The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne

October 15, 2012
Until its final quarter, this English historical romance, set in 1822, from Fresina (The Improper Miss Sophie Valentine) shines. James Hartley and Ellie Vyne share a magnificent kiss while in disguise during a masquerade ball. He doesn’t recognize her, but she knows him as a heartless Hartley, whose family has feuded with hers for a generation. The free-thinking Ellie has a partly undeservedly fast reputation, although she does gamble disguised as a French count to fleece the gentry and pay the bills. When she wins the Hartley diamonds from James’s mistress, a romantic farce begins, complicated by a man also masquerading as Ellie’s French count. James and Ellie banter and quibble with comic perfection, and his wry valet and a 13-year-old titled lady. with a flair for the dramatic add more humor. But as the book nears the conclusion, issues of trust vex the couple. Their sexy to-and-fro turns tedious and the narrative becomes workmanlike.

December 1, 2012
Fresina's very strong follow-up to The Most Improper Sophie Valentine (2012) follows the story of James Hartley, the jilted fianc' from the first title. It also features Ellie Vyne, who disguises herself as the card-cheating Count De Bonneville to keep her family afloat financially. James believes Ellie is the count's mistress, and he pursues her into the country to reclaim a diamond necklace the count won. That brings him into Sophie's life again, and he begins to realize that the nephew who lives with his old fianc'e looks a lot like him. The sparring and chemistry between Ellie and James sparks off the page as they make a surprising and sexy bargain. Readers will enjoy the resolution of secrets from the first book as well, though this title can certainly stand on its own. British author Fresina brings a unique voice and perspective to the 1820s romance novel. Fans of Grace Burrowes and Amanda Quick will especially appreciate Fresina's intriguing characters and humor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)