Books › Moonlight Veil
Moonlight Veil
First published 1991 · 448 pages
A spirited battle of wills between a meddling do-gooder and a cynical rake who accidentally find themselves bound in matrimony.
What it feels like
Reading this classic Regency romance feels like stepping into a lively, slightly chaotic ballroom where the banter is as sharp as the scandal is brewing. The narrative moves at a brisk, entertaining clip, driven by the sheer force of a headstrong heroine whose well-intentioned meddling constantly collides with the cynical exasperation of a hardened rake. There is a distinct vintage charm to the prose, which balances witty, spirited dialogue with moments of swoony, heightened melodrama typical of early nineties historicals. The mood is playful yet passionately charged, wrapping the reader in an atmosphere of secret midnight swims and London society intrigue. It is a perfect escape for readers who delight in the classic trope of a stubborn do-gooder accidentally marrying the very scoundrel she set out to thwart, ultimately discovering that their fiery clash of wills is just the prelude to a deeply satisfying romance.
- Mood
- lively
- swoony
- adventurous
- romantic
- Tone
- playful
- dramatic
- spirited
- wry
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- clash of wills · unintended consequences · taming the rake · sisterly devotion · unexpected love
- The writing
- Classic nineties romance prose that blends witty, spirited banter with moments of emotionally heightened melodrama.
- The arc
- From exasperated conflict and stubborn resistance to passionate surrender and mutual respect.
- Who it's for
- Fans of old-school Regency romances who love a headstrong, meddling heroine and a cynical rake who gets more than he bargained for.
Content notes
- arranged marriage
- dubious consent
- mild peril
- mentions of brothels
About the book
WELL-MEANING MINX Whether she was saving errand boys from cruel taskmasters or aiding poor servant girls, young Allegra Caulfield was a champion of causes. And her latest cause was to rescue her older sister from an arranged marriage. Not only did her sister love another man, but her betrothed was Nigel Hayves, Earl of Debenham--a renowned scoundrel and hardened rake! Indeed, when he first encountered Allegra he tried to compromise her! Granted, Allegra could not, deny that the earl had a remarkable way with a kiss, but she had to help her sister... even if it meant marrying the man herself.
DEVILISHLY DETERMINED RAKE Nigel Hayves cursed the night he encountered a beautiful nymph swimming in her chemise under the midsummer moonlight. He should have known that Allegra's combination of willfulness, innocence, and flirtatiousness would ruin his marriage plans and cutup his peace. Forced to marry this conniving younger sister, he intended to tame the tempting minx and show her what he expected in a wife. But he should have known that Allegra would have a few outrageous ideas of her own.
Description from Open Library.
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