Veena’s review of The Viscount Needs A Wife (Rogue Series, Book 17) by Jo Beverley
Regency Romance published by Signet 05 April 15

This story is an interesting departure from the normal arranged marriage that turns into romance scenario. Having inherited a title and a country seat, Beau Braden needs a sensible woman to manage the family matriarch and his young ward in the country, leaving him free to live his life unencumbered in the city.  His first meeting with Kitty Cateril definitely doesn’t convince him of her sensibility, but what’s a desperate man to do?

Impoverished widow Kitty has very limited choices in life. She is a lovely, vivacious woman who is being stifled under her mother-in-law’s thumb. Nevertheless, she takes a very daring step in leaving behind everything that’s safe for a chance at life with a total stranger.  I couldn’t figure out if I should admire her courage or berate her for her foolishness. The author does a great job with her feelings as she waits for the other shoe to drop after her first meeting with her prospective husband. With some of the shenanigans at the beginning, I too was not sure if she hadn’t just jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

Beau is in many ways very appropriately written for the time period. He is a selfish man who likes his life the way he wants it and basically wants an assistant with benefits who’ll handle what he doesn’t wish to handle. I enjoyed how their relationship changes and adapts and the little bite of jealousy he feels when he tracks down Kitty’s old friends on his visit to London to find that the lovely widow has her own following of gentlemanly admirers that she knew nothing about.

As they settle down in life in Beauchamp Abbey, it’s interesting to watch Kitty assert herself and wrest the control away from the old matriarch who rules the servants with an iron fist.  Soon Beau gets called to London in pursuit of his duties with the home office and takes Kitty with him to still the wagging tongues about the possible state of his marriage.  London begins a new and different chapter in their lives. Suddenly Kitty is almost his equal, thanks to her previous years in the city with her own circle of friends and admirers. She’s also very persistent in trying to solve what she perceives is the mystery behind the previous Viscountess Dauntry’s abandonment of marriage and child. Her search adds a nice touch of mystery to an otherwise relatively bland story bringing a totally unexpected twist.

Grade: B

Summary:

The New York Times bestselling author of Too Dangerous for a Lady returns with another roguishly delicious Regency romance…

Since being widowed two years ago, Kitty Cateril has been trapped in her late husband’s home, where she is expected to mourn forever. Desperate to escape, Kitty will consider any option—even a hasty marriage to a stranger with no intention of abandoning his bachelor ways.

London life suits Beau Braydon, especially his work keeping Britain safe. So when he inherits the title of Viscount Dauntry, he has no intention of resettling on a rural estate. He can’t resist the opportunity to marry a sensible widow who can manage Beauchamp Abbey for him—until he realizes Kitty is more than he bargained for…

Before Kitty and Dauntry can adjust to each other, a threat to the royal family takes them to London. Soon someone is determined to prevent Dauntry from exposing the villain, and secrets in Kitty’s past threaten their growing love…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: