Sandy M’s review of Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands
Historical Romance published by Leisure Books 1 Aug 06

I’ve been able to keep up with Lynsay Sands’ current historicals, but I’ve yet to read her earlier work. It seemed fate was wanting me to do so, therefore, when my historical romance chat group chose Ms. Sands for their author of the month and I just happened across a number of her books when last visiting my storage unit. So I took that as a sign and picked up Love is Blind.

As usual when reading a Sands book, I was drawn into this story immediately. I’m always amazed at how the really great authors make you feel for their characters, wrap your emotions up in one ooey-gooey mess and keep you turning the pages to find out what happens to these people you begin to love with the very first sentence of their book. Especially more so when I read a book that fails to do any of that.

It’s always more special when it’s both hero and heroine you feel for, not just one or the other or one more than the other. Clarissa is known as a clumsy clod, bumping into things, falling over anything in her path, even setting fire to a few items, including her current beau’s hair. Society has decided it’s because she’s too vain to wear her spectacles. In truth, her stepmother has promised Clarissa’s father she will find a good match for the girl, and since gentlemen don’t like women who wear eyeglasses, Clarissa must do without hers. The old saying blind as a bat takes on new meaning with Clarissa. She also has a scandal in her past that was not her fault at all, but, of course, society needs gossip and they do a pretty good job on Clarissa, the lingering effects still cropping up now and again.

Adrian has returned to London after fleeing ten years ago when women fainted at the sight of his newly scarred face, compliments of the war. Country living has agreed just fine with him, but it is time he finds a wife. Even after being warned off by his cousin about Clarissa’s clumsy accidents, which are quite hilarious when told by a gentleman who’s on the receiving end, Adrian is still intrigued and asks Clarissa to dance. From their first meeting when they only talk and dance, you’re enchanted with the way they seem to know each other, how to laugh at themselves, and how to have fun together, especially despite the evil stepmother’s later machinations in trying to keep them apart.

They come up with secret plans behind Lydia’s back to meet, just to be near one another. Clarissa enjoys Adrian’s kisses and wants more. Adrian is completely smitten before long, which is a good thing when they are eventually caught in a compromising position after narrowly escaping more danger at the hands of Clarissa’s unknown stalker. Thinking she would never marry such a man as Adrian, Clarissa is genuinely looking forward to their wedding, until Lydia once again interferes when she nastily demonstrates how the wedding night will be unpleasant and painful for Clarissa. Even I will never look at a cherry pie the same way again. At this point, Clarissa begins to have doubts about the consummation of the marriage, and, of course, Adrian notices. Terrific scenes of the wedding, especially once her fear is vanquished.

The mystery is finally solved, both by Clarissa and Adrian at separate times and when Adrian is away, so that Clarissa must face her pursuer on her own. I think the round-about way Ms. Sands took to deceive the reader – and the characters – until the end works quite well. Even if I had guessed who it is, I wouldn’t have guessed the why of it all.

I really enjoyed Adrian and Clarissa so much. Their relationship from friends to lovers grows quickly and they have a wonderful time getting to know one another, which means you do too. Clarissa’s innocence is charming and when she blurts unerring sensual innuendos, Adrian does his best to be a gentleman until the wedding night. They talk to each other from the beginning, which is always a breath of fresh air in romance, ending with their individual fears about finally seeing each other as they truly are. It’s all so very nicely and simply done, no crazy contrivances needed. Just two normal people falling in love amid danger and family meddling, but they overcome all and happily ever after has never been so sweet.

Grade: A

Summary:

THERE’S MANY A SLIP…

He’d been warned that Lady Clarissa Crambray was dangerous. Stomping on toes and burning piffles, the chestnut haired beauty was clearly a force with which to be reckoned. But for Adrian Montfort, Earl of Mowbray, veteran of the Napoleonic wars, this was just the challenge he needed. He could handle one woman and her “unfortunate past”. Could any woman handle him?

‘TWIXT THE CHIT & HIS LIPS

Lady Clarissa Crambray wanted a husband, but maybe not as much as her mother wanted tone for her. Really! Doffing her spectacles might make a girl prettier, but how would she see? She’d already caused enough mayhem to earn a rather horrible nickname. Yet, as all other suitors seemed to shy away in terror, there came a man to lead her to the dance floor. A dark, handsome blur of a man.

Clumsy Clarissa was about to stumble onto true love.

Read an excerpt.