4 out of 5 stars! Four years ago, during difficult times in both their lives, Lord Hunter (Hunter/Gabe/Gabriel) decided to get into an agreement with Nell (Helen)’s father that stated that once she became 21 yrs old they would get married. Well it was an agreement that Hunter did in hopes of helping Nell’s life in the long-run, but it was also an agreement that Nell’s father never told her about until her 21st Birthday. Therefore, when Nell is informed about this change in her life she is not happy and finds a way to change her circumstances. Thankfully, Hunter agrees to the changes but everything comes at a price. Now they both have to decide what is most important to them and what are they are willing to sacrifice for their future “happiness.”

This was a VERY enticing tale about following your heart no matter the cost. In addition, I liked how Ms. Temple used various forms of PTSD with her characters and showing how they overcame those issues during that time-period (both good and bad ways). Yet what truly reeled me in was the fiery chemistry that built between Hunter and Nell from beginning to end of this novel. They were both spunky and I LOVED how they both unintentionally became each other’s “safe harbor” against the world. Their relationship and their engaging banter made this historical novel seem fresh and lively from the start. I could not get enough of this read, which is why I was so disappointed to see it end, especially when I felt that there was still more to learn about this dynamic duo.

I HIGHLY recommend this novel to those who want to read a uniquely steamy historical romance.

Review By: From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews
-- read more of this review and TWO TEASERS on my blog --

LORD HUNTER’S CINDERELLA HEIRESS is everything I love about historical romance and why I read historical romance!

Nell Tilney has finally reached the age of majority, she can claim her inheritance, and be rid once and for all of her weak father and her harpy of an aunt, Just arrived in London from school in Keswick, Nell finds the Tilney home deserted, but she remembers that Lord Hunter lives nearby, and late in the evening, Hunter is shocked to see Nell at his door. Nell and Hunter had met once four years before, at a family dinner when she had the courage to stand up to her aunt. Hunter and Nell’s father had a business meeting to reach an agreement regarding the water rights for their country estates. An agreement was reached, only Nell was never told that it was to marry Hunter upon her reaching the ripe old age of 21!

Forget the somewhat cheesy title, and lose yourself in this spectacular and grandiose romance! Hunter is an apologetically charming rake with a secret, he had taken pity on Nell seeing how her aunt and father neglected her, and he admired her show of temper and her love of horses. He likes her and he will help her; Hunter thought he would get himself an accommodating wife and pursue his life as if nothing much had changed, but Nell has grown more sure of herself and now that she has her own money, no one will dictate her how to live anymore. Nell is exactly the type of heroine I wished we saw more often: she is strong, determined, and as independent as a woman could be in 1820; she is also extremely perceptive, kind and generous, but not blind to the ways of the world, or of Hunter’s, for that matter. Nell is so devoid of artifices that she leaves Hunter utterly discombobulated.

LORD HUNTER’S CINDERELLA HEIRESS is a character study as nuanced as the paintings from the Masters, and is positively enthralling because of Ms. Temple’s superb storytelling skills, her gloriously evocative descriptions and her knowledge of horses. Ms. Temple’s mastery of the English language is such that the transition between the narrative and the dialogues is absolutely seamless. It would be difficult to mention highlights, because LORD HUNTER’S CINDERELLA HEIRESS is one big highlight; I found no weaknesses at all. The pacing is impeccable; the structure is flawless; and the dialogues are remarkably witty and clever. Or maybe I ought to mention the curricle rides: they are pure marvels of literary delight!

