Title:  A License To Wed
Series:  Rebellious Brides
Author:  Diana Quincy
Genre:  Historical Romance
Published:  July 5, 2016
Publisher:  Random House – Loveswept
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Lady Elinor Dunsmore made the mistake of falling for her older brother’s best friend, who vanished after a night of unbridled passion. Six years and a lifetime later, their eyes meet across a Paris salon. Her friends and family believe she’s dead, but Elle is very much alive. She’s now associated with a ruthless general, who wants her to seduce the man who broke her heart in order to learn his deepest secrets. Is Will a mild-mannered scholar—or the notorious agent they call The Razor?

The bastard son of an earl and an actress, Will Naismith always knew he was an unsuitable match for Elle Dunsmore, no matter how powerfully he ached for her. And yet he almost allowed his desires to spoil her glittering future. After the agony caused by Elle’s supposed death, Will has devoted himself to the Crown, but his entire life has been leading up to this unexpected reunion. As much as he still wants her, though, he must not succumb to lust once again. For his mission is delicate—and Elle is delectably dangerous.

Read on for my thoughts on A License To Wed.  No true spoilers, promise.

A License To Wed has so many layers to it.  I found myself on quite an emotional roller coaster ride – and isn’t that exactly what a good book should do to us?

Elle had loved Will as teen, it seemed like there was never a time when she hadn’t loved her brother’s best friend.  And it seemed he returned that affection.  On the night of her birthday celebration,  with perhaps a bit too much champagne to be thinking logically, they had one magical, passionate night together.  When Will seemed to vanish and Elle was left with consequences, she married a comfortable man and had a child who died in childbirth.

Yet, all is not as it seems on the surface.  While Will and Elle’s family believes she and the babe died… nothing was further from the truth.  And the truth is strange indeed.

Will knew that he was an unsuitable match for Elle, no matter how much love there was between them.  He stepped away and began doing missions for the Crown.  He never, ever would have believed that Elle was still alive and in the company of one of the nastiest enemies of her home country.  Yet, there she was across the room – perhaps just as surprised to see him.  The last thing Elle wants to do is follow through on the plan that has been forced upon her.  She can forfeit the man she loves and loyalty to her country, or forfeit her daughter who is very much alive and being held hostage.  There is really very little choice.

With well defined characters, mystery and a love that will not be shaken, A License To Wed takes us on a journey filled with misunderstandings, lies and hope.  It’s an entertaining and intriguing reunion, second chance romance full of tensions, anger, sadness, desperation and redemption.  There were a few times when I had to remind myself that given the time period, yes some of these things could have been arranged, as evil and unfair as that was.

I would recommend A License To Wed to any Romance reader, no matter the genre.  It’s a solid, relatable story that will get you caught up in young love, intrigue and second chances.

*I received an e-ARC of A License To Wed from the publisher, Random House – Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle