♥♥♥ 4.5 "Permanent" Stars ♥♥♥

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'Because even thought I say I don't do permanent, every day spent with Ariana is one day that I get further away from our temporary agreement. As much as I feel I don't deserve this, I'm slowly beginning to realize that I just might be wrong.'

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Oh my, Branson!! This was so good. I loved Branson so much!! And I was totally not expecting that.





I have no idea how it happened, but the one Wellington character that I totally disliked, ended up being one of my favourite male characters of this series. If you have read Knox's book, then you know who Branson Wellington is. He was one of the biggest jerks, or so he seemed. I loved getting to know more of his story and finding out what actually happened in the past. The story between Branson and Ariana starts quite awhile before this book begins. They met one time when Branson got drunk. They ended up talking to each other until really late. When Branson woke up, Ariana was gone with only a note left for him to know it was real.

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'In such a short time, she's become my confidante. My companion. My closest friend--probably the only friend I have. And I can't imagine her being out of my life. I don't want to.'

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Since that moment, Branson began to change. And now fate has brought them back together again for a second chance. And as more time goes by he realizes that becoming the CEO of his family's company isn't his only dream, he may also want Ariana in his life as well. Ariana comes from a family where appearances are everything. For the longest time she has done everything to please them. She finds herself engaged to man who she doesn't love and finds he feels the same way. She is tired of doing what others want her to. She wants to live her life the way she wants to. She breaks off the engagement and leaves Atlanta only to end up in a car accident where Branson saves her.





Somehow, Ariana and Branson end up in a fake "engagement". And when his family shows up, they keep up the charade but they both agree it will only be temporary. Once Branson heals, Ariana can leave and stop pretending to be Branson's fiancé . But the more time they spend together, the more they fall for one another. It was awesome watching them both become carefree in each other's presence. Ariana was such a great heroine. She wasn't annoying at all. She was quite strong and I loved that she wasn't afraid to say what she wanted. Together, these two had crazy chemistry. There was some HAWT sexy scenes that made me pant and swoon for Branson.

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'She's my missing piece.
She's what makes me whole.
As cliché as it sounds, Ariana Covington completes me.'

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I really enjoyed the book. I like watching Branson evolve into a better version of himself. There was definitely more to him than his douche exterior portrayed. Branson could be so freaking sweet that he made my heart melt. He was hot, possessive alpha and I loved him! I loved that we got the whole Wellington clan in this book. I love that family. I also like getting glimpses of how everyone was doing. There was a bit of angst near the end that broke my heart. But the ending was absolutely wonderful. I was smiling so big at the end of this. Overall, it was a really great read and one that you should definitely check out. I am really excited to read Shane and Alyssa's story next.



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bookshelves: published-2004, historical-fiction, conflagration, britain-england, medieval5c-16c, revenge, war, norfolk, paper-read

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Dedication: For Kaye, with love

Front Quote:

Cold heart and cruel hand
Now rule across the land
Anglo-Saxon Chronicles

Opening:

1070
They left York by the Jubber Gate, what remained of it, like thieves in the night. Behind them smoke from the blackened timbers of the burning City billowed skywards, choking the night air, obscuring the moon, covering their escape.


[..]the fens, a stinking wilderness of sky and mud. It was rumoured that the fen dwellers had webbed feet, that nature had intervened to prevent them sinking into the endless marshland.

Sweyn II Estridson (Svend Estridsen) April 28, 1074

A great fictional read about a very obscure part of English medieval history, although a proof reader would not have gone amiss and the book length may have been reduced by, say, four pages if all the modern curses had been taken away. But I loved it, all those 'bloody' villains - and what about the coracle action to set the bridge aflame.

Yes, loves me some neat coracle action.

Seeing that history can never be construed as a spoiler, I will add that Hereward ultimately loses the battle to keep the Isle of Ely out of The Conqueror's hands.

3.5* upped to 4* for a great hero.

bookshelves: ancient-history, published-2003, spring-2010, italy, roman-civilisation, historical-fiction, conflagration