Condemned & Admired - The Earl's Cunning Wife

by Bree Wolf

Formats

Included in Subscription

She was chosen. He was claimed. Together, they build something lasting. Oliver Cornell, heir to an English title, has never known tenderness from his blood. Raised under cold expectations and withheld affection, he’s come to see family as duty—not devotion. But one twist of fate sets him adrift… and brings him into the life of Violet Winters.

She never asked to be adopted. She simply was—by love. Violet doesn’t meet anyone’s definition of proper. A privateer with wild courage and a life lived by her own terms, she’s the daughter of a man who saw her and said “mine.” She’s never needed society’s approval—but when she needs an ally to navigate its rules, she offers Oliver a bargain: a marriage in name only.

What begins in strategy becomes sanctuary. In Violet’s fierce loyalty, Oliver finds the love he’s always craved. In Oliver’s quiet kindness, Violet glimpses a home she never dared imagine. And slowly, they discover that family is not who you’re born to—but who shows up, stands beside you, and chooses you with their whole heart.

His family gave him a title. Hers gave her everything. And together, they build the kind that lasts.

⚓ If you’ve ever longed for family not born, but found—and the comfort of belonging exactly where you’re seen… this story is yours.

NOTE: Each love story in this series can be read as a stand-alone. However, most readers prefer to read them in order.

Formats

Open reader Upgrade Account

Included in Subscription

Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Regency (1811–1820)

Series

Love's Second Chance Series • Book 10

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑🫑

Profanity

2 Mild

Violence

2 Mild

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

August 14, 2018

Language Versions

English

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Murder or attempted murder

Representation

Adoption or foster-care representation

About the Author

Hi, I’m Bree Wolf—a USA Today bestselling author, former academic, and life-long lover of stories. I studied English and Specialized Translation, wandered the halls of universities, spending more years than I should have trying to be reasonable.Eventually, that quiet, persistent voice in my head said: It’s time to write.I’ve since published over fifty historical romances, each one stitched together from pieces of my own heart: doubts, regrets, fears, and messy, hopeful dreams. I love chocolate (especially when chapters get emotional), cry far too easily at my keyboard, and have a deep spiritual bond with cats… which is tragically one-sided, as I’m terribly allergic. A lifelong heartbreak, truly.

Strong beginning, very weak ending

It was a four star book for me up until the last 15% on my kindle. They made a mess at Silcox manor, literally and figuratively, and the author does not solve the ploblems arising from the murder or would you call it self defense that accured. How do Lady Silcox, Violette and Oliver explain Lord Silcox's death to the coroner or magistrate? What about the servants who saw the french people ( enemies at that time)? What about the legitimacy of Violette's half brother and her future childs? Is Violette's and Oliver's marriage legitimate, important for succession as he is a peer?No explanation for his father's extreme dislike of their marriage. Violette and Oliver sail into the sunset.I like my books plausible, if an author wants to write a mystery, she should think it through and solve the mystery in the end and tie all loose ends.

Great story!

Wonderful Author. Really holds your attention Very interesting book. I have read other Bree Wolf books and enjoyed them all.

Amazing book

This book really caught my imagination, it was different and exciting. I was surprised when I read the opening chapter as I thought that I had already read it but all soon became clear as it was the first chapter of the book about Violets mother.This book was full of adventure in the high seas as well as on land. Violet was a really strong character and Oliver was lovely but unloved until he met Violet and her family.

improbable but otherwise adventurous plot

Fleeing a loveless, almost abusive marriage, Lady Silcox sets to protect her daughter, Violet. How could her own husband bethrow their six year old to his elderly best friend? He would be ancient once Violet came of age!That was a dozen years ago and everyone believes the note left behind claiming Lady Silcox drown her daughter and herself at sea.Now, Lady Silcox is happily installed in France, the wife of a notorious pirate privateer. The man who leads the infamous Chevalier Noir.Now an adult, Violet sails with her stepfather as part of the crew, dreaming of being captain of her own ship one day soon. But she is shaken when she reads an announcement in the paper – the man she was betrothed to as a child is now marrying another (presumably) young woman. Violet is dead-set on mending this mistake caused by her and her mother’s disappearance. Violet’s life creed is family above all else. She must do this.How to sneak into England undetected and unknown? Turns out, an English earl falls into their hands at sea. While not practical or pragmatic, a plan is hatched to return Oliver Cornell to England and Violet will use that as her cover to “sneak” into England, gather intel, and save this doomed lady.Oliver hates his life. He has never been seen as a child, loved, by his father. He is only an heir with responsibilities and duties to uphold. He longs for his own path. When he sees this adventurous determination in Violet, and he wants his own adventure. So he decides to involve himself in this plan. He offers Violet the way “in” to society: he will pose as her husband and also save his family the embarrassment of being ransomed – and his father’s ultimate ire and hate.I enjoyed this installment in the series quite a bit. I think ever since reading Bloody Jack as a pre-teen I have fallen in love with pirates, ships, and the open sea. So I look forward to Henri’s book!But there were some things that were extremely improbable: I don’t think Violet’s father would have allowed her to traipse off to England and and pretend to be married…to a stranger. I also don’t find it probable that he would support this crazy venture of hers at all – sending her to England to “save” some strange woman they knew literally nothing about. How? How was she supposed to “save” this woman from this impending marriage? He knows the rules of society. What would she do? Murder the man? Kidnap the woman? You don’t just run into a country you are at war with and not have a solution that will work.There was definitely adventure and honor rolled up in this story. There was quite a bit to the plot, which I think will carry over into Henri’s book.

Recommend

Although a part of the series, this is a stand alone book. Therefore most of one chapter is background to bring a new reader up to speed. If you don’t like repetition, just skip over this part. I found the storyline held my interest from start to finish.There’s lots of action, a romance filled with troubles and obstacles, and some betrayal. Enjoy!