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Miss Lucy Abbington is on her way to London, for her first season coming out with the Ton. At the age of one and twenty, Lucy is not impressed by the Ton and wants to study Veterinary Arts and treat animals, but society says she’s to marry and have children, not a career. The Rosemoor family is sponsoring Lucy for the Season and she will come out with their daughter Susanna. Lucy has no intention of finding a husband, she’s only going through the season to please her father and then go on with her life. She doesn’t count on meeting a man that makes her blood race from a simple glance or touch.
Henry Ashton, the Marquis of Mandeville, is ambitious and has political aspirations. Henry knows the kind of wife he needs and love will not be part of the package. Growing up his mother betrayed his father time and time again and Henry refuses to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a doormat for any woman. Henry’s not into the Ton or participating in all the Season’s activities. When his horse is injured on his way to the Rosemoor’s for dinner, Henry gets quite a surprise when a beautiful woman diagnoses the animal’s injury and mesmerizes the animal and him with her charm.
Occasionally, you find characters that are so powerful, that you actually experience the story through them. This was the case with both Henry and Lucy. Kristina Cook created two characters that draw you to them and into the story. I was hooked instantly and kept my fingers crossed for Henry and Lucy. They are hit by such an instant, physically powerful attraction that they can’t understand, and the reader can feel the intensity from their very first encounter. No matter where Henry and Lucy are, when they’re together the pages of the book seem to come alive with emotion. They are truly endearing characters and each must come to terms with things in their past, before they can truly give into their feelings for each other.
The secondary characters are remarkable and you easily connect with them too. Colin Rosemoor is a favorite character of mine, he’s passionate about his family, but is full of patience and understanding. Ms. Cook has a true gift for story telling and giving the reader a clear image of the Regency Era and what life was like during that period.
UNLACED is a coming of age story, an awakening and a realization that true love does exist. The title of the book has a very special meaning that the reader will understand as the story progresses. I was totally charmed by this book and fortunately, it is the first of a four part series. Now, I’m eagerly waiting for UNVEILED, Jane Rosemoor’s story, which is due out in May 2005. This reviewer gives UNLACED my highest recommendation.
Reviewed by Jennifer Ray
for The Road to Romance
November 17, 2004
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