After escaping the guillotine in her native France, aristocrat Noelle de Vallon takes refuge with her aunt in Sussex. Feisty, resourceful, and determined to make her own way, she takes over the local smuggling operations, doubling their profits. But when their plans are betrayed, a man from her past steps out of the shadows to save her. Too bad he’s the last man on earth she ever wanted to see … again.
Years ago, Richard, Lord Boltwood’s, plan to marry Noelle was foiled when his ruthless father shipped him to the Continent to work in espionage. But with the old man at death’s door, Richard returns to England with one final mission: to catch a spy. And Noelle is the prime suspect.
Noelle is determined to finish the smuggling run and escape back to France. She needs Richard’s help to do it, but how can she ever trust the man who abandoned her? And how can Richard catch the real culprit while protecting the woman who stole his heart and won’t forgive him for breaking hers?
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In an era when friends could be enemies, Noelle de Vallon is cautious and mistrustful, especially when Lord Boltwood returns and claims her as his bride. Noelle has more gumption and feistiness than 10 men put together, but in an era when women entertained themselves playing the piano and doing needlework, she really did not fit in, especially as she is also a French emigree with strong views about equality! As a hero, Richard needed a Gibbs slap on the head as he is overbearing and unduly aggressive towards Noelle. However, the reader quickly realises that he is feeling his way, his emotions do run deep and he is as wounded as she is. I was a bit irritated with Richard’s manner, as well as the constant mistrust and bickering between the pair, but then realised that this book took place over a period of a few days, and when there is so much hurt between a couple, it takes time to resolve those feelings. The book is generally well written, fast-paced and adventurous, and thankfully comes to a successful close. As with other readers, I feel that an epilogue to this book would not be out of place. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Barbara Monajem weaves a magical tale and captivates her readers in bringing them in a world full of intrigue and betrayal, action -packed with spies and smugglers. Noelle is a heroine that isn’t afraid of love or a chalenge. Richard is the perfect hero willing to risk everything to keep the woman he loves safe, I truly recommend this you will not be disappointed.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
Noelle de Vallon has escaped her native France & has found safety with her aunt in Sussex. She is; however, a strong, feisty, independent, passionate beauty who will find a way to make it on her own – she does just that by becoming a part of a smuggling ring.
Richard, the new Lord Boltwood is a handsome, full-of-himself, confident, funny & clever man who was forced to leave, by his father to spy for the Home Office in Amsterdam, 2 years ago after proposing & then taking Noelle’s maidenhood.
Watch the sparks fly when these two get together again & he insists she marry him – nothing will go smoothly from here! I loved the great humor, wonderful main & secondary characters, all the smuggling & spy action & the romance of these two polar opposites! My only complaint on this book, it was just too long – there were so many places it seemed to drag & I could have done without the extra non important verbiage.
I do highly recommend this book & Ms. Monajem has created an entertaining book that historical readers will love!
Can Richard and Noelle learn to trust each other?
Noelle and Richard have quite the past. They fell in love and promised to marry. Unfortunately, circumstances tore them apart leaving Noelle feeling confused and betrayed. Two years later, Richard returns to find Noelle heavily involved in smuggling and in danger of being arrested as a spy. Richard desperately wants to help her, but Noelle, still angry at being abandoned, is determined to make her way on her own. However, Noelle may need more than her own willpower to escape with her life.
Richard and Noelle are certainly an intense couple. Their wills are evenly matched, they have great chemistry, and they enjoy teasing and bickering with each other, or at least they did at one time. Richard comes back expecting to pick up where they left off, but Noelle is understandably angry at being left behind without explanation. Rather than being entertaining, their bickering had a bitter taste. I found myself wishing I could have gotten to know them before their forced separation. I think they would have been a fun couple to watch.
Richard and Noelle’s major issue is trust. They both expect loyalty and trust, but weren’t willing to be completely honest with each other. So many of their problems could have been cleared up in a single, honest conversation, and there were many opportunities to have that conversation. Unfortunately, they stubbornly push ahead, each convinced they know what is best. Consequently, they cause each other a lot of unnecessary heartache. I found this frustrating. As a result, it was hard for me to relax and enjoy their relationship. Richard is determined to keep Noelle with him even though it is clear she is upset and has misconceptions about why he left her. Yet, Richard professes to be confused by Noelle’s behavior. I find this very hard to believe. I know the misunderstandings are meant to add tension and suspense to the plot, but I found them all rather unsettling.
Despite these issues, I am pleased to say that Richard and Noelle eventually find their way to a happy ending. After everything they have endured, I believe they will be a powerful couple and will be more open and honest with each other in the future.
Looking for a historical romance with a strong-willed couple and plenty of emotional turmoil? I recommend giving The Smuggler’s Escape a try!
It was a nice read. I was turned off by the main characters constant bickering and lack of trust. The story overall was entertaining and the secondary characters well written. There were a few parts that seemed to add unnecessary details that drew the story out. It was a quick read though and I would probably read it again.
Noelle de Vallon was raised in France and now resides in England due to the French Revolution. She is currently staying with her Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Matthew. To try to get herself out of their house because Uncle Matthew is not a nice man she has turned to smuggling and saving her profits. As old Lord Boltwood is dying he tells her that she is going to be arrested for spying that she should get out of the country. Richard Boltwood the new Lord Boltwood after his father’s death is trying to help Noelle. He does not believe that she is the spy and is trying to find the real culprit. Richard and Noelle have a history together. The rest of the story continues with several adventures and failed plans along with some successful ones.
I liked the book. I just had a hard time believing the characters would not eventually talk to each other and communicate better. They did finally come clean with each other in the end. I wanted to give it more stars but it was really hard not to get annoyed with Noelle and Richard most of the time. It was a quick good read though.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own
A well written, but frustrating read.
Set in Sussex, The Smuggler’s Escape by Barbara Monajem unfolds during the volatile period of the late 18th century. This second-chance romance features interesting characters (both likable and unlikable) within a well woven, but complicated plot. This stand-alone novel is lengthy, but it is also well written. The author skillfully moves between the hero and heroine’s points of view. Also, the thoughts and descriptions are balanced with the dialogues and actions.
Having stated all of the above, I must admit that I really didn’t like the hero. Richard was, in one word, a jerk. He expected total loyalty, trust and obedience from Noelle without having earned it in anyway. He was arrogant, condescending, controlling and rude. The very qualities he “loved” about Noelle (smart, feisty and strong), were the personality traits he belittled. She really deserved better, but alas she was in lust/love with him. What really gnawed on my nerves was their constant bickering, hostility and angst in general. Way too much angst.
I was truly glad that the ending was happy. However, had the author opted to include an epilogue, the ending would have been more satisfying.
Content alert: In addition to secular and religious expletives, the sexual content is described in detail.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Good book. Premise interesting. Noelle and Richard’s lack of communication irritating at times. I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.