A RATIONAL ROMANCE

Author: Melinda Hammond ISBN: 9780709084488 12/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD.
Time Period: Regency, 1803 England and France

England 1803. Elliot Malvern, seventh Marquis of Ullenwood is very content with his bachelor lifestyle, spending his fortune on the pleasurable pursuits of gambling and mistresses. Rosamond Beaumarsh is determined to remain unmarried and independent. What, then, could persuade them to plunge into an adventure that carries them to post-revolutionary Paris and plunges them into a headlong fight across France? Only the exercise of logic. The pair embark upon a romantic adventure and learn that rational thought has very little to do with true love...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

It's 1803 and dissolute gentlemen are doing what they did in Regency England (at least in fiction), picking out a less dissolute, younger rake to win their remaining fortune and dependents before they die. Can you tell I've read the setup of this book before?

Rose is a quiet, educated young woman of twenty-three, who managed her grandfather's house before his untimely demise. Her Season went badly so she gave up on marriage. Her dream is to have a job with a gentleman who needs her since he has the same education as a man. No, not that kind of job, but an actual job job.

Elliot, a Marquis, knows Rose can't survive on her own unless she finds being a governess, housekeeper or teacher satisfactory, so he proposes. She needs a protector, he needs a wife to get his aunts out of his business

A RATIONAL ROMANCE is pretty standard fare. The only thing that stood out for me in this sweet romance is that a good part of the book is set in France. It would certainly be suitable for adults or young adults. I didn't love it, but didn't hate it either. I was very impressed by the quality of the physical book. If you are someone who likes to keep their books around and reread them, Robert Hale makes a very sturdy, high quality book.

Heather Hiestand