An impulsive kiss between a libertine duke and a mysterious governess sparks a blaze of desire—and intrigue—in this breathtaking Regency romance from the award-winning author of Spy Fall.
Adam Fairfax, the Duke of Sunderford, happily enjoys a different woman (or two) every night—or he did until his wards landed on his doorstep. Ever since Sunny took in the seven-year-old twin girls and their prim and proper governess, Isabel Finch, his love life has been a shambles. But, as time goes by, Sunny catches himself getting lost in Isabel’s haughty blue eyes, or following the curves beneath her unbecoming dress. An unexpected kiss ignites a passion that shocks him into realizing how thin the line between love and hate can be.
If Isabel’s hidden past were revealed, she could lose everything. Oddly enough, only when “Sinful Sunny” is near does she feel safe—or safe enough to speak up in defense of the girls. The duke’s decadent lifestyle is a disgrace, and clearly, he considers Isabel a nuisance. Still, she can’t help admiring his sculpted cheekbones, strong-cut jaw, and tousled chestnut hair. When their lips meet, it’s almost as if he could kiss the secrets right out of her. Worse, she’s tempted to let him. . . .
Emilia St. George is moments away from marrying the admired grandson of a duke when the man who once jilted her decides to kidnap her at the altar. It’s the second time in five years Hamilton Sparrow has ruined her wedding day, and Emilia isn’t about to forgive him. The mere sight of her ex-fiancé revives painful memories—and, most regrettably, aching desires that refuse to be ignored.
Scanning the guests at Emilia’s wedding, Sparrow spots a familiar face: an assassin he recognizes from his days as a spy in France. Whisking Emilia away, he’s pleasantly surprised by her newly formed curves. Could this be the same flame-haired slip of a girl once promised to Sparrow? And does the fop she still insists on marrying realize what a prize she is? True, Sparrow left Emilia at the altar. But he’s afraid that the only way to right that particular wrong is to risk the one thing he’s always guarded: his heart.
My review:
Emilia is about to have the wedding that was denied to her 5 years earlier when her fiance, Hamilton Sparrow, left her at the altar. She was just minutes away from walking down the aisle when she was kidnapped by none other than…..Hamilton Sparrow. His reason for kidnapping her….there was an assassin in the audience and that assassin was there to kill her.
He brings Emilia to his manor, where she notices that his housekeeper is overly friendly with him. Put it this way, she was shoving her boobs in his face, giving Emilia (who she referred to as “the ginger”) dirty looks and the kicker, she tried to give Hamilton a blow job while he was sitting at his desk, which he quickly deterred but not before Emilia sees.
The assassin catches up with Sparrow and Emilia at Sparrow’s estate….where Emilia brains him with a rock while Sparrow fights him. The injury to his head, causes the assassin to go into a coma. Which is bad in a way because he can’t tell Sparrow who hired him.
So begins the mystery of who wants to kill Emilia and why.
Come to find out that there are a couple of people who want to kill her and they all have motives. Her cousin, a recluse, whose parents were murdered in their beds years ago and who people suspected of killing them. A shady art dealer who Emilia caught swindling people and got him fired from his job. Her current fiance who, come to find out, is a spendthrift and really isn’t nice to Emilia.
All the while, Sparrow is fighting a growing attraction to Emilia and he is trying to figure out how to get out from under a mountain of debt that the previous holder of his title left him when he died.
I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely something that I needed to read after the last few books I have read. The humor in the book was great.
I really liked Emilia. She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it. Which was pretty funny in some scenes (like when she wanted to paint Sparrow naked…she was tenacious….lol).
Sparrow wasn’t the perfect hero either. He was hurt, badly, in the past by a former lover and he couldn’t move past that. So, what does he do? He forms attachments that won’t require him to get emotionally involved with the women. If that starts to happen, he ends the relationship. The gradual change in him took place from the minute he kidnaps Emilia. He turned down sex (from his housekeeper) because Emilia was there.
The sex scenes between Sparrow and Emilia were very hot and I loved how she propositioned him….lol.
I was surprised at who the person was who wanted Emilia dead and the reasons why. Well, I take that back. I wasn’t surprised at that because it made perfect sense. The end of the book was perfect. I do wish that there was an epilogue to show how Sparrow and Emilia were doing. I am sure, though, that they will make an appearance in the next book!!
How many stars will I give From London with Love? 4
Why: This was a funny, sexy, mystery/romance that keeps the pages turning.
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sex and violence
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
Perfect for readers of Madeline Hunter, Lisa Kleypas, and Sabrina Jeffries, the Rebellious Brides series continues with a sizzling tale of forbidden love between a socialite and a scholar—who might just be an infamous spy.
Lady Elinor Dunsmore made the mistake of falling for her older brother’s best friend, who vanished after a night of unbridled passion. Six years and a lifetime later, their eyes meet across a Paris salon. Her friends and family believe she’s dead, but Elle is very much alive. She’s now associated with a ruthless general, who wants her to seduce the man who broke her heart in order to learn his deepest secrets. Is Will a mild-mannered scholar—or the notorious agent they call The Razor?
The bastard son of an earl and an actress, Will Naismith always knew he was an unsuitable match for Elle Dunsmore, no matter how powerfully he ached for her. And yet he almost allowed his desires to spoil her glittering future. After the agony caused by Elle’s supposed death, Will has devoted himself to the Crown, but his entire life has been leading up to this unexpected reunion. As much as he still wants her, though, he must not succumb to lust once again. For his mission is delicate—and Elle is delectably dangerous.
I liked this book, even if it was a little “eh” for me. When I say “eh,” it isn’t bad, but some scenes made me roll my eyes. One of those scenes was with Elle’s maid, Sophie. She was a little too uppity for a maid (which makes me think there is a story in itself) for the era. And for some reason, it drove me crazy.
The story between Elle and Will was great. The sexual tension came across my Kindle and was built up. It was intense when they finally did the deed (I willNEVERlook at hip tubs the same way again). So intense that I needed to put down my Kindle and fan myself a few times.
The storyline was pretty good too. Taking place in the early 1800’s French society, it described French society to a “T.” From the dress styles to the language to the laws about “bastard children,” it made for a fantastic read.
I couldn’t stand Elle. She rubbed me the wrong way and was too compliant with General Durant. She fought Will every single step of the way and refused to listen to him. There were some scenes where I wanted to reach through the pages and smack her.
3 Things I liked about A License to Wed:
Will’s character
Susanna
the sexual tension
3 Things I disliked about A License to Wed:
Elle (couldn’t stand her!!!)
Will’s father
General Gerard Durant
I would recommend A License to Wed to anyone over 21. There is minor violence, minor language, and graphic sex.
If you enjoyed reading A License to Wed, you will enjoy reading these books:
![A License to Wed: Rebellious Brides by [Quincy, Diana]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51sUcxiAVeL.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
