ARC Review: The Defiant Wife (The Three Mrs #2) by Jess Michaels
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Series: The 3 Mrs #2
Author: Jess Michaels
Published April 13th 2021 by The Passionate Pen LLC
Goodreads Synopsis
The second book in this sparkling series by 10 time USA Today Bestselling Author Jess Michaels
Pippa Montgomery never thought her life would go like this. When she found out her late husband was a bigamist and had been murdered, she thought nothing could ever be the same. When she met his brother Rhys, the Earl of Leighton, she knew it.
Now they must navigate a scandal that will tear them both apart. They must make decisions that will affect the illegitimate child Pippa’s late husband fathered behind her back. And ultimately they must fight, for as long as they can, the simmering desire between them that is bound to explode.
Two people, broken by a desperate scandal. They can only turn to each other, but they know they can never be together. Will they overcome the obstacles in their way and find a way to love one another? Or will the last consequence of one man’s conduct be the loss of a love that could last all time?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Ever since the events that led up to the three Mrs Montgomery's meeting, and their husband's subsequent death, life for Pippa Montgomery has been a challenge. She only came to London to find her husband and make sure he stands up and supports his bastard son - the son of her own maid, who was abandoned into Pippa's care. Instead, she meets her two fellow wives, uncovers a plot to frame them, and meets her 'brother-in-law' Rhys, Earl of Leighton. Now that they know that Kenley's father is dead, and his mother the cause of it all, both Pippa and Rhys return to Bath, to ensure that he is safe. However, the news of Pippa's 'marriage' has spread, and she's persona not grata, no one even more so than by her own parents. Being with Kenley is all she wants, to be happy and secure, but her growing affection for Rhys, and his returning her feelings may soon cause a stir. But Rhys is shouldering the scandal as much as anyone else, and with paying off Erasmus' debts, the earldom will need his to soothe all scandal, and likely marry well. Any entanglement with Pippa will go against this, but neither of them can fight their feelings for much longer.
After enjoying The Unexpected Wife so much, I couldn't wait to read book 2. Pippa was a feisty character from the moment we met her, and the attraction between her and Rhys was plain for everyone to see. Even so, reading their own story was even better than I could've imagined. Pippa had such a vulnerable side, which she hid behind her fiery persona, and no matter what her marriage was like, she still believed in marriage, and wanted a family. Though Kenley wasn't her own child, she loved him like a mother, and would do absolutely anything for him, even if that meant giving him up to Rhys' guardianship. That added layer just improved the story so much, and the moments we saw Pippa, Rhys and Kenley be a pseudo-family was utter perfection. Rhys was someone who had had a very difficult childhood, and had been jealous of his brother, but felt immense guilt at his feelings for his 'sister-in-law'. Even so, the chemistry and sheer affection between the couple was wonderful, and I think I enjoyed this book even more than I did the first. Now, I'm so looking forward to the final book, and Abigail and Gilmore's story.
Dates Read:
March 23-24, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
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