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Penelope Ward

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The Aristocrat Kindle Edition

by Penelope Ward (Author), Jessica Royer Ocken (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 5,513 ratings

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From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.

The one that got away. Every girl has one, right?
Mine was a charming, British aristocrat who turned my world upside down one summer.
From the moment I first spotted Leo in the distance through my binoculars, I’d been captivated. I certainly never expected to find a man showering outside of the property across the bay in his birthday suit.
Then I noticed his housemate staring back at me with binoculars of his own—watching me watching Leo.
That made for an interesting conversation starter when I inevitably ran into them.
Turned out, the handsome Brits were only renting that house for the summer in my seaside town.
Leo and I formed an instant connection, even though we were technically opposites by all appearances. I taught him how to dig for clams, and he taught me that not all wealthy and powerful guys are pretentious.
Despite knowing he was totally wrong for me, I couldn’t seem to stay away.
It was a wild and crazy few months. And before I knew it, we’d fallen in love.
We both had one wish: more time together.
But Leo had obligations back home. He lived a life I’d never fit into. And I was going to law school. So, we decided to end it and never look back.
A part of me always felt like I’d let my soulmate walk away.
I believed our story was over.
Until five years later when he sent me a letter that shook me to my core.
I’d thought my world was turned upside down that first summer?
Well, I knew nothing yet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This angsty, emotional standalone novel is on my Best of 2021 Romance Book List!"
—Kindle Crack Book Reviews

"This book ... is the fastest I've ever read a Penelope Ward book. I couldn't let go of it. I even forgot to eat - which doesn't happen often!"
—Louise, Goodreads

"Penelope Ward has created another five star plus read and it's definitely one of my top favorite books of hers."
—Veronica's Reading Vault

"I would have given this 10 stars! I sat down with this book this morning and from the very first chapter this story had me hooked."
—Donna, Goodreads

"The Aristocrat and Leo Covington have jumped to the top of my best reads and best book boyfriends, this was one of those reads that I knew from the first few pages that the story and the characters were going to stay with me long after the final words had been read."
—Thelma and Louise Book Blog

"This book was so much more than I was expecting and everything I wanted it to be all rolled up into one neat little package."
—A Book Nerd, A Book Seller, and a Bibliophile Blog

"Oh my heart! Leo and Felicity have a story that is full of angst and heartbreak but is beautiful all the same."
—Greta Reads Romance

"A good balance of humor, angst, and heart."
—Warhawke's Vault

This will definitely be a book that will stay with me for many months to come.
—A Brunette and Her Books

"Everything I crave in a romance book, from the swoons, to the giggles to the odd tear, this surpassed all my expectations."
—Kitty Kats Crazy About Books

"The perfect blend of slow burn, combustible chemistry, and a love like no other."
—The Review Loft

"This is my favorite book by Penelope Ward and that is saying a lot because I have loved all the books that she has written! I give The Aristocrat 5+ STARS and I would give it many more if I could!"
—TaSTy WordGasms

"A definite must read and a personal favorite. Well done and beautifully written."
—Keri Loves Books

"An absolute must read. Full of emotion this slow burn romance made me laugh and swoon and it even made my heart hurt at times."
—Virginia, Goodreads

"Believe I found my new favorite book by Penelope Ward."
—Kelly, Goodreads

"WOW, WOW, WOW!!! What an AMAZING book. I knew it would be great because everything Penelope Ward writes is but this was off the charts!!"
—Sherry, Goodreads

"Penelope's BEST BOOK YET!!!"
—Lisa, Goodreads

"If you're looking for an emotional, slow burn, opposites attract book this is one to read!"
—Book Addict Reviews

"If I could give this book more than five stars I would."
—Melissa, Goodreads

"I legit devoured this book in a few hours after saying I would take it slow."
—Shelly's Book Corner

"I went to bed around 4ish I think. I told my husband one more chapter. That literally turned into me finishing the book. I tossed and turned all night because I had Leo and Felicity on the brain."
—Irene, Goodreads

"I started this book last night and made it to halfway mark and could not put it down! I was up until 2 am finishing this book!"
—Ruth, Goodreads

"I read into the wee hours because I couldn't close my eyes while my heart was bleeding. This book... I truly have no words except to say that it's incredible writing, dynamic plot, and the characters will stick with you for months to come."
—Once Upon a Page

"Even 4 days after I finished Penelope Ward's latest masterpiece, The Aristocrat, I'm still finding myself with a massive book hangover."
—Stephanie, Goodreads

"Wow!!!! What an amazing 6 star page turner this was. I was hooked from the first page."
—TDC Book Reviews

10 Amazing stars!!I absolutely loved this book. Leo is the epitome of book boyfriends,
—Juli, Goodreads

"The Aristocrat is such an outstanding love story and definitely a top read for this year."
—Jen's Dreamy Little Reads

"This one is the best she has written. There aren't enough words to describe what I am feeling after reading this one."
—Theresa, Goodreads

"I giggled, was heartbroken, saddened and left euphoric!"
—Kim, Goodreads

"This was so beautiful and tugged at every emotion I have."
—The Lushy Reader

"If you enjoy a slow burn, coming of age romance with an emotional twist you're gonna love this new summer romance."
—Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog

"A classic romance story with so much heart, love, steam, angst and twists to keep you fully on the edge of your seat!"
—Cristina, Goodreads

"I inhaled this book in one day."
—Livelyreads

"I have many favorite books of Penelope's but this by far is number 1 to me!"
—Maria, Goodreads

"I don't think I've ever read a book that had me wanting to jump in so badly and make everything right for the couple. I just can't say enough how much I loved this book."
—Cat's Guilty Pleasure

"A full 24 hours after finishing this book, I'm still processing this amazing journey to happily ever after."
—Misty, Goodreads

About the Author

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism. With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09F15C2PH
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penelope Ward Books, Inc. (August 29, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 29, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2329 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1951045572

Best Sellers Rank: #43,758 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,502 in Billionaire Romance
- #2,724 in Contemporary Romance Fiction
- #9,441 in Contemporary Romance (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 5,513 ratings

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Penelope Ward

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Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

5,513 global ratings

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Nancy Reads

The Heart Wants What It Wants Even If It Can Never Have

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024

Verified Purchase

THE ARISTOCRAT BY PENELOPE WARD is a Witty, Emotional, Heartbreaking Romance. Once I started reading, I had trouble putting it down. What's a girl to do when her heart wants a man that she can never have?

Felicity Dunleavy had been raised in foster care until she found a permanent home with her dear Mrs. Angelini. She was like the mother she never had. She lived with her in a beautiful home in Narragansett. Thanks to her she'd been able to graduate from Harvard. Now she was home for the summer, till she would enter law school in the fall. Felicity was enjoying the sunshine and supposedly bird watching with a pair of binoculars, when she sees her new neighbor across the lake taking a shower outside in his birthday suit. She didn't think he would notice her, and he is so good looking. Than to her embarrassment, she spots his good-looking roommate looking at her through binoculars. He waves and informs his friend that a girl is watching him shower. He puts a towel on and waves to her too. She waves back and walks away. She thinks when she meets them, she will use the lame bird watching excuse. When she does meet the one that she watched shower, she does think he's the most handsome man she has ever seen. His name is Leo Covington, he is British, and on vacation for the summer. His roommate is his cousin. Felicity has no way to know, Leo, will have a lasting effect on her summer, plus eventually the rest of her life.

Helpful

Stephanie C

MMC swoons for freckles

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024

Verified Purchase

Felicity is home for the summer before she starts law school. She's spying on the new neighbors across the bay when one of them drops his pants in the outdoor shower. Felicity and Leo have a love affair that is doomed from the start, but they decide to enjoy it while they can. This is a sweet love story with a small amount of spice and easy to read. You won't be sucked into this one so much so that you're up all night reading it, but it's quick and easy. I think this is a good palate cleanser between heavier stuff. Penelope Ward always tells a good story with likable characters. I'm looking forward to the next one already.

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

“A love that’s interrupted is a love, nevertheless.”

Felicity learned to not get attached, going from home to home until finding a good one. A difficult childhood made her resilient and strong, but also guarded. Especially with her heart.
She’s honest and authentic. And one day she happens to spot something other than birds across the bay. IYKYK.

Leo is obligated to the family legacy. Old money and stature. His life predetermined, and so he’s getting one summer to enjoy before filling those shoes.

From two different worlds, in so many ways, but a chance meeting will change absolutely everything.

