The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2) (Windham, #2)

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The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2) (Windham #2)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 1,146 ratings · 167 reviews

This Regency era battle of wits, wills, and the sexes features a wily duke determined to see the succession of his line secured. The duke can't force his sons to marry, but he can make their lives miserable until they do. Resisting his pressure, each gentleman holds out for true love.

The second book in the series features Devlin St. Just, the duke's oldest, but illegitimat

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Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages

Published June 7th 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published April 23rd 2011)

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Aug 20, 2011 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone in the HR stratosphere.

Shelves: own-ebook, delicious-hero, perfect-heroine, best-h-h-ever, historical, favourites, 4-and-a-half-stars

4.5 stars.

Forget the blurb. This is one of the best (and one of my favourite) historical romances of the year.

I read the first in Burrowes' Duke's Obsession series - The Heir - ages ago and while I enjoyed it, I felt lost throughout most of it. It seemed to feel like there was a lot of character and story arc background missing. Therefore, I picked up The Soldier with fairly low expectations and was ecstatic to discover how well-written and brilliant it was.

Devlin St Just is an absolute dream. I...more 4.5 stars.

Forget the blurb. This is one of the best (and one of my favourite) historical romances of the year.

I read the first in Burrowes' Duke's Obsession series - The Heir - ages ago and while I enjoyed it, I felt lost throughout most of it. It seemed to feel like there was a lot of character and story arc background missing. Therefore, I picked up The Soldier with fairly low expectations and was ecstatic to discover how well-written and brilliant it was.

Devlin St Just is an absolute dream. I remember being a little starry eyed over him in The Heir as the illegitimate first son of a duke and older brother to the hero. He didn't disappoint me in this at all. He is a character that expects a lot from people but also leads by example. He doesn't suffer fools and isn't easily persuaded by people. He has beliefs and morals and sticks to them but he takes others' feelings into consideration. He literally had me from the beginning when he stumbles across a child intruder in his new home and manages to engage both the child, the heroine and myself in a matter of a few pages.

Emmaline (Emmie) Farnum is our heroine who I had a serious girl crush on up until the 70% mark. She was very self aware, sensible and independent but not to the point of denying assistance from St Just when she required it. I adored watching their friendship blossom and was so excited for it to go further but of course something always has to happen to create drama in these things.

Emmie lost me a little when she decided that the local vicar was a far better catch than St Just. Well not really, but she didn't deny him or put a stop to it when she had the multiple opportunities. And then when we finally find out what was going on with her, I guess I can understand her emotions to a point but again - Things Left Unsaid never help anyone, do they?

All in all a fabulous book that I heartily recommend. Grace Burrowes' writing is utterly entrancing, I love it. So looking forward to the third in the trilogy - The Virtuoso (Valentine's book) - and the new series featuring the Windham sisters! *starry eyes*(less)

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Aug 28, 2011 ms bookjunkie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, historical, romance

I really liked this book. But…

I've now read two GB books (The Heir and The Soldier), and I have an issue with them. Both have had a strong, promising, 5-star beginning and middle, but a weaker ending. The heroines have a tendency to keep secrets beyond what is reasonable—at least to me as the reader—and it makes me want to whack them over the head with something solid. So it ruins some of the joy of the book for me. But that's just my opinion, and I'm totally going to read what else she produces...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Celeste rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Hmmmm. Well, to be fair, the first book in the series was so good, that anything else was bound to pale in comparison. However, I was at least HOPING the next one would be almost, if not as good, as the first one.

I will start by saying I genuinly think Devlin had homosexual tendencies. Not that there is anything wrong with that... but it wasn't what I wanted or expected to read. Nothing actually happened, but I'm sorry, there were WAY too many instances in the book where I would literally excla...more

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Jan 12, 2013 TerriC. rated it 2 of 5 stars

I didn't enjoy this story from the start. Hero and heroine met way too soon and acted too familiar with each other, as if they'd known each other for years. We didn't get to know them at all beforehand. Both were very likeable and there was chemistry between them from the beginning.

What I didn't like most of all was the character, Winnie. She's a small child, cousin to Emmaline, and is related to Devlin by marriage somehow. She's introduced just a few pages in and dominates the entire storyline....more

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Dec 02, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance

Reviewed By Desere
Review Copy Provided By-Author
When it comes to Historical Romance books I read, I tend to go for the authors that I are my favorites and trying a new authors is something I need to talk my mind into. But after reading The Heir by Grace Burrows there is for me no turning back I would pick up a copy of any of her books in a heartbeat.

