A beautiful second-chance romance full of emotion!
I haven't read a Joanna Johnson book for ages, I have no idea why I blame the adage of; too many books and too little time in the day, but I am determined to read more as I had forgotten just what an amazing author she is!
I thoroughly enjoyed following Nathaniel and Hester as they navigate their way through the journey ahead of them, it isn't an easy journey as there are lots of hurdles in the path all of which make you wonder whether they can ever be happy, especially as Nathaniel isn't the same man that Hester married all those years ago, it's like getting to know a whole new person in the place of her husband.
It's beautifully written, with huge emotion lots of passion and angst, with complex and interesting characters, I thoroughly enjoyed every page!

A refreshing historical romance that begins during an existing marriage rather than during the build-up of one. This historical romance has a good balance of historical notes and steamy romance and is the first time I have ever read about slavery in Algiers.

Nathaniel is presumed dead after being missing from a merchant ship that went down one stormy night. Unbeknownst to Hester, her husband survives but is taken as a slave in Algiers. Upon his return misunderstanding after misunderstanding leads to fraught discussions and a very frosty reception.

I liked this book overall but unfortunately, that is as far as it went. A lot of the misunderstandings could've been resolved by simply talking. Some interactions didn't feel authentic or realistic due to the character's unwillingness to interact.

For three-quarters of the book, the character growth was excellent but this stopped abruptly to further aid the plot which I felt was a mistake. The change in Hester also came abruptly and Nathaniel's unwillingness to talk against the development and change he was trying to portray.

I think flashbacks or duel time lines would've helped add context to the development and character's personalities but instead this was more told rather than learnt.

Overall for a book with so little chapters it was well crafted and enjoyable to read. I feel it had more potential but was not too short of it to be disappointing.

A story full of emotions
After years abroad following the sinking of his ship, Nathaniel has returned to his home and his wife Hester but his return isn’t quite how he expected
I’m not going to lie, at times I really disliked Nathaniel. Whilst he couldn’t control the circumstances he faced overseas, he is self centred, blinkered and determined to think the worst of Hester even when she proves again and again that she isn’t the person he believes she is. I did however really like Hester, she is a complex character who has gone through some troubling times and even through she is initially doubtful of Nathaniel she allows him in and starts to hope that maybe things will be different this time around
No matter what I thought of the characters at times, this book still drew me in and had me caught up in Nathaniel and Hester’s story right from the start. I wanted them to wake up and become the deeper, more complex characters that I knew they could be and by the end they did start to emerge and become that person
I really enjoyed reading Nathaniel and Hester’s story and I think in a way that my feelings towards Nathaniel wouldn’t have been as strong if I didn’t get emotionally involved in the characters and their story. As a result I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a historical romance that will draw you in and that will have you caring about the characters and their lives right from the start

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Soon after she married Nathaniel Honeywell, Hester realised that life wasn't going to be everything she wanted. Nathaniel was more bothered with his work, and doing his father's bidding than being with his wife, loving his wife, and before long, Hester lost her newlywed hope, and resigned herself to a second rate life. When Nathaniel is lost at sea, she mourns him, but soon relishes life as a widow - so waking up one morning, years later, to find her very much alive husband has returned, Hester is shocked. But nowhere near as shocked as Nathaniel is that his once loving wife isn't happy to see him, and is cold and frosty. Can Nathaniel recover from his time away, and reconnect with his wife, before it's too late?

I wasn't too sure on what to expect with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. Hester had spent years as the 'dutiful, bidding wife' under the heel of her husband, without any way out, and though not abused, she was in a difficult situation. Losing her husband was difficult, but it awarded her some freedom and safety, and she was happy, in a way. Nathaniel's return threw her for six, and she wanted to be happy he wasn't dead, but she couldn't be happy that her life would return to what it once was. I do feel that Nathaniel really grew, and his time away, as hard as it was, was the making of him. He soon realised that he didn't need to be a carbon copy of his father, and that his father's treatment of his mother was awful, and just what Nathaniel was doing to Hester. It takes him time, understandably, to win Hester over, but with the help of his friend, Jacob, he manages it, and proves himself deserving of his wife.

Hester has been widowed for 5 years with her husband Nathanial lost at sea, but when he suddenly turns up one day missing a finger and wearing an eye patch she doesn't know what to think. She swears to herself she will not fall for him again as he treated her with cold indifference during their short time together, this time she presents a strong front and Nathanial finds himself wondering what he can do to break down her barriers, but first he must find out what he did to upset her so much in the first place.

