Customer Reviews

Lady Lyte's Little Secret

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

 

 

The only reason why I didn't read LLLS in one sitting is because I have kids who need food. I was engrossed from the first line and Ms Hale never let me go until the end. As usual, her hero is a warm, wonderful man, so complex and intriguing, and her hero instantly lovable and oh so realistic. When Lady Felicity finds herself in the family way, she knows she could never ask Thorn to marry her. She'd had her fill of men who didn't love her. And she cares too much for Thorn to force him into a loveless marriage. Other delightful circumstances abound as Felicity and Thorn attempt to thwart another young couple but along the fast and delicious journey they find their own happiness.
I highly recommend this book! Ms Hale has outdone herself, indeed!

When she learns of her pregnancy, Lady Felicity Lyte immediately ends her affair with Thorn Greenwood. Many years of chastisement by her husband for not bearing him an heir, while his offspring proliferated even under her nose, convinced Felicity that she was to blame. Now widowed and believing herself barren, she has embarked upon a bold affair with Thorn, only to end it rather than reveal her condition. Unfortunately, her nephew seems to have eloped with Thorn's sister Ivy, leaving it to Felicity and Thorn to stop their hasty marriage before they spend a lifetime of repentance.

Conservative Thorn reveled in his affair with Felicity, exhilarated by his own scandalous behavior. While he did not bore Felicity, he had failed to truly excite her either, until his impromptu visit following Ivy's elopement. Suddenly his bold determination elicits regret in Felicity for ending their affair before the Season ended. Moreover, they soon find themselves joining forces to find their wayward kin and fighting their ever-growing attraction.

Author Deborah Hale creates an unexpected treat with LADY LYTE'S LITTLE SECRET. Her unorthodox characterizations that take advantage of the loopholes created by a society provide a delightfully fresh heroine and an unexpectedly fun hero. Felicity is an admittedly selfish woman who develops into something more. Especially likeable because of her maturity and boldness, Felicity propositions the man of her desire, expecting to be able to be able to neatly control the situation. On the other hand, Thorn recognizes the fact that he is not the type of man who would ordinarily capture the attention of such an intrepid woman. As a result, this lighthearted romp will keep readers decidedly amused even as they revel in Hale's absorbing style. LADY LYTE'S LITTLE SECRET comes highly recommended.

After indulging in a brief affair with the every responsible Thorn Greenwood, Lady Lyte is expecting. Rather than entering marriage with a duty-bound husband, she breaks off the affair only to be brought together with him again by the machinations of his niece and her nephew. Two classic plot devices in use here: (1) chase to Gretna to catch eloping youngsters forcing fighting couple into proximity, and (2) a pregnant woman breaking off an affair to avoid forcing a man to dutifully propose. I dislike device (2) when it involves a man who would obviously love to be a father. It just seems mean and selfish...especially since she seemed to have no intention of telling him. Made me dislike her. I disliked the device (1) in this story because the manipulative girl was annoyingly obnoxious about her "victory" and because the chase seemed to go on forever. So in summary, I thought it was a weak story. I kind of liked Thorn and Felicity's nephew, Oliver, but not enough to recommend the story.

I wanted to like Felicity more than I did; I felt that her reasons for acting the way she did were never made convincing enough. At least she eventually recognized her bad behavior for what it was. Thorn was terrific; rather than the type of guy you like to read about but could never imagine living with in real life, Thorn was very much the kind of guy you'd love to settle down with.

The chase ploy did drag on too long, as did the lead couple's back-and-forth romance, all of which slowed the pace of the story. Nevertheless, it was a good read and, if you like comparatively mild stories, worth a few hours of one's time.

After a disastrously unhappy marriage ended with her husband's death, lovely, wealthy , barren Lady Felicity Lyte wanted a bed partner without losing control over her destiny. The lively lady chose the responsible, honorable, financially embarrassed Thorn Greenwood for a temporary affair. All went beautifully and over the weeks of their liaison an apparently deep mutual attachment developed between them. Then Lady Lyte is shocked but overjoyed to discover that she is not barren after all. Telling Mr. Greenwood is unthinkable. Lady Lyte writes Mr. Greenwood a brief note terminating their liaison, and prepares to disappear into the depths of England never to cross paths with him or her circle again. Then, amazingly, Mr. Greenwood's vivacious little sister elopes with Lady Lyte's studious nephew-by-marriage whom she has treated like a son. Thorn Greenwood and Felicity Lyte embark on a road trip to catch the couple so that they will not commit to a marriage Thorn Greenwood and Felicity Lyte are convinced would be a mistake. Felicity must decide...will she trust Thorn with her little secret? If she does trust him, will Thorn trust her?

This is the first Deborah Hale work I have read. I have conflicting thoughts about it. Felicity Lyte is a complex, and often unlikeable, character. The road trip she reluctantly undertakes with Thorn Greenwood is more than a vehicle for them to confront and work out their differences, she also learns a great deal about herself. The details of the story explore issues of self-worth, trust, making hard decisions, and the question of what we owe one another. The story is tightly woven, kept me turning pages, and made me think. At the end I wondered what things would look like 25 years down the road. It was a sometimes unsettling read.

I've been waiting for Lady Lyte and Thorne Greenwood's romance since I met them as secondary characters in "Cupid Goes to Gretna" (The Love Match). Let me tell you, Deborah Hale delivers in "Lady Lyte's Little Secret"! As ever, Ms. Hale gets deep into the psyches of her characters to bring us a sensual, emotionally rewarding tale. Don't miss it!

Lady Lyte's Little Secret is Deborah Hale's latest historical romance from Harlequin. With sexual tension sizzling from the very first page, this Regency historical is fast-paced and engaging. Readers will not be disappointed. Hale's characters are fascinating and multi-dimensional, making the book an enjoyable page-turner. This is Deborah Hale at her best!

I feel now as though I rode along side of Lady Lyte and Thorn Geenwood and fell in love with Regency England's country side. These characters have a dialogue and a rapport that draws you in and lets you hear their distinct voices, while you cheer them on. Deborah Hale manages to eloquently deliver a view into a different world, and a different time, but makes you feel emotions that are true to present day!

Felicity and Thorne are likeable characters, the plot is engaging, and the ending will warm your heart. If you like a nice Lyte snack, then Lady Lyte is for you.

Another great story from Deborah Hale! Effortlessly, Ms. Hale drew me into the Regency world with her wonderful characters and plot twists. I loved the touches of humor. My afternoon with LADY LYTLE'S LITTLE SECRET was a great escape from the mid-winter blahs.