Top Pick – Highly Recommended – Page 16 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Her Secret Vows with the Viking by Sarah Rodi

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Lady Ædwen of Eastbury has agreed to marry Lord Werian, the man her father Lord Manvil has chosen for her, in the hopes that her father will keep his word and let her see her daughter. Just over a year ago, Ædwen fell in love with Stefan, a Dane warrior who was injured in battle and left for dead. She nurtured him back to health and learned he had no memories of his life prior to waking up and seeing Ædwen. They grew close and fell in love, exchanging vows in secret and becoming intimate, some of his memories return and he tells her of his life in Demark and the choice his father made to come to England for a better life. But the very next day, he sees her speaking with her father and his lost memories come rushing back, her father killed his father and brothers and tried to kill him. Enraged at what he perceived as deceit by Ædwen he leaves her without a second thought. Never knowing she carried his child. A child her father took from her and a child he used to make her bend to his will. She feels she has no choice and is about to exchange vows when Stefan bursts in the church and declares himself her husband and insisting that she leave with him. She is torn, she doesn’t want to marry Lord Werian, but neither does she want to lose the chance to see her daughter Ellan. In the end the choice is made for her, but Ædwen isn’t willing to reveal all to Stefan, she isn’t sure she can trust him after he abandoned her, but she goes with the hope she will find Ellan, even if there is no chance for them to be happy. Can their love be revived or are they doomed for a life of unhappiness?

Stefan left Ædwen convinced that he had been deceived by yet another woman whom he thought he loved. He makes his way to Wintacaester and proves himself to Canute, the Danish King of England and is named the King’s commander. He is content to in his new life, until he learns he has a child and believes that Ædwen gave up that child and knowingly kept her existence from him. When he further learns she is to remarry, he decides to reclaim her, just to ruin her father’s plans. He hates her, at least he thinks he hates her, but he cannot deny the passion and desire he felt for her is still strong. He tries to get her to confess to him about their child, but it isn’t until they reach the city, and she is attacked that she finally admits the truth and her deep shame for having lost their child. He then revealed that he has Ellan and decides that they will be a family. But without trust, happily ever after seems impossible. Is their love gone or can they find their way back to each other?

This might be my favorite Sarah Rodi book to date! It was a very well written, nicely paced story about second chances and forgiveness. The story is very intense, emotional and surprisingly steamy (not complaining!!!), and filled with secrets, past hurts, betrayal, presumptions, shocking revelations, twists and finally forgiveness and love leading to HEA. Ædwen and Stefan make a lot of mistakes on their road to HEA, but they are both likable, relatable characters who are easy to root for. This book was part of a author collaboration duet but could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems. I am happy to recommend this title to medieval romance lovers or anyone who enjoys a touching second-chance love story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Viscount in Love by Eloisa James

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Accidental Brides, #1

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Miss Victoria “Torie” Sutton, the younger daughter of Sir William Sutton, never imagined that she would end up married to Dominic “Dom” Kelbourne, Viscount Kelbourne, her sister’s fiancé, but when her sister Leonora meets her betrothed’s new wards, she elopes with another suitor, leaving Torie to clean up her mess. The wards in question; Florence & Valentine are twins, and the children of Dom’s late sister. Torie falls in love with the children immediately and enjoys spending time with them, but she has no desire to marry Dom just to become their nanny – which she is pretty sure is the reason Dom has demanded that she marry him in place of her sister. Especially as Dom is widely known as an intelligent man and a powerhouse in the House of Lords, as well as, the fact that he chose Leonora for her perfect ladylike qualities – attributes that Torie does not (nor does she want to) possess. Torie is universally considered “addled” as she is unable to read or write, but what people don’t know is she possesses a photographic memory and has learned to laugh at herself, therefore deflecting society’s scorn, in addition to this, she is a gift painter and a truly nice person – definitely not the bride Viscount Kelbourne was looking for. But she won’t deny that she finds him attractive and despite her reservations, she finally agrees to marry him, but there is no way she is going to fall in love…

After being jilted by Leonora Sutton, Dominic Kelbourne is determined to marry Torie, he doesn’t care what society thinks, and finds himself strangely protective of her. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the twins adore her and he is incredibly attracted to her. It takes some doing, but eventually he convinces her to marry him and then proceeds to fall head of heels in love with her. But Dom is not prepared for his feelings and makes one mistake after another, culminating in a mistake that may cost him the love he never knew he wanted. Can he make things right or is it too late?

What a great start to a new series! This well-written, perfectly paced story is a fun “grumpy meets sunshine” type of story. This book has wonderfully imperfect characters, great banter, lots of emotion, steamy love scenes, delightful secondary characters, a hero with a temper, a heroine who isn’t afraid to give as good as she gets, a house bunny, a sword fight and very happy ending that includes an epilogue. This was such a great read, it was the book I didn’t even know I was waiting for and can’t wait to read it again! I loved Torie and Dom individually, but I loved them even more together, this is a fictional couple that will stay with me for a long time, and I can’t wait to meet the next Accidental Bride!

*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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