The Baron Next Door by Erin Knightley Series: Prelude To A Kiss #1
Published by Signet on June 3rd 2014
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 0451466780
Charity Effington learned two valuable lessons from her first betrothal:
1) When one loses the attention of an earl, one gains the attention of every gossip in London. 2) Despite the lingering scandal, she’s not prepared to marry for anything less than love.
After an exhausting Season, Bath’s first annual music festival offers Charity the perfect escape. Between her newly formed trio and her music-loving grandmother, Charity is free to play the pianoforte to her heart’s content. That is, until their insufferably rude, though undeniably handsome, neighbor tells her to keep the “infernal racket” to a minimum.
Hugh Danby, Baron Cadgwith, may think he’s put an end to the noise, but he has no idea what he’s begun. Though the waters of Bath provide relief from the suffering of his war injuries, he finds his new neighbor bothersome, vexing, and… inexplicably enchanting. Before long, Hugh suspects that even if his body heals, it’s his heart that might end up broken.
I was recently introduced to this author, and I knew that I needed to give her a chance. So I picked up the first book in this Prelude To a Kiss series. And I had pretty low expectations for this one, mostly due to the fact that lately regency settings in historical romance has seemed a bit “bleh” to me. I have had a harder time getting involved in the setting. However Erin Knightley drew me into this one. I grew to really like this story and the beginning is what I found very compelling. The chemistry between the two main characters: was mind blogging. Now these two are a riot because there are a few misunderstands and hidden secrets. Our hero, is a war hero suffering from some brain and spine trauma. He gets intense headaches when exposed to certain sounds. Our lovely heroine, Charity is a lover of music and tends to really get into it. At first she finds Hugh to be quite annoying and boorish. But she finds an attraction to him, and at times she feels drawn to him in ways she can’t explain. Even to her newest friends. The romance between these two is fresh and lighthearted. But still had some deep moments to bring balance to the story. Another plus was seeing the dynamics of the trio of friends here. Their friendship is instantaneous and engaging and it was so fun to see their interactions with each other. I am very eager for the second book.
About Erin Knightley
Despite being an avid reader and closet writer her whole life, Erin Knightley decided to pursue a sensible career in science. It was only after earning her B.S. and working in the field for years that she realized doing the sensible thing wasn't any fun at all. Following her dreams, Erin left her practical side behind and now spends her days writing. An award winning and USA Today Bestselling author, she is living her own Happily Ever After in North Carolina with her tall, dark, and handsome husband and their three spoiled mutts.
