"Vixen in Velvet"
by Loretta Chase
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Source: sent by publisher
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
From the Diary of Leonie Noirot: The perfect corset should invite its undoing . . .
Lethally charming Simon Fairfax, Marquess of Lisburne, has reluctantly returned to London for one reason only: a family obligation. Still, he might make time for the seduction of a certain redheaded dressmaker—but Leonie Noirot hasn't time for him. She's obsessed with transforming his cousin, the dowdy Lady Gladys, into a swan.
Leonie's skills can coax curves—and profits—from thin air, but his criminally handsome lordship is too busy trying to seduce her to appreciate her genius. He badly needs to learn a lesson, and the wager she provokes ought to teach him, once and for all.
A great plan, in theory—but Lisburne's become a serious distraction, and Leonie's usual logic is in danger of slipping away as easily as a silk chemise. Could the Season's greatest transformation be her own?
My Review:
This was a really fun romance, and there were quite a few things that I loved about it! However, the romance between the two main characters was only okay for me.
I loved that Leonie was a dressmaker and that so much detail was given to the historical clothing and the buzzing business in her dress shop.
The other aspect that I absolutely loved was the supporting characters- Swanton and Gladys! Swanton is a poet who's star is on the rise in London, all the ladies are absolutely in love with him and his romantic poetry. I could read about poets with their heads in the clouds all day, and Swanton is just so adorable! Lisburne feels he has to watch over him and protect him because Swanton is so fanciful and can't be bothered with anything practical.
While nearly every lady in London is in love with Swanton, he is mesmerized by one in particular, especially her voice. Gladys is not the most traditionally beautiful of ladies in London, but with Leonie's help, she is learning to showcase her assets, and London learns that she has a lot to offer besides just looking lovely.
I found myself wanting to flip pages forward to read the next bit of information about Swanton or Gladys. The leads, Leonie and Lisburne, were just a bit too bland for my liking. They were both sweet and likable, but they didn't have a spark for me. I thought their wager was a bit silly, and I would have rather seen a real conflict move the story forward rather than a vague wager about making Gladys the toast of the town.
Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 55
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Bottom Line: A nice romance but the real stars were the supporting players and the beautiful dresses!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Seriously cute cover!
