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Brides of Waterloo #3
Healing the Soldier's Heart
The Soldier's Homecoming
Ensign James Rowland was fortunate to return from Waterloo unscathed—at least in body. But guilt from that terrible battle has left him almost mute and crushed in spirit. Only in the company of sweet, compassionate Lucy Williams, a volunteer at the Veterans' Group in Bath, does he begin to feel happiness is within reach.
Penniless governesses can't afford dreams of romance. Lucy Williams is resigned to lifelong spinsterhood—until James enters her life. His mother opposes the match. Lucy herself is sure the chasm between their ranks is too wide. But now that she has helped heal James, he intends to overcome every obstacle between them...and emerge victorious in the battle for her love.
Ensign James Rowland was fortunate to return from Waterloo unscathed—at least in body. But guilt from that terrible battle has left him almost mute and crushed in spirit. Only in the company of sweet, compassionate Lucy Williams, a volunteer at the Veterans' Group in Bath, does he begin to feel happiness is within reach.
Penniless governesses can't afford dreams of romance. Lucy Williams is resigned to lifelong spinsterhood—until James enters her life. His mother opposes the match. Lucy herself is sure the chasm between their ranks is too wide. But now that she has helped heal James, he intends to overcome every obstacle between them...and emerge victorious in the battle for her love.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 24, 2014
I liked it well enough. It was a nice, light read that diverts one's attention in a most pleasant manner. To dive into a romantic story with a very unrealistically happy ending is sometimes really spirit soothing. The book caught my interest as in several descriptions of it, James' case of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) was mentioned. As i write a story about that myself, i thought it might be a nice source of inspiration and research. In my opinion though, the story could have gone much deeper into the bleakness of James' world view since his traumatic experiences. And into what exactly changed his mind, or 'healed' him. Now it was written in a few sentences in which his thoughts were described. I don't know. I guess i am so used to the world (literature)'s realistic stories of trauma, depression and the bitterness it often awakes in people, that this just seemed brushing the surface of it all. And for me, i guess it's a matter of taste, this was unsatisfactory and slightly irksome. It was obvious to me that the author was unfamiliar with the depth of at least James' trials. I sensed a bit more of the authors own experience in how she described Lucy and her world view. Some descriptions were repetitive. Other than that, i liked the words she used.
November 7, 2013
James and Lucy
James has returned from Waterloo a broken man. His scars come from his cowardice, not any physical wounds. He is mute except to a couple of his brothers in arms, one of which thinks it would help if Lucy were to read to him. It's pretty obvious from the start that Lucy stirs his heart, considering she gets a word out of him. And soon he's talking a but more. The planned reading doesn't happen more than a time or two though because James suddenly decides that he needs to get back into the work force and finds himself playing carpenter. They tend to get thrown together a few times and finally get their heads straight.
A very enjoyable book with some old friends from previous Lily George books.
James has returned from Waterloo a broken man. His scars come from his cowardice, not any physical wounds. He is mute except to a couple of his brothers in arms, one of which thinks it would help if Lucy were to read to him. It's pretty obvious from the start that Lucy stirs his heart, considering she gets a word out of him. And soon he's talking a but more. The planned reading doesn't happen more than a time or two though because James suddenly decides that he needs to get back into the work force and finds himself playing carpenter. They tend to get thrown together a few times and finally get their heads straight.
A very enjoyable book with some old friends from previous Lily George books.
November 4, 2022
LOTS of 'B' words to describe this one: Banal, benign, boring, bummer.
It wanted to be sweet, but had no charm. It wanted to be in the vein of an Austen or Brontë book, but couldn't bring on enough interesting dialogue or storyline arcs. It was... lackluster, all the way across the board.
And SHAME ON the cover artist, who thought it'd be ironic to make the man on the front look like Colin Firth (of 'The King's Speech' - movie about a British guy with a speech impediment), for a book about a British guy with a speech impediment. James (in this book) DOES NOT LOOK LIKE Colin Firth - he's super young. He faked his age on the paperwork to go to war. So a 30-something Firth does NOT fit this book, FYI. That was just cheap.
Lucy is an orphan fully grown and governessing (except the author can't write governessing, so mostly Lucy *doesn't* teach anyone anything. She reads aloud a lot and calls that teaching. Or she talks about 'Latin declensions' (on THREE occasions), but can't read Latin, herself (it's too taxing). It's... really pitiful. She mostly is a sometimes-when-she-feels-like-it babysitter to a 14 year old who has it together better than she does.
James went to war, saw his brigade being slaughtered and faked being dead. Guilt has subconsciously rendered him 'mute'... except he speaks non-stop the entire book, so you tell me. Yes, he as a stutter - when the author wants him to, that is. It's badly done. But I *am* glad that he isn't miraculously cured by *LUVVV* so that he speaks at the end. His stutter remains, and that's at least something.
This is a 'Love Inspired' book, but to be honest, there's no 'inspirational' to this. There's a clergyman who gives advice, and they go to church (and daydream thru the services), but Lucy assures us that any spirituality would have to be worked on at another time with her charge. Except her charge is FOURTEEN - it's a little late to take up teaching her spirituality just as you're leaving your position for the sake of love and marriage, hello.
As to the love part... it's better than most in these books. It's very repetitive, though. 'I'm too poor, unconnected, and low class for him - I will always be a governess'. Over and over and OVER and over and over again. Lucy seriously has no whimsical side, and it drags the book down so badly, it's just not an enjoyable read.
I have the other two in the series, but since the book gives no indication THAT IT IS A SERIES (which is a GROSS disservice to the reader, hello!!!), I've now accidentally read them out of order. Which peeves me even further. Honestly, I should give this two stars, except I don't want to get rid of it until I've tried the other two, and... I don't keep under three stars.
But there is little about this to commend it. The author is good with words. Not so much with storytelling, character development, history, or creativity... which is a shame. Perhaps with time and practice, the writing will improve?
It wanted to be sweet, but had no charm. It wanted to be in the vein of an Austen or Brontë book, but couldn't bring on enough interesting dialogue or storyline arcs. It was... lackluster, all the way across the board.
And SHAME ON the cover artist, who thought it'd be ironic to make the man on the front look like Colin Firth (of 'The King's Speech' - movie about a British guy with a speech impediment), for a book about a British guy with a speech impediment. James (in this book) DOES NOT LOOK LIKE Colin Firth - he's super young. He faked his age on the paperwork to go to war. So a 30-something Firth does NOT fit this book, FYI. That was just cheap.
Lucy is an orphan fully grown and governessing (except the author can't write governessing, so mostly Lucy *doesn't* teach anyone anything. She reads aloud a lot and calls that teaching. Or she talks about 'Latin declensions' (on THREE occasions), but can't read Latin, herself (it's too taxing). It's... really pitiful. She mostly is a sometimes-when-she-feels-like-it babysitter to a 14 year old who has it together better than she does.
James went to war, saw his brigade being slaughtered and faked being dead. Guilt has subconsciously rendered him 'mute'... except he speaks non-stop the entire book, so you tell me. Yes, he as a stutter - when the author wants him to, that is. It's badly done. But I *am* glad that he isn't miraculously cured by *LUVVV* so that he speaks at the end. His stutter remains, and that's at least something.
This is a 'Love Inspired' book, but to be honest, there's no 'inspirational' to this. There's a clergyman who gives advice, and they go to church (and daydream thru the services), but Lucy assures us that any spirituality would have to be worked on at another time with her charge. Except her charge is FOURTEEN - it's a little late to take up teaching her spirituality just as you're leaving your position for the sake of love and marriage, hello.
As to the love part... it's better than most in these books. It's very repetitive, though. 'I'm too poor, unconnected, and low class for him - I will always be a governess'. Over and over and OVER and over and over again. Lucy seriously has no whimsical side, and it drags the book down so badly, it's just not an enjoyable read.
I have the other two in the series, but since the book gives no indication THAT IT IS A SERIES (which is a GROSS disservice to the reader, hello!!!), I've now accidentally read them out of order. Which peeves me even further. Honestly, I should give this two stars, except I don't want to get rid of it until I've tried the other two, and... I don't keep under three stars.
But there is little about this to commend it. The author is good with words. Not so much with storytelling, character development, history, or creativity... which is a shame. Perhaps with time and practice, the writing will improve?
July 28, 2024
This historical romance story occurs in the early 1800's in Bath, England. Veteran Ensign James Rowland has returned from Waterloo unscathed in body, but guilt from that battle has left him almost mute. Enter Lucy Williams a volunteer, she is resigned to lifelong spinsterhood until James enters her life. His mother opposes their marriage. She wishes him to marry a heiress and return their family to prominence. James is bound to have Lucy as his wife and begins a plan to overcome the obstacles between them.
June 15, 2020
This was a very enjoyable book set in the Regency period in England. Class struggles and expectations threaten to destroy the happiness of one couple, and relationships are built and strengthened. Lucy is an orphan who has become a governess to two daughters of a wealthy family. Those girls will enter society soon. Does Lucy’s future hold more of the same, or is she destined for a different path?
January 12, 2024
3.25 stars.
I liked both of the main characters, and I appreciated that the misunderstanding that usually would happen near the end was at least somewhat different than most. A certain development that we were told happened in the epilogue I would have preferred to see on page. But I did enjoy this book. I really liked Rowland's character arc.
I liked both of the main characters, and I appreciated that the misunderstanding that usually would happen near the end was at least somewhat different than most. A certain development that we were told happened in the epilogue I would have preferred to see on page. But I did enjoy this book. I really liked Rowland's character arc.
May 7, 2019
Imperfect people can be admirable and loved
I love the romances where the characters overcome their flaws. Christ is my answer in my life's problems and so it makes my heart sing to see Him acknowledged as the King of their hearts as well.
I love the romances where the characters overcome their flaws. Christ is my answer in my life's problems and so it makes my heart sing to see Him acknowledged as the King of their hearts as well.
March 24, 2017
I felt like the storyline kept repeating itself and it took a long time to come to the point. That being said, I will always appreciate a clean story with a good moral.
August 26, 2015
3.5 stars
I received this book from the GoodReads First Reads giveaways.
This book started quick for me and I was extremely excited to begin reading it. The idea that this man had such a strong case of PTSD that he had trouble speaking to but three people in his acquaintance was right up my alley for kinds of troubled characters I liked. It was about halfway through however that it began to slow down. I'm not sure if it was because I knew exactly what would happen, it is a Harlequin novel after all, or what but I was easily distracted in the middle of the book.
I've never read any other books from Lily George so I didn't know the background of the characters that you can apparently gather from the other books in the series, but as someone who didn't even know that there were other books in the series until I finished the book and read the author's note in the back I can affirm that this book can be read as a stand alone. Perhaps it would have drawn me in more if I had known the characters from the beginning.
James had a lot to overcome to forgive himself and to move on from what had transpired during the war and it was sweet to see Lucy helping him overcome everything simply because none of it bothered her. She didn't care about what he'd done or that he had a stutter, what mattered to her was who he was now. It was a very sweet romance, not one of those romances that are all about sex which was nice to read about for a change. There are so many books that start physical relationships right from the beginning that it was nice to just read about the romance between the two characters.
Overall it was a sweet little read, though not exactly my tastes because I'm not usually very big on historical novels.
I received this book from the GoodReads First Reads giveaways.
This book started quick for me and I was extremely excited to begin reading it. The idea that this man had such a strong case of PTSD that he had trouble speaking to but three people in his acquaintance was right up my alley for kinds of troubled characters I liked. It was about halfway through however that it began to slow down. I'm not sure if it was because I knew exactly what would happen, it is a Harlequin novel after all, or what but I was easily distracted in the middle of the book.
I've never read any other books from Lily George so I didn't know the background of the characters that you can apparently gather from the other books in the series, but as someone who didn't even know that there were other books in the series until I finished the book and read the author's note in the back I can affirm that this book can be read as a stand alone. Perhaps it would have drawn me in more if I had known the characters from the beginning.
James had a lot to overcome to forgive himself and to move on from what had transpired during the war and it was sweet to see Lucy helping him overcome everything simply because none of it bothered her. She didn't care about what he'd done or that he had a stutter, what mattered to her was who he was now. It was a very sweet romance, not one of those romances that are all about sex which was nice to read about for a change. There are so many books that start physical relationships right from the beginning that it was nice to just read about the romance between the two characters.
Overall it was a sweet little read, though not exactly my tastes because I'm not usually very big on historical novels.
October 19, 2013
What a really good book.
I like how the author brought about the relationship between Ensign James Rowland and Lucy Williams. They get together after Lucy helps James try to speak again after the war. He starts talking more and gets a job has a carpenter and ends up working on a project at the home where Lucy is governess. James' mother and sister come to visit and they meet Lucy and at first his mother didn't want James to marry Lucy but eventually James changed his mother's mind.
