So I absolutely love the Shadowcrest series. Alexa Aston is one of my very favorite authors. I have been hooked on this series since James and Sophie. Alexa Aston is not afraid of a strong heroine and a good man.

This is the sixth book in the series. The series covers James‘s sisters, cousins, and even his stepmother. (For the record, I absolutely adored the fact that the stepmother got a book. Stepmothers gets such a bad rep, but she was one that you liked from the beginning so I don’t think anybody had complaints about her getting a book.)

The third book in the series, with August and Georgie is absolute perfection.

We have been seeing and hearing about Mirella throughout the series but to be honest, I’ve never felt very close to her. She broke her arm and couldn’t have her come out which led to the love matches of her sisters. For those people who haven’t read the previous books, I won’t go into specifics but it was interconnected. But unlike her sisters and even her cousins, she just hasn’t felt a huge part of the series and therefore it was hard to excitedly anticipate her story.

And then there was Byron. He just made me mad. Without spoiling it too much, his feelings of responsibility are just way difficult to get behind. His issue with his parents and his brother were believable but his responses were just a little too over the top. He definitely felt like a character more than an actual person. I never felt like I empathized with him. Throughout the book I was mostly wishing that he would stop behaving so irrationally. Then, when the big conflict finally happened, I felt like Mirella acted out of character, since she had been relatively levelheaded and could communicate well until then.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still an excellent book. I definitely enjoyed it and I did purchase it to complete my collection but I don’t see myself rereading it like I’ve done with the previous books in the series.

NOTE: I would love a book about cousin Caleb. Caleb has been a great character who I think deserves his own happily ever after. He also seems to have secrets that will make for a very interesting read. Verity maybe?

When second son Byron inherits his family title he decides he must also honor a marriage promise his brother had. Mirella, visiting his aunt, is immediately attracted to him. Though they try, they cannot deny their mutual attraction. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade publishing for my honest review.

Byron returns from the army to take the new title after his much adored brother has died in a carriage accident.
Finding out his brother had feet of clay, he attempts to pay his debts and reconcile his misdeeds.
He feels obligated to follow through on a family betrothal when he meets marvelous Mirella.
He is torn by his love for her rated against the family honor.
A frustrating love story with a slight twist.
Enjoyed the writing.

Commitment, Honor, Family:
A very interesting introduction to the Belfour family and the dynamics between father and sons, Dawson and Byron set the stage for the beginning of this intriguing story of duty, commitment, finding one's self's and independence.
This is book 6 of this wonderful series and having a bit of a refresher course before the story really took off was much appreciated.
This series has introduced us to many characters of two shipping magnet families and the story continues with Byron and Mirella, one of the many daughters of the Strong family.
Fast forward 6 years and things have certainly changed for the younger son Byron who is now a Marquess of Bridgewater with many surprises ahead of him.
Visiting with friends and family brings forth the introduction of Mirella to Byron.
Now this is where our romance story takes us on a deeply emotional journey that involves, family dynamics (good and bad), instant attraction, several secrets, unknown betrothals, and a love story that captured my heart.
Byron and Mirella have such a wonderfully sweet heartfelt charismatic relationship that made this story a joy to read.
I certainly look forward to the next story. This family just keeps growing and the characters are so enjoyable.

I knew where this story was going to go when they introduced Bryon's brothers bastard child and mistress. Even though I knew I was still disappointed. If you love someone as deeply as Mirella states that she does then trust should be front most in the relationship. This is my problem. I still enjoyed reading the novel but I did speed through the parts the upset me.

A great story . Mirella is getting ready for the come out next spring but while she is traveling with her little sister Effie and her Aunt Matty at the Lake Districk to visit her aunt's friends . Byron Balfour has just inherit the title Marquess of Bridgewater after the death of his older brother Dawson . When he was kid he idolized his brother but what he learn about him after he became the Marquess made him ashamed of him . Before his father died he had betrothed his brother with his best friend's daughter which she was ten years old then . Now that both his brother and the father of the young lady is dead he feels that it is his responsibility to marry the young woman . When he is visist his uncle and aunt at Lake Districk he meets their guests which inclued the beautiful Lady Mirella Strong . They share a very passionate kiss and he finds himself falling for her . When the Season begin even though he is determined to marry Miss Jacinda his thoughts are only of Mirella . What will win his heart or his head ?
I loved how much he cared about Verity and Amity and I wish we will read a book about them . Maybe Caleb Strong and Amity will make a wonderful couple ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .