Not what I expected!

Synopsis

Haunted by Penny Penhurst’s courage on the witness stand, meticulous barrister Lord Hadleigh offers her a housekeeper position at his estate. Despite trying to stay detached, Hadleigh is charmed by her small child and surprised by how much he yearns for this proud woman! Can this he breakthrough his own – and Penny’s – barriers to prove he’s a man she can trust…and love?

My review

Having read the previous book in this series, I had my thoughts about this next one would be. Not complaining, here, as I loved that book.

But boy, was I wrong!

And wrong in a good way!

This book just exceeded my expectations!

Both Penny and Lord Hadleigh (which from now on I’ll just call Tristan) meet in a not so nice way. Her husband is on trial for high treason and Tristan is the barrister making sure that he gets punished accordingly.

During the trial, it’s obvious it’s not a happy marriage as she was on the receiving part of the abuse.

Afterwards, Penny needs to survive on her own, and needs to make sure her little boy Freddie won’t suffer.

And Tristan cannot just forget Penny…

This seems like a story you’ve read so often. But this story goes deeper than you would think…

Both Penny and Tristan are trying to move on with their lives, but the past is for both of them somehow in the way.

Tristans past just keeps haunting him, making it impossible to go forward.

And Penny is now enjoying her new refound life, even if life isn’t easy with the burden of her late husbands actions.

Even if the attraction between them is so obvious, without digging deeper and find redemption, they cannot move forward.

So yes, it’s a love story, and knowing the author a bit, with some flushed cheek moments, this is so much more.

The past needs to be right that, the past. If you keep living in the past, you cannot move to the next phase.

And this is what makes this book so different. You get to know the characters on such a deep level, feel sorry for them as you learn what they had to endure.

And then their growth is so remarkable… if they can face their demons and dare to love, dare to live again, it’s a beakon of light and hope for everyone!