Lady Gouldian

Belgrave Dynasty #2

by Calia Read

I was just eight-years-old, looking up at the clouds, when Asa Calhoun became my one true love. He was my brother’s best friend. He was stoic and solemn, and always believed everything in life had to be perfect.But I saw past his eccentric mannerisms. I found him fascinating.
I was seventeen when I had my debutante ball. Throughout the years, there was a gradual shift between us. I stopped being the little sister he’s always known me as and transformed into a lady. By the end of that night, he found me fascinating.
I was twenty-one when he first kissed me. My one true love became my soulmate. I was certain nothing would ever come between us.
I married at twenty-three. But I wasn’t Mrs. Asa Calhoun. At the time I believed it was for the best, leaving Belgrave and my memories of Asa behind.
I was twenty-eight when my husband died. The pain was swift and sharp. I saw what could have been and all that I let go of. Including Asa.
Nearly seven months later I’m back in Charleston, because six years of a broken heart is too much for anyone to endure. Asa once told me he would always be my home, but will he still mean those words when I walk through the church doors and object to his marriage?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Fiction, Time Travel

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2023

About the author

Calia Read is the author of the Belgrave Dynasty, The Surviving Time Series, and several other works. She lives in the Midwest and is hard at work on the fourth book in the Belgrave Dynasty.


You can find her constantly on Facebook and Instagram:

http://www.facebook.com/CaliaRead

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ailacread/

Reviews

[EmBibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The greatest act of rebellion a woman can make is knowing her worth.

First of all, that book cover? It’s so pretty!! I wanna hang it in my room! And that cliffhanger?? I mean I kinda saw it coming, but ughhh I was still so annoyed and frustrated!! And I have a theory (or more like a wishful thinking) that the reveal at the end might not be true? It’s like some kind of deception or manipulation?

What you give, you are not guaranteed to get back. That includes your heart.
I knew better now.

I feel like I’ve been waiting for Nat and Asa’s story for so long and it was just as angsty and frustrating as I expected it to be. Because why does he have to be married? Huh, why? WHY??? I still don’t know why those two can’t just be together!! It’s been four books!! and now he’s getting married? They deserve their own happy ending! I deserve to see their happy ending! I’ve been patient enough! The first half of the book felt like one long introduction tho and it was kinda slow, but by the second half things started happening and there was never a dull moment.

“So, you still do love.”
“At times, yes. The only difference is, if I do love, Asa, I’m smart enough to realize I deserve to be loved back.”

Nat and Asa have such a freakin great undeniable chemistry! I love them both so much! Those two belong to each other. They’re explosive together. And I don’t know why they can’t have mercy on themselves -and ME- and just be together!! I can’t believe I still need to wait for the next book!! I’m just obsessed with this author’s books. I can’t recommend them enough!

Song recommendation:
She’s got you by Patsy Cline😭

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

LADY GOULDIAN: Is the second, full length book in the 'Belgrave Dynasty' series by Calia Read. Spoken in 'Dual perspectives' Jumps present/past .

This was one I was highly anticipating, I couldn’t wait to go back to this magical world this author has created, their love story had me all twisted up inside, their timing was always off, but their love for each other never died.

These two go way back, back to when she had stars in her eyes and butterflies in her stomach for the boy who was best friends with her brothers when he used to stay with them over the summer holidays so she's loved him since she was a little girl.



Now Nat is back in her Belgrave home as a widow pining over the one man that is out of bounds, and that man is Asa.

Their relationship is a whole lot more complex than I could've imagined, this book fully embodies the both of them allowing us more of a glimpse into them.

Time is against them yet again. She's too late to stop him marrying another.

He married the wrong one
A loveless marriage
Now he’s stuck
Whilst the one he truly loves could slip through his fingers!

This does end on a slight wtf cliffy
I need the next book!

* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *

                  

[ash | · Rating 4 out of 5]

rtc

Surviving Time
Book 1: The Surviving Trace
Book 2: The Reigning and the Rule
Book 3: Echoes of Time
Belgrave Dynasty
Book 1: King of the South

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I love Calia Read so much, but this was such a miss for me. I was so ready for Asa and Nat's story, but the book was so boring! There was barely a plot and it was so slow burn. I thought there would be so much drama after that wedding in the beginning, but it was just Nat getting a job and dancing around the attraction between her and Asa. I finished and was like, what even happened? Nothing?? I listened to this on audio and almost DNFd it because I just didn't care about the story. I probably won't end up picking up the next book.

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Gouldian is a heart wrenching, and phenomenal well written novel that will have you gasping for air after coming down from a book high.

Ive read every single book by Calia Read and her work always amazes me. Because shes one of the best writers that this century has seen. I've put her up there with Hemingway and Sylvia Plath. I've believe her writing will forever be in embraced by all readers today and in the future.

This novel really had you gasping with how beautifully done it was and all the risque things that happen behind the chapters of this novel. This historical novel goes back and forth from Nathalie and Asa's point of view. Its just a jaw dropping book that will tug at your heart strings because you can really tell their soulmates but it was just the wrong time type of situation. It's so relatable that i had to grab tissues and force myself to not cry. And i loved how Nathalie's character grew into herself. I found myself in Nathalie and overwhelmed with the cliffhanger because i just need more of these characters that haunt my thoughts and my every day life. This series is just magical and remarkable and refreshing from everything ive ever read.

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying that this was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2021. I have been waiting what feels like FOREVER for Asa and Nat's story. Like over a year type of f o r e v e r. We got glimpses into their forbidden (age gap) relationship throughout the first books in this series (https://bit.ly/3dhHCja ; https://bit.ly/3e3irQh) and FINALLY we were getting their side of the story. We were going to get answers. We were going to get steamy encounters. We were going to get stolen moments. We were going to get my favorite trope....forbidden! So, to say my hopes and expectations were HIGH, is an understatement. And maybe that is where I went wrong? I expected too much...and now this is gonna sound odd, but that's exactly what I got. Let me try to elaborate and give you my bare honesty...

This book had SO MUCH potential. So much. But all that potential got lost in the details and those details muddled up my experience and left me feeling like I was missing out on the greatness that could've been Nat and Asa's story.

Like I stated above, Calia Read had set up Asa and Nat's relationship 'foundation' in the books prior to this one, so I went into this book knowing some details. There was just TOO MUCH backstory. TOO MUCH 'filler' so to speak. Plain and simple. There was so much of this story that, IMO, could've/ should've been edited and condensed down and she would've gotten the same point across, the same story, but with more of an impact. This is a fine example of "less is more". We spent far too much time in the past, building up their history, which was definitely needed, but to a lesser degree, not as thoroughly as it was. (NOTE: This is a forbidden age-gap story. Asa is eleven years her junior, so he's 11 years older than her. In the story, we go back in the past, as far as Nat age 9). Again, going in the past WAS relevant and WAS needed for both Asa and Nat's character developments and also to build her and Asa's history, but most of it felt like revisitin' because we, as returning fans, already knew her tragic history, so it just felt repetitive at times and disconnecting. I would find myself immersed in the present, anxious for SOME KIND of encounter, and then BAM we'd shoot to the past and all the steam that was created in the present, would evaporate:( I will say it was nice to get Asa's backstory in the past though because we knew next to nothing of what shaped him as a character/man and now we do, so I DID like that about the past chapters. Calia was able to shed light on the WHYS as to his reasoning to why he couldn't be with Nat and why he thought the way he did. Maybe if I hadn't read the first several books in the series (mentioned above), I would feel differently about the past chapters being too much? But ultimately, I did read them, so I already knew the sequence of events that occurred in the past, now Calia just added Asa into the scenes to show us readers their shared history/relationship growth. Unfortunately, even with ALL that backstory, I still did not feel a deep connection between them until nearly the last 30% of the book, which saddened me. At the end of it all, I just felt that Calia did not need to go into as much detail and/or didn't need to go as far back in time as she did to get across what she wanted to in regards to their shared history. I feel that this book needed to be more condensed and that way we could've avoided it becoming a duet...which it originally was only supposed to be one book. This is yet another one of my many frustrations. I am perfectly fine with reading duets, series and/or cliffhangers, IF I am mentally prepared for it, but I felt caught off guard with this one and because I had already waited over a year for this book, this started me off on the wrong foot when I began reading this book. I suspect I could've LOVED this book IF it was one big book instead of broken into two. It just feels like there was stuff added TO CREATE more than one book, when it was not necessary.

Then there was the whole, "the story didn't seem to really go anywhere" aspect that frustrated me. By the end of the book, I felt like I didn't really learn much more about these characters than I already knew about them from the previous books, aside from Asa of course. It all felt like one giant "filler" until the last 30% or so, then we FINALLY got to the good stuff! The twists, the heat, the heart of it all. I can admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the last chunk of the book. That's where I really started to see and feel the connection between Asa and Nat. YESSS!!! It's where the heated looks and stolen moments made me want to read more. I NEEDED more of those moments sooner in the story though! I NEEDED those desirable looks. Those secret meetings. Those stolen kisses. I NEEDED more of that forbidden aspect throughout. I NEEDED more of that angst. Calia had hinted at all these stolen moments between Asa and Nat in the other books, so I was geared up for MANY passionate encounters, but in the end, we got so few of them that it left me frustrated and wanting MORE. I really hope book two is loaded with these moments or I'll be even more disappointed.

Then there was the past and present chapters...I LOVE going back and forth in time with books, but not when it gets confusing. That just frustrates me and takes me out of the story. Several times, while reading, I found myself having to flip back to the beginning of the chapter and/or several chapters back to figure out what year I was in. This is a historical romance, so the dates are especially important and with this particular story, we span from 1900 to 1920, so you really need to be on top of what year you're in. I feel that it would've been advantageous if Calia would've labeled her chapters with headers such as, "1900-Nat, age 9.". Specific and to the point. No guessing needed. That way the reader isn't trying to figure out how old the characters are and what not.

Then there was the unanswered questions. Since the ending of THE KING OF THE SOUTH (link above, book 1 in the BELGRAVE DYNASTY), there are STILL some questions not answered, nor were they even addressed! Nat's married life...what happened??? Her husband, Oliver....what happened??? I feel as if both of these things should have been delved into, touched on or hell, elaborated on in some compacity in THIS book. I can only hope that they will be explained in the second book.

And then there was the plot twist at the end...CLIFFY ALERT! I was beyond unimpressed with this unoriginal plot twist. I'm not going to elaborate because I don't want to spoil anything, but just know, I wasn't happy. I am curious to see how this all works out in the end.

You know what I did LOVE about this book...THE COVER. P E R F E C T I O N. It goes with the story seamlessly and is Nat to a T.

OK, I think I've purged it all. I will say I can not deny that Calia Read knows how to tell a story because she definitely does, she just told TOO MUCH of one with this book for me. Just because I didn't love this book, doesn't mean it wasn't written well and it doesn't mean I won't be reading book 2, because I will. This book just didn't work out for me. I'm beyond frustrated that I couldn't enjoy this story more. I will say the saving grace of this all was my excitement in returning to Belgrave. I loved revistin' all the characters that I've grown to know and love (Etienne, Serene, Livingston, Rainey, Asa and Nat). I will read the next and final book in this duet because I AM anxious to see where it goes. I need to see Asa and Nat get their HEA, but I will say that Calia has a quite a lot of "making up" to do for me. I expect a lot out of the last book. More than I got from this book. I KNOW that she can deliver. I've loved all the books I've read of hers thus far, this one just didn't work for me. Which happens. Not every book is for every one.

2.5 stars

[talon smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calia has a special way with creating stories and adventures that stick with you forever.

I say adventures because when you read her books you are escaping this world that we are in and transported to the world inside of the pages you are reading. That doesn't happen to me too often so I know I am always in for a treat when I pick up one of her books.

I was obsessed with everything about this book. Everything from the characters, to the scenery / setting, to the story line.

This ride through Lady Gouldian and the books to come will be one of the best ones ever I just know it.

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read the Surviving Time series or King of the South, then you will know who Asa and Nat are, and how complicated their relationship is. Lady Gouldian is the first book in their duet and it's a brother's best friend romance with an age gap! From the previous books, we know Nat and Asa have been in love for years, but they’re still not together. Their story is... messy. Nat is in love with Asa but married someone else years ago, and now in present-day, Nat is widowed and Asa is marrying another woman. And... he spends the rest of the book married to her.

