BOOK REVIEW ~ ENTWINED BY KRISTEN CALLIHAN

Title: Entwined ( Darkest London, Book 3.5)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Release Date: November 5, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

Eamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother's shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame-and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it's Eamon's help-and quick wit and romantic heart--that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady...a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man. 

Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?

Book Review

Historical romance is not usually the genre I seek out when looking for a good read. But author, Kristen Callihan is someone not to be missed. 

Kristen's writing in her Darkest London series puts you in 1800s England, along the dark, seedy streets of London...or Ireland, as is the setting for her novella, Entwined.

Eamon Evernight is the unlikely hero of Entwined. He is the second son, the outcast, the "redheaded devil's child. Shy around women and prefers to spend his time alone in his smithy. But when he receives the news that his eldest brother, Aidan, is betrothed to the mysterious Lady Luella Moran, the loyal Eamon steps in to write a letter posing as Aidan. It appears that Lady Luellen does not want the betrothal to take place, considering it a "archaic and glorified stud service". But although Aidan is not looking forward to the arrangement, he wants the marriage to take place. As he cannot read or write, he convinces his brother, Eamon to pen a letter to help persuade Lady Luella to keep to the terms of the contract set between their fathers.

What follows is an assemblage of letters spanning the next four years. Four years where both Eamon and Luella fall in love over time, spilling out their hearts onto paper, minus two secrets. Eamon is not the man he is pretending to be...but what secret is Luella hiding that could send her out in the cold, destitute and alone? 

I loved the telling of Eamon and Lu's love story. It grew through their shared letters, slowly, and with witty postscripts.  And when they finally meet face to face, there is a hint of something familiar that Luella senses in Eamon.  

And when Aidan runs off to the Americas, leaving her a jilted almost-bride, Eamon steps in his brother's place...again. 

But can the secrets these two new lovers are hiding destroy their fragile beginning? 

 A beautifully told love story with poignant scenes that melt the heart. 

Favorite romantic moment:

And I always think of you. Thoughts of you thread so tightly throughout my day that I lose track of where I am and what I am doing, until I cannot help but think that, although we've never met, your soul and mine are already entwined.