[Review] The Determined Lord Hadleigh, by Virginia Heath

Title: The Determined Lord Hadleigh
Series: The King's Elite #4
Author: Virginia Heath
Publisher: Mills & Boon Historical
Number of pages: 288
Publication date: June 27th 2019

Synopsis:

He’s got iron control…

But she might be his undoing!

Part of The King’s Elite: Haunted by Penny Penhurst’s courage on the witness stand, meticulous barrister Lord Hadleigh offers her a housekeeper position at his estate. Despite trying to stay detached, Hadleigh is charmed by her small child and surprised by how much he yearns for this proud woman! Can he break through his own—and Penny’s—barriers to prove he’s a man she can trust…and love?

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

This this is the final instalment of the King’s Elite. And what a great ending!

In this book, we do not have a spy, but a lawyer (or barrister) instead: Lord Tristan Hadleigh.

We have a saying here in Portugal: “De boas intenções está o inferno cheio”, which means the same as the English saying “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. And in this book, our main character tries to do his best, with his best intentions, but things take some time before they fall in place. As a barrister, Hadleigh tries to uphold the law and the truth, but he also realizes that the law is at serious fault when it comes to women and their rights. And so, due to some of his personal history that I will not divulge so not to spoil the book for you, dear reader, he acts has an anonymous contributor to help the women that need assistance after lawsuits and other legal actions done against their husbands and families.

And that’s what leads us to our main couple. Hadleigh is in court, and a traitor is on trial. His wife and child are left with nothing. He feels somewhat responsible, and tries to help.

But Penny doesn’t want any help. After years of being controlled, this amazing woman wants only her freedom, and she will do what it takes to take care of her little boy, Freddie, and herself.

Penny is a friend of Clarissa, the heroine in the first book, and so she knows about the King’s Elite. And she believes the anonymous helper is her friend. When she finds out that Lord Hadleigh is actually the one helping, she doesn’t get it, and he doesn’t understand why she won’t accept his help.

It’s a very clever plot point, that shows how good actions may have a different and unpredictable outcome. They get to know each other, and they both learn to trust and make (healthy, reasonable) compromises for what they really want in life, and of each other.

It had some funny moments, with the gossip between the ladies, and it was great to revisit old characters.

I loved the chemistry Penny and Tristan had, and how adorable Freddie was. And even more: how great Tristan was with Freddie, it just melts your heart.

One of the best books I’ve read this year. A great ending to a great series.



P.S. The epilogue was awesome – you will love the reunion and… a few things more.

[Review] The Disgraceful Lord Gray, by Virginia Heath

Title The Disgraceful Lord Gray
Series: The King's Elite #3
Author: Virginia Heath
Publisher: Mills & Boon Historical
Number of pages: 288
Publication date: March 21st 2019

Synopsis:

A spy on a mission… Until he meets this heiress!

Part of The King’s Elite. Miss Theodora Cranford’s learned to keep her impetuous nature locked away. She won’t be deceived by another man who can’t see past her fortune. She wants an honourable, sensible sort – not a self-assured scoundrel like her new neighbour, Lord Gray. Although she’s sure there’s more to him than meets the eye… But after that first captivating kiss, she's certainly left wanting more!

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

For those of you that follow Virginia Heath on social media, you know that she has an adorable, yet somewhat mischievous dog, named Trevor. In this (awesome) book, we have a version of Trevor, Trefor! He is adorable, and helps us readers love our hero so much more.

Lord Gray is a spy, which means his relationship with Miss Theodora Cranford starts with lies. This might put some people off, but it worked very well for me.

Gray is funny, and encouraging, and a hard worker. He doesn’t want to compromise his mission, but he also doesn’t want to lie to Thea. And he finds a way to tell her about himself, and makes it easy for her to fall in love with him, without manipulating her or lie – except when it comes to the reason he uses to justify his presence in the house next door.

Theodora Cranford, Thea to her friends and family, is a fiery redhead that has been trying to control her temper and her impulses for too long. She believes she has a good reason to do so, but with Gray’s help (and Trefor!) she begins to loosen up, and it helps her to enjoy life more.

Gray works with his stiff boss, Lord Fennimore, who has his little story in the background as well. It is quite entertaining to see a grumpy, older gentleman, change his way of living.

The book also has an element of mystery/crime, which keeps us wondering about a mysterious boss that is ordering hits, and that is the focus of Gray and Fennimore’s mission.

I loved the friendship that developed between our main characters, and how charming they both were. I was rooting for them from beginning to end.