3.5 out of 5 stars

Cut to the Chase:
I’ve been dreading the conclusion to this three-book series mostly because the first two were merely slightly above average.  Yet this entry, which features our quasi-villain from the second novel, was the best of the three. Nick Gentry is a very believably torn and tormented hero: he hates his past, himself, his brother-in-law, some of his clients…just life in general.  He’s the type who takes risks to feel alive, and his immediate attraction for Lottie (who is escaping from a past of her own) makes sense.  These are two people who have both made some tough decisions to stay alive and be independent, so their growing affection for one another logically makes them feel vulnerable in ways that are easy to empathize with.  Still, the best of a slightly-above-average series isn’t a hearty recommendation, and there definitely some scenarios in here that will turn off many people (see spoilers below).
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3 out of 5 stars

Cut to the Chase:
A historical romance heroine who is neither a virgin nor a widow sets the scene of a very unique and creative regency romance.  Yet ultimately, though Lady Sophia Sydney is a headstrong, believable character and Sir Ross Cannon is a suitably evasive, worthy hero for us to vicariously lust over, there’s something not very satisfying about the novel.  Maybe it’s that the first half, where the characters are getting to know one another, and each is trying to overcome a seemingly blinding physical attraction for each other, where Lady Sophia believes she is seducing Sir Ross out of vengeance for her dead brother is just all so much more intriguing than the resolution, which drags.  I still enjoyed reading it, I just think there are better representations of this genre.
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