Stevie‘s review of Sinfully Ever After (Book Club Belles Society, Book 2) by Jayne Fresina
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 02 Dec 14
I’m less familiar with the plot of Sense and Sensibility than I am with that of Pride and Prejudice, but I was still looking forward to seeing what Jayne Fresnia and her Book Club Belles made of the former, after loving Fresnia’s treatment of the latter. Once again we find ourselves in the little village of Hawcombe Prior, this time shortly before Christmas, although the events leading to the main romance plot were set in motion in a different time and place altogether.
Five years ago, Becky Sherringham offered to trade a kiss for her brother’s latest gambling debts, rather than pay them with her mother’s music box. However, the man to whom the debt was owed considered her too young and so scribbled a badly-spelled IOU on the back of a playing card – a card that Becky has held onto ever since. Now, in the run up to Christmas, the village gossips are agog with the news that Lucky Luke, the brother of recently-married Darius Wainwright has returned after being presumed dead for more than a decade. Luke is the rightful heir to all the property Darius thought was his – but only if he can prove he has mended his philandering ways by settling down – and is also assumed to be the father of Darius’ young ward.
Becky has a habit of rescuing waifs and strays – she already rescued her long-term crush, Charles, after he had a fall: a reversal of one of the plot threads in Sense and Sensibility – and she takes pity of Luke and his dog when she finds them out in the snow, even before recognising Luke as the man she nearly kissed five years earlier. She insists on repaying her debt to Luke, and is spotted engaging in such unseemly behaviour by a local busybody.
Luke tries to salvage Becky’s reputation by claiming that they are engaged, but she’s having none of it, believing that he is too old, and that Charles is far more suitable husband material. Not that she’s looking for a husband, anyway – she has enough problems taking care of her father and brother to take on any more feckless men.
Becky is a great heroine, standing up for what she believes in and unafraid to state her mind – even when it appears that those she cares for have betrayed her. She also has strong opinions on the relationships of others, and tries to find more suitable matches for those she believes to be making unsuitable choices. There’s also a great subplot about missing belongings to complement the ongoing story arc about the treasure that may have been hidden by the former owner of Darius’ house. On top of that, I love the roles played by the pets once again – both Sir Mortimer Grubbins and Luke’s dog, Unnecessary.
All in all a great addition to the series, and I’m looking forward to finding out which Austen classic gets the Book Club Belles treatment next.
Grade: B
Summary:
Teaching scandalous young men a lesson? This is not your typical book club
To Rebecca Sherringham, all men are open books-read quickly and forgotten. Perhaps she’s just too practical for love. The last thing she needs is another bore around-especially one that’s supposed to be dead.
Captain Lucius “Luke” Wainwright turns up a decade after disappearing without a trace. He’s on a mission to claim his birthright and he’s not going away again until he gets it. But Becky and the ladies of the village Book Club Belles Society won’t let this rogue get away with his sins. He’ll soon find that certain young ladies are accustomed to dealing with villains.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
