Cover Image: Redeeming Lord Ryder

Redeeming Lord Ryder

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~Reviewed by AnnMarie~~

Redeeming Lord Ryder is the third book in the Cotswold Confidential series by Maggie Robinson. It can easily be read as a stand-alone story.

I have had the pleasure of reading all the books in this series and each new one is as wonderful as the one before it. Puddling-on-the-Wold is a secluded village where wealthy people go, either voluntarily, or via a push from family, to help recover from trauma, or for things like overcoming alcohol abuse, womanising etc. It’s all confidential and in its long history, the people of Puddling have never had a failure.

Lord Ryder, known as Jack in Puddling voluntarily sought out treatment. He blames himself for two people dead and many more people being injured in a train crash caused by faulty work carried out by one of his companies. He’s paid huge amounts of money to the families concerned, he’s apologised wholeheartedly, but despite nobody being angry at him, he cannot get over his guilt. He can’t sleep, he has nightmares, and he hopes being in Puddling will help him overcome his terrible melancholy.

Nicola Mayfield, known only as Nicola in Puddling, has been sent there by her parents who are at their wits end with her. She was one of the people on the train that crashed, and although not badly physically hurt at the time, she doesn’t remember much about the accident at all, and she has lost the ability to speak. It’s not a physical problem, it’s a mental one which nobody understands, least of all Nicola. She has spent more time than most in Puddling and as yet has seen no improvement in her vocal abilities.

When Nicola and Jack meet they immediately feel a rapport with each other. They sneak around in order to see each other and before long they are sharing passionate kisses. The happiness that Nicola brings Jack makes him feel happier than he has in a very long time. The passion that Jack brings to Nicola has her making small noises at least for the first time in just as long. They seem to be the perfect remedy for each other.

They are breaking all the rules, but are having a wonderful time doing so. The only problem is that Jack doesn’t feel like he is worthy of Nicola, and she, in turn, has realised that she was a victim of the train crash he blames himself for. She knows if he finds out who she is that they will have no future together, and yet it’s something she so desperately wants. Is there a way that they can be together despite the obstacles in front of them?

This was such an emotional story, so beautifully written. At times I was close to tears, especially when Nicola realises what actually happened on the train. There are plenty of light-hearted moments to keep the book from being depressing, and there are some lovely hot passionate moments between Jack and Nicola. They are so obviously right for each other, I couldn’t read the book quickly enough to find out how it ended for them. I wasn’t disappointed. My only negative thought about the story is that there was a very big build up to Jack and Nicola finally giving in to their carnal desires, but when it happened, I didn’t get the ‘FINALLY’ thrill for them both. I can’t put my finger on what exactly was missing from the moment, but something was definitely lacking. Despite that, I fully enjoyed their stories and watching them heal because of the love they found with each other.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers’ copy of this book.

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I have to say that Redeeming Lord Ryder is one of the most unusual historical romances I've ever read - and believe me, I've read a lot of them. Part of the Cotswold Confidential series set around a small Victorian-era resort town in Gloucestershire specializing in restorative cures, both hero and heroine are undergoing treatment at the resort throughout the book.

Nicola was in a train accident so traumatic she lost the ability to speak. Her PTSD and repressed memories are beautifully dealt with in the book, as is her focussing her attentions inwards to discover what she truly wants from life, in the end discovering that even something so terrible can bring its own kind of blessings in the lessons we learn.

Jack is the brilliant, wealthy inventor whose company built the bridge which collapsed to cause the railway accident. While neither Jack nor Nicola are aware at first of this connection between them, it's a major plot point and cause of dramatic tension in the story.

It can't have been easy to write a romance where only one of the characters is able to properly converse, though Maggie Robinson worked around it by having Nicola pen messages in a notebook. The village of Puddling-on-the-Wold and the eccentric cast of characters there was brilliantly built, and although this is the third book in the series you certainly don't have to have read the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one... previous characters made no more than the briefest of appearances.

This was charming, different and thought-provoking, not to mention offering an intriguing glimpse into Victorian-era medical thought! Five stars.

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Let me begin this review as I so often begin reviews of stories that are part of a series. You do not have to have read the prior stories in order to understand and enjoy this one.

This story had such a beautiful potential, that it was really a let down to see Nicola end up behaving the way that she did. Originally, I loved both of these characters. They were witty, unconventional, and independent. I enjoyed the thoughtful way that Jack brought Nicola a notebook and colored pencils so that they would easily be able to communicate. They had some laugh-out-loud moments together, and it was easy to fall for Jack's charming ways. So I can understand why Nicola fell for him, and why she initially offered to take him to bed.

However.

**********BEGIN SPOILERS********

The moment Jack turns her down was the moment where my enjoyment of Jack increased, and my enjoyment of Nicola severely decreased. The man repeatedly told her that while he was attracted to her, and would like nothing more to take her to bed, his honor demanded more of him. He spurned her advances in (mostly) the nicest ways possible, but Nicola just could not take the hint. She even went so far as to turn up at his cottage at night wearing nothing but her shoes, stockings and cloak. And at another point basically demanded that Jack disrobe in her room so that she could look at him. She was pushy, and honestly that is when I started to wish Jack would turn his attentions elsewhere. He deserved better than someone who claimed to have affection for him, but who repeatedly tried to coerce him into doing things he wasn't comfortable with, and whom tried to force him into carnal pleasures when he made his position on the matter quite clear.

**********END SPOILERS********

Overall, I do believe this story may still appeal to those who enjoy slightly unconventional romance novels. I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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Redeeming Lord Ryder by Maggie Robinson is Book Three in the "Cotswold Confidential" series. This is the story of Mary Nicola Mayfield and Lord Jack Ryder. I have read the other books in this series (and loved them) but feel this can be a standalone book.
Nicola has been in Puddling-on-the-Wold to try to overcome the tragic train wreck that she was in..but two months into staying at this 'resort' hasn't helped her to speak again. Then she meets Jack who has come there to get over his depression that he has now after a part failed to work which caused a train accident..which is not known by everyone. But these two coming together seem to bring out the best and more positive feelings. When Nicola learns why Jack is depressed she is afraid that he will change his feelings towards her that have been growing.
Loved this series and their story!
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Discovering a new author is one of the pleasures of being an avid reader. I can’t believe Maggie Robinson has been writing for so long and I haven’t given one of her books a try… so glad I took the leap with Redeeming Lord Ryder. Her writing is smooth and exciting, her characters fun and well established, and her story perfectly developed making this book a delight to read.

Puddling-on-the-Wold is a special place, a place to heal and recover from whatever life has thrown at you. For Nicola Mayfield, it is the place she hopes to recover her voice after a tragic accident. Lord Jack Ryder, unbeknownst to Nicola, is also there to recover after the company he owned was involved in the same accident. Proximity and circumstance have thrown them together but an instant attraction is making it near impossible for them to stay apart.

I was very intrigued by the backstory for this novel; the idea of a mute heroine and a hero suffering from depression is very unique. The concept of the health “spa” at Puddling-on-the-Wold in Victorian England was also something very new to me and I found that this made for an interesting story and it gave the characters a different kind of atmosphere in which to fall in love. If you are looking for a book with the same old tried and true romantic ideas, this is not the book for you. This novel sets the reader up for a light-hearted journey with some predictable moments that are anything but same-old, same-old.

Nicola is a witty, forward thinking kind of girl who is not afraid to ask for what she wants. I think this is what attracts you to her the most as she is not some simpering wallflower who is so scared of her own shadow that she loses her ability to speak the first time she encounters a life tragedy. I enjoy a strong female lead and Ms. Robinson has provided one in Nicola Mayfield. She matches her with the dynamic, if sometimes manic, Jack Ryder. He has not been able to sleep for months and carries the weight of the accident that muted Nicola and killed two other people with him wherever he goes. You would think this depression would make him melancholy and morose but he actually seems very vibrant and full of life for a man supposed to be in a great depression. That is my only negative critique of this book; a depressed man would be a little less exuberant. But his vibrancy is infectious and I found myself with a little crush on Lord Jack by the end of the book.

Overall, a very pleasant and quick read. This is actually part of a series of books about the famed Puddling resort and you can bet I will be downloading them all shortly!

~ Danielle

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Another excellent installment of the Cotswold Confidential Series!

Mary Nicola Mayfield, known as Nicola to her friends and family has been in the Puddling-on-the-Wold "secret spa" for 2 months, sent there by her family after all other medical avenues had failed. Nicola was a passenger on a train that derailed and hasn't spoken since. She has been pricked, prodded and examined, but there is no medical reason that she can't speak. She doesn't exactly recall the accident and doesn't want to be a burden to her family, she tries, but the words will not come.

Lord Jonathan Ryder aka Jack is in Puddling because of the same accident, but for different reasons. Jack owned the company that manufactured the part that failed and caused the accident. Jack suffers from depression and is ridden with guilt. He came to Puddling, hoping to find a way to overcome the depression, but he hasn't been entirely honest with anyone about his reasons for coming.

