This romantic tale beautifully explores the complexities of love, duty, and the constraints of social expectations in Regency-era society. The author does a nice job of weaving together the emotional turmoil of Lord Jasper Taverston and his lover, Vanessa Wardrip, whose love affair was always destined to be temporary due to their starkly different social standings.
Jasper, now an earl, finds himself trapped between the expectations of his title and the deep, unshakeable love he has for Vanessa, a woman who defies all the rules of ton-approved romance. His journey to reconcile his duty with his heart is both heart-wrenching and captivating, as he grapples with feelings of betrayal and guilt when he begins courting a more "suitable" woman in his father's stead.
The story captures the struggle of reconciling personal desires with the pressures of societal expectations. It’s a tale of second chances, forgiveness, and the power of love in defying the rules of nobility. The pacing is perfect, the characters are richly developed, and the chemistry between Jasper and Vanessa leaps off the page.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I loved Vanessa but I absolutely hated Jasper, honestly Crispin would have been a better love interest. Unfortunately this being a historical romance it sort of missed the mark for me because I hated the love interest

Mrs. Vanessa Waldrip followed the drum with her husband. Once she is widowed, her husband's commanding officer, Crispin Taveston, was able to get her to London. Meeting his brother, Lord Jasper Taveston, heir to the Earl of Iversley, their instant attraction leads to an agreement to become his mistress. But Jasper breaks a promise established from the beginning and she disappears. Can love overcome fear? Three very unusual brothers each with their own unique personalities.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Solid 3.5* This read more as historical fiction than romance, but I still really liked the book. There is a strong personality difference between Jasper and Vanessa. Vanessa is strong, she's been through a lot, and she's a lady not by birth but in every other way. When Jasper makes her his mistress (instead of helping her per Crispin), she agrees since she needs security. But when he does not keep his word, she walks out. Honestly, she and Crispin made a better match. Jasper is too wishy washy, yes he is kind, but he seems to be led by the society string and does not have a backbone or maturit. I loved how his entire family hid Vanessa from him. He needs to have groveled more.

The book was written well, but it could have a bit more relationship building and sexual tension.

#netgalley #HoldingontoLove

Holding onto Love is the second book of The Taverstons of Iversley.

Mrs. Vanessa Wardrip who is a soldier’s widow. But she is also in love with Lord Jasper Taverston, the Earl of Iversley. Due to Jaspers standing as an Earl he is re3quired to marry a woman of equal standing. Vanessa however grew up in the wealth her father being in trade. While they love each other their relationship is doomed from the start. When her husband dies on the battlefield, Jasper’s brother Crispin was asked to take care of Vanessa after he dies.

Jasper must marry and can delay no longer. Vanessa runs away to find a life of her own with the help of Crispin and her attorney.

I am always disappointed when a story does not sit right with me. This one starts in the present and then goes back to the past to retell the story. but then it moves closer to the present and then goes back to the past and repeat again. I had a tough time keeping the story straight and all the characters that were introduced along the way. If the story had started from the beginning while moving forward, I think this would have been a better story.

I would love to give a better notes, but at some point, the back and forth story confuses me often. I had to go back a few chapters to re-read what was actually happening. The idea is good, the story is actually interesting.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable romance, and I love a mistress heroine. The ending wasn’t quit as convincing as the build up.

This is a unique and original well written class difference romance. The characters were complex and interesting. There was drama, a lot of emotional issues, and much more interest that kept me engaged. I enjoyed the way everything worked out, and true love prevailed. I recommend reading!

This was such a lovely historical romance! The unique concept of wanting to marry one’s mistress who happens to be a soldier’s widow sets this book apart from others in this genre. I loved the writing style and use of letters between the two main characters to move the plot forward. Vanessa’s resilience and determination to build her life on her own was admirable, and her friendship with the other Talverston brothers heartwarming. Even though this was the second book in a series, I read it as a standalone and it was very enjoyable!

This historical romance gives us a love that shouldn't have happened in the order it did. Our hero has a tendency to think everything will go just the way he wants it to. Our heroine has already learned the hard way that life doesn't work that way.
This is an interesting story that moves back in time a few years, then forward again to show how it all happened.
The family that is the connection for the series is unconventional in some ways. The series is better read in order but each book is complete on its own. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Good fun.

Good gravy... I am worn out!! What a journey! If there were EVER two people who should be together.... it's Vanessa and Jasper. My god, the longing, the unfortunate life circumstances keeping them apart, the DESTINY. Oh man, I am so happy they had a HEA. I stayed up waayyyy too late. But this book delivered!!

Came for the historical romance but stayed for the historical fiction.

The romance aspect doesn’t seem to be the focal point and that was fine as the story is engaging and well written.

This was the first book in the series I’ve read and would definitely read the first and next.



Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

Is it possible for Jaspter Taverston, Earl of Iversley to forego everyone's opinion and marry the woman he loves?
I loved Vanessa's strength of character which I am sure was due to her upbringing and following the drum. That is not to say she did not question her thoughts and actions. At times Jasper struck me as someone more concerned about the opinion of him by those important to him - Crispin, Reg, Hazard, his parents, and even the ton. He broke his promise to Vanessa to tell her when he started hunting for an acceptable bride. There is a secondary plot where Crispin always appears and seems to know more than anyone else. I can't wait to read his story!

This book like the first, the couple is not together in the present for like 85% of the book. It made sense in this story, as it was a second chance story but I hope that is not repeated in the third book. I would almost say this is more historical fiction leaning than romance since it really didn’t seem to be the main plot. Vanessa, I loved. The right amount of strong but accepting to help and asking for it. Jasper…. Man I had a harder time with him. He was so agreeable/kind but also worried about what other people would think. I’m still in my feels so I cried for Vanessa, I cannot lie. I cannot wait for Crispín and Olivia’s books. Like Crispín has been the main star for two books so I know he will need to grovel.

Book two of the Taverston family brings us into the lives of Vanessa and Jasper. Jasper made a promise to Vanessa that he didn't keep. This has Vanessa leaving and hiding out in an obscure village. Of course the entire family is involved and Jasper has a lot to make up for. An enjoyable read with references from the characters of book one. This can be a standalone yet I love having a full understanding of the family dynamics.

He broke the one promise she asked of him...

I liked Vanessa, who through circumstances became the mistress to Jasper (even though he should have married her instead of keeping her as his mistress for years). I was disappointed in Jasper, who does the one thing she asks him not to do. Look for a ton bride while they are still together, He does that and she is forced into hiding in the country from him. Vanessa is a widow who has had to face the financial difficulties once widowed abroad. I wanted, expected more of Jasper.

This storyline gave me lots of mixed feelings. I do love a strong woman who knows how to take control of her life when handed the worse possible news, so I loved Vanessa's character. She kept finding ways to move forward with her life despite all the obstacles. She was kind and was strong in standing for herself and her beliefs.

Lord Jasper Taverston's character, though I instantly fell in love with him, I became disappointed as the story progressed. Don’t misunderstand me. This was a great story it just caused a lot of emotions within me as I read.

I believe the reader will enjoy this story and the ending like I did.

Having met the Taverston family in the previous book in this series, I was interested to see how Jasper would fare after all his previous plans and good intentions were blown sky high. Although this book is Jasper's story, his brothers cannot be excluded from the outcome of the plot. Bound by duty, Jasper is forced to return to the family's estate when his father is on his deathbed, and his return to London is delayed by the mess in which he finds the affairs of the estate. Consequently, the news of Jasper's betrothal reaches Vanessa before he can tell her himself, and that was the one condition she set on him, to warn her if he planned to marry. There is a suspenseful sub-plot running through the storyline, and the master puppeteer appears to be Crispin, “plotting always three steps ahead of everyone else.” Vanessa goes into hiding but an accidental meeting not only reveals where Vanessa is living in obscurity but brings the small village into focus as well. The novel comes to a happy conclusion, and one is left wondering about the other players in the field. I received a copy of this romance through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Four years ago, Lord Jasper Taverston, heir to the Earl of Iversley, marshalled his considerable resources to protect the brave woman he desired and claim her for his own. However, with the death of his father, the responsibility of the earldom requires him to find a suitable wife. Yet no-one can compare to Mrs Vanessa Wardrip, his mistress. As a soldier’s widow, Vaness knew that her arrangement with Jasper was only temporary. Yet when she agreed to their arrangement, she asked one promise from him: that he would tell her first when the time came for him to marry, allowing her a dignified retreat. When he betrays that request, Vanessa flees to the countryside, telling no one where to find her, not even Jasper.
Told in the past and present, I enjoyed the scenes telling how Jasper and Vanessa came together as a couple. However, the time spent apart, after Vanessa discovers his betrayal, did draw out too long. I enjoyed the two brothers of Jasper and their relationship with him. Another good aspect of this book was the frank and honest dialogue between Jasper and Vanessa. Both are two great characters when they are together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book even though I suspected at first that I wouldn’t since the plot involved a war widow who became the mistress with an heir to an earldom for four years. But then Lord Jasper Taveston inherits the earldom and starts to court a noble bride. Our heroine, Mrs. Vanessa Wardrip, immediately breaks it off with him and retreats to the country where she hopes to make a new life for herself in a small village. I enjoyed how the writer portrayed the feelings of loneliness for each character. She also brought in the problems of wives of ordinary soldiers in the Napoleonic Wars and how there was little protection for them after their husbands died. She portrayed the economic problems facing ordinary folks during this period. Too many books are just focused on the wealthy nobles and I enjoyed reading the stories of what life was like for those not born to the nobility. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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.