Samantha Grace: Lady Vivian Defies a Duke

Lady Vivian Worth knows perfectly well how to behave like a lady. But observing proper manners when no one is around to impress is just plain silly. When Luke Forest, the newly named Duke of Foxhaven, arrives early to visit his bride-to-be, he catches Vivian acting most unladylike—in her chemise. Though amused by her unconventional ways, Luke hadn’t planned on marrying such a sprightly and opinionated lady. He’ll just have to find her another husband. But can he stand to see the vivacious woman in the arms of someone else?

As the cover clearly indicates, Lady Vivian Defies a Duke is a historical Reg Rom. In other words, there are some steamy, sexy scenes and off-color content.

Samantha Grace was a new author to me, and I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful and oft funny story of the retiring yet hoydenish Vivian and the Foxy Foxhaven. They are standard H/h archetypes for the historical Reg. Rom, a headstrong heroine and roguish hero, who thrown together by circumstance figure out slowly they are a match made in heaven. No surprises or spoilers there.

The “meet-cute” is ridiculous, with Foxhaven mistaking Vivian for a dairy maid which she improbably tries to carry off while simultaneously trying to masquerade as a much stuffier self at the dinner table. Needless to say there is a lot of tongue in cheek antics which make the first half of the book a quick, entertaining read. Vivian is not a complete antidote, understanding well enough how to comport herself, but still manages to fall into scrapes requiring a steady (and reluctant) hand.

The would-be Duke Foxhaven is an interesting character, because he has no interest in his ducal duties and boons at all. Pushing off his lot on his brother, a man conflicted; he wants to run away for adventure, and thus from his problems but is suddenly given a lot of reasons to stay.

Vivian too, compromised years before, has her secrets and the threat of being packed off to the convent. She knows she has to hold it together enough to find a husband, but there is also a lot of danger of exposure motivating her harum scarum ways.

To dispatch of his betrothed, Vivian, Foxhaven drags her off to his mother’s house party where they encounter any number of treachery that throw hurdles in their love story. A lot of the action is improbable and a tad historically loose, but its nonetheless an enjoyable diversion that builds both the right amount of tension while still making the romance believable.

The ultimate pay off is sweet, and worth what some readers are saying is a bit of a dragging second act. I for one was engaged from cover to cover (although thankfully was reading on my Nook so didn’t have to constantly be ogled by that creepy bloke on the front lounging with his waxed chest).

I typically am not a huge fan of the villain being the main obstacle, but in this case the main antagonist was such a slimy jerk, that it added to my interest. There is also another lurker baddie who helps to add to the suspense.

I think I probably will at some point give this one a re-read, which is always a good sign, and speaks to Grace’s talent and understanding of the genre.

5 Stars 4.5 out of 6 Delightfully tasteful and enjoyable historical Reg Rom filled with love, suspense and a house party.