A snowstorm hath no fury like a spinster scorned!
Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord-next-door… but he left England without a word of farewell. One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Out was a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen–and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself.
And he finally seems to have noticed her.
George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir-only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen. Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.
She has one night.
Title: | Lord Dashwood Missed Out |
Author: | Tessa Dare |
Series: | Spindle Cove (Book 4.5) |
Pages: | 144 |
Category / Genre(s): | Historical |
Trope(s): | Unrequited Love |
Point of View: | Third Person Past Tense Dual Viewpoints (Hero & Heroine) |
Location: | Spindle Cove, England |
Setting: | Regency |
HEA: | āļø |
Release Date: | 8th December, 2015 |
It’s all the hero’s fault
I think I own most of the books in Dareās Spindle Cove series but as yet have only read one or two. As this is a novella and would be quite a quick read, I decided not to wait until Iād read the books in the right order but instead jump right into this one.
The premise is fun and something a wee bit different from normal while still sticking to a familiar pattern of young love turning into something real.
Miss Elinora Browning – Nora – is a great character. Sheās feisty and fierce while still being true to her bluestocking roots. She felt true to the time period and I could relate to her, meaning that I was rooting for her happy ever after.
The book brings us to Spindle Cove and we meet a group waiting out a snow storm in order to hear Nora speak of her famous – or infamous – pamphlet – “Lord Dashwood Missed Out”. These parts also give you a glimpse of the characters from the previous books in the Spindle Cove series, especially Griff and Pauline from Any Duchess Will Do as well as the heroes from the previous novels. As I said, Iāve not read all the books but these snippets and the banter between the gents has really made me want to pull the Spindle Cove books out and get to reading. Genuinely funny with ease and interesting banter between these characters.
This is the same with Dareās writing throughout this story. Itās smart, funny and really flows. Itās an easy read and that, in part, is down to the way in which youāre drawn into the story.
So, why didnāt I rate this book higher? Well, I blame George Travers, Lord Dashwood aka Dash. I just couldnāt take to him. Now, I could totally understand his anger at the pamphlet that Nora wrote – she wasnāt exactly subtle about who she was talking about. I could accept if he hadnāt found her attractive when they were younger and hadnāt contemplated marriage. I could even accept that it was definitely a good thing that the pair hadnāt married all those years ago. What I couldnāt accept was his attitude and his manner with Nora. He was rude, condescending (and not in that āheās arrogant but he really caresā kind of way that I can totally get behind) and his goads and taunts felt borderline mean. Oh, he did get better towards the end of the book and I believed in their intimacy and their happily ever after – I just couldnāt really forgive him for his attitude when he and Nora first reconnected. And I do so like to hold a grudge!
A fun book with lots going on, an unusual premise and a witty and clever writing style – this is one I would recommend if you want to complete your Spindle Cove collection or introduce yourself to Tessa Dareās writing. Shame that it couldnāt have been a wee bit better – I blame George!
Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourteen historical romance novels and five novellas. Her books have won numerous accolades, including Romance Writers of Americaās prestigious RITAĀ® award (twice!) and the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence. Booklist magazine named her one of the ānew stars of historical romance,” and her books have been contracted for translation in more than a dozen languages.
A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, their two children, and a trio of cosmic kitties.
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