Pink Heart Reviews
The Heartbreaker
By Rexanne Becnel
St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 2003, 344 pages
ISBN# 0312983123
Historical Romance, Regency
England
$6.99 (US) $9.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Erin
April 2004
Phoebe Churchill is a virtuous, simple woman. Raised on a small farm in Swansford, England, she’s content with running her household and raising her niece, Helen, whom has been abandoned by Phoebe’s older, wilder sister. Her life has been quiet and secure until she notices various articles start to disappear from her property. Bewildered and incensed she vows to get to the bottom of these thefts and make whomever is responsible pay.
What Phoebe doesn’t know is the thief is a ten year old girl from the neighboring property, a property that belongs to none other than Lord James Lindford, the Viscount Farley. James has been shunned by society for accepting his role as father to two of his bastard children. He is forced to move to his family estate and attempts his hand at fatherhood. Unfortunately, he has no idea of how to raise two little girls. One is a lying, thieving, ten year old urchin, named “Izzy” and the other is Leya, a nine month old baby that despite all his efforts will not cease crying. After many sleepless nights and stressful days he is at his wits end.
The moment he lays eyes on Phoebe he knows she is the answer to all his problems. The way she interacts with Izzy is tender yet stern and the way she miraculously quiets little Leya is amazing. He offers her the position of governess in his household but he has to wonder is it for the children or to stay in close contact with a woman that warms his blood on sight.
Phoebe has been warned all her life about men like James. Charming and charismatic, he is indeed a heartbreaker and could convince a woman to do anything he wants her to. It is this that Phoebe finds frightening when she considers the amount of time she would be in James’ presence if she were to become governess to his children. However, something happens that changes her austere life forever and she has no choice but to take the position.
I usually enjoy Ms. Becnel's novels for the simple fact that they are an easy read but remain entertaining. They do not possess the same depth as other novels I have read but the simplicity works for Becnel. This particular story involves children and I have to admit I love books with children characters. It adds a whole new dimension and outlook. The one thing that I didn’t like about the book was there was no mention of the year in which this story was supposed to take place. I find that if I’m reading a historical I enjoy it better if I know exactly when the author wanted this story to take place. If Becnel did mention the date I missed it and I feel it should have been in a very conspicuous place. Otherwise I enjoyed the story. It was sweet and fun, full of misadventures of children and a delightful and fiery love story.
