I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady
by
Sabrina Jeffries
It is part of the Hellions of Halstead Hall #3 series and is a in a paperback edition that was published by Pocket Star on January 18, 2011 and has 345 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Dangerous Lord, Snowy Night with a Stranger, A Hellion in Her Bed, To Wed a Wild Lord, A Lady Never Surrenders, Ten Reasons to Stay, What the Duke Desires, If the Viscount Falls
Third in the Hellions of Halstead Hall historical romance series about the Sharpe family. The couple focus is on Lady Miranda Sharpe and Giles Masters.
My Take
I’m rather disillusioned with Jeffries. While she has never been a strictly accurate historical romance writer, she has at least been reasonably within the time period. Her last story, A Hellion in her Bed, seems to be the start of a downhill spiral that this installment is continuing.
The story is cute enough, but I do prefer accuracy in the culture and mores in any historical fiction. The plot line is also much too thin with absolutely no depth to it.
Minerva pisses me off. She uses what she’s learned about Giles in her novel after she’s promised she won’t. Sure she changes a couple teeny details but leaves enough in that people recognize the situation and can make connections. As far as I’m concerned, she hasn’t a leg to stand on.
Oh please, “Guard’s Bouquet”??? Gimme a break. Why not just make it Axe for Men?!
I do like that Giles sees beneath to the real Minerva, and that he supports her career as an author. Too funny to read how Minerva’s brothers suddenly see Giles as a pervert just because he wants to marry their sister. In spite of the fact that they’ve been “brothers in crime”, so to speak.
It’s their continuing struggles that finally bring enlightenment on a score of issues: his father’s suicide, Desmond’s perfidy, fresh information on their parents’ murders, the trust and support of each other, and the truth behind Giles’ wide-ranging skills.
The Story
Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother’s demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva’s would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes?
The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva’s imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him.
The Characters
Lady Minerva Sharpe uses the books she writes to avoid the trauma of her parents’ murder.
Giles Masters is Jarret’s friend, a viscount’s son, and a barrister of some renown. David, the Viscount Kirkwood, is Giles’ older brother. Mr. Jenks is one of Giles’ clerks. Mr. Wallace Lancaster is one of Giles’ clients. His mother Lady Kirkwood bursts Minerva’s bubble of happiness.
Jarret Sharpe is running the brewery and happily married to a pregnant Annabel and living at the house with Oliver and his pregnant wife, Maria. His other unmarried siblings include Gabe, a.k.a., the Angel of Death, and Celia. Hetty Plumtree, a.k.a., Gran, is their common grandmother, who is insisting that all her grandchildren marry within the year — or they will all be cut out of her will. Jackson Pinter is a Bow Street runner the family practically has on retainer. Freddy, a cousin of Maria’s, must have a tapeworm for all that he can’t stop thinking about food.
Viscount Ravenswood is a friend of Giles’ and the undersecretary to the Home Office as well as his contact for the spying he does for the government. Lord Newmarsh was the host of the masquerade where Minerva caught Giles. Nor is he averse to blackmail. The beginning of the end for Sir John Sully.
Desmond Plumtree is a most hated cousin; his appearance with his son, Ned, at Gabe’s race at Turnham is quite suspicious. Virginia Waverly is the sister of Roger Waverly, the best friend of Gabe’s who died.
The Cover and Title
The cover is all purples and fleshtones as a purple-gowned Miranda looks back over her shoulder at the almost-dressed Giles.
The title is accurate enough for the about-to-be-KC Giles Masters needs help in How to Woo a Reluctant Lady.
