Eleanor Tennant is steaming mad. Her eighteen year old niece, Belinda, has been given some really bad advice to follow her heart, and pursue her relationship with the scoundrel she's infatuated with. Belinda's father has been at sea for the majority of her childhood, and for the last several years her upbringing has been the sole responsibility of Eleanor. She just won't stand for that misguided lady columnist, the Busybody from the Ladies' Fashionable Cabinet, handing out damaging advice to young girls, especially her niece. After putting forth much effort, she finally uncovers the Busybody's residence, only to unwittingly discover the lady is actually a man, Simon Westover.
Simon must keep his columnist identity secret at all costs, so he's forced to do as Eleanor wishes. So he'll return to her home, speak with her niece, and set everything straight. Except when they reach Eleanor's home, Belinda has run off with her beau to supposedly get married. Eleanor believes there will be no marriage, and Belinda will be ruined. Eleanor is determined to find the duo and rescue her niece at all costs. She insists Simon accompany her on the trip. Left with no choice, Simon escorts the lovely, fiery, and tempting Eleanor across the country. However, on the way, Eleanor begins to change her opinion about Simon, and it becomes more and more difficult to deny the strong attraction between them. But will Simon, a hopeless romantic, breach the heart of the cold, cynical, and closed off Eleanor?
After reading a string of forgettable books lately, this novel was a welcome breath of fresh air. I found the writing smart and witty. The characters were well developed, and I really felt as if I knew them. Simon has to be one of the most wonderful and original heroes I've had the pleasure of spending time with. He's gentle, compassionate, honorable, a hopeless romantic, and he actually blushes when he's embarrassed. How adorable! But even though he's described as bookish, he's still quite handsome with the muscular physique of the typical romance hero.
I know there is some controversy over Eleanor's character, but I have to say I understood the reasons she had become the person she was. And I did like her most of the time, because she was such a perfect counterpart to Simon. Their interactions and heated discussions were interesting. The only time I didn't like Eleanor was toward the end, when she said some really nasty things to sweet Simon, who didn't deserve to be treated in such a manner. And while I got over it, and she did redeem herself, I would have enjoyed a little more graveling on her part to regain Simon's good favor. But don't let those few pages keep you from reading a superbly written and most enjoyable story. This was my first Candice Hern novel, but I can't wait to read ONCE A SCOUNDREL, the follow-up to this.
