The Captive

Captive Hearts #1

by Grace Burrowes

He'll never be free...

Captured and tortured by the French, Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, survives by vowing to take revenge on his tormentors. Before the duke can pursue his version of justice, Gillian, Countess of Greendale, reminds him that his small daughter has suffered much in his absence, and needs her papa desperately.

Until he surrenders his heart...

Gilly endured her difficult marriage by avoiding confrontation and keeping peace at any cost. Christian's devotion to his daughter and his kindness toward Gilly give her hope that she could enjoy a future with him, for surely he of all men shares her loathing for violence in any form. Little does Gilly know, the battle for Christian's heart is only beginning.

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

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2014

About the author

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.

It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.

While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")

Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)

To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This story is red wine, it's deep, dark, alluring, and multilayered, and will probably not fit the taste palete of the average reader. The Duke of Mercia, Christian, is taken prisoner by the French and systematically tortured over a couple months. Why is an officer and peer of the realm not afforded the usually respect? Well, Christian was captured when he was out of uniform, he was bathing, and this means he is accounted as a spy. Why is a Duke in the cavalry at all? Apparently my friends, even a Duke's life can be described as all that glitters in not gold. When Christian is released, he is severely malnourished and mentally and physically damaged. Why didn't the French just kill him? See, Girard, Christian's main guard/torturer has skillfully and perhaps irrationally kept Christian on the edge of life and death, even when it became apparent that Christian would not reveal any army secrets. When Christian reaches an English camp, his cousin Marcus even has trouble recognizing him and it is his horse, Marcus took care of him, which assures everyone this is indeed his former owner. The devastation is in fact not quite over for Christian however, as he learns that while his daughter is alive, his wife and infant son died while he was in captivity.

Countess, Lady Gilly Greendale, is newly widowed and the cousin to Christian's departed wife, learning of "The Lost Duke" return, pays him a visit at his London townhome to encourage him to return to his county seat and see his daughter posthaste. Gilly is close to Christian's daughter and is concerned that since the girl's mother died she has not spoken a word. Why is Gilly close with Christian's daughter? As with Dukes, Countess's lives can also be filled with less than ideal circumstances. Fresh from being acquitted of her ailing husband's death, she agrees to accompany Christian home to help with the daughter and act as a buffer between the world and Christian.

If all that I have described sounds straightforward, then you haven't been paying attention. This story is not only beautiful words and nuanced characters, it is plot twists, hidden secrets, and raveled human desires. Christian and Gilly are two tortuously beautiful fascinating characters. They blend together so completely that the word chemistry won't seem adequate and you'll simply skip to soulmates. Each has a deep, dark, and complex background that never feels forced or sensationalized. Their thoughts and feelings will provide lines that will artlessly gut you.

This story isn't so much as actions happening but emotions; due to this, the pace is more measured. There were a couple chapters after the middle that sagged because of this, before it picked back up when more action was added. The secondary characters are a large part of the story arc but are interwoven in such a way that Christian and Gilly are always front and center. Devlin St. Just, a friend of Christian provides a muted comic relief while Girard presents the stained side, if he and Christian were to be a two headed coin.

Sip this story slowly and indulge in it, for the characters are cassis and the story is buttery. I will definitely be partaking of the next book in the series as I can't wait to see how the author redeems who she has listed as the hero.

[Ali L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god okay everyone be quiet I need to talk about this book. Okay so there’s a duke, right, because it’s the early 19th century and you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting a duke. And he was fighting in the war and it went really badly for him so he gets home and like, everyone is dead so he bonds with his late wife’s cousin? Who has recently exited a very, egregiously bad marriage? And fusses over him when he dissociates from his untreated PTSD? It’s a slow burn and there is a shaving scene and I mean oh my god. Oh man I almost forgot when she has her period and he asks if she’d like “a tot of the poppy” while getting her a hot water bottle??? He offers her drugs and warms her up like come on people I’ll take fourteen of them right now.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book, and the entire Captive Hearts trilogy as one of the Best of 2014 at Romantic Historical Reviews.

* * * * *

WOW! I read this in less that 24 hours. Could not put it down.

Grace Burrowes is at the top of her game in The Captive, the story of two traumatized souls helping one another heal. Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, was held captive and tortured by Napoleon's army, while Gillian, Lady Greendale, has endured eight years of marriage to an elderly, abusive husband, now mercifully dead. Gilly was a cousin of Christian's wife, Helene, but she and her infant son have died while Christian was in captivity. When the newly freed Christian returns to London, Gilly forces her way into his home to chide him for not attending to his eight-year-old daughter, Lucy, who lives on his country estate with a nurse and governess.

Gilly immediately realizes that Christian is in no condition to take responsibility for his daughter; he is a physical wreck, barely able to eat, and mentally confused. When Christian promises to go to his daughter only if Gilly accompanies him, Gilly feels that she has no choice. Besides, she is eager to leave behind the awful memories connected with her life on her late husband's estate.

Gilly is immediately likable. She is intelligent, compassionate, and supremely competent. The situation calls for a "managing female," and she is one, in the best sort of way. Christian is harder to get to know, which is understandable under the circumstances, but he quickly assumes the role of doting papa to Lucy, who has not spoken a word since her mother died. Gradually, we see his true self re-emerging and we learn about his mistreatment, both through his memories and from the things he tells Gilly. We learn more about Gilly, as well, and see that her marriage was more horrible than first thought.

As time passes, Gilly and Christian's fondness for one another ripens into love, but there are two stumbling blocks. Gilly is determined never to be under any man's control again, and Christian is obsessed with hunting down and killing his torturer (who conveniently happens to be half-English and living in London after receiving amnesty).

The Captive is certainly Burrowes' most serious book, and she handles the troubling events in Christian's and Gilly's lives with great compassion. Some sensitive readers may be put off by the descriptions of torture, but I thought they were not too graphic and in any event were a necessary element of the story. She puts us inside the heads of her protagonists, and nothing feels contrived, not even the secondary role played by Devlin St. Just, hero of her 2011 book The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2). He had encountered Christian in France and proves to be a stalwart friend when Christian needs one.

