Review: The Seduction of Lady Phoebe by Ella Quinn

Print Length: 304 pages

Publisher: Zebra (October 29, 2019)

From Goodreads.com:  Phoebe Stanhope is not a typical Lady. As feisty as she is quick witted, no one can catch her, especially when she is driving her dashing phaeton with its perfectly matched horses. And unlike her peers, experience has guarded her against a growing list of would-be suitors. But when she encounters Marcus Finley, what she fears most burns deep within his blue-eyed gaze...

For Lord Marcus, the spark of recognition is but a moment in the love he has held these many years. Now that he's returned to England, all the happiness he desires rests on Lady Phoebe never finding out that he was the one who turned her heart so cold and distant. He must work fast to gain the advantage—to convince her what she wants is exactly what she denies—but in order to seduce her into his arms, he must be willing to give up more than he can control...

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was a thoroughly engaging story from start to finish. I enjoyed these characters and watching them navigate their way past old hurts to find a love they didn't know was possible was very entertaining, although a bit tedious at times. 

I mean, I get it Marcus was a horrid reprobate when he was younger, and yes, he acted out of turn with Phoebe when she was only sixteen, but to carry such a deep-seated hatred years later? Even after he proved he wasn't the man he used to be? So much of this novel could have been cleared up earlier if she had only let go of the past sooner. For Pete's sakes, other men had kissed her between that moment and the moment they were finally reunited and she didn't flee from them. 

Also, I would have liked to have seen more from the "villain". Perhaps a bigger insight into their backstory to explain why he was so fixated on her. It is touched on a bit here and there, but the level of obsession he had for her is definitely something I would like to know more about. What was it about her exactly? I could understand him wanting her for her money, but he pursued her even after she was married, risking everything to get her. And part of that I am sure had to do with the fact that he also carried a deep-seated hatred for Marcus, but again, I don't feel as though we scratched the surface on them. 

Despite those things, however, this was still one of those books that drew you in and kept you entertained throughout. Phoebe and her sisters were formidable, having been trained unlike most women of their ilk in self-defense. Watching them interact with their husbands, and their families rounded them out, giving them depth and personality all their own.  I definitely think fans of historical romances will enjoy this, and I will read more from this author. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                    The Seduction of Lady Phoebe is available from Amazon.com