Compromising Willa

An Accidental Peers Novel

De: Diana Quincy

Narrado por: John Hartley

England, 1805. Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope is ruined, and everyone knows it. Back in town for the first season since her downfall, Willa plans to remain firmly on the shelf, assuming only fortune hunters will want her now. Instead she focuses on her unique tea blends, secretly supporting a coffee house which employs poor women and children. If her clandestine involvement in trade is discovered, she’ll be ruined. Again.

No one is more shocked by Willa’s lack of quality suitors than the newly minted Duke of Hartwell. Having just returned from India, the dark duke is instantly attracted to the mysterious wallflower. His pursuit is hampered by the ruthless Earl of Bellingham, who once jilted Willa and is now determined to reclaim her.

Caught between the clash of two powerful men, a furious Willa refuses to concede her independence to save her reputation. But will she compromise her heart?

©2013 Dora Mekouar (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Avg storyline with a satisfying revenge ending

The story was OK. At times I found the MCs quite immature and hard to like. (They
personalities from book 1). And The villain was quite despicable. Warning: His disgusting antics are not for faint of heart.

The substance of the story limps along for a good 3/4 of the book. Much of it left me confused by the over reactions of the FMC. Unfortunately this also leaves the romance flat. I never felt a connection between the Duke and Willa.
In addition, the unnecessary, indirect route the villian takes to capture Willa is baffling. 😕 🫤
But on the plus side The author keeps the reader guessing as to what really happened to Willa. If you can overlook the MANY cringeworthy moments you will finally begin to see a romance blossom between the MCs. (yawn) The most delicious, but again, cringeworthy part of the book is the revenge plan! It might be worth reading the book for that satisfaction alone.

Not My Kind of Hero

I usually like Diana Quincy‘s books, but this one didn’t grab me. The writing was fine, but the characters fell short. They were inconsistent. One minute the hero would be gentle and understanding and the next he would be jealous and hardhearted. The heroine was supposed to be an ice queen, but she responded passionately to his very first overture. OK, you might be able to chock that one up to chemistry. However, there is one intimate scene in which the hero is the ultimate jerk. The heroine is angry at first, but quickly forgets and becomes flirtatious and seductive. Any normal female would be traumatized.
Worst of all the whole story is based on misunderstanding/miscommunication. That is so annoying!
When I read a novel like this, I long for one of Loretta Chase’s strong, protective, loyal, and adorable heroes like Mr. Impossible or Lord Perfect. Or a hero like Sherry Thomas’s handsome, devoted heartthrob, Leo Marston from Not Quite a Husband.
Now those are guys worth swooning over!