A heroine unlike any other ...

Gillian is not afraid to be herself. Even when everyone else is pushing her to become someone else. Vanessa Kelly creates characters that are bold and electrifying. I don't think that I have every come across one as strong willed as Gillian in one of her stories, however. When summoned home to take her place as the toast of the social elite, she meets her biggest challenge in the one man determined to change her wild ways. What Charles finds is a free spirit that appeals to his inner wildness. Can he accept the beauty that is Gillian or will he break his own heart in taming her? I love to read stories that integrate the importance of being true to one's self. There is a piece of beauty in ever soul. Thanks for shining a light on that message Vanessa Kelly. ( )

3.3 stars ( )

Fun book. Gillian is the illegitimate daughter of one of the princes. She was raised in Sicily by her mother and stepfather on the fringes of society. After participating in a dangerous bout of revenge that puts her life at risk, her mother and grandmother decide it's time to go home to England and find her a husband. Before they can do that, they need to find a way to smooth her rough edges. Enter Charles, Duke of Leverton and paragon of virtue. Much to his dismay, he is enlisted to provide the transformation.

I liked Gillian. She has dealt with the scornful attitudes of others all her life. Outwardly she doesn't care what they say about her, but she is very protective of her mother. It hurts and angers Gillian to see the effect the gossip has on her. She is outspoken and blunt, but never intentionally mean. She is a bit naïve in her belief that her actions in Sicily won't have long term repercussions and that she can eventually return there. She is stubborn, certain that her way of doing things is the best way for her. She can be sweet and charming when she wants to be. She also has a definite idea of what is right or wrong and feels that it is up to her to fix those things that are wrong. This can and does get her into trouble.

I liked Charles, too. At the beginning, he comes across as quite stuffy and rigid, but it doesn't take long for that to go away. His issues with his father and a love affair gone wrong have turned him into a man with the reputation of always doing the right thing. He's also well known for his unshakeable composure under any circumstances. Gillian's grandmother uses that reputation and family connection to recruit him to provide the polish that Gillian needs.

I loved the development of their relationship. Gillian challenged Charles and his composure from the very beginning. He is horrified by her outspokenness and lack of feminine accomplishments. He is used to people doing what he says and is confounded by Gillian's resistance to his instructions. I loved seeing them butt heads as he tried to bend her to his will and she refused to give in. As much as she fights him, Gillian admits to herself that she may have met her match in stubbornness. The more time they spend together, the more they are drawn to each other, which confuses them both. Gillian is not the type of woman he had seen himself with as a wife, but her honesty, character, and liveliness grow on him. In spite of her frequent success in irritating him, Gillian finds that his opinion of her matters more than she thought it would. When a public confrontation with a gentleman at a ball results in some very bad gossip, Charles whisks Gillian into the country while the furor has a chance to die down. Away from the stresses of the Season, Charles and Gillian can relax a little and get to know each other and begin to understand what makes each other tick. As Charles learned more of Gillian's background his admiration for her resilience grew. As the attraction between them grew, so did their feelings for each other. I loved Charles's confusion as all his beliefs in what he wanted in a wife went out the window, but he's still trying to protect his heart. Gillian worries about her feelings for Charles because she can't believe that a woman with her background would be an acceptable match for him and fully expects to get her heart broken. I loved when they gave in to their attraction. Gillian surprises him once again in a scene that is sweet, hot and romantic and Charles comes through in an awesome way when she shares a big fear with him. There are still some fireworks to come as Gillian and Charles try to work out their future. An encounter with smugglers brings some clarity to them both as they realize what is truly important. I loved his big moment at the end when he told her how he felt. ( )

To say that this was a romance with a twist, is an understatement! Everything from the plot to the characterization of the heroine, was somewhat over the top, yet I loved it!

How could I not to? You had a heroine thirsting for blood and revenge and a hero that’s honorable to the core. Mixing those two was pure delight!

If you’ve never read Vanessa Kelly, I suggest you rectify this omission. She can certainly plot her stories and take you to places you only dream about.

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
( )

I had the most fun with this one. This was the way to start a new series. Willful, strong, independent, capable, sassy, witty, and a princess. Gun toting, knife wielding, bandit hunting, feisty little sister Gillian was a bit more than the Duke of Leverton was expecting. Gillian grandmother needed help with getting her granddaughter caught up to what she should have already known.

Immediate dislike between the two was clear. A perfect match for each other was even clearer. The instata love and hop right in to bed was not this one. Thank you. Gillian carries this story all the way to the end. Not to discount Charles’ presences. She was everything a heroine should aspire to be. She was a peoples princess. She could ride with the best of them. She could shoot, fight, hunt. She was all that a free woman of strength, courage, beauty, lineage could be.

Charles found all her quality appealing to him but not suitable for the ton. She need work and polish. She was going to make none of it easy. She was who she was because of what she was. Confusing but true. If she would have been raise in the home of her father she would not have been the heroine that I love. She gave it all and then some. She didn’t back down. She stood her ground. Charles has rarely found any one that could change his take on the world. Gillian made that change in small increments but she proved that she was more than just a female in breeches.

V. Kelly brought me a heroine that will be held on to and revisited just for who she was and the strength of character she displayed. Recommending My Fair Princess has topped my historical romance reading this summer. Recommending reading the connecting series (The Renegade Royals) will just make it that much better. ( )