Introducing Mr. Winterbourne

TEST

After spending his morning riding in Town with good friend Perry Cavendish, Lysander Winterbourne, third son of the Earl of Winterbourne, plans to depart for Winterbourne Abbey the following morning.  He hopes to one day run the estate on behalf of his father and older brother, and just a week ago – after his parents once again raised the subject of his future – he convinced his father to allow him to return to the Abbey to train alongside the estate manager.

Unfortunately, when he’s summoned to his father’s office later that morning, Lysander learns he won’t be leaving for the country after all.  Instead, he’s tasked with introducing Adam Freeman, a wealthy mill owner and older brother of Simon, his sister Althea’s fiance, around town.

The earl had been part horrified, part delighted by the match.  On the one hand, as the son of a mill owner, Simon Freeman was tainted by commerce and was a humiliatingly low match for Lord Winterbourne’s second daughter. . . . On the other hand, Simon’s family was outrageously wealthy, and the earl needed the money desperately.

Lysander is well aware that despite his father’s disdain, Mr. Freeman’s wealth allowed his father to pay off his debts.  It’s also clear his father has forgotten their agreement about his future.

Adam Freeman can think of any number of things he’d prefer to do than spend the day with another spoiled aristocrat, but reluctantly agrees to do it for his brother’s sake.  After arriving at the Winterbourne townhouse, the Earl introduces him to Lysander, and informs him Lysander will be showing him around town.  Irritated at being pawned off, Adam sternly issues an ultimatum to the earl regarding payment of any remaining debts.  He’s aware it was rude, but he doesn’t care.  The afternoon proves to be as unpleasant as he expected – whispers, insults and disdain greet him at each of the drawing rooms they visit – but he’s pleasantly surprised by his guide.  He’s caught off guard when Lysander apologizes for the way he was treated during their afternoon outing, and later, at Lysander’s club for dinner (after spending the latter half of the day fencing), he can admit he’s fallen under the young man’s spell.

Lysander, the golden boy of the Winterbourne family, is kind, handsome, and good, and ashamed – by his father and his gambling debts, and by the way Adam was treated during their afternoon outing.  He was astounded and impressed when Adam confronted his father at the start of the day, and he’s delighted with the version of Adam that emerges after they pay a visit to his fencing master. By the time they wind up alone on a terrace at a ball they agreed to attend together, he can’t deny his attraction to the handsome Mr. Freeman.

Oh, reader!  This opposites attract romance is a delight in every single way.  The chemistry between Lysander and Adam is delicious, the frisson of attraction between them is palpable and only grows as the day progresses, and the contrast between the men is perfectly rendered.  I loved every single thing about this tale (even its length), and it’s incredible how much story and character development the author is able to include in this tiny, marvelous, gem of a novella.  Introducing Mr. Winterbourne is sexy and smart, and a wonderful introduction to this promising new series.

Note: Introducing Mr. Winterbourne first appeared in Another Place in Time, a 2014 historical m/m anthology.

Buy it at: Amazon

Visit our Amazon Storefront

Reviewed by Em Wittmann

Grade: A

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date: 10/05/21

Publication Date: 03/2018

Recent Comments …

  1. excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.

I love romance novels - all kinds.
I love music - some kinds.
I have strong opinions about both and I like to share them.

guest

6 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Carrie G
Carrie G
Member
05/10/2021 7:26 pm

Lovely review, Em! I keep meaning to read this author since her books are well reviewed here.

Em Wittmann
Em Wittmann
Guest
05/10/2021 6:39 pm

I’m just now checking social media & Joanna wanted readers to know that this story is also free to her newsletter subscribers! Here’s the info you need to know: https://twitter.com/ChambersJoanna/status/1391826017501818886?s=20

Lieselotte
Lieselotte
05/10/2021 3:40 pm

After the recommendation of the 4th book in the series (Sir Perry, which stands well alone) I was enchanted with this author and read two more of her books (Restored and Unnatural) which I both loved, they are different, but both excellent.
I really like JC’s solid characters and how she writes emotions. Wonderful feel good books for me.

Looking forward to this one !

EM WITTMANN
EM WITTMANN
Guest
Reply to  Lieselotte
05/10/2021 3:56 pm

She’s wonderful. Another standalone that is fabulous & does not require any investment in the rest of the series, is A Gathering Storm. It’s terrific, too!

Lisa Fernandes
Lisa Fernandes
Guest
05/10/2021 11:26 am

Ooh, I’ll be reading this soon!

WendyF
WendyF
Guest
05/10/2021 4:48 am

Yes, I thought this was delightful too.