Veena’s review of My Notorious Gentleman (Inferno Club, Book 6) by Gaelen Foley
Historical Romance published by Harper Collins 30 Jul 13
The Inferno Club and its members have been exposed to London Society. Lord Trevor Montgomery lost more than most in the last engagement. While he was held prisoner by his friend and fellow spy, his fiancée married someone else and now he’s trying to maintain a stiff upper lip amongst the ton. As well as being a spy, he’s young and handsome, which makes him an irresistible draw to the society ladies. Feeling like a cornered wolf, he attempts to escape, only to run into Grace Kenwood. There’s nothing in common between him and Grace, but an unexpected kiss, when their paths cross, is going to have unexpected consequences for both their futures.
London ballrooms are not really Grace’s thing, but she and her father have come up from the country to see if they can drum some sense into George, her childhood friend and the heir to the marquisate from which Reverend Kenwood gets his employment. While she tries to influence George, she unexpectedly runs into Trevor and he is charmed by her and her father as they sell him the beauty of the countryside in which they live.
Trevor is looking for peace and forgetfulness. He is intrigued with Reverend Kenwood’s stories and his invitation to lunch, so he makes his way to the parsonage. Between his unexpected attraction to Grace and the peace of the countryside, he decides to buy an available estate in the village. Being young, handsome and rich, he’s sucked into the local society who all want to court his favor. But the only favor he wants is Grace, and regardless of the lures thrown his way she becomes his lodestar.
Thanks to Grace he sees the other side too – the poor, starving people who are recovering from the aftermath of the war. Most of the able-bodied men of the village went to war but few have come back. The people in the village need leadership desperately that Grace struggles to provide. Trevor’s done his bit in protecting his country and after his experiences of being imprisoned, he feels inadequate the provide any leadership to the townsfolk. However, thanks to Grace and the Reverend, he’s sucked into the village affairs and pretty soon he’s buying seeds, providing employment, and dispensing justice in the village.
As great evil threatens all he holds dear, Trevor rises to the challenge and his natural leadership asserts itself. Heroism is inbred in a person and that’s what Trevor demonstrates as he works to save everything he’s come to value.
This book is a bit different from the other Inferno Club books in that there is no foreign threat. Also other than Nick, who’s book will be next and whom Trevor needs to be able to forgive to move on, this is almost a stand-alone book. It highlights the plights of England’s farming class who paid the highest price for the war without much recognition. I think this tack makes the book interesting and helps it stand out and keep the reader’s interest going in the series.
Grade: B
Summary:
Notorious Lord Trevor Montgomery has fearlessly met danger head-on. Now he must confront his greatest challenge yet: marriage!
Shy, warm-hearted Miss Grace Kenwood knows she is “just” the parson’s daughter, with no chance of tempting her new neighbor, Lord Trevor Montgomery. After all, every eligible beauty for miles around is swooning over the brooding former spy. He’s the picture of sin, and though he once had the audacity to kiss her senseless, he can have no interest in someone like Grace. Yet, somehow, the seductive rogue unleashes her own inner
devil…Every lady loves a hero—but Trevor has no interest in any of them—except for the refreshingly candid Grace Kenwood. If he had a heart left, Grace might steal it. She insists he’s better than he thinks. He’s sure she’s
absolutely wrong. Until danger threatens, and Trevor rediscovers how easy it is to be a hero…for the right lady.
Other books in this series:
