{Book Review} Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean

Synopsis:

“Lord Nicholas is a paragon of manhood. And his eyes, Dear Reader! So blue!” Pearls & Pelisses, June 1823

Since being named one of London’s “Lords to Land” by a popular ladies’ magazine, Nicholas St. John has been relentlessly pursued by every matrimony-minded female in the ton. So when an opportunity to escape fashionable society presents itself, he eagerly jumps—only to land in the path of the most determined, damnably delicious woman he’s ever met!

The daughter of a titled wastrel, Lady Isabel Townsend has too many secrets and too little money. Though used to taking care of herself quite handily, her father’s recent passing has left Isabel at sea and in need of outside help to protect her young brother’s birthright. The sinfully handsome, eminently eligible Lord Nicholas could be the very salvation she seeks.

But the lady must be wary and not do anything reckless…like falling madly, passionately in love.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers #1) Review

Oh, Sarah MacLean. No one does fluffy, sweet, adorable Regency Romance like you.

Ok, I actually wouldn’t really know if that were true or not, because she’s really the only Regency Romance author I’ve read. Suggestions are welcome for future readings.

Ten Ways to Be Adored is actually a bit more outside plot driven than it’s predecessor Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. Ten Ways follows Lady Isabel Townsend, a woman who has been gambled away by her father multiple times (though she vigilantly remains unmarried), and who is keeping the house together after his death. They have very little but the house and whatever is part of the entail for her ten-year old brother, the current earl. But with no money, and no income, they are alone in the house, no servants, no one to help them. Until Isabel starts taking in battered women, running from whatever situation they came from, looking for respite. The Duke of Leighton’s sister finds her way to this Minerva House, as they call it, and Nicholas St. John comes looking for her.

What he finds, is Isabel, a woman who repairs her own roof, wanders about in men’s clothes, and has a house full of female servants. Not to mention that Georgiana, Leighton’s sister is currently acting as governess to the young earl. Nick takes it upon himself to help Isabel, and though he desperately doesn’t want to, thanks to miserable events in his past, he falls in love with her.

Isabel is quite a damsel in distress. She’s making a go of it, certainly, trying to repair her own roof and such, but especially in this time period, she needs a protector. And Nick is willing to provide that protection. Their relationship is adorable, as are all of MacLean’s romances. There is misunderstanding, secret keeping, stubbornness, and entertaining shenanigans around every corner. I really enjoyed the plot about Minerva House, and all the women Isabel is helping, as well as James, the young earl, needing a grown man as a mentor and finding one in Nick.

I quite enjoyed the little pieces of the article “Rules for Landing a Lord” at the beginning of each chapter as well. It was funny to see the advice and then how opposite Isabel acted. Nick’s annoyance with being named a top Lord to Land was always very entertaining.

All in all, another excellent regency romance from Sarah MacLean. I always know going into her books that I will be highly entertained. They are like candy, quick reads and very enjoyable.

Content: Language, graphic sex. Recommended for 18+.