Reluctant Guardian

by Kristy K. James

A rundown southern plantation is the setting for this sweet and clean historical romance brought to you by Amazon bestselling author, Kristy K. James
She's lost almost everyone and everything she cared about...

After a heartbreaking tragedy leaves Devon O'Leary and her brother alone in the world, news of an unexpected inheritance offers hope for a new beginning. But when they arrive in Charleston, they discover a vengeful grandfather has set the stage so that no matter which course they choose, they cannot win. To make matters worse, their dashingly handsome guardian - a rake in sheep's clothing – seems bent on ensuring their financial ruin. Devon's brother is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their home, and she vows to do everything in her power to help. The question is, will it be enough?

The one thing he's ever wanted is finally within his reach...

Though Tristan Montgomery hated Lucas O'Leary for years, he always coveted the land adjoining his. Now, if he can bring himself to agree to the terms of a cruel will, in two years’ time, it will be his. But in order to gain the prize, he must to agree to take responsibility for the grandchildren he's prepared to hate on sight. To his dismay, however, he finds he actually likes his new charges. And while the thought of throwing them out of their family home fills him with guilt, giving up his dream is not an option.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical

238 pages

First published July 13, 2011

About the author

All it took was the encouragement of a student teacher in a ninth grade writing class and Kristy K. James was off and running. She has been writing for more years than she’ll ever admit to, and loves every aspect of it. From creating characters who are so real that they sometimes take over the writing when they don’t like where she’s taking a story, to adding as many twists and mysteries to her plots as she can get away with.

She is the author of Reluctant Guardian, A Fine Mess, and The Stranger in my Head.

Kristy currently lives in Michigan with her family, too many pets and the occasional spider. She spends her time living in her make-believe worlds, cooking and baking up a storm, and doing her best to learn to say ‘no’ when stray animals wander into her large country yard.

Reading is one of her favorite pastimes, as is traveling around the state, especially to coastal beaches to enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and gulls screeching overhead.

Reviews

[Kyjuliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only occasionally read historical novels the time period formula just doesn't hold my attention. However I love Kristy's writing and when I like an Author I read all of there books. This was another good story. I love her characters and her sense of humor. No matter what time period she's writing in the emotion she brings to the story draws me in to the very end. Another great bunch of characters.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I even started reading this book, the cover had me a little scared. It made it seem like a very old, boring, chick novel. Well, that was kind of true, but Kristy K. James spun it in a way that made it both old and new, and it turned into an exciting read. Within the first 20 pages or so I was all caught up in the story and wanting to know what happened next.

But though it was a good book, it felt like it needed a lot of work, like maybe it was a first draft or something. The writing was slightly dull, and the characters quite simple. At one point I felt an overload of characters where I think five new people were introduced in just four pages, and the love story happened way too quickly. Nonetheless, I thought that overall it was a good read. If you're looking for a simple book with a good plot to read, I suggest Reluctant Guardian.

[Englishrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good and fun book. The characters were very likable and easy to get to know. Devon was a great mixture of strong woman and someone suffering from grief - and still acting her age. Tristan is a good man who is a bit volatile in his emotions but still sweet. The plot has potential to be more than it was. Obstacles would appear and then quickly resolve themselves, leaving you wondering what was actually going to stay and cause any problems for the happily ever after. It took a while to figure out what was going to happen overall instead of little issues of life coming up. I would have preferred it to take a little longer and allow the characters to learn and grow through them. It was still an enjoyable read, though the over-use of italics made it hard to get through at times.

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[Nellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Fun, easy read. Clean romance. I felt a bit disconnected at times...like maybe this is a series, and I missed the first few books. I will have to look up the author for that info. Devon and her brother, Adam, travel to a plantation that has been left in their Grandfathers will. Little did they know, he would make it almost impossible for them to keep it. The neighbor, Tristan, stands to inheirit the property at the end of three years, if they don't meet the requirements. He is ready to hate them just because they are related to their grandfather. I didn't like that Tristan had a "sex with no committments" relationship with Constance. I thought it was out of character for him, and would have crushed Devon had she found out, but they never told her.

[Elly Helcl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Historical Romances and this one definitely didn't disappoint...

Except, there were no..."love scenes": in the book. So I find myself in a strange position of actually LIKING a YA romance! It doesn't happen very often so my surprise is warranted.

The 'Reluctant Guardian' is about 20 year old Devon and her 18 year old brother...according to the terms of her Grandfathers will Tristian (a neighbor) is to act as their guardian...

The book is completely predictable with the only surprise being at the end...BUT, it's a really fun read.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a historical romance. Period. Yeah yeah...no "fun" scenes...but it was great non-the-less.

[Jackie Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book, well written but just too sugary for me.

Devon is constantly in tears and far to weak to be a true heroine and Tristran gives in way too easily to her wilting charms. That said, some people will probably love it.

It does have some excellent parts. The description of the slave market and Adam's feelings about buying human beings were compelling reading. I was crying with him.

I would recommend this if you like sweet romance with damsels in real distress.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn't bad at all, I just felt like the hero fell rather quickly for the heroine with no real reason why...It felt kind of rushed. That being said, I like all the characters the story was clean, the romance was fun and it was a quick read.

[Dawn Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this more than I thought I would. Really enjoyed the brother and sister banter. Adam was a terrific well written character and his sister was a pleasure to read. The guardian Tristan was very solid. Really didnt enjoy Constance nor felt her character was necessary.

[Jack D. Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read, if not historically accurate!

This was a great plot to read! True, the author didn't quite do enough research, but what do you expect for free? It held my attention quite well!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good - even though it was pretty easy to predict. Setting was early America during slavery times.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read and fun romance.

[Ashley Lavering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Enjoyable

this clean historical Romance was fun. the characters were likable. the plot was not over complicated and made for a quick ease read.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent book. fairly well written. some powerful scenes. most of the characters were likeable. the problems near the end seemed contrived and didn't really belong there.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book that could have used more background details.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good story, well written with likeable characters. I think the relationship between Tristan and Constance was unnecessary and didn't really add to the story and made me think less of Tristan. It was good to see Devon getting past the death of her parents and living her life again. Her ex fiance was a total jerk, only wanting her for money. Although when he attacks her, I had to wonder where he got the money to pay for things as his family was supposedly bankrupt. That wasn't my favorite part of the book. I liked how Tristan changed what he was planning to do-that made him more likeable.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Cute story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this book - it was a very sweet, clean love story. There were 2 things I didn't like. First, the editing was a bit off and sometimes it was hard to tell who was talking, and occasionally punctuation was missing. The other thing was that I don't know what benefit there was to the story to mention the relationship between Constance and Tristan at the beginning of the book. They didn't even NEED to have built a relationship between them. But other than that I quite liked the book.

[Janice McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I guess.

Was pretty good considering that time passed oh so slowly. Maybe we just live in a faster paced world. I believe this story could have been written in three chapters of thirty words. Amen