This book was sort of middle of the road for me. I actually switched to another book for a bit and then came back to this one, so, clearly I wasn't very caught up in it. It wasn't awful though. ( )

I love Grace's characters and her romances are always convincing... but this one fell flat for me. There was no romantic conflict, and the external conflict was entirely contained in one annoying prig of a man. ( )

Grace Burrowes has an amazing talent for writing strong, honorable and generally wonderful men. She also manages to find women for these men who might not be diamonds of the first water but are smart, strong-willed, independent and passionate.
While this is a stand alone book the characters that fill it have stories of their own, not only in the first book of this series but in many other books that Grace has written so reading this is like visiting with old friends.
This book contrasts Lord Colin heir to his brother's recent Dukedom with Win Montague and his gang of second sons who know nothing but idleness, gambling and drinking. They think Colin isn't deserving of entry to the ton because they only consider blood and heritage to be important. In contrast, Colin understands the importance of hard work, integrity and honesty.
Once again, Grace Burrowes has done an amazing job and if you haven't read any of her books you have a large collection to chose from. ( )

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

After a sick childhood, Anwen is used to being fretted over and cosseted. However, when the orphanage and boys she's dedicated her time to are in financial straits, her inner fire is about to be seen by all.
Colin never wanted to be a duke's brother and learning how a lord is supposed to act is wearing. Discovering Anwen is not the quiet shy miss everyone thinks her to be, though, has him intrigued.
Anwen and Colin will fight for what is right while discovering the strength of each other.

Second in the Windham Brides series, we're immerged back into the author's regency London. There are, of course, Windham's flittering about but nothing overwhelming enough to keep a new to the world and series reader from starting here. The previous book stared the sister and brother of our main couple, so while they were introduced, their romance starts here.

"You are a bonfire in disguise," he said, smoothing a hand over her hair. "An ambush of a woman, and you have polite society thinking you're the quiet one."

Anwen is the shy and quiet sister who everyone tries to mother because of a frightening childhood sickness that almost claimed her life. She was sweet and kind but I enjoyed how she delighted and took strength from Colin telling her he enjoyed her inner fire. A hero that sees something in the heroine that no one else has payed attention to never fails to capture my heart. Colin was just as sweet as Anwen and sympathetic in his willingness to try and adapt to ton life. They come together as friends who slip comfortably into more as their chemistry prompts their friendship to develop into love. It's a graceful falling in love and I admit to missing a bit of dramatics as the middle slowed a wee bit for me.

Our villain and who Colin and Anwen must both struggle against, was a frenemy to end all frenemies. As the author stays pretty true to the time period, I found myself frustrated at how sedate or proper our couple must act toward him, when I really wanted them to give the frenemy a strong boot to the backside. Everyone is levelheaded and sane; you won't be reading this for the drama but rather for a charming story of two misplaced souls finding each other.

I enjoyed the supporting cast of Windhams and orphanage boys who add immensely to the world and story. The epilogue is so complete; you won't help but happy sigh after reading it. Colin is above all else a good guy, Anwen's shy but inner fire will inspire you, and this tender story will pleasantly pass the day away. This story is ultimately about finding that one person who sees you truly for who you are and loving you because of it.
I'm looking very forward to the next in the series starring Anwen's older sister and a certain recluse duke.
( )

Anwen Windham is tired of being cossetted by her family, who can't seem to resist coddling her after nearly losing her during a childhood illness. She desperately wishes that instead they could understand her passion for the young, poor orphans at the Home for Urchins where Anwen serves on the ladies' committee. When Lord Colin MacHugh accidentally discovers Anwen's strong passion for her boys and the Home, he realizes there is far more to this quiet young woman than initially meets the eye. When the two team up to rescue the Home from penury, they discover an attraction that cannot be denied.

A cute historical romance with some solid characters although it never quite leaves up to the awesomely punny title. Anwen and Colin are both lovely and likable but the conflict felt a bit half-hearted and the mystery rolled into it wasn't mysterious at all. Not a bad way to spend some time if you're in the mood for an historical romance but not one I'd force on anyone. That said, I'm eager to read the next book in the series because the heroine and hero have both been identified as extremely bookish. :D ( )