Unwrapping: Review of SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale

Having read all of the Writing Girl series by Maya Rodale, I knew that as soon as an eARC of SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY was available that I just had to read this final book of the series. I also wanted to get a jump on it so that could bring you an interview with the lovely authoress herself, Maya Rodale - stay tuned for that on Wacky Wednesday's Halloween addition - she'll be visiting and we've got some great prizes to give away. But until then hold on to your breeches and enjoy what I have to say about this best book of the series and how 'bout that cover? *smiling*

***eARC provided by publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY:

He’s the only man she’s ever loved…

For ages it seems advice columnist Annabelle Swift has loved Derek Knightly, editor-owner of The London Weekly from a distance. Determined to finally attract her employer’s attention, she seeks advice from her loyal readers—who offer Annabelle myriad suggestions…from lower-cut bodices (success!) and sultry gazes (disaster!) to a surprise midnight rendezvous (wicked!).

She’s the only woman he never noticed…

Derek never really took note of his shy, wallflower lady writer. But suddenly she’s exquisite…and he can’t get Annabelle out of his mind! She must be pursuing someone, but who? For some inexplicable reason, the thought of her with another man makes Knightly insanely jealous.

Will Dear Annabelle find her happy ending?

But Knightly’s scandalous periodical has been targeted for destruction by a vengeful Lord Marsden, and the beleaguered editor now faces a devastating choice: either marry Marsden’s sister to save his beloved newspaper…or follow his heart and wed his Writing Girl.

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Annabelle Swift has been working for Derek Knightly at the London Weekly for years and in love with him just as long. Having watched her dear friends, and fellow Writing Girls, find and fall in love with their prince charmings, Annabelle is tired of dispensing advice to the masses and decides to turn the tables. As Dear Annabelle, her column usually gives advice on how to get stains out or such but when she asks the people of London for advice on how to get a man to notice her, the column becomes the talk of the Town and the ton.

 

Derek Knightly has made a name for himself and is revered in the publishing world. He's built a fortune and has many friends and more than one woman who wouldn't mind turning his head but he's only got one goal to which he truly aspires. He wants to marry someone who would place him in the position where his half-brother would finally recognize him as a gentleman and an equal. The only way he sees this happening is by marrying the right woman. A woman who would provide him the place in the ton he needs to be recognized by his half-brother. He believes he's found her, but at what cost?

 

Threatened with the destruction of his newspaper and everything he's built up, Derek must marry the vengeful Lord Marsden's sister or watch his name and fortune destroyed by scandal and false accusations. Even as he struggles to solve this problem, his newspaper is soaring in popularity all because of a little noticed column written by an even less noticed Writing Girl. Ever since Dear Annabelle asked the good people of London to help her gain the notice of one particular nodcock, it's all that anyone including his best friends are talking about. Not only has the column grown in popularity but suddenly, Annabelle is much more noticeable.

 

Will Annabelle succeed in winning the attentions and affections of her nodcock, better known to everyone else at the London Weekly as Derek Knightly, or will she lose to the woman with society and a title behind her?

 

SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale is absolutely delightful from the first page to the last. We suffer Annabelle's angst as she attempts to capture Derek Knightly's attention. Just when we think it's safe, we suffer Derek's worry over whether or not he will be able to recapture Annabelle's love and convince her that she is worthy of all she wants. Maya writes SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY with humor, laugh out loud slapstick, and makes us remember that lack of confidence feeling that everyone, who has ever tried to capture the attention of a first love, has experienced.

 

With a Cinderella meets I Love Lucy feel to this delightfully endearing story, Maya Rodale has conjured her best writing to date for her final Writing Girl. She's succeeded in creating a happy-ever-after that leaves you smiling and wishing Mr. Knightly and his Dear Annabelle all the best. This one is, by far, my most favorite and I so didn't want it to end.

 

I highly recommend SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale whether you've read anything by this fabulous Regency authoress yet, or not. If you love a light-hearted comedy romance, you will love SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY. It will have you smiling, giggling and possibly laughing out loud as I did. Warning: be prepared to have people stare as if you've lost your mind if you read it in a public place.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale, Avon Romance, available Oct 30, 2012 in print and ebook formats. Run, don't walk, to get this one!