Sandy M’s review of The Earl Takes All (Hellions of Havisham, Book 2) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 26 Apr 16
This! This is how a romance should be written. The reader should care about the main characters immediately, so pulled into their lives you feel their pain, their joy, their love, their every emotion. Those characters should be so very likable while at the same time are sympathetic. Their conflict should be so great that you just know there is no way out for them, but then they – and the reader- realize it’s their love that will pull them through, give them everything to live for, so that happily ever after isn’t so elusive after all. Lorraine Heath, with her immeasurable talent, does this for readers every single time she releases a book.
With one forbidden kiss, scoundrel and second son Edward began a way of life for both him and his soon-to-be sister-in-law, Julia. She thought she was kissing her betrothed, Albert, the Earl of Greyling and twin to Edward, and when she discovers it’s Edward, Julia only tolerates him for the sake of her husband as life moves forward. Then to celebrate one last adventure together, Edward and Albert head to Africa on a safari, and in one tragic moment Albert is killed and with his last breath he entreats Edward to assume the role of earl so that Julia will carry their unborn child to term.
Edward does his best to impersonate his twin, and Julia is the only one who is deceived. His friends figure it out quite quickly, warning him to be more cautious when in her company. Julia, though, does see the differences after the three-month absence she and her husband endured, but she believes it’s because they’ve changed due to the circumstances they each went through during that time span – she learned a bit of independence while on her own and Albert’s last hurrah with his brother, doing what they always enjoyed together, had to change him too. That she loves her husband more deeply, enjoys playing the wanton more than ever before, and wants his hands and mouth on her in such a new way is part of that change. Isn’t it?
Try as he might, Edward can’t stop his feelings from further growing for this beautiful woman he’s deceiving, that he’s betraying his brother for, despite the circumstances. Drinking and womanizing no longer hold any appeal for him. Then once the birth of his niece arrives and it’s time to tell Julia the truth, Edward just can’t say the words. Time moves on, and in one intimate moment all of their dreams come crashing down. Julia must mourn again and Edward must beg for forgiveness. Both have to first fight and then embrace their feelings for each other. Their new situation is also a powder keg when it comes to Julia’s child, everything has to be proper and above board. There is so much to navigate, especially the laws of the time, which Ms. Heath does a great job exploring, that I wondered if there would be a way for these two to be together. Of course, being the authors she is, her resolution works like a charm.
This is one emotional ride – twists and turns, highs and lows, love and hate, and you feel every last one of them on this journey with Edward and Julia. I enjoyed catching up with the other Hellions and am looking forward to Locke’s story. I know every time I open a Lorraine Heath book I will end up with a full heart by the last chapter and I will think of her characters for weeks afterward. Happens every time.
Grade: A+
Summary:
One summer night, Edward Alcott gives in to temptation and kisses Lady Julia Kenney in a dark garden. However, the passion she stirs within him is best left in the shadows as she weds his twin, the Earl of Greyling. But when tragedy strikes, to honor the vow he makes to his dying brother, Edward must pretend to be Greyling until the countess delivers her babe.
After her husband returns from a lengthy sojourn, Julia finds him changed. Bolder, more daring, and more wicked—even if he does limit their encounters to kisses. With each passing day, she falls more deeply in love.
For Edward the embers of desire sparked on that long-ago night are quickly rekindled. He yearns to be her husband in truth. But if she discovers his ruse, she will despise him—and English law prevents him from marrying his brother’s widow. Yet he must dare to risk everything and reveal his secrets if he is to truly take all.
No excerpt available.
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