This is the second novel in the series. It begins almost two years after "A Promise Broken" ends. You can read this as a stand alone. A summary is given at the beginning, and you know who the characters are. It is written in a natural way, and it fits into the story, You get to know the characters, and aren't left confused.
Lisa is finally going to come out into society. Since she has been living with her father for the past two years, she has gotten somewhat spoiled. Her father never says no, and she gets away with a lot, including early morning rides in the park. One morning, she is spotted by a Duke, Stephen, who is instantly smitten. She, however, is a bit put out because he is a little too familiar with her, and flirts shamelessly. I am left a little confused about the spelling of his name. The description spells it Stephen, but spelled Stephon throughout the book. It doesn't detract from the book at all.
While Lisa gives the impression she is spoiled, and most of the other characters describe her as such, you get to learn more about her. She is more scared, and feels insecure about her place in society since she and her sister were raised outside of society. Lisa hides it behind her behavior, This is played out very well in the novel. As opposed to the first novel, which was very good and definitely worth a read, this spends more time with the couple together and their interaction with each other. Their growth together felt more in depth.
The title it is perfect since it refers to the return of Paul Bernard, who was left with many scars and of Lisa's past and sudden upheaval into society in the first book. He is now determined to have her. He is worse than ever, and scarier too. I loved his scenes because you definitely felt the fear everyone around him felt, and felt the loathing and hatred he himself felt.
While they are falling in love, Paul Bernard is plotting his revenge. Lisa is attacked at her first ball, and his death warrant is pretty much sealed by Stephon, Seral...her sister's husband, a friend, and her father. After two couples leave the ball, her father tells Lord Harland, their friend, that he wants Bernard dead.
Lord Harland is an interesting character. While he flirts with the girls in both books, it's never with any real intent since he knows they are not for him. It's only to have fun, and make the H's upset in both books. However, he is in this one more, and you kind of get an idea of who he is, but there is still much not known. We got hints but not much. It left me intrigued. If the next novel is about him, I will definitely be the first one to read it.
Stephon is forced to interact with his mother's family because she determines he needs them to help protect Lisa. Lady Sarah comes from a family of gypsies, who are not accepted into society. He does not really know them because his father told him not to ask any questions, or learn about his mother's family. As he loved and respected his father, he never did. His mother is now widowed, and the love she had for Stephon's father is very obvious, She sees the same looks of longing and love as she saw from his father, and does what she can to help them end up together. She, Lisa's aunt Maxie, and Miss Mattie are working together, and trying not to be too obvious about it, even though Lisa sees most of it. They're entertaining, and it's fun to see them work together. Aunt Maxie, Aunt Maxie isn't in this novel as much as the first one, but she does have an important role to play. She makes Lisa and Alice's father, the Duke Richard, stay involved, and not be distracted by his work as he was in the first novel. Her sister Alice is seen throughout the novel but more as a background character, as it is in most series' novels. Alice's husband, Seral, is a good friend of Stephon's, helping him, and giving him advice about Lisa, and at the same time, warning him about how the Hasting sisters are. Some of the "advice/warning" scenes between the two are pretty funny,.
We do get a HEA, and it sounds very familiar.
I enjoyed the novel, but the grammar errors were a little painful, but once you get used to them, the novel reads more smoothly. It is definitely re-readable,
There is one intimate scene, but it isn't graphic. You know what is happening, but it isn't described in vivid detail. I would still list this as a mature novel because of it.
In the epilogue, it is stated there are more novels to come. I'm excited to see who will be the main characters since both sisters are now happily married. Crossing fingers for Lord Harland, but I'll be just as happy if it is someone else as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Good plot, well thought-out characters, very well written! I recommend this, if you like quality, and is in the need for a good book to heat you up, as we venture into summer.