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Kestrel
A man in need of redemption.
A woman asked to forgive the unforgivable.
Joshua, Lord Trent, returns from the Peninsular War a changed man. During his years on the battlefield, he’s pretended to have a loving wife at home, and he now wants to make this a reality. But his wife, Diana, has also changed. She’s no longer the docile young woman he abandoned. Diana has discovered her own worth and will not relinquish it.
Together, they try to build a life on the ruins of the past, never suspecting that love is possible. As affection grows, however, the repercussions of former mistakes arrive to threaten their promising future.
Author’s note – This story contains sexually explicit scenes.
A woman asked to forgive the unforgivable.
Joshua, Lord Trent, returns from the Peninsular War a changed man. During his years on the battlefield, he’s pretended to have a loving wife at home, and he now wants to make this a reality. But his wife, Diana, has also changed. She’s no longer the docile young woman he abandoned. Diana has discovered her own worth and will not relinquish it.
Together, they try to build a life on the ruins of the past, never suspecting that love is possible. As affection grows, however, the repercussions of former mistakes arrive to threaten their promising future.
Author’s note – This story contains sexually explicit scenes.
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First published July 24, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 23, 2018
After such a lovely (read angsty and tortured) backstory as per the blurb and the prologue, I settled in hoping for a long haul of grovelling and redemption. But I should have saved myself the trouble.
Thankfully it was a cheap buy!
Thankfully it was a cheap buy!
June 22, 2022
She forgave him too SOON! Ruined it!
The H enters a marriage of convenience and cheats on the h with a woman he loves. Then mistress takes off and marries an officer. So heartbroken he joins the army (yuck!). Here is the kicker! He sends his 17 year old Wife his bastard son with a note about his "beloved" leaving him. 6 years later he comes home a changed man who wants his son and wife. His redemption looked to be true and interesting. War and maturity will do that!
Problem:
The Wife invites him back to her bed on the SECOND night he is back. Totally ruined it for me! I don't mind cheaters, but they have to earn it! And yes I know that it's a novella (so time crunch)but couldn't the author time jump ATLEAST a week. She does so in other parts. It's a shame bc I actually liked the rest of the story.
The H enters a marriage of convenience and cheats on the h with a woman he loves. Then mistress takes off and marries an officer. So heartbroken he joins the army (yuck!). Here is the kicker! He sends his 17 year old Wife his bastard son with a note about his "beloved" leaving him. 6 years later he comes home a changed man who wants his son and wife. His redemption looked to be true and interesting. War and maturity will do that!
Problem:
The Wife invites him back to her bed on the SECOND night he is back. Totally ruined it for me! I don't mind cheaters, but they have to earn it! And yes I know that it's a novella (so time crunch)but couldn't the author time jump ATLEAST a week. She does so in other parts. It's a shame bc I actually liked the rest of the story.
April 3, 2021
I told myself I wasn't going to read this one...
Darn 'imp of perverse' making me read stories I know will make me mad...
I'm a sucker for the 'forgotten bride/betrothed' trope. This one was a middle of the line one for me.
Joshua was a feckless young man who was quite self absorbed. His uncle (mother's brother) who had hated his father, had raised him and expected Josh to fail, and fail he did. Spectacularly.
He had been carrying on with a widow in the village and fancied himself in a grand passion style of love. The widow however, just fancied herself as the next lady of the manor. So when he goes and marries the young plain chit his Uncle wants him to marry... well the widow is not pleased. Josh figured she would be happy because now he can afford to buy her a grand house in London to play the lady of, while he keeps his real bride in the country.
He had a lot to learn about women at the time.
Amanda, the OW, does have his baby before she leaves Josh for Canada and a sexy Major.
Josh's pride is hurt but he mistakes it as the crushing of a grand passion and acts with equally grand self pity and theatrical gestures. He sells what he can to buy a commission so he can join the war against Napoleon. He sends the baby home to his wife who hadn't even known he had another bit on the side. Such a considerate guy (NOT!).
