How the Marquess Was Won
Author: Julie Anne Long
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon
Pub. Date: December 27, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0061885693
Pages: 384
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Retail Price: $7.99
Amazon ~ B&N ~ iBookstore

The Scandal Sheets call him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest— in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She’s about to play with fire…

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone. This quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous, for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

~*~*~

REVIEW

An unconventional woman is bound to inspire the abandonment of propriety in a man…

Looking forward to a life of missionary pursuits and teaching young girls, Phoebe Vale spends her spare time inhaling the scandal sheets, and dreaming about the life of the ton. She doesn’t truly wish to join their ranks, but years of reading books inspire a longing to experience the decadence. When her previous student, Lisbeth Redmond, invites her to country house party to act as a paid chaperone Phoebe accepts—a chance to earn the last of the funds needed to begin her own adventure. What she doesn’t know is that her adventure has already begun.

Marquess Dryden, known as Lord Ice, has descended upon the Redmond house party with the goal of marrying Lisbeth, and regaining the last piece of land his father lost in gamble. His intimates call him Julian. He’s the epitome of propriety and the ton’s adored playboy. Julian is known for his determination, and his calculating control. Yet, when he meets Phoebe the hold on his control suddenly derails. She’s everything bright and untainted, possessing wit that rolls of the tongue, challenging and taunting his very beliefs. Can he push aside his sudden awareness of a woman that he can only obtain through secrecy or will he abandon his goals for a chance at something wonderful?

Long’s next tale in the Pennyroyal Green series is decidedly delicious. At first I was a little taken aback by the idea that this book’s main characters did not feature a Redmond or an Eversea, but my fears were quickly put to rest. The characters of Phoebe and Julian are a pure delight. Phoebe is no simpering miss, she’s keen and intelligent. While Phoebe is not entirely knowledgeable about the ways to move within the ton, she’s quick to determine motives and ferret out secrets hiding in a person’s eyes. These traits, along with her ability to speak her mind, quickly endeared her to me. Julian, of course a tortured hero, was an immediate favorite. At first he appears arrogant and dismissive to those beneath him, but early on, this initial assessment is thrown to the rocks. His duty and desire to redeem his family name is just one facet of this character.

Secondary characters are just as absorbing. I found that Long portrayed the ton action’s similar to those obsessed with the trends of celebrities, quickly adopting any practice, insane or not, for the sake of appearing at the height of fashion. The determination of who leads the fashion movement are just as entertaining, with Julian, unfortunately, being at the forefront. The main characters interactions together and apart create plenty of tension and hilarious moments. Let’s just say that I’ve never known a marquess to scream, unless in pleasure, but Long changed that for me.

My only issue with this story is that I didn’t feel that Phoebe received justice when all the events played out. Her character goes through a rough ride, and I wanted more redemption on her behalf at the end. An HEA just wasn’t enough for me. Long has also primed everyone for more Pennyroyal books as more hints to Olivia and Lyon’s estrangement are scattered throughout the story. This left me in shambles because I have to wait for it!

Overall, this book has intelligence, a well-paced plot, and characters that seem to jump off the pages; even if the events don’t turn out the way one expects. While, it’s not my favorite Pennyroyal Green book this one definitely takes points for going outside the box, and gives us a unique way to see the ‘popular boy’ fall in love with ‘the geek girl’.

For those who enjoy Anna Campbell.
Rating: 4 (Very Good)

Heat-Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Landra

Comment and enter to win your own copy of HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON