A stand-alone novella from New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna’s long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth—to the rakishly handsome artistocrat himself . . .
Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, is far too intrigued by Mary to let her go so easily. He’s drawn to her sharp mind, indomitable spirit, and the fiery way in which she dismisses him—ladies simply don’t dismiss Lord Blackwell. But as Mary makes her first hesitant steps into society, she can’t help but wonder if she truly has a place in Henry’s world—or in his heart.
-
Sexual Content - 4/5
4/5
-
Violence - 1/5
1/5
-
Language - 3/5
3/5
-
Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
1/5
Summary
Once Upon a Maiden Lane is the first of the two wrap-up novellas in Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series. Whereas the final full-length novel, Duke of Desire, was probably the darkest story of the series, this little novella is quite possibly the lightest. It’s a sweet fairy-tale about Mary Whitsun, one of the numerous Marys who were raised at the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. If memory serves she’s been a part of the series since the beginning and has now grown up into a lovely young lady. But she’s still just a servant – albeit a very valued one who is more like an adopted daughter – in the home of the Caires (Wicked Intentions), until a handsome aristocrat recognizes her in a bookshop and insists that she could be the long-lost twin of the woman to whom he is betrothed. Thus sets in motion a Cinderella tale with a few unexpected twists and turns.
I really liked Mary. She’s a grounded intelligent girl who isn’t given to flights of fancy, so it’s a lot for her to take in when she meets the family she never knew she had and discovers that she, not her sister, is actually the one betrothed to Henry, who is a viscount no less. It’s like all her childhood dreams of having a family to call her own are finally coming true, but she isn’t sure whether to believe it or not. However, it doesn’t stop her from falling head over heels for her fiancé even though they don’t exactly get off on the right foot. Mary wasn’t raised as a genteel lady, so she’s definitely a girl who can stand up for herself and doesn’t hesitate to do so when necessary, but at the same time, there’s an unmistakable sweetness about her that I loved.
For his part, Henry is a handsome charmer who won’t take no for an answer. He’s always thought he was content to fulfill his duty as a member of the aristocracy, as well as the marriage contract that was forged between his father and the twins’ father shortly after the girls’ births. But when the oldest twin went missing as an infant and was never found the contract was amended to have him marry the youngest one instead. The two grew up together and think of one another more as brother and sister than future husband and wife, so when Henry meets Mary, he realizes all he’s been missing. She’s everything he could hope for in a life partner and her sass intrigues him. He’s also not the least bit put off that she grew up as an orphan and a servant. He simply loves her for herself, which made me love him.
Overall, Once Upon a Maiden Lane was a great little story that I very much enjoyed. It was wonderful to see one of the older girls from the orphanage get an HEA, although there are others I would have loved to see more of as well. We do get to see all the past characters come together for Mary and Henry’s nuptials, though, which was fun. Val and Bridget (Duke of Sin) appear in one scene as well with Val doting on their little daughter, which was cute. There was also a secondary romance for Mary’s sister, Joanna, and Henry’s best friend. I loved the little mystery as to who was shooting at Mary and Henry and why. I didn’t figure that out until it was revealed and what a twisty reveal it was. I wasn’t sure where things were going to go from there, so bravo to the author for keeping me on my toes. I suppose my only minor complaint is that there is only one full love scene that doesn’t occur until the very end. I was almost thinking there wasn’t going to be one until I got to the final few pages. While admittedly it was consistent with the sweetness of the story, it felt a tad rushed. It was still nice and welcome, but rather unlike this author who is known for her steamy romances. But this was a small thing in an otherwise fun novella, so I can’t complain too much. Now I’m just waiting for the final novella that will be released this month (Dec. 2017).
Review provided by The Hope Chest Reviews (http://www.thcreviews.com)