Sandy M’s review of When a Duke Loves a Woman (Sins for All Seasons, Book 2) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 21 Aug 18
As usual, Lorraine Heath’s talent kept me turning the pages of this book well past when I should have closed it, then led me straight into disappointment when I read the last page and the story was all over, wishing I had more to come. I’m thoroughly enjoying the Trewlove family – children born on the wrong side of the blanket and raised by Ettie Trewlove, and who have turned out to be more loyal, kindhearted, and loving – along with wary and vulnerable – than most everyone else in society.
The Duke of Thornley is the opposite, having had cold, unloving parents. He doesn’t know what love feels like and he wouldn’t know what to do with it if it slapped him upside the head. Thankfully for him, Gillie Trewlove gives him a special look into love and reality when it comes to those in the poor sections of London. She stops thugs from giving Thorne a life-threatening beating and takes him to her apartment to care for him. Gillie highly values her independence, owning The Mermaid and the Unicorn tavern, and breaking up fights when necessary. Her mother taught her self-defense and confidence, and it helps that she dresses more manly than in frills and curls. I really like all those parts of her and the fact that Thorne sees through them to the real Gillie.
Of course, Thorne has his own issues to resolve – he’s been left at the altar and is searching for his runaway bride in Whitechapel, a place Gillie knows well. He’s befuddled as to why Lavinia felt she couldn’t talk to him and ran instead. He wants to know why and then let the cards fall where they may. Which is, of course, a great idea, because as Thorne and Gillie spend more time together, her showing him all the places his errant fiance may be hiding, his heart begins to know he never felt love for Lavinia. Thorne’s and Gillie’s attraction is immediate, but their love grows slowly as they each learn maybe love isn’t so bad after all.
The way they learn from each other is wonderfully done. Gillie doesn’t care one whit what society thinks of her and holds her head high when interacting with Thorne’s mother. Thorne isn’t too proud to pitch in when the tavern is short handed and he works just as those do who are beneath his station. Soon Gillie isn’t that wary of the opposite sex – especially after sharing Thorne’s bed for some steamy and sizzling loving – and Thorne opens up to the idea of marriage and family for love instead of duty.
Another emotional and lovely story from Ms. Heath. I enjoyed catching up with Mick and Aslyn from the first book in the series, and I look forward to Gillie’s brother Finn’s story next. That’s not until February 2019. A long wait, but I know that wait will be worth it.
Grade: A
Summary:
Gillie Trewlove knows what a stranger’s kindness can mean, having been abandoned on a doorstep as a baby and raised by the woman who found her there. So, when suddenly faced with a soul in need at her door—or the alleyway by her tavern—Gillie doesn’t hesitate. But he’s no infant. He’s a grievously injured, distractingly handsome gentleman who doesn’t belong in Whitechapel, much less recuperating in Gillie’s bed . . .Being left at the altar is humiliating; being rescued from thugs by a woman—albeit a brave and beautiful one—is the pièce de résistance to the Duke of Thornley’s extraordinarily bad day. After nursing him back from the brink, Gillie agrees to help him comb London’s darker corners for his wayward bride. But every moment together is edged with desire and has Thorne rethinking his choice of wife. Yet Gillie knows the aristocracy would never accept a duchess born in sin. Thorne, however, is determined to prove to her that no obstacle is insurmountable when a duke loves a woman.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