He meets Nicola on his second day in the village, he is immediately taken with her and plots and plans ways to see her again. The two grow close and Nicola wants Jack to be her lover - but Jack is trying to be honorable and keeps pushing her away - sort of - kisses don't count, right? When Jack is with Nicola, he feels happy for the first time since the accident and when he kisses her, Nicola makes sounds, something that hasn't happened in ten long months! When Nicola learns who Jack really is, she is shocked and doesn't want him to know who she is, fearing it would change the way he treats her.

This is a well written story with a lot of deep emotion, but it never feels dark or angsty, Jack's antics (especially concerning food) are hilarious and Nicola is the perfect soothing balm for his soul. The book is filled with lighthearted banter, steamy moments, guests sneaking around, secrets, betrayal, a little heartache, a lot of joy and a hero with a passion for peaches.

This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I think this might actually be my favorite in the series so far, but I don't want to commit to that, since they have all been great and I am sure there are more to come! I would recommend reading the series in order, it is not necessary to enjoy this book, but it will give you more insight on the "secret spa".

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Publisher's Description:

After two months of treatment at Puddling-on-the-Wold, Mary Nicola Mayfield has shown no improvement, and her condition seems impervious to rehab. But Nicola is not the typical guest of Gloucestershire’s destination village for the wealthy and wayward. The trauma of surviving a horrific train wreck has rendered her mute; her injuries have healed, but try as she might, she cannot utter a sound. With her family and fiancé at their wits’ end, Nicola knows Puddling is the resort—the last resort—that holds any hope for her recovery.

Lord Jack Ryder—baron, businessman and, some say, mad genius—has gone from the heights of success to hit rock bottom, after a faulty girder from his iron foundry caused a dreadful bridge collapse. Nothing has assuaged his guilt over the passenger train that crashed or the lives that were destroyed. The stringent regimen at Puddling is not doing much for his deep depression—until he meets his mysteriously silent neighbor. Their fiery affair breaks all the rules, but will the unspoken truth be too hot to handle?

My Thoughts:

Maggie Robinson has done it again! With so much laughter and joy you just can't put this book or the series down.
This is the latest installment of the series taking place at Puddling-on-the-Wold, a treatment facility that is renowned for it's cures.
If you read one of this well written series it will have you coming back for more!

Nicola's treatment has not helped. She still can not speak a word although her outward injuries appear to have been healed.

Lord Jack Ryder feels responsible for Nicola's plight. His factory is after all where the faulty girder that caused the collapse of the bridge where she sustained her injuries and what landed her at the Puddling treatment facility. Odd that he also landed there due to his feelings of guilt.
When they meet sparks fly.
Will their immediate attraction be the cure that both of them needs?
This at times comical, well written story like the others in this series is a winner and one for the keeper shelf.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames. Although they're attraction eventually leads to something much deeper they aren't immediately thrown into each others arms. The intimacy is hot and sparks fly between this unusual couple.
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 title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

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I liked the premise of the book, and the characters and story were intriguing throughout. However, I just could not make a connection with the hero or heroine. Something was missing for me, and they fell flat in my mind. Not enough dimension to them, maybe? I think I needed more to make them seem real to me. They seemed distant, rather than old friends I like to see in my books.

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I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Redeeming Lord Ryder is the third in Maggie Robinson’s Cotswold Confidential series. I have not read the others in this series but it can be read as a standalone.

Mary Nicola Mayfield is recovering from the trauma of surviving a horrific train wreck which has rendered her mute. After two months of treatment at Puddling-on-the-Wold, she has shown no improvement.

Lord Jack Ryder has checked himself into Puddling-on-the-Wold. He is battling guilt and depression following a faulty girder from his iron foundry causing a bridge collapse, leading to several people losing their lives. He is unable to adjust to the strict conditions imposed on him and finds himself drawn to his quiet neighbour.

This was an interesting read focusing on mental health in a historical setting. Anyone familiar with the history of mental health treatment is aware that this story is unrealistic for its time period. In fact, the treatments undertaken here are only now becoming the focus of mental health. Leaving all that aside, it is a great read about overcoming obstacles and learning to move on.

Both central characters are likeable people who are easy to relate to. The story develops at a nice pace and it’s easy to become engrossed in the lives of this quirky village’s inhabitants.

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Struggled to finish this,uninspiring characters and story line. Sex scenes unnecessary.

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I’ve read this Series and enjoyed it greatly. This one was especially touching, dealing with depression and other emotional issues , while others have been more related to behavioral issues. The couple is quite sweet, though I found the girl to be rather forward for the time. I liked how they resolved their issues and came to terms with their situation.

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overall a good solid historical romance with an interesting plot.

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