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League of Unweddable Gentlemen #1
Tempt Me, Your Grace
*Previously published as From France, With Love*
She was banished from England…and she banished him from her heart.
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse estates in the country. There’s only one problem: the future of the estate requires a strong breeding program with the services of a stallion named, Titan. A shame that the horse is owned by a man she swore to never see again.
The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. Despite Tate’s unwillingness to forgive Ava, she comes to his aid during a deliberately lit fire at his estate. Someone is determined to destroy them. Now, the two are forced to work together to ensure the safety of their horses and their homes.
Will their previous feelings for each other rekindle their love, or will their feelings stall out at the starting gates?
She was banished from England…and she banished him from her heart.
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse estates in the country. There’s only one problem: the future of the estate requires a strong breeding program with the services of a stallion named, Titan. A shame that the horse is owned by a man she swore to never see again.
The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. Despite Tate’s unwillingness to forgive Ava, she comes to his aid during a deliberately lit fire at his estate. Someone is determined to destroy them. Now, the two are forced to work together to ensure the safety of their horses and their homes.
Will their previous feelings for each other rekindle their love, or will their feelings stall out at the starting gates?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2019
897 people are currently reading
521 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Gill
140 books1,012 followersTamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. She loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval, and time travel.
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November 2, 2020
Su gracia no logró tentarme sino desconcertarme!
Tempt Me, Your Grace de Tamara Gill serie League of Unweddable Gentlemen libro v1
Mí humilde opinión:
Fue desterrada de Inglaterra... y ella lo desterró de su corazón.
A su regreso a Inglaterra tras la muerte de su padre, la señorita Ava Knight
se convierte en propietaria de una de las propiedades de caballos de
carreras más grandes del país.
Solo hay un problema: el futuro de la finca requiere un programa de cría sólido con los servicios de un semental
llamado Titan. Es una pena que el caballo sea propiedad de un hombre al
que juró no volver a ver nunca más.
El duque de Whitstone, Tate Wells, estaba desconsolado cuando Ava lo
abandonó la noche de su fuga, y juró no volver a ver a Ava nunca más. A
pesar de la falta de voluntad de Tate para perdonar a Ava, ella acude en su
ayuda durante un incendio deliberadamente encendido en su propiedad.
Alguien está decidido a destruirlos. Ahora, los dos se ven obligados a
trabajar juntos para garantizar la seguridad de sus caballos y sus hogares.
¿Sus sentimientos anteriores del uno por el otro reavivarán su amor, o sus
sentimientos se estancarán en el punto de partida?
Me pareció que la trama sería interesante, la portada es preciosa, todo esto me animó a leer este romance historico pero...
Dios mío, tanto cliché y tantas situaciones inverosímiles y ridículas que no me provocaron más que frustración durante todo el libro!
Se volvió una lectura pesada porque ni el drama o el conflicto lograban interesarme o atraparme.
Era también repetitivo, estaba cansada de que la protagonista me recordara continuamente porqué no daba la talla para ser una duquesa y perdí la cuenta de las veces que puse los ojos en blanco cada vez que los protagonistas se ponían celosos.
En partes me olvidaba que estaba leyendo un romance histórico por el uso de palabras modernas o por el sexo explícito que carecía de esa suavidad y pasión que tiene este género.
Ava empezó fuerte, me gustó la idea de la mujer independiente con su negocio de cría de caballos pero luego se volvió una tonta en lo referente al Duque con el 'me quiere y no me quiere'.
Tate pareció un bebé y no un hombre con título de Duque. No podía creer que no detuviera a la duquesa viuda cuando pasaba por encima de él, peor aún no la castigo o la mandó a Escocia cuando se enteró que ella lo engañó y lo separó de Ava!
La historia de amor de los protagonistas no me transmitió nada especial, más todavía con su historia de un amor de jóvenes, debería provocarme algo dulce y tierno pero no. Quizás con ayuda de flashbacks podría haber sentido una conexión profunda entre ellos pero tenía que guiarme por los recuerdos en sus diálogos y la verdad no me llegó.
Los villanos eran para reírse, un loco lord pirómano, una duquesa viuda con aire de grandeza y la ex amante del Duque que sorprendentemente era un buen partido para casarse con él y que luego desapareció de escena. No entendí de que iba esa mujer ahí ni el policía de Bow Street que fue inútil y estuvo de adorno en el libro.
Pudo haber sido algo bueno, que me terminara encantando pero la autora no supo sacarle provecho a una trama prometedora.
August 20, 2019
How can two persons torn apart by their kin find a common ground and a truce when the betrayal they experienced still linger between them.
I do love Mrs Tamara Gill writing, the words flow easily and the plot follows quickly its proper way.
I loved the main couple cleared rather early in the story the ground, solving with no lost time the mystery behind their parting.
I do loved Tate, he is an approachable man, his rank has not made him a haughty and vain Peer.
He even regrets he lets his ire get the best of him and plunge in a life of second rated pleasure.
Sure, he was the one whom had the means to look for answer and understand why Ava supposedly left him.
At time I would have shook him to not be more firm and harsh with his mother, but in spite of all her faults, she was the woman who brought him to the world. It sure shows him at first a bit on the weak side but when finally it was needed, he stood against his mother when it was the right time.
Ava, I liked her from the beginning, she self-made herself, letting no one dictate what she might do or not, until she lets others’ perceptions poison her view of herself and allowed it to push her away from Tate.
She was lucky Tate has more faith in their “us” than she, as she was rejecting a great love for mere possessions and success.
