Cringe worthy, that description pretty much sums it up for me.
The book started out okay, i even felt intrigued by what's going on with Marielle, and then it got flaaaaat.
The first thing I didn't like was the insta love concept, they literally fell in love after their first meeting, i could understand Marielle's love as she was being respected as a woman for the first time and by a handsome man, so i kind of got her instant liking for Ashby.
It was Ashby who was really...weird?? He was supposedly kind of a rake, and he had this kind of admiration for Madeleine, so what's with the raging feelings??!!
The storyline was a battered cliche, a damsel in distress, a villain and a handsome hero, the perfect recipe...NOT.
the ending was wrapped up in a childish manner, it was like the author wanted them to end up together even if doesn't make sense.
Overall, didn't enjoy it.
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*

I enjoyed this story. This series is great. Marielle is a woman who has never been loved, not as a child nor a wife. Ashby has love from his friends, but bemoans the lack of title and land.

Lightening strikes when these two meet. I don't want to tell you the tale, but you can be sure that evil tries to triumph in keeping these two together. Loved that Garrett and Madeline were involved!

A third son of a titled father, Ashby fitz Waryn, knows that he will receive no title or none of the grand estates owned by his family. But he does have an incredibly good friend in Lord Garrett Montayne, and he serves this Earl with pride. The Earl decides that Ashby needs to go to Bordeaux to learn about winemaking. Ashby is sent to Monteville and studies the process of making of wines and the different grapes that are needed. He also manages to fall in love with Marielle de la Tresse, a married Comtesse in a loveless marriage. Marielle was brought up in a convent as a punishment for her twin sister’s death. When the convent sends her home to her parents, she hopes to start a new life. But that was not to be. She was married to an older man that did not love her or could give her children. So, the stage is set for a story that is deeply intriguing, great characters and an exceptionally good plot. I enjoyed reading this suspenseful tale that Alexa Aston has presented for our delight.

Ashby, the flirty, works hard to help his best friend run his estate, but also lives fancy free, handsome as sin, Casnova had most of the trappings of a good guy hero here. Except for a very brief but big misstep, he came across humble enough to want to make his own mark on the world and was likable to everyone, especially the ladies. You see, this lad sure was handsome and knew it. Yep, he had the good lucking goods and wasn’t afraid to whip out those pearly whites in a winning smile when he needed to. By that I mean effortlessly charm the ladies, young and old, who seemed to swoon and melt at his feet constantly. It came across like a super power actually. In that regard, you could say humble was not his middle name. Which completely contradicted his inward struggle of feeling unworthy to marry high up in society due to lack of land and money. A second contradiction because he had been offered both but turned them down. He seemed destined and content to live the life of an uncommitted Romeo, who unfortunately was verra smitten with the wife of his best friend. Not that he made a move on her or anything. At least Marielle, the leading lady, was equally as traffic stopping gorgeous, as well. She was a prize to be won, even at the innocent tender age of 16, when she was wedded off to a four decades older man.

Credit on Ashby’s manly man card does get added here for picking up right away something was amiss in the household of Marielle, when he came to visit for business reasons. The stage was soon set for skeletons to come slithering out of that family closet, folks.

As an avid romantic at heart, I openly admit I only prefer intimate scenes between the destined to be together main couple. It’s just the way I roll. Having this heroine trapped in a loveless marriage bed was bad enough. Witnessing, even briefly, her enduring those marital duties was distasteful to me. It’s a personal preference, folks.

What can I say? I can also hold a grudge. Yeah, now I’m going to reveal the misstep I referenced above. How could the author possibly think it was OK to have this main couple click, develop feelings, finally open a door so they can be together, then have Ashby ride off into the night to visit a widow he frequents when he’s “in the mood” to take his mind off his love for Marielle. I kept thinking any second now he’d be turning that horse around and head his knuckleheaded self and steed back home. Something as simple as, “Hey, what was I thinking?” Better late than never, you know. Oh, no, as far as I know he went through with it. Since it was a blink of an eye, spontaneou, random occurrence and not mentioned again, I can only assume he did do the deed with this off screen, meaningless other woman, thinking of Marielle the whole time. Well, I didn’t forget, buddy. It tarnished my image of his supposedly true love for Marielle completely. Here’s to hoping it was edited out of the advanced reader copy I read, so you won’t have to endure that served no purpose at all, completely unnecessary naughty conduct.

Overall, the writing flowed seamlessly, and it was an intriguing read. You may also like to be assured ahead of time the main couple do not tangle in the sheets until after her marriage is over. The details and full explanation of how the jealous, out to make her his at any cost, evil villain came to exist will be fully explained near the end, folks.