If I have one criticism, it is that the ending scenes feel a bit rushed, but that is really not a major fault. I have enjoyed almost all of Burrowes' books (and yes, I have read every one of them) and have no hesitation is recommending this to anyone who has not tried her. And I'm eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in this trilogy The Traitor, whose hero is one of the villains of this book. Turning a villain into a hero is a challenge; Lisa Kleypas did it most successfully in Devil in Winter, but I'm fairly confident that Grace Burrowes can pull it off.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The depiction of dealing with trauma was 4 stars, but the romance and plot was more like 3 stars. If the book was solely focused on them dealing with their pasts while trying to open up to each other in the present, I think I would have enjoyed this book more. I thought how intuitive Gillian was about what Christian needed and how to deal with him was really great. Likewise, Christian's interactions with his daughter really made me happy. However the romance between them wasn't that strong and I wasn't particularly sold on it - it felt forced. And then there was a whole other secondary plot going on that I truly wasn't interested in. So parts of this book were REALLY GREAT and parts of it were kind of bland. I'd be willing to read another book by this author.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Grace Burrowes, as anyone who knows me or reads my reviews will already know. The Captive is the first book in her Captive Hearts trilogy, and is one of her most emotionally poignant and insightful stories yet.

An officer in Wellington’s army, Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia was captured by the French, held prisoner and tortured for months until Napoleon’s defeat ended his ordeal. Physically and mentally scarred, Christian returns to England a shadow of his former self, unable to eat or sleep normally, unable to feel much when informed of the deaths of his wife and young son. He is sustained principally by thoughts of taking revenge upon the man who tortured him.

Recently widowed Gillian, Countess of Greendale is related to Christian by marriage, having been cousin to his late wife. She arrives at his London home unexpectedly one evening, bringing the news that his eight-year-old daughter, who is residing at his country estate, has stopped speaking and has begun to refuse to go out. She needs her father, and Gilly is adamant that he return to Severn as soon as possible.

He agrees to go, but on one condition – that for the remainder of his stay in London, Gilly moves in to run his household, and that she will travel to the country with him to fill the same position.

Broken as he is, Christian can sense that Gilly is not comfortable around him, although, in his weakened mental state, he is unable to discern why that is. He ends up putting it down to the fact that she must have heard the rumours about him being unhinged, and to her discomfort at being left alone with him while they discuss the reasons for her visit.

Comfortably installed at Murcia, and with Gilly’s concerned prodding – making sure he eats and at least tries to sleep – Christian’s recovery comes along in leaps and bounds. He regains his health and strength, bonds with his daughter – who he comes to realise is not prevented from speaking by any physical problem – and continues to make discreet enquiries as to the whereabouts of his torturer, Girard, who, it transpires, is actually half-English.

As Christian’s friendship with Gilly begins to blossom into something of a more romantic nature, she is suddenly beset by a couple of potentially serious accidents – which Christian suspects are no such thing. Someone is trying to deliberately harm her, although neither of them can think why or who would do such a thing. Christian must protect the woman he loves – but he cannot bring himself to abandon his quest for revenge upon Girard, and that could spell disaster for all of them.

Ms Burrowes has once again crafted a beautiful and heartfelt love story, this time between two emotionally damaged characters who have to learn to trust, to talk and to listen. Interestingly, it’s Christian who is the more forthcoming of the two, gradually opening up to talk about what happened to him and to admit to his tangled feelings of anger, guilt and shame. Gilly is far more reticent, having hoped to keep her private torments private – suffering the guilt of a victim who believes herself to be responsible for what happened to her at the hands of her family and her late husband.

The author’s exploration of effects of the torture Christian suffers are both gripping and somewhat unsettling. Her descriptions are not graphic, but she doesn’t pull her punches either, especially when it comes to exploring the more emotional side of Christian’s experiences – the mental cruelty rather than the physical, and the methods he found to deal with both.

The Captive is a thoroughly engaging story, which is perhaps a little darker in tone than the majority of the author’s other books. Ms Burrowes’ writing is, as ever, lush and lyrical, full of tenderness and poignancy; and the romance between Gilly and Christian is beautifully developed.

Through the course of over twenty published novels, this author has created a world which is distinctly her own, while retaining (mostly) the conventions of the period. Her characters act and speak in ways which are unique to her books and she’s one of those writers whose work can probably be identified from reading a page or two anonymously.

She has also a large cast of characters she can re-use and re-visit. Why bother to create a dashing cavalry officer when you have Devlin St. Just in your casting directory? Why invent a capable solicitor and man of business when you have Worth Kettering at hand? I enjoy the way she brings in characters from her other books and series to play secondary roles and cameos – it provides a sense of realism and interconnectedness that I find particularly appealing.

The ending of The Captive nicely sets up the next book in the series, The Traitor, which will tell Girard’s story. As someone who absolutely loves stories which turn villains into heroes, I can’t wait.

[Dagmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me hooked until the very last page. Bold, captivating, realistic, moving story of survival, healing, friendship and love.

My first Burrowes book; her writing is superb.

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Will you still be Your Gracing me when I’m inside you, Gilly?"

This book is as much a slow-burn romance as it is a story about fighting for a normal life after experiencing horrible suffering. Both MCs, who are cousins by marriage, have been through hell in the recent past: The Duke of Mercia was held captive and tortured by the French for months, the Countess of Greendale was abused by her newly deceased husband for years. They join up to care for Mercia's daughter, Lucy, who hasn't spoken since her mother died.

The first half of the book, when Gillian takes care for Mercia's physical and mental wounds and learns what happened to him, is great. She is very thoughtful and understanding, treats him with the perfect mix of restraint and urgency, pushing him or soothing him—whatever is necessary. (Personally, I found her physical affection, her touches and kisses, rather irritating when there was still no romance in sight. However, he didn't seem to mind, so it's obviously me.) It's nice to see him heal and fall in love with the countess. As does she.

Unfortunately, the second half fell short. It was a bit boring and far-fetched and just didn't draw me in anymore. I didn't like Gilly’s hesitation, the villain plot, Mercia's departure to London, and the ending. IMO, it was also out of character for the duke to ignore Gwen's and his daughter's concerns about their 'babysitter'.

