1.5 rounded up to 2 stars. This seemed especially contrived to me. And the heroine rubbed me the wrong way from the start. Naive, reckless, and foolish are not traits I enjoy in my leads, but especially coming from someone who thinks they're so very 'worldly', but who is actually like, *painfully* not, is just kinda embarrassing or something. I don't enjoy that combination at all. And I didn't buy the development of their feelings either. It also felt kind of plodding. All that said though, I did chuckle here and there, so it wasn't a total wash. ( )

review em breve

Lydia lives her life as a woman of the world according to her. Because of a novel she began several years earlier she is being blackmailed. Consenting to meet the blackmailer out of town she is compromised but rescued by Penthurst. He marries her and learns her grievance against him. When she discovers the truth she also discovers her true feelings for Penthurst.

About halfway through this book I thought, "Oh, no. Penthurst is going to suppress Lydia's bluntness and lack of foresight." That did not happen. The story actually got more interesting as Penthurst allows Lydia her freedom. She discovers what she felt was a golden memory is only a memory, not reality. When she figures out what happens her rose-colored glasses are removed. I liked Lydia. Being married did not suppress her natural vivaciousness or curiosity. She surprises Penthurst with her words and actions. The two grow together and their relationship is very believable.

The Southwaites, Amburys, and Kendale are part of the story. Southwaite and Ambury are very much into what is acceptable in society. Kendale just blurts out what he thinks. He remains my favorite of the quartet but Penthurst is a close second. It was a good story. A good closing to the series. ( )