What do you think?
Rate this book
Ladies of Mayfair #3
Sweet Surrender
Family friendly romantic When Lady Julianna ended her engagement to Lord Ackerley, Viscount Beaumont, during her first Season, she left London vowing never to return.
Seven years later she returns as chaperone to her niece and unfortunately Lord Ackerley is also in Town for the Season. Moving around the small circle of the ton stirs up feelings she has kept hidden. Embarrassed and ashamed that she made a mistake in ending their previous relationship, she tries to avoid further contact. Ackerley, stunned by her second rejection, pursues her to discover the truth.
Is it ever too late for a second chance at love?
Seven years later she returns as chaperone to her niece and unfortunately Lord Ackerley is also in Town for the Season. Moving around the small circle of the ton stirs up feelings she has kept hidden. Embarrassed and ashamed that she made a mistake in ending their previous relationship, she tries to avoid further contact. Ackerley, stunned by her second rejection, pursues her to discover the truth.
Is it ever too late for a second chance at love?
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2017
224 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Wendy May Andrews
50 books161 followersWendy May Andrews has been reading whatever she could get her hands on since the age of five. She has been writing for almost as long, although Tempting the Earl was the first story she was willing to share with anyone other than her mother. Since then, Wendy has published more than forty Sweet Historical Romance novels.
Wendy lives in Toronto with her own real-life hero. When not writing or reading, she loves traveling with her husband, wherever the mood takes them.
Wendy lives in Toronto with her own real-life hero. When not writing or reading, she loves traveling with her husband, wherever the mood takes them.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 2, 2019
This was a sweet romance. Julianna has called off her betrothal to Lucius, Viscount Beaumont seven years ago. The reason for this is eventually revealed. Julianna has dedicated her life to bringing up her brother’s children, Fletcher and Odelia. She is now back in London for Odelia’s season. This brings her into contact with Lucius again. What annoyed me about Julianna was that she didn’t own up to her mistake but avoided Lucius. She was very solicitous of her niece and nephew. There are a number of events involving Fletcher as well as a house party. This was an enjoyable read, I would have liked an epilogue though. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 11, 2017
Lady Julianna knows it may be a bit awkward when she acts as chaperone for her dear niece as her own London Season seven years previous hadn't ended well. Though she tries hard to keep Lord Ackerley at bay, her heart leads her in a different direction
What I like is that right from the start, we know something drove Julianna to break her engagement, but we're not told what it is. This lady's behavior and speech allow us to feel her misery and how much she wishes to avoid another situation as had occurred before. It is only as the story continues that we finally get a hint and then at the end, it is resolved.
The pacing of the story is excellent, and the descriptions of the Regency London Season are delightful. Lord Ackerley is a true gentleman.
If there was anything that didn't sit well with me, was the ending which seemed abrupt to me. I also expected more consequences to be evident from Lady Julianna breaking her engagement, which I understood to cause damage to a lady's reputation no matter her rank.
In short, this is a lovely Regency tale that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a sweet novel.
What I like is that right from the start, we know something drove Julianna to break her engagement, but we're not told what it is. This lady's behavior and speech allow us to feel her misery and how much she wishes to avoid another situation as had occurred before. It is only as the story continues that we finally get a hint and then at the end, it is resolved.
The pacing of the story is excellent, and the descriptions of the Regency London Season are delightful. Lord Ackerley is a true gentleman.
If there was anything that didn't sit well with me, was the ending which seemed abrupt to me. I also expected more consequences to be evident from Lady Julianna breaking her engagement, which I understood to cause damage to a lady's reputation no matter her rank.
In short, this is a lovely Regency tale that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a sweet novel.
October 17, 2021
A little disjointed, but OK
Likes:
No foul language
No sex scenes
Uncompromised HEA
The book is not offensive.
The heroine from the last book in the series successfully redeems her own reputation socially.
