To Love the Brooding Baron ~ Review

To Love the Brooding Baron
By Jentry Flint

Arabella Latham has long thought fondly of Lord Henry Northcott. But Henry is stoic and rather standoffish, even with his good friends. And as fond of Arabella as Henry is, he can never let himself fall in love with her. He is carrying a heavy burden, one that makes him an unsuitable match for any woman. He's lived for years with the secret of his family and worked to be above any scandal that could bring further shame on the Northcott name.

This book is a sort of Beauty and the Beast retelling with Shakespearean quotes scattered throughout. The Shakespearean quotes are an important part of the story, a sweet part, actually. Arabella and Henry couldn't be more different—she's bright and vivacious, while he is subdued and somber.

Though it isn't noted in the book, it is a companion/sequel to the author's previous Proper Romance book, Games on a Ballroom, and, like that book, touches on serious topics. I highly recommend this book; it was an excellent read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I would provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.  

About the Book:

Opposites attract and sparks fly when the vivacious
Arabella falls for a baron who lives
under the shadow of a scandalous family secret.

Arabella Latham is a free spirit who longs to feel the spark of true love, but few men can match her passion for Shakespeare or her zest for life. Though her prospects seem slim, Arabella knows she can always count on the handsome but stoic Lord Henry Northcott, dubbed “The Brooding Baron” by the ton, to be willing to engage in intelligent conversation and even share a congenial dance with her at almost every ball. His quiet demeanor is the opposite of her vivacious personality, and she finds herself drawn to him, despite their differences.

Lord Northcott has quietly admired Arabella for years, grateful that his friendship with her brother has allowed him to share in her company. But he knows he cannot pursue a romantic relationship with any woman—let alone someone as bright and beautiful as Arabella—because of the shadow that an old family scandal has cast over his life. He has vowed to preserve what is left of his family’s reputation by holding himself above reproach apart from society and focusing the majority of his efforts at Parliament.

But Arabella is determined to show Lord Northcott that life is meant to be enjoyed, and she sets out to see what is behind the walls the Brooding Baron has built around himself. Could the spark of true love be enough to drive away the shadows holding Henry back?