The Secluded Scarred Duke: A Clean Historical Regency Romance Novel (Broken Hearts’ Redemption Book 1)
He pledged to live the rest of his life in solitude until he encounters a woman who makes him feel whole again…
Sarah Hartfield is the youngest daughter of a farmer. She is extremely beautiful and has a pure heart. Sarah has heard rumors of the severely scarred Duke of Farenshire, but no one has seen the reclusive duke since he arrived in the countryside nine months ago. That is until a chance encounter when he unexpectedly comes to her rescue in the woods. She soon comes to discover that he’s nothing like the man the rumors made him out to be.
Edmund Foster—The Duke of Farenshire—was left scarred fighting in the war. The last thing Edmund wants is the responsibility of being a duke. But upon the untimely death of his father and brother in a tragic carriage accident, he was left with no other choice but to accept his fate. Tired of trying to find acceptance amongst High Society, Edmund returns to the countryside in search of a life of solitude. But his world is turned upside down when he encounters Ms. Sarah Hartfield.
Edmund and Sarah form a close bond but an outside force will stop at nothing to tear them apart. Will they get their happily ever after in the end?
Get it Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
T***********n
Different worlds or not?
Very good read. It was a little slow at times and now as much drama as you might expect, but it still had some elements to keep it flowing well.November 7, 2024
R************t
Wonderful Gem of a book
I discovered this book when I was looking for something to read and found it on Amazon so downloaded it. I found the book to be sweet. Edmund inherited the Dukedom after his father and brother were killed in a carriage accident. Home from war and sporting a scar from the battle he is determined to live a life of solitude until he happens upon a maid in distress. Sarah is a local girl a young maid from the town overseen by Edmund. When Sarah finds herself in the woods hurt Edmund rescues her. They are drawn to each other and through their friendship something more begins to grow. This gave me a little bit of a Beauty and the Beast feel. Edmund is the grumpy beat and Sarah is Belle and brings out the best in him. I found the book to be sweet and fun and enjoyed it. It was kind of like finding a gem among the rumble. A book I would read again.September 14, 2024
K*************r
I didn’t realize it was a book for young readers
I didn’t realize it was a book for young readers. It had no substance and no real story to speak of.June 10, 2024
J****e
Cute
It’s a cute book. I enjoyed it. It was sweet and simple. Sometimes it’s nice to have an easy love story.May 22, 2024
T************r
short and not so sweet
I read a lot of regency books. This is one of the few that I found to be almost laughable. The heroine is a simple country girl in love with the duke, but until his mother shows up, she actually believes she has a chance with him. Never questioning her suitability. Even though her parents are tenants, the duke calls them vassals. Very little description of regency life also. She refers to her neighbors as Farmer John, Farmer Peter, etc. Just silly. Thankfully it was a short read.February 5, 2024
K*************r
The Secluded Scarred Duke by Martha Barwood
A sweet and delightful story. I had one regret was that the book ended so soon. It left you with what happens now after misunderstanding was cleared up.January 7, 2024
B******m
Awesomely heartwarming story!
Awesomely heartwarming story of two individuals who met by chance and have since developed a friendship, mutual respect, and unbreakable, pure love!January 3, 2024
J******x
Good Read!
