ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE is the latest installment in Claudia
Dain's More Courtesan Chronicles series. Although
there are characters from previous books, I think
this novella can still be enjoyed without having read
previous ones. The main characters in this charming novella
are Christopher "Kit" Culley and Emeline Harlow. They have
been friends since childhood and their relationship turns
romantic in this story.
Emeline has been in love with Kit for as long as she can
remember and her immediate goal is to get him to realize he
loves her too. I love Emeline's determination and way of
expressing herself. I liked the friendship between Emeline
and Lady Eleanor. Both young women are intelligent and are
not easily led by the opinion of others. One of the great
things about reading a book by Claudia Dain is the unique
and wonderfully interesting characters that populate the
world she creates. The stories are usually full of such
characters, but they are all fabulous in their own way, and
the story never feels cluttered. I liked that both Kit, the
object of Emeline's affection, and the darkly attractive
Lord Raithby appreciate her wit and personality as well as
her looks. As with all books in this Courtesan
Chronicles world, funny situations, and witty dialogue
are peppered throughout ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE. Kit's run-in
with a footman is particularly amusing. I can't help but
wonder if the appearance of the all-knowing and always
fabulous Lady Dalby had something to do with Kit's encounter
with the unusual footman. She is usually orchestrating
something behind the scenes to help romance along. I look
forward to reading more about the supporting characters in
ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE--Lord Raithby, Lady Eleanor, and Elaine
Montford.
As a longtime fan of Claudia Dain, and someone who enjoys
historical romances, I always look forward to a new book in
this series. There is always symmetry and a wonderful
rhythm to these stories that make them a pleasure to read.
This is a great series to try for anyone looking for a new
historical romance series to get into. ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE
is a good example of everything that is so great about this
series--the great characters, a fun story, the dialogue is
very sharp and the romance is both sweet and sexy.
Miss Emeline Harlow has loved Kit Culley all her life and is
going to marry him. Unfortunately, Kit doesn't know that.
Growing up side by side in Wiltshire has somehow made Kit
think of Emeline as very nearly a sibling. She is not. Now
that they are both in London for the 1804 Season, Emeline
will use any ploy she can think of to help Kit realize that
he is in love with her. Growing up in Wiltshire, a girl
doesn't learn any "ploys." Thankfully, Emeline is friends
with Lady Eleanor Kirkland, also just Out, yet Eleanor is
sophisticated and knows very many sophisticated people,
people who can think of "ploys." People like Sophia Dalby,
ex-courtesan and widowed countess.
Emeline is not going to let the fact that both Kit's mother
and hers are determined that they marry into the peerage
deter her. With help from her three brothers, Eleanor, Lord
Raithby, and Sophia, Kit is going to find out that he does
love Emeline. And it won't be any accident.
Find out how she does it in this lighthearted Regency romp
through London. This novella is part of the More Courtesan
Chronicles series.