The next book appears to feature a pregnant, damsel in distress, who is thrown a lifeline in the form of a hero ready to rescue her out of evil clutches, as well. I hope they truly are set out on a journey destined for love, without any missteps whatsoever. I enjoyed this author’s writing style enough to travel along with them to find out how that all plays out.

Title: A Promise of Tomorrow, Series: Runaway Medieval Wives (Book 2), Author: Alexa Ashton, Pages: 211, stand-alone, handsome charming Casnova everyone seems to like, drop dead gorgeous heroine, not romance safe, kind knucklehead slow to come to his senses hero, evil villain wants her, loveless arranged marriage of convenience heroine situation, not celibate after meeting, off screen OW liason reference, relationship angst.

Book 1 - Music for My Soul by Lauren Linwood
Book 2 - A Promise of Tomorrow by Alexa Ashton
Book 3 - Destined for Love by Alexa Ashton

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Marielle Matesse had a horrible childhood, she was unloved by her parents and siblings. She hoped to find love and acceptance in marriage, but it turned out her husband had no interest in her as a person.
Ashby fitz Waryn is sent to France by his friend, the Earl of Montayne, to study the Comte de la Tresse's vineyard and to hopefully buy some land. Ashby meets Marielle and is quickly drawn to her even though she is married. When Marielle's husband suddenly dies, Marielle turns to Ashby to escape her brother-in-law. Will there be a HEA or will her brother-in-law's threats destroy her life?
This story is a great addition to the Medieval Runaway Wives Series.

A Promise of Tomorrow by Alexa Aston is the next book in her Medieval Runaway Wives series in which we see Marielle Matesse in the families' rug stall with her father when she seems to be targeted by a very wealthy man. He has nothing nefarious in mind: he wants to marry her. He is older than she is and a comte but he seems drawn to her. Ashby fitz Waryn is at home in England, feeling more like a third wheel every day. Garrett Stanbridge is his good friend, but he has tired of working for him. He wants a wife and a home and can do neither without land, of which he has none. He is feeling hemmed in. Finally they come upon a solution. He will travel to France to oversee Garrett's vineyard there and it's expansion. In France, the two meet. Marielle's husband has died and she is being coerced into marriage by his horrible younger brother. Ashby, being who he is, has no choice but to help her escape this fate.

This is an entertaining premise, except for the fact they seem to travel from England to France and back at the drop of a hat. I thought it was more difficult than that. The plot is a good one. She isn't exactly running from a husband, but rather a potential one, and eventually agrees to marry him for the sake of Ashby. I guess all times periods and all cultures have rules by which they are bound; certainly all people perceive themselves bound by rules, whether they exist or not. This need for land to prove one's masculinity is a common theme in medieval romances and to the modern day person, seems like nonsense, but to Ashby, the need was very real. Using this need as an underlying theme makes the whole novel exciting. It was a compelling and heart-wrenching book. Plus, it has a great title. I enjoyed it and heartily recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of A Promise of Tomorrow by Dragonblade through Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #apromiseoftomorrow

As I’m writing this review, first that comes to mind is that it is a wonderful love story, which takes place in the distant time somewhere between France and England. A Promise of Tomorrow (Medieval Runaway Wives Book 2) by Alexa Aston is quite refreshing and slightly different from the historical romance books we are used to.
Not always being part of a big family means being loved and accepted. The story of the heroine Marielle Matesse, a beautiful young girl is best portrayed by the former sentence. Rejected by her family, brought up in a convent, oppressed by others because of her character and forced to become the wife of an older man is only the beginning. In her youth and innocence she decides to change one prison for another. Yes, more beautiful, more comfortable, it could be said a golden one, but still a prison. Eager to travel, communicate, to visit distant places and cities, she is forced to spend days in loneliness and boredom, like a priceless decoration of a beautiful palace, nice to the eye and endlessly neglected. But what will happen when they are visited by the young and handsome Englishman Ashby fitz Waryn, who has the power to stir up the peace of her life, and many other emotions? Experienced enough to please every woman, smart enough to match her in every discussion, brave enough to stand in line and try to protect her from everything and everyone. But is that enough? Will they be given even a chance?
Their story is a sweet mix of love and passion, bits of suspense added along the way. Interesting and easy to read, a solid choice when you want to relax and travel through time. The writing style is mostly eloquent, a bit discursive in some parts, using more enough details. At times the action seems so slow, especially in the beginning, then it picked up speed and the suspense and intrigue never stopped.
As in her previous works, Alexa Aston succeeds in her unique way to build the characters in every way, with all their strengths and weaknesses, appearance and mind, all there. Fine descriptions and appropriate lines are more than enough for us to get to know the characters and understand their story properly.
If you are ready to travel to time and spend few engaging hours, that this great emotional story with a rather unexpected ending should be considered as your ticket to the past.

