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The Hellions of Havisham #3.5
When the Marquess Falls
The long-anticipated and utterly extraordinary tale of the Mad Marquess that proves love truly does last forever
The Marquess of Marsden always follows the rules. Expected from birth to adhere to decades of tradition, he plans to marry a proper young woman from a good family. But when a beautiful, and completely unsuitable, woman snags his heart, he begins to realize that to get what you want, sometimes you have to break the rules.
Linnie Connor dreams of the independence of running her very own bakery. And while she may be allowed to be a marquess’ childhood companion, the baker's daughter never ends up with the handsome nobleman. Determined to achieve at least one of her dreams, Linnie makes plans to leave her sleepy village for London, intent on purging him from her heart. And yet, when an invitation to the Marsden annual ball arrives, she can't refuse her one chance to waltz in his arms.
It will be a night that stirs the flames of forbidden desires and changes their lives forever.
The Marquess of Marsden always follows the rules. Expected from birth to adhere to decades of tradition, he plans to marry a proper young woman from a good family. But when a beautiful, and completely unsuitable, woman snags his heart, he begins to realize that to get what you want, sometimes you have to break the rules.
Linnie Connor dreams of the independence of running her very own bakery. And while she may be allowed to be a marquess’ childhood companion, the baker's daughter never ends up with the handsome nobleman. Determined to achieve at least one of her dreams, Linnie makes plans to leave her sleepy village for London, intent on purging him from her heart. And yet, when an invitation to the Marsden annual ball arrives, she can't refuse her one chance to waltz in his arms.
It will be a night that stirs the flames of forbidden desires and changes their lives forever.
128 pages, ebook
First published March 14, 2017
231 people are currently reading
2117 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Heath
90 books4,378 followersAlso writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
December 16, 2021
HOW DOES A 130 PAGE NOVELLA MAKE ME CRY??? I love this series so much, and I knew this novella about the father and his dead wife was going to make me emotional. I loved watching them first meet as children. It's a childhood friends to lovers and social class difference romance and it was perfect. One of the best novellas I've ever read. They are obviously in love, but both of them know they can never be together. Marsden decides to invite her to the Christmas ball as a gift to Linnie and they spend a magical night together. He promised his mother, though, that he would court someone of her choice if she invited Linnie. There was so much pining and angst and I loved it. Then, of course there's heartbreak and the foreshadowing in this book broke me. Ughhhhhh I didn't want the ending to happen even though I know what it is since I read the series already. This was just such a perfect addition to the series and I loved it. You HAVE to read this after you've read this series!
March 14, 2017
This story was one of the most depressing I've ever read. In the end it kind of had a happy ending, but still fucking depressing. If you've read the series, you know what I mean.
March 29, 2019
Una historia preciosa, si habéis leído la trilogía sabéis el final, pese a todo Linnie aporta toda la alegria a la novela y su romance con Marsden es de los que me encantan.
Aplaudo a Lorraine Heath por romper con los moldes y traernos este relato tan sencillo, bonito y humano, que habla del amor pero también de la amistad, la lealtad no solo ante los demás sino ante uno mismo
Una pena que ninguna editorial se anime a traducir estos relatos que muchas de nuestras autoras favoritas escriben en honor a algunos de sus personajes.
Aplaudo a Lorraine Heath por romper con los moldes y traernos este relato tan sencillo, bonito y humano, que habla del amor pero también de la amistad, la lealtad no solo ante los demás sino ante uno mismo
Una pena que ninguna editorial se anime a traducir estos relatos que muchas de nuestras autoras favoritas escriben en honor a algunos de sus personajes.
May 29, 2017
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
I knew, when I picked up this coda novella to Lorraine Heath’s Hellions of Havisham series, that I was going to be reduced to a quivering wreck by the end of it. I suppose that’s a considerable achievement on the part of the author – zero-to-sobbing in under 100 pages!
If you’ve read the final book in the trilogy, The Viscount and the Vixen, then you’ll know where When the Marquess Falls is going to end up, but I nonetheless appreciate the fact that Ms. Heath decided to tell the story of Marsden and his Linnie, which is very sweet and very sad – although don’t despair, there IS an HEA (albeit a slightly different sort of one). In terms of the structure, it’s more of a series of vignettes than a cohesively plotted novella, but that format works well here.
By the time we met George St. John, Marquess of Marsden in Falling into Bed with a Duke, he had already lost the love of his life following the birth of their son six years earlier. He stopped all the clocks, stopped caring about anything very much, and acquired the sobriquets the “mad marquess” or “mad Marsden” because the few remaining servants at Havisham Hall often heard him talking to his dead wife.
But it wasn’t always that way – and in this novella, we get to see George and Linnie’s first meeting when he’s twelve and she’s eight, and how, in spite of the massive differences in their stations (he’s a peer, she’s a baker’s daughter) they forge a friendship that remains steadfast as they grow older. By the time they’re in their twenties, friendship isn’t all they want from each other – but nothing else is possible, and in any case, Linnie has plans to move to London and set up a bakery of her own and George must find a suitable lady to marry. The strength of the connection between them is impossible to deny – but finding a way to be together might be just plain impossible.
Ms. Heath paints George and Linnie with broad brushstrokes, but they’re both warm and engaging characters and you are just rooting for them to be together. The glimpses we got of Marsden in The Viscount and the Vixen as a man capable of great charm and warmth are borne out here, as George emerges as an honourable, kind man who is prepared to fly in the face of convention for the woman he loves. And Linnie is… well, she’s a bit too good to be true, to be honest, but she’s lovely; brave, intelligent and loving, it’s easy to see why, after a few years of marriage, she won over all but the biggest sticklers in the neighbourhood.
I enjoyed the story, but given that Lorraine Heath is one of those authors who usually finds a way to rip out my heart and stomp on it, I had to make sure I had the Kleenex handy. If you haven’t read any of the books to which this novella is related, then it won’t make much sense to you – and please take note that even though it is set partly before the Hellions series begins, it’s NOT a prequel.
A quick read, and a nice way to round out the series, When the Marquess Falls really is one for the fans. If you’ve read the series and want to find out a little more about Marsden, then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, but you can leave the series at The Viscount and the Vixen without missing anything.
NB: The final 10% of the Kindle edition is a preview of Ms. Heath’s forthcoming novel, An Affair With a Notorious Heiress.
I knew, when I picked up this coda novella to Lorraine Heath’s Hellions of Havisham series, that I was going to be reduced to a quivering wreck by the end of it. I suppose that’s a considerable achievement on the part of the author – zero-to-sobbing in under 100 pages!
If you’ve read the final book in the trilogy, The Viscount and the Vixen, then you’ll know where When the Marquess Falls is going to end up, but I nonetheless appreciate the fact that Ms. Heath decided to tell the story of Marsden and his Linnie, which is very sweet and very sad – although don’t despair, there IS an HEA (albeit a slightly different sort of one). In terms of the structure, it’s more of a series of vignettes than a cohesively plotted novella, but that format works well here.
By the time we met George St. John, Marquess of Marsden in Falling into Bed with a Duke, he had already lost the love of his life following the birth of their son six years earlier. He stopped all the clocks, stopped caring about anything very much, and acquired the sobriquets the “mad marquess” or “mad Marsden” because the few remaining servants at Havisham Hall often heard him talking to his dead wife.
But it wasn’t always that way – and in this novella, we get to see George and Linnie’s first meeting when he’s twelve and she’s eight, and how, in spite of the massive differences in their stations (he’s a peer, she’s a baker’s daughter) they forge a friendship that remains steadfast as they grow older. By the time they’re in their twenties, friendship isn’t all they want from each other – but nothing else is possible, and in any case, Linnie has plans to move to London and set up a bakery of her own and George must find a suitable lady to marry. The strength of the connection between them is impossible to deny – but finding a way to be together might be just plain impossible.
Ms. Heath paints George and Linnie with broad brushstrokes, but they’re both warm and engaging characters and you are just rooting for them to be together. The glimpses we got of Marsden in The Viscount and the Vixen as a man capable of great charm and warmth are borne out here, as George emerges as an honourable, kind man who is prepared to fly in the face of convention for the woman he loves. And Linnie is… well, she’s a bit too good to be true, to be honest, but she’s lovely; brave, intelligent and loving, it’s easy to see why, after a few years of marriage, she won over all but the biggest sticklers in the neighbourhood.
I enjoyed the story, but given that Lorraine Heath is one of those authors who usually finds a way to rip out my heart and stomp on it, I had to make sure I had the Kleenex handy. If you haven’t read any of the books to which this novella is related, then it won’t make much sense to you – and please take note that even though it is set partly before the Hellions series begins, it’s NOT a prequel.
A quick read, and a nice way to round out the series, When the Marquess Falls really is one for the fans. If you’ve read the series and want to find out a little more about Marsden, then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, but you can leave the series at The Viscount and the Vixen without missing anything.
NB: The final 10% of the Kindle edition is a preview of Ms. Heath’s forthcoming novel, An Affair With a Notorious Heiress.
September 5, 2020
#RetoRita4 #RitaHeath
5 Estrellitas para éste relato corto que me ha encantado en el buen sentido y en el malo. En el buen sentido porque es una historia preciosa muy bien escrita en su brevedad, y en lo malo porque si somos fans de la autora y de su serie "Hellions of Havisham" sabemos del triste desenlace de la misma.
Decidí leer éste relato para el Reto Rita de septiembre de éste año porque no tenía mucho más de Lorraine Heath que leer. He leído todo lo que ha publicado en castellano, y ésta historia es una de las pocas que no había leído y tenía muchísimas ganas.
Advierto que ésta reseña tiene spoilers si no has leído la serie "Hellions of Havisham". Aunque éste relato culmina la serie, en realidad cronológicamente va antes de ésta, pues ésta es la trágica historia del marqués de Marsden y su amada Linnie, los padres de Locksley, el protagonista del tercer libro.
Conocíamos al loco marqués de Marsden por ser el padre y tutor de los protagonistas de ésta trilogía, a la vez que sabíamos por encima las circunstancias de su locura. Marsden amó profundamente a su esposa, y ésta murió de parto, dejándole a su heredero y una gran tristeza y desesperación en su vida.
El relato narra superficialmente cómo George St.John, marqués de Marsden conoció con doce años a Linnie Connor, la hija del panadero del pueblo, el mismo día en que el anterior marqués moría. Desde que George y Linnie se conocieron se amaron, pero siempre supieron que no podían estar juntos por sus diferencias de clases.
Todo da un vuelco en la historia cuando en un baile de Nochebuena, George invita a Linnie. A la marquesa viuda no le hace gracia, sabe de la amistad de su hijo con la hija del panadero, pero George le ha prometido que elegirá novia entre las damas que su madre invite. Pero George no se prenda de ninguna, en éste baile pensaba decirle a Linnie adiós para siempre, pero no es capaz y la pasión estalla entre ellos.
No contaré más, porque no hay mucho más que contar y ya conocemos la historia quienes leímos los otros libros. El relato es maravilloso y complementa la serie, pero aviso que se necesitan pañuelos, porque es muy triste el destino de Linnie y lo que ésta dejó detrás.
Por otro lado, me ha gustado conocer a Ashbury y Greyling, los amigos del marqués de Marsden y los padres de los protagonistas de la trilogía, su trágico accidente, y cómo llegaron los chicos a Havisham Hall.
Me ha gustado muchísimo leer ésta historia pese a su brevedad y tristeza, pero ha sido preciosa y merece la pena. Con libros así estoy segurísima de que seguiré leyendo mucho más de Lorraine Heath.
5 Estrellitas para éste relato corto que me ha encantado en el buen sentido y en el malo. En el buen sentido porque es una historia preciosa muy bien escrita en su brevedad, y en lo malo porque si somos fans de la autora y de su serie "Hellions of Havisham" sabemos del triste desenlace de la misma.
Decidí leer éste relato para el Reto Rita de septiembre de éste año porque no tenía mucho más de Lorraine Heath que leer. He leído todo lo que ha publicado en castellano, y ésta historia es una de las pocas que no había leído y tenía muchísimas ganas.
Advierto que ésta reseña tiene spoilers si no has leído la serie "Hellions of Havisham". Aunque éste relato culmina la serie, en realidad cronológicamente va antes de ésta, pues ésta es la trágica historia del marqués de Marsden y su amada Linnie, los padres de Locksley, el protagonista del tercer libro.
Conocíamos al loco marqués de Marsden por ser el padre y tutor de los protagonistas de ésta trilogía, a la vez que sabíamos por encima las circunstancias de su locura. Marsden amó profundamente a su esposa, y ésta murió de parto, dejándole a su heredero y una gran tristeza y desesperación en su vida.
El relato narra superficialmente cómo George St.John, marqués de Marsden conoció con doce años a Linnie Connor, la hija del panadero del pueblo, el mismo día en que el anterior marqués moría. Desde que George y Linnie se conocieron se amaron, pero siempre supieron que no podían estar juntos por sus diferencias de clases.
Todo da un vuelco en la historia cuando en un baile de Nochebuena, George invita a Linnie. A la marquesa viuda no le hace gracia, sabe de la amistad de su hijo con la hija del panadero, pero George le ha prometido que elegirá novia entre las damas que su madre invite. Pero George no se prenda de ninguna, en éste baile pensaba decirle a Linnie adiós para siempre, pero no es capaz y la pasión estalla entre ellos.
No contaré más, porque no hay mucho más que contar y ya conocemos la historia quienes leímos los otros libros. El relato es maravilloso y complementa la serie, pero aviso que se necesitan pañuelos, porque es muy triste el destino de Linnie y lo que ésta dejó detrás.
Por otro lado, me ha gustado conocer a Ashbury y Greyling, los amigos del marqués de Marsden y los padres de los protagonistas de la trilogía, su trágico accidente, y cómo llegaron los chicos a Havisham Hall.
Me ha gustado muchísimo leer ésta historia pese a su brevedad y tristeza, pero ha sido preciosa y merece la pena. Con libros así estoy segurísima de que seguiré leyendo mucho más de Lorraine Heath.
March 29, 2017
This novella tells the beautiful but bittersweet love story of George, Marquess of Marsden and his beloved Linnie and, having read The Viscount and the Vixen, I knew it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster of a journey.
George and Linnie are childhood friends who fell in love and, despite their very different social positions in life, it is obvious they are meant to be together. I admire how George respects and protects Linnie and I can see why he falls in love with her. She is such a lovely person – optimistic, courageous, caring, kind and just plain fun. It wasn’t hard to believe that, in time, she would have won over the Ton.
Throughout the series, George has always been considered mad, but often his actions are far from those of a madman, especially in his relationships with his charges and his son. He has not only raised them but helped each one in various ways.
