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Because of You
Is a reckless rogue worthy of thelove of an innocent enchantress?
Pretty Samantha Northrup knows it isher duty to marry—but the chaste Englishvicar’s daughter secretly desires to be sweptoff her feet by a man whose kisses leave herbreathless. And when a seductive strangerarrives at her door one stormy night,Samantha’s neat and orderly life is turnedupside down—especially when she finds herself in a most compromising position . . .and is forced to marry a man she barely knows!
Samantha is unaware that her mystery bridegroom is Yale Carderock, the dashing,disinherited rakehell son of a duke, banishedby his father years before. Now Lord Yalehas returned—wealthier but only somewhatreformed—and he is bewitched by his lovelynew bride’s awakening sensuality and innocentfire. But can this marriage of conveniencebe something more . . . and can a confirmedcad and society outcast truly change his ways enough to merit the lady’s tender love?
Pretty Samantha Northrup knows it isher duty to marry—but the chaste Englishvicar’s daughter secretly desires to be sweptoff her feet by a man whose kisses leave herbreathless. And when a seductive strangerarrives at her door one stormy night,Samantha’s neat and orderly life is turnedupside down—especially when she finds herself in a most compromising position . . .and is forced to marry a man she barely knows!
Samantha is unaware that her mystery bridegroom is Yale Carderock, the dashing,disinherited rakehell son of a duke, banishedby his father years before. Now Lord Yalehas returned—wealthier but only somewhatreformed—and he is bewitched by his lovelynew bride’s awakening sensuality and innocentfire. But can this marriage of conveniencebe something more . . . and can a confirmedcad and society outcast truly change his ways enough to merit the lady’s tender love?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1999
76 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
72 books2,205 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 8, 2016
2.5 stars
October 27, 2011
Samantha Northrup was the vicar's daughter and somethng of a healer. She really was put upon by the villagers but it wasn't until they forced her to marry the man she had taken in and healed thru a serious bout of infulenza did she really see them for the hypocrites they really were.
Yale Carderock, the prodigal son, returns to his home to show his father that he wasn't worthless, only too late for his father had died a couple of years earlier.
The most amazing thing was see the growth of Yale in this book. He was honorable - otherwise, no one could have possibly forced him to marry Samantha - nothing had hapened between them, but he recognized the fate that awaited Sam and he was there to save her, even if meant continuing a lie - such as marrying her under a false name. But he was determined to make sure he took care of her for she had saved his life. What follows was his passage from an angry and proudful young man to a caring and loving person. It was a joy to behold, to watch him fall in love.
Cathy Maxwell is surely a genius in touching the human heart and soul. She has touched mine with these so romantic love stories she so effortlessly tells. This was a can't put down kind of book... Definitely one to savour.
Yale Carderock, the prodigal son, returns to his home to show his father that he wasn't worthless, only too late for his father had died a couple of years earlier.
The most amazing thing was see the growth of Yale in this book. He was honorable - otherwise, no one could have possibly forced him to marry Samantha - nothing had hapened between them, but he recognized the fate that awaited Sam and he was there to save her, even if meant continuing a lie - such as marrying her under a false name. But he was determined to make sure he took care of her for she had saved his life. What follows was his passage from an angry and proudful young man to a caring and loving person. It was a joy to behold, to watch him fall in love.
Cathy Maxwell is surely a genius in touching the human heart and soul. She has touched mine with these so romantic love stories she so effortlessly tells. This was a can't put down kind of book... Definitely one to savour.
May 5, 2019
Samantha is the daughter of the late vicar and has managed to stay in the vicarage past when she would typically have to vacate for the next occupant. She is the village healer, and the people call on her at all hours whenever they need help. One night she was awakened by someone pounding on her door, but it wasn't a villager. Instead, it was a man who demanded the keys to the Aylebourough vault. Sam refused to hand them over to an unknown person, and the resulting confrontation was full of sparks.
Yale is the younger son of the late Duke and was disinherited by his father. Furious and determined to prove his father wrong, Yale spent the last eleven years building a successful business as a shipowner and trader. When he arrived back in England, ready to confront his father, he was devastated to hear that his father was dead. He refused to believe it until he saw the proof of his father's grave.
I loved the first meeting between Sam and Yale. Yale may be an impressive man, but Sam has the backbone to stand up to him. She did not give in easily to his demands and still managed to hold her own after she did. Things became even more complicated when he came down with influenza while staying at the inn. She ended up with Yale at the vicarage as she cared for him, after a very disturbing scene with the innkeeper and villagers. I didn't like the villagers then, and I liked them even less later. They are a selfish and hypocritical group. They continued their ways when, in a pretty funny scene, a disoriented and very naked Yale wandered into a room full of the women who had come to see Sam. I thought the speed with which they insisted on Yale marrying Sam was more for their own benefit than any real concern for her. Meanwhile, Yale, who had given a fake name, stepped up to do the right thing but did so still using the false name. He was quite willing to do whatever necessary to take care of her but planned to simply marry her, set her up with her own home, then leave England and not come back. His plans were upended by the unexpected arrival of his brother, who recognized Yale as the brother everyone thought had died at sea and exposed Yale's deception. The resulting remarriage scene was hilarious.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Yale and Sam. The sparks were there from the start. Yale was both intrigued and frustrated by Sam's innocence and stubbornness, and bowled over by the passion he discovered in her. Sam could see past the façade to the man who still carried the hurt of his father's rejection. What appeared to be a promising start to their relationship was derailed by his brother's arrival and subsequent attempts to keep Yale in England. I liked Sam's understanding of the conflicts between Yale and Wayland, and how she tried to make them both see the other's point of view, though she first fell victim to Wayland's persuasiveness. It didn't take long for her to realize the depth of her feelings for Yale, and the heartbreak of her future without him loomed large. I liked the advice she received that was pretty much of the "if you love something set it free" variety. Yale resisted his feelings for Sam, believing that he doesn't know what love is and therefore can't give it to her. His "aha" moment was quite lovely as he found that he didn't want to look at a future without her in it. When his business experienced a devastating blow, he discovered just how far her love and support went to enabling him to face rebuilding. I loved seeing her put her foot down about her part in it. The epilogue was great.
Yale's relationship with his brother was a difficult one. As the child of his father's second wife, Yale had never really felt part of the family. Those feelings were a large part of Yale's actions as a youth, which I thought were a cry for attention. Wayland had certainly never put any effort into getting to know his much younger brother. Wayland had been in training as the heir, while Yale was mostly ignored. By the time Yale returned, Wayland had been the duke for several years. I admit to not liking him very much, even by the end. Wayland seemed much more interested in keeping Yale in England than in Yale living his own life. I couldn't understand how he thought Yale would accept working for Wayland when he was a successful businessman on his own. Wayland's attempts to use Sam in his manipulations bugged me, too. Yale still carried a great deal of resentment over his treatment in the past, which affected his interactions with Wayland. It took Sam's efforts to show Yale the importance of having a family for him to finally let go of those feelings and see his family for what they were. There were some lighter scenes with Wayland, such as his interactions with his sons, that gave me hope for a better relationship between him and Yale.
Yale is the younger son of the late Duke and was disinherited by his father. Furious and determined to prove his father wrong, Yale spent the last eleven years building a successful business as a shipowner and trader. When he arrived back in England, ready to confront his father, he was devastated to hear that his father was dead. He refused to believe it until he saw the proof of his father's grave.
I loved the first meeting between Sam and Yale. Yale may be an impressive man, but Sam has the backbone to stand up to him. She did not give in easily to his demands and still managed to hold her own after she did. Things became even more complicated when he came down with influenza while staying at the inn. She ended up with Yale at the vicarage as she cared for him, after a very disturbing scene with the innkeeper and villagers. I didn't like the villagers then, and I liked them even less later. They are a selfish and hypocritical group. They continued their ways when, in a pretty funny scene, a disoriented and very naked Yale wandered into a room full of the women who had come to see Sam. I thought the speed with which they insisted on Yale marrying Sam was more for their own benefit than any real concern for her. Meanwhile, Yale, who had given a fake name, stepped up to do the right thing but did so still using the false name. He was quite willing to do whatever necessary to take care of her but planned to simply marry her, set her up with her own home, then leave England and not come back. His plans were upended by the unexpected arrival of his brother, who recognized Yale as the brother everyone thought had died at sea and exposed Yale's deception. The resulting remarriage scene was hilarious.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Yale and Sam. The sparks were there from the start. Yale was both intrigued and frustrated by Sam's innocence and stubbornness, and bowled over by the passion he discovered in her. Sam could see past the façade to the man who still carried the hurt of his father's rejection. What appeared to be a promising start to their relationship was derailed by his brother's arrival and subsequent attempts to keep Yale in England. I liked Sam's understanding of the conflicts between Yale and Wayland, and how she tried to make them both see the other's point of view, though she first fell victim to Wayland's persuasiveness. It didn't take long for her to realize the depth of her feelings for Yale, and the heartbreak of her future without him loomed large. I liked the advice she received that was pretty much of the "if you love something set it free" variety. Yale resisted his feelings for Sam, believing that he doesn't know what love is and therefore can't give it to her. His "aha" moment was quite lovely as he found that he didn't want to look at a future without her in it. When his business experienced a devastating blow, he discovered just how far her love and support went to enabling him to face rebuilding. I loved seeing her put her foot down about her part in it. The epilogue was great.
Yale's relationship with his brother was a difficult one. As the child of his father's second wife, Yale had never really felt part of the family. Those feelings were a large part of Yale's actions as a youth, which I thought were a cry for attention. Wayland had certainly never put any effort into getting to know his much younger brother. Wayland had been in training as the heir, while Yale was mostly ignored. By the time Yale returned, Wayland had been the duke for several years. I admit to not liking him very much, even by the end. Wayland seemed much more interested in keeping Yale in England than in Yale living his own life. I couldn't understand how he thought Yale would accept working for Wayland when he was a successful businessman on his own. Wayland's attempts to use Sam in his manipulations bugged me, too. Yale still carried a great deal of resentment over his treatment in the past, which affected his interactions with Wayland. It took Sam's efforts to show Yale the importance of having a family for him to finally let go of those feelings and see his family for what they were. There were some lighter scenes with Wayland, such as his interactions with his sons, that gave me hope for a better relationship between him and Yale.
December 2, 2011
Reviewed By- Jen
Review Copy Provided By- Joan Schulhafer Publisher and Media Consulting
Considering I'm a huge historical romance fan, I found it very interesting that I've never read a Cathy Maxwell novel. Shocking, I know! So, when I was asked to review this re-release of Because of You, I was quite happy to accept.
So, what we have in this novel is the classic nobleman seemingly compromising a lady and having to enter a marriage of convenience. What made this story for me was the characters. I really enjoyed getting to know Yale and Samantha. Yale grew up as a son of a duke, but after being disinherited, he traveled the world and basically grew up. Samantha is a vicar's daughter and the person everyone in her small village turns to in their time of need. The sparks between Yale and Samantha jump off the page. And of course, they have to overcome numerous obstacles on their way to happily ever after. Add in a wide variety of supporting characters and you're in for a real treat.
I am glad I chose to read this book and I can honestly say this won't be my last Cathy Maxwell book.
Review Copy Provided By- Joan Schulhafer Publisher and Media Consulting
Considering I'm a huge historical romance fan, I found it very interesting that I've never read a Cathy Maxwell novel. Shocking, I know! So, when I was asked to review this re-release of Because of You, I was quite happy to accept.
So, what we have in this novel is the classic nobleman seemingly compromising a lady and having to enter a marriage of convenience. What made this story for me was the characters. I really enjoyed getting to know Yale and Samantha. Yale grew up as a son of a duke, but after being disinherited, he traveled the world and basically grew up. Samantha is a vicar's daughter and the person everyone in her small village turns to in their time of need. The sparks between Yale and Samantha jump off the page. And of course, they have to overcome numerous obstacles on their way to happily ever after. Add in a wide variety of supporting characters and you're in for a real treat.
I am glad I chose to read this book and I can honestly say this won't be my last Cathy Maxwell book.
March 21, 2025
More of a 2.5, but I'll round up because it was the kind of brainless I needed.
October 2, 2013
I can't believe it. I can't believe I'm saying this about a Cathy Maxwell book but I can't lie. This was such a mess. I think it wouldn't have been too bad had it not hit so many of my pet peeves. The lying hero, the martyr heroine, the insta-love, the thunderbolt love, the hero who just drags the heroine like a rag doll wherever he wants, the over sentimental cheeeeeeeeesy I-love-you's, and worst of all the I-have-high-principles-but-I-still-love-him-because-we-had-such-passionate-sex trope.
I just never forgave the hero for his lie. It probably would have helped if he seemed a little sorry about it but instead he just kept trying to justify it and that didn't sit well with me.
I'm sorry Maxwell but you lost me on this one. But never fear! I will stay loyal and read some of your others:D
I just never forgave the hero for his lie. It probably would have helped if he seemed a little sorry about it but instead he just kept trying to justify it and that didn't sit well with me.
I'm sorry Maxwell but you lost me on this one. But never fear! I will stay loyal and read some of your others:D
January 7, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
“It’s not right to hold on to the past when it’s done and over” is easier said than done, especially when the future holds so many scary unknowns.
The village of Sproule is Samantha Northup’s world. She has never even been to the next town. In early nineteenth century England, an over-the-hill, unmarried vicar’s daughter has limited possibilities when her father dies leaving her penniless and homeless. Even though she is a healer and the people in the village and surrounding community depend on her able, gentle care, the squire’s wife says, “…you’re a thorn in our side…” after an unfortunate incident. The villagers demand she marry the man who put her in an untenable position and he agrees, saying he will take care of her—which relieves the villager of a responsibility of seeing she is respectably housed and fed. Samantha saved his life and finds him irresistible. When he kisses her—her first kiss, it opens a Pandora’s Box. He is like a narcotic in her blood. He is her destiny, she is sure. Her naiveté leaves her open for heartbreak.
Yale Carderock, disinherited son of the now-dead duke of Ayleborough, owes his life to Samantha. He also finds that this stubborn woman, in dowdy clothes and humble in her service to others, is a sensual, hot-blooded woman—a treasure. With her fresh wholesomeness and her quickness to forgive others, she enthralls him. He fully intends to keep his word and to take care of her honorably—he just doesn’t plan to take her with him.
Plans get derailed when the present duke of Ayleborough, Yale’s brother Wayland, arrives in the village. Old hurts, regrets, expectations, guilt, and well-intended lies wreck what had been Samantha and Yale’s special relationship.
In London, the overwhelming society “niceties” in the duke’s house have Samantha drowning in the “do and don’t rules” while she is trying to come to terms with Yale’s intentions. He will see her settled and well cared for then he will be off to sea and to his Ceylon business. She tells herself she must learn to live with a broken heart.
An amazing secondary character is Fenley, a long-time man-of-service in the Carderock household. He understands Yale, but he sees Samantha’s love for Yale and her breaking heart. He tells her “Love is not something you can cage”. He helps her realize love enriches the spirit giving it meaning and depth. He encourages her to look passed the fears, doubts, hurts, and see love for what it is—bright, pure, and beautiful—a gift.
Yale’s awakening to what love really is comes when he sees Samantha with his extended family. He breaks a dinner date with the prime minister of England to be at his wife’s side. He finds that his forgiving, one-of-a-kind Samantha gives meaning to his life. When his business is dealt a crushing blow and he has to start over, Samantha’s love, stubbornness and determination buoy him up. She makes him feel complete and accepted unconditionally.
Cathy Maxwell is an awesome story teller. She connects the reader with the characters so the reader feels as if she is sharing emotionally fraught actions and love scenes—so special. She even makes secondary characters seem real. She also works in a touch of whimsy and magic here and there—the green pixie paperweight should not be discounted—just in case.
Because of You is spellbinding and memorable—smooth, captivating reading.
“It’s not right to hold on to the past when it’s done and over” is easier said than done, especially when the future holds so many scary unknowns.
The village of Sproule is Samantha Northup’s world. She has never even been to the next town. In early nineteenth century England, an over-the-hill, unmarried vicar’s daughter has limited possibilities when her father dies leaving her penniless and homeless. Even though she is a healer and the people in the village and surrounding community depend on her able, gentle care, the squire’s wife says, “…you’re a thorn in our side…” after an unfortunate incident. The villagers demand she marry the man who put her in an untenable position and he agrees, saying he will take care of her—which relieves the villager of a responsibility of seeing she is respectably housed and fed. Samantha saved his life and finds him irresistible. When he kisses her—her first kiss, it opens a Pandora’s Box. He is like a narcotic in her blood. He is her destiny, she is sure. Her naiveté leaves her open for heartbreak.
Yale Carderock, disinherited son of the now-dead duke of Ayleborough, owes his life to Samantha. He also finds that this stubborn woman, in dowdy clothes and humble in her service to others, is a sensual, hot-blooded woman—a treasure. With her fresh wholesomeness and her quickness to forgive others, she enthralls him. He fully intends to keep his word and to take care of her honorably—he just doesn’t plan to take her with him.
Plans get derailed when the present duke of Ayleborough, Yale’s brother Wayland, arrives in the village. Old hurts, regrets, expectations, guilt, and well-intended lies wreck what had been Samantha and Yale’s special relationship.
In London, the overwhelming society “niceties” in the duke’s house have Samantha drowning in the “do and don’t rules” while she is trying to come to terms with Yale’s intentions. He will see her settled and well cared for then he will be off to sea and to his Ceylon business. She tells herself she must learn to live with a broken heart.
An amazing secondary character is Fenley, a long-time man-of-service in the Carderock household. He understands Yale, but he sees Samantha’s love for Yale and her breaking heart. He tells her “Love is not something you can cage”. He helps her realize love enriches the spirit giving it meaning and depth. He encourages her to look passed the fears, doubts, hurts, and see love for what it is—bright, pure, and beautiful—a gift.
Yale’s awakening to what love really is comes when he sees Samantha with his extended family. He breaks a dinner date with the prime minister of England to be at his wife’s side. He finds that his forgiving, one-of-a-kind Samantha gives meaning to his life. When his business is dealt a crushing blow and he has to start over, Samantha’s love, stubbornness and determination buoy him up. She makes him feel complete and accepted unconditionally.
Cathy Maxwell is an awesome story teller. She connects the reader with the characters so the reader feels as if she is sharing emotionally fraught actions and love scenes—so special. She even makes secondary characters seem real. She also works in a touch of whimsy and magic here and there—the green pixie paperweight should not be discounted—just in case.
Because of You is spellbinding and memorable—smooth, captivating reading.
November 22, 2018
Since her father’s death, Samantha Northrup hasn’t quite fit in among the residents of the village of Sproule. Though she’s a healer and the daughter of the now-deceased vicar, no one seems to know what to do with the unmarried Samantha. Then a mysterious stranger practically falls into Samantha’s lap one night. He calls himself Marvin Browne and after bringing him back from the brink of death, Samantha finds herself compromised and is forced to marry Marvin. Samantha’s determined to make the best of her new life with Marvin the sailor. There’s just one thing she doesn’t know…
Yale Carderock, the disinherited second son of a duke, has returned to England after years abroad to show his father that he has made a success of himself. But Yale is met with the news that his father is dead and he himself is thought to be dead. He has to see the graves himself in order to believe the news, so he races to Sproule and gives the villagers a fake name. He never expects to be married under it! What’s more, Yale is taken with his pretty bride and knows that his deception cannot last forever. Can he untangle the mess he’s made? And when he does, will Samantha want the man she married as much as the she does the man she thought him to be?
A pious woman, a formerly dissolute rake, deception, and a forced marriage are all well-known tropes in the historical romance genre. Thankfully, even all put together they don’t feel overdone in Because of You. Yale is a hard-working, kind man who’s a bit too stubborn for his own good. I liked him, even with his flaws, because Cathy Maxwell made it impossible not to. It’s also difficult not to adore Samantha, even though she does seem a bit too perfect at times. The two of them make a good pair which makes Because of You a charming read. I must admit though, Yale’s brother and sister-in-law almost stole the spotlight from Samantha and Yale in the latter half of the book. Wayland and Marion are such a great couple that I am disappointed there is no book for them and I’m crossing my fingers that Ms. Maxwell changes that one day.
Ms. Maxwell always delivers a fast-paced, entertaining story and Because of You is no exception. There are a few points where I was pulled out of the story – Samantha and Yale fall in love almost abruptly and there’s a plot twist at the end that seemed unnecessary – but overall I liked Because of You. It may not be my favorite book of Ms. Maxwell’s, but that’s because Ms. Maxwell has delivered a number of delightful books. Fans of classic Regency romance should be entertained by Yale and Samantha’s story.
Note: Because of You was first published in 1999 and was reissued in October of 2011.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Yale Carderock, the disinherited second son of a duke, has returned to England after years abroad to show his father that he has made a success of himself. But Yale is met with the news that his father is dead and he himself is thought to be dead. He has to see the graves himself in order to believe the news, so he races to Sproule and gives the villagers a fake name. He never expects to be married under it! What’s more, Yale is taken with his pretty bride and knows that his deception cannot last forever. Can he untangle the mess he’s made? And when he does, will Samantha want the man she married as much as the she does the man she thought him to be?
A pious woman, a formerly dissolute rake, deception, and a forced marriage are all well-known tropes in the historical romance genre. Thankfully, even all put together they don’t feel overdone in Because of You. Yale is a hard-working, kind man who’s a bit too stubborn for his own good. I liked him, even with his flaws, because Cathy Maxwell made it impossible not to. It’s also difficult not to adore Samantha, even though she does seem a bit too perfect at times. The two of them make a good pair which makes Because of You a charming read. I must admit though, Yale’s brother and sister-in-law almost stole the spotlight from Samantha and Yale in the latter half of the book. Wayland and Marion are such a great couple that I am disappointed there is no book for them and I’m crossing my fingers that Ms. Maxwell changes that one day.
Ms. Maxwell always delivers a fast-paced, entertaining story and Because of You is no exception. There are a few points where I was pulled out of the story – Samantha and Yale fall in love almost abruptly and there’s a plot twist at the end that seemed unnecessary – but overall I liked Because of You. It may not be my favorite book of Ms. Maxwell’s, but that’s because Ms. Maxwell has delivered a number of delightful books. Fans of classic Regency romance should be entertained by Yale and Samantha’s story.
Note: Because of You was first published in 1999 and was reissued in October of 2011.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
December 14, 2011
Because of You by Cathy Maxwell
Historical Romance – Oct. 25th, 2011
4 1/2 stars
Samantha Northrup is in a fix. Her father, the previous vicar, passed away a year ago. By rights, Samantha should have moved out of the vicarage, but she’s poor and has nowhere to go. Threatened to be evicted by the villagers, she meets up with the mysterious Marvin Browne. Marvin Browne is ill with influenza and Samantha nurses him back to health but this only to causes more scandal in the village! Samantha is forced to marry Marvin, whom, unknown to all, is the second son of a duke.
As the prodigal son, Marvin, really known as Yale Carderock, has returns home to somehow find himself a wife! But when Samantha finds out that Yale had lied to her, can their budding romance be saved?
Why have I never heard of Cathy Maxwell before?! I found her delightful book so charming and utterly readable, I couldn’t put it down. The plot flows so smoothly even though the premise is outrageous and Cinderella-ish. Despite all that, I loved the story between Samantha and Yale. Yale’s ongoing fallout with his eldest brother, the duke, is believable. He’s so flawed and so damaged by his childhood that it takes him a long time to realize how much pain he brought to his family. Kind and compassionate Samantha has a no nonsense streak; she simply won’t take Yale’s bad attitude! It was certainly fun to read them together. They really complemented each other!
Great pacing and memorable characters makes this romance a must read!
