Bound by centuries of bad blood, England's two most powerful families maintain a veneer of civility . . . until the heir to the staggering Redmond fortune disappears, reviving rumors of an ancient curse: a Redmond and an Eversea are destined to fall disastrously in love once per generation.
An Enduring Legend
Rumor has it she broke Lyon Redmond's heart. But while many a man has since wooed the dazzling Olivia Eversea, none has ever won her—which is why jaws drop when she suddenly accepts a viscount's proposal. Now London waits with bated breath for the wedding of a decade . . . and wagers on the return of an heir.
An Eternal Love
It was instant and irresistible, forbidden . . . and unforgettable. And Lyon—now a driven, dangerous, infinitely devastating man—decides it's time for a reckoning. As the day of her wedding races toward them, Lyon and Olivia will decide whether their love is a curse destined to tear their families apart . . . or the stuff of which legends are made.
MY THOUGHTS
I've been waiting for all the sordid details of Lyon and Olivia's love story through the whole series and it's somehow so much better than I ever could have imagined. Their romance might have started out as a classic 'Romeo and Juliet' story of a secret love affair between two members of opposing families but when they're pulled apart and their paths diverge, their stories really go in a direction that's utterly original. Lyon becomes a notorious pirate in an effort to prove his worth and make his fortune but also to make Olivia's dreams of ending the Triangular Trade come true. Olivia is finally marrying after years of pining for Lyon, looking to find a bit of happiness for herself even if she never expects to love her husband.
I adore Lyon and Olivia because they had such great chemistry together. There is sweetness and humor in their banter, but their headstrong natures also mean that they butt heads quite a bit. I really appreciate that they are incredibly supportive and even proud of one another and they just seem to bring out the best in each other when they are together. Olivia inspires Lyon to be more considerate of him fellow man and the rights which he takes for granted and Lyon encourages Olivia to be brave and fight for what she really wants. Even though they've undergone five years of pain and separation, the world just seems like a happier, brighter place when they're together and I think that's such a pleasure to read in a romance. Plus, it doesn't hurt that these two could set fire to their beloved oak with the sparks they throw off. They take dropping the soap to a whole other level.
I think the author handled the transitions between past and present seamlessly and knew just how to keep you yearning for more. Not only did you have Olivia and Lyon's story but you got to understand a bit more about why their parents hate each other and the heartbreaking love triangle that continues to poison the next generation. It's really quite eye-opening to see that other side of parents who are often quite one-dimensional in romances. Usually they're either good and kind or manipulative and controlling. You don't often get to truly understand what made them so bitter and pity them for it, despite their manipulation. The multi-generational aspects of the story really intrigued me and I thought the modern day epilogue was a great way to remind readers that the families and characters in the Pennyroyal Green series went on to live extraordinary lives, as did their descendants. I honestly would love to read Isabel's story in her own novel or novella.
If you've read the rest of the Pennyroyal Green series I think you'll be so moved and satisfied by Lyon and Olivia's story. It's full of heartbreak, humor and tons of passion and although these two have past hurts and family expectations standing in their way, THE LEGEND OF LYON REDMOND shows that true love really does conquer all. It's truly a beautiful and inspiring addition to the series that I'm not ashamed to say moved me to tears more than once. It really did leave me wanting more! I feel like I need to go back and reread them all and can't wait to see what Julie Anne Long will come up with next. If you love historical romances Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series really is not to be missed.
I've been waiting for all the sordid details of Lyon and Olivia's love story through the whole series and it's somehow so much better than I ever could have imagined. Their romance might have started out as a classic 'Romeo and Juliet' story of a secret love affair between two members of opposing families but when they're pulled apart and their paths diverge, their stories really go in a direction that's utterly original. Lyon becomes a notorious pirate in an effort to prove his worth and make his fortune but also to make Olivia's dreams of ending the Triangular Trade come true. Olivia is finally marrying after years of pining for Lyon, looking to find a bit of happiness for herself even if she never expects to love her husband.
I adore Lyon and Olivia because they had such great chemistry together. There is sweetness and humor in their banter, but their headstrong natures also mean that they butt heads quite a bit. I really appreciate that they are incredibly supportive and even proud of one another and they just seem to bring out the best in each other when they are together. Olivia inspires Lyon to be more considerate of him fellow man and the rights which he takes for granted and Lyon encourages Olivia to be brave and fight for what she really wants. Even though they've undergone five years of pain and separation, the world just seems like a happier, brighter place when they're together and I think that's such a pleasure to read in a romance. Plus, it doesn't hurt that these two could set fire to their beloved oak with the sparks they throw off. They take dropping the soap to a whole other level.
I think the author handled the transitions between past and present seamlessly and knew just how to keep you yearning for more. Not only did you have Olivia and Lyon's story but you got to understand a bit more about why their parents hate each other and the heartbreaking love triangle that continues to poison the next generation. It's really quite eye-opening to see that other side of parents who are often quite one-dimensional in romances. Usually they're either good and kind or manipulative and controlling. You don't often get to truly understand what made them so bitter and pity them for it, despite their manipulation. The multi-generational aspects of the story really intrigued me and I thought the modern day epilogue was a great way to remind readers that the families and characters in the Pennyroyal Green series went on to live extraordinary lives, as did their descendants. I honestly would love to read Isabel's story in her own novel or novella.
If you've read the rest of the Pennyroyal Green series I think you'll be so moved and satisfied by Lyon and Olivia's story. It's full of heartbreak, humor and tons of passion and although these two have past hurts and family expectations standing in their way, THE LEGEND OF LYON REDMOND shows that true love really does conquer all. It's truly a beautiful and inspiring addition to the series that I'm not ashamed to say moved me to tears more than once. It really did leave me wanting more! I feel like I need to go back and reread them all and can't wait to see what Julie Anne Long will come up with next. If you love historical romances Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series really is not to be missed.
Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author JULIE ANNE LONG originally set out to be a rock star when she grew up (and she has the guitars and fringed clothing stuffed in the back of her closet to prove it), but writing was always her first love. Since hanging up her guitar for the computer keyboard, her books frequently top reader and critic polls and have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Rita, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, and The Quills, and reviewers have been known to use words like “dazzling,” “brilliant,” and “impossible to put down” when describing them. Julie lives in Northern California.
I tried the first book in this series a year or so ago and couldn't get into it. I think it was maybe a case of the right book at the wrong time. I'll definitely be giving the series another shot in the near future. Great review!
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