Author: Susanna Fraser
ISBN-13: 978-1426891465
Publication Date: April, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Book Length: 264 Pages
Acquired by Me: NetGalley
Description Courtesy of Goodreads:
“Left orphaned and penniless as a young child, Lucy Jones learned to curb her temper, her passions, and even her sense of humor to placate the wealthy relatives who took her in. She became the perfect poor relation--meek, quiet, and self-effacing. She clings to her self-control because she can control nothing else.
James Wright-Gordon also lost his parents at a young age. But he became a wealthy viscount at fifteen and stepped into full control of his fortune and his birthright as a parliamentary power broker at twenty-one. At twenty-four, he is serenely confident in his ability to control everything in the world that matters to him.
At a house party in the summer of 1809, James quickly discerns Lucy’s carefully hidden spirit and wit and does his best to draw them out. After being caught in a compromising situation, they are obliged to marry. But can two people whose need for control has always been absolute learn to put love first?”
My Thoughts:
Lucy is a woman who has locked herself away in an effort to survive her life as an impoverished cousin to a family that would rather see through her than recognize her. She’s resigned to being a pawn to their games and whims. She also fancies herself in love with the spoilt cousin, Sebastian, who thinks of no one but himself. Surprisingly, a convenient, yet secret and loveless, match is made between them and Lucy thinks her life is finally settled.
That is, until she meets James--while attending another cousin, Portia’s, pre-wedding party in the country. (Incidentally, Portia is the epitome of wickedness. She’s cruel and calculating – and quite set to marry for money.) James is the antithesis of Lucy’s family. New money versus old money. He’s got what they want and they are beyond too snobby to really accept him as one of their peers. The good part is, he could care less about that.
Then a couple of things transpire: Enter James’ sister, Anna, who falls for Sebastian (and vice-versa – sadly, Lucy is forced to watch it unfold). James takes pity on Lucy because he sees her adoration of said cousin and subsequent devastation. Along the way, the two of them develop a strong chemistry that keeps Lucy’s feelings confused and tangled. Sebastian ultimately dumps Lucy for Anna…a move that brings Lucy and James together in a momentary and heated event that results in them being caught in a comprising position. – Hence, the obligatory marriage announcement that’s set to preserve Lucy’s reputation—and rescue her from the wicked cousins.
Marriages abound! Sebastian marries Anna. Lucy marries James. Portia marries nice enough old man—Lord Almont, who hasn’t a clue about what he’s getting himself into.
Initially, the only hiccup to Lucy and James’ marriage is her control issue when it comes to the…ahem...intimate side of their relationship. She cannot drop her walls down enough to, how to say tactfully, full embrace the “act”. This drives James up the wall – but finally, after some creative imagining, they arrive at a ‘win, win” conclusion.
All seems to be ending well…until the bloom wears off of Sebastian and Anna’s marriage (she comes running back home after only a week of not so wedded bliss) and James finds out that Lucy saw it all coming. The fact that she hid her engagement to Sebastian infuriates him – as now his precious sister is leg-shackled to a life of misery with the man. Unforgivable! Yet, the peace is made and James acknowledges that Lucy’s lack of strength, and ignorance, with regard to Sebastian has left her an innocent to the fiasco. Happy Ever After ensues.
I wasn’t that terribly fond of Lucy—for someone who was supposed to be so strong on the inside, she displayed a lot of self-doubt and lack of confidence. James and his sister were my favorite characters. A disregard for the rules and propriety made them gutsy and interesting. Lucy’s cousin, Sebastian, was a miserable tool. I didn’t touch on his story too much, but he had his reasons for what he did in the book – and not a one of them was valid.
The other characters in the story, with their contrasting lifestyles and family histories, helped to emphasize why Lucy and James were such an unequal match. I always enjoy it when the little guy gets the win, much to everyone else’s shock and surprise. Lucy got the best of them with her match…deliberate or not.
Susanna Fraser’s writing was great with good descriptions and engaging dialogue. The martial relationship issue between Lucy and James was a bit unexpected—but I have noticed a trend in recent Regency romances that involves quite a bit of creativity behind closed doors. So much for propriety!
Overall, the story was good and quite successful in its conclusions. Fraser added an epilogue – something that I always appreciate because it helps to answer the question…what happened next? I was satisfied with how the HEA’s worked out for Lucy and James, as well as Anna.
I throw this title into the mix of my recommendations for anyone who enjoys Regencies. Not a chaste book, but not too far across the line, despite what I wrote about the marriage issue. Fraser covered it pretty delicately.
The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.
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