Review by Ronny
Series Name: The Knight’s Missions, # 1
The Knight’s Rebellious Maiden, is a forbidden romance bursting with that slow burn heat romance bookworms love so much.
Favourite Quote:
… he looked up and his gaze met hers. For a long moment, they stared at each other. Her heart contracted painfully— once, twice, a third time. The power in his gaze held her still. Her mind screamed at her to move but she was like a fly caught in a web unable to wrench herself away.
Book Synopsis:
He’s her protector
She’s his forbidden temptation!
Sir Leopold’s first mission is supposed to be a chance to prove his valor. But tasked with safely escorting Lady Arianwen to her husband-to-be, Leo finds he is little but a glorified bodyguard. Only, the seemingly simple mission goes awry when Ari proves that she’s willing to do anything to get away from her impending nuptials. As attraction sparks between them, can Leo choose knightly duty over love and deliver Ari to her wedding?
Review:
This is a brand-new series by Ella Matthews, and it is off to a fantastic start. I really enjoyed this book and its characters. Now, the first quarter of this book is a bit slow. There is this casual pace to the story that matches the casual pace the characters are taking on their journey. During this time, Arianwen and Leo slowly get to know each other while also trying to contain their burning and forbidden feelings for one another. But once Arianwen tries to escape Leo’s watchful eye the pacing gradually picks up to match Arianwen’s growing sense of urgency that time is running out to escape. After Arianwen’s first attempt at escaping fails, the story just sucks you in. There were so many directions Ella could take the story in, and all of those different possibilities had me wanting to read on because I truly didn’t know what would happen next. I loved the way the story unfolded. There is a great balance of quiet romantic and, yes, lusty moments between Arianwen and Leo, but also moments of action that just have you holding your breath.
Arianwen is a fabulous heroine. She is strong, fierce, and has a great, funny, witty personality. She wants to be a warrior and fight alongside the King’s knights. However, her mother and stepfather have different plans for her future. They want her to marry and have requested that Sir Leo escort Arianwen to her future husband. Arianwen has no plans to go through with this marriage and plans to escape Leo’s watchful eye when the opportunity arises. Arianwen also feels this loneliness because she knows that her dreams for her future are seen as unladylike, and she knows no one besides her late father truly understands her…. well, that is until she meets Leo, of course. Leo is a great hero; he isn’t that typical broody alpha knight that you often find in medieval romance. There is a gentler, quiet side to Leo that really makes him shine in this book. You come to quickly realize that even though he is a fierce warrior, underneath that warrior armour, he is a vulnerable man who is trying to prove himself to his family and is fearful that he will let his friends down.
The romance that unfolded on the pages of this book was really well done. Now, this is a slow burn, so hold on to your socks because it takes a bit of time before these two act upon those feelings and even longer for them to admit they love each other. The spicy scenes in this book were also well done and unique. Normally, the hero is the one who is well-versed in lovemaking, and the heroine is the virgin. But in this case both characters are inexperienced and have to learn what to do together. Besides all the lusty moments, I loved the chemistry between these two. The banter was witty, and that teasing, fun vibe that existed between them was just so enjoyable to experience.
The Knight’s Rebellious Maiden is a captivating forbidden romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet.
Thank you, Harlequin Historicals and Rachel Random Resources for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