And the story isn't the only reason it took me forever to finish the book. I had a very hard time with the writing/vocabulary and had to read sentences twice and look up A LOT of words. (I wish the Kindle had a better dictionary!) That's not the author's fault, of course, it just shows that my English isn't as good as I wish it were.

3.5

Shout-out to Gloria for the recommendation! I'm reconciled with the author, but I'm still not sure about reading another one of her books because of the language issue. (I'm pretty interested in the stories about St. Just and St. Clair, though.)


(Read in November 2025)

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just did a re-read on this one...SO good and the rating stands and I now must read the next two!

Setting: Regency England

4 1/2 Stars

In a French stronghold Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia plans his revenge on his captors and it's the only thing that keeps him alive.
When he is suddenly free, Gillian Countess of Greendale, prevents him from having his vengeance.
Gillian knows Christian's young daughter needs her father, and ending up on charges of murder is not what she wants to see happen next to him.
Gillian brings Christian back to the world of the living and she believes his kindness to his daughter and to her is a sign that he has finally given up his plan for revenge.
But...nothing could be further from the truth.
As Christian and Gillian surrender to their mutual attraction, Christian schemes to get his enemy in his grasp.
But when Christian faces his demons, will those demons triumph over Gillian's faith that she has held for their future?
Wow, what a great story this was!
The Captive truly tackled the deepest meaning of it's title, as in physical captivity, emotional captivity and the captivity a person creates for themselves.
A beautiful story here of redemption and love powering over evil.
The Captive is told with sensitivity, compassion and tenderness and Christian and Gillian's story will wrench the readers emotions as well.
Yet this story will leave you utterly satisfied and lift your heart.
I couldn't put it down once the story got going and the characters will steal your heart.
A romance book not to miss! I look forward to the next two.

[Grisette · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Wow, what a story! I knew of GB's writing via her Lord Julian cozy mysteries series. I also knew she authored many HRs before that but somehow I tarried in making the jump. So, with this book being my first GB romance, I can say I am very impressed by the powerful characterisation and solid plot.

The story was very rich, complex and with so many layers (inc. heartbreaking ones). From the first chapters, I was so excited when it occurred to me that the Lord Julian series was from the very same universe as this book, with the side characters of Girard and St. Just. I actually went back and re-read extracts from A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times to recall everything on Girard and Mercia.

The romance had so many beautiful nuances: it was a story of healing and fortitude, but also kindness and fated love. I really liked how GB fleshed out Gilly and Christian, and made them perfect for each other. I loved all the little moments between them, how right from the beginning, both needed the 'human touch' of the other, and how they each counterbalanced each other.

Why not 5 GR stars rating? Two reasons. While the story was beautiful, my actual reading pace was arduous. I am familiar with GB's elaborate writing style from her Lord Julian series. While I was expecting much of the same here and actually admired her way with words (at times, so profound), I still found my reading hampered by having to re-read over to well anchor the meaning infused. As a result, it detracted me a bit. Second, while I enjoyed the drama at the end, there was virtually no satisfactory epilogue to soothe all the hurdles Gilly and Christian went through. I wanted to know how they settled together, how Lucy recovered, how Marcus's actions were explained to Society, what happened to the Greendale title, whether they had an heir etc. After all these two characters went through, I felt they were due some extended happiness on page.

This book has me stoked to go through the whole backlist of GB to explore, inc. St. Just's story as well as Girard's.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book. I enjoy the author's writing and took a brief glance at the synopsis. This was deep, dark, gritty, engaging, heartwarming, humorous and heartwrenching all in one. It is the story of two people who were tortured by those they were captive to and then had the courage to survive, thrive and be happy. There were echoes of Edmond Dantes of The Count of Monte Cristo fame to this story. This is a tough read and yet so worth it.

The story opens when Christian Severin, the Duke of Mercia, resides in a French dungeon where he is tortured for information. The only thing that keeps him from breaking is the thought of revenge against his captors. After a year of torture, he is freed when the French lose the war. Being a freed man after enduring what he did is almost as tough as trying to stay alive in captivity. His wife and his son die while he was gone and most people have no idea how to treat him and no one can help with his recovery.

After eight years, Gillian is blessedly free of her sadistic husband and then barely gets through an inquiry into his death. She is at loose ends, but she is given her mission when she learns of the return of her dead cousin's husband, the duke, to England. His surviving child who hasn't spoken since the deaths of her mother and brother needs him and Gilly will make him see this. Gillian is only vaguely aware that he was captured in the war, but it is seeing the result that makes her realize that there are two people who need her help.

Christian doesn't know what to make of the strong, assertive woman who rushes into his study and demands that he decamp to his country estate to take care of his daughter. Not only that, she breaks through his emotionless and desensitized state. He proposes a deal in that he will go along with her idea if she will go with him and take over his household and hold the world outside at bay for him. He is also very determined to keep her as a companion and friend even as he starts to sense that he's not the only one who suffered greatly.

As both Christian and Gilly give each other their trust and their secrets and as their friendship becomes something more, someone else is plotting in the shadows. Gilly starts experiencing deadly 'accidents'. Christian is determined to protect her even as he is determined to hunt down his captors and exact revenge.

The plot on this one has several threads going on that are neatly bound together so that it was cohesive. There is the romance, the paths of healing for both Christian and Gilly, and the dangerous suspense. I confess that the suspense wasn't that challenging for me when it came to the 'who' and 'why's, but it kept me on my toes with the 'how' and 'when'. Much of the book is gently paced and centered around Christian and Gillian growing into a relationship that is partly romance and partly healing. They share the narration of the story along with a few minor characters at times. At first, it seems that Christian is the fragile one and the one who is like a wounded animal, but once the secrets start coming, its obvious that Gilly is possible more fragile and more skittish. My stomach was in knots as they confessed to each other what they endured particularly Gilly. I seriously hated it that her husband died of natural causes and yes, that makes me bloodthirsty.

