A Terrific Family, An Unexpected Kiss Turns a Damaged Marquess Around:
A sad beginning to this story as we discover that a very young Judson has had a very horrible and cruel upbringing. He feels inadequate, he has no friends or family other than his loyal valet
Jump forward about 18 years and we meet a sweet naive Lucy just beginning her come out season. Lucy has been given many warnings about men, scoundrels, and fortune hunters.
Judson has just meet Lucys brother early that day and is invited for tea where he then meets Lucy. That evening has Judson delivering her an unexpected first kiss.
This is a wonderfully emotional story of two fantastic characters that captured my interest and heart.
They took me through a few struggles and much passion on their journey only to discover just how much they deeply love each other.
I truly enjoyed this story from beginning to the very happy ending.
💋 Adult Advisory: 2+/5
💖 Favorite Character: Tim the Valet had me reaching for the tissue box

This book is about Lucy and Judson. Judson was physically and emotionally abused by his uncle so he shut off all his emotions, didn’t feel he had any love to give. Lucy is a sweet but clever girl with a strict mother but loving relatives. When she’s in London for her debut, old schoolmates of Judson try to compromise Lucy but Judson rescues her and they end up married. Judson states it’s a marriage of convenience but of course Lucy is having none of that. Can she melt his heart? She does use her body for that purpose and the book makes it seem that lots of sex can make a bond stronger and vanish any problems or mental issues; sex is confused with love, which I found predictable but a bit disappointing.
Judson is a strong but damaged hero and Lucy a naive but bold heroine. I liked that she took action when needed, but it took some time. At the beginning she cried a bit too easily but luckily she found her boldness soon enough. Judson’s change of character was a bit sudden; he felt unworthy of love and unable to give love, but after just one talk with Lucy (and lots of sex) all of that changed. That felt a bit unrealistic, I would have liked more gradually development there and a bit more depth.
The secondary characters are interesting and well developed: Lucy’s cousin Ariadne and her husband Julian, who made a love match. I will check if book one is about them. Also Lucy’s brother Con, and there is hinting that Lucy’s younger, headstrong sister will make her debut next year but she doesn’t want to get married at, so Lucy’s mother is in for a fight. This could be book three. I like the potential for more books about happy relatives and their stories on how to find love. The heroine has many relatives, a huge family, so I can see a lot of books in the making! I will definitely have to check the other books by this author. :-)
This book is fairly predictable, nothing too surprising here. I recommend it if you want a nice read with a happily ever after.
Thank you Dragonblade Publishing, Netgalley and author for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Judson has had a terrible childhood. When he finds innocent Lucy being bullied at a ball, he steps in to protect her. In so doing, they are found alone together and he must do the honorable thing and marry her.. Attracted to Judson, Lucy hopes to help him overcome his demons. Judson has to learn how to be happy. I received an ARC from NetGalley an Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

A sweet romance where a marriage of convenience turns into true love. Judson is tough, not liked, his past forging him into what he is today. Lucy is his opposite, sweet, kind, and innocent. A rescue becomes a marriage of convenience, and the two of them have to now navigate their way to a hea. Well written with good character and romantic development.

#netgalley #AnImpulsiveKiss

Judson Jarvis, Marquis of Huntsberry, was raised by his brutal uncle after his father died when he was ten. As he grew in size, Judson retaliated against all the boys at school who had bullied him, until everyone became frightened of him. Now, Judson is angry, bored, and entirely friendless. Lady Lucilla Alington is thoughtful and nurturing. She is making her come-out this Season, but her brother worries that the wrong men will be attracted to her innocent charm and large dowry. When two rakehells decide to ruin the naïve young lady, Judson rashly intervenes, chasing away the men who would have ruined her reputation, and capturing her delicate lips with a fervent kiss. His impulsive action, meant to save her from ruination ends in a marriage of convenience, Judson and Lucy must navigate their way through the marriage forced upon them.
The second book in the series about ten cousins, so whilst it can be read on its own characters from the previous book do feature. Another well written book by the author which I read straight through, her books just speak to me & once started I’m hooked & engrossed. I loved Lucy who was intelligent but also innocent. I did love Judson especially when his backstory was revealed. The attraction between them sizzled even though he fought it. I loved their journey to a HEA & also how close some of the cousins were becoming
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own