Starred review from November 22, 2021
Lowell delivers the goods in her deliciously complex Victorian-era sequel to The Duke Undone. Lavinia Yardley has little choice but to marry the much older Duke of Cranbrook, despite thinking of him as a “nasty old goat,” to salvage her family’s depleted coffers and loss of status following her broken first engagement and her father’s imprisonment for theft. Traveling by train to the duke’s estate and her new home in Cornwall, she meets Neal Traymayne, head of Varnham Nurseries, who mistakes her for Muriel Pendrake, a worldly and widowed botanist he was meant to escort from the station. Desperate to escape her new husband, Lavinia goes along with his mistake, embracing the beauty of Cornwall and the companionship of Neal’s family as she starts to fall for Neal. But can their budding romance survive when Neal learns the truth of her identity? Lowell’s finely wrought characters don’t have it easy when it comes to navigating restrictive Victorian society, but even their most outrageous actions ring true. Readers will be swept away by this entrancing, intelligent romance. Agent: Tara Gelsomino; One Track Literary.
June 1, 2022
In this second volume of Lowell's "Duke Undone" Victorian romance series, self-proclaimed "expert snob" Lavinia Yardley is accustomed to getting what she wants. When misfortune forces her to marry an abominable, aged duke, what she wants is to be anywhere or anyone else. That opportunity presents itself when a charming botanist, Neal Traymayne, mistakes her for a colleague, whom he knows only through correspondence, and invites her to accompany him to Cornwall. Lavinia seizes her chance for escape and adventure. While many romance writers focus on creating an immersive setting, Lowell's focus is on character development, yielding an authentic and engaging lineup. It is no surprise that narrator Mary Jane Wells has a score of acting credits to her name, as she expertly breathes life into each character. Her silvery voice ranges from singsong to smoky as needed. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners who enjoy the classic trope of love in disguise, with an intelligent and intriguing twist; recommended for fans of Elizabeth Everett, Minerva Spencer, and Evie Dunmore.--Lauren Hackert
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