I enjoyed the romance of this story. The writer really focused on the love match between Ashby and Marielle. This book showed the writers great writing skills. The authors writing abilities truly drew me to the drama and suspense of the story. I look forward to more from this writer. voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/21abbc6d2f62a80d56d9e8ae6c15dff82ebee8dc" width="80" height="80" alt="25 Book Reviews" title="25 Book Reviews"/>

"She had traded one prison for another." Such was the thought of Marielle Matesse whose life was about to change again.

Marielle had not had an easy life to say the least. Having spent ten years in a convent and then married to an older man, hoping it would be a solution to escape her father. She ends up in a marriage without love and truly just endures until a series of events begin to change her life.

Ashby fitz Waryn travels to France on business for his friend Lord Garrett and ends up meeting Marielle and being quiet attracted to her. Then the journey begins as Marielle's spouse dies and his brother is determined to claim her.

The two flee back to England but there is a villain that is determined to have Marielle back. Can the two ever be happy? Another great addition to the Medieval Runaway Wives series!

A Promise of Tomorrow (Medieval Runaway Wives Book 2) by Alexa Aston is a charming addition to RUNAWAY WIVES series. Can be read as a stand alone.
A story with romance, suspense, danger, and crosses from England to France and back again. A bit slower in parts but picks up nicely. Flawed characters, a surprise ot two, and some twists and turns, I didn't see coming, makes for an interesting and enjoyable read. Although, I was left with a few unanswered questions, it's a compelling read, emotional at times.

#NetGalley, #APromiseofTomorow, #Dragonblade

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4
Heat rating:
Reviewer: AprilR

Can Love Beat the Odds?

Marielle has a difficult life. She is married but lives in loneliness. When Ashby comes into her life, she falls in love. He is an Englishman with no prospects, but that’s the least of their problems. Marielle does not care about wealth. It is love she is seeking. When her husband dies, her brother-in-law blackmails her. If she does not agree to marry him, he will accuse her of killing her husband. Can Marielle flee his clutches? There will be challenges ahead. If you like medieval historical romance, you might enjoy this story. Marielle and Ashby’s path won’t be an easy one.

Marielle Matesse is unwanted and unloved. She thought she would find love and acceptance in marriage, but soon found that her husband would never be able to love anyone but himself. Ashby fitz Waryn had been friends with the Earl of Montayne for most of his life. However, he refuses to accept land from him as he perceives it as charity.
He does agree to travel to France on a mission to find land to grow and develop a vineyard for a new blend of wine. What he doesn’t expect to find is love. Marielle and Ashby have an instant attraction to each and spend as much time as possible in each other’s company.
When Marielle’s husband dies suddenly, she is faced with an unholy request from his brother, Marc. Fleeing France, she believes that she will be safe. But Marc has plans for her and he will not be denied.
A great second book in this series of Medieval Runaway Wives!

Marielle Matesse has had a loveless and childless marriage, but when her husband Comte de la Tresse dies under mysterious circumstances, his brother who inherits everything insists she marry him. Ashby fitz Waryn has been sent to learn about wine making and possibly buy some land in France for his friend Lord Garrett Montayne. He unexpected meets the neighbor the Countess Marielle and soon realizes she’s unhappy and has been mistreated by her husband. The two fall in love, but the odds are against them to live happy ever after. Can these two find happiness Ashby has no future, no lands, no money, can he be deserving of such a woman? I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.

Marielle Matesse has lived with the guilt of her twin sister’s death and paid a small price by living in a convent from an early age. She agrees to marry an older, wealthy gentleman when she returns home, yet her marriage is loveless and dull. With no children, she finds herself trapped in her marriage. When she meets Ashby fitz Waryn, he has come to visit to learn more about winemaking. Little do they both realise, their attraction is more than fleeting, resulting in them falling in love. Yet when Marielle’s husband dies under mysterious circumstances, his brother
When Comte de la Tresse dies under mysterious circumstances, his brother, Marc, threatens Marielle, insinuating that she has poisoned her husband, so that she will marry him. Yet Marielle flees France under Ashby’s protection, hoping to start a new life in England with him. However, Marc has other plans and imprisons Marielle’s family in the estate’s dungeons, forcing her to return to France.
The story was fast paced, with many obstacles, threatening the budding romance of this couple. With two quite likeable characters intertwined with a villain, this book proved to be quite entertaining.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

As a third son, Englishman Ashby fitz Waryn has neither a title nor grand estate, but he does have a lifelong friend in Lord Garrett Montayne, the earl he serves. Garrett sends Ashby to France to learn more about winemaking. Ashby journeys to Monteville, an estate in Bordeaux, where he becomes knowledgeable about grapes—and unexpectedly falls in love with Marielle de la Tresse, a married comtesse in a loveless marriage. Marielle Matesse was blamed for her twin sister’s death, spending ten years in a convent as punishment. Returned to her parents, she hopes to start a new life when an older man, a wealthy comte, takes her as his bride. The marriage is loveless and childless and her life dull—until a handsome Englishman comes calling. Then Comte de la Tresse dies under mysterious circumstances, his brother, Marc, insinuates he’ll start rumours that Marielle poisoned her husband unless she immediately weds Marc. Marielle flees France under Ashby’s protection, hoping to start a new life in England with the handsome knight. But Marc de la Tresse refuses to give up so easily, imprisoning Marielle’s family in Monteville’s dungeons. They will be left to die unless Marielle returns to France and marries her husband’s killer.
This is the second book in the series & could easily be read on its own. I liked Ashby in the previous book & I’m thrilled that he had his story & what a story it was. The road to their HEA was strewn with obstacles & at times I really did wonder if they would prevail. A captivating read with strong characters, there’s some suspense & also I was left with some questions unanswered
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an hones review. The story is not the typical Medieval one - with a young clueless virgin and a ruthless knight. In tha, the characters seem a lot more modern than what I am used to. The plot is intriguing (even though somewhat complicated) , the chemistry is all there and the way the H and h evolve is both memorable and fulfilling. It's very emotional at times and does keep you on the edge of your seat at others but in the end it's well worth it. I also loved the friendship between Ashby and Garrett.

Will his pride cost him the love of his life ...

Marielle has never been nor loved nor cherished once in her life, except for a priest whom showed mercy at a little girl abandoned by her family. So when she married to free her parents from her burden, it was no different than her childhood, she just has more wealth but still no one to care really about her.
Until a foreign travel on an errand shows her more respect and kindness in a few day than in all her existence.
But what can she do, she is still married and threatened by her own brother-in-law.
Marielle is a woman who has longed for more since she was a little girl, but she is powerless to change her destiny. So when love knocks at the door, will she let it slip out of her reach if circumstances set her free to follow her heart?
Ashby has come to envy his friend’s happiness, they are like brothers but fate gave his friend a title and land when he has nothing than his good name and honor.
Upon meeting Marielle, he realizes everything he yearned is within range, if he does not let his pride come between him and his possible happiness.
Both are so sweet together but how I would have shook some senses in Ashby for turning his back to their future to only realize too late the depth of his feelings.

I pitied the villain, he went too far to be redeemed but he was robbed from everything he wished by a careless sibling, which drove him to madness.
4 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Married to Comte de la Tresse for seven years, Marielle lives a lonely life with a neglectful husband and no children. When Ashby fitz Waryn visits the French vineyards for the Earl of Montayne, Marielle meets a man of charm and humor. Never before has she had such attention. The sudden death of her husband and the threat from his brother forces Marielle to go to Ashby for help. Yet even fleeing to England isn't safe. When it seems there is no hope, will a miracle save her life? Extremely emotional and heart breaking, there may be triggers from verbal and physical abuse.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I fell in love with Ashby fitz Waryn in the first book in this series and I so glad that he got his story. He is a charming rogue that brings a blush to most women's cheeks. Sent by his liege lord to France to learn about winemaking and to attempt the purchase of property, he approaches Comte de la Tresse to make a deal but is thwarted in his efforts. However, he does meet the charming and lively Marielle Matesse, who is trapped in a loveless marriage. When the Comte unexpectedly dies, Marielle realises that her life is in danger if she does not make her escape, and turns to Ashby. The story is romantic with some suspense as they cross the English channel and then recross it, but it does come to a good conclusion. I was left with some questions and also felt that the period could have done with a bit more research. Nevertheless, the novel is a standalone. I received a copy of this book as a gift from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

I love Alexa’s Medieval series.
So passionate
This is a great book

Ashby is the best friend of Garrett who was star of book one.
After being sent to France to look into buying land for the Stanbury Estate, he meets the wife of the neighbor, a Countess,
Soon realising she miss treated and he’s falling for her.

Marielle has never known love in her life , only once has she known kindness, life has been a harsh lesson and a punishment for her, until she meets Ashby.

When she needs him most he’s already gone, is it possible he is what she needs, can they have more than friendship?

A story of love and passion in a cruel world, Alexa always comes form the heart when giving up her stories and this one is a great read.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review