I received this book for free from Loveswept in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What a Lady Demands by Ashlyn Macnamara Series: The Eton Boys Trilogy #2
Published by Loveswept on January 1st 1970
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 276
Format: eARC
Source: Loveswept
Readers of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries will love Ashlyn Macnamara’s novel about a smoldering new love that is threatened by past betrayals.
Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Viscount Lindenhurst, is in search for another governess for his son. Lind, has high standards for a education for his son, Jeremy. When Cecelia Sanford strolls in applying for the job, he is shocked, she is a woman he has known for many years, and is a sister to a old friend. Lind suffers from a injury from the war, and still grieving for the death of his wife, and wanting revenge. Cecelia, hasn’t had the most pristine and squeaky clean of pasts either, she has a enemy and has come looking for a governess job, to find a sanctuary. As much as she loves her brother and his new wife, she needs to build her own life and future. When she first meets Lind, she finds him cold and unfeeling and not caring much for his son’s welfare. As she begins to help Jeremy she begins to understand Lind, and his past and the reason of his actions. She sees a man in need of healing and love more than anyone…and she will do everything she can to show him the power of love…
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from What A Lady Demands. I will be honest what really drew me to the story was the cover…such temptation and I just couldn’t resist accepting a offer from Netgalley to read and give a honest review for this one. This story was quite emotion and really affected me in a way that romances normally don’t. I found myself keep coming back to this story. I found in hard to put down. Now its not the kind of story that is fast paced and keeps you on edge all the time…quite the opposite in fact. Its a perfect read for a relaxing evening at home, with a latte in your hand. This story is the second book in the series, the first book is Cecelia’s brothers story…which really had be intrigued. I loved seeing the connection, and as this is the first time having read this author, I really can’t wait to try the first book and see how it compares to this one.
The story begins with a tense meeting between Lind and Cecelia….oh boy….these two are so stubborn!! I loved it! It felt refreshing at times, seeing these two clash with each other. At first I did not like the hero (which is a rarity for me) but I really didn’t like how he treats his son, Jeremy. He tends to push him away, and keeps him secluded. But as you begin to see more development in the story and you see his past and deeper personality comes out…you start to really understand where he comes from. He is suffering from a ton of pain, guilt and anger. Cecelia is like a breath of fresh air for the story…I really liked her a bunch. She had tenacity, stubbornness and had such a big heart. The way she is with Jeremy is so precious and sweet, and she doesn’t back down or fear Lind like everyone else in his household does. We see how she is the perfect woman for him, she helps him face his fears and his past so that he can see a future for himself. We see in this story, a bonding of this small family that need each other. I will say that the intimate connection between Lind and Cecelia was slow going, and doesn’t happen instantly. There is a spark of attraction of course, but things don’t go full speed ahead like one would expect. Its a slow and steady paced romance, and I really loved seeing a author put more focus on the development of a plot and building the characters and seeing the intimate scenes just icing on the cake.
Overall a emotional ride of a romance that pulls the reader into a plot of mystery, desire and redemption!! STIMULATING!!
About Ashlyn Macnamara
Ashlyn lives in the wilds of suburbia outside Montreal with her husband and two teenaged daughters. When not writing, she looks for other excuses to neglect the housework, among them knitting, reading and wasting time on the internet in the guise of doing research.
0 Comments