The Accident Countess
1 Star

Unfortunately, this follow-up to the delightful first book, The Unexpected Duchess, is exceedingly disappointing. A retelling of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, it has none of the wit, humor or charm of the original piece.

***Warning: Rant and spoilers ahead***

To begin with, the book contains a trope that I despise - a heroine who lies constantly and consistently to the man she claims to love beyond measure. Unlike Wilde's play in which the absurd shenanigans of all of the characters are clearly farcical and meant as social criticism, Cass's actions are cruel and harmful. She not only deceives Julian about her identity for two-thirds of the book but actively encourages others to do so as well. Whether intended or not, her pretense hurts and humiliates him a great deal. Personally, he is far too forgiving in my opinion.

In addition, neither Julian nor Cass are particularly interesting characters, and they have very little chemistry. Julian has survived a near-death experience, yet seems to suffer no ill effects from his wounds either physically or psychologically. Cass is weak and insipid, allowing her parents, cousin, and friends to walk all over her. There is absolutely no spark or emotion in Julian and Cass's romance.

Finally, the writing is completely anachronistic. The dialogue, behavior, and demeanor of the various characters are so far from the norms of the Regency period that they make the setting irrelevant. This could have been set in 21st century New York, and the plot would have made more sense.

In sum, this book is an agony to read with the heroine constantly bemoaning the situation that her deceit has led to, and the reader forced to endure the constant tension of waiting for the other shoe to drop. To be honest, the only reason this was not a DNF is that it fits into the Seasonal Reading Challenge so perfectly. This book is not recommended for anyone who enjoys history, or romance or Oscar Wilde! ( )

Great beginning and end, the middle is a muddle. A deliberate decision was made by the author but tough on the reader to keep all the stories straight. ( )

A tangled treat!

Second in the Playful Brides series. Once again Lucy Hunt, the newly minted Duchess of Claringdon hatches a hare brained scheme and all fall into line. Really, I am struck by the fact that these friends and acquaintances lead themselves to the charade so readily. Such is the power that Lucy wields that others follow her mad capped, pied piper's tune. This time it is Cassandra, Lady Munroe and Lucy's best friend who is swept deeper and deeper into a tangled web of tortured love as her cousin Pen's betrothed, Captain Julian Swift, returns from the Napoleonic wars.
Cass and Swift have kept up an amazing correspondence throughout this time. Swift, determined to break off his arranged marriage and seek Cassandra searches for his fiancé, Cassandra's cousin Penelope. Pen is supposed to be away with her friend, the very non existent Miss Patience Bunbury.
Cass, at Lucy's insistence, takes on the mantle of the mythical Miss Bunberry at a hastily flung together house party held by Lucy posing as Lady Worthington. I know, I know, Lucy's grand plan just keeps on developing! Swift of course attends.
Swift is struck by the beauty and sensitivity of Cass as Patience. Cass is in disarray...and in love. Lucy has tied them all up in knots and it's anyone's guess at how the plot will unfold.
A madcap romp with all the features of a farce worthy of Oscar Wilde.

A NetGalley ARC ( )