The Reluctant Reformer [Mass Market Paperback]

Lynsay Sands (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

Everyone knows of Lady X. The masked courtesan is reputedly a noblewoman fallen on hard times. What Lord James did not know was that she was Lady Margaret Wentworthýthe feisty sister of his best friend, who has forced James into an oath of protection. But when James tracks the girl to a house of ill repute, the only explanation is that Maggie is London's most enigmatic wanton. Snatching her away will be a ticklish business, and after that James will have to ignore her violent protests that she was never the infamous X. He will have to reform the hoyden, while keeping his hands off the luscious goods that the rest of the ton has reputedly sampled. And, with Maggie, hardest of all will be keeping himself from falling in love.  

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Company (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843949740
• ISBN-13: 978-0843949742
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Southern Ontario, Lynsay Sands is the New York Times bestselling author of the Argeneau Vampire series. She has written more than 34 books and anthologies since her first novel was published in 1997. Her romantic comedies span three genres--historical, contemporary, and paranormal--and have made the Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists. Lynsay's books are read in more than twelve countries and have been translated into at least six languages. She's been a nominee for both the Romantic Times Best Historical Romance Award and the Romantic Times Best Paranormal Romance Award, was nominated and placed three times in the RIO (Reviewers International Organization) Awards of Excellence, and has several books on All About Romance's Favorite Funnies list.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A case of mistaken identity leads to love, March 31, 2003

By 

K. Newman "krazykmcd" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reluctant Reformer (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Margaret Wentworth's brother Gerald was unfortunately killed during the war, leaving Maggie to care for his London house and the servants that are dependant on her for a living. There is little cash in her inheritance, so Maggie does the scandalous thing of earning a living - continuing the writing career that her brother started. Before the opening of the book she has disguised herself to, for example, investigate a gentleman's gambling club to write about, something that would horrify society if they suspected who G W Clark really was. Now Maggie is investigating a brothel, conducting interviews in the very brothel housing the infamous `Lady X'.

Lord Ramsey was a good friend of Gerald - in fact Gerald died saving his life. James had promised Gerald to watch over his sister. To live up to that vow, James employed an investigator on his return - an investigator who identified Maggie as Lady X. Now James is determined to save Maggie from herself, and on the very night she next travels to the brothel, James kidnaps her and takes Maggie to his estate. The issue of mistaken identity is resolved about half way through the book and Maggie returns to London, soon followed by James, but now it appears that someone is trying to harm her...

Sands has a definite feel for comic situations. From the kidnap to the talking at cross purposes that goes on for days between James and Maggie, to Maggies attempt at escape, to the events that seem destined to happen whenever they go into a library, the talented Sands is able to infuse a lighthearted element even into moments of danger or stress. And in this case it even carries across to the love life of the two central characters - right up to the very last page.

The eccentric servants, the brothel owner, James' aunt and his best friend Robert all make excellent secondary characters. I'm sure all readers of romance would enjoy this lively example.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always a Winner!, April 17, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reluctant Reformer (Mass Market Paperback)

One thing you must say for Lynsay Sands - ANything she writes generally has outrageously funny dialog and this one scores a 10!

Talk about a comedy of errors - or should we say a breakdown of communication.
Since her brother Gerald died and left her property without the proper funds to maintain, Lady Margaret must find a way to support herself and old family retainers that she cannot let go of. She assumes her brothers pen name and begins to write articles for a local newspaper. Now everyone knows that a certain amount of research must go int these articles, so donning a plethora of disguises, Lady Margaret has gone into a number of places no 'Lady' should be seen in.

Enter, Lord James, who is alive because her brother took the bullet intended for him. On his deathbed, James promised Gerald to look after his sweet innocent sister. To find this sweet innocent sister in the bordello - dressed as Lady X - well he just had to save her!

This was one terrific read! I don't see where anyone who reads this will not absolutely burst out into gales of laughter! This is an outstanding book by an outstanding author. All her books are keepers - especially this one!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mistakes can be sexually satisfying., August 13, 2004

By 

C. S. "pirate lover" (Roseville, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reluctant Reformer (Mass Market Paperback)

I just started reading books by this author and I must say that I have enjoyed each one so far. Her stories make me chuckle at times. She writes with humor and passion. The characters were warm and easy to get to know. By the third page I was hooked. The only thing that bothered me was that Maggie got knocked out a lot, other than that it was a nice mystery, fun and had several titilating love scenes. I like this writer and plan to read more. The last one I read was The Lady Pirate which I thought was GREAT! I would actually rate this book a 4 1/2 star book.