Is all truly lost when we think it is?

Synopsis

A sweeping Regency tale of identity, devotion, and unexpected romance.

Lady Antonella thought she knew who she was—until a shattering family secret strips her of her name, her place in society, and her future. Cast adrift in Cornwall, she finds an injured goshawk in a poacher’s net and begins to nurse it back to health. But the hawk belongs to the war-scarred Lord Atherleigh—a man haunted by loss, determined to dismantle his mews, and certainly not expecting a spirited young woman to upend his solitude.

In London, her twin sister Belinda—radiant, poised, and newly on the marriage market—has only one goal: to find a worthy match… for Antonella. But when Hector Gainesworth, a charming rogue with laughter in his eyes and secrets of his own, turns his attention to Belinda instead, her heart begins to spin in an altogether unexpected direction.

As the sisters navigate betrayal, desire, and the demands of their hearts, two men must decide whether to risk everything for love. And Antonella’s goshawk may be the wild, winged thread that binds their fates.

My review

Antonella and Belinda have been the closest of sisters, and not just because they are twins. Or at least that it what they always believed to be. However, one shocking revelation makes Antonella not only take away her place in society, but also her identity. She doesn’t know who she truly is and where she belongs. The only thing that brings her solace, is her passion for birds. So when she finds an injured goshawk, she is determined to bring it back to health. Little does Antonella know that in fact, the goshawk belongs to Lord Atherleigh, who lost not only his hand but also hope and the will to live during war. And little does Antonella know that what starts as a random encounter, could possibly bring them together. Or not? Meanwhile in London is Belinda determined to protect her sister, and she is ready to make sure that Antonella’s life is secured. And that means to find a compatible suitor for her. But when Belinda meets Mr. Gainesworth, who is perfect for Antonella, Belinda must make an impossible choice and understand what her heart truly desires…

When I started reading this book, I was a bit in doubts. Not because I doubted the story, but because I am absolutely not into birds at all. In fact, I am a bit terrified of them! They can stay in the sky as long as they won’t, as long they don’t come near me! 😊

In that aspect, I found a kindred spirit in Belinda, as she feels the same about those feathered animals. But as a wonderful, supporting and loyal sister, she is in Antonella’s corner and even if she doesn’t understand it herself, she sees the passion Antonella has for them.

The love between the sisters is so sweet to read. Of course being twins is even a closer bond, but as I have an amazing relationship with my own brother, I can understand how the sisters would do anything for each other. Their differences, both physical as their interests, cannot break their sisterly connection.

A connection that cannot be broken by hearing upon the news that in fact they aren’t sisters at all. Of course, being sisters for years cannot be erased by one shocking revelation. You cannot just stop being sisters overnight. And I loved reading the determination from both women, that nothing would tear them apart, that they would find ways to always be in each other’s lives.

I have to admit, I was shocked how the news was brought to them, how cold, how rationale, without any feeling. And it not only saddened me but also it also broke my heart seeing how easily Antonella was dismissed, ‘downgraded’. Even if Antonella isn’t truly family, you raised this woman, so how can you not care about her anymore?

Of course Antonella is at loss after the news. Wouldn’t you be too? Everything you thought you knew, turns out to be a lie… At loss is even an understatement! Obviously Antonella needs to find her peace in a special place.

And seeing how she has that place, and how it brings her inner calmness, made me in a way happy for her. Seeing also how she is determined to help out the injured goshawk, how she somehow connects with it, made me like her, admire her even more.

A hurt Antonella and an injured bird, they need an equally pained character.

Lord Atherleigh for sure fits the bill, haunted by not only the loss of his hand, but also the demons of the war that are still haunting him. How to cope with everything you have seen, everything you have lost, and knowing that people are starting at you.

I could absolutely comprehend how he feels that he has lost everything, that there is nothing left for him. But I also wished for him to see quickly the light again, and that he would understand that there is still more than enough in life.

So seeing Antonella and Lord Atherleigh somehow finding each other, understanding each other, warmed my heart. But are those few encounters truly enough?

At the same time, we see Belinda in London, trying her best to find the best suitor for Antonella.

Seeing that sisterly love, that determination, made me immediately like Belinda even more than I already did before!

Whenever Belinda is in Society, she is looking around, not for herself, but for Antonella. Yes, that makes some strange conversations, putting several smiles on my face 😊

And when Belinda meets Mr. Gainesworth, I could see why Belinda thinks he is the perfect match for Antonella. But I could clearly see who would be an even perfecter match! 😊

In this book we see how even the most disruptive news cannot break a bond that is thicker than blood. But we also see how it can make you still question everything and even yourself. And we see how different people are, and how different lives can go. Yet no matter how different people are, or what they have been through, there is also an unexplainable connection that can be formed, against own beliefs and altruism.

And that is the strength also of this book, how all the characters, no matter their hurt, are thinking about others. We see how despite everything that is happening, how big each character’s heart is. That made me forget about my fear and dislike of birds that connect the characters one way or another!