What to Read This Summer

 

 What to Read this Summer

Never Court a Count by Regina Scott-- Traditional Regency Romance / Christian Romance

Thank you to Regina Scott for the advanced copy of the e-book. All opinions expressed in this review are all my own and not affected by the giveaway.

Lady Abelona Dreyden, the youngest daughter of the Duke of Wey has never once not gotten her own way. She's batted her eyelashes and cajoled until someone gives in. Her latest plan is a house party for all her friends and one single gentleman to match with her friend Petunia Bateman. Belle plots to invite Owen Canady, a pleasant, charming gentleman of independent means. She also plans to invite Lord Ashecroft, the suitor Tuny claims is no longer an option. By the time Lord A arrives Tuny should be engaged to Owen, making Ashecroft jealous or remorseful. Either way, Tuny will have a husband by harvest just as they planned. Then Belle can turn to finding herself a suitable husband. Owen Canady has always lived by his wits since he was sent to live with a judgmental and cruel great-uncle. Now he hopes winnings from racing his horse Jasper will be enough to buy a small plot of land somewhere and make his way up in the world. Then an evil villain threatens Owen's horse if Owen doesn't bring the villain dirt on the Duke of Wey. Owen must infiltrate the house, get to know the family and guests and find out their secrets. He doesn't consider himself a viable for suitor for anyone, let alone the daughter of a duke but even Owen isn't immune to the charms of Lady Belle. Belle, too, begins to have feelings for Owen. Surely this isn't right? This isn't at all what she imagined love would be like and what about Tuny? Belle doubles down on her efforts to make a match but what does the cat, Fortune, think? As Owen gets to know the other guests, he finds himself in a quandary. Does he save his horse and thereby himself or does he reveal all to his host and hope for forgiveness?

This story, the third in the series, was not my favorite. I knew going into it that Belle was my least favorite of the heroines and Owen was a rogue. My opinion was confirmed only a few chapters into the story. The first half drags on as Belle makes a mess of her matchmaking efforts. The second half has more plot and that picks up a lot more and I couldn't put it down. This one also had a tiny bit of Christian content the others didn't have. There are fewer historical details in this story since it takes place at the Duke's home. The history so seamlessly woven into the story I didn't really notice it but there is a brief description of the improvements made to the estate (technology as in locks) and depictions of what people did for entertainment. The tableau vivant scenes were fun!

I still do not like Belle. She's very young, spoiled and silly. Unlike Emma her heart is in the right place. She has no idea she's messing with human lives and treating her friends like toy soldiers. She's innocent and young. Belle just doesn't really have any idea of love or marriage. All she knows is her parents and their friends are deliriously happy- thanks to Fortune. Belle ignores Fortune this time around. Belle doesn't remember her biological mother or the first Marchioness of Kendall and how unhappy those couples were in a Society based marriage. Belle looks at the world through rose colored glasses. She does, however, believe love can grown. After all Jane was her governess first and the Duke fell in love with her later. Tuny's sister Ivy also let love grow. However, Tuny is more practical. She's a little older and had a tough childhood. She knows first hand the risks of an unhappy marriage made in haste. Her memories of her horrid stepmother must still be strong and the years they struggled to get by when her father was alive, before Matthew made money fighting. Tuny wants nothing short of true love and she'll know it when it happens. Belle also thinks she'll know it but she doesn't. Tuny, though, I suspect does. She knows what she wants and doesn't want. I like Tuny much better and can't wait for her story. The sample chapter brings some surprising developments I don't think Tuny will be very happy with.

Owen is a rogue by necessity. His lively personality kept him from being crushed under the cruel hand fate dealt him. Born to a mother of British gentry but an Irish father, Owen has been an outcast his own life. His mother's family rejected her for marrying an Irish rights activist. Owen's great-uncle was cruel and miserly and treated Owen like a servant. As a result Owen grew up without love and affection. The only being he cares about other than himself is his horse. He's particular about his horse. The horse is Owen's only chance at a better life. At first Owen is selfish and practical. Of course he chooses to save himself. He doesn't have a choice. His character growth is good though, after an epiphany in church one Sunday. Jasper is a special horse. He's more like a son than a pet. Jasper is temperamental and particular about what he eats, who rides him and even who can approach him. I don't believe Jasper is happy about having a lady come between him and his human.

The villain is pretty transparent and really ineffective. I guessed who he was right away but the mystery of whether he was acting on his own or who his master was kept me reading. The cartoonish villain could have used more depth and intrigue. Who is his spy? is it the mysterious man seen riding around the estate?

The rest of the cast is comprised of characters from previous books. The Duke of Wey is a protective father. He didn't know what to do with his girls when they were little but he sure does now-scare away the suitors! He has high standards yet he's fair and wants the girls to be happy. Jane is lovely! She's a fun person and devoted friend to the girls. She tempers Alaric when gets a bit too heavy-handed. The boys, Peter and Thal, are funny. Thal now thinks he's quite grown up and lacks the patience to deal with younger children. Peter is still young enough to find his sisters' romantic entanglements gross and boring. Meredith and Julian are protective of Belle and Tuny. They want the girls to be happy but they know the girls won't be happy if they wed a man who is a rogue, a rake or a scoundrel. They intrude a little too much. Why not just ASK the man about his fortune and prospects? Fortune is as discerning as ever. She doesn't seem to like Owen, or is it Owen and Tuny she doesn't approve of? Larissa and Callie and their betrothed are in the background of the novel. The sisters band together to help Belle and Tuny navigate still being dependent on adults who make decisions about their lives. Callie uses her listening "superpower" and Larissa's prince comes in handy. Prince Otto is fundamentally a nice person. He's not quite so snobby and arrogant now. Fritz, Callie's Count, is and will always be in his heart, Captain of the Guards. He can't help be concerned about circumstances.

The new guards are delightful. There's a minor romance brewing in the least likely place. Other characters from other books are mentioned-some I knew and some I didn't. Grace-By-the-Sea is part of this same world! I need a family tree to see how everyone is related and see the children. It sounds like everyone has daughters but not many sons!

Overall, this is a fine read even if it not to my personal taste. That's OK! There's nothing wrong with the writing at all or any major errors, I just prefer older, sensible heroines to young and silly ones. Don't read this as a standalone though, do start with the Fortune's Brides series. At least read Never Doubt a Duke which is currently on sale for 99 cents for the Kindle version and Never Kneel to a Knight, Never Pursue a Prince, Never Court a Count, Always Kiss at Christmas are the most necessary. I'm missing Lydia, though, from Never Vie for a Viscount. I miss her and want to know what happens to her. She's busy inventing and travelling with her husband it sounds like.

Read this if you like light, sweet romances with a hint of suspense.

P.S. I might be related to Owen DISTANTLY through the Wentworths of Yorkshire LOL!