DNF. This was my earnest attempt to finish a hetero Regency romance, but I think I'd be better off with another author.

Drake is a competent writer with a decent handle on her historical setting, and overall this is a perfectly serviceable, fluffy romance. I enjoyed the premise of a young woman whose life has been caretaking and emotional labor and wants more.

But man, these characters did not appeal to me! Maxwell is an aimless, pussy-grabbing weirdo whose main attributes are "brief moments of charm" and "not being a total monster"—although as a counterpoint to the latter, we have the "exposure therapy means grabbing you and slinging you onto a horse" scene. If Tess of the D'Urbervilles taught me anything, a horse is never just a horse, and this scene was basically the contemporary equivalent of a 1970s "no means yes" bodice-ripping sequence. Oh, and let's not forget the "birth control hasn't been invented yet, I literally have one job, but oops too horny" scene. Girl, just NO.

Abby, alas, is pretty boring as well and her relationships with the family, which define her character, aren't compelling on the page. I began mildly invested in the story and relationship with (ding-ding) Maxwell('s silver hammer) but just lost interest.

This book wasn't bad. If you're here for steamy make-out scenes, pretty gowns, silly intrigue, questionable Cockney accents, and kittens, Drake will satisfy. It just wasn't my thing.

ETA: I totally forgot to complain about the slut-shaming! Would read alternate ending where Max's lady-friend (forget her name) and Abby actually become BFFs and start a village bakery.

I found this diverting. It's a nice second chance love story, and I think it was handled well. I enjoyed each of them thinking that *they* were the wronged party, =D but the misunderstanding didn't drag on and on either. This is my first by this author and I plan to read the next two in the series, and am feeling decently hopeful that they'll be good as well. ( )

Olivia Drake is a new to me author and I have to say I will be going to find more of her books to read. I really enjoyed reading this book, so much so that I read it in one day. Abby is at a crossroads when her parents die since she’s cared for them for so long. All her older siblings want her to help take care of their children, but she wants more from life. After making a stand and going after a job she wants (which in that timeframe was a little unheard of), she reconnects with the boy next door who is also her new employer and her long lost love. I can’t wait to see where the next book in this new series takes us.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

3.25*
I’ve received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So… I’m not the biggest fan of the second chance trope, but this book handled it well. I really enjoyed how the author turned it around, maybe because the thing that had separated the couple the first was handled… well, not right away, but almost. Which meant they didn’t really had much stopping them from getting back together.
Abigail reminded me of… me, in a way. And I liked how she finally took the reins of her life and started making her own decisions. Go Abby! You can’t let your family make all the decisions – especially if they’re bad for you.

Max, on the other hand, is our typical moody, secret-y hero. Because talking never helped anyone, right? Abigail is good for him. She tries to keep her distance, but she really likes her new job as Max’s sister’s governess, so it’s hard to be away from him for a long time.

The love they once shared is still there, even if different, since they are now changed people.

I just didn’t like that Max didn’t really consider his sister – he always says he’s worried about her, and cares for her, but he rarely sees her, and then takes a group of strangers – with bad reputations – to his house, where his sister lives. The excuse he uses is okay in the beginning, but… it wasn’t credible enough for me.

Apart from that, I enjoyed this book, it was romantic and sweet, I just wished it had a more developed plot. ( )

This is my first Olivia Drake book but won't be my last. The characters are more complex that they seem on paper. Max is a rougish Duke who comes home to his estate after 15 years bringing a woman that he woud like to make his mistress. Abby is a tight laced spinster who has spent the majority of her life as an unpaid servant for her family. These 2 once had feelings for each other as teens but when Max was taken away from the estate by his father - their feelings were unkowingly (to them) destroyed when his father confiscated letters that they promised to send to each other.
Meeting again for the first time in 15 years is akward and Abby is now the governess for Max's 15 year old sister.
You can't help but root for these two as they understand how they were deceived and wonder if they can renew the feelings that have never really left.
When they get to the Happily Ever After the reader is cheered but I would have liked to see an Epilogue with a final happy note. ( )