That is why even before reading her second book The Soldier I already knew I would not be disappointed and I was so right! In The Soldier we meet a...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aaangst, hurt-comfort, period-romance, romance

Burrowes' books are so quiet, so at-their-own-pace, so peaceful. I know it's a bizarre thing to say of a romance novel, let alone as a positive thing, but I love that quality, the one that makes the books a mood piece, a warm summer day, more than anything else. The hero of the story is a decorated officer of the Napoleonic wars, who comes to stay at his new estate in Yorkshire and the heroine is the village baker. He is haunted by the demons he brought back from the war, she has secrets of her...more

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Jan 10, 2013 May Mostly Romance rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

ตั้งความหวังเอาไว้มาก ก็เลยผิดหวังมากกับเล่มนี้ เพราะเล่มแรกในชุดขึ้นต้นเอาไว้ดี เล่มนี้จริง ๆ ก็ขึ้นต้นได้น่าสนใจ กล่าวถึงเดฟลินที่เป็นลูกชายนอกสมรสของดยุค เขาอายุมากกว่าทายาทที่ถูกต้องตามกฎหมายเสียอีก แต่กลับเป็นได้แค่ทหารคนนึง เพราะความเป็นลูกนอกสมรส แต่พระเอกของเราก็ไม่เอามาเป็นปมในใจ ยิ่งไปกว่านั้น เมื่อพ่อวิ่งเต้นจากเขาได้รับบรรดาศักดิ์เป็นท่านเอิร์ล สืบทอดบรรดาศักดิ์ที่ไร้สิ้นทายาท เดฟลินก็ไม่ได้ยินดีอะไรมากมาย ออกจากโมโหด้วยซ้ำ

เมื่อเดฟลินเดินทางไปยังบ้านในชนบทที่เขาได้รับมาพร้อมกับบรรดา...more ตั้งความหวังเอาไว้มาก ก็เลยผิดหวังมากกับเล่มนี้ เพราะเล่มแรกในชุดขึ้นต้นเอาไว้ดี เล่มนี้จริง ๆ ก็ขึ้นต้นได้น่าสนใจ กล่าวถึงเดฟลินที่เป็นลูกชายนอกสมรสของดยุค เขาอายุมากกว่าทายาทที่ถูกต้องตามกฎหมายเสียอีก แต่กลับเป็นได้แค่ทหารคนนึง เพราะความเป็นลูกนอกสมรส แต่พระเอกของเราก็ไม่เอามาเป็นปมในใจ ยิ่งไปกว่านั้น เมื่อพ่อวิ่งเต้นจากเขาได้รับบรรดาศักดิ์เป็นท่านเอิร์ล สืบทอดบรรดาศักดิ์ที่ไร้สิ้นทายาท เดฟลินก็ไม่ได้ยินดีอะไรมากมาย ออกจากโมโหด้วยซ้ำ

เมื่อเดฟลินเดินทางไปยังบ้านในชนบทที่เขาได้รับมาพร้อมกับบรรดาศักดิ์ นั่นก็คือจุดเริ่มต้นของการดิ่งลงเหวของหนังสือเล่มนี้ แน่นอนว่านางเอกมีบ้านอยู่ข้าง ๆ บ้านของพระเอก และก็เหมือนเล่มแรกที่นางเอกของเรามีความลับดำมืดที่รอคอยพระเอกเป็นอัศวินขี่ม้าขาวมาช่วย และก็เหมือนกับนางเอกเล่มแรกอีกว่า เธอดื้อดึงและคิดว่า ตัวเองสามารถแก้ปัญหาได้ด้วยตัวเอง

สิ่งที่ต่างจากเล่มหนึ่ง มันไม่มีความชอบพอมากพอในคาแร็คเตอร์ของนางเอกเล่มนี้ที่จะทำให้เราทนเธอได้ นี่จึงเป็นการอ่านที่ทรมานในระดับนึง เพราะต้องฝ่าฟันตัวละครที่เราไม่ชอบ พล็อตเรื่องที่ดูซ้ำซาก (เหมือนกับเล่มหนึ่ง)

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Sep 04, 2012 Miranda Davis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: boo-hoo-i-won-t-tell-you-alert

