Joan Smith: Imprudent Lady

Prudence Mallow, country miss, finds herself in London as the poor relation of her Uncle Clarence, a true British eccentric (and erstwhile painter). When she discovers her calling as a novelist, she is delighted to develop a friendship with another writer. But Prudence produces modest, sincere novels, and Lord Dammler, handsome rake that he is, has won acclaim for his scandalous Cantos from Abroad. Drawn by the rakish marquis into the hotbed of London society, Prudence finds herself in way over her head–and heart.

In the spirit of Sylvester and Escapade, Joan Smith’s Imprudent Lady features a writer heroine who unwittingly falls for a Nonesuch.

Prudence Mallow and her mother have been living with her mother’s brother, Clarence, for several years since the passing of her vicar father and its been a trial. Uncle Clarence fancies himself the next da Vinci and spends hours recounting to everyone all the new painting techniques he has developed. Prudence, resigned to becoming a spinster, takes up a career and is soon enjoying a small amount of celebrity as an upcoming novelist.

Her world (and career) is turned upside down when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the It Guy, Lord Dammler.

Prudence is not quite a spinster, but she definitely is close to being on the shelf and hasn’t gone much about in society…so is definitely not modish. But her association with Lord Dammler catapults her into the notice of the ton. Dammler finds her intriguing because, in a moment of pique, she dismisses his brilliance and writing as hackneyed. Therefore, he goes about taking her for drives, squiring her about to events, and paying visits to seek her literary guidance.

Uncle Clarence is a wonderful comic relief, and Joan Smith definitely knows how to capitalize on this and other quirky characters (a string of unsuitable suitors) to liven up what might otherwise be a slow story of unlikely friends. Dammler is everything one could want in a hero, dashing, rich…and with enough self-consciousness to not take himself too seriously. Prudence is also likeable because she is not perfect–not really a beauty, but witty and funny, and smart. I also like that Smith allows her to crush on Dammler before she meets him–she is a fangirl, and that makes her reaction to him all the more amusing and sweet.

I have been plowing through Smith’s books this year, because she really is one of the closest authors to Heyer in understanding the cadence, character, and humor of a good traditional Reg Rom. Imprudent Lady may not be the best example of that, but it certainly is up there for its comfortably familiar adherence to genre convention. I also love romances that get to the HEA via friendship, because I think its a good reminder to all of us that the best, most lasting relationships are built on a strong foundation–and frankly some of the Reg Roms (both trad. and mass market) that jump to burning love in the space of twenty pages induce eye rolls, groans, and make it really hard to suspend disbelief.

This was not a laugh out loud funny Regency, but it was amusing, lighthearted and a fun, easy read that I will definitely return to.

5 Stars 4.5 out of 6 Eccentric supporting characters, funny scenes, great unlikely friendship to romance.