I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Reluctant Countess
on January 14, 2013 and has 316 pages.
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I read this sweet romance set in Regency England in an ARC provided by the publisher.
My Take
Vella has a nice lyrical turn of phrase that makes this a sweet read. And she’s obviously done some homework on dress, manners, and society for her novel. Her characterization was well-done with a nice range from the totally sweet and thoughtful Sophie to the completely wicked Jack. Patrick’s character was different from the usual which made a nice change and Vella’s depiction of many of the catty women in the ton…well, too true to life that was.
I did enjoy the insight we had on Patrick’s developing emotions with just the right amount of frustration and enough curiosity to continue to pursue Sophie. He seemed a little too quick to capitulate, but that’s the worst I can say of him. I suspect this is the start of a series with Sumner being next. And I’ll look forward to reading more Vella.
Not much drama, although Vella does pull me in with wanting to know what the big secret is about Sophie and Letty. And, of course, there’s the kidnappings that make life exciting. The whole bit with Sophie insisting on coming along was a somewhat irritating cliché, but at least Vella tarted it up a bit. Kind of hard to miss picking out Mary and Timothy when they’re the only ones tied up.
My Whines…
I could hope for a more expressive reaction from Sophie than “ooooh”. What’s with the walking on her hands in a public park? I could see her doing it inside the house, but a park??
Hmmm, when I finally learned the big secret, I was annoyed that it was such a nothing excuse for the drama about it. Sure, it could be considered scandalous, I suppose. But there’s nothing illegal about it. The way Sophie and Lettie are carrying on, I figured it was a scam or something.
Oops, Patrick has really blown it with that line about her previous line of work. I’m confused about how Myles is to get his comeuppance if Patrick and Sumner are letting him go. Or are they? It’s rather confusing at the end.
Vella does need to research the proper formatting for titles and how nobles are addressed.
The Story
Lord Carstairs died ten years ago and hadn’t thought to provide for Letty, and fortunately, her brother Melton took her in. Together, the they forged a plan to provide for all of them.
The only problem is that the late earl, Letty’s brother, died three days after Patrick saw him. There was no wife, no son. Only the weasel of a nephew who would inherit his fortune. Not his title?
Intrigued, Patrick pursues the lovely countess, but whether to unmask her or bed her, even he isn’t sure.
Then blackmailing notes arrive and Timmy is kidnapped. It seems a bit of Sophie’s mysterious past has risen and all may yet be lost.
The Characters
Sophie, the former Sophie Beams, a maid at the Earl of Montmouth’s country estate, is now the Countess of Monmouth. She and her son Timothy have traveled with Lady [Letitia] Carstairs, her friend and sister-in-law, to London for the season. Jenny is Sophie’s maid. Robbie is the coachman.
Patrick, the Earl of Coulter, and his friend, Sumner, used to spy for the Foreign Office. His town servants include Fletcher as butler and Scully as his coachman. The servants at his country estate include Ribble, the butler; Mrs. Pitt, the housekeeper; John the Coachman; and, Mrs. Gumbrill is the grumpy cook.
Growing up as he did, Patrick has a deep-seated need to help the less-fortunate. It was Stephen’s recommendation that he do so through parliament. I’ll hope that Vella continues with another in this vein.
Viscount [Stephen] Sumner hates it when his mother descends upon London with his sisters, the Sumner Fillies: Lucinda (already engaged to Lord Palmerton), Maia, and Jennifer.
Dominic, the Duke of St. Brides, and his duchess are friends of Patrick’s. The duchess is one of the few women he likes. Lord [Joseph] Hanley is another friend of both Patrick and Sumner.
Miss Amelia Pette also collects dolls. Has, in fact, her own dollhouse. Amelia’s mother, Minerva, is an old friend of Letty’s, and they came out together. However, a horrible trauma years ago has turned Minerva into a reclusive bitch.
Jack Spode is threatening Sophie. A man from her village who has gained his wealth through fair means and foul, he had intended to have her as payment for her drunken father’s debts. Bailey is an informant whom Patrick and Sumner know.
Viscount [Myles] Dumbly is Sophie’s cousin by marriage. And he’s a loathsome little tick. Lord Timpkins is boasting to all his friends that the countess has invited him to have his way with her. Heptaia Willis struck down Ginny, a maid, with his carriage and now he’s complaining that she has made him late for his appointment.
The Cover and Title
The cover is all blues and flesh with a naked Patrick hoisting up the luscious Sophie in her blue satin dress against a tone-on-tone blue background of elegant swirls.
The title is too true, for Sophie is very much The Reluctant Countess. Both times.
