#notakaki : The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh

Two person meet under a peculiar condition in one night in London. Both of them have different intentions at the same time but for the same result - survival.

A lady do what she have to do to survive her harsh life condition.

A gentleman gave in the the pressure of life to survive a painful marriage.

An incident bind both of them forever.

Fleur was under an extreme condition which had forced her to trade the last and most valuable thing in her life for survival. Adam having given in to the pressure of his marital problems, in exchange for a few moment of selfish bliss, felt somehow needed to repent his mistake.

He employed Fleur as a governess to his 5 year old daughter, Lady Pamela, living under the same roof with his duchess. They married due to an obligation - a loveless marriage. The Duchess was in love and will always be with someone else. Adam married Sybil to save her from social condemnation and to save a child, whom he loved since she was born, from a lifetime disgrace. Sybil couldn't stand married to Adam but unable to do anything because the man she's in love with is a rake. She hated Adam for his kindness and his sense of responsibility.

When her haunted past coming back, Fleur had decided and make up her mind to confront them instead of running away like she just did for the last few months. Without doing that, she knew she will never have a peaceful life she dreamed of. But she refused to surrender without a fight. She felt she needed to tell her side of story even if no one will listen. She had to try.

Time had soften Adam feeling toward Fleur. From feeling angry to guilty, the feeling had blossomed into something forbidden. Something that he cannot expressed freely to her due to his condition but he expressed them by being attentive and concern to her well being.

When Fleur finally went away to face her past demon, Adam went out all the way to find her. He had told himself that he couldn't abandoned his employee when in need. He used his rational mind to convince his heart that Fleur is his responsibility thus he will do what ever within his power to keep her safe and to help solve her problems.

In life, sometime mind and heart seldom act in concert with each other. There are times when rational mind couldn't overcome heart intuitive. Sometime a soul can see what a mind couldn't.

They broken their promises toward each other - one night, one moment to cherish forever. That is what Adam was able to give Fleur and she accepted it wholeheartedly. They agreed to move on with one memory to cherish forever. Adam vowed to honor his marriage. Fleur will not be a social disgrace.

An incident occurred had freed Adam from his loveless marriage. With a renew determination, he went to find Fleur to persuade her to build their life together. The one they had been wanting and dreaming all this while. What seem like an impossible quest turn out to be an endearing life to look forward too.

                                                                              10/10

#notakaki : Midnight Pleasure by Eloisa James

Lady Sophie York, the only daughter of Marquis and Marchioness of Brandenburg, had rejected all twenty-two proposals of marriage. She has her reasons.

When she was caught in the arms of Patrick Foakes by one of the most talkative women in London society, Lady Sarah Prestlefield, Sophie still refused to marry Patrick. She has her reasons.

When she finally agreed to be betrothed to Braddon Chatwin, Earl of Slaslow much to her parents' relief and to the society surprise, she has her reasons to do so.

Patrick Foakes - soon to be Duke of Gisle - was fumed when Sophie refused to accept his marriage proposal, not that he planned to marry initially. He has his reasons.

He was enraged and insulted when he knew Sophie had agreed to marry his long time friend, an amiable but dull Braddon. He believed Sophie had chosen Braddon because of his title and he had none at the moment.

When Sophie suggested to Braddon to elope to Gretna Green, Braddon refused to give in to her threats and demands. He has his own reasons too.

So he persuaded Patrick to help him with his own revised plan without Sophie knowledge. Patrick reluctantly agreed to do the deed and it seems he has his own reasons.

When both of them were caught in a compromised situation..... again, Sophie had no choice but to accept Patrick's proposal. She silently brace herself to a future of marrying a rake especially the one that doesn't want children but only one.

Throughout their early marriage, when trust at an infancy stage coupled with miscommunication on both parties had almost ripped apart their fragile marriage and at the expense of a child - their only child Patrick agreed to Sophie.

Both of them try to do everything they could to bring back the spark into their lifeless marriage. In order for them to be able to trust each other, they need to start communicate with honesty and clearly what were in their minds and hearts. There will be no second-guessing what the other party might or might not think or do. Then and only then both, Patrick and Sophie, can truly enjoy their bliss of a lifetime marriage with children they dreamed of.


                           

                                                                            7/10