Collette Cameron

Above blurb summarizes the story well, so I'll just tell you the reasons why I loved it.

First, I really loved the characterization of the two leads. We not only have a broken hero, but our heroine was almost, if not more, broken than the hero. The backstory of these two was heartbreaking. I thought the "love at first sight" trope well represented with Shona and Morgan. The attraction and tension between the two was so well written it jumps off the pages.

Second, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot show more which had enough drama and conflict to populate two full length books, let alone this novella. The road to their happily ever after was fraught with a lot of complications, but I thought their perseverance prevailed and they both got stronger by the experience.

Third and last, but not the least, this story had a lot of heart as well as humor, which combined with a fast pace, makes for a wonderful and entertaining read.

As usual Ms. Cameron's richness and depth of the characters is what keeps bringing me back to her writing and I hope you’ll give her a try. I promise you'll not be disappointed!

Melanie for b2b

Gift copy provided by the publisher for an honest review show less

This is a tale of romance, but it is also a tale of two men, from two different generations, who have/had revenge and retribution as their goal – no matter who else it might hurt or the long-term damage it might do. One sought revenge because of a personal hurt and one sought revenge for a hurt done decades earlier. Actually, it is probably three men’s revenge, but one is dead and his evil deeds still haunt those he touched.

Gabriella Breckensole has encountered Maxwell Woolbright, the show more eighth Duke of Pennington a number of times out in society and likes him very well – maybe she even has a bit of a tendre for him. Well, she did have a tendre for him until she accidentally overheard him vowing to take her family home and ruin her beloved grandfather. He spoke of some awful hurt her grandfather had done to his family, but she didn’t hear what. Not her sweet curmudgeon of a grandfather! After that, she wants no part of the duke no matter how many times he approaches her. Can’t he just take a very plainly worded NO for an answer? Apparently not.

Gabriella and her twin sister Ophelia were orphaned when they were five and have lived with their grandparents at Hartfordshire Court for the last fifteen years. They’ve never had a lot, but they’ve had all they need – including two people who love them dearly. Though she has always wondered why her grandparents never leave the estate or why they have never made any friends, she always just assumed they were solitary individuals who were just happier at home. Then, she heard the duke vowing revenge and couldn’t help but wonder …

Maxwell had the unhappiest of childhoods. Nobody has ever, in his entire life, told him that they loved him. He’s had no comforting embraces, no smiles, no kindnesses. According to him, he comes from a long line of unfeeling bastards. So, as their offspring, he’s sure that he is as cold as his ancestors and surely isn’t capable of love. His grandfather was a drunken, opium-addicted tyrant who took his own life and his father was a pox-ridden drunk and Max never understood why. Then, he found his grandfather’s diary a few months ago and it all fell into place – he understood – and he would have his revenge against Harold Breckensole for causing the deaths of his grandmother, his grandfather, his father, and his unborn aunt/uncle.

This is an exciting, well-written, fast-paced read and therefore I’ve given it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4-stars. That said – it is a story of revenge and they are my least favorite trope. I always have to wonder how any honorable person’s first thought for revenge can be to plot the demise of someone who is totally innocent and had no part in or knowledge of the events. It doesn’t matter if the revenge seeker (male or female) has a grand epiphany and changes their mind – even if they make a great sacrifice – their first thought was to harm a totally innocent person. In this case, the revenge seeker was a powerful duke with all of the resources and money in the world at his disposal. Why wouldn’t he seek a legal resolution or why not confront the individual against whom he wanted revenge? Anyway – I rated the book on the writing, pace, etc. and not whether I personally liked the trope.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

I thoroughly enjoy this author’s books. Her characters are always delightful, the writing is excellent, well-paced, and well-delivered, and the witty banter always leaves you wanting more. In this book, we have those delightful characters in the form of Miss Ophelia Breckensole and Stanford Bancroft, the Duke of Asherford. They may seem a most unlikely pair, but it seems opposites really do attract – OR – are they really opposites?

Stanford is known as the Dangerous Duke because of the show more methods he used to turn the fortunes of his duchy around. He had few options when he inherited the run-down, pockets-to-let title at the age of fourteen. With hard work, courage, determination, and sheer intelligence, he did what most grown men could not – he turned the duchy around and made one of the richest and most powerful ones in the realm. He did all of that by the time he was twenty-five. Many thought he was ruthless, but he had to use the tools at hand and he never, ever, forced anyone to wager. He did, however, expect those who wagered and lost to pay their debts. Strangely, some of those whose debts he collected didn’t think they should be required to pay.

Ophelia Breckensole is a bright light who brings smiles and happiness wherever she goes. She’s good-natured, kind, and loving – and is absolutely aghast when that pompous, cold, hard-hearted, self-centered, dour, Duke of Asherford tells her they should wed. He doesn’t ask her; he just tells her they would suit and then lists all of the reasons she’d make an excellent duchess. He doesn’t even make a rudimentary attempt at wooing. Well – her answer, of course, is a resounding NO! When he persists, she promptly tells him he doesn’t always get what he wants. He just smiles and lets her know that, yes, he does.

When fate decides to step in and lend a hand, Stanford is happy about it – but not happy about it. He’s happy Ophelia will become his Duchess, but he doesn’t want her to feel forced into marrying him. He doesn’t see much choice for her because it is either ruination or marriage – but he still wants her to be able to choose.

It was lovely to watch these two get to know each other and come to love each other. I’m sure Stanford was already in love, he just didn’t know it yet, but Ophelia had always disliked Stanford, so it took a bit for her to have a grand epiphany. As she came to care for him, she realized her heart – “Well, the silly, gullible organ fluttered like an inebriated moth when he directed his full charm toward her.”

I can definitely recommend this book and will probably read it again in a few months. Not only are Ophelia and Stanford delightful, but he had lovely visits with characters from both previous and future books in the series. I hope you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

A quirky but well written short story spanning only a few hours, for the most part. I do like the use of language by the author, although I was glad that I read it on my Kindle so could use the built-in dictionary to explore the many uncommon words (a few of which no dictionary has yet found for me!). It's a nice romance, however, with some hints of anticipation that were really well written. It also has a nice happy ending for those romance readers who prefer a good HEA.

Not a long story, show more but pleasurable enough for a pleasant afternoon read. show less