The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella

Ellie March is the cleaner/house-sitter hired by Benedict Faulkner's sister to look after his house whilst he is overseas for the next 12 months. He returns unexpectedly and the usual romantic hijinks ensue.

I didn't think I'd like this story at the beginning, as the heroine looked rather annoying. Many romance authors try to make "fiery" heroines who instead turn out to be arrogant and demanding, and I thought Ellie would turn out to be like this. However as the story progresses, she turns out to be quite nice. Just a few things I didn't like:

1. Ellie's guilt over her pretence regarding her "title" with the magazine editor. Why would she offer to return the money she had been paid? There's no reason for her to feel so guilty about the whole thing.

2. Benedict's anger on discovering Ellie's articles. This was so obviously contrived to be the "conflict" that all romance novels require. However, it was completely unbelievable. Why on earth would he get mad at her for it? I can understand being surprised, but why would he feel used and betrayed?

Those two things aside, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

The Bride's Baby

Sylvie Smith has a one-night stand with Tom Fielding and gets pregnant. She tells him in a letter, which of course he doesn't receive until the end of the story. He thinks the father is her childhood sweetheart, whom he believes she is marrying.

This was my first book by Liz Fielding, and I quite liked it. The characters were mature, believable and likeable, which is a very rare combination in romance novels. Nothing spectacular or particularly memorable about the story, but it was a very enjoyable and relaxing read. No angst or annoying hang-ups, just a pleasant romance.