Disappointing romance with too many improbabilities and too many historical goofs.

In the introduction, Ms Enoch notes that this was her debut novel and it still holds a special place in her heart. That's as may be, but whether it's her first or her fifth, the weaknesses remain.

Women-dressed-as-boys has become a tired, cliched HR narrative device. Perhaps it fits in with the stock ugly-duckling theme, in which a commoner with no hope of marrying an aristocrat turns out to be a blue-blood. In this book, Ms Enoch takes the conceit one or two steps further, and expects the reader to swallow the premise of a girl brought up in the disguise of a boy/young man, and pulling it off so well that debutantes swoon at this mysterious and handsome young bachelor. Unfortunately the idea is so outrageous that it stuck in my throat.

Historical goofs abound. Like oh so many US writers, Ms Enoch seems to think that 'billiards' is played like pool, with numbered balls. She's wrong, billiards and pool are completely different games, something a quick web search would soon reveal. How come this goof wasn't caught at the editorial stage, or in later editions?

Characters slip all too often into 20th century speech patterns, ruining the historical authenticity. Perhaps a more suitable tag for this book would be 'romantic fantasy'. ( )

Hard to rate this one. It really had me for about 2/3 of the way and then everything fell apart for me. ok, there was some action and rescuing and bad guys but it was all a mish mosh after awhile. Really 3.5. Or maybe a 3. Def not a 5. Whatever. ( )

Christine Brantley has been masquerading as a boy for years to keep her safe in the dangerous underworld of Paris. Though English, her father has made a living smuggling through the blockade of the Napoleonic Wars. When something goes wrong, "Kit" is placed with the Earl of Everton to find out who was responsible. Alex uncovers Kit's identity soon enough, but she drags him on escapades through London as he attempts to discover her real purpose.

I adored this novel. Kit is an enterprising and charming (not to mention cheeky) heroine who is well able to take care of herself. Alex spends most of the novel at a dead run trying to keep up with her because she simply refuses to obey his orders. He takes it rather well, though, and the sexual tension simmers throughout the book. I love his reactions when he first discovers that Kit is in fact female.

The main reasons I didn't give this five stars are: 1. If your main character is supposed to be fluent in French, have someone who speaks French edit the bits that are in French. Errors that I can pick out with a distinct lack of fluency are bad!
2. The sex was disappointing. I loved the buildup, but it just seemed...lacking in depth, I suppose.

That said, the love story was marvelous, and I fell in love with both of them. They suit one another. Huzzah for sassy heroines!
(Reminded me somewhat of Victor/Victoria, actually). ( )