exactly welcomed at Montvale Hall with open arms.
It didn’t take her long to understand why its owner was called a monster.
It took even less time to realize that monster or not, Abigail’s heart called to him in a way she couldn’t deny or understand.
Robert’s world is turned upside down and inside out by the irrepressible Abigail. And try as he might to avoid it, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he doesn’t want. In ways that scare the wits out of him.
Will Robert give in to the temptation that is Abigail? And will Abigail find the heart of the man beneath the monster?
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Abigail’s surprise arrival was just what Montvale Hall needed and she will flip everything upside down. These two are not a love at first sight couple, but they are drawn to each other no matter how much they try to fight it. The attraction between them is strong and everyone sees it, but until the past is brought forward they will battle at every turn.
The final battle breaks down the rest of the wall he has created by making him face the past once and for all. I loved Robert’s mother when she had a talk with him because she didn’t mince words. Abigail’s cousin knew she was exactly what his best friend needed.
Abigail won’t let him hide behind the monster he has created and is determined to find the man she knows that is hiding inside. I loved her right away with how she spoke her mind went toe to toe with Robert. She knew what she wanted and was going to get it.
Robert is a broken man behind the monster he created and it is slowly eating away at his life. You can tell from the start that he really has a big heart and the longer he’s around her the more the real him comes out. I loved when he finally realized he couldn’t give her up.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
What a great beginning to a new series about four titled boys that grew up together while attending Eton & Oxford & the bond they formed. Along with his friends, James, Simon and Nicholas; Robert Forsythe, the Duke of Montvale Hall aka Monster of Montvale Hall experienced a life changing event. A tragic death, 15 years ago, has changed Robert in to a grieving, haunted secluded man because of the blame he has placed upon himself & he knows happiness will never be found for him in his lifetime.
James, one of Robert’s best friends, shows up with Abigail Langton, a beautiful, straightforward, innocent American female. Definitely the opposites of anything Robert would welcome to Montvale & his rudeness only verified that fact. James brought his cousin to convince Robert’s Mother to sponsor Abby for a season in London & he also hopes Abby will help to cheer her up after all the years of mourning.
Will Abby’s sunshine, kindness & enthusiasm break down the walls of darkness around the Duke’s heart & bring much needed light at Montvale – read about the journey as it is an emotional ride that you will not soon forget! I highly recommend this clean story – kisses only but oh what a steamy illustration Ms. Millard writes to describe them!
My first time reading this author and she did not disappoint. This is a very sweet story that is well written and has a damaged, hurt soul that is dwelling in the dark until he meets a young lady and has the opportunity to heal and build a future in the light. There is a HEA but the 2 main characters have a lot of work to do to reach it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The title of this book led me to think it was about someone with a physical deformity. Instead it is an interesting tale of a man considered a monster because of his behavior. Robert is tormented by feelings of guilt. Then his best friend brings his cousin to visit and she turns his world around. Abigail keeps doing things to undermine his resolve to stay a monster. The story is interesting and the characters are wonderful human beings. I do wish the book had been a little longer. This is my first experience with this author and I really like her writing. I will be looking for more of her books.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Oh what a delightful book this was to read and I must say that Abigail Langton is the most lovable heroine ever!!! She had me laughing so much with her perfect “imperfect” ways! As for Robert Forsythe, the Duke of Montvale Hall, my heart went out to him, I do so love a tortured hero!!
Blaming himself for the drowning of his sister when they were younger, Robert has spent the years brooding and hiding away in his country home with his mother. The villagers have named him the Monster of Montvale Hall. Abigail is an American who wants to come to England to experience a Season in London and convinces her cousin, James, to bring her with him when he returns to England. Being best friend with Robert, James brings Abigail there to ask Robert’s mother to be Abigail’s sponsor. Robert, no matter his rudeness and scowling looks, is no match for Abigail….I just adore how she stands up to him:) She is light to his darkness and he must learn how to forgive himself before they can have a future together.
I was given a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Haunted and wracked with guilt over the death of his sister, which he still feels responsible for years later, Robert Forsythe, now the Duke of Montvale, hides himself away at his Northumberland estate. Robert keeps up impenetrable walls around himself and revels in his reputation as the Monster of Montvale Hall as yet another way to keep the world at bay.
When his lifelong friend James, the Marquess of Avondale, descends on Montvale Hall with his cousin, and uninvited guest, Miss Abigail Langton, Robert is appalled at the intrusion on his solitude. But American Abigail wants a London season and with only male relations in England, James suggests Robert’s mother sponsor her, which delights the dowager and begins to pull her out of her melancholy.
As much as he loathes her constant smiles and chipper attitude, Robert finds himself inexplicably drawn to Abigail and feeling protective and possessive over her. Having ignored his emotions for really all of his adult life, Robert is terrified by the new feelings Abigail stirs in him. He is tempted by Abby, to say the least, but refuses to pollute her light with his darkness. But as Robert finds it increasingly difficult to maintain a tight rein on his emotions, it becomes apparent that Abby may be just the person to reveal the man behind the monster.
