Series: Pennyroyal Green, #6
Traits & Tropes: class difference; former soldier hero; starched hero; titled hero; forbidden love
Publication Date: 12.27.11
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Sussex/London, England
Heat Level: 2.5
Rating: 4.5/5
Narration Rating: 5/5
Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, has developed a reputation for being ice cold, an unwitting trendsetter, scrupulously selecting only the best of everything. His choice of bride is no different: Lisbeth Redmond, the woman whose dowry will restore to him the final piece of land his father lost.
But when Jules meets schoolteacher Phoebe Vale, who is working as paid companion to Lisbeth, he is completely bowled over. Quiet, clever Phoebe sees him for who he truly is beneath the frigid veneer he presents to the world. They both feel the inexplicable connection but giving in to it would mean giving up everything else each thought they wanted.
I really loved that this heroine was a bit of an outcast and an underdog and that she got the prize fish of London society. Jules was harder to know, rather enigmatic, but also a very interesting character. I really liked how the class difference was handled here and the fact that Phoebe refused to settle for anything less than a full commitment. This plot was rather different from anything I’ve read and though some of the devices used are not my favorite, I enjoyed this and found it held my attention. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Phoebe and Jules and how protective he was of her, I only wish we’d seen more of a set down for the hateful Lisbeth and her catty, spiteful friends. I love JAL’s rich writing and I’ll be continuing the series.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3991518929
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2490278040
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