Read "Cold Hearted Rake" first...

I read a lot of reviews were people complained because this book wasn't good as a standalone. "Cold Hearted Rake" is the predecessor to this book. It does have a lot of story that helps to understand the story in "Marrying Winterborne" more, but having read both books, I really felt like this book would've been fine if you haven't read the other one first. Obviously if you have the opportunity grab the other one first then come back for this one, but if you don't want to, you wouldnt onow what you were missing.
Rhys is such a great character. I really love when characters just fall in love. I love when the book proceeds along the path of them being in love and not constantly at odds. There was the part of the storyline where there with conflict, and I admit that I actually expected the worst. I felt anticipation right along with Helen. Rhys is a standup character and handled the whole thing wonderfully. The chemistry was great with them and it was easy to feel with them, that they were in love.
I appreciated being able to see the characters from the previous book, and look forward to the rest of them evolving! I want to see West fall in love!!!
Mary Jane Wells does a fantastic job of having varying character voices, and keeping track of them! It took me a little getting used to, in the first book, at how she actually acts some of the reading out, but once you get used to it its fun.

My First Lisa Kleypas and I'm Hooked!!

Most of my Romance the past few years has been Paranormal so I was looking for a good Historical for a change of pace. Audible had a sale, so I picked this one because it sounded interesting. I didn't realize it was the second of a series but I was able to follow along quite easily. And I loved it so much I immediately went and bought the other 3 books related to it.

Mary Jane Wells Welsh accent is just amazing and makes Winterborne sound extremely hot! All her voices are distinctive and her pacing is good. Overall excellent narrator.

I loved the little side details Ms. Kleypas added separate from Rhys and Helen's relationship. I had no idea department stores became so popular so early or that the French were allowing women doctors well before the British and there methods were much more cutting edge as well.

I fell in love with Rhys. A self-made man who faces classism on a regular basis even though a few of his friends are titled. His upbringing was rough but he was still a gentlemen in the ways that counted. I actually really liked Helen. Hers was a quiet strength, certainly no push-over but not in an in-your-face, fighting against the grain strength. She had her values and stuck firmly to them but she also knew when to choose her battles as well. The two were well matched.

This narrator is my new favorite!

Audible: Narrated by Mary Jane Wells

Oh my gawd!!! This narrator reeled me in and caught me but good with her incredible diversity! Initially, I struggled simply because of the British accent. I quickly adjusted to it and dang, this woman is the first female narrator I’ve listened to that actually did the male voice so, so good!! I felt chills when she spoke Rhys’ words to Helen and called her “cariad” in that deep, passionate Welshman’s voice. Oh man, it was good! How do I possibly go on to another audiobook with Ms. Wells’ voice still in my ear?


After kissing Helen and witnessing her recoil, Rhys Winterborne is strung upon a rack of anger, pain and rejection. Betrothed to each other he didn’t realize that he was her first kiss and allowed a touch of his passion to reign free. Her reaction was not what he had hoped for and now it’s obvious she wishes to break the engagement. When Helen descends upon his place of business in a most inappropriate manner, suddenly the sun is shining again. What follows is his insistence that he ruin her so there will be no going back from this time onward.

Helen is swept up in all that is Mr. Winterborne as well as his passion. There is no other that she desires or ever could desire. However, when a dark secret from her past makes itself known to her, she realizes that she will have to free him from their agreement.

While I enjoyed Helen’s quiet strength and resilience, it is Rhys that sells this story. He is rough and tough, moody and broody, altogether too unacceptable for polite society. His complete love and devotion, his need and want of Helen was everything I look for in a hero. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect character than him.

I absolutely loved this book and I’m kicking myself for having not dipped my toe into this author’s work before now. My only excuse is that I’m an ebook sale hound and to be honest, I wouldn’t have read/listened to this one had the audio not been on sale. I’m so glad it was!

Dual POV
Safe
No apparent triggers

It’s enjoyable, but there is not much conflict.

It’s mostly nice things happening.

My complaints:

1. One of the best parts of a romance story is seeing a couple meet and how they fall in love. That doesn’t happen here. Instead, the following back story is referred to, not shown: they meet, fall in love, he proposes marriage, and gives her a large engagement ring. She has a headache one day, and tells her relative Kathleen she doesn’t want to see Rhys (or something similar we don’t exactly know). Kathleen goes to Rhys and tells him Helen does not love him and calls off the marriage.

After reading this book, I learned that the above back story happened in book 1 of The Ravenels series. This is book 2. It is supposed to be readable as a stand alone, but it’s missing an important part for me.

