June 1460
Edmund Deverell leaned on the rail and watched the town of Calais, with its isolated but stubbornly entrenched population of English colonists, slowly recede into the morning sea mist...
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The Blurb
An enemies to lovers, convenient marriage Medieval romance
A house divided…
A passion ignited!
Outraged when Yorkist knight Edmund Deverell stakes his centuries-old claim on her beloved home, Lancastrian maiden Isobel Calvert won’t leave without a fight! But her best defense against destitution is to propose marriage—to her enemy!
After the pain of his first union, Edmund had never planned to wed again, his only allegiance now is to the House of York. Still, he can’t deny a practical marriage will secure his legacy and leave his emotions intact. But days of verbal sparring with his new wife lead to nights of unforgettable passion, until Edmund finds his loyalties wavering dangerously…
My Review
Lissa Morgan is my favourite author of this type of historical fiction. Needless to say, when she asked me if I would review this book for her, I was more than happy to do so. This book did not disappoint in any way. In fact, I think this is my favourite of those of her novels that I have previously read.
The book is set in 1460 during the Wars of the Roses and is a wonderful escape into medieval England. The main character, Isobel, is a Lancastrian and the last remaining survivor of the Calvert family. At this point in history, the Yorkists are on the rise, and the King's Knight, Sir Edmund Deverell, arrives at her home and commandeers her property.
Isobel is faced with the prospect of marrying a man old enough to be her grandfather, or to enter a convent and live out her days as a nun. At this point in history, women had no choice about how to live their lives, and the author depicts this patriarchal society extremely well.
However, Isobel is a rebel and takes matters into her own hands by suggesting a marriage of convenience to Edmund. This will enable her to remain in her beloved home. However, it isn't long before a mutual attraction and desire between them becomes evident. This is a wonderful enemies-to-lovers story which the author tells well.
I loved Isobel's character. She is strong, determined and feisty. Although Edmund had arrived at her home with a sense of entitlement, it quickly becomes apparent that he is a caring man who is carrying much hurt from a past marriage which we learn as some of the book is told from his perspective.
I loved how immersive this novel was. The author has researched her time period extremely well and depicts it with clarity, bringing an authenticity to her novel.
There is a mix of narrative and dialogue throughout; both of which move the story along at an appropriate pace for this genre of novel.
This was an engaging story which I enjoyed reading very much. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an enemies-to-lovers trope.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 0369769756
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Formats: e-book and paperback
No. of Pages: 272 (paperback)
Purchase Links
About the Author
Lissa Morgan hails from Wales but has travelled far and wide over the years, usually in pursuit of the next new job. A history graduate and former archivist, she now works in academia and freelance website design, which she fits in around her writing time. She lives between the mountains and the sea in rugged north-west Wales surrounded by medieval castles that provide the perfect inspiration for her books.
You can also find Lissa at:
My Other Blog Posts Featuring This Author
Alliance with Her Renegade Knight
The Warrior's Forbidden Maiden
(book and media courtesy of the author)
(all opinions are my own)
(Bookshop.org affiliated)
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