She let her own view blind her to the whole picture their shared love could accomplish, all the while a treat was lurking ready to pounce and strike upon them.
She argued a lot about refusing to be ruined but was ready at the same time to become a mistress, the best possible way to be ruined. And what of a possible child. It was very bold and inconsiderate for the time period and quite out of character for a woman who praises her reputation for her business.
A lovely first in a series, 4.5 stars.
I was granted an advance copy by the author but I add previously preordered my own copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
I do love Mrs Tamara Gill writing, the words flow easily and the plot follows quickly its proper way.
I loved the main couple cleared rather early in the story the ground, solving with no lost time the mystery behind their parting.
I do loved Tate, he is an approachable man, his rank has not made him a haughty and vain Peer.
He even regrets he lets his ire get the best of him and plunge in a life of second rated pleasure.
Sure, he was the one whom had the means to look for answer and understand why Ava supposedly left him.
At time I would have shook him to not be more firm and harsh with his mother, but in spite of all her faults, she was the woman who brought him to the world. It sure shows him at first a bit on the weak side but when finally it was needed, he stood against his mother when it was the right time.
Ava, I liked her from the beginning, she self-made herself, letting no one dictate what she might do or not, until she lets others’ perceptions poison her view of herself and allowed it to push her away from Tate.
She was lucky Tate has more faith in their “us” than she, as she was rejecting a great love for mere possessions and success.
She let her own view blind her to the whole picture their shared love could accomplish, all the while a treat was lurking ready to pounce and strike upon them.
She argued a lot about refusing to be ruined but was ready at the same time to become a mistress, the best possible way to be ruined. And what of a possible child. It was very bold and inconsiderate for the time period and quite out of character for a woman who praises her reputation for her business.
A lovely first in a series, 4.5 stars.
I was granted an advance copy by the author but I add previously preordered my own copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
August 20, 2019
Miss Ava Knight and Tate Wells had known each other for years. Ava thought Tate loved her as she did him, that they would marry, but it did not come to be. In 1816, Ava was sent to school in France, and Tate to America. Upon her return from France, Ava took over the horse breeding business, Knight Stables, from her late father and ran it just as successfully. But she never forgot Tate, so how is she to deal with him when, five years later, he comes back home, now the Duke of Whitstone?
FROM FRANCE, WITH LOVE is very much a character study of two people whose hearts were broken, how they heal their wounds, and rekindled the love they once had for each other. Ava and Tate are both determined and independent, but not so stubborn that they can't see reason. They're both good people. There was a huge misunderstanding, and I love that it was handled intelligently, it did not go on for too long, and it did not lead to unpleasantness. They still cared very much for each other, their reconciliation was believable; it progressed organically. I loved that the differences in social statuses were looked at realistically, it was a considerable hurdle to overcome. I also very much appreciated seeing Ava's force of character, and that she did not revert to foolish shenanigans to prove that she didn't need a man. Ava and Tate came across as real people, and so did Tate's mother, who is truly unforgettable. We are also introduced to some of Ava's and Tate's friends, whom I surmise, will feature in upcoming installments of this series.
FROM FRANCE, WITH LOVE is not a fast-paced read, however the rhythm is sustained throughout, and while there are some steamy scenes, they never overshadow the romance. With my recent experiences, it was comforting not to see the story fall apart in the second half.
FROM FRANCE, WITH LOVE is very much a character study of two people whose hearts were broken, how they heal their wounds, and rekindled the love they once had for each other. Ava and Tate are both determined and independent, but not so stubborn that they can't see reason. They're both good people. There was a huge misunderstanding, and I love that it was handled intelligently, it did not go on for too long, and it did not lead to unpleasantness. They still cared very much for each other, their reconciliation was believable; it progressed organically. I loved that the differences in social statuses were looked at realistically, it was a considerable hurdle to overcome. I also very much appreciated seeing Ava's force of character, and that she did not revert to foolish shenanigans to prove that she didn't need a man. Ava and Tate came across as real people, and so did Tate's mother, who is truly unforgettable. We are also introduced to some of Ava's and Tate's friends, whom I surmise, will feature in upcoming installments of this series.
FROM FRANCE, WITH LOVE is not a fast-paced read, however the rhythm is sustained throughout, and while there are some steamy scenes, they never overshadow the romance. With my recent experiences, it was comforting not to see the story fall apart in the second half.
February 21, 2020
Tempt Me, Your Grace
Previously From France, with Love
League of Unweddable Gentlemen #1 series
Tamara Gill
https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillro...
Release date 02/07/2020
Publisher Tamara Gill
Blurb :
She was banished from England…and she banished him from her heart.
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse estates in the country. There’s only one problem: the future of the estate requires a strong breeding program with the services of a stallion named, Titan. A shame that the horse is owned by a man she swore to never see again.
The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. Despite Tate’s unwillingness to forgive Ava, she comes to his aid during a deliberately lit fire at his estate. Someone is determined to destroy them. Now, the two are forced to work together to ensure the safety of their horses and their homes. Will their previous feelings for each other rekindle their love, or will their feelings stall out at the starting gates?
My review :
How can two persons torn apart by their kin find a common ground and a truce when the betrayal they experienced still linger between them.
I do love Mrs Tamara Gill writing, the words flow easily and the plot follows quickly its proper way.
I loved the main couple cleared rather early in the story the ground, solving with no lost time the mystery behind their parting.
I do loved Tate, he is an approachable man, his rank has not made him a haughty and vain Peer.
He even regrets he lets his ire get the best of him and plunge in a life of second rated pleasure.
Sure, he was the one whom had the means to look for answer and understand why Ava supposedly left him.
