One Hour, one waltz, and several passionate, unforgettable kisses….There was only one time in her life that Lady Claresta Copeland enjoyed the freedom of nobody knowing who she was—when she attended a masquerade ball disguised as Juliet. There, she met her Romeo. The romance lasted not above an hour before her maid yanked her away but Claresta cherished that night and thought never to see her … thought never to see her Romeo again, until he appeared before her in London.
When a truth comes to light…
Donovan MacGregor had come to London to distance himself from his intrusive family, carve out a place for himself outside of Scotland, and eradicate Juliet from his mind and dreams. What he hadn’t expected was to meet her once again in England, and certainly not in Society. Nor had he anticipated that in truth, she was a lady.
What will happen when Donovan finds out the true identity of his Juliet?
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When Lady Claresta Copeland sneaks into the masquerade ball in Edinburgh being held by Madame Marseille, she has not idea that it is a courtesan’s ball or that the men invited are looking for mistresses! Donovan MacGregor is getting ready to leave when he sees her – she is dressed as Juliet and has an air of innocence – he approaches her, quotes Romeo and Juliet, they share a waltz and a kiss before her maid drags her away.
A year later, Donovan needs to get away from Scotland, he decides to head to London to oversea the family’s whisky business and to hopefully some relief from the restlessness he has suffered. His family thinks it is because the woman he loved, Mary Grant is returning home, widowed. At one time, he thought he loved her, but she loved him as a friend and married another. But the truth is, it is not Mary that haunts him, it is Juliet. So, imagine his surprise when he finds her at a ball his first night in town! He is surprised and a bit torn, he wanted to find her, but it is clear his Juliet is no light-skirt and Donovan doesn’t want a wife!
Claresta asks Donovan to dance when it is clear that he recognizes her. Claresta has dreamed of her Romeo and no other man has even come close to capturing her interest as he did. But she needs to talk to him and see if he will keep her secret, if he doesn’t’ she will be ruined! Claresta has longed to meet a man that loves her for herself and not the connections her father the Duke of Ellings will bring him. So when she talks to Donovan, she doesn’t tell him who she is and is able keep it secret since her parents are in the country and she is staying with her married cousin. Donovan might not want a wife, but he can’t seem to stay away from Claresta and she is just as captivated as he is. But there is someone who is not willing to let Donovan and Claresta find their HEA and will stop at nothing to break them up.
This was a well written, fast-paced novella with a hero and heroine who are clearly destined for true love. There is a little intrigue, a bit of mystery, attempted murder, stolen kisses, cameos from Emily and Dillon and finally a very hard-won HEA complete with and epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I really enjoyed this “sweet” romance and would be happy to recommend it.
Claresta and Donavan love affair springs alive in this lighthearted romantic drama. The writer has created a romance story that provided my imagination with some entertainment, I found the book easy to read. The book seemed very realistic to me. I loved the happily ever after. The writer definitely shows her talent in writing this page turner. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
What could happen on a magical night at a masquerade party when one was really not invited, but came anyway? Lady Clarista Copeland hope to take a wonderful memory back to London with her as this was her last night in Edinburgh. Dressed as Juliet and her maid with her, she just wanted to dance and enjoy the evening.
Donovan MacGregor and his brother stood and watched the masked attendees dance and he thought he might just find a new mistress in the crowd. When he saw “her”, he realized she was dressed as Juliet and her wanted to be her Romeo! SIgh.
He walked up to her quoting Shakespeare and she responded in kind. Next she knew she was whirled into a waltz. He was mesmerized by her and he even stole a kiss. But then he maid whisked her away.
Now a little over 1 year later, Clarista was back in London and she continued to think about her Romeo. If only..
At he same time, Donovan had been discontent. He decided to go to London to his family business and lose himself.
But as Romeo and Juliet were fated for each other, it seemed Donovan and Claresta would meet again. At a ball and dance. Yes, they recognized each other although before they had worn mask. What would happen now?
Such a delightful story that Jane Charles has created. Of course no surprise since when she puts pen to paper, magic happens and this story is magical. Sigh….
I really liked reading this. This a straight forward, no major complications, no nasty murderous villains, just a sweet insecure romance. The h is a no nonsense, goes for what she wants type of person. She is honest and caring. Always the lady unless provoked. The H is from Scotland who goes to England to get away from his family. He is a hardworking, educated and a dutiful son. He is in London to oversee his family business. He is wealthy but not a titled gentleman. There is an annoying man in competition for the h’s affections. But the h and H have eyes only for each other. The h has always dreamed of and wanted to be loved for who she is and not her dowry or land she would bring to the marriage. When she started spending time with the H, she did not reveal any of those things and did not reveal who her father was. When the H found out he was shocked, thought himself unworthy and walked away. Heartbreak ensued until someone special brought the two back together. A happy ending. A lovely read.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Donovan MacGreagor attended a ball hosted by a renown Madame Marseille and he was looking for a new mistress since he had ended it with his last recently. He had not seen anyone who interested him in the least bit until he saw Juliet. He followed her out to the garden and they were instantly attracted to one another, which ended in a kiss. She did not fit the part of a ciprian and the kiss proved her innocence but she was rushed away from the ball by her maid. That was a year ago and he still can’t get her out of his mind or his dreams and he had searched everywhere in Edinburgh. Donovan decided he needed to get away from family and the memory of her, so he went to London on family shipping business.
A year ago, Lady Claresta Copeland, the only child of the Duke of Ellings, attended a masquerade ball on her last night in Scotland, hosted by (what she thought was) a French Dowager, Madame Marseille. She did not have an invitation so they had to sneak in to the ball. She had dressed and Juliet and had her Romeo. He took her to the dancefloor and they waltz and without talking, electricity sizzles between them as they sailed around the floor as if they had danced together for many times. Romeo then took her to the garden, where she received the most wonderful kiss but her maid came to rush her off because of a family emergency. She has mourned the loss of him for a year and need to clear him of her thoughts and dreams.
Donovan is at a ball with friends from London and is introduced to a blond, green eyed young lady, who he immediately knows is his Juliet – even without the costume and mask. She is a member of the Ton but being where he first saw her, is she as innocent as it seems she is now? They grow to care for one another and Claresta want to find a man to love her for herself and not because she is the daughter of a duke but when Donovan finds out accidently, he leaves after explaining she cannot marry a man without title. How will this problem be solved – read it and you will love the ending.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
A quick easy read. I enjoyed the instant attraction between Claresta and Donovan. Their souls knew each other while their heads thought about everything too much. Claresta was pampered but allowed to make her own decisions in love, and I loved how certain she was that her father would stick to that. Her determination to find someone who wanted her for herself gave her a certain strength in most situations. Donovan was a romantic at heart, quoting Shakespeare, though he was covering his family secrets. When he almost lost Claresta, my heart hurt for him. I recommend this story.
I received a copy of this story as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
Loved that Claresta was so vocal and in charge of herself in the book. Donovan was thankfully used to strong willed women because of his own family while still being in charge of the relationship! Loved the book!
Donovan MacGregor is haunted by the lovely woman he met at a cyprian ball but despite looking for her everywhere in Edinburgh, she is not to be found. A year later he relocates to London where he discovers his fair “Juliet”, is actually a member of high society. The chemistry between them is as strong as ever but can he trust that Lady Claresta is the innocent she appears considering their first meeting?
Lady Claresta wants a man to love her for herself, not the connections that her family brings, can she manage to keep the fact that she is a Duke’s daughter and worth twenty thousand pounds a secret from the man she is falling for?
I loved this story and finished it at one sitting.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Lady Claresta Copeland slipped into a scandalous masquerade disguised as Juliet, she never imagined she would encounter her one true Romeo in the process. For the last year, Donovan MacGregor has been searching for his lost Juliet, only to stumble upon her in the least expected place of all
I was drawn in from the start, Claresta going to a courtesan ball was priceless. She’s feisty & pretty mature for her age. I loved how their relationship developed when they met again in London. Donovan was really lovely & his attitude towards women very different from the norm.
I loved the quotes from Romeo & Juliet which enhanced the book & also were very apt considering how they met. The poisonings added a bit of intrigue & as it’s a novella chivvied the pair along & made them realise their feelings. I first read this in the Blame it on the Night anthology