Stella Riley

Christian Selwyn, Earl of Hazelmere, disappears on his grand tour somewhere near Constantinople. Five years pass while his friends try to find out what happened. Meanwhile, his unofficial betrothed is under duress from her unlikeable family to forget him and marry his creepy cousin, who's been robbing the estate, along with his father.
This is such a great story as Christian struggles to fit back into his world, and Sophia tries to find the man she adored and still loves under the hard shell of the man who finally returns. The friends are wonderful, loyal people, and I hope they get their own stories. The villain is the worst and deserves everything he gets.
Stella Riley deserves more credit as a romance author. I've read all her books, often set in periods of history not generally used in romance stories. I can't wait for the next book.… (més)

This was a pleasant read, with likeable main characters who actually spoke to one another, so the 'big misunderstanding' of five years ago was cleared up very quickly. I believed in their relationship, even if I found their road trip together as 'cousins' a little unlikely for the period. The mystery plot sort of fizzled out (admittedly I did skim those bits). Although I see this is the first in a series, characters did crop up now and then (and tell their husbands they were pregnant for example) who had clearly wandered in from other books by the author.… (més)

Alex Deveril wins Chloe Herveaux in a drunken card game and marries her the same night. When he wakes the next morning, he's befuddled by his new bride, and the two decide to seek an annulment. Chloe just wanted out of her brother's house while Alex was upset by the marriage of his mistress.
Meanwhile, Prince Rupert needs to find the traitor who is disrupting the war with France, so he enlists Alex and his friends.
It's rare to find a historical romance that takes place in the time of Cavaliers and Roundheads. The court of Charles II should be fertile territory for romance writers, but I haven't found many books from that period. Stella Riley fills the gap admirably. She weaves in history adroitly from the great London plague to the fire that burned down most of London in 1666.
Alex and Chloe are wonderful together. She's one of the few who will stand up to his temper, and their arc is just lovely. The setting is detailed and very interesting with various Court personages appearing at times.
Though an earlier time period than Georgian, it has the feel of a Georgette Heyer book It's a great story and I heartily recommend the read.… (més)