Drawn to the Marquess

Such a burden to carry for Stephen. I loved how Penelope was able to see beyond that burden. When misunderstandings and unspoken words threatened to tear apart this couple, my heart hurt. I loved their chemistry, their ability to see more than what was right in front of them, as well as the honest and steamy scenes between the two of them. Great descriptions and emotion. I recommend this story. I received an ARC of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Widowed a year before, Lady Penelope Fisherton had thought that she would finally be at peace. Unfortunately, her brother-in-law Lord Rotham now wants her accused of her late husband’s death. She had found the man who could help her in her quest for proving her innocence: Stephen Hornsby, Marquess of Clevedon. Knowing of his penchant for art, she intends to outwit him at an auction. She knew he was a consummate rake, which she could exploit to her advantage, but she wasn’t prepared for her attraction to the man. However, Stephen was even more stunned at her beauty than she was at his. Stephen is slowly losing his eyesight, and upon being told what she wants from him, he agrees to help her on the condition that she accepts to let him try to seduce her. Even though I love Bronwen Evans, I was a tad apprehensive at the blurb, sensing a overly predatory male, and I was very pleased that I was proved wrong in the very first pages. Stephen is an unrepentant rake, but he does behave honourably. I loved that Penelope and Stephen were surprisingly evenly matched on about everything: both witty and clever, he was truly a man of his word and didn’t push her; she merely let herself acknowledge her lust for him. I wasn’t sure if I agreed with his view on his illness, but this was dealt with beautifully; he was stubborn, but not irritatingly so. There isn’t anything really specific that brought my rating down, apart from Penelope’s utter stupidity at not telling Stephen a vital piece of information; he was furious, and rightly so. It was more several little things that, in the end, added up. The slower pace didn’t bother me until the second half of the book, where there were a few unnecessary repetitions which slowed down the narrative a tad; there were several inconsistencies; a couple of facts of dubious historical accuracy; some incongruous vocabulary choices and a few questionable verb tenses. As I said, it was nothing major, but it did put a damper on my enthusiasm for what is an otherwise excellent romance, which progressed very smoothly and realistically. I also loved how well Stephen’s vision problem was handled and how it led to character growth on both sides and interesting conversations between several of the characters, amongst them Jonathan who was just wonderful. In spite of my misgivings, DRAWN TO THE MARQUESS is a very interesting book, and as always I will be looking forward to Ms. Evans’ future endeavours because she never fails to engage me, to unsettle me sometimes, and to push the envelope where historical romance is concerned.

When I read the blurb on this book I could not wait to read it. One of my favorite tropes in the wounded hero or heroine and this gave me that in abundance. It warms my heart to see them have hope and find love because everyone is not perfect. Stephen Hornsby, the Marquess of Clevedon is going blind, just like his father who killed himself when he was young. Determined to see and experience all the beauty he can before that fatal day comes, He sets out to seduce beautiful widower, Lady Penelope. But she has her own agenda when she gets his attention and needs him to help her. Two beautiful people, full of secrets and strong emotions. One determined to have her in his bed and one just as determined to not allow herself to feel love, passion or desire. Her dead husband had killed all of those feelings in her, or did he? This story gripped me from the beginning and as the pages turned, there was a mystery, secrets held and such strong emotions with these two. Due to the author's wonderful descriptions and amazing prose, I fell in love with these characters and only wanted them to find love and happiness. I recommend this story tenfold and although part of a series it can be read as a standalone. Thank you Bronwen Evans for a wonderful book. I cannot wait for more.