But you know what? I enjoyed reading this so much. I've been waiting for this couple to finally get their romance, and I wasn't disappointed. There’s a lot of longing, a lot of angst, just because Asa and Nat are still pining over each other even years after they fell apart. I loved how these two were together and I already can't wait to get to their sequel and HEA!

[Grecia Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT THE FUCK?!!!
¿Qué ese final?
Porque nadie me dijo de ese Cliffhanger
Y al parecer una año más de espera.

O sea ni me gustó tanto, fue mucho angst y drama para mi gusto.

[Meelibros · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 *
.
.
.
NECESITO SEGUNDA PARTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LA VERDAD QUE ME DESESPERÒ MUCHO ESTA HISTORIA, FUERON MUCHOS AÑOS DE QUE ELLOS NO PUEDAN ESTAR JUNTOS.
O SEA, NECESITO QUE ESTEN JUNTOS!!!!
SABIA QUE LA HISTORIA DE NATH IBA A LLEVAR UN LARGO PROCESO, PERO NO PENSÈ QUE LES LLEVARIA TANTO.
ME ENCANTÒ, SABER DE TODA LA FAMILIA, DE LA PARTICIPACIÒN DE TODOS.
AUNQUE, EL FINAL FUE DEMASIADO PREDECIBLE.
ME GUSTÒ MUCHO, SOLO QUE SENTI QUE NO HABIA NECESIDAD DE HACERLO TAN LARGO.
COMO PARA ESPERAR LA SEGUNDA PARTE.--
EN FIN, ME GUSTÒ.
:)

[Frédérique · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
Lady Gouldian is the second book in the Belgrave Dynastie series by Calia Read. I highly recommend reading the The Surviving Trace series as well as King of the South prior to reading this emotional, addictive and mysterious first part story of Lady Gouldian.

This is a story about loss and love, about mental health and growth. It is tells the story of Nathalie and Asa

I see this book as a back story and a build up for the second part of their story. Nat and Asa's relationship is so much more than what we saw in the previous books and their feelings are much stronger than we realize.
I truly enjoyed the first part of the story, but I thought there was something missing. I wished we would've seen more of Nat's past with the Claiborne family. Although, I completely understand that this book serves as an introduction to Nat and Asa's story, I wished we would have seen just a little bit more about why Nat is the way that she is now.

Seeing how Nat was sad, lifeless and powerless in this book was heartbreaking and tear-jerking. Nat showed strong character growth in this first part and I can't wait to see how strong and powerful she truly is, even if she doesn't know it herself. In French, we would say that Nat: Prend le taureau par les cornes. Which means that instead of running from her fears, she faces them and fight them. She's been through so much and deserves all the happiness in the world.
I have always loved Asa and just like Nat, I believe he deserves all the love in the world.

The tension and the build up in this story truly shows that Calia Read wrote it!
Also, we find Serene, who is still as bold as before, as well as Étienne who is still gruff but with a heart of gold. Livingston and Rainy are still perfect for each other. Seeing them all happy and in love makes me sad when I think of how Nat is hurting inside.

I feel like this review is all over the place, but that's how my heart feel when I think of their story. It is a story that will break my heart over and over again, no matter how many times I think about it. I hope it'll break yours too so that I know I will not be alone in these dark times before the second part of this book comes out.

This is me this morning after I went to sleep at 1am to finish this book:

[mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le famille Lacroix c’est magnifique! I truly missed them!
Nat and Asa’s story was so cute but incomplete, I can’t wait for their second book, there’s so much we don’t know yet, I don’t think I can’t wait another year *sighs*

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like both Asa and Natalie. I want them to be together really badly. But I don't like cheaters and this one ends on a BIG cliffy. Two stars deducted for those things. I don't know if I will read the next book. Depends on how long it takes to come out.

Happy reading!

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want more!! I NEED more!! 🖤🖤

[BrandyD · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. The flashbacks to their past were confusing. Also, Nat never explained her dynamic with Oliver, only her MIL. Did he do something to her, other than they simply weren’t suited for each other? Perhaps the next book will provide answers.
Overall, I’m enjoying the series. The family is charmingly endearing.

[Lilith *EUPHORIA_READS_* · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊: LADY GOULDIAN 

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: HISTORICAL ROMANCE. 

𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄: BOOK# 2 OF THE BELGRAVE DYNASTY...ENDS ON A CLIFFY.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: CALIA READ

𝐏𝐎𝐕: FIRST-PERSON: DUAL PERSPECTIVE 

𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋:🔥🔥🔥🔥

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓:🤠🤠🤠🤠

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆:🌏🌏🌏🌏

𝐄𝐘𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 

 

I have read Surviving Trace series and Book 1 of the Begrave dynasty so Asa and Nathalie were more than just familiar characters...Reading their story is like coming home with Belgrave mansion...

Angst!!! This word is not adequate to describe Nat and Asa's story...
She is back after years to Belgrave as a Widow and still pining over the one guy she couldn't have...but she is too late...one other character has entered his life and again demolish any possibility of having a future together.
Nat's Pov... her feelings break my heart...Unrequited love is bad but when two people really love each other yet date doesn't allow them to be together is what's worst...
And that ending was so wistful...I can't even imagine the pain both of them had gone through to again be separated 💔.

Seriously...My feelings are so Volatile after reading this book...One push can leave me a Sobbing mess...

So so excited to read Part 2 of their story...I want...I NEED that book!!!

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

People may read my review and think I’m super judgy or confused why I read a book about adultery if I’m so prejudiced against adultery. I think the book bothered me so much because the author seemed to want to convince me that the adultery between Asa and Nathalie was inevitable because:

1. Circumstances beyond the characters’ control conspired against them to prevent their relationship.
2. Neither Asa nor Nathalie had any control over their respective marriages.
3. Asa’s wife was a bad person so it didn’t matter if adultery was committed.
4. Asa did not have the option of divorcing when he was miserable.
5. Asa believed that pursuing a relationship with Nathalie would end his friendship and partnership with her brother, Etienne.

I feel those assumptions don’t hold up for the following reasons.
Asa consistently chose not to pursue a relationship with Nathalie even though she expressed her feelings to him.

Both Asa and Nathalie could have chosen to end their engagements. Asa could have ended his engagement at any time with only a bit of scandal.

Bad spouses do not negate the moral, ethical, and social problems with adultery. Additionally, both Asa and Nathalie seem to express a moral problem with adultery, yet betray themselves.

Asa had the financial and social power to obtain a divorce with minimal problems to himself. Divorce was legal and available in the time period and place. Furthermore, the characters in the novel would have supported and accepted Asa’s divorce.

If Asa had presented himself to Etienne as a viable marriage partner for Nathalie, Etienne would have probably accepted it. Especially since Etienne knew Asa so well. The friendship between the two men would have been a natural benefit to a marriage, bringing the two families even closer together.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially after Livingston’s book, I’ve been very excited for Nat and Asa’s story. Their duet has two of my favourite tropes, brother’s best friend and it’s-always-been you. Nat and Asa have such an intense, powerful, adorable and beautiful connection and chemistry. Asa is a quiet, vulnerable, serious but loving man; Nat is feisty, bold, determined but also has a vulnerable side, which makes your heart break for her many times. They are the only ones who understand each other and love each other in a very special way, it is evident that they are soulmates and meant for each other. I loved reading the beginning of their story and seeing a continuation of the couples we read about in previous books. The first part of Nat and Asa’s romance is heart breaking, steamy, filled with amazing tension, adorable, captivating, romantic, emotional, addictive, incredible and will leave you screaming at the twists and cliffhangers. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

[katie_katb · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Fave series alert✨
I believe you can read this entire series on Kindle Unlimited. This book was released today!

I just finished this book today after work!! Oh my god. My heart is shattered into a million pieces. I totally knew it would end this way but I didn’t want it to. Why did you do this to me Calia?! I fell in love with Nathalie from day 1 in the Surviving Trace series. She has always been one of my favorite characters and I couldn’t wait for her and Asas story. I adore them both. But I hate Asa right now!!!! Ahhhh. I can’t believe Calia broke this up into 2 parts. Now I have the wait to get my hands on part 2 to see where the story goes. The only thing I hate about this book is the fact that there isn’t more!!!!!

