Jack Thorndike did not intend to impersonate his older brother, but then again he never expected to have feelings for a small town clergyman's daughter either. Before he realizes what is happening he has purchased a home in her small village and he's investigating a murder.

Even though Jack is a typical jaded London rake and Angela is a marriage-minded chit, I found that this wasn't a particularly realistic Regency tale. Some of the terms and slang seemed a little forced. I hate to say it but I disliked Angela; I found her much too forward for an innocent country lass. Perhaps if she had been a little more demure or if the setting had not been Regency England I would have found her more likable. The one sex scene felt completely out of place. I enjoyed the who-dunnit, which wasn't too elementary or too complicated, although I would have preferred even more detail of the culprit's motives. I also wish the mystery storyline had been introduced earlier. I did like all of the secondary characters. The quirky residents of Lower Pennington were lovable and so entertaining.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Theresa Joseph
April 21, 2009