Pink Heart Reviews
No Regrets
Michèle Ann Young
ISBN-10: 1-4022-1016-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-1016-7
Sourcebooks Casablanca, October 2007, 384 pages
England/France 1816
$6.99 U.S. $8.99 CAN £3.99 U.K.
Reviewed by Teresa
December 2007
After the death of her father, Caroline Torrington has been working hard to provide for her three younger sisters. So it would seem fortuitous that her childhood friend (and the man of her girlhood dreams) comes to propose marriage. The proposal is of a marriage in name only, with the opportunity for divorce, if she so desires. Caroline reluctantly agrees, for the marriage will benefit the sisters that are so dear to her.
Lord Lucas Foxhaven must marry Caroline, or he will be cut off from his inheritance. He desperately needs the money for a house that will be used to teach young street musicians. He is quite displeased with the fact that he must marry, but Caro is his good friend so it cannot be all bad.
The marriage does not start off on the right foot. Lucas is resentful at being tied down and takes it out on Caroline. I was very frustrated with him for his callousness and immaturity concerning her. There were instances where I actually wanted to smack him and tell him to wake up and realize what a wonderful woman he had.
Caroline is a very voluptuous woman, with an abundance of low self esteem. She feels that no man can desire (or love) a woman like her. Especially her devastatingly handsome husband. Little does she know, Lucas finds her extremely desirable, and has to keep his lust for her in check whenever they are alone together.
Many obstacles are thrown in the protagonists path to hinder their already tentative married life. I couldn't help but wish that the pair would have told each other of their attraction and attempt to have a real marriage, but they were either too stubborn or disillusioned.
Thankfully, Lucas redeemed himself during the second half of the novel when he realized what Caroline meant to him. He worked very hard to prove that he deserved another chance. I was rooting for this couple who were so well suited. I very much liked the glimpses of them as children, which tied into the present. The ending was perfect as their relationship came full circle.
This is the debut of Michèle Ann Young and NO REGRETS is just the novel to breath life into the often indistinguishable world of Regency romances. She has a fresh and realistic voice that captures the era wonderfully well. There are many terrific American authors who write in this period, however, I've found that the ones who were born and raised in England (as Michèle was) have an effortless way of making it feel truly authentic. Everything from the dialogue, the mannerisms and historical accuracy, all blend into a seamlessly well crafted plot. I highly recommend NO REGRETS, this book is an example of Regency romance at it's finest.
