1 of 1 copy available
Internationally bestselling author Sophie Irwin brings us another delightful, escapist historical romance, led by an audacious heroine who has suddenly inherited a fortune—but it has strings attached…
When shy Miss Eliza Balfour married the austere Earl of Somerset, twenty years her senior, it was the match of the season—no matter that he was not the husband Eliza wanted.
Now, ten years later, Eliza is widowed. Suddenly, she is left titled, rich, and, for the first time in her life, utterly in control of her own future. She’s always lived by society’s conventions, but now, Eliza has resolved to do as she wants. And what she wants is to head to Bath with her cousin Margaret, pursue painting, learn to drive, and flirt with Bath’s most alluring new resident, the infamous Lord Melville.
But when the ripples of Eliza’s behavior reach her late husband’s nephew—who broke Eliza’s heart, years ago—Eliza will learn that freedom does not come without consequences. The only way to ensure she can keep her fortune is to avoid all scandal—but where’s the fun in that?
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
July 11, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593741078
- File size: 387391 KB
- Duration: 13:27:03
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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May 1, 2023
A widow gets caught in a love triangle in Irwin’s light and enchanting sophomore historical romance (after A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting). Before the start of the book, Lady Eliza’s parents forced her to jilt her first love, Oliver Courtney, and marry his uncle, the Earl of Somerset. After her husband dies, Eliza is finally free—but his will stipulates that she will lose her inheritance if she ever brings scandal to the family name, something that will be arbitrated by the new earl, Oliver. Eliza hopes that they will finally be together again but worries that Oliver will use his power to seek revenge. To get away from watchful eyes and experience new things, she and her cousin travel to Bath, where she meets Lord Melville, a famous author with an infamous reputation. Despite this, Eliza is drawn to Melville’s adventurous, nonjudgmental nature, and soon finds herself torn between the familiar and the new. Though Eliza’s love interests are polar opposites, it’s easy to understand what she sees in each of them, and Irwin does a fantastic job making even the characters’ flaws appealing. It’s a fun, unexpected ride from city ballrooms through country gardens, with a diverse cast, witty repartee, and plenty of laughter to go along with the love. -
June 10, 2024
Ten years ago, Eliza was forced to marry for duty and forsake the man she loved. Now, as the recently widowed Lady Somerset, she hopes to finally live life on her own terms. Unfortunately, she finds that her inheritance hinges on a "morality clause" that demands she observe an entirely scandal-free mourning period. To resist the temptation of her lost love, who happens to be the new Lord Somerset, she retreats to Bath, where soothing waters and a respite from society should keep her out of trouble. However, when she meets the alluring, artistic Lord Melville, she finds that her efforts to flee from temptation may not have been as effective as she hoped. In this follow-up to (A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting, Irwin presents a charming, chaste Regency romance. Filled with witty banter, the story is upbeat and engaging. Narrator Imogen Church expertly captures Eliza's evolution from demure to daring. Her characterizations make the cast of characters distinct and delightful. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a heartwarming historical love triangle about finding strength and following one's desires. Recommended for fans of Martha Waters and Sabrina Jeffries.--Lauren Hackert
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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