"fine Regency romance"

In 1815 Reverend Toogood worries that he does not have enough money to provide dowries for his five daughters. To insure he does, he knows he must marry off the first one to a wealthy aristocrat, which will ease entry for the remaining foursome. He selects his second oldest child, Fleur as the best bet since she is the prettiest of his offspring.

Fleur detest her father's plan and is appalled to learn that her mother's friend the Duchess of Granville will sponsor her. She wants to marry for love not money so she will meet her sire's commitment of seeking a wealthy suitor, but refuses to wed for anything that excludes a deep love between her and her spouse. The Duchess drafts her son Dominic Elliot to escort the mouthy opinionated rustic. He wants her gone as she interferes with his efforts to uncover the identity of who is abducting well to do women while she tries to learn what his great secret is even as they fall in love with one another.

TESTING MISS TOOGOOD is a fine Regency romance starring two likable lead protagonists who are attracted with one another, but show it with discord except in front of his mother. The story line moves along two plots, the amusing dysfunctional romance and Dominic's tense undercover work to save young women from predators. Sub-genre readers will appreciate Stella Cameron's wonderful historical.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 5, 2005

Summary

Fleur Toogood is beautiful, opinionated and has a disastrous inclination to speak her mind. And she refuses to marry without love. But as the most eligible of Reverend Toogood's five daughters, she has been charged with making a brilliant match that will improve her family's fortune. So to appease her father, she agrees to be escorted around London by Lord Dominic Elliot.

But Lord Dominic proves to be a most arrogant and secretive chaperon. He takes his duties toward her very seriously, though he shows little interest in her otherwise. Worse, he insists on giving the most annoying advice—advice she doesn't need because she has devised The List, questions designed to assess a male's potential as a satisfactory husband, knowing no man can meet her high standards. But as she is introduced to one eligible gentleman after another, it becomes painfully clear—the only man who scores high enough to interest her is Dominic himself.