A loving tale of true love conquering all; social classes, preconceived notions and stubborn women!

I am a big fan of Vanessa Kelly, both her historical writing on her own and her contemporary works with her husband under V.K Sykes. This third edition to her regency era linked books was not my favorite but is still a great read and a wonderful story for readers who like complex and deep characters.

Bathsheba, Countess of Randolph, is desperate to save her dead husbands family after he dies and leaves them all heavily in debt. So, ignoring her own inclinations, she becomes the mistress of several prominent men over the years in order to support the family. But when she can no longer take the horrible rumors about her that spread like wild fire through the ton, she sets out to marry a wealthy man who can save the estate. When she falls ill, a dashing, sexy London doctor John Blackmore comes to her rescue and the sparks begin to fly. Even after they both return to London they unmistakable attraction they both feel cannot be repressed – no matter how much Bathsheba might wish it. John is neither what she needs nor what she wants and he is below her social class. But the love that grows between them as they fight to repair her reputation is one that is a delight to read.

I made the mistake of reading both Mastering the Marquess and Sex and the Single Earl before I read this one. I say it was a mistake not because the other books were not good – on the contrary I liked them both – but because I went into this book with a less then complimentary opinion of our heroine Bathsheba. As a matter of fact I did not like her at all and I was very concerned that I would hate any book where she gets a happy ending.  During the first part of this book I still disliked the shallow, jaded woman with a sharp tongue and little compassion. But I do respect the fact that she knows her faults and isn't cowardly enough not to admit them. She may be stunningly beautiful and ice cold but deep inside she is a compassionate woman who just wants to be loved. I enjoyed how Vanessa writes Bathsheba’s growth as a character and her development into a woman who I appreciated as the heroine. I still didn’t love her, however.

John, our sensual hero, is a much more attractive character. I liked the rough edged doctor far more than I would have liked him as a brooding peer. You have to love the rustic, dark man who will stop at nothing to reform and redeem the woman he can’t seem to live without. If not for his strong personality and sensuality I don’t know if I would have liked this book.

The plot moves a touch slowly and the conflict was not very evident at first; I wasn't sure other than Bathsheba’s obvious need for money, why they couldn't be together. She couldn't leave her cousin high and dry nor could she abandon the care of her sister but it wasn’t really that dramatic of a conflict and it left me wanting more. The characterization totally saved the book as Vanessa masterfully draws the reader into the lives of Bathsheba and John and gives the reader a reason to turn each page. The characters are deep, well written and distinctive.

The love scenes are passionate and sensual, which fits the tons of the love story well.

Overall, I may not have liked the heroine that much, but I did enjoy the book. The plot theme where the love of a good man redeems a troubled woman is unique and thoughtful and made the book interesting to read.

~ Danielle