8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A better than average read, December 23, 2005
From the back cover:
Lord Mostyn was in no position to marry. Though his desire for innocent Eleanor Trevithick was impossible to deny!
The most scandalous marriage in London...
If Kit and Eleanor's elopement wasn't enough to fire a frenzy of gossip, it was then heard that Elanor's new husband had disappeared only a day after their hasty wedding! Five long months later, Lord Mostyn returned. Though not at liberty to explain his departure, he was still determined to win back the affection of his fuming bride. Would he succeed? Perhaps if he continued the marriage exactly where it began--in the bedroom...
And my review:
This was quite an enjoyable romance. I like Regencies, and this one was quite well done. The author did a good job of weaving in the historical detail without having it overwell the plot.
The characters were both well-drawn and likeable, and made the reader cheer for them to get together.
My only complaint with this book was the keeping of secrets from each other lasted for far too long. I'm getting tired of having a few "big misunderstandings" being all that keeps the hero and heroine apart, and the author relied on this too much.
Still, this was an enjoyable read, just not quite good enough to make it onto my keeper shelf. Would I try other books by this author? Maybe. Do I recommend this? Yes, but not highly. If you can find it in a thrift store or a garage sale, go ahead. Otherwise, save your money.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Regency romance, sequel to "Lady Allerton's Wager", January 24, 2011
This book is a regency romance which begins with a prologue set in December 1813, but most of the action takes place the following year. It is the sequel to the same author's novel
Lady Allerton's Wager and picks up the major loose ends left begind by that story.
While most romances tells the story of a courtship, this one tells how the hero and heroine repaired a marriage which got off to a truly disastrous start.
"Lady Allerton's wager" introduced two West Country families - the Mostyns and the Trevithicks - who have been at daggers drawn since they backed opposite sides in the English civil war nearly two hundred years before.
Ironically, however, all three of the the current generation of Mostyns and Trevithicks find themselves irresistibly drawn to a member of the rival clan. Beth, Lady Allerton, and cousin of the current Lord Mostyn, found herself involved with Marcus, Earl of Trevithick, the new head of that family.
Christopher, (Kit), Lord Mostyn found himself attracted to Marcus's sister Eleanor. And his sister Charlotte was equally attracted to Lord Trevithick's cousin Justin.
If you're going to read both books I would recommend reading "Lady Allerton's wager" first because the main action of this book follows directly on from the end of that one.
In the prologue of this book, "The Notorious Marriage" the hero, Kit Mostyn, elopes with Eleanor Trevithick and marries her. But within 24 hours of the wedding he disappears, leaving her apparently abandoned and in an impossible position. (I'm not giving anything away here which isn't stated on the back of the book.)
The main body of the story resumes five months later, when Kit returns from what the reader knows was actually a secret government mission. He has a genuine (if terribly improbable) explanation for everything that happened. However, Eleanor is desperately hurt, and in no mood to listen. His new in-laws are furious about the way she has been treated and the challenge of rescuing his marriage looks like Mission Impossible.
Fortunately he is to get some assistance from the most unlikely quarter ...
An entertaining follow-on to the first book, continuing the story of a cast of mostly likeable characters. A little darker in tone but still some good use of humour, and I enjoyed this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
