This rewarding Regency-era anthology is connected by Quinn's popular gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown, who appeared in her previous novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Each short romance features commentary from the society snoop and unfurls over the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, 1814. Characters meet, plots intersect, and cleverly, each author includes the same skating party (shown from the perspective of the four couples). Though all of the authors hold their own in this collection, Enoch's tale of a young woman who resists a childhood betrothal until her long-absent fiancé returns to make her reconsider is the strongest. Quinn also delivers a tasty confection about a young lady suddenly wooed by two brothers. Hawkins's romance between an eccentric spinster and an amiable rake is the most traditional of the lot, while Ryan stretches the bounds of the genre with a hero whose odd behavior stems from more than simple eccentricity. All in all, these Regency bonbons are filled with the wit and charm that mark the authors' full-length novels, yet they still contain enough passion to keep wintry readers warm. A wonderful introduction to the contributors' work, this is a perfect Valentine for romance readers. (Feb.)
Forecast:With its star-studded lineup and well-timed release, this exceptional anthology will likely be one of the holiday's most sought-after romances.
Details
Reviewed on: 01/20/2003
Genre: Fiction
Hardcover - 368 pages - 978-0-06-327326-9
Hardcover - 552 pages - 978-1-58724-542-8
Mass Market Paperbound - 384 pages - 978-0-06-323954-8
Open Ebook - 400 pages - 978-0-06-087333-2
Other - 400 pages - 978-0-06-087332-5
Other - 400 pages - 978-0-06-116027-1
Other - 448 pages - 978-0-06-174430-3
Paperback - 592 pages - 978-0-06-320451-5
Peanut Press/Palm Reader - 400 pages - 978-0-06-087329-5
