Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Heirs of the Aristocracy #2
Publication Date: 5/19/20

What a delightfully fun and romantic story. You’ll love each and every one of the characters and you’ll swoon over the romances that lead them to their HEA. We even get double the romance with two couples finding their HEA (as this author often does). This is just a delightfully straight-forward romance with two couples learning to overcome their own issues and find their way to trust and love.

James Burroughs and Emily Grandby have known each other most of their lives, but since he was a fair amount older than her, there wasn’t a romance. He was good friends with her older brother, Tom, and other relatives – they are even related a bit. James was the second son and never had to worry about his father’s fortune – until a year ago when his older, sickly brother succumbed to influenza. James and his father are both bankers and with his father retiring, James is now transferring from Bath to London. On his way, he decides to stop by and visit his friend Tom. When Tom isn’t there, James has a nice visit with Tom’s sister Emily, who offers him a place to stay until he can find a home for himself in London. Little does James know what longings that visit will cause him – and her. Each of them has issues and secrets they’ll need to work through, but the attraction is strong. How will James react when he learns all of Emily’s secrets? Hmmm – you’ll just have to read the book to see.

Gabe Wellingham is the much-loved illegitimate son of the Earl of Trenton. Gabe is very proud of his family, but he wants to use his university degree and not sit back and lead the leisurely life of a gentleman. When he applies for and obtains a position as an archivist at the British Museum in London, he doesn’t tell anyone at the museum who his family is. He wants to make it on his own. When he meets the very prickly Mrs. Frances Longworth, who is the art restorer at the museum, he is intrigued and needs to know more. Mrs. Longworth was supposed to be Mr. Longworth. How did that happen? Gabe pursues, makes overtures, and Frances dances away – until she doesn’t. Both are keeping secrets – some bigger than others – but secrets none-the-less. Will Gabe run for the hills when he learns all of Frances’s secrets? If he doesn’t, what will his parents have to say? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but I will mention that there are lots of mentions of other family members (who have all been featured in earlier books) and if you aren’t familiar, they may feel confusing. However, don’t worry about them if you don’t know who they are – it won’t detract from your enjoyment of this story at all.

I hope you will enjoy the read as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.