Setting: Regency 1816
Summary:
He’s always been a player.
Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his days in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.
Who will win this game of love?
Enter Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”
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Review:
After seeing how many authors graced the front and back covers of Kieran Kramer’s new debut spouting all kinds of praise and hearing all the hype about her, I had high hopes for her first book to blow me away. Sadly, though the book had it’s moments, and wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t near to what I expected after reading all that praise. This was a light, funny, quite fun, easy read that sometimes dragged and was also very implausible. My biggest problem? Lack of chemistry between the hero and heroine.
At the very start, it is made clear that Harry and his sister-in-law Molly are enemies. Now, I’m a sucker for a good hate-to-love story (think Pride and Prejudice) but the romance here just felt underdeveloped. I just couldn’t see what drew these two together, except for how much they couldn’t stand (and then eventually lusted) for each other. It was one more moment I hate you then next moment I want you sooo bad! As a result, I didn’t feel particularly drawn to them and wasn’t going over the moon when it seemed they couldn’t be together.
As a hero, Harry was just ok, though I didn’t particularly feel drawn to him, like I do with other heroes. He was a bit bland for me. I did like Molly alot though and found her feisty and sweet nature thoroughly irresistible!
The storyline was entertaining though and very fresh. I couldn’t wait to see what would come next in the competition for the Most Delectable Companion. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, exp the other mistresses Molly meets who (as one would expect) had very modern personalities and were not that lady like.
However, I couldn’t get over how Molly was able to be Harry’s fake mistress and yet go home, reputation untarnished. It wasn’t very well explained and ruined the good storyline slightly as I kept wondering how.
So overall, a fun, light read that’s something new in the romance genre but there was a lack of chemistry between the hero and heroine, which is a bummer as it might have been brilliant!
Sensuality Rating: Hot (Love scenes are long and explicit)
Verdict: A fun, fresh read but suffers from lack of chemistry and an implausible premise
Rating: 3 and a half out of 5 stars
Historical Romance Addicts 