Third Son's Charm by Shana Galen is charming, sweet, and enticing. I loved everything about this story! The hero is sexy as hell and a man who wasn't loved as a boy. His father mistreated him, didn't believe in him especially when Ewan told the truth, and he turned a blind a blind to everything. Ewan was traumatized and beaten. His stutter and learning disability had left him feeling dumb his whole life. Until he came back from fighting an evil war. Then, he had something. Ewan made friends. But he still felt below everyone. Until Lady Lorraine came into the picture. She makes him feel good and like he's smarter than he gives himself credit for...their relationship is out of force and a good deed. Soon, fate intervenes and both fall for the other. Yet, their family lives make it hard for them. A third son with no money and a woman of title and an heritance come together. Shana Galen's words swept me off my feet. I was hooked. Her characters were amazing. Three-dimensional characters whose lives are full of risks, drama, and romance. Overall, I highly recommend the Third Son's Charm to all.

What a great series this will be! During the war with France, a group of 3rd sons were recruited for what we would call a special ops unit. Some of them survived and created the Survivors’ Club. Most of them still have nightmares.

Ewan Mostyn thinks himself a lackwit because he can’t read. His nickname during the war was the Protector. He currently works as a bouncer at the Draven Club, a gaming hell. On his way to work he saves a woman, Lady Lorraine, who ran out in the street to save her dog.

Lorraine’s father, the Duke of Ridlington, knows nothing about the dog incident but wants to hire Ewan to protect his daughter from a gentleman she thinks she loves. Ridlington knows the man does not love her but is after her fortune. Ewan tries to refuse, but when he learns the man is his hated cousin, Francis Mostyn, he agrees.

Lorraine is very attracted to Ewan and it is a fun, great read to their HEA. Along the way, there is another couple rekindling their love. Thanks to Shana Galen for the ARC. I won’t write spoilers, but I can highly recommend this. It’s a wonderful book and am looking forward to the next one in this series. No one influenced this review.

Oh, these two were such fun! I fell in love with Shana Galen’s work many years ago and when I found out she had a new series (with such a ferociously beautiful cover and intriguing blurb, I was so flippin’ excited! I always leave her books absolutely charmed. Third Son’s a Charm starts the Survivors series with a bang. Delightful banter, scintillating tension, and loads of ballroom scandal. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book!

Lady Lorraine has to be one of my favorite heroines this year! She’s very vivacious and bold and adventurous. What totally captured me was that she’s dead-set on experiencing the heights of physical and emotional pleasure. She’s got her sights on a man named Francis, but her family objects to the man.

Enter her father’s solution. Hiring body guard and Francis’s cousin, Ewan Mostyn. The last thing Ewan wants is for Francis to latch onto Lady Lorraine’s coin purse. But Ewan doesn’t expect to fight his own attraction to the lady, himself.

The biggest obstacle for these two is that Ewan likes the word “no,” while our heroine is more of a “yes” type of person. Ewan’s just determined to keep Lorraine away from his awful cousin, while she’s determined to thwart Ewan’s attempts to keep her from Ewan’s awful cousin. And while Lorraine is a talker, Ewan hoards his words until he has something to say. I just loved them.

But there's more hidden beneath the surface too. Ewan's got some demons to work through, and he just broke my heart while stealing it all the same. I was glued to the pages just waiting for what would happen next.

The only thing that didn’t quite work for me was the ending. It seemed a bit too rushed. But I so loved every single moment I spent in this world. If you’re a historical romance fiend you don’t want to miss this book!

4.5 stars!

What a great start to a new series!

This was such a fun book to read and almost impossible to put down.

Ewan Mostyn aka Protector aka the Viking is the third son of the Earl of Pembroke. He has returned from the war a hero, he was part of an elite group of men who took the most impossible missions and survived. Ewan is a man of few words and even fewer desires - a place to sleep, the opportunity to bash heads and food are all he really wants or needs to be happy. But beneath his stoic demeanor is a man that has been hurt and doubts his own self worth. I LOVED Ewan - LOVED HIM! Currently Ewan is bashing heads for a living at a gaming hell, but when he is approached by the Duke of Ridlington with an intriguing offer of employment, he decides to take the job.

Lady Lorraine Caldwell aka Lorrie is the only daughter of the Duke of Ridlington and she is madly in love with Francis Mostyn, too bad her father has declined his offer for her hand, so Lorrie decides to elope. She may have failed the first time, but she is in no way giving up! But her plans are thwarted when her father introduces her to Ewan - her new bodyguard and the cousin to Francis. Lorrie still isn't ready to give up and even though she is captivated by Ewan, she firmly reminds herself that this man was a beast to her true love and she will outwit him! She will keep Ewan on his toes and is a total delight!

The story is sweet and as Ewan and Lorrie begin to have deeper feelings for each other, the reader really saw the struggle Ewan felt, his feelings of inadequacy, his longing for what could never be and his growing feelings for Lorrie. Lorrie also matures during the course of the story, she finally accepts that she never really loved Francis and wants a man that will fight for her, she hopes that Ewan will be that man, but he seems to be pushing her away.

When Lorrie is kidnapped, Ewan realizes that he loves her and nothing will stop him from finding her and keeping her forever.

The story was well written and flowed wonderfully, there is a great cast of secondary characters that add some extremely amusing moments, a secondary romance, secrets, action, steamy love scenes and a beautiful ending! I would be happy to recommend this book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series!

Publisher's Description:
“Highly entertaining, humorous, action-packed, and so much fun!” —Night Owl Reviews, 4 stars for The Rogue You Know

Ewan Mostyn thinks a job as a duke’s daughter’s bodyguard will be easy—but Lady Lorraine has a few tricks up her sleeve that spark an undeniable passion

Fiercely loyal to his friends and comrades, Ewan Mostyn is the toughest in a group of younger sons of nobility who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. Ewan trusts his brawn more than his brains, but when he’s offered a job watching the Duke of Ridlington’s stubbornly independent daughter, he finds both are challenged.

Lady Lorraine wants none of her father’s high-handed ways, and she’ll do everything in her power to avoid her distressingly attractive bodyguard—until she lands herself in real trouble. Lorraine begins to see Ewan’s protectiveness in a new light, and she can only hope that her stoic guardian will do for her what he’s always done—fight for what he wants.

My Thoughts:
This is an exceptional beginning to this new series.
Shana Galen has wrought a story that ends with the reader wanting more and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

Ewan has always been the perpetual misfit. Although he is the son of an earl, he is the third son and of no use to his father. Particularly since he seems to be just a big stupid brute and there are two older brothers already... the heir and a spare!

Lady Lorraine is the daughter of a Duke who thinks herself in love with Ewan's cousin who has for years been the bane of Ewan's existence.

Constantly teased and tormented, Ewan begins to believe all of the taunts. He has a learning disability, but such things were thought of as sheer stupidity in the times in which the story is portrayed. It becomes obvious to us that he is dyslexic.

Lorraine discovers his problem and is certain she can help him.

Will their unusual relationship turn into something more? Will Ewan prove to be more than just a brutish protector?

I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4.25 of 5.0 flames.
Once our hero decides he can't possibly live without our heroine's touch things become very intimate and heated.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Lady Lorraine is sure she’s in love, and is determined to marry the man of her choice, even though her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Ridlington don’t approve and hire Ewan Mostyn to make sure she’s safe from the fortune hunter. He just happens to be Ewan’s cousin Francis, who tormented him as a boy, and thwarting him will make Ewan very happy. Of course Ewan doesn’t expect that protecting Lorrie will turn into something much more, as the irrepressible Lorrie tries to help him realize he can be more than a bodyguard, he just needs her by his side. I really liked Lorrie and her determination and spirit, and I desperately wanted to see Ewan have some happiness after his horrible childhood and family life. Of course I can always rely on Shana Galen to give me a fantastic conclusion for these characters I’ve grown to love. I was delighted with the added bonus of the rekindled relationship between the Duke and Duchess as well. I’m looking forward to reading more stories in this new series as well.

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and netgalley for this ARC.

This one will steal into your heart, thoughts, and dreams.

Shana Galen offers the first in what will hopefully be a double handful of Draven’s Men! Lorraine is in love with Francis. But everybody around her knows that Francis is a rotter, and only after her father’s money. Francis’ cousin Ewan knows better than any of them how truly wrong Francis is for Lorraine, and he will do whatever is needed to keep them apart. Ewan and Lorraine are at daggers drawn. They are a complete mismatch in every way. Even if we know from page 1 where this is headed, the voyage to true love is great fun.

Ewan Mostyn is anything but charming. However, as Lady Lorraine learns he is honorable, honest and loyal which turns out to be much better than charming. As it turns out she also learns that he does have charm, he just does not realize it. There are things that Ewan wants to keep secret, like the fact that he has trouble reading. He is the third son and of no value to his family. A nice romance between two people look to be opposites but find value in what each has to offer. Ewan is a great hero who is much better than he thinks he is. Lorraine ends much better than she starts as she realizes that the man she thinks she loves was just a fad and Ewan is the real thing. I read the novella that started the series and was hooked from the first. I think I know the next Survivor to get his HEA. I will just have to wait and see if I am right.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Ewan Mostyn, a war hero of the Napoleonic Wars, accepts a job as bodyguard for the Duke of Ridlington's feisty daughter, Lady Lorraine. The Duke tasks Ewan with keeping his daughter from eloping with Francis Mostyn, Ewan's cousin. Ewan is determined to keep Lorraine from his hated cousin, but along the way, he must now fend off the charms of the lady herself.

Ms. Galen has written a wonderfully charming story with our hero, a man of few words, and Lady Lorraine, a self-confessed chatterbox who is relentless in getting what she wants. I loved the interactions between these two. The book also tackles a serious problem and doesn't revert to cliches in solving it. I was captivated throughout this book and was eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next. Fans of Regency romances will definitely enjoy this book.

Ewan Mostyn is the third son of the Duke of Pembroke. He joined a group in the military, and was called the Protector. Lady Lorraine thought she was in love and tried to elope. Her father hired Ewan to watch her.
There were some places where it got so funny. I enjoyed the bantering between his group of friends. This was such a great story and the story line was well written, easy to read and I read it in one sitting, I just could not put it down. He had never felt love of anyone or really been touched, This was heart warming and full of friendship.

Ms. Galen knows what's appealing to the heart, but sets her sights on stimulating the mind. Third Son's a Charm is a seductive puzzle. Every sense is on high alert. Sizzling attraction puts a mischievous lady and a duty bound soldier on a collision course with romance and intrigue unlike any other. Hidden agendas, secret liaisons and read herrings at every turn make the road treacherous, but no less thrilling. Never malicious but always delicious, Shana Galen is romance on the edge. Exciting, inviting and delighting.

I am in love with Ewan Mostyn. He was part of a group of soldiers who did special very dangerous jobs during the Napoleonic War. They were all younger sons of the nobility. He was “The Protector”. His size and strength were amazing. The fact that he did not fear death also made him ready to do almost anything dangerous. And his wonderful sense of loyalty meant he was willing to do anything to keep his friends alive.

Ewan was always treated badly by his father, an earl. It was determined that Ewan was stupid, a dolt, an idiot or any other name you can imagine. In reality he had a reading disability which prevented him from learning as others did. He is very intelligent but he has accepted that he is not worth much in the world except for his strength.

Lady Lorraine is the daughter of a duke. Her affections have been focused on an unacceptable man. He happens to be Ewan's yucky cousin, Francis. In order to protect her from eloping with this wrong man, her father has hired a body guard to protect her and also prevent her from doing something foolhardy. The body guard is Ewan.

She talks a mile a minute. He may say a word every hour. He is quiet and confident in his strength but knows his family has no respect for him. She feels ignored by her family and has never felt the affection she desires.

Ewan's father is someone who has no redeeming value. Ewan has overcome his beginnings and when he is asked to help his father, he does his best to help. He is a good man.

Lorrie is a wonderful young woman who is impetuous and kind and intelligent and funny. She is brave and believes that she deserves to have a man who loves her.

Both of these people are attracted to one another in spite of what is seen as their differences. In reality, they both want the same things in life a loving family and a warm and welcoming home. They are both very intelligent, as well as kind and they both have a terrific sense of humor.

Ms Galen has created a wonderful set of characters. The Duke and Duchess have marital problems which have made them cold and indifferent to one another. But, the Duke wants to change that. The only other characters who play much of a part in this story are a few of the soldiers from Ewan's unit.

The plot is a well written story of deception and jealousy on the part of Ewan's cousin. He has spent his life making Ewan unhappy. And he was abetted by the earl. The story is also about family dynamics. It is also about two people and learning about one another and liking what they learn.

This is the first in a series about The Survivors. In this book, we meet a few of the members and it is easy to see that each of them will have an interesting story to tell.

Ms Galen writes stories which are filled with love and laughter and this is just what I expected from such a talented author.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

Loved the story of Lorraine and Ewan. She was a feisty young lady who thought she knew what she wanted. She thinks she's in love with Ewan's cousin, Francis and Ewan is given the job to protect her from herself. I really liked that he never actually said anything against Francis to start out, except that he didn't love her and only wanted her dowry. She slowly figured it out by comparing Ewan's actions vs what Francis had said about him and his own actions. One thing Ewan says over and over, he doesn't lie. (Except to himself) I do have to say I hope we find out in the series if Lorraine does end up helping him overcome his problem!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the first book I have ever read by Shana Galen and the first book in her new series. I enjoyed this book greatly. Ewan is a veteran of the Napoleonic War. He also suffers from dyslexia. Lorraine or Lorrie as her family calls her is the first daughter of a duke “in love” with a fortune hunter; who happens to be Ewan’s cousin. Ewan is hired by Lorrie’s father to keep her safe.
I really thought the author did a great job of making the reader understand the stigmatism that is associated with dyslexia. My heart went out to Ewan the times he struggled with his self worth. Even today, when we understand dyslexia, people who struggle with reading still fight with the stigma. Lorrie figures out the truth and does not think less of him. I think this is the turning point in the relationship between them.
The is also a sub plot that concerns Lorrie’s parents trying to repair their relationship. The author also makes it a point to show that Lorrie knows that her parents have different lovers. I would have loved for this to be developed just a little more. The author shows that the relationship started with love, something happens and both parties resent the other and are hurt. But we as the reader never knows what happened.
I also wish that the parents didn’t play their little game with the H/h at the end of the book. I think I would have liked it better if Lorrie’s father pushed a little harder on the first meeting. Also, the speech the Duchess gives her daughter made me cry “b*@%h.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed the book and look forward to the second book.

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: November 7th 2017 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492657034 (ISBN13: 9781492657033)
Series The Survivors #1
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Ewan Mostyn thinks a job as a duke's daughter's bodyguard will be easy―but Lady Lorraine has a few tricks up her sleeve that spark an undeniable passion…

Fiercely loyal to his friends and comrades, Ewan Mostyn is the toughest in a group of younger sons of nobility who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. Ewan trusts his brawn more than his brains, but when he's offered a job watching the Duke of Ridlington's stubbornly independent daughter, he finds both are challenged.

Lady Lorraine wants none of her father's high-handed ways, and she'll do everything in her power to avoid her distressingly attractive bodyguard―until she lands herself in real trouble. Lorraine begins to see Ewan's protectiveness in a new light, and she can only hope that her stoic guardian will do for her what he's always done―fight for what he wants.

My Thoughts


The common practice among upper crust nobles to have an heir and a spare meant that 3rd sons like Ewan Mostyn were either sent into the clergy or the military. As Ewan was not suited for a life of religious zeal the military gained an excellent soldier.

Now as he and his fellow survivors must find a way to live after the horrors of a war that trimmed their group from 30 to 12 Ewan finds himself approached with a very strange
request from the Duke of Ridlington, who wishes to hire him as a bodyguard for his daughter Lorraine.

Funny thing was his first instinct was to say no right up to the moment the Duke explained why he needed Ewan in the first place. That information changed the no to a resounding yes and what the naive ex-soldier thought would be a simple assignment soon became anything but! Due to not only the lady herself’s tendency to resist his efforts but their explosive chemistry as well.

Lady Lorraine Ridlington is not only a spoiled young miss but she is also clever, lively and entirely too stubborn for her own good. Having made up her mind that a certain someone is her life’s love and the man she is meant to marry it appears nothing her father says will change that conviction. Thus begins a series of events that would cause any parents hair to whiten overnight.

What I took away from this book, besides the obvious, was that it is very easy to mistake someones intelligence when they do not respond like everyone else around them from an early age. Especially when it comes to young children with learning disabilities, they are easily discouraged and have a tendency to be labeled slow of wit even when that is far from the truth. That is not something that later on in their life that they overcome without having someone with patience and perseverance help them to do so, and some never have that help.

What I also took away from this book is something I have always known, the heart wants what the heart wants and in Ewan and Lorraine’s case their class disparity ceased to matter when push came to shove. As it should have long before things became almost too late.

Ewan was portrayed as an honorable gentleman, even when Lorraine managed to stir his blood almost to the boiling point! For the both of them falling in love with each other was never something they imagined happening.

Ewan Mostyn may not have charm, may not have a voluble nature, may be rough around the edges but he makes up for it in spades with his loyalty to others and his ability to inspire loyalty in return.

Lady Lorraine Ridlington is a lovely, lively, passionate young woman who also has a stubborn nature that sometimes gets in the way of her making wise choices.

When these two are brought together as bodyguard and his charge to protect, the sparks fly.

This was a true case of not really fitting in, of longing to belong and two people who found exactly what they were both missing when they least expected it. Especially not together!

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen is a wonderful start to her new series "The Survivors", which is about Draven's Dozen, the remaining group of disposable noblemen, at least in their family's eyes, who fought in the war together. All are haunted by their pasts and spend time at their club where they try to forget,. This first book is about Ewan Mostyn, third son of the Earl of Pembroke. He has long been considered, by his father and brothers, a "dolt" because he cannot read. Today we would probably find he is dyslexic, but in those days he was just considered stupid. He is not by any means but he is large and works as the muscle in a gaming hell. The Duke of Ridlington hires him to be bodyguard to his daughter Lorraine who fancies herself in love with Ewan's cousin Francis.. Lorraine, or Lorrie, has recently tried to elope with Francis and the Duke would like Ewan to prevent that from happening again. Since Francis was cruel to Ewan when they were smaller and even in the present, Ewan takes the job. Lorraine is lively and spirited and comes to admire Ewan, or as she calls him, the Viking, and realizes he is not a dolt but an enigmatic man with hidden depths. The way these two fall in love and come together is a wonderful read and the supporting characters in Ewan's band of brothers soldiers look like they will get stories in the future too which I am highly anticipating. This book is a terrific start to Shana's new series and I cannot wait to read the rest as I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all the characters and subplots in it.

Such a sweet story of trying to find you place in the world. The main characters are each unique and flawed in their special way. But those flaws are what fit them together so beautifully. The author presents a fine story that helps define early learning disabilities and the struggles to overcome them. In the end, the characters carve out a little peace and happiness for themselves.

In Third Son’s a Charm, Shana Galen introduces us to some of the gentlemen who will feature in stories of their own as her new Survivors series progresses.  These men are closer than brothers; they served together during the Napoleonic Wars under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Draven in a unit that was given the toughest and most dangerous missions – those most likely to result in death.  What started out as a company of thirty ended as one of twelve, nicknamed ‘Draven’s Dozen’ and now the war is over, those twelve survivors have returned to a civilian life that is not always easy to navigate.  Some wounds, most of them mental rather than physical, are still too raw to be put aside, but the men draw a measure of comfort from their comrades, the only people who can fully understand and appreciate what they’ve been through and how it felt to be valued for their skills while at the same time regarded as expendable.

Ewan Mostyn, third son of the Earl of Pembroke is still called ‘the Protector’ by his fellow survivors, his moniker gained because of his dedication to keeping his comrades safe and the untold risks he took to save those in trouble.  He’s a big, well-built, extraordinarily strong young man and after his return from the war, bought a part share in the gambling club (Langley’s) run by another Survivor, and lives in a small room on the second floor of the premises.  He’s content with his lot – especially as his father wouldn’t be seen dead in such a place so there is no chance of their encountering each other.

After breaking up a fight one night at the club, Ewan is approached by the Duke of Ridlington who tells Ewan he would like to hire him and asks him to visit him at home.  Ewan doesn’t know anything about Ridlington, so he heads to the Draven Club to consult Neil Wraxall, another Survivor and one of his closest friends.  Before he can get there however, Ewan literally runs into a young woman chasing a dog through the streets, throwing himself into her in order to prevent her being mowed down by an oncoming carriage.  To Ewan’s surprise, the woman – who is very clearly Quality - doesn’t thank him for saving her and instead accuses him of almost flattening her dog.

Puzzled and perhaps just the teeniest bit miffed, Ewan continues on his way and meets with Wraxall, who tells him he knows nothing bad of Ridlington.  Deciding he might as well find out what the man wants, Ewan presents himself at Berkley Square and quickly finds out.  The duke’s daughter, Lady Lorraine is in love with an unsuitable man and has already tried to elope with him.   Strongly believing the man in question to be nothing more than a fortune hunter, the duke is concerned to put a distance between his daughter and her swain, and asks Ewan if he would consider taking a position as her bodyguard until such time as Lorraine comes to her senses and realises the man is after her for her money and not for herself.  Ewan is not at all keen – until the duke tells him that the gentleman in question is Francis Mostyn, Ewan’s cousin, which puts an entirely different perspective on things.

Lady Lorraine Caldwell - who is, of course, the young lady with the dog - is the only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ridlington, and is, at twenty eager to fall in love and get married.  Her parents are kind and decent people who obviously love Lorraine, but the duke and duchess are preoccupied with their own concerns – not least of which is the state of their crumbling marriage – and Lorraine is keen to be with someone who will put her first.  It’s clear that she’s in love with love rather than with Francis Mostyn, but she is determined to have her way and refuses to give him up.

Ewan and Lorraine are chalk and cheese; she’s a veritable chatterbox and he’s a man of few words, usually using two where others would use ten, and only speaking when he actually has something to say.  His taciturn nature has often given others the impression he is an idiot, which is far from the case; Ewan is an intelligent, witty man with a good sense of humour who knows that he would never have survived the war had he really been stupid, but being thought so by others still stings, nonetheless.  A childhood stammer and an inability to learn to read led his father to brand him a useless imbecile, and since his return from war, Ewan has supported himself by virtue of shrewd investments and his share in Langley’s and has effectively cut himself off from his family.

Francis Mostyn has taken care to give Lorraine a poor impression of her bodyguard, telling her how Ewan used his superior size and strength to bully and physically assault him when they were boys growing up together, but the more she comes to know Ewan, the more she comes to doubt the veracity of Francis’ words. She also doesn’t quite understand why her “Viking” fascinates her so when she is in love with another man, yet she can’t stop the indecorous images that flash through her mind whenever Ewan touches her or deny that she’s wildly attracted to him.

The relationship between Lorraine and Ewan is nicely developed as we’re shown the two of them gradually coming to trust and understand one another.  Lorraine sometimes teeters on the verge of TSTL and gets into ill-advised scrapes that Ewan has to get her out of, but she ultimately shows herself to be a good-hearted young woman with a lot of love to give, and she redeems herself when she realises that Ewan needs help and persuades him to allow her to give it.

There are plenty of sparks flying between Ewan and Lorraine from the start, and the author infuses their romance with plenty of longing and sexual tension.  She has also included a secondary romance between Lorraine’s estranged parents, and I freely admit that at times, I was more invested in that than I was in the one between Ewan and Lorraine.  There was something very romantic in the duke’s determination to woo back his wife and I’d quite happily have read an entire novel about their second chance at love!

The one bum note in the novel as a whole is the massive hint around the halfway point about something that happens later on; it was unnecessary and so clumsy that it took me completely out of the story.  I also wasn’t wild about the subterfuge employed by the duke and duchess towards the end; again, it seemed clumsy and unwarranted.

Third Son’s a Charm is an entertaining start to this new series and one I’m happy to recommend in spite of those reservations.  Ewan is an absolute sweetheart, and while Lorraine did occasionally get on my nerves, she was sensible enough at other times to admit to her faults and try to do better.  It’s a solidly enjoyable read, and I’m already sufficiently intrigued by the other Survivors as to be planning to pick up the next in the series when it comes along.

Buy Now: A/BN/iB/K

Third Son’s a Charm is a great first book to the series. Love the take off of The Dirty Dozen – you have a great friend to offer that suggestion for a new series. This is a great example of opposites attracting. I loved that Lady Lorraine or Lorrie nicknames Ewan the Viking. It does seem to fit him. I, also, love that she did enough charity work with children near the family’s country estate to recognize Ewan’s reading disability, possibly dysgraphia or dyslexia. And, she is determined to help him learn to read.

Lorrie is a bit of a chatterbox who seems to grow up during this book. She ‘thinks’ she is in love with Ewan’s cousin, Francis, but comes to realize he may be a bit of a narcissist if not a straight out liar regarding his childhood, Ewan’s treatment of him and his feelings for her and her dowry. Her father, the duke, hires Ewan to protect Lorrie and prevent her from trying to elope with Francis again.

Ewan sounds like a really solid, intelligent man who just cannot read, but he can calculate figures in his head. Ewan uses other ways to communicate than words, especially his eyebrows and his arm crossing techniques. Lorrie is pretty good at getting under his skin, she just doesn’t know it. He has a bit of baggage about his father and his cousin.

This is a book you will thoroughly enjoy. It sets up future books in the series with a mixture of men who survived the war, all with different skills and varied personalities. The only part I did not see a need for was what seems like a politically correct commercial break at about 58% on my kindle. What was the purpose of Uncle Teddy, who wears corsets and chemises and seems harmless? It added no literary or informational value to the book. Otherwise, loved the book!