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WARNING: Possible Spoilers

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

{The Basics}

This is basically a "from rags to riches" kind of tale.  Nolan, a mere stable boy, learns from his mother (who's technically not his birth mother, but his aunt, but he still loves her dearly) at her death bed that he is actually the son of the nobleman on whose estate he lives and works.  The earl of Stainsby, Lord Edward Fairchild, is a rather harsh and blunt sort of man---certainly not known for his compassion, but rather his lack of it.  As the rightful heir of the vast estate and all it entails, Lord Stainsby takes Nolan under his wing and tries to teach him the ways of the nobility, something Nolan does not really want.  He has his own dreams for his future.  

Upon literally preparing to propose to his beloved Hannah, a kitchen maid, Nolan is requested to his mother's room where her health has quickly deteriorated.  There she reveals the harsh truth of his heritage, first to Nolan, and then to the earl himself.  Both, needless to say, are shocked, and angry.  Nolan can have quite the temper (something he has inherited from his father).  All his life, he yearned to know his father's identity, he just never expected it to be the earl under whom he serves, and doesn't quite respect.

The earl, Edward, is astonished to learn that his first wife, a maid he married in his youth despite his own father's wishes, had a surviving son.  He had believed them both to be dead long ago.  After his wife ran off, as his father wished him to believe, for he had truly loved her, he married a noble lady of his father's choice and had two daughters.  With no son to inherit his estate, it was doomed to come into the "care" of his good-for-nothing son-in-law, who would most likely squander it away in a gamble.  Thus comes Nolan into his life, where before he had been the simple stable boy.  Edward attempts to teach his new son his ways, taking advantage of him in his ignorance of the nobility at times and attempting to control Nolan's life.

{Spiritual Content}

Both Nolan and Hannah were brought up in the faith.  While Nolan is not as strong in his faith as Hannah, they both pray rather constantly for direction and clarity in their lives.  

[SPOILER] Nolan and Hannah elope.  This happens not long after he learns of his inheritance as the earl's son.  He convinces the local vicar to marry them despite the earl having given the man specific orders not to.  Nolan acquires all that is necessary to make the marriage official, and even books them a suite in another town for their honeymoon.  A reluctant priest marries them, but blesses their union nonetheless, and petitions them to seek God in their marriage.  

{Violence}

A young man forces himself on a maid; her sister comes to her rescue but is injured by him throwing her into a wall.  She suffers a concussion and bruises, but is otherwise alright---nothing happens to the sister.  The young man had a reputation already.

An infant is kidnapped and a ransom demanded.  It is soon learned that neither Nolan nor the infant was meant to live.  One man is shot and killed; Nolan suffers a gunshot wound (but [SPOILER] survives).  

{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}

None.

The earl is fond of his whiskey and brandy.  Such alcoholic beverages are served at parties as well.  Frustrated with his circumstances, Edward becomes inebriated at one point.  

{Romantic Content}

Nolan and Hannah have long had an understanding that they would marry some day, there is no doubt as to their love for one another.  They share passionate kisses and hugs and such, and their relationship is rather sweet.  :]  Once they elope, Nolan surprises her with a honeymoon at an elegant inn (having saved the money).  The marriage bed makes them both rather nervous---Hannah becomes particularly anxious.  No details, of course, but it is definitely implied that Nolan and Hannah are truly husband and wife.

Hannah has a rather wealthy, widowed aunt.  And somehow (rather randomly in my opinion), the aunt and Edward begin an unexpected relationship, with the aunt flirting and blushing like a schoolgirl and Edward fumbling with himself.  I LOVED the aunt's character, but this just kinda seemed too random and simply thrown in there. . . *shrugs* Purely my opinion! Please don't let that sway you from this little novel.  :]

{Conclusion}

Ages 16+

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Thanks for reading, y'all!  I have another (nonfiction) review coming soon.  In the meantime, do ya have any recommendations for me?? I would heartily recommend this series that I'm currently reading if you are in-between books at the mo: the Beaumont & Beasely series by Kyle Robert Shultz.  <---LOVE