Lord Hunter's Cinderella Heiress (Mills & Boon Historical) (Wild Lords and Innocent Ladies, Book 1)

I really enjoyed 'the Duke's Unexpected Bride' by this author, so despite the title, which personally I don't like [it is reminiscent of too many similar stories] I bought it when it was published. What a treat! Don't be put off by the title, because this is heart-warming story of two people learning, above all else, to trust.I don't think any element of the story would be new to readers of historical romance, so it is all credit to Lara Temple's writing for making this fresh and interesting - and her way with words when writing about emotion is outstandingly good.So many factors make this a refreshingly different story - three male friends who have a close bond, who are there for one another but who do not interfere with each other's lives. Lord Hunter, in this story, talks openly to his male friends about his insurmountable problems with his past failures, as he views them. Regarded as a rake and a dare-devil, he is a mass of insecurities, which he hides behind a cynical, world-weary facade. Nell also has past demons to battle [hence the Cinderella reference] and initially neither of them will unbend - but one sees almost immediately the innate kindness in Hunter, and the insightful understanding of people that Nell has learned through her understanding of horses.They first meet in inauspicious circumstances, Nell only 17 years old, Hunter around 25 years old. Unbeknowns to Nell, Hunter makes a deal with her father which protects her from the degrading, loveless life that she is living at home, with an arranged marriage when Nell reaches her majority at 21 years of age [for practical, business reasons]. Forward four years, and it is then that the story of the relationship between Hunter and Nell, with all its many pitfalls, fear of commitment, fear of failure and lack of trust, takes off.It is an absorbing read - made me teary or laugh at various points in the story. The sexual tension between the two of them, which they ascribe to lust, rather than growing feelings for each other, is beautifully written by the author and at the end, I felt that the most important part of their commitment, to trust one another and themselves, shone through.Lara Temple writes the various characters so well - Nell's first love, a handsome but essentially weak character, the slightly older, beautiful but spiteful, mischief-making society darling, Hunter's aunts and his relationship with his household staff - and are a joy to read. My only quibble is that, having written knowledgeably about society in that period, the author allowed some interraction between Hunter and Nell that was unrealistic for the time - not because it happened, but the circumstances in which it happened. I have preordered the next book, and look forward to Ravenscar's story. I imagine that the third friend will be the most challenging to write.

it was good

Lord Hunter's Cinderella Heiress is book 1 in the Wild Lords and Innocent Ladies trilogy by Lara Temple.Helen Tilney is 17 when this book starts, she has been treated worse than a dog by her aunt and her father since her mother died. Thankfully she only has to deal with her family when she comes home from school on holidays. But even that short amount of time turns her into a mess. All she can do is hope she survives til her 21st birthday when she will inherit money and a home, a time when she will never have to deal with her father or aunt again.At age 21 Helen has spent the last 4 years in school, even helping to teach. Her confidence has built and she is ready to convince the man she's had a crush on for years that she would be a worthy wife to him. Only one thing is going to cause a big problem, it seems her father betrothed her to another man when she was just 17 and didn't tell her. She only finds out via a newspaper once she is 21 and comes into her inheritance.Hunter is the man she is supposed to marry. She met him when she was 17, and he was very kind to her. How her father ended up having her betrothed to him she had no idea but there was no way she was going to go through with the marriage. She decides she must go home with Hunter and get her father to help them get out of the arrangement without causing a scandal. She also wants Hunter to pretend to be enamoured with her in order to show the man she thinks she wants to marry to start paying attention to her. The only problem is that the more time she spends with Hunter, the more time she wants to spend with him.But Hunter has a secret, one that prevents him from being a husband to Helen even if that is what he dearly would love to be. Will his behaviour put Helen off, and will she end up with 'the other man', or will their betrothal end up being for real after all?This was an absolute joy to read. Both Hunter and Helen have so much to deal with in their lives and it seems that each other's love might be the only way for either of them to survive their demons. I loved the Cinderella feel to the book where Helen is treated so poorly, not even given decent fitting clothes to wear and yet berated when she wears the ill-fitting clothes that are all that she has. From the very first moment that Helen's family treated her so badly I couldn't wait to see them get their comeuppance, or at least for Helen to finally be able to stand up to them. I loved reading Hunter and Helen's relationship developing and their passionate scenes were beautifully written. The will they won't they aspect of giving in to their lust was fabulous. I enjoyed every minute of this book and can't wait to read the next in the trilogy.I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

Nella vita di Helen Tinley è mancato il supporto e l'affetto di una famiglia normale, ma la nostra eroina è riuscita comunque a costruire attorno a sé una rete di affetti e la sua passione per i cavalli ha compensato una certa goffaggine e una grande fragilità emotiva.Nel prologo una diciassettenne e intrepida Nell incuriosisce Lord Hunter, venuto ad acquistare una giumenta da suo padre. La ragazza è un'amazzone come poche, eppure, in salotto quella stessa sera, sembra un topolino impaurito, fino a che....non lo è più ed affronta la perfida zia in modo fermo e risoluto.Quattro anni dopo, una arrabbiatissima Nell si presenta a casa di Lord Hunter dopo aver scoperto casualmente di essere fidanzata con lui. Vedete, la ragazza, oramai ventunenne, ha ereditato una tenuta confinante con la proprietà di Lord Hunter che desidera risolvere una volta per tutte una questione concernente il diritto sull'accesso all'acqua.Semplice, vero?Invece non vi è nulla di semplice. Innanzitutto perché Nell ha coltivato nel suo cuore una cotta di gioventù con il figlio di un allevatore di cavalli amico del padre e poi perché Lord Hunter, che oramai aveva quasi dimenticato l'impegno preso anni prima con il padre della fanciulla, si trova improvvisamente di fronte una ragazza molto alta, non particolarmente bella ma regale nel portamento e con una personalità ed uno stile non comuni che non riesce a togliersi dalla testa.Il nostro eroe, oppresso da un grave problema familiare che lo ha lasciato stremato emotivamente e spiritualmente (e con il problema di incubi ricorrenti), è riuscito poco alla volta a trovare un tenue equilibrio nascondendolo dietro una facciata da bon vivant.Devo dire che l'autrice è molto abile nel costruire, e mantenere, la tensione sessuale fra i protagonisti. Complice la comune passione per i cavalli, entrambi si svelano gradualmente all'altro arricchendo di complessità la vicenda.D'altro canto ho trovato affrettate e poco sviluppate alcune parti della storia: l'esigenza di dare spessore a Nell e Gabriel ha penalizzato gli altri personaggi. Ancora un po' ed i cavalli erano più definiti ed approfonditi delle persone!Poi, anche se il finale è soddisfacente, avrei preferito più iniziativa da parte di lui che invece si dimostra innamorato, sì, ma debole. E' Nell infatti la vera eroina, che alla fine si risolve a prendere in mano le redini del suo futuro e vince la mano completa.

I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The title was enough to turn me off, but I read a review that said ignore the title, read the book. It was quite entertaining. The hero and heroine were very well drawn, especially Nell, the heroine. The book could have been enhanced quite a bit with more tension--there should have been more scenes with Nell's horrible aunt and father. It would also be heightened if Gabriel had stood up to them on her behalf. Never neglect the villains! My biggest problem with the book was the ending--suddenly everything is resolved and the book finishes with a promo for the next two books in this series. I think the author should have finished with a complete ending, even an epilogue. Most readers know to turn the last page to find out what is coming next by the author--the promos are a turn-off. I'm wondering if I want to read the next book because I'm sure it will end in the same manner. I would have given the book four stars except for that, and it's really too bad, as I'm sure this would be the publisher's decision, not Ms. Temple's. Having said that, I'd recommend it--I read it in one sitting.

Lord Hunter's Cinderella Heiress is one of the most exquisite Regency Romances I've ever read that had me falling in love all over again. The subtle connection between Gabriel and Nell drags the reader down with them into the deepest of emotions until their passion unleashes finally in a strong, lovable and passionate expression, not only physically but mentally.No doubt that a gentleman with a wild side and some secret, dark past can be very attractive to most women, especially when he was committed to be a hero. On the other hand, a woman that is brave and just in all means, except towards herself, is the perfect match for him. The feeling becomes stronger when he feels the helpless need to be with this woman he intended to ignore at first. And this is what happens between Gabriel and Nell; she becomes his weakness and redemption from his past fears, and he becomes her guardian angel and the only man she can imagine herself surrendering to.I read it in record time and loved every bit of its plot, characters and expressions. Of course, I highly recommend it.

Good story, some good humor in it.I would read it again.

This is the fourth book I've read by Lara Temple and she keeps getting better and better. Her writing is evocative and exciting and I found it hard to put down the book. Her heroes are deep and sympathetic and I was really invested in their story. Looking forward to her next book in this series.