A second chance romance - I enjoyed this

A bit of the usual - interference from outside influences affecting their relationship - so lots to overcome

I enjoyed the pull and push of this story and its historical romance which is a genre I particularly enjoy




I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Hester is a widow whose short marriage gave her little to recommend it. When her husband, Nathaniel, returns unexpectedly, she is confused about her feelings. Nathaniel's physical injuries belie deeper mental scars. Finally aware of his father's manipulation, Nathaniel tries to win back his wife, but will she trust him again?

This engaging second chance historical romance is complex and immersive. Determined not to be ignored in her marriage, Hester cannot deny this new version of the man she married intrigues her. Nathaniel's experiences have changed him, and he wants to make amends and reclaim the woman he cannot forget. The couple has emotional barriers and Nathaniel's father's malicious interference to overcome to achieve their happy marriage.

The angst, likeable protagonists and passionate attraction make this a rewarding historical romantic read.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Return of Her Long Lost Husband is a second chance romance with Nathaniel Honeywell coming back home after a five year absence to find his wife less than happy about his return. For Hester, Nathaniel brings back all her feelings about being abandoned when she needed him most and she can't trust that he won't do the same again, giving his business, money and profit more importance in life than her.

I found this to be an enjoyable and easy read with strong main characters and an engaging plot. I felt for both characters and thought the push and pull between them was well written. There were some lovely moments between the two and I found the last part to be quite gripping, picking up pace to get to a highly satisfactory ending.

Nathaniel Honeywell returns after five years from being presumed dead expecting to be welcomed home with open arms, but is shocked when his wife, Hester, isn’t pleased to see him! Nathaniel can’t blame Hester for believing he abandoned her when she needed him most. During their marriage he’d foolishly valued money over his wife. But his experiences have left him a changed man, and as the simmering attraction between them grows, Nathaniel is determined to prove it!
A well written interesting second chance romance. I liked both Nathaniel & Hester who entered into an arranged marriage but the pair were attracted to each other & things were progressing well for the first month until Nathaniel’s despicable father stuck his oar in. Now when Nathaniel returns after five horrendous years his father once again meddles. Hester has become a strong woman after fending for herself & Nathaniel has realised money isn’t the be all & end all but with shame & secrets still between them their HEA isn't a given. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & recommend this charming romance
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Return of Her Long Lost Husband by Joanna Johnson is. Mills & Boon historical romance with a second chance at love storyline.
Nathaniel Honeywell is expecting to be met by his wife, Hester Honeywell, with open arms after returning from the dead. Persuaded by his father, Nat left Hester when she was very ill, to go on a voyage. Nate’s ship, Celeste, sank and he was captured. Enslaved in Algiers he lost his eyesight in one eye and a finger but gained a friend, Jacob Marrow. He has been missing, presumed dead, for 5 years. Obviously Hester is now not thrilled to see him, she is loving her new life as a widow and sees no need to find someone else, although her sister, Diana, thinks otherwise. Nate married Hester because his father wanted him to. He treated her very coldly during their short marriage and valued money over… well her. Can Nate redeem himself, rid himself of the perceived shame of being a slave, get out from under his father’s control and ultimate attempt to blackmail him to go back to sea voyages and save their marriage or is their marriage doomed to be like his parents?

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Hester is enjoying life as a widow. Her cold husband lived life as his father had raised him, money first. So when he disappeared after his ship sank she didn't bother looking for anyone else, despite her sister Diana’s attempts to matchmake. When he returns she isn't best pleased but he says he's changed.

I enjoyed this story. You know from the beginning that its going to be a bumpy ride for the pair but you cant help but root for them to find a way forward. I loved this second chance of love book.

4.5 stars

An interesting read. Nathaniel is heavily influenced by his father but genuiely liked Hester and so married her. Coerced by his father he becomes cold towards her and agrees to go on a voyage even though at the time Hester was at death's door. Nathaniel's ship goes down and he ends up as a slave for five years in Algiers. The author started her story by relating a rescue of slaves and wondering what happened to all those people released. Nathaniel is deeply ashamed of having been in a position of weakness and even though his friend and rescuer has worked on changing Nathaniel's view points when he returns there are problems re-starting his marriage.
I enjoyed this story and recommend you to read it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just lovely. A different take on romance as Hester’s husband returns from being enslaved abroad - he had been believed drowned. The growing and changing emotions between Hester and Nathaniel are well written and we really follow the dramatic twists between the couple and especially his father and the heavy influence he has on the couple. We fall for both Hester and Nathaniel and the very lovely sister Diana. A great read.