jamiereadthis
Written on Jun 15, 2020
"An earl hiding from his future . . . Lawrence Browne, the Earl of Radnor, is mad. At least, that's what he and most of the village believes. A brilliant scientist, he hides himself away in his family's crumbling estate, unwilling to venture into the outside world. When an annoyingly handsome man arrives at Penkellis, claiming to be Lawrence's new secretary, his carefully planned world is turned upside down. A swindler haunted by his past . . . Georgie Turner has made his life pretending to be anyone but himself. A swindler and con man, he can slip into an identity faster than he can change clothes. But when his long-dead conscience resurrects and a dangerous associate is out for blood, Georgie escapes to the wilds of Cornwall. Pretending to be a secretary should be easy, but he doesn't expect that the only madness he finds is the one he has for the gorgeous earl.Can they find forever in the wreckage of their lives? Challenging each other at every turn, the two men soon give into the desire that threatens to overwhelm them. But with one man convinced he is at the very brink of madness and the other hiding his real identity, only true love can make this an affair to remember." -- back cover
- ISBN10 0062642510
- ISBN13 9780062642516
- Publish Date 21 March 2017 (first published 7 February 2017)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Collins
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 336
- Language English
Reviews
Lynn
Written on Feb 5, 2017
Georgie Turner is a bounder, making his living in any way he can...mostly illegally! He's a chameleon who has a talent; reinventing himself whenever necessary. When he's asked by his brother Jack to travel to Cornwall to assess a 'mad' Earl for a friend, he willingly goes, intending to make the trip financially worth his while. On arrival at the dilapidated country house, he finds a gentleman with a bark much worse than his bite and reputation. Someone who intrigues him more than he wants to admit as he wrestles with his conscience.
Lawrence Browne, the Earl of Radnor is mad! That's what everyone in Cornwall believes, including himself. When a local Reverend convinces the earl to seek an assistant to organise his chaotic life, Lawrence reluctantly agrees. He'll agree to anything for a quiet life and knows he'll rid himself of the intrusion at the earliest opportunity. However, becoming dependent on anyone who turns his life upside down, especially his handsome secretary was not on his agenda.
The interaction between the protagonists is a reversal of roles. Lawrence's physical appearance amplifies his eccentric behaviour and reputation. Despite his social standing, he is a gentleman who needs to be nurtured, cared for and loved. Whereas Georgie portrays himself as an efficient secretary, taking control of situations.
Neither men expect to be attracted to each other, so it is heart-warming to witness the slowly developing love they have for one another. Lawrence forces himself to take control of his life when matters important to him need urgent attention as Georgie slowly realises he has an unexpected life choice giving him an alternative life path from the one he has always taken. But will those choices bring them together?
The narrative is so much more than a romance. I love the intrigue as the protagonists look for answers to unexplained circumstances which impact their lives. Additionally, their story is so much more than physical love. The emotional development of the relationship between Lawrence and Georgie takes precedence over the sexy times, rewarding us with a hugely rewarding feel-good conclusion.
After reading The Soldier's Scoundrel it ignited a new respect for historical romances, especially with the M/M twist. This second book by Cat Sebastian firmly places her on my go-to author list with her her next anticipated book already on my TBR list.
5 Stars
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Romance via Edelweiss+***