Publisher: CreateSpace 
Source: ebook (given by Netgalley)
Rate:



Summary:

“It is dangerous to become attached to a du Lac. He will break your heart, and you will not recover.” So prophesies a wizened healer to Annis, daughter of King Cerdic of Wessex. If there is truth in the old crone’s words, they come far too late for Annis, who defies father, king, and country to save the man she loves.
Alden du Lac, once king of Cerniw, has nothing. Betrayed by Cerdic, Alden’s kingdom lies in rubble, his fort razed to the ground and his brother Merton missing, presumably dead. He has only one possession left worth saving: his heart. And to the horror of his few remaining allies, he gives that to the daughter of his enemy. They see Annis, at best, as a bargaining chip to avoid war with her powerful father. At worst, they see a Saxon whore with her claws in a broken, wounded king.
Alden has one hope: When you war with one du Lac, you war with them all. His brother Budic, King of Brittany, could offer the deposed young king sanctuary—but whether he will offer the same courtesy to Annis is far less certain.

Review:
*The publisher provided this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.*
Annis knew what she was getting into the day she decided to save her father's enemy from his cells and escape with him, she knew that becoming attached to a du Lac wasn't a good idea, it was a very bad idea indeed. The daughter of King Cerdic of Wessex is now stuck by the side of the one person she can't allow herself to love, but yet she loves him.
Alden du Lac was once King of Cerniw, but he was betrayed by Cerdic and his people were slaughtered while he was captured. With his kingdom conquered and his brother, Merton, missing, the only thing he still possesses is his heart and he will not give it lightly. That's why when he gives it to Annis he knows he'll have to fight for her and for both their lives.
What these two see in each other and what the people see in them is not the same but they know that their only option is to stick together while facing the adversities the world has to offer. They're chased and hunted... how will they save themselves?
I have to admit that I was hoping for a good read but this book actually surpassed my expectations! As an avid Philippa Gregory fan, I love historical romance that is realistic and fun to read and this book reminded me of it.
Annis is a defiant woman that knows what she wants and it's not afraid to take it, she wants Alden and she will not stop until they can love each other freely. She actually goes through a number of situations that a lady of her standing wouldn't usually find herself into and that makes this story even better.
The approach to the romantic aspect of the story was amazing and I didn't feel overwhelmed by the mushy and sweet details, the author was able to make it real: love is not easy, it has ups and downs. This is the kind of relationship I love to read about! Two really brave people that love each other.
I advise this book to anyone who needs a soft but not so soft read to calm the nerves or even maybe to surpass a book slump!