Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Series: Misfortune’s Favorites,#2
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Years ago, when he was only 13, Henry Lewis, the Duke of Carlisle and his two closest friends did something stupid, on a bet they stole whiskey from an old crone and while running away broke the cask and were cursed by the old woman. She said on their 30th birthday they will lose all their love, just as she had thanks to them. Now on the eve of his thirtieth, that curse has finally come to fruition. Because now, after months – no, years – of compulsive gambling, he has lost everything. The final straw was on his thirtieth birthday, in a last-ditch effort to win back the family estate he lost to the Marquess of Shrewsbury, he managed to lose the only thing of value he had left, his London townhouse. Now homeless, he leaves London and seeks refuge with his mother, who lives in the Dower House of their country estate – which thankfully was left to her and out of Henry’s reach. His mother suggests he learn why the Marquess seems to have a vendetta against him and recommends speaking to his daughter, Lady Katherine Malfort, who happens to be living at Carlisle Hall – their former country estate.
Lady Katherine “Katie” is being punished by her father for trying to run away to Paris to study painting. Hidden away most of her life due to a port-wine birthmark on her face, Katie believes herself to be hideous and led a lonely life, only finding joy in her painting. But when she went behind her father’s back to go to Paris, she was sent to the crumbling Carlisle estate and forbidden to paint or even draw. In an effort to alleviate the boredom, she befriends Henry’s mom, the Duchess, and gets to know the tenants. Appalled by the conditions of the tenant’s homes, she blames Hugh for neglecting them and when he asks for her help to find out why her father hates him, first she his angry, but surprised that her birthmark doesn’t seem to disgust him, eventually she grudgingly agrees to help, but it will come at a price, he must help the tenants. But being around Henry is dangerous, she knows she is falling for him, but she doesn’t know if he feels the same for her and he seems convinced that all his problems are due to the crone who “cursed him” and not his own gambling. Can there be a HEA for them, or will his demons and her father destroy any chance for happiness?
I really liked this story; it is rare to come across a historical romance that features a hero with an addiction that is not drugs or drink. Henry’s gambling addiction and his journey to recovery was well done and heartbreaking, especially the toll his addiction cost others. I am completely invested in this series and can’t wait for Rory’s story and hopefully the final confrontation with the woman they so grievously wronged, will they be able to lift the curse or is their fate sealed? I can’t wait to find out! This story has a lot going on, but it never felt busy or off point. I loved seeing Katie gain confidence but could still feel how a lifetime of being treated poorly affected her. This is the second book in the series and would recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience. Overall, this was a great book, and I am happy to recommend the series and will be anxiously awaiting the final book!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
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