ABOUT THE BOOK

Sleeping Beauty meets Much Ado About Nothing

She’ll awaken with his kiss…

Lord Winter Vance, a notorious scoundrel and the Marquess of Roth, must marry to save his inheritance, but a wife is the last thing he needs. Determined to carry on his rakish ways provoking his straitlaced duke of a father and scandalizing the ton, the minute Winter ties the knot, he dumps his starry-eyed debutante of a bride at his country estate and hies back to London.

But three years later, forgotten in slumbering Chelmsford while her husband gallivants in town, Lady Isobel Vance decides that enough is enough and she’s ready to take matters into her own hands. When a case of mistaken identity leads to a devilish dance of seduction and an indelicate wager is made, this marchioness will show her marauding marquess just who he married.

MY REVIEW

I couldn’t wait to read book 2 in the Everleigh Sisters series, but I have to admit it was going to be hard to beat Astrid and Thane in The Beast of Beswick. Astrid’s sister Isobel and Lord Winter Vance, the Marquess of Roth had their work cut out for them, but their entertaining and tumultuous game of cat and mouse is a big hit with this reader.

Make him grovel. Make him sorry. Make him beg.

It’s been three years since Winter left her after their wedding night. Over time Isobel’s broken heart turns into fury as news of her husband’s nefarious escapades in London turn the naïve and sweet young girl into a daring and determined woman ready to set London on fire while seducing her rake of a husband. 

His marriage to her had to remain one of impartiality. No affections. No fondness. No weakness.

Lord Winter Vance is a stubborn and lonely man with a notorious reputation though it’s all lies now to keep his club running. His marriage of convenience to the beautiful and innocent Isobel helped him secure part of his inheritance to put money down on his scandalous club in London. But his conscience is bothering him and his thoughts drift to her often, until she barges into his London home and throws down a sexy and sizzling gauntlet.

I love how Isobel grows into a fearless and bold woman drawing upon her fake persona The Daring Lady Darcy who Isobel and her best friend Clarissa conjured up as an anonymous and wicked women’s advice columnist for the ton.  Watching her shock and entice her husband to the point of frustration is priceless especially when he uses some of his wicked charm and naughty talk to throw her off balance as well. It’s a true corruption worth waiting for. I also have to mention the hilarious and side-splitting names Isobel calls her husband, the best being the Maggot of Roth.

The supporting characters have their own captivating story to tell. Especially between the saucy and outspoken Miss Carissa Bell and Winter’s grumpy and stick-in-the-mud brother Oliver. In addition, I enjoyed the fond relationship between Isobel and her father-in-law, the Duke of Kendrick. Their conspiring to win her husband back is delightful with the Duke’s staidness and Isobel’s forthrightness. There is a lot of hurt and secrets between the Vance men that center around the loss of Winter’s mother and sister and the author does an excellent job revealing and resolving the misunderstandings.

Amalie Howard has done it again!  She has captivated me with her enchanting characters, entertaining dialogue, and sensual encounters which is just what I needed for a cold winter’s day.

Thank you to Ms. Howard and Entangled Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amalie Howard is the bestselling, award-winning author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, School Library Journal, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Kid’s INDIE NEXT selection highlighting East Indian mythology. She is a national IPPY silver medalist and Children’s Moonbeam Award winner. She is also the co-author of the #1 bestsellers in regency romance and historical fiction, My Rogue, My Ruin and My Hellion, My Heart, in the Lords of Essex historical romance series. Of Indian and Middle Eastern descent, she grew up in the Caribbean but currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children.

Follow Amalie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.