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England, 1667

Sensible Clarice Bradford is content in her widowhood. She has a pretty one-room cottage and a lovely little daughter, and the last thing she wants is another husband. Until one fairytale evening when she’s invited to a wedding at a castle…

Scottish gentleman Sir Cameron Leslie is smitten with the shy, English beauty at first sight. He’s fiercely drawn to the very strength and independence that make her unwilling to throw caution to the wind and bestow her heart on a younger man. Though passion flares between them, it will take everything Cameron can muster to reawaken Clarice’s long-forgotten dreams of true love…

206 pages, ebook

First published September 7, 2012

1074 people are currently reading
815 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Royal

73 books520 followers
FALL IN LOVE WITH A HISTORICAL ROMANCE BY LAUREN ROYAL!

LAUREN ROYAL is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of humorous historical romance. Her “truly enchanting” novels have won many awards including Booklist's “Top 10 Romance of the Year,” and they’ve earned raves from reviewers including Publishers Weekly, who calls her “an impressive talent.”

All of Lauren's books are complete, stand-alone stories, and yet they are also all connected—because they all feature her beloved “outrageously funny, loyal, compassionate, and unconventional” Chase family!

Lauren writes steamy historical romance on her own and sweet/clean historical romance with her daughter, Devon Royal. Lauren lives in Southern California with her family, two constantly shedding cats, and a stupendous collection of fuzzy socks. When she's not busy writing, she enjoys singing along (off-key) to Hamilton, dancing (badly), and (wasting time) watching HGTV.

Want great free and 99¢ books sent to your inbox on select Fridays? Sign up for Lauren's Book Club newsletter at http://royall.ink/Newsletter

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Visit Lauren’s website at LaurenRoyal.com, where you can learn about the real people and real places in her books, enter a contest to win jewelry, and see the ever-growing branches of the Chase Family Tree.

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5 stars
653 (37%)
4 stars
567 (32%)
3 stars
370 (21%)
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96 (5%)
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35 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Romanticamente Fantasy.
7,976 reviews237 followers
October 24, 2019
Queen - per RFS
.
Questa novella deliziosa approfondisce la conoscenza tra la bella vedova Clarice Bradford e lo scozzese Cameron Leslie, avvenuta al matrimonio di Cait e Jason Chase alla fine del secondo libro della saga.

Il corteggiamento dello scozzese è immediato, il ragazzo, nonostante sia più giovane di Clarice, capisce subito di esserne innamorato, tantopiù che il tempo a sua disposizione per arrivare al cuore della giovane è di solo una settimana. Il giovane, infatti, una volta assistito al matrimonio della cugina Cait in Inghilterra dovrà far ritorno in Scozia.

Diventato improvvisamente baronetto e proprietario della tenuta dei Leslie in Scozia, Cameron ha degli obblighi verso la sua gente e delle grosse responsabilità, fra le quali avere un erede, ma questo insieme a una moglie è il suo più grande desiderio. Quando conosce la piccola Mary è amore a prima vista, la bambina adottata da Clarice diventa anche complice del corteggiamento di Cam e la sua più grande sostenitrice.

“Sono una principessa, adesso?” Chiese Mary quando la lasciò andare. “No, bambolina” cominciò a dire Clarice. “Aye” la interruppe Cam prima che potesse dire un’altra parola. “Sei la mia principessa. E lo sarai sempre, anche quando te ne andrai e ti sposerai.”

Questo sentimento è il punto di forza della storia, la spontaneità della bimba desiderosa di una presenza paterna e l’uomo pronto a ricevere e dare tutte le attenzioni alla sua nuova famiglia mi hanno emozionato. Più ostica è la sfortunata vedova Bradford la quale, nonostante sia attratta da Cam, deve superare le sue passate vicissitudini come moglie di un uomo manesco, autoritario e per finire molto più vecchio di lei. Clarice mi è piaciuta molto nonostante tutto, essendo una popolana vive questo corteggiamento con stupore e ingenuità tali da non sembrare una vedova di trentuno anni.

Il garbo e la dolcezza di Cam, insieme al suo fascino scozzese, faranno sì che Clarice non abbia via di scampo e si abbandoni al vero amore.

Mi sono emozionata, anche se breve questa novella di Lauren Royal è stata superba, una chicca in questa lunga saga. Lo consiglio.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books89 followers
December 15, 2018
Clarice Bradford has found happiness and contentment when she was given an orphan daughter, Mary to raise as her own. She lives in a pretty one room cottage in Sussex, England.

Sir Cameron Leslie is at the castle in Sussex to see his cousin married. He meets Clarice at the wedding and knows she is the one for him. He only plans to stay a week, so his time is limited to convince her to come with him to Leslie Castle in Scotland as his wife.

Mary, Clarice's daughter is a delightful five year old full of fun, questions and she takes a liking to Sir Cameron and helps to win her mother for him. After an arranged marriage to an cruel older man, she is not looking for another man, so Cameron has to work for his Forevermore with his new family.
Profile Image for Heather Button.
1,749 reviews17 followers
December 2, 2020
A very sweet, albeit super brief romance between commoner Clarice, widow and mother, and Sir Cameron Leslie. I am so glad I read the first two Chase family books so I understood the history of each of these characters and, of course, Mary’s history and importance to the Chase family.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,157 reviews62 followers
July 5, 2012
Forevermore is part of Lauren Royal’s Jewel Trilogy. The events take place after books one and two (Amethyst and Emerald) but before book three (Amber). Royal, as we’ve come to expect from her, gives us amazingly tortured characters that we can’t help but fall in love with.

Clarice is a woman who was dealt difficult blows in her life. She was married at the tender age of 15 to a man who was almost three times her age. Not only was he much older than her, but you’re lead to believe he was physically and verbally abusive. Years after his death Lord Cainewood (of Emerald) brings her a little girl who is need of a home. Having always wished for children she takes the little girl in, vowing it will be the start to a happier life for herself. It’s been a year since she adopted Mary and her life has never seemed happier. Cameron, on the other hand, has led a sort of charmed life, living in Scotland and caring for his family’s ancestral lands. Until seeing Clarice at his cousin’s wedding he realizes he’s never been in love (how sad!!). Watching him try to win Clarice’s heart and squash her fears with his tenderness and kindness was joyful. His scenes with little Mary were beautiful and made me love him even more!

Final Thoughts: If you haven’t yet added this series to your to-read pile you’re seriously missing out.

Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-169
Profile Image for Rosie Comia.
28 reviews
March 15, 2013
An enjoyable read. I enjoyed how Cameron pursued Clarice despite her being older than him. He loves her enough to help her overcome her fear & insecurities from her past marriage & an unfortunate event that happened to her. I love the relationship between Clarice & her adopted daughter, Mary & how Cameron bonded with the latter at the get go. I'm just sorry that this story is a short one. I would have like to read more on how the relationship between Cameron & Clarice (& Mary) would developed further.
61 reviews
June 3, 2012
This was a very enjoyable short read. I liked both characters and wish this story had been longer. Because it was so short, the romance had to be pushed fast and I always hate to see an abused woman who has trust issues suddenly decide to trust because she just likes the guy. But if you can get past that, this story was sweet and these two people deserved each other and their HEA.
Profile Image for Natalya.
4 reviews
May 3, 2012
A typical romance. Boy meets girl. Girl falls for boy. Happy ending. Wham! Where's the intrigue? No real twists in the plot. Probably not worth your time.
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,443 reviews91 followers
October 20, 2020
Oh, Cameron was too good to be true, but he was true. A short love story set in the 1600's. With a lovely HEA. 4☆
Profile Image for Thom Swennes.
1,822 reviews57 followers
November 2, 2016
Love is boidchead fios sam bith aois, chan eil rang, agus chan eil na criochan; ‘S e an gaol ann an suilibh an beholder.
Love and beauty know no age, no rank, and no limits; love is in the eyes of the beholder.

An immediate and magnetic attraction often bodes well for an exciting and romantic liaison. Thirty-one- year-old Clarice Bradford was smitten the moment she stepped out of the carriage within the keep confines of Cainewood Castle. She is attending Lord Cainewood’s marriage to his bonny Scottish lass, Caithren Leslie. Although she isn’t family, she and her daughter Mary hold a very special place in the Cainewood circle.
Twenty-four-year-old Sir Cameron Leslie newly holds a barony is Scotland. He is at Cainewood Castle to attend his cousin, Caithren’s wedding. Like Clarice, the magnetism and attraction are as immediate as it is unexpected. The couple’s difference in station and age, though mentioned is no match for the lure they feel for each other. Cameron tenaciously pursues Clarice, as he knows what he wants and is determined to get it.
I am, once again, charmed and amused at the rapport among the Cainewood siblings. Throughout the series, their love, devotion, and affection have shown no bounds and neither malevolence, spite, nor jealousy has ever raised their heads. The author is an expert when describing the sylvan scenes of the English countryside, in all its unblemished glory.

It seems like Lauren Royal hasn’t the time or, I dare say, the inclination to put down her pen and have a rest between novels. The world she writes about seems to be all around her like the ever faint essence of perfume and she can’t let it go. She takes up exactly where she leaves off in Emerald and spawns a new tale of love and passion, without missing a beat. I am indeed hooked on this writer and would not hesitate to read anything she is inspired to write. She creates the perfect mixture of history, intrigue, and passion. Her characters come alive, springing from the pages and entering your life.
Profile Image for Julia Wharton.
134 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2017
SO SWEET!!!

Oh, the feels!!!

This book is a little novella that starts where Emerald ends. At the wedding of the Cainewoods, Cameron Leslie, Cait's cousin, meets Clarice Bradford, the widow we met in Book 1 who adopted Mary. It is practically love at first sight but will Clarice let herself enter marriage again?

SPOILER ALERT

This story was so beautiful! We knew Clarice was married before, but not that it was a domestic violence situation. Her late husband was a cruel man, 30 years her senior, who often hit her, assaulted her, and verbally abused her. Therefore, when Cameron offers her genuine love, she doesn't know what it is. I love how Cameron didn't pressure her and was willing to patiently wait so as not to frighten her. I literally almost cried during the handfasting scene! He didn't just marry Clarice but he adopted Mary and gave her his last name! There could not have been a better ending or Lady Leslie!
244 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2019
This is a wonderfully emotional and passionate book wrapped in humour and sensitivity.
Clarice Bradford has had an extremely hard life, doubting herself as a woman, but holding her head held high, lives her life as best she can.
She is given the opportunity of raising a young orphaned girl and her life seems complete, until she meets Cameron Leslie, the cousin of Caithren, Marchioness of Cainewood.
Cameron is completely taken with the beautiful and shy Clarice and set about to persuade her and her daughter Mary, to come back to Scotland with him when he leaves in a week.
As usual, Lauren's writing is beautifully poignant, amusing and gentle, and it is very easy to get completely caught up in this wonderfully romantic tale. I wish it would have gone on for longer! This is a book about second chances and I loved it.
Profile Image for Sam.
344 reviews9 followers
September 29, 2023
A sweet reverse age gap set in the aftermath of the black death and English Civil War. Very short (end at 79%) so not a lot of depth to the story or characters but enjoyable all the same. Great to find historical romance that isn't regency or Victorian. This is very gentle with some beginnings of steam at the end but fading to black, (otherwise only kissing) with no on-page drama, though some from previous novels and domestic violence from the FMC's past is mentioned.

An enjoyable couple of hours if you are looking for something historical with a younger but mature MMC who is gentle and kind and clear about what he wants. There's good communication between the two parties, and although Camaron pushes Clarice to be brave and consider him and make a decision, he's very considerate and understanding and not at all uncomfortably pushy.
910 reviews5 followers
November 29, 2020
First carriage ride, first ball, first love?

