Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Survivors #12
Publication Date: 3/8/22
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 326
The last of our Survivors from Draven’s Dozen has finally found his HEA. Nicholas St. Clare lived for horses before the war. He rode them, he trained them, he groomed them – he just loved them. Then, during the heat of battle, he lost it all. He nearly died when his beloved warhorse fell on him, but his fellow survivors found him and saved him – at least they saved most of him. His legs were horribly crushed and the doctors were sure he’d never walk again. He did manage to walk again – very slowly and very painfully – but walk he did. What he cannot do – and will never be able to do is ride again. He’s ashamed of his horrible scars and deformed legs, so he thinks everyone pities him and would run in horror if they ever saw his scars. He doesn’t ever want to marry, but his mother is on a crusade and she’s wanting to parade all of those typical ton misses before him. He can’t do it – he just can’t do it – and then, he doesn’t have to because he inadvertently compromises a local gently born lady. Hmmm – so he finds himself presented with the opportunity for a marriage in name only that will perfectly suit both the lady and himself. Yep – we all know how well that is going to work.
Amelia Blackstock has spent her life nursing one ill family member or another. She’s loving, dutiful, and finally has at least a little freedom since her father’s death. Well, maybe a tad too much freedom or maybe it is a bit of poor judgment. Now, she’s in a spot of bother, and being compromised by Lord Nicholas might not be a bad thing at all.
I really liked Amelia and I loved how she saw Nicholas as more than his injuries. From the very beginning, she defended him and protected him – and that was before she even really knew him at all. I liked Nicholas as well and I could understand his insecurities – but I thought they went on a bit too long.
I loved the house party with all of the survivors and their wives. It was great to catch up with them and see them all with their families. Rafe Beaumont was particularly entertaining, but I would have liked to see some grand epiphany that allowed him and his family to live in England.
All-in-all, it was a lovely read and a sweet farewell to the Survivors. Nicholas’s sister Fortensia could certainly use her own HEA, so maybe we’ll get that in another series. I really liked her and how well she cared for Nicholas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
