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It Started at Waterloo
Does she love him enough to let him go?
After three straight days working beside surgeon Will Kennaway to treat the wounded of Waterloo, Amelia Hartwell collapses on the nearest bed to sleep. Surely she can be forgiven for not caring that the warm body sleeping next to hers is Will’s.
Amelia’s status-hungry mother, however, couldn’t be more pleased to have an excuse to get the painfully shy, socially awkward Amelia married off, albeit to a less-than-ultra-rich husband.
Will doesn’t keep his title a deep, dark secret. His little-known earldom simply affords him the financial freedom to focus solely on healing the sick. But now that he has a wife to think about—and to admire, thanks to her unstinting bravery at Waterloo—he reluctantly takes up the mantle of earl to do his duty.
Missing her meaningful work as a nurse, Amelia finds herself floundering in society’s glaring spotlight, wondering if Will regrets being forced to marry. Perhaps it might even be better to give him his freedom, even if doing so will break her heart…
Steamy, battlefield kisses under a tent canvas lead to steamy scenes in the bedroom.
After three straight days working beside surgeon Will Kennaway to treat the wounded of Waterloo, Amelia Hartwell collapses on the nearest bed to sleep. Surely she can be forgiven for not caring that the warm body sleeping next to hers is Will’s.
Amelia’s status-hungry mother, however, couldn’t be more pleased to have an excuse to get the painfully shy, socially awkward Amelia married off, albeit to a less-than-ultra-rich husband.
Will doesn’t keep his title a deep, dark secret. His little-known earldom simply affords him the financial freedom to focus solely on healing the sick. But now that he has a wife to think about—and to admire, thanks to her unstinting bravery at Waterloo—he reluctantly takes up the mantle of earl to do his duty.
Missing her meaningful work as a nurse, Amelia finds herself floundering in society’s glaring spotlight, wondering if Will regrets being forced to marry. Perhaps it might even be better to give him his freedom, even if doing so will break her heart…
Steamy, battlefield kisses under a tent canvas lead to steamy scenes in the bedroom.
133 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2015
About the author
Lynne Connolly
130 books311 followersI was born in Leicester, England, and lived in our cobbler’s shop with my parents and sister. It was an old house and most definitely haunted, but I didn’t find out until I left that my great uncle had hung himself in the living room! But I think our ghost might have been older than that. It was built on the site of the old Roman cemetery, and the land had been constantly inhabited, being in the centre of town. Then, when the council bought the house from us to build a road, my grandfather retired and my father went and worked for the Post Office. My mother was a sample machinist; that is, she worked with designers on the prototypes (models or samples) of garments. So I was very well dressed! We bought a relatively modern house in the country, and my mother was blissfully happy. It’s all very well living in a large old house, but it’s a dreadful task to keep it clean and warm!
My mother's side of the family are Romany gypsies, although sadly we haven't any of the old trailers that are so astonishingly beautiful. I was taught to read the Tarot cards, and I usually use two packs; the Rider pack for simple readings and the Crowley Thoth pack for the complex stuff.
I've always had an interest in the paranormal and it's been a delight to be able to put some of this into my novels.
My mother's side of the family are Romany gypsies, although sadly we haven't any of the old trailers that are so astonishingly beautiful. I was taught to read the Tarot cards, and I usually use two packs; the Rider pack for simple readings and the Crowley Thoth pack for the complex stuff.
I've always had an interest in the paranormal and it's been a delight to be able to put some of this into my novels.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews
September 14, 2022
Read: 8/12/15
This is what happens when a good idea goes bad!
This is what happens when a good idea goes bad!
July 15, 2015
Amelia is a lady only interested in helping the wounded soldiers in need during the Battle of Waterloo. Finding a husband is the last thing on her mind. But falling asleep in a tent with her friend and devoted surgeon Will gives her an escape from the society marriage her mother has planned. Amelia respects Will; they share a passion for serving the injured; and it doesn’t hurt that he is very attractive. She has no idea when he asks her to marry him that she would be doing much more than saving her reputation… she would be marrying an earl.
Will has ignored his title for years, instead, devoting himself to his work as a surgeon. He doesn’t want to deal with all of the headaches that come with being the earl. Unfortunately, a gentle nudge from his cousin, the duke, has him returning to the fold of nobility. And it quickly puts a strain on his new marriage by blowing up his plans for his future with his new bride.
The story is ok. I think its brevity works against it some, not allowing for too much time mining for deeper feelings in the relationship. I liked Amelia and Will well enough, but a lack of communication is their central problem and it really felt like the plot device that it was. If the two of them would have been honest about themselves and about their needs and fears, there wouldn’t have been much conflict. As it was, the worst things they had to contend with were their elevated social status and their concerns about disappointing one another. Meh.
I think I would have liked some surprises, but it’s all laid out in the blurb. It also might have been more impactful had I seen these two fall in love, but I think that ship had already sailed by the time the story began. The novella isn’t bad, just not super-engaging. It’s pretty much as advertised. A quick, fair read.
Rating: B-/C+
*ARC provided by publisher
Will has ignored his title for years, instead, devoting himself to his work as a surgeon. He doesn’t want to deal with all of the headaches that come with being the earl. Unfortunately, a gentle nudge from his cousin, the duke, has him returning to the fold of nobility. And it quickly puts a strain on his new marriage by blowing up his plans for his future with his new bride.
The story is ok. I think its brevity works against it some, not allowing for too much time mining for deeper feelings in the relationship. I liked Amelia and Will well enough, but a lack of communication is their central problem and it really felt like the plot device that it was. If the two of them would have been honest about themselves and about their needs and fears, there wouldn’t have been much conflict. As it was, the worst things they had to contend with were their elevated social status and their concerns about disappointing one another. Meh.
I think I would have liked some surprises, but it’s all laid out in the blurb. It also might have been more impactful had I seen these two fall in love, but I think that ship had already sailed by the time the story began. The novella isn’t bad, just not super-engaging. It’s pretty much as advertised. A quick, fair read.
Rating: B-/C+
*ARC provided by publisher
July 27, 2015
This is a novella and a very nice read. The story is a fast going, entertaining easy read. I think the story is interesting enough for a full length novel.
The strength of the story is that it begins with the battle of Waterloo. Where we meet the main characters and get to experience the work they do. At the end of the story their is an extra storyline that I didn't like much, I don't think it belongs in the story or it is not enough developed. I'm not going to tell what it was, but when you decide to read the story you will know what I mean.
I can recommand this book to every one who wants to read it.
The strength of the story is that it begins with the battle of Waterloo. Where we meet the main characters and get to experience the work they do. At the end of the story their is an extra storyline that I didn't like much, I don't think it belongs in the story or it is not enough developed. I'm not going to tell what it was, but when you decide to read the story you will know what I mean.
I can recommand this book to every one who wants to read it.
December 8, 2020
Ωραία ξεκίνησε αλλά μέχρι εκεί. Μου έδωσε την εντύπωση ότι δεν υπήρχε συνοχή στην περαιτέρω πλοκή.
February 18, 2024
A short but sweet read with an unusual backdrop - I was surprised as to how much time the story spent in the backdrop of the need for medical help and soldiers and how the MCs are woven into that. It was just not there to provide a backdrop but was the heart of the story. However, the plot and the chemistry felt average. It is a bit ridiculous when you have to give up your dreams only to get a lot wealth, isn't it?
July 31, 2015
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:
The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo has given some of my favourite historical romance authors the opportunity to write something about the run up to the battle as well as events taking place in its aftermath. Not to be outdone, Lynne Connolly has written two novellas about those events, and this was the first of those that I read. As I’ve come to expect from this author, we got a very thoughtful hero and heroine and lots of details around attitudes, expectations, and ‘common knowledge’ of the time.
Amelia and Will are dedicated to their cause – both the saving of lives through battlefield surgery, and understanding more about why some patients recover and some wounds heal, while others don’t. When news of the impending battle reaches them, they rush away from the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball (I’ve been seeing a lot of that event recently, but no two authors take quite the same slant on it) to set up their equipment in preparation for the wounded men who will shortly be arriving at the hospital.
I love that Amelia and Will are willing to try ideas that we now take for granted – such as triage, even in the face of disapproval from those who want the injured treated in order of rank or social standing – and are also prepared to notice when their actions lead to the desired result – more patients recovering – even if they can’t quite connect the two. Of course they also face disapproval from those who think Amelia should restrict her activities to rolling bandages, rather than helping directly (and ruining her best dress), including Amelia’s mother, who finally puts in an appearance at the hospital the morning after the pair have collapsed onto Will’s camp-bed due to exhaustion.
Amelia’s mother has arrived to report that she’s found a husband for her daughter, and so will be able to put more effort into finding matches for the other girls, but he’s not a man Amelia would consider spending her life with. She thinks her sister is fond of him, though.
Will steps in and proposes – not without good reason from his point of view, even if he hadn’t previously been considering marriage. The pair wed, and Will has to explain to his bride that he’s just a little richer and a lot more important than he’d led her to believe. He has better reasons for avoiding his responsibilities than the blurb led me to believe, and Amelia has a fair number of reasons for finding the transition from minor very gentry to nobility difficult – especially as she and Will still want to carry on their work, if not on the battlefield, at least in the arena of writing up their experiences to educate others.
Back in London, there are a couple of human obstacles to the pair’s happiness, of course, although I do feel that those issues need more pages before reaching resolution. In think this story would have worked better as a short novel rather than as a novella. Other than that, I enjoyed following Will and Amelia’s adventure and am looking forward to reading more stories set in the same few weeks as this summer continues, especially the other novella from this author.
The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo has given some of my favourite historical romance authors the opportunity to write something about the run up to the battle as well as events taking place in its aftermath. Not to be outdone, Lynne Connolly has written two novellas about those events, and this was the first of those that I read. As I’ve come to expect from this author, we got a very thoughtful hero and heroine and lots of details around attitudes, expectations, and ‘common knowledge’ of the time.
Amelia and Will are dedicated to their cause – both the saving of lives through battlefield surgery, and understanding more about why some patients recover and some wounds heal, while others don’t. When news of the impending battle reaches them, they rush away from the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball (I’ve been seeing a lot of that event recently, but no two authors take quite the same slant on it) to set up their equipment in preparation for the wounded men who will shortly be arriving at the hospital.
I love that Amelia and Will are willing to try ideas that we now take for granted – such as triage, even in the face of disapproval from those who want the injured treated in order of rank or social standing – and are also prepared to notice when their actions lead to the desired result – more patients recovering – even if they can’t quite connect the two. Of course they also face disapproval from those who think Amelia should restrict her activities to rolling bandages, rather than helping directly (and ruining her best dress), including Amelia’s mother, who finally puts in an appearance at the hospital the morning after the pair have collapsed onto Will’s camp-bed due to exhaustion.
Amelia’s mother has arrived to report that she’s found a husband for her daughter, and so will be able to put more effort into finding matches for the other girls, but he’s not a man Amelia would consider spending her life with. She thinks her sister is fond of him, though.
Will steps in and proposes – not without good reason from his point of view, even if he hadn’t previously been considering marriage. The pair wed, and Will has to explain to his bride that he’s just a little richer and a lot more important than he’d led her to believe. He has better reasons for avoiding his responsibilities than the blurb led me to believe, and Amelia has a fair number of reasons for finding the transition from minor very gentry to nobility difficult – especially as she and Will still want to carry on their work, if not on the battlefield, at least in the arena of writing up their experiences to educate others.
Back in London, there are a couple of human obstacles to the pair’s happiness, of course, although I do feel that those issues need more pages before reaching resolution. In think this story would have worked better as a short novel rather than as a novella. Other than that, I enjoyed following Will and Amelia’s adventure and am looking forward to reading more stories set in the same few weeks as this summer continues, especially the other novella from this author.
June 16, 2015
I mostly enjoyed this short, sharp Regency read with its focus on the medical necessities that followed the Battle of Waterloo. Amelia is a great main character – period appropriate, yet strong and determined to do her duty to the soldiers. When she’s with Will or facing down her patients she’s confident and efficient, yet when her overbearing mother is around she’s quiet and subdued. I liked Amelia and wanted her to succeed.
Then there’s Will, the surgeon with a secret. Well, it’s less of a secret than just something he doesn’t bother thinking about. Will has no interest in his title. He’s a surgeon and he wants to do everything he can to solve medical mysteries and stop his patients from dying from foolish mistakes. When he sets his mind on something, his focus is hard to shake – as Amelia soon finds out.
However, because of the short nature of this book things aren’t explored as deeply as I think they might have been. The opening section dealing with the wounded of Waterloo, with Amelia working alongside Will is very well done. There’s enough blood and gore to convey the scene without it ever being gratuitous or overdone. The appearance of Wellington fits in nicely too – though I especially loved it when Amelia stood up to him.
Once they come home from the war, though, the short length of this book begins to show. Amelia’s struggles in society aren’t really conveyed and Will mostly mopes about hating what Amelia’s becoming, but not doing anything because he wants her to be happy. Amelia’s family show up and vanish at convenient moments, and that whole twist in the last chapter was ridiculously unnecessary. I would have much rather seen Amelia meeting up with the reformers, or rather finding her way into their company in the first place, than have had that random interjection that served no purposes and added nothing of value to the story.
So, in all, this book starts off well and has a lovely historical tone, but is just too short. The high quality of the opening tails off once the action reaches London and is lost before the end, leaving me feeling vaguely disappointed. I think Will and Amelia deserved better, but I probably won’t read this again. I am, however, interested in reading more by this author. If the first half of this book is anything to judge by, Lynne Connolly knows her way around this period.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Then there’s Will, the surgeon with a secret. Well, it’s less of a secret than just something he doesn’t bother thinking about. Will has no interest in his title. He’s a surgeon and he wants to do everything he can to solve medical mysteries and stop his patients from dying from foolish mistakes. When he sets his mind on something, his focus is hard to shake – as Amelia soon finds out.
However, because of the short nature of this book things aren’t explored as deeply as I think they might have been. The opening section dealing with the wounded of Waterloo, with Amelia working alongside Will is very well done. There’s enough blood and gore to convey the scene without it ever being gratuitous or overdone. The appearance of Wellington fits in nicely too – though I especially loved it when Amelia stood up to him.
Once they come home from the war, though, the short length of this book begins to show. Amelia’s struggles in society aren’t really conveyed and Will mostly mopes about hating what Amelia’s becoming, but not doing anything because he wants her to be happy. Amelia’s family show up and vanish at convenient moments, and that whole twist in the last chapter was ridiculously unnecessary. I would have much rather seen Amelia meeting up with the reformers, or rather finding her way into their company in the first place, than have had that random interjection that served no purposes and added nothing of value to the story.
So, in all, this book starts off well and has a lovely historical tone, but is just too short. The high quality of the opening tails off once the action reaches London and is lost before the end, leaving me feeling vaguely disappointed. I think Will and Amelia deserved better, but I probably won’t read this again. I am, however, interested in reading more by this author. If the first half of this book is anything to judge by, Lynne Connolly knows her way around this period.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
June 18, 2015
IT STARTED AT WATERLOO by Lynne Connolly is a wonderful Regency Historical Romance. It is set against the backdrop of the Battle of Waterloo, the trauma, and tragedies found during surgery. A fast paced, quick read with a lot of emotions packed into this story.
Meet, Will Kennaway, a surgeon with a secret and Amelia Hartwell, a Lady whose father has had his family traveling with the military their lives. Amelia is also Will's assistant, and looking forward to one day being a surgical assistant. Will wants to improve the surgical conditions and write a book of their findings, and what they have learned. Hoping to further surgical procedures used during wartime and save more lives. But unforeseen things happen when they both collapse from exhaustion, in bed together, well you can guess the rest...marriage.
After Waterloo, Will wants to continue his work with new and improved surgical procedures and Amelia wishes to work by His side. But wait, Will has a secret that could destroy their HEA.
Ms. Connolly did a fantastic job in detailing the surgical procedures, treatment and healing process for the era.
A very enjoyable and satisfying read! While, a quick read, Ms. Connolly did a fantastic job of getting the story across to the reader. Fans of Medical procedures, Historical Romance, The Battle of Waterloo, and a great Romance will certainly enjoy "It Started at Waterloo". Well written with engaging and interesting characters. I loved the medical procedures, the timeline, and the characters. Well, I loved this storyline and Will and Amelia, simply outstanding!
*Received for an honest review from the author/publisher via Net Gallery*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Meet, Will Kennaway, a surgeon with a secret and Amelia Hartwell, a Lady whose father has had his family traveling with the military their lives. Amelia is also Will's assistant, and looking forward to one day being a surgical assistant. Will wants to improve the surgical conditions and write a book of their findings, and what they have learned. Hoping to further surgical procedures used during wartime and save more lives. But unforeseen things happen when they both collapse from exhaustion, in bed together, well you can guess the rest...marriage.
After Waterloo, Will wants to continue his work with new and improved surgical procedures and Amelia wishes to work by His side. But wait, Will has a secret that could destroy their HEA.
Ms. Connolly did a fantastic job in detailing the surgical procedures, treatment and healing process for the era.
A very enjoyable and satisfying read! While, a quick read, Ms. Connolly did a fantastic job of getting the story across to the reader. Fans of Medical procedures, Historical Romance, The Battle of Waterloo, and a great Romance will certainly enjoy "It Started at Waterloo". Well written with engaging and interesting characters. I loved the medical procedures, the timeline, and the characters. Well, I loved this storyline and Will and Amelia, simply outstanding!
*Received for an honest review from the author/publisher via Net Gallery*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
July 20, 2015
Amelia Hartwell loves working aside Will Kennaway in the hospital. She would much rather be there then trying to catch a society husband as her mother wishes. After working for three days straight, Amelia collapses in the nearest bed only to wake hours later to feel Will's warm body next to hers.
Amelia's mother catches them in bed together but is so determined to marry her off to a wealthy peer that she lets it all go. Knowing that Amelia doesn't want to marry the man her mother has picked out for her, Will offers himself as a husband. As Amelia has had feelings for Will since they met, she accepts his proposal.
What happens when she finds out the Will has a title and they must go back to London so Will can fulfill his duty as the earl? Will they ever find the happiness they shared while in the hospital?
I enjoyed this story. You don't often find an earl working as a surgeon because that is what he enjoys doing. We go from the battlefield to the ballroom following this couple and their journey to love.
Because to lack of communication we see their journey take many twists and turns. It is finally when they talk to one another and get back to what they both love that they find the love that they both need.
If you are looking for an enjoyable short read, then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks go out to Samhain Publishing via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
Amelia's mother catches them in bed together but is so determined to marry her off to a wealthy peer that she lets it all go. Knowing that Amelia doesn't want to marry the man her mother has picked out for her, Will offers himself as a husband. As Amelia has had feelings for Will since they met, she accepts his proposal.
What happens when she finds out the Will has a title and they must go back to London so Will can fulfill his duty as the earl? Will they ever find the happiness they shared while in the hospital?
I enjoyed this story. You don't often find an earl working as a surgeon because that is what he enjoys doing. We go from the battlefield to the ballroom following this couple and their journey to love.
Because to lack of communication we see their journey take many twists and turns. It is finally when they talk to one another and get back to what they both love that they find the love that they both need.
If you are looking for an enjoyable short read, then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks go out to Samhain Publishing via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
June 16, 2015
This was a good book. Lynne has given us a real good look at how things were with Waterloo. Will has become a surgeon. This will show us how the surgical business is changed. Amelia is his assistant, runs his cases and helps with his operations. She has found that if you take the worst cases first you will save a whole lot more of patients. Then her mother visits. Big Spoiler. She is still trying to marry Amelia to Sir Henry. Spoiler. Will has loved her for awhile. She loves him. They hide it. They agree to marry. Wellington, Will' s relative, tells him to go back to England as Will is also an Earl. Spoiler. There is another family problem. You have to read to find out how this is solved. I really liked this book. Will and Amelia were made for each other. Thank you for this book Lynne! I hope you choose to read their story! I have this book for an honest review for NetGalley.
August 2, 2015
Amidst all the death and destruction of war they found each other!
He was a military surgeon, she was his nursing assistant. Because of a full surgical schedule in the aftermath of Waterloo Will Kennaway took Amelia to his quarters for a meal and rest where they was discovered by her mother the next day after falling asleep under extreme exhaustion in bed together! Although her mother had another suitor picked out for her she forced them to marry (no hardship for either of them, they loved each other but was unaware of how the other felt.) It wasn't until wedding that she finds that he was more than a surgeon, more a distant relation to the Duke of Wellington, he, himself was an aristocrat, an Earl! They almost lost each other while trying to adjust to their new status but found themselves and their love just in time!
He was a military surgeon, she was his nursing assistant. Because of a full surgical schedule in the aftermath of Waterloo Will Kennaway took Amelia to his quarters for a meal and rest where they was discovered by her mother the next day after falling asleep under extreme exhaustion in bed together! Although her mother had another suitor picked out for her she forced them to marry (no hardship for either of them, they loved each other but was unaware of how the other felt.) It wasn't until wedding that she finds that he was more than a surgeon, more a distant relation to the Duke of Wellington, he, himself was an aristocrat, an Earl! They almost lost each other while trying to adjust to their new status but found themselves and their love just in time!
December 8, 2015
A passionate romance, between a surgeon and nurse. There are many twists and turns to this short story, I wish it was longer to flesh out the details. I didn't read the blurb before I read the book, so I didn't know about his title before it was revealed.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2016
I much, much prefer HISTORICAL romances to historical ROMANCES and this one was disappointing, especially with such a promising title (I should have taken the hint when there were so many historical inaccuracies in chapter 1).
Still, the romance is nice and it's a quick read, so if you don't mind reading wallpaper HR rather than solid & strongly contextualized ones, go for it !
Still, the romance is nice and it's a quick read, so if you don't mind reading wallpaper HR rather than solid & strongly contextualized ones, go for it !
March 31, 2016
Not Lynne's best work. Was too short for the amount of conflict introduced that couldn't all be fully explored in the space alloted.
I like her Regency books but I think she writes better in the Georgian period, but this was a solid effort and definitely enjoyable, if not superlative.
I like her Regency books but I think she writes better in the Georgian period, but this was a solid effort and definitely enjoyable, if not superlative.
July 2, 2018
This is my second read by this author, I chose this book as I looked for a short story.
Even if I still have to leave my review the previous book, I begin with this one first.
The author had me hooked from the very beginning, even for a novella, she was able to create an awesome story and gave the characters some depth and a very plausible background.
The main couple is composed of two caring personalities who will make every effort necessary to help others. They are just bad at communication when it is about themselves and what they feel.
I liked the duality in Amelia’s character, a warrior in the field hospital but completely lost in the ton, able to raise her voice to defend those who need it but overwhelmed when her mother is around.
Will is not the usual aristocracy man, he was shaped by his past, and in some way he is still dealing with it.
They are perfect for each other, Amelia will gain confidence while Will will learn to accept who he is.
Even if I still have to leave my review the previous book, I begin with this one first.
The author had me hooked from the very beginning, even for a novella, she was able to create an awesome story and gave the characters some depth and a very plausible background.
The main couple is composed of two caring personalities who will make every effort necessary to help others. They are just bad at communication when it is about themselves and what they feel.
I liked the duality in Amelia’s character, a warrior in the field hospital but completely lost in the ton, able to raise her voice to defend those who need it but overwhelmed when her mother is around.
Will is not the usual aristocracy man, he was shaped by his past, and in some way he is still dealing with it.
They are perfect for each other, Amelia will gain confidence while Will will learn to accept who he is.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews