How to Ruin Your Reputation in Ten Days (Ladies of Passion #2) by Harmony Williams Published by Entangled Publishing on June 5th 2017
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In 1814 London, England, a lady is defined as a demure, delicate flower. Miss Francine Annesley is not that lady. If men were like plants, she would have a garden of admirers to choose from instead of the thorn in her side since childhood, Julian Beckwith. But she would make an even worse nun than she does a lady, which will be her fate if she can't dig up a husband before the Season ends. However, Julian is not an option.
With only ten short days left in the Season, Francine doesn't have time to waste on petty squabbles or knee-weakening kisses, even if Julian's offer to fulfill her every wish rouses her curiosity. It seems men are more complicated than plants. Too bad love bloomed at the most inconvenient of times...
I received How to Ruin Your Reputation in Ten Days (Ladies of Passion #2) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
With only ten days left in the season, Miss Francine Annesley is given an ultimatum by her father. Find a husband by the end of the season or she gets shipped off to a convent. For a young lady more interested in plants than the workings of a ton marriage, this is no easy task.
When the childhood friend she has corresponded with since they were separated ten years before comes back into her life, things get even more complicated. Julian Beckwith is the youngest son of a baronet, but is a wealthy land owner and farmer on his own. Not set to inherit a title or have one bestowed on him, Julian is unsuitable according to Francine’s father. There is also a reason Julian is unable to marry Francine which is a twist in two parts.
This novel stood out from many others for more than one reason. The most noticeable reason is the story is told from the first person point of view of Francine. For historical romance, this is a risk, but I believe Williams succeeded brilliantly. I really felt I was seeing all of Francine, climbing in her skin and living her life. Francine is a dynamic character with hopes and dreams caught in a horrid situation by her own father. The journey she takes from beginning to end is full of uphill battles and decisions that show her growing into the woman she was born to be. I look forward to reading about more of Williams passionate ladies as the series continues!
About Harmony Williams
Harmony Williams has been living vicariously in Regency-era England since she discovered Jane Austen. Since time machines don’t yet exist, she’s had to make do with books—fictional and non-fictional. On the rare occasions she doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book, she likes to drink tea and spend time with her 90-lb lapdog. A feminist, she writes stories about strong women and the men who support them as equals.
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