The Improper Bride by Lily Maxton – a Review

The Improper Bride by Lily Maxton – a Review

 

The Improper BrideAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Cold, arrogant, and demanding Henry Eldridge, Marquess of Riverton, would never dally with a mere servant. But when Henry is injured in a horrible fire, his pretty housekeeper Cassandra nurses him back to health, throwing them together day and night. As he slowly heals from his burns, their friendship blossoms, and the class walls between them start to crumble. Cassandra is surprised by glimpses of a kind and thoughtful man beneath her employer’s hard façade—and even more surprised when she develops tender feelings for him. But anything between lord and servant is impossible…and besides, as a widow, she knows love only leads to heartbreak.

Henry is changing, as well. His close brush with death has opened his eyes to his self-imposed emotional isolation…and has urgently reminded him of his duty to marry a well-bred lady and produce an heir. Determined to do right by his family name, he immediately begins searching for a suitable bride. But Cassandra is the only woman who is never far from his mind or his heart. Contrary to everything he’s been taught to believe, he realizes his lovely housekeeper might just be his perfect match. Now, if only he could convince everyone else of that. Especially Cassandra…


Review:

The Improper Bride is a historical romance by the talented author Lily Maxton. Some of the characters in this book are mentioned or featured in her other book or books. This is the story of Henry Eldridge, the Marquess of Riverton, and his housekeeper, Cassandra Davis.

The story begins with Henry in his bedroom and finding that this wing of his house is on fire and he is about to be burned to death. However, while trying to get out a beam from his bed canopy crashed down and hit his head, resulting in many horrible burns on half his face and body. The servants managed to pull him out and save his life, but he was unconscious for a long period.

Cassandra Davis, a widow, is a young but able housekeeper and doing a marvelous job. The doctor charges her with helping to keep Henry occupied and pull him out of melancholy or depression while recovering. She does this by a unique idea of having him tutor her in German.

That’s the set-up. This story is well written with a slightly more modern language instead of antiquated terms. I didn’t feel any of the historical significance was lacking by it, in fact it made the story more compelling and easier to get into.

It’s a slow building romance between members of separate classes in society. It’s alternately heartwarming, frustrating, provocative, infuriating, and heart wrenching in the telling. Once they leave the privacy of his sick room and he begins to regain his life, the obstacles of position and class make themselves felt. The attraction and growing respect between the two characters is incredibly well done.

If you enjoy a really good romance, and all the frustrations that can be done while you wait for it to build, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It felt a lot like living it along with the characters.

Grab your favorite beverage, cuddle up (or down) and be prepared for an enjoyable trip of emotions!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Mistake by Lily Maxton – a Review

The Mistake by Lily Maxton – a Review

 

The MistakeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM


Description:
Childhood love never disappears…

Infamous courtesan Julia Forsythe is the former mistress of a ruthless marquess. She’s also expecting his child. But while she longs to flee from his cold clutches, the welfare of her unborn babe prevents it. Now she must find a way to remain a “mistress” in name, if not in deed. And her plans are only complicated by a growing affection for the estate’s head gardener…

Fifteen years ago, Adam Radcliff once shared a close friendship with Julia. Now they stand worlds apart in both lives and statuses, sharing only the memory of that old friendship. But even as Julia slips out of the marquess’s lascivious clutches, she finds herself seeking the pleasure of Adam’s company. Now Adam is falling more deeply for Julia, even knowing that wanting another man’s mistress will only bring ruin upon them both.

Review:

The Mistake by Lily Maxton is a historical romance set in London in the 1800’s and is part of the Sisters of Scandal series. A wonderfully romantic era it was also an era that had little security for women. Not many avenues to advance themselves financially without marrying a rich or titled man. This is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s style.

The prolog begins in London, 1802. Adam Radcliff, a young man of 16, a poor Irish/English child without much prospect goes looking for his runaway friend and first love, Julie Forsythe. Her father has died after years of drinking since the death of her mother, and she’s overwhelmed with fear of being poor all her life. He finds her but she’s already met a Lord Stanley and he’s suddenly aware that she can have more of the security she needs with this man than with him, so he lets her go by stepping into the shadows and leaving.

Fifteen years later the story picks up with Julia now the mistress of Henry Eldridge, the Marquess of Riverton. While she detests the man, she is also pregnant with his child and has a contract with him that he will provide for the child a specified amount and even an education if she will fulfill her part of the contract and be available sexually to him for as long as he wants her. She makes him think she’s ill and he sends her to his country estate of Blakewood Hall by herself for a month. She finds Adam again, he’s the head gardener at the estate.

That’s the setup, I think everyone will enjoy this intriguing tale of love and life, things we think we need and things we truly need. It’s well written with the talented author using time to relate the tale of the two young people in love, and the background of their stories. It’s an intricate but fast paced story of rediscovering self and others, a good look into the society of the time. Will true love win, or will security and greed overcome yet again?

Grab a good beverage, a few tissues and snuggle up for a lovely quick read. You’ll love it! I did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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