The Seduction of Lady X

The Secrets of Hadley Green #3

by Julia London

The would-be Earl of Ashwood sets his romantic sights on a forbidden prize in the enchanting third novel from Julia London’s addictively sexy new series.

The surprising news that dashing steward Harrison Tolly, illegitimate son of the Earl of Ashwood, is the rightful heir to his father’s estate comes at a most inopportune time. With a wedding on the horizon and a baby on the way, a new life of privilege and prestige would be a blessing but for one problem: his heart belongs to another woman.

Harrison keeps his desires for his employer’s wife, Lady Olivia Carey, so hidden that even she does not know of his devotion. Her callous husband, Marquis Carey, went into a rampage after Olivia’s troublesome younger sister returned from her tour of Spain pregnant, and Harrison impulsively stepped in to save the entire family from scandal. Now, like Olivia, he is trapped in a loveless arrangement. When a tragic accident claims the marquis’ life soon thereafter, can Harrison seize his chance and cast aside one sister for another? Or will doing so expose the Carey family’s darkest secret—and ruin his only chance to win Olivia’s heart?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 27, 2012

About the author

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon

Reviews

[Alba Turunen · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sabía muy bien cómo calificar éste libro, porque la verdad es que me ha gustado, y es tan simple que se lee sólo. Pero es de ésas novelas que son para leer, pasar el rato y olvidar.

Los personajes me han gustado, pero creo que les ha faltado chispa, son algo sosos, y la historia tarda bastante en aparecer, y cuando aparece te sabe a poco. Al principio del libro odiaba a Alexa, pero hacia el final fue creciendo y madurando, creo que es lo único bueno y destacable que puedo sacar de sus personajes.

La historia sigue la tónica de las anteriores de la serie. En éste caso, Harry, bastardo de nacimiento y administrador de un marqués, recibe la notificación de que es el único heredero de sangre del condado de Ashwood (que ya se vio en el libro anterior). Lo cierto es que de Hadley Green sale muy muy poco, no sé si para bien o para mal, pero por lo menos no he visto tantas incongruencias como en libros anteriores.

La historia en sí es bastante enrevesada y truculenta. La protagonista, Olivia, está casada con un marqués que la maltrata física y psicológicamente, los únicos motivos que tiene para seguir son su hermana y la amistad que la une con Harry. Por parte de Harry, está por debajo socialmente de ella, y además es bastardo. Por el otro lado está la joven y alocada hermana de Olivia, Alexa, que ha vuelto de España con una sorpresa. Quizás lo único que me ha chirriado en éste libro es el viaje de Alexa a España. Fue a España de viaje, como señorita de compañía de una dama que quería estudiar las iglesias españolas (no discuto los motivos de la señora), lo que sí discuto es que Julia London no se ha tomado la molestia de abrir ni un sólo libro de historia para informarse ¿España destino turístico para dos damas inglesas en 1809? ¿En plena Guerra de la Independencia? Las únicas personas que viajaban en ésa época a España eran los soldados que venían a combatir a los franceses. No puedo evitar sacar mi vena más quisquillosa.

Así que como se ve, es una historia bastante imposible, a la vez que bastante predecible y con poca sorpresa, pero la he disfrutado en el momento. En cuanto pueda me leo el 4º y último libro y será una serie más finiquitada.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst historical romance novels I have ever read.
First, I don't know why, but I loathe stories in which the heroine is married, but falls in love with some rake or hot gentleman - and I don't care how abusive or horrible the husband of the heroine is.
Second, there were scenes of rape and beatings - that was a surprise as I've never encountered scenes as described in any other HR book.
Third, although it was a relief when the evil husband died, his death was just a little too late, easy and convenient.
Fourth, there was WAY too much drama, angst, and self-sacrificing going on even after the husband died. I remember being extremely frustrated and angry, but thinking that I'm already 70-80% done, I might as find out how their HEA will be written. But no! They didn't get together until the VERY end of the book - I was 95-97% through the book before even a hint of a HEA was indicated. And that was only because at the very last moment, the spoiled, annoying, self-serving sister of the heroine finally realizes she's not doing the right thing by marrying the hero.
Also, I really hated the hero. What a wimp, even if he was a complete gentleman. When it came to the sex, I was grossed out - and I actually adore reading about the intimacy between the H/h usually. In this case, it felt like the author felt she needed to put it in because it was required of her to do so. Not that there was too much detail or anything, I was just too mad and irritated to want to know about their sex life at that point.

[BRNTerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was awful. The hero, 29 year old Harrison Tolly, is the steward for Edward Carey. Twenty-six year old Olivia is stuck in an unhappy and abusive marriage with Edward, has been for six years. She’s physically, sexually (raped) and verbally abused by her husband.

They find out that her younger sister Alexa (she’s eight years younger) is pregnant. Out of nowhere, Harrison offers to marry Olivia when he barely knows her. He has absolutely nothing to gain by doing so. He just doesn’t want her child to be a ‘bastard’ like he was so out of pity, he offers marriage. Literally, the entire plot revolves around that. He’s in love with Olivia but she doesn’t know until much later, after he’s offered to marry Alexa. Alexa is a selfish immature character and I didn’t like her at all.

Olivia has a young maid named Rue. She’s slow mentally and boy, does the author keep reminding us of it. Almost every time the poor girl is mentioned it’s because she’s doing something wrong. It’s clear her character was created to provide comic relief for the author but I didn’t find it to be funny.

Olivia and Harrison get their happily ever after and so does Alexa. An unbelievable reunion of sorts happens involving her right at the end that made me roll my eyes. This was not a good story by any stretch of the imagination.

This was my first Julia London book and I don’t think I’d read her again.

I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie Heustess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment of the Secrets of Hadley Green series is another winner for Ms. London. Harrison Tolly is in a difficult position. He is the steward of the estate for Lord Carey and his family. He also happens to harbor a hidden love for the mysterious Lady X, who just happens to be Lady Carey. Although she knows nothing of his feelings, she does have an immense tenderness for him. To her, Harrison is a bright spot in her lonely days. Her husband is abusive- verbally, emotionally, and physically. Not only does he routinely humiliate her in front of others, he drinks in excess and, proceeds to routinely rape her in the hopes of conceiving an heir. Enter Lady Carey's younger sister, who while on a trip to Europe falls in love, gets pregnant and runs home. Ever the gentleman and loyal steward, Harrison steps in to give the unborn child legitimacy. It becomes a whirlwind of happenings around the estate to hide the young woman and to plan a wedding that is not exactly the “wanted” outcome for either party. When it is revealed that Harrison is actually the illegitimate son of the Earl of Ashwood and the rightful heir, he keeps the information private, seeking to stay as long as possible in Olivia's presence. Lord Carey becomes paranoid and begins to think his wife is having an affair and on a vengeful night, in the throes of anger, falls off his horse and dies. The rest of the story is a complicated mix of discovery and refound love.

I found this to be an incredibly easy read, once you get into the story. This installment was so different from the other stories. I was impressed that Ms. London decided to take on the task of alcoholism/abuse in all forms. I love that she did not sugar coat the abuse aspect in this book. It was and is a very common problem in society. The reader, in the first few chapters, gets an up close and personal look and grasp of what Olivia’s life has been like for the past 8 or 9 years. I could feel her barely controlled angst, her pain at not feeling as if she was good enough for her husband. Her rationalizations are completely in line with what many abuse victims profess to feeling. She was, to me, a friend that put on the face of happiness and obliviousness to hide her pain. Olivia is a proud woman and does not want to admit that her husband is a jerk, even though she is quite aware of it. But she sees in Harrison a kind man, who has been a strong and supporting person to her through the years. For his part, Harrison has stepped in more than once to protect and defend Lady Carey. Although he is employed by Lord Carey, he stays there to be close to Olivia. He comes across as a star crossed lover, an incurable romantic that is resigned to loving her from afar. He has set morals and beliefs, and wants to be taken on his own merits, rather than because he is now considered to be of the gentry. I was glad that the reader got to see the double edged sword that cuts both ways when in just such a situation.

If there was anything that I disliked it about the book, it was also what I loved. Abuse in any form is often ugly and hidden. I cringed at every verbal jab that was thrown Olivia’s’ way. Every insult and physical injury made me cry as if it were I that was experiencing it…but isn’t that the goal of every author? To make the reader feel the characters’ plight and want them to succeed. The reader is left rooting for the happy ending, anxiously hoping that all the right things happen and no one is left on the outside, including Lady Olivia’s bratty sister.
I would give this book a 4 star rating, a truly enjoyable series!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lady Olivia Carey married Lord Edward Carey, she was a lovely and innocent young girl taken with the idea of marriage to a man who appeared to be a gentleman. She quickly found that not to be the case. Instead, Edward was a drunkard who came to her bed to rape her in an attempt to get an heir. Often, the whiskey kept him from being able to perform. He constantly insulted and abused her. She felt that this was to be her lot in life and she did all she could to cajole Edward and put up a brave front.

Her younger sister, Alexa, had recently come to live with them after her tour of Italy with her aunt. Their parents were now both deceased. It soon became apparent to Olivia that Alexa was pregnant and she admitted to her that she had fallen in love with a man named Carlos and had gotten pregnant. She fled Italy when she saw him kissing another woman. When Edward finds out about Alexa's pregnancy, he is enraged and banishes her from the house.

The steward for the Carey's estate, Harrison Tolly, had been born a bastard. He had worked as steward of the estate, was a wonderful manager, and had been with the family for some time. He lived in the Dower House. He continuously told his friends who tried to fix him up with a woman that he is in love with Lady X and refuses to give her name. He was a gentle man and a kind friend to Olivia. This friendship flares to love. Of course, Lady X is Olivia. They both know their love can never be and he kindly offers to wed Alexa to save her child from being a bastard like he was.

The abuse that Olivia suffers from Edward enraged me as I read it. The author's descriptions of the situation were on target with how many alcoholics and abusers act. But the love that Olivia and Harrison share for one another is so fragile and delicate, again as beautifully described by the author.

Without giving out any more spoilers, I would say that this was one of the most satisfying romance novels I've read in quite awhile. Although I have not read the first two novels of this series, I most certainly intend to do so right away.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Julia London romances! The Seduction of Lady X had me crying often, but smiling at the end! One of the better HEA romances I've ready recently! London's H/H characters are deeply drawn for the reader making the journey they travel one that is completely shared by the reader. Even the side characters make an impact and are far from being superficially done. I also enjoyed reading a romance where the hero was not the wealthy, powerful aristocrat of the story, or the mighty, physically perfect warrior. That's not to say, the hero isn't sensually attractive and strongly capable because he most definitely is. It's just nice to see a man with a more common upbringing ascend the ladder firstly by his own hard work. Then of course, destiny shines on him a little too :-) I like that the heroine is also well matched to the hero. As the reader, I was left with the feeling that while she was undoubtedly attractive, she was not an acclaimed beauty. At least to no one, except the hero. It was also a breath of fresh air to encounter a hero who not only had his own serious moral code, but who could actually live by it. He was also the most empathic hero I think I've encountered. He truly cared about the life and conditions of others, and was willing to sacrifice to improve their lives. It really is just a wonderfully, touching story with no disappointments to speak of unless you are one who likes to keep the eyes dry. :-D

[Elise Rome · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

First time I've read a Julia London book, and I'll definitely be reading another. Very unique and fresh and romantic.

[SidneyKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone pass the Valium...Pul-e-e-s-e!

The Seduction of Lady X is a difficult book to review. There were so many things in this story that I really liked, however, coupled with that were such moments of doom and gloom that I found myself saying, "Oh not again" and wanting nothing more than a happy pill.

In case you didn't catch on, this is not a frolicsome book. It is filled with unrequited love, big misunderstandings, depressing unattainable desires, martyrdom...and things just keep getting worse and worse. If there was ever a book that defined bleak, this is the one. Oh, and there is abuse thrown in. The abuse is there because we have to loath the husband, you see our hero luves the wife. We don't want lusting after a married woman to distract from the sainthood of the hero.

The plot is this: there is a horrible drunk man who needs an heir. He is married to the lovely, singing-to-the-birds, bright smiling sunny woman Olivia, aka Lady X. She, of course, is barren or so her brute of a husband thinks. Living with them is her spoiled eighteen year old sister who happens to be pregnant and isn't telling who the father is. Well, of course the brutish husband's reaction to this comes as no surprise - he wants to kick the sister out. Or is it just kick? Enter our knight on the white horse - the too good to be true - luved the heroine forever - Mr. Martyr Harrison Tolly, aka Harry, aka Tolly. Oh yeah, he's illegitimate. Anyway, because he's loved our sunny-smiling heroine forever, he sacrifices himself and proposes marriage to the spoiled selfish sister. That's the beginning...and things go downhill from there. This was all kind of a Mary Balogh angst-ridden book. There were just so many roadblocks thrown in the way of Tolly and Olivia, after awhile I could only giggle and beg, ple-a-s-e not again.

Even though I knew from the back blurb who the hero and heroine were, I thought it would have been interesting if the hero had married the sister while all the time loving the other sister. Now, that would have been real angst! But, Ms. London didn't go in that direction.

You may think I didn't like this book - you'd be wrong, although "like" would not be the word I'd apply to The Seduction of Lady X. I'm not sure you could "like" this dark story; however, you could be fascinated with it, similar to watching a car wreck. Or reading The Grapes of Wrath; good writing, depressing book. And, that's what this one was, good writing, but the book is so full of despair I wondered how we were ever going to get our HEA.

So, would I recommend this book? Yes, but be warned that you need a Margarita by your side along with Tiny Tim singing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" in your iPod. I have great respect for Julia London, and believe that with this book, she has ventured into some very intense writing. She succeeded in bringing lots of pathos to this story, but be prepared to be emotionally drained when you put the book down.

Now, someone go out and get me some chocolate.
KaysBlog

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, here's where the important difference between "I liked it" and "It was a really good book" come in-- there are books out there that I respect as really good reads (this would be one of them), but just aren't my cup of tea.

This was a four-star book: well-written, had good characterization, nice plot development... but the first two-thirds of the plot create a soul-destroying and *increasingly* bleak place for the main characters. I enjoy books most when I can at least partially identify with a main character. Instead, I found myself mentally distancing myself from Olivia, because I just couldn't put myself into her kind of awful. There's spousal abuse (verbal and physical-- and if reading a rape scene makes you uncomfortable, this may not be the book for you). There're doomed noble gestures. There's personal sacrifice. There're star-crossed lovers. (Asteroids-destroy-the-planet level of star-crossed, let me tell you.) There's an ENORMOUS amount of miscommunication, false rumor, untimely eavesdropping, and misinterpreted signals that make an already horrible situation much, much worse.

It DOES get better (eventually). There is, almost miraculously, an HEA (more than one, even). But getting there was SO FREAKING DEPRESSING (particularly in the current political climate, when a lot of politicians seem eager to return women to this condition-- and people say romances don't have anything meaningful to contribute!) that I nearly gave up on it halfway through. I'm glad I didn't, but there was definitely some agonized weeping involved, getting to the end.

I took minor exception to the title, too-- to begin with, the identity of Harrison's "Lady X" is *not* kept a mystery from Olivia for very long (the better to torture her with, I suppose... I actually would've liked for that mystery to play out a little longer). And anyone who reads this expecting a "seduction" is in for a most bitter shock. (Really, who comes up with these things? Did the author have any say in the title at all?) Something like "Memoirs of a Star-Crossed Lady" or "Saving Olivia" or even "The Curse of Ashwood Hall" or "The Gentleman in the Dowager House" would be a much better clue as to what the reader was in for.

Four stars for quality, but not really my kind of book.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed with this story. It was all about a family that was not introduced in either of the first two books, which makes me wonder if this really fits the definition of a trilogy. But, the first two stories were all about a set of jewels, and the their fate was very anti-climatic. My main critique of the story is that the characters are strong and play the hand that they are delt, but this is mostly a reactionary story. The characters only react to situations beyond their control. It was a story of un-requited love, but still, they heroine didn't reach out for herself. The hero came and got her. London continues to be a hit-and-miss author with me. Some of her stories are so good, while others, just aren't, to me. In the future, I'm going to be more careful about the selections I chose from this author.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was a romance novel that was on a very different level than most. As someone who has worked with victims of domestic violence, I felt that the author captured the characteristics of a controlling, abusive partner very accurately. The story was told in a way that built the relationship between the hero and heroine in a beautiful way. Some of the abuse/violence may be too difficult for some; I was shocked at the level these acts were described in the book, but I felt it was appropriate and the story would have been incomplete without it. It was a much deeper and more meaningful read than most of the fluff romances that are based in this time period.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn on this one. There was some beautiful unrequited love, and quite a bit of delightful angst, and yet there was also explicit rape and spousal abuse, which is not something I had anticipated going in.

While it was well-written and enjoyable story that certainly kept my attention, I think there was just a tiny bit too much "heaviness" to it for my tastes right now.

3/5 Stars.

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is what I'm talking about when I want a bit of fluff to read! A good bodice ripper is needed in one's life every now and a gain. I loved Olivia & Harrison's unrequited (for a while atleast) love. And Alexa with her Spanish baby drama thrown in to convolute matters. Edward was a perfect villan and the household staff rounded out the cast of characters. It still amazes me just how far women have come since those powerless days.

[Olga · Rating 2 out of 5]

La verdad es que se me ha hecho pesado ,lento y hasta a veces aburrido... lo unico que me ha gustado es que por una vez se muestra el maltrato psicologico y hasta fisico de la protagonista en aquellas epocas... porque parece que todo era maravilloso en esa epoca y verdad es que las mujeres estaban sometidas a los padres y luego a los maridos!!!!

[20012206 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Que desespero la hermana de la protagonista, china consentida, y la protagonista con alma de martir, después de sufrir con un matrimonio desastroso va y pretende todavía permitir que su hermana se case con el hombre que ama, porque pobre va a sufrir ... déjela para que aprenda que no todo el mundo va a solucionar sus problemas.

no me gusto, solo puedo decir eso

[Pepa · Rating 4 out of 5]

El argumento me ha resultado bastante original, amor, sacrificio, lealtad... con un tema duro de transfondo. Buenos personajes, tanto los protagonistas como los secundarios, y muy bien desarrollados.
Una historia sosegada pero que atrapa con un buen ritmo

[Christa Schönmann Abbühl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember Julia London very fondly as the writer of a book I really loved. Sadly, this one did not work very well for me. There was no one thing I did not like, and I did finish the book. But no big feelings of happiness ensued ;-)

[Dabney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the previous book in this series was fabulous. This, sadly, was not.

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first half because I'm a sucker for a pining hero but the latter half dragged and nothing seems to really happen.

This book simply became a bore ..

[Fifi LaFleur · Rating 2 out of 5]

love the main couple of Olivia and Harrison but Olivia's sister makes me want to punch her in the face.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eccomi di nuovo a recensire un libro della London. Avevo in programma di finire questa serie, per sciogliere il mistero legato ai gioielli della famiglia Ashwood, ma devo dire che dal punto di vista del “giallo”, la London non può eguagliare colleghe quali la Camp o la Cornick. Quello che però le riesce benissimo sono i suoi personaggi: sempre molto umani e interessanti. Anche questo libro non fa eccezione.
Olivia è una donna che ha sofferto e soffre, intrappolata in un matrimonio senza amore, con un marito-padrone, spesso ubriaco ed impotente, ma è una donna forte e sicura. Ha ben chiare le sue responsabilità nella scelta del marito, avendo accettato l’unione e avendo creduto che l’amore sarebbe venuto in seguito. Accetta la sua condizione di infelicità, ma rifiuta categoricamente di sottostare alle angherie del marito e reagisce a tutti i maltrattamenti psicologici, talvolta anche fisici, ai quali egli la sottopone. Un esempio anche per sua sorella, giovane e avventata, che ha compromesso il suo futuro per un amore, almeno all’apparenza, passeggero.
Harrison non è il solito personaggio maschile alpha: è un uomo che ha sofferto molto, sia per un padre che non ha mai conosciuto, che per aver visto sua madre continuamente in cerca di un protettore per assicurargli un futuro ma, anche in questo caso, la London delinea una donna che non si è data per vinta quando è stata abbandonata dall’uomo che le aveva dato un figlio, e che ha combattuto per il futuro del suo bambino. Harrison è cresciuto con un altissimo senso della giustizia e dell’onore, ed è un uomo profondamente innamorato di una donna che non può avere. Le è sempre vicino; prova in tutti i modi a rallegrarle le giornate; è un confidente; è un consigliere; è la sua roccia. Solo in un momento in cui entrambi hanno la guardia emotiva abbassata, riconoscono l’uno negli occhi dell’altra quel sentimento che non potrebbe essere neanche nominato nella loro situazione. Nel momento del bisogno, però, è l’uomo che risolve tutto e che non si sente sminuito nell’ammettere di amare una donna più di ogni altro essere al mondo. Il suo modo di essere, tutto d’un pezzo, moralmente impeccabile, tanto solido e innamorato, mi ha irrimediabilmente conquistata.
Se cercate uno storico non troppo melenso questo è il libro che fa per voi.

