The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Marry Me by Sundown and Beautiful Tempest brings her “mastery of historical romance” (Entertainment Weekly) to this dazzling Regency-era novel in which a disastrous debutante becomes the toast of the town with a little help from a friend of the Prince Regent’s. Threatened by powerful enemies, William Blackburn, Earl of Ketterham, lives in exile in the … William Blackburn, Earl of Ketterham, lives in exile in the Scottish Highlands with his daughter Vanessa. When she comes of age, William urges her to return to her mother in England to make her society debut. Raised with all the advantages and freedom a boy would have, Vanessa doubts she can fit into the world of ball gowns, parties, and high society. Nonetheless, she agrees to return to England, determined to end the vendetta against her father, never imagining the high price she will have to pay.
Lord Montgomery Townsend enjoys living on the edge, courting danger as he fixes potentially scandalous problems for the Prince Regent. While hiding out at the home of the Countess of Ketterham, Monty watches a disaster-in-the-making as his hostess tries to prepare her estranged daughter for a match with the pompous son of a powerful family. Puzzled as to why the fiercely independent Vanessa submits to being turned into a puppet and offered up to the arrogant rogue, Monty nonetheless steps in to make her dreams come true. But no good deed goes unpunished and soon he faces more pressing problems, including the temptation to upend Vanessa’s wedding plans so he can marry her himself.
Featuring Johanna Lindsey’s “signature blend of witty writing, charmingly unique characters” (Booklist), Temptation’s Darling is a passionate romance with a dash of humor that you won’t soon forget.
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This is my first book by Johanna Lindsey, and what a fun ride it turned out to be! I definitely need to dig her books out of my TBR file and move them up.
Lady Vanessa (Nessi) Blackburn lives in the Scottish Highlands with her father, who was forced to leave England six years ago as a result of a duel. Now that Nessi is 19, her father wants her to return to England and to her estranged mother in order to have a Season. She is returning to her mother’s country home, dressed as a boy, riding her huge white horse and being escorted by two hidden brawny Scotsmen. On the same road Lord Montgomery (Monty) Townsend, a fixer for the Prince Regent, is escorting a young “maybe” royal and his manservant to a country home for safe keeping. Without giving a lot of fun storyline away, their destinations end up being the same location – Nessi’s mother’s home!
Nessi and Monty were enchanting leads. Nessi is a tomboy and a strong young woman who is excited to be back with her twin sisters; however, she resents her mother, who caused her father’s flight from England. Monty is considered a rake who appears to seduce older woman, but is actually covering for the antics of Prince George. Their chemistry is wonderful, and their banter was witty and made me laugh. I really enjoyed Monty’s “ward” Charley and Nessi’s sisters. I did have a problem with her mother, though, expecting Nessi to marry a rather unpleasant man in order to clear up the problem that caused her father’s banishment from England. However, the story was so much fun that I couldn’t put it down! There was also a twist at the end that I did NOT see coming, which made it even better.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Lady Vanessa “Nessi” Blackburn has lived in Scotland with her exiled father, the Earl of Ketterham for the last six years, but now she is going to Cheshire to be reunited with her mother and twin sisters and to go to London for the season where she hopes to find a way to lift her father’s banishment.
Montgomery “Monty” Townsend, the youngest son of the Earl of Marlham, retired from the army at his father’s request and out of sheer boredom, started “fixing” potential scandals for the Prince Regent by acting as scapegoat for him. Currently Prince George’s amorous liaisons have set more than one angry husband after him and the Prince has yet another problem he needs handled, a problem that requires Monty to rusticate in the country. Lucky for Monty, the Prince has arranged accommodations with an old friend, Kathleen Blackburn.
Nessi and Monty meet on the road to her mother’s house, Nessi is disguised as a boy and appears to be traveling alone, so Monty invites her to join their party and quickly figures out she is not a boy. The shared secret begins a friendship between them and Monty’s support is invaluable to her once they reach her mother’s estate.
Once Nessi confronts her mother, she learns that her mom may have already found a way to bring her father back to England and Nessi immediately agrees to marry the son of the man that banished her father. The catch is the man – Daniel Rathban – doesn’t want to marry, he is an unrepentant rake who is completely jaded and has no interest in innocents. And for all her bravado, Nessi is an innocent and will need a teacher and she had the perfect man in mind – Monty! For his part, Monty is not happy about the engagement to Daniel, but Nessi will not reveal why she is so hell-bent on marrying him. All too soon, Monty realizes he wants Nessi for himself, but until he learns why she needs to marry Daniel, their chance fir love is doomed.
