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The Viscount's Forbidden Love
"From the moment I first met you, I have felt an inexplicable attraction. I want you, Ambrose, and I am unashamed to say it."
Daniel Stanton has been blessed with everything. He is charming, confident and handsome—and heir to the great Stanton fortune. At age 24, he has had his fair share of amorous adventures with women, as well as one tantalising experience with a man, leaving him wondering about his sexual inclinations. Those questions are quickly answered when he first meets Ambrose Cranshaw, his grandfather's estate manager. He wants the man, and what he wants, he usually gets.
Not this time though.
Ambrose Cranshaw is everything that Daniel is not. With no fortune to his name and no connections, he has had to work hard to support himself and his younger sister, climbing his way up in the world to the trusted position of the Earl of Stanton's estate manager. He may yearn in secret for other men, but he will never risk it all by acting out on his yearnings. When he first meets debonair and charming Daniel Stanton, he knows at once that the man is dangerous. With one flash of those dark, torrid eyes, Daniel could bring the whole edifice of Ambrose's life crumbling down. At all costs, Ambrose must hide his true feelings for him.
Author's The Viscount's Forbidden Love is the concluding novel in the Stanton Legacy series. It is an MM romance set in Victorian England with plenty of heart, angst and steam—and it does have a happy ending. While it can be read as a standalone, it is best appreciated as part of the series.
Daniel Stanton has been blessed with everything. He is charming, confident and handsome—and heir to the great Stanton fortune. At age 24, he has had his fair share of amorous adventures with women, as well as one tantalising experience with a man, leaving him wondering about his sexual inclinations. Those questions are quickly answered when he first meets Ambrose Cranshaw, his grandfather's estate manager. He wants the man, and what he wants, he usually gets.
Not this time though.
Ambrose Cranshaw is everything that Daniel is not. With no fortune to his name and no connections, he has had to work hard to support himself and his younger sister, climbing his way up in the world to the trusted position of the Earl of Stanton's estate manager. He may yearn in secret for other men, but he will never risk it all by acting out on his yearnings. When he first meets debonair and charming Daniel Stanton, he knows at once that the man is dangerous. With one flash of those dark, torrid eyes, Daniel could bring the whole edifice of Ambrose's life crumbling down. At all costs, Ambrose must hide his true feelings for him.
Author's The Viscount's Forbidden Love is the concluding novel in the Stanton Legacy series. It is an MM romance set in Victorian England with plenty of heart, angst and steam—and it does have a happy ending. While it can be read as a standalone, it is best appreciated as part of the series.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2024
15 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
M.M. Wakeford
23 books53 followersM.M. Wakeford lives with her husband and son in a London terraced house that gathers dust while she loses herself in her writing. A lifelong reader of romantic novels, she writes in many genres including contemporary, sci-fi and historical romance. All her stories strive to capture that heady feeling of falling in love, with authentic characters whose journey to a happily ever after is lined with dilemmas to overcome. If you're looking for a page turning romance with high emotion and a good dose of spice, you've come to the right place.
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⭐️ A NOT SO CONVENIENT MARRIAGE - Out 12th March ⭐️
Want to know more? Subscribe on my website:
https://mw-author.com/
Connect with me:
- X
- TIKTOK
- BLUESKY
- WEBSITE
- NEWSLETTER
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 5, 2024
This is the last book of a series, and the only MM, but I didn’t find any need to catch up with who were the previous characters. The story was self-contained and secondary characters fit into the narrative.
Such a frustrating read! The story starts in the present and then quickly jumps to the past and continues on for five years to align with the present again. The frustration was for Daniel and Ambrose, the two MCs, to have feelings from their first meeting which only Daniel expresses and Ambrose continually shuts down to cover up his longing. The two men are a member of the English nobility and the estate manager. For five long years their frustration drags on, and mine. Yes, it was a time, the 1860’s, when it could not be lived, but it could be discreetly acted upon.
They didn’t stay horny for five years. Ambrose is having a monthly and years long affair with a spurned gentlewomen wife of a friend. They conceive a child who calls Ambrose ‘Uncle.’ Daniel goes regularly to a fleshpot club for orgies. And this is supposed to be their love story!! I checked out and skimmed read after these plot lines appeared. Before then, I liked the MCs and I liked the familial side characters. The writing draws you into their lives and I had anticipation for Daniel and Ambrose, both very attractive men, to get together and work something out. Instead, I got five long years of not even a kiss. And, got to read their sex scenes with others. Which, maddeningly enough, were very hot!
