Joan Smith: An Infamous Proposal

SHE DESIRED NOTHING MORE THAN A BIDDABLE HUSBAND. . . .

Emma, having gone at seventeen directly from her papa’s home to her husband’s arms, is now widowed at age twenty-two–and quite naive in the ways of the world: in particular, how to find herself another match!

Thus, she proposes to Lord Hansard, eyeing him as a husband who would let her enjoy her freedom and discourage the presence of interfering relatives. His blunt refusal is both surprising . . . and oddly disappointing.

Nick, however, has taken it upon himself to procure a suitable man for this outrageous miss, though none of the candidates are nearly as qualified as . . . well, himself. Thus Emma begins to suspect that when it comes to a decent proposal, even a gentleman has the right to change his mind. . . .

Emma may as well be a deb, although she reminds others she is a widow so no need to shelter her, for all her experience. But threatened by her papa to be stewarded once again by horrid Aunt Hildegarde, Emma is desperate to be married.

Thinking her neighbor likely holds a secret tendre for her, she pops the question. He refuses out of hand, but offers to help her find a good match.

Joan Smith, for me, is all about the secondary characters who breathe life into her romances and in this respect An Infamous Proposal did not disappoint. The lascivious cousin gone cleric, the pokered up suitor, and the dottering chaperone are all delightful and interesting…different enough that it kept me reading on.

The romance was lukewarm, and I didn’t love the H/h. As a widow, Emma is a little naughty which was a nice deviation from the norm (although not too naughty, for this is afterall a traditional) but she also felt a bit flat. I did feel her repression from her family (excellent writing on Smith’s part) and got that her marriage was not a love match, but I wanted a bit more of her backstory to breathe full life into her.

Hansard, also, was lacking in the backstory enough that I wasn’t sure what made him tick.

With the visit to London and a bit of dramatic action, the pace kept was quick and to the point, so perfect for a quick read during a day at the beach or on your commute.

Overall, a charming traditional that was easy to read. I wouldn’t rate it as one of the best (or worst) Smith’s I have read, and won’t reread, but it nonetheless was enjoyable while it lasted (and once I got a chapter or two in). There was the light touch of humor Smith is known for throughout, particularly with several of the suitors.

Because of some of the suitors, there was a lot of talk of mistresses and other off-color innuendo, so I wouldn’t rec0mmend for younger readers.

5 Stars 4 out of 6 A traditional Regency with some slight deviations from the norm