She rose to spectacular heights . . .

From Covent Garden to courtesan to countess, beautiful, fearless, shamelessly ambitious Evie Duggan has riveted London in every role she plays. But the ton never could forgive her scandalous—if shockingly short—marriage, and when her star plummets amid gleefully vicious gossip, the countess escapes to the only legacy left to her: a manor house in Pennyroyal Green.

He never expected to fall so hard . . .

He has the face of a fallen angel and a smolder the devil would envy, but Vicar Adam Sylvaine walks a precarious line: resisting temptation . . . and the wild Eversea blood in his veins. Adam's strength is tested when scandal, aka the countess, moves to Sussex. But when a woman who fiercely guards her heart and a man entrusted with the souls of an entire town surrender to a forbidden desire, will the sweetest sin lead them to heaven . . . or make outcasts of them forever?

Series: Pennyroyal Green

Review

A countess trying to escape her past. A vicar trying to lead his flock. What happens when disaster meets a solid rock? Only two choices exist: break or bend.

Evie Duggan, Countess of Wareham, is no longer the actress, the mistress, or the woman auctioned in a card game for marriage. She just wants to forget the past, and belong somewhere. In fact, she needs friends. So when she asks the Vicar to help her she knows desperation has finally hit. Vicar Adam Sylvaine is hot to trot. He’s the McDreamy of Pennyroyal Green and the man every single, eligible woman wants, Adam’s just not interested… until a certain widow arrives.

I loved Evie’s imperfect self. She’s absolutely marvelous at being a person you’re desperate to feel sympathy for and at the same time you despise her just a bit. I found myself have this hate/love warring feeling through most of the book. I do believe she redeemed herself in the end, but ultimately I didn’t feel like she grew enough. She changes very little, rather allowing parts of her that were dormant emerge, which to me isn’t growth. Yet I still liked her. I could relate to Evie’s desires to do good, and the equal parts of bad girl within. Yes, the girl is a sinner.

Adam is another example of an imperfect soul. He tries so hard to do the right thing, the noble thing, but when put against Evie’s good looks and her corrupting personality he finds himself no match. I loved how Adam was strong willed though. He was ultimately a good man, and like all good men he falls. His ability to grow was found through his acceptance that he need not be perfect. These two main characters kept me fully engaged for the entire book. I found myself desperate to reach the end, and unable to set my Kindle down.

With a flush of additional humorous characters, and situations to make me laugh and cry, Long provides another Pennyroyal Green tale to ensnare. There are a few more tidbits in the Olivia and Lyon debacle, scandalous women, and an appearance from additional Everseas, since Adam is there cousin. I also enjoyed getting to know more of the locals to Pennyroyal Green, especially a rambunctious group of children that would send most people running for the hills.

Long continues to be a master of strong dialogue, and challenging conflicts. She takes on some of the most difficult scenarios and I have to say I didn’t know how entertaining a romance with a vicar could be. If Long’s writing more of them, I’ll purchase ‘em.

Overall, A Notorious Countess Confesses is another delicious addition to the Pennyroyal Green series and probably my favorite Long release for 2012.  

Reviewed by Landra

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