When the two men finally get together on another continent, it was anticlimactic. The way too long drawing out of this non-relationship was story dampening, if not ruining.
A disappointing and very frustrating read.
Such a frustrating read! The story starts in the present and then quickly jumps to the past and continues on for five years to align with the present again. The frustration was for Daniel and Ambrose, the two MCs, to have feelings from their first meeting which only Daniel expresses and Ambrose continually shuts down to cover up his longing. The two men are a member of the English nobility and the estate manager. For five long years their frustration drags on, and mine. Yes, it was a time, the 1860’s, when it could not be lived, but it could be discreetly acted upon.
They didn’t stay horny for five years. Ambrose is having a monthly and years long affair with a spurned gentlewomen wife of a friend. They conceive a child who calls Ambrose ‘Uncle.’ Daniel goes regularly to a fleshpot club for orgies. And this is supposed to be their love story!! I checked out and skimmed read after these plot lines appeared. Before then, I liked the MCs and I liked the familial side characters. The writing draws you into their lives and I had anticipation for Daniel and Ambrose, both very attractive men, to get together and work something out. Instead, I got five long years of not even a kiss. And, got to read their sex scenes with others. Which, maddeningly enough, were very hot!
When the two men finally get together on another continent, it was anticlimactic. The way too long drawing out of this non-relationship was story dampening, if not ruining.
A disappointing and very frustrating read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2024
Thanks to BookSprout for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.
This is a slow burn, MM Victorian era love story that occurs concurrent to the last couple of books in the series. This one was a bit of a sad love story and I wondered if the author purposefully published it at the end of Pride month because it felt apropos, emphasizing perhaps how far some parts of our Society has come in terms of sexuality and acceptance of love being expressed between different genders. This story was bittersweet because of the constrants and social expectations of the time limiting Ambrose and Daniel, and their relationship, and that was core to the conflict and development of their relationship.
Daniel was clear from the beginning of meeting Ambrose, about his desire and passion, despite having had many liaisons with women, for the estate manager, and open with Ambrose. But Ambrose, despite secretly sharing that attraction, is much more aware of how society would regard sodomites and had much more in terms to lose if he lost his reputation in such a way, so he made sure to shut down Daniel's advances. But they are still forced to spend time together and to have a professional relationship, when Daniel inherits the viscountcy and stays in England to manage the estates and help oversee some of his remaining relations. Despite the rejection, Daniel still has strong feelings for Ambrose, beyond attraction, and works hard to show his esteem and friendship. He thinks his feelings are one sided and unrequited and he may be doomed to suffer that indefinitely, especially when it appears that Ambrose may be in a relationship with someone else.
This is a bittersweet story as Daniel and Ambrose navigate their feelings for each other and their own internal conflicts, and things come to a head when Daniel feels that Ambrose lied and betrayed his trust. This is, if you read the last book, Daniel returns to America, with his family, to reunite with Benedict, who has returned from the Civil War. Ambrose and Daniels story continues, when Ambrose follows his sister as her love story with Benedict culminates, with his help, and they all end up travelling back to Ohio together.
This does end with an HEA, but as I said, it is bittersweet, because their love is limited by societal strictures of the time.
A love story that ultimately made me think on some of the past struggles of the LGBTQ members of our society, and how the world is not fair to those who love differently.
True love is precious, valuable, and should be cherished and celebrated - and anyone who finds it is lucky beyond compare, no matter who they find it with.
4 stars out of 5
This is a slow burn, MM Victorian era love story that occurs concurrent to the last couple of books in the series. This one was a bit of a sad love story and I wondered if the author purposefully published it at the end of Pride month because it felt apropos, emphasizing perhaps how far some parts of our Society has come in terms of sexuality and acceptance of love being expressed between different genders. This story was bittersweet because of the constrants and social expectations of the time limiting Ambrose and Daniel, and their relationship, and that was core to the conflict and development of their relationship.
Daniel was clear from the beginning of meeting Ambrose, about his desire and passion, despite having had many liaisons with women, for the estate manager, and open with Ambrose. But Ambrose, despite secretly sharing that attraction, is much more aware of how society would regard sodomites and had much more in terms to lose if he lost his reputation in such a way, so he made sure to shut down Daniel's advances. But they are still forced to spend time together and to have a professional relationship, when Daniel inherits the viscountcy and stays in England to manage the estates and help oversee some of his remaining relations. Despite the rejection, Daniel still has strong feelings for Ambrose, beyond attraction, and works hard to show his esteem and friendship. He thinks his feelings are one sided and unrequited and he may be doomed to suffer that indefinitely, especially when it appears that Ambrose may be in a relationship with someone else.
This is a bittersweet story as Daniel and Ambrose navigate their feelings for each other and their own internal conflicts, and things come to a head when Daniel feels that Ambrose lied and betrayed his trust. This is, if you read the last book, Daniel returns to America, with his family, to reunite with Benedict, who has returned from the Civil War. Ambrose and Daniels story continues, when Ambrose follows his sister as her love story with Benedict culminates, with his help, and they all end up travelling back to Ohio together.
This does end with an HEA, but as I said, it is bittersweet, because their love is limited by societal strictures of the time.
A love story that ultimately made me think on some of the past struggles of the LGBTQ members of our society, and how the world is not fair to those who love differently.
True love is precious, valuable, and should be cherished and celebrated - and anyone who finds it is lucky beyond compare, no matter who they find it with.
4 stars out of 5
July 22, 2024
I had never read this author prior to this series but I saw the cover from Book 1, liked it and thought I check her out. A book cover always catches my eye first. :) She only has 8 books total and only 4 in my genre. I have really enjoyed this series.
This book was okay. It was a bit boring. I liked Daniel and Ambrose, they just really had no story line. I was reading it and in my head I was saying blah, blah, blah. It was weird. I liked the families and his sister but there was just no excitement. They were even boring as a couple.
This book was okay. It was a bit boring. I liked Daniel and Ambrose, they just really had no story line. I was reading it and in my head I was saying blah, blah, blah. It was weird. I liked the families and his sister but there was just no excitement. They were even boring as a couple.
June 17, 2024
The title is very appropriate for this story. Two men, Ambrose and Daniel living in a time when men were not able to openly love each other. I enjoyed the story and the two strong men who are front and center in it. I would have been much happier if they had not danced around and denied each other for so many years. I would have preferred the last two chapters would have started somewhere near the middle of the story. That being said, it is a good story worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2024
The fourth and final book in the Stanton Legacy series was my first foray into MM romance. The series is set in the Victorian era. I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was a slow burn romance with lots of angst and tension. This book overlaps the second and third book in some places but as the books follow the love story of different characters in the Stanton family they are written with a different perspective, so read well as standalone stories but the whole series has been a joy to read.
There is class difference between the two main characters, Daniel and Ambrose in an era where the two classes rarely mix and same sex relationships are not acceptable.
Daniel is the new Viscount of Stanton. He grew up in America, without the airs and graces of the English aristocracy that his father Frank and brother Jasper rejected years ago when they moved to America to start a new life. He is outgoing and forward and strives to get what he wants without any hesitation.
Ambrose is the estate manager of the Stanton estate, employed by Daniel’s grandfather who passes away at the beginning of the book. He lives nearby with his sister, who is a spinster. He lives a quiet life and is a private person.
When the two first meet, there is an instant attraction for both of them. Daniel is forthright and tells Ambrose his feelings for him, Ambrose feels the same way but he can’t admit it and tells him that they can’t ever be together. Daniel proposes that they be friends with the hope things might change.
Years pass by with the attraction between the two men still as strong as ever but neither acting on it, until an emotional event causes them to finally bring their love to the surface.
They then have to find a way to make their relationship work in a time where they would not be accepted by their community if they were found out.
The book finishes with a lovely epilogue.
I feel that Ms Wakeford wrote this story with real sensitivity and with a sense of reality of the time. There is open door steam in the storyline between Ambrose and a woman, who he has been seeing for years but they only have a night together once a month and Daniel with various women when he is in London. The steamy scenes between Daniel and Ambrose are well written. As with the previous books there are other storylines within this book that enhances the story of the main characters rather than distracts from it.
