Commander William Jellicoe, recently released from the British Royal Navy finds himself at loose and rather boring ends until he encounters Antigone Preston after she lays out flat a 'gentleman' on the dance floor who attempted to take liberties with her backside. No one is standing up for the girl, but Will can't help but admire her and her rather well aimed punch.

Antigone for her part is done with living her life slowly, advisedly, and obediently not that those seemed to be problems before. She'd rather live heedlessly, wrongly and recklessly. Especially if it causes a scandal which will extricate her from the arranged marriage with Lord Aldridge, and Will Jellicoe with his easy smile and good looks seems to be the perfect scandal for her.

There are books that fill me with happiness and comfort, a sense that everything will be work out because there are truly good people in the world. Jane Austin and Julia Quinn books come to mind when I think of authors who can capture the amazing humanity of everyday people and now I can also count Elizabeth Essex among my favorites.

A BREATHE OF SCANDAL captures the hope love brings to world. Family, both blood relatives and the family you create, plays a large role in this wonderful tale. The accurate and at times painful interaction with family adds layers to the characters and only enhances the romance building between Will and Antigone. It's through Will and Antigone's relationship and duty to their family that we see them for the wonderful characters they are. The dialogue between Will and Antigone is clever, witty, and deliciously flirtatious. The sexual tension is perfectly balanced as Will and Antigone fight against their duty and their attraction to each other, making this book both an amazingly sensual and sweet romance.

I loved the historical period and the very real glimpses of life for a naval officer during those years of peace. Often the hardships are glanced over to focus upon the more romantic aspects of the time period, but Essex creates evocative scenes of empty naval yards and how peace time can also create hardships for a nation. The imagery is wonderfully done, but it's how the characters connect with their setting that brings Essex's scenes to life.

The characters, the setting, and the relationships that bind them all together create a world of staggering beauty, filled with heartache, hope, and love. People are flawed but Essex has created a world that highlights why romance is important and why people all over the world want happily ever after.

The second book in The Reckless Brides Series, A BREATHE OF SCANDAL by Elizabeth Essex is delightfully romantic. I can't wait to see what she has in store for this series and any of her future projects.