By Eloisa James. Pub Date 03/29/2022.
5 stars. Best enjoyed when you want some romance and hilarity with a tough business woman who bucks tradition and a male love interest that is rough around the edges in all the right ways.
Jacob Astor Addison is in England mainly for business. He wishes to obtain some new people and assets for his growing theatre operation in the states, and London seems to be the prime spot to find such assets given its rich theatrical history. His next venture lies in costuming, specifically obtaining Quimby’s Costume Emporium and its extremely talented proprietor, Martha Quimby. However, his efforts are soundly thwarted when Quimby decides that she would rather sell to another than to move her entire operation and its dedicated employees all the way across the Atlantic.
When Cleopatra Lewis–whose fanciful name does not match the shrewd business woman who goes by it—realizes that the proprietor of the very establishment in which she stands is at a dire crossroads between closing shop and moving it far from its intended home, she feels she must do something to save it. She purchases the business right out from under the American for more than his original offer. After all, she needs Quimby’s costuming to help her escape the marriage mart so she can continue to run Lewis Commodes as she has since her father died and left it to her when she was 19. Who better to help her dress as a wallflower than the prominent costumier?
When Jacob, or Jake to his friends, finds out that Ms. Lewis has upturned his deal with Ms. Quimby, he is both furious and intrigued by the lady who stands in the middle of the shop. Her sharp gaze and lovely façade is hardly what he would expect to find in a business rival. As they enter a tango of wills, they find that their mutual interest in the Emporium is not the only thing that they have in common. As rivalry gives way to revelry and hearts begin to get involved, will this business deal lead to something far more lasting?
One aspect I found entirely different from many other historical romance works set in England was the hero. It was very refreshing to have a less than polished American being the love interest and I felt a lot more connection to Cleopatra Lewis having come from a business background. The H reminded me of my own H and I really saw myself in this story, which made it all the more intriguing and real. I loved how she had her own mind and they both had their own traumas that shaped their shared principles and moral code. It was new and refreshing.
And the carriage scenes? Delightful!
Eloisa James is a very popular name on the HR scene and for very good reason. Her settings are lush, her descriptions are excellent without being overly flowery, and her characters are well thought out and even the smallest ones add to the story. This was another excellent example of her work and you’d be remiss not to pick this one up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon + Harper for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Always Lost in Words 