The story was well written and the storyline well defined. The author drew the reader in and kept our interest. The story had intrigue, suspense, love and a happy ending.November 29, 2023
j*****W
No real details
Sadly it was lacking in details as to the time periodOctober 20, 2023
L***i
Sweet, clean romance
This was a very good story. Edmund and Sarah came f4om two different classes but managed to meet and fall for each other. There is a HEA ending, but I wish it had an epilogue.September 17, 2023
K*************r
Sweet Romance
This is a very sweet romance. I enjoyed the characters. It just seemed like a very rushed romance. But, it was enjoyable.September 8, 2023
C********e
Didn’t finish it …
When I read the synopsis of this book, I thought it would be entertaining. Well, I was wrong. The entire premise of this book is that a Duke could be enthralled by a farmer’s daughter. Apart from the fact that she would be uneducated, probably illiterate, she would also not speak the king’s English. So unless this farmer was wealthy enough to send his daughter to a finishing school, which does not seem to be the case here, this entire story is ludicrous. I realize these books are fiction and artistic license is permitted, nevertheless it is an insult to the reader to produce such a far-fetched, unbelievable and implausible story. I have deleted this book from my Kindle and will not be buying any books written by this author.August 28, 2023
k**********o
Love vs keeping up appearances
Just once, I would like to see a duke trade propriety for honesty, and express aloud the opinion that the proper lady being foisted upon him is the most boring, empty-headed person he has ever met. Not likely to happen, but it would be entertaining, especially within earshot of all those trying to force the union. Edmund always knew that his mother loved him less, but as the second son he accepted it. He had no use for the attitudes of the ton even before his face was scarred in battle. Tired of being judged for his physical appearance, he became reclusive after the deaths of his father and brother left him in the position of duke. He stumbled across and rescued the injured Sarah, and discovered that, unlike high society, the villagers were much more accepting of his scars. Life was looking up, until his mother arrived with uninvited, unexpected guests… Enjoyable story, could use a final proofreading session.August 6, 2023
n***y
Misunderstanding can lead to more
So often we believe that things must go smoothly to be right, yet we need to have the worst to enjoy best as these two had to learn.June 29, 2023
L*********r
A beautiful love story!
Loved the whole story. It was a joy to read it. Look forward to more of this author’s stories,June 4, 2023
A*************r
Just okay
I do like scarred rep in romance. This was abit to sweet for me till the point of being unrealistic. The both of them only have a couple of encounters that aren’t very long, not much conversation and they fall in love. I liked how he wasn’t as much as a hermit as I expected and honestly he did most of the pursuing. No kissing or steamy scenes. The writing had some typos and at times did not flow as smoothly.May 29, 2023
L**********s
i would read book2
Descriptive while storytelling done well!!May 2, 2023
E**.
True love
Is a nice and warm love storyApril 28, 2023
T********r
feelings
very goodMarch 17, 2023
D*********k
A Story that Teaches a Lesson
Sweet story that teaches all a lesson. Be who you are and not who others expect you to be. It is not on the outside that counts but what’s inside that matter.February 15, 2023
J*****a
Soft is how I would describe this read.
This book was delicate. It was a much needed break from my usual list of bikers and evil fae kings. If you need a short Jane Austin like book this is a good pick.February 15, 2023
V******z
Lovely story.
I usually read more spicy books. This was a very nice read. It was quick and to the point. Very chaste, nothing wrong about that. But it was too quick, I read it in less than 2 hours. I also felt it needed some more background stories and a bit more plot or action. A rise other than the slight one in it. But all in all, it was a good read.February 14, 2023
A*************r
A bit boring
I found this a bit boring and a little too sappy for my taste. I like the idea of a reclusive-trope, but this was a little dull and lacked something.February 10, 2023
A*************r
Heart warming!
I so loved this story of love and acceptance! It made my heart smile!February 2, 2023
K***************************r
LOVE – The heart of marriage!
I really enjoyed the story and it’s conclusion! The story was sweetly romantic, not the usual stiff and very formal story of English peerage love match! Surprisingly sweet & fresh, considering we have just celebrated our 53rd Anniversary.. the dialogue reminded me of how we felt as we met, and fell in love.January 25, 2023
K*************r
A Very Good Read
A delightful readJanuary 7, 2023
K*************r
Can a Scarred Duke Gind Love
After the deaths of his father and older brother Edmund became the heir. But being scared in the war, nonoble lady wanted him. But Sarah a local village girl, which he helped, accepted him as he was.December 20, 2022
V***********2
Sweet read
I loved that the Duke found love and acceptance in an unusual place. It’s a story you wished had a sequel to read more. Loved this storyDecember 11, 2022
A*************r
So sweet!
This was so good!!!November 29, 2022
C***l
Just WOW …And I want more!
I really enjoyed the fact that this young girl brought joy to veteran wounded in body and mind. I wish all vets could be treated the same.November 27, 2022
P***********y
Scarred
I guess scarred people don’t affect someone like me as they clearly did…even as early as 20 years ago. I suppose it was horrible to be in public with battle scars, but…as Sarah indicates, they are badges of honor that must be worn with pride. The book as a whole needs a series round of edits.November 22, 2022
B*******r
Regency romance
Edmund, scarred from an accident, isolates himself at his mansion due to his disfigurement. He does not relish the title of duke which was inherited following his father and brother’s accidental passing. Walking his dog, he comes across an injured country lass and becomes quite smitten by her. However his mother has other plans for him. Sweet and clean with a singular plot, this Regency romance, can be enjoyed by all ages. However, I would prefer the story to have closure within the book instead of being directed elsewhere for the conclusion.November 20, 2022
L****l
Clean Regency Romance
This was a fun, rather short, Regency period book. The characters were very well described. The problems with his mother were almost unbearable. In another book similar to this one. His mother would have been poisoned and killed off. This book was much kinder.November 19, 2022
J***e
Secluded Love
A very nice sweet story with fun characters were engaging and well written and developed. I look forward to reading more by this author.November 6, 2022
K******************************o
Happy story
A nice clean revenge romance.October 25, 2022
D******n
Love Is in The Air
A lovely story. A man feeling of not belonging due to the scar received from war and being thrown into being a duke when it was the furthest thing from his mind. Meets a young lady from the village whose reaction to his scar was as if not there. Love is in the air for them. However, there is someone that does not approve, and it is up to the duke to do something about it.October 15, 2022
A******u
A sweet story of overcoming obstacles and finding love and acceptance
This was a sweet story reminiscent of beauty and the beast. A scarred young man learns to love and return to society. An enjoyable read.October 15, 2022
M*********i
Super meh
This book has good bones but the writing is appalling. Grammatical and spelling errors abound. No real depth, and what depth there may have been is lost in trying to decipher the gibberish.October 9, 2022
K*************r
Badly written
The plot is weak and has been used by other authors much more effectively. It is clumsily written and hard to determine the era, it seemed medieval at times, yet modern at others but the majority was a strange amalgam of many time periods. If you are not concered with historical, cultural and linguistic accuracy then this is a light fluffy and boring read. Otherwise, Best steer clearOctober 6, 2022
A*************r
Good story
A good story.September 14, 2022
T****a
A sweet clean romance
This is an easy read. I quite like the story and the status conflict that it presented. Sarah and Edmund are perfect common people. Appealing, pleasant and entertaining.August 19, 2022
A*************r
Good
GoodAugust 14, 2022
L**********.
The aceptance of the people
This was a beautiful heart warming book. I loved that the H found a home within his community and that all the town people were just, people. An unusual regency book but that made the H and h even better. Love clean books.August 14, 2022
C***************s
Will the Duke find his love with a common girl?
Sarah and the duke had an interesting meeting and it seems as Bella was taken by Sarah too. I liked Sarah and her family they were great characters. Edmund was so wonderful too and seeing how things changed for him was a pleasure to read. The challenge of Edmund’s mother visit was entertaining to read as it did go as expected from the start to the finish. I enjoyed the story.August 9, 2022
C*****a
Good
Sometimes it takes a different type of person to change another. With a mother concerned about the opinion of others, Edmund has never experienced a loving family until he meets Sarah.August 7, 2022
C******t
The secluded scarred Duke
Edmond now.a.Duke has.secluded himself at.his.country estate. Barley scarred from a wound he received.while.fighting a.war. he became duel after.his father and older.brother.parished in an accident. While out on a walk with his dog Bella he comes across an injured Sarah and upon meeting her he expected her to react to his scars like everyone in the ton did,but to his surprise she does not even seem to notice them. They start.getting to know one another more and his Mother has other plans and suprises.him with a visit and not knowing.until it is to late she has brought with her a young lady and her parent as she has decided would make a good match and they should marry. Edmond has other ideas and his Mother almost.ruins it.for him and Sarah. This a sweet read and a lonely Duke who find peace with a sweet maiden. The book is a good length for a short story but I wold have enjoyed it if it was longer . I received this book from c the author for an honest review.August 2, 2022
