The Luckiest Lady in London - Sherry Thomas

The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

Felix Rivendale, the Marquess of Wrenworth, is The Ideal Gentleman, a man all men want to be and all women want to possess. Felix himself almost believes this golden image. But underneath is a damaged soul soothed only by public adulation.

Louisa Cantwell needs to marry well to support her sisters. She does not, however, want Lord Wrenworth—though he seems inexplicably interested in her. She mistrusts his outward perfection and the praise he garners everywhere he goes.But when he is the only man to propose at the end of the London season, she reluctantly accepts.

Louisa does not understand her husband's mysterious purposes, but she cannot deny the pleasure her body takes in his touch. Nor can she deny the pull this magnetic man exerts upon her. But does she dare to fall in love with a man so full of dark secrets, anyone of which could devastate her, if she were to get any closer? (from Goodreads)

If you’re looking for a historical romance to knock your socks off, I’d highly encourage you to pick up a copy of The Luckiest Lady in London. It’s funny and slightly irreverent, it’s got complex, interesting main characters and the story takes you on an emotional roller coaster (as I feel any romance should)! I’m so glad that I finally read this one for It Takes Two, and I’m definitely encouraging EVERYONE – historical romance fan or not – to try it for themselves!

The Luckiest Lady in London is still a mighty fine example of a historical romance. This is in no small part due to its hero and heroine – Felix Rivendale and Louisa Cantwell.

Felix is a wonderful man really, filled with intelligence and kindness and the capacity for great love. However, due to his childhood, he’s closed himself off from vulnerability and emotion, which makes him seem serious, somber and incapable of feeling anything… including love. (I know you see where this is heading!)

Louisa, on the other hand, was pretty much an open book. Her family is in dire straits, and because of her suitability, she’s taken it upon herself to try and marry someone who can help. What I love most about Louisa is that she’s candid (especially about sex), intelligent (seriously) and just plain funny when she thinks or says or does things.

Clearly, with these two as your main characters, there’s room for lots of shenanigans and delicate situations to ensue. I loved the development of their relationship, from absolute strangers to actual friendship to an enviable romance. Seriously, their romance is wonderful. Sure, there are secrets that cause problems and actions that made me want to throw something at a certain character’s (*coughs* Felix *coughs*) head. But overall, just the way that their intimacy deepens and their regard grows made me swoon. And let’s not forget their penchant for witty banter, because their remarks seriously made me laugh out loud.

While the plot turns and twists remain pretty predictable if you’ve read a lot of historical romances, they’re still fun to read. I went through a whole slew of emotions with this one, but lingered heavily on a deep melancholy (complete with teary eyes) and a wonderful sense of joy (complete with laughing out loud). The emotions came because I cared about these characters so GODDAMN much, and in that, Sherry Thomas has won me over.

Basically, The Luckiest Lady in London is the kind of romance that will sweep readers up. If you’re hesitant about historical romance, or if you have a pre-conceived notion of it as featuring shy, naïve heroines, give this novel a try and let it simply blow you away.

(Seriously though, I can’t believe I held off on reading a Thomas romance for so long! Now that I’ve tried her stuff for the first time, I’m NEVER GOING BACK to a world without it. It looks like she’s written quite a few more titles, so you can be sure I’m going to get my hands on them.)

This review is posted as part of It Takes Two.