And last but certainly not least, Lara Temple’s impossibly gorgeous prose. Luminous and incandescent, Ms. Temple’s writing captures every frisson of burning passion; every fluttering of a heartbeat in the presence of the loved one; every sensory experience, be it petting a horse, drinking warm cider on a cold day, and irrevocably falling in love. I am overjoyed that LORD HUNTER’S CINDERELLA HEIRESS is the first book in a series, and I wish they were already all published.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Reviewed by Monique for Buried Under Romance

I enjoyed Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress, but it was nothing like I expected based on its long- winded misnomer of a title, and has very little in common with the Disney fairytale – and that’s a good thing! Instead, in this sophisticated and sexy twist, our ‘Cinders’ lives with a spiteful aunt, and an overbearing, meddlesome father, finding joy and happiness in a love of horses and friends at school. When first they meet, her “prince” is a mere blip in the fabric her life, but fate (and the delightful machinations of this talented author) bring them together years later. It’s not quite a happy reunion – well, it’s actually the farthest thing from it – but Ms. Temple deftly steers her fated couple to a fairy tale ending anyway.

Helen “Nell” Tilney, returned to her family for the summer, is counting the days until her return to school. Time spent at home is torturous; her evil aunt delights in tormenting and bullying her at every opportunity, and her seemingly oblivious father only notices her in order to criticize her or when he needs or wants something . Happiness – and a reprieve from their machinations – comes from spending time with the horses her father raises on their estate or away at school. Nell has spent the morning riding when she’s summoned to show off her favorite horse, Petra, to a potential buyer.

Gabriel, Lord Hunter, who lives on a neighboring estate, is surprised by the slight girl who emerges from the stable, horse in tow. But he’s frankly astonished by her talent putting the horse through its paces. Fierce and commanding, Nell is a revelation on horseback. When she finally, reluctantly, hands off Petra to him, he demonstrates his own finesse as a horse rider. Years spent in the saddle as a soldier have taught him to appreciate a horse of Petra’s quality, and he’s relieved by the sense of approval he sees in Nell’s eyes. Nell is impressed with Gabriel’s skill – and intrigued by her handsome, though clearly weary, neighbor. After spending an amicable afternoon together, they part – curious about each other – but with little expectation of meeting again.

Fate – and a spiteful aunt – have other plans. That evening, Nell is summoned to dinner with her family and the handsome Lord Hunter. But the Nell that enters the drawing room is nothing like the fierce horsewoman Gabriel met earlier in the day. Obviously reluctant to join their group, cowed and timid in the face of her aunt’s nastiness and her father’s obliviousness, Nell is a pale imitation of the girl Gabriel so admired earlier in the day. The evening ends in disaster after Nell, who’s finally had enough, turns on her aunt. Passionate, angry and fierce, Nell delivers a set down that Gabriel can’t help but admire.

Nell departs for school early the next morning, before Gabriel can congratulate her for standing up to her aunt. But after a night spent reminiscing on Nell’s magnificent self-defense, and with thoughts of advantageously joining his estate to the Tilney’s, he approaches Sir Henry to ask for her hand. Tilney agrees and promises to inform Nell of the agreement. Lord Hunter departs.

Four years pass wherein Nell spends time away from home working as a schoolmistress – waiting to come of age and take ownership of the horse farm left to her by her beloved mother; by contrast, Gabriel enjoys the life of a notorious libertine and rake. Privately, Gabriel still mourns the suicide of his younger brother, whose funeral he attended shortly before meeting Nell. With the help of two close friends and former officers, he’s established safe havens for returning war veterans. But Nell knows nothing of Gabriel’s secret benevolence, so when she discovers she’s betrothed to him – via a notice placed in the Morning Post by her father – she arrives in a fury on Gabriel’s doorstep demanding an explanation and a retraction.

Gabriel has no intention of ending their engagement in such a public manner. After convincing Nell of the same, they agree to travel to the races at Wilton and speak to her father – together – about breaking off the longstanding engagement. Gabriel enjoys his rakish lifestyle, the pleasure of his mistress, and his solitude. Nell wants nothing more than to take ownership of the horse farm and possibly attract the attentions of a neighbour for whom she’s nurtured a tendre since childhood. But reader, you (and I) already know it’s too late. Once Gabriel meets this new incarnation of Nell – spirited, headstrong and beautiful – he’s smitten, though he fights hard to resist his attraction to her. Nell, who’s secretly tracked Gabriel’s antics via the gossip pages, is similarly intrigued by her betrothed but determined to pursue a relationship with another man. Fortunately for us, both the journey and the destination provide ample opportunity for our star crossed lovers to find and fall for each other.

