What do you think?
Rate this book
Unlacing Lady Thea
A journey into pleasure…
The night before dissolute Lord Denham is about to embark on his grand tour, he meets an unexpected complication. In boy's clothes that barely conceal her delectable curves, his childhood friend Lady Althea Curtiss—desperate to escape an arranged marriage—arrives, demanding free passage!
Rhys accepts his unlikely traveling companion with great reluctance—the scandal is sure to blow up in his face—until he finds there is far more intimate territory Lady Thea is curious to explore. Soon he realizes that he is in danger of awakening not only Thea's sensuality, but also his own long-buried heart….
"Allen reaches into readers' hearts." —RT Book Reviews on Married to a Stranger
The night before dissolute Lord Denham is about to embark on his grand tour, he meets an unexpected complication. In boy's clothes that barely conceal her delectable curves, his childhood friend Lady Althea Curtiss—desperate to escape an arranged marriage—arrives, demanding free passage!
Rhys accepts his unlikely traveling companion with great reluctance—the scandal is sure to blow up in his face—until he finds there is far more intimate territory Lady Thea is curious to explore. Soon he realizes that he is in danger of awakening not only Thea's sensuality, but also his own long-buried heart….
"Allen reaches into readers' hearts." —RT Book Reviews on Married to a Stranger
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
21 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
414 books334 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews
July 25, 2016
Unlacing Lady Thea is a truly charming road-trip story featuring two well-drawn and engaging protagonists who had known each other as children, but drifted apart following the hero’s aborted wedding. Long-standing friends who fall for each other is a trope I particularly enjoy, which obviously predisposed me in the book’s favour; but when, in the opening pages, the drunken hero strikes up a conversation with the kitchen cat and utters the immortal line:
I knew I was in for a fun read.
Rhys Denham, Earl of Palgrave is twenty-eight, and, after being jilted at the alter six years before, has made the most of his bachelorhood. He’s got a bit of a reputation with the ladies (there aren’t many heroes in historical romance who haven’t!) but is also a responsible landowner, and a supporter of reform who takes his duties as a member of the government seriously. He has decided that it’s time he settled down and being of the opinion that emotional entanglements such as that crazy little thing called love are needlessly messy, has made a list of the attributes he wants in a wife. Because he plans to honour his marriage vows, he wants to find himself a woman who attracts him, but he doesn’t want one who will “live in his pocket” or protest about the idea of their leading more or less separate lives. Before he starts his search, however, he’s decided he deserves a bit of a break and has organized himself a year-long tour of Europe, given that Napoleon is now under lock and key and travel on the continent is possible again for the first time in years. The trouble is, he’s been having second thoughts, both about being away for so long, and about what he’s planning to do when he gets back – hence the drinking binge the night before his departure.
When his old friend, Lady Althea Curtiss turns up on his doorstep completely out of the blue, asking to travel with him as far as Venice, Rhys is stunned by both her presence (they haven’t seen much of each other in the past six years) and by the impropriety of her request. Thea has left her father’s roof because he is so desperate to be rid of her that he is going to force her to marry some old duffer. Her money is tied up in trust, but can be released on the say-so of two out of her three trustees, and having gained the agreement of one, she now needs to seek permission from a second, her godmother, who currently resides in Venice. Thea knows she is plain and ordinary, but believes she deserves better than to fall into the hands of a fortune-hunter and is determined to make her own way in the world – and for that, she needs money. Spinsters of independent means had more options open to them than those with no money, so Thea can be sure of a place in society if she remains unmarried.
Being more than three sheets to the wind, Rhys reluctantly agrees to let Thea accompany him, knowing that if he doesn’t, she will likely carry out her threat to hire herself a courier and travel on her own.
He insists she makes herself as invisible as possible when they’re in public, in order to try to avoid the scandal which would break should it be known they are traveling together and not related. Knowing this to be sound judgement, Thea nonetheless bristles at Rhys’ high-handed manner. This adult version of her old friend, she soon discovers, can be overbearing, autocratic and even a bit scary, things she finds just as shocking as the fact she can’t help but notice that he’s grown up, filled out and is gorgeous.
But while Rhys notices that plain, gangly, all-elbows-and-knees Thea has rounded out nicely, he can’t immediately connect the physical reality of her with the tomboy he’d grown up with – and when he finds that his body is way ahead of his brain, he’s both incredulous and disgusted with himself. Yet he can’t ignore the vivacious young woman Thea has become, no matter how much he wants to.
Thea is a truly wonderful heroine. She is no-nonsense, funny and intelligent, often knowing exactly the right thing to say to get herself out of a difficult corner. She’s one of those characters who embraces life, prepared for both the potential for joy and the risk of heartbreak. She’s practical, but a romantic at heart. Even though she’d been disappointed by a suitor who – it turned out – her father had practically bribed to marry her, Thea believes in true love and is adamant that finding a man who truly loves her is the only reason she will ever marry.
Rhys and Thea are perfect for each other, something which is clear right from their first scenes together. There’s a terrific chemistry between them, they are comfortable with each other (apart from when they’re in the grip of almost uncontrollable lust!), and their interactions show a true depth of affection and understanding, born of long-standing acquaintance. Rhys is handsome, charming and a little bit naughty – although I did want to slap him once or twice for the length of time it took him to actually see Thea. Even though he finds himself physically aware of her womanly curves straight away, he dismisses it as mere lust and determines to ignore it, because of course, he can’t possibly feel like that about his tree-climbing, frog-hunting, childhood companion. Besides, she deserves love and he doesn’t want emotional entanglements.
But when he does finally see her, the consequences are explosive: I think Louise Allen has written one of the sexiest M&B Historicals I’ve ever read! At the same time, she has developed and maintained a strong emotional connection between the hero and heroine which endures even when they’re both treading carefully around each other, afraid to reveal their true feelings.
I liked the fact that Thea doesn’t suddenly turn into a beauty once she buys herself some nice frocks and has her hair decently styled. She ‘s never going to be pretty, but Rhys gradually comes to find her zest for life and her strength of character devastatingly attractive and to see that his “ordinary” friend has turned into an extraordinary young woman.
Unlacing Lady Thea is a very well written and engaging romance in which the central relationship captivated me from the outset. It’s a quick, but emotionally satisfying read, full of humor and sensuality, and I finished it with a big smile on my face.
"A gentleman does not wash his balls in the study."
I knew I was in for a fun read.
Rhys Denham, Earl of Palgrave is twenty-eight, and, after being jilted at the alter six years before, has made the most of his bachelorhood. He’s got a bit of a reputation with the ladies (there aren’t many heroes in historical romance who haven’t!) but is also a responsible landowner, and a supporter of reform who takes his duties as a member of the government seriously. He has decided that it’s time he settled down and being of the opinion that emotional entanglements such as that crazy little thing called love are needlessly messy, has made a list of the attributes he wants in a wife. Because he plans to honour his marriage vows, he wants to find himself a woman who attracts him, but he doesn’t want one who will “live in his pocket” or protest about the idea of their leading more or less separate lives. Before he starts his search, however, he’s decided he deserves a bit of a break and has organized himself a year-long tour of Europe, given that Napoleon is now under lock and key and travel on the continent is possible again for the first time in years. The trouble is, he’s been having second thoughts, both about being away for so long, and about what he’s planning to do when he gets back – hence the drinking binge the night before his departure.