Robert has been stuck in a dark void of pain and guilt, staying away from emotions of any kind and believes himself incapable of love so he lives a dark and painful half-life, also believing himself to be unlovable. Unwanted by her parents, Abigail understands pain, albeit pain of a different sort. Abby causes Robert to rethink everything he thought he knew about himself and the relentless guilt he’s carried since his sister’s accident.
This was a great read and I tore through it. Robert was such a well-drawn tortured hero and Abby such a likable heroine and I didn’t even mind the lack of steam. Their story and development, both as individuals and in their relationship together, kept me invested. Thought the set up for the next book at the end was rather abrupt and didn’t quite jive with the emotional bent of the rest of the story, I still find that I want to read that next installment as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was the first time I’ve read this author and after reading Robert and Abby’s story, I think I’ll keep this author! Extremely well written and I loved the story.
That prologue….wow, get the tissues ready! Nadine Millard has done it again! The Monster of Montvale Hall is full of raw grit, with strong chemistry and emotions that will rival the river during a storm. Tragedy strikes and close friends Robert, James, Simon and Nicholas form a bond that is unbreakable. The love that they have for one another comes through the pages and really touches the reader. This friendship works wonderfully for this book, but also sets up to what will be an amazing series!
One day Robert’s tightly controlled world is turned upside down when his best friend James brings his cousin from America to visit. Abigail is sweet, sassy and so much fun! She is everything that Robert isn’t. I love how you can visualize the light starting to shine through in Robert’s life just with Abigail being there. It takes a skilled writer to bring characters to life the way that Mrs. Millard has in The Monster of Montvale Hall. With the introduction of the friends, I can’t wait to continue the series and see what adventures await!
I love reading this author’s books, they are so entertaining and witty. And this one is no different. It is a must read and I highly recommend it.
It was a lovingly story of forgiving and letting the past go.
Robert Forsythe has imprisoned himself for years for what he thinks to be the worst of the crime. For fifteen years he believed he has no right to enjoy life and anything less because his sister drowned on his care. Why he lives a recluse’s life and receives very few visitors until his childhood friend arrives with an unannounced guest, Miss Abigail Langton.
Abby has come to England to enjoy a London’s season and maybe catch a Lord’s eyes. Instead she falls for a reclusive Duke who wants to have nothing to do with her. She is funny and sweet, and when she is overwhelmed, she can’t stop to stutter nonsense.
It was a sweet story about healing, as Robert finds in Abby the light he has lost with his sister’s death, will he be able to open himself to the shinning Miss from America.
It was a clean romance with very steamy kisses times.
4.5 stars
Unputdownable! 6 stars
They say that Nadine Millard is a bestselling writer hailing from Dublin, Ireland. It must be true, because her novels keep getting better and better. Each time, she has outdone herself! She is an amazing and talented storyteller that makes your heart break for the tormented soul in her new book ‘The Monster of Montvale Hall’. You can’t help wishing him the best. The heroine is so adorable and endearing! You won’t be disappointed with her first story in her new ‘Saints & Sinners’ Series! Be prepared for an emotional ride of emotions! Unputdownable! Why? Well, I couldn’t stop reading it because it was so enthralling and intense emotionally! It’s a little gem to discover!
‘The Monster of Montvale Hall’ tells the dramatic story of Robert Forsythe, the Duke of Montvale Hall, who lived a tragic accident when he was young. Along with his friends, James, Simon and Nicholas this dramatic event changed their lives for ever. Now, as an adult, Robert can’t forgive himself, feels responsible for the lost of his love ones and lives as a recluse with his dear sweet mother. He has become a dark and tormented soul who needs forgiveness and love. So when his best friend James asks him a favor, Robert is annoyed by his request but accepts his request. Robert soon becomes fascinated by Abby a headstrong young woman. Of course, Abby, finds him dashing, mysterious, dark however rude in his manners and very intimidating. Together, they will embark on an emotional journey that will forever change the course of their lives.
Some scenes are so intense emotionally that you might shed a tear or two. The scene between Robert and the dowager is so well written. Ms. Millard’s endearing characters are lovable as ‘opposites attract’.
Oh Nadine Millard… how I love you. Very few authors can make me blush while I read about a kiss. A KISS. Holy steam. She does such an amazing job of creating steam, without the raunch. And this story… My heart y’all. I seriously laughed out loud, cried, and like I said, blushed.
The characters were amazing. Poor Robert wrapped in grief and shame. And Abigail- her personality was so fun. She couldn’t keep her mouth shut if she wanted too. I loved how “real” she was. James- he was a sweetheart and I can’t wait to read his story next.
Overall, this book lived up to all I’ve grown to expect of Nadine’s work. Her wittiness and descriptive writing leaves me in awe. That’s why I pre-order all her new releases. *slow clap* Well done Nadine Millard. Well done.