A Tryst by the Sea

The Siren's Retreat Quartet #1

by Grace Burrowes

Vergilius, Viscount Summerton, has watched his wife grow more and more distant, and he’s determined that, this year, the marriage will start moving in a better direction. Penelope, Lady Summerton, is also determined that this year will be different. She slips off to a seaside cottage, intending that to be her first step toward a new life free of marital difficulties. Gill ends up at the same seaside inn, where he hopes to plot a wooing no wife can resist.

He’s determined to reconcile; she’s determined to pack his bags, but then, the magic of the Siren’s Retreat begins to steal over them both...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Novella, Second Chance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2022

About the author

Grace 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.

Reviews

[Aou · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have understood one or two years estrangement, even three but nine? And also they are both politically perfect! No way!

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐💫
1½ stars.



➕ What I liked :


Second chance romance.

Some tiny bits in the beginning of the story were a little interesting.

The awful relatives and in-laws got their comeuppance.












➖ What I disliked:



Too much telling and not enough showing…. Even for a novella.


OTT communication problems and misunderstandings.
(A couple of years maybe…. Because of their loss/tragedy…. but 9 years of NOT truly communicating and talking with each other… it is just too OTT and improbable even for the time period/era they are in.)

The couple hardly knew each other after being married for 10 years… they did not really take time before the loss/tragedy to get to know each other… and they certainly did not after the loss/tragedy.
They never really tried to mend things...

The marriage seemed to be built mostly on physical/sexual attraction.
(They had a little too much focus on their spouses looks …. and also took very little time to get to know each other etc. both before and after marriage.)

Repetitive.
(Especially about each others looks… but also other things.)


Anachronistic.
(Especially in some words choices and how the heroine talked about her marriage to a complete stranger and so many other things as well.)

Underwhelming.


Uninteresting main characters.


Lackluster sex scene/steam.


Formulaic.


Predictable.

Romance/chemistry was unconvincing and in a way also rushed…. And even-though they were married...they were estranged so they needed more time to rekindle both their emotional and their physical connection/bond etc.


Too sad.




Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of both main characters.
(Hero= Tall, muscular, handsome…. Heroine= petite, slender etc.)

The couple were too stoic and polite… to/with each other and also to others.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tryst by the Sea (A Siren’s Retreat #1) by Grace Burrows just melted my heart. Actually, it tugged at my heartstrings as I was so cheering each step of the way for the H/h. Vergilius “Gill” and Penelope “Pen”, Viscount/Viscountess Summerton were married at a young age. As a young couple they ran into interference from meddling family members which caused a severe strain on their marriage. Gill, watching his wife grow distant from him and Pen, seeing the same with her husband. They both hoped that the current year will provide change in their lives. Under false pretense of their future travels, they are thrown together at Siren’s Retreat in the same seaside cottage where they honeymooned some nine years ago. Gill is determined to win back his wife at all cost but Pen only wants a new life free of the marital problems that have plagued her since they married.

A beautifully written novella of two lovers who believed they have reached a crux of no return in their marriage. They both have wasted precious years all because of a lack of communication that cause them to be more like strangers than husband and wife. As each day goes by at the seaside cottage, they uncover through walks, talks, and memories the problems that have led them to dissolving a marriage they both do not want.

This was another slow-burn romance in this series where I totally enjoyed both main characters and their willingness to resolve their issues without outside greedy, self-gratifying family members. There were times I was almost at tears because of the heartache they were enduring. I would welcome an epilogue compilation of all of the couples in this series as they have had wonderful HEAs.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Siren's Retreat came with a legend.
"All travelers who spent the night at her seaside hostelry would find true love before their stay was complete, provided they brought an open and willing heart to the search."

Once what was lost might now be found... Gill was headed there with an open heart hoping to be revitalized and come back determined to get his wife back. Nine years was way too long for them to have been estranged. After all, this was where they had taken their honeymoon.

Penelope hated to lie to her husband where she was going, but she just could not stay with him any longer. All the years of living together, but not truly living.

Then they both ended up at the Siren's Retreat! Would the magic happen?

A heart felt, wonderful second chance, that pulled me in from the first and did not let go!!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-rending lack of communication leading to the breakdown of a young marriage... and evil, selfish manipulative in-laws.

4.5 star

[HR-ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siren's Retreat series: bks #2 & #4 I already read.
Written by Erica Ridley.

A sensitive love story. This couple made love, as
opposed to had sex.

This happened mostly in Bristol. Penelope & Vergilius
"Gill" (a viscount) had been emotionally distant for 5
of nearly 10 yrs of their marriage. She delivered a baby
son yrs ago & he lived 1 day only. They did not know
how to cope w/ their grief. Rumors spread that Gill was
unfaithful, actually readers learned of his "monkish"
ways. The MCs lived in the same abode yet rarely spoke
to each other. Pen left for Bristol alone, telling Gill she
had another destination.

Pen went to Rose cottage (@ Siren's Retreat) the scene
of their honeymoon. She knew she needed to ask for an
annulment. Gill went to the same cottage, unaware that
Pen walked on the beach below.

This couple had a deep discussion of the present & the
past. He admitted his near obsession w/ child welfare
legislation in the House of Lords. Even though Pen did
a great job hosting political dinners etc, she disliked this
role. She'd also been disrespected by 2 women.

My favorite scenes? When Gill confronted the meddlers.
And when the MCs decided on their future.

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

✉️ A Tryst by the Sea 🌊
A Siren's Retreat Novella #1
✒️ Grace Burrowes
https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Burrow...
Release Date 03/01/2022
Publisher Grace Burrowes Publishing
➪ https://graceburrowes.com/bookshelf/a...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

Vergilius, Viscount Summerton, has watched his wife grow more and more distant, and he’s determined that this year the marriage will start moving in a better direction. Penelope, Lady Summerton, is also determined that this year will be different. She slips off to a seaside cottage, intending that to be her first step toward a new life free of marital difficulties. Gill ends up at the same seaside inn, where he hopes to plot a wooing no wife can resist.
He’s determined to reconcile; she’s determined to pack his bags, but then the magic of the Siren’s Retreat begins to steal over them.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Will they find a way to mend their estrangement …

Oh my!
Such a moving tale with those two lovers who have reached the end of their capacity to continue as they were. To imagine the time gone, all those years wasted, these nine years stolen from them, forever.
Penelope and Vergilius after a wonderful first year of marriage lost one another, they found themselves at one end of a rift and since have been unable to move on whatever it was forward or differently, they are stuck in this limbo of an union, like strangers, never really speaking nor sharing anything outside the necessities for the running of their household.
While the moment of the break in their young love is explained, the real cause is only revealed by a simple question, a question which answer put under an ugly light the greed and misdeeds of some self-centered people.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.

I have been granted an advance copy without any compensation, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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[Lisa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A holiday by the sea full of love, longing, heartache, surprises and understandings. Lady Penelope Summerton has run to the seaside to escape her feelings and her marriage. Her husband, Vergilius, Viscount Summerton, unbeknown to her, has come to the same place for the same reasons, and they decide to both stay and talk. This is a novella, but you would never know it; it's full of everything you want in a historical romance. Once again, Ms Burrowes writing carries you away. Can't recommend enough.

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romantic tragedy taking us through the theatre of an estranged couple and the problems that brought them to the brink of separation. After ten years of mostly pain Penelope, Lady Summerton has decided to leave her husband Vergilius, Viscount Summerton. Taking time to come to grips with her decision Pen decides on a short stay at the place where they’d honeymooned. Thinking his wife, the woman he’s never stopped loving was somewhere else, Vergilius takes off for some reflection time, to the same place. What happens is the couple communicate for the first time in years and discover their path has been littered with deceit and sabotage. A lovely novella that gives hope at the end of a dark tunnel.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the last decade Vergilius, Viscount Summerton, has watched his wife Penelope grow more and more distant, and he’s determined that this year the marriage will start moving in a better direction. Penelope, Lady Summerton, is also determined that this year will be different. She slips off to a seaside cottage, intending that to be her first step toward a new life free of marital difficulties. Gill ends up at the same seaside inn, where he hopes to plot a wooing no wife can resist.
He’s determined to reconcile; she’s determined to pack his bags, but then the magic of the Siren’s Retreat begins to steal over them both.
The first in a dual author series with the novellas taking place at the Siren’s Retreat hotel in Brighton. I loved both Gill & Penelope & I loved their second chance romance, a bout of insomnia meant I read this charming romance in a sitting. I wanted to shout talk to each other & was sad that they’d let nine years pass without talking, however as they did begin to talk outside influences came to light. I would have loved an epilogue set a couple of years later as I wanted their HEA to be complete
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh So Sweet! 💛💛💛💛💛
Highly recommend this lovely novella! Gill & Penelope will steal your heart in this beautiful and emotional read. I hope this writer revisits this couple again in future books. Definitely a favorite!

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75*
A book with mild, bland emotions.
Nice, too nice and proper mcs.
Mindful of the other's feelings.
Both beautiful, perfect ppl.
But - with a marriage in trouble.

“A year later, their firstborn child had had the bad form to expire on their wedding anniversary. Dreadful timing and beyond tragic, but so typical of children.” (SIL's pov)
They have grown apart over the past decade, the h decides to leave but without telling/discussing with her husband. He only knows that she's gone away for a short visit. He too feels lonely and discontent, and so decides to go to the coastal resort for that period where they both had had a happy honeymoon.
Only to his (and her) surprise, he finds his wife there.
Only then does she reveal her intentions.

I have So Many Issues with this one.
Primarily, did the author really think a HR setting would be best for this story and her execution? Really, I had a hard time reconciling behavior, expectations and mores to the time. The casual decision to separate, the beach times, the conversations could easily have suited a contemporary couple.

Secondly, the TIME FRAME.
NINE YEARS?
Nine years of distant-ness in a 10-year marriage.
Really, they have been together this much time - living in the same house, calmly and courteously - and still never have had a PROPER, REAL CONVERSATION?
They married young, a moc of sorts but they were besotted with each other in the past and now this Distance. Yes, the usual plot-trope of a dead child is used but still some anger, resentment, bitterness, disagreements, arguments would resonate better than this Radio Silence of Nine Years.
And NO-SEX for in all these YEARS!

Thirdly, the h, Penelope.
“She’d given up on joy, but she could still aspire to freedom.”
Most times, I just could not like her.
She too had issues but instead of vocalizing or even screaming them out, she goes passive aggressive. Even when the poor H, Gill tries to talk it out, she refuses and kinda implies that now, it's too late and this Separation thing can only go forwards.
“guilt ... abandoning her marriage, and abandoning a good man, though a man who—after ten years—she hardly knew. I am just too tired to keep trying.”

Also...

“Penelope resented her husband, but she understood why he behaved as he did. Summerton was that paragon of spouses, the wealthy, titled, handsome, robust man. Of course he would be unfaithful. Of course he’d lack patience with a woman’s untidy emotions. Of course he would fall short of Penelope’s idealized dreams of a husband. Considering his limitations—wealth, good looks, standing, pride—Summerton wasn’t half as bothersome as he might have been.
That vexed Penelope too, of course. Had Vergilius been less considerate, less polite, less outwardly attentive, she could have ripped up at him. ”

As Divorce is not on the plate, it'll be a legal separation, with her settlements/ comforts seen to. But she'll will leave the husband wife-less and without a chance of becoming a father???

The H cannot be completely exonerated as he doesn't seem to have wanted to discuss out the problems and distance in all these years.
But as we only get the h's (peevish) pov on the irreparableness and see his concern and feelings for his distant wife, it's difficult to dislike him or apportion blame. He too went through a lot too, with their 'beautiful, perfect' son's death, followed soon by his father's, his ascension to the title, the responsibilities, parliament, his demanding and selfish family. But the h seems to have overlooked that and focused only on her own pain.
He also heard rumors about his wife and several men but we learn that he stayed faithful (despite her too hearing rumors about him and other women.)

So a classic case of NON-COMMUNICATION.

Few other things
I liked how the author shows a happy family on the beach that they see having fun times.
Later they learn, that the adults are not the children's parents but are their uncle and aunt. And this wonderful couple ('suffering a similar affliction'- read infertility) bring the kids on 'vacations' so that the parents - his younger brother and wife - can have some peaceful respite.
So unlike the (self-absorbed) mcs.

The h in her need to cocoon herself from pain has distanced herself from his younger brother's big family, even her god-children. Her MIL and SIL are unlikable self-absorbed people but not really hate-able.
And in their case, the reason for not having children again is their distance rather than any medical condition.

So, a book that leaves you frustrated and annoyed with these supposedly sensible, 'nice', privileged people unable to sort out some very basic and simple things.
First world problem syndrome!
Boo Hoo.

[Lauren | laurensmagicbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for gifting me an advanced copy of this lovely novella! This is the first of four stories set at Siren’s Retreat.

Do you ever read a book from a favorite author that just feels different from their other work? The kind where you need to drop everything to finish it? That was this book for me.

Gill and Penelope have been married for 10 years, but 9 of those have been weighed down by loss and grief- and further complicated by family dynamics, societal norms, and their own stubbornness. This story weaves in the complexity of not only grief but also how a strong marriage can dissolve into a mere shadow of itself. I don’t read a lot of second-chance romances, but this one was so beautifully written with such rich writing, I couldn’t put it down! So many important conversations happened that pulled on my heartstrings and the character development was just superb.

Some light steam is present, but the focus is very much on the relationship which was filled with sweet and tender moments.

Content warning: loss of a child and parent.