A lot happened in between everything so you will have to read the book to find out what all happens.
I received this book free through Goodreds first reads.
I like how the author brought about the relationship between Ensign James Rowland and Lucy Williams. They get together after Lucy helps James try to speak again after the war. He starts talking more and gets a job has a carpenter and ends up working on a project at the home where Lucy is governess. James' mother and sister come to visit and they meet Lucy and at first his mother didn't want James to marry Lucy but eventually James changed his mother's mind.
A lot happened in between everything so you will have to read the book to find out what all happens.
I received this book free through Goodreds first reads.
July 15, 2014
This is the third in the Brides of Waterloo series by Lily George. I didn't realize this when I picked up the book though! Normally there's a little graphic on the front of back cover identifying it as a part of a series.
Despite not knowing it was a part of the series, it was a great story, and was quite capable of being a stand alone piece. I enjoyed all of the characters, even the antagonists, because their motives were sympathetic. It was a quick read! The novel is set in Bath, and I had the pleasure of reading it while visiting Bath on holiday. It really put the area into perspective.
Despite not knowing it was a part of the series, it was a great story, and was quite capable of being a stand alone piece. I enjoyed all of the characters, even the antagonists, because their motives were sympathetic. It was a quick read! The novel is set in Bath, and I had the pleasure of reading it while visiting Bath on holiday. It really put the area into perspective.
October 16, 2013
Got this as a giveaway on goodreads. Was a little hesitant as first but it is a fun quick read. I liked behind James and what he had been through and accomplished. I did find myself trying to rush through parts because its like i already knew what was going to happen. I normally not a fan of Harlequin novel or at least have not read one in years. But i did enjoy this book. I have not read the others and did not feel like i was lost.
It can be a stand alone. I do intend on reading the other two before.
It was sweet romantic and a fun read Love the moral of the story.
It can be a stand alone. I do intend on reading the other two before.
It was sweet romantic and a fun read Love the moral of the story.
September 12, 2013
** I received my copy of this book from a First Reads giveaway **
I really enjoyed this sweet romance. I hadn't read the first two in the trilogy, but I felt this book could stand on its own. I liked the author's style so well, in fact, that I'll be looking into getting those two books soon to learn more about the fabulous supporting cast from this story. I liked the main characters Lucy and James apart from each other and together, but I think I appreciated them the most when I saw how they interacted with other characters like Lucy's young charges or James' brothers in arms.
I really enjoyed this sweet romance. I hadn't read the first two in the trilogy, but I felt this book could stand on its own. I liked the author's style so well, in fact, that I'll be looking into getting those two books soon to learn more about the fabulous supporting cast from this story. I liked the main characters Lucy and James apart from each other and together, but I think I appreciated them the most when I saw how they interacted with other characters like Lucy's young charges or James' brothers in arms.
February 9, 2016
This may have been my favorite of the series. It was quite interesting to have a stuttering hero, for not often to read about a hero with such a distinct "flaw." Yet, it was portrayed well, and my heart ached for James, and I couldn't help but hoping for his happy ending! I am so grateful for the lovely Lucy who was so patient and kind. Such a wonderful heroine, most definitely my favorite kind to read about! I am sad this series had ended, for these characters are near and dear to my heart!
October 1, 2013
I had never read Lily George before and I really enjoyed this sweet story. I'd like to read the 2 previous books in this series. To me, it was a bit heavy on narrative at times, so the story slowed a little, but I didn't care, I enjoyed this book anyway. It was nice to read a sweet Christian romance. I was very excited to win this book from Goodreads First Reads Giveaways.
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December 29, 2014"This final book in the Brides of Waterloo trilogy provides an intricate look into the lives of a more common couple of the Regency era. The problems they face and the love they find make for a pleasant romance." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
October 15, 2013
Happy endings all around. Slightly predictable, but a sweet story.
October 16, 2013
Good end to this trilogy:) James was adorable! Can't wait for her next book.
April 21, 2015
it was ok book to read to pass the time.
April 30, 2015
Couldn't take how cheesey and predictable it was. Didn't finish.
(2 stars in case it got better after I stopped reading it.)
(2 stars in case it got better after I stopped reading it.)
January 21, 2020
2.5
For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot...
For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews