I love this series, A Gentleman's Guide to Courtship, not only for its ironically-named sub-title, but also for its humor and heart. The Duke of Clearford, creator of the "guide" has pretty much given up on advising potential suitors how to court his sisters. The first three are married, and now it's Isabella's turn. Like the others, she's not particularly interested in marriage--and why would she be when she already has so much freedom?
Rowan Haws is not interested in marriage either, but a potential business deal requires marriage, so he convinces Isabella to play the part of his wife. This ends with predictable results. The way that Isabella can bend the rules of society to pull off this deception is what I find especially surprising.
Lane’s books are always filled with laughs, clever dialogue, and intense sex scenes. Her complex characters always experience transformations. Isabella and Rowan are no exception. Isabella learns she can relinquish the need to control everything because Rowan will be there to keep her safe. Rowan, who had vowed not to marry, takes a bit longer to transform. He needs to see himself as worthy of Isabella and accept the love and acceptance that has been offered to him by his adoptive parents. Then, he needs to face his fears of rejection from the upper classes. Yes, some will reject him, but he doesn’t need their acceptance. Isabella and the very large extended family forming around her will accept him with open arms as soon as he stops hiding. And as long as he has her, he can withstand the disapproval from those who don’t matter.
