What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lady Travelers Society #2.5
The Dance Before Christmas
A fake fiancé and a Christmas engagement are a recipe for trouble in this delightful holiday romp featuring New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander’s Lady Travelers Society
Miss Anabel Snelling needs a fiancé, and fast. If her father, Sir Archibald, has his way, she’ll be married in time for Christmas—to a man she doesn’t love. That’s why she and her aunt have concocted a brilliant plan to hire an American actor to play the role of her suitor. But the charming Wesley Grant is playing the part a little too well, and Anabel is in danger of falling for him. What Anabel doesn’t know is Wesley is not the actor her aunt hired. Still, what kind of a gentleman would he be if he didn’t come to her rescue? He has a new plan of his own—win Anabel’s heart…for real.
Miss Anabel Snelling needs a fiancé, and fast. If her father, Sir Archibald, has his way, she’ll be married in time for Christmas—to a man she doesn’t love. That’s why she and her aunt have concocted a brilliant plan to hire an American actor to play the role of her suitor. But the charming Wesley Grant is playing the part a little too well, and Anabel is in danger of falling for him. What Anabel doesn’t know is Wesley is not the actor her aunt hired. Still, what kind of a gentleman would he be if he didn’t come to her rescue? He has a new plan of his own—win Anabel’s heart…for real.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
158 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Alexander
64 books1,331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 5, 2019
A very nice little story.
December 5, 2019
When Wesley Grant enters the Explorers Club, he is greeted by a lovely young woman, who has clearly has him confused with someone else. Wesley is the president and chief innovator of the very successful Grant Watch and Clock Company, he has come to England from his home in America to meet Sir Archibald Snelling and hopefully get him to endorse his newest invention – a travelers chronometer, at his uncle’s suggestion, he is attending the Explorers Club Christmas Ball and hopes to find a way to get introduced to Sir Archibald. He is about to tell the young woman she has the wrong man, but he becomes intrigued by her story and when he learns she is Sir Archibald’s daughter and wants him to pretend to be her suitor to prevent her father from pressuring her to marry his friend’s son, he can’t seem to disappoint her with the truth and besides, he wanted to meet her father and it seems like fate has dealt him a winning hand.
Anabel Snelling is almost 21 and her father feels it is time for her to marry. He has decided that the perfect man for her is his best friend’s son Douglas Reed. Douglas has been offered a position in India and will be leaving the day after Christmas, so unless she has another serious suitor by Christmas Eve, her father expects to announce her engagement to Douglas at their annual Christmas Eve Ball. But thanks to her Aunt Lillian, her problems are solved! Her Aunt hired an actor to pretend to be her suitor and he will court her until Christmas and then once Douglas has set sail, she will say he doesn’t suit and will be free to carry on with her life. To ensure that her father will accept the fake beau, they have decided to say he is the son of the very famous, very elusive, very dead (and very much admired by her father), Reginald Everheart. When Anabel informs Wesley of the part he is playing, he readily agrees, but refuses to be called Earnest Everheart, he will keep his own first name.
They enter the ball and dance and talk, Wesley knows he should tell her the truth, but he is smitten and doesn’t want to lose the opportunity to meet her father and talk about his chronometer. Anabel introduces him to her father and he tells him that he wants to marry Anabel, they plan to meet the next day. Wesley is satisfied that he will get to talk to Sir Archibald and decides to leave, but on his way out, he is stopped by Effie Higginbotham and detoured to the library with her friends Poppy and Gwen. Effie overheard him telling her friend Archie that he was Reginald’s son and Effie knows something is up, because she and her friends know for a fact that Reginald didn’t have any children – because they made him up!
When confronted, Wesley tells the truth and of Anabel’s dilemma, the trio of ladies are more than willing to help! What could possibly go wrong?
I absolutely loved this novella, it is well written, fast paced, funny and very sweet. So if you are looking for a quick, feel-good, love at first sight novella, look no further! This book is part of the Lady Travelers Society series, but it is more of a prequel than an actual series installment, it can easily be read as a stand-alone and out of order with no problems at all. I really enjoyed this sweet (kisses only) story and am happy to recommend it.
