Series: Pennyroyal Green, #2
Tropes & Traits: forbidden romance; class difference; bluestocking hero; enemies to lovers; opposites attract
Publication Date: 10.28.08
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Sussex, England
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 3/5
Narration Rating: 3/5
After utterly captivating High Society, Cynthia Brightly finds herself run out of London by a dreadful scandal she’s trying to keep secret. Her last hope for finding a husband before word spreads is to meet someone at the Redmond’s house party she’s miraculously been invited to. This last chance is all that stands between Cynthia and a life of penury. Miles Redmond, now heir to his family’s title and fortune since his elder brother’s disappearance, has heard rumors of a broken engagement and bloody duel and isn’t inclined to trust his sister’s new friend.
Miles was once captivated by Cynthia, who deemed him beneath her as a mere second son. Now he delights in their role reversal. On the first night of the house party, Miles makes an impulsive bargain with Cynthia: he’ll help her snare a husband from among the guests in exchange for a kiss. But soon they both realize one innocuous kiss will never be enough and Cynthia is shocked by the passion beneath Miles’ scholarly façade.
I wound up liking and enjoying this book, but I’m still not really sure how that happened. I spent much of the book disliking Cynthia and her mercenary ways, though they were understandable, and unsure of Miles. But they both grew on me and proved to be charmingly honorable and true to their hearts and to each other. Cynthia had made mistakes and treated people poorly, but she did at least own up to it and demonstrated growth. Miles also showed character development as he adjusted to his brother’s absence and tried to reconcile his father’s expectations with the newly discovered desires of his own heart. Though I definitely understood Cynthia’s motives, she was unnecessarily catty at times and, though I mostly forgave her, she’s still not a favorite heroine and I do wish Miles had taken a bit longer to succumb to her enumerable charms. I’m not really sure this couple fit together beyond carnal attraction, but the ending was satisfying. I loved Julie Anne Long’s writing style and her humor so I’ll continue the series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3941090806
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/935549522
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