Some say that girls just want to have fun, but fun backed by a hefty bank account is on a whole other level. Whether you’re a historical romance reader or prefer something a bit more contemporary, these two heroines are determined to take control of their lives—and with the privilege of wealth, the sky’s the limit.
Laura Lee Guhrke returns to her Dear Lady Truelove series with an heiress ready to find a husband and the stuffy guardian determined to reign in her reckless behavior in Heiress Gone Wild.
Jonathan Deverill made a vow to a dying friend that he’d become the guardian to his daughter, Marjorie. When he goes to collect the young woman from school in New York, he is shocked to find an adult and not some pink-cheeked runt of a girl. Eager to spend her inheritance and to make up for all the lost time spent secluded at a finishing school, Marjorie McGann hopes Jonathan will steer her away from any suspected fortune hunters but still give her a proper London season.
The couple butts heads quite often, as Marjorie’s carefree and oftentimes wild behavior scandalizes the buttoned-up Brit. Marjorie uses her flighty personality to mask her grief at having lost her father. She had hoped for a touching reunion, but loneliness quickly sets in. Her father is gone and the only thing she has to show for it is money. No memories. No adventures. She wants to rectify that and readers will be eager to see her succeed in finding happiness. Jonathan is tougher to like, given his closed off and at times snooty attitude. But romance fans who love stories with brazen heroines urging their heroes to let loose will find a winner in Guhrke’s setup.
After a frothy and bubbly start, Heiress Gone Wild quickly deepens into a tender tale of reclaiming lives half-lived.
In a more contemporary tale of escapism, Love on Lexington Avenue follows a young widow in uptown New York City as she clashes with a rugged contractor.
Claire Hayes is struggling to cope with the death of her husband, mainly because she just discovered he was a serial cheater and that certainly doesn’t mix well with grief. Now she’s ready to clean house and gut her Upper East Side brownstone in an effort to redefine herself following a tragedy and betrayal all in one. Unfortunately, contractor Scott Turner has the impression that Claire is nothing but a spoiled socialite who married for money.
Everyone knows that home renovations never go smoothly and as the complications pile up, so does Claire and Scott’s chemistry. These opposites definitely attract and in an attempt to the cool the building tension, they agree to a temporary, no-strings-attached affair. (That never works out well in romance.) Inevitably feelings get involved and the gruff, blue-collar, flannel-wearing contractor isn’t satisfied with having Claire in just the bedroom.
The emphasis on female friendship is a lovely bonus in Love on Lexington Avenue and the entire Central Park Pact series. It’s a great example of women supporting women through ups and downs and feels very reminiscent of “Sex and the City,” if that’s your jam. Author Lauren Layne is a master at sexy banter and funny dialogue. Add in some girl power and a man who knows his way around his power tools, and this one is a real winner.