Chapter one starts 7 years after the prologue and Joshua is just returning home. His wife, Diana has not heard one word from him since he left, even though she has sent him weekly missives.
He has had 7 years to rethink his deplorable behavior. Seven years to learn what is truly important in life and how NOT to treat people. And yet, he still didn't reply to her letters.
For me, that was the thing I could never really forgive him for.
Why do the heroes in this trope never stay in contact with the little Mrs.? The story would have been more robust if they could have gotten to know each other even a little bit by letter.
There's a little action towards the end. But mostly the story is about his homecoming and getting to know his wife and kid. He is suitably remorseful for his actions in the past, and he does not take his wife for granted this time round.
I wish she would have made him work harder for it. But it's a very short book and I did think he returned as a better person.
safety is meh but not awful.
Darn 'imp of perverse' making me read stories I know will make me mad...
I'm a sucker for the 'forgotten bride/betrothed' trope. This one was a middle of the line one for me.
Joshua was a feckless young man who was quite self absorbed. His uncle (mother's brother) who had hated his father, had raised him and expected Josh to fail, and fail he did. Spectacularly.
He had been carrying on with a widow in the village and fancied himself in a grand passion style of love. The widow however, just fancied herself as the next lady of the manor. So when he goes and marries the young plain chit his Uncle wants him to marry... well the widow is not pleased. Josh figured she would be happy because now he can afford to buy her a grand house in London to play the lady of, while he keeps his real bride in the country.
He had a lot to learn about women at the time.
Amanda, the OW, does have his baby before she leaves Josh for Canada and a sexy Major.
Josh's pride is hurt but he mistakes it as the crushing of a grand passion and acts with equally grand self pity and theatrical gestures. He sells what he can to buy a commission so he can join the war against Napoleon. He sends the baby home to his wife who hadn't even known he had another bit on the side. Such a considerate guy (NOT!).
Chapter one starts 7 years after the prologue and Joshua is just returning home. His wife, Diana has not heard one word from him since he left, even though she has sent him weekly missives.
He has had 7 years to rethink his deplorable behavior. Seven years to learn what is truly important in life and how NOT to treat people. And yet, he still didn't reply to her letters.
For me, that was the thing I could never really forgive him for.
Why do the heroes in this trope never stay in contact with the little Mrs.? The story would have been more robust if they could have gotten to know each other even a little bit by letter.
There's a little action towards the end. But mostly the story is about his homecoming and getting to know his wife and kid. He is suitably remorseful for his actions in the past, and he does not take his wife for granted this time round.
I wish she would have made him work harder for it. But it's a very short book and I did think he returned as a better person.
safety is meh but not awful.
March 5, 2022
Reread. It's a quick easy read but missing any of the feels I was craving. I know this is short, but the resolution is too easy. The OW is dispatched so he doesn't have to choose (her dumping him was the cause of his enlistment and separation) and Diana forgives too easily.
***Original Review***
Kestrel is a short (120 pages) second chance, historical romance. This was a freebie I snagged up because I am a sucker for the redeemed H with loads of groveling. It didn’t turn out to be a grovel-fest, but the H wasn’t a total jack-hole, and the “betrayal” all happens behind the scenes in the past… so I didn’t feel robbed. The prologue starts with Joshua and his mistress, Amanda; he’s telling her he’s getting married (arranged by his uncle) and that nothing will change for them except getting a townhouse upgrade.
Then, we FF seven years forward to a weary Joshua returning from war and wanting to make a go at his marriage with Diana. He reflects on how young and dumb he was before, and regrets mistreating her… He left her at his country home after the wedding, and went back to London, to Amanda, only returning every once in a while, to secure an heir.
Bottom line- This is a quick sweet 2nd chance romance with no major drama or angst.
***Original Review***
Kestrel is a short (120 pages) second chance, historical romance. This was a freebie I snagged up because I am a sucker for the redeemed H with loads of groveling. It didn’t turn out to be a grovel-fest, but the H wasn’t a total jack-hole, and the “betrayal” all happens behind the scenes in the past… so I didn’t feel robbed. The prologue starts with Joshua and his mistress, Amanda; he’s telling her he’s getting married (arranged by his uncle) and that nothing will change for them except getting a townhouse upgrade.
Then, we FF seven years forward to a weary Joshua returning from war and wanting to make a go at his marriage with Diana. He reflects on how young and dumb he was before, and regrets mistreating her… He left her at his country home after the wedding, and went back to London, to Amanda, only returning every once in a while, to secure an heir.
Bottom line- This is a quick sweet 2nd chance romance with no major drama or angst.
November 26, 2023
2.5 Stars
A story about a doormatish Mary Sue and a dumbf*ck.
The gist:
Mary Sue raised the son he had with the OW while he abandoned her for years, all because of the OW. He went back to Mary Sue with his tail between his legs and she forgave him instantly. The end.
He didn’t have to grovel for even a minute because she was willing and waiting, practically with open arms, for him. So civil and understanding. He suffered no consequences 😤
I understand he had been young and naive but knowing EVERYTHING he did for the OW was a very hard pill to swallow when there was no atonement. Being TOLD how sorry he was did not redeem him. The OW left him, not the other way around. I couldn’t get over that. What did he do for Mary Sue? Absolutely nothing. He did nothing for her but bring her shame and heartache. He wanted her dowry to buy the OW a nicer place to live. But Mary Sue loved him and that was enough for her. 🙄 Well not for this reader.
I’m not rating it lower because I do appreciate these angsty tropes. I read nonstop. No complaints about the quality of the writing.
Kindle purchase: $.99
A story about a doormatish Mary Sue and a dumbf*ck.
The gist:
Mary Sue raised the son he had with the OW while he abandoned her for years, all because of the OW. He went back to Mary Sue with his tail between his legs and she forgave him instantly. The end.
He didn’t have to grovel for even a minute because she was willing and waiting, practically with open arms, for him. So civil and understanding. He suffered no consequences 😤
I understand he had been young and naive but knowing EVERYTHING he did for the OW was a very hard pill to swallow when there was no atonement. Being TOLD how sorry he was did not redeem him. The OW left him, not the other way around. I couldn’t get over that. What did he do for Mary Sue? Absolutely nothing. He did nothing for her but bring her shame and heartache. He wanted her dowry to buy the OW a nicer place to live. But Mary Sue loved him and that was enough for her. 🙄 Well not for this reader.
I’m not rating it lower because I do appreciate these angsty tropes. I read nonstop. No complaints about the quality of the writing.
Kindle purchase: $.99
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2021
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: I love angst-fest reads with wronged h’s and H’s who must do some serious atoning. This book delivered!
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It begins 7 years in the past when the H informs his mistress he will be entering a MOC. Later, he goes to war and foists his bastard son onto the poor h. She’s abandoned in the country while he’s at war, then he returns and must make amends. The story was well-paced and well-written. I read it in one sitting.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I loved the h. She was pragmatic and fair. She didn’t readily forgive the h, but she also went after what she wanted. I really liked the H’s openness to admitting his faults and for his tenderness. He redeemed himself, imo.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I really enjoyed how the book’s main focus was their reconciliation.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?:
* What did you think about the ending?: it was a satisfying HEA.
* What is your impression of the author?: I will read more for sure.
Triggers: cheating
* How did the book make you feel?: I love angst-fest reads with wronged h’s and H’s who must do some serious atoning. This book delivered!
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It begins 7 years in the past when the H informs his mistress he will be entering a MOC. Later, he goes to war and foists his bastard son onto the poor h. She’s abandoned in the country while he’s at war, then he returns and must make amends. The story was well-paced and well-written. I read it in one sitting.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I loved the h. She was pragmatic and fair. She didn’t readily forgive the h, but she also went after what she wanted. I really liked the H’s openness to admitting his faults and for his tenderness. He redeemed himself, imo.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I really enjoyed how the book’s main focus was their reconciliation.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?:
* What did you think about the ending?: it was a satisfying HEA.
* What is your impression of the author?: I will read more for sure.
Triggers: cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2021
This was too short to make the most of its storyline, IMO. The setup made me hope for some solid angst, but it gets resolved far too quickly. I get the whole “people make dumb mistakes when they’re young” thing and “war changes a man” or whatever, but this was too short to really show any changes. Resolved far too quickly and easily for my tastes, I want the angst!
April 6, 2021
Subpar Regency novella. Not sure how this even popped on my radar.
July 29, 2013
What a lovely debut from Hannah Meredith! Funny and heartfelt, this story of love and redemption is everything a Regency novella should be.
August 30, 2013
Absolutely fantastic! Cannot recommend this enough! The story was thrilling and wrenching and all of those good emotional words. Just spectacular. Cannot wait for more!
November 28, 2016
A good story of second chance love.
This is very good story...a second chance for love. It is evenly paced and the characters are believable. It is description without being overly so. I recommend this author and I will seek out more stories by Ms. Meredith.
This is very good story...a second chance for love. It is evenly paced and the characters are believable. It is description without being overly so. I recommend this author and I will seek out more stories by Ms. Meredith.
December 30, 2023
Hidden gem. Excellent writing. Reviewers tend to diss the treatment of the cheating/grovel, but this is historic romance and h had to make decisions based on her power during those times. I loved it. The author so smartly wrapped it all up in the end. loved the title as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2022
It was an ok read. Atleast she didn't fall into bed with him because of his "charms" the first time he returned. The plotline with the child was good though
April 6, 2023
3.5⭐️
January 5, 2023
Too short and abrupt.
May 8, 2017
This was a nice surprise, sort of a palette cleanser that had been sitting in my reader for longer than I care to admit.
In any case it is a story of two people who got married young for quite different reasons & different objectives and how time, separation, war & life change them. Diana is the young and dowered bride that young and careless Joshua agrees to marry as per his uncle's arrangement to fatten the family coffers but has all intention of leaving in the country while he continues to live in Town with his mistress Amanda. And so he does … until she leaves him and with a baby to boot. With his pride more than wounded he sends the baby to the country for Diana to see to while he flees to the army and war in the Peninsula and so an education begins for both he and Diana. Joshua learns what is important in life and to cherish the good he failed to value at home and Diana learns that she is more than the expected society wife. She is competent & decisive and knows her own worth.
After seven years away at war Joshua returns and the author does a wonderful job of economically showing us how he has changed and how Diana has fared and grown. What I loved best is how they were people truly of their time and station. We too frequently lay modern mores & morals into Hisoricals just to appease our current sensibilities. I also liked very much that Diana was no prim Miss when it came to admitting to herself and soon to Joshua that she enjoyed their marital bed. And the forgiveness that Joshua needed wasn't belabored but at the same time earned.
Again a nice surprise.
In any case it is a story of two people who got married young for quite different reasons & different objectives and how time, separation, war & life change them. Diana is the young and dowered bride that young and careless Joshua agrees to marry as per his uncle's arrangement to fatten the family coffers but has all intention of leaving in the country while he continues to live in Town with his mistress Amanda. And so he does … until she leaves him and with a baby to boot. With his pride more than wounded he sends the baby to the country for Diana to see to while he flees to the army and war in the Peninsula and so an education begins for both he and Diana. Joshua learns what is important in life and to cherish the good he failed to value at home and Diana learns that she is more than the expected society wife. She is competent & decisive and knows her own worth.
After seven years away at war Joshua returns and the author does a wonderful job of economically showing us how he has changed and how Diana has fared and grown. What I loved best is how they were people truly of their time and station. We too frequently lay modern mores & morals into Hisoricals just to appease our current sensibilities. I also liked very much that Diana was no prim Miss when it came to admitting to herself and soon to Joshua that she enjoyed their marital bed. And the forgiveness that Joshua needed wasn't belabored but at the same time earned.
Again a nice surprise.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews