Sandy M’s review of A Chance to Dream (Triple Countess Series, Book 2) by Lynne Connolly
Historical romance published 6 Nov 07 by Samhain

Blurb:

Orlando Garland, Lord Blyth, has spent a lifetime restoring the family fortunes but now it’s time for him to think of himself for a change. When he hires a dowdy companion for his invalid sister, it doesn’t take him long to suspect “Charlotte” is more than she appears. Yet the lively young woman proves to be good for his sister. And Orlando can’t ignore the seductive beauty behind the disguise.

Violetta Palagio’s mask has never chafed before—until now. She longs for the freedom to love the handsome Orlando. Yet to reveal herself would be disastrous for them both. She is La Perla Perfetta, the daughter of London’s most successful courtesan. For most of her life, her mother has cleverly kept Violetta’s identity a secret. Will she risk all that, now the threat that kept them in disguise for so long is finally gone?

For the first time in her life, Violetta is in love. Can she find the courage to come out from behind the mask?

And if she does, will Orlando chance everything he has worked so hard to rebuild—for a courtesan’s daughter?

Read an excerpt.

This is the first time I’ve not totally loved a book by Lynne Connolly. Don’t get me wrong, I liked this book, but to me it’s just not as good as her others I’ve read in the past. And I’m not sure I can put my finger on exactly why. I just didn’t have that same feeling of ‘Wow!’ when I finished this book as I did with, say, Wicked Intentions.

Lord Blyth is a handsome, wealthy earl; he’s family oriented, taking care of his sister after her unfortunate accident, which brings Violetta to his home. He is astute enough to realize there’s something more to his sister’s companion and he eventually figures it all out, and that’s when the crux of the problem in the story really comes to the forefront. Lovers who cannot be together because one’s reputation will the ruin the other.

There are touching moments in the book. There are those moments of misunderstanding or simply anger between the hero and heroine and they refuse to see each other until one can’t live without the other any longer. There are all those moments we long for in romance. There is secrecy. There is deception. There is villainy. There is, of course, love.

Why then did I have an unusual reaction to this book? Thinking about it now, I realize it’s the chemistry between Orlando and Violetta. While there was enough chemistry to attract them to one another, I didn’t feel it was consistent throughout the book. I found myself asking, “Why did he do that?” or “She can’t mean that” as I read along. I felt the lead characters just didn’t fit one another all that well in enough places for me. This surprised me because Ms. Connolly’s heroes and heroines are usually a delight to read. However, I do need more chemistry for me to go all the way with a leading couple.

But those of you reading this review, please do read this book and decide for yourselves. You may find a jewel within its pages. Let me know what you think. I know Ms. Connolly is a very good writer. She has a richness to her writing that I enjoy and that’s what saved this book from being graded lower. I will definitely continue to read her books. This one just didn’t hit the spot for me.

Grade: C+