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Book Review By Hannah Warnaar
The Beauty of Bond Street by Jacqueline Navin

Sophie Temple is the daughter of an actress who performed not only onstage but to assorted men offstage. Having grown up with her mother and 'aunts' she is determined not to be forced into a shameful career. But when all her guardians die, she begins to run out of other options - until she finds out that Lady May Hayworth, sister of a now deceased Earl who had an affair with one of Sophie's aunts, is looking for the offspring from their relationship. Sophie knows that Aunt Millicent had a child who died soon after birth and would have been around Sophie's age - so she decides to pose as the child, calling herself Sophie Kent.

When Lord Gideon is injured in a duel, his friends deliver him on Lady May's doorstep. The notorious rake is the little brother of May's first husband - and completely unsuitable as a companion for Sophie. But a friendship soon develops - with both of them wanting more. Sophie, looking for a marriage of convenience which will leave her safe from life as a courtesan, has an increasing amount of suitors - to Gideon's jealousy. As their relationship intensifies, Gideon starts to reform his old ways in order to have a chance with Sophie - but just when he has gathered the confidence to propose to her, he is suddenly forced into a marriage with her best friend... And then there is Sophie's dilemma - can she confess her true identity to the people she has grown to love?

Mysteries regarding May's first marriage are finally resolved in this stunning last installment to Navin's 'Hyde park' series - May has a secret which she doesn't dare share, not with Gideon or Sophie, and not even with her lover, Robert. I highly recommend this book - it is the most romantic Regency romance I have read in a long time.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - after his/her money
If one lover chases another... - he chases after her

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Sex makes him

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
Effect of sexing
Unusual characteristics:

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - Fancy Mansion

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
What % of story is romance related? - 90%
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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