Lord Roxbury stole every scene in Maya Rodale’s A Groom of One’s Own and has finally met his match in A Tale of Two Lovers.

Simon Sinclair, Viscount Roxbury loves women and is known for his prowess. That is until the gossip columnist Lady of Distinction makes a comment about Lord R being seen embracing a paramour in breeches at the theatre. Of course this can be easily explained since the lead actress was wearing breeches, but now everyone in London thinks that he has moved on from women. Not only does the whole ton believe it but also his father who has issued an ultimatum. Roxbury must marry in thirty days or lose his money.

Lady Julianna Somerset is part of the Writing Girls and she has the great honor of being the Lady of Distinction. For her, Lord Roxbury provides a lot of the gossip in her column with his door of revolving women. So when she writes about his sexual preferences taking a turn down another path she isn’t surprised to finding him storming into The Weekly’s office demanding a retraction and an apology. What did surprise her is her reaction to Roxbury.

Julianna had a bad marriage to Lord Somerset who acted just like Lord Roxbury. He was a rake and a charmer who ultimately broke her heart with his infidelities, along with leaving her without much money when he died. So when Julianna finds herself tempted by Roxbury she refuses to accept it. But Roxbury is not giving up that easily. He is attracted to her and despite her attempts at ruining his reputation he decides that two can play at that game. He needs her to clear his name to keep his money but since no woman will be seen with him he decides that Lady Julianna will do.

My favorite scene is one that involves a drunken Roxbury singing bawdy songs outside Julianna’s house in the middle of the night. Julianna knows she should be mad at him but she still finds him charming and the gesture almost romantic if he wasn’t ruining her reputation. It is almost impossible not to fall in love with Roxbury.

Julianna and Roxbury are so perfectly imperfect for each other. They are both stubborn and not afraid to go after what they want. The chemistry between Julianna and Roxbury is palpable that I was getting butterflies in my stomach every time they were together. The way they spar and match wits its hard not to see these two together. It is also easy to see that Roxbury respects Julianna despite her meddling in his life.  I found myself rooting for them at every turn and waiting for Julianna to accept to her feelings for Roxbury.

A Tale of Two Lovers is a fun read. There is no murder or kidnapping, but there is a bit of a mystery. Mainly this is a romance of two stubborn people battling against each other and their attraction to each other. If you’re looking for an entertaining and witty story with likable characters then I recommend A Tale of Two Lovers.

~ Jamie