I love arranged marriage tropes and Diana Quincy offered up a most unusual one in Tempting Bella the second book in the Accidental Peers series. While I did not read Seducing Charlotte the first book, each works as a standalone. With fleshed out characters, intriguing secondary characters and a unique arrangement I became completely caught up in the tale. Mini review: intriguing, romantic, witty and refreshing.

A marriage arranged between the Duke of Wentworth and Cyrus Stanhope to pay off a gambling debt. The Duke marries off his thirteen year old daughter, Mirabella Wentworth to the 3rd son of Stanhope, Sebastian who is barely nineteen. Deeds are drawn up, and the marriage will be consummated when Mirabella comes of age. Sebastian sets off to learn his duties and run the estates, while Mirabella finishes school and then with his permission tours the world. It is six years before they meet again, and the tale that unfolds was positively delightful with strong feisty characters and intrigue.

Mirabella, or Bella is a very smart woman, who learns the running of estates while abroad and is keen on keeping the duchy secure. A Duchess by birth, she is determined to make sure her husband doesn’t run her estates into the ground. She is head strong, opinionated and doesn’t fully understand the circumstances behind her arranged marriage. Sebastian is a good man, noble and determined to restore the dukedom coiffures to their former glory. He feels bad for Bella and hasn’t forced her to return. For the first time a young woman he meets stirs his needs and he realizes he must call his wife home. I so enjoyed the banter and cat and mouse game between these two. I laughed, sighed and wanted to knock them over the head. Secondary characters from an old mistress to Bella’s wayward friends added to the drama and kept me flipping the pages.

Tempting Bella was a delightful tale, and Quincy offered a different twist to the arranged marriage trope. She weaved in drama, and suspense with clever little twists that kept me on the edge. The sexual tension between Sebastian and Bella was delicious. They bickered, and Bella’s independent streak led to some humorous situations and life lessons. I loved the growth we saw from them, and the depth Quincy brought to the characters. Devilishly handsome and anal about order, Sebastian, was a pleasure to read about. I loved how Bella twisted him about, and the more we learned about him, the harder I fell. This was positively delightful!

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Fully expected this to be your average historical romance but to my great surprise I really enjoyed it. Loved the original plot that sadly so many lack, even the characters were great. It's nice to not want to reach in an strangle one of the main characters, quite refreshing. Not that Bella or Sebastion were perfect, they were neither daft nor perfect, but instead i could see them being real people. Although i haven't read anything by Diana Quincy before now, I hoping to read more of her work in the future. Not an exact comparison, but this reminded me of Lisa Kleypas's historical novels.


ARC from NetGalley

Tempting Bella is a pretty straight forward historical romance – two people are thrown together, have bad opinions to overcome, and fall in love.  It’s sweet and saucy and fun and a good choice for those who enjoy lords and ladies finding their happy ending. - Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2013/09/25/tempting-bella/

I love DQ's writing, this book is no different, but too many things didn't work for me. We jumped the shark at the end, but I guess that just helps to play further into the series title. I also think there was a lot of revisionist history with their fathers to make them seem better, when they were not good men and treated their children terribly. I also found Bella to be a spoiled brat for a significant portion. I enjoyed Stan as well as Bella's merry band of friends. I'd love a novella on Tabby and Monty.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tempting Bella by Diana Quincy is book two of the Accidental Peers series. Having read a few of Ms Quincy's current books I was "tempted" to check out her earlier work. This story was originally published in September 2013. Historical romances tend to age well if the writer has a pleasing style and doesn't use words in the mode of Shakespeare. Ms Quincy's work has aged just fine.

I mentioned Shakespeare because this plot has a strong sense of The Taming of the Shrew. Sebastian "the saint" Stanhope was, at the ripe old age of 19, married to a 13 year old girl. Her father owed his a huge gambling debt. Sebastian is written as a truly honorable man, faithful, and trying to do the right thing. He left his child bride after the ceremony so she would have a chance to grow up. Alas, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Six years later he's at the opera and is poleaxed by a gorgeous young woman. Turns out she's his wife! Oh dear, this mild mannered guy is in for a fight.

Mirabella "Bella" Wentworth was married and deserted on her very wedding day. The lout hasn't contacted her since. Bella's father gave her away without another thought and that's a rotten childhood. When she meets her "husband" again she's still pissed and resentful. I found Bella to be brittle and stuck in the emotions of a teenager. Sebastian tries throughout the book to prove himself and Bella continues to pitch toddler-like temper tantrums. I do understand how this could have stunted Bella's emotional growth but it still grew a bit old. I enjoyed the story but was just a tad aggravated throughout. On to book 3. Happy reading.

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