Although I like some of Jo Beverley’s books, her Malloren books have never worked quite as well for me as her Regencies. There is always more focus on the external over the internal. But I picked this one up because I love a marriage of convenience story.
An Unlikely Countess by Jo Beverley
(2011, Georgian) 5/12/13
Grade: 4
Prudence has spent most of her life sacrificing for her brother – and now that he has a career and a wealthy wife, he ignores Prudence’s poverty. One bright moment in Prudence’s life is when she shares a few moments with Cate Burgoyne. But then he’s gone – until months later when he rescues her from a bad marriage. He’s now an Earl, and although their marriage is unlikely, they are determined to make the best of it.
This was an unusual book. The hero and heroine spend a short time together in the first chapter, but then they are separated for almost a third of the book. When they are reunited and forced to marry, they spend more time together – but the focus of the book is on the practical aspects of their marriage, rather than the development of their relationship. There are far more paragraphs devoted to Prudence’s clothes than there are on her emotions. The Georgian background was interesting, but I just didn’t feel much of a connection between the hero and heroine. The writing was excellent, as always, and the story was interesting, but I just didn’t find it as compelling as some of Jo Beverley’s other books.
Jo Beverley always finds an excuse to drop Rothgar into her Malloren books. (Or in this case, Diana, Rothgar’s wife.) Although it always seems believable to have them appear, I get the impression that I’m supposed to be ooohing and aahhing like Rothgar is Justin Bieber – “oooh, it’s so exciting to see him”. Maybe that’s what her fans want – a glimpse of Rothgar in every book. But I find it a little silly. I didn’t think those characters really needed to be there.
Karen Wheless
Latest posts by Karen Wheless (see all)
- Love Irresistibly by Julie James - June 18, 2013
- Vacation Reading - June 17, 2013
- The Way Home by Megan Chance - June 1, 2013