What a whirlwind of a love story. Magical—because the love never faded. Once in a lifetime and against all odds. Loved it so much. The writing is engrossing and eloquent. A story full of heart and depth. The Aristocrat gets added to my favorite books and Penelope joins my one click author group.

“I don’t get too comfortable anywhere. Once you start depending on someone and they’re gone—then what? You need to be able to fend for yourself.”

“I know we hardly know each other. But from the moment we met, somehow I knew you mattered to me, Felicity. Does that sound strange?”

“Hanging out with you is becoming one of my favorite things,”

“What did I see in her? That wasn’t a short answer. It was more like I couldn’t see anything else whenever she was around.”

“Sometimes…” “Letting go of someone can be just as important a gesture of love as hanging on to them.”

“I will never find another you.”

“We’ve been apart far longer than we were ever together, yet I haven’t been the same since I met you. I don’t care how we make this work…only that we try.”

“Make no mistake…” “My entire world is you, Felicity. Without you, I have nothing.”

“I’m gonna try to go easy on you, but I’m not sure I can. I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to have you again.”

“Losing you hurt so badly. But finding you again made it all worth it.”

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Kelly

Very good book

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024

Verified Purchase

I really enjoy Felicity and Leo’s story. Their love was captivating. They fell hard for each other in just a short time.
I had a
Ready read Sig’s story and will probably reread it again after reading this one because I love the characters in these books.

Helpful

Sassy Southern Book Blog

5 stars as it was absolutely stunning!! Highly recommend!!

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024

Verified Purchase

Penelope always blows me away by her writing. Her style, her imagination, just every single thing about the way she brings one of her books together. But oh my lord I don't think she has ever,ever, ever broke my heart over and over again in one book than she did in this one. I mean yes she mended it and so beautifully pieced it back together. But I never thought I was gonna get through this book from having to dry my eyes. And also Leo and Felicity made so many mistakes. I wanted to just smack them. Especially Felicity which I know that her life and circumstances wasn't the best and she was so afraid. And why can't most men be like Leo I mean without his mistakes. Even with those he is just *chefs kisses * of what you want in a man. And then there was Sigmund, at the beginning he was kind of a funny butthead. But then his story that was told yes I can't wait to read more on him. I wish I could give this book so many more stars than just 5 stars as it was absolutely stunning!! Highly recommend!! ~ By Tina

One person found this helpful

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JLLo

Conflicted

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

While I did enjoy the book and their story I'm a little conflicted on the rating. It had a nice HEA but it took years to get to it. There was a lot of heartache and missed opportunities because of fear. So it was sad most of the time.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

kim bouffard

awesome

Reviewed in Canada on February 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

The thing I liked about this book is it’s unexpected. I usually know the end of a book, because it’s usually all the same.. girl meets boy, fall in love, something make them break up and they end up together. But with this book, you don’t know where it’s going to end. We’re on a rollercoaster of emotions. You get attached to the heroine and you can easily put yourself in her shoes.

Patrícia Reis

Amazing and brilliant

Reviewed in Brazil on September 6, 2021

Verified Purchase

Penelope, allow me to call you for the first name. You have changed my life. Serious! For the better! Every story, brings me to another lever of joy and read about Leo and Felicity took me out of some dark spot I was. Is the best couple I ever read from your writings. I say this in the best way possible, I love all your books and I have ALL of them, including the ones with Vi 🤍 and The Aristocrat is the best one I ever read! Rich in details, well paced, good timing, plot twists and everything! Thank you for this piece 🤍 love u P

Kindle Customer

A love of a lifetime

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2024

Verified Purchase

What a wonderful story of second chances. Both Leo and Felicity were attracted to each other from the beginning, but they didn't think their relationship has a chance as Leo would be going back to the UK at the end of the summer. Their love for each other was so strong that after 5 years they were able to reconnect and find their happily ever after.

RR

Unputdownable

Reviewed in Germany on February 21, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book was really heart-melting and heart-breaking. I finished it at 1:30 a.m. last night, I simply had to know how it ended. Penelope at her best.

1977hrc

lost and found

Reviewed in Italy on March 6, 2023

Verified Purchase

It took me a while to get into this book but it was worthy.
I liked both characters and the secondary ones too.
The style was not a question as PD is one of my favourite contemporary romance writers.

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