Seeing the depth of his love for Linnie, and his intense feelings of grief and despair when he lost her, made me think that perhaps he wasn’t mad at all but suffering from bouts of depression. I like to believe that Linnie did watch over him through the years as she promised, and it was heart-warming to see a kinder, gentler, happier George in The Viscount and the Vixen .
The story is so emotionally moving and, even now, thinking about certain scenes brings tears to my eyes. I think it is a testament to Ms. Heath’s writing that she can evoke such strong feelings.
I love how she made me believe in an everlasting love that transcends even death and gave me a Happy Ever After which, although unconventional, left me with a tearful smile on my face.
Note : I do recommend that you read The Viscount and the Vixen before reading his novella.
MY VERDICT: Such a beautiful, emotional story that will tug at your heartstrings.
Hellions of Havisham series (click on the link for more details):
https://www.goodreads.com/series/152999
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
George and Linnie are childhood friends who fell in love and, despite their very different social positions in life, it is obvious they are meant to be together. I admire how George respects and protects Linnie and I can see why he falls in love with her. She is such a lovely person – optimistic, courageous, caring, kind and just plain fun. It wasn’t hard to believe that, in time, she would have won over the Ton.
Throughout the series, George has always been considered mad, but often his actions are far from those of a madman, especially in his relationships with his charges and his son. He has not only raised them but helped each one in various ways.
Seeing the depth of his love for Linnie, and his intense feelings of grief and despair when he lost her, made me think that perhaps he wasn’t mad at all but suffering from bouts of depression. I like to believe that Linnie did watch over him through the years as she promised, and it was heart-warming to see a kinder, gentler, happier George in The Viscount and the Vixen .
The story is so emotionally moving and, even now, thinking about certain scenes brings tears to my eyes. I think it is a testament to Ms. Heath’s writing that she can evoke such strong feelings.
I love how she made me believe in an everlasting love that transcends even death and gave me a Happy Ever After which, although unconventional, left me with a tearful smile on my face.
Note : I do recommend that you read The Viscount and the Vixen before reading his novella.
MY VERDICT: Such a beautiful, emotional story that will tug at your heartstrings.
Hellions of Havisham series (click on the link for more details):
https://www.goodreads.com/series/152999
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
March 11, 2019
4,5 estrellas.
Me he emocionado, llorado y alegrado todo a la vez. Me ha gustado Marsden y Linnie y su historia que pone broche final a la serie.
Lee la reseña en: http://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/20...
Me he emocionado, llorado y alegrado todo a la vez. Me ha gustado Marsden y Linnie y su historia que pone broche final a la serie.
Lee la reseña en: http://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/20...
December 2, 2017
Como predije.... lloré con el final.
January 17, 2021
Linnie and George. I could feel the love in this one. Cried so hard I could not see the words at one point. A very romantic story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2017
If you’ve read The Viscount and the Vixen, you know how this story is going to end. And if you haven’t, you really need to, because without it, you’ll miss the perspective that is part of what makes this so compelling. It’s a love story that you know ends in tragedy… at least in a way. But what a lovely story it is. One that made me cry buckets for the last 10 minutes.
This is a prequel to the Hellions of Havisham trilogy and tells the story of how the Marquess of Marsden meets the love of his life. We know him as an old man, driven mad by the loss of his wife in the other books, but here we see George as realizes his feelings for Linnie, the baker’s daughter, and struggles with the seeming impossibility of them being together.
I loved how these two nurtured their bond as they grew up childhood friends. I loved how they loved each other even though a future was forbidden. Each stolen moment was precious. And I had so many feels when they finally bucked convention and chose a life with each other.
The final few chapters take us through heartbreak, but the end is bittersweet. Big kudos to Lorraine Heath for taking me on such an emotional journey in such a short time.
I would definitely recommend this one, but only if you’ve read the book before it and only if you’ve got a box of Kleenex handy. You’re going to need it.
Rating: A
*ARC provided by Avon
This is a prequel to the Hellions of Havisham trilogy and tells the story of how the Marquess of Marsden meets the love of his life. We know him as an old man, driven mad by the loss of his wife in the other books, but here we see George as realizes his feelings for Linnie, the baker’s daughter, and struggles with the seeming impossibility of them being together.
I loved how these two nurtured their bond as they grew up childhood friends. I loved how they loved each other even though a future was forbidden. Each stolen moment was precious. And I had so many feels when they finally bucked convention and chose a life with each other.
The final few chapters take us through heartbreak, but the end is bittersweet. Big kudos to Lorraine Heath for taking me on such an emotional journey in such a short time.
I would definitely recommend this one, but only if you’ve read the book before it and only if you’ve got a box of Kleenex handy. You’re going to need it.
Rating: A
*ARC provided by Avon
March 26, 2017
4.5 Stars
"When The Marquess Falls' by Lorraine Heath is book 3.5 in the "The Hellions of Havisham" series. This is a novella covering how George who is the Marquess of Marsden and was the 'Mad' guardian who took care of the kids that became men in the "Hellions of Havisham' series. This shows us how George and Linnie meet and married. Through out the series you understood that George was taken care of his son and the boys that were left to him in a guardianship but at the same time was missing his wife that had past.
This book was a sad story but yet a happy one that I am glad I went forward and read.
"When The Marquess Falls' by Lorraine Heath is book 3.5 in the "The Hellions of Havisham" series. This is a novella covering how George who is the Marquess of Marsden and was the 'Mad' guardian who took care of the kids that became men in the "Hellions of Havisham' series. This shows us how George and Linnie meet and married. Through out the series you understood that George was taken care of his son and the boys that were left to him in a guardianship but at the same time was missing his wife that had past.
This book was a sad story but yet a happy one that I am glad I went forward and read.
July 29, 2025
3.75 estrellas
aunque ya sabía la historia de George y Linnie, me ha gustado bastante... ha sido mejor que el anterior libro.
aunque ya sabía la historia de George y Linnie, me ha gustado bastante... ha sido mejor que el anterior libro.
April 16, 2018
Realmente, de verdad, se merece muchas más estrellas por cómo ha terminado la historia y cerrar el circulo con ella.
Pero no se lo doy porque mi parte romántica, la que siempre quiere un final feliz, no lo puede dar.
Porque, mirad. He estado todo el libro con una llorera y una sonrisa en mi cara. Casi un paquete de pañuelos he gastado. Pero aún con todo, no he parado de disfrutar y de conoce por fin a Linnie. Que me ha conquistado absolutamente.
Y bueno, George, por favor. No me extraña que salieran sus hijos tan maravillosos como él. Porque sí, los cuatro son hijos suyos.
Muy muy muy bonito pero también muy duro, por supuesto.
Pero no se lo doy porque mi parte romántica, la que siempre quiere un final feliz, no lo puede dar.
Porque, mirad. He estado todo el libro con una llorera y una sonrisa en mi cara. Casi un paquete de pañuelos he gastado. Pero aún con todo, no he parado de disfrutar y de conoce por fin a Linnie. Que me ha conquistado absolutamente.
Y bueno, George, por favor. No me extraña que salieran sus hijos tan maravillosos como él. Porque sí, los cuatro son hijos suyos.
Muy muy muy bonito pero también muy duro, por supuesto.
March 14, 2017
i cried
December 12, 2024
"When the Marquess Falls" by Lorraine Heath, a part of the Hellions of Havisham series
.
Cover: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, fade out, mentioned instances)
Ending: HEA x2 in an unexpected way
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Series or Stand Alone: You could read this as a stand alone but would get the most out of it in a series. However, this would make for a truly unexpected Christmas novella. If you have not read at least the third book of the series, it might shock you how this title has a double HEA.
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England, Victorian Era (1834-1887)
Love Smitten Marquess
Lovely Baker's Daughter
Unexpected Christmas Novella
Childhood Friends
Class Difference
Double HEA
Eternal Love
Friends to Lovers
Christmas Ball
.
I was not prepared for this novella. At all. This was truly an unexpected read. Having read the Hellions of Havisham series, I was familiar with some of Marsden's story. I was so pleased that Heath gave readers a chance to find out his full story. This is a truly unexpected Christmas novella that wasn't, or at least I think wasn't, intended to be a traditional Christmas novella. This novella has truly stuck with me as the storyline is just gut-wrenching. No one can emotionally break me like Auntie Lorraine.
The novella stays focused on the main plotline without major interference with side plots. However, we get to learn more about how the Hellion's parents all met which was a true delight! This title offers little to no angst and sports a most unexpected HEA within an HEA. I cried because I just wasn't expecting much out of such a short novella when I *thought* I knew how it would end. A double HEA? Wow. I can't give away spoilers here. You will simply need to read this one.
Readers of the entire series will enjoy Linnie's premonitions of the future which was such a marvelous touch.
As for steam, Heath brings the passion and longing between two friends turned lovers. While their love story is rather sweet, rest assured their steam scenes are far from sugary. Heath largely uses non-explicit language.
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Read as a self-purchased physical book. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of father (off page)
Marital Infidelity (off page- not MCs)
De*th of spouse (off page)
Maternal abandonment (off page)
Verbal threat of S.A (on page, not between MCs)
Use of derogatory term for Roma people (on page)
De*th of parents (off page)
De*th in childbirth (on page, with details)
Depression (on page)
Excessive drinking (off page)
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Cover: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, fade out, mentioned instances)
Ending: HEA x2 in an unexpected way
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Series or Stand Alone: You could read this as a stand alone but would get the most out of it in a series. However, this would make for a truly unexpected Christmas novella. If you have not read at least the third book of the series, it might shock you how this title has a double HEA.
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England, Victorian Era (1834-1887)
Love Smitten Marquess
Lovely Baker's Daughter
Unexpected Christmas Novella
Childhood Friends
Class Difference
Double HEA
Eternal Love
Friends to Lovers
Christmas Ball
.
I was not prepared for this novella. At all. This was truly an unexpected read. Having read the Hellions of Havisham series, I was familiar with some of Marsden's story. I was so pleased that Heath gave readers a chance to find out his full story. This is a truly unexpected Christmas novella that wasn't, or at least I think wasn't, intended to be a traditional Christmas novella. This novella has truly stuck with me as the storyline is just gut-wrenching. No one can emotionally break me like Auntie Lorraine.
The novella stays focused on the main plotline without major interference with side plots. However, we get to learn more about how the Hellion's parents all met which was a true delight! This title offers little to no angst and sports a most unexpected HEA within an HEA. I cried because I just wasn't expecting much out of such a short novella when I *thought* I knew how it would end. A double HEA? Wow. I can't give away spoilers here. You will simply need to read this one.
Readers of the entire series will enjoy Linnie's premonitions of the future which was such a marvelous touch.
As for steam, Heath brings the passion and longing between two friends turned lovers. While their love story is rather sweet, rest assured their steam scenes are far from sugary. Heath largely uses non-explicit language.
.
Read as a self-purchased physical book. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of father (off page)
Marital Infidelity (off page- not MCs)
De*th of spouse (off page)
Maternal abandonment (off page)
Verbal threat of S.A (on page, not between MCs)
Use of derogatory term for Roma people (on page)
De*th of parents (off page)
De*th in childbirth (on page, with details)
Depression (on page)
Excessive drinking (off page)
October 11, 2022
Solo es una novella y me habría gustado más que hubiera sido un libro completo, pero no me quejo, bastante ha hecho con darnos esto. Un libro bonito, tierno y con mucho sentimiento. A pesar de saber desde The Viscount and the Vixen lo que iba a suceder lo he sentido igual que si me hubiera pillado de primeras.
Mi primera serie de Lorraine Heath ha superado mis expectativas, así que habrá que seguir leyendo ;)
Mi primera serie de Lorraine Heath ha superado mis expectativas, así que habrá que seguir leyendo ;)
February 19, 2017
That was the perfect ending to this series! Even though I knew how it would all end (with me in tears), it was nice getting to know Linnie. <3
May 19, 2022
This book’s plot was too fast for my liking. Preferred that Lorraine Heath elaborated more on the time they spent together as children, how their friendship turned into love as they became adults. It felt very rushed as it was not explained.
The only conflict that this book seemed to have was the differences in Linnie’s and George’s positions as commoner and nobility. It quickly got out of the way and their love won the day. Too little conflict, which made their love seem easy to obtain.
The last few chapters broke my heart. Had me tearing up again, just like the ending of The Viscount and The Vixen had me tearing up. A heartbreaking book about love that lasts even after one has gone.
The only conflict that this book seemed to have was the differences in Linnie’s and George’s positions as commoner and nobility. It quickly got out of the way and their love won the day. Too little conflict, which made their love seem easy to obtain.
The last few chapters broke my heart. Had me tearing up again, just like the ending of The Viscount and The Vixen had me tearing up. A heartbreaking book about love that lasts even after one has gone.
January 4, 2022
Dayum! I didn't read the reviews and haven't read any of the other books in this series, and was SO not prepared for what happened. :( Ms. Heath hit my reading slump right outta the park with this one.
January 29, 2025
Just tear my heart out why don’t you!
June 8, 2019
3 Unbalanced Stars
The Marquess of Marsden (in other books referred to as the Mad Marquess) and Linnie Connor (the daughter of the village baker) are childhood friends, there social stations are a wrench that keeps their relationship one of friendship once they reach adulthood, yet both are clearly in love with one another. What I liked was that the Marquess loves Linnie enough not to take advantage of her, he feels he cannot make her promises of marriage and so appeases himself with an unwavering bond of friendship. What I didn’t like is the fact they were both ready to part ways as friends (I know their thoughts/actions were probably more realistic, but the romantic in me wanted them to fight to be together). That brings me to an issue I had with how things progressed – the Marquess deciding,
I don’t know how I feel about this book – on one hand it was a sweet and soft romance, but then , it seriously was not what I was expecting, and part of me was thinking what the hell?!
Also considering the route the author took, I was expecting more emotional intensity, and that I would feel choked up (I cry when watching sad TV movies and sometimes with sad commercials), but that didn’t happen – rather I was a little baffled by the trajectory the story took and how soft the emotions emanating from the pages were. Plus – I didn’t hate the path the author took, but neither did I like/love it.
Whether I will re-read this – I honestly have no clue, still digesting the weird trajectory things took, and the softness in tone that ran throughout the book, even where one (I) would expect emotional intensity.
The Marquess of Marsden (in other books referred to as the Mad Marquess) and Linnie Connor (the daughter of the village baker) are childhood friends, there social stations are a wrench that keeps their relationship one of friendship once they reach adulthood, yet both are clearly in love with one another. What I liked was that the Marquess loves Linnie enough not to take advantage of her, he feels he cannot make her promises of marriage and so appeases himself with an unwavering bond of friendship. What I didn’t like is the fact they were both ready to part ways as friends (I know their thoughts/actions were probably more realistic, but the romantic in me wanted them to fight to be together). That brings me to an issue I had with how things progressed – the Marquess deciding,
I don’t know how I feel about this book – on one hand it was a sweet and soft romance, but then , it seriously was not what I was expecting, and part of me was thinking what the hell?!
Also considering the route the author took, I was expecting more emotional intensity, and that I would feel choked up (I cry when watching sad TV movies and sometimes with sad commercials), but that didn’t happen – rather I was a little baffled by the trajectory the story took and how soft the emotions emanating from the pages were. Plus – I didn’t hate the path the author took, but neither did I like/love it.
Whether I will re-read this – I honestly have no clue, still digesting the weird trajectory things took, and the softness in tone that ran throughout the book, even where one (I) would expect emotional intensity.
August 20, 2017
This is the story of the Marquess of Marsden, "mad" father from The Viscount and the Vixen, who falls in love with Linnie Connor, the baker's daughter. After LOTS of angst about knocking boots with someone of a different class, there's a public proposal, death, and ghosts.
1. Yeah, this was kind of a mess.
2. Yeah, a public proposal 100% resolves all the nonsense conflicts between a Marquess and a baker's daughter absolutely. EYE ROLL.
3. So this story is, allegedly, a non-traditional romance in that Linnie, happily married, dies during childbirth while still a young woman. Marsden, as readers might remember, lives on for many years, convinced that Linnie is haunting the grounds. This, to me, is an interesting story to tell. How does a man deal with the loss of his beloved wife? How does he move on with his life? What does mourning look like, when captured through the lens of Romantic True Love?
Unfortunately, When the Marquess Falls is kind of stupidly traditional. The will-they-won't-they angst over their different stations in life takes up 72% of the novella. He can't marry her because she's a baker's daughter, but he loves her and wants her. She can't marry him because he's a Marquess, but she loves him and wants him. UGH: it's a waste of page count when the audience already knows what's coming: THEY GET MARRIED AND SHE DIES. GET TO THE GOOD STUFF—AND FOR ONCE I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SEX.
And leaving so little of the book to dealing with the fallout of Linnie's death and Marsden's grief is also extremely frustrating. He drinks until he sees her ghost and then he's comforted! ...OK? I guess if what you're trying to tell us is that you're bored with this story and want to get it over with as soon as possible, I'll go along with it because any other reason is just garbage.
4. An easy skip.
1. Yeah, this was kind of a mess.
2. Yeah, a public proposal 100% resolves all the nonsense conflicts between a Marquess and a baker's daughter absolutely. EYE ROLL.
3. So this story is, allegedly, a non-traditional romance in that Linnie, happily married, dies during childbirth while still a young woman. Marsden, as readers might remember, lives on for many years, convinced that Linnie is haunting the grounds. This, to me, is an interesting story to tell. How does a man deal with the loss of his beloved wife? How does he move on with his life? What does mourning look like, when captured through the lens of Romantic True Love?
Unfortunately, When the Marquess Falls is kind of stupidly traditional. The will-they-won't-they angst over their different stations in life takes up 72% of the novella. He can't marry her because she's a baker's daughter, but he loves her and wants her. She can't marry him because he's a Marquess, but she loves him and wants him. UGH: it's a waste of page count when the audience already knows what's coming: THEY GET MARRIED AND SHE DIES. GET TO THE GOOD STUFF—AND FOR ONCE I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SEX.
And leaving so little of the book to dealing with the fallout of Linnie's death and Marsden's grief is also extremely frustrating. He drinks until he sees her ghost and then he's comforted! ...OK? I guess if what you're trying to tell us is that you're bored with this story and want to get it over with as soon as possible, I'll go along with it because any other reason is just garbage.
4. An easy skip.
July 14, 2025
Even knowing the ending, I cried like a baby. What a beautiful story. Marsden was my favorite of all.
August 23, 2024
I did not expect such a short novella to be so heartbreaking and sad 😭
4 stars 🌟
4 stars 🌟
October 15, 2020
“Don’t become bitter with regrets, George. Celebrate what we had. Teach our son to love. See that he’s happy.”
He nodded. She was right. He needed to carry on. For Killian’s sake. Killian St. John, Viscount Locksley. The precious heir she’d given him. “I miss you, Linnie, so damned much.”
“I know, but I’m not so far away.”
This book made me choke up several times, which I wasn't expecting. I knew it would be sad, as we met the Marquess in book one of the Hellions of Havisham series... but dang. This was a short novella but it packed such a punch.
SUMMARY
George, the Marquess of Marsden, met Linnie, the baker's daughter, when he was 12 and she was 8. She was a constant source of comfort and love and friendship. As they got older, they both fell deeply in love - though they knew they couldn't be together due to their class differences.
It's just before Christmastime, and Marsden has returned home with his best friends - the Duke of Ashebury and the Earl of Greyling. His mother is throwing a Christmas ball and wants Marsden to pick a wife... he says he will consider one of the eligible women she's invited if he invites Linnie as well, so he can gift her one perfect night before they part.
THOUGHTS
This love story is bittersweet, because of the ending that - if you have read any of the Hellions of Havisham books - you know is coming. I'm going to assume it's common knowledge but - anything below this is a potential for spoilers.
I don't even know where to start. How about the fact that we meet both the elder Ashebury and Greyling? Their sons are who the Hellions of Havisham series is about. Seeing them joke and interact much as their sons did was heartbreaking because we know that Ashebury and Greyling (and their wives) were killed in a train accident before their sons turned 10.
And Linnie... just a perfect, sweet heroine. Novellas really work best for me when the groundwork of the relationship is there, and this one had that as they have been friends for over a decade. Setting it around Christmastime was just an added bonus to seeing them fall in love and marry. We all knew it was coming... but of course, Linnie passes away in childbirth of her and Locke's only child, Killian - Viscount Locksley.
From the Hellions of Havisham series, we know that the Marquess of Marsden is considered "mad" as he can 'hear' Linnie in the wind of the moors at their home. This has caused him to pause the clocks in the house on the time of her death, her room has been boarded up, and he has few servants to tend to the large home. In this book, we see it from his point of view - that he has visions of Linnie. Whether they're really him communicating with her spirit or him going crazy we don't know, but I'd like to believe he was able to communicate with her - if only so he wasn't lonely as he waited to join her over 35 years after her death.
Can you blame me for crying??
Not to mention the callback to his and Linnie's conversation before they got married, when she said she saw him having four sons - two dark haired, two fair. And he remembered this after the orphaned sons of Ashebury and Greyling were delivered.
What the devil was he going to do with four boys?
I see you with four strapping sons.
The memory of those words was like a sharp kick to the center of his chest. Linnie could not have been referring to these boys. A woman with wide hips was supposed to give him sons. Not death.
But he knew in his heart that he would never again take a wife, that he would never again lie with another woman, that he wouldn’t fill another with his seed. The reality was that Linnie had seen him with four sons. And the last of them had just been delivered.
Lastly - Sarah. The fact that the maid he hired to help Linnie get ready for the Christmas ball stayed on year after year and to help raise the boys... yes, I choked up again at that. Especially when Marsden says that he made the mistake of asking some servants if they could see Linnie and they thought him mad, which is why no one wanted to work for him anymore.
This book broke my heart but I'm okay with it.
March 15, 2017
that ending :(
March 15, 2017
Not the usual happily ever after.
When the Marquess Falls can be read as a prequel to this series, before, or after, The Viscount and the Vixen. You can also read this novella as a standalone.
Lorraine Heath is a skilled author that writes outstanding emotional scenes. Her characters are likable, complex and original. Linnie was almost too perfect, not really a flawed character, unless you count how improper it would be to be seen and keep a relationship with a titled peer. George was marvelous, such sweet and devoted hero.
Warning: It has a sad ending, if you’ve read the third book in the series you know what happened. But at the same time, don’t worry, you’ll find a HEA. A bittersweet and romantic friends to lovers story.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
October 9, 2020
Que belleza de libro, me encanto, una historia totalmente diferente, un amor que nació en la infancia, el Márquez de Marsden se enamoro perdidamente de su amiga Linnie la hija del panadero del pueblo más cercano, durante años su amistad lejos de ser un impedimento social fue lo más real que George conoció, pero cuando Linnie le comunico su sueño de abrir una panadería en Londres George sintió que debía hacer algo por ella como despedida, así que le regalo una noche de ensueño invitándola al baile de navidad que la Marquesa viuda deba para la aristocracia de los alrededores, esa noche fue la más mágica para Linnie, pues ambos se revelaron el amor que sentían. Una petición de su madre impedía que George se casara con una plebeya la cual reunía todos los atributos que él buscaba en una esposa, sin embargo lejos de conseguir en un abultado grupo de damas aristocráticas la esposa ideal George decidió que era mas fuerte su deseo de casarse por amor asi que le pidió a Linnie fuera su esposa.
Recomendado este libro corto , el primero que leo de esta autora.
Recomendado este libro corto , el primero que leo de esta autora.
January 17, 2018
What's with these ridiculous book covers?
When the Marquess Falls takes place throughout all three The Hellions of Havisham books.
It starts before them and I knew it's going to be hard to go through some of the happiest moments in this story because I know what happens next.
Then it moves on to the first book, when the three boys came to live with their guardian and his son.
The last part, though the most heart breaking, was the easiest to read because everything that was supposed to happen, did. At first I thought it would have been better to read it as a prequel, but I changed my mind. It is right where it should be.
When the Marquess Falls takes place throughout all three The Hellions of Havisham books.
It starts before them and I knew it's going to be hard to go through some of the happiest moments in this story because I know what happens next.
Then it moves on to the first book, when the three boys came to live with their guardian and his son.
The last part, though the most heart breaking, was the easiest to read because everything that was supposed to happen, did. At first I thought it would have been better to read it as a prequel, but I changed my mind. It is right where it should be.
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