1st read: September 2021
2nd read: October 2023

I think knowing that I didn't like the end of this book the first time, ruined my second read.

I didn't really care for either of the main characters most of the time. They both had some good moments, but Garman was mostly too rude and overbearing, and Lenora was mostly too nice and meek.

I especially didn't like the end of the book. Garman took his jerkiness to the next level at the end, and when he finally apologized, Lenora forgave him way too easily.

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Original review:
I loved most of this book, but the last 20% didn't work for me.

Most of the book was awesome. The hero and heroine were amazing together and I loved reading about how they grew together. The other characters were great, too.

The hero was too much of a jerk towards the end though, even if it it ends up happily ever after. ( )

Another excellent read with a lot of personal growth for the MCs. ( )

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I liked this, but a couple times I set it down and then didn't really feel much of an urge to pick it back up, and maybe read something else. So it didn't 'grip' me I'd say until near the end. But I enjoyed the ending best so I'm rounding up. Character growth for both of them which I like, and they spend most of the book married, so it isn't just a wedding and a prologue tacked onto the end, which I also like. I'm glad I read it. ( )

Lovely marriage of convenience story. Yeah for 3rd person POV. ( )

I really enjoyed this second book in the Brides of Karadok series. I've continued the series because of the world-building, but I also liked the romance in this one a lot.
Lenora is a court beauty who is stricken with red pox. Left to die, she recovers but her face is disfigured. Formerly a vapid noblewoman, she's determined to change and proposes a marriage of convenience with Garman Orde, the most hated knight in the kingdom. He's talked into the union somewhat against his will and drags his bride off across the country along with the crotchety old woman who nursed Lenora when everyone else left her for dead. It's a good story filled with adventure and lots of sex, but I never knew what was going to happen next. Honestly, the sex gets a little repetitive but I really liked how both Garman and Lenora coped and grew as people as they threw away their preconceived notions of the other. I also enjoyed the tournament parts that added a lot to their characters. Definitely on to the next book in the series. ( )