Olivia is the middle Donovan sister. She and her younger sister, Jessica, have recently arrived from the West Indies. Their oldest sister, Serena Dane, the Countess of Stratford, who went by the name Meg, arrived from Antiqua the previous year engaged to one man, but she ended up marrying an earl. The gossip about her actions is just now dying down. Olivia had endured a bout of malaria when she was younger and is prone to reoccurrences, so her siblings are very protective of her…at times, overprotective. Others seem to back away from her when they discover she has had the disease, so she keeps that information to herself. She has already become resigned to the fact that she will not marry or have children of her own. But her fragile appearance hides an adventurous, independent spirit and a passionate nature.

Max met Olivia for the first time at a ball they both attended. Unable to take his eyes off of her, his attraction was so obvious that Fenwicke noticed it and warned him off. It seems that Fenwicke had tried to take advantage of her, despite the young wife he kept housed at his country estate, but Olivia managed to get away. Although Fenwicke did not tell him exactly what he had done, Max got a gist of his actions. So when Fenwicke taunted him into accepting a bet that Max could not seduce Olivia, Max, in anger, had signed his name to the wager. He later regretted it…feeling that the act was too much like something his father would have done.

Max had been invited to a month-long house party at the home of Olivia’s sister, Meg, and her husband. Knowing Olivia would be there, he could not turn them down. Seeing her daily, teaching her to play tennis and taking walks along the property with her, Max became more and more enthralled. He finds himself falling in love with her. But what will happen when she finds out about the bet between him and Fenwicke? When danger strikes, will he be able to save her, or will he lose the best thing that has ever happened to him?

A riveting, seductive read, SECRETS OF AN ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS, the second book in extremely talented author Jennifer Haymore’s DONOVAN SISTERS series, is a witty, exciting historical romance. I absolutely loved it! It is one of the best books I have read in the past year. The only reason I gave it a rating of five is because that is the highest rating I could give it. Packed with suspense, danger, a vile villain, complex and well-drawn characters, clever banter, malaria, family dynamics, kidnapping, passion, romance and true love, I could not turn the pages fast enough, eager to see what would happen next. This novel is definitely bound for my keeper shelf.  Readers of this series will also be delighted to be reunited with the characters from Ms. Haymore’s previous books. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I suggest that you start with the first book, CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE, for additional enjoyment. As I anxiously await the next novel in this exciting series, PLEASURES OF A TEMPTED LADY, which is due out in August, be sure to get your own copy of SECRETS OF AN ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS!

This book was reviewed using a digital galley via Netgalley.com. It’s free for professional readers! Check it out: www.Netgalley.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Dottie Click here to Buy this Book Now!   Romance Junkies Content Editor: Wendy Romance Junkies Publishing Editor: Dottie   Top of Page