Elizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart.
He hated her.
At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never though possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into…..
A Bradford.
Author’s Note:
This is first and foremost a historical novel. If you don’t enjoy historical novels, you may not enjoy this novel. This novel is written differently than the other Neighbor from Hell books. Truce is about a man who takes everything too damn seriously and can’t let go of the past until the woman that he would love to hate comes back into his life and brings out the Bradford within.
4.5 Stars
If he couldn’t make her fall in love with him, at least she probably wouldn’t kill him in his sleep.
Welcome back, R.L. Mathewson! I’m a HUGE fan of this author’s Neighbor from Hell Series, although the third book wasn’t as good as the first two. So with that said, I was a bit hesitant in reading this; plus this was a Historical. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my Historical Romances, but I’m pretty picky when choosing to read one. My curiosity won out. I mean a Neighbor from Hell + Historical = it must be good…right? Oh, fuck yea it was.
This book is supposed to be how it all started: The Bradford family legacy of possessive, temperamental, egotistical, Alpha males (increased appetites included). After reading this, I’m still not convinced with the this-is-how-it-all-started theme. The connection between the past and future was a little far-fetched, but meh! I didn’t care. It was like taking our favorite Bradford men, sticking them in England (British accent and all), and transporting them back in time. It was a riot to read.
“Once upon a time…”
Elizabeth and Robert hated each other…like really hated. Ever since they were little, they always were at each other throats. They were merciless when it came to name-calling and pranks. But they had to grow up sometime. Even though their families were close, they did their best in avoiding each other growing up. Eventually, their paths crossed once again, but they didn’t recognize each other.
They met again at a ball. Both seeking refuge from the pressure of the ton and the season, they both find each other in a secluded orangery. Their connection was immediate, passionate and the heat between them was explosive. What happened between them in that orangery is strictly forbidden. If you’re a fan of Historical Romance, you know exactly why: Sex before marriage is a HUGE no-no. Elizabeth risked it all because she never intended to marry, nor depend on any man to run her future. She’s got an inheritance coming to her; she needs no man. She was willing to part with this stranger and keep their night together in anonymity and in secret. But fate had other plans. Once they find out who they are, things get even more interesting.
For some reason she always went too far where he was concerned. It really couldn’t be helped though, it was simply too much fun to pass up.
This was such a fun read. I loved noting the similarities between Robert Bradford and the future Bradfords; they were quite entertaining and me quite a happy reader. The sparks between Robert and Elizabeth was also a ton of fun to read. They’re banter, their connection lead to unbelievable sexual tension. Once they called Truce it was even more fun to read. All in all, this book was just fun.
WARNING: Fans of traditional Historical Romance will find various flaws in this story. One huge flaw: Elizabeth is not supposed to go anywhere alone and unchaperoned…ever. Therefore, the night in the orangery shouldn’t have happened. It bugged me at first, but then I started not caring. I just went with the flow and enjoyed the ride…and boy, was it fun.
