This is one of those books that you keep on your shelves or iPads and pull out when you need a good laugh and a lovely ending.
I have read this book many times over the years and I still love it! The characters are well written the story is enchanting,
I loved the writing style and I loved each of the characters and have bought all the books that are an off shoot of this one.

This is one of those books that you keep on your shelves or iPads and pull out when you need a good laugh and a lovely ending.
I have read this book many times over the years and I still love it! The characters are well written the story is enchanting,
I loved the writing style and I loved each of the characters and have bought all the books that are an off shoot of this one.

This is the first novel I have read by Karen Hawkins. In the story, there is a reformer and a rake. Alec (the rake) is busy trying to marry the daughter of the late Earl of Covington or lose his inheritance - the plan is well at hand until Julia (the reformer) is put in his carriage instead of Therese. Turns out that Julia is also a daughter of a late Earl of Covington (well, he was Earl for two whole days, but who is quibbling?) Julia proposes the outrageous deal that they marry to save his ...

This is the first novel I have read by Karen Hawkins. In the story, there is a reformer and a rake. Alec (the rake) is busy trying to marry the daughter of the late Earl of Covington or lose his inheritance - the plan is well at hand until Julia (the reformer) is put in his carriage instead of Therese. Turns out that Julia is also a daughter of a late Earl of Covington (well, he was Earl for two whole days, but who is quibbling?) Julia proposes the outrageous deal that they marry to save his fortune (and give her a way to work her reformer magic) and Alec takes her up on it.

The story is cute, the dialog is funny and snappy. I enjoyed reading the book and will certainly look for others by Ms. Hawkins in the future.

I really enjoyed the book, it had humor and romance and a good story. The Hero and Heroine had time to connect and fall for one another. It is one of the best romance novels I have read and I read a lot:)
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I really enjoyed the book, it had humor and romance and a good story. The Hero and Heroine had time to connect and fall for one another. It is one of the best romance novels I have read and I read a lot:)
Helpful

INITIAL REVIEW (May 28, 2009) - 4.5 stars
This book would get a solid 5 if it weren't for that the ending comes up and hits you like a wall that suddenly appears while you're going 60 mph on the highway ... would have liked to catch my breath after everything works out with "the obstacle" subplot (guessed the truth early on but was still well done and a nice twist) and enjoyed the at-last get-together and "I love you's" of the H&H—although it was jarring, I wouldn't complain if she had at le...

INITIAL REVIEW (May 28, 2009) - 4.5 stars
This book would get a solid 5 if it weren't for that the ending comes up and hits you like a wall that suddenly appears while you're going 60 mph on the highway ... would have liked to catch my breath after everything works out with "the obstacle" subplot (guessed the truth early on but was still well done and a nice twist) and enjoyed the at-last get-together and "I love you's" of the H&H—although it was jarring, I wouldn't complain if she had at least then given us an Epilogue, but nothing! Regardless: great read and had several laugh-out-loud moments—one in the middle of the book where I literally had to put the book down and wipe tears from my eyes because I was laughing so hard.

NOTE: I've since learned that the reprint edition of this book has a rewritten final chapter and an added epilogue ... so maybe this new reprint would be five stars in my book—we'll see!

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UPDATED REVIEW (June 27, 2011) - 3.5 stars
I read this book again ... and I don't know if I had remembered it as so enjoyable that it was bound to disappoint or what, but was definitely not as I recalled. This time, I found many of the characters immature and a great deal of the book felt contrived and exaggerated.

I also hated—HATED—that Julia says she has loved Alec for four years, since she first met him. It's such a pet peeve of mine when authors have the mousy-wallflower heroine harbor this secret and long-burning flame for the hero for absolutely no reason. There are only one or two books I can think of where the author does this, but it actually works because the feelings are based on something substantial, despite the fact that he barely knew she existed.

When Julia met him—and up until she marries him—she didn't know him at all and all that she did know was that he was a rake, a drunk, and a gambler ... of course, what's not to love?!?! He's gorgeous, and let's be honest that's the only thing that could have possibly recommended him. Which makes her just as shallow as those guys we hate who judge women on their looks.

Even though I own the book, I got it from the library, because I wanted to read the reworked ending and the Epilogue ... very anticlimactic. The Epilogue was horrible and didn't add much. All in all, a disappointment. I should have left well enough alone, so at least I would have a fond memory of the book! There were definitely some good things—some of the supporting characters were funny, loved Lucien—but not that great; borrow, don't buy.