Courting Trouble [Paperback]

...Which is why the Duke of St. Fell is NOT suitable. He is a rake and a cad, and he says the most ridiculous things! As soon as he meets her, he says he loves her--and he doesn't deny the fact that he's a fortune hunter! While she admits she's infatuated with St. Fell, she would never fall in love such a vain, self-important man. Although he does make things interesting...

The plot thickens when Arabella is courted by another suitor, the poetic Lord Stonebridge.

There are many things I enjoyed about this book. St. Fell was one of the funnest heroes in a long time. Every time he opened his mouth, he lit up the page. The book crackles with wit, and it's hard to read it without a smile.

However, there were a few things that were irksome. Sometimes, the text seemed like it was all over the place. The book seems like it could have benefited from a little extra editing, unless the author meant for it to read like a stream of conciousness. Also, there were several times when I thought, "that doesn't seem 100% realistic." It seemed a bit tongue in cheek (but not necessarily in a bad way). Lastly, the last chapter went on too long. It didn't seem necessary.

Nevertheless, this is one of the cutest, funniest books I've read in a long time. I do recommend it.

Arabella Swann is the daughter of a filthy rich merchant who wants to choose her own husband and marry for love; St Fell is an impoverish duke who needs to marry a fortune. Unbeknownst to Arabella, St Fell and her father have made a deal for St Fell and Arabella to wed, but St Fell knows that Arabella must at least think it is her choice - and naturally, she'll choose him! He's handsome, he's witty, he's a duke - what more could the girl want? And when they meet, he is sure that she is smitten and just needs time to get used to the idea (he's not unaffected himself, but he'd never admit it!). All goes well until St Fell unexpectedly finds himself with a rival for her hand, war hero and poet Lord Stonecroft. Will all his machinations finally win her in the end?

OK, there were some unrealistic aspects to the story, but I still found it fun. And, though it may not have come across as well as it should have, I felt that St Fell was playing his games not only for his own amusement, but because he really did care for her. Afterall, she came to London for adventure and excitement, balls and parties and stolen kisses in "dark corners". How could she be expected to just settle for the first man her father threw at her? He wanted to make sure she had choices (though he's infuriatingly sure she'll eventually choose him!) and that she won't some day regret her choice. Though he takes a bit too long to declare his true feelings, I still preferred him to Gabriel Carr from TIB. While Gabriel was a bit of a lovable dunderhead, St Fell was sophisticated, sexy and charming. Arabella was a fun heroine who wanted to experience all that London life had to offer. Though she tries hard to meet other eligible young men, she can't seem to ignore her reluctant, strong attraction to St Fell. They are really two of a kind and very well suited for one another and St Fell seemed to realize this almost from the start. If you don't like arrogant and cocky leading men, this is likely not a story you'll enjoy, but I did. Not as LOL silly as TIB, nor is it without flaws, but still lots of fun!