Historical Fiction, Romance
Description
Witty, passionate and fast-paced, this sparkling debut Regency romance is a must-read for any fan of Georgette Heyer.
She's running from her past; he's hiding from his.
Miss Ellen Burney doesn't have a penny to her name. Determined to escape scandal, she flees to London and becomes Miss Smith: spinster and lady's companion. London offers security in anonymity. So long as Ellen can rein in her overactive imagination and become the perfect picture of propriety.
Calum Callaghan spent ten years in the Royal Navy fighting Napoleon and has the scars to prove it. Now he's a duke, but all of London thinks he murdered his brother. Heartbroken and battle weary, he's locked himself away for four long years, a prisoner in his own townhouse.
That is, until Cal's grandmother comes to stay with him for the London Season, her new lady's companion in tow. A lady's companion with a passion for life and love that can hardly be contained by even the most spinsterish of lace caps. She's fooling nobody, especially not this grumpy duke.
4 STARS AND
I surprised myself that I still wanted to give this story a 4 Star rating on Amazon. Mainly because I don't usually give them to a story that has what I consider a slow pace for such a long time.
BUT.. the characters just made me want to go there. Both Ellen and Calum won me over and kept me going. And so did some of the secondary people, like his Grandmother often referred to as Lady F. I liked her and her unorthodox, bossy ways. I wasn't sure at first about her but it didn't take long to see who she really was. Add in an odd dog named Tzar, and a flamboyant "cousin" who dresses and acts dramatically. Another oddity is the house itself which was a surprise touch as well.
Ellen has a secret. One that her abusive brother has held over her head to try to control her. I would have liked to have seen more of Gwen although she did show up more towards the end.
No reason was ever given for Calum's slipping into his Scottish accent v.s. his Oxford English. But it wasn't too hard to guess that it was probably something that he had to adjust when he went to England. I liked that his Scottish speech was something that Ellen liked though.
I also enjoyed the "dislike to kind of a friendship to romance" that got hot at times. They both kept kind of switching back and forth as they tried to find their way. The story was emotional that was well done. Also the ending with a sweet H.E.A. was a plus that made me smile.
"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
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