Review: I LOVED this Book!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 27, 2013
First of all let me say that I read the 1 star review, and I almost did not buy this book.  Boy, am I glad that I ignored that review!  This book is amazing.  It is very well written, with an interesting plot, and wonderful characters.  Alma and Diana's relationship gets off to a rocky start when she shoots him in the butt with an arrow before they've even been introduced to each other!  Matters are made totally worst when Diana is called upon to "surgically" remove the arrow.  Alma is completely mortified by this situation.  In those days gently reared young ladies did not see a gentleman unclothed and Alma was very aware of and abided by society's rules.  At first he is very uncomfortable around Diana and his mood is made that much worst by the fact that he is unable to sit and cannot participate in his favorite activities of riding and driving.  He does fluctuate between being miserable and nice.  According to all the other characters in the book, Alma is normally a very pleasant, easy going sort of fellow so his churlish behaviour towards the heroine is very unusual.  George, Diana's brother and friend of Alma's, has to leave for London and the h is left to entertain the Hero as best she can.  Don't worry a lady is brought in from the village to play chaperone so all the proprieties are observed.  Over the next two weeks the relationship between the two develop and by the time Alma returns to London they are in love with each other, neither is aware of his/her love for the other.  Accordingly, Alma returns to London and his previous life, including his mistress.  The h and H meet again in London when Diana makes an unexpected trip to the city and so their relationship continues to flourish.  It is not until close to the end of the book that they each figure out how they feel about the other.  As soon as Alma becomes aware of his feelings for Diana he immediately discontinues his relationship with his mistress.....even though at that time he has no idea whether or not his suit for Diana will be accepted.  Yes, the introduction of one of Diana's past admirers does help to prompt Alma to become aware of his feelings, but that is nothing unusual. I could go on and on about this book, but as this is only a review and not a discussion I shall say no more.  I do agree that for such a lighthearted read this book dealt with some heavy issues, specifically the question of whether young ladies of quality did experience sexual desire was raised.  Oh, the romance of George (Diana's brother) and his lady love, Alonna is also followed throughout the book.  I absolutely loved George and Alonna!  They were two lovely characters.  All in all this was an exceptional read!  BTW this is a clean romance.