I loved the past/present chapters plus POV from Asa & Nathalie. Then that ONE chapter from Juliets POV. Ahhh. I have so many questions about that crazy heifer. And obviously I freaking adore all the original characters that are in this one. And also the NEW character -little Alex has my heart. ❤️❤️❤️ I’m so invested in this world/characters and just overall love it so much.

If you are a fan of this world already you will love Nathalies story. I enjoyed this book so much and am so grateful I continue to get ARCS of this series. I plan to buy this one for my collection of the series (I already own all the other books).

Final feels- NEED BOOK 2 like YESTERDAY!!!! I need questions answered right now.

This book is part of a spin off series.
I recommend reading first The Surviving Trace Series (3 books) then “King of the South” (Belgrave book 1) before reading this one. This could be counted as book 5 in the series but technically book 2 in the Belgrave spin off series. You really get hooked on the world/characters by reading them in order as I recommend above.

[Heather Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down. After reading The Surviving Trace series and The King of the South, I've been desperate to get a book with Nat and Asa. This did not disappoint and answered so many questions for me, but my GOD why is there not another book immediately after this right this second?! Ugh... It's agony.

Nat has loved Asa Calhoun since she was a child. For whatever reason, they could not be. Asa's loyalty was to Nat's family, especially Entienne, who befriended Asa when he was at his lowest. Nat grew up and grew sick of not being able to be with the man she loved, so she married Oliver Claiborne, who has recently passed. Circumstances are strange with his family and Nat can't get away from her MIL fast enough and back to Belgrave. She just needs to make one stop right away to break up Asa's wedding to another woman. When that doesn't go as planned, the two are tortured with one another's presence and have to figure out a way to cohabitate Charleston. It won't be easy with the familiar circles they run in.

I need to wrap this review immediately and figure out when the next book is coming out. This cliffhanger is going to kill me. Side note, I did love how the story was written, jumping back and forth in time to build their relationship. Impeccable.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Ana Manjić · Rating 5 out of 5]

" What you give, you are not guaranteed to get back. That includes your heart."




And now my heart is broken! Thank you so much Calia Read.
This one ends on a cliffhanger, now I have to wait for Nat & Asa to come back to me.... for them to find their way back to each other.. “I am your home, Nathalie.” He sighs. “And you are mine.”

My first book in this series & first historical romance and to say I loved it would be too simple.

Read this romance! You will love it!

[R Rais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart😭my poor heart.
This book destroyed it to pieces.
From the first book in Belgrave trilogy, Serene and Etienne's story, i just know Asa and Nat's story is going to be so so so bad.
And Calia Read doesn't dissapointed me.
She deliver every word, every line every single second in this book to perfection!
The age gap romance.
The older brother best friend romance.
The second chance and the forbidden tomance.
All mix together in historical romance blanket and give readers the perfect reason to swoon, cry, fall in love, lusting and get heart broken.

[Rhonda Ziglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 NAT AND ASA STARS!! Oh how I look these two....my heart is broken and in love at the same time. This author transports us and what a beautiful and memorable story it becomes. I need more...I wish these stories would never end.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you found yourself around a bird long enough, pretty soon, you would believe you could fly as easily as them.”


Wow where do I start. This book... It killed my heart to see Nat hurting like that.
In the beginning of the book she’s broken, hopeless and on the verge of just giving up. And I almost couldn’t bear to see her like this. We’ve known her as this force, embodying happiness and support and positivity for the people around her.
But this book starts with her life in shambles.
She doesn’t know herself anymore and has to find her way back. And let me tell you how this journey was full of tension and anxiety for me to read lol
So painful! But you know we love to be tortured like that. We want to feel things.
And honestly even before reading it I already expected Asa and Nat’s romance to hurt but woah it hurt much more than I expected!

As always Calia Read’s writing is phenomenal and just sucks you into the stories and characters’ minds- never letting you go for a second! She just has a beautiful way of capturing your attention and making you fall for her characters and feelings!
I need book 2😩 ASAP
Also excuse me this cliffhanger was not nice AT ALL! It hurt so much.

Also some fun facts I loved:
-dirty talk in French. She’s doing it again my friends. This was a surprise especially since it’s the woman taking the lead👏🏼 yes thank you
-there’s a touch of forbidden 🥵 because we love the thrill right
-Nat is the same age as me in the book lol I never find characters my own age 😂 So this was exciting as well


( I got the arc in exchange for an honest review)

[Elenasbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can also read my review here: http://elenasbookblog.com/new-review-...

Lady Gouldian by Calia Read had been one of my most anticipated books of this year and the author surprised us with a duet! If you are following the journey of Asa and Nat from the Surviving Time & The Belgrave Dynasty series, you know what to expect from their love story. It’s painful, gripping, consuming…
The author explained that this couple could not be contained in one book and that was truthful. I read this story holding my breath and I was left wanting more. The book has everything I do not like in a love affair. It is full of angst, it has tropes that I hate and a cliffhanger and despite all that, I loved it.
Nat is back in her Belgrave home as a widow with a heart bruised but devoted to a man that she cannot have; Asa. She has been in love with him since she was a little girl but now she is a woman ready to take what’s hers back but the man is ready to marry another.
In this book we go back and forth between the past and the present and it was lovely to see how these two went from friends to soulmates. Their past is sweet and I liked that we got to know them more, especially seeing Asa’s point of view. We knew him as a man strict and with a frown in his face, but now we realize that he hides a man with a painful past and sensitivities that run deeply. I admired Nat’s transformation and finding her strength without losing her sweet spirit.
Their relationship is truly combustive. You see that they are like a bomb ready to explode and they are going to leave nothing in their wake. They see only each other and they do not care for the consequences. They are two pieces of one heart but their timing is always off.
I have so many questions that are unanswered. I wanted more from their past and especially Nat’s story during her difficult wedding and the reasons why these two did not get together. The cliffhanger was predictable but killed me nonetheless.
The author makes us bleed little by little with their passionate but painful love and now I am waiting for the other book for my heart to heal. Tick tock…

[Cindy M. Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being back in Belgrave put a smile on my face, while simultaneously putting me through the ringer. Calia transports us back in time to focus on Asa and Nat and what a ride it is!

We know Nat and Asa have a connection that rivals all others, but now we get the details of the evolution of their relationship. Calia moves us between past and present beautifully, we learn so much about their personalities we didn't know before. I loved being back in this world, but my heart is slightly bruised for the heartache they've both had to endure.

It's been a bumpy ride for Nat and Asa, so I'm anxious too see what hurdles they have ahead of them. They deserve an epic HEA and I looking forward to them getting one.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was NOT prepared for this one! Tension and angst overload! I did enjoy the past flashes of Asa and Nat., to show how their early feelings developed. This one was good though, beautifully written historical. Oh man do I have my theories. Of course with that cliffy, I'll be back for the next one!

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Mai]

I'm sooo freaking out. I wanted to know more about Nat and Asa's story since the surviving trace. I'm glad that the author wrote this book.

[Archives of Jina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Calia for this ARC, I am so grateful to have received it.

This book hurts my heart so much, in the best of ways. We’ve all been rooting for Nat and Asa for how long now!? I just want them to have their happily ever after. Now, I will be anxiously waiting book two to know what happens next. My heart aches for both them, I swear Calia makes her characters feel real.

[Beatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pant waiting for him. He´s behind me. He´s coming. All my life he´s been behind me.

Wow, and she is back! I didn´t love the first book of this series, but I´m happy to report the magic is back, I loved the story of Asa and Nat. They have history, so much chemistry, it was angsty and forbidden. The first half was a bit slow, melancholic, but the second half was amazing. I loved the flashbacks and the fact the author decided to alternate chapters between the past and the present. The story is not over and we are getting another book, which makes me happy, more Asa yay. I like his character, he is kind of intense, serious, possessive of Nat. It was nice to see other characters as well, I just hope we don´t have to wait too long for book #2.

All he needs to do is walk to me. It would be ten, eleven steps at msot, but between us are years of memories, some innocent, but most forbidden. In my darkest times, I thought of them, and they reminded me life did have meaning.