With that in mind, the romance takes its time. The attraction is there early on, then they become physically intimate and then Christian spends a long time coaxing and working on Gilly to get past her fears that her dead husband gave her about marriage. Her head knows the truth that with Christian it would be different, but the evil beast did a number on her and she can't work past the anger and fear. The reader has to be as patient as Christian through this part of the story and it was hard because I just wanted them to be happy together after all they had been through.

On a side note, this book and the series are part of the same world as her other series the Windhams. In fact, one of the strong secondary characters in this story is Devlin St. Just prior to the events of The Heir and the rest of the Windham series. I loved seeing my favorite Windham and hope to see more of him with this trilogy. And speaking of the trilogy, I was vastly intrigued when I saw who the heroes of the other two books are. Just for that knowledge alone I would read them.

All in all, this was a magnificent start to a new series. What a deep story this was addressing themes of prisoners of war, torture, domestic abuse, greed, and oh yes, love and hope. Those who enjoy a bit more substance and a spicier relationship to their historical romances should pick this one up.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for my honest review.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be surprisingly boring; I skimmed the last few chapters just to be done with it.

On the face of it, this story has so much that I should love:
* Two broken people finding their way through the darkness to their healing.
* An independent, non-virginal heroine.
* Characters involved in the Napoleonic war.
* Horses and dogs and gardening.

But while the right ingredients were there, the recipe was off. I just didn't care. About any of it: about the characters, the romance, the mystery, the revenge. I can't quite put my finger on why, exactly.

The writing was fine. The characters were fine. The pacing was uneven, however, and that may be what put me off. The beginning was confusing: who are these people? who will be important to the plot? I was also confused about Mercia's son and daughter: in the beginning, only a son is mentioned, then suddenly he has a daughter! And he hasn't even visited her, or had thoughts about her! It was weird and confusing. Then the heroine, Gilly, just charges into the his bedroom when they first meet, and that seemed forward-bordering-on-asshole, to me. Then she proceeds to micromanage him, which always ticks me off. I do hate a micromanager. Then they start pawing at each other and kissing on the lips, (which struck me as confusing and bizarre .... I thought kissing was scandalous in that era??) but yet no relationship or hint of romance has begun. It was confusing. And when the romance DID begin, there was zero tension, since they'd already been hugging and kissing and seeing each other partially dressed in bedrooms. I think that is the root of my problem: complete lack of tension.

And the hero's name? Mercia???. Every time I saw that, my brain changed it to 'Merica, as in: " 'Merica! Fuck yeah USA!"

[Cam *tactile seeker*]

DNF at 50%.

Jesus, look at that cover. *bites lips*
I know, the guy's naked, what a cliché. But they're both so beautiful, the colors are so vivid, the shocking pink and the pale pink are so amazing together... *sighs*

This is the second book in a row that I DNF. It's like a curse. I can't seem to find a truly engaging story anymore. I don't want something to just keep me interested, I want a book full of surprises and passion and delightful characters and fantastic writing.

If there's something Mrs. Grace Burrowes is brilliant at though, is writing. She sounds exactly like someone from the Regency Era. It's like she traveled through time and decided to describe how the English society was at that time. Her style is refined, lavish, powerfully descriptive. Her voice is fascinating, a true talent in the HR world.

And yet, that same style I admire so much, is the reason why I couldn't finish her book. I found it a bit wordy and boring. I wished more had happened in those 200+ pages I read. Less descriptions, more facts. I know, someone who has to plot his vendetta carefully, needs time.
Maybe I'm too impatient these days, to just stay here and wait for it. I can't fully appreciate Mrs. Burrowes' talent and that's a real shame.

But we can't love everything we read, right?

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has my heart. I absolutely loved this story and this book. Yes, it took me over two weeks to read it, but it was pretty much perfection. The main characters were perfect, especially for each other. I loved how they did these little things for each other and opened up to each other about everything. There were a lot of shocking moments, but this book was just amazing. I did find the ending to be a little rushed, but the story was already over 400 pages, so I'm assuming that it was just due to the fact that it couldn't have been longer. But I do wish it was. I wish I would have gotten a little more because I needed that from these characters. Their time together was just amazing and I don't know what else to say honestly. Just know that I loved this book so much, and I recommend it!

[Angie Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

***This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***

After finishing a pretty intense series, I picked up THE CAPTIVE looking for a light-hearted read. That's not what I got with this book.

This book is one of those books that came along at just the right time for me. I thought the writing was superb. The pacing was spot on, and I could feel every emotion these characters were feeling.

I loved both of the main characters in this book. They were broken and scarred, both desperate to move on but not quite sure how. Christian and Gilly may not have been on equal footing according to society, but Christian never held is station over her or tried to pressure her with it.

Christian was just such a good man. He was learning to live again after being held captive and tortured by the French, but it wasn't until Gilly came into his life that he realized he was merely getting by. Christian's daughter, Lucy, was a great addition to the book. I loved his interactions with her, and the patience and love he showed her despite being urged not to. He was so caring and loving that it was impossible not to adore him. It was clear his mission was to bring his daughter, and his 'Countess' happiness.

Gilly sort of thrusts herself into Christian's life by being exactly what he needs. It was her kindness that drew him to her. She never treated him as though he was fragile because of his imprisonment. She showed an indifference to that portion of his life, and it was something Christian really needed to feel normal and whole again. It wasn't until I was halfway through the book I realized that like Gilly, I was so wrapped up in Christian and his daughter getting things back on track that I knew very little about her. I think this was deliberate on the author's part, as Gilly was so used to putting others before herself that she was simply existing.

Christian and Gilly's love story was so beautiful. There were so many layers to this story. I really felt like these characters were meant to be together, and no matter what had happened in their lives, at some point, they would have found each other. After reading the first few chapters of this book, I was of the mindset that the title THE CAPTIVE referred to Christian, but it's clear as the story progresses that Gilly has been a prisoner of another kind. Christian's kindness and understanding with Gillian was exactly what she needed to gain the freedom she'd never really had. They complemented each other perfectly, and after their first marriages, they deserved the happiness they found with each other.

