The Widow and the Viscount

Vanessa had a brother you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. She was young and ready for her come-out season. Instead, her brother sold her to a much older, abusive man. Finally widowed, a chance encounter with a kind woman would change her life. Vanessa was about to attend a house party, where she would find good friends, and experience kindness and love, two things she did not have in her young life. She would also meet Reed, an event that would change her life forever. Left widowed and destitute, did Vanessa finally find her shelter from this storm we call life? She was falling in love, and Reed was about to help her fight demons from her past. If you like historical romance, where the heroine had a second chance at happiness, you might enjoy this tale.

THE REVIEW
Lady Vanessa Hughes was orphaned right before her first season in London and spent her year in mourning in the country. Once she was out of mourning, her brother reluctantly moved her to London. She was hoping to finally enjoy her come out but instead her brother sold her to an old man, Lord Horace Hockley, to settle a gambling debt. She knew her duty; she married him and suffered an traumatic wedding night followed by a lonely existence in the country until her husband died. With her year of mourning ending, her stepson has told her she needs to vacate the dowager house and leave for London with no money.

Reed Davenport, Viscount Boxling is eager to marry and have a large family. He never knew his mother but he knows that, although his parents were an arranged marriage, they grew to love each other very much. And when his father remarried, it too was a love match! He has always hoped he would find the same kind of love his father had, but time is running out and he is willing to marry hoping they can come to love each other.

Circumstances bring them both to a house party, both hopeful to meet that someone special. Sparks fly instantly between Reed & Vanessa, but Vanessa is nervous and scared to end up in a marriage like her previous one. Reed has to be patient and allow her to find confidence and prove to her that he is not like Horas the Horrible. I found this to be a sweet story and thank heavens because poor Vanessa desperately needed some love and happiness in her life! And thankfully Reed was the perfect one to give her the time and patience she needed so they could both have a HEA.


TROPES
Historical Romance, Regency Era, House Party, Beta/Cinnamon Roll Hero, Titled Hero, Abused Heroine, Damaged/Tortured Heroine, Experienced Heroine, Musician Heroine, Orphan Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Widowed Heroine, Cinderella Trope, Hero Falls Hard, Found Family, Four Star, Two Flame

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah.

Another fabulous addition to the Second Sons of London series. This is the sixth book of the series, but can be read as a standalone. The story captivated me from the very start and had me invested till the end. Vanessa's backstory will break your heart. She was sold by her brother to an abusive man so he could pay off his debts. Now a widow, her stepson who is now the new Lord Hockley demands that she leave. With no where to go and no money, she then goes and visits her late husband's grave and lets out all her anger, when she meets Louisa, Lady Danberry, who invites her to a house party where she may have an opportunity to find a husband. Now that his father is gone, Reed, Viscount Boxling, is ready to give up his rakish ways and accept his responsibilities. He wants nothing more than to find a love match and start his family. Who better to help him than Lady Danberry, who is well-known for her matchmaking skills? Reed attends the same house party as Vanessa and is instantly drawn to her. He is a kind and honorable man, and was patient with Vanessa as she continued to doubt herself. It was up to him to make her see how unique and special she truly was.
This was a lovely story and I enjoyed following Reed and Vanessa's journey. I couldn't help but fall in love with them and root for their happy ending. A well-written story with endearing characters, and I enjoyed it very much.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was such an adorable book of the second sons of London series, this might be my favorite couple of the series. The heroine

Valued by the Viscount by Alexa Aston is a second chance novel, in which Lady Vanessa Hughes is literally sold to a man and married hours after she met him. He was much older and not very nice. He bedded her only on their wedding night and it was awful, leaving her scarred, both literally and emotionally. After that he left her in the country as he led his life. When he died she was sent to live in the dower house with only one servant. She was happy there until the day her husband’s heir turned her out, giving her a week to vacate and 50 pounds to live on until she could find employment. She was at his grave, a place she’d never been before, when she met a woman who would change her life. She invited her to a house party. Reed Davenport, Viscount Boxling, was looking for a wife and hopes to find one at this house party. He had spoken to the duchess, who was a renowned matchmaker, and he felt confident that she would find him the perfect woman. He was not looking for love. He had seen that in his parents and it was not for him. He had arrived early simply to speak to the duchess to clarify his needs.

This is a fun story, full of love, sought out or not. It is a Second Sons’ story and since Reed was technically a second son they had no trouble adopting him. Vanessa fit right in with the cousins and all saw how she felt about Reed before she did. It was not a complicated plot, but it was enjoyable. The characters were pleasant and had intriguing backgrounds. Seeing the second sons and their wives again was a treat. The house party was full of fun guests. All-in-all, it was a fun read. I recommend it as I always do Aston’s books.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Valued by the Viscount by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AlexaAston #ValuedByTheViscount

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 6 of the Second Sons of London series and I thought I would perhaps be a bit tired of this series by now, and expecting a formulaic story by now. But I was pleasantly surprised and quite enjoyed this latest addition to the series because it was a rather sweet story about second chances.

Rather than being a core member of the Second sons, we now have Viscount Boxling, Reed, who recently inherited his title when his father passed. He was in previous editions of the series, a few times as a suitor or friend of previous characters. He had looked up to his father, but was quite disappointed to discover his faults after his death, namely that he made some poor decisions, and then ended up gambling to try to recover losses and depleting the estates. After years of being a carefree heir, and rogue, Reed had to double down to improve the finances for his family, and now had reached the point where he wanted to find a bride and plan for his future. Despite his father's faults, he had set a good example for his son, having had two successful marriages. Reed is a man who dearly loves his family, loves children, and also wants to have a happy, loving marriage. As such, he applied to his friend, the Duchess of Camden, to help him find a match at one of the groups house parties. I found him to be a sweet, warm, loving character.

Vanessa, the widowed Lady Hockley had just passed her mourning period for her husband. She had dubbed him Horace the Horrible, because their's was a marriage that was arranged by her reprobate brother when he gambled himself into debt to the man. Years earlier, Vanessa missed her initial come out as her parents died from fever. She and her brother were never close, and when she applied to him to go to London to have her Season, after mourning for her parents, he announced to her before their first ball that he had arranged a husband for her. Within hours, she was wed and removed from her home. She ended up in a marriage where she was despised by his children, and he abused her, belittled her, and neglected her. What should have been her Season ended up with her sitting with the matrons, not allowed to socialize by her husband, and belittled by members of the Ton before being isolated for years in the Country.

Finally she found some peace and freedom when her husband dies, and Vanessa is sent to the dower house. Except after the year of mourning, her stepson kicks her out with 50 pounds and told to vacate the premises within a week and go find herself a job. Vanessa finds herself at her husbands grave in distress over her circumstances. That is where Louisa, Lady Danbury, happens to find her. Louisa, because of her warm heart, connects with Vanessa and offers to help her, inviting her to the house party.

Reed and Vanessa connect immediately, and fall in love. He admires her beauty within and without and when he realizes what she has been through, he shows wonderful warmth, understanding, and care to help Vanessa overcome her fears and trauma. I thought it a lovely story of love and resilience and a bit of a Cinderella story for Vanessa.

3.75 stars out of 5

I have enjoyed most of Ms. Aston's Second Sons of London series and was glad to see Reed, Viscount Boxling, finally get his HEA. I felt for the FMC, Vanessa, from the start as she was bartered away to a much older and abusive husband by a scheming and uncaring brother. She bore her marriage and her eventual banishment by her stepson with bravery, even as her confidence eroded more and more. It was lovely to see her be rescued by the Three Cousins. She and Reed quickly - very quickly - find love with each other. There is no big bad in this story, rather it is a story of a previously beaten down woman rediscovering her strength and confidence. I don't love that it took finding a man for her to find these things, but it is a romance novel. I did feel like there were some unanswered questions - what were the scars that Vanessa was so concerned about and that Reed didn't even see? - and Vanessa's recovery from her trauma is remarkably quick and easy. Overall, a lovely, slightly spicy book. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

What a fabulous story! Alexa Aston continues to write an amazing series!
This is Reed and Vanessa's story. Vanessa is widowed after suffering through a horrible marriage, then deals with a bully of a stepson, to have a chance meeting with Louisa, Lady Danbury.
Reed is longing to marry and turns to the Duchess of Camden for help in finding a bride.
Reed and Vanessa both are invited early to a Second Sons matchmaking house party. The rest is pure Alexa Aston. Love the characters journey together. Vanessa needs to have more confidence in herself and to have a chance to experience things she never has before. Reed recognizes Vanessa's need for patience and understanding as she overcomes her past.
I can't wait to read the last book in the series which is published November 16th.

3.5 stars

This was another sweet story from Ms. Aston although I thought there was too much time spent on dressing and changing gowns.. Reed was so honorable and really understood Vanessa's self-doubt. However, I do wish they had known each other more than a couple of days before they declared their love for each other. That seemed quite rushed, but I know it was to move the story along. I also felt there should have been more of a comeuppance for both Vanessa's step-son who had deprived her of so much after the death of his father. Her brother Stillwell was a piece of work as well, but she handled him well in the end. Good for Vanessa for finding her voice!

I look forward to reading more stories from this talented author.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Loving this series from Alexa.
Chemistry is great and the characters are perfect together.
Angst, passion and emotional moments that really keep you involved in the story.

I don’t think I’ve read a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed, this is no exception.
Can’t wait to read more.

Valued by the Viscount by Alexa Aston is part of the series Second Sons of London. The book was so good that I went back and found all the prior novels and am reading them. The book can be read as stand alones. Vanessa as the main character tugs at the heartstrings from the first chapter.

Vanessa is forced to marry by her brother to a horrible man, who dies leaving her a widow and then whose son throws her out of her home. Luckily, Lady Danberry sees Vanessa, offers her a ride and then a chance to meet decent people for a house party. Vanessa sees this as her only chance to get away safely and takes her up.

The Danfield House is home to the Danberrys. They are two people who are totally in love with each other and are always open to matchmaking for their friends. Before Vanessa is fully aware of what is happening, she meets Reed Davenport, Viscount Boxling. Of course both her ex stepson and her brother both rear their ugly head in the story. Reed and Vanessa just need to find their way forward with Vanessa’s past interfering with their present.

Valued by the Viscount by Alexa Aston is a good read!

Viscount Boxling, Reed Davenport, has decided to find a wife, having left his carefree behind him when his father died, with considerable debt. He turns to the Duchess of Camden, famed for her matchmaking skills, and puts himself in her hands, hoping he will find not only his viscountess—but love. When he meets Vanessa, Lady Hockley, he is instantly attracted to her, but realises that she lacks self-confidence. He soon discovers that her feelings of worthlessness, stem from the treatment she experience from her husband and her brother. Being forced out of the dowager house by her stepson, the new Lord Hockley, she realises that her future is bleak. When she meets Lady Danbury and is invited to a house party, she begins to think she has a future. The house party, having been organised as a means to make successful matches between couples, sees Reed and Vanessa develop a caring and loving relationship.
Reed was such a wonderful character and is conveyed as a decent and honourable man. His care and concern for Vanessa, is apparent from when they first meet. It was great to see Vanessa grow in her self-confidence in a positive relationship. My only issue would be that the issues surrounding her brother were too quickly resolved, and I felt this seemed a bit too easy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Love can always find a way, and it does with a heart searing journey in this fabulous story.

He has now inherited a title and needs to settle down. But he wants love and he hopes his visit to the matchmaker will help.

She is bitter from having been forced to marry a terrible man that was now deceased. After her mourning, she is invited to a houseparty and meets a wonderful man. If only she can put the past behind her.

A great addition to this wonderful series!

4 1/2*STARS *
Sold at eighteen into an abusive marriage by her neglectful brother to pay off his debts, Vanessa at twenty-six, is finally a widow. With her year of mourning over, her stepson, the new Lord Hockley, throws her out of the dowager house. Alone, with very little money and no where to go, by chance she meets Lady Danberry at the cemetery where she had a meltdown over her husband's grave. Louisa invites her to stay for a houseparty with the possibility of finding a husband. Reed Davenport, Viscount Boxling, wants a wife and children. The Danfield House Party is organized for successful matches. Reed meets Vanessa and knows right away she is the one he wants for his wife. A kind and gentle understanding man, he is smart enough to know he must discover her past to help her form a future.
I give 5 stars to Reed for his compassion.
Heat level 4
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.4 1/2*STARS *
Sold at eighteen into an abusive marriage by her neglectful brother to pay off his debts, Vanessa at twenty-six, is finally a widow. With her year of mourning is, her stepson, the new Lord Hockley, throws her out of the dowager house. Alone, with very little money and no where to go, by chance she meets Lady Danberry at the cemetery where she had a meltdown over her husband's grave. Louisa invites her to stay for a houseparty with the possibility of finding a husband. Reed Davenport, Viscount Boxling, wants a wife and children. The Danfield House Party is organized for successful matches. Reed meets Vanessa and knows right away she is the one he wants for his wife. A kind and gentle understanding man, he is smart enough to know he must discover her past to help her form a future.
I give 5 stars to Reed for his compassion.
Heat level 4
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I think the premise of this story was extremely enticing, however the execution left a little to be desired. I feel like this was maybe a little too rushed, the romance would have been much more believable had the couple known each other for more than two days. That being said, I did enjoy the characters and the overarching plot.

After a few failed attempts, Viscount Boxling finally gets the girl! What a beautiful story for Lord Boxling. This is a man worthy of the perfect Viscountess. After a very tumultuous life and a truly horrid first marriage, Vanessa deserved all that and more. This story starts out in heart wrenching despair for the lovely young debutante, but as we all know their will be a Happily Ever After, rest assured it is wonderful! The determination and adoration Reed develops for her is a truly heady experience. This book brings together the Three Cousins and Second Sons we have come to love, while allowing us to get to know a new extension of this group. Viscount Boxling and Vanessa quickly become bonded members of this unique group of friends. I have love this series because of this magical bond that glues them together. Another fantastic story of love & healing.

A very good book from Alexa Aston . She is forced to marry a man who is older because her brother owns him money . He is a cruel man who does not treat her well . When he dies his son force her out of the house aand then it is when the three cousins come and help her . She is invited at the house party and she meets Reed and from the begging there is atraction between . Will he be able to heal her wounded heart ?
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pawned off to a cruel man to pay some of her wastrel brother’s debt, Vanessa is now a widow. Her son-in-law, who is older than she and quite vindictive, has tossed her from the dower house and all other estate properties with a ridiculously small amount of money and nowhere to go. While venting her anger and frustration at her dead husband’s gravesite, she meets Louisa, Lady Danbury, who takes her under her wing. At this point Vanessa’s life is changed, hopefully for the good. Reed Davenport, Viscount Boxling, is a former rake who inherited a title and estate in trouble. He has worked to repair the damage, and refilled the estate’s coffers. He is now looking for a wife. He turns to the Duchess of Camden to help him. Reed has appeared in other of the Second Son Stories, but has yet to find love. He has been usurped by some of the Second Sons. Now the same group of people will try to help him find the happiness they have. A house party seems just the thing to accomplish this goal. He and Vanessa meet a few days before the party begins and their lives change again. The attraction is immediate and mutual. This is a truly heartwarming story. Reed recognizes Vanessa’s need for understanding and patience. Vanessa sees something she has never known, a kind and caring man. There are still problems lurking for Vanessa, but she and Reed will face them. A great addition to the series. Lovely story and awesome characters. I recommend this one and the rest of the series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Reed wants to find a wife to love and cherish so he relies on friends giving a matchmaking house party. Reed meets Vanessa and knows she will be the one. But Vanessa has had some difficult times and lacks the confidence to become a wife….again. With their friends support and a few kisses, they try to move forward.
The author never fails to delight with a love story.