Also in this series: Cold-Hearted Rake, Devil in Spring, Hello Stranger, Devil's Daughter , Chasing Cassandra
Series: The Ravenel's, #2
Published by Avon on May 31st 2016
Genres: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Pages: 416
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0062371843
A ruthless tycoon
Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the betterβ¦
A sheltered beauty
Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhysβs determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helenβs gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhysβs enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkableβ¦the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss. And it all begins withβ¦
Marrying Mr. Winterborne
SummaryΒ
Rhys Winterborne, has built himself up from the ground all the way to a wealthy tycoon. Rhys has always been able to get what he wants, but when he met Lady Helen Ravenel his world was turned upside down and he is determined to keep her for good. Helen Ravenel, was always nervous around Rhys, he intimidated her and when they were engaged, she could feel herself slowly falling in love with him. But through some complications and family interference, their engagement was broken off. Now Helen is determined to fight to have Rhys back in her life, even if that means compromising herself to be his wife. But soon after Rhys and Helen reconcile and begin anew again, their relationship is more vital and fresh and open than it ever was before. The passion they feel for each other is vibrant, but Helen is faced with a difficult decision. She learns some truths about who her father really is, a man that is a enemy of Rhys. Helen might have to face a future without a man she loves desperately to be taken from her—can Rhys and Helen find their happily ever after when there is a man that threatens to destroy the love they have built?
The HeroΒ
Rhys Winterborne, has not had a easy life, he has perservered through some tough situations. First off he is Welch, and for many he is looked down upon especially when he was younger. But Rhys even though he had parents that taught him right, weren’t the most affectionate or loving of people but they taught him about hard work. Rhys built his father’s small shop into an empire and he is one of the wealthiest men in England. Rhys seems cold and harsh on the surface, but on the inner part’s he is craving companionship and love just like anyone else. He has made mistakes in the past but when Helen enters his life again, he refuses to let her go. Boy, can I just say that Rhys is one sexy hero!! One of the best Kleypas has written. Man he was mouthwatering, and I felt a bit weak in the knees just reading his character. I love how loyal and devoted he is to Helen. When he becomes committed…man does he do it so well but boy is he arrogrant about it all.
Lady Helen is so far above all men that none of us deserve her. Therefore, it might as well be me
I love how he stands by her and shows her how special she is to him and he doesn’t care what others think of him. Love that!!
The HeroineΒ
Helen, out of all the siblings, she is the most gracious and well learned of them all. She can pass for any society miss. She gives the appearance of being the perfect debutante even if that is the exact opposite of what she truly wants in life. Helen, has been the dutifulΒ daughter and sister. She has always said the right thing’s, and did the right things. But when she loses Rhys after some miscommunications,,.,she has to fix it because she loves him and doesn’t want to let him go.
” I wouldn’t count on much adventure if I were you. I’m going to look after you and keep you safe.”
She glanced at him over the rim of the cup, her yes smiling “What I meant was, You are the adventure.”
Helen is a fighter when it comes to the people she loves. She is true to her word and to her family. Helen can be shy and reserved but is solid in every way that matters. She has learned to protect herself at a very young age. We see how she fights for the first time for what she truly wants and NOT what other expect from her even if it will cause a great scandal. I loved her from the beginning and loved seeing her get what she deserved.
Plot and Story LineΒ
Marrying Winterborne is finally HERE!!! And honestly ladies…and Gents of course (men are always welcome in the Kleypas fan club) I couldn’t put this one down!! I bought it, read it and loved every single page. I will admit, after reading the first book Cold Hearted Rake, I was a bit nerve wracked over this book. I liked Cold Hearted Rake, but it wasn’t like the other historical’s that Lisa Kleypas has written in the past. However Marrying Winterborne was simply fantastic and I knew from within the first chapter, that she got her groove back and so thrilled.
Now this book, I would recommend reading Cold Hearted Rake first. You don’t HAVE to, it can be read as a stand alone, there is some background information given that will keep you from being lost however having said all that, I do recommend reading the first book since it has the background information and the beginnings of their relationship. This book sets off pretty quickly after the last book ended. Helen goes into Rhy’s office, to get him back. No matter what it takes. Our heroine, is pretty determined to fight for her man (*sigh* love this moment honestly, this scene is brilliant) Some beautiful moments and enough sensuality to curl your toes and they become reconciled and engagement is back on. But life is never simple especially for these two. Some complications, secrets and truths will need to be revealed before these two can find their HEA. What I truly admired the most about the way this story was spun is how each factor fit into the story. I honestly had a hard time containing my excitement from this book and not skipping because I wanted to find out what was going to happen. The story really builds when we learn who Helen’s true father is (truly not a good guy at all) and is Rhy’s mortal enemy, so there is quite a dilemma that Helen goes through.
Helen couldn’t deny that Mr. Winterborne’s personal attraction were high on her list of considerations. A man in his prime, radiating that remarkable energy, a kind of animal vitality that she found both frightening and irresistible. But there was something else about him…a lure more potent than any other. It happened during his rare moments of tenderness with her, when it seemed as if the deep, tightly locked cache of sadness in her heart was about to break open. He was the only person who had ever approached that trapped place, who might someday be able to shatter the loneliness that had always held fast inside her.Β
My heart really reached out to her, because she wants to be honest with him even though others are warning her away from being honest. I wanted to smack these people, because REALLY!! But Helen she holds true to what she knows is right even if she is risking losing Rhys. And the way the story spirals downward is so right for these two and Rhys is a hero you fall in love with even MORE than before.
No, You’re all mine. Every hair on your head. Every part of you was made to be loved by me
I don’t want to reveal too much and I hope there isn’t any spoilers here for you guys but seriously READ THIS NOW!! You won’t regret it.
The CoverΒ
So pretty…I really love the purple with the white gown….so classy.
Overall ViewΒ
Marrying WinterborneΒ is a truly end of your seat romantic tale that is guaranteed to make you fall heads over heels in love!! ROMANCE AT THE CORE!!
Ohhh sounds good!! Now that I’m actually reading the genre again I might have to grab this series π
its definitely a must!! Kleypas is so amazing to read, and she wrote this book so well.
Wait, I’m just now making a connection … This is the same author of Sugar Daddy. Huh. This sounds like a fantastic HR!
oh yes she went contemporary for a few years but has now returned to writing HR again.
I have never read any of her HRs, and I do wonder
oh you definitely need to!! She rocks it.
I so cannot wait to read this! I’m with you…I liked Cold-Hearted Rake but I wasn’t overly in love with it. It sounds like this is going to be fantastic though!
oh yes…this book was amazing….more like how the other historical’s that Kleypas has written. So I think you will really love it.
Well now you have me drooling over Marrying Winterborne and of course I need to read them in order!
oh goody!! You definitely need to pick these books up. Have you read Kleypas before? If not….she rocks at historical romance.
Can you believe I’ve never read any Lisa Kleypas?! I see her everywhere for both contemporary and historical and I just can’t decide what to read first! Great review!!
WHAT??!!! NEVER? Oh you are missing out. hehe She is one of my all time favorite authors whether its contemporary or historical, she is fabulous to read. She does have quite a few stand alones if you are not sure about picking up a series!!
I just finished reading this one last night and I cannot stop thinking about it. I loved it so so much. I knew it was going to be a favorite ever since we met Helen & Rhys in book 1, but I wasn’t expecting this onslaught of love for it. Rhys truly was one of the best LK heroes – I totally agree with you. I loved how devoted, gentle and crazy about Helen he was. Gahhh! I keep getting a really warm and mushy feeling just thinking about him.
The way he reacted to the revelation about Helen’s father? I was so so happy. I kept waiting for it to blow up and turn really messy and have an inevitable break up, but the way he went about it was perfect! Can you tell I’m mildly obsessed with Rhys? π
And Helen was phenomenal too. I liked how everyone pretty much underestimated how strong she was in reality (with the exception of Rhys – yet another reason to LOVE him!) and how she truly was a brilliant character.
Ohh and how funny and great was Pandora? Her book is going to be amazing! I can’t wait for it to be March already. π
Great review! I’m so happy you loved it too!
oh I know…I can’t stop thinking about it either and I am thinking maybe doing a re read about these two since the first time ran be ragged a bit hehe But wow this hero was amazing, especially in the end right? I was worried about his reaction, but yeah Kleypas did it just right. I just wanted to do a little dance around the room LOL And yeah those sisters are hilarious, and I am pretty excited for Pandora’s story especially since the hero is Sebastian and Evie’s son. I can just imagine the fireworks those two will have. π That should be fun right? I can’t wait.
Such a great review! I loved Cold-Hearted Rake but the ending of that book had/has me tied in knots; I haven’t forgive Winterborne and I’m so apprehensive about this book. But you and Nick both loved this book, and I trust you two. I’ll definitely be reading this one in the future, maybe in a few months when I make a dent in my Fall 2016 ARC pile. π I’m glad Rhys is a sexy hero (thank goodness!) and it’s good to see that Helen handles something as big as her father’s identity, eesh. o_o
Wonderful review!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Thanks Alyssa!! I so loved this one. I was nervous too because he definitely didn’t have his best moments at the end of Cold Hearted Rake but he proves himself in this one for sure!! I definitely think you would really like this one when you pick it up. It had the feels of the other historical’s that Kleypas has written in the past. Let me know what you think of it when you pick it up!! π
Oh man I really want to read this book! I just barely got the first book and now it’s like “Come on!”
haha oh you so need to read it!! I think you would LOVE it!!
Oh I have really got to give her a try at some point. Interesting with him being Welsh. I don’t know that I’ve read any where that was made a point of.
oh you so should. You would really LOVE her books. And she does both historical and contemporary. Its different with Welch, I have only seen it a couple of time and I have read a ton of HR hehe so its nice to see my favorite author put that little twist in there especially since it connects to the villain of the story.