#Review: THE VIRGIN AND THE VISCOUNT by Robin DeHart

 

3 of 5 stars

Sullivan Chase, Viscount Glenbrook, never expected to inherit the title. Two years after his older brother's death, he returns to London only to find out he's now Glenbrook. His younger brother Thomas has been running things in his absence, but Sullivan isn't sure Thomas is looking out for the tenants as he should. Sullivan has  always had a tendre for Matilda Brooks and when he rescues her from a carriage accident and they are forced to share a room for the night, he finds out they've been seen coming out of the room together and he does the honorable things and offers for her. Matilda Brooks has nothing but disdain for her brother-in-law Sullivan, but feeling she has no choice, she agrees to marry him. Can they find some common ground and give their forced marriage a go?

This book started out great. There was angst, tension and things neither Sullivan or Tilly could foresee or control. I loved how independent Tilly is and how hard she tries to hold onto that. Sullivan finds Tilly irresistible, but he doesn't want to frighten her with the intensity of his desire so he doesn't sleep with her right away. That only adds to Tilly's insecurities. Sullivan was such an honorable character and Ms. DeHart does a great job of letting the reader into his thoughts. Most of the book is devoted to his suspicions surrounding his brother's death. While the writing is well done, I found the ending to be abrupt and the plot surrounding the villain was not resolved and just left hanging. I think an epilogue would have been helpful even if the villain has his own book coming. These two things dropped the book down from a 4 star rating.

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