I received this book for free from Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Temptation's Darling by Johanna Lindsey Published by Gallery Books on July 16, 2019
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Gallery Books
ISBN: 1982110805
#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey blends passion and humor in a dazzling Regency-era novel in which a disastrous debutante becomes the toast of the town with a little help from a friend of the Prince Regent’s.
Threatened by powerful enemies, William Blackburn, Earl of Ketterham, lives in exile in the Scottish Highlands with his daughter, Vanessa. When she comes of age, William urges her to return to her mother in England to make her debut. Raised with all the advantages and freedom a boy would have, Vanessa doubts she can fit into the mold of a proper young lady. Still, she agrees to re-enter fashionable society, determined to end the vendetta against her father, never imagining the high price she will have to pay.
Lord Montgomery Townsend enjoys living on the edge, courting danger as he fixes potentially scandalous problems for the Prince Regent. While hiding out at the home of the Countess of Ketterham, Monty watches a disaster-in-the-making as his hostess tries to prepare her estranged daughter for a match with the pompous son of a powerful family. Puzzled as to why independent-minded Vanessa submits to being turned into a puppet and wants to marry the arrogant rogue, Monty nonetheless steps in to make her dreams come true. But no good deed goes unpunished, and soon he faces more pressing problems, including the temptation to upend Vanessa’s wedding plans so he can marry her himself!
Temptation’s Darling is the last book from our beloved Johanna Lindsey, as many already know, this author passed away last October from a battle with cancer. I will admit that I wasn’t sure I could get through this book and postponed it and even though I received the ARC for it, I really struggled with the energy into picking this book up because I have such love for this author so I did need to give myself time to wait for when I was emotionally and mentally ready for this story. I first off want to mention that this book was such a darling read and I had such a blast with this book. No surprise considering how flawless this author’s writing is, but whew it was so different from anything I have read from her previously. It really kept me on my toes ….in a good way.
Temptation’s Darling begins with our heroine. Vanessa has been living with her father for six years, when her father was forced to leave England due to blackmail and a scandal and secrets held by her mother, she chose to leave with her father. And spent quite a few years with him in Scotland, but now the time has come for her to have her season and be with her mother and sisters again. Vanessa is not ready to give up her freedom but knows this is what her father wants for her. On her journey she meets up with the rake and friend of “prinny” who is on a secretive mission of his own. be a protector of a secret prince. Through some adventure, scandal, secrets and passion Vanessa and Monty explore their relationship and their love will be tested ….
Temptation’s Darling is such an endearing story that tugged at my heartstrings and I held so many delightful moments in experiencing this story. It was so bittersweet at times, and not going to lie I did get pretty emotional while reading this book. I found this story to be truly delightful in every way and from the moment these two meet up on the road and save each other, I was warmed by their bond. Loved their charming bantering and the secretive sensuality that builds between them. Both are so fierce and passionate in their lives, and definitely delivers all the yummy vibes you come to expect from this author.
We get quite a conflict in this story though with the whole triangle thing going on. Of course, its not your dreaded love triangle. Since Vanessa is set to marry a man she doesn’t care for at all, but doing it so her father can come back home, and she is put in the middle of a horrible situation to protect her family. We see some secrets revealed about her mother and her true intention and the pain that love can bring at times. But have no fear, because Vanessa and Monty find their way towards their HEA and its so beautiful and epically done.
Overall I found Temptation’s Darling to be a romance that will endear its reader to the heart and soul…..entertaining, dynamic and energizing!
About Johanna Lindsey
Johanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
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