Tabs’ review of Lord Dashwood Missed Out (Spindle Cove, Book 4.5) by Tessa Dare
Regency Romance published by Avon Impulse 8 Dec 2015
Oh, Spindle Cove. I didn’t realize how much I much I missed you until I got to return to you. In this ridiculously delightful novella, the residents of Spindle Cove anxiously await the arrival of authoress Elinora Browning, while said authoress finally has it out with the source of her inspiration. You see, Nora has become rather famous for writing a feminist-manifesto-of-sorts entitled “Lord Ashwood Missed Out” that was definitely inspired by one Lord Dashwood. When Nora and Dash find themselves stuck in the same carriage and then snowbound together, the inevitable confrontation ensues.
Nora and Dash grew up in neighboring estates, took lessons together, and were genuinely fond of each other. It was assumed that they would eventually marry, until Dash acted like a total butthead and left for a life at sea as a cartographer’s assistant without so much as a by-your-leave. Heartsick, Nora got wasted on sherry and wrote a rallying cry for women to not pin all of their hopes and dreams on men that was eventually published.
Nora and Dash are freaking great together. Dash is pretty arrogant and haughty while commanding Nora to tell him what exactly he missed out on. Nora, however, doesn’t buckle under the pressure. She gives as good as she gets. Dash also does a good job of apologizing for his buttheadedness and explaining his motivations.
“Trust me, I know how it stings when someone tells you the truth about yourself. It’s like catching a glimpse of your reflection in a looking glass when you’re not prepared. Intolerable.”
Grade: A
Summary:
A snowstorm hath no fury like a spinster scorned!
Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord-next-door…but he left England without a word of farewell. One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Out was a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen—and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself.
And he finally seems to have noticed her.
George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir–only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen.Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.
She has one night.
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