Viscount Rainsleigh is determined to restore honor to his title after his parents debauched lives. His current obstacle is to find the perfect wife.
Elisabeth is the daughter of an earl who was killed the night she was abducted and sold to a brothel. Bryson/Rainsleigh was dragged to the same brothel by his degenerate father. Bryson is locked in a room with Elisabeth but he breaks them both out.
Fifteen years later they meet at a small dinner party held by Elisabeth's aunt. Elisabeth recognizes Bryson right away but he doesn't recognize her. Bryson decides that she would make the perfect wife and to pursue her. Elisabeth is very resistant to this idea because she's terrified that Bryson will remember her and then judge her.
Under the pretense of donating money to Elisabeth's charity, Bryson pursues her anyway. He even continues when he learns that the charity is dedicated to rescuing prostitutes. Elisabeth decides to go along with the courtship for a time until she can decide if she's ready to tell Bryson about their shared past. But before she gets the chance Bryson proposes to her and then learns the truth from somebody else. They fight, he says awful things and Elisabeth says she can't marry him. Ten days later he asks her to still marry him with the understanding that it will be like a business arrangement. Elisabeth agrees for the sake of her aunt who has put off marrying her gardener for Elisabeth's benefit.
Bryson and Elisabeth get married. Soon after Bryson realizes that he can't resist his wife. In order to remain in control of the situation he plans on "discussing" the boundaries of their "arrangement". But while Elisabeth was at his shipping yard making plans to hire girls from her charity, she meets a man who looks exactly like Bryson. This man tells her that he is Bryson's true father. She tells Bryson, he flips out and insists they dissolve the marriage on a basis of fraud since he's no longer the true viscount. She still accompanies him to meet his father and when things start to go well for them, Elisabeth slips out. In meeting his biological father, Bryson realizes maybe he never truly learned how to love. He chases after Elisabeth and convinces her to stay with and after much coaxing, she agrees. ( )

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Charis Michaels uses an act of bravery and kindness to tell the story of A union written in the stars. The Virgin and The Viscount is the first story that I have read by Ms. Michaels. It tells the story of Lady Elisabeth. As a child Elisabeth was kidnapped, sold and surprisingly rescued in an act that has haunted and shaped her into a furious warrior. She uses her station to protect the innocent from experiences like her own. Her ministrations bring her to the attention of Bryson Courtland, a Viscount searching for a woman who will make him the perfect wife. Bryson and Elisabeth have a connection that neither understand and an attraction that grows stronger with each passing day. Is that love strong enough to survive a surprising secret? I received an ARC of The Virgin and the Viscount in exchange for an honest review. The main reason I fell so hard for this novel is because for all the hardship each endured alone, as a couple they came full circle and ended up right where they were meant to be. SHE HAD ME AT HELLO! ( )

Well, I can't say I wasn't surprised when I opened this book and found not the usual set up. The heroine in this novel suffered and is saved BUT the way in which it happens was surprising and all together refreshed for a Regency era historical romance. I love Elizabeth's strength despite what she's been through. I also love Bryson even though he was a little hard headed there in the middle.

This book is not the usual historical romance of this period so if that's what you want you need to look elsewhere. If you want to try something different and fun then you should definitely pick this one up. ( )

The FEELS!!!! So good!!! Full review to come on The Book Disciple ( )

Because I adored the previous debut novel from this author, I just couldn’t wait for this story to come out. Seriously!

And now that I’ve read it … all I can say is, Charis Michaels, where have you been hiding?! I can’t wait to read your stories!

This is one of those stories that the title doesn’t do it justice because it sounds so clichéd and yet the story is no such thing.

This is a story of one of those romances that has been “written in the stars” and no matter the years that pass by, the two hearts were meant to beat as one, and as we follow them and watch their journey from afar, we can’t but route for them to be together.

The author is still using her wonderful prose, complex characterization and perfect pace to draw the reader ever so close to these characters and I enjoyed every minute of the ride offered.

If you haven’t read her debut ‘The Earl Next Door’, I urge you to do so, even though this book stands on its own and isn’t necessary for you to read it before you pick this one up.

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
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