This was a fantastic read. It was my first book from Grace Burrowes, but it certainly won't be my last. If you like a story that will surprise you, move you, and just stay with you, this one won't disappoint.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally Posted At My Website: Addicted To Romance

Christian Severn, the Duke of Mercia, married with two children, joins the military, but ends up being kidnapped and tortured and now is set free and makes his way back to England. Only to learn that his wife and son are gone and all he has left is his daughter. A daughter that doesn't speak. Gilly, is free of her marriage from hell, and when she sees the trouble with Christian's daughter, So Gilly goes with Christian to his country estate. Christian only sees the revenge for what was done to him, and to connect with his daughter again. From the moment he meets Gilly, his life alters. He starts to have passion for life again, and when their friendship kindles into more after a searing embrace, he knows that he would do anything to have her. Gilly is afraid to trust again, after being in a marriage for eight years that was eight years of nightmares. Can Gilly and Christian heal enough to trust in each other?

The Captive is the first book in the most latest and new series by Grace Burrowes. I was really excited to read The Captive, and I was really looking forward to reading it after reading the blurb. I really love the basis of the series. The Captive deals with two people that are both damaged, in similar ways, but we don't learn the full extent of their pasts until well past the first half of the story. I did have a difficult time getting into it, but while reading the first half I was really tired so when I was more alert I read the second half and it got much better, although still wasn't able to fully be engaged as I like to be in a story. But in all honesty I felt like The Captive was a solid romance with many qualities that gave it a 4 blossom rating for me. I loved the way this story line turns out. and I enjoyed seeing Christian and Gilly turn out into friends and then slowly kindles a more sensual relationship. There were many moments that were very heart wrenching, seeing both of these gentle hearts coming to terms with their pasts.

The match that Christian and Gilly made, they seemed like they complimented each other quite well. I really enjoyed the added character of Christian's daughter, and seeing the tender relationship form between these three. There is a sense of family in this book, and I loved how compelling the story could be at times. MOVING AND SENSATIONAL!!!

[*The Angry Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I see those reviews that are like "OMG! All the Feels! The hero was so dark and broody! This story was so emotional!" And then I run and grab the book and it's like "here's Mike. Mike is tortured. Mike is broody. Mike does tortured broody things. Mike needs the love of a good woman. Mike has met a woman. But he's still tortured. Go Mike go!" The romance equivalent of See Spot Run because the author lacks the skills or patience to show a reader the flaws and growth of the characters. A blunted, silly, impatient and aggravating read all the way around.

This wasn't that.

Christian is a tortured hero - literally. A mess both inside and out. He and Gillian aren't a romantic thing for a while. Because Burrowes has given us two believably flawed characters who need to figure things out in order to be together, and then she allows us to experience that process. I was cheering for Christian and Gilly so hard - to be together, to be okay separately, to find peace. Their relationship was tender. Christian had some lines that had me settin down the book just to ruminate (and happily sigh).

But their relationship was a part of their lives - a part of their story. Not the entire thing. As it is in real life.

This wasn't a particularly steamy book. I wasn't on the edge of my seat. But I was enthralled and in love from page one. A substantial, well-written, conscientious and delightful story. I'll be devouring this series - post-haste.

[Crista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
4 stars!

It has been ages since I read a historical romance, and this book was a wonderful reminder to me why I love historical romance.

This was my first taste of Grace Burrowes writing, and I was impressed (to say the least). She has a depth of storytelling that was impressive and captivating. Ms. Burrowes aptly named this book The Captive , because that’s exactly how these characters are living.

As the story opens, Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, is in captivity. He is being held against his will by the French and is undergoing malnourishment and many other forms of physical torture. Even after he gains his freedom, Christian is still held captive by bitterness and his need for revenge. His wife and son have been killed and his young daughter is traumatized and will not speak.

Christian is sought out by Gilly, his late wife’s cousin, to ask him to come and help his daughter (who is very much alone.). He asks Gilly to stay and help, as he is still not 100% well physically or emotionally.

What happens to these characters during their time together was remarkable. All were wounded, all were held captive by different things, and all need hope and a reason to believe again. Gilly needed to believe that love could be a safe and restful haven. Lucy needed to believe that security could be hers, and Christian needed to believe that the need for revenge has many pitfalls.

I love stories of captivity and gaining freedom. After reading this book, I am made aware that captivity is not always the circumstance we find ourselves in, but the state of mind that we live in.

The writing in this book was amazing, the plot thought provoking, the characterizations believable, and the message clear. Watching these characters find freedom from the many chains that bound them was refreshing, hopeful, and very uplifting.

This is a great book that has me running to find this author’s backlist.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tenía ganas de leer a esta autora pero este libro, aunque no está mal, no me ha conquistado. Es un libro bien escrito, con una escritura y un lenguaje cuidados, y un punto de partida de lo más interesante pero la escritora me parece que se acaba perdiendo de su propia historia y al final no sabe cómo rematarla.
Christian es un duque que es apresado y torturado por los franceses (estamos en la época de Napoleón y soldados británicos traumatizados por cualquier batalla que les tocara librar por estos lares) el cual, cuando es liberado, solo tiene en mente vengarse. En su camino se cruza una condesa viuda, Gilly, que vela por la salud de la hija de Christian y que al final acaba viviendo con ellos en su casoplón. Tanto Christian como Gilly están traumaditos y el amor que surge entre ellos (primero el palotismo, claro) les ayuda a sanar. Y en estas cosas casi nos olvidamos de la venganza de Christian y de unos intentos de asesinato que aparecen como de la nada. Obviamente, al final hay que resolver todo pero, chica, de qué modo más rápido, soso y anticlimático lo hace.
Ya os digo que no es que sea una mala lectura pero me costaba pillar el ritmo y tenía más ganas de estar con otra lectura que con esta. Vamos, que ni reseña en el blog le voy a hacer porque ya está llenito el blog de mñeísmos.
Veré quién es el maromo del siguiente para ver si sigo la serie o no.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Burrowes never disappoints. The Captive Duke was a heartfelt, beautifully written romance that will stay with me for a long time.

Christian and Gilly are perfection together. I loved how their love grew over time through the little things they did for each other. The way they were able to really open up and bond over their shared trauma was inspiring.

I loved this book so very much and highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Monique Takens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit is het eerste boek van G.B. wat ik gelezen heb . In het begin had ik erg veel moeite met haar schrijfstijl - zinsopbouw en/of woordkeus ? ik weet niet eens precies waar ik precies moeite mee had maar het leest in ieder geval heel anders dan ik gewend ben . Daardoor duurde het wat lang voordat ik goed in het verhaal zat , maar toen ik het ritme eenmaal te pakken had wilde ik het ook in een keer uitlezen .
Het is een goed doordacht en uitgewerkt verhaal die een epiloog had verdiend , misschien dat er nog een update komt in de delen 2 of 3 .

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!

Book One in the Captive Hearts Series

This one comes out on July 1, 2014. I read it the moment I got it on Netgalley. I just have to read Ms. Burrowes books the second I get them!

I have to say, this was a much darker start, and book, than many of Ms. Burrowes' other books. Tore at my heartstrings! The title, The Captive, was so appropriate. Christian, though freed after his torture, was still held captive to revenge...and healing. Gilly was held captive to her secrets. Lucy was held captive to silence. And even Girard, the man who did most of the torture of Christian, was a captive to orders.

I love how Ms. Burrowes incorporates the titles' themes throughout her books. This was a story of learning how to live again, in freedom, for many of the characters. And the journey to an HEA kept me enthralled.

The torture that Christian survived had me in tears. And reading through my fingers! Those scenes were incredibly intense.

I enjoyed Gilly very much. Such a take charge young woman. And one who hasn't had a charmed life, either.

We get to see Devlin St. Just, a character from The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2) (Windham #2), and it was lovely to see him.

A wonderful start to a new series. I'll certainly be there for all of them!



Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the opportunity to read The Captive

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revenge The Captive is a dish book best served read cold.

I am sure I would have given this story 5 stars if I read it eight years ago when it was first published. I don't mind reading about imperfect characters where the road to happiness has a few bumps. But by the time I had finished 50 pages I wondered, just who was The Captive?

Clearly, Christian Mercia, Duke of Severn, had gone through a terrible ordeal. I can only imagine what it must have been like for POWs to suffer on both sides in all wars to invade our planet. But what about Gillian, Countess of Greendale? She had been locked in a caustic marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather all for the sake of money to further her parents' position in society. If it had been me, I would have gone mad.

I have read a number of HRs over the years with scarred, tortured (physically and/or emotionally) or damaged souls. I would put The Captive in my top ten. Admittedly, it was a very emotional story, so why did it not earn five stars now?

I enjoyed the first 2/3's of the story: showing the importance of the MCs to each other and the centering of the plot. There was plenty of angst with the writing tugging at my heart. But at some point, the story dissolved into pages of ...., well, I will leave it up to you to read the story.

By the time I finished, Christian and Gilly had closure, but there was continuation for two the villains. I will give it some time and then read The Traitor and The Laird. If only to find out why these two men did what they did. And a reminder for those who follow my reviews; I use Goodreads' rating system where two stars is 'okay' and three means I 'liked' it.

Thank you, WhiskeyintheJar, for bringing this series to my attention.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed Kindle edition published June 6, 2023:

I had almost forgotten I’d first read the captive Duke in 2014
One feels the sense of betrayal, their world turned upside down that both lead characters had to endure, each in their own way
Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, tortured by the French, Giilly tortured by a despicable husband
Both have scars. Then maybe Girard, Christian’s torturer has them too.
I’d forgotten the reason why Christian’s daughter Lucille’s refused to talk. When that reason came who could blame her.
I’ve reread this as eagerly as the first time.
The almost Burrowes trademark inclusion of feet and stockings are lovingly mentioned. A glimpse of which bring a heightened heartbeat and treasured feeling to our hero.
Personally I love these inclusions and always look for them.
Devlin St. Just is present, solid and true. I may just have to wander off and reread his story.
Who can resist true Burrowes heros—Gilly and Christian both!

A Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.


Review published 2014 edition:

...reclaiming 'the Captive'

Two damaged people find each other.
Christian Donatus Severn, eighth Duke of Mercia's damage we can guess at. Gillian, Countess of Greendale's is more hidden.
I took these two straight to my heart. Wonderful characters demonstrating true courage despite the atrocities they both endured.
Christian, a prisoner of war, Gilly a prisoner of her marriage.
Gillian flees to her cousin by marriage, Mercia, some time after her husband dies. She intends to take Mercia to task about his daughter Lucille. Mercia's wife Helene is Gillian's cousin. Mercia's daughter Lucille has not spoken for some time and needs her father. Gillian also needs a place to live. There's hints of trickery and treachery but her trusty solicitor Stoneleigh sets Gillian on the right path. More than once.
Christian is the 'lost Duke', 'a high ranking officer captured out of uniform' by the French, held and tortured. It is here in France that we again meet one of my heroes Devlin St. Just. It is he who shepherds Mercia back to England and helping him and and understanding him as Mercia fights towards healing.
Freed after Napoleon has been captured Mercia returns home to many changes. The scene in France in the English camp where he is finally recognized as the lost Duke is vivid and wrenching, and we are treated to an unexpected degree of dignity from this shattered man.
I loved Gilly and Mercia. Her trueness and his damaged heart. The simple act of eating an orange becomes part of the dance between them and is displayed with a fine sense of delicacy, reflecting another facet of the person that Gillian is.
Gilly's embroidering of acres of flowers as a weapon is striking. Wonderful! All I could think of was William Morris fabrics. I know he was a later era but I was seeing complexity and colour and the steadfast tramp of flora being embroidered on everything until all else is obliterated. As Christian later tells Gillian, 'you made your needle a weapon.'
Certainly the whole idea of torture, endurance, rebellion and suffering are examined. As is to some extent the relationship of tortured and torturer.
I find Girard St Clair, now Baron St Clair, a puzzle and can't work out just what he is hiding or was about. On the surface, he is Christian's tormentor, an unpleasant man. Certainly my sympathies are against him, tied up as I am with the treatment he metered out to Christian. What was Girard up to then? What is he up to now?
There is no denying that the physical damage to Mercia has been great but the psychological damage has been extensive. Later though, Gilly treats us to an interesting insight about Girard. He 'is a man--a flesh-and-blood man, with regrets and scars of his own--behind the beast who's haunted Christian's dreams.'
As we come to see this work's title, it's idea, 'The Captive' operates on a number of different levels.
Another excellent and fresh look at Regency times from Grace Burrowes. This time addressing the results of the Napoleonic wars on the psyche of those who were not only at the battle front and all it's horrors, but those who were treated abysmally. Something we today also have difficulties coming to grips with.
I think Burrowe's dedication says it all.
'To those at war, especially the wars nobody sees, may you find peace.'

