Drunken ruination was hilarious. I grew to really like the characters. Love felt really rushed. ( )

5 stars. I loved it. I loved the humor between the H and the h. They were so perfect for each other. And, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding The Man About Town. This was just a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. ( )

5 stars. I loved it. I loved the humor between the H and the h. They were so perfect for each other. And, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding The Man About Town. This was just a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. ( )

Lady Julianna Somerset is a young widow supporting herself in 19th century London as a gossip columnist (identity hush-hush, of course). Lord Simon Roxbury is a rake notorious for his skills at seduction. When Roxbury's father issues an ultimatum that his son either marry within a month or be cut off, it unfortunately coincides with a juicy piece of gossip in Lady Somerset's column that shuts the doors of high society firmly in Roxbury's face. Then Julianna and Roxbury quickly engage in a love-hate relationship that was just great fun to watch. A bit predictable in the big picture (not really a criticism of a romance, unless one wants to criticize the whole genre) but often surprising in the particular events. A touch repetitive, but not annoyingly so. Rodale's characters are a hoot (one of my favorite things about this book is that it's believable when the characters (inevitably) turn the corner from loathing to loving. It's not the deepest character study I've ever seen, but the development is there), and the bits of newspaper gossip we get feel deliciously of the time. A mystery about the identity of a rival gossip columnist adds just enough interest beyond the romance between the principles. Delightfully fun. ( )

3.5 Stars

This was a solidly written, moderately steamy, historical romance. It was unique and adventurous. The main characters, Julianna and Simon, are fun to read. Both are witty and multi-layered. They spar and torment each other- then begin to secretly mutually respect and desire one another. It's a lovely seduction. By the end they have both truly and deeply fallen in love. This is a smart, sexy and a delightful tale to read. ( )