His Lordship's Desire

He left the army after three years of service to come home as the new Earl of Standish though he feels insecure that he is ready to assume that responsibility. Still Alexander Devize plans to do the best he can. However, he finds his return is not greeted by all with a welcome. His cousin and best friend Diana Sherwood, whom he loves and assumed he would marry soon, is cold and aloof towards him, but hides her reasons for her pique. She is angry that he chose the military just after they made love instead of her. Though she goes to London to obtain a husband, Diana knows she still loves Alexander. He follows her because he plans to be the spouse she obtains in London. This is a fun Regency romance starring a once happy but now brooding hero still recovering from his Peninsular army days and a seemingly immature woman who looks elsewhere for marriage as she failed to understand why he felt he must join the military. The story line mostly focuses on this pair as he wages a campaign to re-win the woman he loves even as she chooses another. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this lighthearted romp as Alexander tries to persuade the obstinate Diana that she is his beloved. Harriet Klausner

I actually rather liked this book. I know the previous reviews have focused on how juvenile Diana's mentality seems, but I actually think it's more realistic than some may think. I liked the various plot threads - the intermingling of stories reminded me somewhat of Eloisa James's fashion of writing. I also like Joan Wolf's dialogue in that I can read it out loud and it sounds like something a person might actually say. I do think Joan Wolf has a very distinctive style and it either works for you or it doesn't. I think this book is the strongest of her three releases under the Mira publisher, though the Arrangement remains my all time favorite. I found this to be a pleasant enough read, if not completely enthralling.