THE SCHOLAR by Tess Thompson

 

They've both been wounded by the past. Can their marriage of convenience bring the healing they need?

Theo Barnes has been in love with Louisa Keller since they were kids. However, she's in love with his twin brother, Flynn. Sadly for Louisa, Flynn is in love with another woman and has no interest in her. When tragedy strikes Louisa's family and she's left penniless, she's forced to consider Theo's offer of marriage. They agree to a marriage of convenience with no bedroom privileges. He secretly hopes she'll change her mind once they're married but the marriage gets off to a rocky start.

The Scholar is the third book in the heartwarming Emerson Pass historical romance series. If you like staunch heroines, emotional backdrops, and sweeping family sagas, then you’ll adore Tess Thompson’s wholesome tale.

MY THOUGHTS: 

I am here, as luminous as the sun. My light shines. No one can snuff me out. Not again. I am the sun and the moon and the stars and the dew on the grasses. I am Louisa.

This quote sums it all up. This book is about Louisa and Theo. Louisa's survival and all that she endured in her young life. How the Barnes family helped her. How her adoptive parents saved her and gave her the love of a good family. How one man made her his. How she managed to learn to love and be loved despite all the trauma she endured at a very young age. This book does need a trigger warning though. It contains child abuse and rape. But it's a sweet story and one that will keep you turning the pages. 

This is Theo's story. This is Louisa's story. How they came to be together after a lifetime of being broken. Can they fix each other? Can Theo make Louisa feel whole again. Can they both learn to love and accept love? This book has so much good in it. So much love. It's a historical and a historical romance. A tender story of love and acceptance. Of learning to forgive one's self even when there is no need for forgiveness. A child is innocent. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to understand that. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to realize it isn't your fault. That there are mean cruel people in the world who will hurt you. But there are also the ones that will love you up. Love you unconditionally and wholeheartedly. Who will help you heal.

This book is a very tender story of a love that was always meant to be. A young man and young woman who found each other and just fit. The tender kisses and feelings of that beginning love. It's told in a beautiful way that will keep you rooting for them to hurry up. For them to be together no matter what anyone else says. 

The setting in this book is great. The descriptions are done so realistically. The lake the Barnes children swim in. The dance hall below the restaurant. The music, the laughter and the tears. You feel it all. I sure shed a lot of tears reading this one. It hit me right square in the heart. I felt Louisa's pain so deeply. So realistically. I felt for her. I was so happy when she found life. Real happiness. She and Theo both deserve it. 

Thank you Tess Thompson for this wonderful ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 huge stars and the highest recommendation.