Review and Giveaway: The Luckiest Lady in London

The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas

Publication Date: 11/05/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425268888
ISBN-13: 978-0425268889

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Sherry Thomas on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from The Luckiest Lady in London, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

From the superbly gifted Sherry Thomas comes this beautifully written romance about a marriage of convenience that turns inconveniently passionate...

Felix Rivendale, the Marquess of Wrenworth, is The Ideal Gentleman, a man all men want to be and all women want to possess. Even Felix himself almost believes this golden image. But underneath is a damaged soul soothed only by public adulation.

Louisa Cantwell needs to marry well to support her sisters. She does not, however, want Lord Wrenworth—though he seems inexplicably interested in her. She mistrusts his outward perfection, and the praise he garners everywhere he goes. Still, when he is the only man to propose at the end of the London season, she reluctantly accepts.

Louisa does not understand her husband’s mysterious purposes, but she cannot deny the pleasure her body takes in his touch. Nor can she deny the pull this magnetic man exerts upon her. But does she dare to fall in love with a man so full of dark secrets, any one of which could devastate her, if she were to get any closer?

Thoughts:

It is often said that those we love the most are the ones who can hurt us the most deeply. Sherry Thomas' new book, The Luckiest Lady in London takes that theme and runs with it. Readers will be intrigued by the persona's both hero and heroine take on in order to keep others and love at bay. Felix has never known real love, even from his parents, while Louisa does not begin to feel worthy of love. Thomas does a fantastic job of drawing the reader in with flawed characters, desperate misunderstandings and a perfectly matched pair of lovers. If you are looking for an author who makes her couples work for their happy-ever-after, than Sherry Thomas is just what the doctor ordered.

Sherry Thomas is one of those romance authors that thinks outside the box. Most historical romance is tied up with a neat bow that can sometimes seem predictable and repetitive. Same story, different characters. With Thomas nothing can be anticipated. She gives readers characters that aren't typical heroes and heroines. They are more human, more real. She doesn't stray away from the fact that men and women hurt each other, they do things to betray trust and even sometimes sabotage the very thing they want the most in life...love. That is very apparent in her latest novel, The Luckiest Lady in London.

Louisa comes from a humble background and upbringing. She realizes that in order to take care of her family she must marry well. If something happens to her mother how will she support her epileptic sister? She knows she doesn't have a lot to work with but she takes what she has and uses it to the best her ability. She uses old wives tales and even some interesting inventions to make her look more beautiful. She essentially believes no one could love her like she is. She has to be something else to be worthy of love. I think Thomas has touched on an issues a lot of women have. They look at themselves and see the flaws, not the beauty that comes from within. I liked the fact that Felix is able to see through this persona that Louisa has taken on. He shes the real woman and finds her intriguing.

Felix has secrets of his own. Used as a pawn in a game of chess between his controlling and unfeeling parents, Felix has never known real love. He sets about to make himself into the perfect gentleman. Someone everyone wants a piece of, but no one can have. It allows him the distance he needs. He doesn't want to get close to anyone. He can't take a chance he will be hurt again. I don't usually go for the spoiled rich boy character but Thomas makes him believable and gives him a backstory that would be hard for anyone to ignore. I liked the fact that Louisa can see through him easily. Mostly because she isn't exactly what she seems either. 

The romance is tender, the heat is searing, but through it all there is a a thread of understanding. Learning to be comfortable in your own skin. To appreciate who you are and what you can offer. I thought Thomas did a fantastic job of allowing readers into a real relationship. Not the perfect on paper romance we sometimes get with historical romance novels. These characters have to work get their happy ending. They misunderstand each other often, they assume things about each other. They deceive themselves and each other, but through it all they find love and contentment. Typical real life scenario wrapped up in a Regency setting. 

Readers who are looking for something a little different will love this one. Readers who want a good happy-ever-after story will get it with this novel. Readers who enjoy real characters with real emotions will find just what they are looking for. A great novel by a great writer. Can't wait to see what comes next for Thomas but you can bet it won't be the same old boy meets girl story.

The Luckiest Lady in London is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed historical romance authors writing today, winning the RITA Award two years running, and appearing on innumerable "Best of the Year" lists, including those of Publishers Weekly,Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Dear Author, and All About Romance. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and sons.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, November 22nd.

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