Review: Pretty good start to the series :D
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 9, 2014
3.5-4 starsThis was a pretty good story. Hannah was a really good heroine and I liked Leo as well but wished we could have seen some of his PoV at times. This is the first book by this author that I've read but I liked it and am willing to try more of her work in the future.Hannah is a widow and poor so she had to become a companion to her aunt (by marriage) who is titled and very full of herself. Hannah didn't love her husband but tried to be a good wife to him. When he died and left Hannah without means to take care of herself, she was revealed not have to go to the work houses but has little happiness, living a rather dreary life. She never expects a chance encounter to change her whole life.Leo is the second son of a titled Lord. He got in to some trouble when he was younger and now has been labelled as a lazy, partying second son that does nothing but provide embarrassment to his family. Never mind that he hasn't been that way for years and actually has a brain. His parents have recently decided that it's time for him to get married and "ally" another titled family or at least someone with a big dowry through his marriage. Leo isn't willing to get in to a marriage of convenience but his parents don't really listen to what Leo says.The story begins with Hannah in the library mending and Leo and a maid coming in to the library for an afternoon dalliance. Hannah knows she should make a noise so they know she's there and leave but she instead stays quiet and watches. Afterwards she's surprised to find that Leo knew she was there and let her watch. Leo offers to shows her the pleasures of the flesh but Hannah never felt anything but pain with her husband and isn't sure. Leo convinces Hannah to let him show her pleasure. He shows her a bit and then asks to meet again later for more. Hannah knows she shouldn't but is sucked in by the pleasure and the realization of how empty her life is. She agrees and her and Leo enter in to their own dalliance. Things continue for a few months but no mention is made of the future between them and Leo's mother is trying to push him in to a marriage (and Hannah would never be considered a suitable wife). There ends up being some major drama and Hannah & Leo are separated from each other. Hannah is very saddened by this but thinks there's no other way and she's lost Leo for good. Fortunately, Leo ins't about to be separated and takes things in to his own hands, bringing them back together and propelling them in to a sweet HEA.This was a very enjoyable story. I liked both Hannah and Leo and while their story is not unique in it's plot, it's well written and you get a lot for as short as it is. As I mentioned, I do wish we had gotten some of Leo's PoV...you can see tenderness in some of his actions that gives an idea of where his feelings towards Hannah are but since he doesn't express them (verbally) through most of the story, I wouldn't have minded getting a glimpse in to his head. Regardless of this minor complaint I liked the story and would recommend it for anyone interested in a sweet and sexy historical romance. :D* note - I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did a very good job