Dislikes:
This seems to be an earlier work by the author is illustrated by the
mercurial character development. For example, initially the character is socially adept and then she turns into somebody who only wants to have a few close friends, and then she is suddenly overcome by bouts of shyness, which conveniently disappear when the author wants to portray how adept and suitable the h in the next social setting. Additionally, the h has a lot of character traits that seem to be pulled from various idealizations of different types of heroines and combined even though many of the character traits contradict in a confusing way instead of a complex one.
The author does not introduce social rules prior to using an example of how the characters do or do not follow the rules, which often seem to be imagined into existence at convenient moments, so that the author can show that other characters like the main characters better for complying or rebelling against social expectations. There never seems to be a time where main characters comply or rebel against sexual expectations with the result that other characters like them less.
The author presents a massive amount of backstory that is unnecessary and pulls the reader away from the plot instead of adding interest.
The author dumps a lot of backstory into one meeting with new people, repeatedly, instead of taking the time to develop relationships ahead of time that would allow the reader to develop interest in the information that the author is conveying.
The emotions of the characters change rapidly in tone within a single conversation, repeatedly, and their feelings are conveyed after the body language descriptions so that the reader experiences whiplash trying to keep up with the conversation. It’s like a zoom conference where everyone can speak and the image is delayed, so it’s constantly exhausting. I kept having to take breaks to get through the book.
This seems to be a very early example of this author’s writing ability and she has improved greatly in her other books. I normally read one of this author’s books in a few hours and I do recommend the author. However, it took me three days to get through this book whilst recuperating from a minor injury, so I don’t recommend it unless you have a lot of time.
Likes:
No foul language
No sex scenes
Uncompromised HEA
The book is not offensive.
The heroine from the last book in the series successfully redeems her own reputation socially.
Dislikes:
This seems to be an earlier work by the author is illustrated by the
mercurial character development. For example, initially the character is socially adept and then she turns into somebody who only wants to have a few close friends, and then she is suddenly overcome by bouts of shyness, which conveniently disappear when the author wants to portray how adept and suitable the h in the next social setting. Additionally, the h has a lot of character traits that seem to be pulled from various idealizations of different types of heroines and combined even though many of the character traits contradict in a confusing way instead of a complex one.
The author does not introduce social rules prior to using an example of how the characters do or do not follow the rules, which often seem to be imagined into existence at convenient moments, so that the author can show that other characters like the main characters better for complying or rebelling against social expectations. There never seems to be a time where main characters comply or rebel against sexual expectations with the result that other characters like them less.
The author presents a massive amount of backstory that is unnecessary and pulls the reader away from the plot instead of adding interest.
The author dumps a lot of backstory into one meeting with new people, repeatedly, instead of taking the time to develop relationships ahead of time that would allow the reader to develop interest in the information that the author is conveying.
The emotions of the characters change rapidly in tone within a single conversation, repeatedly, and their feelings are conveyed after the body language descriptions so that the reader experiences whiplash trying to keep up with the conversation. It’s like a zoom conference where everyone can speak and the image is delayed, so it’s constantly exhausting. I kept having to take breaks to get through the book.
This seems to be a very early example of this author’s writing ability and she has improved greatly in her other books. I normally read one of this author’s books in a few hours and I do recommend the author. However, it took me three days to get through this book whilst recuperating from a minor injury, so I don’t recommend it unless you have a lot of time.
September 6, 2019
Beautifully written, this second chances historical romance warms the heart and speaks of the power of love. If only Julianna had had the courage to voice her concerns to Lord Ackerley in the first place, perhaps they could have avoided the lost years of unnecessary pain. However, as most people have discovered, there is a silver lining to every situation and certainly, Julianna didn't waste those years as she cared for her motherless niece and nephew and assisted her brother as he floundered at being a father. Meeting her again in London, Ackerley is side-swiped and all the old feelings of attraction mingled with anger, are aroused. Thus begins the courtship dance once again. Whilst I could have given Hartford, Julianna's brother, a good shaking for his absent-minded attitude towards his family, it is Ackerley that steps into the breach and assists Julianna with the problems facing her young charges in their first season. The plot gives some interesting insights into the activities enjoyed by the gentry of the era as well as lifestyle and attitudes. Julianna herself is a warm and kind person and this is relayed to her young niece. Odelia's lively enthusiasm for her first season made me smile, as she refuses to act the bored debutant, but rather embraces every new experience. Fletch, on the other hand, discovers that he really does need the strong hand of a gentleman to guide him through troubled waters and the unwitting mistakes he makes. When Julianna comes to the realisation that she made a dreadful mistake all those years ago, she is mortified and feels that Ackerley will never forgive her. However, as circumstances continue to draw them into each other's orbit, Julianna finally does have the courage to make her confession but not without misgivings about the possible result. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful novel and am looking forward to more of this author's books. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
September 10, 2019
"Rumor had it you vowed never to return to London and yet here you are." Julianna had made that vow but due her niece's come out, she was back to chaperone her. She had so hoped not to run into Lord Ackerly. Having fled him and London seven years ago, she knew it would be difficult to be back. But she loved her niece and wanted to help her as much as she could.
My imagination was grabbed right from the start. Why did she flee London and most of all Ackerly? But it seems she begins to run into him at every event they attend. Was he know looking for a wife? The attraction between them starts to rekindle and she begins to suspect her reasons for breaking off with him and fleeting all those years ago was wrong.
A second chance at love is one of my favorite stories and Wendy May Andrews has writing such a heart warming romance that I could not wait to see what would happen as I turned the pages. Prepare to not move once you start and have a sigh and smile as you turn the last page!!
My imagination was grabbed right from the start. Why did she flee London and most of all Ackerly? But it seems she begins to run into him at every event they attend. Was he know looking for a wife? The attraction between them starts to rekindle and she begins to suspect her reasons for breaking off with him and fleeting all those years ago was wrong.
A second chance at love is one of my favorite stories and Wendy May Andrews has writing such a heart warming romance that I could not wait to see what would happen as I turned the pages. Prepare to not move once you start and have a sigh and smile as you turn the last page!!
February 2, 2021
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. it is satisfying to me to see people make amends and have their happily ever after so I enjoyed this book. I thought Luc was incredibly patient with Julianna because she was pretty fickle in her behavior toward him. I enjoyed that her niece was a fun loving character but not overly silly and wasn't causing all sorts of problems. The nephew did enough of that. It was sad that their father was so uninvolved in their lives.
I enjoyed the story along with the characters. Very pleasant read.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: we see the aftermath of fisticuffs but not the actual fight.
I enjoyed the story along with the characters. Very pleasant read.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: we see the aftermath of fisticuffs but not the actual fight.
October 30, 2021
I really dislike the ‘misunderstanding which could have been sorted out with a two minute conversation’ plot device and that is exactly what is at the heart of the heroine’s mistake.
To make matters worse, she refuses to own up to it and so continues the farcical rejection of the hero. The characterisation is poor as Julianna behaves inconsistently and is really annoying. I want to like my heroines and be on their side. I wanted Luc to go off and marry someone else. Quite frankly I lost interest in the heroine very quickly. Very disappointing.
To make matters worse, she refuses to own up to it and so continues the farcical rejection of the hero. The characterisation is poor as Julianna behaves inconsistently and is really annoying. I want to like my heroines and be on their side. I wanted Luc to go off and marry someone else. Quite frankly I lost interest in the heroine very quickly. Very disappointing.
June 5, 2022
Seven years ago, Julianna broke off her engagement to Lucien and left London. Now, she's reluctant to return but has agreed to Chaperone her young Niece's first Season. Can her heart take seeing Lucien at various events? Will her Niece's coming out be damaged by her own past reputation?
Lucien is still confused about what happened all those years ago. Will seeing Julianna bring up past hurt or will other past feelings resurface as well?
This is a clean, sweet read. It was interesting to see a different theme, not just another young Debutante book.
Lucien is still confused about what happened all those years ago. Will seeing Julianna bring up past hurt or will other past feelings resurface as well?
This is a clean, sweet read. It was interesting to see a different theme, not just another young Debutante book.
