Thursday, July 21, 2011

Review of LINNETTE, THE LIONESS by Lavinia Kent

The Real Duchesses of London
Linnette, The Lioness
Lavinia Kent
Harper Collins
July 12, 2011
ISBN: 9780062115706
Historical Romance
Novella, 100 pages
Publisher Requested Review
Harper Collins Website
Lavinia Kent Website




Regency England just got real(ity)

Episode 2: The One with the Fake Baby

Rumors abound – everyone has heard that Linnette, the Dowager Duchess of Doveshire is pregnant. Beautiful, young, with more freedom than any respectable woman should want, Linnette is no stranger to a little gossip. But her friends can’t help her brave the fallout, because this time Linnette has done something naughty…





My Ratings
Review



Sexual







THE REAL DUCHESSES OF LONDON is a series of four novellas. Each of the novellas focuses on one of the ladies, and the political cartoon scandal sheets about her that circulate around town. LINNETTE, THE LIONESS is the second book of the series. The maids for the Ladies are the ones we hear talking about the scandal sheets.

Linnette Sharpeton is the Dowager Duchess of Doveshire. Her husband died four years ago. Then, the replacement Duke let her run the place until he died suddenly. Now James Sharpeton has been called back from Canada to take his place as the new Duke of Doveshire. And this is where the story begins.

James and Linnette spent a beautiful night together eight years ago and he asked her to marry him. When she awoke – he was gone – he had left her. Now he is back and she wants answers. In addition, the scandal sheets are causing her problems and she isn’t sure what to do.

When these two get together the sparks fly! There is no doubt James loves Linnette unconditionally. He realizes his past mistakes and asks Linnette what he can do to prove his love for her. The biggest flaw he has is his failure to satisfactorily explain why he didn’t come back to London after Linnette’s husband died. “I was scared,” doesn’t cut the mustard with me. I’m not overly fond of the beta hero, but James is the exception. The scene with Elizabeth sitting on the couch and throwing herself at him is comical.

Linnette couldn’t live without James, but she couldn’t live with him either. She couldn’t trust him. He left her once, he would do it again. They just have to talk; to discuss things. James has to stop changing the subject; distracting her. They eventually do get around to discussing the situation. In the meantime, James distracts Linnette on a table while Linnette distracts James at the Opera. I really enjoyed the way these two would banter in their conversations; get angry with each other, pout, but not give up on love.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a novella like this one. While I didn’t feel I missed anything from not reading the first one, it may have added something (?), but what I don’t know. This is truly a series To Be Continued…… Yes, it does have an HEA, but I didn’t like the way it ended. Even though I know why it ended the way it did. Still….



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