When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?
Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past--and let love guide the future.
My thoughts:
The last time I read a Regency novel, I was less than thrilled. The lifestyle and culture of that time was so slow and methodical--far different from our current society. There was hidden meaning in almost every action, and one had to be so careful to be seen or not to be seen with just the right people. So, I won't lie...I was a little nervous about picking up another Regency. I was so afraid I would be disappointed.
Thankfully, Laurie Eakes exceeded my expectations with A Necessary Deception. There was mystery and intrigue mixed with a plentiful dose of romance. Oh, the romance... I tell ya, I couldn't get enough of it. I could picture Christien as one of the most handsome heroes I've read in a long time, and his love, Lydia, a lovely and beautiful member of London Society. Together, they were thrust into danger more than once, and each time, I couldn't help but hold my breath until I knew they were safe.
However, the mystery portions of the book left me unsatisfied. I don't know a lot about the history of England and France in the 19th century, so I didn't fully understand the disdain that the English felt toward the French. I thought that the final reveal would revolve more around uncovering someone up to no good within one of the governments. Instead, the ending was anticlimactic and left me unfulfilled.
All in all, I think Laurie Eakes has greatly improved since her last full-length novel. This was only my second opportunity to read one of her books, and overall, I'm glad that I gave her books another chance. She clearly conveyed the atmosphere of the Regency Era in a believable manner, and I'm anxious to return for another visit.
4 Stars
Southern? No
Sass? No
**Many thanks to Revell for providing a copy for review.
This cover looks really cute - in all likelihood, this will be a novel I'll read. (Thanks for reminding me of it, Christy!)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is beautiful in person--much better than what you see on a computer screen! :o)
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