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Ladylike Inclinations #2
Her Vixen Actress
One has a fiery temper. The other is governed by rigid self-control. Will an unexpected pair become a comedy of errors or a legendary love story?
England, 1782. Grace Dashwood longs to woo London’s theater-goers. But the up-and-coming actress’s glamorous good looks and sexy charm aren’t enough to win her a place on the city’s cutthroat stage. Until she meets an earnest lady playwright who has the connections she covets… and a ravishing beauty she wants to explore.
Frances Smythe clings to her prim-and-proper manner. So the quiet writer’s patience stretches to a breaking point with the redheaded whirlwind of a performer, even as she senses the first red- hot sparks of passion. But when she finally yields to the woman’s dramatic pleas for aid, she’s rewarded with a delectable kiss that leaves her aching for more taboo trysts.
Shocked to have caught a wealthy man’s eye, Grace can’t bring herself to accept his patronage in the face of her unexplored desires. But Frances’s fear of intimacy plunges the duo into an impossible limbo as she refuses to fully commit her emotions.
Will their tangled connection get tied up in knots or weave a tapestry of happily ever after?
England, 1782. Grace Dashwood longs to woo London’s theater-goers. But the up-and-coming actress’s glamorous good looks and sexy charm aren’t enough to win her a place on the city’s cutthroat stage. Until she meets an earnest lady playwright who has the connections she covets… and a ravishing beauty she wants to explore.
Frances Smythe clings to her prim-and-proper manner. So the quiet writer’s patience stretches to a breaking point with the redheaded whirlwind of a performer, even as she senses the first red- hot sparks of passion. But when she finally yields to the woman’s dramatic pleas for aid, she’s rewarded with a delectable kiss that leaves her aching for more taboo trysts.
Shocked to have caught a wealthy man’s eye, Grace can’t bring herself to accept his patronage in the face of her unexplored desires. But Frances’s fear of intimacy plunges the duo into an impossible limbo as she refuses to fully commit her emotions.
Will their tangled connection get tied up in knots or weave a tapestry of happily ever after?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 23, 2023
‘A red wound,’ she whispered, strange power surging up within her, as she stared at Grace’s lips. ‘Flecks of blood on the snow of her face.’
3.5 stars. More enjoyable and overall more of a success than the first book in the series, I still found this to be missing something in the writing and the way our characters interacted. This is a standalone romance between an ambitious young actress and the playwright working at her theatre.
The setting is my favourite part of this; it seemed really well-researched and thoughtful, and I really felt like theatre and acting were integral to these women's lives. I loved getting titbits about plays and playwrights, and what goes on behind the scenes to be able to even put a play on. The subplot with the theatre owner's political doings wasn't super engaging, but it was fine. I really enjoy this author's mechanical writing; it could use a bit of polish and editing maybe, but it was often really beautiful and apt. The characters were also really great; I loved the juxtaposition of the fiery actress with plentiful ambitions, and the quieter, more reserved writer. I wish we'd gotten more scenes of Frances being inspired by Grace, and penning lines about her. I wanted to really see her in the role of a MUSE, you know? But I felt like we didn't get quite enough of that romantic connection. I definitely didn't always love the way some characters talked about people who chose to do sex work, but thankfully, it was all wrapped up in bigger conversations about coercion and consent and women's autonomy, and I ultimately enjoyed that. I guess I was just looking for a bit more connection in the romance, a bit more intensity. I feel like we also needed a few more breadcrumbs about Frances' past.
Still, pretty good! Makes me want a whole lot more writer/muse historical romances.
Content warnings:
‘When the time comes to speak my epilogue, it’s going to be triumphant.’
December 14, 2022
Really enjoyed this one! About 4 stars, being generous regarding the editing issues (mentioned further below) because they didn’t detract from my enjoyment. This is a standalone, though it is technically in a series.
Most historical romances are focused on the upper crust, usually with at least one major character representing the nobility; this one refreshingly diverges from that trend. Grace (an aspiring actress, trying to support not only herself but also her mother) and Frances (a female playwright with a sad past, striving for success) are both firmly working class, and this colors their goals and aspirations. Frances is prim, somber, but also ambitious in her career; Grace is fiery, but also ruthlessly pragmatic. They strike up a friendship after Frances helps Grace find a role within the Drury Lane Theater, and that friendship turns to more—but is threatened by their ambitions and pasts.
I really liked our two leads, and I feel that they really develop over the story. While the actual plot felt a bit low stakes and oddly paced, I think their relationship was able to keep me satisfied with the story — and romance is, first and foremost, about the relationship and characters! I think this book also takes a sensitive look at female sexuality and sexual exploitation of women at the time. Each character also has a fraught past, and Cowper depicts development and growth on each one’s part as they reckon with their lives and experiences. I also think that this author does a good job of basing conflict off of interlocking character aspects, rather than just misunderstandings.
