FIVE STARS
Purity Diamond is probably the most proper heroine I’ve ever read. She never steps outside the box of propriety or breaks any rules of society. She is prim and proper at all times and expects the same from those around her…until she meets Matthew Norland, the Earl of Foxford.
Foxford is a rake and the topic of the gossip columns constantly. When he and Purity first meet, he mistakes her for someone else and kisses her. She is stunned and shaken and darts from the room, of course, but after that, neither could forget the other. She knows and doesn’t appreciate that he’s a rake. She reads the columns, after all. He decides he wants her to help him become the very best a man can be in order to find a suitable wife. He wants to be the embodiment of decorum…or does he?
Foxford was hilarious. He goaded her and poked at her (figuratively) and did everything a true gentleman would never do in front of a lady, with the exception of belching and farting and even though those aren’t mentioned, he probably did those, too. He made her crazy with the way he broke the rules and there were more than a few times when he made me laugh out loud.
Purity was beside herself with this guy. He had no social graces, asked her the wrong questions, said the wrong things, was always referring to their clandestine kiss and making it known he wanted more. He was not suitable for any lady in any way. He was crass, uncouth, and uncaring and oh so frustrating. He would never live up to the standards of society no matter how much work and time she put into him. But in the end, did it really matter?
This book popped for me. It made me laugh, which is a definite plus. It had some sweet moments, some mild steam, and great characters. I loved the story and how it all came together. The one thing I wished for was more interaction between Foxford and Diana. I also wondered how he kept her a secret from the ton. I thought he was wrong for not being straightforward with Purity about Diana, but if he had been, it would’ve changed the direction of the story. Everything was where it was supposed to be.
Solid five stars.
*Although this is part of a series, it can be read independently
Hanging out with Kristi 