As Gabriel and Nell spend time together, their chemistry is palpable. Gabriel, knowledgeable about the physical aspect of loving, struggles to deal with the emotional intimacy Nell sparks deep within. He suffered under the abuse of his father, and even after finally freeing his brother and mother, can’t help but feel he’s failed them after his brother commits suicide. He blames himself for his brother’s death (I won’t say why here, but it is heartbreaking and understandable). Despair and a feeling of unworthiness plague him in all his relationships, and in particular, keep him closed off from Nell’s kind spirit and instinctive desire to help. He hides his vulnerability behind a suave veneer – but Nell sees glimpses of it and can’t resist attempting to draw Gabriel out. Nell, physically naive, but emotionally strong, offers a compelling contrast to her betrothed. She’s learned to believe in herself and her own power and strength, and wants Gabriel to lean on her. Naïve about physical passion and intimacy, Nell is bewildered by her attraction to Gabriel – who isn’t the man she’s yearned for since girlhood. Gabriel is similarly flustered by the emotional closeness he feels to Nell… together, they make a terrific pair, complimenting each other in every way, and Ms. Temple deftly plots their transition from strangers to foes to friends… and finally lovers. I enjoyed every bit of their evolving relationship, though my major complaint about this novel is the author’s heavy handed hints at Gabriel’s prowess in bed. We get it. He’s good in the sack. Enough.

Looking for a mature, sexy and modern twist on the classic knight in shining armor fairytale? Well look no further – romantic, passionate, and sexy Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress is the one you’ve been waiting for.

Helen "Nell" Tinley was only seventeen the first time she met Gabriel, Lord Hunter. He was in the process of purchasing a horse from Nell's father, and was vastly impressed with the confidence and expertise with which Nell handled the horse. Later, at dinner, the confident young girl is replaced by one who is cowed and browbeaten by her father and her cruel aunt. Upon learning that Nell will inherit a property that is of value to him when she turns twenty-one, Hunter arranges a tentative betrothal to Nell with her father. The betrothal is contingent on Nell being agreeable, and will occur after she comes into her inheritance. Unfortunately, Nell's father doesn't feel any need to inform her of this arrangement. Imagine her surprise four years later, when she is finally free of her family, and is making plans to begin her unfettered life, and she sees her own engagement notice published in the paper.

A furious Nell charges to Hunter's residence, and demands that the notice be retracted. Hunter is amazed that Nell's father never informed her of the tentative agreement, and it is her father who had the notice published. Hunter is an honorable man, and is willing to call of the engagement if Nell isn't willing. He suggests they go to meet with her father to fully discuss the arrangement, and how to end it without scandal. They agree to travel to a horse fair where her father is likely to be. Nell has an ulterior motive - she suspects that Charles Welbeck will be there too. He's someone Nell has desired since she was a young teenager. Now that she's an heiress, perhaps Charles will finally want her, as well.

Nell and Hunter realize they have to play at being engaged since the notice was made public, and Hunter suggests that they act flirtatious. Nell agrees, hoping to pick up some pointers on how to entice Charles. Once Nell realized that Hunter was not trying to coerce her into remaining engaged, she lost her belligerence around him, and they began to enjoy each other's company. The problem is, their flirtation has led to some exchanged kisses and embraces, and Nell has begun to enjoy them, as well. Charles does express interest in Nell, and soon she is torn about what she should do.

Neither Nell nor Hunter is without baggage. The cruelty and lack of love and support from Nell's family affected her greatly - so much so, that her only solace was being away at school. I love the strong woman she is evolving into. She's also fair and kind - she's willing to sell a parcel of her land to Hunter, as he would have benefited greatly from joining her property to his. Hunter still suffers nightmares and guilt from a tragic experience involving his now deceased younger brother, but that's something he keeps well hidden as he does what's expected of him. Despite his own pain, he's a kind and honorable man.

Although their romance develops over a short amount of time, it feels real and genuine. Nell comes to term with her long time crush on Charles, and how it compares to what she now feels for Hunter. As for Hunter, he is experiencing the feeling of needing someone else for the first time, as opposed to being the one who's needed. LORD HUNTER'S CINDERELLA HEIRESS is a warm and lovely romance with a bit of steam about two damaged souls who unexpectedly find love in a ready made engagement. I enjoy Lara Temple's writing style very much, and am looking forward to upcoming books in the WILD LORDS AND INNOCENT LADIES trilogy.

Leicestershire - 1816

Miss Helen (Nell) Tilney, age 17, is an expert at horses. Her father breeds and trains them. Much of the year, Nell is at school and then comes to live with her drunken father, Sir Henry, and her hateful, vindictive Aunt Hester whose meanness always makes Nell tremble.

Today, Viscount Gabriel Hunter has come to look at a horse he’s interested in buying and Nell is the one to show it to him. She is very picky about the people she allows to buy her horses. A tall, thin young lady, her confidence seems to lie with her knowledge of horses. When Nell explains to Lord Hunter the particulars of the horse, he appears to be condescending to her, so by riding the horse, she proves her expertise.

Nell inherited Bascombe Hall from her grandfather. Her father is trustee until she turns 21. Currently, her mean grandmother lives there and Nell has never met her. Lord Hunter tells her he lives at Hunter Hall which is next door to Bascombe Hall.

When her aunt begins to berate her at the dinner table that evening in front of their guests making ugly remarks about her mother, Nell snaps, tells her off, and leaves.


London - 1820

Now age 21, Nell is ready to take over her life and her inheritance. She has come to London to meet with Lord Gabriel Hunter to find out why the gossips say he and Nell are engaged. He admits that without her knowing, they became betrothed four years ago. He wants to combine the Bascombe and Hunter estates. He had no idea Sir Henry had not told Nell about the betrothal. Angered by it all, Nell prefers to call off the betrothal.

While in London, Gabriel’s maiden aunts ask Nell to stay with them which she happily accepts. They are kind to her and she learns more about Gabriel through them. It appears that Gabriel’s brother returned from the war some years back broken in body and spirit. Gabriel nursed him for a long time before he died. Now, Gabriel sponsors a Hope House in different areas for soldiers to rest and regain their strength and spirits.

An annual horse auction is coming up and Nell asks Gabriel to accompany her there. It is held at the family home of a man named Charles on whom Nell has long had a crush. The resulting meeting of Nell and Charles and others who have known her is eye-opening for all of them.

I did not care for a lot of this book because it did not seem to flow well and became boring in parts. It’s a shame how Nell was treated though. There is much discussion about horses and unless you are a horse fan and quite knowledgeable about them, you may tend to yawn as I did. But, take heart, horse lovers. I'm sure you will love this book.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I saw that. I saw you rolling your eyes and saying “another Cinderella book?!” In principle, I’m with you – while Harlequin/Mills & Boon book titles are (thankfully) bereft of cutesy song lyrics and faux film titles, they can sometimes be rather dreadfully unimaginative. But, much as with the case of another Harlequin Historical I reviewed recently (Pursued for the Viscount’s Vengeance), Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress is a much better book than the title suggests and I’d urge you – strongly – not to let it put you off reading it.

Lara Temple is a relative newcomer to the Harlequin/M&B stable – this is, I think, her fourth novel – but I’ve enjoyed the other books of hers I’ve read, which have been distinguished by strongly characterised, attractive principals, lashings of lovely sexual tension and excellent dialogue. I knew that at some point she’d come up with a book which would knock my socks off – and this is it.

Our titular Cinders is Miss Helen (Nell) Tilney, who lives with her overbearing, brutish father and an obnoxious aunt who is forever finding fault with her. The only times Nell is truly happy are when she’s away at school or when she’s working with her father’s horses – and it’s in this capacity she first meets Gabriel, Lord Hunter. He is interested in purchasing Petra – a thoroughbred of which Nell is especially fond – and Nell reconciles herself to parting with her when she sees that Lord Hunter is a man who appreciates good horseflesh and will treat the animal well. Nell puts the horse through her paces and afterwards, retires to her room thinking she will never see him again. Unfortunately, however, her aunt has other ideas and summons Nell to dinner, knowing full well that Nell will hate it.

When a willowy, wan and very timid young woman enters the drawing room before dinner, Hunter can’t believe this is the intrepid horsewoman who rode Petra so skilfully and with such joy earlier in the day. He also can’t help but notice the way Sir Henry treats his daughter and her aunt’s continual bullying; and when Nell finally snaps and tells her aunt she wants nothing more to do with her, he is impressed by her show of spirit and silently cheers her on. It’s this, together with the thought that allying the Hunter and Tilney estates might not be a bad idea – plus that fact that Hunter is one of life’s protectors – that prompts him to ask Tilney for Nell’s hand the next day. By then however, Nell has fled back to school so isn’t privy to the discussion, but given Hunter is in mourning for his younger brother and Nell has to complete her schooling, there is no question of a wedding in the near future. Tilney undertakes to explain matters to Nell and Hunter takes his leave.

Four years later, a furious Nell Tilney arrives at Hunter’s door without warning, demanding to know what is meant by the announcement of their betrothal in the Morning Post. She has no wish to have her name linked to that of a man whose debauched exploits provide regular fodder for the gossip columns, and insists he arranges for a retraction to appear as soon as possible, telling him that if he won’t do it, then she will. Hunter draws the line at this – their engagement might not have been made under the best of circumstances and perhaps now, they both wish to withdraw from it, but doing so in such a public manner will create a full-scale scandal that will do neither of them any good. Nell suggests they need to speak with her father, who has gone to the annual horsebreeder’s fair at Wilton, and, prior to depositing her with his aunts for the night, Hunter agrees with this idea.

Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress is, without doubt, one of the most romantic romances I’ve read this year. Lara Temple builds the relationship between her two principals with skill and insight and the sexual tension between them crackles and sizzles throughout. The author once again shows just how skilled she is at writing dialogue that is entertaining and naturalistic as Hunter teases Nell and Nell insults Hunter right back – well, he says she insults him, but really she’s giving him as good as she gets and he knows and enjoys it.

“Would you care for a rug?”

“Yes. No. Is this a custom-built curricle? It feels very light on the road, even with the two of you in it.”

“Do you hear that, Hidgins? Miss Tilney thinks we are fat.”

Nell glanced over her shoulder at Hidgins [the groom] with a complicit smile.

“No, no. Large boned. There are benefits to that, like the difference between an Arabian and a cob. Keeps you more firmly on the ground. But I’m not sure I’d like to race with you in the curricle.”

“As the saying goes, no one asked you; and annoying me is not likely to convince me to let you drive my horses.”

“Are you saying there is something I could do that might?”
While their love story takes place over just a few days, the relationship is written so well that it never feels rushed or forced, and along the way, Ms. Temple tackles some serious subjects in a manner that evolves organically and is completely in keeping with the story. We learn early on that when Hunter paid his visit to Sir Henry, he had just buried his younger brother, Tim, who had returned from war broken in both mind and body and who, unable to bear his physical pain and mental agony had taken his own life. Hunter blames himself; he should never have allowed Tim to join the army, he should have done a better job looking after him when he came home… he should have done more, full stop. Hunter has also been badly affected by his wartime experiences, but is unwilling to allow anyone close enough to discover that he still suffers violent nightmares; having responsibility thrust upon him at an early age has led him to believe that while others need him, he doesn’t need anyone and that’s how he likes it.

I defy anyone not to be cheering on the inside (at least) when Nell finally faces down her horrible aunt, and to applaud her determination not to allow herself to be bullied ever again. When we meet her again in the first chapter, she’s a rather formidable young woman and it’s easy to see exactly why Hunter is so strongly attracted to her. As for Hunter, well he’s quite the swoonworthy hero – a bit rakish perhaps, but honourable, protective to a fault, intelligent, intuitive and funny; I think I fell for him every bit as hard as Nell did.

The secondary characters of Hunter’s friends, Stanton and Ravenscar are skilfully drawn and have already intrigued me sufficiently that I can say with certainty that I will be reading their stories when they appear. My one tiny niggle with the book as a whole is to do with Hunter’s reasons for trying to keep Nell at arm’s length in the latter part of the story (which are rather clichéd), but that didn’t affect my enjoyment, and I have no hesitation in giving Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress a very strong recommendation.

Grade:A- (Desert Isle Keeper)

Before I even start this review, I’m going to take the unusual step of issuing some content warnings. For a Regency romance, this one does address some really dark themes, mostly because both protagonists are suffering from PTSD and must address their past traumas in order to move forward. If you have triggers for any of the following, this book may not be for you: suicide, death of a sibling, familial abuse, panic attacks, drug overdoses.

With that out of the way, Ijust want to say how absolutely amazing this book is. While all of the above themes are mentioned and discussed, they are done so in an intelligent, realistic way for the period. Lara Temple has very clearly done her research on the traumas suffered by returning veterans of the Napoleonic Wars and while her hero, Gabriel Hunter, returned uninjured in body, the death of his beloved younger brother has a very profound effect on his heart and soul. It takes a special woman in Nell Tilney - whose father is Henry Tilney, in what I can only assume is a deliberate nod to Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park - who is dealing with her own issues, to break through the walls Hunter has erected against the world.

Nell is heiress to a vast estate, but she is entirely dependent on her bullying father and horribly abusive aunt until she reaches her twenty-first birthday. The only place she can be free to be her true self is on the back of one of her beloved horses.

Seeing Nell first on a horse, free and joyous, and then browbeaten into a panic attack by her aunt, Hunter can’t help but try to intervene. It isn’t until four years later that Nell discovers just what he does to persuade her father to let her stay year-round at her beloved school until she reaches her majority, and the surprise announcement of their betrothal in the newspapers comes as a severe shock.

What follows is a sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant account of Hunter and Nell’s struggles to come to terms with each other. Both must compromise, both must learn to move forward from their trauma and accept that they are, in fact, allowed to be happy. This is a tale of recovery just as much of romance, two damaged people finding solace and safety in each other, and it’s one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read in a long time. There are two more to come in the Wild Lords and Innocent Ladies series and I’m looking forward to them eagerly, because despite the sometimes dark themes this was nothing short of a delight to read. Five stars, and I wish I could give it more.

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Temple and while the book was well-written, I would say the writing is quite dense. There's so much inner dialogue in each paragraph that I found myself skipping much of it. While I very much liked Nell, there was really no explanation as to why her father ignores her or why her aunt was so nasty. A little more information about the "cinderella" childhood Nell suffered would have gone a long way to making her a much more sympathetic character.

Gabriel Hunter is a complicated character and suffers immense guilt over his brother's death. I loved the witty banter between Nell and him. Some of it was quite funny. All in all, this was an enjoyable book, but for me, there's too many issues for me to rate it higher.

I saw that.  I saw you rolling your eyes and saying “another Cinderella book?!”  In principle, I’m with you – while Harlequin/Mills & Boon book titles are (thankfully) bereft of cutesy song lyrics and faux film titles, they can sometimes be rather dreadfully unimaginative.  But, much as with the case of another Harlequin Historical I reviewed recently (Pursued for the Viscount’s Vengeance), Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress is a much better book than the title suggests and I’d urge you – strongly – not to let it put you off reading it.

Lara Temple is a relative newcomer to the Harlequin/M&B stable – this is, I think, her fourth novel – but I’ve enjoyed the other books of hers I’ve read, which have been distinguished by strongly characterised, attractive principals, lashings of lovely sexual tension and excellent dialogue.  I knew that at some point she’d come up with a book which would knock my socks off - and this is it.

Our titular Cinders is Miss Helen (Nell) Tilney, who lives with her overbearing, brutish father and the obnoxious aunt who is forever finding fault with her.  The only times Nell is truly happy are when she’s away at school or when she’s working with her father’s horses – and it’s in this capacity she first meets Gabriel, Lord Hunter.  He is interested in purchasing Petra - a thoroughbred of which Nell is especially fond – and Nell reconciles herself to parting with her when she sees that Lord Hunter is a man who appreciates good horseflesh and will treat the animal well.  Nell puts the horse through her paces and afterwards, retires to her room thinking she will never see him again.  Unfortunately, however, her aunt has other ideas and summons Nell to dinner, knowing full well that Nell will hate it.

When a willowy, wan and very timid young woman enters the drawing room before dinner, Hunter can’t believe this is the intrepid horsewoman who rode Petra so skilfully and with such joy earlier in the day.  He also can’t help but notice the way Sir Henry treats his daughter and her aunt’s continual bullying; and when Nell finally snaps and tells her aunt she wants nothing more to do with her, he is impressed by her show of spirit and silently cheers her on.  It’s this, together with the thought that allying the Hunter and Tilney estates might not be a bad idea - plus that fact that Hunter is one of life’s protectors - that prompts him to ask Tilney for Nell’s hand the next day.  By then however, Nell has fled back to school so isn’t privy to the discussion, but given Hunter is in mourning for his younger brother and Nell has to complete her schooling, there is no question of a wedding in the near future.  Tilney undertakes to explain matters to Nell and Hunter takes his leave.

Four years later, a furious Nell Tilney arrives at Hunter’s door without warning, demanding to know what is meant by the announcement of their betrothal in the Morning Post.  She has no wish to have her name linked to that of a man whose debauched exploits provide regular fodder for the gossip columns, and insists he arranges for a retraction to appear as soon as possible, telling him that if he won’t do it, then she will.  Hunter draws the line at this – their engagement might not have been made under the best of circumstances and perhaps now, they both wish to withdraw from it, but doing so in such a public manner will create a full-scale scandal that will do neither of them any good.  Nell suggests they need to speak with her father, who has gone to the annual horsebreeder’s fair at Wilton, and, prior to depositing her with his aunts for the night, Hunter agrees with this idea.

Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress is, without doubt, one of the most romantic romances I’ve read this year.  Lara Temple builds the relationship between her two principals with skill and insight and the sexual tension between them crackles and sizzles throughout.   The author once again shows just how skilled she is at writing dialogue that is entertaining and naturalistic as Hunter teases Nell and Nell insults Hunter right back – well, he says she insults him, but really she’s giving him as good as she gets and he knows and enjoys it.

“Would you care for a rug?”

“Yes. No.  Is this a custom-built curricle? It feels very light on the road, even with the two of you in it.”

“Do you hear that, Hidgins?  Miss Tilney thinks we are fat.”

Nell glanced over her shoulder at Hidgins [the groom] with a complicit smile.

“No, no.  Large boned.  There are benefits to that, like the difference between an Arabian and a cob. Keeps you more firmly on the ground. But I’m not sure I’d like to race with you in the curricle.”

“As the saying goes, no one asked you; and annoying me is not likely to convince me to let you drive my horses.”

“Are you saying there is something I could do that might?”

While their love story takes place over just a few days, the relationship is written so well that it never feels rushed or forced, and  along the way, Ms. Temple tackles some serious subjects in a manner that evolves organically and is completely in keeping with the story.  We learn early on that when Hunter paid his visit to Sir Henry, he had just buried his younger brother, Tim, who had returned from war broken in both mind and body and who, unable to bear his physical pain and mental agony had taken his own life.  Hunter blames himself; he should never have allowed Tim to join the army, he should have done a better job looking after him when he came home… he should have done more, full stop.  Hunter has also been badly affected by his wartime experiences, but is unwilling to allow anyone close enough to discover that he still suffers violent nightmares;  having responsibility thrust upon him at an early age has led him to believe that while others need him, he doesn’t need anyone and that’s how he likes it.