P****e
WELL IT WAS OK GOOD STORYLINE
Not sure what to say about this, I enjoyed the storyline , also the characters. IT DID NOT RUN SMOOTHLY THE CONVERSATIONS WERE WITHOUT ANY FLOW TO THEM I was tempted to give up after the first couple of chapters – but I didn’t in parts the descriptions of items to much, unnecessary, example ( I opened the door of the cupboard to take a small plate out) THIS IS NOT A SENTENCE FROM THE BOOK JUST AN EXAMPLE . Just a little editing needed – AS I SAID LOVED THE STORYLINE. .July 21, 2022
M******7
Good
I like this sweet little tale. It does seem to lack depth. The characters are rather two dimensional. The Duke did not think twice about abandoning his seclusion and Sarah barely gave notice to his ‘severe’ scarring. With a bit of work it could be better but it was a nice ending.July 18, 2022
b***y
Must read debut book
Sally Hartsfield is from a working class family and her parents want her to make a respectable marriage like her sisters. She has very few options available to her until one day she meets someone unexpectedly. He is a Duke who does not venture far from his home because of the scars he received in the war. He comes upon Sally when she had fallen while she was picking berries for her mother. Read the book to find out what happens and you won’t regret it.July 12, 2022
pc
ebook
He’s become a recluse due to scars received during the war. He is the Duke but needs help to care for his responsibilities. He mets a young peasant girl and his world changes, she and her family treat him as if he’s normal. His life changes, his mother tries to stop his growing love but then realizes he is loved.June 30, 2022
G**a
,
Enjoyed reading this bookJune 28, 2022
J*********e
New to me author
I received this story for free through a promotional I came across. What an enjoyable read! Very sweet and clean with plenty of romance. I loved that there was no conflict between our Duke and his lady. Now, Edmond’s mother, the Dowager Duchess…she was not my favorite character. Thankfully, she softened her heart at the end. This was one of those stories that you don’t want to end! I think it would make a great “Hallmark” movieJune 27, 2022
c***l
Sweet and clean
This story tells how a duke, made such due to his father and brother’s sudden death, struggles to finally accept his position in society. Between his facial scars (caused by war) and his insecurities in deal with his cold mother he finally finds his comfort level and his heaJune 22, 2022
A*******t
Potentially a good story
Oh dear, I was hopeful but disappointed before the end of chapter one. Apart from a ton load of grammatical errors, the first ‘jarring’ was finding the word ‘mother’ repeated at least 14 times in only two pages and lots of other oft-repeated nouns and adjectives within sight of each other. Was there an editor on this project? If the answer is yes, then fire her and get a better one. The dialogue between characters is stilted and unnatural and in many sections, repetitive. The author was apparently born in England but clearly has been infused by many ‘americanisms’ that just don’t fit into an English period piece. There is an ‘It is me’ spoken by the Duke which seems too informal for the Regency era. And then several apostrophe horrors, for example ‘her two lady maid’s behind her’. No apostrophe necessary, thank you. I can hear Lynne Truss in my head (Eats, Shoots & Leaves). The reference to Sarah picking blueberries in the woods (English woods?) seems odd. An anachronism surely? Does she mean bilberries? Please correct me if I’m mistaken but blueberries are not native to the UK, are they? I thought they were not introduced until the 1950s? This story is an interesting idea for a plot but missing out in so many areas. Ms Barwood apparently studied Literature. Perhaps a little more research of the age in which this book is supposed to be set would have improved the story. I’m so sorry, I hate to give a bad review but, for me, this book needs work.June 21, 2022
A*************r
Requires editing
There are Several proofreading and grammatical errors. The most jarring of these is that ‘she’ and ‘he’ are used interchangeably.June 14, 2022
D******h
Romantic short read
This was a great short book. The epilogue does not work on my new kindle PaperwhiteJune 14, 2022
D*********************e
Excellent writing, marvelous tale
Quite a wonderfully well-written story of a coincidental encounter between Sarah and Edmund that beautifully developed into mutual acceptance with respect bridging such a vast social divide because of a compelling and genuine love. First story by this author who is quite gifted. Searching other books by her now. I highly recommend!June 13, 2022
D*****s
Best Romantic Story!!
I have no words for how much I loved this romantic story. I hesitated to read about a scarred duke, but when I had read the first few chapters, I was so glad that I chose this story. The feelings between the main characters are very realistic. As I was reading, I could almost imagine myself in this story. I highly recommend this wonderfully romantic story!June 13, 2022
