Mr. Dale and The Divorcée

Sophie Barnes

Nov 2021 · The Brazen Beauties Book 1 · Sophie Barnes

About this ebook

He's a respectable barrister...

She's the most scandalous woman in England...

Wilhelmina Hewitt knows she's in for a rough ride when she agrees to help her husband get a divorce. Nothing, however, prepares her for the regret of meeting Mr. Dale on the eve of her downfall. No other man has ever sent her heart racing as he does. Unfortunately, while she'll soon be free to engage in a new relationship, no upstanding gentleman will have her.

James Dale would never pursue another man's wife. Or a woman reputed to be a deceitful adulteress. Furious with himself for letting the lovely Mrs. Hewitt charm him, he strives to keep his distance. But when her daughter elopes with his son, they're forced into a partnership where passion ignites. And James soon wonders if there might be more to the divorcée than meets the eye.

Ratings and reviews

Awful “Hero” — I found this couple charming at their meet-cute at a ball at the start of the book. But I quickly became disenchanted with the hero because of the thoughts he had about the heroine and the way he spoke to her when he didn't understand the circumstances of her divorce. While they had an instant attraction at that ball, it's hard to believe the heroine could still have any feelings for him because of the way he treats her. Seriously, some things he says deserved a firm slap, not a meek response. I very nearly gave up on the book because this went on for so long, and I hated seeing the heroine treated this way, especially by the supposed “hero.” But I wanted to know how her story tangled out, even if I never forgave the "hero." The way the "hero" reacted to his son's request for a blessing for his proposed marriage also infuriated me; what a controlling SOB! And his son at least partially forgave him far too quickly. All in all, I didn't enjoy this book because of the at-times awful "hero." -- I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

London 1818 A journey to find true love and contentment that takes many twist and turns. I would say a second chance at love but although the initial hero and heroine loved each other, it was more as friends. He had saved her many years ago, when she desperately needed a husband. He was her best friend and made the sacrifice for her. Now after twenty years, she wanted to return the favor and set him free to truly love another. Unfortunately to do that, she had to put herself in a terrible light so that he would be able to gain a divorce. She met the man that she felt could be the one, but after he heard of her reputation (which was not true) he could not pursue her. A few years later, fate steps in and brings them back together. Will this be her real chance at love? An interesting take I have not encountered before and really enjoyable!

This is an absorbing and emotional story about Mina Hewitt, who has sacrificed her reputation to give her friend and husband a divorce, and James Dale a barrister who is both attracted to and repulsed by Mina. After their first meeting and her divorce, James forms a negative opinion of her. Circumstances eventually bring them together. After spending time together, he begins to doubt his judgement of her. This well-written story has twists, turns, surprises, secrets revealed, hearts opened, and attitudes changed. There are actually three love stories in this interesting story. The epilogue brings us up to date on all of the HEAs. An engaging story with compelling characters. A good beginning for a new series. I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout. My review is voluntary.

About the author

Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.