Anabel Snelling is almost 21 and her father feels it is time for her to marry. He has decided that the perfect man for her is his best friend’s son Douglas Reed. Douglas has been offered a position in India and will be leaving the day after Christmas, so unless she has another serious suitor by Christmas Eve, her father expects to announce her engagement to Douglas at their annual Christmas Eve Ball. But thanks to her Aunt Lillian, her problems are solved! Her Aunt hired an actor to pretend to be her suitor and he will court her until Christmas and then once Douglas has set sail, she will say he doesn’t suit and will be free to carry on with her life. To ensure that her father will accept the fake beau, they have decided to say he is the son of the very famous, very elusive, very dead (and very much admired by her father), Reginald Everheart. When Anabel informs Wesley of the part he is playing, he readily agrees, but refuses to be called Earnest Everheart, he will keep his own first name.
They enter the ball and dance and talk, Wesley knows he should tell her the truth, but he is smitten and doesn’t want to lose the opportunity to meet her father and talk about his chronometer. Anabel introduces him to her father and he tells him that he wants to marry Anabel, they plan to meet the next day. Wesley is satisfied that he will get to talk to Sir Archibald and decides to leave, but on his way out, he is stopped by Effie Higginbotham and detoured to the library with her friends Poppy and Gwen. Effie overheard him telling her friend Archie that he was Reginald’s son and Effie knows something is up, because she and her friends know for a fact that Reginald didn’t have any children – because they made him up!
When confronted, Wesley tells the truth and of Anabel’s dilemma, the trio of ladies are more than willing to help! What could possibly go wrong?
I absolutely loved this novella, it is well written, fast paced, funny and very sweet. So if you are looking for a quick, feel-good, love at first sight novella, look no further! This book is part of the Lady Travelers Society series, but it is more of a prequel than an actual series installment, it can easily be read as a stand-alone and out of order with no problems at all. I really enjoyed this sweet (kisses only) story and am happy to recommend it.
December 3, 2018
About this Christmas novella. Short! I enjoyed it. It was like watching (reading in this case) one of those Hallmark Christmas romance movies. I did not need much character development. For me, it brought back fond memories of infatuation around the Christmas season. Glad it was my first read within the series.
About the series:
Looking forward to reading. It seems the series is filled with lite, endearing, meddling, mature ladies.
3.5 stars
About the series:
Looking forward to reading. It seems the series is filled with lite, endearing, meddling, mature ladies.
3.5 stars
September 29, 2024
3 stars.
A Christmas-themed light-hearted historical romp. Cute and entirely forgettable.
A Christmas-themed light-hearted historical romp. Cute and entirely forgettable.
October 29, 2018
3.5 stars
For a short novel it was pretty good. First time reading this author and it seems I'll try again later. It was really hilarious sometimes, especially with those three meddling ladies. Wesley was pretty cute, a good leading "actor". And I liked Anabel's bravery towards the end to accept her feelings and tell Wesley she fell for him, even if he's an actor and therefore penniless. If only she knew. lol. I only would have liked to see more of the interaction between the protagonists to feel more the romance, though it was funny seeing the machinations of those three ladies.
November 14, 2018
I do have mixed feelings about this read, for a short one, it took me long to read it.
Not usually a good thing.
Okay it was a novella but things felt rushed in, they come to first meet, then they are in love.
I do liked the premises, the mixed identity but after I had a hard time to believe the story, this insta-Love affair lacked.
The only funny scene was when the truth is revealed.
It is a clean read.
A wasted opportunity, 3 stars for me.
Not usually a good thing.
Okay it was a novella but things felt rushed in, they come to first meet, then they are in love.
I do liked the premises, the mixed identity but after I had a hard time to believe the story, this insta-Love affair lacked.
The only funny scene was when the truth is revealed.
It is a clean read.
A wasted opportunity, 3 stars for me.
December 31, 2018
Anabel Snelling does not want to marry a childhood friend. An American, Wesley Grant, is in London to get funding for his new design in chronometers. Anabel mistakes him for the actor she hired to portray her love interest. Lots of confusion with a HEA!
November 21, 2018
Anabel needs a fake fiancee for just a few weeks. Her aunt has hired an American actor. So, when she meets an American at the place determined by her aunt, she starts explaining her situation to him.
He is not an actor, he is Wesley. He is in England to meet her father in order to try sell a device he invented. But, he finds Anabel and her story charming. The fact that she is beautiful is an added bonus.
He agrees to pretend but he does an even better job than expected from any actor.
Ms Alexander always provides humor in her stories and this is no exception. A great deal of the humor comes from the three elderly ladies who are determined to help Anabel and Wes make a marriage.
Anabel and Wes are very likable characters. Both of them are willing to seek adventure. They also agree that marriage should be because of love, not because of any time table. The fact that Anabel will soon be 21 does not mean she will be on the shelf.
This novella is amusing and entertaining and definitely one I enjoyed.
Just what I expect when I read what Ms Alexander has written.
He is not an actor, he is Wesley. He is in England to meet her father in order to try sell a device he invented. But, he finds Anabel and her story charming. The fact that she is beautiful is an added bonus.
He agrees to pretend but he does an even better job than expected from any actor.
Ms Alexander always provides humor in her stories and this is no exception. A great deal of the humor comes from the three elderly ladies who are determined to help Anabel and Wes make a marriage.
Anabel and Wes are very likable characters. Both of them are willing to seek adventure. They also agree that marriage should be because of love, not because of any time table. The fact that Anabel will soon be 21 does not mean she will be on the shelf.
This novella is amusing and entertaining and definitely one I enjoyed.
Just what I expect when I read what Ms Alexander has written.
September 2, 2020
Enjoyable tale of mistaken identity
Anabel Snelling doesn’t want to marry childhood friend, Reed, but her father is pushing for it. She’s almost 21 after all. She and her aunt hatch a plan: aunt Lillian knows an actor who’s agreed to play a rival suitor: the son of legendary explore Reginald Everhart. Wesley Grant is in London in hopes of gaining investors for his new chronograph. He comes across Anabel in the Explorers Club and when she mistakes him for the actor he plays along. Quickly, they’re engaged and neither one is quite so sure they’re acting anymore.
Added into this tale are three delightful older Ladies who have a secret of their own: Reginald Everhart is a fiction they invented. From the beginning, they’re working to help the scheme succeed while doing a little matchmaking at the same time. Because there’s nothing better than falling in love at Christmas.
This was a fun read. Witty dialogue, amiable characters and a comedy of errors that is never tragic. The father isn’t a villain. Wesley is extremely respectable. And Anabel, well, she’s lucky enough to fall in love with someone who wants to dance with her forever.
Anabel Snelling doesn’t want to marry childhood friend, Reed, but her father is pushing for it. She’s almost 21 after all. She and her aunt hatch a plan: aunt Lillian knows an actor who’s agreed to play a rival suitor: the son of legendary explore Reginald Everhart. Wesley Grant is in London in hopes of gaining investors for his new chronograph. He comes across Anabel in the Explorers Club and when she mistakes him for the actor he plays along. Quickly, they’re engaged and neither one is quite so sure they’re acting anymore.
Added into this tale are three delightful older Ladies who have a secret of their own: Reginald Everhart is a fiction they invented. From the beginning, they’re working to help the scheme succeed while doing a little matchmaking at the same time. Because there’s nothing better than falling in love at Christmas.
This was a fun read. Witty dialogue, amiable characters and a comedy of errors that is never tragic. The father isn’t a villain. Wesley is extremely respectable. And Anabel, well, she’s lucky enough to fall in love with someone who wants to dance with her forever.
January 11, 2020
The Dance Before Christmas, by Victoria Alexander, was oroginally published in October of 2018. Dance is Christmastime novella in Ms Alexander's The Lady Travelers Society. My box of gold stars is 5 stars lighter. Ms Alexander has gotten a, rare for me, 5 star review. Another fun & witty romp that kept my interest from beginning to end. As a story of mistaken identity with a touch of a 1930's screwball comedy thrown in. The characters are engaging, interesting, and think quick on their feet. Lovely people who don't want to hurt friends & relatives but take a twisty path to get around it. Once again I fell in love with the meddling matchmakers. These ladies are the kind of uber-cool grandmothers I'd liked to have had. The plot is a hoot & I won't give it away, just be careful you don't snort coffee out of your nose. Just saying, it's hard to get off the kindle screen.
#VictoriaAlexander #HQNBooks #TheDanceBeforeChristmas #TheLadyTravelersSociety #HistoricalRomance #Fun&Witty
#VictoriaAlexander #HQNBooks #TheDanceBeforeChristmas #TheLadyTravelersSociety #HistoricalRomance #Fun&Witty
December 19, 2018
Part of the Lady Travelers Society series, this is a light-hearted romp, perfect for pre-Christmas reading. I loved the main characters simply because they are good people and perfect for each other. The web that is woven is quite simple, so I enjoyed seeing how it all got tangled and then simply twined together.
If you like traditional romances with maybe a spicy kiss, then this book would probably be up your alley. Victorian romance readers would enjoy it. Probably people who read Christmas Regencies would fall for it, too.
If you like traditional romances with maybe a spicy kiss, then this book would probably be up your alley. Victorian romance readers would enjoy it. Probably people who read Christmas Regencies would fall for it, too.
February 23, 2022
I went into this story thinking I'd get a nice holiday romance, but it was more of a comedy of errors. It was very light-hearted and whimsical, but also pretty shallow. I enjoyed it but didn't really feel much of the romance.
I think Alexander has ventured more into the historical romantic comedy arena with this series. Its enjoyable, but I have to be in the mood since it can be so frothy and light. Just a note to self.
I think Alexander has ventured more into the historical romantic comedy arena with this series. Its enjoyable, but I have to be in the mood since it can be so frothy and light. Just a note to self.
November 27, 2023
A sweet, short Christmas Regency novella with mistaken identities and three older women who are so much like fairy godmothers that I expected them to say "bibbity bobbity boo" and magically change the protagonist's dress from red to green as she danced. A nice diversion with an incredible premise credibly presented.
October 8, 2018
Wonderful sweet read!
Mistaken identity is it great start. It has a three older ladies in in the story that she's ad in other ones about Reginald Everhart who was never real but the story continues highly recommend this.
Mistaken identity is it great start. It has a three older ladies in in the story that she's ad in other ones about Reginald Everhart who was never real but the story continues highly recommend this.
February 25, 2021
Loved it
Enjoyable story. The Ladies Travelers Society work their wonders again. I absolutely love these 3 friends who can manage unsuspecting couples. The H and h are quite easy since they believe this is a charade and we know how most of those end.
Enjoyable story. The Ladies Travelers Society work their wonders again. I absolutely love these 3 friends who can manage unsuspecting couples. The H and h are quite easy since they believe this is a charade and we know how most of those end.
October 2, 2018
Very fakesweet, fake relationship romance!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up
November 25, 2018
Great book and entertaining too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2018
Short but sweet story of Christmas romance!
January 31, 2019
Quick and cute Christmas read. Mistaken identity and a bit of humor.
May 10, 2019
Humorous, likable characters. Can be read in a couple of hours. Enjoyable. She needs an excuse not to be engaged. He is mistaken for someone else but finds he does not want to walk away.
June 14, 2019
Good quick story. Love this series, characters and plots. Look forward to reading the next book by Alexander.
November 14, 2020
Charming novella, enjoyed the humor, a fun holiday farce!
May 30, 2021
The real pleasure of this series is the older ladies and their lives through the decades. The multiple manifestations of Roger (Reginald? Robert?) Everheart are plain silly.
July 30, 2022
It was so short and literally had no plot line. I got to the end and thought, wow! That was it? You hardly get to know the characters before they're falling in love.
November 21, 2022
A mix up leads to a fun Christmas time novella. Loved Anabel and Wesley’s meeting and fast courtship. Excited to explore more in this series
November 14, 2025
I think Alexander's short stories or novellas are actually her best written pieces. This story is a delight.
December 22, 2018
A fake fiancé and a Christmas engagement are a recipe for trouble in this delightful holiday romp featuring New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander’s Lady Travelers Society
This series has been full of humor and charm. I have loved all of the books that I have read.
Miss Anabel Snelling needs a fiancé, and fast. If her father has his way she will be married by Christmas and to a man not to her liking.
Wesley Grant is playing the role a little too well, and Anabel is in danger of falling for him. What Anabel doesn’t know is Wesley is not the actor her aunt hired.
Will this case of mistaken identity turn into an everlasting love?
Don't miss this holiday novella in the Lady Travelers Series.
I gave this delightful short read 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development. I have read most of this series and highly recommend all of these books.
