Helpful Score: 1
The pacing was a bit off for me. It felt like the book was more about the secondary characters than the hero and heroine. The main characters weren't together very much so it was difficult to understand how they fell in love. Same with the secondary characters. They all just .. were.
Helpful Score: 1
1st book in this series. 2nd is Gilding the lady
This was a fun regency romp!
England, Regency-era. Gemma Smith had spent some of her earlier years in a foundling home then moved by a solicitor to a private girls' school until, at the age 21, received from her solicitor a letter from her mother. Until now, Gemma had no knowledge at all about her parents or family, but always had a burning curiosity. This is the story of how she sets out for London to try to learn of her parentage and encounters former naval officer Matthew Fallon who happens to be searching for his lost sister. Besides Gemma, Louisa Crookshanks is also a major character in this book. She appeared in "Beauty in Black," also by Nicole Byrd. I really liked this story. Now I've got to read "Widow in Scarlet."
Who is Miss Gemma Smith? No one wishes to know more fervently than the orphaned Gemma herself. One day, a fateful letter sends er to London in search of her long-lost family and her brother--who doesn't know she exists. On her journey she meets Miss Louisa Crookshanks, who impulsively decides to take Gemma under her wing. The meet sets off an unexpected series of events that will elevate Gemma's social status. As destiny flexes its grip, Gemma meets former naval officer Matthew Fallon--who is himself searching for the sister he lost. So far apart in other ways, Gemma and Matthew are soon drawn together by their desperate quests for their lost loved ones--and the blossoming of an undeniable passion.
Who is Miss Gemma Smith? No one wishes to know more than the orphaned Gemma herself. One day, a fateful letter sends her to London where she meets former naval officer Matthew Fallon--who is searching for the sister he lost. So far apart in other ways, the two are soon drawn together by their desperate quests for their lost loved ones--and the blossoming of undeniable passion.