(Moonlight Square, #0.5)
Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
Cover Blurb:
Presenting the wildly romantic new Regency series from New York Times bestselling author, Gaelen Foley…
WELCOME TO MOONLIGHT SQUARE ~ REGENCY LONDON’S MOST EXCLUSIVE ADDRESS!
At the ripe old age of two-and-twenty, Lady Katrina Glendon just can’t seem to snare a husband. Whether her frank tongue or slightly eccentric ways bear the blame, she faces a houseful of younger sisters clamoring for her, the eldest, to marry and move aside before they all end up as spinsters. When her latest suitor defects and proposes to another girl, Trinny throws up her hands in despair of ever finding a fiancé. But sometimes destiny waits just around the corner…and love lives right across the square!
Gable Winston-McCray, the charming, understated Viscount Roland saunters through life as a wealthy, sophisticated rakehell and man-about-town. Heir to an earldom, the handsome hedonist would rather dally with bored Society wives than acquire a bride of his own, much to his father’s dismay. Until, one moonlit night, fate strikes! Unsuspecting neighbors meet and become flirtatious allies. So when Gable receives his father’s ultimatum to wed or go penniless, he offers Trinny a marriage of convenience. Alas, the pretty redhead cannot possibly accept such an unfeeling proposal—even if her dear “Lord Sweet Cheeks” might be the man of her dreams…
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I absolutely loved this novella! There are no dangers threatening the hero and heroine and no great hidden secrets, just a heart-warming story of two people falling in love.
This prequel novella forms a charming introduction to Gaelen Foley’s new series, which centres around the wealthy, aristocratic residents of Moonlight Square, an elegant London garden square.
The scene where Katrina (Trinny) and Gable first meet in the garden square is one of my favourites. I enjoyed their light-hearted banter in the course of which they strike up an unlikely friendship…true friends who are refreshingly open and honest with each other.
Gable is a dedicated rake but he won me over with the kindness and understanding he shows towards Trinny. He proves to her that she is a beautiful and desirable woman and encourages her to embrace spinsterhood and become an independent woman.
I adore heroines who don’t conform to Society’s definition of how a proper lady should act. Trinny‘s frankness and odd topics of conversation have sent her suitors fleeing in the opposite direction. So when she decides to take Gable’s advice and grab her “freedom” with both hands, I cheered her all the way as she tells her parents….
“The important thing is, my dear esteemed parents, I wish to be an independent lady, free of husbands. I do not fear this fate. I do not scorn it. I embrace it happily.”
The romance is sweet, heart-warming and funny. One of my favourite scenes takes place in the pantry, when a delightfully tipsy Trinny succumbs to some feverish kisses from Gable.
“Hey!” she protested as he lifted her wineglass out of her hand, setting it aside. “I was enjoying that!”
“You’ll enjoy this, too. Trust me,” he said in a husky voice, leaning down before her chair. With a gentle pressure of his fingertips under her chin, he raised her head and kissed her— a soft, satin caress of his mouth on hers.
Another is where Gable, having been threatened with penury by his father unless he marries, arrogantly believes that Trinny will accept his marriage proposal, only to have the wind knocked out of his sails!
I enjoyed seeing how each of them grows and changes in the course of the story, particularly Gable. His realisation that he will lose Trinny forces him take a long hard look at himself and instils in him a desire to turn his life around. It was also satisfying to see him realise that he has misjudged his father. Their reconciliation scene is so heart-warming.
Talking about fathers, I loved Trinny’s… always so understanding and kind.
Papa was sitting with his feet up, having a smoke in his study at the front of the house. She paused at the threshold and turned to her lifelong champion. “Did he say something to you, Papa?”
“I’ll be here if you need me,” was all he said, and sent her a wink.
I love the names the Grendon sisters have thought up for the eligible bachelors of Moonlight Square. Gable is “Lord Sweet Cheeks” which has nothing to do with his strikingly handsome face!!
I was so intrigued by the obvious tension between Gable’s friend, the scandalous Duke of Netherford and the very prim and proper Miss Felicity Carvel that I immediately bought DUKE OF SCANDAL.
MY VERDICT: This is an excellent introduction to what promises be a delightful and entertaining series.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
SENSUALTY RATING: WARM
Read October 2015
Moonlight Square series to date (please click on book cover for further details):
I love those heartwarming stories, its always great to see good character growth in a romance, especially when its a novella. I will add this to my list to buy soon. Sounds fabulous.
Renee, I think you will definitely enjoy this novella.