Author Celeste Bradley has created a truly delightful
heroine in her new novel FALLEN. Isadora Temple is an orphan
living on the fringe of society, and she's quite pleased to
find herself a fallen woman. It will make it that much
easier for Izzy to collect her inheritance, leave her
abusive cousins behind, and emigrate to America. First,
though, she has to deal with Lord Blackworth, the rake who
ruined her when he drunkenly climbed into her bed during a
house party.
Izzy laughs spontaneously, says what she thinks, and works
hard to earn her keep in her cousins' home. I wanted to see
her escape that servitude, enjoy her first Season, and fall
in love. Blackworth is a willing escort, but he doesn't want
to love her. Izzy doesn't want to fall in love either, since
she intends to leave the country. Then, the unimaginable
happens, and Izzy finds herself trapped even more than she
was in her cousins' home.
I finished reading FALLEN in one day; I was that captivated
by the story and characters. Izzy's cousins' are Dickensian
in their uncouthness, and Blackworth's family is repulsively
cruel. They both have friends who make up for it with their
goodness, and I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out.
The one thing that touched me most was Izzy's complete
change of character after her darkest hour. I wanted so much
to see that strong, capable, independent woman find
something to laugh about again, even for a moment. As I
closed the book, I wished strongly for Bradley to make good
on the promise of the epilogue; that's a story I would
dearly love to read.
I highly recommend FALLEN to lovers of Regency historical
and fairy tale-inspired romances. Longtime fans of Bradley's
may recognize the plot; this is apparently a reissue of a
2001 title.
Destined for spinsterhood, Isadora “Izzy” Temple can only
dream of finding a husband—of feeling his touch in the dark,
his lips on her neck, his passion building with each kiss.
Imagine her surprise when she awakens to find she’s not
dreaming at all! Lord Julien Blackworth, has mistaken Izzy’s
room for his—and he’s fallen into her bed and into her
wildest dreams…
When the household discovers a man in her boudoir, Izzy
pretends that Julien is her fiancé . Once he spends time
playing the part, Julien finds himself falling for the
fiesty beauty. But how can Izzy trust that this notorious
rake’s feelings are for real—and that she won’t end up being
branded a “fallen” woman?
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