Bronwen Evans

This plot was very unique and I was excited to see where Ms. Evans was going to go with the plot. Think The Bachelorette meets the Regency era! Charlotte's first marriage was marriage of duty, however the night of her wedding, her new husband told her he would not be able to be a true husband and share her bed because he was still in love with his deceased wife. She knew that it wasn't a love match, but she was devastated to find out she wouldn't even be able to have children like she had dreamed. Her parents were very distant and not affectionate, so Charlotte wanted children that she could adore and who would love her unconditionally. It did help that her late husband had children and she became very close with them over the years. Out of guilt, her husband left her with considerable wealth and several properties. She has decided to marry again simply to have children of her own. The only problem is that society has decided she is barren since she didn't have any children with her deceased husband.

Sin is a very broken man; he was in love with his first wife, who was having an affair with his brother, before and during their marriage. His brother killed his wife and then killed himself. Sin was angry and felt very betrayed. But he needs to marry again and get the 'heir and a spare' for the dukedom. He agrees to accompany his friend to a house party to hopefully lift his spirits, but when he saves Charlotte from an Adder after she fell from her horse, the sparks are instant!

It started out a little slow, but what I did NOT see coming was the mystery that developed at the house party! Once that mystery came in to play and it forced Sin to be involved in protecting Charlotte, the story picked up! Charlotte was just what Sin needed to believe in love and happy ever afters again! I am hopeful that we get to see more of Sin and Charlotte in the next book in the series!

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, House Party, County Life, Gamma Hero, Titled Hero, Damaged Hero, Widowed Hero, Heiress Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Widowed Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Slow Burn, Childhood Crush, Secret Crush, Unrequited Love, Mystery Romance, Suspense/Danger/Murder… (altro)