This was a cute story and I did enjoy it, but there is A LOT going on and most of it is ridiculous, plus just about every nobility title is used incorrectly and her mother’s title is so odd, that I can’t even begin to figure it out, the love scenes are tepid, the reason for Nessi’s father’s exile is lame and Monty is a bit hard to figure out – but for some reason, these things did not bother me nearly as much as I would have expected. The banter between Nessi and Monty is great, Nessi’s interaction with her sisters is spot on perfect, for the most part the book is just a lighthearted romp with a dash of drama and heartache, it is not perfect, but if you don’t try to take it too seriously, it is a very entertaining and enjoyable read.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-ARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a new Johanna Lindsey book. This reminded me why I love her books and historical romances so much. Her writing just seems so effortless. The flow, the characters, the way she brings humor in her characters. It sucks me in every time.
Temptation’s Darling has one of my favorite types of heroines. She’s young but mature. Brave, bold but not harsh. She’s a tomboy and a lady. The way Vanessa handled so many situations in this book made me a big fan.
I didn’t know how I would feel that she was encouraging an engagement with another man from the hero, but I really have no complaints. You completely understand her situation. It left me wondering how Monty was going to fix this before it was too late.
In the mean time, we get good quality time with Vanessa and Monty. Enough time that had me loving them as a couple and rooting for a way for them to be together. Monty is was very entertaining. He’s a rake but extremely charming. You can not but help to fall in love with his character.
We also get some fun side characters that came along for the ride. I actually really liked the guy Vanessa was trying to marry. I hope the author has a story for him. He was so interesting and made an impression.
I’ve missed reading Johanna Lindsey and she did not let me down in her newest Temptation’s Darling.
5
I enjoyed this book a lot, the Narrator Priscilla Carson did a wonderful job. The characters were passionate, caring and real. I haven’t read a contemporary romance in quite a while, I’m going to read more. I enjoyed all the relationships between characters, they were all believable and sincere. The story itself was very intriguing, I expected nothing less from Johanna Lindsey, she’s brilliant. I was very entranced from the start and never lost interest. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen between a few characters. It certainly gives an addictive story with a happily ever after.
This book wasn’t as great as her other books but it was interesting.
Temptation’s Darling is just as wonderful of all of Johanna Lindsey’s other books. She draws the reader in with humor, love, a little drama and her beautiful writing style. She will definitely be missed.
Vanessa has returned to London with one goal in mind, to clear the way for her exiled father to return as well. Although she is angry with her mother, she agrees to her plan for Vanessa to marry Rathban’s heir to settle the feud. Montgomery Townsend is aiding the Prince Regent by claiming his indiscretions and also protecting a young king who is fleeing assassins. Monty and Vanessa cross paths in their journeys to the same location, unknowingly. Their continual interactions draw them closer together, which threatens Vanessa’s goal. The story that follows is entertaining, delightful, humorous and simply perfect.
I always enjoy Johanna Lindsay’s novels. She always comes through with a great read. Her chapters are short so you can stop and get another cup of coffee for the next chapter! If there are two new novels out at the same time and one is a Lindsay novel, I will buy the Lindsay novel first, hands down.
Although I love reading this author, I found this book only okay.
Love Johanna Lindsey and her Mallery series. Fantastic character and strong women. Always interested in new releases from her
Temptation’s Darling by Johanna Lindsey is the story of Vanessa ‘Nessi’ Blackburn and Lord Montgomery ‘Monty’ Townsend.
Monty has agreed to leave the army at his father’s request but it has lead him to be board with society until he takes up keeping the potential scandals for the Prince Regent under control. Vanessa has lived with her father who left the town due to powerful people and their threats. But now his daughter Vanessa is of age and he has set her back to the town to have a coming out with her mother. Vanessa knows that she won’t fit in do to the freedoms she has had but she does up to settle things and fix what has kept her father away.
Monty knows there is something more to Vanessa and doesn’t understand why she is allowing changes to be made for her nor this push for such a marriage. But he is starting to want her for himself.
Enjoyed their story.
It’s been a while since I’ve picked up one of Johanna Lindsey’s books, and I had forgotten how much fun they can be. “Temptation’s Darling” was no exception. I found it to be an enjoyable romp featuring humorous situations and endearing characters.
The heroine, Lady Vanessa Blackburn, was not like other young ladies typical of the Regency period. She preferred wearing breeches to gowns, knew how to shoot a pistol, and wasn’t afraid to say whatever was on her mind. Vanessa knew what she wanted and was determined to find a way to get it, no matter what her parents or anyone else thought. The hero, Lord Montgomery (Monty) Townsend, was also outspoken and had a tendency to do things his own way. He purposely cultivated a reputation as a rake, but turned out to be a mostly honorable man underneath it all. Vanessa and Monty were very well matched, and watching them fall in love was a pleasure.
The book’s secondary characters were also a lot of fun, especially especially Vanessa’s younger sisters and Charley, Monty’s “ward.” The one exception was Vanessa’s mother, Lady Kathleen, whom I found to be somewhat off-putting at times. She claimed to have a deep love for her family and wanted what was best for her daughters, but yet was willing to sacrifice Vanessa in a loveless marriage with an older man from a family who hated her own, and who didn’t seem to be very kind. While I can understand Kathleen’s (and Vanessa’s) desire to bring Lord William home from his exile in Scotland, I didn’t appreciate that she was so willing to sacrifice Vanessa’s happiness in order to do so.
I also thought that the book’s ending felt a little rushed, and that the situation with Vanessa’s father was perhaps resolved a little too easily. That said, the book was overall a quick, enjoyable read, and it wasn’t difficult for me to overlook these minor annoyances.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the time that Vanessa was given with her father. It freed her up so much to be herself and not all the rigid society rules of her mother. I also liked the fact that Vanessa or Nessa as she was often called had the gumption to run away with her father. Not that he knew at first that she had smuggled herself aboard with him. It was pretty bold at any time but for her young age it was even more courageous.
I hate to say it but her mother was a twit. But then maybe it was also the way that she was raised without the tools to really think much for herself. When Nessa gets more of the facts from her mother about being part of the reason William got exiled? She promptly nails her mother with what she would have done in her position. Astonishment was part of her mother’s response. She never thought of those very reasonable ideas. Duh. I also didn’t like that she was practically selling Nessa in order to get her family back together. How did she think her husband was going to thank her for that? What is this woman thinking???
I liked Monty because although he has been branded a rake, he does have honor. He is also charming, likable and responsible. The “friendship” between the him and Nessa was also fun to listen to. BUT, he was also kind of careless when the two of them had their “moments” together.
Two other characters that Monty was trying to hide also provided some interesting times along with a surprise or two towards the end.
Nessa’s twin sisters also added some to the story especially Emily. Who was more aggressive of the twins. She was more like Nessa but she also had some issues she needed to deal with too. Layla, the other twin was so much the peacemaker that she would have been invisible without her beauty.
While I enjoyed the story, I also felt it was a bit too long and kind of dragged at a point or two. Maybe nobody else felt that way but I was just wanting it to move on. Which when it finally did, came up with those surprises I mentioned and a good ending. Looking for a H.E.A.? Yes, there is one.
On a final note I thought the eBook cover was attractive.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
2.5 Stars
My rating is mostly based on the pace. It felt quite slow to me. Perhaps I’m judging it based on previous Lindsey titles, though. Temptation’s Darling is really a departure from the feel of her earlier releases.
I did admire the characters. Both the main players were charming and head strong in all the right ways.
However, it was a struggle to keep turning those pages for most of the book. Also, the heat level is really low, which again felt like a departure for a Lindsey title.
What I find to be most intriguing about a Johanna Lindsey story is not that it is a romance, but that her heroines are statement. Temptation’s Darling is not the story of a victim. Vanessa is determined to live on her own terms, despite her sex and because of upbringing. I admire a woman who knows her mind and follows her heart. Vanessa still has much to learn about love, life and adventure. Monty could be the tutor of a lifetime, if pride doesn’t get in the way. Temptation’s Darling is a passionate tale of a courageous soul and an unpredictable love that will captivate the heart and inspire the soul.