Lady Emma's Dilemma

by Rhonda Woodward

A lady forgives…but can she forget?

What a dreadful misfortune that Lady Emmaline Fallbrook’s grand return to London is spoiled by a sighting of Jack Devreux. He was the cad who endangered her reputation one impetuous night thirteen years ago and abandoned her. She is over him certainly, so hang the man—and the memories! But for someone who doesn't deserve a second thought, why is he consuming Emma’s every thought?

Baron Devreux is outraged. The unforgettable beauty who humiliated him on the most important night of his life is back, but why? The answers come under moonlight, with the promise of a little mischief and the unraveling of a soul-wrenching misunderstanding that could save two hearts from making the same mistake again…

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical, Clean Romance

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Rhonda Woodward is the author of six Signet Regency romance novels, and is happily working on her next. Among other accolades, Rhonda’s novels have been nominated for RWA's RITA and RT Reviewer's Choice awards and won the Book Sellers’ Best Award.
You can connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RhondaWoodwa...

Reviews

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. Though not as good as the other books, still sweet and lovely.

[Amy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A second-chance-at-love story. The characters were very well done. Sweet and mildly paced with a happy ending.
Minimal violence, no sex, mild language

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a companion to The Wagered Heart but can easily be read as a stand-alone. Lady Emmaline Fallon, the older sister of the Duke of Kelbourne, is a young widow grown tired of life in the country and come to Town for some adventure. Emma becomes the new reigning beauty, much to the dismay of an actress named Mrs. Willoughby alias Queen Willow, the former beauty. Emma is looking for love but not to remarry. She vows never again to allow a man to have complete control over her. Several candidates present themselves to Emma, none quite as dashing or alarming as handsome, rakish Baron, Jack Devruex who broke Emma's heart thirteen years ago. Bitter over events that happened in the past, Emma remains angry with Jack while he tries to make amends. Thirteen years ago Jack was a penniless boy trying to restore his family name and fortune and now he's a self-made man. He's told himself he's over Emma, but his heart tells him otherwise. Emma is conflicted and has to learn to let go of the past. I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to. I thought both Emma and Jack were rather selfish and annoying. Neither tried to understand what the other was feeling. Emma was really angry at herself but that never came up in the plot and instead she continued to blame Jack for everything that happened to her. The romantic development is good, though and there's just the right amount of romantic tension between Emma and Jack to make the story believable. This is a decent Regency novel and worth checking out from the library.

[tacitus · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing style is good, and the story had so much potential, but as things progressed it was incredibly one-sided. I could not see the heroine's point of view AT ALL. She was just wrong. Wrong, wrong! And that would have been okay if the story had progressed to her REALIZING that she had been wrong and coming to terms with her young, stupid self. But she never does. In fact, at one point the hero says "Then you forgive me?" Forgive him? She should be the one asking for forgiveness. She could not see his point of view in the past, and by the end of the book she still seems to be utterly oblivious to it.

I hate to say this, but far too many romance authors (and especially regency romances) have a tendency to want to make the man wrong and the woman right at all times. It's ridiculous. They write female characters that are over-emotional, suspicious, and downright unfair...and then still treat them as if they are right. It's getting rather irritating at this point. =/

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one and thought it was well written. I liked Emma and Jack. I did think their separation was rather long, 13 years, and their reason for parting was kind of silly. But, they did have some good moments. I would have tweaked a couple things, but overall it was fun. The ending is a bit abrupt, I think it needed an epilogue.

Content: Clean. Some mild talk of mistresses.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insubstantial fluff. Not quite ridiculous enough to be enjoyable for over-the-top hijinks, but more than enough to get the eyes rolling once or twice. I found myself most interested in the "villain's" outrageous mistress and the heroine's married friends who are having a spat over jewelry.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a re-read for me but well-written.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh

Bad writing made me stop

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.60 stars - pg13?