The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella

The Reluctant Countess
by Wendy Vella
Published January 14th 2013 by Loveswept
ISBN: 0345540077 (ISBN13: 9780345540072)

review courtesy of publisher and netGalley

From rising romance star Wendy Vella comes a Cinderella story of whirlwind passion between a dashing earl and a beautiful countess—and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.

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.

My Thoughts: 

Just finished reading Reluctant Countess and just in time as I hear it debuts today. I read this book in less than one day, it was that good!!   Awesome debut, Everything that I Love to find in a book. From rags to riches.

A fairy tale romance - beauty, prince charming, villain and of course a happy ever after ending. 

What is not to love about this book.. I think what set this book apart from the rest of the historical romance books I have read lately, is the utter honesty between the characters.  If there is a miscommunication or a secret that one may be keeping~ they talk about it in an open way, no hiding waiting for them to find out the secret on their own. It made for such a pleasant read, without that, well I can't talk for you but I simply want to slap them and tell them to fess up. The more they wait the more strain on the relationship. But Sophie and Patrick have an open dialogue between each other- quite refreshing.  

Our heroine is not one to be taken lightly either.. She has spunk and inner class, so she wasn't born into it but sometimes class is not by title and family name alone. Sophie gave purpose to Patrick's life, she had broken through the barrier he placed around his emotions, erected as a child, locked away until Sophie entered his life.

There was such cute dialogue between the characters, finding myself chuckling out loud and highlighting the section, just to go back and read it again..  Some was very emotional... here is a sample of what you will find...   

 "He told me once that he would marry only when he found someone who wanted him as an equal, not because of his title or wealth, but because she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, Patrick, not the Earl of Coulter"      Stephen to Sophie 

"Hello, wife" Patrick said as he turned Sophie to face him.. ..."Hello, husband"....

 I simply loved the secondary characters- Stephen and Amelia. I hope this was just a tease and these two will have their own book.  The author left us with a bit of a cliffhanger... Drats!!!

This book moves up my favorite list.. once again an exciting debut from author Wendy Vella. I don't think we have seen "nothing" yet from this captivating author.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: