"Light hearted regency romp with charming characters"

Miss Rosalind Lacey of Wycombe Hall suspects she has contracted the same illness that took her mother's life when Rosie was only fourteen. Upon consulting a physician, her doubts are confirmed. Ever since her mother died, Rosie, being the eldest child, has been the rock of her family. With their father wallowing in grief, all responsibilities fell upon her shoulders, changing the vivacious and lively girl into a serious, quiet young lady who has led a very prim and boring life. Now, with the news that she will most likely be dead within months, Rosie becomes determined to kick back her heels and live life to the fullest. Convincing her father to let her go, she packs her bags and departs for London, to spend the Season with her estranged Aunt Fanny. Within days of arriving, Rosie of Wycombe Hall is transformed into the infamous and charmingly high-spirited Rosalind of Berkley Square. Armed with a list of London delights she simply must experience, Rosalind takes the city by storm!

Max Devanant has made a career of seducing women and enjoyed every second of it. Lately though, he's grown quite bored with life. Having indulged in every pleasure, experiencing all that London has to offer and gaining the reputation of a notorious rake, Max has seen it all and done it all. There's nothing exciting happening. Nothing to look forward to. When his late father's mistress, Lady Frances Parkhurst, lovingly known as Fanny, informs him her staid and boring niece is planning to visit for a few months and Fanny needs his assistance, Max groans at the thought of entertaining a dull country mouse. True enough, upon being introduced to Rosie, Max is convinced it's certainly going to be another monotonous season. That is, until Rosie kicks up her heels and transforms into Rosalind and leaves the rake stunned and totally bewitched!

Candice Hern's MISS LACEY'S LAST FLING is a delightful and light-hearted Regency Romp with charming characters. Thoroughly entertaining, the story wraps around you from the beginning and totally pulls you into its heart.

Ms. Hern's characters are beautifully defined and very endearing. I found Rosalind's escapades to be very amusing and her attitude in the face of propriety was refreshing, whether she was thumbing her nose at polite society and enjoying a waltz with a rake, or racing a curricle through the park! Max makes a dashing and polite hero while still managing to play the part of a rakehell quite well. As for secondary characters, Fanny was simply delightful. Her dry wit and sassy attitude throughout the story were very enjoyable.

Lovers of lighthearted regencies will definitely want to curl up with this book. It's sure to leave a smile on your face!

Reviewed by Leena Hyat
Courtesy Heart Rate Reviews
Posted July 4, 2001