I’m always a little wary of reading a book in a long running series. Even if I’ve read other books in the series, I just don’t remember books that closely, especially when I might have read 40 or 50 other books since I last picked up the series. I think authors assume readers have an encyclopedic memory for their previous characters. But still, this book was highly recommended…
A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long
(2012, Regency Historical) 1/14/13
Grade: 4
Evie Duggan is at loose ends after the death of her husband, the Earl. Her past as an opera dancer and courtesan does not help her fit in the small town of Pennyroyal Green. But Vicar Adam Sylvaine agrees to help her find friends – if she can avoid the distraction of such an attractive minister. Adam is equally attracted to Evie, but he can’t give in to temptation… even as he learns that Evie is much more than she seems.
This book was slow to get started, but in the end the romance was sweet and satisfying. I’ve read other Pennyroyal Green books, but obviously I don’t remember then as well as the author expects me to, because I couldn’t place the many characters from previous books that keep appearing in the story without explanation. Once I got past that, I found myself more intrigued by the relationship between Evie and Adam, and Evie’s attempts to fit into village life. This is actually the third book I’ve read this year featuring a vicar hero, but I think it was the best developed, even if the storyline was familiar. I enjoyed the heroine’s attempts to help the women in the village and the glimpses of her back story. The interactions between the hero and heroine were both romantic and sensual. The book suffered from some pacing problems – the ending also seemed abrupt and a bit unrealistic – but overall this was an enjoyable read.
I was surprised I’d read so many minister romances in the past year since it’s a fairly unusual plotline, but maybe it’s having a moment? The other two were Hot Under the Collar by Jackie Barbarosa (2012) and To Love and To Cherish by Patricia Gaffney (1995). All three of them with essentially the same plot – a vicar learns to love a “bad” girl. It would be interesting to read a minister romance that doesn’t feature that plot – the only one I can think of is Gift of Daisies by Mary Balogh and even that one is somewhat similar.
Karen Wheless
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