Confessions of a Little Black Gown by Elizabeth Boyle

Mildly entertaining romance

3 stars

Thalia Langley has always wanted a grand adventure with a rogue who sets her heart on fire. When she spies a man in the shadows at a house party, she's sure she's met her dream man. Despite the man's claims that he's a bumbling country vicar, Tally is convinced there's more to him than meets the eye.

Lord Larken is certainly no vicar but rather a spy sent to kill a traitorous pirate. But he didn't count on stumbling across the enticing Tally and the way that she makes him forget his name, his mission and his heart.

This is the fourth book in Elizabeth Boyle's Bachelor Chronicles series (after This Rake of Mine, Something About Emmaline and Love Letters from a Duke) and there was a lot of continuing and linking storylines from the previous books in this one. I would suggest that perhaps it's best to have read the previous books in the series before reading this one for everything to make sense.

Overall, I'm sorry to say that I was a little disappointed by this book as a whole. There didn't seem to be much emotion between Tally and Larken and the plot got so overly complicated and convoluted that it was hard to take it seriously. I also found that Pippin and Dash's story completely overshadowed the main love story and while I'm looking forward to their book (the next in the series, Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress) it didn't say much for this particular love story that it was so easily forgotten.

If you've read the previous books in the series and enjoyed them, I would recommend this book to you. While being very readable and mildly entertaining, it's not wildly gripping or exciting and I can only really give it three stars.

This Rake of Mine by Elizabeth Boyle

Entertaining, fast-paced romp

5 Stars

One kiss is all it takes for rakehell Lord Jack Tremont to completely ruin Miranda Mabberly. After mistaking her for his mistress, he kisses her senseless ensuring her banishment from her parents and polite society.

Years later, Miranda has made a respectable life for herself as a school-teacher, with a new identity that is untouched by scandal. Everything is going well until Jack, now a penniless, humbled but still gorgeous man, makes an appearance at the school.

Soon the pair are once again thrown together but this time they have three matchmaking schoolgirls to help them along the way towards true love. Unfortunately, there are obstacles in their path including dead bodies, smuggling and enough secrets to destroy everyone.

This is the second book in the Bachelor Chronicles series (after Something About Emmaline) although it stands completely alone with only minor references to the previous book.

I have recently really started to enjoy Elizabeth Boyle’s stories and this one really hit the mark for me. I loved both Jack and Miranda and liked how they were intelligent and witty and had some real chemistry. The secondary characters were also fantastic and it was nice to have some meddlesome schoolgirls that were fun, feisty and not at all stereotypical. I can’t wait until they get their own stories.

The book may not be perfect but I have to admit that I really enjoyed it. It was fun, light-hearted, well-written and really kept me interested from beginning to end. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series and would recommend this book and other books by Elizabeth Boyle if you enjoy stories by Sabrina Jeffries or Julia Quinn. Definitely recommended and a 5 star read.

Love Letters from a Duke by Elizabeth Boyle

Entertaining Regency Romp

4 stars

Felicity Langley has always dreamed of marrying a duke – and now she’s managed to get herself very nearly betrothed to the very respectable, very lofty Duke of Hollindrake. But first she has to meet him. What Felicity doesn’t realise is that she has actually met the man she intends to marry – he’s the altogether too handsome, too virile and too rakish man that she has just mistaken for her new footman.

Thatcher was never meant to inherit the dukedom and the first thing he intends after returning from the continent is to tell this presumptuous, title-hungry young chit that he has absolutely no intention of honouring this supposed betrothal. But he’s quickly charmed by her determination, passion and spirit.

She would marry him in a heartbeat should he tell her of his true identity but Thatcher wants to know whether she would marry him without the title. So he begins his ruse, determined to show this unconventional woman that life as a duchess can’t compare with a life of passion and love.

This book is technically the second book in Elizabeth Boyle’s Bachelor Chronicles series (after This Rake of Mine) but characters from numerous other of the author’s books also appear. Despite this, the book stands entirely alone so even if you haven’t read any other books by Elizabeth Boyle, then this book will still make sense!

The story of deception isn’t particularly new but it’s a plot that I very much enjoy and it was written well enough to be fresh, exciting and interesting. You want to keep reading to find out what’s going to happen and the plot is constantly entertaining and amusing.

It took me a while to get to like Felicity but this actually worked well as it helped you understand Thatcher’s own feelings towards her as he too discovered her true character. She’s feisty, determined and makes you want to root for her. Thatcher was a strapping, delightful hero despite the fact that he never once truly behaved like a footman – especially around Felicity! The book isn’t particularly sensual but the pair had some sweet chemistry and good banter throughout.

While also setting up the next two books in the series, this book is, itself, a fine, well-written and entertaining Regency romp. If you’re looking for something fun to take your mind off things for a while then you can’t go wrong with this one. 4 stars.