Grace Burrowes writes so beautifully and so wittily, the first half was fantastic, wonderful characters introduced and the hero and heroine's attraction established with wit and emotion. Then everything goes angst-y, churn-y and to me, unappealing. She cries a lot, and I mean a lot, but doesn't explain herself to him. Repeatedly. He wants to understand her issues and proves himself to be honorable. He continues to be a great guy who is suffering his own torments thanks to PTSD, her inexplicable...more

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Oct 19, 2011 Sandy M rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

I fell in love with the hero of this book when we met him in The Heir. He’s the illegitimate brother of the Earl of Westhaven, though their father has recognized him and that makes his life much easier. At least as far as society is concerned. Dev still has demons that no one can help him conquer. Until he meets Emmaline.

While I did enjoy this book, I feel that Devlin is slightly different from his character in The Heir. But, of course, we only touched the surface of his character in that book a...more I fell in love with the hero of this book when we met him in The Heir. He’s the illegitimate brother of the Earl of Westhaven, though their father has recognized him and that makes his life much easier. At least as far as society is concerned. Dev still has demons that no one can help him conquer. Until he meets Emmaline.

While I did enjoy this book, I feel that Devlin is slightly different from his character in The Heir. But, of course, we only touched the surface of his character in that book and here we do delve much deeper into his life, discovering what he hides from the world. He has recently been given an earldom via his father, but the place is rundown, in need of a barrage of work. But that work will be a balm to his soul, keeping him busy, allowing him to force his demons away, to face them another time. However, before Dev can really dig in, his life is interrupted by not one but two confounding females, one six years of age and the other her only but very intriguing relative.

Winnie is the previous earl’s by-blow and she’s as sassy as they come. I think the reader is as surprised as Dev that he’s taken with Winnie so quickly. Too bad logic doesn’t work on most kids, but Winnie is in such need of love and caring that she follows Dev’s instructions from table manners to bedtime. Along with Winnie comes Emmaline Farnum, her cousin, who tries to keep the child in check. When she follows the elusive creature to Rosecroft, she’s as immediately taken with Devlin as Winnie is, though she thinks him a barbarian initially. That opinion subtly changes as the man seduces her into his bed.

Emmie also has a passel of demons, all of which lead her to the conclusion Winnie is better off without her. So plans are made for her to leave once Dev finds an appropriate governess. She tries to keep this from Winnie, but there’s no pulling the wool over this child’s eyes. So much has happened to her in her young life that she’s extraordinarily perceptive, and she does what is necessary to get her way - when the earl allows her to do so. I really enjoy Winnie. She’s fun even though she’s scared. She’s been left by everyone in her life and now Emmie is going to do the same. Which kind of irritates me as much as it does Winnie. I realize she’s trying to help, to keep the taint of the family shenanigans away from Winnie so she can grow up without all that baggage. But the child is only six. She needs love and familiarity and protection, all of which Emmie will be taking from her, thinking what the earl can give the little girl is enough.

I also don’t like Emmie’s oscillation going to Dev’s bed and waking up angry she succumbed again and vowing it won’t happen anymore. Although, no matter how hard she tries, it does happen again. And again. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, but she acts so out of character when it comes to Winnie and Devlin. And it goes on for far too long. Her past is fraught with transgressions against her, and I can see why trust is an issue for her, but Dev does his best to show her he can be trusted with her heart. Allowing him to help her shouldn’t have been that daunting after their lovemaking. But they both go on without saying the words needed to bring them closer together and to prevent Emmie from going forward with her plans to leave. I just recently found a deleted scene from this book on the author’s website that I feel was a mistake to omit. Of all the scenes to be deleted, it shouldn’t have been that one, which gives us more of the emotion between these two about her impending departure.

What I really like in this book is the closeness we see between Dev and his brother Val. We saw some of that in The Heir, but it goes to a whole new level in this story. Though Devlin has been dealt a lot to deal with from his mother leaving him to losing two brothers in the war to his post-traumatic stress after being discharged, he does lean on family and friends when he’s on the verge of losing control emotionally. The scenes with his father, which surprise him and the reader, and his stepmother are quite moving, especially when she finally gives him what he needs to make peace with his mother. I like this loving, emotional take between the brothers. Most stories have brothers one-upping each other, taking potshots, and engaging in fisticuffs while having the other’s back, as brothers are wont to do, but it’s nice to be given the other side of the coin in more than just back pounding and joking to hide emotion.

So while part of the book didn’t connect with me in terms of the heroine, other parts absolutely made the deeper connection in terms of family and love. Ms. Burrowes also does a fine job with bits of humor, as the very first scene of the book attests. Though this is a Devlin I didn’t expect, he’s a hero who stirs me emotionally and I’m glad to have met him.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Oct 04, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review I did for Romance Reader At Heart website:

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

The Duke's Obsession trilogy continues with the oldest of brothers, Devlin St. Just, who's a half-brother to Val and Westhaven, and a bastard son of the wily, old Duke of Moreland.

In THE SOLDIER, we reacquaint ourselves with the man whom the Duchess took in at the age of five to be raised along her own brood. He's a long-time soldier, a kind and devoted brother. He's a man whose body had suffered no mortal wo...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Mikaela rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Book: The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

The Particulars: Historical Romance, Sourcebooks, available both in print and e-book

The Review:

The blurb:
This Regency era battle of wits, wills, and the sexes features a wily duke determined to see the succession of his line secured. The duke can't force his sons to marry, but he can make their lives miserable until they do. Resisting his pressure, each gentleman holds out for true love.
The second book in the series features Devlin St. Just, the duke's olde...more

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Jun 25, 2011 Gillian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book and wish the story would go on for another 100 pages or so! I read it fast and found the story very compelling. It is a story about a lost and lonely man who suffered a lot from his years at war as a soldier. He has taken over an estate that is in disrepair and when he moves in there alone, he meets a local woman and a child that turn his life upside down. He falls for the woman, Emmie, who is strong and independent, yet also very lonely. They both care for her 6 year old cousi...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Angelc rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars, already-own-read

Wow, I loved this book! This was one of the more heartfelt romances I've read for a long time. Some scenes are real tearjerkers, but there's still a lot of hope and glimpses of the sun peeking through the clouds.

Devlin was, when it's all said and done, the perfect tortured hero. His years at war gave him many emotional scars to heal. But he was still nothing but considerate and caring. Sure he was a little grouchy at times, but he was never less than respectful and loving to his family and loved...more

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Jun 13, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-regency-england

RATING: 4.5)THE SOLDIER by Grace Burrowes is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England.It is the second in "The Duke's Obsession" Series",but can be read as a stand alone. Book 1 "The Heir". It is written with depth and details.The characters will capture your heart,especially little Winnie.They are engaging,believable,and enchanting. Devlin St. Just, is the oldest,illegitimate son of the duke of Moreland,with a battle worn spirit,sexy,handsome,and has just obtained a new estate.Whic...more

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Jun 11, 2011 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the second book by Ms. Burrowes that I have read. The Soldier is a continuation if you will of her tale of the sons of the Duke of Morland that was started with The Heir. In this book we meet the Duke's firstborn son, Devlin St. Just. He is baseborn as they say so he could not inherit his father's title. He was given the earldom of Rosecroft and we join him at his new estate at the start of the book. You do not have to have read The Heir to enjoy this new book - it stands alone quite wel...more

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Jun 05, 2011 Linda Banche rated it 5 of 5 stars

Grace Burrowes's latest Regency historical, THE SOLDIER, is a redemption tale about three suffering people who share a common bond and who find peace with each other.

Devlin St. Just, duke's bastard and former soldier wounded in mind if not in body, returns from ten years of war as the newly minted Earl of Rosecroft. He travels to his sadly-in-need-of-repair estate and there discovers the former earl's illegitimate child. Also on the scene is Miss Emmaline Farnum, herself a bastard, and the child...more

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May 22, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Soldier by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance – June 1st, 2011
5 stars

Poignant, moving and emotional I found myself teary eyed and in love with this tender story! The Soldier is a quiet but emotionally charged Regency romance about two lost souls who find shelter and love in each other arms.

Devlin is a soldier with gentle heart and a solemn demeanor who was thrown in to the Napoleonic War. He returns as hero but the war has scarred him. He jumps at storms, has fits of rage and indulges in the b...more The Soldier by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance – June 1st, 2011
5 stars

Poignant, moving and emotional I found myself teary eyed and in love with this tender story! The Soldier is a quiet but emotionally charged Regency romance about two lost souls who find shelter and love in each other arms.

