Handsome and carefree, Lord Douglas–second son of the illustrious Cherrill family–has met his match in the brilliant and vivacious Lady Phoebe de Moncy. Once a darling of London society, Phoebe has retreated to the countryside with her infant daughter after a scandalous mistake.
Douglas admires Phoebe’s resilience and grace. He’s always been a fun-loving fellow, but now he finds himself questioning the stiff and often unfair rules of his noble upbringing. Phoebe, on the other hand, finds herself emboldened by Douglas’s unwavering support and dashing charm. Could she dare to hope for a future where love conquers all scandal?
Yet society’s expectations loom large, threatening to tear them apart just as they’re starting to dream of a life together. Douglas must decide if he’s willing to risk his reputation as a gentleman to marry the woman he loves. Phoebe, with the scars of her past still fresh, must find the courage to believe in a future filled with love, happiness, and acceptance.
Allyson Jeleyne has been indie publishing since 2014. She writes enchanting low-angst, medium-steam “slice of life” romance novels. Her characters are a complex cast of adventurers, entrepreneurs, heiresses, peeresses, and survivors, each journeying through love and life in the Victorian era
She earned an interdisciplinary studies degree in Creative Writing and Journalism while also studying British history & literature in her spare time. When not writing, she enjoys traveling and checking things off her bucket list.
She makes her home in the South Carolina lowcountry with her beloved dog, Dollie Madison (2005-2022).
This was such a delightful read, I finished it in an afternoon. It had two very engaging characters in Phoebe and Douglas. Phoebe was a strong minded and spirited lady in spite of all she had been through. Douglas was all you could ask for in a hero, kind, thoughtful, honourable and handsome. I enjoyed the loving interaction between Douglas and his family. What a difference in two families, Phoebe had no support from her mother and father. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Such a delightful story that took me to a time and two wonderful characters that I got lost in the story. A debutante fooled by a gentleman, had to face the consequencies of that trust, in a time when ladies that bore children out of wedlock were often shunned and hidden away. Phoebe had been taken to a cottage in a beautiful place that she would not be known and would have her child and then give her away to a couple. But fate stepped in, and yes, I do believe so when her child was born with a cleft palate, because the couple would not take her. Even better, she met a wonderful man on her stroll when she ended up at the river with a wonderful strawberry patch! Those berries began this perfect romance that just won my heart. Doug is the second son of a Duke and was visiting their country home and wanted to relax. When he met Phoebe or rather, ran upon her when she was resting by the stream, they had such a fun interaction. I truly adored that man from the start! A heartwarming tale of two people who were perfect for each other, but could he accept her with her past and child? Don't miss this newest addition to the Cherrill Family series. This is a keeper!
Publisher's description: At Bradwell, the Cherrill family estate, Lord Douglas stumbles upon a young woman banished to the country for birthing an illegitimate child.
Lady Phoebe de Moncy, the beautiful daughter of the Earl of Rudham, was once a debutante with a bright future until she placed her heart in the wrong man's hands. Now, she knows time with baby Ellen is running out. Soon, the child will be taken for adoption, and she must return to London society. Phoebe longs for a quiet, independent life with her daughter and a warm friendship with the fun-loving, neighboring lord, but—for a woman with a tarnished past—what hope is there?
Can the second son of the illustrious Cherrill family risk his reputation to marry the woman he loves, or will Doug, Phoebe, and her precious baby girl be parted forever?
My Thoughts:
This sweetly written story has both a happy and a tragic side to it. Phoebe is quite happy with her sweet baby daughter even though the child has a birth defect of a cleft palate. People being the way that they are it is thought by most to be a sign of her indiscretion. Her parents want nothing more than to be rid of the baby and arrange for an adoption that falls through due to the baby girl's birth defect. Enters Lord Douglas; he finds himself enamored with both Phoebe and her daughter. Will he be brave enough to marry Phoebe and raise her daughter as his own or will societies beliefs cause a rift between them? This is a delightful and well written book and one I would re-read. I gave this story 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout but also pre-ordered and own a copy of this book. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
This sweet little Victorian romance is a pure delight. The book had me at the meet-cute between the hero and the heroine, Doug and Phoebe; this time, the term is genuinely warranted. We learn a little about Phoebe’s plight as an unwed mother of a daughter with a cleft palate; she has been banished to the country to give birth, and she expects that her parents will soon separate her from the baby. Phoebe is taking a few hours off from minding her child and finds a strawberry patch. As she lazes in the tall grass, Doug (a duke’s second son) believes he has spotted a trespasser and makes threats. This all ends with Phoebe firing a strawberry right between his brows. It is all done with a light touch and great humor; Doug is besotted by her beauty, her aim, and her arm! The romance is sweet and gentle. Both characters are decent, open-hearted people who are actually quite well matched. Doug is everything a swoon-worthy, protective, and loving hero ought to be. I could foresee some turns of the plot, but they were so beautifully rendered, with such love and affection between the couple, that I didn't mind that there were few surprises in the story. I love the extended end, where we can see the full effects and changes that had been wrought during the course of the book. I wish we saw more of the fearsome foursome; I believe they will be a force to be reckoned with, and they are so good together. The characters are an absolute delight. Can I be a part of the Cherrill family?
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
A well-written book that depicts the prejudices of the time period toward any type of defect in a person, especially towards babies. I liked the humor in the first meeting of Phoebe and Douglas. A strawberry throwing match was so original! Douglas and his family showed such love and compassion not only amongst themselves but also towards others as well. I liked the resiliency of Phoebe and her willingness to learn all the things required in living alone and fending for herself. Douglas was just perfect. Even after he felt rejected by Phoebe he was still a perfect gentleman and never displayed any of the rude arrogance most men of the nobility would have resorted to. This author has earned a place on my BOLO page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book of the Cherrill family series and I loved it as much as the first! This was such a charming and delightful story. I really enjoyed the characters of Phoebe and Douglas. Phoebe is such a spirited woman, despite all that she has been through, and Douglas is so kind-hearted and understanding. This was such a heartwarming story, I got lost in it till the very end - I just could not put it down. Ms. Jeleyne has a wonderful way of telling a story and really pulling you in and holding your attention until the last page. This is a wonderful series and I am really looking forward to the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Phoebe is very much a fallen woman in Victorian times. She has an illegitimate baby daughter, Ellen.
Lord Douglas Cherrill is from an esteemed family that includes a duke. He enjoys his country bachelor life and is avoiding his mothers matrimonial plans.
He meets Phoebe when he throws strawberries at her. They spend time together but can Phoebe share her secret baby with him? She’s very much a fallen lady. But Douglas is a very honorable gentleman. Will he stand by her, along with his family? Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Charming characters I spent a very enjoyable afternoon reading Allyson Jeleyne’s book. Lady Phoebe de Moncy has been sent away to have her illegitimate child and if that is not bad enough she knows after the birth it will be taken away from her. While away she meets Lord Douglas and I love how they meet. The author did such a good job of writing this gem with charming characters in a well-written piece you will find a story that you will love having in your collection of books. This is a book you will re-read again and again. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
A beautifully written story dealing with the rarely covered topic of birth defects and showing what happens to aristocratic girls who get pregnant out of wedlock after their family learns of their secret. But at the same time it is a fun light-hearted romance involving the Cherrill family’s second son Douglas. There are some very funny scenes. Excellent blend of serious and fun, typical Victorian actions and more progressive ones. Eagerly awaiting the next siblings’ book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written love story that revolves around Douglas and Phoebe. Phoebe is sent away from society to deliver a child out of wedlock. The father refused to acknowledge the child was his and Phoebe’s parents removed her in order to prevent a scandal. She delivers a healthy baby girl, Ellen, except she is born with a cleft palate. While in seclusion she meets Douglas, who’s brother is a Duke, and they both discover love. This is a sweet romance that can be appreciated for its portrayal of both Phoebe and Douglas. It is a great story and I would recommend it.
Loved this story. Charming, endearing. This story was so beautiful. It dealt with a subject that few stories about that period in history usually deal with, ladies of quality bearing illegitimate children. Preyed upon by unscrupulous men, the ladies were the ones to suffer, bearing their children and being shunned by society. This was a heartwarming story, and Douglas Cherrill was a prince among men. He knew love was most important of all and he had a lot of love to give Phoebe and little Ellen. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
When Phoebe becomes pregnant by a man who betrayed her she gets sent to the country to have her baby. She delivers baby Ellen and while outside one day she meets Douglas her next door neighbor who is the brother to a Duke. This is sweet regency romance with Douglas, who is a strong dashing man and Phoebe who at a young age trusted the wrong man.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The second book in the Cherrill Family series a well written story of a Victorian Romance. This is Lord Douglas the second son and Lady Phoebe de Moncy who has borne a daughter Ellen out of wedlock's story. I enjoyed reading this story captured my interest from the start. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Phoebe and Doug meet something happens between them. With every moment they spend together their friendship blooms to love and Phoebe knows she has to tell him her secret. Will he still feel the same? Or will it be to much for him to handle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While I loved the romance between them and the cute kindness. One of my favorite things in a hero is kindness and acceptance. I didn’t love the intimacy at the end. I would prefer not to read about sex even if done after marriage. While I liked the story it could have been better for me.
I loved this wonderful historical romance. The characters are charming and very likable. The storyline is excellent with humour and sweet romance. I recommend this romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Phoebe and Doug has a sweet courtship even though their circumstances were different and a tad bit difficult. Their journey to their HEA was sweet and humble in a time of adversity. Good read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A heartwarming story wherein a societal outcast is valued for who she is and not defined by the mistake she made. It is well written with endeaving characters and a feel good ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nicely done story about a young lady who became pregnant and had to reside with a midwife in the country . She winds up keeping the baby longer than usual due to a birth defect, and so her story begins.
I enjoyed reading Phoebe and Douglas's story from friends to courtship to marriage. The meet cute in the strawberry patch, the steady pace of the story while to exploring Bradwell and Mrs Wicksteads cottage made this a great read. Looking forward to Augusta's story.
Doug is the perfect hero. I love a man who cares about the women he loves. And he loves baby Ellen too. Phoebe is a good heroine cause she's smart, strong and funny. I liked that she was good at sports. This made a fun romance.