Stevie‘s review of She Whom I Love (Treading the Boards, Book 2) by Tess Bowery
Bisexual Historical Romance published by Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 29 Dec 15
I’ve written before about how rare it is for me to find a story in which poly relationships work the way I’ve seen in real life. Finding a story like that in a historical romance, where the setting and characters also felt in keeping to me seemed an impossibility. However, I was tempted by this book’s blurb and its implication that the relationship between the two heroines was at least as important to the plot as those between each of them and the hero. So I jumped straight in, not having read the first book in the series, and I’m very glad to have done so.
Sarah and Meg have known each other since girlhood, when they were both saved from less than ideal family situations by an older woman who ensured they received an education and far better choices in life than many of their peers. Both have adopted more exotic sounding names: Meg in order to pursue a career on the stage, and Sarah to gain employment as a fashionable ‘French’ ladies’ maid. The women are still close, but neither has dared confess the true extent of her feelings to the other. Meanwhile, both are also unaware that they share a male admirer.
James makes and fits ladies’ corsets for a living, although his desires to lead the fashions rather than sticking with well-accepted designs that are hampered by the senior partner in his enterprise. The sole guardian of his younger sister, James hopes to find a suitable wife – much like the maid he encounters on a regular basis – but is tempted by Meg, whom he knows is looking for a new protector but not for a husband.
When the women realise that James has been courting both of them, they set a trap for him, but it turns out that all three are suited – if they can only find a way to make the relationship appear respectable. Meanwhile, James’ sister longs for excitement and hopes that her brother’s new friends will provide her with more opportunities to see the world beyond their London townhouse.
This book has a fabulous set of main characters and a great supporting cast of allies and adversaries. Much of the conflict within the relationship stems from the sheer lack of role models for James to base his behaviour on – which means he makes a mess of things a few times – while the big conflict is external to the three and results from Meg’s refusal to entertain the wishes of a local villain. The finale of that subplot had me genuinely worrying how things could be made to work out for all the good guys, but the resolution was highly satisfactory.
A series I shall definitely be catching up with and then keeping up with.
Grade: A
Summary:
Marguerite Ceniza dies on the London stage each night, but her own life has barely begun. The ingénue is on the prowl for a lover, but while she burns with desire for Sophie, a confession could ruin their decade-long friendship. In the meantime there are always men vying to be her patron, and square-jawed, broad-shouldered James Glover can’t help but catch her eye.
Sophie Armand has been a lady’s maid for too long, and she’s sick of keeping secrets. Her hidden scripts and the story of her birth are only the beginning. Her nights are haunted by desperate thoughts of the beguiling Marguerite, and of James, the handsome tradesman who whispers promises of forever into her ear.
James has the kind of problem a lot of men would kill for—two women, both beautiful, both sensual, and both willing. Sophie wants marriage, while Marguerite’s only in it for fun, and choosing between them isn’t easy.
What’s the worst that could happen if he secretly courts them both?
Their romantic triangle is complicated in the most delicious way, until a shadowy figure from Marguerite’s past threatens to destroy the budding relationship—and their lives.
Warning: Contains a lady’s maid with secret desires, a corset-maker who knows his way around a woman’s body, and an actress who never has to fake it. Rated for adult audiences only.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
