Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Magic Of His Touch (May Day Mischief, Book 1) by Barbara Monajem
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Apr 13
To date I’ve read all of Barbara Monajem’s short Harlequin Historical Undone stories. Some of them have worked very well for me, and some have not. Despite the hit-or-miss experiences I’ve had, I always look forward to any new short stories from her. Why? Because Monajem is an author who does well in the difficult short word count of the Undone format. She develops her characters without overstuffing her plot. This new story, the first in a duet, does strain my disbelief, but it’s all in good fun and an engaging one-sitting read.
Peony Whistleby knows she’s no catch. She’s too tall, too thin, too pale, her hair too fine and to top it all off? She’s got no bosom. And yet her aunt keeps pushing men in front of her in the vain hope she’ll catch someone’s eye. Needless to say, it’s done nothing for her confidence and now that a notorious earl is coming for a visit? She’s desperate. Desperate enough to try out an old May Day legend of rolling naked in the early morning dew to capture the attention of her one true love. What she doesn’t plan on? Is capturing the interest of her cousin’s betrothed!
Alexis Court isn’t really engaged to her cousin Lucasta. Childhood friends, they both have no desire to marry and figure a fake engagement to discourage their matchmaking families is the best way to delay things. The plan is to call it all off when Lucasta secures her inheritance at age 25. But the charade is still on, and now Alexis finds himself very much interested in Peony. However, he’s a bit worried about her. Obviously she was in that meadow to meet a lover, and the bounder just left her out there! Abandoned her! He needs to show Peony that she deserves so much more.
What we have here is mostly a farcical story. Alexis thinks Peony has a lover. Peony thinks Alexis is betrothed to her cousin. Toss in some magical frippery, including the haunted house where Peony lives, the various pagan legends, and this isn’t a story you take seriously. It’s fun, it’s flip, it’s totally a cotton-candy read. Certainly while I was reading I was easily picking apart various bits of nonsense and fluff, but you know what? I stopped. Because in its way, this is a very cute story. It’s charming, light and airy. So much so in fact that I find the sex scenes almost jarring with their inclusion. I totally could have seen this story stretched out a bit longer and turned into a traditional Regency (you know, if those still existed).
But as it is? It’s still a cute little short story that amuses me. Yes, Peony believes in magic. And, yes, we certainly have a very large dose of Insta-Love going on. But I like all of the characters, I find the story fun, and I’m really looking forward to diving into Lucasta’s romance which comes out next month.
Grade: B-
Summary:
England, 1804
Tired of being paraded before every eligible bachelor, Peony Whistleby decides it’s time to find her true love—through the ancient custom of rolling naked in the dew on May Day morning. But the magic goes awry when she is caught in the act—and by an entirely unsuitable man. And yet, the way his eyes linger upon her flesh ignites a sensual craving that can only be satisfied by his touch…
Other books in this series:
