By Madeline Hunter
Jove, $7.99, 344 pages
I’ve been a secret reader of Madeline Hunter, having read most of the Seduction series while on extended holiday. This author revels in strong female leads who are fueled by their dedication to their art or their ideals. This time around, the titular character is the newly orphaned daughter left in charge of a prestigious auction house. Emma Fairbourne is determined to preserve her family’s business, clinging to the slim hope that her brother is still alive to claim his inheritance, despite all reports he was lost at sea. The man who stands in the way of her ambitions is her father’s silent partner, the handsome Earl of Southwaite, who is determined to sell the business.
Like most good Regency romances, the book features some solid material that serves as a backdrop for the romance. In this case, the issues of smuggling and spying are essential to the intrigue. Hunter also doesn’t let the occasional historical inaccuracy get in the way of a good story. While there are some contrived situations which seem improbable given the time period, all of this is secondary to the seduction.
If you like your historical romances seasoned with handsome nobles with a dash of art history on the side, The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne makes excellent light reading.
Reviewed by Rachel Anne Calabia
