Guest Review: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley

Posted November 22, 2010 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 1 Comment

Tracy’s review of Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley

Miss Emily Grantwich is surrounded by misfortune. Her brother is missing in the war, her father is paralyzed, and she must manage the family’s estates and business. Now, as neighbor, she has a notorious rake generally known as the Dark Angel. She knows that everyone is right and she should avoid him, but somehow it doesn’t work out that way. And all in all, she’s not sure if she wants it to.

Emily had taken over the keeping of her family’s estate after her father was paralyzed in an accident and they found out that her brother was MIA in the war and presumed dead. Her father doesn’t want to hire an estate manager but he really doesn’t think that Emily is doing a very good job. Actually, she’s doing a great job. Not only are things running smoothly but she’s really learning to spread her wings and is enjoying her duties and the freedoms that they bring her.

After purchasing some sheep one day she literally runs into Piers Verderan, who’s in town for the season to hunt, while he’s arguing with a loose woman in town. The woman throws a container of poudre des violettes at Ver and life begins to change for both Emily and Ver.

Emily definitely finds Mr. Verderan attractive but he’s a rake he’s just not someone that fits in to her neat and orderly life. But then she realizes that if her brother ever comes back she will have to go back to her “womanly” pursuits and she’s not sure that’s what she wants either. Mr. Verderan makes her think about life outside of her town of Melton Mowbray and what that would be like.

Piers Verdaran, mostly known as Ver, is positive that it’s the dumping of the poudre des violettes that has turned his life into the chaotic thing it is now. He’s looking at a 26 year old spinster and seeing a beautiful woman, one he wants to spend the rest of his life with and that’s just something he’s never done before – either the spinster looking or the thinking about marriage. But her family as well as the local vicar, and of course the horrible rumors about his life seem to be holding the lady back and he finds himself working hard to convince her that he is the one for her.

This story is a reprint form 1991 and is a much more staid read than books that have been written since. The book is limited to kissing, and a bit more, but no sex is involved, which is fine – I didn’t feel that the book needed it and that was a nice change. The romance, while being a bit unromantic at points was certainly engaging. The rake and the spinster getting together kind of reminded of Marion the librarian and Harold Hill the shyster from the Music Man. He’s trying to get her to open up and look at the possibilities and she just wants her life to go on as it is…or does she?

I found Ver’s lack of repentance about his reputation quite wonderful. He mentions to Emily that his life is quite unconventional and it’s more than likely going to stay that way. I loved that he didn’t promise her that his life would change, etc. He was who he was and that was how it was going to be – accept him or not.

Overall a sweet romance that was fun to read.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This book is available from NAL. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

You can read more from Tracy at Tracy’s Place.


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