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No Strings Attached
Please note this was previously published as Love and Freedom by Sue Moorcroft.
AN UPLIFTING HOLIDAY ROMANCE WITH A HERO READERS HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH! FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUE MOORCROFT.
New start. New love?
Spirited American Honor Sontag’s life has fallen apart, leaving her reputation in tatters. So she flees to the English seaside.
With nothing left to lose, Honor wants a much-deserved break and a chance to finally find the mother who abandoned her as a baby.
What she actually gets is a series of encounters with Martyn Mayfair. A gorgeous, but enigmatic, man who always seems to be at hand during Honor’s most embarrassing moments.
Martyn has sworn off women with strings attached. Yet, the more time he spends with Honor and her ‘go-get-it’ attitude, the more he’s drawn to the feisty American.
But when secrets about her mother start to spill out, threatening her relationship with Martyn, Honor must make an agonising choice.
Both Martyn and Honor are about to discover that all relationships have strings attached . . .
An unputdownable second-chance, summer romance with a hero readers have fallen in love with!
Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Emily Henry, Beth Moran, Amber Rose Gill, Jill Mansell, Phoebe MacLeod and Beth O’Leary.
Readers LOVE Sue Moorcroft’s NO STRINGS ATTACHED:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Lovely book, lovely heroine and absolutely gorgeous hero.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Interesting characters including a very hot hero! Loved it.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Romantic, witty , emotional and a hero to die for.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This has to be the best book I've read this year.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gorgeous love story.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great setting, fun characters and a bit of a mystery as to what is going on. I've been a fan of Sue Moorcroft for a while, but this one is the best yet.’
AN UPLIFTING HOLIDAY ROMANCE WITH A HERO READERS HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH! FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUE MOORCROFT.
New start. New love?
Spirited American Honor Sontag’s life has fallen apart, leaving her reputation in tatters. So she flees to the English seaside.
With nothing left to lose, Honor wants a much-deserved break and a chance to finally find the mother who abandoned her as a baby.
What she actually gets is a series of encounters with Martyn Mayfair. A gorgeous, but enigmatic, man who always seems to be at hand during Honor’s most embarrassing moments.
Martyn has sworn off women with strings attached. Yet, the more time he spends with Honor and her ‘go-get-it’ attitude, the more he’s drawn to the feisty American.
But when secrets about her mother start to spill out, threatening her relationship with Martyn, Honor must make an agonising choice.
Both Martyn and Honor are about to discover that all relationships have strings attached . . .
An unputdownable second-chance, summer romance with a hero readers have fallen in love with!
Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Emily Henry, Beth Moran, Amber Rose Gill, Jill Mansell, Phoebe MacLeod and Beth O’Leary.
Readers LOVE Sue Moorcroft’s NO STRINGS ATTACHED:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Lovely book, lovely heroine and absolutely gorgeous hero.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Interesting characters including a very hot hero! Loved it.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Romantic, witty , emotional and a hero to die for.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This has to be the best book I've read this year.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gorgeous love story.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great setting, fun characters and a bit of a mystery as to what is going on. I've been a fan of Sue Moorcroft for a while, but this one is the best yet.’
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Sue Moorcroft
61 books1,030 followersSue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has held the coveted #1 spot in the Amazon Kindle chart. She's won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, the Readers Best Romantic Read Award, two HOLT medallions and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She writes contemporary fiction of life and love.
She also writes short stories, serials, articles, columns, courses and writing 'how to'.
An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a typesetter, but is pleased to have wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.
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Website: www.suemoorcroft.com
Twitter: @suemoorcroft
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 22, 2013
3 ½ stars. A good story. I enjoyed it. Interesting characters.
Like her other books this has a women’s fiction feel - a lot of story about everyday characters, but it’s definitely romance.
I liked things Honor did to stop a bully from hurting Rufus.
I liked the plot of Honor’s current husband doing bad things causing her to leave. Then he wants her back and does more bad things. That was a good story.
I did not like the first fight/misunderstanding between Martyn and Honor. He was mad at something that didn’t feel right to me - like the author was stretching for a conflict to write about. A later separation/misunderstanding was more believable.
If you’re looking for steamy sex you won’t find it here. There is one sex scene vaguely done which was good for relationship development.
I didn’t think about the narrator Jennifer Woodward, which means she was good.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 10 hrs and 34 mins. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one. Setting: current day England. Book copyright: 2011. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.
Like her other books this has a women’s fiction feel - a lot of story about everyday characters, but it’s definitely romance.
I liked things Honor did to stop a bully from hurting Rufus.
I liked the plot of Honor’s current husband doing bad things causing her to leave. Then he wants her back and does more bad things. That was a good story.
I did not like the first fight/misunderstanding between Martyn and Honor. He was mad at something that didn’t feel right to me - like the author was stretching for a conflict to write about. A later separation/misunderstanding was more believable.
If you’re looking for steamy sex you won’t find it here. There is one sex scene vaguely done which was good for relationship development.
I didn’t think about the narrator Jennifer Woodward, which means she was good.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 10 hrs and 34 mins. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one. Setting: current day England. Book copyright: 2011. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.
June 15, 2011
Should I say it again? Ok I will. I like Moorcroft's books because they feel so real and at the same time they are sweet and romantic. And they are so British, you have to love that feeling you get how you just want to go in live in the novel.
To the story then. Honor leaves Connecticut because of troubles. I am not going to tell you what since we do not know it at once, but I do understand why she wanted to leave everything behind and start new. She is also looking for her mother who she has never known. Those two things are the troubles in her life. She has had her share of hard times but she still has a positive outlook on life and I really liked her for that. She has a good degree but she is willing to work as anything (except as what she know). Sure she could have told certain people certain things but life is not easy and she acted like anyone would act. To the man then, Martyn, and now I do not want to say more so not to spoil things. Let's just say he is really hunky, he does have a wandering eye (in the past that is) cos he has been hurt so he keeps things casual. But when these two meet they become friends since they are thrown into each other's lives at times. The attraction is there and building but neither wants to act. That is what I like about her books, people take things slow, they talk, they laugh and they fall in love.
And it's England, they eat fish and chips, drink tea and say English things (which of course Honor does not understand what they mean but I have no trouble with. Used to that.) There is just something about a good British novel.
So yes it is a novel about finding your freedom and falling in love. About meeting new friends and doing what you want to do instead of what other people want you to do. And last yes there is drama too, this drama comes in form of a big jerk whose ass I wanted to kick. But you can't let jerks hold you down and no one can hold Honor down any more.
Conclusion:
This was a lovely story that I read through fast. I was very interested in finding out who her mum was and what happened back home, and of course when she and Martyn would get together. It was sweet, uplifting and real. Moorcroft has not disappointed me so far and I hope she will write many more wonderful novels.
I do recommend her novels. They are not contemporary romance and not quite fiction but a lovely middle thing in my eye.
Rating:
Good
To the story then. Honor leaves Connecticut because of troubles. I am not going to tell you what since we do not know it at once, but I do understand why she wanted to leave everything behind and start new. She is also looking for her mother who she has never known. Those two things are the troubles in her life. She has had her share of hard times but she still has a positive outlook on life and I really liked her for that. She has a good degree but she is willing to work as anything (except as what she know). Sure she could have told certain people certain things but life is not easy and she acted like anyone would act. To the man then, Martyn, and now I do not want to say more so not to spoil things. Let's just say he is really hunky, he does have a wandering eye (in the past that is) cos he has been hurt so he keeps things casual. But when these two meet they become friends since they are thrown into each other's lives at times. The attraction is there and building but neither wants to act. That is what I like about her books, people take things slow, they talk, they laugh and they fall in love.
And it's England, they eat fish and chips, drink tea and say English things (which of course Honor does not understand what they mean but I have no trouble with. Used to that.) There is just something about a good British novel.
So yes it is a novel about finding your freedom and falling in love. About meeting new friends and doing what you want to do instead of what other people want you to do. And last yes there is drama too, this drama comes in form of a big jerk whose ass I wanted to kick. But you can't let jerks hold you down and no one can hold Honor down any more.
Conclusion:
This was a lovely story that I read through fast. I was very interested in finding out who her mum was and what happened back home, and of course when she and Martyn would get together. It was sweet, uplifting and real. Moorcroft has not disappointed me so far and I hope she will write many more wonderful novels.
I do recommend her novels. They are not contemporary romance and not quite fiction but a lovely middle thing in my eye.
Rating:
Good
July 24, 2011
This book is absolutely brilliant and I can't recommend it highly enough! Sue is my friend and fellow author, so I might be accused of bias, but honestly, I just loved this story and both the hero and heroine are wonderful! If you're looking for the perfect summer read, this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down!
May 7, 2026
Wasn’t expecting the twist 3/4 of the way through. Not a big fan of it but it was interesting.
August 8, 2012
The blurb and the beginning of the book really whets your appetite and makes you want to keep reading. From the word go I was desperate to find out what it was that the heroine was running from.
I loved reading all the interactions between the hero and heroine, there is plenty of spark and lots of great dialogue. I felt the hero and heroine clicked right from the start, they were both searching for something more in their lives and recognised this in each other. Oh, and a hero who is a male model? Yes please!
The only thing I found a little frustrating is that this book has a slightly unhinged/stalker-esque ex plot... as do the previous two books I have read by this author. While this part of the story is very well written and works well with the story I feel that I wanted something a little different in this book, but as I said it works.
The love story between the hero and heroine builds beautifully; it's sweet and deep and feels natural. One thing I like about this author is that her characters are normal people, with flaws and everything.
Superb writing, the story flows easily and had me absorbed all the way through, worth every minute spent reading it. Very enjoyable.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I loved reading all the interactions between the hero and heroine, there is plenty of spark and lots of great dialogue. I felt the hero and heroine clicked right from the start, they were both searching for something more in their lives and recognised this in each other. Oh, and a hero who is a male model? Yes please!
The only thing I found a little frustrating is that this book has a slightly unhinged/stalker-esque ex plot... as do the previous two books I have read by this author. While this part of the story is very well written and works well with the story I feel that I wanted something a little different in this book, but as I said it works.
The love story between the hero and heroine builds beautifully; it's sweet and deep and feels natural. One thing I like about this author is that her characters are normal people, with flaws and everything.
Superb writing, the story flows easily and had me absorbed all the way through, worth every minute spent reading it. Very enjoyable.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
March 27, 2011
Just look at that cover! I was in love with this book on looks alone! :)
We first meet Honor as a damsel in distress saved by Martyn Mayfair and his sister.
Honor is an American coming to England to find sanctuary and her mother.
She blends in with the locals a lot better than she does the weather!
Honor has some great insights into how an American sees our English ways.
Martyn is not, as he first appears, just an ordinary guy. If your looking for a hunk this summer season, look no further. He is sizzling. First impressions do not count as Honor discovers.
Martyn and Honor's paths cross often at the start of the novel because Honor is renting a bungalow from Martyn's sister. They begin a friendship and start to find out more about each other.
The chemistry between Martyn and Honor is white hot!
I loved the way the author revealed secrets about the characters at a teasing pace.
The story flowed well with a satisfying conclusion.
The characters, including the Mayfair sisters, the gang at The Teapot were exciting and each had their little secrets to be unravelled.
This is on my list of top summer reads for 2011!
5 out of 5 for me!
Thanks to ChocLit for a review copy. This did not influence my review in any way
We first meet Honor as a damsel in distress saved by Martyn Mayfair and his sister.
Honor is an American coming to England to find sanctuary and her mother.
She blends in with the locals a lot better than she does the weather!
Honor has some great insights into how an American sees our English ways.
Martyn is not, as he first appears, just an ordinary guy. If your looking for a hunk this summer season, look no further. He is sizzling. First impressions do not count as Honor discovers.
Martyn and Honor's paths cross often at the start of the novel because Honor is renting a bungalow from Martyn's sister. They begin a friendship and start to find out more about each other.
The chemistry between Martyn and Honor is white hot!
I loved the way the author revealed secrets about the characters at a teasing pace.
The story flowed well with a satisfying conclusion.
The characters, including the Mayfair sisters, the gang at The Teapot were exciting and each had their little secrets to be unravelled.
This is on my list of top summer reads for 2011!
5 out of 5 for me!
Thanks to ChocLit for a review copy. This did not influence my review in any way
May 19, 2011
Honor Lefevre is an American, over in Brighton for a few months to both get away from her husband and to try and find her birth mother. Renting a bungalow by the sea from Clarissa Mayfair, Honor is rescued from serious sunburn (she falls asleep, from jet lag, whilst sitting out on the patio) by Clarrissa’s brother, Martyn. A solid piece of hunk, he’s a figure of mystery and the object of attraction for Robina, who runs the teashop where Honor finds part-time work. Very quickly, family ties become knots and nothing is quite what it seems, as Honor and Martyn begin an affair which her husband and Robina desperately try to stop. This is another cracking novel from Sue Moorcroft (who, as a point of interest, I know), with a quick pace that never flags, from the first rescue to, quite literally, the last. Filled with bright, well-rounded characters, a keen sense of place and a love for Brigton and its surrounds (whilst never being blinded to the seemier side of the seaside resort), this works on every level and kept me gripped from start to finish. Very highly recommended and well worth a read.
May 20, 2011
Once again, I've got to be careful with what I say so I don't give some of the twists away. I would love to discuss this book in depth, but if you haven't read it, and you're going to, I wouldn't want to spoil some of the little surprises in it.
Honor has fled to England and on the first page is rescued by Martyn Mayfair.
I'm a big fan of Sue's books, Starting Over being my favourite, because of the delicious hero in that book. Martyn gives Miles (aka Ratty) a run for his money. The guy is super fit, super hunky and even Honor can't believe her luck! He has his faults, like all men do, but he's got some great qualities too. You will fall in love with this hero, or at least want Honor to.
If you're looking for a light romantic read, with the satisfaction of 'ah' factor happy endings, then this is the book for you.
Honor has fled to England and on the first page is rescued by Martyn Mayfair.
I'm a big fan of Sue's books, Starting Over being my favourite, because of the delicious hero in that book. Martyn gives Miles (aka Ratty) a run for his money. The guy is super fit, super hunky and even Honor can't believe her luck! He has his faults, like all men do, but he's got some great qualities too. You will fall in love with this hero, or at least want Honor to.
If you're looking for a light romantic read, with the satisfaction of 'ah' factor happy endings, then this is the book for you.
January 3, 2025
Honor Sontag fled her family and her husband in the USA after her life falls apart. She decides to travel to England and a small seaside town near Brighton to look for her free-spirited birth mother who abandoned her and her father when Honor was very small.
Things get off to a rocky start when she falls asleep in the sun and ends up being rescued by her landlady's younger brother Martyn Mayfair, who is gorgeous but appears to be some sort of layabout waster who can't keep a job for more than a few days. Of course the truth is far more interesting.
But as Honor and Martyn become close, there are secrets that could blow the two of them apart ... and they are going to come out!
This was a lovely small town romance with two likeable characters. Some of the secrets weren't hard to guess, others I didn't see coming.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Things get off to a rocky start when she falls asleep in the sun and ends up being rescued by her landlady's younger brother Martyn Mayfair, who is gorgeous but appears to be some sort of layabout waster who can't keep a job for more than a few days. Of course the truth is far more interesting.
But as Honor and Martyn become close, there are secrets that could blow the two of them apart ... and they are going to come out!
This was a lovely small town romance with two likeable characters. Some of the secrets weren't hard to guess, others I didn't see coming.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
May 28, 2013
I had the opportunity to meet Sue at R.T. in 2013. The event she hosted was fantastic, and she had read from the book. So I wonderful pleasure of actually listening to her voice and ascent in my head, as I read this fantastic page turner. It was a book I just didn't want to put down, until the very last page. A must read great, great book!!!! I can't wait to read more from she.
May 27, 2011
I really loved this book.. Not sloppy or slushy, just how i like my books..
August 15, 2011
As well written as you've come to expect from Sue Moorcroft, this is a good story, full of twists and turns, and a thoroughly satisfying ending. And an absolutely gorgeous hero! Very enjoyable...
November 2, 2011
You must read this book - it's one of the best novels I've read this year. A keeper!
March 21, 2012
Fun read - likeable characters, well described interesting location, plenty of cake! Would be a good holiday book.
October 8, 2016
Another lickety-split read, full of believable characters from the pen of Sue Moorcroft. This one was particularly interesting to me as the main character was an American living in England.
June 8, 2025
After reading the first in this set of three The Wedding Proposal, and gave it four stars as it was decent enough I moved onto this, No Strings Attached which was the next. I wasn't sure whether in someway they would be linked but no, they're all standalone. I was extremely disappointed with this one. Suddenly a lot of foul language and editing mistakes have crept in, and don't benefit the story at all. What I particularly found DISGUSTING was the conversation around fantasies on kindle page 168. OK, the guy is drunk and curious about what fantasies Honor and women in general might have. Now personally, and from all the women I know, there are a number of general, run of the mill ideas that spring to mind. NOT ONCE would any of us thought of the fantasy of being raped!! Was this book actually written by a man?? As a victim / survivor of such an ATROCIOUS act it beggars belief why this made a list of three fantasies? Wow! A book that glorifies rape! And I sincerely hope something so completely devastating never happens to you or any of your readers.
September 10, 2024
Enjoyed this , much more to it than romance .
I liked the plot ,the character's. Some of them were caricatures, and funny. If a little unbelievable. But overall it was very easy to read an escape to a different place .
I liked the plot ,the character's. Some of them were caricatures, and funny. If a little unbelievable. But overall it was very easy to read an escape to a different place .
December 17, 2024
Too Drawn Out
This book could've ended with half the contents, but I enjoyed it. I really admire the authors, geographic and detailed knowledge of the English town and byways included in the book. Also, her characterization of the male love interest was exceptionally hot lol
This book could've ended with half the contents, but I enjoyed it. I really admire the authors, geographic and detailed knowledge of the English town and byways included in the book. Also, her characterization of the male love interest was exceptionally hot lol
July 4, 2025
An easy-to-read holiday romance with a very interesting plot.
Wouldn't call it a closed door romance but just the right amount of spice without going overboard.
Could have been wrapped up in fewer pages.
Wouldn't call it a closed door romance but just the right amount of spice without going overboard.
Could have been wrapped up in fewer pages.
November 3, 2024
It was quite a nice none thinking story not my normal genre but enjoyed it
November 17, 2024
Really enjoyed this, really good plot.
December 29, 2024
Good but unnecessary graphic sex
The story was great. But could have been a closed door romance. I won’t read any other books by Sue Moorcroft for that reason.
The story was great. But could have been a closed door romance. I won’t read any other books by Sue Moorcroft for that reason.
February 3, 2025
Interesting story about relationships, how some are good and some are bad. Loved the ups and downs in the book.
March 30, 2025
3.75⭐
April 6, 2026
Didn’t really like this one bit. Characters sucked, story sucked.
July 15, 2026
I like the characters and it was an easy enough book to read. If I’m Honest the first half a was boring. But then it picked up And had Some unexpected twists.
May 25, 2011
Honor’s story in England starts with being rescued by her knight in shining armour – which I absolutely loved! It was so unusual that it hooked me in. Honor is suffering from jet lag and falls asleep in the sun – so although Martyn rescues her, it’s all seen from a dream-like perspective.
The bungalow Honor is renting is owned by Martyn’s ‘sister’, Clarissa. Through Clarissa and Martyn’s interaction we get the picture that Martyn is not doing much with his life.
From the beginning we see the spark between Honor and Martyn sizzle. They are getting to know each other, sharing backgrounds and experiences but before things can get too hot, Martyn finds out that Honor is married. Having been recently tangled up in a love triangle, Martyn backs off and refuses to take notice of his desires (well, he takes note of them but doesn’t act on them!).
On their first run together we meet Robina from a distance. Robina owns the local teashop and is infatuated with Martyn to the point where she is stalking him. Things get complicated when Honor gets a job working for her. Honor takes Robina’s son Rufus under her wing, interceding when the local bully is making Rufus’ life hard.
Honor comes across as quite a strong character from the beginning - although we may get a different perspective from her relationship with her American husband Stef, I felt she was the strong one who gave stability and responsibility to that relationship. In England, she doesn’t get pulled in by a local when she’s looking for work, stands up for Rufus and deals with Martyn’s drunk agent with strength and dignity. Honor is a very generous and thoughtful character but I did think that sometimes she put everyone’s needs before her own. Honour does grow with the things she comes to realise. I enjoy seeing lead female characters grow into their own skin.
Martyn is ……………….hot …………….. ! not only he is very male but he’s also in touch with his feminine side (he thinks about things, takes note of body language and uses his intuition!) What a very attractive combination …………………. He shows his weakness at times and we get the full force of his anger.
I enjoyed the build-up of their relationship including their thoughts as well as their actions. They seem to fit very well together as a couple - Martyn virile and protective while Honor is independent but melting. A blending of yin and yang.
Stef (Honor’s husband) intrigued me from the beginning, I wanted to find out from the hints what had actually happened and what type of a person he was. I must admit that when we do get to meet him I didn’t like him at all and it was easy to see how Honor could really come into her own while she was in England.
I enjoyed all the feelings we get to experience and loved the humour too. There were times when I couldn’t help a chuckle from escaping.
When it was time for the big reveal – I was so stunned (probably more than Martyn!) - I had to read it again, although it made absolute sense I hadn’t seen it coming. I loved that about this story.
Sue Moorcraft has crafted a tale that will hold your interest through the strength of her characters and how they interact. The sub-plots and plot will keep you intrigued and wanting to read on to find out more.
Love & Freedom is published by Choc Lit on 1 June 2011.
The bungalow Honor is renting is owned by Martyn’s ‘sister’, Clarissa. Through Clarissa and Martyn’s interaction we get the picture that Martyn is not doing much with his life.
From the beginning we see the spark between Honor and Martyn sizzle. They are getting to know each other, sharing backgrounds and experiences but before things can get too hot, Martyn finds out that Honor is married. Having been recently tangled up in a love triangle, Martyn backs off and refuses to take notice of his desires (well, he takes note of them but doesn’t act on them!).
On their first run together we meet Robina from a distance. Robina owns the local teashop and is infatuated with Martyn to the point where she is stalking him. Things get complicated when Honor gets a job working for her. Honor takes Robina’s son Rufus under her wing, interceding when the local bully is making Rufus’ life hard.
Honor comes across as quite a strong character from the beginning - although we may get a different perspective from her relationship with her American husband Stef, I felt she was the strong one who gave stability and responsibility to that relationship. In England, she doesn’t get pulled in by a local when she’s looking for work, stands up for Rufus and deals with Martyn’s drunk agent with strength and dignity. Honor is a very generous and thoughtful character but I did think that sometimes she put everyone’s needs before her own. Honour does grow with the things she comes to realise. I enjoy seeing lead female characters grow into their own skin.
Martyn is ……………….hot …………….. ! not only he is very male but he’s also in touch with his feminine side (he thinks about things, takes note of body language and uses his intuition!) What a very attractive combination …………………. He shows his weakness at times and we get the full force of his anger.
I enjoyed the build-up of their relationship including their thoughts as well as their actions. They seem to fit very well together as a couple - Martyn virile and protective while Honor is independent but melting. A blending of yin and yang.
Stef (Honor’s husband) intrigued me from the beginning, I wanted to find out from the hints what had actually happened and what type of a person he was. I must admit that when we do get to meet him I didn’t like him at all and it was easy to see how Honor could really come into her own while she was in England.
I enjoyed all the feelings we get to experience and loved the humour too. There were times when I couldn’t help a chuckle from escaping.
When it was time for the big reveal – I was so stunned (probably more than Martyn!) - I had to read it again, although it made absolute sense I hadn’t seen it coming. I loved that about this story.
Sue Moorcraft has crafted a tale that will hold your interest through the strength of her characters and how they interact. The sub-plots and plot will keep you intrigued and wanting to read on to find out more.
Love & Freedom is published by Choc Lit on 1 June 2011.
January 14, 2012
Honor Sontag has travelled to England from her home in Harrison Drives, Connecticut, USA, to leave everything from her life behind for a few months, to escape and have some time and space to think. Honor's 'old life had fractured and she'd crept out of one of the cracks.' She also aims to find and meet her English birth mother for the very first time, having been raised by her American father and by her Grandparents. She rents a bungalow in Brighton owned by Clarissa Mayfair, and at the very start of the novel, Honor meets Martyn Mayfair in a rather unusual and interesting situation! He immediately becomes her rescuer, and a mutual attraction is sparked.
As the story grows, Honor begins to establish a life in and around Brighton, and gets to know more about Martyn. The two of them find they have a lot in common, not least with regards to their unusual familial backgrounds. But Martyn doesn't want to get involved with anyone who isn't single and available, having been hurt before, and Honor had 'come to England to get away from the storms in her life, not to brew up new ones.' Additionally, in Robina, the owner of the local teashop, Martyn has an ardent admirer who doesn't give up easily. Honor befriends Rufus, Robina's son, and takes his side against some local bullies. Honor tries to help everyone out and seems like someone who really wants to make life better for people, especially those she cares about. But will she be able to find, as the title suggests, love and freedom in her own life?
This enjoyable romantic novel has a beautiful, kind heroine trying to make sense of her life, a very handsome hero with some interesting relations, a jealous would-be lover who is a real hippy but can bake a great cake, a bullied teenage boy who is under appreciated by his mother, and more! There is a lovely sense of place in the novel, the writer really conjures up the seaside setting and the charming little streets and quirky shops, all of which Honor comes to love. 'She felt more at home here, looking out to the ocean, than she had in any other place.' The story really builds towards the end of the novel when there is a surprise visitor and an unexpected twist in the tale. A sweet, modern-day romantic read.
As the story grows, Honor begins to establish a life in and around Brighton, and gets to know more about Martyn. The two of them find they have a lot in common, not least with regards to their unusual familial backgrounds. But Martyn doesn't want to get involved with anyone who isn't single and available, having been hurt before, and Honor had 'come to England to get away from the storms in her life, not to brew up new ones.' Additionally, in Robina, the owner of the local teashop, Martyn has an ardent admirer who doesn't give up easily. Honor befriends Rufus, Robina's son, and takes his side against some local bullies. Honor tries to help everyone out and seems like someone who really wants to make life better for people, especially those she cares about. But will she be able to find, as the title suggests, love and freedom in her own life?
This enjoyable romantic novel has a beautiful, kind heroine trying to make sense of her life, a very handsome hero with some interesting relations, a jealous would-be lover who is a real hippy but can bake a great cake, a bullied teenage boy who is under appreciated by his mother, and more! There is a lovely sense of place in the novel, the writer really conjures up the seaside setting and the charming little streets and quirky shops, all of which Honor comes to love. 'She felt more at home here, looking out to the ocean, than she had in any other place.' The story really builds towards the end of the novel when there is a surprise visitor and an unexpected twist in the tale. A sweet, modern-day romantic read.
December 20, 2011
I was very much looking forward to reading Love & Freedom and enjoyed every word of it. As always with Sue Moorcroft, the characters seem so real, complete with faults which only serve to bring them to life. The story temps and teases you to read on and although you can be pretty certain of a satisfying ending, how you get there is the whole fun of it.
The heroine Honor arrives in Brighton to escape difficulties back home in the USA, with a vague idea of finding her birth mother. Here she meets the utterly gorgeous and totally 'wantable' Martyn Mayfair and although they are attracted to each other, both have their own problems, hang ups and family members, well meaning or otherwise, set to hinder the progression of their relationship.
And this is what this book is about in many ways - relationships. Other characters in the book have their own problems relationship wise in one form or another and this theme is superbly woven through the story line in many layers.
I have always liked Sue Moorcroft's novels, especially those set in the fens, having lived there myself so when Love & Freedom came along, set in Brighton I was delighted as I know the city well, living just along the coast from it for many years now. Sue really brings to life the small communities within and around the large city, capturing the spirit of The Lanes with their lovely little shops and special atmosphere. When the story briefly visited Arundel I was even more pleased, another beautiful town where I have worked and still visit often.
The title of the book is great, but you will have to read the book to understand why and Martyn Mayfair, whose surname couldn't be more perfect, is simply to die for.
The heroine Honor arrives in Brighton to escape difficulties back home in the USA, with a vague idea of finding her birth mother. Here she meets the utterly gorgeous and totally 'wantable' Martyn Mayfair and although they are attracted to each other, both have their own problems, hang ups and family members, well meaning or otherwise, set to hinder the progression of their relationship.
And this is what this book is about in many ways - relationships. Other characters in the book have their own problems relationship wise in one form or another and this theme is superbly woven through the story line in many layers.
I have always liked Sue Moorcroft's novels, especially those set in the fens, having lived there myself so when Love & Freedom came along, set in Brighton I was delighted as I know the city well, living just along the coast from it for many years now. Sue really brings to life the small communities within and around the large city, capturing the spirit of The Lanes with their lovely little shops and special atmosphere. When the story briefly visited Arundel I was even more pleased, another beautiful town where I have worked and still visit often.
The title of the book is great, but you will have to read the book to understand why and Martyn Mayfair, whose surname couldn't be more perfect, is simply to die for.
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