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Hadrian: Lord of Hope
Hadrian Bothwell was never an excellent fit with a religious calling, so when his titled brother asks him to take over running the family estate, Hadrian gives up vicaring and returns to Cumberland. He’s spent years thinking of Lady Avis Portmaine as the woman he should have fought for, but he finds Avis has become a recluse on the neighboring estate, socially shunned, and more unavailable than ever.
If Hadrian wants to win the lady’s heart, he must first win her freedom from the past that continues to torment her.
If Hadrian wants to win the lady’s heart, he must first win her freedom from the past that continues to torment her.
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Published June 10, 2014
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About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,914 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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November 23, 2014
There are so darn many Lonely Lords (12 and counting) that I have trouble remembering how they're all related. Grace Burrowes has kindly put up a"family tree" for this series, but she needs to update it, because it stops with book 10. So, in case you don't remember either, here's the connection. Our heroine, Lady Avis Portmaine, is the older sister of Lady Alexandra Portmaine, the heroine in Ethan: Lord of Scandals. Twelve years earlier, the sisters survived a brutal attack by the local bully, and after recovering from her physical injuries, Lady Alexandra fled from home and worked as a governess. Lady Avis, however, chose to stay at home and run the family's Cumberland estate for her two absent brothers.
Lady Avis, who lives with her paid companion, Lily Prentiss, has become almost a recluse, partly because she is still traumatized from her experience and also because she continues to endure hurtful gossip from her neighbors, some of whom blame her for the attack and consider her a wanton woman. Her closest friend is her steward, Ashton Fenwick ("Fen"), a bonny, braw Scotsman whose overly flirtatious manner scandalizes the prim Miss Prentiss. (I foresee a Lonely Lord book in the offing here.)
As the book opens, Hadrian Bothwell (a secondary character in The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2)) has put his clergyman's vestments away and returned to his Cumberland home, which is the ancestral estate of his elder brother, Harold Bothwell, Viscount Landover. The unmarried Harold has wanderlust and has summoned Hadrian home to take his place as master of Landover. For reasons of his own, Harold plans never to marry and never to return, so Hadrian will be viscount in all but name.
Hadrian is a good and true gentle-man, a childless widower who was never entirely comfortable as a priest. He knows that he has a lot to learn about running an estate, so he throws himself into the lambing, and shearing, and harvesting, along the way forming a prickly friendship with Fen. As in several of her previous books, Burrowes creates a vivid, entertaining story of male bonding, a sort of secondary "romance," if you will.
Hadrian and Avis had been close in their younger years, perhaps on the verge of a true romance, but that was shattered by the attack. As the two become close once again, Hadrian is puzzled by the continuing hostility toward Avis, and he eventually realizes that someone is keeping the gossip alive, even after twelve years. When that person begins to threaten Avis, and even Hadrian himself, he and Fen decide to track down the source of these threats. This mystery aspect to the plot is fairly well done, although I did think that Lady Avis's reaction was a tad irrational. Given all that she had endured, however, perhaps that can be excused.
The growing romance between Lady Avis and Hadrian is beautifully written. These characters come alive, and there really is not a false note in the entire story. This is where Burrowes excels in so many of her books. Her other great talent is a masterful, sometimes lyrical, use of the English language. Each of the principal and secondary characters is well drawn, believeable, and largely true to the period. (Hadrian's and Avis's acceptance of Harold's homosexuality is probably not true to the period, but Hadrian's struggle to come to terms with it is quite well done.)
Although this book is part of the series, it works very well as a stand-alone story. All of the background that the reader needs to know is worked into the story. And fans of Devlin St. Just (hero of The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2)) will enjoy his cameo appearance.
I have read all of the Lonely Lords titles, and it has been a hit-or-miss series for me. Hadrian: Lord of Hope is one of the best, and I recommend it.
Lady Avis, who lives with her paid companion, Lily Prentiss, has become almost a recluse, partly because she is still traumatized from her experience and also because she continues to endure hurtful gossip from her neighbors, some of whom blame her for the attack and consider her a wanton woman. Her closest friend is her steward, Ashton Fenwick ("Fen"), a bonny, braw Scotsman whose overly flirtatious manner scandalizes the prim Miss Prentiss. (I foresee a Lonely Lord book in the offing here.)
As the book opens, Hadrian Bothwell (a secondary character in The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2)) has put his clergyman's vestments away and returned to his Cumberland home, which is the ancestral estate of his elder brother, Harold Bothwell, Viscount Landover. The unmarried Harold has wanderlust and has summoned Hadrian home to take his place as master of Landover. For reasons of his own, Harold plans never to marry and never to return, so Hadrian will be viscount in all but name.
Hadrian is a good and true gentle-man, a childless widower who was never entirely comfortable as a priest. He knows that he has a lot to learn about running an estate, so he throws himself into the lambing, and shearing, and harvesting, along the way forming a prickly friendship with Fen. As in several of her previous books, Burrowes creates a vivid, entertaining story of male bonding, a sort of secondary "romance," if you will.
Hadrian and Avis had been close in their younger years, perhaps on the verge of a true romance, but that was shattered by the attack. As the two become close once again, Hadrian is puzzled by the continuing hostility toward Avis, and he eventually realizes that someone is keeping the gossip alive, even after twelve years. When that person begins to threaten Avis, and even Hadrian himself, he and Fen decide to track down the source of these threats. This mystery aspect to the plot is fairly well done, although I did think that Lady Avis's reaction was a tad irrational. Given all that she had endured, however, perhaps that can be excused.
The growing romance between Lady Avis and Hadrian is beautifully written. These characters come alive, and there really is not a false note in the entire story. This is where Burrowes excels in so many of her books. Her other great talent is a masterful, sometimes lyrical, use of the English language. Each of the principal and secondary characters is well drawn, believeable, and largely true to the period. (Hadrian's and Avis's acceptance of Harold's homosexuality is probably not true to the period, but Hadrian's struggle to come to terms with it is quite well done.)
Although this book is part of the series, it works very well as a stand-alone story. All of the background that the reader needs to know is worked into the story. And fans of Devlin St. Just (hero of The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2)) will enjoy his cameo appearance.
I have read all of the Lonely Lords titles, and it has been a hit-or-miss series for me. Hadrian: Lord of Hope is one of the best, and I recommend it.
August 11, 2016
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.
Readers who have followed Grace Burrowes’ Lonely Lords from the beginning may recall the heroine of this book – Lady Avis Portmaine - as the sister of the heroine of the third, Ethan: Lord of Scandals. In that story, we learned that governess Alice Portman (in reality Lady Alexandra Portmaine) had been injured during her escape from a brutal attack on her and her sister, and that Avis had been cruelly and viciously violated by the man to whom she had been engaged.
In Hadrian: Lord of Hope we finally meet Lady Avis, who resides quietly at her brother’s estate in Cumberland. In the twelve years since the attack, she has put her life back together as best she can, but spiteful gossip continues to abound; there are still those who blame her for what happened to her and who consider her to be a whore and “no better than she should be”.
Hadrian Bothwell is Avis’ old friend and neighbour. His brother, Harold, Viscount Landover, had given shelter to both sisters on that fateful day, following Hadrian’s discovery of Avis, bruised and battered. The brothers took care of the girls until they were well enough to be removed to the care of their brothers and their own home.
Hadrian is a loving, gentle man, whose determination, at the age of eighteen, to take holy orders was not a decision endorsed by his brother. Following a decade spent as the vicar of St. Michaels of the Sword in Yorkshire, and now a widower, Hadrian returns to Landover to take up the reins of the estate at Harold’s request. Eight years Hadrian’s senior, Harold has spent most of his life managing the estate and doing his duty by the land, but he has never been completely happy. Hadrian is his heir, and will remain so, given that Harold is leaving England in order to make a life abroad with the love of his life, Lord James Finch, a man with whom he has had a very discreet relationship for a number of years. Harold and Hadrian have no other family, and Hadrian is already feeling the wrench of parting very keenly. He is pleased that his brother has found someone who makes him happy, but is ambivalent about his choice of partner. He doesn’t condemn Harold (which may not be a particularly historically accurate reaction), but is nonetheless angry at Finch for taking his brother away from him.
As the story progresses, it emerges that Avis and Hadrian had been on the verge of something more than friendship all those years ago before Hadrian’s departure for University. He had written to her, making his feelings clear and asking her to wait for him – but never received any responses to his letters. Several years later, he married the youngest daughter of a fellow clergyman who, it turned out, had no real desire to be married to him. Hadrian, a man with a lot of love to give, found himself trapped in a relationship with a woman who clearly had more of an eye to his wealth and station as heir to a viscount than any feelings for him as a man.
Hadrian and Avis renew their friendship, finding those youthful feelings quickly re-awakening. As their relationship progresses to something more, Hadrian comes to realise that while Avis may have been able to rebuild her life since the attack, she is still imprisoned by the attitude of the majority of the local community. She is regarded as a pariah, as unchaste and an unfitting mate for any man, let alone a handsome, wealthy heir to a viscountcy. Hadrian is, however, puzzled by the fact that there is still such vitriol being heaped upon Avis after twelve years. Gossip – even about such a truly terrible thing – is eventually supplanted by tittle-tattle about something else, but that doesn’t seem to have happened. Someone is keeping the scandal alive – and when that someone threatens others and overshadows Hadrian’s and Avis’ future happiness, it becomes imperative to find out just who that someone is.
Hadrian has a gentle, elegiac feel to it, which suits absolutely this story of a second chance at love by two people who have suffered in very different ways. I have yet to read all the books in this series, but in a couple I’ve found myself a little dissatisfied with certain elements. In Gabriel: Lord of Regrets, the secondary mystery was poorly developed, and in Nicholas: Lord of Secrets, the reasons keeping the central characters apart were flimsy, at best. Here, however, that is not the case. The mystery element is constructed efficiently and isn’t allowed to overshadow the development of the romance. Avis’ reasons for wanting to keep Hadrian at a distance make sense, and even though perhaps she does over-react a little, given her past experiences, I think she can be forgiven for it.
As with so many of the other books in this series – and her books in general – Ms Burrowes has not only written a tender romance, she has penned another of those close male friendships at which she also excels. Avis’ steward, Ashton Fenwick, and Hadrian are initially wary of each other, Hadrian mistrusting Fen’s casual, openly flirtatious manner towards Avis and Fen being wary of the interloper. Yet they bond over horseflesh, sheep-shearing, hay-gathering, the depth of their friendship lying comfortably beneath the barbs and veiled insults with which they frequently regale each other. In fact, I was reminded somewhat of the friendship between Beckman Haddonfield and Gabriel North in Beckman: Lord of Sins (fourth in the series), which is probably my favourite of its type in all of Ms Burrowes’ rapidly expanding oeuvre.
Hadrian is beautifully written; the author’s style is lush and almost musical at times, and while I can agree with some of the criticisms I see levelled at her books (a degree of repetition and the intrusion of various Americanisms) I certainly won’t decry her wonderful use of language, or her ability to write a story in which the emotions are deeply felt and which really speak to the reader. The characterisations of all the principal characters are strong, although Avis’ companion was perhaps drawn a little heavy-handedly; and I liked the way she portrayed Harold and the glimpses we got of his relationship with his lover.
I believe Hadrian is the last of the Lonely Lords – for now. Ms Burrowes has stated on her website that she has plans for at least three more books in the series. Perhaps the delay will enable me to catch up with the half-dozen I’ve yet to read. If they’re all as good as this one, I’ve got some enjoyable reading matter stored up on my Kindle.
Readers who have followed Grace Burrowes’ Lonely Lords from the beginning may recall the heroine of this book – Lady Avis Portmaine - as the sister of the heroine of the third, Ethan: Lord of Scandals. In that story, we learned that governess Alice Portman (in reality Lady Alexandra Portmaine) had been injured during her escape from a brutal attack on her and her sister, and that Avis had been cruelly and viciously violated by the man to whom she had been engaged.
In Hadrian: Lord of Hope we finally meet Lady Avis, who resides quietly at her brother’s estate in Cumberland. In the twelve years since the attack, she has put her life back together as best she can, but spiteful gossip continues to abound; there are still those who blame her for what happened to her and who consider her to be a whore and “no better than she should be”.
Hadrian Bothwell is Avis’ old friend and neighbour. His brother, Harold, Viscount Landover, had given shelter to both sisters on that fateful day, following Hadrian’s discovery of Avis, bruised and battered. The brothers took care of the girls until they were well enough to be removed to the care of their brothers and their own home.
Hadrian is a loving, gentle man, whose determination, at the age of eighteen, to take holy orders was not a decision endorsed by his brother. Following a decade spent as the vicar of St. Michaels of the Sword in Yorkshire, and now a widower, Hadrian returns to Landover to take up the reins of the estate at Harold’s request. Eight years Hadrian’s senior, Harold has spent most of his life managing the estate and doing his duty by the land, but he has never been completely happy. Hadrian is his heir, and will remain so, given that Harold is leaving England in order to make a life abroad with the love of his life, Lord James Finch, a man with whom he has had a very discreet relationship for a number of years. Harold and Hadrian have no other family, and Hadrian is already feeling the wrench of parting very keenly. He is pleased that his brother has found someone who makes him happy, but is ambivalent about his choice of partner. He doesn’t condemn Harold (which may not be a particularly historically accurate reaction), but is nonetheless angry at Finch for taking his brother away from him.
As the story progresses, it emerges that Avis and Hadrian had been on the verge of something more than friendship all those years ago before Hadrian’s departure for University. He had written to her, making his feelings clear and asking her to wait for him – but never received any responses to his letters. Several years later, he married the youngest daughter of a fellow clergyman who, it turned out, had no real desire to be married to him. Hadrian, a man with a lot of love to give, found himself trapped in a relationship with a woman who clearly had more of an eye to his wealth and station as heir to a viscount than any feelings for him as a man.
Hadrian and Avis renew their friendship, finding those youthful feelings quickly re-awakening. As their relationship progresses to something more, Hadrian comes to realise that while Avis may have been able to rebuild her life since the attack, she is still imprisoned by the attitude of the majority of the local community. She is regarded as a pariah, as unchaste and an unfitting mate for any man, let alone a handsome, wealthy heir to a viscountcy. Hadrian is, however, puzzled by the fact that there is still such vitriol being heaped upon Avis after twelve years. Gossip – even about such a truly terrible thing – is eventually supplanted by tittle-tattle about something else, but that doesn’t seem to have happened. Someone is keeping the scandal alive – and when that someone threatens others and overshadows Hadrian’s and Avis’ future happiness, it becomes imperative to find out just who that someone is.
Hadrian has a gentle, elegiac feel to it, which suits absolutely this story of a second chance at love by two people who have suffered in very different ways. I have yet to read all the books in this series, but in a couple I’ve found myself a little dissatisfied with certain elements. In Gabriel: Lord of Regrets, the secondary mystery was poorly developed, and in Nicholas: Lord of Secrets, the reasons keeping the central characters apart were flimsy, at best. Here, however, that is not the case. The mystery element is constructed efficiently and isn’t allowed to overshadow the development of the romance. Avis’ reasons for wanting to keep Hadrian at a distance make sense, and even though perhaps she does over-react a little, given her past experiences, I think she can be forgiven for it.
As with so many of the other books in this series – and her books in general – Ms Burrowes has not only written a tender romance, she has penned another of those close male friendships at which she also excels. Avis’ steward, Ashton Fenwick, and Hadrian are initially wary of each other, Hadrian mistrusting Fen’s casual, openly flirtatious manner towards Avis and Fen being wary of the interloper. Yet they bond over horseflesh, sheep-shearing, hay-gathering, the depth of their friendship lying comfortably beneath the barbs and veiled insults with which they frequently regale each other. In fact, I was reminded somewhat of the friendship between Beckman Haddonfield and Gabriel North in Beckman: Lord of Sins (fourth in the series), which is probably my favourite of its type in all of Ms Burrowes’ rapidly expanding oeuvre.
Hadrian is beautifully written; the author’s style is lush and almost musical at times, and while I can agree with some of the criticisms I see levelled at her books (a degree of repetition and the intrusion of various Americanisms) I certainly won’t decry her wonderful use of language, or her ability to write a story in which the emotions are deeply felt and which really speak to the reader. The characterisations of all the principal characters are strong, although Avis’ companion was perhaps drawn a little heavy-handedly; and I liked the way she portrayed Harold and the glimpses we got of his relationship with his lover.
I believe Hadrian is the last of the Lonely Lords – for now. Ms Burrowes has stated on her website that she has plans for at least three more books in the series. Perhaps the delay will enable me to catch up with the half-dozen I’ve yet to read. If they’re all as good as this one, I’ve got some enjoyable reading matter stored up on my Kindle.
March 18, 2015
Grace Burrowes' "Hadrian, Lord of Hope"
This one was just OK. The plot with the villain who is harassing Lady Avis doesn't work at all, and pretty much throughout the book I was wondering, where the heck were Lady Avis' brothers, who were supposed to protect her both from her original disastrous engagement, and from the harassment and social ostracism she's undergoing at the time of the book??? First, they should have prevented her from even meeting the guy she got betrothed to, since his proclivities and general sociopathy were well-known in the neighborhood. Second, why didn't Avis' brother Benjamin Hazlit the super-sleuth investigate the background and history of Lily, Avis' "companion" before hiring her? How did she even get considered for the position? And how could Benjamin have been totally in the dark about Avis' problems with her neighbours? What happened to the other brother, Vim, who is also supposed to be protecting her? He seems to have fallen off the face of the earth in this story. (I guess if the brothers had been looking after Avis properly there would have been no story.)
So - even though Avis and Hadrian are sweet characters and there are some sweet scenes in the book, it is has too many problems for me to rate it any higher. I also went back to re-read the story of Avis' sister Alexandra in "Ethan, Lord of Scandals", which I originally rated quite highly, and had to downgrade its rating too, because it just didn't stand up to a second reading.
This one was just OK. The plot with the villain who is harassing Lady Avis doesn't work at all, and pretty much throughout the book I was wondering, where the heck were Lady Avis' brothers, who were supposed to protect her both from her original disastrous engagement, and from the harassment and social ostracism she's undergoing at the time of the book??? First, they should have prevented her from even meeting the guy she got betrothed to, since his proclivities and general sociopathy were well-known in the neighborhood. Second, why didn't Avis' brother Benjamin Hazlit the super-sleuth investigate the background and history of Lily, Avis' "companion" before hiring her? How did she even get considered for the position? And how could Benjamin have been totally in the dark about Avis' problems with her neighbours? What happened to the other brother, Vim, who is also supposed to be protecting her? He seems to have fallen off the face of the earth in this story. (I guess if the brothers had been looking after Avis properly there would have been no story.)
So - even though Avis and Hadrian are sweet characters and there are some sweet scenes in the book, it is has too many problems for me to rate it any higher. I also went back to re-read the story of Avis' sister Alexandra in "Ethan, Lord of Scandals", which I originally rated quite highly, and had to downgrade its rating too, because it just didn't stand up to a second reading.
April 9, 2016
Okay, this is one of those times when I really wish GoodReads allowed half star ratings because this is a 2.5.
Let's do the good first.
Hadrian. I liked him. I liked him actually struggling with the fact that his brother is gay, because that's realistic for the time period, especially since he's been clergy for the last decade or so. I liked Hadrian as a person. He's a standard Burrowes hero, cuddly and nice and considerate.
I liked Avis. I thought she was a good representation of a woman who had been raped and then abandoned by not only her community but by her family. I think her reluctance to pursue this relationship was realistically portrayed, especially when you start to see what she's been putting up with.
I liked Avis and Hadrian together. You could see they had been friends before and were building upon that previous relationship.
Let's go on to the things with which I had problems.
1. I personally want to punch her brothers in the face. Both of them. What were they thinking letting their seventeen-year-old sister become betrothed to a guy who had that horrible of a reputation? And then they basically leave her alone and she has almost no contact with them and doesn't even have a way of easily getting ahold of them. I mean, really. These guys are failures.
2. What in the everlasting heck is going on with their inability to figure out who the villain is? I mean, wow. It's done so heavily handed in the book that it's obvious to the reader and you're just sitting there waiting for everyone else to figure it out. Also, you don't really get a sense of the villain's motivation. The big reveal scene at the end left me wondering why the particular person had engaged in that course of action. What was it that drove them to it. Villains need to be better fleshed out than this.
3. And this is the one that made me angry.
You know what? I changed my mind. This is a two. If I'm that angry about it, I'm not going to round up. I'm rounding down.
Let's do the good first.
Hadrian. I liked him. I liked him actually struggling with the fact that his brother is gay, because that's realistic for the time period, especially since he's been clergy for the last decade or so. I liked Hadrian as a person. He's a standard Burrowes hero, cuddly and nice and considerate.
I liked Avis. I thought she was a good representation of a woman who had been raped and then abandoned by not only her community but by her family. I think her reluctance to pursue this relationship was realistically portrayed, especially when you start to see what she's been putting up with.
I liked Avis and Hadrian together. You could see they had been friends before and were building upon that previous relationship.
Let's go on to the things with which I had problems.
1. I personally want to punch her brothers in the face. Both of them. What were they thinking letting their seventeen-year-old sister become betrothed to a guy who had that horrible of a reputation? And then they basically leave her alone and she has almost no contact with them and doesn't even have a way of easily getting ahold of them. I mean, really. These guys are failures.
2. What in the everlasting heck is going on with their inability to figure out who the villain is? I mean, wow. It's done so heavily handed in the book that it's obvious to the reader and you're just sitting there waiting for everyone else to figure it out. Also, you don't really get a sense of the villain's motivation. The big reveal scene at the end left me wondering why the particular person had engaged in that course of action. What was it that drove them to it. Villains need to be better fleshed out than this.
3. And this is the one that made me angry.
You know what? I changed my mind. This is a two. If I'm that angry about it, I'm not going to round up. I'm rounding down.
August 27, 2022
Not my favorite: the mystery seemed rather obvious and the leads were unusually random and it just felt like a struggle compared to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 8, 2019I don't rate it because it's a taste thing but by page ten I was skimming bored out of my mind with mundane details and overly flowery language. Dnf
January 19, 2025
i have several things i'd like to say about this book, so maybe i'll do a full review later.
i feel like the premise got undermined, and it was repetitive.
i feel like the premise got undermined, and it was repetitive.
December 16, 2019
March 2016: I love Grace Burrowes' heroes. When I need reassurance that men can be men and also be gentlemen, I read Grace Burrowes.
Where to start? I'm not overly fond of second chance stories, they need to be done right or the romance doesn't feel real to me. I'm also reluctant to read stories where the heroine has been sexually assaulted because, again, it needs to be done right (the first intimacy is usually too rushed). I had no problem with either of those hesitancy's with this book.
I like the slower pace of Grace Burrowes books because I get to know the characters well before the action starts and this book is even slower than her usual. It was absolutely necessary because the two protagonists were both healing, Avis especially, and to rush it would have destroyed the depth of their journey.
There's no shortage of kissing and wooing. Hadrian loves to kiss, cuddle, and hold and knows Avis needs all in abundance. It's not a sacrifice on his part. He's also man enough to hold his hormones in check, like he says he's going to, which adds to the sexual tension.
"More kisses," he said, his hand drifting along Avis's thigh. "As many kisses as there are leaves on the budding rowans. Kiss me as deep as that endless, bottomless pond, as hot as the summer sun on your bare neck at mid-day, as passionately --"
Definitely a re-read for me, also loved the cameos of Devlin St. Just of "The Soldier".
October 2016: Hadrian is not an alpha male. As a second/last born he has not had to be responsible for much in his life. Even as a vicar, he had a script to follow. Now his older brother has handed over the reins of the family estate to him as the heir and gone overseas. He misses the anchor of his brother in his life and needs to finally stand on his own two feet while assisting his old flame to do the same (stand on her own two feet). Avie is a first born alpha female but...an assault by someone she should have been able to trust has her coping instead of living (PTSD). He brings her back to life and she anchors him to her all in a very lovely, patient story.
September 2017: Since I just read The Soldier in which Hadrian is the spurned suitor I'm a little confused. In that book I thought he was heading home because his brother, the viscount, was deathly ill. However, in this book it's because his brother is leaving England with his, same sex, partner.
August 2018: This is probably my least favorite GB as far as lead in chapters go. Hadrian comes across as whiny and his brother as selfish. Hadrian and Avie, though, are a great couple.
December 2019: Very real and poignant topics are addressed in this story. I still find Hadrian to be whiny and I didn't like how logical he was when proposing to Avie. Guys really don't have a clue do they? Yes, because of children, women want/need to be cared for. However, women also need love. Love is what gets a couple through tough times.
Where to start? I'm not overly fond of second chance stories, they need to be done right or the romance doesn't feel real to me. I'm also reluctant to read stories where the heroine has been sexually assaulted because, again, it needs to be done right (the first intimacy is usually too rushed). I had no problem with either of those hesitancy's with this book.
I like the slower pace of Grace Burrowes books because I get to know the characters well before the action starts and this book is even slower than her usual. It was absolutely necessary because the two protagonists were both healing, Avis especially, and to rush it would have destroyed the depth of their journey.
There's no shortage of kissing and wooing. Hadrian loves to kiss, cuddle, and hold and knows Avis needs all in abundance. It's not a sacrifice on his part. He's also man enough to hold his hormones in check, like he says he's going to, which adds to the sexual tension.
"More kisses," he said, his hand drifting along Avis's thigh. "As many kisses as there are leaves on the budding rowans. Kiss me as deep as that endless, bottomless pond, as hot as the summer sun on your bare neck at mid-day, as passionately --"
Definitely a re-read for me, also loved the cameos of Devlin St. Just of "The Soldier".
October 2016: Hadrian is not an alpha male. As a second/last born he has not had to be responsible for much in his life. Even as a vicar, he had a script to follow. Now his older brother has handed over the reins of the family estate to him as the heir and gone overseas. He misses the anchor of his brother in his life and needs to finally stand on his own two feet while assisting his old flame to do the same (stand on her own two feet). Avie is a first born alpha female but...an assault by someone she should have been able to trust has her coping instead of living (PTSD). He brings her back to life and she anchors him to her all in a very lovely, patient story.
September 2017: Since I just read The Soldier in which Hadrian is the spurned suitor I'm a little confused. In that book I thought he was heading home because his brother, the viscount, was deathly ill. However, in this book it's because his brother is leaving England with his, same sex, partner.
August 2018: This is probably my least favorite GB as far as lead in chapters go. Hadrian comes across as whiny and his brother as selfish. Hadrian and Avie, though, are a great couple.
December 2019: Very real and poignant topics are addressed in this story. I still find Hadrian to be whiny and I didn't like how logical he was when proposing to Avie. Guys really don't have a clue do they? Yes, because of children, women want/need to be cared for. However, women also need love. Love is what gets a couple through tough times.
October 14, 2014
Hadrian Bothwell gives up the vicarage to take over the family estate when his older brother leaves the country with his lover. Widowed and disillusioned with his religious calling he thinks of Lady Avis Portmaine, the woman he wished he had married but timing was against them as Avis retreated after a brutal attack by her then fiance. She's become a recluse and Hadrian vows to get to know her again, and hopefully something more.
Hadrian and Avis are two people that should have married by page 10 and it was difficult waiting around the beginning of this book while they did whatever putting it off. It just didn't make sense. However Burrowes has a true knack with dialogue and I enjoyed very much Hadrian and Avis's discussions, their play on words, and interesting phrases.
The story begins to take off when Hadrian realizes the oddity of a 12 year old scandal still being discussed as if it just happened. Avis receives threats from an unknown party and the two work to find out the culprit because all is not well on the family estate. Someone doesn't seem to like Avis but they can't figure out why.
The who was obvious to me, but the why was the mystery and there were some odd twists at the end. Not a bad book, just one that took me a while to get into and couldn't hold my interest at all times.
Hadrian and Avis are two people that should have married by page 10 and it was difficult waiting around the beginning of this book while they did whatever putting it off. It just didn't make sense. However Burrowes has a true knack with dialogue and I enjoyed very much Hadrian and Avis's discussions, their play on words, and interesting phrases.
The story begins to take off when Hadrian realizes the oddity of a 12 year old scandal still being discussed as if it just happened. Avis receives threats from an unknown party and the two work to find out the culprit because all is not well on the family estate. Someone doesn't seem to like Avis but they can't figure out why.
The who was obvious to me, but the why was the mystery and there were some odd twists at the end. Not a bad book, just one that took me a while to get into and couldn't hold my interest at all times.
April 28, 2020
Heartrending second-chance romance!
This book nearly brought me to tears. Hadrian and Avis were estranged more than a decade earlier, due to no fault of their own. Avis had suffered horribly, and she's still fighting an unseen fight. Hadrian not only has to win her heart again, but he has to help her sort out the fact from the fiction, made all the more complicated by her sheltered life as well as her refusal to drag him down into her troubles.
The writing is sweet and tender, forthright and searing, honest and cleansing, and utterly unforgettable. This story drew me in right from the start with the unusual situation through which Hadrian inherits the estate, and I simply could not put this book down until we got to the triumphantly beautiful HEA. It's a brilliant story, one that deserves to be reread again and again.
This book nearly brought me to tears. Hadrian and Avis were estranged more than a decade earlier, due to no fault of their own. Avis had suffered horribly, and she's still fighting an unseen fight. Hadrian not only has to win her heart again, but he has to help her sort out the fact from the fiction, made all the more complicated by her sheltered life as well as her refusal to drag him down into her troubles.
The writing is sweet and tender, forthright and searing, honest and cleansing, and utterly unforgettable. This story drew me in right from the start with the unusual situation through which Hadrian inherits the estate, and I simply could not put this book down until we got to the triumphantly beautiful HEA. It's a brilliant story, one that deserves to be reread again and again.
February 17, 2016
I liked the characters, but the conflict went on too long, until it was past painful. It was obvious who the villain was, and the fact that they took so long to figure it out just made them seem slow to me. By the time we got to the happy ending I was more exhausted than anything else.
October 14, 2016
Hated Avis, so it's hard to like a book when you can't stand one of the main characters. The antagonist didn't work, the "protective" brothers don't make an appearance and Avis's sister, who is supposed to be close to her, leaves after her sister is attacked?? Sorry, this just didn't work for me.
April 17, 2017
Another solid Grace Burrowes book. This one had a mystery, some misunderstandings and a lot of wrong thinking that needed to be cleared up. Family ties were important, as usual, but less emphasized in this one. Overall, a good story with emotional depth.
October 3, 2019
Hoping for better
I wasn't able to finish this one. Gave up at half way, after several attempts to plough through. By this point I had already enjoyed two other books thinking that the break would get me back into it, but I was wrong. Just a bit too slow moving for my liking.
I wasn't able to finish this one. Gave up at half way, after several attempts to plough through. By this point I had already enjoyed two other books thinking that the break would get me back into it, but I was wrong. Just a bit too slow moving for my liking.
January 19, 2016
Loved this novel...the loyalty of the brothers to one another was deep and true.
September 16, 2016
The author follows a formula, but at least I know this and with eyes and mind wide open I still enjoyed this.
April 12, 2016
The story of the Portmaine ladies began in Ethan's story, where Alice reveals the traumatic experience she and her sister had when they were younger. Alice has coped with the ordeal by leaving -- turning her back on her life of wealth and comfort to strike out on her own, working as a governess. While Alice suffered as witness, Avis's entire life changed when she was violated by her ex-fiance, Lord Collins. In the aftermath, Avis's reputation suffered gravely, and many of their neighbors actually believed that Avis was responsible for what happened to her. The logical next step would be for Avis to leave and start new somewhere else, but Avis bravely stayed behind -- serving as chatelaine of Blessings in the absence of her brothers and sister.
It doesn't make sense for Avis to stay behind, and even her sister, Alice, is puzzled by her decision -- there's nothing left for her in Blessings -- her sister and brothers have all left, she isn't received in society. She was the aggrieved party, but the community around her painted her as a tease, and a jilt.
So why stay? I saw Avis's decision as an act of defiance against society's expectations: society thought she would turn tail and run, but she didn't hide and wither away. Instead, as caretaker, she was actually responsible for the Portmaine estate thriving. Her one champion is Harold, Viscount Landover, her closest neighbor -- a man with his own secrets.
Harold and Avis are similar in some ways: while their siblings are off living their lives, Harold and Avis stayed behind -- while Avis is content to stay in Blessings. Tired of living according to society's dictates and expectations, Harold has decided to take an extended trip to Denmark and has asked his younger brother, and heir, Hadrian, to manage Landover in his place.
It was no hardship for Hadrian to quit his vocation as vicar in order to help his brother realize his dream -- like Avis and Harold, Hadrian had lived his life as all second sons should: between becoming a soldier or a vicar (popular occupations for second sons), he chose to be a vicar. Then, he married a vicar's daughter, because he felt that was what was expected a vicar should do -- and it didn't work out well for Hadrian. Now, he's about to help his brother break one of society's greatest moral taboos.
Hadrian was actually the one who found Avis after the incident, and was with her as she healed. But, like everyone else in Avis's life.
Now Hadrian is back, and it's awkward for him and Avis for two reasons: one, as a vicar, Hadrian is used to spouting platitudes to comfort his flock -- but, Avis isn't an impersonal experience for Hadrian, so he doesn't quite know what to say to Avis. Two, Hadrian has always been attracted to Avis, but he's wary of relationships after his marriage turned sour.
Hadrian is an interesting character: as a (former) vicar, everyone expects him to always know the right thing to do, but, as evidenced by his bad marriage, vicars aren't infallible, and Hadrian's story and relationship with his brother, Harold, and Avis shows the very human side of this vocation. Ashton Fenwick, Avis's steward, likes to tease Hadrian about his former vocation. (Ashton has a playful and flirtatious relationship with Avis. I honestly found it a bit weird that Avis would allow an employee to step beyond the acceptable bounds of a employee-employer relationship, but, again -- these are characters who have had enough of playing by society's rules. What is interesting is Ashton and his devotion to Avis. For a while, I thought there was some romantic tension between him and Avis's very devoted companion -- but, apparently, I was wrong.
There are three obstacles in the story:
1. The most obvious one is that there are reports that Lord Collins is back in England, and seems to be intent on making mischief again.
2. Despite the incident happening so long ago, there is someone who is fuelling the gossip about Avis, making her a pariah in society.
3. Despite the mutual attraction, and Hadrian's repeated proposal, Avis refused his proposal of marriage. She doesn't want to taint Hadrian's reputation by association.
On top of that, Hadrian is still acclimatizing himself to his new role as his brother's steward (and future lord of the manor).
The one thing that was missing from the novel is a clear chemistry between our hero and heroine -- for the most part, I felt that their relationship is grounded on the attraction that existed between them years ago. Yes, love and respect exists between the two, but there's also a vague sense that Hadrian just wants to do one thing right in his life, and that is Avis: I think he really just wants to protect Avis. In that Hadrian lives up to being the Lord of Hope. Even though Avis never shows despair, there is an air of capitulation around her -- as though to say, "you win" -- but Hadrian gives Avis a reason to continue her fight.
It doesn't make sense for Avis to stay behind, and even her sister, Alice, is puzzled by her decision -- there's nothing left for her in Blessings -- her sister and brothers have all left, she isn't received in society. She was the aggrieved party, but the community around her painted her as a tease, and a jilt.
So why stay? I saw Avis's decision as an act of defiance against society's expectations: society thought she would turn tail and run, but she didn't hide and wither away. Instead, as caretaker, she was actually responsible for the Portmaine estate thriving. Her one champion is Harold, Viscount Landover, her closest neighbor -- a man with his own secrets.
Harold and Avis are similar in some ways: while their siblings are off living their lives, Harold and Avis stayed behind -- while Avis is content to stay in Blessings. Tired of living according to society's dictates and expectations, Harold has decided to take an extended trip to Denmark and has asked his younger brother, and heir, Hadrian, to manage Landover in his place.
"I cannot stay here for another thirty-seven years, so that you can be a martyr to the church, and I can be a martyr to duty. If you're not happy, then you need to fix that. I can't fix it for you, though God knows I would if I could."
- p. 43
It was no hardship for Hadrian to quit his vocation as vicar in order to help his brother realize his dream -- like Avis and Harold, Hadrian had lived his life as all second sons should: between becoming a soldier or a vicar (popular occupations for second sons), he chose to be a vicar. Then, he married a vicar's daughter, because he felt that was what was expected a vicar should do -- and it didn't work out well for Hadrian. Now, he's about to help his brother break one of society's greatest moral taboos.
Hadrian was actually the one who found Avis after the incident, and was with her as she healed. But, like everyone else in Avis's life.
Now Hadrian is back, and it's awkward for him and Avis for two reasons: one, as a vicar, Hadrian is used to spouting platitudes to comfort his flock -- but, Avis isn't an impersonal experience for Hadrian, so he doesn't quite know what to say to Avis. Two, Hadrian has always been attracted to Avis, but he's wary of relationships after his marriage turned sour.
"I'm sorry," Avis said when they reached the bottom of the hill. "It will be like this for us, won't it? I'll understand if you want to decline breakfast, and you're welcome to as many pigeons as Harold can stow on his yacht."
They had been doing so well with the platitudes and small talk. Hadrian made a doomed attempt to regain that false, friendly footing. "Be like what?"
"We will try for cordiality and succeed swimmingly until something slips out amiss, and then all will be awkwardness until somebody tosses out another social nicety. While I cannot expect you to forget, I'm so very --"
- p. 15
Hadrian is an interesting character: as a (former) vicar, everyone expects him to always know the right thing to do, but, as evidenced by his bad marriage, vicars aren't infallible, and Hadrian's story and relationship with his brother, Harold, and Avis shows the very human side of this vocation. Ashton Fenwick, Avis's steward, likes to tease Hadrian about his former vocation. (Ashton has a playful and flirtatious relationship with Avis. I honestly found it a bit weird that Avis would allow an employee to step beyond the acceptable bounds of a employee-employer relationship, but, again -- these are characters who have had enough of playing by society's rules. What is interesting is Ashton and his devotion to Avis. For a while, I thought there was some romantic tension between him and Avis's very devoted companion -- but, apparently, I was wrong.
There are three obstacles in the story:
1. The most obvious one is that there are reports that Lord Collins is back in England, and seems to be intent on making mischief again.
2. Despite the incident happening so long ago, there is someone who is fuelling the gossip about Avis, making her a pariah in society.
3. Despite the mutual attraction, and Hadrian's repeated proposal, Avis refused his proposal of marriage. She doesn't want to taint Hadrian's reputation by association.
On top of that, Hadrian is still acclimatizing himself to his new role as his brother's steward (and future lord of the manor).
The one thing that was missing from the novel is a clear chemistry between our hero and heroine -- for the most part, I felt that their relationship is grounded on the attraction that existed between them years ago. Yes, love and respect exists between the two, but there's also a vague sense that Hadrian just wants to do one thing right in his life, and that is Avis: I think he really just wants to protect Avis. In that Hadrian lives up to being the Lord of Hope. Even though Avis never shows despair, there is an air of capitulation around her -- as though to say, "you win" -- but Hadrian gives Avis a reason to continue her fight.
July 5, 2025
This e-book has been in My Digital Library since September 30, 2016.
I like that the endings of the mystery and the courtship.
I like that the endings of the mystery and the courtship.
September 14, 2025
I usually like Burrowes’ books but I think the fmc was sooo hurt (justifiably) that it was sometimes hard to read. It’s not bad but a little too sad for my preference.
July 14, 2017
I am a big fan of Grace Burrowes so when this came up as a free Book Bub download I jumped on it.
It's very easy for me to root for her main characters. The men are everything you'd want in a romance: attentive, honorable, handsome, intelligent, generous (and expert) lovers, witty, wealthy, well-endowed, etc. The women are independent, strong, intelligent, honest, unassuming, intuitive and humble (and usually very inexperienced in the bedroom, but curious and open-minded... never prudish) so they, too, are always easy to like.
Hadrian and Avis are old friends who reunite after many years. I enjoyed their romance quite a lot. The only reason I didn't rate this higher is because of the plot line involving the antagonist. As the reader, it was glaringly obvious who the trouble-maker was, even from early on in the book. But no one in the story got it, until the end, and it I found that very frustrating. Like one of the movies where the killer is always lurking behind the hero and you want to scream at the screen "just turn around already!".
Anyway, I'm sure I'll read more of her books.
It's very easy for me to root for her main characters. The men are everything you'd want in a romance: attentive, honorable, handsome, intelligent, generous (and expert) lovers, witty, wealthy, well-endowed, etc. The women are independent, strong, intelligent, honest, unassuming, intuitive and humble (and usually very inexperienced in the bedroom, but curious and open-minded... never prudish) so they, too, are always easy to like.
Hadrian and Avis are old friends who reunite after many years. I enjoyed their romance quite a lot. The only reason I didn't rate this higher is because of the plot line involving the antagonist. As the reader, it was glaringly obvious who the trouble-maker was, even from early on in the book. But no one in the story got it, until the end, and it I found that very frustrating. Like one of the movies where the killer is always lurking behind the hero and you want to scream at the screen "just turn around already!".
Anyway, I'm sure I'll read more of her books.
July 16, 2014
I'm a huge Grace Burrowes fan, and have been enjoying her "Lonely Lords" series.
Hadrian, a younger son and a vicar, has resigned from his parish duties and is returning home in response to his brother Harold's request. Home means having to face his long-time feelings for Avis Portmaine, who lives a very sheltered life on the neighboring estate following a brutal assault years before.
It's a stealth story...Both Hadrian and Avis have been hiding from the world and from themselves for years, but Burrowes also weaves other incidental themes of acceptance and forgiveness throughout the story so gently that it's right there in front of you before you know it! Really just genius writing.
All the characters have great depth and are genuine and believable, and while the sex between Hadrian and Avis is pretty steamy, it's just a natural reflection of their growing attachment to each other. Avis does have a moment of "I can't be with you because I want to save you," but it's over fast, so it doesn't get tiresome.
So 4 stars for a quiet but very satisfying read.
Hadrian, a younger son and a vicar, has resigned from his parish duties and is returning home in response to his brother Harold's request. Home means having to face his long-time feelings for Avis Portmaine, who lives a very sheltered life on the neighboring estate following a brutal assault years before.
It's a stealth story...Both Hadrian and Avis have been hiding from the world and from themselves for years, but Burrowes also weaves other incidental themes of acceptance and forgiveness throughout the story so gently that it's right there in front of you before you know it! Really just genius writing.
All the characters have great depth and are genuine and believable, and while the sex between Hadrian and Avis is pretty steamy, it's just a natural reflection of their growing attachment to each other. Avis does have a moment of "I can't be with you because I want to save you," but it's over fast, so it doesn't get tiresome.
So 4 stars for a quiet but very satisfying read.
February 23, 2018
I love the characters Grace Burrowes creates in her books. “Hadrian” is no different. I love the way these characters have timeless personal struggles that initially prevent them from living their fullest life. In this novel, the second son, who is a provincial Vicar returns to stand in for his older brother, who wishes to run away with his unconventional lover. Upon arriving, he finds his next door neighbor and long time friend hiding in less than ideal circumstances on her family estate. As Hadrian discovers that Lady Portmaine’s problems continue to haunt her a decade after the face, he becomes determined to lay those skeletons to final rest. Facing the truth about the past and choosing freedom challenges Avis’s courage in diverse ways.
Burrowes is a master craftswoman with a story. Each Lord and Gentleman (and their Ladies) who has a story to tell, has complex texture that compels the reader to turn the page and even forgo sleep! Hadrian is a well-paced read that will not disappoint.
Burrowes is a master craftswoman with a story. Each Lord and Gentleman (and their Ladies) who has a story to tell, has complex texture that compels the reader to turn the page and even forgo sleep! Hadrian is a well-paced read that will not disappoint.
July 1, 2015
Lady Avis Portmaine was the victim of rape at the hands of her fiance Hart Collins. She's suffered in silence since then being a virtual prisoner in her own home. Hadrian Bothwell was Avis devoted friend and maybe hopelessly in love with her twelve years ago. Hadrian has return home to Landover at his brother Harold's request. Harold plans on leaving Landover to be with his lover James. All Hadrian wants is to see Avis happy and out of her shell. Avis companion Lily always scolds her and never has kind word for her either. Someone is sending hateful notes to Avis that are threatening. Will Avis admit her feelings for Hadrian? Who wants to harm Avis? Your answers await you in Hadrian:Lord of Hope.
I've really enjoyed this series. Hadrian is one determined fellow. Avis is in need of understanding and compassion. The characters and story are honest, compelling, and fascinating. I look forward to reading more of this author in the future.
I've really enjoyed this series. Hadrian is one determined fellow. Avis is in need of understanding and compassion. The characters and story are honest, compelling, and fascinating. I look forward to reading more of this author in the future.
April 24, 2021
I might give this a 7/10... It's an odd book. Lots of dialogue, very slow burn, almost classical? in its style. It read to me more Jane Eyre-esque than a modern romance novel. Sedate is perhaps a good word to describe.
It was pleasant, though to read, minus the assault angle (tw for frequent mention of a single instance of assault which happens before the book begins but is relayed at one point) but I did feel as though that angle made sense in the story as opposed to just being an "exciting plot device!" as is too often the case in entertainment at large. The characters truly care for each other. No female friends for Avie, but a friend and a brother for Hadrian, the dynamics of which I enjoyed.
It was pleasant, though to read, minus the assault angle (tw for frequent mention of a single instance of assault which happens before the book begins but is relayed at one point) but I did feel as though that angle made sense in the story as opposed to just being an "exciting plot device!" as is too often the case in entertainment at large. The characters truly care for each other. No female friends for Avie, but a friend and a brother for Hadrian, the dynamics of which I enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2016
I enjoyed this story. Hadrian comes home after being a vicar and now also a widower to take care of the estate so his brother can sail off with his friend to do their thing for awhile. Avis, his neighbor who has grown up with him was assaulted years ago and Hadrian found her after the assault. They had a close association for the rest of that summer. The Hadrian had to go away to school. Now can they pick up where they left off. Then there is estate manager who is her friend as well. He helps all he can to get them together. Lily who is Avis's companion seems to be lookking out for Avis but only as lung as she is the most important person in the life of Avis and Lily feels very threatened by Hadrian.
December 7, 2016
Avis was brutally attacked 12 years earlier and Hadrian was her saving grace. But then he went away and she has lived 12 lonely years, amidst scandal and innuendos. What I like about this book - and others of Grace Burrowes - is they make you think. Yes they entertain but they also inform. I thought about what it must have been like for a young woman, in that time period, shamed by rape. Then I thought about today and wondered if things had really changed much. Aren't woman to some extent still being blamed and shamed? The only problem I have is with the book is the issue of who to suspect? If someone is leaving notes in your private rooms shouldn't your first thought be - who has access to those rooms?
September 16, 2014
I gave this a 5* not only for the story, but for the way the M/M relationship was handled and the stigma of rape. Hadrian his come home to run the estate of his brother who is leaving the country to settle in Copenhagen. Hadrian has been a vicar in a small village for years, but his wife has died and he feels he owes his brother. Avis, a childhood friend, lives in exile on the neighboring estate She is Benjamin Portman's brother, we all know him from previous books. They reconnect but her history and his reluctance to let his brother leave are just some of the emotional entanglements. Highly recommend.
October 20, 2017
Another excellent book in this series. I can't believe there's only one left! I haven't been able to pull myself away since I started The Lonely Lords, except to read a book I won in a Goodreads Giveaway. I loved the relationship between Hadrian and Avie, and Fen was fantastic. Glad his is the next book. It's weird....I'm listening to The Soldier on Audiobook, and Hadrian has a good size role in that one. I didn't like Hadrian because he was pitted against Devlin St. Just (my man!) for the girl. But I loved Hadrian in his own book. I haven't been disappointed in any books of The Lonely Lords. I'm just disappointed there aren't more!
March 16, 2018
I enjoyed "Hadrian, Lord of Hope (The Loney Lords Book 12)" very much. This is my first time to read Grace Burrowes and I thought she did a great job. Hadrian comes home to run the family estate and renews his relationship with his neighbor, Avis, who was horribly assaulted 12 years earlier. Their relationship quickly turns steamy. I normally don't enjoy repeated sex scenes, but these were handled with a bit of discretion, which I appreciated. Of course, there is a Happily Ever After, but it takes awhile for them to reach it. A thoroughly entertaining read for anyone who enjoys historical romance. Well done!
March 29, 2023
The heroine has a dark scandal in her past. The hero more or less rescued her from it. They haven't seen each other for 12 years, but now he's home to take over the running of his brother's estate. He was a vicar, but now that his wife has died, he's ready to stop pretending that he had a true vocation. And he's determined to get the heroine to marry him, this time. There's someone leaving nasty notes and keeping the nasty gossip stirred up about the heroine's downfall, and the hero wants to find out who. But he has to spend a lot of time getting the heroine not to back out of the wedding. Good read. I liked it a lot.
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