Reviewed by Andrea Williamson
Publisher: Avon
Release date: March 31, 2009
4 stars
As a prized pugilist in London’s seedy underground, Nicholas Stoneworth certainly knows how to take care of himself, though he hasn’t always been a part of this kind of life. Born the second son of a marquis, he was never able to live up to his father’s expectations. Thus, he left his privileged life behind seven years ago. Now he receives news he never thought he’d ever receive—his brother is dead. Since his brother had only daughters, Nicholas is thrust into the role of Viscount Stoneworth, a title he does not want. Upon reentering Society, he once again disappoints his father and embarrasses his family by behaving in a most depraved and ungentlemanly manner. After a heartfelt conversation with his sister-in-law, he is ashamed by his actions and wants to correct them to protect his nieces’ futures and ensure his late brother’s legacy.
Like Nicholas, Jane Fenton lives a life much different from that which she was born. Currently, Jane, the daughter of a viscount, serves as a lady’s companion. After her brother disappeared and was later declared dead and her father passed away, Jane wanted nothing to do with or anything from the cousin who inherited her father’s title. Especially since she doesn’t believe her brother is actually dead. He was rumored to have been addicted to opium and vanished into the underground. Considering that the new Viscount Stoneworth just returned from there and also observing how unprepared he is for the title he now holds, Jane seeks him out to make a deal with him. She will reacquaint and instruct him on how to be a gentleman if he will use any connections he has to locate her missing brother. Nicholas agrees because he knows that in order to get into his family’s and the ton’s good graces and regain respect in the Stoneworth title, he must marry someone of good name and fortune. The question is, will either of them be successful in achieving their end of the bargain?
I really enjoyed Her Notorious Viscount. It features two lonely, but strong protagonists who constantly challenged each other and had much in common despite their current stations. Jane and Nicholas are both lost souls who no longer feel like they fit into either world; neither the one they were born into nor the one that they have been living in. They progressed from friends to lovers (with some hot love scenes) and each became a healing balm for the other. My heart went out to Jane who didn’t want to consider marriage and basically put her life on hold until her brother was found and reclaimed his birthright. And also for Nicholas who could never seem to measure up to his brother in his father’s eyes.
With Her Notorious Viscount, Jenna Petersen brings readers an engaging, tender story about two people searching for a place to belong and together finding that and so much more. This is one of my favorites by Ms. Petersen, who has an uncanny knack for creating secondary characters that make a reader clamor for their story. And this one is no exception!
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orannia
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 1:50 am:
Thank you Andrea! I really like the sound of this! *races off to see the library has it*
Andrea
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 6:48 am:
Thanks, orannia. It will be out next Tuesday!
PJ
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 7:15 am:
Thanks, Andrea! I enjoy Jenna’s books and this one sounds lovely. One more to add to the tbr mountain.
Marisa
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 7:39 am:
Great review Andrea! Thank you. I really love when the protagonists develop from friends to lovers. I love taking that journey. I’ve read several books over the last few months that have that element in them and it really rings true for me. While I do enjoy the whole ‘love at first sight’ scenario, I’m really excited that more and more books are featuring the ‘getting to know you’ scenario. I’m particularly interested in that the H&H in Jenna’s book are both looking inside towards themselves and find each other in the process.
I’m looking forward to this one.
Jenna Petersen
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 9:16 am:
Hi everyone! Thanks for the awesome review, Andrea! I’m so glad you liked the book! I’m getting so excited about this release since it features one of my very favorite heroes to write ever. Nicholas is a fighter and I loved writing a rough and tumble hero who is trying to make himself something better for the good of his family. His transition was so fun to write. And it was definitely great to write a hero and heroine who slowly unfold before each other.
I just hope readers will like it as much… *nervously bites nails in anticipation*
Andrea
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 11:22 am:
Thanks, PJ and Marisa. I love the friends to lovers evolution, too. I hope y’all enjoy it.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jenna!! Glad you like the review. I wish you all the best when HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT releases next Tuesday! Any future plans for Rage? Or . . . anyone else?
Keira
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 11:37 am:
Ooo! This looks great! I’m definitely going to have to read HNV.
Buffie
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 3:25 pm:
Wonderful review, Andrea! I love Jenna’s books and this one is on my list to purchase.
Andrea
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 4:02 pm:
Thanks, Keira and Buffie. Doesn’t HNV have a gorgeous cover? I love it.
Jenna Petersen
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 5:37 pm:
Hi again!
You know, I’m not sure about Rage. I’d love to write a story for him, but I have quite a bit on my plate first. In November my next book, WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES comes out (so not a very long wait this time around) and it starts a new series “The Billingham Bastards”. And… Caleb from LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN will have a story in that series (his is the third in the series). SO that’s going to keep me releasing books through… probably early 2011. And then we’ll have to see…
So um… maybe. LOL
In the meantime, I hope people love Nicholas and Jane!!
Andrea
on Mar 25th, 2009
@ 6:29 pm:
Thanks for dropping back by and answering my questions, Jenna. I’m looking forward to Caleb’s book and the rest of the new series!
Gannon
on Mar 26th, 2009
@ 10:02 am:
Great review, Andrea! I see that I have another book to add to my gargantuan TBR pile!
Andrea
on Mar 26th, 2009
@ 10:05 am:
Thanks, Gannon!
romance novel blogs
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 12:03 am:
[...] hits the book stores this Thursday. But for those of you who can’t wait until then check out Andrea’s review Andrea was lucky enough to interview Jenna – so without further ado… here’s [...]
janice
on Nov 30th, 2009
@ 2:57 pm:
i actually didn’t like this book too much. her other books are better