"Totally riveting Regency, eloquently written."

The four daughters of a horse-mad Scottish viscount arrive at their guardian's home with four beautiful thoroughbred horses to be used as their dowries. Tess, the oldest, immediately warms to the slightly shabby and dissipated duke. Tired of worrying about the lack of money and her younger sister's inappropriate romance, Tess embraces the brotherly affection Rafe offers. Rafe agrees with Tess that marriage is her best option. Luckily, Rafe's friend, the Earl of Mayne, offers a marriage based on their short acquaintance, after all Tess' dowry is Something Wanton, a possible Derby winner. Tess tamps down her attraction to Rafe's other friend and accepts the earl's proposal.

Mr. Lucius Fenton drops into his friend's home, prepared for his usual visit of horse races and good brandy. Encountering four nubile young women at Rafe's home, Lucius prepares to flee. He does not want a wife, and Rafe will need to foist these women upon anyone, especially his friends. Upon meeting Tess, who's a beauty with a hussy's mouth, Lucius feels his blood chill and then turn to ice as he meets the others -- the witty and seductive Annabelle; the passionate Imogene, who looks like a saint; and the least threatening, Josie, a plump and logical girl. At Rafe's plea, Lucius stays, feeling an impending doom descend upon him.

At the home of a drunk, whose close friends consist of a titled lecher and a plain sir who's a merchant, Tess snares the lecher. Confusion rules Tess and she does not feel triumphant. It takes a sister's unwise decision to force Tess to confront her choice for the future.

MUCH ADO ABOUT YOU is a thoroughly riveting tale that explores the interplay between sisters. It's an engaging journey into their lives as they come together and then tear apart. Ms. James serves up laughter and tears as she writes an eloquent and beautiful romance.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Posted January 10, 2005

Summary

When you're the oldest daughter, you don't get to have any fun! Witty, orphaned Tess Essex faces her duty: marry well and marry quickly, so she can arrange matches for her three sisters -- beautiful Annabel, romantic Imogen and practical Josie.After all, right now they're under the rather awkward guardianshipof the perpetually tipsy Duke of Holbrook. But just whenshe begins to think that all might end well, one of her sisters boltswith a horse-mad young lord, and her own fiancé just plain runs away. Which leaves Tess contemplating marriage to the sort of man she wishes to avoid -- one of London's most infamous rakes. Lucius Felton is a rogue whose own mother considers him irredeemable! He's delicious, Annabel points out. And he's rich,Josie notes. But although Tess finally consents to marryhim, it may be for the worst reason of all. Absurd as she knows it to be, she may have fallen utterly in love...