Lady Henrietta Prince is far too busy for romance. She’s dedicated her life to turning her family vineyards into a profitable sparkling wine venture. But when she shares a thrilling kiss at midnight with a handsome stranger, she’s captivated…until he claims to be the distant heir to her father’s dukedom.
Ash Ellis is a gambler who lives life on the edge. Now he’s locked his sights on a glittering prize and nothing will stand in his way.
When Henrietta is forced to marry the wicked rogue to keep her beloved vineyards, she vows that Ash will never have her trust, or her love. Even if his kisses are more intoxicating than the finest champagne.
His new bride is certainly beautiful, but biddable? Not so much. Ash will settle for nothing less than Henrietta’s total surrender…but is he the one in danger of losing his heart?
Release Date: Sep 28, 2021
Series: Wallflowers vs. Rogues
Book: 2
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon Books
Price: $5.99
A long-lost heir, a heroine wanting to forge her own path, and an alliance neither of them planned on.
Henrietta ‘Hetty’ Prince is a lady and the only child of the Duke of Granville. For years since her mother’s death, she’s helped manage the estate and cultivated her mother’s grapes and wine-making knowledge. She’s on the verge of being ready to make a name for her family’s wine when her father and his lack of sound investments leads her right to a deal with the devil.
Ash Ellis came from nothing, an orphan who lived many years on the streets thieving and scrapping for every penny he earned. He’s a gambling house owner with his sights now set on becoming the next Duke of Granville, even if through nefarious means. When he declares himself the long-lost heir, the current duke eagerly embraces him and offers him the right to be heir and the right to Hetty’s hand.
There’s attraction simmering between these two from the start, but they are stark opposites. With Hetty’s plan for world domination in wine and running a business as a woman. Where Ash wants to burn the aristocracy down and use Hetty’s family estate to help fund the fire. I loved their interaction as they spared verbally, right up until Hetty has no choice but to make a bargain with Ash in her attempt to reach her own goals.
With plenty of appearances by Hetty’s friends, some previous heroines in Bell’s books and others upcoming. Add in a dash of suspense, plenty of heat, and a romp in a room with mirrors on the ceiling – it’s a fun read that I eagerly read through. I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure how things would end up for Hetty and Ash and found their resolution pleasantly surprising.
Overall, Bell’s second book in the Wallflowers vs. Rogues series is a great end of summer read with plenty of inspiring moments, the reformation of the bad boy, and a tidbit of suspense. For readers who enjoy Sophie Jordan or Loretta Chase.
~ Landra
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