Series: Misfits of the Ton #2
Author: Emily Royal
Published January 12th 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
An abandoned wife, a doubting husband... will the truth reunite them?
Kept on a tight rein by her guardian ever since a failed elopement, Lady Beatrice Thorpe has no intention of falling in love again—until she meets a widower with kind eyes and a gentle touch.
Augustus, the Earl of Hardwick, was widowed when his unfaithful wife died giving birth to her lover’s child. On his return from exile abroad, he re-enters London society in search of the perfect, biddable bride. Beatrice catches his eye with her air of innocence, and her sorrowful gaze touches his heart.
Still bitter from his first wife’s treachery, Augustus struggles to trust again, and Beatrice, broken-hearted by betrayal, is unwilling to risk her heart. Neither can deny their desire for each other, which heightens with each scorching kiss. But passion without love is never enough.
Will they risk their hearts to find the happiness they crave, or will their fears tear them apart?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Following the betrayal and later death of his wife, and newborn son, Augustus, the Earl of Hardwick, has spent the last few years in self exile abroad. Ready to come home, and hoping to find himself a faithful bride, Augustus reenters society, and immediately is drawn to Lady Beatrice Thorpe. For Beatrice, she is recovering from her ordeal in her debut season, and though her cousin, and guardian, has a tight rein on her, she would rather be protected than risk her heart once more. But there's something about Augustus that draws her to him, and she might be everything he's ever wanted. However, Augustus' demons are deeper than her expected, and he abandons her on their wedding night. Beatrice might have once been a naive young miss, but she's about to show Augustus that he's messed with the wrong woman.
This was much better than book 1. I had always felt a love for Beatrice, especially with how she had been prayed upon, and had looked for love and affection in the wrong place following her parents deaths. She deserved happiness so much, and the chance to have a family that she'd always wanted. Her and Augustus' romance was definitely a face one, and one that neither had been expecting. Augustus wanted to find a timid, and biddable wife, and though Beatrice may have appeared to be one on the outside, she soon proved she was anything but. I hated the separation, but it forged Beatrice into the Countess she was born to be, and it was fun to see Augustus on the backfoot.
Dates Read:
November 10-11, 2024
Rating
3 Stars
