When there is no reputation to save, can love have a chance?

Synopsis

A forbidden romance sizzling with scandal and seduction

A passion that could destroy her reputation

But save her heart!

Since the traumatic events of her first Season, Lady Mary Spencer’s been wary of Society. Tired of feeling angry and bitter, at a seemingly innocuous garden party, she lets her guard down with Luca Guaro. The charming Italian rogue also abhors the ton’s dictates and becomes a much-needed light in Mary’s life. A liaison with Luca would be scandalous, so why is she so tempted to head to the brink of ruin…?

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

My review

After the events of her first Season, Lady Mary Spencer is absolutely not looking after a husband, despite society’s standards.
Nevertheless, the name Spencer still means something and she uses that power to make things work. Yet she is never all that eager to go to social events, but she does as she must, in order to maintain that level of respect and power.
The events she encountered also made her very ware and even bitter, and she never lets anyone come too close. And then there is Luca Guaro…
Luca may have the looks, but everyone knows who he is and what he truly is, a companion of another Lady.
Despite the difference of status, the difference in age and the difference in views, Mary and Luca connect in an unexpected way, even leading to a moment where guards are letting down. But with so many differences, kept secrets and risks of scandals, what could truly come from their brief encounter?

Lady Mary isn’t an unknown character as I have read the previous books of the series. But while she is an amazing sister and the best kind of ally to have, I had no idea who the real Mary was. So obviously I just had to read this book, as Mary’s character kept intriguing me.
And while I was glad to get to know her better, getting to know her better was also heartbreaking…

At the start, we have no idea what turned Mary into the person she is now. Of course I could understand her lack of enthusiasm to be an active participant in society. But I also know that sometimes there are obligations you cannot get out of.
Mary is the kind of person you want to have in your corner, as she will fight very fiercely for a cause she truly believes in. and she is absolutely not someone you want to fight against.
In Belgium we would describe Mary as a ‘hard aunt’, meaning that she is not someone to mess with, as she will find a way to not really get revenge, but get even with whoever crossed her.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t take away that this fierce, bold woman is deeply scarred by the events of her own first Season. It takes a while for not only Luca but also the readers to discover what truly happened, and in my case, it made my imagination run wild, as I was thinking in many different directions.
And yet I found the truth even more devastating than any of my possibilities, as it shows the ugliness of people and how some individuals can ruin more than just one life…

I found it in a way refreshing reading how this time it’s a male character to have the part of a companion. Way too often it’s women who are companions and have a ruined reputation.
But it would be just too easy to condemn Luca purely based on him being a companion of Deirdre. And also in his case, we see that his actual behaviour is a result of his past. Although, result is not the correct word, as he didn’t have an actual other choice.
We see how Luca gave up his own dreams for the sake of his own family, and is doing things purely for their benefits and not his personal ones. He is loving, gentle and altruistic, how could I not like him? And yes, it does help as he is an Italian, just like me! 🤣

Mary and Luca are, in a different way, both scarred by their past. Yet it was lovely to see how, despite their other differences, they find each other. No matter how high Mary’s walls are built, Luca finds a way to get to her. He shows his real character, a kind, caring and helpful person. He sees Mary for who she truly is, he sees through her façade. And the author managed to capture his understanding in a way that reminded me of a certain scene in a movie about a big boat and an iceberg (even though not exactly the same, but it reminded me immediately of that scene 😀).

I loved reading how Mary and Luca, even initially with just having a liaison, grow closer. And how they find a kindred spirit with each other. They feel that they can trust each other with their darkest secrets.
Yet we also see that wariness just doesn’t disappear overnight, and that even when there is love involved, the hurt of the past needs time to be erased.

Obviously I was delighted to see my old friends again, and seeing how they were doing! For sure a wonderful extra! Yet it isn’t required to read the previous books, as Mary’s and Luca’s story is a perfect standalone.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, even if there are darker moments in it, showing us that life isn’t always easy and that the burden some of us carry can be heavy. Yet when we find that one person, no matter how unlikely it may seem that things could work out, we see that it is possible to love again, and that the right person is worthy of our hearts. And even when there may seem something insurmountable, love will find its way, to bring us happiness, joy and lightness in our lives.