I really really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any of the other connected books - but I can say, reading it as a standalone worked too! I'm guessing I would have loved it more if I had read the other books. Logan and Donella were extremely sweet together. I will say, Donella did drive me a bit nuts with her seemingly hot/cold behavior - but I truly think she was very mixed up between how she felt and how she thought she should feel.

There were a couple of things that kept this from being a four star read for me:

- I think I needed to read the other connected books to have a deeper understanding of Donella and Logan's character and personality. They both had a very vivid backstory that is fully explained, but I think isn't given a lot of depth because it is covered in other books. That being said - reading this as a standalone it didn't give me as much depth as I would have liked. I understood what was happening just fine - but I like the depth
- I don't doubt their love for each other - but it definitely wasn't mad, passionate love. It was a more warm love - and maybe that makes sense given their background. I felt a little unsure of Logan's feelings right along with Donella!
- <spoiler> I felt cheated out of a marriage scene when they reveal that they've been married for some time at the end. I was confused when all of a sudden Logan is climbing in the window and they were having sex - because it seemed out of character. That they were married earlier in the day kind of explains things - but I felt a bit cheated by it.

The story was engaging and full of big characters and interesting people. I really enjoyed it as a lighthearted story.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review! I liked the book a lot and plan to read more in the series and author's world!

Can two persons who are running away from their troubled past find a second chance together.

It is my first read by Mrs Vanessa Kelly, and even if it is second in a series, it can be read as a standalone. After for what I understand, the side characters are part of a grander story, going further than the first installment of this series.

It was such an entertaining and delightful read, with aplenty of witty banters, meddling characters, non-stop actions and a slow-burn romance.
After three years in a couvent, Donella finds herself thrown out just one month before taking her vows. This is one too many more failure for her. Between her failed betrothal, this new shortcoming and her past behavior, she is now unable to decide what she will do. Nothing appeals her really.
Still she is no meek lady nor damsel-in-distress. She gives as much as she takes. Although she voices loudly her discontent, she is not one to act stupidly. She knows when she is overtaken.
I loved her feisty personality, she is no charming miss, she fires quips and snarks as a bow darts. But she is a caring woman, who immediately take under her wing a lost little boy.
Logan Kendrick reshaped himself in a different man when the tragedy of his past forced him to leave everything behind. He loved and lost. Now he is a wealthy man, back to Scotland to conduct his business.
If not for the would-have-been a nun he must convey back to her family’s home.
This almost-nun awakens desires he buried long ago, but the more they banter the more he can’t shake her out of his mind. Worse, his own son is soon taken under her spell.
I loved Logan, he is a good man but he can’t stop from making a muddle of things, trying to do the right thing but almost every time it backfires to his face.
It is their inability to handle their relationship rightly that makes them so lovable, each of their meetings is a challenge, when it goes well, something comes in to derail everything or their temper flares, and sparks fly.
It was not a rushed romance, they get time to know each other, to question their own purposes.

Mrs Kelly gave to her characters so much sparks it brought them to life. They act and react, not always the right way but they do not bend. Donella’s secret was easy to figure out, I do think it was a lot of fuss but I do understand too, because of the time period, it caused Donella many worries. Logan’s answering to its revelation was the perfect one of a man caring about her.

5 stars for this clever and enjoyable tale with two strongly stubborn and ill-adapted for society’s life characters.
I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Kensington, I also prior to it preordered my own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.