Compromising Prudence is a delightful Regency romance novella that was fun, witty, charming, and truly romantic. It is very rare that an author can convince me of two characters love and rightness for one another in such a short story and more importantly a short time frame, but that's exactly what Marguerite Butler accomplished in this little novella. Some authors fail to do this in a full-length novel, and for those, my advice would be to take a lesson from this very talented writer. Normally, love at first sight doesn't work well for me either, but somehow, she made me believe that this couple were perfectly matched even though they'd only known each other for a few days.

Charles is positively adorable. A classic geek in every sense of the word, he's a man of science (ornithology to be exact) who often closets himself in his study for hours at a time. He hates having to present himself to the marriage mart and feels it's a total waste of his time, but every year, he does so to keep his father happy. As the oldest son, he knows he's expected to marry soon, but the young ladies he meets at the balls and parties he must attend bore him to tears. He just wants a biddable wife who'll leave him to his studies.

Prudence is a spirited young woman who unwittingly fell victim to the charms of a ne'er-do-well who compromised her and then refused to marry her. Her extremely strict and conservative magistrate father has threatened to put her out on the streets if anything else scandalous occurs, so when her suitor compromises her even further, Prudence figures she might as well truly ruin herself by going to the most famous courtesan in London.

It's abundantly obvious from the moment Charles and Prudence meet that they are meant for each other. Charles offers Pru a marriage of convenience, and since she has few other options, Pru accepts. The two get along so famously and understand one another so well, it's not surprising that they fall in love hard and fast. Prudence comes across as very sweet and maybe just a touch naïve, but at the same time is a very passionate woman underneath. I thought it was very cute how she was fascinated by the lingerie at the modiste's shop and wanted a “real” wedding night while Charles was trying to do the noble thing in spite of desiring her very much. Charles is a sweet beta hero who treats Pru with the utmost kindness and respect in spite of finding her in a brothel, yet underneath, he can be a bit jealous and very protective of his wife-to-be. Even though this is a sweet romance with no explicit content, there is some fairly high sexual tension and tender sensuality shared between these star-crossed lovers. I like that Charles wasn't particularly experienced in the bedroom, but was simultaneously a little disappointed that Pru didn't get to model her negligee for him, especially after so much was made of it. This was a very minor thing though, that didn't really detract from my overall enjoyment of this novella.

Compromising Prudence is the first book in The Mad Hatterlys series. Charles' outgoing, rakish twin, Graham, who becomes the hero of the second book, Becoming Mr. Brooking, is introduced, along with a second brother, Henry, another scientist has a penchant for blowing things up. He becomes the hero of the fourth story, Rescuing Lady Rose, which happens to be a full-length novel. Charles' hoydenish, tom-boy of a sister, Frances, is mentioned in the background, because Charles wants Pru to give her lessons in lady-like deportment for her coming out. She will become the heroine of the third novella, Civilizing Frances.

Overall, I can't begin to express how much I enjoyed Compromising Prudence. It was a pure pleasure to read. The only thing that could have made it better is if it was longer, but it was still a satisfying, self-contained story despite its brevity. Finally, I've found another new author who knows how to write romance that it actually romantic. I'll definitely be looking forward to picking up the remaining books in the series and checking out Ms. Butler's other work. ( )

An ARe Cafe Top Pick.

The Mad Hatterly's are a family that I have fallen in love with. This month I read not just this one but two of their passionate and comical entanglements and will be delving into the third book very soon. This book was exciting, arousing, fun, quirky and delicious. Take a chance on this book and be prepared to buy the entire series as it is an addiction that you will not be able to deny. The bookish, bird-loving Charles offers marriage to the woman who is nothing like the name her parents gave her shortly after hearing her plight but what he proposed as the answer to both of their problems soon leads to something he never expected. A love match that will change his life forever. Pru is a fun and adventurous woman who has a slight mean and mischevious streak. It shows itself with her decision of how to inform her father of her recent life changing decisions.

Prudence knew that she had finally stepped over the line and it was a matter of time before her father followed up his threat and set her out on the street regardless of whether she had truly been compromised for nothing more than allowing Sir Thomas to steal a kiss. She would rather choose the exciting and scandalous path of becoming a lady offering her services and residing in the home of Mrs. Tuppence than to stay in the streets. Imbibing the champagne she was given, she was more than docile when the handsome man came into the room.

Charles Hatterly had came to the city to once again placate his family. On yet another "hunt" for a bride the man who preferred to spend his time with birds over people, had no intention of succumbing to the pressure and returning to his country home with a bride on his arm. Offering his aid to the beauty in the form of a proposal took not only the girl but himself by surprise but it would help him as well as the comely miss who had been betrayed by those she had trusted most.

A special license procured, Charles soon learns that he might have more than his hands full with his bride to be. The judge's daughter was going to indeed change his life despite his intention of returning to the country and going back to his birds. She was supposed to take the reins of his little sister's coming out but as they learn more about each other he realizes that she was going to be leading him as well. Prudence was more than prepared to hold up her end of the bargain but with each day together her feelings for Charles only proved that she could not stand aside and not be a major part of his life. Their whirlwind courtship and marriage was not at all supposed to be a love match but with each day together it became apparent that their connection was more than they ever expected. ( )