By Alexandra Vasti
Belvoir's Library Book 2
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pub date: 1/21/2025
Blurb
For three years, wallflower heiress Lydia Hope-Wallace has anonymously penned seditious pamphlets. And for almost as long, she’s corresponded with the Earl of Strathrannoch, whose political ambition is matched only by his charm. When Arthur’s latest letter reveals his dire financial straits, Lydia sets out for Scotland to offer him the only salvation she can think of—a marriage of convenience. To, um, herself.
Unfortunately, the Earl of Strathrannoch has no idea who she is.
When a bewitching redheaded stranger offers him her hand in marriage, Arthur Baird is stunned—but when he learns that his traitorous brother has been writing to her under Arthur’s name, he’s bloody furious. He’s content to live alone in his moldering castle, and he has no desire for a provocative, radical wife. (Or at least, he shouldn’t.)
But Arthur is desperate to track down his brother, who’s become dangerously entangled in British espionage, and he needs Lydia’s help. What he doesn’t need? The attraction that burns hotter each moment they spend together. As Lydia slips past his defenses and his brother’s mysterious past becomes a very present threat, Arthur will have to risk everything to keep her safe—even his heart.
Category: Historical Romance
Read if you Like:
🦓 Mistaken identity
🦓 Espionage
🦓 Anxiety representation
🦓 Reclusive Earl
🦓 Fake married
My Thoughts:
Alexandra Vasti can always be counted on to write something that makes you think wow how is this so beautifully written, historically accurate, and insightful while also making me laugh so hard I alarmed people around me? If you are wondering what happens when you combine social anxiety with escaped zebras this book has your answer.
I loved all the characters in this book Lydia and Arthur are both incredibly lovable characters who struggle with confidence and knowing their value. I loved watching them support each other and learn to appreciate their strengths. I also loved Arthur's found family and getting to see more of Georgiana. I can't wait to read her story next.
Another one of my favorite things in this book was the fragments of letters we get to see at the beginning of each chapter. I love the humor they add and the little bits of insight they give into parts of the story we don't see. I also loved that the epilogue of this book was made up of letters. It gave a peak into different parts of the future without focusing only on one event.
If you love historical romance or a romcom and you haven't tried Alexandra Vasti yet you are missing out! I have created multiple new historical romance fans just by recommending that people try her books!
Thanks to Alexandra Vasti and St. Martins Press for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
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