A NetGalley ARC

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It has an angsty, tortured hero, a strong and supportive heroine, an interesting storyline and a satisfying conclusion. But when it was over, I was left wondering why I didn’t love it… but merely liked it. Here is what I have come up with: the romance was too easy. Oh, the journey each character had to endure was horrible, yes. But the road to love was a cakewalk. Let’s back up.

Christian, the Duke of Mircea, was captured by the French and tortured for months as his enemies hoped to extract his secrets. They broke parts of his body, but they didn’t break his mind enough to force him to talk. Now that the war is over, he must face more hardship. His wife and young son are dead and he must resume the duties of his title with the limitations he now has from his time in captivity. But he doesn’t have to do it alone.

Gillian is his cousin by marriage and the young widow is very concerned about Christian’s surviving child. The little girl is in an emotional decline and Gilly appeals to the duke to go to her right away. He drafts Gillian to come with him and help manage the child –and the household– while he recovers.

Over the course of the book, we learn more about Gilly’s backstory and the horrible marriage she endured. We also see how she comes alive with Christian, as he does with her. Both are tentative, due to their respective histories, but they serve as a balm to one another and each grows stronger as a result.

There’s some conflict: someone targeting Gilly’s life; Christian plotting the death of his captors. But in the romance department: nada. Sure, there’s a little debate on whether Gillian can ever bring herself to marry again, but it’s really small potatoes in the angst department. From the moment these two crossed paths, they fit. They soothed each other. They felt attracted to each other. And they fell in love as naturally as breathing. Did this make the story bad? No way. It was a sweet love story and it had a few surprising revelations as the story progressed. It simply never put me on the edge of my seat. It never made my heart hurt or my stomach clench.

It was a nice romance, thought at times the story felt rather long. I was happy with how it ended and I believed in how it all played out. I liked it. I just didn’t love it.

Rating: B

*ARC provided by publisher for review

[Jody Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian, Duke of Mercia (CHRISTIAN MERCY) was held captive by the French and tortured for months. He returns to London a shattered man, in very ill health. Gilly is distant cousin and a widow of a VERY abusive marriage. She shows up at Christian's door to get him to go home and tend to his daughter, who has stopped speaking. Sidebar, the daughter has exactly the right amount of page time, a little plot device who is fully cared for by nanny and governess unless they need to take her to look at puppies or something.

This relationship in this book was so compelling. The reader gets completely how gaga these two are for each other, even as there are valid reasons they are frightened to act on it. Gilly isn't at all phased by Christian's unusual behavior and limited diet (a runner though the book is she peels oranges for him when his mangled hands cannot, and they eat from each other's fingers). She's the first person to just accept the way he is now, and not want him different. "That she could peel oranges and didn't regard him as a freak because he eschewed tea was to her credit as well." Burrowes does an amazing job showing the POV interior thought shift as Christian recovers. When they first meet he's so scattered and untethered he can't remember her name (to be fair, I have the same issue and I wasn't tortured by the French) "perhaps she'd just told him what it was" and later in the book she remarks how he listens and remembers every word she says. Similarly, Christian can't bear to be touched because of all the torture and lack of body autonomy "He reached out as if he would still her hands, but stopped short of touching her." These two end up handsy as all get out, "like cousins" (YEAH RIGHT) walking arm in arm and holding hands and constantly hugging "Lady Greendale had renewed a certain appetite in him, one he hadn't realized he's possessed - for sweet touches, for care and tenderness and tactile loving kindness." They are both touch starved, and once they are intimate the reader viscerally feels how much they need each other, with their constant petting. Even when the fight, "she never under any circumstances denied him the opportunity to touch her" (not like that, just as connection).

Burrowes does great job of drip drip breadcrumbs and hints of the real story, both with regards to the war and intrigue stuff and the old school HR villain plot, but also Gilly's past. We know her husband was terrible, and tiny hints are dropped throughout (I did immediately reread this upon finishing and seeing mention of riding crops all over the house and other asides was chilling and I appreciated what Burrowes was doing). Because it was so cleverly done, I'll spoiler-tag it to not ruin the discovery but Gilly's husband got off on beating and hurting her, in addition to being horribly verbally abusive. "She'd been married to Greendale for 3,147 nights - she'd done the math the day he'd dies - and each one had been awful." Turns out she's as emotionally and physically scarred as he is, and was tortured for far longer. The way the story comes out was wonderfully done.

Christian gets the parallel of their situations completely, and the irony that he is being hailed a hero and she was sent back to her situation by everyone who knew, or pretended not to know. "You were betrayed by family, as I was. You were tortured, as I was. You were toyed with and paraded about as a trophy of was, as I was. You fought back in the small ways available to you, as I did, and you prevailed in the end, wears I merely endured."

I loved this book. It was really thoughtfully constructed, sharing small details at just the right rate to keep you predicting the villain plot, and an ever-increasing sense of dread as to the eventual reveal of Gilly's past. Both of them have been betrayed by family "Her parents had known, but they'd chosen denial as the better course, leaving her at the age of seventeen in the hands of a monster." and Burrowes really shows the healing and evolution of both characters to become two people who can come together.

