Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. The Wilde family finds their love lives mirroring those of legendary lovers. Skye's cousins Ashton and Jack followed the stories of Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet. Skye firmly believes that her story is that of Beauty and the Beast.
Skye fell for Hawk when she was thirteen but put those dreams aside because he was already married. She followed his life after the tragic loss of his wife and child as he fled England to serve his country with the Guardians of the Sword. His return to England and plan for a marriage of convenience goes against her belief that she is his destined bride. Skye devises a plan to show him the truth.
Since Hawk's return, he has shut himself up in his ruined home, haunted by the memories of his lost family and his failure to save them. His planned marriage to his mentor's niece meshes with his vow never to risk the pain of loving and losing again. He doesn't expect the persistent and enchanting Skye, who shows up on his doorstep in a storm with a challenging mystery for him to solve.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Skye and Hawk. Skye starts her mission knowing that it will be a challenge. She times her arrival to coincide with a storm, counting on Hawk's honor not to toss her back out in the storm. Hawk flatly refuses her plea for his help finding her uncle's long-lost love, but Skye doesn't lose heart. In an amusing scene, she counters all of his objections, wangles an overnight stay, and refuses to accept his decision. Matters become more complicated when a vicious nightmare leads to a night of passion. Skye offers to stay and help Hawk renovate his home while they wait to see if there are "consequences" to their night together.
I liked watching Skye's patience as she teases and torments Hawk out of his brooding ways. Hawk fights hard to resist her effect on him, but it is a losing battle. Skye's light slowly breaks through the darkness that haunts him. The back-and-forth banter between them is fun as Hawk's initial frustration gives way first to unwilling amusement and later to outright laughter. When Hawk finally agrees to find her uncle's long-lost love, Skye insists on going along. The attraction between them continues to grow, and Skye begins to hope that her dream will come true.
Meanwhile, Hawk is caught in a dilemma. He accepts that he loves Skye and wants a future with her, but he made a commitment elsewhere. To fulfill his promise to take over the leadership of the Guardians, he must marry the other woman. I ached for Skye as she set him free rather than make him choose between her and his honor. I also hurt for Hawk, who, now that he had opened himself up to love, faces a loveless marriage. I hoped for a reprieve and cheered as Hawk discovered an alternative that freed him from his obligation. I felt his terror as he arrived home to see his nightmares come to life. The intensity of the ending kept me glued to the pages as Hawk faced those fears and overcame them. I loved the ending and seeing Beauty win her Beast. The epilogue was good and a nice lead-in to the next story.
I liked the secondary story of the search for Uncle Cornelius's lost love. The background of his story was heartbreaking. I loved how Skye stumbled on information that Rachel wasn't really dead and wanted to find out the truth. Her belief that Hawk was the best person to help her proved to be true. I liked following their investigation and kept my fingers crossed for their success. The results of their search were heartwarming, and I loved the reunion. Some circumstances affect the future of the reunited couple, and I liked seeing how each played out.
#netgalley
Skye fell for Hawk when she was thirteen but put those dreams aside because he was already married. She followed his life after the tragic loss of his wife and child as he fled England to serve his country with the Guardians of the Sword. His return to England and plan for a marriage of convenience goes against her belief that she is his destined bride. Skye devises a plan to show him the truth.
Since Hawk's return, he has shut himself up in his ruined home, haunted by the memories of his lost family and his failure to save them. His planned marriage to his mentor's niece meshes with his vow never to risk the pain of loving and losing again. He doesn't expect the persistent and enchanting Skye, who shows up on his doorstep in a storm with a challenging mystery for him to solve.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Skye and Hawk. Skye starts her mission knowing that it will be a challenge. She times her arrival to coincide with a storm, counting on Hawk's honor not to toss her back out in the storm. Hawk flatly refuses her plea for his help finding her uncle's long-lost love, but Skye doesn't lose heart. In an amusing scene, she counters all of his objections, wangles an overnight stay, and refuses to accept his decision. Matters become more complicated when a vicious nightmare leads to a night of passion. Skye offers to stay and help Hawk renovate his home while they wait to see if there are "consequences" to their night together.
I liked watching Skye's patience as she teases and torments Hawk out of his brooding ways. Hawk fights hard to resist her effect on him, but it is a losing battle. Skye's light slowly breaks through the darkness that haunts him. The back-and-forth banter between them is fun as Hawk's initial frustration gives way first to unwilling amusement and later to outright laughter. When Hawk finally agrees to find her uncle's long-lost love, Skye insists on going along. The attraction between them continues to grow, and Skye begins to hope that her dream will come true.
Meanwhile, Hawk is caught in a dilemma. He accepts that he loves Skye and wants a future with her, but he made a commitment elsewhere. To fulfill his promise to take over the leadership of the Guardians, he must marry the other woman. I ached for Skye as she set him free rather than make him choose between her and his honor. I also hurt for Hawk, who, now that he had opened himself up to love, faces a loveless marriage. I hoped for a reprieve and cheered as Hawk discovered an alternative that freed him from his obligation. I felt his terror as he arrived home to see his nightmares come to life. The intensity of the ending kept me glued to the pages as Hawk faced those fears and overcame them. I loved the ending and seeing Beauty win her Beast. The epilogue was good and a nice lead-in to the next story.
I liked the secondary story of the search for Uncle Cornelius's lost love. The background of his story was heartbreaking. I loved how Skye stumbled on information that Rachel wasn't really dead and wanted to find out the truth. Her belief that Hawk was the best person to help her proved to be true. I liked following their investigation and kept my fingers crossed for their success. The results of their search were heartwarming, and I loved the reunion. Some circumstances affect the future of the reunited couple, and I liked seeing how each played out.
#netgalley
