“A refined gentleman, age 25, of wealth and education, seeks the acquaintance, with a view to matrimony, of a high-minded, kind-hearted lady who prefers an evening of quiet conversation to the lively demands of society.”

Edwina Hargrove knows that this “gentleman” was, in fact, Ashton Trewelyn, a rake notorious for seducing the young and naive. In fact, five decent women have already been tricked and bundled off to the continent for scandalous purposes. There was a way to thwart his scheme though—by shadowing this devilishly handsome Casanova and warning his prey.

If only it were that simple. Wounded and weary, Ashton Trewelyn returns home to London from the King’s Royal Rifles, but soon discovers a coded message that has implications to the Crown and his family. His only hope to unravel the mystery lies in the enigmatic Edwina’s ability to recognize patterns. Even as he leads her on a path of secret societies and risque temptations, he discovers she arouses his jaded soul with temptations of her own. Must they risk everything to decipher Casanova’s code?

Review

Edwina Hargrove loves patterns. They naturally appear when she’s examining something, but the particular something that will change her life is a personal ad in the paper. Before you know it Edwina and her friends are on a mission to stop the notorious rake, known as ‘Casanova’, from debauching the innocent.
Ashton Trewelyn was once a rake now reformed. He’s looking to find something in life to inspire him, something to drive him. Edwina Hargrove is the very thing that does. She’s on a mission and he can help, especially since he’s not really the one Edwina and her friends are seeking. Now the pair is determined to uncover the author behind a mysterious note, no matter the cost—hearts included.

This is my fourth MacMeans novel, and every time is a new adventure. MacMeans is a detail writer. She transports you to a place that gives substance via dialogue, character professions, hobbies, and the general methods of transportation. The Casanova Code is an interesting story because there are multiple cultures evaluated, from Japanese to the early efforts of the English Suffragette movement. I thoroughly enjoyed the little historical morsels. I think regardless it takes a great amount of courage, and research to place the information into a story; let alone weave a story around them.

Now to characters! Edwina to describe in a phrase: “The lady doth protest too much.” Indeed, she does protest to Ashton’s charms, but ultimately gives in. She’s an intellectual and a ‘modern’ woman who knows she should be doing the proper thing, but can’t help but given in to being bad at all the right moments. What keeps everyone honest is the handsome Ashton’s struggle to be more than his previously given nickname. So no matter how bad he wants Edwina, or how bad she wants him, he’s determined to fight the baser natures to win her through knowing her mind rather than her body.  This loyal/noble trait of Ashton’s made him irresistible to me, and I would have probably been really un-ladylike when I got ahold of him. What can I say; I like the good boys who hide the bad boy persona.

My caveat to the whole story was that the pacing dragged a good bit, and there was little to no action. No super villains in this story, no mastermind to destroy. All in all I felt this was one of those stories about love progressing over time with no hindrances to either side other than internal conflict and fear of rejection. There was a bunch of ‘big misunderstandings’, with a small villain taking a minor roll. So if you’re a conflict junkie this story is not for you.  But if you like a love story with a slower pace, where love is given adequate time to flourish and grow, with a bunch of historical tidbits then this may need to go on the buy list.

Reviewed by Landra

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