The Determined Lord Hadleigh

Building a new future

This last book in a series was so very different from the others, not the usual action packed story but actions it did have, just instead of physical they were more on the psychological side.
It was a rollercoaster of a ride, a bumpy road for Tristan’s and Penny to find their HEA, their journey to heal the wounds left deeply in their psyche by their past.
To rebuilt themselves for a hope of a bright future and not just a scam of a life, they must embark on a long introspection to learn who they really are.
I do remember Penny from the first book, but never I thought Mrs Virginia Heath would give her a voice, especially when I do remember how in a dire situation she found herself by the end of The Mysterious Lord Millcroft.
While I was not particularly found of Hadleigh in the previous books as he was rather straight forward and sometimes went against the women of his friends, but he also saved the day in The Uncompromising Lord Flint.
Lord Hadleigh thought by burying his past, and choosing a special line of work, it would keep the ghosts at bay, and be enough to live for.
Until a certain soon-widow turns his life upside down.
Lady Penhust has lost it all, her good name, her home, her legacy. Everything except her son, and all because she was swept off her feet by the wrong man and was too blind and proud to accept at first her error. Why she wants now to move on a new Penny.
It could have been an enemies to lovers story but despite Hadleigh having prosecuted Penny’s husband, there is no hate between them. Just different views of life. He feels like he must right the wrong done to her when she wants to let go of the past and try on a new life. So they bump against each other, discuss and disagree but each new encounter, open a window in the other’s reality.
Sure, Tristan can be quite manipulative and Penny is very weary of intrusive men but together by confronting their past to help another, they will free the pain hidden in the Pandora’s box.
It was a slow burn romance, as they quietly get to know the other, to learn who the person is then confide to it before the idea of chemistry begins to fray a path to their mind.
There again Tristan pays special attention to respect Penny, never pressing her, knowing how awful the physical side of the marriage had been for her.
But he is a man and she is a woman so both react differently, he with his all back or white sides and she with her uncertainties and restraint to go too fast.
At time, rehearsals of the same thoughts again and again could be trying, but never here I felt bored, it was just so entertaining to see how both functioned, to see their lists of pros and cons and also enjoying the meddling of their friends, characters from the previous books I was also happy to see again.
Plus this book concluded on such a heartfelt and joyful note, when I closed it, I was ready to say goodbye to all these friends.
Thank you Mrs Virginia Heath for this magnificent read.