A Lady's Guide To Improper Behavior (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Theresa "Tess" Weller is a lady so proper, she wrote the book on propriety. Literally. After spending thirteen years researching (and living and breathing) the topic, she anonymously published a booklet called "A Lady's Guide to Proper Behavior" that has been widely circulated among the ladies of the ton. Tess' hard work has paid off, but despite a plethora of suitors and marriage proposals, she remains unmarried...and largely uninterested in her prospects. Until she meets Colonel Bartholomew "Tolly" James, injured war hero and brother-in-law to her cousin, Amelia, who was raised almost as her sister. (The family relationships are not as confusing in the book, partly because they use the term "cousin-in-law.") Tolly came back from his last stint in India a completely different man, and his harsh, rude manners catch her attention immediately...and intrigue her. Tolly's got a bum leg and boatload of nightmares, and he wants nothing more than to be left alone at the Duke of Sommerset's secret "Adventurer's Club," a haven for men who have survived things Society could never dream of. But his older brother, younger sister, and new sister-in-law want their brother back, even if he is a little damaged, and they insist that he move back home. Despite all of Theresa's claims of being a proper lady, she's actually very forward. With Tolly, she breaks all of her own rules, and takes huge chances on him. I found it kind of hard to believe that she was as proper as she (and everyone else) claimed. (For instance, everyone is on a first name basis with each other!) That said, it was nice to read about a very forward, take-charge heroine. Tolly was also a very sweet hero, and Tess gives him something to live for. Even though they both have demons to face, the biggest conflict in the book doesn't come from either of them, but from outside forces. I guess the moral of the story is not to get on the bad side of the East India Company? While I really liked the first in this series, The Care and Taming of a Rogue, this one was still pretty fun to read, and I'll definitely read the next. I have been a historical romance reader for about eight years now, and I have no idea why I never picked up a Suzanne Enoch book before this year. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors with unique plots and intriguing characters! A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior is a wonderful romance, with two deep characters. Both Colonel Bartholomew (Tolly) James and Theresa (Tess) Weller have suffered incredible losses and built up defenses to protect them from their own guilt. Although they both protect themselves in different ways (Tess hides in the crowd behind a proper facade while Tolly pushes everyone away with his "improper behavior"), they recognize their own pain in each other. Slowly, they begin to heal their wounds and move forward dealing with the challenges they face separately, and together, with society. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a tortured hero (Tolly is a perfect one!) who is willing to do anything for the love in his life and all those who are fans of Suzanne Enoch's writing.
What do You think about A Lady's Guide To Improper Behavior (2010)?
Very funny and sweet, one of the best romantic books I read
—angel
Fun, fun, fun! Great characters! I loved it!
—itsprdp
