Member Reviews

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. Boundless is the final title in the Shaw series and features Livia, the last unmarried daughter. Livia finds herself beset upon by urchins after leaving an orphanage she was visiting early, when Adrian, the Duke of Preston came to her rescue. Reeling from a hit on the head, Livia lets Adrian take her to a nearby residence; they spend some time talking while Livia recovers. Adrian can't resist publicly kissing Livia before she departs. Adrian is rumored to be the product of an affair between the previous Duke of Preston's wife and her black page and is viewed as a walking scandal. His marriage years before to a wild young lady ended when she died before the age of 30.

Livia has secrets of her own that are tied to a beloved broach that she realizes is missing when she arrives home. It is her sole link to her son she gave birth to years before that was placed with a foster family. The only person who knew the location of her son was killed before she could share the location. Livia is haunted by the loss of her son and refuses to marry anyone.

Adrian has been determined to live up to his scandalous reputation, but he finds himself drawn to Livia and decides to help her find her missing broach. The two are in frequent proximity at social events; Adrian finds himself liking Livia more and more and begins to think that he might be ready to settle down with Livia despite her attempts to push other girls at her. The two agree to a temporary betrothal, but Livia fully intends to break it off; Adrian plans to do whatever it takes to make Livia happy. Throw in a mystery of who paid the urchins to steal Livia's broach and the search for her son, and you have a thoroughly engaging Georgian story. Ms. Connolly gave her Emperor/Shaw series a strong finish; I for one will miss the world that these series inhabited.

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Attacked on the streets of London outside an orphanage, Lady Livia Shaw is relieved when a gentleman comes to her aid and startled to discover her rescuer is Adrian, the Duke of Preston, a notorious rogue. But their association and instant attraction does not end there, much to the Shaws’ distress. Livia was robbed of a brooch one that’s her most precious possession and a reminder of a shameful secret.
Adrian never wanted to be anyone’s hero, but now he’s finding the prospect as pleasing as he does Livia’s company, and her beauty, but what surprises him is how much she comes to mean to him.
Livia is the final sibling to have her story, although this book is part of a series it could easily be read on its own. I love the author’s books not only are they very well written but the accuracy is what raises them above the crowd. She doesn't overload facts but throughout her books are tidbits of facts. The characterisation is always very good & the story flows effortlessly. I really liked Livia but adored Adrian, I love a redeemed rake but he won my heart when he rescued Mickey. Their attraction was there from the start but they came to like each other & also learned to trust each other. Secrets threaten their happiness. An engrossing captivating read whilst I’ll miss the Shas I look forward to the authors next books
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

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Series: The Shaws #3
Publication Date: 12/4/18

Two people with deep dark secrets find their HEA in this excellently written third (and final) entry in the Shaws series. With many books, when the secrets are revealed, you wonder why it was a big deal to anyone. That isn’t the case with this book. You can see why both will go to almost any lengths to maintain their secrets. The characters are likable and relatable and the situation will make your heart bleed for each of them. While it is a bit slow paced, it is an excellent read.

Lady Livia Shaw is the last unmarried child in her family – and she intends to keep it that way. She can’t marry because she has a deep, dark secret that she would have to reveal to the man she marries, and she just cannot – will not – do that. She’s a beautiful woman, wealthy in her own right and has had many suitors, but she rebuffs them all.

Adrian, the Duke of Preston is the subject of many rumors and he’s never cared enough to refute any of them even though most of them are untrue. He doesn’t care what others think of him – even though they call him the Blackamoor Duke. He knows the truth and that is good enough for him – after all, he is a Duke and can do what he likes.

Livia was set upon by a group of street urchins just after she left an orphanage in an unsavory part of London. She had actually fled the orphanage – alone. When she is rescued by a tall, handsome man she is very grateful. However, when she realizes who he is and that he has taken her into the home of his mistress – alone – she is ready to leave immediately. Then, as she is leaving, he kisses her – deep and long – right on the street. That sets tongues to wagging!

Livia vows never to interact with the Duke again – not in any way. Adrian is intrigued by Livia and is determined to encounter her again. Livia’s plans are thwarted when she realizes that she’s lost her most precious possession – a small brooch. She doesn’t know if the urchins stole it or if she lost it inside the home of the duke’s mistress. She has no other choice, she must approach him to ask if it is inside the home. When he doesn’t find it at the home of his mistress (actually ex-mistress), he vows he will find and retrieve it for her.

Adrian and Livia have begun a long series of interactions and encounters that bring them closer and closer and make Livia more and more fearful for her secrets. She instinctually trusts Adrian in spite of his reputation, but she cannot share her secret with him. Actually, for someone from a family filled with rogues and is supposed to be totally non-judgmental, I think Livia did a lot of judging of Adrian. She believed rumors much too quickly and easily and didn’t compare them with the man she had actually come to know.

The pace picks up toward the end of the book when the bad guy is identified, secrets are revealed and love is acknowledged. I loved the Shaws and am looking forward to seeing what happens next since this is the last book in the series.

I can happily recommend this book because I think you will enjoy the read.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

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I really enjoyed Livia and Adrian's story!

Leaving an orphanage, Livia is robbed of her most treasured memento. Adrian comes to her rescue and promises to help her get it back. With Adrian's notorious reputation, Livia is surprised that he is so willing to help her when even her family has thought that the item lost is better off forgotten. When they end up in a compromising position, they get engaged. But both agree that it will be a temporary one so that the gossip mongers will move on to someone else. But what if the engagement became real?

I loved watching these two together. A more unlikely pair would have been hard to find. But they were more alike than either of them thought and soon found that they couldn't live without the other!

This was a great way to end the Shaws series! I'm excited to see what Connolly has in store for us next!

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This was an enjoyable Georgian romance. Both the heroine, Livia, and the hero, Adrian, have scandalous secrets that affect their ability to develop true relationships with others. Until they meet and are immediately attracted to each other. Just as Adrian’s true character as a good man who wants to protect and love Livia is revealed, so is the true nature of her first love, a man who is slowly revealed as quite villainous.

I liked Livia’s family and how they each had their own scandalous past. I hadn’t read any of this author’s previous books, but I would be interested in reading those stories now that I’ve read this one.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

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I have not read Ms. Connolly before and found this book to be very interesting. I need to go back and read her other books! The relationship between Adrian and Livia develops slowly but when it comes to fruition, it explodes. Adrian is a great character who does not let the gossips pull him down, he goes with it and even helps where he is needed. Livia and her relationship with her family is what I like to see in historical romances. She is a fantastic character who embraces what she is even though she keeps it close. A fantastic, steamy love story that will have you sighing at the end. Great epilogue.

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A well-written historical romance by Ms. Connolly. I enjoyed the story and liked the main characters. The romance was good.

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Enjoyed the story of Adrian and Livia, it is well written and keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. They each have their own secrets that would cause huge scandals but they do not allow this to keep them apart. There is a HEA but there is a lot that happens first. It is a great read and I would highly recommend this book.

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I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize that this was the third book in a series, but the story was easy to get right into. The two main characters, Livia and Adrian, were flawed heroes. They both had secrets but their relationship was honest and tender. I will definitely read the first two installments.

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I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed boundless. The last couple of books that I have read the characters seemed weak and boring. The characters in this books motivations made more sense and I loved the duke. The romance and secrets worked well. I have not read any of the other books in the series but I don't they are necessary to enjoy this one. A fun way to spend a few hours.

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I thought this was a pleasant novel. Livia finds herself rescued from a gang of thieves by a notorious rake who immediately finds himself drawn to her. Livia loses her brooch which is her link to a scandalous past. Although the heroine is a brave and charming heroine I can't say I liked her very much. She comes of a bit superficial and naive. She doesn't like the orphanage because it smells and the kids are bandits. She's turned on by Adrian but isn't sensitive to his past and their attraction seems surface level. I didn't feel the chemistry between them.
Hopefully other novels by the author are much better.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review..

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** spoiler alert ** Both our hero and heroine are quite scandalous. Adrian Sterling, Duke of Preston, is a widower, considered to be scandalous because of his rakish behavior and unconfirmed (and undenied) rumors about the truth of his birth. Lady Livia Shaw is already rather scandalous simply because of her family's reputation, but she keeps a scandalous secret of her own and because of it has determined that she can never marry. The two meet as Livia is being attacked by a gang of street thieves and Adrian comes to her rescue. He brings her to what is soon to be his mistress' house to recover, then after she makes a comment he disapproves of, he kissers her out in the street where everyone can see them, thus causing more tongue-wagging scandal. Her mother determines that she should make it appear as if she and the duke were courting, then she can give him the cut direct when the family leaves for the country in a few short weeks. However, Livia soon realizes she has lost a precious memento somewhere during the encounter and enlists the duke's help in recovering it. In this process, the two spend a good deal of time together and Adrian begins to consider developing something serious, meanwhile Livia is wholly committed to ending their relationship.

Both Adrian and Livia initially struck me as typical pompous aristocrats. Even Adrian's taking in of a thief to train as a page was handled rather sloppily and in a condescending manner. Once her secret was revealed, I also found the heroine to be rather melodramatic and her reason for determining to remain unmarried to be feeble. Her determination to keep distance between herself and Adrian was downright hurtful to him and I felt like at many times she was really just using him and toying with his feelings, when he was considering being truly vulnerable with her. He mostly treated her with respect and kindness and didn't deserve that. Her insistence on continuing to mention an old flame and toy with the idea of being with him instead of Adrian, despite the fact that said old flame has clearly proven himself to be a terrible person, was just ridiculous and made me lose respect for the heroine. I just found her to be inordinately insipid and it took her entirely too long to see the truth of her childhood love. It seemed like she just created a lot of problems unnecessarily. Thankfully, her twin sister had some sense and helped her see it too. However annoying, this is oftentimes how people behave and treat one another, so it gives this book a realistic air. At least Livia finally did see sense and begin to forgive herself and move on.

Overall, Livia and Adrian finally learned to be honest with one another and grow together to build a solid and believable relationship and ignore scandal and rumors. I found this to be an enjoyable read that held my attention and now I want to go back and read the other installments of the series.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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I love the Shaw's and the Emperors this family was the best. They may have a scandalous background but what I enjoyed the most from them was the loyalty they always stuck up for each other or didn't judge. This was Livia's book and her love interest Adam, can I say how much I loved Adam, well I did he became my favorite. Adam was known as the blackamour Duke and as scandalous as they come he even beats the Shaw's and Emperor if you could believe that, so saying that he fit right in with this family. Livia was carrying a secret and due to it she felt she could never get married, but thanks to Adam she could he didn't care about her background and he proved it more than once and he was great..Her young love interest returns from the army and was a horrible person and a liar to boot and you know he is here to cause problems but again Adam is not going to let him...No more details my friends grab a copy and Enjoy!, because you will.

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While leaving an orphanage, Lady Livia Shaw is mugged by a group of young thugs who steal her reticule and a brooch that s extremely important to her. . Adrian, Lord Preston, rescues her but causes a scene by kissing her. Adrian has a bad reputation and questionable background. He believes he doesn't need anyone get he is intrigued by Livia. Adrian offers to assist Livia in finding her missing property. This is not typically in his character as he has little love for society. Livia hides the significance of her missing property even when an old love re-enters her life and causes difficulties. Along the way Adrian and Livia find love while overcoming obstacles at every turn. This was a great story that draws you into the plot and makes you feel happy about the resolution in the end.

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When Lady Livia Shaw loses is attacked, Adrian, the Duke of Preston, comes to the rescue. Although he is known for his scandalous reputation, Livia couldn't give a fig about it. Adrian's agreement to help her locate an item that was stolen in the attack only adds to her good opinion of him. Even so, Livia has secrets, and it would be best to keep Adrian from discovering them.

Adrian wants to know everything there is to know about Livia. In order to stay close to her, he finds himself doing things he never expected. It doesn't take him long to realize his feelings go deeper for Livia than any woman he has ever known, including his late wife. However, Adrian has some secrets of his own. Can he trust Livia with them? Can she trust him with hers? Only time will tell.

Author Lynne Connolly's SHAWS series is new-to-me, but I have read other books by her that I have enjoyed. Book three, BOUNDLESS, is also entertaining. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The Shaws are a tight-knit group and really watch each other's backs. I found them all to be very endearing. The scandals this family has overcome are surmountable, but they never back down or give up a fight. Society is forced to take them as they are! Livia and Adrian both have secrets that could make or break them, but together they can weather any storm. I love how willing each was to make sacrifices for each other. Their love is sure to withstand time. I hope to read more about the Shaw family in the future.

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I loved everything about this story. Our heroine made one mistake when 15 and it has haunted her for 10 years. Adrian, our hero is a rake, but a natural hero. Their story has many secrets and through determination and love, they find their HOA. An adorable secondary character captured my heart. Enjoy this story, its great.

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Lady Livia Shaw has just left an orphanage when she is set on by a gang of young ruffians. Adrian, Lord Preston comes to her aid and sees that she is safe. They steal her purse but something in the purse is very important to her. It's part of a treasure that she is looking for. She asks Adrian to help her recover it but does not tell him the truth about what it means. He agrees and the growing passion between them cannot be hidden. He is a widower and known as a terrible rake who doesn't care what others think of him. Due to a situation that leaves Livia compromised, Adrian proposes. There is something between Sir Jeffrey Creasey, a neighbor and Livia. Something that he holds over her. Will Livia be able to tell Adrian the truth? Will he accept her when he knows? What secrets does Adrian hold close to him? I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are fleshed out and likable. I loved the storyline. It's one of my favorite books. I have to have the rest of them. I received this book from Net Galley and Kensington Books for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. The opinions and thoughts are my own.

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