Stevie‘s review of Catch a Falling Heiress (An American Heiress in London, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Jan 14

I’ve been really enjoying this late Victorian-set series, especially since moving into a house dating from that era – though not nearly as grand a one as the characters in these books live in. This third book takes place over more or less the same time-frame as the second book and deals with how the heroine of that one’s nemesis got what was coming to him. Of course, just like some of the most successful villains (in real life as well as in fiction), the bad guy of this story manages to fool many of those in his immediate social circle as to his true character. Fortunately a small group of Englishmen have vowed to bring him down, although they’ve been sworn to secrecy about his worst vices: for this villain is a serial rapist and to reveal how they know would ruin the reputation of at least one lady all over again. Jack, the hero of this book, finds himself in rather a spot when he realises that the bad guy has picked out his next victim, so he makes a split-second decision to use any means necessary to keep her safe. And it all goes a bit wrong…

Linnet is determined to marry for love – and to marry someone of her own set, rather than an impoverished English aristocrat – but she has endured one London Season to satisfy her mother. She believes that she has her father’s support in her plan, and so has no qualms when an old friend asks her to accompany him outside so he can propose to her when they’re alone. Before he gets a chance, however, Jack rushes in and knocks him out. Then, anticipating that they’re about to be discovered by Linnet’s mother and the biggest gossip amongst her friends, Jack proposes to Linnet himself.

Jack is happy with this arrangement – he’s attracted to Linnet, and marrying an heiress would solve the financial mess that his father and brother left their estates in – but she wants none of it. To protect her reputation, she agrees to marry one of her former suitors from her previous visit to London, enlisting the help of Belinda – the matchmaker heroine of the first book – to smooth her way. However, Jack’s late brother was Belinda’s first husband, and so he persuades her to involve him in every scheme she comes up with to bring Linnet and the suitors together.

I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the previous installments in the series, particularly the very different personalities of the various suitors and Jack’s sneaky attempts to make them look bad in Linnet’s eyes, while he tries to come across as far the best match for her. I’m less keen on how secretive he and his friends are about the villain of the story – surely there is some way for him to get across to Linnet the danger she’d put herself in without revealing how he knows the guy is a rapist?

Putting that niggle aside, I really hope we get more of this series – there are more members of Jack’s bunch of friends waiting to be matched up for a start.

Grade: B

Summary:

She’s an American heiress. He’s a devilish earl. When these two collide, the sparks ignite a shocking scandal in USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke’s unforgettable Victorian-era romance.

Linnet Holland wants nothing to do with fortune hunters. No, she’s determined to marry a man who loves her. But just as she’s about to accept the perfect marriage proposal from the man she wants, the rakish Earl of Featherstone interrupts and ruins everything, including her reputation, with his smoldering kiss . . .

Jack Featherstone knows all about Linnet’s “intended,” and he’s determined she won’t fall prey to that villain as other women have in the past. But when his attempt to save Linnet ruins her instead, he knows he has to make things right. So he sets out to win this golden beauty . . . and prove to her that being ruined by him was the best thing that could have happened to her.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: