HOW FAR WILL TEMPTATION TAKE HIM . . .
Lady Olivia Sherbourne isn’t shy about speaking her mind, except when it comes to James Averill. For ten long years he has been her brother’s best friend and her heart’s only desire. But when Olivia hears James will soon set sail for an expedition to Egypt, she knows the time has come to make her move. It’s now or never . . .
James has always found Olivia bewitchingly attractive, but what kind of gentleman takes up with his best friend’s sister? Not that he’s thinking particularly gentlemanly thoughts when she appears on his exploratory trip-three hundred miles from home!-and incites a tavern fight. No matter what the devil she’s doing there, it’s his duty to see her safely back to her family. But how safe will she be when every starlit night brings wicked temptation . . . ?
Other books in the Honeycote series:
I remember reading the first book in this series and enjoying it. Lo’ and behold the third book caught my attention, but failed to keep it. While I enjoyed the characters and found the antics astounding, I wanted to slap the heroine a few times, but I digress.
Barton starts the book of innocuous enough. Our young debutante is in love with her brother’s best friend. Except, best friend James, is readying for the expedition of a lifetime to Egypt. James plans to spend the summer with his Uncle and avoiding the cloying annoyances of town. A garden kiss with Olivia solidifies his plans because he can’t possibly get entangled with his friend’s sister.
Olivia, the heroine who never learns, believes her best chance at securing the future with the man she loves is to follow him to the countryside. What ensues is a mess of bad luck, horrible weather, a turned ankle, and too many inanities to name. All in good fun Olivia and James soon find themselves alone every other scene.
Barton throws in a few secondary plot devices to keep things interesting, but ultimately Olivia’s dramatic ways turned me off the heroine. The girl continuously thinks the worst, comes up with the worst plans, and of course always convinces someone to go along with her crazy.
James on the other hand is a hero like any other hero. I enjoyed reading his character, and found myself surprised he could love someone who’d be willing to put him through hell.
Overall if you like hilarity with your stories, in the vein of Valerie Bowman, Kieran Kramer, and Tessa Dare, then this may be the book for you. Now, to see which Honeycote is next on Barton’s list to make a match.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
