Kiss Me Quick

I read this some time ago, and I really liked it. It set the stage for the following book (which wasn't as good in my opinion) and for the other 3 books, which sadly, will probably never be written, unless Margaret Moore leaves Harlequin & goes back to Avon as her publisher. The characters were mature, which is more than I can say for the characters in the sequel. Both books are worth the time, but be prepared to have a hankering for the 3 books that will probably never be written, especially Drury's story.

This is my first Margaret Moore book, but it won't be my last. Diana, an forthright wannabe author, is a refreshing heroine. Edmond's reputation as a libertine and ne'er-do-well is mostly the work of a schoolmate with an ax to grind. In reality, he's a charming, intelligent, honorable man. Only Diana sees past the gossip and the facade to the real man. Their early verbal sparring is great fun, and their growing feelings for each other usually come across realistically. These two will be great friends as well as lovers. Edmond's friends are interesting and are noticeably set up as future leading men...something I'll be investigating shortly. Only the villain of the piece is also a good secondary character. Diana's Aunt Euphenia had potential, but she needed more space to achieve it. The other aunt was stereotypical. The excerpts from Diana's novel in progress were a nice touch, but there is something a bit off kilter about Diana's test near the end. Moore uses a great deal of exposition in this book, perhaps too much. I couldn't stay focused, but I'm not sure if that is the fault of the book or other "real life" factors, so I'm not taking points off for that. However, Moore's grammatical errors -- especially prevalent early in the book--irked this English major. Nevertheless, the book not only has interesting characters in an engaging romance, but also an insightful look into the process of writing. Most writers will identify with Diana's struggles and though processes.

She spotted him across a crowded room.....and so the story goes. -- Lady Diana Westover, daughter of a duke, had lived a sheltered life with her reclusive father on a remote estate. While her upbringing was unusual, it did not lack warmth or love, and along with her father, she developed a love of books. It was also her greatest desire to one-day write a novel that could be published. It was towards that purpose that she studied the darkly handsome and suave Edmond Terrington, Viscount Adderley - as she needed a model for the villain in the novel she was writing and if the gossips were correct the Viscount purported to be a womanizer and rake of the first order would certainly fill the bill. Edmond, feeling the hairs stand up on the back of his neck sensed he was being spied upon, only to turn and see across the room, the Lady Diana's brilliant and expressive eyes focused on him. From this auspicious beginning, it would be fate that would lead their paths to cross, again and again at which time the very outspoken and intelligent Lady Diana, would best Edmond in some absolutely outrageous conversations that were making him stand up and take notice of this most unusual young woman - a woman who neither swooned, nor simpered, and faced him head on. Each meeting became more and more enlightening and Edmond began to realize that here was a woman who was not swooning over his handsomeness but was seeing in him her very own kindred spirit.This was my very first novel by this author and I LOVED it! It was such an unusual romance with a damsel who was not noted for her beauty, but very outspoken and extremely intelligent. I don't know when I've enjoyed a heroine more - so very forthright who said EXACTLY what was on her mind and when faced with a predicament that would have most young ladies running scared, she approached her love and demanded an explanation rather than accept the innuendos of people out to discredit him. This had to be one of the most intelligent regency romances I have read in a very long time. Bravo, Ms. Moore - I will be looking forward to reading more from you - hopefully Edmond's friend Brix's story!

I went into this book knowing exactly what to expect. I found the characters of Diana Westover, her two aunts to be pretty endearing. Lord Adderley, Edmond Terrington is a sensual, caring guy who can belt out one-liners (especially when in the vicinty of buddy Brix). Though the characters never really reached out and grabbed me they were entertaining and yes last half of the book was rushed and the ending left me feeling let down.

Kiss Me Quick is the story of Lady Diana Westover. She goes to Bath to stay with her two aunts and do "research" for a book she's writing. She finds the subject of her research in Lord Adderley. She is quite interested in him and he is quite intrigued by her. Lord Adderley has a scandalous reputation though and isn't really accepted in polite society. Therefore, Diana is expected to not associate with him and instead spend her time with Lord Fallston. Lords Adderley and Fallston are enemies though and this presents trouble for Lady Diana. This book was charming. The characters were not the typical members of the ton one normally reads about. Lord Adderley was written to be sensitive not just powerful. Lady Diana has a mind of her own and she wasn't afraid to use it. The added characters of Diana's aunts and Adderley's friends made the book a very good read. They all proved entertaining and provided the book with some very good scenes. I do agree with the previous reviewer that this book does fall somewhat flat towards the ending. This was not the ending I expected. This was the first Margaret Moore novel I've read so I don't have anything to compare the ending with than other authors endings. It just seemed to end abruptly. I was expecting more from the ending than was there. But with that aside this was an entertaining read, worth the time it took to read it.