Lawson’s review of Compromised by Kate Noble
Historical romance released by Berkley Sensation 4 Mar 08
When receiving this book, I will admit I was not very excited. Okay, so I was bad and didn’t even read the blurb until I had finished the first couple of chapters. When you’ve got a story with pratfalls and a little slapstick, but the hero ends up engaged to the heroine’s sister things could be interesting. And they were. It’s funny, it’s light, it’s got some passion and it does have a bit of a social message as well.
Poor Gail Alton is not having fun. She’s been traveling with her diplomat father all over Europe most of her life, but now the family is back in London. Her sister, Evangeline, is excited about the prospect of a Season of balls, fashion and new friends, but Gail isn’t. It doesn’t help their new stepmother, Romilla, wants to push for Evangeline’s success and nitpick Gail’s faults. Gail keeps it all in stride though, because she always has her father’s support.
Gail is riding in the park early one morning when an incident happens and she ends up in a lake with a man. Though she doesn’t get his name, she gains an instant dislike of his arrogance and highhandedness. She doesn’t see him again until her debut ball where she’s been given spirits by an unscrupulous young lordling. Drunk and sick she throws up on his shoes and then escapes to her room. Max goes to the conservatory, cleans off his shoes and is seen kissing Evangeline.
Since the story does come out, Max and Gail are in each other’s presence quite a bit since Evangeline wants Gail’s opinion of Max. Max then brings in his friend Will Holt to distract Gail to get to know Evangeline, but as most plans do, this one goes awry. The more time Max is around Gail, the more he sees they have things in common and that she hides from society.
What was very nice about this story was it took its time. There seemed to be a good amount of time the characters all talked with each other, got to know each other. Some books seem so rushed between meeting, talking, bedding, conflict, resolution. Not that this was a slow read, but the story gave a good impression of a true getting to know each other period. Which gave the moment when Max and Gail first kiss and those other sexy moments truly sexy, passionate and sweet.
Will and Evangeline are sweet characters as well. Romilla means well with her actions, but sometimes she was a little cartoonish. Max’s father was an interesting if arrogant and unbending but lonely old man and when Max comes around to seeing his father in a better light, it makes Max a better hero for it. There was also a good feeling for the time period with the aspects of the girls’ father’s diplomatic career and how it affected their social lives.
One thing that may bother some readers is the fact that Gail is 18. Though she does at times act older than her age, she’s generally the way an 18 year old is thought to be. Insecure at the loss of her mother and unsure about her new stepmother’s role in her life. She’s passionate about various things, and sometimes doesn’t know how to keep her mouth in line with what’s acceptable in society. At the same time, she is not an immature, trying 18 year old heroine who just throws caution and life into the wind.
All in all nice character-driven story that was a pleasant surprise and it’s a sweet read. I recommend it.
Grade: B
Blurb:
Miss Gail Alton is not having a good day. Or a good year. First, her new stepmother strong-arms her into attending the Season as a foil to her beautiful sister Evangeline. Then, while riding her mare in the park, she gets toppled by a stuffy, self-important, too-handsome-by-half “gentleman” who has the audacity to blame her for their fall into the chilly lake! Little does she know that the very same man will soon be found in a compromising position with Gail’s sister.
Forced into asking for Evangeline’s hand in marriage, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can’t take his mind off the irksome girl who threw him from his horse and who can match wits with him at every turn. He’s determined to follow through with his best intentions, yet he can’t deny that every encounter with Gail makes him want to cast propriety aside-and whisk away the sister of his soon-to-be bride.
Read an excerpt.
