May 29, 2020

THE PERFECT MISTRESS by Victoria Alexander

PUBLISHER: Zebra, 1/2011
GENRE: Historical romance
MY GRADE: C

SYNOPSIS: Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, inherited a shocking book that every gentleman in London wants. For a charismatic businessman, it could be a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a certain proud, domineering earl, it means everything..

Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, cannot let the obstinate Julia release her shameless memoir, as it would ruin his family’s name. The only way to stop her may be equally sordid, but far more pleasurable. Landingham’s rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire her book; and he is not the sort of fellow to back away from a competition where the stakes are high. The winner of this game will claim both the scandalous memoirs, and her heart.”


MY THOUGHTS: Widowed Lady Julia Winterset is in posession of her late great-grandmother’s memoir. She’s looking for a publisher who’ll publish it. She’s in desperate need of funds and that’s how she meets the hero, Harrison Landingham, Lord Mountdale. He’s trying to buy the memoir from her because it contains scandalous information about his father.

That pretty much sums up the whole story. I’m sorry to say I didn’t like this novel at all. I found it to be very tedious and long-winded. I felt indifferent toward all the characters, including hero and heroine. I especially didn’t care for the heroes ex sister-in-law, Veronica. She was in this story way too much for my liking. I suspect she’ll get her own story, if she hasn’t already. I didn’t see this as a love story in any way, shape or form. Julia and Harrison’s love didn’t seem genuine to me at all. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them.

I also didn’t like the touch of paranormal that ran throughout the entire book, right up until the last page. The heroine’s great-grandmother, Hermione, writer of the memoir, who has been dead for years, would show up and have chats with her. I don’t like or read paranormals and didn’t appreciate that being in a historical romance novel.

The only thing I did like about this novel were the scandalous memoir excerpts that were at the end of some chapters. Those, I did find interesting.

I received this from the publisher in 2011 in exchange for an honest review.


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