Regina has turned down twelve wedding proposals because she fears that society will shun her if they ever find out that she can’t read. She’s armed herself with her cousin who follows her everywhere and helps Regina keep her secret. I liked Regina’s character primarily because she wasn’t the one in the relationship that blew things out of proportion.

Marcus lives life vicariously through all his books at his mansion. He agreed to let his sister remain out in society and date Regina’s brother on the condition that Regina allow Marcus to court her for a month. Marcus had a major bastard attack towards the ending of this book. He, of course, redeemed himself a little at the ending, but I still would’ve knocked his lights out for what he said. Other than that he was probably the more interesting character out of the couple.

Marcus and Regina’s relationship was good. It had a lot of beauty and the beast elements. Marcus has a scar marring his face and has stowed himself away in his country mansion, because society was mean to him as a child. Regina is the beauty who ventures into Marcus’s lair and drags him out into society where he snarls at pretty much anyone who tries to talk to him. I also liked Regina’s comparisons to Marcus being a lumbering dragon.

However, the book had way too many misunderstandings for my tastes. At the beginning there were so many bargains and bets floating around with all the characters having different motives for making them that it got a little confusing. And all it was doing was setting Regina and Marcus down a path riddled with misunderstandings that of course got blown out of proportion. Also, Regina’s dark secret wasn’t all that dark. From the back cover I was expecting that she had a dead body walled up in her basement or something. Not that she was dyslexic and couldn’t read. ( )

The Story: Lord Marcus, Viscount Draker, is a social outcast despite his wealth and title but, if his debutante sister is going to have a successful season, he must play nice with the popular Lady Regina. Regina would do anything to help her friend, Marcus's sister Louisa. Even strike a bargain with Marcus to let him court her for a month, but Regina's reputation may not be enough to protect this unlikely couple from scorn and scandal.

My Thoughts: I was a few chapters from the end when I realized the book was pissing me off. Jeffries writes well, and it's a very good idea, and Regina is a decent enough character... but Marcus... Lord Marcus will annoy you to no end. Oh, it'll catch you unawares. You'll be sympathetic at first. Poor little pariah. Then it'll dawn on you--this man is a pigheaded, prideful, self-centered ass.

Granted, the whole premise of the book was this guy's 'dragon' temperament, but this was poor execution. I've read several excellent, angst-ridden, heart-wrenching stories where the heroes are not only mean and rough but downright evil. Yet those authors manage to give them subtle vulnerabilities, unexpected kindness, hesitant reform, and genuine affection. Marcus Draker, unfortunately, has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease and a wealth of self-pity. At one point, our heroine states it perfectly when she says, 'Is this what you've been doing all this time, when you should have been apologizing? Drinking down here in this dungeon, working yourself into a fine brooding?'

Now being a proud, card-carrying member of the Spike Rules, Angel Drools Club, we know I can't endorse any brooding. Therefore...

Recommendation: While being deceptively interesting at first, this book is a pass. And the title's misleading, too. So there. ( )

This is the 2nd of the Royal Brotherhood Series. I couldn't wait to read the story of Viscount Draker, Dragon Viscount. The dark brooding hero who is returned to life by the love of a good woman.A most enjoyable book. Cleverly written with two intelligent leads who surprise the reader with their twists and turns in the deal they made. ( )

readable regency romance series ( )