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Contracted as His Countess
From a recluse secluded in a castle…
…to his countess!
Cloistered away in a castle since birth, Madelyn Aylmer must now fulfill her eccentric father’s dying request: wed nobleman Jack Ransome! She has what Jack needs—land—and so he accepts their marriage of convenience and vows to introduce this sheltered innocent to society. But what Madelyn hadn’t expected was the way her body reacts to Jack, especially to his promise of a union filled with unbridled passion!
“A refreshingly different historical romance”
— All About Romance on A Lady In Need of an Heir by Louise Allen
…to his countess!
Cloistered away in a castle since birth, Madelyn Aylmer must now fulfill her eccentric father’s dying request: wed nobleman Jack Ransome! She has what Jack needs—land—and so he accepts their marriage of convenience and vows to introduce this sheltered innocent to society. But what Madelyn hadn’t expected was the way her body reacts to Jack, especially to his promise of a union filled with unbridled passion!
“A refreshingly different historical romance”
— All About Romance on A Lady In Need of an Heir by Louise Allen
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2019
52 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
424 books331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 17, 2019
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
DNF 75% into the book and I couldn't handle it anymore.
If I had to read one more time "that she's not even pretty", or "she's plain" or "she's clumsy and not graceful" I was going to throw my iPad.
In all honesty the historical and time period of the writing was good, but the romance was non existent!! It was like the author forced or tried to throw in a thought or sentence here or there to give it the title of romance but it was secondary at best!!!
And again beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I was hoping at the half way point at least that the hero would have found her inner beauty and expounded on that. Sadly that didn't happen. So I'm sad to say I just couldn't take another sentence that said she wasn't pretty or she was just plain.
DNF 75% into the book and I couldn't handle it anymore.
If I had to read one more time "that she's not even pretty", or "she's plain" or "she's clumsy and not graceful" I was going to throw my iPad.
In all honesty the historical and time period of the writing was good, but the romance was non existent!! It was like the author forced or tried to throw in a thought or sentence here or there to give it the title of romance but it was secondary at best!!!
And again beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I was hoping at the half way point at least that the hero would have found her inner beauty and expounded on that. Sadly that didn't happen. So I'm sad to say I just couldn't take another sentence that said she wasn't pretty or she was just plain.
January 21, 2020
I've given this a C- at AAR, so that's 2.5 stars rounded up.
Louise Allen is an author whose work I’ve enjoyed many times in the past, and I always look forward to a new release from her. Contracted as His Countess is a standalone historical romance that puts a slightly different spin on a familiar trope, and the very different backgrounds of the two protagonists make for some interesting situations and conflicts. But somewhere around the half-way point, the story loses focus and never really regains it; the romance is not well developed and even thought the eleventh-hour black moment is actually set up earlier in the book, it nonetheless feels flimsy and awkward.
Madelyn Aylmer is the daughter of a rather eccentric gentleman whose fascination with the gothic period went far beyond that of many of the other nineteenth century gothic revivalists. He lived as a medieval nobleman in his own castle, complete with moat, drawbridge and portcullis, dressed in medieval attire, eschewed modern conveniences and even wanted his servants to dress the part. He brought up his only daughter with medieval values and sensibilities; indeed Madelyn has had very little interaction with the outside world and is, indeed, much like the ivory-tower bound princess in a fairy tale. Now her father is dead, and she is duty-bound to fulfil his last request, which is to marry a man with bloodlines that can be traced back to before the Conquest, a man of impeccable breeding.
That gentleman is Jack Ransome, Earl of Dersington, who is commonly known in society as Jack Lackland because his is an empty title. In fact, he styles himself plain Mister Ransome, seeing no point in calling himself an earl because without lands, retainers or wealth, he has no power and therefore, no function as an aristocrat. His profligate father and elder brother left nothing, and he supports himself by working as an enquiry agent. He arrives at Castle Beaupierre in response to the invitation from Miss Aylmer, and is surprised at his reaction to the statuesque young woman dressed in clothes of a bygone age who greets him. Madelyn Aylmer is not pretty by the standards of the day, but she’s most certainly and unconventionally attractive in her poise and serenity. Plain by modern standards, yet somehow lovely and utterly remote.
Jack is even more surprised when she tells him the reason for her invitation. Over the years, her father had searched out and acquired every scrap of the lost Dersington lands, and these will of course be returned to Jack upon their marriage. He is stunned – and then angry at the idea that this young woman thinks she can buy him… but also feels an unexpected hope at the prospect of regaining his family’s property, and after thinking it over – and admitting to himself that his unaccountable attraction to Madelyn will at least make the act of begetting heirs a pleasant one – he agrees to the match. But with the condition that Madelyn must live in the present and not the past, and that she will learn how to conduct herself appropriately in nineteenth century society.
The marriage of convenience for money is a common enough trope, but Madelyn’s unusual upbringing and Jack’s rejection of his title – and the widespread disapproval of his peers that incurrs – opened up the potential for some different sorts of conflicts to those usually found in this type of story, and I eagerly raced through the first few chapters. Jack finds Madelyn someone to help her to learn all the rules that govern society and its interactions, from learning how to act as hostess to what clothes to wear. Madelyn is determined to do her best to fit in, Jack’s intentions are good in providing her with someone to guide her, and so are those of her mentor, but those good intentions basically translate to Madelyn finding herself wearing unflattering clothes in colours that do not suit her and feeling as though she is being forced to give up her individuality. I sympathised with her; she wanted to be a credit to Jack but was being pushed in directions that made her anything but, and I was pleased when she took a stand and decided to find a compromise that would work for her and for Jack. I was very much on her side in this – until she did something silly as a way of demonstrating her ability to make sound judgments about how to behave, which was not only dumb but out of character.
The biggest problem with the book though, is the romance. Or rather, the lack thereof. Ms. Allen is capable of creating terrific sexual tension between her heroes and heroines and is very skilled at developing a believable romance in the relatively short page count of a category romance. Here, however… well, let’s just say she must’ve been having an off day (or several), because there’s no chemistry between Jack and Madelyn, and other than a few references to the fact that Jack is surprised he’s attracted to her because she’s not his type (and we’re reminded rather too often that she’s not conventionally attractive), and that Madelyn finds Jack very handsome, there’s very little in the way of attraction, and the kisses and single (rather tame) love scene are damp squibs rather than fireworks.
So I’m marking Contracted as His Countess down as one of those books that had a lot of potential that was ultimately not realised. It’s a shame when an author whose work you normally enjoy lets you down, but it happens; and although I can’t recommend this, I hope to enjoy more of Ms. Allen’s books in the future.
Louise Allen is an author whose work I’ve enjoyed many times in the past, and I always look forward to a new release from her. Contracted as His Countess is a standalone historical romance that puts a slightly different spin on a familiar trope, and the very different backgrounds of the two protagonists make for some interesting situations and conflicts. But somewhere around the half-way point, the story loses focus and never really regains it; the romance is not well developed and even thought the eleventh-hour black moment is actually set up earlier in the book, it nonetheless feels flimsy and awkward.
Madelyn Aylmer is the daughter of a rather eccentric gentleman whose fascination with the gothic period went far beyond that of many of the other nineteenth century gothic revivalists. He lived as a medieval nobleman in his own castle, complete with moat, drawbridge and portcullis, dressed in medieval attire, eschewed modern conveniences and even wanted his servants to dress the part. He brought up his only daughter with medieval values and sensibilities; indeed Madelyn has had very little interaction with the outside world and is, indeed, much like the ivory-tower bound princess in a fairy tale. Now her father is dead, and she is duty-bound to fulfil his last request, which is to marry a man with bloodlines that can be traced back to before the Conquest, a man of impeccable breeding.
That gentleman is Jack Ransome, Earl of Dersington, who is commonly known in society as Jack Lackland because his is an empty title. In fact, he styles himself plain Mister Ransome, seeing no point in calling himself an earl because without lands, retainers or wealth, he has no power and therefore, no function as an aristocrat. His profligate father and elder brother left nothing, and he supports himself by working as an enquiry agent. He arrives at Castle Beaupierre in response to the invitation from Miss Aylmer, and is surprised at his reaction to the statuesque young woman dressed in clothes of a bygone age who greets him. Madelyn Aylmer is not pretty by the standards of the day, but she’s most certainly and unconventionally attractive in her poise and serenity. Plain by modern standards, yet somehow lovely and utterly remote.
Jack is even more surprised when she tells him the reason for her invitation. Over the years, her father had searched out and acquired every scrap of the lost Dersington lands, and these will of course be returned to Jack upon their marriage. He is stunned – and then angry at the idea that this young woman thinks she can buy him… but also feels an unexpected hope at the prospect of regaining his family’s property, and after thinking it over – and admitting to himself that his unaccountable attraction to Madelyn will at least make the act of begetting heirs a pleasant one – he agrees to the match. But with the condition that Madelyn must live in the present and not the past, and that she will learn how to conduct herself appropriately in nineteenth century society.
The marriage of convenience for money is a common enough trope, but Madelyn’s unusual upbringing and Jack’s rejection of his title – and the widespread disapproval of his peers that incurrs – opened up the potential for some different sorts of conflicts to those usually found in this type of story, and I eagerly raced through the first few chapters. Jack finds Madelyn someone to help her to learn all the rules that govern society and its interactions, from learning how to act as hostess to what clothes to wear. Madelyn is determined to do her best to fit in, Jack’s intentions are good in providing her with someone to guide her, and so are those of her mentor, but those good intentions basically translate to Madelyn finding herself wearing unflattering clothes in colours that do not suit her and feeling as though she is being forced to give up her individuality. I sympathised with her; she wanted to be a credit to Jack but was being pushed in directions that made her anything but, and I was pleased when she took a stand and decided to find a compromise that would work for her and for Jack. I was very much on her side in this – until she did something silly as a way of demonstrating her ability to make sound judgments about how to behave, which was not only dumb but out of character.
The biggest problem with the book though, is the romance. Or rather, the lack thereof. Ms. Allen is capable of creating terrific sexual tension between her heroes and heroines and is very skilled at developing a believable romance in the relatively short page count of a category romance. Here, however… well, let’s just say she must’ve been having an off day (or several), because there’s no chemistry between Jack and Madelyn, and other than a few references to the fact that Jack is surprised he’s attracted to her because she’s not his type (and we’re reminded rather too often that she’s not conventionally attractive), and that Madelyn finds Jack very handsome, there’s very little in the way of attraction, and the kisses and single (rather tame) love scene are damp squibs rather than fireworks.
So I’m marking Contracted as His Countess down as one of those books that had a lot of potential that was ultimately not realised. It’s a shame when an author whose work you normally enjoy lets you down, but it happens; and although I can’t recommend this, I hope to enjoy more of Ms. Allen’s books in the future.
January 17, 2020
Contracted As His Countess by Louise Allen
Secrets of a Victoria Household #3
2 stars
Madelyn has been raised in a different century. Well, not really, but because of her father's obsession with medieval castles she has a lived a sheltered lifestyle of a few hundred years earlier. Her father's dying wish was for her to wed Jack Ransome.
Jack is a titled gentleman but has no lands to manage. Until he attends a meeting with Madelyn and she proposes a marriage of convenience.
I initially liked the premise of this book. It had promise to be unique, have some humor, and pull it all together in a love story. Yet, this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't find any humor in the situation of Madelyn's eccentric medieval dress and mannerisms taking storm in London. Instead I found myself cringing multiple times. Talking to her in my head “Noooooo, don't do that!”. Their relationship almost turned into enemies, at least it seemed to be non stop bickering and sizing each other up. Not trusting each other. The non stop talk about how hideous the heroine was. Well, they didn't use those words but it was stated how plain she was so many times that's what it turned into. This gown cut made her look like this and the gown color made her look like that and the droopy ringlets made her look like this. I kept waiting for her to have some sort of transformation or the hero to fully accept her medieval eccentricities but it didn't really happen. The sex is lackluster. I didn't care if they were together. And that's just not how romance should be.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Secrets of a Victoria Household #3
2 stars
Madelyn has been raised in a different century. Well, not really, but because of her father's obsession with medieval castles she has a lived a sheltered lifestyle of a few hundred years earlier. Her father's dying wish was for her to wed Jack Ransome.
Jack is a titled gentleman but has no lands to manage. Until he attends a meeting with Madelyn and she proposes a marriage of convenience.
I initially liked the premise of this book. It had promise to be unique, have some humor, and pull it all together in a love story. Yet, this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't find any humor in the situation of Madelyn's eccentric medieval dress and mannerisms taking storm in London. Instead I found myself cringing multiple times. Talking to her in my head “Noooooo, don't do that!”. Their relationship almost turned into enemies, at least it seemed to be non stop bickering and sizing each other up. Not trusting each other. The non stop talk about how hideous the heroine was. Well, they didn't use those words but it was stated how plain she was so many times that's what it turned into. This gown cut made her look like this and the gown color made her look like that and the droopy ringlets made her look like this. I kept waiting for her to have some sort of transformation or the hero to fully accept her medieval eccentricities but it didn't really happen. The sex is lackluster. I didn't care if they were together. And that's just not how romance should be.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 3, 2019
I'm not sure what to make of this book. It wasn't a bad book, but something was missing. I liked the hero and heroine, but in sort of a distracted way. The development of their relationship was a little choppy. I can see what the author was trying to do, but I think she missed the mark somewhat. Still, it was an interesting read.
February 4, 2020
A comfort read. I like the trope as well as this author, but it's not something that will have you jumping in your seats. But it's not about that for me with this author. It's about a trope I love, done well.
December 18, 2019
Madelyn has lived a secluded life in her father's refurbished castle where almost everything was authentic to the time of the original construction. Because of this, she doesn't really know how to go about in polite society. She also doesn't want to leave the castle. But her father's last wish was for her to marry a nobleman. He even had one picked out for her and the means to get him to agree...
Jack doesn't live like most noblemen. His title is one without land or money, so he doesn't see the need. He does jobs for other nobleman to make his way in life. When his invite from Madelyn arrives, he figures that she has a job for him to complete. He never imagined that she would propose marriage and the return of his ancestral properties.
Jack agrees to the arrangement. But as these two spend time together, they can't deny the attraction they feel. Can this marriage of convenience turn into one of love?
I really enjoyed this story. If was different from those I normally read. I loved watching Madelyn adjust to the present world after having living in the past at her castle. I also like that she stood up for herself and didn't try to conform to what the societal norm of the time was.
Jack doesn't live like most noblemen. His title is one without land or money, so he doesn't see the need. He does jobs for other nobleman to make his way in life. When his invite from Madelyn arrives, he figures that she has a job for him to complete. He never imagined that she would propose marriage and the return of his ancestral properties.
Jack agrees to the arrangement. But as these two spend time together, they can't deny the attraction they feel. Can this marriage of convenience turn into one of love?
I really enjoyed this story. If was different from those I normally read. I loved watching Madelyn adjust to the present world after having living in the past at her castle. I also like that she stood up for herself and didn't try to conform to what the societal norm of the time was.
January 6, 2020
This was different, and enjoyable. Madelyn is raised largely in isolation by a father obsessed with Medieval life. His dying wish is that she marry Jack Ransome, a nobleman in need of a fortune. It's an odd pairing, but they're determined to make it work, even though Madelyn finds much of Society life not to her liking (the fashions are a particular thorn in her side.)
Jack and Madelyn have a great deal to learn about, and from, one another on their road to their HEA, and it was fun to see Regency life through the eyes of someone for whom it's almost a foreign land and language.
Jack and Madelyn have a great deal to learn about, and from, one another on their road to their HEA, and it was fun to see Regency life through the eyes of someone for whom it's almost a foreign land and language.
November 29, 2019
This is my first by Louise Allen and what a pleasant surprise! I devoured it in one sitting, and it was delicious. It’s a fish out of water story for our heroine, but she has strength and a surprising amount of confidence. Our hero’s childhood leaves him scarred, but that makes me strive to be better than his predecessors. They each bring a lot of baggage to the relationship, but also a lot of joy.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 16, 2020
The plot was pretty far fetched but this gave it a refreshing uniqueness. I found the romance between the main characters very sweet. All told, it lived up to my expectations from this very talented author.
March 8, 2022
Completely satisfied one of my favourite tropes, a lady out of time (although, not quite literally), but still fantastically believable.
August 25, 2020
Jack Ransome is an enquiry agent, but his new client’s assignment comes as a shock: she wants a husband. And not just any husband. Him.
Madelyn has been raised in a castle by her now-deceased father, who was obsessed with the Middle Ages. Since she has no objection to marriage, she is willing to honor his wish to wed the man he has chosen. Having lived isolated from the outside world, however, she has no experience of contemporary customs. Can she adapt not only to marriage with a complete stranger, but to a very different world from the one she has been used to?
Since this, despite the sub-title (“Secrets of a Victorian Household, Book 2”), is a Regency romance, a happy ending can be anticipated, but the path is fraught with difficulties, and not only for naïve Madelyn, who is viewed by many as the daughter of a madman. Jack has problems too, for even though he is the Earl of Dersington, his lack of an estate and unconventional conduct have attracted scorn and censure. These two social outcasts are sympathetic characters, but they must learn to trust each other and be honest about their true feelings. These are valuable life lessons. Recommended.
Madelyn has been raised in a castle by her now-deceased father, who was obsessed with the Middle Ages. Since she has no objection to marriage, she is willing to honor his wish to wed the man he has chosen. Having lived isolated from the outside world, however, she has no experience of contemporary customs. Can she adapt not only to marriage with a complete stranger, but to a very different world from the one she has been used to?
Since this, despite the sub-title (“Secrets of a Victorian Household, Book 2”), is a Regency romance, a happy ending can be anticipated, but the path is fraught with difficulties, and not only for naïve Madelyn, who is viewed by many as the daughter of a madman. Jack has problems too, for even though he is the Earl of Dersington, his lack of an estate and unconventional conduct have attracted scorn and censure. These two social outcasts are sympathetic characters, but they must learn to trust each other and be honest about their true feelings. These are valuable life lessons. Recommended.
June 23, 2020
Contracted as His Countess by Louise Allen is a cute story based on the Rapunzel fairy tale. Madelyn Aylmer spent all of her life in a Gothic castle built by her eccentric father. Before her father died, he requested that Madelyn marry Jack Ransome. Jack's father and brother lost all of their property in gambling debts and now Jack must work to survive. Madelyn's father acquired all of Jack's property and Madelyn will give it back to Jack if he weds her. Now Jack must educate Madelyn to proper society of 1816. When Jack gets his property back, he is known as Lord Dersington. Jack and Madelyn undergo many trials during their courtship. There are times when you want to shake both of them. Both are so prideful and stubborn.
May 7, 2022
3.8 stars. I like Romance novels where couples wait to have sex when they marry. (Shocker). I liked how eccentric the heroine was. I liked the storyline. The wording was hard to follow at points. And a there were about 3 silly unnecessary moments of arguing that did nothing but irritate the reader. The story was whimsical in many ways. It had me clearly interested and it ended on a lovely note. If you have time you should read it.
February 18, 2023
Lovely but way too over-explainy and not nearly as filthy as I’d like. I kept thinking all the wordcount taken up in thought could have been better used for the secks. But then again, it is a Harlequin … didn’t they used to be hotter? Or maybe I’ve just gotten more depraved since my last Harlequin read?
September 14, 2021
Where does she get these titles? This was different, I was glad I bought it off of eBay because it was cheap. The hero was a poor specimen. All good characteristics were left entirely to the heroine.
August 25, 2025
Always a good read with Louise Allen.
January 21, 2020
This book was ok. I liked the main characters of Jack and Madelyn individually but not as a couple. They were both proud and compassionate people but they were lacking chemistry or story. The premise is interesting but it fizzles out from there.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 9, 2019
This book was very hard to get into. In fact, I almost marked it as DNF on more than one occasion. The sad thing is, there was nothing wrong with the author's writing style. It was the fact that there was NOTHING between the two leads.
Jack continually thinks of Madelyn as "plain", he even goes so far as to wonder if she performed some type of witchcraft as he's not even attracted to her. AT ALL. He laments that she will do something to embarrass him, he even becomes angry with her on occasion and for what? He knew she was not accustomed to the life he had thrust her in. And even when she tried? It didn't seem to be enough. She wasn't what he thought she should be, so he was only interested in getting between her legs.
It was ridiculous. At some point I expected them to have a revelation. And yet, they remained distrustful of each other. And yet, instead of talking like rational adults, they argued, they went against each other. I got to read once again how much of a "scandal" she was going to cause. Or how he thought she was "purposely" doing something to hurt him.
In my opinion, there was nothing to sell this story or this relationship. And I'm not sure if I would read more from this author, no matter how good she is - if all of her relationships are this vexing, no thanks.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Jack continually thinks of Madelyn as "plain", he even goes so far as to wonder if she performed some type of witchcraft as he's not even attracted to her. AT ALL. He laments that she will do something to embarrass him, he even becomes angry with her on occasion and for what? He knew she was not accustomed to the life he had thrust her in. And even when she tried? It didn't seem to be enough. She wasn't what he thought she should be, so he was only interested in getting between her legs.
It was ridiculous. At some point I expected them to have a revelation. And yet, they remained distrustful of each other. And yet, instead of talking like rational adults, they argued, they went against each other. I got to read once again how much of a "scandal" she was going to cause. Or how he thought she was "purposely" doing something to hurt him.
In my opinion, there was nothing to sell this story or this relationship. And I'm not sure if I would read more from this author, no matter how good she is - if all of her relationships are this vexing, no thanks.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
October 27, 2019
This is my first by Louise Allen and what a pleasant surprise! I devoured it in one sitting, and it was delicious. It’s a fish out of water story for our heroine, but she has strength and a surprising amount of confidence. Our hero’s childhood leaves him scarred, but that makes me strive to be better than his predecessors. They each bring a lot of baggage to the relationship, but also a lot of joy.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 12, 2019
I wanted to enjoy this book; it has an interesting setting; a medieval castle and maiden but set in the regency era, however, I found the set up of the story confusing and Madelyn was not a compelling heroine.
The setting of the novel is well written. The reader gets an excellent glimpse into a medieval castle. However, the characters did, at times, pull me out of the story.
In the end, I am not sure that I believe in the romance between the characters.
The setting of the novel is well written. The reader gets an excellent glimpse into a medieval castle. However, the characters did, at times, pull me out of the story.
In the end, I am not sure that I believe in the romance between the characters.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews