Marrying Winterborne

4.5 stars — Well that was a whole heap of delightfulness, and while it gave me anxiety at times, it also gave me so much happiness and smiles and swoons and giggles too. It actually lived up to my expectations, and that is always a pleasant surprise! As always, I adored Mary Jane Wells as the narrator. Honestly, I’m still saying half the things in my head in a Welsh accent (which obviously I can’t judge for accuracy). I kind of want my hubby to start calling me cariad now. Helen…well, Helen was my kind of heroine. Shy, gentle and kind. Oh god did I feel for her in this story. I wasn’t expecting her “darkest secret” at all, it completely caught me off guard. And even though I yelled at her to TELL HIM, I totally understand why she hesitated. I wanted to wrap her up and reassure her. I loved seeing her develop her strength through Rhys’s love — she grew a lot in the story. Rhys…Rhys was frustrating as all hell, but oh so sweet and swoony as well. He could be such a jerk at times, but at least I mostly understand what was behind all that. And when he finally let himself fall, oh wow…I could feel how much Helen’s love transformed him as well. And I think that was the most rewarding thing about this story in some ways — the way they both built the other up into their best versions. They matched so well, gentle Helen developing strength, and rough Rhys developing softness. And even though their steamy scenes were a bit odd at times (mostly because I’m unused to historical romance courtships I think), I genuinely felt their chemistry from steamy moments to the less steamy ones. As with the first book, I ADORED the secondary characters as well. The twins are killing me, they’re hilarious and awesome. I enjoyed the prominent employees we met of Mr. Winterborne’s. And Dr. Garrett has me hella intrigued (not to mention Ransom). So yeah. I can see re-listening to this one when I just need the right level of swoon and fun and heart.

a good roller coaster ride of emotions. This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Gives you faith in love and the human spirit. Lots of laughs and some crying too.