The Devil Wears Kilts

The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch

Ranulf MacLawry, Marquis of Glengask, has no love for the English, and he has enough problems with the Highland feuds without worrying about the English aristocracy. His sister, Lady Rowena, however desperately wants a season and she is determined to make it happen even if it will upset her brother. Lady Charlotte Hanover is shocked when her mother's friends' daughter appears on the door step, but since her sister, Winnie is already being sponsored for a season, Rowena is welcomed into the fold. The three women make plans for the London season, even if Charlotte has no intention of finding herself another suitor; her fiance had been killed in a duel he had initiated over a small slight. Since then, Charlotte has maintained her distance from men, and her dislike of male pride, temper, and violence has only solidified. Ranulf races to London to rescue her sister and is shocked when Charlotte insists he rein in his temper and allow his sister to finally enjoy her life. After his initial horror wears off, Ranulf finds himself intrigued by the beautiful and outspoken Englishwoman. However, his mother had been English and had suffered greatly at the hardships of the Scottish life, and he fears that the same would happen to Charlotte.

He decides to attend the same balls as Charlotte and Rowena, but quickly realizes that his Highland ways are not very well received. Members of the ton do their best to tempt him into making mistakes and losing his temper, and the situation does not improved when the leader of the clan he has been feuding with decides to take things to the next level, threatening Ranulf and those he loves. Charlotte finds herself falling for Ranulf, sneaking out to see him, and enjoying a man's company for the first time since her fiance died. But she is worried about his inability to keep a level head, and the violence he displays. He knows her fears, and tries to placate her, but the life of a Highlander is different than that of a city bred English fop, and he knows that he needs to show his enemies his strength or wish losing everything. Together they will have to sort through their intricacies of their situation and find a way to find their happily ever after.

I absolutely loved both Charlotte and Ranulf. Charlotte was well rounded and managed to be independent and assertive, outspoken and friendly, without ever falling into the dreaded "sassy" trap. She had ideas of her own, she cared deeply for those who were important to her, and her life experiences shaped her views. She was scared of love and of the type of man Ranulf was, but she was also open to learning more, to experiencing more that life had to offer. Ranulf was hard headed and could be ruthless, but he too cared deeply for his family, and his motives behind all of the behavior that Charlotte found so objectionable, were truly well explained. He did have a side to him that would frighten Charlotte, but she helped him tame it, and he helped her understand that he could never live the life of an Englishman, just accepting insults to his person, because the safety of his clan depended on him being a man who could intimidate others. I felt like both of them changed for the better because of the other and they truly came to understand and accept each other.

Charlotte and Ranulf spent a great deal of time together in various social situations and alone, so it was quite clear that they were very well suited for each other. There was definite heat between the, and not just when they were arguing although they did argue a bit, but the payoff was really not as good as I had expected. The sex was lukewarm and infrequent, sad considering the attraction these two were supposed to have for each other. I very much enjoyed the side plots involving Rowena and her crush on her brother's friend, the unrequited love that drove her to run away to London in the first place. There was also a story involving Highland feuds, which was it's own subplot in its' own right, but also served to make it clear how precarious Ranulf's position was and why his particular personality was so important in order for him to keep everyone safe.

Rating: Two wonderfully written characters who I could really tell were in love with each other and could see having a meaningful and lasting relationship.

The Handbook for Handling His Lordship

The Handbook for Handling His Lordship by Suzanne Enoch R

Nathaniel Stokes, Earl of Westfall, retired from his job as a spy for Wellington when he inherited his title unexpectedly upon his cousin's death. He finds that he cannot adapt to the lifestyle of a do nothing lordling so he decides to help other members of the peerage find items that have gone missing such as jewelry. He is enlisted by Lord Ebberling to find Rachel Newbury, his son's former governess, who went missing with a valuable diamond necklace the day his wife was murdered. Nate has no leads since the disappearance was years ago but when his young brother, Lawrence who is home after being suspended from Oxford, suggests a visit to the infamous Tantalous Club he realizes it might be the perfect place for a genteel young lady of education to hide in plain sight. Emily Portsman has been working for the Tantalous Club for three years and has taken pains to hide her true identity. When Lord Westfall shows up and his brother makes it clear that Westfall might be looking for someone she decides to figure out who he is searching for, but her interrogation turns into a night of passion.

Emily intrigues Nate and while he wants discover who she really is he cannot deny that there is something so much more than that that makes him want to get to know her. Emily is terrified that Westfall will discover who she is and that her past will finally catch up to her, but she cannot deny that she doesn't really want to avoid her. Luckily she has made quite a few friends in the last few years and she enlists their help in finding ways around Westfall's investigation. For the first time in years she leaves the gambling club and finds that time with him is quite enjoyable and that she might have finally found someone to trust. but it is still inevitable that he will realize who she is. Once he does his focus is on learning the truth and determining how best to protect Emily from the man who is obviously determined to do her harm. Together they must find a way to thwart Lord Ebberling and a way for them to reconcile the differences in their station. It takes big risks and a big sacrifice before Emily and Nate find their happily ever after.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed to find out this was a Tantalous Club book as I am getting a little tired of the gambling club trend in romance novels lately. I also did not appreciate that there were so many appearances by previous characters from other books, especially toward the end when they were present as often as the main characters of this story. Emily was a difficult character to understand as she seemed to be changing so often throughout the book, however I did admire how she took herself from poacher's daughter to an exalted position in a Lord's house through sheer force of will. Her running away from her past was understandable but considering where she ran to also rather stupid and her actions after Westfall appeared were not those of someone who was truly terrified as she should have been, and claimed to be. Westfall was a humorous character to me because of the actions he took to hide his own past as a spy from the world and I admired his determination to find out the truth about Emily and his willingness to rethink his opinions and trust her.

Nate and Emily worked very well together and I appreciated the few moments we did get to see them enjoying themselves. Unfortunately most of those moments were about both of them trying to investigate each other's motives or, later on, trying to find away to get Lord Ebberling. That part of the story was really the main focus of the novel and really a big part of their relationship as well, so while it worked and was engrossing enough, I didn't particularly get into the story or the relationship because of it. There was plenty of sex between them but it was very short and perfunctory and really not exciting at all. The Lord Ebberling plot took over and dragged on in my opinion for far too long and then ended in a completely unbelievable and ridiculous way that had me rolling my eyes. The ending of the novel itself was really interesting and the way that Nate and Emily chose to overcome the difference in their stations and avoid a complete scandal completely shocked me, but was much closer to realism than many other romances end. The writing was, as expected from Enoch, fun and fast and very well done.

Rating: A fun, fast read with two fun characters it was easy to admire and while they worked together I wish the relationship had taken more of a central role in the novel.

Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke

Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke by Suzanne Enoch L

Sophia White is the unacknowledged and illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Hennessey and his maid and as such she knows she will never have a proper marriage, or a truly respectable life. She has found employment as a card dealer at the Tantalus Club and in doing so has found the only place she has ever belonged and the only friends she has ever had. But her job has also drawn lots of attention and the Duke has decided that she will marry a man of his choosing or he will shut down the club. Loathe to do anything to hurt her friends she agrees to her father's choice, a self-righteous vicar in some far away time who has promised to dedicate his life to reforming Sophia. Before she sacrifices herself she has decided to have one last happy holiday and so accepts an invitation to spend the season at the country estate of Adam Baswhich, the Duke of Greaves. Adam invited Sophia because she is the best friend to Camille, Lady Blackwood, wife of his close friend, Lord Blackwood, and because he cannot deny that doing so will certainly create a stir among his priggish and lordly guests, especially his sister, the very proper Lady Eustace. Because of a claus in his father's will Adam must marry by his 30th birthday, in a month, or risk losing the entirety of his unentailed inheritance to Eustace's son, so he has also invited plenty of the ton's most eligible bachelorettes.

When the bridge connecting his estate to the nearest village collapses Adam and Sophia find themselves stranded together with no one but his judgmental sister and the servants for company. It does not take long before they are becoming closer than they either thought possible and even while both know that Adam cannot possibly marry Sophia, they throw caution to the wind. Adam decides that the one gift he can give Sophia is to try and get her out of her marriage to the preacher by contacting the friends her father has decided to ruin, but he continues in his search for a bride even while acknowledging that none of them will come close to Sophia. Sophia is furious when Adam offers her a position as his mistress as she believed he had come to respect her and so she decides to give up any hopes she had and begin her new life as the pastor's wife. However, Adam has no intention of letting her go and her leaving was just what he needed to realize that bucking conventions and defying everyone's expectations will be a perfect way to start the future he is determined to have with the woman he loves.

I very much enjoy reading Suzanne Enoch because she writes smooth and satisfying romances that have lots of romantic development in her story and writes characters that are easy to like and root for, and mixes some good sexiness in with it. This book was no exception and I found myself breezing through this, liking the characters and the plot, but finding myself irked by some of her more irritating elements. Sophia was very confident and self-assured, with hints of vulnerability that made her more realistic, and her dedication to her friends was admirable. Adam was reliable and fun and I loved his interactions with Sophia, but the book did make much of his little fits of temper, and while I understood I was supposed to be awed by how Sophia could sooth him, I found myself more than a little skeptical of his suitability for marriage.  Sophia and Adam spent quite a bit of time together, but all of their positive interactions occurred before the rest of society intruded, and once they did their relationship tottered horribly. His quest for a bride really made me like him less, as he openly sought to begin a relationship with someone else, while refusing to give up Sophia.

There was some very steamy sex between them, but given their histories I was annoyed that it took so long for them to start sleeping together. I did not have a problem with her not being a virgin, it would have been a little too unbelievable if she had been and I admired her acceptance of her past, and I admired his acceptance of it as well. I am always irked when they is a major problem standing in the way of everyone's happiness that is easily solved and her marrying the pastor is one such issue. It was clear from the beginning that if he wanted to Adam could call in his own connections and put a stop to it, so when it dragged on for so long it became annoying and the drama it caused at the end was unnecessary and made Sophia come across as far too prideful. The end was amazingly rushed which really just served to show how ridiculous all the obstacles in their path were, as Adam took care of all of her problems with her father with just a conversation and while Sophia put up some token resistance to Adam, it really seemed to be just for show.

Rating: A very enjoyable and readable book that strained even my capacity for unrealism in romances and suffered from the easily solvable problem.

Taming an Impossible Rogue

Taming an Impossible Rogue by Suzanne Enoch 

The Marquis of Fenton is humiliated when his longtime fiance runs out on him at the church and takes up residence at a scandalous gambling hall working as a hostess. He hires his cousin, Keating Blackwood, to bring her back to him and offers him 10,000 pounds, and as Keating is in desperate need of funds he agrees. Lady Camilla Pryce took one look at Fenton and realized that if he'd never even said hello in all the years they'd been engaged, their marriage was doomed. She enjoys the freedom of working at the Tantalus club and the friendships she is making. When Keating shows up at the club it stirs quite a scandal as he had previously admitted to killing his lover's husband, earning himself the nickname "Bloody Blackwood." Camilla finds herself drawn to Keating anyway, especially since he admits that he is trying to get her back with Fenton and does not lie about his motives.

Camilla agrees to go along with Keating and allows him to escort her around town and as they get to know each other they discover they have a lot in common. They both have ruined reputations and for each of them the other is the only one who understands their motivations and why they have done what they have. Keating trusts her with his deepest secret; that he had a child with his former lover and he has been supporting her for years and he needs the promised money from Fenton to support his son. Camilla knows what she must to do to help the man she has fallen in love with and agrees to the marry Fenton and give up the chance of something more- give up the chance for love. But luckily their friends are determined for neither of them to settle and they make their own discoveries that make a happily ever after possible for Keating and Camilla. 

I loved both Keating and Camilla because they were both noble, and scared, and full of hope and passion that had been tamped down by society but together they were able to be true to themselves and be happy. Camilla was wonderful and so real and I felt like every emotion she was feeling was so true and I was rooting for her the entire time. Keating was great as the reformed rake who had made the hard decisions and was willing to live with the consequences of his actions. They were able to heal each other's hurts and become better, happier people with each other and I really liked reading about each moment they spent together and luckily there was quite a lot. It made their relationship seem so strong and based on a really strong connection. Because of their noble-ness there was not very much sex but there was some but it was not exactly hot. 

There was a lot of talk about Keating's past in this novel, and with good reason, but it got to be a little too much for me and I got tired of both of them being so willing to sacrifice their own happiness in order to save the other. A little of that is good but what they were doing just came across as ridiculous and of course, everything was wrapped up a little too conveniently in that department for my taste. I really enjoyed reading about Camilla's relationship with her family because she had to deal with so much from them and learn how to be independent. I thought there was a decent presence from previous characters and the next novel was set up very nicely. The writing was, as always, fast and fun and very enjoyable.

Rating: A fun book with two very lovable characters who could be a little too self-sacrificing for my taste, but overall had a very strong connection.

A Beginner's Guide to Rakes

A Beginner's Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch 1030

Diane Benchley, Countess of Benchley, returns to London amidst a firestorm of gossip after she and her husband had fled England for Vienna chased by creditors demanding payment for her husbands debts. When Lord Cameron dies Diane is left nearly penniless and uses her skills to convince people that he had left her all the unentailed properties and is determined to never ever be under any man's thumb again. Oliver Warren, Marquis of Haybury, hears the rumors surrounding Diane's return and decides he wants nothing to do with her. The two of them had engaged in a brief affair in Vienna and when he had found that he was falling for her he hightailed it back to London to make nice with his uncle who was threatening to leave him a bankrupt title. Diane felt betrayed and she too wants nothing to do with Oliver, until her partner in waiting passes away and the only person she can think who could help her is Oliver. Diane wants to make gambling finally work to her advantage and plans to open a club in her own home and as a dedicated gambler himself, Oliver is the perfect partner.

Oliver is not eager to help Diane, but she has information about the one time he cheated at cards and he cannot risk his reputation at the table so he agrees to loan her money to help start her venture, to teach her employees- all female- how to work at a club, and to move in upstairs but leave her alone. Diane needs to keep her distance from Oliver and even carries a gun around for protection if he should get ideas, but he quickly proves to be more than she can handle, moving around as if he owns the place, and truly becoming a partner and helper in her business, instead of the reluctant victim of her schemes. As he sees her attempt to run such a complicated establishment and try so hard to prove that she doesn't need anyone, the more he wants her to need him and he wants to make up for what he did long ago and show that he has changed and there is a future for them. Diane is terrified of how much Oliver is coming to mean to her and how much he can hurt her but it it is only with her help that she can take care of her problems; both from her family and coming from inside herself, and they can finally find love together.

Diane had admirable qualities like her ability to look after herself and her complete self-centered-ness was a change of pace from the usual romance novel heroine. That is about all I can say about her that is good because I found nothing about her to be sympathetic, likable, or worthy of anyone falling in love with her. She was cold, incredibly cold, and it was impossible for me to warm to her because she was only concerned with herself; her money, her feelings, her ability to take care of herself. The book briefly mentions how she is taking in women who have nowhere else to go, but it felt more like a desperate attempt to make her seem human and it fell far short. Oliver was definitely more human but I felt like there was nothing special about him and I could not really get into his character because I was so horrified that he was in love with such an unlikeable heroine. Their relationship started years prior so I felt like I missed out on them falling in love- like perhaps Diane had been lovable back then but I saw no evidence of this in the present.

I felt like their relationship, in the present, got off to a very poor start with the blackmail because I felt like it gave one person far too much power in the relationship. Enoch tried to make it seem like Oliver was there, eventually at least, of his own free will and that Diane's control was not so all encompassing, but I just did not get over her holding a pistol to him for much of the book. I also did not enjoy that their relationship was based on one-upping each other like they were in constant competition and trying to prove something to the other. It did not come across as the basis for a stable, or very romantic relationship. They were both supposedly incredibly attracted to each other and while their was quite a bit of lust on both their parts, the sex, when it finally occurred, was not all that impressive even while I recognized that might be because I didn't really like the characters. The side plot involving her ex brother-in-law was interesting, but after so much to do over what would happen it was settled incredibly quickly and in a rather ridiculous manner.

Rating: Two characters I disliked in a romance that was far from romantic and a side plot that was ridiculous, but the writing style was easy and fast paced.

Rules of an Engagement

Rules of an Engagement by Suzanne Enoch 1103

Captain Bradshaw Carroway has always liked sea travel in being in charge of his own naval ship but with the war over things have slowed down and there aren't as many pirates to hunt. Spending time with his family makes him think there may be something in life that he's missing and that settling down may not be so bad. The Duke of Sommerset invites him to join the Adventurers Club and then enlists him to deliver a mirror to a man he met while in Tahiti. Bradshaw starts the mission but does not get far before the truth behind his excursion is made clear. He is to escort renowned botanist Joseph Ponsey and his daughter Zephyr as they go about collecting flora and fauna specimens for the Royal Society. Zephyr is not impressed with the Captain as he immediately comes across as a rogue who wants nothing more but to engage in big sea battles with no interest in reading or science.

They both get under each other's skin and although she drives him insane Shaw wants Zephyr and Zephyr admires Shaw's ability to circumvent fights rather than start them. Traveling gives them plenty of opportunities to observe how the other handles difficult situations and how caring and dedicated they each are. They get to explore several islands including one where Shaw manages to maneuver them out of a precarious situation and saves their lives. The expedition also gives Zephyr time to rethink her own path in life and she wonders if she really wants to spend the rest of her life as her father's assistant traveling around the world. A stop at the friendly island of the Tahiti with a French war ship in the next harbor forces them both to look at what they want and make some momentous decisions and take a chance on something unexpectedly amazing.

Shaw was wonderful as the caring, sensitive and commanding captain and it was clear why Zephyr fell in love with him. However Zephyr was a little hard to crack as she was rude and all he could really find to say about her was that she was so different from society misses. This was reiterated multiple times throughout the book and as it got old I wondered if there was another reason why she should be admired or loved. It quickly became apparent that these two were going to have an argue until we fall in love type relationship. This is something that's been done in lots of romance novels and I really do not get it as arguing and really not particularly liking someone does not make a good relationship and I don't see how two people fall in love like that. I think it's fine if they don't like each other and eventually get to know each other and fall in love but this was not how it occurred here.

Their mutual dislike of each other dissolved rather slowly which left only the last half of the book for any real steam to happen. There were a couple steamy scenes but nothing particularly exciting or hot although there was one fun scene where she incorporated some of the native customs. Really my favorite part of this book was Zephyr's relationship was her father and how her feelings about being his assistant for the rest of her life changed. Her love for Shaw gave her the courage to take a chance and do something new and completely different than what she had expected. I was almost completely uninterested in the expedition itself and did not feel as though the traveling through the seas and exploring the different islands really added much to the story. What was more important was his dealings with enemies and other ships and how he was more respectful of different cultures and avoided fighting.

Rating: I felt like there was not at all enough time spent on the relationship between Zephyr and Shaw, especially time with them getting along and being happy.

A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior

A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior by Suzanne Enoch 706

Theresa Weller has been a very proper young lady who has dedicated her life to always behaving with decorum. Until her cousin's brother-in-law, Colonel Bartholomew James, returns from India and disrupts her life. Bartholomew, Tolly, was horribly injured in India when his unit was attacked by the Thuggee's, and he has an infected knee that has never completely healed leading to immense pain and a limp. From their first meeting they each throw the other for the loop and Tolly begins to rethink his belief that his life is over and hopeless, while Theresa wonders if she has been too dedicated to propriety. She challenges him by admitting she wants to dance with him so he decides to undergo a risky procedure that could vastly help him or end with him losing his leg. Theresa is quickly coming to realize that Tolly is more than just any other suitor and he is definitely someone worth a little scandal.

Tolly wants Theresa, wants her more than he has ever wanted anything in his life, and it was her entrance into his life that reawakened his desire to survive. However, he is worried that she will come to regret taking a chance on him, especially when the East India Company comes out and says that the Thuggee's have been made up and are simply an excuse made up by cowards. Suddenly Tolly finds himself in need of allies and desperately trying to gain justice for the men under his command and prove they were heroes. He also feels no small amount of guilt for their deaths and he and Theresa are able to find common ground as she also feels responsible for her parents deaths. It takes immense courage but Theresa knows she needs to take a leap and believe in the man she loves to help him in his struggles. But it might be quite a leap as there are people who want to silence Tolly, and Theresa needs to give him one more reason to live.

Romance wise this book is one of the best I have ever read. I so loved reading about how much these two were willing to do, how much they were willing to risk and sacrifice in order to be with each other, or make the other happy. And it was made so much better because they were both doing so and welcomed and acknowledged how much they were each doing for each other. Her reaction to Tolly's knee surgery were perfect and just so beautiful and the story really took off from there. The book really does focus on their relationship and it progresses so well throughout the book. There was a brief time when I felt her guilt over her parents death was a tad overdone, but then it worked out so well with them mutually helping each other through their guilt. She really goes out on a limb for him in this story as it goes against everything she'd been working towards, but Tolly was definitely worth it.

Their was some steam in the novel, not a lot, but enough and I especially loved the kissing because it caused her to reflect on how the choices she had made in her life. She underwent some really moving changes throughout the book, and Tolly reciprocated by being so willing to change for her. I was also very intrigued by the East India/ Thuggee murder plot partly because it was so interesting and I really got into having the bad guys go down and the good guys get their little revenge. Also- I loved it because it made Tolly who he was and really lead him straight to Theresa and some great moments between them. The secondary characters were spot on, being a little concerned about her suddenly being so scandalous over such an inappropriate man, but also happy that he's helping her get over her guilt. Finally I really enjoyed the fast paced writing and the word choice that really brought the book up.

Rating: Tolly and Theresa are one of my favorite couples of all time and what they did in the book for each other, along with the interesting little conspiracy, made this book great.

The Care and Taming of a Rogue

The Care and Taming of a Rogue by Suzanne Enoch

Captain Bennett Wolfe has returned from a three year excursion in Africa to find that everyone believes he is dead. His second in command had stolen all his journals and notes, left him for date, and published a very one-sided account of what happened in African using said notes and journals. Needless to say Bennett is not happy but his friends, Jack Clancy and the Duke of Sommerset, quickly inform him of the benefits of at least pretending to play nice until he can really prove his allegations. He finds this idea ridiculous until he finds that spending time in the company of one Phillipa Eddison may be just what he needs to district himself from the injustice of what has happened. Unfortunately Bennett has had little experience in polite company and Phillipa is far from pleased when he boldly announces that he wants to see her naked. Bennett realizes he needs to court this level headed beauty who has somehow gone unnoticed standing in the shadow of her blonde and vivacious sister. Unfortunately he has little knowledge as to how to go about this and his first attempts are miserable failures- until Phillipa decides to help him along.

Everyone in town thinks that Bennett is one step away from being a savage jungle man and his reputation is not helped by bringing his monkey, Kero, along with him everywhere or by the way his first step in courtship is to bring Phillipa two dozen red roses. Despite her insistence on a typical courtship Phillipa does not last long when Bennett is intent on seducing her and her capitulation is the only real reason why Bennett decides to go along with said courtship. However while everything may be going along smoothly in the romance department Bennett is becoming increasingly frustrating with the way the Africa Association continues to believe that David Langley wrote those books and does even bother to demand the journals he supposedly kept. Despite his insistence that she not bother herself Phillipa volunteers to help Bennett by going undercover and trying to discover the journals, which were really written by Bennett and will prove that David definitely did not write that book, for Bennett. The real climax comes as out characters look like they are about to have their happily ever after and both of them need to discover if either of them can step outside their comfort zone and try something new- for the one they love.

I enjoyed reading this book but not exactly as much as I thought I would when I was first introduced to the characters. Obviously the beginning is very intriguing and I did realize that I would become heavily invested in having David Langley revealed as a thief, liar, and perjerer, and that held true through the whole book. Unfortunately this did get in the way as there were fairly large sections of the book where this plot was put on the back burner and I found myself really wanting them to get back to it. So I really was much more interested in that than in the romance. But there was an element of the romance plot that I really enjoyed. Many romance novels that feature adventuresome heroes have him settle down to a staid life at the end and it really is not discussed much during the book. Here- what will happen when/ if Phillipa and Bennett happen- is a matter of great concern to both of them as Bennett does want to travel but he knows he wants to be with Phillipa and not risk her safety in the wilds, while Phillipa is rather fearful of travel but does not want to be the woman who steals away from Bennett something that he truly loves.

There was a decent amount of steam in the book and Bennett was definitely very desperate to get into Phillipa's bed and I like that we knew it was not just because he had been without female companionship for so long. However it was a little weird when he compared her appearance and full dressing with the bare-breasted women of Africa. I really like that the book set up a comparison between Bennett, who is supposedly so savage, with Langley who is supposed to be the sophisticated English gentleman and they do this quite skillfully by sharing that Langley has an extensive collection of stuffed animals. As far as romantic development went the book was a little lacking. At their first meeting Bennett knew that he liked Phillipa immediately because she was different; a bluestocking who liked to read and did not overly concern herself with her appearance and did not chatter endlessly about nonsense. After that there really is not much change in how they view each other; Phillipa thinks of Bennett as the great adventurer and she is the overlooked beauty with a brain. I would have liked some real issues to come up with them and maybe for them to spend some time together not about Langley or the journals.

Rating: I certainly enjoyed the revenge plot but really found absolutely nothing special in the romance department at all.