To Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog – a Review

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Description:
Nicholas Delmore, the Earl of Hawksley, was not expecting a snowstorm-sieged London evening to end with a dagger held to his throat. Nor did he anticipate his spirited attacker to have glossy black tresses and lush red lips that might invite a lesser gentleman to steal a kiss. But before he can demand his beautiful assailant to identify herself, she faints dead away in his arms.

Sania Aaryan has no choice but to trust the breathtakingly handsome Earl of Hawksley with both her life and her sister’s. Trusting him with the truth, however, is out of the question. Because fleeing India for the icy shores of England was rash. Impulsive. And it might have saved her life—only to land her into the arms of a man who poses an entirely different kind of danger.

Now Sania is experiencing a world filled with luxury and opulent decadence. But starry nights and fairy-tale balls cannot chase away the shadows of Sania’s secrets. Especially when her terrible past arrives in London with an eye for icy vengeance…

Review:

To Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog is the second book in her “The Elusive Lords” series. I’ve not read the first book, but no matter as it doesn’t really help in this book. Although there are characters from the first book in this one.

Sania doesn’t know what to do! Escaping India with her sister seemed a lot easier than trying to gain entry to see her cousin in England! After being refused entry into her cousins home, Sania has no other option (except to freeze in the English winter) but to break into her cousins home and explain why. And getting caught by a handsome gentleman only adds to her dilemma!

Nicholas sees a figure trying to break into his friend and neighbors home! Doing the honorable thing he tries to apprehend the intruder. Imagine his surprise when he finds out that it’s a woman! And even more surprised and shocked when she faints in his arms!

Nicholas and Sania are absolutely adorable to read. She’s a feisty female who knows what she wants, and will speak her mind freely. Not interested in the suitor picked out for her in India, she’s had no choice but to run away, and taking her younger sister with her was the best option for them both.

Nicholas is haunted by things from his past, but he tries to be a good man. Not really interested in society and their ways! He’s such a great character to read, making a change from the usual rogues that get the lady.

Reuniting Sania with her cousin Lara, Nicholas although thoroughly enamored with the beautiful Sania, he knows she would be better off without him being around! So with a heavy heart he tries to avoid the young lady. But thankfully Sania isn’t going to make it easy for him.

A wonderfully written story that I finished in one afternoon. It’s part of a series (Lara has her own book (“Date to be a Duchess”) and although Lara and Wolf play quite a large part in this book, it doesn’t take away from this story. (Although I’m rather taken with reading their story now ?) Very well thought out, enough description for me to imagine myself outside freezing in the English weather, and to see myself at the ball.

It’s a “love at first sight” story for me. And I really don’t have a problem with that. The chasing down of Nicholas by Sania had me smiling (as it’s usually the man chasing the reluctant lady)

*And the issue of race is done brilliantly. Nothing is hidden, we are made aware of their differences and we are made painfully aware that people have always and will always be prejudice against someone different from themselves! *

So can Sania convince Nicholas that they can be together and damn what society thinks of it all? There is a blip in their happiness….. Can they overcome it when Sania’s past comes knocking on their new found happiness? Can Sania be able to see past Nicholas’ mistakes and forgive him for his misgivings?

The only tiny issue I had (and that’s just me) was that I wasn’t sure what time period this was set in. (But that’s just me being picky). But I’d happily recommend this book if you like your historical romance with a little steam and a few twists.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher