What a Lady Demands (The Eton Boys Trilogy #2) by Ashlyn MacnamaraPublished November 4th 2014 by Loveswept
Kindle Edition, 276 pages
Series: The Eton Boys Trilogy
Genre: Historical RomanceHeat Rating: Steamy
Amazon | Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads
Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
I couldn't resist another governess story once I was hooked on the
first one. I really think it's a bit more refreshing change in this
genre from the usual, since I have not ready many books with this
theme nor have I come across them.
The characters themselves were refreshing. Viscount Lindenhurst is looking for a governess for his son and has a hard time finding one that will meet his unusually impossible demands.
Cecelia Sanford is the younger sister of Lindenhurst's once best friend. When she shows up on his doorsteps looking for a job, Lind is a bit taken back but agrees to offer her the chance. Too bad he did not know then that this woman would be just as impossible once she borrows her way into their lives. Witty, with a sharp tongue and an attitude that won't back down, Lind has a hard time dealing with the vixen who is adamant on not following his orders nor listening to him.
I loved Cecelia, I thought she was awesome and she had to be headstrong with a persistent attitude especially when it came to Lind, who was a temperamental brooding widow. I wanted to understand just as much as Cecelia about why Lind refused to deal with his son and pawned him off on others instead. What a Lady Demands had scenes that both melted and broke my heart as the same time. I couldn't help but feel bad for the boy who seemed so starved for his father's attention. What happened to the mother was terrible, but I did not think it was a reason to completely alienate the child in his life. It wasn't until almost halfway into the book did things start to click into place and I finally started to figure out why Lind was so distant from the boy. The twist was a bit shocking and predictable but at the same time made better sense.
It was hard to love Lind at first, which I thought Macnamara did a wonderful job doing with her writing. It took a while to warm up to him, but that was what Cecelia was there for. Their bickering was fun, I loved how she can stand up to him despite the risk of losing her job. I did enjoy the chemistry, it took a while to build up and I loved that. I thought the plot was really well done with the twist thrown in making it oh so much better!
The characters themselves were refreshing. Viscount Lindenhurst is looking for a governess for his son and has a hard time finding one that will meet his unusually impossible demands.
Cecelia Sanford is the younger sister of Lindenhurst's once best friend. When she shows up on his doorsteps looking for a job, Lind is a bit taken back but agrees to offer her the chance. Too bad he did not know then that this woman would be just as impossible once she borrows her way into their lives. Witty, with a sharp tongue and an attitude that won't back down, Lind has a hard time dealing with the vixen who is adamant on not following his orders nor listening to him.
I loved Cecelia, I thought she was awesome and she had to be headstrong with a persistent attitude especially when it came to Lind, who was a temperamental brooding widow. I wanted to understand just as much as Cecelia about why Lind refused to deal with his son and pawned him off on others instead. What a Lady Demands had scenes that both melted and broke my heart as the same time. I couldn't help but feel bad for the boy who seemed so starved for his father's attention. What happened to the mother was terrible, but I did not think it was a reason to completely alienate the child in his life. It wasn't until almost halfway into the book did things start to click into place and I finally started to figure out why Lind was so distant from the boy. The twist was a bit shocking and predictable but at the same time made better sense.
It was hard to love Lind at first, which I thought Macnamara did a wonderful job doing with her writing. It took a while to warm up to him, but that was what Cecelia was there for. Their bickering was fun, I loved how she can stand up to him despite the risk of losing her job. I did enjoy the chemistry, it took a while to build up and I loved that. I thought the plot was really well done with the twist thrown in making it oh so much better!
An unlikable hero can sometimes be good. You really feel his character development in the end.
ReplyDeleteHeadstrong and strong sounds like a character I could really enjoy as well
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree, that cover isn't the best but I am glad the story was good. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this series, Lily, and your review made me want to read more HR right now :)
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic day.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I already read and loved "What a lady craves", I'll be happy to read this one. Thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the cover but the story sounds nice, I'm glad you had a good time with the story!
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for any HF that uplifts one characters social class. This sounds delightful and I want to meet all the players.
ReplyDeleteoh i adored their bickering too!!! They were such a cute couple. Loved their interactions.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that Lind warmed up to you!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace