ARC Review: The Lady and the Miner by Lisa Torquay

About the Book:

Title: The Lady and the Miner

Author: Lisa Torquay

Series: Ladies and Strays #1

Publication Date: March 29, 2021

Synopsis: As an astronomer, Amelia understands that the celestial bodies attract each other. Here on Earth it’s no different.

Amelia Bolton belongs to one of the richest families in England, one who made its fortune in coal. Her brother Joseph aims at having access to parliament and is pressuring Amelia to marry a nobleman who has a seat in it. She knows her duties to the family, she does. But there’s one man who won’t leave her mind and, sadly, her heart. Daniel, the miner who lives just down the village, is as distant from her world as the planet Saturn is from Earth. She must force herself to leave her girlish fancies aside and become the titled lady of the ton her brother wishes her to be. It will tear her apart but she has no choice.

Daniel Hill was born in this mine and lost all his family to it. He has no illusions about the fact that he’ll die in it too. But every time he catches sight of Miss Bolton, he dies a different death: That of knowing she’s not for the likes of him. He can’t dream of laying his coal-soot covered hands on her delicate person though the thought throws him in a torturous hell. He’ll do his best to keep away from her, even if it sends him to an early grave. 

LINKS:     Goodreads    |      Amazon   

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My Review:

This is the second historical romance I’ve read by Lisa Torquay, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a unique story with great characters and a swoon-worthy romance. Amelia is kind, thoughtful, and well-respected in the mining community. A woman ahead of her time, she is so different from the other members of the upper class. She is an astrologer who is more interested in the stars than the frivolous and greedy interests of her peers. Torquay’s skill in creating strong-willed women who refuse to bow to the dictates of society is so prevalent in Amelia. She takes charge of her life with no regrets, and I love that! Her love for Daniel and her happiness with him is more important to Amelia than anything, and she doesn’t let anything stand in the way of her happiness.

Daniel struggles a bit more than Amelia, though his desire for Amelia is strong. Daniel doesn’t feel like he deserves a woman like Amelia. He is a miner, and she is the owner’s sister. His family died in the mines, and he sees the same future for himself. He does not want to burden any woman with that kind of future, especially Amelia, who he has loved from afar for quite some time. Luckily, Amelia is persistent and persuasive. She gives him hope and shows him that there are endless possibilities for the two of them.

The romance between Daniel and Amelia is absolutely swoon-worthy! There is so much chemistry between these two!! Theirs is a deep, passionate, and forbidden love, and there is a ton of angst between Daniel and Amelia since their vastly different social standing discourages them from being together. However, they cannot resist their feelings. I love their deep connection and their willingness to do whatever it takes to be together.

I also like that the author didn’t have their love story end with their marriage. Instead, she shows us how this new couple begins their life together. They face many challenges and changes, and it’s interesting to see how Daniel and Amelia adjust to married life, a new home, changed social positions, and different life roles.

A unique and captivating historical romance, the novel also highlights issues like the dangers of mining life, the inequities among the social classes, and a woman’s lack of choice. Overall, it’s a great start to what promises to be a wonderful romance series. Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romance!! Daniel and Amelia have fantastic chemistry, and I loved their love story.

• The great messages.

Favorite Lines:

He understood that the most ecstatic heaven could taste like the most torturous hell.

Daniel was the forbidden man she gobbled with her eyes even aware that, if the lived close, the were a precipice apart.

Recommendations:

Interested in other novels by Lisa Torquay? Check out my review of Her Wicked Marquess!

My Review