Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 1/30/2018 + 2545 more book reviews

Very good book. Asher has returned to Scotland after being declared dead, to take up his responsibilities as the earl. He has no intention of marrying, having a tragedy in his past that has made him unwilling to risk his heart. He has been coerced into escorting Hannah and her aunt around London, after which he will return to Scotland and his duties there.

Hannah has been forced by her stepfather to go to London and find a husband. She has no plans to marry; instead, she will return to Boston to watch over her younger brothers, grandmother, and mother. All she has to do is remain unmarried until she can claim her inheritance.

I loved the relationship that developed between Asher and Hannah. They clashed at the beginning, as neither wanted to be where they were. But it didn't take long for them to discover their similarities, and a pretty sweet friendship developed from there. Hannah is pragmatic about herself. She doesn't see herself as attractive, she has a limp and feels that her only appeal is her fortune. Her family is important to her, and she feels that she is the only one who can protect them from her stepfather. Her focus is on surviving the Season and returning to Boston. For Asher, his family is also his focus. He feels guilty for the way he had previously abandoned them and is determined to make everything right now that he is back.

It was fun to see Asher push Hannah through the preparations for the Season. She tried to resist but ended up giving in. I loved his sensitivity to her limp and the way he found to fix it. It was sweet to see how he wanted to make her forced social time easier for her. As they spent time together, they discovered that they liked each other and appreciated the similarities of their situations. That liking turned to love, intensified by the attraction they felt for each other. Asher quickly realized that he wanted to keep Hannah in his life and proposed marriage. Unfortunately, Hannah was still focused on her need to return to Boston. I was a little frustrated with her, as Asher made multiple offers to help her with her family issues, but she refused his help. I ached for them both as they admitted their love for each other, but couldn't see a way to make it work.

I loved the support that Asher received from his family. They welcomed him back into the fold with few recriminations. When he wanted their help with Hannah's Season, they came in force. There is an especially moving scene near the end, as Asher is holding a baby, where he finally confesses his painful past to his brothers. I loved their understanding and shared grief.

I wasn't sure how Asher and Hannah were going to get their HEA with everything that was working against them. Seeing her get on that ship, headed back to Boston, made me want to shake her until she saw sense. That Asher's plan was nearly too late made me crazy when so much could have been avoided if he had just told her what he had done. I loved the ending as Hannah makes a decision and tries to stop the ship at the same time Asher attempts to do the same. It was a scene that had me laughing out loud and cheering them both on.

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