The Debutante Dares #2
by Charlie Lane
A daring lady.
A caring earl.
And a Christmas house party that turns love into a dangerous game.
The Earl of Abbington is not a daring man.
Responsible for the care of an opium-addicted uncle, George’s life poses dangers to a bride that he’ll never risk. It’s why he avoided the independent and kind Lady Jane last year, despite her brother’s request he protect her during her season. His neglect no doubt led to Jane’s tattered reputation. In reparation, he’s sent pre-approved suitors to the house party to ensure she marries well, not to a man whose life is a nightmare.
Lady Jane is done being daring.
Her daring spirit ruined her reputation, her family’s social standing, and her brother’s marital prospects. But a Christmas house party attended by a coterie of willing suitors can put everything right. Plain of face and ordinary of intellect, Jane knows she’ll never find love. And she doesn’t want it anyway. Love is the most daring thing a woman can do, after all. Instead, she’ll develop a system to test her suitors and discover the best husband for a practical sort of marriage.
Jane needs George’s help choosing a husband, but George soon realizes he can’t give it without betraying his own heart. Together, they must find the courage to face the dangers of love or lose the love of a lifetime.
Review
Jane believes she is the definition of "Plain Jane," being nothing special to look at and having average intelligence. She has been overlooked on the marriage mart forcing her into the life of a spinster wallflower. But, after ruining her reputation, she must stop her hoyden ways, stop with the dares, and simply marry anyone who will have her. George, being a family friend, has offered to help her, but it turns out they have both long suppressed feelings for each other. Jane is surrounded by the damage love can bring; her father's devastation at her mother's loss and marrying a woman he doesn't love, George's uncle who heals his widowed heart with an opium addiction, George's sister who is watching her beloved husband slowly die, and her lonely mother-in-laws sister. Jane is determined to avoid love and simply marry for the security, children and a family, and to get out of her father's home. I loved Jane. She loves deeply and genuinely cares for others. George is quite the same; he loves his family and will do anything to take care of them, including taking care of his opium addicted uncle who wakes in the night with dangerous night terrors. But when he has to watch Jane find a suitor among the men he has sent to the house party, he is forced to recognize his desire to take Jane for himself. Just when Jane is done with daring behavior, George dares her to fall in love with him. It is frustrating that they cannot get their timing right, but I didn't find is too angsty and still enjoyed the story. One other thing that bothered me a bit was the fact that they slept together before their marriage and it didn't really seem to bother Jane...in fact, she was not worried about what anyone would say or if any other suitor would have her anymore!
I enjoyed George as well. He was starchy but without being a jerk about it. He has been taking care of his Uncle for as long as he can remember and he is clearly fearful of what happens during his Uncle's night terrors. But he can't keep the burden to himself and thankfully, he eventually finds the ability to ask for help so he can have his HEA as well.
The Steam
There are a couple of steamy scenes, lots of passion, a steamy letter, and an enjoyable carriage ride.
Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Romance, House Party, Beta Hero, Starchy Hero, Titled Hero, Compromised Heroine, Hoyden Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Carriage Steam, Best Friends Sibling, Friends to Lovers
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