Guarding a Notorious Lady

by Olivia Parker

This is the third book from the utterly charming Olivia Parker.

• ISBN10: 0061988405
• ISBN13: 9780061988400
• Publish Date: 31 May 2011
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Avon Books
• Format: Paperback (A-Format (178x111 mm))
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.com.au/9780061988400

Reviews

[Amanda]

I was sad when Guarding a Notorious Lady ended. Not because I was so enthralled I rushed to the ending only to be crushed with disappointment when the story ended. More because I never connected with the characters enough that their story didn't feel over. I wanted more emotional connection.

A notorious (heh, I think I'm clever) piece of writing advice is to show, not tell. The dangerous part of that advice is that description can become mechanical. Insert peg A into slot B. I wanted more of a look into the characters' thought process so their actions had context and deeper meaning.

As it was, it seemed like the majority of the book was Nicholas in charge of "guarding" Rosalind, who had secretly loved Nicholas, who had secretly wanted Rosalind for years. Yeah. Every time they were alone, the two ended up kissing. Or heavy petting. Or more. Like it was impossible not to do so. But in a way that was often confusing, because Nicholas was supposed to be staying away, but then he'd kiss her, then go away. And... I kinda just wanted to shake those two.

The guardian idea seemed ridiculous until it became necessary, but it was all very convenient and resolved quickly. I just wanted... more. Deeper. Emotions!

[Cocktails and Books]

Rosalind Devine has been in love with her brother Gabriel's best friend since she was seventeen years old. While she's never been without the attention of men of the Ton, she's only had eyes for Nicholas Kincaid. She's resolved herself to matching others with their soul mates, determined not to live with the same fate as her mother.

So she was convinced her luck was changing when Nicholas appeared in London, a place her had never come before. Unfortunately, she didn't know Nicholas wasn't there to confess his feelings and sweep her off her feet. Instead, he'd promised to protect her.

Nicholas Kincaid, the new Marquess of Winterbourne felt he couldn't say no to Gabriel when he asked him to come to London and watch over Rosalind while Gabriel was away on his wedding trip. He'd always kept his feelings about Rosalind a secret, but he didn't know exactly how hard it was going to be to fight those feelings when he was constantly thrown together with the object of his affections.

These two characters were a clear cut case of people needing to open their mouths and just laying it all out there. They constantly danced around each their feelings and attraction to each other. Even while stealing kisses and other "things" they still continued to hide their feelings. At some point, if these two were truly as in love with each other as professed later, wouldn't you be able to see and/or feel what the other person felt? I wanted to shake someone...I just wasn't sure if it was Rosaline, Nicholas or myself.

The one character I did enjoy, Tristan, has a smaller secondary role. But I wanted to know what happened with him. What was the story behind his engagement? If he was celebrating the broken engagement, why did he no longer want to be engaged? Why wasn't he upset with Nicholas and Rosalind? Will he get a book of his own?

These are the burning questions I have after reading this one. Not about the main characters, but of Rosalind's younger brother. Go figure.

3 Cocktails.