Review: What a Lovely Surprise
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 31, 2013
I am always a little hesitant to try a brand new author in the Regency genre because so often the books turn out to be either bodice-rippers, very badly written, or - horror of horrors - both. This book, however, surprised me by being neither; note the 5 star rating. The book was just as well written as one of the leading lights of the Traditional Regency Romance genre. And it was a traditional regency. That delighted me. The plot is rather adorable, two stubborn people resisting the efforts of their loved ones to control their lives and happen to cross paths and fall in love. Set on a lovely Irish horse farm, which has to be one of my favorites. I would have liked more information/history on the hunting of the 19th century and the habits of those who made the sport their lives. I did feel that the hero's resolving of his situation was rather quickly done. It was a little too neat that there was his salvation just waiting in the wings. I also would have liked the ending to have been longer. How does Grainne adjust to London and England? It might amuse her Hero for a short time that she is a hopeless, horse-mad hoyden, but I would think that would pall in time unless she made some efforts to civilize herself. Still, my complaints are very minor and basically consist of a desire for a longer book, although the length is actually rather decent considering the price. Read it, you won't be disappointed. Very highly recommended for all Regency Romance lovers.