September 7, 2019
A young woman who has recently lost her mother end her engagement. She immerses herself into her niece and nephews lives as the also lost their mother. She gasps never forgotten the man she left behind. Seven years later he is still single and determined to findc out why she left and maybe they will fall in love while figuring it out. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
July 14, 2021
Some times love waiting patiently is better after years pass
The main female character Lady Julianna is very likable. Her warm heart and struggles over a lost past engagement drew me to her. Her ex-fiance` was an unusually intelligent and caring man. In the end complications from 7 years before the story begins emerge and at last honest feelings can be revealed. It was a heart warming story.
The main female character Lady Julianna is very likable. Her warm heart and struggles over a lost past engagement drew me to her. Her ex-fiance` was an unusually intelligent and caring man. In the end complications from 7 years before the story begins emerge and at last honest feelings can be revealed. It was a heart warming story.
January 15, 2023
Laughter and mistakes
Juliana has been leading a fulfilling life for the last seven years as her brother's head of house and surrogate mother to his orphaned son and daughter. Now, both nearly grown, Juliana is preparing to take her niece to London four her first season. With all the planning, what could possibly go wrong?!
Packed with lots of hilarity, you won't want to miss this book, and probably the rest of the series. I'm off to acquire book 2!
Juliana has been leading a fulfilling life for the last seven years as her brother's head of house and surrogate mother to his orphaned son and daughter. Now, both nearly grown, Juliana is preparing to take her niece to London four her first season. With all the planning, what could possibly go wrong?!
Packed with lots of hilarity, you won't want to miss this book, and probably the rest of the series. I'm off to acquire book 2!
March 21, 2024
Above the Norn…
While starting out with the usual misunderstandings, this story has a lot more going for it than most modern day regencies. The reason for the misunderstanding is unique as are some of the unusual relationships with family. Thoroughly enjoyed this and the h and h who.. finally.. got their HEA. Zero sexual content or inference, no violence, no bad language. Virtually unheard of in today’s reading material.
While starting out with the usual misunderstandings, this story has a lot more going for it than most modern day regencies. The reason for the misunderstanding is unique as are some of the unusual relationships with family. Thoroughly enjoyed this and the h and h who.. finally.. got their HEA. Zero sexual content or inference, no violence, no bad language. Virtually unheard of in today’s reading material.
September 5, 2019
This is a well written historical romance that holds your attention. If you like sweet second chance romances you will enjoy reading this book. It is full of emotions and you can feel all of them through the author's words. This book was a joy to read. I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 10, 2019
Living with a 7 year mistake. Wendy May Andrews always brings such interesting characters and plots to her stories. Although I figured out what had happened early in the story it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book and waiting for Lucius and Julianna to figure out what had happened. This is an enjoyable story.
May 20, 2022
easy read
Sweet romance about how a broken engagement of seven years past comes back to eventually haunt the young lady who broke that engagement. Especially after she realizes her reason for doing so was actually nonexistent. All gets cleared up in the end mi really could not get to overcoming the fact I did care for our heroine. But it was a hea
Sweet romance about how a broken engagement of seven years past comes back to eventually haunt the young lady who broke that engagement. Especially after she realizes her reason for doing so was actually nonexistent. All gets cleared up in the end mi really could not get to overcoming the fact I did care for our heroine. But it was a hea
November 6, 2022
Sweet Surrender
This was a great story. Julianna and Luc were betrothed seven years prior, but she broke the engagement and fled to her brothers to recover. After Time, her brother’s wife died and she helped him raise Odelia and Fletcher. When it came time to bring Odelia to London for a season, there she met Luc again.more to come, just enjoy their story.
This was a great story. Julianna and Luc were betrothed seven years prior, but she broke the engagement and fled to her brothers to recover. After Time, her brother’s wife died and she helped him raise Odelia and Fletcher. When it came time to bring Odelia to London for a season, there she met Luc again.more to come, just enjoy their story.
November 23, 2019
This was a wonderful second chance at love story. The characters were great, I really enjoyed the sweet, clean love story, and it ended very happily. I recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
September 12, 2022
Mistaken, identity, misunderstanding almost cost her happiness
Great lesson. Don't jump to conclusions and always hear the other out. Search out the truth. Highly recommended for all readers. Love is worth waiting for.
Great lesson. Don't jump to conclusions and always hear the other out. Search out the truth. Highly recommended for all readers. Love is worth waiting for.
January 26, 2025
Too many Americanisms
A sweet story spoilt by too many American words and phrases. The word gotten is not part of UK English, surely, sure thing? Nobody would have used those phrases in the early 1800s.
A sweet story spoilt by too many American words and phrases. The word gotten is not part of UK English, surely, sure thing? Nobody would have used those phrases in the early 1800s.
June 18, 2025
Misunderstanding and broken Relationship!
It was interesting read! Hard to put down and do the things that needed done! More stories then just the main one! Now I will read book three!
It was interesting read! Hard to put down and do the things that needed done! More stories then just the main one! Now I will read book three!
September 6, 2019
A warm story that you will enjoy reading...
Wonderful characters... warm... kind and full of life...
Will love overcome the doubts? A second chance to love...
Wonderful characters... warm... kind and full of life...
Will love overcome the doubts? A second chance to love...
September 28, 2020
Interesting
Loproboked like I might like the story. Had a bit of a problem following the storyline nerd to correct spelling
Loproboked like I might like the story. Had a bit of a problem following the storyline nerd to correct spelling
March 9, 2021
I got so frustrated with the main character and her refusal to face her obvious and glaring mistake. People just need to be honest with each other, especially with themselves. And honestly, if I were her love interest, I’d have dropped her - not subject myself to repeatedly being rejected. Both characters were pathetically flawed, but I still finished the book. And there was no swearing or sex, so 3 stars.
March 25, 2021
Book rating
Fair read to much repition. n could have done
with less diary. I. Do not like doing book ratings would like to go to my next book to read
Fair read to much repition. n could have done
with less diary. I. Do not like doing book ratings would like to go to my next book to read
October 20, 2022
Different Perspective
Instead of a debutant, the aunt is the main character and unwilling to listen to reason. Sometimes that makes me crazy - but that is what makes a story.
Instead of a debutant, the aunt is the main character and unwilling to listen to reason. Sometimes that makes me crazy - but that is what makes a story.
May 15, 2024
The Second Time Around
I loved this book with its redemption, familial love, and happily ever after. Lucius is truly a knight in shining armor!
I loved this book with its redemption, familial love, and happily ever after. Lucius is truly a knight in shining armor!
September 14, 2024
Ok overall
Very long winded, I ended up skimming a lot of it.
And I spent most of the book trying to figure out their ages as it didn’t make that much sense! 🙈
Very long winded, I ended up skimming a lot of it.
And I spent most of the book trying to figure out their ages as it didn’t make that much sense! 🙈
November 16, 2024
This one was hard to get through. Lots of meandering and unnecessary turmoil.
September 11, 2019
A wonderful historical second chance romance.
Sweet Surrender is the third book in the Ladies of Mayfair series and is a wonderful second chance romance. Lady Julianna and Lord Ackerley are great characters that belong together but she broke off their engagement seven years earlier without telling him the reason. The story is well written with wonderful descriptions of the London Season. In this story, the author has given us heartbreak, drama, suspense, and sweet love.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
Sweet Surrender is the third book in the Ladies of Mayfair series and is a wonderful second chance romance. Lady Julianna and Lord Ackerley are great characters that belong together but she broke off their engagement seven years earlier without telling him the reason. The story is well written with wonderful descriptions of the London Season. In this story, the author has given us heartbreak, drama, suspense, and sweet love.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
September 13, 2019
A sweet and clean Regency styled romance that you can not put down.
Seven years ago she broke their betrothal and now she is back for the season.
He never found another to love and with the season decided to look for a wife.
Meeting again will either break them or they will find themselves still in love
A good story line well written
Seven years ago she broke their betrothal and now she is back for the season.
He never found another to love and with the season decided to look for a wife.
Meeting again will either break them or they will find themselves still in love
A good story line well written
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews