The Burden of Guilt

by Molly Clifford-Nixon

The year is 1965. Jules and Charlotte are thrown together unexpectedly through the European Fraud Prevention Office. Having not seen one another since their break-up, will they survive the emotional turmoil of regret, guilt and hope that ensues? What is the secret Charlotte believes will destroy the love Jules still feels for her? In contrast, his superior, Smythe, embarks on a journey of love he had thought impossible. Their relationships unfold against the backdrop of an investigation prompted by Smythe’s distrust of Fawkes, the new Head of the EFPO. Why does Fawkes want a file on ‘The Monument Men’ archived? What really happened to Charlotte’s father? Did he steal artefacts during World War II? What connects the 1936 Berlin Olympics with a ship bound for Gloucester docks?

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

Reviews

[Nancy W. Whittingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because I love historical romance and was not disappointed. The chemistry between Jules and Charlotte is electric from the very first page. Their history together, the pain of their separation, and the slow rekindling of their love felt so real. The 1965 London setting gave everything a nostalgic, moody feel that perfectly matched the tension of the story. The mystery element about Charlotte's father was gripping, and I found myself staying up way too late to find out what happened. Highly recommend.

[Virginia Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up but honestly, I was completely hooked by the end of the first chapter. Jules sitting in that café, catching a glimpse of someone he thinks might be Charlotte that moment set the tone for everything that followed. The way Molly Clifford-Nixon writes tension is just extraordinary. You feel every bit of the history between these two characters before you're even told what happened. Absolutely gorgeous book.

[Nelson Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dual romance in this is everything. Jules and Charlotte on one side, Smythe and Hettie on the other and somehow both love stories felt completely real and completely different. Smythe and Hettie genuinely made me laugh out loud in places and then turn around and make me a little emotional. I didn't expect to fall so hard for two middle-aged civil servants sharing brandy in an office but here we are. Five stars without question.

[Lilyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest the premise took me a chapter or two to fully settle into. But once I understood what we were dealing with the Monument Men connection, Charlotte's father, the EFPO investigation I was all in. The 1965 London setting is so vividly drawn. I kept picturing Earl's Court in the rain, the intercom crackling in Smythe's office, Hettie's perfectly timed entrances with tea and biscuits. Really wonderful atmosphere throughout.

[Josepoh Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Blythe is one of the most compelling female protagonists I've read in a long time. She's not strong in a flashy way she's strong in the way real people are strong, which means she's also deeply vulnerable and sometimes makes terrible decisions and carries enormous guilt quietly for years. The scene in the bathroom at Jules's flat. I genuinely held my breath. This author understands people

[Taylor Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing that stayed with me most after finishing The Burden of Guilt is Charlotte's letter. After everything the investigation, the danger, the cottage, Kruger she writes Jules a letter and tries to disappear. The weight of that guilt she's been carrying the whole novel suddenly makes complete sense. I had to put the book down for a few minutes. Absolutely devastating and beautifully written.

[Russel Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not just a romance novel. It's a full blown spy thriller with heart. Jules is a former operative trying to resign from his organisation, but he gets pulled back in for one last job. The espionage plot, complete with coded messages, hidden Nazi loot, and corrupt officials, kept me on the edge of my seat. Charlotte is a strong female lead who holds her own. The way the author weaves the love story into the intrigue is masterful. I could not put this down.

[Zachary Wunderlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely absorbed by the emotional depth of this story. This is a story about guilt, regret, and the terrible weight of secrets. Charlotte's internal struggle broke my heart. She loves Jules so much but is convinced she has to push him away because of something she feels she can never be forgiven for. Jules's persistence and his refusal to give up on her made me root for them so hard. The ending had me in tears.

[Rebecca Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

The romance between Jules and Charlotte is the kind you dream about. They have that epic, once in a lifetime love that survives years of separation, misunderstanding, and immense pain. Their shared history gives their story so much weight. When they finally start to break down the walls between them, it is so emotionally satisfying. I love a good second chance romance, and this is one of the best I have read.

[Angela Adamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The atmosphere in this book is incredible. The author really transports you to 1960s London with all its fog, rain, phone boxes, and smoky offices. You can almost smell the pipe tobacco and hear the clatter of typewriters. It feels like stepping into a classic black and white film. The historical detail is rich without being overwhelming. I loved how the setting became a character in itself.

[John Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The supporting characters are just as memorable as the main couple. Miss Henshaw is an absolute delight. Her love story with Smythe was a beautiful subplot that ran alongside the main romance. I found myself really caring about whether she would ever confess her feelings to him. Their relationship added a wonderful warmth to the story. I would read a whole book just about them.

[Anthony Cantu · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster of emotions. There is a scene in this book that literally made my stomach drop. The tension building up to it was so well done and the payoff was devastating. You really feel for Charlotte. She goes through so much and she handles it all with such strength. This is not a light, fluffy romance. It has real stakes and real darkness.

[Sharon Ragsdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing style is elegant and evocative. The prose flows beautifully and the descriptions are so visual. I could picture every scene in my head. The dialogue is sharp and natural, and it really brings the characters to life. It felt like reading a classic while still being fresh and modern in its pacing. This author clearly knows how to craft a sentence.

[Leo Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the complexity of the plot. This is not your average historical romance. There is a layered mystery involving Nazi loot, forged papers, and betrayal that would be at home in a John le Carré novel. The way the author blends the romance and the thriller elements is seamless and impressive. It feels smart and sophisticated.

[Sylvia K. Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The emotional payoff in this book is incredible. The angst is real, and the characters really earn their happy ending. It is a story about forgiveness, not just between Jules and Charlotte, but self forgiveness as well. Charlotte's struggle to forgive herself for what happened is so raw and honest. It is a beautiful and moving read.

[Louise Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and mystery and the European Fraud Prevention Office? It’s an odd premise but stick with it - this book offers a great, tangled mystery with a romance to boot! The characters are really engaging and the complex interconnections over time add to the sense of intrigue.