Shannon C.‘s review of Compromised by Kate Noble
Historical romance released by Berkeley Sensation 4 Mar 08

This book was fun. I didn’t expect I was going to be as engrossed by it as it turned out that I was. It’s also that rare kind of book for me that gets better as I contemplate it, hence the A grade it ended up with. There are so many small scenes, great moments, and turns of phrase that I liked that I wanted to spend large sections of this review talking about. As I was running errands today, I found myself thinking about the book, hoping I’d remember to mention one small thing or another. If that’s not a sign of a good book, I’m not sure what is.

I won’t summarize the book, because Lawson did that in her review, but I will start out with an observation. When I was reading the book, and having met Max and Gail, our leads, I ended up thinking about Jo March and Laurie Lawrence, the most wronged romantic couple ever in any book I’ve read–yes, even more wronged than Butch and Vishous, if you can believe that. (Seriously, why did Jo have to marry the stodgy German guy, leaving Laurie bereft and heartbroken so he had to go marry Amy, the twit!) Anyway, while Max and Gail certainly did remind me of Jo and Laurie, they were very much their own characters, and furthermore, they were fun to read about.

I admit it. I love a well-written Regency bluestocking, and Gail definitely was. I only rolled my eyes a little bit when Gail started going off on how wrong it was that the British colonized the rest of the world, because the idea seemed a bit too 21st-century, but for the most part, I enjoyed Gail. I felt that her awkwardness in social situations was entirely justified, and I liked that she wasn’t a completely feisty little hoyden out flouting conventions left and right. She was a very strong woman, very much capable of holding her own without being abrasive.

Max works well as a foil for Gail. He wasn’t really the roguish Regency rake, dallying with every lightskirt in London. I liked that he actually was seen earning his own living, and didn’t go around throwing money around. His personality was complimentary to Gail’s, and there was a nice give and take between the two of them, with each of them winning a fair number of their contests of wills. I loved Max’s sense of honor, and I loved that when he finally realizes he’s in love with Gail, nothing will sway him from that course. There were opportunities for some big misunderstandings, too, and Max and Gail were very adult about them, which was such a nice change.

The family relationships between the characters were another strong point. I particularly liked seeing that the relationships between the various family members weren’t completely one-sided. The characters acknowledge that they don’t always behave well toward each other, but they move on. And yet, I liked the undercurrent of family loyalty that ran strong between these people. (My favorite scene is when Evangeline, Gail’s much quieter, sweeter older sister informs their stepmother that she has just been extremely petty, and the stepmother realizes that, yes, she was.) The relationship between Max and his father also had surprising depth, and I absolutely loved the way that plot resolved itself.

The more I ruminate on this book, the more I absolutely love it. It’s not without its flaws, but most are relatively minor–a few times when a character spoke in a way that seemed too American, the presence of some other Regency-lite cliches, that sort of thing–but they don’t detract at all from my enjoyment of the book. (Well, I do have to admit I snorted a little when the author had some character use the phrase “Good gravy!” but like I said, minor nitpickiness there.) Kate Noble is an author to watch, and I sincerely hope that someone has given her a really hefty contract so we’ll see more books from her.

Grade: A-

Summary:

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.

You can read an excerpt here.