Courtship at Shadowcrest

The Strongs of Shadowcrest #5

by Alexa Aston

Courtship at Shadowcrest is a Regency duet that tells the love stories of twins Allegra and Lyric Strong, nieces to James Strong, the Duke of Seaton.

Part 1: Tempted by the Earl

A cavalier rakehell. A feisty beauty. A powerful love which shakes this pair to their core . . .

High-spirted and impulsive, Miss Allegra Strong thinks more with her heart than with her head. She refused her cousin’s offer to pay for her come-out, but the duke’s wife wishes to host a house party at Season’s end for Allegra and her twin. Both girls hope to make love matches with an invited guest.

Sterling Ayles, Earl of Carroll, has the blackest reputation among the ton. He is a man who seduces women with both words and actions and can’t understand why he receives an invitation to the house party given by the Duke and Duchess of Seaton. No one refuses a duke and his duchess, though. Sterling journeys to Kent, expecting to enjoy good food and company—with possibly a bit of light flirting—before he returns to his hedonistic life in London.

Much to Sterling’s surprise, he is thunderstruck when meeting Allegra Strong. Despite having no desire to don the shackles of marriage, Sterling finds himself offering marriage to Allegra.

Can a stubborn beauty who will only marry for love tame the best-known rake in London?

—

Part 2: The Viscount’s Heart

A charming rogue. A serene beauty. And a fear which will drive the couple apart . . .

Miss Lyric Strong is a nurturing, capable young woman, loyal to her family and her twin sister Allegra. She is thrilled when her ducal cousin informs her of the house party which will be held in Lyric and Allegra’s honor, hoping she will find love as others in her family have done.

Lord Blankenship was ignored by his selfish parents, never winning their attention, must less their love. While intelligent and congenial, the handsome rogue has never felt worthy. He is trying to be a better man ever since assuming his title and is ready to find his viscountess.

At the Duke of Seaton’s house party, Silas finds the woman he wishes to make his wife and offers for her. Lyric, however, only will wed for love, and Silas cannot bring himself to utter the words Lyric longs to hear.

Will Silas find the courage to believe in himself and love—and convince Lyric they can share a life of happiness?

* Each book in The Strongs of Shadowcrest is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order or can be read in Kindle Unlimited!

The Strongs of Shadowcrest
Book #1: The Duke’s Unexpected Love
Book #2: The Perks of Loving a Viscount
Book #3: Falling for the Marquess
Book #4: The Captain and the Duchess
Book #5: Courtship at Shadowcrest (Regency Duet – includes Tempted by the Earl and The Viscount’s Heart)
Book #6: The Marquess’ Quest for Love
Book #7: The Duke’s Guide to Winning a Lady

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Historical, Adult

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2024

About the author

Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family.

Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense.

Stay in touch with Alexa at:

Website: https://alexaaston.com/

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Reviews

[ren ౨ৎ (rozanov's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⁀➷ 3.75 ★ ´ˎ˗

two fast-read happily-ever-after novellas in one! 

part one of the book features one of the two strong twin sisters, allegra strong, and her romance with sterling ayles. i especially loved this first part of the book due to the banter between the two characters. the chemistry was explosive! sterling’s reputation as a rake and his hesitation to commit and admit to the growing intensity of the feelings he had toward allegra made it all the more enjoyable. 

part two of the book features the second twin, lyric strong, and her love interest. silas’ character isn’t really fleshed out, and i feel like that was the main key factor that made me not enjoy this half of the book as much. i feel if there had been a bit more focus on his inner struggles and thoughts, it would’ve made me enjoy the second half of the book just as much as i had enjoyed the first. i also feel as if the conflict was a bit too similar to the one that allegra and sterling faced, so it was a bit repetitive in that aspect.

overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read! alexa aston really never misses in delivering just that. she did a really good job balancing both romances and giving both of the twins their rightful time to shine. i also really adored the brief interactions between the twins and them confiding in each other as their storylines intermingled. 

thank you to netgalley, dragonblade publishing, and alexa aston for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 48th book by Alexa Aston. I only started reading her in early 2021 and LOVE her books. She is such a great writer and great storyteller. She isn't super steamy but just enough and her writing is so good, I don't care. :) Definitely one of my favorite authors. This has been a great series.

I love how Alexa devoted ½ the book to Allegra and Sterling and the other ½ to Silas and Lyric. It made for interesting storytelling. As with most of her books, they are so well written and such great reads. I like that she put both their stories in one book and I didn’t have to wait months for the 2nd story. I read so much, I could easily read 70 or more books before the next one would have come out and then have to try and remember everything that happened in the prior book. This was a good concept. Cute story for both sisters. It's always amazing to me how quickly people fell in love or at least courted and got married back then. I met my ex husband and it was love at first sight and we got married after 5 months of knowing each other. If I would have waiting one more month, we probably wouldn't have gotten married. :) Oh, well. I still love all the love matches.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempted by the Earl & The Viscount’s Heart
These stories are fun, entertaining read. Sterling and Allegra, Silas and Lyric are strong, complex, wounded, intriguing, interesting, relatable, entertaining characters. I enjoyed each of these stories and the characters. Neither of the HEAs were easy for either couple but both were entertaining to read. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The stories are easy to read and get into. I love being back in this world with the Strong family.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Meka 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. Two novellas tied together in one book, each one describing the relationship development between Allegra and Sterling as well as Lyric and Silas.

Each one overlaps and occurs at the same time, during a house party and we get to see the side characters develop and find their own happiness as well.

Overall

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Alexandra G · Rating 4 out of 5]

One house party, two stories - Courtship at Shadowcrest is a Regency duet that tells the love stories of twins Allegra and Lyric Strong, nieces to James Strong, the Duke of Seaton.

After learning the cost of a London Season the twins refused to make their debuts at the expense of their nephew. With a little push from their brother and their aunt, they agree to a house party hosted by the duke. But just like all the other Strongs, they will only settle for true love.

Sterling and Silas are two of the five male guests. Both gentlemen have been ignored by their own parents since birth. They each rebelled in their own way since youth. One’s looking for a wife, the other’s looking for fun, neither of them believes love exists.

Two novellas is one book, both stories overlap and give each couple their time to shine.
While the twins grew up with their aunt’s love and care, and a big family to support them, the men had no such thing. These stories explore their emotional baggage and how they deal with the confusion of the unknown: love & family.
This book is a little less steamy than the previous ones in the series, and more of an emotional journey. For me there are a few too many similarities between both romances; I would have liked each sister to truly have her own story - they’re both quite different in temperament - and I believe the setting of the house party offered ample possibility for that.
Nonetheless, both these stories are captivating and entertaining reads, and by now I’m so invested in this large and colourful family, that I can’t help but look forward to what comes next!

[Colleen]

Courtship at Shadowcrest is the fifth book in The Strongs at Shadowcrest series. Lyric and Allegra are twins who fall in love in separate stories at the same time in this book.

While at a house party Lyric and Allegra find the two most unlikely men and fall in love but are devastated when the men are unable to say the words they need to hear.

Sterling and Silas find love but are unable to express themselves to Allegra and Lyric which puts their love stories at risk. The twins will settle for nothing less than love. Sterling and Silas will have to find different ways to declare themselves or lose the women they love for ever.

This was a fast fun afternoon read. Love the Strong family.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting format. Broken up into two novellas, one for each twin, in which events are happening simultaneously.. but I can't decide if that works or if I works rather have had one longer novel with four different character POVs instead for a more cohesive timeline.
I don't love the two sets of nearly identical stories though I understand that both of them needed to happen at the same time and pace. I don't love the instalove going on here either, and i didn't feel like either of these two novellas did justice to either of the girls' characters. I was more interested in what was going on with Mr Tillings and Miss Bancroft because they had more of a personality.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book and this is my freely given opinion.

This continues the romances of the Strong family at Shadowcrest and this is a set of two stories, following concurrent timelines, and centers around the houseparty hosted by the Duke and Duchess, for their twin cousins, Allegra and Lyric, at the country estate, Shadowcrest.

It literally opens with a bang (excuse the pun), showing the careless rakehell ways of a young Sterling Ayles. He grows up rich, handsome, but charming, but lacking in any role model as to what family is or a loving relationship, being ignored by his parents. So he seeks to fill the void by living a superficially carefree life with fleeting liaisons and not engaging in any deeper relationships and hiding his true self. Even after gaining the title of the Earl of Carroll, he has no intention of marrying, even to continue his line. He does not understand why he is invited by the former Dowager Duchess to join the house party, since it is to launch her marriageable nieces in Society. But once he is there, he finds himself striking sparks with one of the young nieces, Allegra, until he finds he wants her for his countess.

Allegra cannot imagine why a rake like the Earl would want to be at her house party, full of marriageable misses and wife-seeking bachelors. It is nowhere near his normal speed. Despite trying very hard to withstand his charm though, Allegra finds herself falling for the charming rake. Except when he declare his desire to wed her, the reformed rake bollocks things up when he is initially unable to be honest with himself and Allegra and show his true self and his true emotions to her.

Concurrently, Allegra's twin, Lyric, finds herself enthralled by Lord Blankenship, Silas, whom she met too briefly previously when he stood up for his friend, August when he wed their cousin, Georgina. She is thrilled when he returns as part of the house party, giving them a chance to get to know each other better and she finds herself falling for the handsome young man quite quickly. Silas was friends with Sterling, having grown up in similar circumstances, with neglectful parents, and was just as much of a rake as Sterling. However, he turned over a new leaf in losing his only remaining family, a beloved uncle who showed more faith, and care in Silas than his own parents, and who exhorted Silas to seek marriage, and hopefully love, before he passed. Silas has turned away from his rakehell past and is seeking to fulfill his uncle's wishes by finding a wife. But having grown up as he did, he thinks love is a foolish belief, and seeks to form a marriage based on respect, friendship and attraction, and finds all this in Lyric. He, like Sterling, refuses to look deeper and be honest with himself and her about his own feelings, and like Allegra, Lyric refuses to wed for anything but love.

These were a cute set of stories, about the twins and their two suitors and circumstances mirroring each other. But after the passion and romance of the preceding books, I found these to be a bit tepid. They were sweet and pleasant reads, but the two stories mirrored each other a bit too much, and lacked some of the dramatic romance of the other stories, so I did not find myself as drawn into their stories.

3.25 stars out of 5

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entertaining volume in the „The Strongs of Shadowcrest“ series contains the two love stories of the twin sisters Allegra and Lyric Strong. The plots run parallel and take place at the house party in Shadowcrest, which Dinah Andrews, the former Duchess of Seaton, is hosting in honor of her nieces.
The stories are sweet and easy to read, with endearing protagonists, a great cast of likeable supporting characters and a few steamy love scenes. As always, I am impressed by the strong bond and support between the Strong family members.

The book can be read as a standalone, as the events of the previous books are well summarised, but it still makes more fun and sense to read the books in order.


TEMPTED BY THE EARL

Sterling Ayles, Earl of Carroll, has been on his own since childhood and enjoys his self-indulgent life to the full. He is not interested in a committed relationship and certainly not in love. When he is unexpectedly invited to the Duke and Duchess of Seaton's house party, he accepts out of sheer curiosity. But from the first sight of Allegra, he feels attracted to her and soon realises that he wants to marry her, even though he is incapable of love and she wants nothing to do with a rake...

Ever since she witnessed her relatives falling in love and getting married one after the other, vivacious Allegra Strong has been determined to marry only for love. The house party is the perfect opportunity to make new friends and perhaps find the man of her dreams. But even though she feels attracted to Sterling from the very first moment, she decides to stay away from him, because a notorious rake who won't love her is the last thing she wants...


THE VISCOUNT‘S HEART

Ever since her cousin Georgie's wedding to Viscount Blankenship's best friend August, Lyric Strong, the more reserved of the twins, has felt attracted to him. She is more than happy to discover that he has been invited by her Aunt Dinah to the house party held in Allegra's and her honor.

After a loveless childhood and a few wild years as a rake, Silas Chase, Viscount Blankenship, is ready to fulfil the wish of his late uncle, the only person who loved and supported him, and settle down. That's why he gladly accepts the invitation to the house party in Shadowcrest to find a wife. He is immediately drawn to Lyric, but unlike her, he strives for a relationship based on passion and friendship, because he doesn't believe in love...

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtship at Shadowcrest, a Regency duet by Alexa Aston is really two shorter novels, each recounting the story from the viewpoint of twin sisters. They are part of The Strongs of Shadowcrest series and are entertaining enough but not nearly as good as the first two books with the duke returning after many years gone, thought dead, and his stepmother, the Dowager Duchess, marrying a sea captain. These were two relatively young women looking for love. One was attracted to a known rake and the other to a reformed rake. Their aunt, the Dowager had put together this house party and planned very carefully, attempting to find possible matches for her darling nieces. They didn’t know if they wanted a season, primarily because of the expense, knowing their father had stolen all their own money and their cousin shouldn’t have to lay out money for them. It was two love stories with many of the situations being told from a different perspective. That was entertaining.

The most interesting of the characters was Sterling Ayles, the Earl of Carroll, who was a dedicated rake and intended to stay that way for many years to come. On the day the book opens, Sterling is notified his parents have both died and he was the new earl. He didn’t intend to change his lifestyle at all and so he didn’t. He knew he would eventually need an heir but that was years in the future. Then two things happened: He went to the house party, having no idea why he was invited, where he met Allegra Strong. Then, the Dowager told him she had always seen more in him and he should look within himself. Sterling tried and came up empty. It was really a fun read, as Aston’s always are. The tropes are tried and true and she put a different spin on them. It was a fun read. Not deep and full of meaning, but fun. Thanks, Alexa Aston.

I was invited to read this duet by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AlexaAston #CourtshipAtShadowcrest.

[Rixxyreadsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful HR from Ms. Alexa Aston!

I am not new to Ms. Aston and honestly she's fast becoming one of my go-to authors. I have read other works from her and I must say that I truly liked her writing. Her prose flows very well, there is romance, mystery, angst and some emotional bits in her writing and it really turns out so good, this book was no exception.

This book has two stories, yes two, because this book tells about the story of the twins, Allegra and Lyric and the two men who took their hearts. These two men happened to be Sterling and Silas and these two are renowned as the notorious rogues of London. However, the twins would only marry for love as all Strongs only marry for love, the problem is that both the heroes didn't really have the best family life so they don't really believe in life, having not been able to experienced that with their parents in the firsthand.

I loved the two romances, the chemistry between the characters was really there, also I liked the setting Shadowcrest, and how it was a house party. I also very much loved the fact that there were so many couples made out of the house party and that all people in the house party really ended up with their love matches and all had HEA at the end. Only thing I didn't like was the almost copy-paste situation and past of both MC's, also at some point I just wanted to smack their heads together, they were being so stubborn and just can't say the words. However, the two epilogues was chef's kiss. It was so sweet and a truly satisfying HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade publishing for providing me with an ARC.

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ROUNDED UP - 4.6+ STARS - TWO NOVELLAS INTERTWINED.

1. TEMPTED BY THE EARL - PART 1 - 5 STARS

What a wonderful story! Loved the honest banter between the H/h. The H is a rake and is proud of the life he's lived. He is invited to a house party and wonders why. His rakish kind isn't invited to such a gathering.

The h and her twin decided against making their come outs in society but instead wanted a small house party. The h wants to find a husband who will love her. The H wants nothing to do with that emotion.

So many bumps and twists to their HEA. Story is romantic, slight misunderstanding, great main and secondary characters. Story is a standalone but does have crossover characters from the previous stories. You will want to catch up on those stories.

Bedroom door wide open - heat level 4 out of 5. Enjoyable epilogue a month in the future. Story is intertwined with the h's twin too. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA and steam. (ljb)

2. THE VISCOUNT'S HEART -Part 2 - 4.25 STARS

These two stories run at the same time, just with different H/h. This one has to do with the other twin and her H. The stories aren't really different just with different H/h so it was slow at times.

No villains, romantic, standalone, HEA and a tad of steam. I liked that 10 people come together at a house party and each find the HEA, sweet epilogue too. No cheating and no cliffhanger. (ljb)

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has two parts, telling us about two different romances that occur at the same house party. Allegra and Lyric are twin sisters and nieces and cousins to a duke who felt bad about the expenses of a society debut, so they’ve agreed to a small house party thrown in their honor at the family estate. Their aunt and dowager duchess has invited five eligible gentlemen and three other eligible young ladies for the party. We get to meet everyone through both parts of the story and see how everyone gets paired off. Allegra and Lyric both end up in parallel situations with rakish bachelors, but while it’s fun to read both of their experiences at the house party, these two stories read back to back can get a bit repetitive. Allegra has paired off with Sterling, an earl who was unloved by his parents and spends his time steeped in debauchery. Lyric has paired off with Silas, a viscount who was unloved by his parents, but mentored by a beloved uncle and taking up his responsibilities after his uncle has died. Neither men believe in love, so they respond poorly when their chosen ladies start declaring theirs. I did like seeing them each start to appreciate the loving family dynamic of the Strongs and also realize their own depth of feelings. Quick, easy, fairly low-angst read, knowing these are novellas that wrap up in short order.

[Cherie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 Tempted by the Earl:
Twin Stories of Twins and the House Party
The first sentence had my attention with an eye-opening heart pounding glimpse of Sterling the rake/hero in this dazzling love story.
A delightful cat and mouse romance between Allegra and Sterling two enchanting characters that heated up the pages for a smoldering romance. Not always a smooth courtship for them but it certainly kept my attention with the tutor lessons, boat rides, fascinating card games, passionate romance, heartfelt confessions and more.

Book 2. The Viscounts Heart:
Lyric and Silas at the House Party
This story is about Lyric and Silas and their escapades at the house party that has several characters looking for excitement or love.
Second chances are the base of these stories with sparkling characters that captured my heart with the twin's determination to only accept marriage that is a love match.
The heartfelt childhood confessions from both Silas and Sterling are quite disturbing but, in those days, people basically married for begetting an heir and not love.
All leads to a wonderful ending for all. This twin story of twins was a delight to read, and I do look forward to more of the series.
💋Favorite Character Both Books: Sterling brought a good amount of depth to the story, and he stole my heart💖
🤔Fan Worthy Level Book 1 🔥🔥

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story of two reformed rakes who meet their perfect match at Shadowcrest house party with the Strong twins, Allegra, and Lyric. They have seen their cousins and their aunt marry for love and are determined to have the same with any marriage they undertake.

Sterling Ayles, the Earl of Carroll and his friend, Silas, Viscount Blankenship are birds of a feather; both heirs of their parent's respective titles, lands, and all that entails, both ignored by their parents and brought up by others, have grown weary of their hedonistic lifestyles and are looking for something new. Silas has already come to terms with his responsibilities; however, Sterling is still struggling but does not yet know what he needs.

At the house party, held by the twins' Aunt Dinah, The Dowager Duchess of Seaton, there are several others hoping to make their match as well.

While Sterling and Silas are each is attracted to one of the twins, neither feels they can give them the love match they are looking for, having never seen it in their own parent's marriages.

Two stories in this novel with some overlap and a HEA at the ending. It was a nice, easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book of The Strongs of Shadowcrest series. I have read the previous books in the series and very much enjoyed them and this one also did not disappoint. The focus of this novel is on the twins Allegra and Lyric Strong. It is a delightful Regency romance filled with a combination of wit and charm that kept me engaged and interested till the end.
Allegra is an enchanting and high-spirited lady and though she refused a come-out, she hopes to make a love match at the house party given by her uncle, the Duke of Seaton. Sterling and Allegra make a connection and her twin, Lyric, makes a connection with Silas and hopes to marry him, but professing his love does not come easy to him. But he will have to find a way if he has any hope of a future with Lyric.
This is basically two novellas combined into one book. Each sister's story explores their emotional baggage and how they view love and relationships.
Lovable characters and an engaging plot makes this is a lovely read for any fan of Regency romance.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this duet of stories! Alexa Aston is one of my favorite authors and she never ceases to amaze me with her creativity! The characters in these stories are well-developed and very entertaining. I found myself experiencing multiple emotions while reading these stories and was not ready for their stories to end!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥| 🏆2024 Top 10 Contender


📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Dragonblade Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @dragonbladepub
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[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A duet of novellas featuring Allegra & Lyric Strong, twins who had been raised by their Aunt Dinah, The Duchess of Seaton & were her daughters in every way except she wasn’t their birth mother. The twins are also accepted as siblings by James & Dinah’s daughters. I loved that rather than one book featuring the twin each young woman had her own story. Of course events do overlap as the novellas take place at the Strongs’ house party. I loved Allegra & Lyric & loved their journeys to a HEA. I really liked both Sterling Ayles, Earl of Carroll & Silas Viscount Blankenship both had been ignored by their parents & both had become rogues but both fell hard & fast for their twin only to get cold feet & be unable to declare their love. Well written, well paced & with strong characters. I did have to reach for the hankies when Sterling & Silas finally came to their senses. The epilogues were also a delight
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Tiffany P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is worthy of love……

This book was a set that followed the love story of the twins, Lyric and Allegra. It was a story of redemption because they both fell in love with men who didn’t feel worthy of love because they had never received it from their own parents. It took the love of these women and the Strong Family to show them what love looks like. There were ups and downs as Silas and Sterling both realized their belief that love didn’t exist was wrong because they both loved these women even though they couldn’t admit it to themselves for a while. They all got a HEA after almost losing love forever.

This was another good addition to the love stories of the Strong Family. The uniqueness of the way this family loves one another out loud is heartening and it just gives the books an overall happy vibe. Because these novellas were written as a duet, some things became repetitive which seemed like a waste since they were both already short novellas that is why I only gave 4 ⭐️s instead of five.

[Janet Denise Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS, HISTORICAL ROMANCE DRAMAS - 2 X

Alexa Aston gets 4 STARS for Book 5 of her interesting well written storylines for Book 5 of the Series: The Strings of Shadowcrest plus provides a pretty good BLURB. There are 2 Novellas that are actually in this book & are about the twin sisters that are the cousins of the current Duke but was raised with his twin sisters born on the same day. They were worried about the cost of a season would be to the family & said they finally agreed to try a houseparty to meet gentlemen for a possible match.

Some of the characters came from previous books in the series & definitely show personally & emotional growths. Left off the 5th STAR because I just wanted more adventure or actual action in the dramas. However, that doesn't stop this from being a really fantastic read especially for those among us who likes to see how love can change people, even rakes & rogues.

RECOMMEND

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of the twins in the Strong family. Allegra and Lyric are the nieces of Dinah and are having a house party. If you know anything about twins, you know that they have a special and invisible bond together that can't be broken. As usual, this highly talented and creative author has penned their stories into one book. Come journey along with them as they enjoy the special ness of this party and seek a loving match with two of the most notable rakes. The characters are full of depth, beautiful and strong. The other house guess are not left out and have artfully been woven into these stories. This book can surely stand alone, yet I'm sure once you have read it you will want to go back and read about the entire family. There are still three children left, so I'm following behind imagining their hea.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a set of two charming novellas that feature Allegra and Lyric Strong, the twin nieces raised by the Dowager Duchess of Seaton. In lieu of a season, the twins agreed to their aunt hosting a house party as their entry into Society. Allegra and Lyric hope to find the kind of true love other members of the Strong family have found. Among the gentlemen guests are Sterling Ayles, Earl of Carroll, and Silas, Viscount Blankenship. These two are, or have been, well-known rakes. In the overlapping stories the twins fall in love, Allegra with Sterling and Lyric with Silas. The house party is fun and the romances lovely, until marriage is proposed, but no love declared by the gentleman. What will it take for Sterling and Silas to find the courage to put their true feelings into words? The stories, separately and together are fun and entertaining. The twins and the rest of the Strong family are strong, supportive and endearing. Sterling and Silas grew up in completely different circumstances, and long for the kind of family they see in the Strongs. A lovely pair of stories and a truly wonderful ending.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so pleased that Allegra and Lyric had their chance at love, especially given their background and the rejection that had suffered at the hands of their despicable father. Having witnessed their cousin's marriage, the twins are determined to settle for nothing less than true love. Former best friends, known for their rakehell ways, discover themselves traveling to a country house party, where they meet the lovely twins. In both cases the attraction is instant, but neither of them bargained on the twins being stubborn about wanting a love match. Fortunately, the two young lords manage to overcome their reluctance to declare themselves and the novel comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twins, Allegra and Lyric Strong, are looking for a marriage based on love. Instead of a season in London, they agree on a house party at the family country estate. Invited are a small group of single ladies and gentlemen. Of course the cousins are attracted to the two gentlemen with rogue reputations and know nothing of love. Panic of losing something they will always regret maybe just the push these gentlemen need to confess to the twin that owns their heart. Two stories overlap with each twin who will marry for nothing but love.
The books in this series may be considered standalones, but it's nice to know the Strong family backgrounds and revisit them as they continue to grow in each book. Epilogues are always appreciated.
Mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Pamela Blatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allegra and Lyric get their chance to meet men at a house party since they had not partaken in their come out during the season.
The two part stories in one book was a great way to link them together in their quest for love.
They are drawn to rakes Sterling and Silas who were friends at one time until Silas decided to change his lifestyle to deserve a wife.
Neither believes in love which has been the mainstay of matches in the Strong family influencing the women.
Kisses abound as they traverse the ups and downs of a HEA.
Enjoyable addition to the series.
I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allegra & Lyric the twin Strong sisters are having their come out house party . They both hope to find their future husbands . Allegra fall for Sterling Ayles, Earl of Carroll and Lyric for Silas Chase , Viscount of Blankenship . Both couples form an attachment but when they prosose and the sisters accept and declare their love the Lords both tell them that they don't love them . Will they be able to find real love as all the other Strongs ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

[Texastwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This set of twins has decided that a season is just too expensive but a house party is just the thing to find a husband and their aunt/adoptive mother agrees.
I was so excited to see this book as a package deal. No longer wondering what happens to the twin sister. Brillant and wonderful intertwined tale of the Shadowcrest adopted twins.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back at the Shadowcrest estate for a house party in this historical romance.  We have met most of this family in the previous books in the series,  this time, it's the twins turn to shine. They are part of a large, happy family that marries for nothing less than love. This book has an exceptional amount of romance. The characters are fabulous, and we have more of the family to find their own happiness in the next books. I look forward to reading them. 

Great fun. 

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A two-fer romance in two novellas. Allegra and Lyric are twins and their search for love does not end as it should until. Nope, not giving it away. Anyway I loved both of their stories for different reasons. Allegra and Sterling’s story was delicious in that Sterling is definitely a rake and we all love rakes. Lyric’s journey is more emotional and Silas’ speech is so good so get out the hankies because you will need them.

[June Karen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great stories in one book. Continuing the saga of the Strong family this book focusses on Allegra and Sterling and Lyric and Silas. Twins Allegra and Lyric instead of having a come out had a house party arranged in their honour bringing together a number of young people. This book had me laughing and almost crying in an emotional rollercoaster when both heroes offer marriage but not love. Eventual happy ending. Love this series