Exile's Return

Guardians of the Crown #3

by Alison Stuart

The breathtaking conclusion to the GUARDIANS OF THE CROWN series, introduces a heroine with nothing left to lose and a hero with everything to gain…

England, 1659: Following the death of Cromwell, a new king is poised to ascend the throne of England. One by one, those once loyal to the crown begin to return …

Agnes Fletcher’s lover is dead, and when his two orphaned children are torn from her care by their scheming guardian, she finds herself alone and devastated by the loss. Unwilling to give up, Agnes desperately seeks anyone willing to accompany her on a perilous journey to save the children and return them to her care.
After enduring imprisonment, exile and torture, the fugitive Daniel Lovell has returned to England, determined to find his brother and kill the man who murdered his father. But the King has one last mission for him and there is the small matter of a desperate woman who needs his help.
Agnes finds her protector in Daniel Lovell and thrown together with separate quests – and competing obligations – Daniel and Agnes make their way from London to the English countryside, danger at every turn.
When they are finally given the opportunity to seize everything they ever hoped for, will they find the peace they crave, or will their fledgling love be the final casualty of war?
Thrown together with separate quests – and competing obligations – Daniel and Agnes make their way from London to the English countryside, danger at every turn. When they are finally given the opportunity to seize everything they ever hoped for, will they find the peace they crave, or will their fledgling love be a final casualty of war?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2022

About the author

Mystery, history, romance and more…

Alison Stuart writes historical romances and short stories set in England and Australia and across different periods of history. She is best known for THE POSTMISTRESS and THE GOLDMINER'S SISTER, stories set in the Victorian goldfields in the 1870s.
She also writes historical mysteries as A.M. Stuart and her popular Harriet Gordon mystery series is set in Singapore in 1910.
She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and a geriatric cat. In a past life Alison worked as a lawyer across a variety of disciplines including the military and emergency services. She has lived in Africa and Singapore and, when circumstances permit, travels extensively - all for research of course!

(This writer is NOT the Alison Stuart who also writes as Kate Tremayne and authored Fateful Shadows, Sin No More, Barefoot Angel, Innocence Betrayed or Loyalty Defiled.)

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in The Guardians of the Crown trilogy and it wraps everything up very nicely. Although each of the three books tells its own story, this last one brings back the main characters from the previous two and is obviously more meaningful therefore to readers who have worked their way through the books in order.
I always enjoy Historical Romance as long as the romance and the history are equally balanced. Alison Stuart has a nice, light touch with her romantic episodes and a good knowledge of the historical period she is writing about. The result is a very readable and enjoyable piece of fiction. I will continue to look out for her books.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being taken on board a French frigate, more dead than alive, Daniel Lovell gradually returned to health on the high seas. His five years as part of the French crew of pirateers caused him to once again become strong, tanned and muscular. So when he finally arrived back on English soil after an exile of eight years, he knew his sole focus for revenge on his father’s murderer was within his grasp. But before he could achieve his aim, the King needed his help with one final mission…

It was 1659 and Agnes Fletcher had sole care of Lizzie and Henry; her sister’s young children and the lights of her life. With the hanging of their father, and death previously of their mother, Agnes was the closest to a parent they now had. But when she unexpectedly lost care of them to an unscrupulous schemer, Agnes was beside herself with grief. She was determined to take them back; she would put her life on the line for these children – her fortuitous meeting in London with Daniel Lovell set the course of the future for them both.

As Daniel and Agnes made their way through the English countryside on horseback, their goals began to merge – but danger was every step of the way. And when they joined forces with two other men; men who went back into Daniel’s past, Agnes wasn’t sure if she could trust her companions. But of course, she had no choice. Her goal was the safety of the children – she didn’t care what the men were after.

What would be the outcome for Agnes and the children? And would Daniel succeed in his final mission for the King – or was it doomed from the beginning?

Exile’s Return by Aussie author Alison Stuart is the final in the Guardians of the Crown trilogy which is based around the time of Charles Stuart and Oliver Cromwell – and what a finale it is! Absolutely breathtaking! I’m so glad the author wrote Daniel’s story, with Jonathan’s story in #1 (By The Sword) and Kit’s story in #2 (The King’s Man). The three young men who have been pivotal to the series – I’m sad it’s over, but highly recommend the series to all lovers of historical fiction.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
This is book three in the "Guardians of the Crown" series.
Daniel Lovell is a fugitive that has been Imprisoned, exiled and tortured but after being on a French frigate half dead...he started getting heather and back in shape to be the strong man that he used to be. Once he hits England he wants to see revenge start to happen but is called by the King to do a job for him.
Agnes Fletcher has was taken care of her sisters young kids after the father was killed and her sister died. But they were taken away by a evil person..and now Agnes is trying to get them back.
Agnes and Daniel meet and start to travel together and so starts they journey to love and revenge.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

MS Stuart has never disappointed me with one of her stories and I have to say this latest one was a joy to read I have read the first two books in this series a couple of times (loved them) and I was really looking forward to Daniel's story and truly this one was fabulous can I say it is now my favourite of the three it tied everything up so well it was emotional and moving what a story.

Daniel Lovell returns to England after being imprisoned for eight years to seek out his brother Kit not knowing if he is alive this is after Cromwell has died and there is still unrest in England and The King is still in exile but he has given Daniel a task that will hopefully help him get back on the throne this brings Daniel in contact with Agnes Fletcher who is caring for two children Agnes is alone after the children's father has been hanged but she is nothing but strong determined and so very brave and when the children are taken from her care Daniel and Agnes start a journey to full fill two quests but it also brings them closer together and as they fall in love through so many dangers and so much happening I was smiling and turning those pages.

This story is so beautifully written the characters are so real and come to life on the pages the emotions you will feel throughout the story will have you shedding some tears and cheering them on I truly loved this one from start to finish it is one that will stay with me for a long time and will be re read many times over and I highly recommend this story as well as the first two in the series. I loved catching up with Jonathon and Kate and Kit and Thamsine don't miss this one. I hope I have done it justice fabulous story.

[Roz ~ My Written Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent adventure, and a fantastic way in which to conclude the Guardians of the Crown series!

I am a massive fan of historical romantic fiction, and I am always looking for stories from little-addressed times. Alison Stuart writes with such knowledge and passion about the time of Charles II and Cromwell, that you just can't help be drawn into the story.

Both Daniel and Agnes have their goals, their missions, however their paths intersect because of the actions of one odious character. I was gripped from the opening page, and loved every minute of these two and their journey. Their connection, at first tenuous and often tinged with mistrust, grew beautifully and seeing them realise how much the other means to them was just lovely.

Jonathon and Kit (heroes of the first 2 books in the Guardians of the Crown series) are drawn into the story, and their roles play a big part in drawing this fantastic series to a deeply satisfying conclusion.

I will be waiting with bated breath for whatever Ms Stuart brings us next - Alison, if you write it, I will always read it.

NOTE: I received a copy of this title, thanks to Escape Publishing and the author, Alison Stuart, via NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone.

[Debra Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exile's Return is a beautifully written story of the injustices heaped upon the main character, Daniel Lovell. His harsh life as a prisoner of war and his eventual return to England to find the man who murdered his father is a journey reaped with danger and unexpected companionship. When he rescues Agnes Fletcher from the streets of London, he learns that their goals were similar. She wants custody of her niece and nephew and as it turned out, Tobias Ashby, was both the current guardian of the children and Daniel's target.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even though I hadn't read the two previous books surrounding other central characters, Ms. Stuart delivers enough back story to keep the reader engaged and understanding what had come before. The 1650s were dangerous times in England and Daniel and Agnes must find a way to reach their common goal. I loved the growing friendship between them. I glued to the pages until the end. Fans of English history will certainly enjoy this story. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, the final instalment of her Guardians of the Crown trilogy, Alison Stuart brings together the three guardians and their ladies. Jonathan and Kate from By the Sword, Kit and Thamsine from The King’s Man and now Daniel and Agnes. There is enough background information for all three books to be read as standalones, although I would recommend reading the series in order.

England is in turmoil following the death of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector. The exiled, future Charles II is marking time in France, poised to regain his crown. Daniel Lovell has returned after eight years; embittered and cynical, he is very different to the green and enthusiastic eighteen-year old boy who went off eagerly to war only to be captured, imprisoned, tortured and exiled. Daniel is summoned to Charles’ court in France to be entrusted with one last important mission. On his arrival in England, Daniel is instructed to seek out Agnes Fletcher and to make the meeting appear to be coincidental. She had been caring for her dead sister’s children following their father’s execution for treason, but as a result of his conviction his estates, possessions – and children – have been seized. Daniel arrives when Agnes is at her lowest ebb; one of her charges is now the young earl and therefore an important pawn in the nefarious machinations of his father’s first cousin – the Roundhead responsible for his cousin’s betrayal and conviction. The boy stands in the way of Colonel Tobias Ashby’s aspirations to the earldom. Agnes had been the Earl’s mistress as well as his sister-in-law, and now, as well as losing her lover in such distressing circumstances, she has also lost her two young charges whom she dearly loves.

A woman alone, grieving and without funds, Agnes is therefore susceptible to kindness, and Daniel finds it relatively easy to persuade her that he is her friend and to put his plan into action. As it transpires, Daniel’s mission and Agnes’ determination to find a way to rescue her young niece and nephew coincide. Daniel has been tasked with retrieving a large sum of money which it is believed was hidden by the dead earl, on his estate. This money will help the King in his bid to regain the crown and, having lived on the estate, Agnes is the only feasible link to finding it. Daniel also has another agenda, one that has driven him in his quest for survival and vengeance over his long years in exile. Before his capture, he saw his father killed, mercilessly, on his own doorstep – the murderer is the man both he and Agnes have cause to hate – Colonel Tobias Ashby.

The two set off on their journey and as they do the attraction between them begins to grow. Having readThe King’s Man and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was eagerly awaiting this novel, but I admit to feeling a little disappointed. I absolutely loved Kit Lovell, the hero of that book, and Daniel’s older brother – he was a bit of a good boy turned bad – for honourable reasons – and then redeemed, and I adored his colourful, swaggering, womanising, larger-than-life character. The relationship between him and his lady, Thamsine, is magic and expertly drawn; Alison Stuart certainly created a memorable pair of characters in those two. A hard act to follow then, and maybe that’s why I felt that there was little spark between the slightly wooden character of Daniel and the wishy-washy Agnes. Daniel is quite an angry man; it’s true that he suffered, but so did many people during the long years of the war and his exile hadn’t been all bad. An injection of his charismatic brother’s get-up-and-go wouldn’t have gone amiss. The romance between Daniel and Agnes feels contrived and there is very little passion or sensuality in it. I’m not talking about bedroom action here, because I actually like it when it’s more of a suggestion, more about sensuality than actual sex. When the pair do eventually decide they are right for each other, I still didn’t feel it; in fact, even when Kit reappears he doesn’t jump off the page as he had done previously.

Exile’s Return is a nicely written novel that is rich in historical detail, and maybe if I hadn’t read The King’s Man first, I would have enjoyed it more. With it, the trilogy is nicely finished with all of the main characters coming together again and all loose ends being neatly tied off. 3.5 stars.

[kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Third book in Guardians of the Crown but perhaps my least favorite. Still, this is very good series that takes place during English Civil Wars. There is romance, action and suspense and historical accuracy. This book brought back all the main characters from first two books so I would suggest reading the series in order.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems to be the third of three stories about the British Interregnum, from the Battle of Worcester in 1651 until the return of Charles II in 1660. In this part of the saga, Daniel Lovett, second son of an earl, returns from years of slavery and then employment on a French privateer to fulfill a mission for King Charles, still exiled in Belgium in the year 1659. The insights into Puritan England are slight here, but the story of a king's ransom in gold, a pair of orphaned children and the comeuppance of a man who had used the excuse of wartime to perpetrate numerous cruelties on two distinct aristocratic families and their dependents was compelling enough to keep me reading.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice wrap up of the families involved - a nice historical romantic trilogy. :)

[Louise Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Exiles Return, Alison Stuart thrusts us back into the intriguing world of the English Civil War and completes her wonderful Guardians of the Crown series.
Daniel Lovell has survived a harrowing exile in the West Indies but made his way to France where the exiled King Charles II entrusts him with a mission to find gold that was entrusted to the recently executed Earl of Elmhurst. Determined to go home to England and extract revenge on his father’s murderer Daniel accepts the mission. To locate the gold, he must enlist the help of Agnes Fletcher, the Earl’s lover and aunt to his two small children. I won’t detail the plot any further as there would be too many spoilers. Suffice to say Daniel and Agnes are well-fleshed out characters with opposing agendas. Agnes, in particular, shines a light on the choices a woman of the period might be forced to make.
I love Stuart’s English Civil War novels. It’s obvious that she is steeped in the history of the period and the detail rings true. Additionally, there’s always an element of adventure that reminds me in a way, of Robert Louis Stevenson: plots, plans, intrigue and romance. It’s a great way to tell a story and make history come alive.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Exile's Return (Guardians of the Crown Book 3) by Alison Stuart is the continuation of her series, and it just keeps getting better and better. In this story we have Daniel Lovell's story. He returns to England after 8 years of imprisonment to find his brother Kit. He finds Agnes Fletcher and 2 children she is taking care of because their father died. Their story of love starts when the children are taken away from Agnes, and they start of their journey to complete two quests. I strongly suggest reading the prior two books in the series since they are excellent, but the Ms. Stuart does a great job in describing characters that you will be able to follow along if this is a read alone book.

[Sandra R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect conclusion to this trilogy ! Beautifully written and dramatic.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this before years ago, but had totally forgotten Daniel’s story. A few bits are less believable but I’m glad he got his happy ever after