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Club
Historical Romance – Oct. 25th, 2011
4 1/2 stars
Samantha Northrup is in a fix. Her father, the previous vicar, passed away a year ago. By rights, Samantha should have moved out of the vicarage, but she’s poor and has nowhere to go. Threatened to be evicted by the villagers, she meets up with the mysterious Marvin Browne. Marvin Browne is ill with influenza and Samantha nurses him back to health but this only to causes more scandal in the village! Samantha is forced to marry Marvin, whom, unknown to all, is the second son of a duke.
As the prodigal son, Marvin, really known as Yale Carderock, has returns home to somehow find himself a wife! But when Samantha finds out that Yale had lied to her, can their budding romance be saved?
Why have I never heard of Cathy Maxwell before?! I found her delightful book so charming and utterly readable, I couldn’t put it down. The plot flows so smoothly even though the premise is outrageous and Cinderella-ish. Despite all that, I loved the story between Samantha and Yale. Yale’s ongoing fallout with his eldest brother, the duke, is believable. He’s so flawed and so damaged by his childhood that it takes him a long time to realize how much pain he brought to his family. Kind and compassionate Samantha has a no nonsense streak; she simply won’t take Yale’s bad attitude! It was certainly fun to read them together. They really complemented each other!
Great pacing and memorable characters makes this romance a must read!
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Club
February 13, 2012
I got this book for free from the beta test of our state library's free digital service. This would have earned three stars, however, there were some issues with plot devices. The author built up the hero in the beginning of the story, overcame a marriage based on lies, and then, threw in two foundling children that reads like the part in the movie "Titanic" when Leo is carrying around a kid for no apparent reason. These kids didn't add to the story, nor did they bring any change to any characters that would affect the plot in a significant way. I'm wondering why to even have them there. The story has a great start, but I"m disappointed that the hero couldn't see past his own nose when it comes to dealing with people. He is supposed to be this awesome self-made man, but for someone who is that independent, he threw a lot of fits where his brother was concerned. I'm really not sure how he found the gumption to start his own company. The heroine is another matter. She is written as strong in her own way, but seriously lacks an economic bent. She gives away her medical services to the small community she lives in for free. Dude, girl needs a job! She has a skill, but she will not trade on her skill to make her life a little more comfortable.
These plot devices aside, Maxell is a good writer, and it was a very engaging story. However, it is one that needs serious revision and an editor who is awake.
These plot devices aside, Maxell is a good writer, and it was a very engaging story. However, it is one that needs serious revision and an editor who is awake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2021
Read my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 17, 2020
2.5 stars. Good beginning until 3/4 th of the book. The ending was too abrupt, they confessed their loves to each other without any build-up. And the ending was blah.
April 25, 2024
Five stars for my anticipation to read this, the emotional roller-coaster it took me on (for both characters), not to mention it being pretty action oriented/ smutty from the jump.
Cathy Maxwell is fast becoming a favorite of mine. None of her stories/characters are read alikes, and I truly felt for both leads. We literally open with Yale (masquerading as Marvin) banging on Samantha's (Sam's) door in the cold dark winters' night, commanding keys to a family mortuary. From there, we get the intricacies of not only Sam's country life, but snippets of why Yale is guarded.
That's another thing I loved: seeing Yale learn to lean on Sam when life's trained him to be alone. This angsty cast-off son vibe isn't new (in fact, it's giving East of Eden with it's prodigal son vs. rebellious younger brother... which as we all know is just modernized Cain and Able). And Sam has to come to terms with the fact that she's been lonely most of her adult life (the scenes that got me were when Yale's accidently breaking her mother's tea cup causes Sam to cry because she thought she'd take the set with her once she was married. But now she feels that ship has sailed... and then Yale just holds her close and lets her cry. And when the neighbors concoct the "he walked in naked/has been here the whole time... which we also orchestrated...now you must marry in haste!". That bitch of a neighbor going "look, there's a new, younger vicar in town. This house is really meant for a family, which you have none. No one is saying it, so guess I will: get out!" just broke my heart).
Fuck those neighbors in general: when they heard Yale had a fever, they were like "toss him out; better him than me/my loved ones. Oh, Sam's near? Let her take him in/expose herself to sickness". Love that Yale knows what it's like to be conditionally loved (his was through mistresses) and calls them out internally on their hypocrisy. Also, the re-marriage scene gave me "The Lottery" vibes with the whole town willing to answer for a visibly distressed Sam. As a shouting collective, no less. And WTF is up with that wedding tradition? The whole town was supposed to strip the couple naked and tie them to the bedpost... good on Sam and Yale for escaping.
Annoying as it read, Sam's reaction to finding out "Marvin" was really Yale is realistic: she'd been physically and emotionally vulnerable with him (their wedding night was hot, and bonus: she's curious about sex, enthusiastic even. And when she tells him about her dream, which leads into her telling him she wants his baby and that she's in love with him... my ❤️). She's married a stranger, and while she is cordial towards him, affection/love has to be earned. Also, familial love doesn't come with blood. Despite being invited to stay, Wayland is flawed and doesn't know what Yale went through with being not just disinherited, but feeling like an outsider in his own home (Fenley, the footman, tells Sam that Yale is Wayland's half-brother, that Yale's father married his second wife for his own vanity-she was flighty, younger, and had a pretty face-and grew up knowing he was the product of an unhappy/for show marriage, and it pained Yale to realize he didn't look like his siblings).
I appreciated their different reactions to loneliness:
*Sam lives surrounded by people she's served with her healing for decades, and yet she's isolated and fears she's traded one for another, what with Yale promising to set her up in a grand house far from him while he's off trading, and now he's not even who he said he was?
*Yale has known nothing but loneliness, and when he's sad/something bad happens, he instinctually goes to be alone, knowing that solves nothing. It happened when he discovered his father had died (drinking alone that led to his fever due to blood thinning), and when he finds his ship/all it's product has been destroyed, he sits alone, having entered through the servants' entrance. Love that Sam solves their loneliness issues by going with Yale to Ceylon to help rebuild his business. They finally let each other in.
Don't get me started on the scene with Yale and baby Charlie (he straight up calls that baby "ugly" and panics when he needs a nappy change, and stumbles around until he finds Sam), and the ending: Yale literally stays by Sam's side, lovingly coaching her through labor, watches his son being born, and says what he made fun of Wayland for: happiness for his newborn son seems to recognize him. Usually I'm not a fan of the "baby heals the heart" moment, but with Yale, I get it. And it felt sincere.
I could go on, but my hand begins to tire. Onward!
Cathy Maxwell is fast becoming a favorite of mine. None of her stories/characters are read alikes, and I truly felt for both leads. We literally open with Yale (masquerading as Marvin) banging on Samantha's (Sam's) door in the cold dark winters' night, commanding keys to a family mortuary. From there, we get the intricacies of not only Sam's country life, but snippets of why Yale is guarded.
That's another thing I loved: seeing Yale learn to lean on Sam when life's trained him to be alone. This angsty cast-off son vibe isn't new (in fact, it's giving East of Eden with it's prodigal son vs. rebellious younger brother... which as we all know is just modernized Cain and Able). And Sam has to come to terms with the fact that she's been lonely most of her adult life (the scenes that got me were when Yale's accidently breaking her mother's tea cup causes Sam to cry because she thought she'd take the set with her once she was married. But now she feels that ship has sailed... and then Yale just holds her close and lets her cry. And when the neighbors concoct the "he walked in naked/has been here the whole time... which we also orchestrated...now you must marry in haste!". That bitch of a neighbor going "look, there's a new, younger vicar in town. This house is really meant for a family, which you have none. No one is saying it, so guess I will: get out!" just broke my heart).
Fuck those neighbors in general: when they heard Yale had a fever, they were like "toss him out; better him than me/my loved ones. Oh, Sam's near? Let her take him in/expose herself to sickness". Love that Yale knows what it's like to be conditionally loved (his was through mistresses) and calls them out internally on their hypocrisy. Also, the re-marriage scene gave me "The Lottery" vibes with the whole town willing to answer for a visibly distressed Sam. As a shouting collective, no less. And WTF is up with that wedding tradition? The whole town was supposed to strip the couple naked and tie them to the bedpost... good on Sam and Yale for escaping.
Annoying as it read, Sam's reaction to finding out "Marvin" was really Yale is realistic: she'd been physically and emotionally vulnerable with him (their wedding night was hot, and bonus: she's curious about sex, enthusiastic even. And when she tells him about her dream, which leads into her telling him she wants his baby and that she's in love with him... my ❤️). She's married a stranger, and while she is cordial towards him, affection/love has to be earned. Also, familial love doesn't come with blood. Despite being invited to stay, Wayland is flawed and doesn't know what Yale went through with being not just disinherited, but feeling like an outsider in his own home (Fenley, the footman, tells Sam that Yale is Wayland's half-brother, that Yale's father married his second wife for his own vanity-she was flighty, younger, and had a pretty face-and grew up knowing he was the product of an unhappy/for show marriage, and it pained Yale to realize he didn't look like his siblings).
I appreciated their different reactions to loneliness:
*Sam lives surrounded by people she's served with her healing for decades, and yet she's isolated and fears she's traded one for another, what with Yale promising to set her up in a grand house far from him while he's off trading, and now he's not even who he said he was?
*Yale has known nothing but loneliness, and when he's sad/something bad happens, he instinctually goes to be alone, knowing that solves nothing. It happened when he discovered his father had died (drinking alone that led to his fever due to blood thinning), and when he finds his ship/all it's product has been destroyed, he sits alone, having entered through the servants' entrance. Love that Sam solves their loneliness issues by going with Yale to Ceylon to help rebuild his business. They finally let each other in.
Don't get me started on the scene with Yale and baby Charlie (he straight up calls that baby "ugly" and panics when he needs a nappy change, and stumbles around until he finds Sam), and the ending: Yale literally stays by Sam's side, lovingly coaching her through labor, watches his son being born, and says what he made fun of Wayland for: happiness for his newborn son seems to recognize him. Usually I'm not a fan of the "baby heals the heart" moment, but with Yale, I get it. And it felt sincere.
I could go on, but my hand begins to tire. Onward!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2021
Un romance che dopo averlo letto, ti lascia sicuramente con un bel sorriso sulle labbra. Quello che diverte di questo romanzo è la presenza di situazioni alquanto bizzarre che hanno la capacità di cambiare totalmente la vita dei due protagonisti.
Ambientato nel periodo Regency, tra Londra e un piccolo villaggio della Northumbria, la storia vede Samantha, una donna giovane, attraente, povera materialmente ma ricca di spirito, figlia del vicario del villaggio, vive nella canonica da sola dopo la morte del genitore. In una notte di tempesta arriva Yale e cominciano i guai...
Samantha é una donna che desidera essere amata ed avere una famiglia, invece, si ritrova da sola e con il rischio di finire a vivere da serva presso due zitelle del villaggio. Yale è il tipico eroe torturato, desidera ardentemente l'approvazione della propria famiglia che lo aveva rinnegato. La cosa più interessante è stata quella di assistere alla trasformazione di Yale che da persona arrabbiata, orgogliosa e vendicativa, diventa amorevole, attento e con il senso dell'onore.
I due protagonisti sono descritti in modo realistico ed emozionano come la storia in cui sono coinvolti, livello di sensualità abbastanza alto ma piacevole.
È una storia che narra di rimpianti, la capacità di riconoscere gli errori del passato e di avere il coraggio di guardare avanti. Tutta la vicenda è incentrata sui due personaggi protagonisti per cui nessun ulteriore storia a disturbare l'attenzione del lettore.
L'autrice tratta in maniera toccante i rapporti familiari e il senso di appartenenza. Molto realistica e accurata la descrizione degli abitanti del villaggio con i loro comportamenti ipocriti, egoisti, ottusi, snob e superficiali (decisamente irritanti).
È scritto in maniera scorrevole, semplice, ironica e si legge davvero tutto d'un fiato. La trama è abbastanza originale anche se presenta degli elementi "già visti" mentre le descrizioni sono ben dosate e curate ma non rallentano in alcun modo la narrazione.
L'unica pecca é che i due protagonisti si dichiarano amore eterno troppo in fretta e continuamente.
Questo è primo libro che leggo di quest'autrice e secondo me rappresenta davvero una boccata d'aria fresca.
Ambientato nel periodo Regency, tra Londra e un piccolo villaggio della Northumbria, la storia vede Samantha, una donna giovane, attraente, povera materialmente ma ricca di spirito, figlia del vicario del villaggio, vive nella canonica da sola dopo la morte del genitore. In una notte di tempesta arriva Yale e cominciano i guai...
Samantha é una donna che desidera essere amata ed avere una famiglia, invece, si ritrova da sola e con il rischio di finire a vivere da serva presso due zitelle del villaggio. Yale è il tipico eroe torturato, desidera ardentemente l'approvazione della propria famiglia che lo aveva rinnegato. La cosa più interessante è stata quella di assistere alla trasformazione di Yale che da persona arrabbiata, orgogliosa e vendicativa, diventa amorevole, attento e con il senso dell'onore.
I due protagonisti sono descritti in modo realistico ed emozionano come la storia in cui sono coinvolti, livello di sensualità abbastanza alto ma piacevole.
È una storia che narra di rimpianti, la capacità di riconoscere gli errori del passato e di avere il coraggio di guardare avanti. Tutta la vicenda è incentrata sui due personaggi protagonisti per cui nessun ulteriore storia a disturbare l'attenzione del lettore.
L'autrice tratta in maniera toccante i rapporti familiari e il senso di appartenenza. Molto realistica e accurata la descrizione degli abitanti del villaggio con i loro comportamenti ipocriti, egoisti, ottusi, snob e superficiali (decisamente irritanti).
È scritto in maniera scorrevole, semplice, ironica e si legge davvero tutto d'un fiato. La trama è abbastanza originale anche se presenta degli elementi "già visti" mentre le descrizioni sono ben dosate e curate ma non rallentano in alcun modo la narrazione.
L'unica pecca é che i due protagonisti si dichiarano amore eterno troppo in fretta e continuamente.
Questo è primo libro che leggo di quest'autrice e secondo me rappresenta davvero una boccata d'aria fresca.
February 12, 2023
I'm not sure what book the person who gave the synopsis read, but it wasn't this one.
Samantha Northrup never feels it's her duty to marry, nor does the book mention she wants to be swept off her feet by someone whose kisses made her toes curl. It's true that she never dreamed her orderly life would be turned upside down when a mysterious stranger came knocking on her door one stormy night. But she was not really found in a compromising position since she was treating the now very ill stranger. The villagers, who happily took advantage of her healing knowledge but wanted her out of the vicar's house (her father, the vicar, had died the previous year or so) wanted her gone. So they used the stranger's naked presence as an excuse to force a marriage. There was no "couldn't resist" as it was basically a shot-gun wedding with the villagers metaphorically holding the gun.
Samantha unknowingly was marrying the disinherited son of the deceased duke. Yale disappeared 11 yrs ago and was thought to be dead. Yale lied about his name (Marvin, really?) but I didn't hold it against him, although I didn't really see the point of his lie.
When his brother Wayland, the Duke, shows up, Yale's true identity becomes known and Samantha gets swept up in Wayland's plot to keep Yale around to help with the estate. I did not like Wayland. Yale was rich and owned a shipping business but Wayland totally ignores his brother's accomplishments.
So that's when Samantha, no longer a virgin after their first wedding night (they marry again under Yale's real name) starts refusing to have sex with Yale for no good reason and can't understand why he's getting upset. It was quite annoying. And then there's the "I love him but he doesn't love me" theme which got old quite quickly.
The book had a realing wonderful twist when Yale encounters a young pickpocket. I got really involved and thought "now the story is going to get really good." Nope. The only thing it showed was that Yale had a heart, Wayland didn't, and the storyline was dropped. What a disappointment!
Nevertheless, it was an entertaining read.
Samantha Northrup never feels it's her duty to marry, nor does the book mention she wants to be swept off her feet by someone whose kisses made her toes curl. It's true that she never dreamed her orderly life would be turned upside down when a mysterious stranger came knocking on her door one stormy night. But she was not really found in a compromising position since she was treating the now very ill stranger. The villagers, who happily took advantage of her healing knowledge but wanted her out of the vicar's house (her father, the vicar, had died the previous year or so) wanted her gone. So they used the stranger's naked presence as an excuse to force a marriage. There was no "couldn't resist" as it was basically a shot-gun wedding with the villagers metaphorically holding the gun.
Samantha unknowingly was marrying the disinherited son of the deceased duke. Yale disappeared 11 yrs ago and was thought to be dead. Yale lied about his name (Marvin, really?) but I didn't hold it against him, although I didn't really see the point of his lie.
When his brother Wayland, the Duke, shows up, Yale's true identity becomes known and Samantha gets swept up in Wayland's plot to keep Yale around to help with the estate. I did not like Wayland. Yale was rich and owned a shipping business but Wayland totally ignores his brother's accomplishments.
So that's when Samantha, no longer a virgin after their first wedding night (they marry again under Yale's real name) starts refusing to have sex with Yale for no good reason and can't understand why he's getting upset. It was quite annoying. And then there's the "I love him but he doesn't love me" theme which got old quite quickly.
The book had a realing wonderful twist when Yale encounters a young pickpocket. I got really involved and thought "now the story is going to get really good." Nope. The only thing it showed was that Yale had a heart, Wayland didn't, and the storyline was dropped. What a disappointment!
Nevertheless, it was an entertaining read.
September 21, 2025
The first book I read by Cathy Maxwell. It had all the ingredients I usually like: an intriguing premise, fair pacing, and the promise of a heartfelt romance, yet for me, it fell short of becoming a standout.
It begins with the promising premise of Yale, having just arrived to Sproule after years of avoiding it, arrogantly demanding access, or rather bolting into the cemetery at midnight to pay respects to his dead parents. Samantha, who happens to be the late vicar's daughter and the holder of the keys, tries to, unsuccessfully stop him from doing so.
A day or two later, he catches the influenza, goes into a fever and Samantha, who also happens to be the village's healer, nurses him back into life. They're then caught in an uncompromising situation - or so assumed by the villagers - and they're forced to marry.
The biggest issue was the insta-love. The attraction between the hero and heroine sparked far too quickly, without the slow build or tension that makes a romance feel earned. I had a hard time believing in the depth of their feelings because it seemed to leap from meeting to being in love without enough emotional groundwork.
I found myself wishing for more emotional intensity, more angst, or simply more depth to pull me in.
As for the characters, I actually liked Yale, and the family dynamics as well as the family's welcoming reaction to Samantha.
And Sam not getting over Yale lying to her about his name gets a bit irritating and repeated.
Overall, a pleasant enough read, but not one that lingered in my heart the way my favorites do. I may revisit it later to see if my opinion changes, but for now it sits firmly in the “nice, but not memorable” category.
It begins with the promising premise of Yale, having just arrived to Sproule after years of avoiding it, arrogantly demanding access, or rather bolting into the cemetery at midnight to pay respects to his dead parents. Samantha, who happens to be the late vicar's daughter and the holder of the keys, tries to, unsuccessfully stop him from doing so.
A day or two later, he catches the influenza, goes into a fever and Samantha, who also happens to be the village's healer, nurses him back into life. They're then caught in an uncompromising situation - or so assumed by the villagers - and they're forced to marry.
The biggest issue was the insta-love. The attraction between the hero and heroine sparked far too quickly, without the slow build or tension that makes a romance feel earned. I had a hard time believing in the depth of their feelings because it seemed to leap from meeting to being in love without enough emotional groundwork.
I found myself wishing for more emotional intensity, more angst, or simply more depth to pull me in.
As for the characters, I actually liked Yale, and the family dynamics as well as the family's welcoming reaction to Samantha.
And Sam not getting over Yale lying to her about his name gets a bit irritating and repeated.
Overall, a pleasant enough read, but not one that lingered in my heart the way my favorites do. I may revisit it later to see if my opinion changes, but for now it sits firmly in the “nice, but not memorable” category.
December 3, 2021
Samantha is the vicar's daughter and has been staying in the vicarage while she mourns her father but now the village wants her out. Yale has been away for 11 years and on his return found out that his father died a few years ago, he races off the see the tomb with his own eyes.
Yale wakes Sam in the middle of the night demanding the keys to the crypt, eventually he just steals them and takes off for the vault where he finds his father's grave as well as his own, Sam chases him to the vault and demands answers to who he is and what he's doing. Not wanting to tell her his real name he gives a false one. All this nuttiness leads to Yale getting sick, her being forced to nurse him in seclusion, mix ups being made and them winding up married.
This was all kinds of fun, it had false identity, sick care/comfort, marriage of convenience, coming back from the dead family drama and more.
Yale wakes Sam in the middle of the night demanding the keys to the crypt, eventually he just steals them and takes off for the vault where he finds his father's grave as well as his own, Sam chases him to the vault and demands answers to who he is and what he's doing. Not wanting to tell her his real name he gives a false one. All this nuttiness leads to Yale getting sick, her being forced to nurse him in seclusion, mix ups being made and them winding up married.
This was all kinds of fun, it had false identity, sick care/comfort, marriage of convenience, coming back from the dead family drama and more.
December 5, 2024
I am on a cruise and I brought a dozen books from my bookshelves. This book was written in 1999 but it has held up well. A 26 year old vicar's daughter, Samantha, has never left her village. She has been living in the vicaridge for a year after her father's death, but the new vicar wants to move in. What will she do?
Then one dark and stormy night a man appears at her door and wants the keys to the crypt of the family of the local Duke.
The man, who is registered as Marvin Browne, becomes very ill, and Samantha, who is the local healer, ends up caring for him in her home.
In the funniest scene in the book, the local ladies have come to call, when Marvin, who thinks he is dreaming, enters the kitchen naked.
Samantha is seen as compromised, and over her objections is wed.
What happens next is unexpected so read to find out.
Then one dark and stormy night a man appears at her door and wants the keys to the crypt of the family of the local Duke.
The man, who is registered as Marvin Browne, becomes very ill, and Samantha, who is the local healer, ends up caring for him in her home.
In the funniest scene in the book, the local ladies have come to call, when Marvin, who thinks he is dreaming, enters the kitchen naked.
Samantha is seen as compromised, and over her objections is wed.
What happens next is unexpected so read to find out.
September 18, 2019
Samantha Northrup was the vicar's daughter and the only healer around. A year after her father died, the townspeople are trying to get her to move from the vicarage. When a stranger appears late one night wanting to get into the Ayleborough family vault, and then falling ill, they find their way by marrying Sam to him. The marriage happens and then it's discovered he's the long thought dead 2nd son of the old Duke, who disappeared 11 years earlier and has since made his fortune in Ceylon. Several big misunderstandings happen, but finally all works out between Sam and Yale Carderlock.
October 24, 2019
I hate hate hate the cover that shows for this book in goodreads, I wouldn't have picked it up with that cover. I have the original which is much better. And yes I feel strongly enough about this that it's my entire review's text.
March 24, 2025
Can't put it down!
Page turner of s story that is hard to put down. Don't expect to do much the day you start to read this book. Great characters, One sitfast flowing story. How family can triumph!
Page turner of s story that is hard to put down. Don't expect to do much the day you start to read this book. Great characters, One sitfast flowing story. How family can triumph!
March 13, 2017
I liked how the hero brought her a rose when he bought his horse. He got her a gift when he bought himself a gift.
October 27, 2017
The thing I enjoyed the most about the book is the epilogue and the scene where Yale gave Sam a rose from hothouse when he bought his horse Beast. But other than that everything feels like soso
November 14, 2018
3.5 stars
April 21, 2020
I liked the female character better than the male.
July 27, 2020
Read on February 11, 2018
Dry and colourless. 1 star
Dry and colourless. 1 star
December 9, 2020
Cute story, enjoyable story
February 28, 2021
Despite the provocative cover of this book, this wasn't a really trashy read. The love story was enjoyable and I thought it was a good read!
August 21, 2021
3-3.5, idk i actually liked the majority of this book, but there was honestly no conflict and everything just wrapped up super quickly and i just really lost interest
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