Desperately Seeking Suzanna

by Elizabeth Michels

[Cocktails and Books]

This is book number two in the Tricks of the Ton series. I did not read the first book in the series, and I was able to thoroughly enjoy this book. I do want to read the first book because there were several mentions of the elements of the first book.

Lord Steelings also known as Holden Ellis has a blemished family tree. He is estranged from his father, and his mother is mentally ill. He fills up the need for a family with his extended family and seeks them out upon returning to England. He agrees to attend a Masquerade Ball for a bit of amusement and maybe a romantic escapade. Sue Green is the stereotypical straitlaced, plain Jane. She detours from her boring existence to indulge in an adventure with her younger, prettier sister and twin cousins. What happens next is laugh out loud funny… and each time I think about it I find myself laughing. The author’s writing is so vivid I can imagine Sue dancing, nearly decapitating poor Lord Steelings, and watching her sister and cousins leave her in the lurch. What begins as possibly the most embarrassing moment in life turns into a pleasurable event for both parties.

Like all good romances there has to be at least one villain and this one has two, Sue’s mother and Holden’s mother fit the bill. Sue’s mother puts a stop to Suzanna, the persona/alias that Sue used with Lord Steelings. Her mother restores Sue to her formerly plain self, and Lord Steelings fails to recognize her. My heart went out to Sue. Doesn’t every woman want the man of her dreams to see past the makeup, clothes, and hair to see the real person inside without all the accoutrements? Adding insult to injury her mother determines that her younger sister, Evangeline, is just the one for Lord Steelings. Imagine your mother investing all of her time and effort into making sure your younger sister is coupled with the love of your life.

Lord Steelings like a good Prince Charming must turn over every leaf until he finds Suzanna. Meanwhile he is reunited with his mother. Sue has to contend with the plans that her mother is making to make a match between Sue’s younger sister, Evangeline. The mother’s antics which are humorous with a tinge of desperation and the mischievous deeds of the cousins add cheer to what could have been a very dark, serious story. The flip side of the lighthearted romantic comedy is Lord Steelings’ mother who is more dangerous than he is aware.

I enjoyed this book on every level. I loved Sue, and I immediately empathized with her as she watched the love of her life look past her and her mother relegate her to old maid status. She was adventurous, practical, and sensible. I liked the author’s peek into the complexities of mother/daughter and sister relationships. I was initially on the fence about Lord Steelings because he didn’t seem very chivalrous in the beginning. Fortunately, he proved to be worthy of Sue and after a dangerous situation I was rooting for their union.

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books