True love is when you're both being hunted by madmen who want to kill you for causing an accidental injury. ( )

I really liked this book. I read this series sort of our of order. These characters grew on me as the book went on! I also loved the action adventure element at the hert of this story. it was super fun read and I really loved the main female character, the heart of this story was one i had not read before. i also really liked all the side characters that we met!! Excited to tackle the rest of the series soon! ( )

I really liked this book. I read this series sort of our of order. These characters grew on me as the book went on! I also loved the action adventure element at the hert of this story. it was super fun read and I really loved the main female character, the heart of this story was one i had not read before. i also really liked all the side characters that we met!! Excited to tackle the rest of the series soon! ( )

The second book in the Smythe-Smith Quartet, we get the story of Anne Wynter (who in the first book was briefly mentioned having taken the place of Lady Sarah in the annual musicale) and Daniel Smythe-Smith (the exiled brother of Honoria's who returns at the end of the first book to basically find his sister being compromised by the best friend he had told to watch over her).

The above is all elaborated upon in the first chapter or so of the book as we see how Anne was unfortunately thrust into the role, Daniel stealing a kiss from her one moment, running off to get punched up by Marcus the next and then Anne taking care of him in the aftermath.

The best parts of this book are when Anne and Daniel are trading verbal sparring--as Anne points out at one point, its a bit like watching (or in this case reading) a tennis match as they volley double meanings and chiding retorts back and forth. The romance here stretches belief somewhat more--Daniel is practically tripping over his feet to get Anne to notice him even though he admits she's not an appropriate choice for him. And Anne vacillates between being exasperated by his attempts to woo her and terrified that she will succumb and ruin her future (which she has every experience with).

Interestingly there are multiple dangers to both Anne and Daniel. A mistake from Anne's past shows up and all but says he doesn't care who hurts (or kills) in his vengeance against her (and puts actions to words several times), while the reason of Daniel's three year exile keeps him on his toes. I hope we see more of Hugh--I think Quinn was laying that groundwork honestly and I won't be upset if he becomes a hero in one of the next books.

Like most of Quinn's books this is filled with humor as well as romance and if the humor sometimes distracts from the plot so be it--Anne's history is heartbreaking and more than anything I think she needed someone to distract her from it. Her young charges, cousins to Daniel, are lively and spirited. They weren't tiresome or wedged into the story at awkward moments.

The ending, at least as far as the wrap-up to the romance and the reactions from various people, was the one part I felt disconnected from. I can't believe that Anne's status can be so quickly overlooked by everyone. Daniel...well he never seemed to give a farthing anyhow, but his Aunt (Anne's employer) definitely made it clear how she felt and yet...no fall out? It felt glossed over too easily ( )

Bellissimo ( )