loooooooved it ( )

Fun romp, I loved the premise of a reclusive Duke encountering an intrepid bluestocking. More than just kissing at the end, but not a full bodice-ripper either, a gentle story about kindred spirits.

Jason Cummings, Duke of Rayne, has a problem, he wants to get married, but, of course, he's the catch of the season. His attempts at courtship end in disaster, his sister is a little too efficient in finding a proper match, and then he meets Miss Winnifed Crane. Miss Crane has one slim chance at happiness, proving that Durer did not paint the Adam and Eve that was in her father's possession.

She needs help, lots of it, soon Jason is caught up in the adventure of his life, no longer the isolated Duke, but just Mr. Cummings, with limited skills and hardly any money.

After a series of mishaps, they reach their goal,to prove the identity of the artist, but their romance is in tatters. A final coda and all is set right. ( )

I really loved this adventure between Jason, Duke of Rayne, brother of Jane from the last book, who has grown up a lot since then. Now 5 years later, he bumps into Winn Crane, a Bluestocking-ish art historian - and so their adventure begins. Lots of comedic moments during their travels through Germany in search of some important letters. The ending brought tears to my eyes in a very touching moment, as well. An endearing story and couple, a good read! ( )

RATING: 3.5 stars-ish.

This is the first historical romance I've read by Kate Noble and I must say it was a good read, overall.

Actually this is more historical fiction than your typical steamy romance set in some historical period. It took me very much by surprise. The premise is a little wild and unbelievable, though: an independent woman in early 19th-century wants to join an all-male Historical Society so she makes a bet with the director: if she can authenticate a painting, she is in; if she fails, she is out. Improbable events abound and she is suddenly on a ship with an English Duke who decides she is too naive to travel alone.

As I said, the premise is a bit out-there. But the entire quest to find the paintings origins and true author is very compelling stuff and it's clear Kate Noble researched 19th century Germany (although it wasn't really Germany in the 1820's it's a creative liberty one can accept. It really is mainly an adventure book with our two heroes facing difficulties and problems and being chased by rivals.

Consequently I never felt that they had much of a connection, romantically. There isn't that spark and chemistry most protagonists have in historical romances since the focus was obviously the quest. The romance part was actually lacking. I wasn't very convinced with the development of the romance which was odd because it was a lot more gradual than in most other historical romances where it is generally lust at first sight. What was missing was definitely the chemistry.

Still I liked this book. The historical component was well done, although the author slipped a few times and had her characters use expressions that are very much American and a bit more modern than the 19th century, and the characters were refreshing - well, Jason, the Duke was refreshingly not just an alpha male and didn't really fall into the general stereotypes (reformed rake, etc) for this kind of book, but Winnifred was a bit annoying at times, although I loved her independent character and her love of books, not to mention her desire to be something more than it was expected of women in her time. I also thought the author tackled the romance in an innovative way (or realistic, if you want to be technical - like I said, it was gradual and the protagonists doubted their feelings and had problems with them). All that was missing... was the chemistry.

Overall, a good book with an interesting storyline. You can tell there is more to Follow my Lead than just one man, one woman and an intense romance; it's just that I'd have preferred it if Noble decided to skip the romance part entirely, or muted it and focused only on the other story. The book did drag a bit in the middle, but overall I thought it was a good read. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill historical romance and very much worth a read. ( )

Another enjoyable romance from Noble. Winnifred Crane has spent in youth in scholarly pursuits, supporting her father's art history research and conducting her own. Now she wants to join the Society of Art History, but none of the men there will believe that she is knowledgeable. So she sets out on a journey to prove the provenance of a disputed painting. Her cousin George, who wants to marry her, is determined to see that she fails. But she has an unexpected ally: Jason, Duke of Rayne, who just wants to marry the daughter of the head of the Society and settle down. But he is oddly intrigued by Winn. ( )