Review: Great addition to the series! :D
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 16, 2014
4.5-5 starsWhat a great book! I loved Elizabeth and Robert and really enjoyed their story. This was a little different from the rest of the series because it's a historical but it has the same feel of the previous books in the series and integrated well.Elizabeth is kind young woman living in society in London. Her parents want her to marry well but she doesn't want to marry unless it's for love and figured it's most likely she'll end up a spinster. She has an inheritance coming to her and she intends to live on one of the estates but plans to give the rest away to to underprivileged (opening schools and such) as she's a very kind woman.Robert is the second son of an Earl but hasn't lived a life of leisure that's typical of most in his position in life. He had some unfortunate issues he had to deal with when he was younger that tested him but in the end his trials made him stronger. Robert took a small inheritance he received at the age of 18 and with investing, turned it in to a good amount of money which he used to buy an estate in America (in Massachusetts) which he's planning to leave for soon.This story actually starts out as Jason and Haley (from book #1 Playing for Keeps) are getting ready to have their 5 years anniversary. Jason is making her a necklace (which is a family tradition and gets explained later) and while he's working on it, his dad tells the story of the "first Bradford".Robert and Elizabeth lived very close together and their families were friends. When they were just kids, Elizabeth had a crush on Robert's older brother, James, and Robert teased her about it. This teasing took place in front of James and a bunch of others and it's highly embarrassing to Elizabeth. To get back at him, Elizabeth teases Robert about a problem he had at the time (wetting himself) and this gets around, causing Robert to be teased at school and his life ends up being a living hell for years because of this. Elizabeth doesn't realize just what she caused and just knows that Robert wont stop picking on her so she fights back and picks on him back. This causes a minor war between them that lasted through most of their childhood and had them both hating the other. Around the time Robert hit his teens he and his family started staying in London more, making sure he and Elizabeth wouldn't see each other. And they don't for many years until Elizabeth's last season in London. Elizabeth's parents aren't happy about Elizabeth's unwillingness to marry for reasons other than love (she's declined 55 offers of marriage much to her parents distress) and push her to go to all the balls and parties they can, hoping a man will catch her eye and they can push her in to a marriage. Elizabeth does so because she doesn't have much choice but looks forward to getting her inheritance on her next birthday and escaping London society (which she hates). One night, she's at a ball with her family but escapes outside to an Orangery (a big hot house for Orange trees) to sit to read. She is found by Robert but it's been so long since they saw each other (and they were both much younger and looked different) that they don't recognize each other. They start talking and both of them realizes that the other is very much the type of person they like and the physical attraction between them is strong. They end up in a tryst that takes her innocence and has them both wanting more. They know they have to go back in before anyone finds them so they separate, Elizabeth wanting not to know Robert's name as she wanted to keep the night as a special encounter she could treasure. Shortly there after, Robert and Elizabeth are back at the ball and are introduced properly and they both realize they've just been intimate with their childhood nemesis.Once they each realize who the other is, they're both pretty shocked and not happy at all. Robert can't help but want Elizabeth but hates that he still wants her and is torn over his feeling for her. Elizabeth feels basically the same and they both spend the next few weeks at each others throats for the most part. Things aren't helped along by the fact that Robert's family's home burns down and his family ends up staying with Elizabeth's family for a while. Also, Robert's brother James needs a wife and both families are trying to push James and Elizabeth together. Robert isn't too happy about this but is unwilling to give voice to the confusing feeling in him. Elizabeth doesn't want James and kind of wants Robert but is convinced that he doesn't want her and is back to hating her so she still intends to become a spinster, although her parents and suitors are doing everything they can to change her mind. I really loved how Robert and Elizabeth had such problems coming together but yet they both started to feel more for each other and wanted it. I couldn't help rooting for them to find their way through the issues they faced. There's a situation that comes up, forcing the issue of who Elizabeth will marry. Things get a bit messed up and some unexpected (and slightly erroneous) news causes the rift between Robert and Elizabeth to widen and there's some painful times as they have to come to terms with each other and deal with the external issues coming from those around them. I loved how things work out, not that I liked the anger and problems between Robert and Elizabeth but I loved what happened when they decided to get past them and call their "truce". The story ends wonderfully as Robert and Elizabeth push past their troubles to make a new life for themselves and start their HEA.I enjoyed this story greatly! I loved both Robert and Elizabeth and could totally understand their issues with each other as children but was glad they were able to move past them because once they did, they made a great couple. The story line was really enjoyable and I didn't want to put the book down until I had it complete. I'm only sorry that the series is over. I'd recommend this book. 2 thumbs up! :D