The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount

Julia London is another must read author for me. She’s been a favorite since I started reading the genre. And unlike some authors, her transition to contemporary was wonderful, but I still prefer her historical novels.

Here’s the blurb for The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount:

Lady Phoebe Fairchild is well aware that the ton would be appalled to learn of a young lady of quality involved in a trade. Therefore, she resorts to selling her beautiful handmade gowns under a fictitious name: Madame Dupree. So when circumstances force her to visit the estate of William Darby, the Viscount of Summerfield, to design ball gowns for his sisters, she assumes Madame’s identity. Phoebe’s discomfort in her new position as hired help is nothing compared to her visceral attraction to the viscount himself.

Heathenishly handsome and shamelessly seductive, Will invites her to be his mistress—and Phoebe is shockingly tempted to accept. But as their desire for one another grows, and the risk of exposure becomes even greater, Phoebe is in dire danger of losing her reputation, her livelihood—and her chance of becoming the bride of the man whose passion has claimed her forever.

I loathe, loathe the mistaken identity theme. Mind you I knew what I was getting into before I read the book. But my reason for it reading the was the author. I love her books, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t be put off by the theme. My mistake. It bothered me a lot.

I found that the whole masquerade/mistaken identity in this book, was overly done. She could have told her secret at any point, in my opinion. But it continued until, well you guessed it, someone recognized her, and then the crap hit the fan. Excuse my language! It really just ticks me off…. Argh! As if we couldn’t see that one coming.

Oh well, my mistake. I should have gone with my gut feeling. Avoid mistaken identities and masquerades at all costs!

I wonder if I’ll listen to my own advice?!

The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount by Julia London (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Pocket Books (10/2007); Series: # 3, Desperate Debutantes Trilogy; 100 + Reading Challenge (73); Library book;