When his old friend, Lady Althea Curtiss turns up on his doorstep completely out of the blue, asking to travel with him as far as Venice, Rhys is stunned by both her presence (they haven’t seen much of each other in the past six years) and by the impropriety of her request. Thea has left her father’s roof because he is so desperate to be rid of her that he is going to force her to marry some old duffer. Her money is tied up in trust, but can be released on the say-so of two out of her three trustees, and having gained the agreement of one, she now needs to seek permission from a second, her godmother, who currently resides in Venice. Thea knows she is plain and ordinary, but believes she deserves better than to fall into the hands of a fortune-hunter and is determined to make her own way in the world – and for that, she needs money. Spinsters of independent means had more options open to them than those with no money, so Thea can be sure of a place in society if she remains unmarried.
Being more than three sheets to the wind, Rhys reluctantly agrees to let Thea accompany him, knowing that if he doesn’t, she will likely carry out her threat to hire herself a courier and travel on her own.
He insists she makes herself as invisible as possible when they’re in public, in order to try to avoid the scandal which would break should it be known they are traveling together and not related. Knowing this to be sound judgement, Thea nonetheless bristles at Rhys’ high-handed manner. This adult version of her old friend, she soon discovers, can be overbearing, autocratic and even a bit scary, things she finds just as shocking as the fact she can’t help but notice that he’s grown up, filled out and is gorgeous.
But while Rhys notices that plain, gangly, all-elbows-and-knees Thea has rounded out nicely, he can’t immediately connect the physical reality of her with the tomboy he’d grown up with – and when he finds that his body is way ahead of his brain, he’s both incredulous and disgusted with himself. Yet he can’t ignore the vivacious young woman Thea has become, no matter how much he wants to.
Thea is a truly wonderful heroine. She is no-nonsense, funny and intelligent, often knowing exactly the right thing to say to get herself out of a difficult corner. She’s one of those characters who embraces life, prepared for both the potential for joy and the risk of heartbreak. She’s practical, but a romantic at heart. Even though she’d been disappointed by a suitor who – it turned out – her father had practically bribed to marry her, Thea believes in true love and is adamant that finding a man who truly loves her is the only reason she will ever marry.
Rhys and Thea are perfect for each other, something which is clear right from their first scenes together. There’s a terrific chemistry between them, they are comfortable with each other (apart from when they’re in the grip of almost uncontrollable lust!), and their interactions show a true depth of affection and understanding, born of long-standing acquaintance. Rhys is handsome, charming and a little bit naughty – although I did want to slap him once or twice for the length of time it took him to actually see Thea. Even though he finds himself physically aware of her womanly curves straight away, he dismisses it as mere lust and determines to ignore it, because of course, he can’t possibly feel like that about his tree-climbing, frog-hunting, childhood companion. Besides, she deserves love and he doesn’t want emotional entanglements.
But when he does finally see her, the consequences are explosive: I think Louise Allen has written one of the sexiest M&B Historicals I’ve ever read! At the same time, she has developed and maintained a strong emotional connection between the hero and heroine which endures even when they’re both treading carefully around each other, afraid to reveal their true feelings.
I liked the fact that Thea doesn’t suddenly turn into a beauty once she buys herself some nice frocks and has her hair decently styled. She ‘s never going to be pretty, but Rhys gradually comes to find her zest for life and her strength of character devastatingly attractive and to see that his “ordinary” friend has turned into an extraordinary young woman.
Unlacing Lady Thea is a very well written and engaging romance in which the central relationship captivated me from the outset. It’s a quick, but emotionally satisfying read, full of humor and sensuality, and I finished it with a big smile on my face.
March 13, 2014
This was a charming romance set in France and Italy, with a strong heroine and some wonderful dialogue, provided by the publisher through netgalley.
So what did I like?
- The heroine is spunky, determined, curious, rather on the plain side and believably vulnerable. She's not an idiot, she understands what she's getting herself into, and still takes the plunge. Her joie de vivre is a blast of fresh air for everyone around her.
- The setting, in a kind of early 1800s road trip way, really brings the story to life. It's relatively subtle how as the story moves further from London the characters hold on less tightly to conventional norms. The towns they travel through are brought to life, but don't dominate the story. Loved it.
- The story works. I'm not a big fan of the friends-to-lovers trope in whatever century it's set, but in this story it seems to work (well enough for me to not be bothered by it, anyway). The hero and heroine balancing friendship with love is really nice, and their first attempt at doin' the dirty is pretty amusing.
What did I not like so much?
- The hero remained too much of a mystery for me to really engage with. The story is too much written with the heroine in mind, and not balanced with the hero's story beyond the background. He started out as tall, dark and handsome who'd been jilted, and pretty much stayed that way, whereas we learned an awful lot more about the heroine's wants and needs.
- The ending felt unsatisfying. After spending most of the story sympathizing with the heroine's desire to be independent and to make her own life, the ending left me feeling somewhat cut adrift.
So, 3 stars. I liked it.
So what did I like?
- The heroine is spunky, determined, curious, rather on the plain side and believably vulnerable. She's not an idiot, she understands what she's getting herself into, and still takes the plunge. Her joie de vivre is a blast of fresh air for everyone around her.
- The setting, in a kind of early 1800s road trip way, really brings the story to life. It's relatively subtle how as the story moves further from London the characters hold on less tightly to conventional norms. The towns they travel through are brought to life, but don't dominate the story. Loved it.
- The story works. I'm not a big fan of the friends-to-lovers trope in whatever century it's set, but in this story it seems to work (well enough for me to not be bothered by it, anyway). The hero and heroine balancing friendship with love is really nice, and their first attempt at doin' the dirty is pretty amusing.
What did I not like so much?
- The hero remained too much of a mystery for me to really engage with. The story is too much written with the heroine in mind, and not balanced with the hero's story beyond the background. He started out as tall, dark and handsome who'd been jilted, and pretty much stayed that way, whereas we learned an awful lot more about the heroine's wants and needs.
- The ending felt unsatisfying. After spending most of the story sympathizing with the heroine's desire to be independent and to make her own life, the ending left me feeling somewhat cut adrift.
So, 3 stars. I liked it.
March 21, 2018
No había leído a esta autora antes y creo que de momento no voy hacer un nuevo intento. Una historia entretenida, pero que le falta intensidad.
January 16, 2014
A sweet and lovely romance, Unlacing Lady Thea was a fantastic historical romance read. I really enjoyed this book, from beginning to end. It was just wonderful and I absolutely loved it!
Thea was a lovely heroine. After years of being quiet and meek, a forced betrothal was the last straw and she decided to take her life into her own hands. She was the kind of heroine that was strong in a quiet way. Not through obvious defiance and sass, but with her resilience through any situation she was put in. I really liked her. I thought she was a kind, quietly strong, and wonderful character.
Rhys was also great. He was very sweet and loyal to those he cared about. Beneath that shallow exterior of a rake, he was quite clever and strong. But, I frequently wanted to knock some sense into the blockhead. He was so blind to what was in front of him, which led to Thea getting hurt. He didn't just not see how Thea had grown from the girl he left behind, he was kind of derogatory about her when he had to remind himself that she was a plain woman who couldn't possibly evoke feelings in him. It bordered on being mean. That bothered me enough to affect my enjoyment of the book, so that's where I took off the rating. But, despite that, I still liked Rhys overall. When he finally saw the light, he was rather adorable.
The romance was good. Despite Rhys's stubbornness, it was obvious that these two were meant for each other, just in how they interacted. I thought that was sweet. And, the attraction between them was there from the moment they reunited. That let to some sensuous scenes. I thought they were perfect together.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. I really enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was lovely.
Unlacing Lady Thea was a fantastic historical romance. I loved this book! It was a sweet romance that I really enjoyed. Romance lovers, you definitely need to check this book out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Thea was a lovely heroine. After years of being quiet and meek, a forced betrothal was the last straw and she decided to take her life into her own hands. She was the kind of heroine that was strong in a quiet way. Not through obvious defiance and sass, but with her resilience through any situation she was put in. I really liked her. I thought she was a kind, quietly strong, and wonderful character.
Rhys was also great. He was very sweet and loyal to those he cared about. Beneath that shallow exterior of a rake, he was quite clever and strong. But, I frequently wanted to knock some sense into the blockhead. He was so blind to what was in front of him, which led to Thea getting hurt. He didn't just not see how Thea had grown from the girl he left behind, he was kind of derogatory about her when he had to remind himself that she was a plain woman who couldn't possibly evoke feelings in him. It bordered on being mean. That bothered me enough to affect my enjoyment of the book, so that's where I took off the rating. But, despite that, I still liked Rhys overall. When he finally saw the light, he was rather adorable.
The romance was good. Despite Rhys's stubbornness, it was obvious that these two were meant for each other, just in how they interacted. I thought that was sweet. And, the attraction between them was there from the moment they reunited. That let to some sensuous scenes. I thought they were perfect together.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. I really enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was lovely.
Unlacing Lady Thea was a fantastic historical romance. I loved this book! It was a sweet romance that I really enjoyed. Romance lovers, you definitely need to check this book out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
April 1, 2014
Sparklingly wit!
So I was ready to give Lady Thea 5 stars before I'd even finished the first chapter. The rest of the novel did not disappoint!
I am captivated by Allen's dialogue. Her dry humour leavens the story. Smart and amusing lines such as when Rhys, in his cups, scolds the ginger tomcat for ungentlemanly behaviour is just one example. Rhys Denham, the third Earl of Palgrave is a rake, though capable of redemption. He has decided that it's time to do his duty and marry, but first he will do the Grand Tour he missed out on due to the war years. After all, as he solemnly confides to his cat, he is twenty-eight and will appreciate it more.
Lady Althea Curtiss, daughter of the Earl of Wellingstone, has known Rhys forever and appears at his bachelor household dressed as a boy. Rhys is five sheets to the wind, and 'thoroughly foxed not drunk' he reassures the cat. Thea is entrancing, winsome and a madcap! She is fleeing an unwanted marriage and wants to travel to the continent wIth Rhys and onto Venice to find their mutual Godmother, in order to gain control of her inheritance. The 'foxed' Rhys agrees. Of course their journey is littered with distractions caused by Althea's sense of adventure and wish to sample something of life, all assisted by a variety of humorous misunderstandings.
The thing about being an author is that you can locate your characters anywhere you want to. So Paris and then onto Venice! What a treat for us readers!
The dance between Thea and Rhys is highly amusing, each trying to ignore the pull of attraction they feel. As is their abortive attempts to not imagine each other unclothed.
Later, imagination became unnecessary. The witty interactions between Rhys and Thea remind me somewhat of some Heyer's writing with overtones of the ugly duckling.
As the swan emerges we applaud!
A NetGalley ARC
So I was ready to give Lady Thea 5 stars before I'd even finished the first chapter. The rest of the novel did not disappoint!
I am captivated by Allen's dialogue. Her dry humour leavens the story. Smart and amusing lines such as when Rhys, in his cups, scolds the ginger tomcat for ungentlemanly behaviour is just one example. Rhys Denham, the third Earl of Palgrave is a rake, though capable of redemption. He has decided that it's time to do his duty and marry, but first he will do the Grand Tour he missed out on due to the war years. After all, as he solemnly confides to his cat, he is twenty-eight and will appreciate it more.
Lady Althea Curtiss, daughter of the Earl of Wellingstone, has known Rhys forever and appears at his bachelor household dressed as a boy. Rhys is five sheets to the wind, and 'thoroughly foxed not drunk' he reassures the cat. Thea is entrancing, winsome and a madcap! She is fleeing an unwanted marriage and wants to travel to the continent wIth Rhys and onto Venice to find their mutual Godmother, in order to gain control of her inheritance. The 'foxed' Rhys agrees. Of course their journey is littered with distractions caused by Althea's sense of adventure and wish to sample something of life, all assisted by a variety of humorous misunderstandings.
The thing about being an author is that you can locate your characters anywhere you want to. So Paris and then onto Venice! What a treat for us readers!
The dance between Thea and Rhys is highly amusing, each trying to ignore the pull of attraction they feel. As is their abortive attempts to not imagine each other unclothed.
Later, imagination became unnecessary. The witty interactions between Rhys and Thea remind me somewhat of some Heyer's writing with overtones of the ugly duckling.
As the swan emerges we applaud!
A NetGalley ARC
February 6, 2021
Awalnya saya mengira Lady Thea ini salah satu "ladies in pants" alias cewek tomboy. Tapi setelah dibaca dan dibaca, kynya nggak deh. Lady Thea ini cenderung impulsif aja. Drpd dinikahi oleh pria yg tidak disukainya, Thea memilih kabur dgn teman masa kecilnya, Rhys Denham. Rhys emang sudah ada rencana perjalanan keliling Eropa, tentu saja Rhys menolak Thea utk ikut tapi akhirnya dia mengizinkan gadis keras kepala ini ikut bersamanya.
Dan sepanjang petualangan perjalanan mrk, Thea menyadari dia menyukai dan mencintai Rhys. Begitu pula sebaliknya. Tapi Rhys selalu menyanggah dan menyangkal. Bahkan Rhys berusaha menjodohkan Thea dgn pria lain. Hingga nyaris akhir cerita, Rhys msh dalam tahap denial, entah apa yg merasukinya hingga kemudian berubah pikiran.
Ini pertama kalinya saya membaca buku author. Lumayan sih dan pasti lebih bagus kalau saja tokoh utamanya lebih kuat karakternya. Setting perjalanan ala-ala abad 19 dgn kapal laut, mengunjungi Perancis hingga Venesia-nya juga mengesankan. Bagi penyuka friends-to-lovers trope, novel ini boleh dibaca.
Dan sepanjang petualangan perjalanan mrk, Thea menyadari dia menyukai dan mencintai Rhys. Begitu pula sebaliknya. Tapi Rhys selalu menyanggah dan menyangkal. Bahkan Rhys berusaha menjodohkan Thea dgn pria lain. Hingga nyaris akhir cerita, Rhys msh dalam tahap denial, entah apa yg merasukinya hingga kemudian berubah pikiran.
Ini pertama kalinya saya membaca buku author. Lumayan sih dan pasti lebih bagus kalau saja tokoh utamanya lebih kuat karakternya. Setting perjalanan ala-ala abad 19 dgn kapal laut, mengunjungi Perancis hingga Venesia-nya juga mengesankan. Bagi penyuka friends-to-lovers trope, novel ini boleh dibaca.
September 9, 2015
Good friends to lovers story. Thea and Rhys have known each other for a long time, though they haven't seen each other in six years. Thea is twenty-two, sees herself as rather plain and not particularly appealing to men. She still has a fairly romantic view of life, and feels hurt and betrayed when the man who had been courting her is revealed to be a fortune hunter. Desperate to avoid a marriage arranged by her father, she flees to her old friend Rhys, hoping he'll escort her to her godmother in Venice.
Rhys had been stood up at the altar six years earlier. Since then he has become something of a rake, known for his mistresses and his avoidance of anything marriage related. Now that the war is over, he has decided to embark on the Grand Tour he didn't have when he was younger. He admits to himself that it's another way of putting off the need to marry for a little longer. A few hours before he's due to leave, Thea shows up on his doorstep, begging for his help.
I loved the relationship between Rhys and Thea from the start. Thea is practical, honest about her views of herself and others. She still believes in love, despite her heartbreak, and is determined not to marry unless she finds it. She is confident in her own ability to manage life on her own until she does. Though she hasn't seen him in six years, she's confident enough in her friendship with Rhys to believe that he will help her. I loved seeing the way she talked her way past his alcohol-induced fuzziness to get him to agree to take her along with him. I felt a little sorry for him, because he was no match for her in his condition. By the time they were on the road he was beginning to regret it, but he stood by his promise and didn't send her home.
The threads of their friendship are still there and are just as strong. But there is something else that is there also - an attraction that neither wants to admit to. Thea has been in love with Rhys for most of her life, though she tries to convince herself that she has outgrown it. She knows that Rhys's preference seems to be for beautiful blonds, not plain brown haired women. What she feels now is far different that what she felt before. Rhys spends a fair amount of time trying to reconcile his memories of his friend Thea and the woman she is now. He has a hard time understanding why he's attracted to her when she's so different than the women he usually pursues.
As the journey progresses, their relationship progresses also. I loved seeing Thea's independence, and how she was ready to live life on her own terms. It was great fun to see her stand up to Rhys when he tried to discourage her. I loved the way that Rhys kept getting reminded of the fact that Thea is a grown woman. His bouts of jealousy were pretty amusing, especially in the way that they confused him. It was great to see them finally admit their attraction to each other, though they still denied that it was more. Their first attempt to be together didn't go quite as planned and was a pretty funny scene to read.
Thea realizes pretty quickly that her love for Rhys had never gone away, just had been buried. But she still doesn't believe that she has what it takes to keep Rhys's interest. Meanwhile, Rhys remains fixated on his vision of what he wants in a wife, in spite of his reluctance to actually look for her. When they reach their journey's end, both will have to decide what they really want. That doesn't come easy, with each of them remembering what they had said at the start of their voyage, and not wanting to risk their hearts again. There's a surprise encounter with the past that livens up their first night in Venice, and gives Rhys something to think about. He runs, but doesn't get too far before realizing what he's wanted all along. I loved that Thea didn't sit around waiting for him, but tried to make the best of her situation. I liked Rhys's big moment at the end.
The secondary characters of Thea's maid and Rhys's valet were really good. I enjoyed seeing their views of the travels, and their developing romance was a good counterpoint to Thea and Rhys's. I also enjoyed the appearance of Giles Benton, whom they rescued from the coach wreck. I loved seeing the way that his friendship with Thea developed, and Rhys's attempt to match them up was pretty amusing. Even better was his and Rhys's encounter in Rome later on.
Rhys had been stood up at the altar six years earlier. Since then he has become something of a rake, known for his mistresses and his avoidance of anything marriage related. Now that the war is over, he has decided to embark on the Grand Tour he didn't have when he was younger. He admits to himself that it's another way of putting off the need to marry for a little longer. A few hours before he's due to leave, Thea shows up on his doorstep, begging for his help.
I loved the relationship between Rhys and Thea from the start. Thea is practical, honest about her views of herself and others. She still believes in love, despite her heartbreak, and is determined not to marry unless she finds it. She is confident in her own ability to manage life on her own until she does. Though she hasn't seen him in six years, she's confident enough in her friendship with Rhys to believe that he will help her. I loved seeing the way she talked her way past his alcohol-induced fuzziness to get him to agree to take her along with him. I felt a little sorry for him, because he was no match for her in his condition. By the time they were on the road he was beginning to regret it, but he stood by his promise and didn't send her home.
The threads of their friendship are still there and are just as strong. But there is something else that is there also - an attraction that neither wants to admit to. Thea has been in love with Rhys for most of her life, though she tries to convince herself that she has outgrown it. She knows that Rhys's preference seems to be for beautiful blonds, not plain brown haired women. What she feels now is far different that what she felt before. Rhys spends a fair amount of time trying to reconcile his memories of his friend Thea and the woman she is now. He has a hard time understanding why he's attracted to her when she's so different than the women he usually pursues.
As the journey progresses, their relationship progresses also. I loved seeing Thea's independence, and how she was ready to live life on her own terms. It was great fun to see her stand up to Rhys when he tried to discourage her. I loved the way that Rhys kept getting reminded of the fact that Thea is a grown woman. His bouts of jealousy were pretty amusing, especially in the way that they confused him. It was great to see them finally admit their attraction to each other, though they still denied that it was more. Their first attempt to be together didn't go quite as planned and was a pretty funny scene to read.
Thea realizes pretty quickly that her love for Rhys had never gone away, just had been buried. But she still doesn't believe that she has what it takes to keep Rhys's interest. Meanwhile, Rhys remains fixated on his vision of what he wants in a wife, in spite of his reluctance to actually look for her. When they reach their journey's end, both will have to decide what they really want. That doesn't come easy, with each of them remembering what they had said at the start of their voyage, and not wanting to risk their hearts again. There's a surprise encounter with the past that livens up their first night in Venice, and gives Rhys something to think about. He runs, but doesn't get too far before realizing what he's wanted all along. I loved that Thea didn't sit around waiting for him, but tried to make the best of her situation. I liked Rhys's big moment at the end.
The secondary characters of Thea's maid and Rhys's valet were really good. I enjoyed seeing their views of the travels, and their developing romance was a good counterpoint to Thea and Rhys's. I also enjoyed the appearance of Giles Benton, whom they rescued from the coach wreck. I loved seeing the way that his friendship with Thea developed, and Rhys's attempt to match them up was pretty amusing. Even better was his and Rhys's encounter in Rome later on.
June 1, 2014
Unlacing Lady Thea is a vivid, compelling and wonderfully passionate Regency romance from the inimitable pen of multi award-wining author Louise Allen!
Lady Althea Curtiss is under no illusions about her looks. She knows that she is plain and ordinary and not like the other simpering ladies of the Ton desperate to catch the eye of a suitable husband – and she has got absolutely no problem with that. Thea wants adventure, excitement and to be her own woman unhindered by the archaic conventions of society. She will only surrender her independence if she can find a man who loves her and respects her for who she is – and who does not have his eye on the fortune he will be entitled to once he becomes her husband. Nobody is more surprised than Thea when she starts being courted by one of the marriage mart’s most eligible bachelors. Swept away by love and rosy visions of a romantic future together, Thea’s resolves to be an independent woman begin to crumble – until she realises that her Prince Charming is in fact a merciless fortune hunter who had been colluding with her father! Heartbroken, furious and betrayed, Thea realises that she doesn’t want to stay under her father’s roof for a moment longer than necessary, so she flees his house – dressed as a boy – and throws herself at the mercy of her childhood friend, Rhys Denham, Earl of Palgrave.
Rhys has got enough problems of his own – the last thing he wants or needs is to get embroiled in yet another scandal! He’s already given the Ton plenty to gossip about when his fiancee had jilted him for another and since then his exploits and many casual romantic liaisons have shocked and titillated debutantes and dowagers alike. Sick of drinking himself into a stupor night after night and determined to put the upheaval of recent times behind him, Rhys decides to head off on a Grand Tour of the Continent to rest, recuperate and forget about England for a couple of months. Rhys hadn’t been planning on having a travelling companion, but when Thea turns up on his doorstep begging for his help, he knows that he cannot leave her to her own devices and reluctantly agrees to let her accompany him on his journey to Europe.
Thea has been in love with Rhys for most of her life, but she is very much aware that he’s never seen her as anything other than a friend. With his brooding good looks and generous spirit, Rhys was the kind of man who could have any woman he wanted – and he usually preferred beautiful and sophisticated young ladies rather then spirited and average looking girls like her. But thrown into close proximity together by circumstance, Thea is surprised when Rhys begins to look at her in an entirely different light…
As Rhys and Thea’s friendship gives way to something deeper, will they finally have the courage to face up to their feelings for one another? Or will their reticence and their fears condemn them both to a lifetime of loneliness and regret?
Louise Allen is on top form once again with Unlacing Lady Thea. Sparkling with searing emotion, delightful humour, authentic period detail, scandalous passion and nail-biting romantic drama, Unlacing Lady Thea is an outstanding historical tale that once again confirms Louise Allen’s position as a consummate storyteller who is in a class of her own!
Louise Allen’s gift for creating characters that leap off the pages and take on a life of their own from the moment they set foot on the page is unparalleled and readers are sure to love feisty, fiery and independent Thea, who is determined to be her own woman at a time when this was frowned upon. On the other hand, Rhys Denham is a deliciously saturnine hero with a heart of gold and a wicked sense of humour whose charisma and magnetism is sure to have readers reaching for their smelling salts!
Exceptional as ever, Unlacing Lady Thea is a first-class historical romance from a writer who just keeps getting better and better: Louise Allen!
This review was originally published on Cataromance.
Lady Althea Curtiss is under no illusions about her looks. She knows that she is plain and ordinary and not like the other simpering ladies of the Ton desperate to catch the eye of a suitable husband – and she has got absolutely no problem with that. Thea wants adventure, excitement and to be her own woman unhindered by the archaic conventions of society. She will only surrender her independence if she can find a man who loves her and respects her for who she is – and who does not have his eye on the fortune he will be entitled to once he becomes her husband. Nobody is more surprised than Thea when she starts being courted by one of the marriage mart’s most eligible bachelors. Swept away by love and rosy visions of a romantic future together, Thea’s resolves to be an independent woman begin to crumble – until she realises that her Prince Charming is in fact a merciless fortune hunter who had been colluding with her father! Heartbroken, furious and betrayed, Thea realises that she doesn’t want to stay under her father’s roof for a moment longer than necessary, so she flees his house – dressed as a boy – and throws herself at the mercy of her childhood friend, Rhys Denham, Earl of Palgrave.
Rhys has got enough problems of his own – the last thing he wants or needs is to get embroiled in yet another scandal! He’s already given the Ton plenty to gossip about when his fiancee had jilted him for another and since then his exploits and many casual romantic liaisons have shocked and titillated debutantes and dowagers alike. Sick of drinking himself into a stupor night after night and determined to put the upheaval of recent times behind him, Rhys decides to head off on a Grand Tour of the Continent to rest, recuperate and forget about England for a couple of months. Rhys hadn’t been planning on having a travelling companion, but when Thea turns up on his doorstep begging for his help, he knows that he cannot leave her to her own devices and reluctantly agrees to let her accompany him on his journey to Europe.
Thea has been in love with Rhys for most of her life, but she is very much aware that he’s never seen her as anything other than a friend. With his brooding good looks and generous spirit, Rhys was the kind of man who could have any woman he wanted – and he usually preferred beautiful and sophisticated young ladies rather then spirited and average looking girls like her. But thrown into close proximity together by circumstance, Thea is surprised when Rhys begins to look at her in an entirely different light…
As Rhys and Thea’s friendship gives way to something deeper, will they finally have the courage to face up to their feelings for one another? Or will their reticence and their fears condemn them both to a lifetime of loneliness and regret?
Louise Allen is on top form once again with Unlacing Lady Thea. Sparkling with searing emotion, delightful humour, authentic period detail, scandalous passion and nail-biting romantic drama, Unlacing Lady Thea is an outstanding historical tale that once again confirms Louise Allen’s position as a consummate storyteller who is in a class of her own!
Louise Allen’s gift for creating characters that leap off the pages and take on a life of their own from the moment they set foot on the page is unparalleled and readers are sure to love feisty, fiery and independent Thea, who is determined to be her own woman at a time when this was frowned upon. On the other hand, Rhys Denham is a deliciously saturnine hero with a heart of gold and a wicked sense of humour whose charisma and magnetism is sure to have readers reaching for their smelling salts!
Exceptional as ever, Unlacing Lady Thea is a first-class historical romance from a writer who just keeps getting better and better: Louise Allen!
This review was originally published on Cataromance.
October 6, 2016
DESAFÍO HISTÓRICO: L de Los desvelos del amor (6/6)
Terminé el reto.
En general, se lee pero no atrae en ningún sentido. Si no lo dejé es porque no tenía tiempo para otra cosa. El romance es lo soso que me ha tocado leer. No es malo, es plano. Rhys, un prota para nada atrayente, se pasa toda la historia recordándonos que Thea era su amiga sin curvas, más chico que chica.. y cuando justo la toca y encuentra "carne" se pone de los pelos cual perro en celo. No funciona así.
Thea no cae mal, pero siento que al lado de Rhys no va llegar muy lejos. No sentí ni siquiera una química que me dejara tranquila de que a pesar de todos los miedos de Rhys serían buena pareja.
Me parece gracioso como todo el viaje comienza para ir a visitar a la madrina de ambos pero en todo el libro, en ningún momento aparece. Muy interesante.
Terminé el reto.
En general, se lee pero no atrae en ningún sentido. Si no lo dejé es porque no tenía tiempo para otra cosa. El romance es lo soso que me ha tocado leer. No es malo, es plano. Rhys, un prota para nada atrayente, se pasa toda la historia recordándonos que Thea era su amiga sin curvas, más chico que chica.. y cuando justo la toca y encuentra "carne" se pone de los pelos cual perro en celo. No funciona así.
Thea no cae mal, pero siento que al lado de Rhys no va llegar muy lejos. No sentí ni siquiera una química que me dejara tranquila de que a pesar de todos los miedos de Rhys serían buena pareja.
Me parece gracioso como todo el viaje comienza para ir a visitar a la madrina de ambos pero en todo el libro, en ningún momento aparece. Muy interesante.
March 2, 2016
What a fun romance! I always love it when the female character maintains her strength throughout the romance novel, and doesn't suddenly crumble under the emotions she feels about the man--imagine that, a woman is able to be strong AND have a relationship with a strong man. This was a cute story, with witty conversations between Rhys and Thea, and I was pleasantly surprised at Rhys taking Thea's beliefs and discussions seriously rather than finding her fluffy and amusing. I would definitely recommend for anyone that enjoys a romance with a little bit of saucy on the side.
August 27, 2015
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
Out of all the Louise Allen books I've read, I liked this one the best. Sure, it has its moments where I would have wanted to bang my head against the wall since the characters were kind of unbelievable, but at the same time I found myself really liking this novel. It had its funny moments and a bit more serious moments and by the end I reached the conclusion that Allen's writing keeps improving with time.
More of my thoughts can be found HERE
Out of all the Louise Allen books I've read, I liked this one the best. Sure, it has its moments where I would have wanted to bang my head against the wall since the characters were kind of unbelievable, but at the same time I found myself really liking this novel. It had its funny moments and a bit more serious moments and by the end I reached the conclusion that Allen's writing keeps improving with time.
More of my thoughts can be found HERE
Read
March 3, 2022DNF.
THIS STORY MAKES EVEN PRETTY GIRLS FEEL UGLY. I ABSOLUTELY HATED HOW THE AUTHOR MADE THE HEROINE DWELL SO MUCH ON THE FACT THAT SHE'S NOT BEAUTIFUL, PRETTY AND AVERAGE. WHICH MEANS SHE'S NOT UGLY BUT ALSO NOT PRETTY. IT ALSO MAKES THE HERO AND EVERYONE IN THE STORY SHALLOW.
I've never been a fan of plain Jane stories because they have a way of making you feel absolutely sorry for them and the male leads like asses for appreciating beauty more than character. I love brown haired heroines, and I never think brown hair is a mousy colour. It's the colour of chocolate. How is blonde better than brunette? Both are beautiful colours. Anyway, I think the author butchered her heroine.
I've read stories by other authors who managed to make their plain heroine look beautiful in the eyes of others. And Thea was just boring sometimes and I wished she lived more and pushed Rhys more. She kept comparing herself to mistresses and courtesans and blonde beauties but never appreciated herself for what she is. While she believes she only wants to marry for love, she also feels no man would want her because she's not pretty. Thea obviously never heard that to fall and have someone love you, you have to love yourself first. I couldn't stomach her one sided affection for Rhys who was so blaise about her. I WANTED - NEEDED HIM TO NOTICE HER GRADUALLY and the small hints of his sexual awareness to her felt...wrong and disgusting. It didn't grow naturally. And honestly, I don't even see WHATS SO GOOD ABOUT RHYS for her to love.
OVERALL when the MCs are having sex and you just feel entirely put off...then that's a big warning sign that their chemistry is just off. The imbalance of emotional attraction here just was so sad...on the heroine's side...I couldn't endure the embarrassment for her. At the end of the day, I'd rather she lived for herself first than to think about love.
THIS STORY MAKES EVEN PRETTY GIRLS FEEL UGLY. I ABSOLUTELY HATED HOW THE AUTHOR MADE THE HEROINE DWELL SO MUCH ON THE FACT THAT SHE'S NOT BEAUTIFUL, PRETTY AND AVERAGE. WHICH MEANS SHE'S NOT UGLY BUT ALSO NOT PRETTY. IT ALSO MAKES THE HERO AND EVERYONE IN THE STORY SHALLOW.
I've never been a fan of plain Jane stories because they have a way of making you feel absolutely sorry for them and the male leads like asses for appreciating beauty more than character. I love brown haired heroines, and I never think brown hair is a mousy colour. It's the colour of chocolate. How is blonde better than brunette? Both are beautiful colours. Anyway, I think the author butchered her heroine.
I've read stories by other authors who managed to make their plain heroine look beautiful in the eyes of others. And Thea was just boring sometimes and I wished she lived more and pushed Rhys more. She kept comparing herself to mistresses and courtesans and blonde beauties but never appreciated herself for what she is. While she believes she only wants to marry for love, she also feels no man would want her because she's not pretty. Thea obviously never heard that to fall and have someone love you, you have to love yourself first. I couldn't stomach her one sided affection for Rhys who was so blaise about her. I WANTED - NEEDED HIM TO NOTICE HER GRADUALLY and the small hints of his sexual awareness to her felt...wrong and disgusting. It didn't grow naturally. And honestly, I don't even see WHATS SO GOOD ABOUT RHYS for her to love.
OVERALL when the MCs are having sex and you just feel entirely put off...then that's a big warning sign that their chemistry is just off. The imbalance of emotional attraction here just was so sad...on the heroine's side...I couldn't endure the embarrassment for her. At the end of the day, I'd rather she lived for herself first than to think about love.
April 8, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this. There was something about their romance that didn’t quite sit right with me. I ended up skimming through a few parts. It felt like the heroine was more invested in the relationship than the hero, which made things feel a bit one-sided. I wasn’t completely convinced that he truly loved her. 2.5
September 22, 2017
The H/h take a lovely trip through the south of France and along the coast of Italy. Would it ever have happened? Well, maybe not, but I sure would like to have done it myself! This story reads more like a novella. I don't think that's a criticism. It is a charming light read.
July 13, 2019
The angst wasn’t intense, but the heroine did suffer from unrequited love, which is a trope I enjoy. I liked the characters and was glad to find a nice plain heroine book after so long a dry spell in trying to find them!
November 14, 2017
Definitely a good read! Thea and Rhys have a fun courtship, found on their friendship, and their adventures are great! Definitely recommended!
November 2, 2018
Įdomus siužetas. Ir kaip visuomet happy end :)
April 11, 2020
So I read a Mills and Boon novel AHHHHHHH
September 16, 2022
Another enjoyable story
November 15, 2023
Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️
September 28, 2018
Siempre me gustan leer esto tipo de libros ya que se que debo de esperar y nunca me decepcionan, la historia me pareció muy diferente y hasta un poco diferente, la relación entre rhys y tea es oro.
May 6, 2014
Road Trip! Road Trip!
I'm doing another project. I love starting projects (don't usually finish them). It seems lately that I'm been underwhelmed by some of my auto-buy authors. It takes me a long time before I stop buying my old stand-byes, but it has happened. So, what's a person to do when their list of favorite authors start to shrink? Why, they start looking for new ones. In this case I'm not talking about debut authors, although I do keep an eye out for new and exciting authors. No, what I've decided to do is forage around for authors who have been around forever and ever and for one reason or another I’ve never read any of their books. I've decided to pick at least one of these authors every month and read their latest. This month I've chosen Louise Allen's Unlacing Lady Thea to begin my odyssey. Louise Allen is an author from the United Kingdom and she seems to have first been published in 1993 under the name of Francesca Shaw (a collaboration). Since 2003, she has been published under the name of Louise Allen.
Unlacing Lady Thea is a road trip book - a well-drawn travelogue of sorts as our hero, Rhys, and our heroine, Thea, have an adventurous journey through England, France and Italy. And what an enjoyable journey it was.
This book has the standard heroine tomboy who has loved her childhood friend forever. Of course, he is totally oblivious to her, thinks of her as nothing but a nuisance who used to follow him around. He is a Romanceland standard one-too many-drinks rake, and he's bored bored bored. He has decided to do some sightseeing, and has planned a journey across Europe. Now, somehow, our heroine finds out and, are you ready? Disguised as a boy, she shows up at his London house and connives him into taking her with him. Seeing as how he's drunk and he could never turn her down he agrees. She, by the way, is running away from her father, who is going to force her to marry a man she doesn’t want. And, thus begins our journey. I did have a moment that threw me out of the story. I question that even drunk, Rhys would agree to traipsing all over Europe with a aristocratic girl who isn't properly chaperoned. However, after I got past my puleese moment and accepted this premise, I actually enjoyed the story.
I also have to say that part way through the book I said to myself, "Boy, this author must have had a great time in France." The places our couple journey to are painted with such a vivid brush, that I wanted to run and pack my suitcase. It's very obvious in her writing that she had a wonderful time. The story was at its strongest when we get to see these places through our heroine's eyes - the scenes were so colorful, one could almost hear the sounds of the bustling villages and smell the scents surrounding our couple as they traveled.
Let's look at the romance portion of this book. Dare I use the word cute? There were scenes of humor and I even had a few giggle-out-loud moments. Usually, those times were when Rhys would end up saying the wrong thing. In this book that happened a lot because he just could not handle his growing awareness of his childhood friend who was blossoming before his eyes into a sensual woman. Thea was a no-nonsense woman and I liked her a lot. She is also a plain woman who is actually plain, unlike all those flame-haired-violet-eyed plain Romanceland heroines out there. What I really like about Thea and Rhys as a couple was that they were friends; it's just the lust that starts to get in the way.
Unlacing Lady Thea is a fast, enjoyable read with some very vivid writing. The romance may bog down a little in the middle and there may have been some traveling down the "I'm not worthy" road. There was also a moment in the book where the heroine starts to take the blame for the hero's jealous reaction. My opinion of that was, "Whoa, there big boy, she's not responsible for how you react." Rhys' stubbornness may have gone on a little longer than I would have liked, but then it would have been a novella instead of a full length book, so I lived with it.
Overall, this is a good story with a cute romance and a brilliant travelogue. I do recommend it.
I'm doing another project. I love starting projects (don't usually finish them). It seems lately that I'm been underwhelmed by some of my auto-buy authors. It takes me a long time before I stop buying my old stand-byes, but it has happened. So, what's a person to do when their list of favorite authors start to shrink? Why, they start looking for new ones. In this case I'm not talking about debut authors, although I do keep an eye out for new and exciting authors. No, what I've decided to do is forage around for authors who have been around forever and ever and for one reason or another I’ve never read any of their books. I've decided to pick at least one of these authors every month and read their latest. This month I've chosen Louise Allen's Unlacing Lady Thea to begin my odyssey. Louise Allen is an author from the United Kingdom and she seems to have first been published in 1993 under the name of Francesca Shaw (a collaboration). Since 2003, she has been published under the name of Louise Allen.
Unlacing Lady Thea is a road trip book - a well-drawn travelogue of sorts as our hero, Rhys, and our heroine, Thea, have an adventurous journey through England, France and Italy. And what an enjoyable journey it was.
This book has the standard heroine tomboy who has loved her childhood friend forever. Of course, he is totally oblivious to her, thinks of her as nothing but a nuisance who used to follow him around. He is a Romanceland standard one-too many-drinks rake, and he's bored bored bored. He has decided to do some sightseeing, and has planned a journey across Europe. Now, somehow, our heroine finds out and, are you ready? Disguised as a boy, she shows up at his London house and connives him into taking her with him. Seeing as how he's drunk and he could never turn her down he agrees. She, by the way, is running away from her father, who is going to force her to marry a man she doesn’t want. And, thus begins our journey. I did have a moment that threw me out of the story. I question that even drunk, Rhys would agree to traipsing all over Europe with a aristocratic girl who isn't properly chaperoned. However, after I got past my puleese moment and accepted this premise, I actually enjoyed the story.
I also have to say that part way through the book I said to myself, "Boy, this author must have had a great time in France." The places our couple journey to are painted with such a vivid brush, that I wanted to run and pack my suitcase. It's very obvious in her writing that she had a wonderful time. The story was at its strongest when we get to see these places through our heroine's eyes - the scenes were so colorful, one could almost hear the sounds of the bustling villages and smell the scents surrounding our couple as they traveled.
Let's look at the romance portion of this book. Dare I use the word cute? There were scenes of humor and I even had a few giggle-out-loud moments. Usually, those times were when Rhys would end up saying the wrong thing. In this book that happened a lot because he just could not handle his growing awareness of his childhood friend who was blossoming before his eyes into a sensual woman. Thea was a no-nonsense woman and I liked her a lot. She is also a plain woman who is actually plain, unlike all those flame-haired-violet-eyed plain Romanceland heroines out there. What I really like about Thea and Rhys as a couple was that they were friends; it's just the lust that starts to get in the way.
Unlacing Lady Thea is a fast, enjoyable read with some very vivid writing. The romance may bog down a little in the middle and there may have been some traveling down the "I'm not worthy" road. There was also a moment in the book where the heroine starts to take the blame for the hero's jealous reaction. My opinion of that was, "Whoa, there big boy, she's not responsible for how you react." Rhys' stubbornness may have gone on a little longer than I would have liked, but then it would have been a novella instead of a full length book, so I lived with it.
Overall, this is a good story with a cute romance and a brilliant travelogue. I do recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2014
Now Boney has been locked away on Elba, Rhys Denham, an Earl, is looking forward to the Grand Tour of Europe as an escape from boredom. He doesn't expect a childhood friend, Lady Thea Curtiss, to arrive at his home dressed as a youth.
LADY THEA has three seasons behind her, she's of intellectual enthusiasms and average looks, and she has a dowry but refuses to marry eager young men who don't love her. I liked the girl immediately. She's determined not to obey her father and sit as a spinster in the country so she hopes to join Rhys, unchaperoned, and travel to her godmother in Venice. Aged 22 she claims to not care if her name is ruined. Rhys is 28 and he agrees provided she travels incognito with her maid and tells her godmother she had been respectably chaperoned.
The journey is anything but easy, though relatively luxurious. Carriages, inns and boats help the two friends cross lands littered with returned soldiers wearing cast-off uniform. The worried maid mutters about "murdering Frenchies, sharpening the guillotine" but the innkeepers prefer to bring in money. The wreck of a diligence, a heavy French coach, shows how travellers were constantly exposed to danger on poor roads. Paris and Venice are glamorous cities returning to gaiety.
Thea is a sensual young woman who has read about marriage and has no intention of ending up as a lonely companion to her hypochondriac mother. She has money of her own, though access to it is tricky, and wishes for a life outside the constraints of society. She wasn't expecting to fall in love, and Rhys may be a good steward of his estates but he has a rake's reputation with women. Thea fast learns that being imprudent is dangerous.
I loved author Louise Allen's 'Tarnished Amongst The Ton' which also developed themes of travel and unconventional ladies of advanced ideas. This adult romance brings the European settings beautifully to life. It is great fun and explores the period interestingly so I highly recommend UNLACING LADY THEA.
LADY THEA has three seasons behind her, she's of intellectual enthusiasms and average looks, and she has a dowry but refuses to marry eager young men who don't love her. I liked the girl immediately. She's determined not to obey her father and sit as a spinster in the country so she hopes to join Rhys, unchaperoned, and travel to her godmother in Venice. Aged 22 she claims to not care if her name is ruined. Rhys is 28 and he agrees provided she travels incognito with her maid and tells her godmother she had been respectably chaperoned.
The journey is anything but easy, though relatively luxurious. Carriages, inns and boats help the two friends cross lands littered with returned soldiers wearing cast-off uniform. The worried maid mutters about "murdering Frenchies, sharpening the guillotine" but the innkeepers prefer to bring in money. The wreck of a diligence, a heavy French coach, shows how travellers were constantly exposed to danger on poor roads. Paris and Venice are glamorous cities returning to gaiety.
Thea is a sensual young woman who has read about marriage and has no intention of ending up as a lonely companion to her hypochondriac mother. She has money of her own, though access to it is tricky, and wishes for a life outside the constraints of society. She wasn't expecting to fall in love, and Rhys may be a good steward of his estates but he has a rake's reputation with women. Thea fast learns that being imprudent is dangerous.
I loved author Louise Allen's 'Tarnished Amongst The Ton' which also developed themes of travel and unconventional ladies of advanced ideas. This adult romance brings the European settings beautifully to life. It is great fun and explores the period interestingly so I highly recommend UNLACING LADY THEA.
February 3, 2014
Appearing on Lord Rhys Denham's doorstep ill-disguised as a boy, Lady Althea Curtiss has left home after discovering her intended only wanted her dowry. The self proclaimed plain miss asks her old and dearest friend Rhys to allow her to accompany him in his travels of the continent and safely deposit her into their mutual godmother's care in Italy.
Six years after having been left at the alter by his would be bride, Rhys still feels the affects of the betrayal, he isn't ready to move on a find a wife who would make him content and give him an heir. At the time of Rhys' troubles, the young Thea was secretly in love with him and helped him weather the would-be bride's and his best male friend's deception of their elopement. When Thea reminds Rhys of a promise he made to her at that point in time, he agrees to help her in her quest of escaping a loveless marriage.
In their travels, the friends surrender to their passions and begin an affair that is destined to create heartache for all involved.
UNLACING LADY THEA is a interesting tale of unknown destiny and beginning new lives. I enjoyed it, but I found myself skimming more than paying intent attention. Thea consistently doubts anyone's interest in her other than for her dowry and for pity and it becomes tedious. The likable Lord Denham has so many chances to awaken from his stupor of stubbornness before he is basically knocked in the head by a Reverend who ends up traveling with the pair. All's well that ends well, and that is the upside to UNLACING LADY THEA by Louise Allen.
November 18, 2014
My first M & B, and not my last. No doubt this could become a guilty pleasure. Allen provides a narrative possessing a fun fast pace. She manages to hold the readers attention providing entertaining characters struggling with just enough sexual tension leaving a soft sensuality lingering as you turn pages.
Rhys and Thea with their quips, failings and strengths capture your attention as you hope their attraction materializes as the build up increases.
Rhys was appealing, at times repulsive. He took notice of Thea on occasion, other times he was slow to catch on forgetting she’s a grown woman and not the adolescent of his past.
Rhys suffered a broken heart leaving him cyclical towards love, whereas Thea wholeheartedly believed in love despite her heartbreak. The slow pace these two took regarding romance was sentimental as well as plausible. Becoming reacquainted as their adult selves added depth. Attraction was the catalyst launching their union forming a undeniable love and tenderness towards one another.
Allen created a romance narrative filled with humor, sensuality and plenty of history scattered throughout. Delightful, fast paced read you will enjoy. I devoured this on flight from SF to LA without my focus interrupted. Sweet sexy story.
Rhys and Thea with their quips, failings and strengths capture your attention as you hope their attraction materializes as the build up increases.
Rhys was appealing, at times repulsive. He took notice of Thea on occasion, other times he was slow to catch on forgetting she’s a grown woman and not the adolescent of his past.
Rhys suffered a broken heart leaving him cyclical towards love, whereas Thea wholeheartedly believed in love despite her heartbreak. The slow pace these two took regarding romance was sentimental as well as plausible. Becoming reacquainted as their adult selves added depth. Attraction was the catalyst launching their union forming a undeniable love and tenderness towards one another.
Allen created a romance narrative filled with humor, sensuality and plenty of history scattered throughout. Delightful, fast paced read you will enjoy. I devoured this on flight from SF to LA without my focus interrupted. Sweet sexy story.
May 7, 2014
Review Posted on Harlequin Junkies.com
Unlacing Lady Thea by Louise Allen: A vacation like no other… with Napoleon in exile on Elba, Rhys Denham, Earl of Palgrave, has decided to go on the Grand Tour, and have a year-long holiday. After this last chance to sow his wild oats, he has decided that he will come back to England, find a wife and settle down. The night before he is depart, he is drinking deeply, apprehensive about his trip. Then, a visitor is announced, and it’s none other than his old childhood friend Lady Althea (Thea) Curtiss, dressed unconvincingly as a boy, and with a wild tale to tell. She wants Rhys to take her to the continent with him, in order to get to Lady Hughson, their godmother, who is currently in Venice. She needs her godmother’s permission to gain control of her fortune, because her father, after three failed seasons in London, is ready to arrange a loveless marriage for her.
Read More
Unlacing Lady Thea by Louise Allen: A vacation like no other… with Napoleon in exile on Elba, Rhys Denham, Earl of Palgrave, has decided to go on the Grand Tour, and have a year-long holiday. After this last chance to sow his wild oats, he has decided that he will come back to England, find a wife and settle down. The night before he is depart, he is drinking deeply, apprehensive about his trip. Then, a visitor is announced, and it’s none other than his old childhood friend Lady Althea (Thea) Curtiss, dressed unconvincingly as a boy, and with a wild tale to tell. She wants Rhys to take her to the continent with him, in order to get to Lady Hughson, their godmother, who is currently in Venice. She needs her godmother’s permission to gain control of her fortune, because her father, after three failed seasons in London, is ready to arrange a loveless marriage for her.
Read More
April 17, 2014
Perhaps I didn’t need a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant this morning, but I wanted them, the same way that last night I didn’t need to read about heaving bosoms and hardened groins, but I wanted to, and thoroughly enjoyed both last night and this morning.
The oft told tale of the lady and the lord, perfect for each other but taking a long time to figure that out, was a delightful treat here, both in the characters, the setting, and some good old fashioned escapism.
November 1, 2014
Another good 'un from the pen of Louise Allen. As the title suggests, it's a racy Regency novel. Lady Althea runs away from an arranged marriage and begs long-time friend, Rhys Denham, to take her with him on the first stage of his Grand Tour. In a drunken moment, he agrees to take her to her godmother in Venice but when Thea's independent spirit causes friction between them, he regrets doing so. His doubts increase when, to his surprise, he begins to desire her. At the risk of spoilers, I won't say more but suggest you give this book a go for yourself. You're in for a treat!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews