This book was published on 23 February 2016.

Major Nathaniel Grey has no fortune and no family name to rightfully belong among the quality. His access to the ton was due to her association with his former colonel in the Scarlet Scoundrels, the Duke of Strathmore and his friendship with Thomas Matteson, the Marquess of Chesney. His rank and his friendship with members of the peerage are not enough to secure standing in the upper ten thousand. Grey is indifferent to this. He lives up to his scandalous, rakish reputation. The genteel ladies of the ton, who knew him as a runaway son of a blacksmith, regard him with contempt.

Emily Matteson, sister to Thomas, holds Grey in high esteem and in deepest of affection. Her parents disapproved of the match and sent her away to boarding school.

They met again years later, Emily, now a widow of the murdered Andrew Crenshaw, who fears for her safety and sanity.

Emily and Grey war with their mixed emotions for each other. This doesn't hinder Grey to protect Emily and her unborn son.

I re-read this story of Nathaniel and Emily and family. This novel is interesting, with the characters embroiled in debauchery, deceit, dark secrets, betrayal, murder, kidnapping, but also deep friendship, loyalty, generosity and undying affection.

This was a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are mine. This is an honest review.

I have loved works of Anna Harrington in the past, but this book was not up to her past caliber. (It could be that this is the oldest book of hers that I have read, therefore making the others I have read (more recent releases) an improvement in her writing.) I am struggling to review this book because the only thing that comes to mind is…meh. It was an okay read, it wasn’t awful, but it also was not very good.

I found Emily to be a very irrational character. She seemed like a strong, independent women in the beginning, but then we see what a wimp she is. She made a lot of stupid decisions, and I was not a fan of that. Grey was a great male lead. The reformed rake gets me every time. The only issue I had with him was the resolution at the end of the story was very abrupt and should have been better integrated into the storyline.

While I did not enjoy this book as much, it will not stop me from reading Anna Harrington’s future books. I thoroughly enjoyed her most recent book, “If the Duke Demands,” this one just falls short.