NEVER LET ME GO

Author: Joan M. Fox ISBN: 1590882172 (E-format) ISBN: 1590887409 (PB) 11/2003 HISTORICAL Publisher: Wings e-Press Books
Time Period: Regency

In Regency England, an anniversary celebration, mischievous young wards, scheming marriage prospects, a vicious villain, and a persistent suitor are only a few impediments holding up Horatio Tallwood-Smythe’s “wedding of inconvenience” needed to secure his inherited title. Luckily, aristocratic friends, a pair of oldsters, and a Jack Russell terrier assist the burly viscount’s less-than-courtly wooing of a feisty bluestocking he nicknames “Lady Bountiful.” Unmarried, tall, and voluptuously endowed, Lady Bountiful, Anabel Satterley tries not to fall in love with the domineering, infuriating ex-soldier and forget him. Instead, she finds she’s done the opposite, and he and his wards are never out of her mind or heart. Who will get the better of two stubborn, strong-willed, unlikely lovers?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Horatio Tallwood-Smyth has inherited the sixth Viscount of Wenworth and finds he must have a bride within the year or lose all his wealth and possessions. He puts an ad in the paper, puts the problem in his solicitor's hands and leaves for the country to visit his best friend, Jonathan Kincade.

Anabel(Bella) Satterly has traveled from Egypt to England dressed in her father's clothes trying to get to her best friend Marsipal Kincade's house. They meet on the road to the same destination and sparks fly. She is a very independent woman and he thinks the man should make all major decisions. Somehow they become attracted to each other.

I liked the fact that the heroine in NEVER LET ME GO was not the usual beautiful petite woman. But...I found Ms Fox was way too wordy in this story. The plot was good and the characters were strong, I just wanted them to speak their minds and get on with it. I thought the twins and animals brought a little life to the story, however.

I have read two other novels by this author and she was more concise in her writing. I just hope she goes back to that style, and I would read her again in hopes that she did.

Mariah LeGrand