Book Review: The Lily Brand by Sandra Schwab

Author: Sandra Schwab

Title: The Lily Brand

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 310

Published: June 21, 2005

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Forever Marked

Troy Sacheverell, fifth earl of Ravenhurst, was captured in France. He'd gone to fight Napoleon, but what he found was much more sinister. Dragged from prison to an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization, he was purchased by a rich and twisted widow. And more dangerous still was the young woman who claimed him.

Lillian had not chosen to live with Camille, her stepmother, but nobody escaped the Black Widow's web. And on her nineteenth birthday, Lillian became Camille's heir. Her gift was a plaything: a man to end her naiveté, a man perfect in all ways but his stolen freedom. Yet even as Lillian did as she was told, marked that beautiful flesh and branded it with the flower of her name, all she desired was escape. In another place, in another world, she'd desired love. Now, looking into burning blue eyes, she knew there was no place to run. No matter if should she flee, no matter where she might go, she and this man were prisoners of passion, inextricably linked by the lily brand.

And while her heart remained locked in ice, his burnt with hate. Would they ever find true happiness?

Review:

Been meaning to read this book for a long while. I have enjoyed the author's other books but never got my hands. on it. Thank goodness for TBR challenges ;)

Here we follow Troy and Lillian. Troy was captured in France and his luck keeps getting worse when he finds himself as a prisoner in an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization. He was bought by a rich and evil widow who gives him to his stepdaughter. Lillian had not chosen to live with her stepmother but no one escapes the Black Widow's web. However, Lillian is done and plans an escape to get her and Troy out of there. After they seperate, they think they will never see each other again....until they are reunited in England in proper society. 

This was pretty dark at times. The characters went through hell at the hands of the Black Widow. I was hoping that they would see each other as fellow victims, but Troy has a lot of issues so it takes him a while. Trauma ya know. 

This was an interesting format to the a-typical romance. Which was super refreshing. Things happen (no spoiler) and they are forced to marry, but he hates her. He blames her for what happened to him and she blames herself. It took a LOT of time for them to see sense and find their love. It took time, talking, and friends to help. I loved this.

Awwww the side love story was adorable. I want to see more of them. They were sweet beans for sure. 

But yes. For sure some triggering topics so keep that in mind.

All-in-all, I liked this quite a bit. The beginning was dark for sure. I expected it but I was still like, "WHAT?" but I couldn't stop reading. I had to see how they would find each other and have their HEA. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Lillian and Troy's friends

Least Favorite Character(s): The Black Widow and Troy's cousin. Snakes. 

Challenge(s):

- TBR #4 (Interesting location)