Giveaway and Review: "Barely a Lady"

As part of the "Barely a Lady" blog tour, I have my review and a giveaway of 5 copies of the book, sponsored by Hachette!

"Barely a Lady"
by Eileen Dreyer

Source: provided for review by Hachette Books

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Five years ago, jack Wyndham, Earl of Gracechurch, kicked out his wife, Olivia, over a misunderstanding instigated by his jealous cousin Gervaise. Olivia changed her last name to Grace after the scandalous divorce and lived trying to forget her love for Jack, while trying to hide from the malicious Gervaise. She is among a group of women tending soldiers injured in Waterloo, when she comes face to face with a near-death Jack, wearing a French uniform. Even after all he's done to hurt her, she takes it upon herself to nurse him back to health. As he comes to, she realizes Jack has amnesia and believes them to still be married.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I have some problems with the story, but Dreyer's writing style is addictive! I was turning the pages as quickly as possible, and there was never a slow moment.

I was reminded a little of Sherri Thomas and Meredith Duran's writing, in that the leads are very flawed and have dealt with a lot over long periods of time. Add in a war, and you've got a really sweeping tale of love and hardship.

Sigh, I wanted to like Jack, I really did. He just seemed so...likeable. I was ready to forgive him for the divorce, but then he started to remember his affair with Mimi. I don't know what is worse, reading about the hero telling another woman that he loves her or reading his love scenes with her. Jack didn't have to be a monk while they were divorced, but the Mimi affair was too much for me. Poor Olivia, already having to deal with so much on her own, and then she has to deal with Mimi.

I did enjoy all of the supporting characters, especially Grace and Diccan. I really looked forward to their scenes.

I liked the style of the book, with all the past secrets being revealed slowly throughout the book. There was a lot going on, and it was a bit like a mystery unraveling. I also liked that the characters were re-united after a long time apart. I just would rather not have to be so upset with the hero for most of the book!


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5 (I liked the romance, I was just so upset with Jack!!)
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (I LOVE this cover!!)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: I do think I'll read the other books in the series because I really liked the author's style, even though I had problems with the story itself.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Contest is closed! Thanks for entering!

Hachette books has generously provided FIVE copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment on this review with your email address!

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• Ends Tuesday July 20
  

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