"An action filled tale of love and redemption!"
Reviewed by Jessica Grogan
Posted March 9, 2021
Romance Historical
HERO WANTED is the first in Betina Krahn’s Reluctant Heroes series. It features Lauren Alcott, a headstrong young woman determined to make a difference, and Rafe Townsend, a seemingly snobbish man that only thinks of himself. Lauren and Rafe are to be married at the behest of their fathers so their shipping companies may merge. After Rafe refuses to help save two women from drowning, Lauren accuses him of being a coward and refuses to marry him. When they are still forced together, however, she begins to realize she might have the wrong impression of him.
Holy cow I loved this book. It is full of action from beginning to end and was so hard to put down. As much as I love historical romances, there was not a single drawing room or ballroom in this story and I was grateful for it. The shenanigans Lauren and Rafe got themselves into from the rescue at the beginning to being in a riot had me on the edge of my seat. There was also a nice mystery to go along with all the action and that was fantastic too.
Lauren was such a great heroine: she was strong, opinionated, and unafraid to do what’s right without being obnoxious or rude about it. I loved seeing her grow as a person as she learned her way might not always be the best or only way. What was even better than watching Lauren become a new person, however, was watching Rafe do the same. After the initial scene where he refuses to help rescue two women and Lauren calls him a coward, I thought he couldn’t be redeemed at all. But it happened, very gradually, until he became a real hero that was easy to fall in love with.
Betina Krahn is a new to me author, and I will most definitely be checking out the next title in this series!
SUMMARY
From New York Times bestselling author Betina Krahn comes a sparkling new historical romance series that will ignite your spirit, and your heart . . .
When dashing, determined bachelor Rafe Townsend, and beautiful, impetuous Lauren Alcott are trapped into an engagement by their powerful business magnate fathers, their attraction suggests there may be pleasurable compensations to matrimony after all. Until an outing together puts a damper on their future . . .
Lauren is appalled when Rafe refuses to help two women whose boat has overturned on a river. Stripping her outer clothing, she dives in to rescue them herself—delighting a nearby reporter. Soon newspapers and scandal sheets have labeled Rafe as “less than heroic,” for all of London to see, while Lauren is viewed by many as brazen. Besieged by scandalous rumors, and with both their reputations in the balance, what ensues is a prickly scheme that will either forge a partnership of deception—or blaze a path to true love . . .
ExcerptSometime later Lauren awakened to find her head on his shoulder and her arm curled tightly over his chest. He lay on his back, watching her.
“This is a surprise,” he said, his voice husky... or maybe just dry. If only they had some water.
“You were shivering. Body warmth was all I had to help you.”
He looked down at the petticoat wrapping his shoulders and belly.
“I see you managed to take your clothes off again.”
“Only one petticoat. And in a good cause.”
“Saving me is a good cause?”
“In the present circumstances.” She gazed into his eyes and felt a strange arousal in her deepest core. It probably wasn’t wise to continue this conversation in such close proximity, but the sensation was too interesting not to explore. “I called again and again for that Fosse fellow, hoping to get blankets and some water, but he didn’t come and you were so cold... I... had to do something.”
“Most charitable of you. Perhaps I can repay you someday.”
“You already have,” she said, her voice now oddly resonant. “I was cold and miserable, too. I shared my warmth, you shared yours.”
“You didn’t find such contact objectionable?” He glanced at her arm, which was still wrapped around his ribs.
“The chill may have affected my judgment.”
His smile, at such close range, was mesmerizing. Her gaze slid to his lips as she wondered...
Apparently he was wondering the same thing.
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Comments
1 comment posted.
Re: An action filled tale of love and redemption!
I love this story plot!
(Pat Dupuy 3:56pm March 10, 2021)
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