I was somewhat disappointed with this book. I liked the plot (bastard stableboy inherits lands & title; comes back for the woman he loved as a teenager), but, Lissa and Ivan are too unhappy with each other and don't really start having a good relationship until the last chapter of the book. Even after they first make love they are both still very suspicious & actually nasty toward each other. I wish they could have admitted to each other that they loved each other much sooner. The way the story played out, I wasn't liking the characters of Lissa or Ivan very much at all. For a romance novel, this story needed more tenderness.
Former stableboy Ivan Tramore makes good, inheriting wealth and a legitimate title, while Lissa Alcester's fortunes spiral downward as the result of scandal, and Lissa finds herself undeniably attracted to this ruthless, vengeful man.
Highly recommended. A really touching story of redeeming love.