Review: A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels

Print Length: 400 pages

Publisher: HQN Books (July 26, 2016)

From Goodreads.com: London's Little Season has never been so scandalous 

It's the kind of vow often made on the battlefield. Darby Travers, Viscount Nailbourne, never imagines he'll have to honor it. Yet here she is on his doorstep—his late comrade's young daughter, and Darby's new ward. Worse, she comes with the most overprotective, mistrustful, bothersome chaperone—the child's aunt, Sadie Grace Boxer. Darby is quite sure that behind her lovely facade, the woman is guarding a secret. 

Sadie Grace faced many trials working in her brother's surgery, but none prepared her for the world she's thrust into with his passing. Navigating the ton, with its endless ball gowns and parade of parties, is difficult enough, but hiding the truth about her niece while the sophisticated viscount watches her every move proves nearly impossible—particularly when his searing gaze tempts her to bare all. But when her family's past catches up with her, she'll have to trust in Darby…no matter the cost to her heart.

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was a lot more than your typical member of the ton has a young ward foisted upon him story. This was one of those stories where the secondary characters bring more to the story than the overall romance. Of course, there was a beautifully written romance happening within this story, but it was watching that romance bloom that gave it the overall appeal. These characters didn't just "fall in love" with one another. These were characters that not only did not trust one another, but who also kept secrets from the other. These were two people who had a common goal (the well-being of the child), and who agreed to link their lives together in "the child's best interest". 

However, as I said above, it was the secondary characters (as well as the plot as a whole) that set this story apart from others. As much as I enjoyed watching these two characters go from un-trusting strangers, to friends, to more - I enjoyed seeing their friends help them along the way. The Duke and Duchess were probably my favorites of the story - not only due to the way they still "chased" each other almost into their sixties, but the way they defied conventions at every turn. Each secondary character had their own back-story and their own struggle which only makes the overall story feel more real. 

I do think that the "final showdown" as it were with the bad guy in this story was not played out to its full potential in my opinion. I would have loved to have seen more there.  

Overall - I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good historical novel (and who doesn't mind some sexual happenings before marriage). 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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A Reckless Promise is available from Amazon.com