reviewed by
ANNA C. BOWLING
It's no secret that Jo Beverley always delivers unique and memorable historical romance, and her latest installment in her Malloren family Georgian series is no exception. A cursing nun, an Englishman abroad, and a Papillon dog take readers on an adventurous journey from France to England, with hidden agendas, identities and Beverley's trademark historical verisimilitude on the way to a believable and satisfying romance.
Petra d'Aviero flees her Italian convent home after her mother's death, in search of her English father, whom she has never met. Pursued by a spurned lover, Petra must use her wits and her instincts to escape numerous pitfalls along the way to her destination. Intelligent, resourceful and determined, Petra is a heroine readers will long remember, and her Malloren connection will make longtime fans of the series stand up and cheer.
Robin Fitzvitry, Earl of Huntersdown, finds Petra a mass of contradictions, and a fascinating one at that. He, too, is bound for England, after an attempt to impress a Frenchwoman leaves him with nothing but his recently acquired papillon dog, Coquette, and not one but two faithful (though not always in agreement) manservants, one French, one English.
When Petra and Robin meet, sparks fly immediately, though both try to ignore that. She is supposed to be a nun, after all, but what appears to be often isn't what actually is, as both find out as they agree to journey together. Their falling in love, both the joy and the doubt, feel real and readers experience every emotion along with the sometimes reluctant pair. Longtime readers of the Malloren tales will find this a more than satisfactory entry, and newcomers can feel right at home entering at this point.
Jo Beverley's books always have something special, and no review of this book would be complete without mention of the delightful characterization of Coquette. Readers will want a Coquette of their very own, as this is one "little nothing" who plays a very important role.
