Sandy M’s review of Marrying Winterbourne (Ravenels, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical Romance published by Avon 31 May 16
Wow, I never expected the twist that comes in this story late in the book. But it’s that kind of emotion and turmoil that make me love characters authors toil over. This is probably my favorite book of the series, and that’s saying so very much, considering how much I love all the others.
Lady Helen Ravenel is one of those quiet women who don’t raise a fuss and goes about their day as they should. But we discover Helen has a spine of steel when it comes to something she wants, and she wants a life with Rhys Winterbourne. Despite the fact he’s a commoner, a brash and boorish one at that, when she meets with resistance from her sister-in-law about their betrothal, Helen takes it upon herself to get to the bottom line with both Kathleen and Rhys. That regal bearing she has stands her in good stead when she learns her past is not at all what she’s been led to believe. And that is a doozy, so much so she intends to break off her engagement to Rhys, because she knows he won’t be able to abide who she truly is.
He’s successful and gets what he wants when he wants it, and that includes Lady Helen. I like that Rhys is taken with her early on, as we discover in the first book in the series, Cold-Hearted Rake, where Helen nurses Rhys after a terrible injury and he’s stuck at her home until he recovers. I so enjoyed the way those scenes brought their attraction and emotions to the forefront. Rhys retains his cut-throat business acumen, but you can see him soften with this new influence in his life – even when it comes to Helen’s family, especially the twins, who always make me smile. He’s generous to a fault and wants Helen with everything in him, even knowing he doesn’t deserve her and she’s way above his station.
I’m so very glad Ms. Kleypas is true to her characters in this instance. The new Rhys won my heart even more when Helen lays her truth before him. Devin Ravenel, the new earl, and Ms. Kleypas herself are the only ones who saw these two would be happy together, and they were so very right. Rhys and Helen complement each other perfectly. This is one book I will definitely read again and again.
Grade: A
Summary:
A ruthless tycoon
Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better . . .
A sheltered beauty
Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys’s determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen’s gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhys’s enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkable . . . the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss. And it all begins with…
Marrying Mr. Winterborne
No excerpt available.
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