3 out of 5 stars
E-book. 301 pages. Published June 20th 2017 by Adella J Harris
Blurb:
Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.
Alan Brideson has almost everything his father wanted for him: a prosperous business he enjoys selling objets d’arts imported from the Far East, a good address in town, and if everything goes according to his plan, he will soon have the last piece–a titled bride and entry into the world of the ton. All he needs is to cultivate a friendship with someone who has influence, who can help him get his vouchers for Almack’s famed balls. If only he could understand why he keeps dreaming about a certain dockworker he hired. Surely it was only because the man was an interesting puzzle who could read the languages that passed through the office daily.
Lord Edwin Gilford, younger son of the Earl of Martford, was studying Eastern languages at Oxford when his father and older brother participated in the plan to kill the king, and when they ran from agents of the Crown, so he wasn’t a suspect, and he wasn’t there when all of the Martford property was seized. Unable to find a position as a clerk because of his father’s treason, he takes any job he can get on the docks, where no one asks about Ed Martin’s past. At least until he gets a job at the Brideson Warehouse and accidentally reveals that he can read the foreign words on the crates. When Mr. Brideson offers him a position as clerk, he knows he should refuse, but the interesting work and promise of a guinea a week is too tempting, almost as tempting as Mr. Brideson’s kindness.
Working so closely makes it impossible to deny their attraction. But as Alan gets closer to the vouchers and the future he’s worked so hard for, Edwin knows he will have to leave. There is no way Edwin can go unnoticed and unrecognized in the world of the ton, and he will not repay Alan’s kindness by ruining his chance for a titled bride, and being seen with the son of a traitor lord would surely do that.
Likes:
- Both men are likeable.
- Edwin is sympathetic.
- Great side characters.
- The focus on how hard it was to be poor.
Dislikes:
- Allen was weirdly oblivious to his feelings.
- Allen had a disconnect between the things he wanted.
- Overall plot wasn’t super engaging.
- Slow burn romance is too slow.
- Ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.
This book is definitely my least favorite of the series. I liked both Allen and Edward, but the slow burn was too slow for my tastes.
Of all the sons of the traitor lords, Edwin has it the worst. His plight easily pulled at my heartstrings. The three year time gap between the first and second chapters was a good choice. It showed that Edwin had what it took to survive, as well as glossing over the worst of the things he had to do, which included selling himself.
I was pleasantly surprised that there was a focus on someone who was poor. That’s not usually the case in the historical novels I’ve read in the past. Edwin’s struggle was constant. But it also took up a significant portion of the story. Edwin’s character, as well as his daily focus, was centered around money. It didn’t leave a lot of time for him to think about romance or to do anything romantic.
There’s definitely an imbalance between Allen and Edward in terms of economics. All of the little gestures were made by Allen – the gifts and meals and comforts. It helped to show that Allen was a nice guy. He treated his household staff and employees well, earning their trust and respect. When Edwin gave back, it was in terms of helping Allen’s business – just more evidence that money was first and foremost on Edward’s mind.
One of my least favorite things about Allen was how oblivious he was to his attraction to Edwin. It’s made clear that Allen is attracted to men, and had been before Edwin. Yet he seemed clueless about why he was having sex dreams about Edwin. Allen isn’t a stupid man, so this disconnect seemed strange. He also didn’t resize that he’d have to stop being with Edwin when he married a titled young woman.
Looking back on the book, it feels as though both Allen and Edwin’s personalities were stretched to the limit so that the slow burn could be managed. Edwin was convinced that his presence would be enough to ruin all of Allen’s social climbing ambitions, and Allen couldn’t have identified his feelings if they’d hit him with a truck.
I’m used to romances being thoroughly wrapped up by the end, and this book didn’t satisfy in that way. Edwin was still convinced that his presence would end up hurting Allen. The last chapter was supposed to be Allen’s big declaration that he was willing to deal with whatever the fallout was. And it worked, to an extent. It would have had more impact coming from Edwin’s point of view, and I think this story could have really benefitted from an epilogue showing them years down the road, still happy, with Edwin finally truly relaxed.
The non-romantic plot wasn’t the most engaging either, especially compared to the previous two books in the series. It was basically just Edwin helping Allen with his business. It’s a bit similar to the plot of Lord Heathborough Invests except without the threat or urgency of going to jail.
There’s also little worry about the dangers of their relationship being discovered. Humphries even jokes about it. And Allen’s servants seemed completely fine with the men’s relationship. I liked that part, and once again, the romance wouldn’t have been possible without the help of sympathetic side characters. But out of all the books in the series, this one felt the most unrealistic in that way.
I’m glad this was the last book in the series. If it had been the first, I would have been hesitant to continue. As it is, it’s definitely not the best way to end the series, especially since the book’s ending felt abrupt and wasn’t entirely satisfying.
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