Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 26 Apr 22
Constance and Jonathon were neighbors and the best of friends. Just when they were on the brink of exploring potential romantic feelings, Jonathon was sent on an assignment with the British army in France. Before he left, Jonathon gave Constance her first kiss and a set of rules for choosing a husband and, lastly, a promise to marry her in ten years, if she was unmarried. 
Jonathon makes good his promise ten years later when Constance is in need of a husband to be a father to her unborn child, circumstances having left the legitimacy of her marriage in question. All those years have made a big difference. Jonathon is no longer the young man Constance once loved. He’s changed in more ways than the scars left on his body from his time fighting the war. Jonathon’s butler conspires to bring Constance into Jonathon’s life, when he tries to leave her behind in London, and she begins the rest of his healing when she arrives at his country estate with her daughter.
it appears that their relationship is making some headway when it’s suddenly blown apart. Constance decides to take her daughter and retreat to concentrate on her business. Little does she realize that both she and Jonathon have the same nemesis who’s preying on them. It takes a friend and Jonathon’s realization of what he’s thrown away to start the healing, along with a confrontation with their common enemy to give their relationship a second chance, if Constance is willing to go that far.
The beast sulking in the dark and determined to wallow in his pain and the sweetness and light of the right woman to heal him is a familiar oft-written plot. This is a sweet romance, good for a bit of light reading and escape.
Grade: B
Summary:
Constance Lysander needs a husband. Or, so society says. She’s about to give birth to her late husband’s child—a man who left her with zero money, and two other wives she didn’t know about. Thankfully, she has her Aunt by her side, and the two other wives have become close friends. But still—with a baby on the way, her shipping business to run, and an enemy skulking about, she has no time to find the perfect match.
Enter Jonathan, Earl of Sykeston. Returned war hero and Constance’s childhood best friend, his reentry into society has been harsh. Maligned for an injury he received in the line of duty, Jonathan prefers to stay out of sight. It’s the only way to keep his heart from completely crumbling. But when a missive from Constance requests his presence—to their marriage ceremony—Jonathan is on board. His feelings for Constance run deep, and he’ll do anything to make her happy, though it means risking his already bruised heart.
With Constance, Jonathan, and the new baby all together, it’s clear the wounds—both on the surface and in their relationship—run deep. But when the nights come, their wounds begin to heal, and both come to realize that their marriage of convenience is so much more than just a bargain.
No excerpt available.
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