Sandy M’s review of The Earl Takes a Fancy (Sins for All Seasons, Book 5) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 31 Mar 20
Fancy Trewelove grew up in a family that was poor in material things but bursting with love. Her siblings are all by-blows, whom her mother raised, of the aristocracy. She is the only child of her mother’s womb, the youngest, and the one the entire family protects no matter what. They even want for her to marry well, despite her humble and scandalous beginnings. Fancy just wants love from a suitor she hopes to find at her come-out. Funny how life always throws curve balls when least expected.
Because she loves to read and has always wanted to own a bookstore, Fancy’s dream has come true by way of her brother Mick, who owns property and is revamping a poorer section of London. One day out of the blue a handsome gentleman enters her store, and he then returns again and again. For the longest time Fancy enjoys talking with Matthew, all the while her debut is coming up fast and she’s both looking forward to it and dreading it. Is there a nobleman out there who can love her and not be bothered by her less-than-perfect lineage?
What Fancy doesn’t know is Matthew is the Earl of Rosemont, someone she’s heard of and would like to sit down and talk to the man about his past marriage. That intrigues him as much as the woman herself, her innocence, her kindness, her sense of humor, and so much more. All the other women of the ton want only his title and his wealth. And because he can’t seem to get Fancy out of his head, he visits her store whenever possible.
Their friendship blossoms, while neither of them realizes how deep their feelings are also growing. Fancy doesn’t pussyfoot with subjects like weather – she’s more forthcoming and honest for that – and Matthew relaxes even more in his efforts to stay out of public life for the time being. These two truly talk to one another, get to know each other without all the pomp and circumstance. Of course, Matthew’s imagination goes wild when Fancy begins to attend balls and she can’t help but compare him to every lord she meets, all them coming up short against her gentleman. You end up on pins and needles wondering when Matthew will finally tell Fancy all, and of course, wonder what her reaction will be.
As usual, Lorraine Heath brings family, dreams, emotions, and love and romance together in a wonderfully told story that will keep you reading to see how this couple will bridge the gap that seems too wide to navigate. There is one more book in this series, which I can hardly wait for, and after that I’m very excited to see what Ms. Heath has in mind for her readers. I’m willing to bet it will be worth the wait.
Grade: A
Summary:
She’s looking for a nobleman to wed…
Though born out of wedlock, Fancy Trewlove is determined to fulfill her mother’s wish that she marry into nobility. Fancy’s keen intellect and finishing school manners make her the perfect wife for any gentleman—if he’s willing to overlook her scandalous lineage. But Fancy’s plans are thrown into chaos when an intriguing commoner begins visiting her bookshop—and she finds herself unable to stop thinking about him.
He’s looking to escape his title…
Widowed just a year ago, the reclusive Matthew Sommersby, Earl of Rosemont, has been besieged by women hoping to become his next wife. Desperate for anonymity, he sheds Society life to search for the peace that eludes him. Fancy’s shop is his one refuge, until the night their passion erupts into a kiss that nearly leads to her ruin—and leaves both longing for much more.
Together, they discover an unlikely love…
As Fancy finds herself torn between her family’s expectations and her growing feelings for Matthew, secrets are exposed—secrets that force Fancy to question if she can trust her heart’s desire…
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
