Review: Vexed by a Viscount

Vexed by a Viscount
Vexed by a Viscount by Erin Knightley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet, Clean Novella with Gentle Drama

“Here she was, naked as the day she was born, her clothes an impossible distance away on shore, trying to do something brave and daring for once in her life and this was what happened.”

FINAL DECISION: This is my favorite novella of the series. More complex than the others, this story of a woman trapped and the man who shows her that she needs to stand up for herself is sweet but worth reading.

THE STORY: Prudence Landon has always done what was expected including agreeing to marry a man over twice her age. Before her marriage, Prudence is determined to live life by her own rules for the few weeks before her wedding. For that reason, she finds herself naked in a pond when she encounters her neighbor William, Viscount Ashby. Ashby has been betrothed since the age of seven which protects him from marriage minded misses. When he finds out Prudence’s plans, he wants to help her enjoy her rebellion.

OPINION: This tightly written, at times funny and at times incredibly sad story is the best of the series. Because of Pru’s situation, this story is more serious than the others in the series, and thus the whole situation is more dramatic and more fulfilling as a story. I thought that William was an adorable hero whose plans to help Pru with her rebellion are gentle and meaningful and incredibly romantic. I was especially pleased with how the resolution of the story happened because it gave the power to the characters and did not rely on artificial plot devices. Quite enjoyable.

WORTH MENTIONING: Readers looking for a clean romance will be pleased with this novella.

CONNECTED BOOKS: VEXED BY A VISCOUNT is the fourth novella in the All’s Fair in Love series. It can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: All’s Fair in Love 3 Novella Box Set: Ruined by a Rake, Scandalized by a Scoundrel, Deceived by a Duke with BONUS Second Epilogue

All's Fair in Love 3 Novella Box Set: Ruined by a Rake, Scandalized by a Scoundrel, Deceived by a Duke with BONUS Second Epilogue
All’s Fair in Love 3 Novella Box Set: Ruined by a Rake, Scandalized by a Scoundrel, Deceived by a Duke with BONUS Second Epilogue by Erin Knightley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Sweet, Clean Trio of Novellas

This collection contains the first three novellas in the All’s Fair in Love series.

RUINED BY A RAKE: Eleanor Abbington has had a sparring relationship for years with her step-cousin Nicholas Norton. When her uncle orders her to marry a man of his choice for his political advantage, Nicholas ends up being Eleanor’s only ally to help her escape his step-father’s plans.

SCANDALIZED BY A SCOUNDREL: Lord Gabriel Winters, an unlikely half-American Viscount, plans on upsetting his English relatives by returning to America and finding an American bride. When visiting his military buddy for his wedding, Gabriel meets MIss Amelia Watson who is holding a pistol on him. The gun carrying lady intrigues Gabriel who ends up helping her with self-defense.

DECEIVED BY A DUKE: Elizabeth “Libby” Abbington, the niece of an Earl has no intention of marrying into the aristocracy after seeing them up close. On a trip to Spain, she meets Philip and his brother who are traveling from England. What Libby doesn’t realize is that Philip is actual the Duke of Giillingham who has come to Spain with his spoiled brother and challenged him to live for one month without the benefit of their status.

Each of these three stories (all of which have overlapping characters) is sweet and clean (kissing only). They are light on drama and an easy read. I enjoyed them, but they aren’t particularly memorable or stories that I would necessarily pick up again to read. That being said, I did enjoy them. I liked the characters and I felt that the pacing worked well with the short novella format. Each of the novellas does feel different as the characters are individuals.

Thankfully, Knightley ended up writing the story of Nicholas’ younger step-brother in VEXED BY A VISCOUNT. These novellas are all easily read together.

Rating 3.5 stars.