At time I would have shook him to not be more firm and harsh with his mother, but in spite of all her faults, she was the woman who brought him to the world. It sure shows him at first a bit on the weak side but when finally it was needed, he stood against his mother when it was the right time.
Ava, I liked her from the beginning, she self-made herself, letting no one dictate what she might do or not, until she lets others’ perceptions poison her view of herself and allowed it to push her away from Tate.
She was lucky Tate has more faith in their “us” than she, as she was rejecting a great love for mere possessions and success.
She let her own view blind her to the whole picture their shared love could accomplish, all the while a treat was lurking ready to pounce and strike upon them.
She argued a lot about refusing to be ruined but was ready at the same time to become a mistress, the best possible way to be ruined. And what of a possible child. It was very bold and inconsiderate for the time period and quite out of character for a woman who praises her reputation for her business.
A lovely first in a series, 4.5 stars.
I was granted an advance copy by the author but I add previously preordered my own copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
Previously From France, with Love
League of Unweddable Gentlemen #1 series
Tamara Gill
https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillro...
Release date 02/07/2020
Publisher Tamara Gill
Blurb :
She was banished from England…and she banished him from her heart.
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse estates in the country. There’s only one problem: the future of the estate requires a strong breeding program with the services of a stallion named, Titan. A shame that the horse is owned by a man she swore to never see again.
The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. Despite Tate’s unwillingness to forgive Ava, she comes to his aid during a deliberately lit fire at his estate. Someone is determined to destroy them. Now, the two are forced to work together to ensure the safety of their horses and their homes. Will their previous feelings for each other rekindle their love, or will their feelings stall out at the starting gates?
My review :
How can two persons torn apart by their kin find a common ground and a truce when the betrayal they experienced still linger between them.
I do love Mrs Tamara Gill writing, the words flow easily and the plot follows quickly its proper way.
I loved the main couple cleared rather early in the story the ground, solving with no lost time the mystery behind their parting.
I do loved Tate, he is an approachable man, his rank has not made him a haughty and vain Peer.
He even regrets he lets his ire get the best of him and plunge in a life of second rated pleasure.
Sure, he was the one whom had the means to look for answer and understand why Ava supposedly left him.
At time I would have shook him to not be more firm and harsh with his mother, but in spite of all her faults, she was the woman who brought him to the world. It sure shows him at first a bit on the weak side but when finally it was needed, he stood against his mother when it was the right time.
Ava, I liked her from the beginning, she self-made herself, letting no one dictate what she might do or not, until she lets others’ perceptions poison her view of herself and allowed it to push her away from Tate.
She was lucky Tate has more faith in their “us” than she, as she was rejecting a great love for mere possessions and success.
She let her own view blind her to the whole picture their shared love could accomplish, all the while a treat was lurking ready to pounce and strike upon them.
She argued a lot about refusing to be ruined but was ready at the same time to become a mistress, the best possible way to be ruined. And what of a possible child. It was very bold and inconsiderate for the time period and quite out of character for a woman who praises her reputation for her business.
A lovely first in a series, 4.5 stars.
I was granted an advance copy by the author but I add previously preordered my own copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
August 17, 2019
4.5 Stars
Five years ago Tate & Ava planned to elope, she arrived at the meeting place only to find her father awaiting her with a ‘Dear John’ letter. She was sent to a finishing school in France
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse studs in the country. The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. The pair are thrown together when she comes to his aid during an arson attack on the stables at his estate & together they work to find the arsonist.
A lovely book of second chances, misunderstandings & secrets with an arsonist to find too. I loved both Tate & Ava & really felt for them & how they had been manipulated but when they met again their attraction was as strong as ever & the more they were together the more they fell in love. A well written, very well paced book that I read in two sittings. Strong characters with plenty of depth, I thoroughly disliked the villains & whilst one got his comeuppance I would have liked to have seen the other receive a harsher punishment! I really good series starter & look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Five years ago Tate & Ava planned to elope, she arrived at the meeting place only to find her father awaiting her with a ‘Dear John’ letter. She was sent to a finishing school in France
Upon her return to England following her father’s death, Miss Ava Knight becomes the owner of one of the largest racehorse studs in the country. The Duke of Whitstone, Tate Wells, was heartbroken when Ava abandoned him on the night of their elopement, and he vowed to never lay eyes on Ava again. The pair are thrown together when she comes to his aid during an arson attack on the stables at his estate & together they work to find the arsonist.
A lovely book of second chances, misunderstandings & secrets with an arsonist to find too. I loved both Tate & Ava & really felt for them & how they had been manipulated but when they met again their attraction was as strong as ever & the more they were together the more they fell in love. A well written, very well paced book that I read in two sittings. Strong characters with plenty of depth, I thoroughly disliked the villains & whilst one got his comeuppance I would have liked to have seen the other receive a harsher punishment! I really good series starter & look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
February 29, 2020
Tate Marquess of Cleremore and Miss. Ava Knight both 19 try to elope. There plans are stopped by there parents. Both believing the other had decided not to go through with the elopement are brokenhearted. Tate is sent to New York Ava is sent to Finishing School in France.
Five years later they are both back in the county. Both are horse breeders and horse trainers. Neither has married. They can't get over there love for one another and feel betrayed by the other.
An arsonist is on the loose in the county. A Fire is set at Cleremont stables and Ava and her servants and grooms, and stable hands show up to help Tate and his staff put out the fires and get the horses out. Tate is now the Duke Whitstone.
The two get back together and find out that there parents were the ones who lied to them and stopped them from eloping. There love reignites.
There are obstacles along the way. Ava and Tate overcome them. They also, figure out who the arson is.
The problem I had with the story was that Tate should have stopped his mothers meddling. He should have cut her off. Tate also, should have stopped his ex mistress from interfering in his relationship with Ava. They basically got away with all the trouble they caused this couple. I like to see justice done to the culprits in the stories I read. But overall this was a very good story!
Five years later they are both back in the county. Both are horse breeders and horse trainers. Neither has married. They can't get over there love for one another and feel betrayed by the other.
An arsonist is on the loose in the county. A Fire is set at Cleremont stables and Ava and her servants and grooms, and stable hands show up to help Tate and his staff put out the fires and get the horses out. Tate is now the Duke Whitstone.
The two get back together and find out that there parents were the ones who lied to them and stopped them from eloping. There love reignites.
There are obstacles along the way. Ava and Tate overcome them. They also, figure out who the arson is.
The problem I had with the story was that Tate should have stopped his mothers meddling. He should have cut her off. Tate also, should have stopped his ex mistress from interfering in his relationship with Ava. They basically got away with all the trouble they caused this couple. I like to see justice done to the culprits in the stories I read. But overall this was a very good story!
September 7, 2020
This is my first book by Tamara Gill, and lo! her writing just earned her a place in my blacklist.
Actually, calling it "writing" is already too kind when one is confronted to such a haphazard grammar: dangling participles (oh, dangling participles everywhere!), erratic punctuation, non-sensical sentence constructions... It is as if someone got hold of an early draft - the author's thoughts all jumbled up together without the benefit of coherent sentences - and published it instead of the proofread version.
It was a conscious effort to read, and let us be honest: the story behind is not worth it. It is not intrinsically bad, but the plot is not original, the characters without depth, the opponents caricatures. There was more emotion in the first few chapters when the two main characters were estranged, than in the whole rest of the book...
Long story short: I'm very disappointed in this book.
Actually, calling it "writing" is already too kind when one is confronted to such a haphazard grammar: dangling participles (oh, dangling participles everywhere!), erratic punctuation, non-sensical sentence constructions... It is as if someone got hold of an early draft - the author's thoughts all jumbled up together without the benefit of coherent sentences - and published it instead of the proofread version.
It was a conscious effort to read, and let us be honest: the story behind is not worth it. It is not intrinsically bad, but the plot is not original, the characters without depth, the opponents caricatures. There was more emotion in the first few chapters when the two main characters were estranged, than in the whole rest of the book...
Long story short: I'm very disappointed in this book.
January 25, 2023
Another enjoyable story from this author. With an arsonist on the loose, the intrigue kept me reading. Have to say I wished that Tate took his mother in hand more firmly, felt sorry for Ava at what she had to endure.
May 4, 2022
I enjoyed the independence and strength of the heroine. I wish the reuniting of the hero and heroine was paced a little slower, but the story and romance kept me engage until the end.
TW:
TW:
August 22, 2019
From France, with Love by Tamara Gill is the First book in the League of Unweddable Gentlemen Series. This is the story of Ava Knight and Tate Wells, The Duke of Whitstone.
Ava and Tate were in love and had set in motion to marry but then a misunderstanding broke them apart. Both are hurt and swore to stand with their feelings. Then Ava's father died and she returns to take over the horse estate and to breed horses. But she learns one of the best horse she was going to use has been sold off to Tate which she doesn't want to deal with. Tate too has hard feelings toward Ava but then a fire breaks out and Ava ends up coming to help him deal with the aftermath. They start to know that what they thought was true from the past isn't the truth and they start to build a new path to the future.
Enjoyed their story.
Ava and Tate were in love and had set in motion to marry but then a misunderstanding broke them apart. Both are hurt and swore to stand with their feelings. Then Ava's father died and she returns to take over the horse estate and to breed horses. But she learns one of the best horse she was going to use has been sold off to Tate which she doesn't want to deal with. Tate too has hard feelings toward Ava but then a fire breaks out and Ava ends up coming to help him deal with the aftermath. They start to know that what they thought was true from the past isn't the truth and they start to build a new path to the future.
Enjoyed their story.
June 5, 2021
Ugh. If your taste runs to blindingly stupid heroines, here's your book. Not only is the heroine misplaced in time (her speech and behavior are modern in the extreme - hey let's lose our virginity in a side room at a ball and our only concern is how hot he is.), but the hero has little spine, and the sex is AWFUL (do I have to read about her wet cunny? I expect more finesse in a historical.). The villian is a one dimensional psychopath and the minor villian is as unbelievable as the heroine. Did I mention the author actually goes so far as to use the "every time I see him my body betrays me" trope? Skip this POS.
September 15, 2020
Lightning⚡⚡Striking Again💘
ADULT Regency Romance💕 and Mystery with Multiple Villains👺. Second Chance Romance💕.
Ava Knight💃💋continues to raise race horses🏇after her father dies, but she needs a great stallion. Tate🐺🍆⛲💪, the Duke of Whitstone, her once beloved and neighbor, must loan her his stallion, Titan, for breeding to her mares.
Ava💃💋 and Tate🐺🍆⛲💪 have a lot in common and a definite love 💘 interest , but she is a wealthy commoner, not aristocracy. Years ago she got cold feet and abandoned him when they were supposed to elope. She's afraid to be Duchess.
Tate's mother, the dowager Duchess, dislikes Ava💃💋 for being a commoner, and tries to put her down and keep her away from Tate🐺🍆⛲💪. She even says very rude things to Ava💃💋 in Tate's presence! The Dowager👺 has another young woman, one from a titled father, she tries to push on Tate🐺🍆⛲💪 for a bride👰.
Tate🐺🍆⛲💪 is having none of it.
One night at a ball, Ava💃💋 is attacked and assaulted by Lord Oakes👺, but she gets away before he can ruin her. He is fixated on her and tries to threaten her to become his wife👰.
Then arson fires🔥 begin happening in the area.
This is a fast paced and well thought out ADULT Regency Romance💕with multifaceted adult characters.
ADULT Regency Romance💕 and Mystery with Multiple Villains👺. Second Chance Romance💕.
Ava Knight💃💋continues to raise race horses🏇after her father dies, but she needs a great stallion. Tate🐺🍆⛲💪, the Duke of Whitstone, her once beloved and neighbor, must loan her his stallion, Titan, for breeding to her mares.
Ava💃💋 and Tate🐺🍆⛲💪 have a lot in common and a definite love 💘 interest , but she is a wealthy commoner, not aristocracy. Years ago she got cold feet and abandoned him when they were supposed to elope. She's afraid to be Duchess.
Tate's mother, the dowager Duchess, dislikes Ava💃💋 for being a commoner, and tries to put her down and keep her away from Tate🐺🍆⛲💪. She even says very rude things to Ava💃💋 in Tate's presence! The Dowager👺 has another young woman, one from a titled father, she tries to push on Tate🐺🍆⛲💪 for a bride👰.
Tate🐺🍆⛲💪 is having none of it.
One night at a ball, Ava💃💋 is attacked and assaulted by Lord Oakes👺, but she gets away before he can ruin her. He is fixated on her and tries to threaten her to become his wife👰.
Then arson fires🔥 begin happening in the area.
This is a fast paced and well thought out ADULT Regency Romance💕with multifaceted adult characters.
August 21, 2019
Tamara Gill has woven a story that will capture your heart from the first page! Young love that would culminate in an elopement. Tate Wells, the future Duke of Whitstone and Miss Ava Knight, daughter of the owner of Knight stables were to secretly meet and start their new life. But her father met her instead and told her Tate had backed out and he just could not go through with it. She was then bundled off to Boarding School in France. Leaving behind her beloved horses and home.
Five years later, she is back home and running the stables, looking to breed her horse with the one promised from a fellow stable owner. But as luck, or the devil would have it, he has been sold to none other than Tate Wells, the now Duke of Whitstone. She had to have that stallion!
The start of a new series that will be outstanding if this book is any indication. The writing draws you in and the emotions come off the page as Tate and Ava battle outside forces and their feelings that never truly died.
As a side note I have to mention how I loved the horses as a large part of this tale. They are truly magnificent animals that have a spirit unlike any other that can calm the soul. Well Done!
Five years later, she is back home and running the stables, looking to breed her horse with the one promised from a fellow stable owner. But as luck, or the devil would have it, he has been sold to none other than Tate Wells, the now Duke of Whitstone. She had to have that stallion!
The start of a new series that will be outstanding if this book is any indication. The writing draws you in and the emotions come off the page as Tate and Ava battle outside forces and their feelings that never truly died.
As a side note I have to mention how I loved the horses as a large part of this tale. They are truly magnificent animals that have a spirit unlike any other that can calm the soul. Well Done!
August 20, 2019
5 years prior, Ava a racehorse stable owner’s daughter and Tate, a duke’s heir, planned on eloping to Gretna Green but that plan never happens and they blame each other. So 5 years later, both of them are trying to build their racehorse empires, Ava wants to breed her horse Black Lace with Tate’s horse Titan and they are thrown back together. They realize it was their parents who kept them apart and not each other. They both have the same feelings for each other but can they be together? The only surviving parent of theirs is the Duke’s mother and she is determined to keep them apart. Then someone starts fires at the Dukes stables and their surrounding neighbors also have trouble. Who is starting the fires and why? Can a duke marry a women who owns a horse racing business?
I enjoyed reading the book and thought that the story line was quite good and engaging. I read it over a period of 2 days and it kept me drawn in to the plot the entire time I was reading. I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
I enjoyed reading the book and thought that the story line was quite good and engaging. I read it over a period of 2 days and it kept me drawn in to the plot the entire time I was reading. I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
August 18, 2019
4.5 stars
This was a very good start to a new series. The characters of Ava and Tate were very likeable. Having been separated for 5 years, Ava and Tate are back in each other’s company. They have their horses in common but are their feelings for each other the same as before? Tate is now the Duke of Whitstone and Ava is not sure she would make a good duchess. She had been running her own horse training business and has had a taste of freedom. There is also the question of who the arsonist might be and the actions of the vindictive dowager duchess. I’m looking forward to reading about more of Ava’s friends. This was an entertaining read that kept my interest until the end.
January 22, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up
Having returned to England from a French boarding school to take over her family's large racehorse farm upon her father's death, Ava Knight has had a lot to contend with. Now the future of her breeding program could be in jeopardy if she can't secure the services of Titan, a stallion of superb speed and size. The only problem is he's now owned by Ava's former love, the man she swore never to see again since he backed out of their elopement five years prior.
Tate Wells, now the Duke of Whitstone, was left heartbroken when Ava Knight failed to show up on the night of their planned elopement and he promised himself never to see her again. Now he's determined she won't have access to his stallion. But when a fire is deliberately set at Tate's stables, Ava is there to help. When it becomes clear that someone is targeting them and their neighbors, Tate and Ava band together for safety. It is clear that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but that may not be enough to keep them together.
I really enjoyed the plot and how different and original it was. Plus, as a horse lover myself, I'm here for horses as a plot point. It needs quite a bit of grammar editing, but I read and ARC so I'm sure much of that will be fine in the final draft and I still understood what was going on and there was sensible flow (I'm just a linguist so these things stick out to me more than the average reader). I loved that the main characters reconnected so sweetly after such a separation, however, they both annoyed me immensely. Tate desperately needed to grow a pair and stand up to his mother. Ava was so focused on having independence at all costs that she lost sight of her own happiness. I'm always frustrated when two characters both acknowledge that they should be together and then come up with excuses to stay apart and prolong their separation. I really just found Ava to be rather selfish and immobile, and Tate as well to an extent, but alas this is exactly how people are. Luckily, both realized their faults and got it together in the end. Despite these small issues, I still enjoyed this read and will look for the forthcoming installments in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Having returned to England from a French boarding school to take over her family's large racehorse farm upon her father's death, Ava Knight has had a lot to contend with. Now the future of her breeding program could be in jeopardy if she can't secure the services of Titan, a stallion of superb speed and size. The only problem is he's now owned by Ava's former love, the man she swore never to see again since he backed out of their elopement five years prior.
Tate Wells, now the Duke of Whitstone, was left heartbroken when Ava Knight failed to show up on the night of their planned elopement and he promised himself never to see her again. Now he's determined she won't have access to his stallion. But when a fire is deliberately set at Tate's stables, Ava is there to help. When it becomes clear that someone is targeting them and their neighbors, Tate and Ava band together for safety. It is clear that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but that may not be enough to keep them together.
I really enjoyed the plot and how different and original it was. Plus, as a horse lover myself, I'm here for horses as a plot point. It needs quite a bit of grammar editing, but I read and ARC so I'm sure much of that will be fine in the final draft and I still understood what was going on and there was sensible flow (I'm just a linguist so these things stick out to me more than the average reader). I loved that the main characters reconnected so sweetly after such a separation, however, they both annoyed me immensely. Tate desperately needed to grow a pair and stand up to his mother. Ava was so focused on having independence at all costs that she lost sight of her own happiness. I'm always frustrated when two characters both acknowledge that they should be together and then come up with excuses to stay apart and prolong their separation. I really just found Ava to be rather selfish and immobile, and Tate as well to an extent, but alas this is exactly how people are. Luckily, both realized their faults and got it together in the end. Despite these small issues, I still enjoyed this read and will look for the forthcoming installments in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 16, 2021
I don't want to say it was bad because the plot was ... well okay and then the characters in the beginning were very promising, the emotion was building up between them via the misunderstanding. But what this novel truly needed was an EDITOR to edit the editor who did edit this! Leave alone the fact that the characters have no depth and little motivation to do what they are doing but there are sooooo many plotholes, indeed some continuity errors, the villains are like characters in a kids' novel... should I go on. There are also things that make very little sense even in a uber-contrived plot:
It was an effort to read but you know I am in the practice of finishing books.
It was an effort to read but you know I am in the practice of finishing books.
August 21, 2019
Ava and Tate were childhood sweethearts. Meddling and misunderstandings tore them apart. Ava, now runs the best horse breeding stables in England. She wants a sire that just might mate with her mare and win the Ascot race. When she goes to ask about the horse, she is told someone else has bought him. It's no other than Tate, or Lord Cleremore. He believes she jilted him and she believes that he thought she was not good enough for a member of the ton. When fire starts at Tate's stables, she is first to go help and offers him use of her stables. Once each knows that the other is innocent of hurting the other, the feelings flood back. Someone is starting fires all around Ava. Will she be next? Is it a spurned suitor or one of his Mother's ideas as she hates Ava? Steamy scenes with intrigue. Holds your interest from the first page. You will root for these two to get together. I received this book from the author for a honest review.
November 28, 2020
6.5/10
Como no tenía grandes expectativas, me ha sorprendido, pero me ha resultado un libro un poco flojillo
Como no tenía grandes expectativas, me ha sorprendido, pero me ha resultado un libro un poco flojillo
August 22, 2019
The story Tamara Gill has created for her readers is a wonderful look at a second chance of love & a life long love of horse breeding/training facility.
Tate Wells, future Duke of Whitstone, is now back at his estates after being in America & London for the last 5 years - his father has died & he needs to take responsibility towards the dukedom. He was supposed to be eloping with his childhood sweetheart on the fateful night when he received a "Dear John" letter from her stating she could not go through with the elopement & didn't love him. His parents sent him to America to stay with his Mother's family & get away from the memories of Ava.
Miss Ava Knight, daughter of Knight Training & Breeding Stables was in love with Tate since she was a child & they were planning to run away & get married. She went to meet him but instead found her father waiting for her to arrive. He gave her a letter from Tate & he stated he didn't love her & that their stations in society would not allow him to marry so below his rank. Her Father said Tate was already on his way to America & that Ava was being taken to a finishing school in France the next day. Now, 5 years later, Ava has returned & her father has passed away so she is the owner of the best horse breeding & training stables in England. The one this she wants is breed her mare, Black Lace to a stallion, Titan - a breeding that was promised to her father before he died. When she goes to talk to the owner, she discovers he has sold Titan to none other than Tate Wells.
The adventure starts here with them talking for the first time since the jilting of one another, fires that burned down Tate's stables & fires being purposely set at the neighbors estates, arson, attempted rape, romance, Tate's evil Mother, love & more. This was an excellent story with wonderful writing & the characters were so likable - you wanted them to win from the start. I highly recommend this read to all historical romance readers - it was an excellent start to a new series & I can't wait for book 2 in the series!
Tate Wells, future Duke of Whitstone, is now back at his estates after being in America & London for the last 5 years - his father has died & he needs to take responsibility towards the dukedom. He was supposed to be eloping with his childhood sweetheart on the fateful night when he received a "Dear John" letter from her stating she could not go through with the elopement & didn't love him. His parents sent him to America to stay with his Mother's family & get away from the memories of Ava.
Miss Ava Knight, daughter of Knight Training & Breeding Stables was in love with Tate since she was a child & they were planning to run away & get married. She went to meet him but instead found her father waiting for her to arrive. He gave her a letter from Tate & he stated he didn't love her & that their stations in society would not allow him to marry so below his rank. Her Father said Tate was already on his way to America & that Ava was being taken to a finishing school in France the next day. Now, 5 years later, Ava has returned & her father has passed away so she is the owner of the best horse breeding & training stables in England. The one this she wants is breed her mare, Black Lace to a stallion, Titan - a breeding that was promised to her father before he died. When she goes to talk to the owner, she discovers he has sold Titan to none other than Tate Wells.
The adventure starts here with them talking for the first time since the jilting of one another, fires that burned down Tate's stables & fires being purposely set at the neighbors estates, arson, attempted rape, romance, Tate's evil Mother, love & more. This was an excellent story with wonderful writing & the characters were so likable - you wanted them to win from the start. I highly recommend this read to all historical romance readers - it was an excellent start to a new series & I can't wait for book 2 in the series!
August 24, 2019
It is so nice to read a new Tamara Gill story. I have read many and they are varying in their scenarios (you know, not the same old, same old). What I liked about this story is that it is a slow burn and very sweet second chance romance. Tate is unbelievably tender and loving and Ava is awesome and someone that I could see as a friend. Just what I needed this week.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
November 11, 2022
Wonderful romance
I loved this book! A second chance at true love ❤️.
A well written romance with details to attention. The heroine is a strong and beautiful lady. Tate is a gorgeous and determined Duke who never gave up on their love.
I loved this book! A second chance at true love ❤️.
A well written romance with details to attention. The heroine is a strong and beautiful lady. Tate is a gorgeous and determined Duke who never gave up on their love.
September 18, 2023
Not one of my favs by this author. It was okay, but the lack of a backbone concerning Tate with his mother was a downer for me. Plot 5(1-10) steaminess 4.5(1-10)
July 29, 2025
This book was fine!
October 2, 2021
3.5 stars - I usually don’t really enjoy second chance romances because the misunderstandings that usually would take 2 minutes to resolve instead take up over half a book at least since the characters don’t communicate but resent each other instead.. In this book it was nearly done, however, the rest fell a bit flat for me.
March 8, 2021
not a reread
actually had to buy this, not in library system. purchased because of rival racing stables mentioned as main characters. This aspect was not sufficiently explored and needed more mention. What happened to the first yearling Tully had to sell? why didn't she buy it? why couldn't we have more racing scene, the thoroughbreds faded somewhat. We see glimpses of the race horses but nothing of the breeding program, they surely have entered races during this time.
STORY: There was arson, passion, idiocy, pathology, seduction, mean ladies, friends from Egypt, scenes of London and the country. But mainly character narration. it was a solid read excepting the repetitions which became their own interruption. Will she won't she; will I won't I. Ava seduced herself, Tate was already there. But he wasn't a silent standby. And the arson was the central villain. unpleasant.
The book could happily have added another two chapters to wrap things up, even if having repeats. Too much left dangling Too much left dangling. too much again and again about the potential marriage, the passion, the arguments for Ava remaining single as opposed to her perfect fit. and enough about I cannot be a duchess. remove some of that and give us some more story.
The plot is gracious to not string us out as the questions of jilting are early answered. But not before the first angry confrontations where obviously the bound between them has remained over the last five years. Tate's cut through London lights were not solo and no mystery. As Tate tried to 'court' Ava she has the decision of having her independence or marrying Tate. Their affair was intense with first love histories. Tate's taken a single lover, a widow who does not limit herself to Tate. As the affair gets serious with Ava, mother takes her on as a companion. bad mother. Tate's mother, acting pretty Medusa-like, demeans and insults Ava without cease as common. not good enough to be a duchess. until Tate reminds her she was common NYC money looking for an English title and got one, his father. she was just as common. Excellent picture of vituperative subtly , not a nice mother. he defended Ava he said he would marry her, his mother went ducal. Brings the ex-lover/ good ton/ beautiful, and already had Tate. Ava unhappy meeting her. Tate does reassure her but mom knuckles down. she has a ball and distincting disinvites Ava: barred Ava entry to a ball. Of course the shite hit the fan. this was never brought to a better conclusion as was not what happened to widow lover/now companion: wasn't anyone else dying to know what happened to mom? and the epilogue was two + years later. A chapter even one or two pages, of Ava's entrance into haute ton would have been well received, so many possibilities. Nothing said about Titian until Ascot? Did Black Lace foal? if so she would be a weanling. all these little details that popped up and then dismissed. With an epilogue following on so late, another ten or twenty pages would have been well appreciated about their wedding and entrance into haute ton knowing that is only a Duchess sets the style and not others to set her.
She must have been a star, an original
it would have been fun to see a ball balanced out with the new foals and some home life
are we to criticize an author when we wanted more?
So cute story but could have been more with a little more. It almost seems as she just ran out of gas and said enough. her characters, obviously meant coming later series, could have used more attention in this novel to provide us critics with things left unattended to. Has anyone seen a thoroughbred stallion mount a mare? some are actual romeos.
actually had to buy this, not in library system. purchased because of rival racing stables mentioned as main characters. This aspect was not sufficiently explored and needed more mention. What happened to the first yearling Tully had to sell? why didn't she buy it? why couldn't we have more racing scene, the thoroughbreds faded somewhat. We see glimpses of the race horses but nothing of the breeding program, they surely have entered races during this time.
STORY: There was arson, passion, idiocy, pathology, seduction, mean ladies, friends from Egypt, scenes of London and the country. But mainly character narration. it was a solid read excepting the repetitions which became their own interruption. Will she won't she; will I won't I. Ava seduced herself, Tate was already there. But he wasn't a silent standby. And the arson was the central villain. unpleasant.
The book could happily have added another two chapters to wrap things up, even if having repeats. Too much left dangling Too much left dangling. too much again and again about the potential marriage, the passion, the arguments for Ava remaining single as opposed to her perfect fit. and enough about I cannot be a duchess. remove some of that and give us some more story.
The plot is gracious to not string us out as the questions of jilting are early answered. But not before the first angry confrontations where obviously the bound between them has remained over the last five years. Tate's cut through London lights were not solo and no mystery. As Tate tried to 'court' Ava she has the decision of having her independence or marrying Tate. Their affair was intense with first love histories. Tate's taken a single lover, a widow who does not limit herself to Tate. As the affair gets serious with Ava, mother takes her on as a companion. bad mother. Tate's mother, acting pretty Medusa-like, demeans and insults Ava without cease as common. not good enough to be a duchess. until Tate reminds her she was common NYC money looking for an English title and got one, his father. she was just as common. Excellent picture of vituperative subtly , not a nice mother. he defended Ava he said he would marry her, his mother went ducal. Brings the ex-lover/ good ton/ beautiful, and already had Tate. Ava unhappy meeting her. Tate does reassure her but mom knuckles down. she has a ball and distincting disinvites Ava: barred Ava entry to a ball. Of course the shite hit the fan. this was never brought to a better conclusion as was not what happened to widow lover/now companion: wasn't anyone else dying to know what happened to mom? and the epilogue was two + years later. A chapter even one or two pages, of Ava's entrance into haute ton would have been well received, so many possibilities. Nothing said about Titian until Ascot? Did Black Lace foal? if so she would be a weanling. all these little details that popped up and then dismissed. With an epilogue following on so late, another ten or twenty pages would have been well appreciated about their wedding and entrance into haute ton knowing that is only a Duchess sets the style and not others to set her.
She must have been a star, an original
it would have been fun to see a ball balanced out with the new foals and some home life
are we to criticize an author when we wanted more?
So cute story but could have been more with a little more. It almost seems as she just ran out of gas and said enough. her characters, obviously meant coming later series, could have used more attention in this novel to provide us critics with things left unattended to. Has anyone seen a thoroughbred stallion mount a mare? some are actual romeos.
January 28, 2021
3.5 stars. This was an okay book. I liked the characters, even if the pace felt a little slow. Ava had an understanding with the boy next door. They’d meet, elope and start a life together. Only problem, he is to be a duke and she is the daughter of the owner of racing stables. When she leaves to meet him under the tree her father is waiting and she is told that the duke decided he needed to extricate himself from an entrapment and is heading to America. She gets sent off to France for schooling.
Pretty early on in the book you find out he was told she didn’t want to be a duke’s wife and preferred to travel the world. Both misunderstandings stemmed from his mother and after threatening his daughter, the father agreed to the deceit. While Ava remained aloof of men, Tate pretty much drank and slept his way through New York and London. Yuck.
What didn’t work for me: 1) The chapter headings being of her letters to the Duke. What was the point? 2) The Duke really acting clueless and long suffering. Putting his proverbial foot down with his mother only to let her stomp all over it. She said she would do everything to oppose the match. Just take her horrid word fir it already. 3) Lady Clapham. What the heck? What was the point of that except to create unnecessary drama? None, I tell you. 4) Lord Oakes situation was a little bizarre. The fires happened before she reformed an acquaintance with Tate. It was all just really weird and didn’t come together very well.
Other than those these issues the book was okay. Will try the next one.
Pretty early on in the book you find out he was told she didn’t want to be a duke’s wife and preferred to travel the world. Both misunderstandings stemmed from his mother and after threatening his daughter, the father agreed to the deceit. While Ava remained aloof of men, Tate pretty much drank and slept his way through New York and London. Yuck.
What didn’t work for me: 1) The chapter headings being of her letters to the Duke. What was the point? 2) The Duke really acting clueless and long suffering. Putting his proverbial foot down with his mother only to let her stomp all over it. She said she would do everything to oppose the match. Just take her horrid word fir it already. 3) Lady Clapham. What the heck? What was the point of that except to create unnecessary drama? None, I tell you. 4) Lord Oakes situation was a little bizarre. The fires happened before she reformed an acquaintance with Tate. It was all just really weird and didn’t come together very well.
Other than those these issues the book was okay. Will try the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2021
I totally understand why so many people stopped reading this book around the 50% mark. The story was not that interesting. The characters were flat, hard to connect with and I really did not care for them at all. I finished the book, but tbh I do not know how I did it. To be fair, the book was not terrible, but it also did not make me feel anything. I will definitely not be reading the next book in this series and I am still trying to decide if I regret even finishing the book.
August 8, 2021
I hate when we get details of the hero’s current or last lovers, or their love making. Thats not really all that romantic, to know how attractive he finds another woman who isn’t the heroine.
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