This book 2 begins with Helen going to Rhys and telling him that was all a mistake. She still wants him and the marriage. So there is a little bit of conflict as she needs to convince him that what she said when she was ill and what Kathleen said was not true. Then the rest of the book is about a couple in love, being nice to each other, and deciding when they will marry.

2. Later in the book Helen keeps a secret from Rhys. She plans to leave him for his own good, but she won’t tell him she plans to leave him or what the secret is. That’s the main conflict. I suppose it is ok for readers who are in the mood for this world, but I didn’t care for it.

The good:
Lisa Kleypas has a nice writing voice for regencies.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Mary Jane Wells did an excellent job.


Narrative mode: 3rd person.
Genre: historical romance.

LOVED LOVED MARRYING WINTERBORNE!!

Would you listen to Marrying Winterborne again? Why?

Yes The story is very good and so is the narration!!

What other book might you compare Marrying Winterborne to and why?

Secrets of a Summer Nights. There are similarities between Simon Hunt and Rhys Winterborne of Marrying Winterborne.

Have you listened to any of Mary Jane Wells’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I am not sure. But she did an excellent job in narration Marrying Winterborne!! Very good Narrator!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!!

Any additional comments?

I Loved, Loved Marrying Winterborne!!

Let me say I saw a review that said this was a republished book by Lisa Kleypas. That is NOT TRUE!!. I have been reading this authors books since 1993 and this is NOT A REPRINT!! There is a similarity with Simon Hunt from Secrets of a Summers Night. But they are not the same characters at all.

Now on to the review. I loved Helen she is a strong female character and very feminine. She not hard or cold like so many Historical romance heroines are. She is strong as nails but as soft and kind and sensible as Cream.

Rhys Winterborne is my new imaginary lover. He is a wonderful hero and he does all that is necessary for his heroine Helen. The love they share just oozes off the pages. It's realistic and the story feels like a historical romance instead of a contemporary romance pretending to be Historic.

The secondary characters Mrs. Fernsby and Lady Berwick are colorful and delightful. The whole story is a pleasure to read.

This story starts out with hot sexy and sensuous loving making scenes, which I feel was necessary to the way the story is written. Also, it shows a clear commitment that Helen has made toward Rhys. I really like the fact that there is virtually no ridiculous Angst in this story. Angst is used for authors who have no story to tell. Lisa Kleypas is one of the best and most authentic Historical Romance authors there is!!

I Highly Recommend Marrying Winterborne!! I really can't wait for the next book in the Ravenel series.

Loved. Every. Minute.

This book reminds me why I adore Lisa Kleypas historical romance. She did such an amazing job of setting the scene for Helen and Rhys in the last book that my wait for this novel seemed like forever. The book picks right up where we left these two characters, so it wasn't bogged down by back story. However, you would be able to follow along without it. If you haven't read the first novel in the series, I recommend starting there. While the main focus of that book is two other wonderful characters, the chemistry between Rhys and Helen starts there. The majority of the plot focused on the developing romance, but the suspense built nicely. You won't be disappointed. Beautiful Narration. Brilliant writing. I adored it.

LK is developing the characters-well done!

Any additional comments?

Story : I LOVE LK in general, but it is hard to live up to her privious historical romance.
In this book she is developing the characters of this series, such that I cannot wait to read more about them. I think Marrying Winterborne is even better than book one. I love the eccentricity of some of the major characters, the descriptions of orchids and the department store. In fact this is what make LK special, she gives lots of historical context and accurate descriptions that set the scene to the story. And the actual love story is great. Great to have LK back!

Narration: I must admit I am completely partial to R. Landor. In my opinion, she is by far the master of all narrators for this ganre, so I compare all to her.
MJW did an excellent narration of book one, but in this one I feel she missed on Winterborne's voice. The accent is off and at times he sounds like a grumpy old man. However, she did a great job acting all the other characters. I trust that she will regroup for the next book, and look forward to listening to it.

Story:4.5 stars
Heat Factor: just right. steamy, passionate, and loving
Great Context, and interesting characters
Well worth a credit

But...I wish audible had deals for getting entire series ( like one book free if you already own two or three in a series). Please consider it.

Slow at first but then WHEU!!

A little slow at first but then it made me laugh and cry! I'm seldom surprised at romance novels but this one got me. Great job, Lisa Kleypass and excellently narrated! Congratulations y'all!!

Wow!

Fabulous book with Fantastic narration.Hit every note for me! I highly recommend this wonderful books.

Lovely story!!

Read this novel 1st. Loved listening to it better. Mary Jane Wells was superb in her narration of this story. Her many different voices for the many different characters was awesome!! I loved Rhys' Welsh accent and the Contessa's accent. I know I will read this again and again.