Series: The Duke's Estates #2
Author: Jane Ashford
Published February 22nd 2022 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Goodreads Synopsis
Regency fans can rejoice in a brand-new historical romance from Jane Ashford!
Pulled from his comfortable life in Boston by agents who insist he's the Earl of Ferrington, Jonathan Frederick Merrill―Jack to everyone else―arrives in London only to face a torrent of criticism from his great-grandmother. Angry and hurt, Jack resolves to have one look at his ancestral home, and then return to America.
Harriet Finch has been carried off to her wealthy grandfather's country house, where she's seething with rebellion. She spends her days pacing the grounds, fantasizing about a way to escape the life her grandfather has planned. There she meets an intriguing, handsome rogue. What better way to flout her grandfather's rules than to flirt with a stranger he would never approve of? But when she learns Jack's true identity, Harriet is stunned and furious at the deception! Her grandfather is delighted and insists she marry the new earl.
Can Harriet accept Jack's promise to marry her when she wants nothing more than to be free, and is Jack willing to pay the price of nobility if it means he'll have to stay in England?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
After travelling to England, to meet his paternal family for the first time, and learning he is the new Earl of Ferrington, Jack Merrill is disappointed to face a stream of criticism from those who should love him. Deciding he deserved better than to put up with a harridan with a sharp tongue, Jack flees London, and finds himself joining a group of Travellers, learning more about their customs and culture, of which his mother had been a part of. When they arrive close to his country seat, Jack meets a girl living at a local home, Harriet, who he falls for. But he hasn't been truthful, and will she forgive him, when it's clear she dislikes aristocrats? Harriet spent her life living in genteel poverty, after her grandfather shunned her mother for marrying a clerk from his trading company. When her grandfather's only male heir dies, he appears in their lives again, and tells Harriet he will make her his heir, but only if she marries well - especially a title. Wanting to make her mother happy, and less anxious, Harriet agrees, but her feelings for Jack the Rogue stand in the way. When the truth is revealed, she's hurt, but can she go through with a marriage to save her mam?
I was intrigued by the plot of the missing earl when it was mentioned in The Duke Who Loved Me, so couldn't wait to read the book about said earl. This was such a quick and enjoyable read. I felt like the main characters, Jack and Harriet, had fantastic characteristics, and their chapters really suited them. Both wanted to learn about their families, and find somewhere to belong, and when they found the other person who seemed to be made for them, it was like a dream. But the secret keeping was always there in the background, and when it came out, it was understandable for the angst it caused. However, the chemistry and depth of feeling between Jack and Harriet was enough to withstand this blip, and hopefully they'll have a happily ever after, and we'll meet them in the future. Another thing I loved was that James and Cecelia (from book 1) were very instrumental in the story. Normally that doesn't happen with historical books, but it was wonderful to see how they were doing as a married couple. I reckon we'll probably see them in the third book too, which I think will be in Cornwall, where they were travelling to in the epilogue.
Dates Read:
December 30-31, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
