First in the Rockcliffe series. Orginally published under a pen name. Took the author 20 years to complete 7 books. Really enjoyed books 1 and 2. ( )

Good story.
Blind heroine.
No cheating.
HEA.
( )

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Rockliffe series. I borrowed this audiobook through Audible Escapes.

Audiobook Quality (4/5): This was a very well done audiobook and I enjoyed listening to it. I would definitely recommend listening to this on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.

Story (4/5): This was a well done historical romance. It's mostly a comedy of errors type of historical romance. Rosalind has been blind since childhood and, when Amberly is stranded at her manor during a snowstorm, he falls in love with her clever wit and bravery. He convinces her brother, Philip, to let her join society in London which results in many entertaining antics. I prefer my historical fiction/romance with more of a plot aside from the romance (a mystery, fantasy, intrigue etc). However,this was well written and very sweet.

Characters (5/5): The characters were very well done and incredibly likable. I loved Rosalind with her daring wit and her wonderful attitude. Amberley was also a very lovable character. The side characters were wonderfully done too (Rosalind’s brother Philip, his intended, and the Duke of Rockliffe). I would love to read more about the Duke of Rockliffe in future books. I think my only complaint is that the characters were almost all introduced in the first chapter which made it challenging to keep track of them at first; there is also a lot of switching between first name and surname which can get confusing.

Setting (4/5): The majority of the story is set in Victorian London. It was well done but not all that unique or original. I did enjoy all the historical detail in the settings and customs of the time.

Writing Style (4/5): The story switches mainly between Rosalind and Amberley’s point of view. It is well written, easy to read and full of witty conversation. I found it entertaining and looked forward to listening to it. I don’t read a lot of straight historical romances, so I kept feeling like something was missing. I wanted some mystery, or magic, or action...just something more than a straight historical romance.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this was an entertaining historical romance with characters that were engaging and fun. There isn’t a lot more to the story outside from the antics between Rosalind and Amberley, along with Rosalind trying to have a season in London while dealing with her blindness. It was all fine but I prefer a bit more meat to my stories. If you are looking for a straight historical romance with lovable characters and witty dialogue I would highly recommend this. If you prefer something more with your romance (mystery, adventure, magic) I would skip this. I don’t plan on reading more of this series because this wasn’t a great fit for me. ( )

This is it. This book is the reason I continue to read romance novels. Because no matter how many of them disappoint me, I have to keep reading to make sure I don't miss something as delightful and satisfying as this book. ( )

Goodreads recommended this book after I finished Mary Balogh's Heartless, so I grabbed it. I'm so glad I did as it's a wonderful story, beautifully written and touching.
The Marquis of Amberley's coach collides with a young Rosalind Vernon, knocking her unconscious. He doesn't realize it the same person, grown to a woman, when he meets her years later, stuck at her home because of a sudden snowstorm. During the week in her company, he falls in love with the young woman, never making an issue of her blindness.
Unfortunately, he had a contretemps with her brother recently, and though Amberley convinces him to bring his sister to London, Amberley struggles with Rosalind's popularity, his own inner demons, and her brother's antipathy.
I'm so happy to discover Ms. Riley. I'm reading the rest of the series now and really looking forward to finding out what happens next. ( )