A historical romance needs an intriguing but credible plot and fascinating characters in order to draw me into its pages. In the case of the Lessons from a Scarlet Lady I was immediately pulled into a story built around a young couple in the Regency era who, though reasonably happy, are missing that special spark. Brianna loves her new husband but he only returns a kind affection. Though Brianna knows her husband’s feelings are genuine she soon sets her sights on turning Colton’s fondness to love by employing the advice of one Lady Rothburg, courtesan. Using the observations and suggestion’s found in Lady Rothburg’s book Brianna soon has her very proper and controlled husband out of sorts. Colt has no choice but to pay complete attention to his wife as he wonders where a very decorous young lady has learned such scandalous things.
As Colt and Brianna’s story unfolds the reader also follows the blooming romance between Brianna’s best friend Rebecca and brother-in-law Robert. Rebecca’s parents have demanded that Rebecca choose a husband; unfortunately, Rebecca happens to be in love with a notorious rake whom her father hates. Taking some of Lady Rothburg’s advice, Rebecca too sets out to win the heart of the man she loves and convince her father she’s making the right choice.
The plot is fascinating, original, passionate and refreshing. The characters are so well drawn and interesting that I kept turning the pages to see how Brianna and Rebecca’s campaigns would unfold. In the end I was sad to see the characters go but I can’t wait for Emma Wildes’s next book.
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