She wrote the series with great detail and depth. I have loved this whole series. All of the characters, main and secondary have been so enjoyable to read about. I’m sorry that this series has ended. I was hoping to find out what happened to the other adult children of Frank and Jasper. There was a hint that there will be a novella on one of the adult children in the future that I’m looking forward to.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading well written, open door steamy books with lots of interesting characters with side stories and a happily ever after for Daniel and Ambrose.
I received a special copy from Bookfunnel. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
There is class difference between the two main characters, Daniel and Ambrose in an era where the two classes rarely mix and same sex relationships are not acceptable.
Daniel is the new Viscount of Stanton. He grew up in America, without the airs and graces of the English aristocracy that his father Frank and brother Jasper rejected years ago when they moved to America to start a new life. He is outgoing and forward and strives to get what he wants without any hesitation.
Ambrose is the estate manager of the Stanton estate, employed by Daniel’s grandfather who passes away at the beginning of the book. He lives nearby with his sister, who is a spinster. He lives a quiet life and is a private person.
When the two first meet, there is an instant attraction for both of them. Daniel is forthright and tells Ambrose his feelings for him, Ambrose feels the same way but he can’t admit it and tells him that they can’t ever be together. Daniel proposes that they be friends with the hope things might change.
Years pass by with the attraction between the two men still as strong as ever but neither acting on it, until an emotional event causes them to finally bring their love to the surface.
They then have to find a way to make their relationship work in a time where they would not be accepted by their community if they were found out.
The book finishes with a lovely epilogue.
I feel that Ms Wakeford wrote this story with real sensitivity and with a sense of reality of the time. There is open door steam in the storyline between Ambrose and a woman, who he has been seeing for years but they only have a night together once a month and Daniel with various women when he is in London. The steamy scenes between Daniel and Ambrose are well written. As with the previous books there are other storylines within this book that enhances the story of the main characters rather than distracts from it.
She wrote the series with great detail and depth. I have loved this whole series. All of the characters, main and secondary have been so enjoyable to read about. I’m sorry that this series has ended. I was hoping to find out what happened to the other adult children of Frank and Jasper. There was a hint that there will be a novella on one of the adult children in the future that I’m looking forward to.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading well written, open door steamy books with lots of interesting characters with side stories and a happily ever after for Daniel and Ambrose.
I received a special copy from Bookfunnel. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
June 30, 2024
The Story of Ambrose and Daniel
“The Viscount’s Forbidden Love” written by M.M. Wakeford, is book four of The Stanton Legacy series. The Viscount is Daniel Stanton, newly titled noble who grew up across the Atlantic in the state of Ohio, in America. Daniel’s parents fled there after a falling out with Daniel’s grandfather, the current Earl. The Stanton clan returned to England on the old Earl’s deathbed for a final goodbye and forgiveness. Daniel’s forbidden love, as the title states, is Ambrose Cranshaw, the hardworking, well regarded, yet tightly wound estate manager. Ambrose has worked hard for his position and his reputation. He is solely responsible for himself and his sister, and he will not step outside of the box he has placed himself in, not even for the handsome, alluring, forward Daniel Stanton. These two men are attracted to one another. While Daniel is outspoken in his desires and is tempted to make the first move, Ambrose buries his needs and desires and denies any attraction to Daniel. Both Daniel and Ambrose were well written, well thought out characters. Their personalities and motivations were understandable because of their respective upbringings. One of the taglines for this book was ‘slow burn’. That is an understatement. The pace of their relationship was as slow as molasses. Daniel and Ambrose finally agree to a friendship relationship but inside in their hearts and minds they had fallen in love, what they had for the other man was more than lust or wanting to satisfy a bodily need, but the love of a lifetime. This silent love affair went on for far too long in this story. The same reasons were played out over and over. I wanted to yell at these two to get on with it! Enough is enough! Have it out, have a heartfelt talk, just do something other than suffer in silence for the other man. Wakeford has created a good story with a good plot that fit into England’s gay history of the time but she dragged it out for too long and I as a reader was ready to set the book aside instead of finishing it because it was going nowhere. Some of the characters from the first three books make an appearance in this story reminding the reader of the multigenerational love stories in this family. Even though this is the last book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. This is also the only m/m story in the series which includes open door scenes between the two men along with m/f intimate scenes. As slow as the story moved, the ending seemed rushed as it tied back to the beginning of the book. An epilogue is included, set a number of years in the future trying to tie everything together in a nice neat bow. I struggled with trying to decide between three stars and four. I liked the characters, I liked the plot, what I didn’t like was the pacing, it was just too slow and drawn out bringing down the overall enjoyment of the entire story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
“The Viscount’s Forbidden Love” written by M.M. Wakeford, is book four of The Stanton Legacy series. The Viscount is Daniel Stanton, newly titled noble who grew up across the Atlantic in the state of Ohio, in America. Daniel’s parents fled there after a falling out with Daniel’s grandfather, the current Earl. The Stanton clan returned to England on the old Earl’s deathbed for a final goodbye and forgiveness. Daniel’s forbidden love, as the title states, is Ambrose Cranshaw, the hardworking, well regarded, yet tightly wound estate manager. Ambrose has worked hard for his position and his reputation. He is solely responsible for himself and his sister, and he will not step outside of the box he has placed himself in, not even for the handsome, alluring, forward Daniel Stanton. These two men are attracted to one another. While Daniel is outspoken in his desires and is tempted to make the first move, Ambrose buries his needs and desires and denies any attraction to Daniel. Both Daniel and Ambrose were well written, well thought out characters. Their personalities and motivations were understandable because of their respective upbringings. One of the taglines for this book was ‘slow burn’. That is an understatement. The pace of their relationship was as slow as molasses. Daniel and Ambrose finally agree to a friendship relationship but inside in their hearts and minds they had fallen in love, what they had for the other man was more than lust or wanting to satisfy a bodily need, but the love of a lifetime. This silent love affair went on for far too long in this story. The same reasons were played out over and over. I wanted to yell at these two to get on with it! Enough is enough! Have it out, have a heartfelt talk, just do something other than suffer in silence for the other man. Wakeford has created a good story with a good plot that fit into England’s gay history of the time but she dragged it out for too long and I as a reader was ready to set the book aside instead of finishing it because it was going nowhere. Some of the characters from the first three books make an appearance in this story reminding the reader of the multigenerational love stories in this family. Even though this is the last book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. This is also the only m/m story in the series which includes open door scenes between the two men along with m/f intimate scenes. As slow as the story moved, the ending seemed rushed as it tied back to the beginning of the book. An epilogue is included, set a number of years in the future trying to tie everything together in a nice neat bow. I struggled with trying to decide between three stars and four. I liked the characters, I liked the plot, what I didn’t like was the pacing, it was just too slow and drawn out bringing down the overall enjoyment of the entire story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
July 1, 2024
A Compelling Forbidden Love Story
This was my first MM romance I’ve read and I was thrilled. The plot is very good and emotionally touching, with its forbidden love, boss-employee, class disparity and opposites attract tropes. Daniel and Ambrose’s slow-burn love story is full of repressed feelings, longing, jealousy and spice. I already knew the characters from the previous books and liked them very much. It was clear to me in the previous book that the two would become a couple, but I wondered how they could have a happy ending in times like these, when Daniel needed an heir to the earldom and love between two men was strictly forbidden and even prosecuted by law.
The attraction and tension between the two were palpable from the beginning and continued to build as the book progressed. I really loved how their relationship developed from business relationship to friends and confidants until they finally become lovers in spite of their fear of morality judgement.
Although the book can be read as a standalone, I don't recommend it as the story runs parallel and overlaps with the previous books. It's nice to see the same events from different perspectives.
I am very sad that this book is going to be the conclusion of this wonderful series.
Years ago, after the death of his grandfather Daniel, Viscount Stanton, stayed behind in England to run the estate he inherited while most of his family returned to their estates in America.
When he meets steward Ambrose Cranshaw for the first time, Daniel is immediately attracted to him. He usually has liaisons with women, and the intensity of his feelings takes him by surprise. Although Ambrose feels the same, he rejects Daniel's propositions and fights his own feelings and desires, knowing full well what could happen if he were to engage in an illicit affair with Daniel...