HOWEVER—one thing that bothered me was that this one really needed a better technical editor. The writing wasn’t bad (wouldn’t have minded a little more flair, but oh well!) but the ebook has more little typos, as well as a missed word or so, than I would expect. Usually they aren’t even misspellings, just that a stray letter snuck in front of a word? So I’m not sure what happened here, but Ms. Cowper please consider another proofreader. I’ll proofread them myself!
CONTENT WARNING: (Spoilers below!!!!)
References to: rape, imprisonment, sexual exploitation (along the lines of “sexual favors”) including of a minor, and I suppose what some might consider infidelity in the main relationship but YMMV— it didn’t bother me, but I could see how it might for some readers.
Most historical romances are focused on the upper crust, usually with at least one major character representing the nobility; this one refreshingly diverges from that trend. Grace (an aspiring actress, trying to support not only herself but also her mother) and Frances (a female playwright with a sad past, striving for success) are both firmly working class, and this colors their goals and aspirations. Frances is prim, somber, but also ambitious in her career; Grace is fiery, but also ruthlessly pragmatic. They strike up a friendship after Frances helps Grace find a role within the Drury Lane Theater, and that friendship turns to more—but is threatened by their ambitions and pasts.
I really liked our two leads, and I feel that they really develop over the story. While the actual plot felt a bit low stakes and oddly paced, I think their relationship was able to keep me satisfied with the story — and romance is, first and foremost, about the relationship and characters! I think this book also takes a sensitive look at female sexuality and sexual exploitation of women at the time. Each character also has a fraught past, and Cowper depicts development and growth on each one’s part as they reckon with their lives and experiences. I also think that this author does a good job of basing conflict off of interlocking character aspects, rather than just misunderstandings.
HOWEVER—one thing that bothered me was that this one really needed a better technical editor. The writing wasn’t bad (wouldn’t have minded a little more flair, but oh well!) but the ebook has more little typos, as well as a missed word or so, than I would expect. Usually they aren’t even misspellings, just that a stray letter snuck in front of a word? So I’m not sure what happened here, but Ms. Cowper please consider another proofreader. I’ll proofread them myself!
CONTENT WARNING: (Spoilers below!!!!)
References to: rape, imprisonment, sexual exploitation (along the lines of “sexual favors”) including of a minor, and I suppose what some might consider infidelity in the main relationship but YMMV— it didn’t bother me, but I could see how it might for some readers.
July 1, 2024
Sweet and spicy
I enjoyed this historical romance. The setting around a London theater was an exciting and fun background for a satisfying love story.
I enjoyed this historical romance. The setting around a London theater was an exciting and fun background for a satisfying love story.
October 1, 2024
I listened to Her Vixen Actress hoping for a fun historical romance, but I was ultimately disappointed, especially with Morag Sims’s narration. Grace Dashwood came across as an Eliza-Doolittle-esque character, molded by Frances Smythe, who felt like the Henry Higgins of the story. It’s clear Grace falls for Frances during this "transformation," but their dynamic felt forced rather than natural.
Grace, on the other hand, made some questionable choices that were hard to sympathize with, and it was difficult to see these two as true partners. The relationship never quite clicked for me, and I was left frustrated by their lack of real connection.
I’m reluctantly giving this book two stars, though it’s tempting to give it only one. There were moments of potential, but overall, it missed the mark for me.
Grace, on the other hand, made some questionable choices that were hard to sympathize with, and it was difficult to see these two as true partners. The relationship never quite clicked for me, and I was left frustrated by their lack of real connection.
I’m reluctantly giving this book two stars, though it’s tempting to give it only one. There were moments of potential, but overall, it missed the mark for me.
November 19, 2022
This is an exciting story about a withdrawn playwright with a dark past and her meeting an actress who is both seductive and driven. They struggle with the increasingly strict rules on the London theatres in the late 18th century, the expected role of women and actresses, and even get embroiled in parliamentary strife. An interesting setting focusing a bit more on the lower classes than something like a Bridgerton.
I also felt this was a clear improvement on the first, where I liked the premise, but parts of the story and writing didn't quite hold up. This one was a lot better on that score, meaning it had a good level of energy all the way through and the story could shine through.
I also felt this was a clear improvement on the first, where I liked the premise, but parts of the story and writing didn't quite hold up. This one was a lot better on that score, meaning it had a good level of energy all the way through and the story could shine through.
August 10, 2023
Once Upon a Stage
Grace Dashwood arrives in London with a desire to be a star on the stage and to find a wealthy patron. Frances Smythe is a playwright who works for the owner of the theatre company where they both work. One is a red haired vixen and the other a quite solitary human. Will two such women be able to find a deep and abiding connection? Great story.
Grace Dashwood arrives in London with a desire to be a star on the stage and to find a wealthy patron. Frances Smythe is a playwright who works for the owner of the theatre company where they both work. One is a red haired vixen and the other a quite solitary human. Will two such women be able to find a deep and abiding connection? Great story.
March 10, 2026
This was genuinely so boring. Any of the good parts were overshadowed by how lackluster the romance was.
March 5, 2026
DNF after 3 chapters. I'm in a slump but there's also just something missing for me here.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews