Book Review: Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer (392 pages)

Synopsis: Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.
In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

Book Review: Barely A Lady is book one from the Drake's Rakes series and it's the first book I have read by Eileen Dreyer.

I wasn't into historical romance but when I saw the cover of Barely A Lady, I realized I had been reading too much of the same old same old and this book was my 'out'. I welcome change and this book solidified my curiosity for historical romance books.

I really enjoyed Olivia and Jack's story line. The characters were very well placed and developed to the point that one of the main character's behavior provoked in me some strong reactions. Let's just say I wasn't feeling tender hearted towards Jack, no matter how likable of traits he possessed. Jack did some unforgivable things.

Olivia, the heroine, was so amazing and courageous, and very much a lady in all sense of the word. It was so refreshing to read about a classy lady with a brave heart. She made her goals a reality no matter how terrifying, and her struggles rang true, making her story that much more heart felt.

I was grateful for Lady Kate and her wicked humor. Eileen Dreyer did a wonderful job with her character. She was the comic relief and a fearless woman. She was given a clever tongue to sound off accusations Olivia, and the girls, (and I) wanted to hurl at Jack.

The most bothersome of conflicts was Jack's flip flopping between his love for his wife and his lover. I would have rang his neck...that's just not done, especially in front of his wife.

The pacing of the storyline was fantastic, never a dull moment, and the secondary characters were very tempting and deliciously written.

In the end: I enjoyed reading about love, betrayal and redemption. The pages literally flipped themselves it was such a brilliantly written story. I am looking forward to "Never A Gentleman" by Eileen Dreyer to be released April of 2011.

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