After enduring five interminable seasons, Lottie Carlisle has had enough of shallow London society, her boring little life, and her uncle Alfred's meddling. When he demands she accept a proposal by the end of next season or else he will choose a husband for her, she devises a plan: create a scandal shocking enough to make her unmarriageable and spend her spinsterhood far enough away in the countryside where no one will ever recognize her.
Alec Gresham hasn't seen Lottie since he left his childhood friend without a word five years ago. So he's not surprised to find her furious when he appears on her doorstep. Especially bearing the news he brings: her uncle is dying, her blasted reputation is still intact, and Lottie must return home. As they make the journey back to her family estate, it becomes increasingly clear that the last five years hasn't erased their history, nor their explosive chemistry. Can Lottie look past her old heartache and trust Alec, or will his secrets doom their relationship once again?
THE REVIEW
Charlotte Elizabeth Carlisle is out to ruin her reputation do she runs away from home hoping that will create such a scandal that her Uncle won’t be able to find anyone to marry her!
Alec Gresham was in love with Lottie, but, when he spoke to her Uncle, he was denied courting her and decided it would be best to leave.
It broke Lottie's heart when Alex left, but they both moved forward until Alec showed up in Italy to bring Lottie back to London. Along their journey, they start to learn more about their pasts, their forced separation and the depth of their feelings for each other. There is adventure, jealousy, romance, steam and a gallant rescue! I really don’t enjoy the miscommunication trope or rather the NO communication trope, but once I got past that frustration, Lottie and Alec were such a sweet couple. And while those tropes irritate me, childhood sweethearts is one of my favorites!!
TROPES
Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Italy, Beta/Cinnamon Roll Hero, Byronic/Brooding Hero, Detective Hero, Orphan Hero, Self-Made Hero, Protective Hero, Unworthy Hero, Working/Merchant Class Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Heiress Heroine, Orphan Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Angst Romance, Break His Heart to Save Him, Class Difference, Fake Relationship, Forbidden Romance, Second Chance Romance, Unrequited Love, Forced Proximity, Road Trip Trope, Childhood Friend Romance, Five Star, Two Flame
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