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Rose Sinclair has run out of options. With her father in prison and
their bookshop sold to pay his debts, she has no choice but to turn to
Henry Covington, the Baron Norcliffe. But the baron has more than earned
his harsh reputation, and Rose must face his wrath in order to save her
father—and herself.
Since the deaths of his parents, Henry Covington has isolated himself from society, ensuring the solitude of his estate with his deliberate callousness. However, when the beautiful Miss Sinclair appears on his doorstep, begging for a chance to repay her father's debt to him, a moment of weakness finds him offering her a position—as a maid in his own house.
They both soon learn that first impressions are not to be believed. Henry is surprised—and intrigued—by Rose's optimistic charm, while Rose slowly uncovers Henry's true self, his compassion concealed behind the pain of loss and betrayal. But when a shadow from Henry's past returns, their newfound hope is tested. They must decide for themselves who to trust and what they will risk for their happily ever after.
Since the deaths of his parents, Henry Covington has isolated himself from society, ensuring the solitude of his estate with his deliberate callousness. However, when the beautiful Miss Sinclair appears on his doorstep, begging for a chance to repay her father's debt to him, a moment of weakness finds him offering her a position—as a maid in his own house.
They both soon learn that first impressions are not to be believed. Henry is surprised—and intrigued—by Rose's optimistic charm, while Rose slowly uncovers Henry's true self, his compassion concealed behind the pain of loss and betrayal. But when a shadow from Henry's past returns, their newfound hope is tested. They must decide for themselves who to trust and what they will risk for their happily ever after.
Genre: historical romance
Publication date: January 2019
Mature content: no
Mature content: no
Review: As short stories go, Beauty and the Baron is just OK. More than not believing the quick way Rose and Henry fall in love, what didn't really convince me was the rest of the plot.
First, I failed to see how Henry could be so quick in assessing who was the real culprit when his late mother's jewels were stolen. It was predictable that he would conclude at some point that Rose was innocent. But how he could immediately determine the guilt of a woman that had been in his service for years, and had no apparent reason to steal - that is beyond me. Why her and not anyone else in the house?
And then there was the matter of Rose's father being released from jail. He's in prison for debts - and at the beginning of the story we are led to believe that he had quite a few. That a simple letter from Henry - baron or not - delivered by Rose was enough to release him from jail is also beyond me. I'm not saying it was impossible, but I don't think in reality it would have been such an easy or quick process.
While from a romantic perspective Beauty and the Baron reads a bit like a fairly tale, happy ending and all, I found the story lacking in consistency, so this is a "read if you have time" kind of book.
First, I failed to see how Henry could be so quick in assessing who was the real culprit when his late mother's jewels were stolen. It was predictable that he would conclude at some point that Rose was innocent. But how he could immediately determine the guilt of a woman that had been in his service for years, and had no apparent reason to steal - that is beyond me. Why her and not anyone else in the house?
And then there was the matter of Rose's father being released from jail. He's in prison for debts - and at the beginning of the story we are led to believe that he had quite a few. That a simple letter from Henry - baron or not - delivered by Rose was enough to release him from jail is also beyond me. I'm not saying it was impossible, but I don't think in reality it would have been such an easy or quick process.
Happy readings and have a wonderful weekend,
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