Secrets of An Accidental Duchess (A Donovan Novel)
Haymore’s second Donovan Sisters novel, following Confessions of an Improper Bride (2011), finds the pale, ethereal Olivia at the heart of a wager. Leonard Reece goads his childhood rival, Maxwell Buchanan—both are in line to become dukes—to bed Olivia since Leonard has already failed to do so. Unwisely, Max agrees and travels to her brother-in-law’s Sussex home as a hunting guest. There he gets to know Olivia and falls in love. Olivia, however, isn’t interested in getting married, having contracted malaria in the West Indies, where she grew up. Instead, she is content to live with her married sister and gain strength in the English countryside while spending as little time as possible in London during the season. She’s also intent on helping Beatrice, Leonard’s abused wife, flee from him. Max is dogged in his pursuit of Olivia undettered by her health and his unwise bet. Despite its somewhat hackneyed premise, Haymore’s down-to-earth sensibilities make Olivia’s story believable and touching. Readers will breathlessly await the next Donovan story. --Pat Henshaw