Author Lorraine Heath, of the great dames of historical romance, brings us the fifth book in the Sins For All Seasons series, THE EARL TAKES A FANCY. Fancy Trewlove wants to make her family proud and accomplish the goal they've set for her, of marrying an aristocrat. The much older by-blows that her mother raised had all scrimped and slaved while Fancy grew up so that Fancy wouldn't have to do without. Her mother has always expressed the wish that Fancy marries into the nobility. Fancy is perfectly happy to live a normal life as a commoner running her bookshop, but she feels obligated to pay her family back for all that they've done for her. So she dutifully sets her sights on the ton, with plans to snag a titled mate.
Enter Matthew Sommersby, the Earl of Rosemont. He's fled the ton after his deceased wife's letter hit the presses, where she begged someone to bring love back into her widower husband's life. Matthew is camped out near Fancy's bookshop and is living incognito. She thinks he is a regular bloke. He thinks she's a money-grubbing social climber. But they end up spending more and more time together in service to Fancy's community outreach.
Heath goes through such pains to show us why both Matthew and Fancy are such wonderful people. They commit acts of large and small charity, they are civic-minded, they care for others. However, throughout most of the book, he is keeping things from her, which is not cool. And at the end, there are even more secrets on both sides. Even though they may have some great character traits, I can't say that I liked either of them completely.
Additionally, there are quite a few things that defy the bounds of credulity, and it was tough for me let go of them enough to enjoy the book for the lightly delicious fluff that it is. Fancy is a bastard daughter and somehow also runs her own bookstore, and yet is still expected to marry into the aristocracy.
Lorraine Heath is an author who reliably provides fully fleshed-out characters and a lovely romance imbued with plenty of rich historical detail. While THE EARL TAKES A FANCY did not fully satisfy my particular tastes, it is still a worthwhile read for those who can appreciate a charming romance without worrying about the details.
New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath pens another richly satisfying romance in her Sins for all Seasons series.
She’s looking for a nobleman to wed…
Though born out of wedlock, Fancy Trewlove is determined to fulfill her mother’s wish that she marry into nobility. Fancy’s keen intellect and finishing school manners make her the perfect wife for any gentleman—if he’s willing to overlook her scandalous lineage. But Fancy’s plans are thrown into chaos when an intriguing commoner begins visiting her bookshop—and she finds herself unable to stop thinking about him.
He’s looking to escape his title…
Widowed just a year ago, the reclusive Matthew Sommersby, Earl of Rosemont, has been besieged by women hoping to become his next wife. Desperate for anonymity, he sheds Society life to search for the peace that eludes him. Fancy’s shop is his one refuge, until the night their passion erupts into a kiss that nearly leads to her ruin—and leaves both longing for much more.
Together, they discover an unlikely love…
As Fancy finds herself torn between her family’s expectations and her growing feelings for Matthew, secrets are exposed—secrets that force Fancy to question if she can trust her heart’s desire...
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