Emma Locke

DO NOT READ THIS BEFORE READING [b:A Game of Persuasion|41443285|A Game of Persuasion (The Scandalous Spinsters, #3)|Emma Locke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535058854l/41443285._SY75_.jpg|45851144]! Honestly I kinda wish I had had read the first two books in the series, despite them not appealing to me, as these books seem to build a lot on each other. My review of A Game of Persuasion is really a combo of that story and this book, since it’s show more really actually all one book:

I’m 62% in and frankly a bit embarrassed on behalf of the heroine due to her chasing the hero so hard no matter how many times he shoves his indifference to her in her face. Just when I think she’s wising up after he tells her that he is head over heels in love with a woman who knows about his feelings for her, she’s all “Perhaps she could change him.” Ugh.

Okay, finished and immediately dove into the second book, as this is a cliffhanger extended intro/prologue. It’s all one story so they kind of blend together, but I have to say, while there is some QUALITY angst and excellent steam, I just don’t quite understand the heroine’s confidence. She’s described as plain, she’s a spinster, he’s never noticed her, he’s in love with someone else and he is a rake that is coveted by every woman in the ton? While I enjoyed her anxiety about inheriting her mother’s “madness” - her mother killed her father for his infidelity, it eclipsed the angst I was seeking, namely a plain spinster pining for a man she should think could never care for her. I have a very specific trope that I look for, and frankly, this is not it.

This was it is well-written, I couldn’t put it down, and has unique characters with a very developed plot that was much more complex and non-tropey than I was expecting, so I’m giving it 4 stars, which is usually reserved for books that nail my favored tropes. show less

YES! YES! YES! Finally a woman who can go toe to toe with an overwhelmingly arrogant male. Emma Locke, I am loving it. Darius is rich, titled and full of himself but one meeting with a beautiful woman cuts him down to size. Caitlin is smart, beautiful and doesn't suffer fools. My best way of describing her is a newly discovered gem, she's rough around the edges but buried inside is the makings of a beautiful treasure. Her interactions with Darius are pure gold. She doesn't not hesitate to show more speak her mind but can't help have mixed feelings where he is concerned. I received an ARC of The Danger in Daring a Lady by Emma Locke in exchange for an honest review. I was already enjoying the Naughty Girls series but after reading Darius and Caitlin's story, I am not ashamed to admit that I am head over heels for these characters. My favorite book in the series. show less

I’m 62% in and frankly a bit embarrassed on behalf of the heroine due to her chasing the hero so hard no matter how many times he shoves his indifference to her in her face. Just when I think she’s wising up after he tells her that he is head over heels in love with a woman who knows about his feelings for her, she’s all “Perhaps she could change him.” Ugh.

Okay, finished and immediately dove into the second book, as this is a cliffhanger extended intro/prologue. It’s all one show more story so they kind of blend together, but I have to say, while there is some QUALITY angst and excellent steam, I just don’t quite understand the heroine’s confidence. She’s described as plain, she’s a spinster, he’s never noticed her, he’s in love with someone else and he is a rake that is coveted by every woman in the ton? While I enjoyed her anxiety about inheriting her mother’s “madness” - her mother killed her father for his infidelity, it eclipsed the angst I was seeking, namely a plain spinster pining for a man she should think could never care for her. I have a very specific trope that I look for, and frankly, this is not it.

I rate books based on them fulfilling my personal preferences, so it probably deserves another star, as it is well-written, I couldn’t put it down, and has unique characters with a very developed plot that was much more complex and non-tropey than I was expecting. (3.5 stars) show less

charminganearlThe second of five impoverished sisters, Miss Elinor Conley knows her dream of becoming a lady is farfetched. When an unmarried gentleman happens by her brother's smithy, it is up to her to act quickly—and rashly—to secure his interest. But Grantham Wendell, Earl Chelford, isn't in the market for anything more than a new horseshoe. What's a bachelor to do when an innocent miss turns up at his Christmas Eve bacchanalia? He ought to make her leave, but his Twelfth Night party show more just became more entertaining..

Received in ebook format from Netgalley.com, having read other books in the series - the reviews of which are here and here.

Elinor is the second daughter of a blacksmith, lives in a small Gloucester town. One day she sees Grantham stop by to get his horse reshod, and she makes a decision to marry him, even though she knows nothing about him.

She devises a plan to get his attention, only for it to go near fatally wrong, and it's only when she's in his house that she realises how little she knows him - his other Christmas guests are here for one of his annual "Bacchanalia"s - where half the guests are prostitutes for the other half.

Grantham is bored of his friends, but uses them to forget the death of his younger sister some years previously. However, he is enchanted by the innocent Elinor, a nice foil to the world weary and far too knowing other women he's taken to having as friends.

In the meeting with her previously never met Aunt - who Elinor finds out is not only a twin of her mother but disowned for being an actress - she finds an ally and that there is much she hasnt been told and just how naive and innocent she actually is.

Elinor is perhaps a little too naive for some readers - but as a woman with limited social circles, and certainly never presented with the situations she finally finds herself in, perhaps we're too modern and cynical a set of readers. One slight quibble early on - the village is referred to as "5 blocks long" - an Americanisation that should never have strayed into a Regency English village (boooo!) show less