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Carey is trapped. After seven years of marriage, she hasn't produced an heir and her husband is so bitterly disappointed that their marriage has eroded to a terrible state. When her unmarried younger sister, Alexa, arrives home pregnant after a trip to Spain, Lord Carey threatens to throw the girl out until Harrison Tolley, the estate steward, offers to marry her to avoid scandal. Mr. Tolley has been Olivia's most steadfast friend during the years of her marriage, and she is torn between wanting a husband for her sister and wanting Harrison to find his own happiness.

I re-read this after many years and was pleasantly surprised at how emotionally intense and beautifully laid out the story is. I couldn't put it down!

[Sharyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not particularly like this book, disappointing after I enjoyed the first 2. I did not like any of the characters. Mr. Tolly who turned down an inheritance, the sad wife of the Lord, Who was a horrible person, the spoiled sister, the stupid brother in law, what a collection. Plus so many misunderstandings, I was so aggravated I skimmed quite a bit, and the abrupt ending where everything was solved! As I am on vacation and brought a limited number of books, I will now read the next in the series and hope it is better!

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the title, there is not a lot of seduction going on; mostly Harrison (who is single) and Lady Olivia (who is married) smile and make goo-goo eyes at each other and share pleasantries. Their attraction is held in check by the realization that nothing can come of it. Olivia is verbally and physically abused by her husband, but it’s 1809 England and she has little recourse. Complications arise when Lady Olivia’s pregnant (and unmarried) sister arrives at the estate. But this is a romance so, all’s well that ends well.

[Kasumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es complicado leer este libro por sus propios personajes, ya que han sido creados para que te desesperen. Unos por su bondad y sacrificio, que hasta ellos acabarán aborreciendo y otros por su egoismo, llevado, en algún caso, hasta el extremo. Y aun así, al menos ha sabido mantener mi interés y mis ganas por saber cómo podrían salir de ese lio imposible en el que ellos solitos se habían metido. La respuesta, por pura suerte. Ellos hubiesen ido de cabeza al abismo sabiendo que era un error.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of true love. At first I wasn't sure who the hero and heroine were. I thought it would follow the usual love story trope but I'm so glad it did not. At times, it could be very very painful to read but soldier on because happily ever after is just around the corner.

Read in November 2016

[Sandy Frediani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much. Olivia in a loveless marriage to a cruel husband and Harrison the steward of the Carey estate are fascinating characters. The story itself is intriguing although Lord Carey, Olivia's husband, accidental death is a bit convenient. Alexa, Olivia's sister is immature and selfish through most of the story, but faces up to reality near the end.
Well done.

[Camila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rollercoaster.
I kinda knew how this would end but the time it took to get there... I found Olivia exasperating and Alexa was just unsupportable.
But Harrison was just wonderful.
He is by far my favourite H from Julia so far.

[Leann McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Now I have to go read the rest of the series.

[Mary Joseph-Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Good story and intriguing plot hero and a drunken husband recommend reading the series in order although can be standalone