Devlin is a soldier with gentle heart and a solemn demeanor who was thrown in to the Napoleonic War. He returns as hero but the war has scarred him. He jumps at storms, has fits of rage and indulges in the bottle to get himself to sleep. Now he has been bestowed an earldom for his heroics. When he moves to his new residence, he soon adopts the lovely waif, Winnie who is the illegitimate daughter of the prior heir to the estate. But with Winnie comes Miss Emmaline Farnum. Emmie is Winnie’s aunt whose scandalous family's history has made her an outcast in the small village. However she refuses to leave her niece, Winnie until she has seen her settled. Devlin loves the sprit and warmth Emmie exudes and asks her to be the new governess for Winnie. But soon these two lost souls find comfort with each other that flames into passion. Sadly, Emmie does not feel she is good enough for Devlin, nor does she deserve happiness. Can Devlin persuade her otherwise?

This was a lovely romance about two very deserving main characters. It reminded me of Elizabeth Hoyt’s books. Each has suffered in their own way. I really enjoy how the author slowly shows how they grow to lean on each other and find peace in the other person’s company and thoughtfulness. There is a real feeling of belonging/coming home between the two of them. I always felt throughout the story that they had to be together. The genuine affection and care they demonstrate to each other only made me want the heroine to overcome her obstacle and allow their love to flourish. The only trouble with the story is that the obstacle that prevents the heroine from choosing love and happiness seemed a bit contrived and not as fully fleshed. I felt she was at times too stubborn for her own good. Otherwise this was a beautiful romance to cherish.

This tear jerker will have you savoring each page as the love between these two individuals shines. I felt happy for them when they finally found someone who could completely accept them for themselves and still cherish them.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

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May 20, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Redemption, in its most loving form, works its magic for Devlin St. Just, new Earl of Rosecroft in Yorkshire, as well as for Emmaline Farnum, even though they both think they are beyond it. Getting to share this emotional experience with them is a special treat for the reader. Grace Burrowes creates another enthralling tale just as captivating as The Heir.

Emmaline (Emmie) Farnum saw her mother and aunt used by men but does not plan for it to happen to her. The old Earl, grandfather of the despi...more Redemption, in its most loving form, works its magic for Devlin St. Just, new Earl of Rosecroft in Yorkshire, as well as for Emmaline Farnum, even though they both think they are beyond it. Getting to share this emotional experience with them is a special treat for the reader. Grace Burrowes creates another enthralling tale just as captivating as The Heir.

Emmaline (Emmie) Farnum saw her mother and aunt used by men but does not plan for it to happen to her. The old Earl, grandfather of the despicable (now dead) Helmsley had protected Emmie as best he could. He gave her a house away from Rosecroft so she would not be easy prey for the grandson. She now makes her way by baking for the town’s people who do not really know her, yet think they do. She is considered a base-born woman but her beauty, intelligence, independence, education, and strength make many of the town’s women envy her. They whisper that they are sure she is “no better than she has to be” just like her mother and aunt. They feel she should bow her head in shame over who she is but she doesn’t.

Emmie, a good judge of character, especially male character, recognizes the barbarian element under the smooth sophistication of the new Earl of Rosecroft. She also sees his wounded spirit and the strong defenses he has erected to keep people at bay. She finds he carries old hurts from childhood and horrors of war that set him apart from others—even from his family that loves him unconditionally. Emmie, just like Devlin, guards herself against others. She holds her secrets tightly, making sure they cannot hurt little five-year-old Bronwyn (Winnie), her only kin.

Winnie, the illegitimate daughter of the despicable Helmsley, considers Emmie her best friend but runs away at times and roams the estate alone since the death of Emmie’s aunt and Helmsley. Emmie takes care of Winnie as best she can but has no authority over her.

Devlin St. Just, now Earl of Rosecroft, arrives in Yorkshire to find his “gift” from the king is a rundown earldom that had been used and abused. Devlin’s post traumatic stress syndrome from his years at war makes his temper flare easily and his nightmares drive him to the edge. The ‘do-nothing’ steward at Rosecroft sets Devlin’s nerves on edge. His rage boils when the steward says the child who acts like a little feral kitten: all, claws, teeth, and hissing anger, is Helmsley's illegitimate child and is now Devlin’s responsibility. He remembers his own mother who abandoned him when he was five. Granted she left him in the care of his father, Duke of Moreland and his Duchess that loved Devlin just as much if not more than all the other children. Yet, he had always felt flawed because his own mother did not want him. He grew up the protector of his siblings and went to war to protect his country and its people, but he found no peace for himself. Devlin connects with the insecure little Winnie and works gently to tame her. Like most kittens, she responses well to cuddling and comfort.

