Ashlyn Macnamara: What a Lady Craves

Then comes the devastating news that he has wed another. Eight agonizing years later, a storm washes Alexander ashore—injured, widowed, and hunted—and one glimpse of his ruggedly handsome face reawakens the desire Henrietta thought she had buried deep inside. Her body still yearns for his touch, but she’s determined not let him wound her again . . . not this time.

For Alexander, honor always comes first. But only now does he realize that when given the choice between two virtuous deeds, he picked the wrong one. On the run with his life in tatters and a pair of daughters in tow, Alexander burns for Henrietta. He knows he does not deserve forgiveness. And yet he longs to wrap his arms around her warm body once again. What’s more, he is sure the lady craves the same.

The book opens with an almost gothic tone, as we meet the Heroine, a companion struggling to deal with a cantankerous boss. Meanwhile, we learn of a shipwreck on treacherous seas which bring a mysterious dark stranger to Henrietta’s employer’s door. I have to admit, the beginning was a little strange. Just jumpy and hard to get in to.

However, once I pushed past it I could pick up what Macnamara was putting down. This isn’t an earth shattering Original of a hist-ro. Instead, its a pretty standard second chance plot. The Regency is more window dressing than relevant (ie, this book could have easily been set a bit earlier or later) and although there are some elements of the plot that hinge on the manners of the era, it easily could have been a story with some variation set in the contemporary. That may or may not appeal to readers.

I liked the Heroine, but honestly never really had her completely pegged. Although she was obviously “on the shelf” due to her age, it wasn’t belabored. In fact, there wasn’t much backstory other than the relationship between H/h and even that seemed sort of hazy in the way most of our first loves become in memories. In other words, I wasn’t convinced that she would still feel a burning passion for the hero. I got his motivation and anguish at their separation, sure, but never really figured out more generally the attraction between the two.

In the midst, there is some villainy and throbbing naughty parts, so we get rewarded for sticking to it. I liked the India angle for a change, and thought there were a few interesting comments made on race relations that the author definitely made. She also was pretty skilled at weaving in some humor in what otherwise would’ve been a very gothic and moody book.

Overall, it was enjoyable and will be an easy read for fans of mass market hist-ro.

5 Stars 4 out of 6 Second chance love story with some treachery, villainy, and intimacy tossed in for good measure. Enjoyable, not earth shattering original but ultimately readable.