As Luck Would Have It by Alissa Johnson

Readable but with some flaws

3 stars

Returning from a life of adventure and travel, Miss Sophie Everton is surprised to find she’s been recruited as a spy for the Prince Regent. Despite having trouble adapting to the life of the ton, she accepts in order to save her family home.

Alex, the dashing Duke of Rockeforte and agent for the War Office, has been asked to keep an eye on Sophie but can’t seem to do so without finding ways to kiss her. So it’s no wonder that neither realise that danger lurks just around the corner.

This is the first book in Johnson’s Providence series and is followed by Tempting Fate, McAlistair’s Fortune and Destined to Last. The characters all feature in each novel but having read the books out of order myself, I can’t say that they need to be read in order to be enjoyed and understood.

For some reason I just couldn’t get engrossed in this book. That might explain why all the intrigue and subterfuge had me baffled at times. The plot, or at least the machinations of the characters to create the plot, was a tad ridiculous although I’m sure not meant to be taken seriously. Sophie and Alex were likeable characters but I could really have done with a little more depth and chemistry between them. The book definitely got more interesting as I kept reading and I’m glad I stuck with it as I really liked the group of characters introduced.

Unfortunately I have to mention a huge drawback to this book and that’s the horrific amount of Americanisms contained. Normally you’ll find one or two in a book of this sort but there were so many that I was cringing at times as I read.

Having said all that, this is a light, likeable enough read that is worth a go if it’s sitting in your bookshelf. I’m still looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series and will probably look out for other books by Alissa Johnson in the future. 3 stars.

Destined to Last by Alissa Johnson

Light and fun romance

5 Stars

Lady Kate Cole is exceptionally talented, exceptionally beautiful and the darling of the ton. The only problem is that she is also exceptionally clumsy and so prone to accidents that many find it wise to stay as far away from her as possible.

But that doesn’t include Andrew Hunter. The strong, rugged man is barely a gentleman but he can’t help but be charmed by the delightful Kate. When he decides that she’d make the perfect wife his mind is made up. Only Kate won’t settle for anything less than a love match and Hunter doesn’t believe in love. Who will win in their battle of wills?

This is actually the fourth and last book in the Providence Series (after As Luck Would Have It, Tempting Fate and McAlistair’s Fortune) a fact I hadn’t realised when I started to read this book. Characters from the previous books featured and while it whet my appetite to read the previous books in the series, there’s no need to have read them in order to understand and enjoy this story.

And I really did enjoy it. Kate was a likeable character – pretty and sweet with enough oomph to make her someone we could really root for. As for Hunter – he’s my favourite type of hero – a rugged, sexy man who is barely a gentleman and in need of the love of a good woman. Together the pair were funny, sweet and had great chemistry.

The plot was fairly calm, focusing more on the relationship between Kate and Hunter than anything more adventurous. There was a sub plot concerning smugglers and Hunter’s line of work but that really was only a very minor secondary story.

I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed this story and the writing style of Alissa Johnson. I’m really looking forward to reading the other books in this series and would recommend this book for people looking for a light, enjoyable romance. 5 stars.