When Christopher Satterthwaite rescues Clementine Wright from would-be kidnappers, he is offered an opportunity he can’t refuse. Clem’s father, a wealthy coal magnate, has been looking for a husband for his only child. Someone with aristocratic bloodlines and no family—someone who can give him the blue-blooded heir he craves, without the interference of noble relatives. Chris figures he and Clem can work together to keep Wright from controlling their every move. As their partnership develops, they fall in love.
The eleventh book in the series & each is easily read on its own. I absolutely love the author’s books, she draws you in & gradually ramps up the suspense & intrigue until you can’t put it down. The characters are so well portrayed & have loads of depth. I loved both Chris & Clem & this book begins as a lovely love story, they fall in love & marry – everything seems rosy BUT there’s Clem’s father! I loved how Chris was firm but fair & loved how the couple manipulated her father whilst he was trying to manipulate them. As for the secret word, well that would be telling
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I only got about 25% into this book due to file issues but still believe i have some feedback.

Pros: I thought Chris’s backstory was compelling and his early flirtations with Clem were super engaging. I was super intrigued with Billy and the crime world element, as well as the Rumplestilken inspiration. I liked Clem and despite her slight judgement of Chris, she was an interesting character with a backbone.

Cons:

firstly the americanisms for example “get lost”, and I also felt that the relationship developed far too quickly with Cleo thinking she could be in love with Chris on there third conversation. I will also say sometimes the repetition would feel clunky.

I gave two stars due to the cons mentioned and because i must give a rating and it would feel disingenuous to rate higher. However, i will not be rating this book two stars on anything other than Netgalley as i haven’t read the full book and it wouldn’t be fair.


Anyway, i’m very thankful for the opportunity to read this book so thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley.

Clementine is the daughter of a very wealthy man who only desires a blue blooded grandson.
Christopher rescues her from a life threatening situation in a terrible neighborhood.
A sketchy character named Billy hides them as Christopher is his accountant.
Really love the way this story plays out with many issues influencing the romance and future of Clementine.
Hoping Billy gets his own HEA.

“Just an old fashioned love song…..made for you and me”

That is what came to mind as I read this riveting tale! Will the maiden escape her father’s clutches? Will our hero be wise enough to thwart the father’s wicked schemes—-one after the other? As our H & h meet, fall in love, and prepare for marriage, it is one struggle against Clementine’s father after another, all of which are won with firmness, kindness, and respect for the older man far beyond what he deserves.
Early on, all is light-hearted, almost joyous. As the story progresses, the mood changes and dark undertones appear. When the climax hits, everyone’s heart is pounding, including the reader’s! The pace of the story is excellent and the timing of events is well planned. The reader is eased into the story, lulled into thinking this is a quick fairytale where boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, and they marry and live happily ever after. They do, but must first undergo stresses that remove the fairytale feeling of the story , making it a more complicated, serious story, that the reader simply MUST finish before putting down! The denouement of this story does leave the reader satisfied with the outcome.
I always love the characterization of Ms. Knight’s stories, as she makes her characters come alive for the reader. (Even now, I can recall characters from the first books of hers I read, whereas many other books have faded from my memory). Having finished this book, I do wonder what will happen to “Ramping Billy” and the boy Tom that left for Canada. I hope to see one or both in a future story!