Series: Windham, #6
Traits & Tropes: compromised; heroine with a secret; scarred, former soldier hero
Publication Date: 10.01.12
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Narration Rating: 4/5
Lady Louisa Windham is the most reserved daughter in a very flamboyant family, but she’s well aware that her reputation could come crashing down at any time thanks to the racy poetry she published under a pseudonym on a dare from her brother. She and her family have been systematically buying all the copies, but not in time to prevent a fortune hunter who attempts to publicly compromise her and then extort money from her even after she has married to save her reputation.
Sir Joseph Carrington steps in to save Louisa’s reputation by offering marriage. With his romantic poetry recitations and skills at dancing, it soon becomes clear that their match can be one of much more than convenience, if each can overcome the secrets that are being used against them.
I enjoyed this story, but it wasn’t quite the light, Christmassy fluff I was expecting. Joseph was a lovely and romantic hero, but as I usually do, I just wanted more communication between the MCs. Joseph and Louisa developed this great relationship, but each kept a pretty big secret from the other for quite a bit longer than I think they should have. That said, this book didn’t go where I thought it was going and I am so happy about that. It seemed like these secrets would be used to drive a wedge between the newly married couple, as is the case in many examples of the marriage of convenience trope, but happily not so here. Yes, they kept secrets, but Joseph and Louisa had both pretty much guessed the other’s secret and they were both understanding, and neither was angry. Instead, they had built a trust and friendship into their relationship, and it was strong enough to withstand the challenge and foil the would-be blackmailer. Though I still wasn’t really a fan of the way Joseph revealed his big secret, I really enjoyed that aspect of relationship strength and development as well as the Christmas setting. I could’ve done without the side monologues with the Prince Regent, but at the same time, given the Christmas setting, I wasn’t as bothered by them as I otherwise might’ve been and they served as comic relief. As did the antics of Louisa’s brothers, though perhaps too much in their cases, along with being hard to keep track of. This was nothing too special, but enjoyable and worth the listen.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2402851640
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3015812849
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