Hot and Bothered in July
Tabetha Waite
Historical Romance
They say opposites attract, but for two people who come from different worlds, is the impossible—possible?
Reed Carrington is a ne’er-do-well, a former bluecoat who barely made it through school. He was a terror to his tutors and despised sitting inside a stuffy classroom. He would rather be outside wreaking havoc on London’s social elite. Or so he’d thought. Determined to make a name for himself and leave the past behind, he is starting to embrace success, but one day he rescues a beautiful debutante in a pink dress from drowning, and he’s suddenly dubbed a hero by the Brazen Belle.
Miss Sariah Kent doesn’t appreciate all the strictures placed on women in the beau monde. She would rather be independent than be forced to marry simply because it is expected of her to do so. She yearns for more, but she doesn’t know how to obtain that freedom until a blond Adonis breathes new life—and fire—into her blood. In July, when the temperatures are rising in central London, the passion simmering between this rebellious lady and her hot and bothered hero soon become a recipe for love.
Uncaged Review: Miss Sariah Kent doesn’t follow convention or rules. When she decides to go to the Peerless Pond to find out exactly what the thrill is in going there. Sariah had even heard rumors that men parade around shirtless, and she could go there without ruining her reputation. Of course, when Sariah gets there, a mishap happens, and she falls into the pond. Reed Carrington comes to her rescue and saves her. Reed realizes his good deed puts him in more trouble. Sariah isn’t happy with him saving her and yells at him, but it ruins her anyway. Reed proposes another plan to enter into a fake betrothal. Still, with all of this, will Sariah and Reed manage to keep their heads without losing their hearts to each other? I love the frontispiece. It just made me smile thinking about these two characters, their overwhelming passion, and their affection they have for each other.
I wish all books would have this art in them. Besides the art, the story was just perfect! I enjoy novellas that don’t feel like novellas, and the story is complete, which is exactly what this book is. Usually, with novellas, I always crave more, but I didn’t with this book. Miss Sariah Kent did seem a bit snooty, but I could forgive her because she is an upper-class lady and sometimes does not listen to reason, especially when her maid told her not to be laced so tightly that it was difficult to breathe. At the same time, Reed Carrington is just wonderful as the hero. He might not be blue-blooded, but he is a total gentleman despite his roots. Reed also treats Sariah with so much respect, even when she cuts him down or makes fun of him, which I didn’t really like, but I had to keep telling myself that they are from two different classes and that’s the usual treatment. Ms. Tabetha Waite really knows how to write a fantastic book that leaves me breathlessly wanting more!. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
4.5 Stars
