MCs were a good match in their obsession with each other. The secondary drama didn’t flow as well. ( )

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Ever Yours, Annabelle is the prequel to the "Rescued from Ruin" series. This is a book I have been forgetting to read about but I keep seeing as being one of the best Elisa Braden books so I am not sure how I misssed this one. If you want to read this author, this book is in KU right now so. Elisa Braden is a fresh voice in the historical romance genre currently especially in a time where historical romance is NOT what it used to be and it can be hard to find fun sexy adventurous historical romances these days. This is a story that deals with childhood connections, trauma, disability and a beautiful love story.

First Line
Lady Annabelle Huxley had loved Robert Conrad for her entire thirteen years of life.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad has been battling a body that fights him constantly and has become hardened and a bit of a "beast" and very moody. Best friends with Annabelle Huxley's brother and been in love with Annabelle for over a decade.

The Heroine: Annabelle Huxley
Been in love with Robert since she was young
A writer
Kind but strong

Summary
Annabelle Huxley has been in love with her brother's best friend "Robert Conrad" ever since she was a girl. When she chases him one day and it goes a bit too far, in an attempt to save her life, Robert ends up crippled and his body practically broken. Robert Conrad lost so much when his body became broken. In an attempt to save Annabelle and protect her, he had to push her away. Now its been seven years, and when Annabelle and Robert are to face each other, the love that has always been there rises to the surface and will the past mistakes keep them from the love they hold or push them away forever...

What I Loved
This book was one of my favorites of the series. It completely surprised me by how much I adored it. I was NOT expecting to find what I did find with this book. I can see now why so many call this one their favorite. This romance was a utter delight. It starts off with such sweet tones, the friendship and connection between Robert and Annabelle was so endearing. Even when the brother was being a jerk sometimes, Robert treated Annabelle with such attentive care and gentleness and respected her so much. Both Robert and Annabelle change in some ways after losing each other in this way. The trauma that we see happen here was so real and delivered all the painful notes that you could expect from seeing someone you love go through this struggle.

I truly adored both characters. They are genuine and believable and felt authentic. The hero is such an alpha male. He doesn't start out that way. We see how he has to cut himself off from Annabelle, and how his body is so broken and your heart breaks for him. He does become such a delicious alpha male. He is so possessive and determined to win over Annabelle and correct the mistakes he made. But he had a reason for hurting he like he did. While I think it was misguided, he had good intentions behind it and wasn't to be callous and mean on purpose. I adored this heroine though. She was so naturally strong and feminine and never ashamed of the love she held for Robert. She never loses her devotion to him and he does have to work on rebuilding her trust.

The plot in this story has a bit more than just the romance that comes into play here. We see how there is a level of danger and suspense elements that come into the story and how our characters react to this. I do think that Elisa Braden handled the plot aspects of a story so well. She really implements this style of plot building that blends in well with the relationship that is happening at the same time.

What I Struggled With
I didn't really struggle with much in this book. It wasn't a 6-star read, but it takes a LOT for a book to get to that rating for me. But I had a blast with this book. I think if the heroine hadn't been pushing the hero away for as long as she does, it felt a bit weird at times in the third act.

Overall View
Ever Yours Annabelle was a passionate romance that delivered strong notes of adventure, suspense, reconnecting with your soulmate and portraying a deep endearing romance to melt your heart!

Favorite Quote(s)
“Do not bloody well run from me.” He reached for her. She shoved his arm away. He grunted, but rather than retreat, he advanced. Moved inside the tiny space. Closed the door behind him, forcing her back against the closet’s wall and trapping them both inside utter blackness.
“Is that very clear, Annabelle?” The growl was low and throaty now, near enough to tickle her skin. She could not see him, but she felt him, felt his arm brace on the wall by her ear. Felt his breath wash against her cheek. Felt his heat and size surrounding her like a furnace.
“Never run from me,” he rasped, “I will always catch you.”

“I expect you to vex me. That’s what bumblebees do.”

"Home, my love," she replied. "Wherever else we may wander, our ship will always carry us home."

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Character Types: Aristocracy, Alpha Hero, Brooding/Tortured, Pining Heroine
Themes: Childhood Ties, Leading Lady, Book Boyfriend, Disability
Tropes: Best Friend Sibling, Unrequited Love, Second Chance, Childhood Sweethearts

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix

Song This Book Inspires
Just You and I by Tom Walker

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes for the serial plot, but you can read these books as standalones

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. ( )

I've been hearing Elisa Braden recommendations for years, but only just got my hands on her books. I really enjoyed this. Right from the first chapter I was sucked in and felt emotionally attached to the leads. They make mistakes, have miscommunication issues, etc. but all in a pretty reasonable way, we can see how those things would make sense given the character's circumstances. Which is something I really appreciate and is too often ignored out of author convenience I think. I wanted their second chance to work out, so they were easy to root for. Near the end there's a tragedy and I actually wept real tears! lol. I'm usually a pretty tough nut to crack, so props to Braden for drawing me in so deeply. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )