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After receiving what seems like an offer of employment from an English countess, orphan Bridget Kelly leaves her uncle’s house in Dublin to make her own way in the world. But making her way in England is easier said than done, especially for an innocent Irish lass with no family or connections. In fact, she’ll be lucky if she can make it to Derbyshire alive. Still smarting from his brother and former fiancée’s betrayal, rakish Captain Russell Avery arrives at his sister’s Derbyshire estate, looking for something or someone to help soothe his bruised ego. When a pretty little Irish maid stumbles into his chamber one morning, Russell is certain he’s found just the distraction he’s looking for. Well, at least until he learns who the lass truly is and the place she’s to hold in his sister’s household.

152 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2012

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78 people want to read

About the author

Ava Stone

126 books227 followers
Ava Stone is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency historical romance and college age New Adult romance. Whether in the 19th Century or the 21st, her books explore deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, with her son and two black and white tuxedo kitty cats. She loves classic movies, researching history, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com

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5 stars
57 (35%)
4 stars
62 (38%)
3 stars
31 (19%)
2 stars
7 (4%)
1 star
5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Patricia.
838 reviews
November 20, 2017
BINGE READING

I confess, I am binge reading this series.
I was, initially, attracted to the covers. They are very peaceful, almost gentle.
But inside! Not sedate! Rascals and mayhem, schemes and conniving, lovers and lasses, escapes to Gretna Green, and the odd special license or two.
This book, like the others, is full of family love and affection. It also has misunderstandings, and pain, and, ultimately, recovery.
It is populated by a wonderful group of characters, who run pell-mell through their scenes, and really impressed me. Someone should make a miniseries...
Profile Image for Molly Plant.
37 reviews
September 9, 2018
Happy ending

I love all of Ava Stone’s books in this series. I can’t seem to get enough of them. This series I feel should be read in order just because you get to meet all the characters over and over in all her books! Up in till this book I felt like Russell. Was getting a bad rap! When he found his true love it melted my heart! You will come to love Russell in this book! Read the series you won’t be disappointed!
Profile Image for ann_zack_cee_am_ann.
294 reviews4 followers
July 20, 2025
Would appreciate the story even more if it didn’t start off with an on page scene of the hero pounding another woman.
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,770 reviews7 followers
October 18, 2020
Loved this entertaining story

Captain Russell Avery- his brother just married his (Russ) fiancee.
Bridgette- leaves Ireland on a request from the countess that her deceased brother knew.
I enjoyed reading this captivating story that is well written with charismatic characters. Their story has a wonderful HEA!
Profile Image for Melody  May (What I'm Reading).
1,488 reviews24 followers
December 19, 2013
Posted on What I'm Reading

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and those who are not in the US happy Thursday. If you have been reading my blogs for the past few months you would know that I'm a huge Ava Stone fan and absolutely love her writing, and adore most of her characters. However, there has been one character I've had the hardest time with and that would be Captain Russell Avery.

I'm really surprise on how soft I went on him in the last review, because if you follow me on twitter I wasn't so nice. I actually really despised him and thought he deserve what he got in the end of The English Lieutenant's Lady. After all he didn't love the girl he was betrothed to and treated her more like an object. Let's be honest that doesn't go over well with me. Without further ado let me share Ava's newest book To Catch a Captain and what I thought of it.

We catch up with Captain Russell Avery at his brother's home not really morning the lost of Phoebe Greywood, but just suffering from a wounded pride. It wasn't like he was in love with the girl, but his pride took a toll. Poor Russ. Sorry he won't get any sympathy from me. Anyways, he meets Bridgett Kelly while staying at his sister's home in Bayhurst Court. Lets just say he was struck by Bridgett appearance.

Now my thoughts. First off, Russ is still not my favorite guy, but he has risen a notch or two. He does have some redeemable qualities in the story. I mean when a guy goes beats up a dude that tried to kill Bridgett, because she happens to be Irish deserves to rise a little. There were times I did burst out laughing at Russ, because I thought they were funny. (Yes, I do have a mean bone in my body). However, I do love Bridgett; I think her character was the sweetest and kindest. I think she is perfect for Russ, even though he has some major flaws. Overall, I thought the book was a sweet story and as painful as it is for me to say this I'm glad Russ found happiness. It was a pretty good read and I hope you get a chance to read Russ' story and the other books in the Heroes Return trilogy.

With all that said, I hope that y'all come back next week to meet Captain Russell Avery as I get to know him better. Maybe he will change my opinion of him as he clears the air of somethings. I hope I didn't scare him off.

Other than that I hope y'all are having a wonderful day and enjoy the stories you are reading.

eARC provided by the author
Profile Image for Judy Lavik.
286 reviews15 followers
March 21, 2015
The bigger they are...

The harder they fall. And Russell Avery is th he biggest womanizer on the continent. He's never been in love, not even with Phoebe, who he was engaged to and treated abominably. When his brother and best friend elopes with her, he's devastated. He doesn't miss Phoebe, though. He misses Russell, who he feels betrayed him.

It's at this point that he meets Bridget. He's attracted to her from the start, but for once he puts someone else before himself and decides to go back to London, far from temptation. But out of sight does not mean out of mind, and Russell eventually comes to the realization that he's in love.
31 reviews
March 16, 2016
This is the 3rd and final book in the heroes returned series, or the 7th book of the scandalous series.
I absolutely love this series and what a great way to conclude a very enjoyable read. Lucky for me (and everyone else), this little world I have grown attached to still continues on in the scandalous series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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