Rating:
Published: 1983
Illustrator: Unknown
Book Series: Zebra Regency Romance
Published by: Kensington
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era Romance, Traditional Regency Romance
Pages: 178
Format: Hardcover, Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks, Open Library (BORROW FOR FREE)
Reviewed by: Blue Falcon
MILD SPOILERS 😉
The Book
This review is of Reckless Heart, a historical romance by Lois Arvin Walker. This book was originally called Elusive Love and was published in hardcover in 1983. Zebra would later retitle it and reissue the book in 1985 under their Regency line.
The Plot
Reckless Heart begins with the heroine, Rebecca Langford, and the hero, Robert, Lord Compton, meeting at a party. Although Rebecca tries to talk to him, Compton is a bit standoffish with her.
Later, they become neighbors in the English countryside. Again, Rebecca tries to befriend Lord Compton, but he rebuffs her.
There are reasons behind Compton’s cold attitude.
- He is concerned about his younger sister, Claire, and her introduction to society.
- Young ladies of the ton–British high society–Need a female to present them. The only female relative Compton and Claire have their Aunt Laurel, who is in shaky health.
- Compton is cut–(i.e., shunned)—by the ton for his alleged involvement in a scandal years ago.
Rebecca, however, is determined to bring Compton back into high society. Eventually, she wears his resistance down, and he attends a party she is throwing.
Later, Robert–asks the Langfords to help launch Claire into society, which they grant. Rebecca’s father and Robert also enter into a business arrangement.
In time, Rebecca and Robert fall in love and have their Happily Ever After.
The Upside
It’s a traditional Regency romance.
The Downside
Reckless Heart has the depth of cotton candy. Walker does not develop her characters in any way, shape, or form.
The “love” that unfolds between Rebecca and Robert is not set up at all. The romance only happens in the last 30+ pages of the book. It is also completely unbelievable. There is no heat and little chemistry between Rebecca and Robert.
Sex
A kiss at the end of the book is the only thing approximating sex. If this book was released today, Reckless Heart would be described as a “sweet, clean romance.”
Violence
Rebecca is thrown from her horse and lands in a creek on Robert’s land. That is the closest thing to violence in the book.
Bottom Line on Reckless Heart (aka Elusive Love)
Readers who like “sweet, clean romances” may find something to like in Lois Arvin Walker’s Reckless Heart. Those of us who want a lot more will have to look elsewhere.
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| Overall: | 2.1 |
Synopsis
Therese de Bourgerre couldn’t believe the man before her was the dashing spy she had known and loved in Paris. This was a man who had given up all hope. It was her duty to reawaken his passion without losing her heart. A delightful Regency from the author of Midnight Masque.
Reckless Heart by Lois Arvin WalkER