Series: Isle of Synne #2
Author: Christina Britton
Published January 26th 2021 by Forever
Goodreads Synopsis
A fake engagement becomes the real thing in the next book in the series New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes calls "first-rate Regency fun!"
Lady Clara Ashford's world changed fifteen years ago at the hands of a rogue who took her innocence. Determined never to give into temptation again, she settles into a life as caregiver for her family. With her younger sister recently engaged and about to embark on a life of her own, Clara feels adrift and without purpose―until Quincy, the new Duke of Reigate, arrives on her doorstep in need of a fake fiancée.
When Quincy Nesbitt unexpectedly inherits a dukedom, he's determined to do his best by the title. One thing he won't do? Marry a woman he's never met just because she was engaged to his older brother. So, he enlists Lady Clara's help, since he can't marry another when he's engaged to her. But as they pretend for the ton, Quincy finds himself falling for real. Now, he just has to convince Lady Clara to take a chance on him.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Lady Clara Ashford has dedicated her life to looking after her siblings, following the death of her mother as a teenager. Now that her younger sister, Phoebe, is engaged, and wedding preparations are in full swing, Clara is thinking about her future. As the eldest daughter of the Lake Duke of Dane, she should be happily married by now, but an incident during her teenage years has left her apprehensive. When Quincy Nesbitt returns home to England, to see his good friend, Peter, the current Duke of Dane, he has to face his own past. The youngest son of the Duke of Reigate, he never once imagined he would inherit, but in the time he has been exiled from home, his three elder brothers have died, but not without squandering the wealth the duchy once held. Now he needs to marry, but he will do anything he can to get away from his wicked mother, and the woman she's planned for him. Both Quincy and Clara have an attraction, and to help one another, they decide to pretend to the world that they are engaged, to keep both families off their backs, but soon it seems as if the only people who don't know it's real, are they themselves.
I read book 1, A Good Duke Is Hard to Find, at the very start of lock down, and it reignited my love of historical romances, and I've now read 120+ since then. I remember being intrigued by both Quincy and Clara, so having their own story on paper was a joy to read. Clara was a lovely character, who had suffered a lot in her past, and now held herself away from anyone else so as not to get hurt again. She only wants to help, and is running herself ragged to make sure Phoebe's wedding is absolutely perfect. Everyone around her does care for her, but it's only Quincy who forces her to take time for herself, and relax. Their chemistry, and friendship before they grew to more, was outstanding, and it was a true partnership, who could rely on each other at any time. Quincy's childhood wasn't the best either, with his mother utterly despising him, and his brother's being distant. It was only his father who he was close to, and when he died, and his remaining family wanted to ship him off to the navy, he ran away himself, and never returned, until now. And when he discovers he's inherited, and his mother is just as bad as she always was, other secret's come to play, and Quincy needs someone more than ever. All in all, this book was everything I wanted, and I can't wait for Christina's next book!
Dates Read:
October 18-20, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
