The Reluctant Countess

The description of the book reads

Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.

Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.

I found the book to be rather fun.  Sophie is everything that a lady should be, except she really has a secret that she is hiding.  This leads Viscount Myles Dumbly to decide that something is wrong with her and he is going to find out what it is.  This leads the two on a merry and sexually charged chase.

The Good:

This book has everything one would expect out of a Historical romance, a dashing lord, a beautiful woman, a secret and a blooming love that will not be ignored.
The character development makes sense and it has set the author up for further books. 
Each person is believable with both positives and a mixture of faults.

The indifferent:

There are some really great sex scenes, however, there is nothing new and in some cases they could have been cut down a little.  However, if you are looking for a steamy romance book then this is a good choice.

The Bad:

While there is a great set up we receive gratification almost too quickly. Normally one would have to wait until around halfway through a book before things really start to heat up.  That is not the case with this book.  Things start heating up much quicker than that. 

Overall:

Wendy Vella gives us a great book and a good example of historical romance, with very few historical inaccuracies that I could find. (Though I am not an expert) I recommend this book to those who like this style of romance.