The Awakening of Miss Henley

The Awakening of Miss Henley is the first in a new series by Julia Justiss called The Cinderella Spinsters. But the hero and heroine of this story actually make their debut in The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife as secondary characters. I enjoyed this book. I have read a number of Ms. Justiss’ books and haven’t been disappointed. She is very skilled at layering her characters and then gently peeling back the outward facade they carry to expose the inner vulnerable being within. I thought Lord Theo Collington a very lovable rogue. I enjoyed his witty banter with the heroine - Emma Henley. Emma is not the typical English beauty - but extremely plain in her features, so she doubts her appeal and finds it hard to believe that romance could ever be truly experienced in her life, even when an actual suitor arrives on her doorstep. “Gentle, tender, sensual, the touch of his mouth had set off little lightning bolts of sensation that had shot to every corner of her. Just as she seemed to learn his rhythm and pressed upwards to kiss him back, he’d withdrawn. Leaving her bereft and trembling.” So why only 4 stars and not 5? My only real qualm with this book is that I kept waiting for a villain...and waiting and waiting. Maybe some unexpected twist? Or some dangerous scenario? Nope. There were quite a few passionate scenes. Overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next in this series. I was given a copy of this book.

Occasionally I find a book that leaves me wanting more. This is one of them. If I didn't have a pile of books that I had already promised to read, I would have dived right back in and started reading from the beginning again. I loved the development of the relationship between Theo and Emma, their verbal sparring and the slow recognition of their attraction for one another. As Emma provokes Theo into exploring more meaningful options for his future, he comes truly alive for the first time in his life. Emma, used to being denigrated and ignored by society, emerges from her protective shell under the teasing attention showered on her by Theo. Together they form a friendship that grows into love based on mutual respect and appreciation for one another's talents. When Theo disappears at a crucial time in their relationship, it really pulled at my heartstrings and I felt their frustration. Nevertheless, the end result is well thought out and beautiful. Although this novel is a part of a series, it is a standalone and put a smile on my face. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

"Five seasons and still unwed. Not that she had not had opportunities to marry. She had not once been tempted to accept and her own mother described her as 'not pretty enough to tempt a rake and not rich enough to tempt a fortune hunter.'" paraphrashed but it really set the story going forward. How can I best describe this utterly delightful story? Once I began the first page, I was immersed into one of the best stories I have read this year. I could only admire Miss Emily Henley as she would not settle for less than a real marriage to someone she cared about. She was to the point of setting up her own household and luckily she had the funds, where she could pursue her true interest. Political concerns of restricting child labor and extending the vote to women and many more. But she did enjoy her conversations with the handsome Lord Theo. Oh yes he was a libertine but their banter was so surprising and he did not want to get married anymore than she did! Little did she know his thoughts about her... "There was something about her-some restless, passionate, driving force he sensed just beneath the surface calm-that called out to him, as compelling as physical beauty." A slow journey of friendship and sparks of attraction that literally comes off of the pages. Julia Justiss has created such a memorable story with all the ingrediants that I adore in historical romance. I truly cannot wait for the next story in this series and know I will be revisiting this one again. Perfect.