Melissa Atwell has spent her life in her suite of rooms at her home in Bamburgh, England. The beloved and overly protected child of Christina and John Atwell, the man she thought was her father, Melissa was coddled and became well-read and well-educated. Her mother died when she was quite young and now John Atwell has just passed away. She learns that she must leave the only home she has known and travel to live with her uncle, George Atwell, the Earl of Braddock. Both he and spinster, Diane Stanhope have arrived to escort her to her uncle's home in Nottingham. Diane will act as Melissa's companion. Learning to interact with people and be out in society and the world is new to Melissa and she is trying very hard to accept her new life. While still young, Diane is a plain looking woman who possesses a strong, outspoken personality. George Atwell, a widower, is determined never to marry again. His goal now is to find a husband for his niece and not let society know that she is indeed, illegitimate. George and Diane work together toward that end but not without some clashing of their own.At her new home, Melissa meets her uncle's son, John Atwell, Viscount of Willingham. John and Melissa become fast friends and he helps to introduce her to her new world. But soon, their friendship turns to an attraction that they try to deny as they think they are first cousins. Meantime, danger lurks in the person of Christina's husband and Melissa's real father, from whom Christina escaped due to his violence and abuse. Although pregnant with his child, Christina was determined to save herself and her child from him. Will John be able to protect himself and Melissa from this danger? Dare they defy society and marry one another?The story that the author knits together in this novel is one that grabbed me and didn't let go until I had finished it. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it as a great read. Three and a half stars. The premise of the book was lovely, a girl locked away in her rooms to stop her real father from finding out about her. She's naive and likeable which is good for the plot but, the story tends to drag on. The ending happened so quickly that it was a bit lame. It literally happens in like ten pages. I would've liked to have the ending been a little better and longer. More thought out.
What do You think about The Mad Lord's Daughter (2012)?
While it perhaps tied into too neat of a bow at the end, it was an enjoyable and easy read.
—lil_cupcake
I skimmed too much of this to give it three stars. Lackluster.
—Sadie
