The Unlikely Lady

by Valerie Bowman

Overview

FOR THE BACHELOR AND THE BLUESTOCKING…

Certain that no man wants a bluestocking for a wife, Miss Jane Lowndes is careful to wield her books and her spectacles as weapons against matrimony. Convincing her ambitious mama that she's content to stay a spinster is easier said than done, however. It's a good thing Jane is not above a bit of manufactured scandal if it will keep her from the altar, and the argumentative, contrary Lord Garrett Upton…


ROMANCE IS NEVER BY THE BOOK

With the war over, Garrett is determined to enjoy his bachelor's life while he can, even when it means attending a house party in celebration of a friend's wedding--and suffering Jane's notorious disdain. But when a masquerade ball leads to a mistaken kiss, he's surprised to learn that Jane's bookish exterior hides a truly passionate soul. When two such headstrong people are determined to remain unattached, can love lead to a happy ending?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466839441
Publisher:	St. Martin''s Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Series:	Stickmen's Guide to This Incredible Earth , #3
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	86,479
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she's number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got.

Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dog, Roo. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Valerie loves to hear from readers. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps! Valerie's debut, SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT, the first in the Secret Brides series from St. Martin's Press, was nominated by RT Book Reviews for Best Debut Historical for 2012! SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE was named a 4.5 star TOP PICK! by RT Book Reviews. It's been called "Too Delightful Too Miss!" by New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas, and New York Times bestselling historical romance author Sarah MacLean says it's, "Everything a romance should be--sexy, quirky, fun...once you start reading, you won't be able to stop!"


Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.

Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her family including her rascally rescue dog, Roo. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV or PBS.

Editorial Reviews

03/16/2015
Bowman’s third Playful Brides Regency (after The Accidental Countess) hinges on an unlikely attraction between a bluestocking and a bachelor. Jane Lowndes prefers books over social outings. While reluctantly attending a house party prior to her friend Cass’s wedding, Jane trades barbs with Garrett Upton, an attractive ex-military man who stands to inherit an earldom. Jane believes he is the most profligate of rakes and wastes no opportunity to tell him of her opinions. However, when they meet at a costumed ball and neither realizes the identity of the other, their mutual attraction threatens to spin out of control. Jane is soon drawn into competition for Upton’s attention, as a beautiful widow seeks every opportunity to gain his favor. The scintillating sex scenes between Upton and Jane are intensified by the tension of the love triangle. Fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this installment, rich with fully developed characters and a plethora of witty banter. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Bowman keeps her prose and characters fresh and interesting; her book is an entertaining renewal of a classic plotline and well worth reading." —-Kirkus

From the Publisher

Too delightful to miss!

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas

Fabulous, sexy tales!

USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer

"Splendidly satisfying…[with] emotional depth."

Booklist (starred review)

2015-02-15
A bookish young woman tries to convince her mother she's just not marriage material in this Regency romance inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, but her mother has the last laugh. Bowman (The Accidental Countess, 2014, etc.) offers another installment in her Playful Brides series with the story of confirmed spinster and bluestocking Jane Lowndes. Jane is attempting to convince her mother to stop trying to find her an advantageous match. She dusts off her friend Cassandra's old ruse, inventing a chaperone named Mrs. Bunbury in order to gain permission to attend a house party without her mother. But while at the house party, the unchaperoned Jane finds herself spending more and more time with Lord Garrett Upton, the cousin of one of her closest friends. Garrett and Jane can barely tolerate each other, but when Jane dresses with unwonted care for a masquerade and they spend time together without knowing each other's identities, the sparks fly. When their mutual friends realize what's going on, they take a page from Shakespeare's book, telling Jane that Garrett is in love with her and telling Garrett that Jane is in love with him. Both of them begin looking for signs of affection in the other, and as a result, affection naturally grows. This comedy of errors is an enjoyable read even though the old trope of extreme annoyance being the flip side of love and sexual attraction is a bit boring. The villain in the piece, a manipulative war widow preying on Garrett's survivor's guilt, is also crudely drawn and predictable. But overall, Bowman keeps her prose and characters fresh and interesting; her book is an entertaining renewal of a classic plotline and well worth reading.

Kirkus Reviews