Bailey Smith is a new manservant to the Denholms and is accompanying his mistress on an important trip. After the death Lady Denholm, Bailey is hired by Lord Charles, the man his mistress was to wed.

Lord Charles is a man with a past worth hiding. He takes Bailey in and teaches him a skill the young lad has voiced wanting as a trade. Soon the teacher becomes the student, as Bailey begins to educate the Lord in lessons he may have thought he had forgotten: those of love and of trust.

AJ Wilde delivers a wonderful historical novel in Shadow Road: The Page of Swords. Bailey is a man of character regardless of his station. His life completely changed in a blink of an eye, but Bailey rallied against the odds and played the hand fate dealt him. Lord Charles was carrying around his own regrets and wounds. He understood Bailey’s pain and encouraged him to grasp his dreams. The chemistry between the two men was apparent from their initial encounter, but they moved slowly towards openly acknowledging both the attraction and the love. The story has a bit of mystery, action and romance. AJ Wilde pulled me into the era and allowed me to watch the relationship blossom like a wild rose. Those who love historical gay romance with an erotic twist will be delighted with this read.

Reviewed by: NeNe