If you like emotionally gripping MM romance novels with a bittersweet happy ending against all odds, you’re sure to enjoy this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was my first MM romance I’ve read and I was thrilled. The plot is very good and emotionally touching, with its forbidden love, boss-employee, class disparity and opposites attract tropes. Daniel and Ambrose’s slow-burn love story is full of repressed feelings, longing, jealousy and spice. I already knew the characters from the previous books and liked them very much. It was clear to me in the previous book that the two would become a couple, but I wondered how they could have a happy ending in times like these, when Daniel needed an heir to the earldom and love between two men was strictly forbidden and even prosecuted by law.
The attraction and tension between the two were palpable from the beginning and continued to build as the book progressed. I really loved how their relationship developed from business relationship to friends and confidants until they finally become lovers in spite of their fear of morality judgement.
Although the book can be read as a standalone, I don't recommend it as the story runs parallel and overlaps with the previous books. It's nice to see the same events from different perspectives.
I am very sad that this book is going to be the conclusion of this wonderful series.
Years ago, after the death of his grandfather Daniel, Viscount Stanton, stayed behind in England to run the estate he inherited while most of his family returned to their estates in America.
When he meets steward Ambrose Cranshaw for the first time, Daniel is immediately attracted to him. He usually has liaisons with women, and the intensity of his feelings takes him by surprise. Although Ambrose feels the same, he rejects Daniel's propositions and fights his own feelings and desires, knowing full well what could happen if he were to engage in an illicit affair with Daniel...
If you like emotionally gripping MM romance novels with a bittersweet happy ending against all odds, you’re sure to enjoy this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 20, 2024
Throughout the eighteenth century and up until 1861, many sexual acts between men were punishable by death. The last executions in England took place in 1835 and this story begins in 1860.
It’s a bittersweet romance between Ambrose Cranshaw, competent manager of the vast Stanton estate, and newly inherited Viscount, Daniel Stanton. Thrown together by necessity, these two feel a little spark for each other right away. But they are at VERY different stages of acceptance – Daniel is much more open about his desire for Ambrose, whereas Ambrose is playing an extremely long game of abject denial. They settle into a semi-comfortable friendship as the years slip by.
This was my first M/M romance and it was very interesting to read about their experience during this time period; when people were forced to either to live secretly, behind closed doors, unable to acknowledge their relationships openly or who chose to reject it entirely, unwilling to take on the societal disapproval and very real threat of imprisonment. Not much of a choice really. And in this story we get two sides of this many-faceted experience – the acceptance of feelings with the inability to explore them, and an attempt to live a life that is not true to your authentic self. It really made me feel for both Daniel and Ambrose.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s a bittersweet romance between Ambrose Cranshaw, competent manager of the vast Stanton estate, and newly inherited Viscount, Daniel Stanton. Thrown together by necessity, these two feel a little spark for each other right away. But they are at VERY different stages of acceptance – Daniel is much more open about his desire for Ambrose, whereas Ambrose is playing an extremely long game of abject denial. They settle into a semi-comfortable friendship as the years slip by.
This was my first M/M romance and it was very interesting to read about their experience during this time period; when people were forced to either to live secretly, behind closed doors, unable to acknowledge their relationships openly or who chose to reject it entirely, unwilling to take on the societal disapproval and very real threat of imprisonment. Not much of a choice really. And in this story we get two sides of this many-faceted experience – the acceptance of feelings with the inability to explore them, and an attempt to live a life that is not true to your authentic self. It really made me feel for both Daniel and Ambrose.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2024
What a finish for this exhilarating series. Extremely well written, full of love, sadness, action, worry, steamy, society, drama, twists and turns. So much hard times to deal with due to society rules. Loved how this storytelling author is able to weave the lives and times of this family. Added into this story is some great history. Daniel is the Grandson and Son of a very powerful English family. He is of four to inherit an English estate and title while the others are also give property. It's very hard to adjust to when Daniel has had free run in Ohio, where he was born and raised. He stays but some of his family return home to the American homestead. Ambrose is the one he loves but knows he really can't due to the rules placed on him. Ambrose has worked for the estate and is the son of the clergy, so he knows that it for be forbidden for him to feel for Daniel. Has lots of great returning family members from the earlier books in this series. Can't wait for more by this fabulous author, Curl up and enjoy this book and the rest of the series, you will not be sorry. Would strongly recommend to everyone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2026
Earl Stanton is not well and his estranged sons have returned from America with their families to reconcile their differences. Ambrose, the estate manager is hopeful that when the title passes to the eldest son he'll be kept on. For now though he has to deal with Daniel, the Earl's nephew. Daniel has taken an interest in Ambrose and the estate. The Earl's sons have estates in America. When the Earl passes he leaves the English Estate to his grandchildren, primarily Daniel the new Viscount. Ambrose does everything possible to resist Daniel's advances. One moment of weakness and one kiss could undo everything. This is a slow burn romance set in Victorian England when same-sex relationships could ruin your life. Ambrose can't see a way that he can acknowledge his feelings for Daniel without consequences. Daniel wants nothing more, damn the consequences.
July 11, 2024
A well-written book which I enjoyed reading. I really liked Daniel, who is brave, generous and straightforward. Less so Ambrose, but I could understand where he was coming from. His social standing could easily explain his caution and stubbornness. There is also a cast of likable secondary characters.
I usually prefer aristocrats behaving according to their station (one reason I read historicals), but this doesn't happen here, with Daniel and his siblings being brought up in America. I also prefer some more danger and intrigue and in this one the only obstacle is Ambrose's fear. This being said, I was invested in the book and it took me just four sittings to finish it and it says a lot that I enjoyed it even though it's not exactly my cuppa. I would read this author again.
I usually prefer aristocrats behaving according to their station (one reason I read historicals), but this doesn't happen here, with Daniel and his siblings being brought up in America. I also prefer some more danger and intrigue and in this one the only obstacle is Ambrose's fear. This being said, I was invested in the book and it took me just four sittings to finish it and it says a lot that I enjoyed it even though it's not exactly my cuppa. I would read this author again.
June 23, 2024
The moving slow burn, love at first sight MM romance between Daniel, a viscount, and Ambrose, the estate manager he inherited from his grandfather.
This story depicts the close, sometimes fraught, friendship between these two men over a period of several years. It’s not an easy romance, lots of ups and downs. They both fell hard and fast upon their first introduction, but where American born and raised Dainiel is a passionate man ruled by his heart and openly declares himself, vicar’s son Ambrose is more restraint and represses his desire for Daniel. There’s jealousy, frustration and pent-up feelings, but most of all there’s unconditional loyalty even when they don’t always see eye to eye. It takes an emotional breakdown and an ocean between them to finally give in.
This is a compelling and emotional journey: watching these men finding themselves, each other and finally a way to navigate a world that won’t accept them and their love. Their feelings for each other never waver, and there’s some really tantalising spicy intimacy near the end of the story.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Daniel, Ambrose, Lexie and Emily - Ambrose’s mistress and daughter - there just was something very ‘Two Men and a Baby’ about it that warmed my heart.
A beautiful romance and a fitting end to this original series!
This story depicts the close, sometimes fraught, friendship between these two men over a period of several years. It’s not an easy romance, lots of ups and downs. They both fell hard and fast upon their first introduction, but where American born and raised Dainiel is a passionate man ruled by his heart and openly declares himself, vicar’s son Ambrose is more restraint and represses his desire for Daniel. There’s jealousy, frustration and pent-up feelings, but most of all there’s unconditional loyalty even when they don’t always see eye to eye. It takes an emotional breakdown and an ocean between them to finally give in.
This is a compelling and emotional journey: watching these men finding themselves, each other and finally a way to navigate a world that won’t accept them and their love. Their feelings for each other never waver, and there’s some really tantalising spicy intimacy near the end of the story.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Daniel, Ambrose, Lexie and Emily - Ambrose’s mistress and daughter - there just was something very ‘Two Men and a Baby’ about it that warmed my heart.
A beautiful romance and a fitting end to this original series!
August 31, 2025
This was, unfortunately, not good. I can understand a slow burn, but this was all slow with little burn. Two characters where one constantly declares love while the other is also in 'love' but just decides not to say it. In fact, that guy acts borderline repulsed by the idea of being involved in any way, shape, or form with the lovesick one.
It was tiring to read over and over, 'I love you, but I know you want nothing to do with me,' while the other one would agree, then jerk off in private. like c'mon, man. Just act on your palpable desires.
It wasn't until, maybe, the last 10 pages that anything solid happened between the two.
I was left unsatisfied and, frankly, bored outta my mind.
It was tiring to read over and over, 'I love you, but I know you want nothing to do with me,' while the other one would agree, then jerk off in private. like c'mon, man. Just act on your palpable desires.
It wasn't until, maybe, the last 10 pages that anything solid happened between the two.
I was left unsatisfied and, frankly, bored outta my mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2024
This was a painful book to read with lots of angst though well written. Daniel from America becomes a Lord at his Grandfather's death but falls for his estate manager Ambrose during Victorian England. The love can never be recognized though it is confessed to Ambrose so a friendship is formed. For Daniel to watch the changes in Ambrose's life is agonizing and the angst is palpable. Their love must always be hidden away. I received a copy of this book through Book sprout and this is my voluntary opinion.
June 29, 2024
This historical MM romance between Daniel and Ambrose, It was interesting reading about a gay relationship at a time when it was not accepted. Very angsty, and I love angst. This was emotional in so many ways, and both handled their feelings differently. With lots of differences, it is hard to figure it out. Well written, as usual. I enjoy this author's writing and am always interested in reading more from them. It really was a beautiful story of forbidden love. I also enjoyed the side characters.
July 31, 2024
Very very slow burn
I mean I know it’s historical so the slow burn for an MM romance is sort of implied as historically being in a MM relationship was frowned upon (to say the least, obviously) but man. this was the slowest of slows of slows. and Daniel. Holy moly. He is so frickin’ forward and just in your face and Ambrose rightfully is like back off - wtf?
Daniel really needed to slow his horses, get over himself and stop forgetting he lived in the wrong time period. LOL I had a lot of feelings while reading this book. Which is sort of the goal in a way - getting an emotional reaction from a reader- I just was frustrated for so long throughout reading this that by the time there was any pay off I was just like, ugh. Okay.
This book was not for me (I would put it more at a 2.5) but it was well written and everything. Just exhausting to go through LOL.
I mean I know it’s historical so the slow burn for an MM romance is sort of implied as historically being in a MM relationship was frowned upon (to say the least, obviously) but man. this was the slowest of slows of slows. and Daniel. Holy moly. He is so frickin’ forward and just in your face and Ambrose rightfully is like back off - wtf?
Daniel really needed to slow his horses, get over himself and stop forgetting he lived in the wrong time period. LOL I had a lot of feelings while reading this book. Which is sort of the goal in a way - getting an emotional reaction from a reader- I just was frustrated for so long throughout reading this that by the time there was any pay off I was just like, ugh. Okay.
This book was not for me (I would put it more at a 2.5) but it was well written and everything. Just exhausting to go through LOL.
July 3, 2024
The fourth and concluding novel in the Stanton Legacy series. Daniel Stanton and Ambrose Cranshaw's M/M story is engaging with well written characters and a great storyline. I enjoyed reading their story and seeing them get their happy ending, a great story to end the series on.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 18, 2024
Two men in love, one come from English nobility and the other works for him as estate manager. One has no fear to love but the other is afraid because of what he could lose, his job and the means to support his sister. The characters were interesting and complex. I really enjoyed this book.
January 30, 2025
First book by this author. Interesting to read more stories of m/m love during this period. Not an easy time to cover up who you love when punishment was so severe. I wish they would have found a way earlier as so much shared time was wasted.
July 2, 2024
I enjoyed this well written story of forbidden love. The characters were complicated yet delightful. I enjoyed the romance and steam, but most of all, the happy ending. I recommend reading!
November 19, 2024
DNF 53% would have preferred to know that main character will have intercourse with female side character in the middle of the developing romance…
January 2, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyable series, even the novellas.
January 8, 2026
horrid
That was the most depressing book I think I have ever read. True to the times, yes, but unbelievably heartbreaking and not at all a grand romance. I hated it.
That was the most depressing book I think I have ever read. True to the times, yes, but unbelievably heartbreaking and not at all a grand romance. I hated it.
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