Review: Cute story and a quick read!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 8, 2013
This was a cute story overall  I've read Simpson for most of my romance reading life and she was one of the authors who got me into 'traditional' regency romances, so I knew that I would at least enjoy the story.  This was one of her novellas from the multitudes of anthologies that came out back in the 90's (I should know, I collected most of them), though I don't believe I've read this one before.I admit that the heroine being 33 years old (which is a good deal older than most heroines in traditional regency romances), was partially the draw for me.  Ariadne certainly plays the part of an idiotic simpering spinster, but her normal self is very practical.  She lists her tragedies in life without any bitterness, accepted that she spent a lot of time with her Aunt and has moved on.  She wants nothing more than to be left alone and follow what pleases her.Ingram is very similar, though we are given relatively less history for him.  All his characterization is in the present; much of what is said about his past is basic fact or rumor, there's very little to it.  I found his slow need to protect Ariadne endearing, though it did verge on the stalker since Ariadne was at first very upset with his intrusions.This is a sweet tale that flies by quickly.  Its also quite short, so if you need something while waiting in a line this is a perfect bite-sized treat.