Publisher: Kensington Books / Zebra
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Regency
Publication: August 30, 2016My Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher on NetGalley
Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.
Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?
Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?
**I received a free eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Instead of playing the pianoforte or doing needlework, Gillian prefers hunting bandits as a pastime. And she's pretty good at it.
Gillian is also a bastard, which makes things very difficult for her. She's a walking scandal, just for existing, so she's had to learn not to care about what people think, and she's not afraid of being herself.
I have to say that I really liked Gillian. At first I wasn't so sure about her, since I thought she behaved like a spoiled brat, but after we learn more of her story and see how the people of the ton treat her, you start to understand her behavior.
Penley, on the other hand, is excessively proper, which is why Gillian's family asks for his help to teach her how to behave like a lady, so that she can find a husband and escape all the awful men who wouldn't mind to bring her down and ruin her.
The relationship between Gillian and Penley is very sweet and funny. They argue a lot and get very frustrated (especially Penley, I do love it), but that was really bound to happen, since they're so very different and can't stand some of the things the other does. She's also been mistreated by men, so Gillian is very careful when dealing with Penley, and can't completely trust the man. Although I have to say I was a little disappointed in him for a moment there, when we find out about the feelings he had for a certain lady from his past, I thought he'd be better than that and that he wouldn't be interested in a woman like her. Like... really, Penley? Shallow much?
Gillian also constantly points out that, had she been born a man, people wouldn't mind her being a bastard that much, just like it happens with her brother (who's also a bastard), but oh well. Oh and her brother is actually really nice to her, I liked him very much!
I loved reading about Gillian and Penley, especially while she was hunting bandits. She's very different from most heroines in historical novels in many ways, that's for sure :)
Gillian is also a bastard, which makes things very difficult for her. She's a walking scandal, just for existing, so she's had to learn not to care about what people think, and she's not afraid of being herself.
I have to say that I really liked Gillian. At first I wasn't so sure about her, since I thought she behaved like a spoiled brat, but after we learn more of her story and see how the people of the ton treat her, you start to understand her behavior.
Penley, on the other hand, is excessively proper, which is why Gillian's family asks for his help to teach her how to behave like a lady, so that she can find a husband and escape all the awful men who wouldn't mind to bring her down and ruin her.
The relationship between Gillian and Penley is very sweet and funny. They argue a lot and get very frustrated (especially Penley, I do love it), but that was really bound to happen, since they're so very different and can't stand some of the things the other does. She's also been mistreated by men, so Gillian is very careful when dealing with Penley, and can't completely trust the man. Although I have to say I was a little disappointed in him for a moment there, when we find out about the feelings he had for a certain lady from his past, I thought he'd be better than that and that he wouldn't be interested in a woman like her. Like... really, Penley? Shallow much?
Gillian also constantly points out that, had she been born a man, people wouldn't mind her being a bastard that much, just like it happens with her brother (who's also a bastard), but oh well. Oh and her brother is actually really nice to her, I liked him very much!
I loved reading about Gillian and Penley, especially while she was hunting bandits. She's very different from most heroines in historical novels in many ways, that's for sure :)
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
Thank you for reading! ♥
I have never read a historical novel, I don't really like change when it comes to books and stick with the same sort of genre's, but this sounds really good!
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I understand what you mean, I sometimes have a hard time getting into a new genre, although this is one of my favorites :)
DeleteI don't think this is one for me, but I'm glad you liked it!! 😀😀 It sounds fun that she hunts bandits!
ReplyDeleteYes, I loved that about her :)
Deleteexcellent choice, I love such stories
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Thanks! So do I ^-^
DeleteOh no. It's terrible how titles of your heritage in the past defined you. But this main character sounds like she learned how to stand up for herself and be confident despite it all, which is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a real shame :/ but I am glad she learned that, as you say!
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