Customer Reviews

His Reluctant Mistress (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though His Reluctant Mistress is set in a unique place, Vienna, and filled with interesting historical figures, the Tsar of Russia and Napoleon's empress to name a few, it just did not hold my attention. This was due mainly to the protagonists. Their romance was barely a blip on the radar screen.

Lord Leo Aikenhead is a happy-go-lucky rake/spy experiencing some financial straits after saving his younger brother from creditors. Leo and his brother, also a spy, are sent to Vienna to gather information as European heads of state are meeting. Britain fears war could ensue; Russia is eyeing Poland like it's a tasty dessert.

Also in Vienna is opera singer Sophie Pietre, a woman of unmatchable vocal talent and a dark secret. She is accompanied by her maid and her manager, a loathsome man who almost pimps Sophie to men for his own personal gain. Sophia so far has remained untouched by these men by some clever ploys.

Leo saves Sophia from a violent suitor at an inn and she is totally indebted. Later Leo hears Sophie sing at a soiree and offers for her as his mistress. She is furious and insults him for his puny monetary offer. She stomps away but cannot forget Leo.

Sophie's manager has arranged for Sophie to entertain the Tsar of Russia who, of course, has other things on his mind besides Sophia's golden voice. Here is where the story becomes tiresome. Sophie hates being at the beck of her manager but does not leave him as he knows her dark past but Sophie never realizes that she is her manager's meal ticket and without her, he is destitute. This is Sophie's major vice, never thinking through her actions.

Sophie and Leo are thrown together as the British government is now keeping an eye on Sophie because she does spend time with the famous and powerful. Through brief meetings and a few social niceties Sophie falls in love with Leo. This was hard to believe because the reader is told Sophie loves Leo rather than seeing it happen. Only later in the novel, after Sophie has gotten herself in hot water, all because she rushes into dangerous situations, do we ever see why Sophie loved this gentleman. Leo misjudges Sophie quite a bit in the beginning of the novel but Sophie does not do much to dissuade Leo from his views. The intrigue surrounding world events was more interesting than Sophie and Leo's romance, all in all a rather staid couple surrounded by glittering personalities.

From the back of the book:
Lord Leo Aikenhead -- renowned rake, skilled seducer and expert spy -- has finally met his match. For opera singer Sophie Pietre may have the voice of an angel, but she will be no man's strumpet--no matter how handsome he is! But these are dangerous times in Vienna, with betrayal and deceit round every corner. Sophie's tempted by the offer of protection and -- she can no longer deny it -- even more tempted by the offer of a place in his bed.

This is the second in a series about the three Aikenhead brothers - Dominic, Leo and Jack - who are English gentlemen but also spies nicknamed Ace, King and Knave. The first book, His Calvery Lady, is the story of Dominic. This book is about Leo and the following book, His Forbidden Liaison, is about Jack. It is not necessary to read each book in order but nice to do so. I liked the story okay but not nearly as much as the one about Dominic. Even though Sophie has the most beautiful voice and is loved by her audiences, her life is one problem after another. Leo is instantly attracted to Sophie and in spite of himself can't get her out of his mind or his life. Life's twists and turns brings them together over and over.