This may be the angstiest book I have ever read. In the top three, at least! Soooooo many misunderstandings, it is almost comical. And the heroine (and hero!) are always leaping to the worst possible conclusions. This is exactly the kind of thing I want to read when I am looking for misunderstandings and wounded heroines and groveling!!!

Upon reread (one of many): there was briefly the implication that Verity is insecure about her looks. I would have loved for that to have been explored too, but this is top-tier angsty insecurity regardless! ( )

I really enjoyed this book. the plot was easy to understand and I especially liked the part of the husband never trusting the wife. ( )

I don't often run into a male protagonist in a romance novel that I wanted to slap him upside the head at least a dozen times!! And his stuck-up 'beeitch' of an aunt?!?!! I would soooooo love to sic a couple of Pitbulls instead of a pair of spaniels at her (too bad Pitbull or Doberman weren't around back then). Not to mention her retched relatives and cousins from hell.
A great historical romance y'all. You can't help but want to protect Varity. ( )

I liked it. It made me bawl almost all the way through. Firstly, I like Big Misunderstandings and Martyr Heroines. Secondly, I like Unrelenting Angst. It's probably natural I liked this book, then.2012-01-26 UPDATE: Downgrading because even while looking at the keywords I can't remember what this story was about, and I only read it two weeks ago. ( )

Verity Scott has lost everything...literally. Her mother died years ago and now her father has committed suicide, which means all his worldly goods are forfeit and he will be buried in an unmarked grave. As Verity is mourning and trying to figure out what to do Max Blakehurst, an old friend of her father's, comes as assists her in honoring his grave in what little ways they can. The young Verity instantly associates this man with safety, security, and love. But he is gone in the morning and she is sent to her Uncle's to live.

A couple years later and Verity no longer exists. Her uncle's family has changed her name and taken her in, not as a relative but a very poorly treated servant. When Max shows up to visit the family he doesn't recognize her but is instantly fascinated by her. He decides to "help" her by offering to set her up as his Mistress. Once her true identity comes to light and scandal is about to set in, he decides he must to the right and proper thing by marrying her.

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed Verity. Many times in Harlequin Historicals the leading lady is a bit washed out, ready to fall into the arms of whatever man is nice to her. Not Verity. She insists on certain things being her way and when it all seems to be falling apart, she's not afraid to up and leave Max in London.

Max, on the other hand, drove me INSANE. He was very wishy-washy, constantly changing his mind about whether or not he loved Verity, trusted Verity, wanted Verity, would treat Verity with respect. He seemed to be apologizing for something every chapter. If I had been Verity I think I would have had enough long before the end of the book. Some of the things he said to her were positively awful.

If Max had been slightly more compassionate and likeable, this book would have been great. He was too much the villain at times for me to ever like him, which significantly lowered my enjoyment of the book.

2/5 ( )