Guest Review: One Night in London by Caroline Linden

Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins

Ames’ review of One Night in London by Caroline Linden.

A bargain that was all business . . . and pure passion.

Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case… if only she can melt the dashing lord’s stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . .and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.

I have read one previous Caroline Linden novel and really enjoyed it, so I did not hesitate to pick this one up once I read the blurb.

Lady Francesca Gordon wants her niece.  Georgina is her half-sister’s daughter, but she is currently being raised by her stepmother after her father passed away (Francesca’s half-sister has passed away as well).  The stepmother has cut off all access to Georgina and Francesca’s friend has advised her to go to a lawyer.  But every lawyer has turned her away except for one.  But minutes after he says he’ll take on her case, he apologizes and takes on another case, for a very important client.  Francesca, seeing her last chance at claiming Georgina slip through her fingers, overhears the name of the client and decides to beard the lion in his den.

Edward de Lacey is the second son of the late Duke of Durham.  His older brother, the Duke, is a bit of a wastrel and is not doing anything to secure his inheritance.  Because at the reading of the will, the brothers have discovered that their father married before…and never got a divorce.  And there is no proof that his first wife died before the Duke married their mother.  This means that they’re all potentially illegitimate!  Thus Edward’s hiring of the best lawyer in London, they need to do all they can to protect themselves before word gets out.

And that’s when Francesca and Edward meet.  She’s desperate and furious and he’s determined to secure his inheritance.  (But not from a money hungry point of view.)  She storms into his home and demands he help her since he stole her last chance at Georgina.  He thinks she’s a crack pot and asks her to leave.  But then word eventually leaks out about the inheritance and Francesca sees an opportunity – she can help Edward if he helps her in return.  And so a beautiful partnership begins…

What I enjoyed about this was the set up.  As a widow, Francesca has a certain independence.  She’s used to standing up for herself, so even though she’s not one to go storming into someone’s house, there’s a part of her that is a bit tempestuous and sassy.  And really, have you read any historical romances where the main characters meet because their fighting over a lawyer?  I haven’t and I liked that.  There’s no ballroom scenes here, thank you very much.

Edward, before the scandal broke out, was engaged (and in thought he was in love) to a perfect English rose.  And despite thinking he likes that kind of woman, Francesca captivates him.  I really liked how he could not help himself around her.  These two start off as somewhat wary allies but quickly become friends.  Which makes their romance so believable.  They know each other first.

If you’re in the mood for a solid read, I recommend One Night in London.  3.75 out of 5.

The series:

You can read more from ~ames~ at Thrifty Reader.

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

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