Romancing the Countess

Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend's widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets...

Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there's only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other's arms....

• ISBN10: 0451234510
• ISBN13: 9780451234513
• Publish Date: 6 September 2011
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
• Imprint: Signet
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451234513

Reviews

[Amanda]

Probably more like a 2.5.

One reason I was drawn to Romancing the Countess is the not-common plot of hero's and heroine's spouses were having an affair and died, and TURNS OUT! hero and heroine were meant for each other anyway, so it all works out.

You know, like how does one make that work? It's complicated with the grieving and betrayal and falling in love and rebounding. See, Sebastian didn't even know of the affair until his wife died, and although Leah knew, she had ISSUES to work through. (Which you'll have to read for yourself.)

I'm not sure I completely bought the romance. *gasps* *falls over*

There were a few odd spots that made me raise an eyebrow, and not in a good way. Sebastian can't go boating during Leah's house party because he knows he gets seasick, then he manages to do it later, without any issue, and without it being brought up. Leah was lonely, so she hosts a house party... then she does something that ostracizes her from society. Which, like, if you don't want to be lonely, don't make yourself a pariah. (Although this is indicative of how I felt Leah's character was never very consistent with her feelings.)

In some ways, it felt like Sebastian and Leah were on different romantic trajectories. (Note to self: trajectories is a fun word.) Leah rarely grieved for her husband, but she was also the hesitant one to reenter marriage. Sebastian, for all his mooning over his wife and thinking she was perfect, was the one ready to dive back into love and marriage.