I defy anyone not to be cheering on the inside (at least) when Nell finally faces down her horrible aunt, and to applaud her determination not to allow herself to be bullied ever again.  When we meet her again in the first chapter, she’s a rather formidable young woman and it’s easy to see exactly why Hunter is so strongly attracted to her. As for Hunter, well he’s quite the swoonworthy hero – a bit rakish perhaps, but honourable, protective to a fault, intelligent, intuitive and funny; I think I fell for him every bit as hard as Nell did.

The secondary characters of Hunter’s friends, Stanton and Ravenscar are skilfully drawn and have already intrigued me sufficiently that I can say with certainty that I will be reading their stories when they appear.  My one tiny niggle with the book as a whole is to do with Hunter’s reasons for trying to keep Nell at arm’s length in the latter part of the story (which are rather clichéd), but that didn’t affect my enjoyment, and I have no hesitation in giving Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress a very strong recommendation.

Buy Now: A/BN/iB/K

Another gorgeous cover, right? Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress is another amazing read.

Hunter had a lot of responsibility at a young age due to his abusive father and often sick little brother. He is very protective by nature, but a run-in with the effects of war and the suicide of his brother left him reeling. To deal with it, he has turned quite rakish and with his friends Raven and Stanton, they started a “House” to help war veterans. Years before, while visiting the Tilney stables to buy horses and negotiate water rights for his land, he finds Nell, a feisty young that has been bullied by her aunt and sadly neglected by her father. To try to protect her Hunter negotiates with Nell’s father for her to go away to school and to before engaged until she turns of age and therefore can use her inheritance.

Of course, Nell didn’t know anything about it until her father sends notice to the papers. Now, ensues a race of both Hunter and Nell, to locate her dad, break the engagement, but still appear to be engaged so Nell can lure her childhood ‘love’ into marriage. With me so far? This book was funny, hot, while also dealing with serious topics. I liked how spirited Nells was, how she wasn’t aware of her looks, but knew horses better than any man. She went into business on her own and was only looking for what she missed growing up: unconditional love.

On the other hand, Hunter is fighting his attraction and trying to do the right thing by her. He’s done with being noble and responsible, but he is undoubtedly both. I love them together and how they learned to rely, protect and love each other. I imagine the next books in the series will have to do with Hunter’s friends and I hope to see more of him and Nell since the ending was not as satisfying to me it could have been.

Young woman unknowingly is betrothed at seventeen. When she discovers the betrothal, she confronts Lord Hunter and they work together to find a convivial solution to this predicament. Unusual things occur as he tries to help her. A pleasure to read!

Lord Hunter's Cinderella Heiress (Wild Lords and Innocent Ladies)
by Lara Temple
Anna Swedenmom's review Sep 05, 2017 · edit
it was amazing

What a very captivating read! Again this author has surprised me with the total ability to write a tale that has the reader on edge and wanting more even after its finished! I absolutely loved the characters, I enjoyed the plot and the way the writing keeps you wanting more. I liked the way it touches so many of your emotions. From start to finish this was a story I had a hard time putting down. I will definitely follow this author for I admit to wanting to read more of such a great story teller. So for a great read buy this one. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom .

I like that the hero’s and heroine’s relationship comes about slowly and strong. The readers can appreciate a slow build up in both hero’s and heroine’s feelings even though the story takes place in only one week, but believe me it feels longer, so when these two finally get together it is a beautiful complete circle. Nell is naïve and inexperienced but she is also brave and adventurous, which is good as Hunter is a reticent and unwilling hero so they complement each other perfectly. The story is sexy and sweet so romantic readers will fly through this book’s pages quickly. I personally adored Hunter because he was considerate towards Nell and never tried to get his way by insulting and pushing her. She was always free to make her own decisions and at the end she ended up pushing Hunter. I will definitely read this story again.