The 1st in a trilogy. A really enjoyable romance. I skimmed through the sex parts. But I look forward to the next books. ( )

Accidentally I first read [b:The Lady Forfeits|11840910|The Lady Forfeits|Carole Mortimer|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ysgYcnMgL._SL75_.jpg|16796270], second book in The Copeland Sisters series. I liked it very much, so I back-tracked to read the first book [b:The Lady Gambles|12240285|The Lady Gambles (Harlequin Historical)|Carole Mortimer|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dq5s1eLnL._SL75_.jpg|17214320]. But this book has much worse characterization, everyone are romance-novel-not-exist-in-real-life types that I was at times so much annoyed with this book and wanted to quit..

Caro Morton aka Lady Caroline Copeland is in my opinion a spoiled little brat. She has a problem at home so she runs away until her big sister solves it.
She is unchaperoned... Oh well, her reputation is safe is nobody knows.
She starts singing in a gambling club... Why, they are such a wonderful people, what harm can there be if she is properly dressed.
She gets carried away with passion and looses her virginity... Ooops.
I just can not believe that somebody can be so much naive & sometimes plain stupid.

Dominic is typical tortured hero. But of course when Caro with her big trusting and loving heart tell him that it's not his fault and that everything is all right - he is free from all guilt and doubts. As I said, very unrealistic.
( )

Almost a 4 star book. I enjoyed this story about a woman who decides to support herself in Regency London by singing at a gambling house. When the owner of this gambling house, which he won from a not-very-upright previous owner, comes to visit he's intrigued by her and slowly but sure they both start to thaw.

The fights are well done, the characters lept off the page at me and I really enjoyed this read. ( )