An Unexpected Gentleman,

by Alissa Johnson

Her heart was a target . . . Adelaide Ward has but one goal-to obtain an offer of marriage from the respectable, if less-than-appealing, baron Sir Robert Maxwell before her family is ruined. But it's the devilishly handsome Connor Brice who captures her imagination-and a kiss in broad daylight-in front of a dozen members of the ton. Now Adelaide must decide if the charming scoundrel who stole away her reputation might still be trusted with her heart. His aim must be true . . . Connor Brice seeks a long overdue revenge on the baron. And what better way to launch his campaign than to steal the lovely Miss Ward for his own? A quick 'compromising' and an even quicker wedding ought to do. But if Connor wants to establish any sort of domestic tranquillity, he'll have to regain Adelaide's trust and choose what means more to him-his thirst for vengeance or his need for Adelaide. Praise for the novels of Alissa Johnson 'A delightfully witty gem . . . A courageous, hilarious heroine, laugh-out - loud humor, and a true hero who will steal your heart.' - Jennifer Ashley, USA Today bestselling author 'Seductive . . . Filled with rapier-sharp repartee, passion, and espionage.' - Sophia Nash, RITA Award-winning author

• ISBN13: 9780425244913
• Publish Date: 6 December 2011 (first published 1 December 2011)
• Publish Status: Temporarily Withdrawn
• Out of Print: 6 April 2017
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Penguin USA
• Format: Paperback (UK Trade)
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amanda]

Alissa Johnson needs a little more love from historical romance fans, I think. She finds the perfect balance with misinterpretations of characters' motivations and emotions, so that you never want to shake the characters for not talking to each other.

Or rather, if they hold back, they hold back for what appears to be a valid reason, and it's even more fun when they hold back the same exact secret for different reasons. Knowing both sides like that as the reader made them all that more sympathetic -- made me believe in their relationship and want them to get together.

Because I think it's important to understand a character's motivations for wanting to be with the other, even if it's not communicated to that character. Connor Brice, who wants to "steal" Adelaide from Sir Robert, could have been cold and awful, and in it for nothing more than revenge. And while it appears that way, perhaps, to Adelaide, we know it's not the full truth. And the full truth is far, far better. (And also worse, but whatever.)

Poor Adelaide. She's not exactly keen on marrying Sir Robert, but her family is in desperate need of money or they risk being sent to the poorhouse. When Connor weasels his way into her life, she doesn't know what to think. He makes her want things that are impossible, and when she finds out what Connor's been up to, well... she does try to make his life unbearable. Until, you know, she goes and falls in love with him.

She chooses the better man, after all. An Unexpected Gentleman is a well-woven story with events at the end that are only obvious once you're there. (Which is the best kind of story culmination, by the way. The one you don't think of until you're in the thick of it and it makes complete sense.) The only thing I missed was an epilogue of some kind -- the ending was good, but a bit abrupt.