#Review: QUEEN OF MY HART by Emily Royal

 

  3 of 5 stars

The opening chapter of this book was riveting. Dexter had been planning his revenge against his enemy for years and he was in the perfect position to win his prize--his enemy's daughter, Elizabeth. It seems Elizabeth wants the same thing although she hides it from her father, but when her father tricks Dexter into marrying the wrong daughter, Dexter is angry beyond words. He was now stuck with the timid bastard daughter. Margaret has endured a terrible childhood and has a terrifying secret that she hopes never comes to light. When her father marries her off to Dexter, she's terrified of him and soon realizes he was tricked into their marriage and doesn't care for her. Can these two tortured souls find happiness together?

I wanted to like this book, but there are things that almost had me stopping especially the whipping of a poor servant girl for daring to go swimming with Margaret. Dexter's tough exterior seemed over the top in some chapters and then all of a sudden he's falling in love with Margaret. There didn't seem to be any defining moment that would bring about that especially since he'd banished her to the country the day after the wedding. While I wasn't especially enamored with Dexter, I found the epilogue heartwarming and I'm glad I finished the story. 

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.