Clarice has survived her first marriage, but not without emotional scares. The death of the brutal, older man her parents had sold her to had left her alone. No longer did she wish for a husband and after the kindness of the lord, she had a darling daughter to love. She didn't need anything else. At least, that's what she'd convinced herself was true.
You won't want to miss Clarice's adventure when she's and her daughter are invited as the lord"s guests to the wedding of he and his bride!
2,170 reviews5 followers
October 6, 2023
3.75 stars
What a delightful quick read. A little ditty, if you please.
Cameron is struck at first sight when he meets Clarice and her charming daughter, Mary. Adopted daughter.
Clarice finds him charming and gallant and very young.
Men have not been kind to Clarice. Her aging husband hurt her and repeatedly raped her. I assume he made it her problem that he couldn’t get her with child.
Cameron is kind and patient and loving. He does quite a bit of wooing to claim Clarice. And always includes Mary in his plans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams.
2,705 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2023
If You Dared to Love a Laird (Chase Family Series Book 3)

The love story of Charice and Cameron. Charice is a widow who has a daughter name is Mary. She meet Cameron at the wedding of Jason and Caithren when Mary attach for self to him. it's a September/June love affair. She is 8 years older then him and her first marry was bad. Can she find love and happiness with Cameron? Great story
1,231 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2023
Sir Cameron comes unexpectedly into a a title. Upon attending his cousin's wedding, he meets up with widow Clarice and her adopted daughter who experienced an abusive marriage. Smitten with her beauty and down-to-earth talents, he attempts to win her over despite only having a week to do so. This short entertaining Scottish historical novella is a preclude to a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Profile Image for Venise.
509 reviews5 followers
November 29, 2025
Honest Love


Clarice and Mary Bradford attend a fancy noble wedding where they meet the charming Sir Cameron Leslie and accept his company. The three go on to make favorable impressions on each other--Clarice knows Cameron has to return to his homeland and is surprised to already feel sad when he does.
The story adresses age differences and experience hardships to express how people typically are so unlike each other.
1,290 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2020
A brilliant continuation of the series

This book is a brilliantly written continuation of a great series. The plot is full of emotion, and a story of overcoming bad past experiences. The characters are beautifully portrayed, and are able to use love to overcome their obstacles. This is a great book that is suitable for all those who love steamy historical romances.
149 reviews
September 26, 2023
A Year and A Day

This story was such a surprise to me. It had no villains, no violence, no graphic sex and just the beginning of a love story that was for a year and a day and forever more. My only regret is that it ended too soon for me. Thank you for well written characters and the tale of a love story.
Profile Image for Rae v Sarcasm.
62 reviews
April 29, 2018
Adorable!

This was an adorable and very quick book. Romance, castles, and princesses made this a sweet fairy tale. The heroine was dealt a crap life and the hero helped make it worth it.
Profile Image for Michele Packard-milam.
351 reviews10 followers
April 18, 2019
Good, Though Short

This installment to the Chase Family series was enjoyable but quite short and not as satisfying as many other works by this author. The characters did not have a much depth and the plot was very simple. Still, I liked it. Just wish there had been more to it.
189 reviews
January 18, 2021
Learning

She was 15 years old when her parents married to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Her idea of men and marriage, was based on a brute. The first thing she learned was she had never really been kissed.
211 reviews
January 24, 2022
Another winner

This book carried on the cast and story seamlessly. Adding more characters while bringing in the stories from the past 2 books. I am enjoying this series very much.
Profile Image for AmazingJ.
994 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2023
An Absolutely Beautiful Novella.

I truly Loved how Patience can be made especially for someone who has been Physically, Mentally & Sexually Assaulted. It's not easy to trust once you have been Assaulted. The Characters, Scene & Plot was Wonderful. Albeit Short, it was Great.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,454 reviews17 followers
November 22, 2024
This story has a fairytale quality to it much like its title; a knight in shining armour wooing a woman who has only known pain in marriage/relationships with men. It is short but sweet and satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews

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