The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)
Miss Jane Lowndes is a confirmed bluestocking. She’s convinced that if she can wait out her parents’ demand that she marry, someday she can be a confirmed spinster and hold intellectual salons, her fondest dream. No man wants a bluestocking for a wife, after all. And that’s exactly the way Jane likes it. In fact, she’s invented a fictitious chaperone to help her achieve that purpose.
Lord Garrett Upton is a devil-may-care confirmed bachelor. He’s lived through the war, and now that he’s back in London, he intends to enjoy life to the fullest. Marriage is certainly not a part of that plan. He’s known Miss Lowndes for years, and the two of them have long engaged in a war of words. Jane’s latest scheme to pretend she has a fake chaperone is none of his business . . . until her desire to involve herself in a scandal becomes all too personal.
When Garrett and Jane mistakenly kiss at a wedding party masquerade, their well-documented dislike for each other is turned on its ear. And when a devious widow, who will stop at nothing to have Garrett, plots to keep them apart, will their desire for each other overcome their dreams of remaining unattached?
~ Goodreads
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: The endlessly fascinating world of regency London high-society and their proclivities is a great setting for a great story.
Characters: Jane and Garret were the source of endless amusement and enjoyment for me. I loved her snarky, spunky, witty personality, and I really loved her values. Garret came off as a rake and a frolicker for sure, but the man hides depths that Jane finally gets to explore. I really loved them together, and they had fabulous chemistry.
Plot: The liaison at a masquerade and the sense of opposites attract makes this slow burn romance a delectably fun ride. The story is layered and properly infuriating in place (grrr, that widow!), but very satisfying in my opinion.
Writing: Third person, past tense narrative, his/her POV. Really loved their voices and their banter.
Curb Appeal: Cool cover, hooking blurb – impulsive buy read for my (admittedly rare) historical romance cravings.
I recommend The Unlikely Lady to fans of new-school regency historical romance with spunky heroines and hot rakes who have more substance than they might lead you to believe. I really enjoyed the novel and would love to read more in that vein.
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