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All for Love Trilogy, Book 3
From the publisher:
New York Times Bestselling Author Karen Ranney’s captivating series concludes with a tale of opposites whose attraction scorches a trail from the Highlands to the glittering halls of London—and courts scandal at every turn . . .
Politics has introduced MP Logan McKnight to many fascinating people, but the lady he encounters on the lands bordering his ancestral Scottish home outshines them all. Eleanor Craig of Hearthmere seats a Thoroughbred like a queen, knows as much about world events as any of his colleagues—and is engaged to one of the worst men Logan knows. She also seems lonely, so Logan brings her a friend. Thus should their acquaintance end, yet it’s only just begun.
The puppy Logan delivers is every bit as irresistible as the man himself. How could this stranger sense the isolation Eleanor suffers among her scheming, snobbish extended family and fiancé who control her life? It’s even worse in London—until she begins meeting Logan secretly in a secluded park. Their passionate connection frees Eleanor, body and soul. But discovery threatens disgrace—or worse.
Eleanor lost her mother as an infant, and her father as a young child. He leaves her their estate in Scotland with the proviso that her Uncle move there to take care of her. He brings his wife and children, and they remain there until her uncle dies when she is 17 years old. Her aunt immediately moves them all to London, marries a wealthy man, and convinces the solicitor to just allow Eleanor to visit for a month every year.
Eleanor is engaged to Michael, the Earl of Westcott and she really has no idea why he chose her. Her father always stressed how important family is, and she knows her family wants her to marry the Earl. He is a good catch, so she agrees to marry him. But her fiance shortens her visit home to two weeks.
Eleanor returns home, knowing in her heart that she may not be allowed back to visit again. Eleanor and Logan have a rocky start. They meet while she is out riding and finds herself surrounded by sheep. Thinking he is the shepherd, she is condescending to him until she manages to get through. Eleanor doesn’t think much of the shepherd, but Logan can’t get her out of his mind. He gives her a puppy that she really doesn’t want but disappears before she can return the dog. She names him Bruce and I have to say, the best part of the first half of the book was the dog.
There seems to be too much time spent on Eleanor’s thoughts and way too much telling, not showing as the relationship between Eleanor and Logan grows. It seems like she decided to like him after she finds out that he is not a shepherd, but is an MP in the House of Commons, representing his part of Scotland. He is shocked to find out that she is engaged to the Earl of Westcott, an arrogant, selfish man that Logan can’t stand.
This book moved slowly for at least the first half, but the last few chapters made up for it. When Eleanor realizes she can’t marry the Earl and tells him, he refuses to allow her to break their engagement. Her aunt tells her she has no choice, she must marry the Earl, and what happens after that is just shocking. I don’t want to give anything away! Just know that Eleanor and Logan get their happily ever after, despite the enormous obstacles in their way.
While I’m glad they got together, the ending felt a bit abrupt. I would have liked an epilogue or something. All in all, this was just an okay read for me.
12/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™
TO BED THE BRIDE by Karen Ranney. Avon (November 26, 2019). ISBN 978-0062841087. 384p.
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