Book Review: One Night in London ARC

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 5 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc. (30 Aug 2011)

A bargain that was all business . . . and pure passion.
Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordonwin custody of her young niece Georgina, saving thegirl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitorfor that. But when Edward de Lacey, son ofthe powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man whocan do the job, Francesca decides Edwardhimself must champion her case . . . if only she can meltthe dashing lord’s stony heart.
Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family.When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . .and now, each moment together feeds the flames ofhis scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But whenGeorgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.

One Night in London takes the reader’s breath from the very first page. Edward de Lacey is attending his father on his deathbed who is awaiting the return of his other two sons to say goodbye. The Duke of Durham has more than tender fairwells on his mind. It comes as a shock to his sons to learn that the Duke was married before their mother…and that the marriage technically was never officially ended, and therefore the marriage to their mother could be seen as bigotry…and the sons as bastards.

Edward, the middle son with the levellest head on all Durham affairs, heads to the city to employ the best lawyer he can find, to sort out the mess his father left behind. It is in doing this that he unwittingly angers Lady Francesca Gordon, who wanted the same lawyer, who is now unavailable thanks to de Lacey.

Francesca confronts him, her rising temper only sparking his curiosity. She finds a way to help him in his problem, if he will in turn help her. Working closely with Francesca, Edward slowly becomes entranced with her. They banter back and forth, the jibes making way for flirtation.

One Night in London has a colourful cast of characters who will not fail in charming and seducing you. Francesca is fiery and a wildcat, a woman of independence and action. Edward is honourable and gentlemanly, and downright wicked when needs be. The secondary characters are very evolved, many other authors not taking the time to do this. But Caroline Linden brings every single person to life on the page.

This book is one to be devoured and savoured all at the same time. But one thing is sure – you will not forget One Night in London.