Books › How to treat a lady
How to treat a lady
375 pages
A delightful, banter-filled romp where a desperate lie blossoms into an unexpected, swoon-worthy romance.
What it feels like
Reading this historical romance feels like stepping into a lively, sunlit drawing room where the tea is hot and the gossip is even hotter. The narrative moves at a brisk, entertaining clip, propelled by the crackling chemistry and sharp banter between a notorious rake and a fiercely practical heroine. It balances the lighthearted absurdity of a fake engagement with genuine emotional grounding, exploring the heavy burdens of family duty and the sweet relief of finding a true partner. The prose is breezy and dialogue-heavy, keeping the mood spirited and swoony even as a mild mystery unfolds in the background. It is a perfect, cozy escape for readers who love watching a charming scoundrel fall helplessly in love with the woman who finally calls his bluff.
- Mood
- spirited
- swoony
- cozy
- adventurous
- Tone
- witty
- playful
- romantic
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- redemption of a rogue · burden of family responsibility · unexpected partnership · fake relationship to real love
- The writing
- Breezy and dialogue-driven, laced with sharp banter and simmering sensual tension.
- The arc
- Moves from a desperate, comical deception to a tender, vulnerable realization of true partnership.
- Who it's for
- Readers who delight in classic historical romances featuring charming scoundrels and the practical women who outwit them.
Content notes
- gambling and alcohol use
- mild violence
About the book
Everyone knows that all the members of the St. John family are destined for greatness - all, that is, except the rebellious Chase St. John. Then, as the fates would have it, a lifetime of drinking, gambling and womanising catches up and leads him to a fateful incident which changes his life. Harriet Ward, on the other hand, has always felt the weight of responsibility caring for her mother and two brothers, but drawing the line at marrying a stuffy bore to save her home, she creates an imaginary fiance, Captain John. There is no one more surprised than she when Chase conveniently shows up, wounded by an unknown attacker, to fill the role of her suitor. As they pose as lovers and begin to unravel the mystery of Chase's assailant, they soon realise that their imaginary love has quickly turned into reality.
Description from Open Library.
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