by Diana Quincy
Series: Accidental Peers #3
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
England, 1805 Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope is ruined and everyone knows it. Back in Town for the first season since her downfall, Willa plans to remain firmly on the shelf, assuming only fortune hunters will want her now. Instead she focuses on her unique tea blends, secretly supporting a coffee house which employs poor women and children. If her clandestine involvement in trade is discovered, she'll be ruined. Again. No one is more shocked by Willa's lack of quality suitors than the newly minted Duke of Hartwell. Having just returned from India, the dark duke is instantly attracted to the mysterious wallflower. His pursuit is hampered by the ruthless Earl of Bellingham, who once jilted Willa and is now determined to reclaim her. Caught between the clash of two powerful men, a furious Willa refuses to concede her independence to save her reputation. But will she compromise her heart?
Diana Quincy is quickly becoming one of my favorite Regency romance authors, with her head-strong, feisty heroines and swoon-worthy men. In Compromising Willa, the third book in the Accidental Peers series she gives us witty banter and a woman almost on the shelf who suddenly finds herself the center of attention. Mini review: suspenseful and romantic with delicious banter.
During Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope’s first season, she naively thought herself caught up in a forbidden love, and rumor has it, she was ruined. Title and family name have kept the ton from shunning her, but in the four years since there haven’t been any offers of marriage. Returned from India, the Duke of Hartwell finds himself attracted to the mysterious, opinionated and witty, wallflower. The Earl of Bellingham tries to thwart Hartwell’s pursuit and reclaim the woman he ruined. The tale that unfolds kept me flipping the pages and I consumed this in a single evening.
Quincy yet again gave me fleshed out characters to love and loathe. I have long stated I adore strong, independent, smart and feisty heroines and Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope (Willa) is all of those things. Willa is knowledgeable in things that usually interest men, makes her own blends of tea, helps those less fortunate and fully intends to keep her independence. The Duke of Hartwell is definitely swoon-worthy and has modern thinking opinions towards woman. He is known for having a temper but those in his inner circle know he protects the innocent. He is used to women falling at his feet and when Willa doesn’t it intrigues him. He loves her sharp wit and appreciates her intelligent conversations. He finds himself enthralled by her seductive looks and his pursuit of her was fun! Bellingham has just come into his title, and he fully intends to have Willa as his own and will use any means necessary. I wanted to tar and feather the baboon.
Compromising Willa had an engaging plot line that kept me thoroughly engrossed. While, at first glance, the synopsis may lead you to believe there is a love triangle, I assure you it is anything but. Quincy wove in secrets, scandal and threats that had me on edge, all while slowly building a relationship between Hartwell and Willa. We see some of the darker aspects of the ton and the social ladder that made me cringe. I love that her characters, especially the women, seek to correct them. There was a dark thread adding a little danger and suspense that left us guessing as to what would unfold next. Willa’s independent streak, misunderstanding, her friends and personal fears all interfered as we move towards our HEA. Quincy delicately balanced all this making it feel genuine, and I loved how all of the pieces clicked into place.
Fans of strong characters, regency romance, and a little suspense will enjoy Compromising Willa and the Accident Peers series. The fourth book, Engaging the Earl is expected to release this summer. Each of the books in the series can be read as a standalone and involve independent woman of the ton and their romances.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lily B
oh my never heard of this one before, i do like that it has witty banter, always a plus. Besides, the two characters and the storyline sounds fun!
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun 🙂
Pamela D
This sounds like great read. I like regency romances in which there is a rumor that the lady is shunned by the ton but is still invited to all of the parties.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, they love their gossip don’t they 🙂
RoseAnn DeFranco
I love Diana Quincy’s stories. This is a great review.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks RoseAnn this was such a fun read 🙂
Naomi
Oh wow!! this sounds like a great read. I haven’t read a historical in so long!! You are swaying me girl!!
kimbacaffeinate
this series is such fun Naomi!
Berls
First of all, I’m love that cover! Secondly – I think I would love Lady Wilhelmina (awesome regency name too!). I’m a big fan of headstrong ladies. I haven’t dug into a historical in a while, maybe it’s time!
kimbacaffeinate
This is a fun one and I adored Tempting Bella 🙂
anna
Oh good! I was just reading a guest post she did the other day and thinking man those sound good!! Love it has a little suspense with it. Glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am really enjoying them and I love when a book has a little suspense, heat and can make me laugh too:)
Lindy
I love reading historical romances and feeling like I am in a different tim a and place. I love strong heroines that fight against society’s rules and prejudices. Plus the whole suspense, and threat of danger add to the excitement. I like that the main guy has an open mind and forward thinking. Awesome Review Kim!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed I do like men in this era who can handle independent, strong-minded woman 🙂
A Voracious Reader
I loved Tempting Bella! I need to read books 1 & 3 now. *dances around anxiously*
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, and you know I adored it. I have Seducing Charlotte and the wait is on for the fourth book..LOL
Michelle
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this series, but it sounds really good. I need more regency romance in my life.
kimbacaffeinate
my favorite period for historical romance 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
I love the cover art, I wouldn’t have thought its regency at first glance.
Revisiting historicals is on my blogger resolution this year. I miss the genre but I want my first read to be mind blowing, I don’t want to settle for poorly written, trashy stories. I want the kind of tension I can only get from historicals. I will earmark this series for future reference.
kimbacaffeinate
After my five year hiatus I am enjoying one or two a month, this series is delightful.
kindlemom1
I love headstrong female characters, especially in this era. This sounds like a great one!
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun Ali and I love her females in this series.
Jonetta (Ejaygirl)
I’ve been looking for a new historical romance and this is really appealing. Thanks for the review and the introduction to a new series!
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad this appeals to you Jonetta..enjoy!
Jenea
Scandals have a way of making things engrossing. I like the sounds of Duke and Willa. Great review, I’m glad it was another good addition to the series.
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..yes, yes they do!
Tanja
Just the other day I talked with my friend about books and I complained how I haven’t read book about first season and all that in a while. This one sounds like something that’d be good thing to read. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was deliciously fun Tanja I hope you decide to read it 🙂
blodeuedd
Lots of seducing going on in that series
kimbacaffeinate
seducing is fun 🙂
Angie F.
This is my favorite of the series so far! Willa and Hartwell were amazing together! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yay I am so glad you enjoyed this too Angie 🙂