The Kissing Gate

by Fiona Carr

The new Earl of Wraxham, Lionel Westfall, was unprepared to move from town life to the doldrums of his late father's estate. He was even less prepared to find Sophie Bowerbank. The girl had turned voluptuous woman, but she was still the rector's daughter he'd tenderly kissed across the barrier of the kissing gate - the girl who twenty years ago had given him his only taste of love.

But Lionel didn't just need love. With six rebellious sons from a previous marriage, he needed help. And Sophie seemed the perfect choice. A woman bold enough to research erotic texts in his father's library could surely handle his hellions. And if she would put into practice some of her book learning, if she would take a chance on him, he would finish what they began so long ago - he would usher her through the kissing gate onto the glorious path beyond.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Regency

336 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jacqueline J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was a second chance story so the characters were 35 and I’m going to guess 40. The villain could have been more clearly written. There story could have had more angst. I did like rationale the heroine had for wanting to lose her virginity. It made much more sense at 35 than when I’ve read books about younger women wanting this. Also their physical intimacy was a natural outgrowth really of their having been in love 20 years ago. Still pretty low angst and the conflict with the boys situation was a bit of a stretch that everyone jumped to conclusions so easily.

[elstaffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounds up to 3 stars for me.