[Romancing the Duchess - Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes
Low Steam, Historical Romance, Titled Hero, Damaged Heroine, Politician, Miscarriage/Death of a Child, Angst Romance, Second Chance Romance, Redemption

The Plot
Oh boy, this was a hard book to read; it was sad and, personally, very relatable. Penelope and Vergilius spent a better part of nine years not communicating at all. I really wished that one of them would have seen reason. Nine years seems like such a long time to suffer with what they went through and with his family.

The Heroine
Penelope broke my heart. I can’t imagine being a new bride, dealing with overbearing in laws, a husband having new responsibilities thrust upon him, and suffering the death of a child. I was hoping she would have seen reason before he left the cottage, but it was even sweeter when she was finally able to read his letters. I wish she would have spoken up more for herself to him and his family.

The Hero
Vergilius broke my heart too! He lost his child and his dad shortly after, thus inheriting a TON of responsibilities. I only wish he had been more assertive with getting Penelope to come to him instead of just waiting for letters from her.

The Steam
This more of a heartbreaker than a love maker, but there was one scene which was just so so special.

Stand Out Moment
There were so many sweet moments between Penelope and Vergilius while they try to rekindle there marriage.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, quick read.

Trigger warning: child death, off page but is discussed quite a bit due to the MCs never having dealt with it mentally and emotionally together. That is what drove a wedge in between them that they needed to deal with to have the HEA.

His family was mentioned a lot, but did they never see or interact with her family after they got married? Glaring omission, unless I missed her family all being dead or something?

3, it was ok and a short read, stars.

[Fiatgal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, for a novella, this was a 12 course feast. This was no typical HR that I’ve read; great writing wonderful story and characters. Anyone who has experienced loss, this seems very true to my experience.

[Andria Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out strong but I grew bored by the 45% mark and dnf'd. It didn't feel as though anything was happening. I liked the writing well enough and the characters but I just couldn't bring myself to keep pressing on. 2.5 ⭐ rounded up.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tryst by the Sea was a great read featuring a second chance romance between a couple estranged for the majority of their ten-year marriage.

Vergilius, Viscount Summerton, has watched his marriage fall apart over the last ten years with his wife growing more distant by the day. Gill has decided this is the year his marriage will will start moving in the right direction. However Penelope, Lady Summerton, has decided this year will be their last and she sips off to a seaside cottage at the Siren's Retreat. When Gill shows up at the same retreat, he begins his campaign to win Penelope back.

Gill and Penelope's marriage fell apart after they experienced a loss a year into their marriage. From there, members of Gill's family basically conspired to keep the couple estranged. After Gill and Penelope learn the truth about what happened, it has them questioning everything that's happened the last nine years. They questioned what their life would have looked like if they weren't driven apart which has them grieving for the time they could have spent together. Usually in second chance romances, one of the people involved does something that causes the estrangement which wasn't the case here. I ultimately really liked how the couple fixed their issues as it wasn't the direction I expected the story to go. The chemistry between these two was fantastic and overall I was happy with their romance.

Overall A Tryst by the Sea was an excellent read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, An Affair by the Sea, soon.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. I read romances for a serotonin boost but this novella was just so sad. 80% of this book is just Gill and Penelope giving up on their marriage and talking about their grief. (CW for loss of a child and miscarriages). The last bit was hopeful and honestly very sweet but at that point it was too little too late for me. I would have liked to see an epilogue of the couple living their lives and being happy, since there really isn't a lot of happy scenes in this book. Also, Gill and Penelope were too polite and restrained for me. I probably could have gotten behind the sadness of this novella if the couple wasn't so bland. I want passion and cuteness and all that jazz in a romance; this couple's polite, formal nature did nothing for me. I'm disappointed I didn't love this since I think the cover is gorgeous and I liked the idea of this book.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tryst by the Sea by Grace Burrowes
The Sirens Retreat Novella Quartet #1

The Sirens Retreat is a magical place to stay with the myth tied to it that if you spend the night there you will find your true love. Where better to go when love seems lost than back to the place you honeymooned, consummated your relationship, and believed would be the beginning of your happily ever after? Serendipitously Gill and Pen find themselves at The Sirens Retreat but will they find their true love…or not?

This is not an easy book to read because the couple suffered so much for nearly a decade. They were both miserable while wearing masks and putting their best foot forward socially. The reason for the years of pain are explained and not surprising but they were sad and made me wish that the two had been less circumspect, more forthright, and had not had to suffer silently for so many years.

I felt the author did well in sharing their pain and the reason for it and was thrilled that the two were finally old enough to know what they wanted and mature enough to honestly communicate with one another. And, those conversations were not always easy for them…or fore me as I read them.

I was thankful the story ended as it did and hope that later in this quartet of stories I will find out what Pen and Gill are doing with their lives since there was no epilogue.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to Erica Ridley and Grace Burrowes for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope, Viscountess Summerton, has decided to leave her husband. She has given up on her marriage. She wants an annulment. Vergilius, Viscount Summerton, is looking at nine years of marriage that has basically gone down hill. He still wants his wife, but their tenth wedding anniversary brings more sorrow than happiness. Both need a change and decide to leave London, only where each really goes is a secret from each other and everyone else. She doesn't plan on coming back. He just needs to getaway and figure out how to get his wife back. They both end up at Siren's Retreat where they spent their honeymoon. Maybe this will be the opportunity to make things right between them... or not.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so freaking good! I LOVE a good marriage in trouble book. There is just something about them that gets me every time. These two lost their child ten years ago. I could not even image going through that. Finally she is fed up and is going to leave him and she goes to this place that they went to on vacation to once...and guess what... he ends up going to the same place. This book is raw. It's deep. It's only 100 and something pages; however, it felt like a full length novel to me. It was so incredibly well written and I just loved it. I absolutely love Grace Burrowes writing style, and while I know it isn't for everyone, I just love it. There is just something so magical about it that I want to take my time to devour each and every word on the page. If you love a good historical romance with a marriage in trouble, I highly suggest checking this one out. Or if you love Grace Burrowes. This one won't disappoint.

[Tamara · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like; 1,5 stars...

I honestly dont understand why these two idiots were having problems in their marriage. A 5 minute talk could have fixed EVERYTHING but instead their miscommunication lasted like 8-9 years and nearly resulted in divorce. For me this one was one veeeeery painful read. Kudos to me for being patient and not dropping it.



Overall; a tear jerker...done wrong.

[Mary Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Great cover, reminiscence of Aidan Turner as Poldark.

Gill and Penelope have been married 10 years. It was lovely at the beginning but after they lost a child and then Gill's father things went pear shaped and there's an interesting twist I didn't see.

Lovely read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not always a fan of novellas but this was excellent. I loved the story and the journey to get to the much needed happily ever after.

[DD · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book in a new mini-series, based around a holiday/honeymoon place by the sea Sirens Retreat, where legend has it if you stay overnight you’ll fall in love.
Gill and Penelope, Viscount and Viscountess Summerton, married young and very quickly to avoid having to deal with a season, they expect life to be easy, like Gill’s younger brother and his pushy wife, and his parents. Barely a year after their marriage tragedy hits twice in quick succession, and Gill is left trapped by his over bearing mother at his parents estate, learning to take over after his father’s sudden death, and missing his grieving wife, who unknown to him is being kept at their London home by his grasping sister in law, who feels her husband should be the new viscount. Ten years on, their marriage which started out so promisingly, has become a typical ton marriage where they spend no time together, and barely speak. Neither are happy but don't know how to fix it.
Rather than face another season belittled by Gill's mother and sister in law Penelope leaves London and Gill and goes to where they were happy on honeymoon. Gill unable to face his mother and sister in law without Penelope at his side also flees London .......
Not sure what I expected, but this book got to me at a level books rarely do, I felt the emotions of the main characters. Beautifully written. Definitely recommend.

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been forever since my last HR book and boy oh boy was this just the right thing to pull me back.
I don't remember when was the last time I cried with a book as I did with this novella. The pain, solitude and broken hearts.. You can't help but feel powerless with the way their marriage is now and even though you can tell they are meant for each other, sometimes it is not meant to be. But with true love and some honest answers they managed to find a way back into each other’s arms.

This was a novella but it felt more than that. It was beautifully written on how a marriage can be a struggle but when both parties are willing nothing can stand in the way.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awesome reminder of the importance of open communication in a loving relationship.

Penelope lies to her husband about going away for 2 weeks to rest, when she was really leaving to work up the courage to ask him for a divorce. Gill's political career, Pen's meddling and greedy in-laws, dishonest rumors and gossip led to them not being intimate for 9 years. Wow!

Nevertheless, Gill's mother and sister-in-law, two horrible bullies and thieves, should have received a more severe punishment for decimating Gill and Penelope's marriage.

[Kazen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Burrowes and it was... okay. Part of it is the setup - marriage in trouble isn't my favorite trope - but it was still an interesting read.

Content note: past death of a child

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy.

[Elizajane40 · Rating 2 out of 5]

9 years! Also, why would the eeeeevil family hide their letters? He never even tried to go to her room again?? What a waste of a good first chapter. 🤷🏻‍♀️ everything about this rang false after that.