This is Lucy and Alex’s story. She was a little girl. He rescued her ball from her brother. Her father named him her protector. When it was time to marry her father wanted her to marry him. She is was not happy about it. There were many misunderstandings between them but true love conquers all. I will definitely read more books from this author.

Alex meets Lucy when he is a young boy and she is 9 years old. Lucy is the illegitimate daughter of an English duke and a French woman. Alex' father is a Scottish Highland Laird. The two fathers are friends. Alex goes with his father to England to visit the duke. During that visit, Alex defends Lucy when she is being taunted by her brother. Through a turn of events, Alex promises to always protect Lucy.
Years later, the fathers have arranged a marriage between Alex and Lucy. Can two strong personalities learn to tolerate each other enough to marry?
There are twists and turns to this story that keep it interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat reading this story. The book is detailed but doesn't come across as being overdone. Instead, the details made it easy to visualize the story in my mind, as I read it.
In the end, there is a happily ever after. I can only good that the author will write more books about the other characters.
I was given an ARC of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This reminded of an old school historical in some ways. It features two not especially well-developed characters that are subjected to a nefarious plot that does not make a whole lot of sense when you really think about it but makes for a fun ride. I loathed the heroine at first and only warmed up to her slightly by the end. The hero is pretty typical. I did not love this one but I can certainly see how many would.

Very predictable but very enjoyable. Alex was kind of an oaf but very endearing.

I really liked the premise of this book and really wanted to like it, but I just couldn't get into it. I know both characters are young with Lucy being 18 and Alex being 20, but compared to other books I have read with characters similar in age, these two seemed too immature. At some points, Lucy threw tantrums and refuses to eat, something not even my 5 year old does anymore. Alex also shows his immaturity in the beginning when he first meets Lucy. Why would you think lying would be a good start to a relationship? Maybe I'm just getting too old as this story felt more like YA fiction than a read for adults.