"Scientific Regency Romp"

MISS WOODLEY'S EXPERIMENT is a cute, lighthearted romp that has an attractive hero and heroine and an enjoyable story.

As the book opens, Geoffrey Rathburn, Earl of Tallis is hiding from heiresses and their encroaching mothers upstairs during his mother's birthday ball. Before he can flee from the latest minx, she has come through the second story window and he is too stunned by the sight of her bare calves to run.

Miss Caroline Woodley, has had a traumatic evening: first, she has punched her would-be fiance after he gave her a wet kiss and then when she climbs a tree to escape, she runs into Lord Tallis. Caroline fancies herself a scientist like her father and she had asked Harry to kiss her in hopes that she would feel a 'tingle.' One of her friends told her that she will know true love when she feels a 'tingle' upon being kissed. Caroline explains all of this to Geoffrey, who generously offers to kiss her to further her experiments. Needless to say the Earl does a lot more then make her tingle.

Geoffrey realizes he is attracted to Caroline, but he must marry an heiress to pay his sister's dowry and save his family from debtor's prison. Unfortunately, Caroline has only a modest dowry and he must strike her from his list of prospective Countesses.. But, he agrees to bring her into fashion and help her find a husband. All the while he wants her for his own, but his honor won't permit his admitting he loves her.

Caroline is the problematical character in the book. At times Caroline comes perilously close to Too Stupid To Live territory, but thankfully never quite crosses over the line. She has run her father's house and taken care of his estate for many years with competence. But, then she can turn around and do something completely idiotic without a backward glance or any regret.

What started out so promising then winds down into a predictable 'will he or won't he?' story line and wondering what outrageous thing Caro will do next. Although the eccentric characters and winning couple kept me interested in the outcome.

Several couples from previous Greyle books find their way into the fray towards the end of the book and further add to the bubbling brew. This was a fun read, that while not laugh out loud funny it was often amusing and kept my interest, even if it went on a tad too long. I liked MISS WOODLEY enough to look up Greyle's backlist, as the couple's backstories sounded intriguing.

For those looking for a lighthearted Regency Romp with eccentric characters, MISS WOODLEY'S EXPERIMENT should provide a fun read.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted May 21, 2002