And the Miss Ran Away With the Rake (Rhymes with Love Series #2)

by Elizabeth Boyle

Overview

Sensible gentleman of means seeks a sensiblelady of good breeding for correspondence, and indue consideration, matrimony.

Which is exactly the sort of advertisement that makespractical-to-a-fault Daphne Dale's heart flutter. A sensiblegentleman, in her estimation, is the perfect match,and she's even more convinced once she's exchanging sensiblyromantic letters with her very appropriate suitor. That is,until Lord Henry Seldon strays into her path. He's everythingshe's vowed to avoid—a rakish charmer whose verytouch seduces her practical sensibilities and her resolve.

Lord Henry Seldon was not amused when his nephewplaced an advertisement to find him a wife. Yet he couldn'tresist replying to the note from "Miss Spooner." And oncehe discovers he's corresponding with none other thanthe disarming Daphne Dale, he finds it's too late to disavowhis heart. Now it is up to Henry to prove to Daphne just howinsensible—and powerfully passionate—true love can be . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062089083
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/26/2013
Series:	Rhymes with Love Series , #2
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Elizabeth Boyle has always loved romance and now lives it each and every day by writing adventurous and passionate stories that readers from all around the world have described as "page-turners." Since her first book was published, she's seen her romances become New York Times and USA Today bestsellers and won the RWA RITA® and the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards. She resides in Seattle with her family, her garden, and always-growing collection of yarn.

Editorial Reviews

Tabitha Timmons is going to marry the Duke of Preston (as chronicled in Along Came a Duke), but her best friend, Daphne Dale, is still searching for her own happy ending. Usually prim, proper, and practical, Daphne has spent the past month secretly penning passionate missives to a "sensible gentleman" she met via an advertisement in the Morning Chronicle. When they finally meet at Tabitha's engagement ball, it's love at first sight—but the gentleman is Lord Henry Seldon and the sparks are from the centuries-old Dale-Seldon feud. Daphne is not ready to buck generations of hatred and defy her family for a Seldon rogue, even if she likes his good humor, opinions, and sense of duty. Henry is also horror-struck that his perfect woman is one of the over-proud Dales, but he can't keep his hands to himself. Henry and Daphne are willfully blind to how perfect they are for each other, so every encounter is entertaining and slightly manic. They clash constantly, but their kisses are sizzling. Their eventual mutual epiphany, complete with a madcap race to Scotland, is the perfect finishing touch to this delightful Regency. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

In order to concoct a great family feud you need three elements: two passionate families and a trifling incident that might have brushed over with an apology - save for one thing - did I mention the passion part?

Romantic Times

Ms. Boyle’s writing is always a pleasure to read. She has a knack for creating engaging and entertaining stories with just the right amount of romance. Her characters are always likable.

Fresh Fiction

When his nephew puts a lovelorn ad in the paper on his behalf as a prank, Lord Henry Seldon never expects to find someone he might consider his soul mate; unfortunately, she's a Dale, sworn enemies of the Seldons. Lord Henry Seldon, possibly the most sober and sensible Seldon ever born, is not amused when his nephew, the Duke of Preston (who is barely six months younger than he) buys an ad in the London paper, from a sensible gentlemen seeking a sensible lady for correspondence and possible matrimony, and directs the replies to Henry's address. But he is shocked when one of the letters actually resonates with him, and he finds himself falling in love with Miss Spooner through a series of exchanged letters he signs Mr. Dishforth. However, as events unfold, it soon points to the possibility that his beloved Miss Spooner is none other than Daphne Dale, of the detested Dales, sworn enemies of the Seldon clan for centuries. At first determined to deny their mutual attraction, Henry and Daphne sway to the strength of their feelings for one another, but their families prove to be further obstacles to their happiness. Boyle's second installment in the Rhymes With Love series is a light, fun read with a cute and intriguing storyline that combines a Romeo-and-Juliet–style arc with a twist on a Cyrano de Bergerac–esque correspondence confusion. For the most part, Boyle's writing is smooth and well-paced, the characters are engaging and authentic, and the dialogue is witty and does a good job grounding the characters and moving the story forward. However, there are some slow moments, and a pet dog at times gets in the way of the flow of the plot rather than enhancing it. The book charms and entertains, and the hook is unique and fun, earning a few extra points for originality: a good bet for historical romance fans.

Kirkus Reviews