[Jultri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off quite promisingly, introducing us to Gillian, the newly widowed Countess of Windmere, who was not particularly grieving the passing of her elderly husband - a most unpleasant person whose only act of benevolence was to die of an apoplexy after eight years of marriage. The Lost Duke of Mercia, Christian survived months of French torture and imprisonment returning back to England a ghost of the man he once was. His infant son and wife perished in his absence and instead of being allowed time to process all the traumas, a little whirlwind in the shape of the feisty Gillian comes sweeping in to forcefully remind him of his duties to his country estate and his surviving daughter.

Much that I enjoyed the introduction, I did not quite understand the instant connection they had with one another, not quite prurient but inappropriately close nevertheless and way too comfortable and free with their touches. The book lost me in the second half with the slowed down pacing and the ending was frustrating because it was obvious to all who the villain was - all except Christian.

Copy supplied by Net Galley.

[Sonya Heaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, really, but there were a couple of niggles that kept me from rounding up!

Originally posted HERE .

This is one of those books that stand out from the crowd, and I’m glad I finally sat down and read something by this author. I think I got lucky and chose one of her best to start with.

I had formed the wrong opinion about Grace Burrowes’ writing. She is definitely a victim of US publishers’ trashy cover designs, because this is richly-written historical fiction and not at all the wallpaper nonsense I was expecting.

This is the kind of historical romance I want to read. Sensible characters dealing with serious issues. A romance that actually develops rather than happening immediately and for no obvious reason. A true sense of the era.

I must admit I wasn’t sure at first. I have a low tolerance for dukes in this genre, especially so when they’re cast in heroic military roles (“He’s not just disgustingly rich and powerful, but a military superhero, too!” – Ugh, stop it!). This is the only book of its type I can remember reading where the author convinced me it could work. I understood the choices this duke made and believed things could have happened the way they did.

I loved the romance because not only did I really like both characters, but they came across as real people, not just your average historical romance hero and heroine.

One disappointment was that the author made some strange choices when it came to her dialogue. It wasn’t just the use of Americanisms, but the use of phrases that seemed out of place with the early nineteenth century setting. This is an author who sets her scene so well – and then goes and ruins it with too-modern expressions. “crops littered the premises like so much scent”, “turned and handled like so much puppetry”. And repeatedly referring to autumn as “the fall” is a beginner’s mistake.

Another thing that I struggled with a little was the major plotline involving the daughter who no longer spoke. It’s a good plotline, but identical to one I read in an Anne Gracie book a little while ago, so the impact was lost on me.

However, I’m so glad I finally gave in and picked up something by this much-hyped author.

[Love Africa Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This my first Grace Burrowes book and I have to say I'm now interested in reading more of her books.

The characters were endearing. Both of them were just so flawed and damaged and yet portrayed realistically and beautifully. My heart went out for Christian, the hero, who has to deal with the aftermath of the torture he went through during captivity. I really understood his motivations and why he did the things he did.

Gilly is another character who pulls you in. She is strong and courageous despite all she went through under her late horrible man of a husband. And yet we see her being vulnerable and traumatized.

There are a host of supporting secondary characters and it seems the author is find of filtering in characters from other books which she does here. I guess it works in gaining empathy so you read the other books.

There wasn't as much suspense as I would've liked given how this book started, as I figured things out pretty quickly. But the story is well written and the language in keeping to the era as I would expect in a historical romance.

3.5 Lovebites

[Gloria—aka—Tiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing…and I like that. Vivid characterizations, a carefully crafted story, and lovely writing, although with less dry wit than is evidenced in some other Grace Burrowes’ novels, understandably since the subject matter is rather grim. For a man who played the long game so well, the villain’s clumsy attempt at a rushed, ill-conceived murder at the end and the heroine’s saving the hero’s life with a whip rang a false note—are whips really faster than bullets? But the rest of the book is strong enough to overcome a false note or two, and this is one of Grace Burrowes’ best.

[Luli · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find this review in English below.

2.5 stars.
Ha sido una lectura perturbadora.
Ha estado bastante bien pero ni me ha gustado ni he disfrutado de ella. Demasiado triste. Demasiados abusos.

Y ha habido algo en la historia que no me ha cuadrado. Creo que la autora ha perdido una oportunidad de oro para contarnos la historia de dos protagonistas maduros, en el otoño de sus vidas. Hubiese sido más creíble, más tolerable y menos angustiosa.

Para no dar muchas pistas seré muy breve. Ambos protagonistas tienen un pasado (dolorosamente reciente) de abusos. Muy creíbles y muy realistas. Pero también muy alarmantes e incómodos para leer en un romance… o eso me ha parecido a mí.
Ambos protagonistas se comportan y actúan como personas de 40 años o más. No me ha parecido creíble esa relación ni esos comportamientos en las edades en las que han sido caracterizados (30 y 26 años respectivamente, si mal no recuerdo), es más, me ha chocado. Hubiese sido todo tan natural envejeciéndolos unas décadas…

Y la parte del suspense, aunque ha sido algo secundario, ha sido insustancial y apresurada. Después de todo lo que han pasado… esperaba algo más…más memorable…

Si te apetece leer algo más oscuro de lo que este género ofrece generalmente, esta historia cumple los requisitos.


***

2.5 stars.
It has been a disturbing read.
It has been pretty good but neither I liked it nor enjoyed it. Too sad. Too many abuses.

And there has been something in the story that did not fit. I think the author has missed a golden opportunity to tell us the story about two mature MC´s in their autumn. It would have been more believable, more tolerable, and less distressing.

In order not to give away many clues I will be very brief. Both protagonists have a (painfully recent) past of abuses. A very believable and very realistic one. But also very alarming and uncomfortable to read in a historical romance ... or that has seemed to me.
Both protagonists behave and act like people of 40 years old or more. I did not think that kind of relationship or behavior belongs with people who had been characterized 30 and 26 years old respectively, if I remember correctly, moreover, it has shocked me. It would have been so natural to have aged them a few decades ...

And the suspense, although it has been something on the background, has been insubstantial and rushed. After everything that has happened ... I expected something more ... more memorable ...

If you feel like reading something darker than this genre usually offers, this story meets the bill.