Review: Enjoyable Characters & Witty Banter Make for an Entertaining Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2014
After enjoying this author's first book in the Regency Blooms series I greatly anticipated reading this installment and enjoyed it just as much as the characters were memorable and immensely likable.  From start to finish the romance was refreshing and the banter delightful though some of the events were predictable.Marc, the Duke of Grayson, lived a life of solitude growing up as his parents tried to keep Society from discovering he had epilepsy.  He was kept cosseted at home with very little friends, save one, and no chance to truly live life beyond what he read in books.  His mother in particular kept him close and as such he enjoys a more studious and quiet life.  All of this made him a very sympathetic character though he never wanted to be treated like an invalid.  His ideas for the future change the moment his mother invites a slew of eligible women to his estate for him to choose a wife from.  He's tired of doing the expected, tired of doing what his mother thinks is best.  Of all the women he meets the only one to truly capture his attention is an outspoken one with less than ladylike comportment.  His plans to woo her take an unexpected turn though as she despises the real Duke of Grayson for his perceived standoffishness which has Marc taking on a different persona, that of average Marc Winston.  Taking on this new identity gives him the chance to live the kind of life he always dreamed of and to be the kind of man his friend is, a charming and witty man at ease with the ladies.  Though his relationship with Tamsin is at first based on lies it's not long before he becomes a stronger-willed man choosing to make his own decisions which makes him a more worthy match to this equally outspoken woman.  As his self-esteem grows will he finally stand up to the woman who's kept him safe his whole life and put himself at the mercy of a Society who frowns upon imperfection or will he revert back into his world of books and turn his back on the love Tamsin's brought to his life?  It's an emotional journey every step of the way as lies become truths for these two apparently very different people.Tamsin is a very unlikely Regency heroine in her words and deeds which made her immensely likable.  Relegated to the country for a major social faux pas she continues to live her life as carefree as she always has.  She's an outspoken woman uncaring of any consequences as seen by her thoughts on the Duke of Grayson who she sees as rude with an air of superiority.  This leads to an unexpected friendship and romance with the man himself under a haze of lies.  Will this relationship survive once the truth comes out or will Society take her to task for her continued social improprieties?  Tamsin was like a breath of fresh air and I appreciated her outspokenness as it was endearing.  Though Society frowned upon her acts she always had her sisters supporting her which added a heartwarming aspect to the story as well.This was an immensely enjoyable read with likable characters and witty banter.  Their friendship which morphed into a romance was sweet yet sensual with an outcome that kept me guessing until the very end.  Along with a delightfully unique main couple comes an entertaining cast of secondary characters, especially Marc's friend Jason.  Jason is everything Marc aspired to be, carefree and charming with the ladies which has me dying for his story to be told.  Though certain themes felt familiar Ms. Jefferson made them fresh courtesy of a unique main couple.  With this installment this continues to be an entertaining series that historical fans will embrace.