"Strong characters and interesting plot make for a great read"

Set in the traditional and popular Regency era, Lady Georgiana and Tristan Carroway, Viscount Dare are beautiful, titled, and in demand. Six years prior to the beginning of the book, Tristan was involved in a wager involving Georgie (her quaint, sometimes un-cute nickname). The wager was innocent enough, but Lord Dare took it many steps further when he seduced her. Convinced that they were destined for one of the great romances (and marriages) of the time, Georgie was understandably destroyed when she learned that the stocking she had given Dare was all the evidence he needed to win the wager. She believed that his emotions were false and he never cared about her at all. So she made him pay.

During an afternoon spent with two of her closest friends, Georgiana decides that Tristan needs to be taught a lesson. The lesson is this: he will learn how painful it is when someone you care about does not care for you. Her goal? To make him a decent husband, albeit for a different woman.

Unbeknownst to her, Dare has harbored feelings and a great deal of guilt towards her ever since he commited his dastardly deed. When Georgie sets out to teach him his lesson, he is pleased by her growing interest in him, but is suspicious when she starts being nice to him. Their heated, witty sparring was one of the highlights of the book and made me eagerly turn the pages, waiting to see what horrible insults Georgie would sling at Dare and what cutting, entertaining remarks he would throw out in response.

Rather predictably, she gets in over her head, although it was a position that I wouldn't have minded being in since Dare was unbelievably attractive, rather sweet, and probably able to charm the pants off just about any woman he wanted.

What was unique about yet another Regency romance (although I LOVE reading almost any book from that period)? Georgiana has to rank pretty high on the list of strong-willed and witty women. In today's Cosmopolitan-obsessed world, people tend to forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, the fact that intelligence and determination are more important than an attractive package. I found her confidence and cleverness refreshing.

What was wrong with the book? There were a few scenes that felt stilted and contrived, as if even the characters were uncomfortable with their dialogue or the plot. Tristan was a somewhat sensitive, educated, and brainy guy, and some scenes definitely did not fit his character. They were too macho and unnecessary (and that statement is coming from a diehard fan of bodice-ripping and chest-pounding romances).

And for anyone who has read Suzanne Enoch's "With This Ring" series, you'll be pleased to note that several characters return, including Grey and Emma from A MATTER OF SCANDAL. Actually, Tristan first appears in that book and I'm so glad that he got his own story. I think he shall become one of my favorite leading men, although that list is so long, I can't begin to keep track of who is and is not on it.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartshorn
Courtesy Epinions
Posted October 19, 2002