I’ve read and reviewed a number of titles by Rachael Stewart, including some of her racier ‘Dare’ titles. I always enjoy them and find satisfaction in the guaranteed happy endings. If you’d like to read some earlier reviews, you can follow these links: Surprise Reunion with his Cinderella and Beauty and the Reclusive Millionaire.
I’m grateful to Rachel’s Random Resources and Harlequin Romance for my digital ARC which was gifted in exchange for an honest review. You can read my thoughts below.
Synopsis
Find out what happens when a billionaire returns to Felicity’s life in book one of Rachael Stewart’s new duet, Claiming the Ferrington Empire, from Harlequin Romance.
The man she never forgot…
The feelings she never lost…
Sixteen years ago, Felicity fell in love with the boy from Ferrington Manor. But their affair was short-lived when Sebastian vanished and she was left with the secret consequence of their love. Now he’s back and his return sends shock waves through Felicity! Will the revelations about Sebastian’s departure be enough for Felicity to succumb to the feelings that still draw her to him?
Review
This second chance love story was just what I needed, and it was the perfect palate cleanser after a couple of more demanding books. I was delighted to discover that this is the first in a new duet of titles Claiming the Ferrington Empire, and I think it’s possible to predict who the focus will be on for book two.
Felicity and Sebastian are a wonderful pairing. Each having lived completely different lives since they were previously together. It’s difficult to say who had endured the more difficult journey as they had both known challenges along the way. It was immediately obvious that they each still carried a flame for the other, but there was a huge amount of history and mistrust to overcome.
Once again, Rachael brings us a hero who has seemingly limitless wealth and matches him to a feisty and fiercely independent female lead. It’s quite clear that Felicity doesn’t need his money, their connection is much deeper, and she is more than prepared to continue without his involvement. While Sebastian has the wealth, it’s Felicity’s strength that dictates the journey that their futures must follow.
While Sebastian sounded gorgeous, I was drawn to Felicity’s moral compass and determination not to be taken in by promises. After coping alone dealing with the aftermath of their young love, she has created a life and a business which supports her and her family adequately. Faced with Sebastian bringing unsurmountable competition to her doorstep, it’s understandable that she reacts in the manner of a Mama Bear, protecting her territory.
I can highly recommend this escape to the Yorkshire Countryside.
About Rachael Stewart
Rachael Stewart adores conjuring up stories for the readers of Harlequin Mills & Boon and Deep Desires Press, with tales varying from the heartwarmingly romantic to the wildly erotic.
She’s been writing since she could put pen to paper as the stacks of scrawled on A4 sheets in her loft will attest to, and the lovingly bound short stories that her father would run off at work and proudly share out with his colleagues. Thinking it was a pipe dream to be published one day, she pursued a sensible career in business but she was really play-acting, achieving the appropriate degree and spending many years in the corporate world where she never truly belonged. Always happiest when she was sat at her laptop in the quiet hours tapping out a story or two. And so here she is a published author, her full-time pleasure, a dream come true.
A Welsh lass at heart, she now lives in Yorkshire with her husband and three children, and if she’s not glued to her laptop, she’s wrapped up in them or enjoying the great outdoors seeking out inspiration.
Social Media and Weblinks
Giveaway to Win 4 x Signed Rachael Stewart Paperbacks and more (Open Int)
Prize Contains
4 x Signed paperbacks
Tempted by the Tycoon’s Proposal
Surprise Reunion with His Cinderella
Beauty and the Reclusive Millionaire
Secrets Behind the Billionaire’s Return
And
‘Hug’ Bracelet
Diamond Metallic Pen
Heart Post-Its
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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