When Devlin and Emmie join forces in the best interest of Winnie, they each recognize secrets and self-esteem problems in each other, problems that thwart their finding peace, security, and love. With a few secondary characters like the Vicar and Lady Tosten with her marriage-age daughter causing even more conflicts, the new Earl of Rosecroft finds Emmie slipping away from him and Winnie even though he is sure she love them both.

If you have read other stories about the Moreland clan, you will get to catch up on what is going on in many of their lives—such fun to see that all is well with them. It is great to see that Val, with his piano talent, unstinting love, and good humor, keeps his strong tie with Devlin and brings joy to the fierce little Winnie. He is a bright spot in the story while Devlin’s brother-in-law Amery is a steady, positive companion for Devlin as he begins to put Rosecroft in order.

Devlin, Emmie, and Winnie all three fight their separate wars. They are survivors who heal together as they move along, stumbling often, toward a happy-ever-after.

Grace Burrowes takes the reader into the depths of the characters’ beings showing the horrible hurts, the bit by bit healing, and the heartfelt happiness that emerges victorious. Ms. Burrowes’ character development, use of imagery, and her ability to create a strong sense of place make The Soldier a breathtaking love story that lingers in the mind and heart.

originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...(less)

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Mar 15, 2012 Betty rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Soldier is Devlin St. Just the oldest, but natural born, son of the Duke of Moreland. His biological mother gave him to the Duke and Duchess of Moreland to raise when he was 5 years old. He has never really felt that he belonged and that he was more of a protector to his younger half-siblings. When he was old enough he purchased his colors as did one of his half-brothers. After ten long years he returned from the fighting. His half-brother did not.

As the story begins his heroic wartime effor...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I wanted to like "The Soldier" so much more than I actually did. It has the potential to be a much stronger story, but alas, there's too much dithering, crying, and menses cluttering up the narrative.

The idea of the story appeals greatly to me - a soldier from Waterloo buys himself an earldom, and goes to rusticate in Yorkshire while licking his wounds. He meets a child on his first day at the estate, and shortly after meets the child's caretaker: a kind woman who is slightly beyond the pale, b...more I wanted to like "The Soldier" so much more than I actually did. It has the potential to be a much stronger story, but alas, there's too much dithering, crying, and menses cluttering up the narrative.

The idea of the story appeals greatly to me - a soldier from Waterloo buys himself an earldom, and goes to rusticate in Yorkshire while licking his wounds. He meets a child on his first day at the estate, and shortly after meets the child's caretaker: a kind woman who is slightly beyond the pale, but who has learned to support herself by baking for the village. It's a gentle romance, which I appreciate, having had rather enough of the over-sexed historicals filling up the genre of late. Unfortunately, the romance never quite gelled for me.

Part of the problem for me, is that Devlin St. Just seems to be in love with his best friend Douglas. There were a number of times where I found myself wondering if this were originally written as a historical m/m romance and was re-written. In fact, I found Douglas better characterized than Emmie, the heroine. She lacks personality - she seems to be a plot foil for the hero more than an actualized character.

The Soldier would also benefit heavily from some editing down of characters - there's obviously a LOT of back story from the previous novel, the Heir, and having not read it I felt constantly adrift. It doesn't help that everyone seems to have multiple titles that they are called by - something I suspect is historically accurate but ultimately confusing to the reader.

There is of course, a Big Secret that anyone with two brain cells to rub together will have guessed by the end, but it does leave you wondering why it took Devlin so long to figure it out. Pregnancy does not leave a woman's body untouched, after all.

And at the end of it all, while I appreciate the touch of realism, I have never gotten so sick of hearing about a heroine's menses. Especially when she keeps announcing its arrival to the hero. Persnickety of me, perhaps, but there it is.

All of those complaints put to paper, such as it were, I will still look for the NEXT Grace Burrowes novel because I do see a lot of promise in her writing. I am hoping with more time, experience, and editing, she may turn out a brilliant romance.(less)

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Nov 22, 2011 Anachronist rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: those-pesky-three-stars

What I liked:

Grace Burrowes is an award-winning romance writer. I am happy to say all of these awards have actually been well-deserved. Like in the case of books penned by another clever romance-writing lady, Courtney Milan, here we have an actual plot. It might be not exactly a maddeningly brilliant one but it can engage a reader pretty efficiently and I admit Ms. Burrowes develops it with more intelligence and wit than an ordinary romance book writer. Well done!

The whole narration is turning a...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Niki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ahhhhhh-romance-isn-t-it-sweet

until reading the description i forgot this is a continuation, so the second book doesn't really pick up the main story line too much.

in this book, devlin st just returns from war and inherits a failing estate, which comes with a cute little girl. for a minor secondary character, winnie was accounted for instead of forgotten, and helpful in pushing out issues each main character was struggling with. the demons haunting the hero were deep, and for a large group of returning soldiers still releva...more

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Jul 10, 2011 Highland-dreamer rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 15, 2012 Rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 19th-century-romance

So im nearly done and im so frustrated with Emmie. She's this weepy crying wimp. All she does is cry. She almost started out as a strong woman, but within 2 paragraphs you could tell she's easily pushed over. She is just so easily excepting the vicars proposal and with no emotion over it at all. I see no reason at all to refuse Devlin, he knows she isn't a virgin, so what is the big deal?

Even after the end of the book, I was still disappointed. She still couldn't tell him the truth about Winnie...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Shanna Trim rated it 1 of 5 stars

The first book in this series was awesome. I really enjoyed it- even if they did bang on about lemonade and marzipan a bit much. I expected nothing less from book two, but I was dead wrong. I would give this zero stars if I could.

This book boils down to a soldier with PTSD falling in love with the woman who is taking care of the former duke's bastard daughter- only nothing ever HAPPENS. It's very much a "and the next day, we did ______". Which is well, whatever. That's not what chaps my ass. Wha...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Brandi rated it 3 of 5 stars

I had an inkling of what was going to happen at the end but I like to journey to get there. Devlin St. Just was an interesting and intriguing character from The Heir but I don't think Burrowes did him any justice in this book. Most of what the man was about came too late in the book and that makes for a longer read. Burrowes writes lovely books, it just seems that some things are out of place or missing and I kept waiting for some action. On the part of Emmie Farnum, here is another woman intent...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Lynne Tull rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-romance

Grace Burrowes was recommended by Mary Balogh's Fan Group. I am glad I took their advice and read her first book, "The Heir". I will say, however, I thought the book could have done with about 50 less pages.

I can say the same for "The Soldier". I liked the story and I thought Ms. Burrowes was a master at teasing me, as a reader, with what was not being said. In the back of my mind I started asking questions before the hero. Then, somewhere in my mind I had the answer and the hero had it, too. H...more

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Sep 09, 2011 Leaa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Part two of Grace Burrowes series and I really enjoyed it. I liked the first one which lead me to this book and I really loved this one! From start to finish. I read a review prior to buying that said that the hero was too "sensitive" because he cries too much. I was sort of hesitant because I'm not into that. But I bought it anyway. And I do not regret it! Okay so he cries like twice in the book but in the moments he does cry I would expect any one with a soul to. Devlin has quite a dark past a...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Marlene rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to love this as I loved The Heir. But I couldn't understand the direction of the story. The first third develops the relationship with Sr. Just and Emmy, then the last 2/3 focusses on her planning to go away, and accepting kisses from someone she says she does not want to marry. Honestly, I figured out the relationship to Emmie and Winnie by the middle of the book, but the book lost focus for me and dragged out her leaving without giving idea of her thought processs. It also seemed impl...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Booklover1335 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-june

After reading Grace Burrowes second book, I think I am getting a better understanding for the way this author writes. I absolutely loved her first book, The Heir, which was very highly praised by many who know more about Romance than I do. But it took me a while to get there. It wasn’t love at the first chapter like sometimes can happen. The Soldier began the same way for me. The best way that I can describe my feelings about how both books are written is that they are like a person who doesn’t...more

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About Grace Burrowes

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonethele...more

More about Grace Burrowes...

Books by Grace Burrowes

The Heir (Duke's Obsession, #1) (Windham, #1)

Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal (The Duke's Daughters, #2; Windham, #5)

Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish (Windham, #4) (The Duke's Daughters, #1)

The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3) (Windham, #3)

Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight (The Duke's Daughters, #3) (Windham, #6)

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The Soldier (Duke's Obsession, #2) (Windham #2)

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