This series has been full of humor and charm. I have loved all of the books that I have read.
Miss Anabel Snelling needs a fiancé, and fast. If her father has his way she will be married by Christmas and to a man not to her liking.
Wesley Grant is playing the role a little too well, and Anabel is in danger of falling for him. What Anabel doesn’t know is Wesley is not the actor her aunt hired.
Will this case of mistaken identity turn into an everlasting love?
Don't miss this holiday novella in the Lady Travelers Series.
I gave this delightful short read 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development. I have read most of this series and highly recommend all of these books.
August 21, 2019
This was a short, fun story about a mistaken identity that leads to love. Anabel is in a pickle. She will soon be twenty-one, and her father has decided it's time she was married, and who better than a childhood friend of hers and son of his friend. The problem is, Anabel thinks of Douglas as a friend and a brother, and she wants to marry for love. So she and her aunt have hired an actor to play the part of her suitor.
Wesley came to England to meet with the leaders of the Explorers Club, hoping to interest them in his new chronometer. Instead, he found himself helping out a damsel in distress. He is intrigued by her story and charmed by Anabel herself, and quite willing to pretend to be the actor in question.
Anabel and Wesley's first encounter was fun. He has sort of crashed the ball, using his uncle's invitation, to meet the chairman of the Explorers Club. As he is pondering his next move, he is accosted by Anabel, who mistakes him for her actor. She goes on and on about the job, barely letting Wesley get in a word. He is quickly intrigued by Anabel and noting her connection to the man he wants to talk to, figures that helping her would also help him. He did not expect to fall hard and fast for her. Anabel is also taken aback by her reaction to him, not expecting to be attracted to an actor of all people.
I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Wesley and Anabel have more in common than either suspected, and it wasn't long before their connection started to grow. It was aided and abetted by Poppy, Gwen, and Effie, who served as chaperones on the couple's outings. Those who have read The Riseand Fall of Reginald Everheart will recognize the name that Wesley's alter ego uses. The ladies get involved because of it, and their assistance provides some laugh-out-loud moments. It isn't long before Wesley feels guilty about the deception and fears Anabel's reaction to the truth. He wants Anabel for himself, as himself, and isn't quite sure how to make it happen. Anabel has fallen just as hard for Wesley, who she believes is a penniless actor. I liked her confidence in her feelings and her belief that Wesley's actor profession is not an insurmountable obstacle. The ending was terrific. The ladies' creativity is called into service once again as they find a way to resolve all the issues. I was also quite impressed with Anabel's reaction to all of the revelations.
Wesley came to England to meet with the leaders of the Explorers Club, hoping to interest them in his new chronometer. Instead, he found himself helping out a damsel in distress. He is intrigued by her story and charmed by Anabel herself, and quite willing to pretend to be the actor in question.
Anabel and Wesley's first encounter was fun. He has sort of crashed the ball, using his uncle's invitation, to meet the chairman of the Explorers Club. As he is pondering his next move, he is accosted by Anabel, who mistakes him for her actor. She goes on and on about the job, barely letting Wesley get in a word. He is quickly intrigued by Anabel and noting her connection to the man he wants to talk to, figures that helping her would also help him. He did not expect to fall hard and fast for her. Anabel is also taken aback by her reaction to him, not expecting to be attracted to an actor of all people.
I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Wesley and Anabel have more in common than either suspected, and it wasn't long before their connection started to grow. It was aided and abetted by Poppy, Gwen, and Effie, who served as chaperones on the couple's outings. Those who have read The Riseand Fall of Reginald Everheart will recognize the name that Wesley's alter ego uses. The ladies get involved because of it, and their assistance provides some laugh-out-loud moments. It isn't long before Wesley feels guilty about the deception and fears Anabel's reaction to the truth. He wants Anabel for himself, as himself, and isn't quite sure how to make it happen. Anabel has fallen just as hard for Wesley, who she believes is a penniless actor. I liked her confidence in her feelings and her belief that Wesley's actor profession is not an insurmountable obstacle. The ending was terrific. The ladies' creativity is called into service once again as they find a way to resolve all the issues. I was also quite impressed with Anabel's reaction to all of the revelations.
November 18, 2019
Cute. Quick read. And Effie, Poppy, and Gwen are great schemers and fairy godmothers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews