Review: They're mortal enemies....um...right??
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 20, 2013
Lady Elizabeth Stanton is first and foremost the daughter of a Noble.  She knows her station and what's expected of her...basically to marry well.  She's been perfectly schooled and groomed for nothing else.  However, Elizabeth is a suffragette at heart.  She loves to involve herself in those activities and sports that women of her station are not allowed to indulge in.  She does them anyway.  She isn't selfish or ostentatious.  She genuinely cares about those less fortunate than her and seeks to help the poor; something that's just not done!  She wants her independence....she doesn't intend to marry...but IF she marries at all, it will be for love and equality.  She will not accept nothing less and the 55 marriage proposals she's received (and refused) prove that she doesn't intend to settle.But then her childhood nemesis, Robert Bradford, comes back into her life and she finds herself attracted to him.  And since he's been gone for almost fifteen years... she doesn't know him...nor does he recognize her.  Until it's too late.  (dum dum duuuuum)Robert Bradford is the second son of an Earl and one serious dude.  Like Elizabeth, he has no interest in marriage or London's many Balls and parties with all the strutting men looking for wealthy brides.  Nevertheless, to keep his parents happy, he grudgingly consents to attend a few of the events while dodging deliberate compromising "traps" from women, that could force a proposal.  He has a man-sized temper, very little patience and an unending, raging appetite.  He's bored with the attempted entrapment antics and tiresome ploys of the numerous girls and their mothers to land prestigious and wealthy husbands...preferably one with a title.  None of them can hold an intelligent conversation or thought....until he meets Elizabeth (whom he doesn't recognize as his childhood enemy).  Game on!I loved this first attempt of Ms. Mathewson with historical romance.  I loved reading the beginning of the Bradfords' love and talent to build and construct.. and how that family heritage is born; along with their love of food and insatiable appetite.  LOVE IT!  I love how devoted the Bradford men are to their love interests...once they find the love of their life, their tom-cattin' ways are gone.  They're completely committed to their one love and their family.  The Bradford men are "real He-Men"...  They're loud and obnoxious to each other...and massive, lovable teddy bears to their wives.  There's nothing they wouldn't do to keep their women happy.This story is as fun as all the other "Neighbor from Hell" companions; full of hilarious dialogue and hysterical situations.  I almost can't wait for more of the series.