Charming three-fer, three romances for the price of one. Shades of O'Henry's Gift of the Magi.

One lovely family, mother, son, and daughter, near destitute, the son is a Viscount without enough income. The daughter is lovely. The mother wants happiness for her children.

But there isn't any practical way to afford a season in London. Or is there? Suddenly the money appears, a London hostess is found, and they're off.

True love for all, in unexpected places.

Great plot, good characters, no apparent sequels. ( )

3.5 Stars. The review that follows is a partial review. To view the entire review, please visit:
http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/2011/11/nor-review-just-one-season-in...

Just One Season in London held so much promise—promise of romance and second chances, of

happily ever afters and all the twists in the road while trying to get there. But upon reading the novel, I

found much of it to be, unfortunately, lacking in most of these areas, along with a few other important

ones as well.

I believe my biggest disappointment was the characters; from Miranda and Sophie to Rye and Robert,

to name a few, they all seemed a bit flat, two-dimensional, rather than fully developed like good heroes

and heroines should be. This was, after all, a story that covered not one couple's story but three

couples; yet I couldn't even find just one character that truly stuck out. Some were too flighty, too

easily turned by the whims of Society, others we were simply not told enough about to get a good feel

for who they actually are.

If the characters had been different, if they had been more, well, just “more” in general, I believe that

the storyline may have been enough to hold the story together better, and perhaps bring about a higher

rating. The romance wasn't too bad; despite there being three couples in the novel, there wasn't a lot of

it, in comparison to other ones in this genre, but nonetheless what was there was good. I do wish that

there had been more, for all of the couples, but I can't say whether the additional romance, with no

other additions or improvements, would have been enough to make me love this book.

...
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This review is property of NightOwlRomance.com ( )

I love historical romances and whenever someone asks for suggestions or who my favorite authors are I always mention Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn or Johanna Lindsey. If all of Leigh Michaels' books are as good as this one then I have a feeling her name will quickly join my list of favorite authors. She captures the perfect balance between humor, romance and sexiness in this story.

The Characters

I can't think of a single character I disliked in this story. I really enjoyed Ryecroft and the fact that physically he wasn't an Adonis but he still had London's ladies flocking around him due to his humor, kindness and ok I'm sure his title had a little to do with it. Sophie was spunky, kind and naive and you can't help but love her. Unlike many heroines who do stupid things despite being made out to be strong, smart women she isn't painted to be the perfect woman. Yes she makes some bad decisions due to naiveness but they aren't out of character with your typical young woman who has never been to London. Everything she does is so realistic that you can't help but put yourself in her shoes and relate to her situation and feelings. Miranda, the man Sophie falls for and the woman Rye falls for were all wonderful characters as well. They were all perfectly flawed and perfectly endearing. I did find it funny that Miranda appears to be around her late 30s and there are constant references to her being past her prime and with the way her son refers to her you would think she was an old woman. I know people didn't have as long of life span as we do now but it still made me laugh on how the young view their parents sometimes. For those of you who are fans of Lady Danbury in Julia Quinn's books you will meet her equivalent, Lady Stone, who is just as crochety, plain speaking and soft hearted.

The Story

I'm always a little leery about books that centralize around several romances instead of focusing on just one couple with maybe a minor couple thrown into the mix. Leigh Michaels wove all three love stories in so well together that it never felt disjointed to me and all the couples wormed their way into my heart. It was hilarious watching the characters interact with each other and there was never a dull moment in the book for me. I stayed up way too late reading this book because I couldn't stop until I got to the end. Even though with most romances you know there will be a happy ending it was one of those stories you get immersed in and the journey to the end is just as satisfying as the happily ever after.

I find it hard to be coherent as I just want to gush about this book. If you are a fan of Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn or Johanna Lindsey and are looking for a new book I highly suggest picking this one up. I know I will be adding the rest of Leigh Michaels books to my to be read list. ( )

JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON by Leigh Michaels is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England. It is written with depth and details.The characters will capture your heart. This is a tale of a family of three,whom need money,love and happiness. It is about a son,his sister and his mother,each would sacrifice their happiness to save the others. Viscount Ryecroft's father left them with a fine estate but little to no finances.His sister,Sophie,needs a season in London,but how with little to know money.Their widowed mother,Lady Miranda,will do anything,including offering herself to her childhood love,as his mistress,for her children. This story is beautifully woven with humor,love,mayhem,romance,a few secrets,family that will capture your heart.Their sparks of passion,attraction will keep your turning pages from the first page to the last with a few twists and turns. This is an unusual story with three heroes and three heroines.It proves that a family that courts together can find love and happiness together as well.What an entertaining story Just One Season In London is. A must read.A keeper. This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher.Details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca,an imprint of Sourcebooks,Inc.and My Book Addiction Reviews. ( )

I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This family has been through a lot after its patriarch passed away. The book starts off with a mother's concern for her children's future. After her husband’s death, she finds out that they’re almost destitute, but this mother will do anything to see her children well situated and to do that she needs to give them a Season in London. If only she had the means to do it…

He’s a devoted son and a brother whose wish to give his beautiful sister one Season in London may not come true; more importantly, if he can find an heiress for himself, he might just be able to save his estate, and in the process provide a comfortable life for his mother. If only he had the means to do it…

She’s a dutiful daughter and sister, whose beauty and charm is renown throughout the county; but this girl has a mind of her own, and she’s set on doing anything in her power to assure her family's happiness. If she could only get to London…

All are aware that only a miracle will do, and guess what? They get that miracle in the person of Lady Stone, an eccentric old lady that is living with her companion, Miss Portia Langford. She invites Rye and his family to London for the Season, as she finds him charming and means to have some fun in sponsoring Rye and his sister.

From there on, we’re swept away into a story of passion and confusion! Miranda comes face-to-face with her past in the form of her first love, Marcus Winston, who, she thinks, is set to court her daughter. Sophia meets three prospects: Lord Randall and Lord Carrisbrooke (whom she’s considering for herself), and Robert Wellingham, a wealthy banker she thinks could be a great match for her mother. Rye, on the other hand, is meeting a bevy of rich heiresses, but is increasingly falling for Miss Portia, the companion to Lady Stone.

This is the second book in a Regency trilogy romance series by Ms. Michaels in which she introduces three couples and six points-of-view. I’ve not read the first book, but I can safely say that this book stands on its own, and it’s not necessary to have read the first to follow the second. That said, I loved it so much that I’ve ordered the first and can’t wait to read it. Reading this book, full of three-dimensional characters, fast pacing and witty dialogue, I felt like I was watching a movie. Scenes were flowing seamlessly into a wonderful story. It brings to mind a Japanese movie I saw a long time ago called “Rashomon”. It’s about an event that happens to three people at the same time, but the story differs as each of these people sees the same event differently.

JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON also has nuances of Shakespeare by way of the confusion, consequent misunderstandings, and assumptions that each character took.

If you’re in a mood for a fun and entertaining read, please don’t pass this one up. You’ll laugh so much your sides will hurt.

Melanie ( )