Sophia Somerlock was cruelly belittled by her mother for years, but at the prospect of enforced marriage to her stepfather’s vindictive nephew, she flees. Lost and badly injured in a forest, she is found by Fell Barden, a half-Romani blacksmith, who carries her to his cottage and cares for her. Fearful of discovery and comforted by Fell’s kindness, she offers herself in marriage in return for his protection. As an outsider dealing with discrimination from the villagers and disappointment from an earlier relationship, he welcomes the unexpected prospect of companionship and family, but can mutual appreciation develop into love? The problem is that they feel unworthy of each other and lack the self-confidence to declare their growing feelings.

As an examination of the psychological damage that discrimination and emotional abuse inflict upon the individual, this is insightful, but as a novel there are problems. The plot and prose are rather melodramatic; the characters divide sharply, either good or bad, compassionate and caring or cruel bullies; and the couple’s indecisions and agonizing over their own unworthiness, however understandable, do grow repetitive. This will appeal to readers looking for a sentimental Regency romance, where the sorely afflicted protagonists triumph over adversity.

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A story quite different from what I am used to in historical romances. A sweet girl fleeing a cruel destiny drawn by her own mother who never loved or cared for her finds in the arms of a humble, loyal, strong blacksmith something more intense than she could imagine.
Beautiful, exciting, touching. I loved every detail, every moment of tension and I loved the ending very much
5/5 stars

With a gothic feel, suspense, a wounded heroine fleeing to get away from a terrible future, a hero finding her wounded, a journey to happiness, if only they can find a way the story pulled at my heart. An interwoven story of two wounded, almost broken people who find each other by happenstance.
Sophia Somerlock had fled her home once she was told the name of the man she was to marry. She had been hated by her mother since she had been born and when her beloved father had died, her mother had reminded her everyday how worthless she was, but now she would marry a man that terrified her.
Through a series of events, she winds up fleeing in the forest and injured and that is when she is found by Fell, a blacksmith, half Roma and half English. He had lived his entire life not belonging to either side and was only tolerated due to his excellent work as a blacksmith.
As the two spend time together, they began slowly to help each other find their own acceptance. But would Sophie's mother find her and drag her back? Would Sophie betray Fell as he had been before with another woman who had claimed devotion?
An enjoyable read although at times a lot of introspective thoughts by the two characters that was long but explained a lot. The first book I have read by this author but looking forward to reading more!

Flight or fight? Darkness and light!

I kept feeling I'd wandered into some sort of Grimm's Fractured Fairytale--possibly a version of Snow White with a dash of Hansel and Gretel.
Sophia Somerlock's abusive mother is the archetype of the wicked stepmother.(Although apparently in earlier versions of some of these tales it was the jealous mother who is the villain. It would seem aspects of this tale harken back to the original versions.)
Sophia's mother appears to have been jealous of her daughter's relationship with her husband, and since she was six years old Sophia has not only carried a huge burden around the death of her father, but been reviled for it. She's been told continually, and believes it, that she is a wicked child responsible for what happened to her father and that all are disgusted by her perfidy.
Sophia runs away because her mother is forcing her into a distasteful marriage of convenience. There are hints that the chosen groom is an abusive man, and questions around what happened to his previous wife. Sophia's fear of her future husband exceeds her fear of her mother, although not by much. She's "between the devil and the deep blue sea."
Sophia's journey is interrupted when she's recognized by a fellow coach traveller. She flees into night through the forest. Of course all that stumbling around in fear means she injures herself and is found by the blacksmith Fell Barden. Our quiet, stalwart hero is a man disappointed in love and shunned by his village because he's half-Roma and doesn't know who his father is.
As Sophia recovers, Fell's strength and acceptance helps her to rethink her worth. Similarly Fell, the community outcast is given hope by Sophia's acceptance of him.
When her mother's ghastly loyal servant nearly discovers her, Sophia after a lot of contemplation and awkwardness, suggests to Fell that they might marry, both gaining something they want. Sophia protection, Fell a family and children. This is the beginning to recovery and happiness for both of them although there are quite a few pitfalls along the way.
Although I enjoyed the subtext of this rather unusual story, strangely I found both characters somewhat one dimensional, possibly because we rarely went beyond the blacksmith's forge on the edge of the forest living somewhat in their own bubble. This separation from the community I think might be what perpetuates the fairytale quality of the story, as it is mostly divorced from the real world.
An enjoyable historical romance with very restrained intimacy scenes.

A Harlequin - Romance ARC via NetGalley

Will years of abuse weight between them ...

Not an easy read when both main characters are like two abused puppies, so many time kicked, beaten down by repeated insults at been unworthy thus unable to believe in their own good.
At time I was upset by Sophia and her many weaknesses but also Fell and his every doubts. Both reread each of their talks and gestures, unable to see what is straight in front of them.
Yet, they are like people bullied all their life, believing the lies they were told and blind to their own worth.
Why I felt the story dragged for too long, each time one gains confidence, something comes destroying it. Why they spend most of the story hurting, ready to expose their feelings until one move, one word or one glance froze everything and they step backward.
I liked Sophia and Fell, Sophia having a long way before him as whatever abuse she suffered from her mother, she is still a gently breed woman, so completely unaware of the life style of an average person. So she has to start afresh.
Fell has known no other life, and even if he is shunned by the townsfolk, it is the only place he even knew. When Sophia crashes in his life, he fears a repeat of his past. And while every moment shows Sophia is very different, his own worthlessness comes back rushing to erase all the good done by her mere presence in his life.
The fact they both suffered from meanness and were branded by these evil’s tongues is what pulled the strings of this tale far too long and why the ending felt rushed.

I would have preferred to witness them declare their feelings earlier in the story to then work together to heal one another. Their own guilt and helplessness made them the perfect prey to anyone looking for easily crushed souls. They might stand but each new barb is a blow to their trustworthiness.
3.5 rounded to 4 as while I cringed at some of their reeling moments, I liked the few scenes they hold their head held high.

5 Stars

I am not sure if this is a new imprint by Harlequin or I somehow missed these wonderful historical titles for goodness knows how long. This was just a great representation of what a historical romance should be. Both Fell and Sophia had their faults and insecurities. To me, I could see this as a new type of fairy tale, one that shows how when you believe in yourself and trust others to have your back, you can have the world!

You could almost tell from the beginning that Fell’s true lineage would come to light at some point since it was mentioned so many times and was a great burden to him over the years.

I do wish there was, as Paul Harvey used to say… “more to the story.” I did end in the perfect place but I wanted to know what happened next? How was their life after that? What struggles and successes did they face? I mean, curious minds want to know, ya know?

Couldn’t get enough of this. I will definitely try and pick up more Historical Romances if I find them at my local shop.

If you love a good historical cozy romance, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A delicate historical romance, not so much "Ton" in this book even if.... Fell and Sophia are two good characters and the plot is not so unbelievable, also the quota of drama is perfect. It seemed to me a sort of old romance, where there is no speaking about sex and everything is more "pure". Good book.

Un delicato romanzo d'amore storico, anche se avrei potuto parlare di un regency, ma di alta società ce n'è proprio poca in questo libro, anche se....Fell e Sophia sono due buoni personaggi e anche la trama, per quanto stiracchiata, non é completamente incredibile, inoltre la "quantità di dramma" é perfetta. Sembra quasi un romance d'altri tempi questi, dove il sesso viene vagamente accennato e tutto é molto piú "puro" e centrato sui sentimenti. Bel libro.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!