The Lord Meets His Lady, Gina Conkle
Midnight Meetings #3

I have mixed feelings about this book. It is the first book I have read by this author and though it is well written I found it difficult to believe. In some ways I found Marcus’s friend – Samuel – more interesting than Marcus and would like to know what happens to Samuel and his brothers in the future more than I want to know about Marcus and his brothers. Also, I have trouble believing that a well-born second son, no matter what transgressions he has been seen to perpetrate to require being banished, would actually fall for and marry someone as common as Genevieve…at least in that era.

Loosely based on Red Riding Hood and the wolf with Genevieve in the part of Red and the man she unknowingly indentured herself to as the wolf this story is about her desire to get away from “the wolf” and move up in life even if it means acting as a housekeeper when never having been one. Into her life steps the Woodsman – Marcus did chop some wood – who is borderline alcoholic with a possible gambling addiction who has been banished to “improve” or at least stay hidden till his older brother can find an appropriate bride. They meet on the road, she becomes his housekeeper, they dance around one another, he goes into business of sorts with his friend Samuel, the Wolf reappears and has to be dealt with and eventually the two find a HEA together…I did feel like there was a cliffhanger ending with the couple heading off from their home to his family home in the making but have no idea if there is a book to follow or who that book might be about.

So…there were things I did and did not like about this book. I can’t say that Marcus or Genevieve “talked to me” or that they were people that I would value as friends. I believe it is a book some will love and some will like and some might not like so very much. It has plenty of pages and storylines and characters and action and threads to follow with the potential for another book in the making BUT it is not a book that thrilled my soul or made me eager to pick up that next book when it comes out. I am rather sitting on the fence on this on so…

Thank you to Barclay Publicity and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC – this is my honest review.

3 Stars ( )

A witty historical romance loosely based on Red Riding Hood that includes a feisty and resourceful leading lady with a unusual past and a lord who is having trouble deciding on a future. This is the third book in the series (Book 1 is a Beauty and the Beast adaptation while Book 2 is a retelling of Cinderella), but the novel can be read as a stand-alone. The setting, the characters (both the MCs and the supporting ones), and the plot are intriguing while the dialogue and the developing relationships are well-written and engaging. I enjoy the sizzling anticipation between the lord and his lady and I particularly liked that the female MC is mechanically inclined and appreciates physical pleasure openly. I look forward to many books from this author in the future as well as more additions to this series. For readers who enjoy historical romances and fairy tale adaptations for adults. Recommended.

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