Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels

March 3rd, 2014 Kimberly Review 68 Comments

3rd Mar
Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels
Desperately Seeking Suzanna
by Elizabeth Michels
Series: Tricks of the Ton #2
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Her Cinderella Moment...Sue Green just wanted one night to be the pretty one. But a few glasses of champagne and one wild disguise later, she’s in some serious trouble. Who knew the devastatingly handsome face of Lord Holden Ellis would get in the way of her foot? And how exactly did all that high-kick dancing start in the first place? At least she blamed it all on her new persona—Suzanna. So Society’s most eligible bachelor will never find out the truth. All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She’s promised to help him find his mystery woman, but in truth she’s not being all that helpful. And in truth, the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he’s been looking for all along…

Desperately Seeking Suzanna is the second book in the Tricks of the Ton by Elizabeth Michels. If you will remember I adored Must Love Dukes her debut novel and the first in this series. Guess What? I have a new favorite author to add to the historical romance genre. Michels not only delivered a romantic tale that held me spellbound she did something quite clever. Mini review: Fun, romantic, hot, and sweet. Humor made this tale delightful.

For one night at a masquerade party, Sue Green feels pretty and bold as she takes on the persona of Suzanne. A mishap and some champagne have her sharing a kiss with Lord Holden Ellis before getting caught and sent home. Lord Holden is determined to find the little masked vixen who invades his waking thoughts and dreams. The only one who seems to have answers is Sue Green and the tale that unfolds was delightful entertaining.

Michels uses a few tropes with her character Sue Green. She is both the Ugly Duckling and Cinderella. I adored Sue from the beginning. She is entering her fifth season and is constantly reminded by her mother of her short comings. Yet, Sue remains sweet, kind and generous. She is an artist, a dreamer and her thoughts, comments and actions were pure, humorous and made me laugh. We see her transform throughout the novel from shy and unsure to strong and confident. Lord Holden Ellis is dealing with a slew of issues, but he is completely swoon-worthy and despite some blunders I fell for him. As Michels peeled back his layers, we saw the damage inflicted on him, and I wanted to hold him. The interaction between Holden and Suzanna was heated and at times hilarious. The dialogue between Holden and Sue was equally funny, and I laughed aloud at their banter. Sue’s mother is dreadful and how she bore someone as sweet as Sue is beyond me. Many times I wanted to climb in a carriage and run the woman over, and then navigate the horses around and do it again! A woman from Holden’s childhood returns and eek gads this was interesting storyline froth with danger.

Desperately Seeking Suzanna was such a fun romp from the tropes at play to the mischief and mayhem. It was such a delight to watch Holden stumble and see Sue grow. I was desperate for my happily ever after, and the twists and turns to get there were suspenseful and entertaining. Michels delivered just enough tension to make it exciting without overdoing it. Sue’s mannerism and directness with Holden were charming and humorous, and it was such fun seeing Holden taken aback by it all. Now the clever part. Do you remember in my review of Must Love Dukes when I mentioned Sue and Holden. I said something curious was going on with them? It was..THEIR story, THIS story is/was simultaneously happening. So we see a few of the same scenes where they interacted and it was so cool. The pacing was well done as it built towards the climax and ending. Once again, Michels left me spent and satisfied.

Delicious banter and strong characters make Desperately Seeking Suzanna a joy to read. I look forward to How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less the third book in the Tricks of the Ton series scheduled to release July 1, 2014.

Four and half cups of coffee out of five
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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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

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68 Responses to “Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels”

  1. Lily B

    I have been in the mood for some Historical romance I am going to have to check this author out. I love how it has both ugly duckling and Cinderella trops in it!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love these tropes too Lily and this series has been fun from the characters to the plot 🙂

  2. Cyn

    Yay! I’m so glad you found a new fav author! I’m definitely excited for this one, I love delicious banter 😉 Thanks for the review!

  4. Jess

    This sounds like such a fun book! I love that the banter is so entertaining. 🙂 Have to add this one to my list now, too!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It was really clever and I adored all the characters in both novels Pamela 🙂

  7. Christy

    Be honest, Kim … how many favorite authors do you have in this genre now? lol. I do love some good banter!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Hmmm…MacLean, Jeffries, Quick, Dare are ones that come to mind..so less then a dozen…

  8. Sharlene Wegner

    OK, you sold me! I need to read this series! I see that I should read the first book, as that is the start of this couple. Thanks for the review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Sharlene I am sure you will find them delightful!

  9. Lindy

    This sounds like a delightful read! It’s awesome a great feeling to find a new favorite author. I love how you described this story! LOL to running Sue’s mom with a carriage! You’re so funny! I loved this review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      that was quite mean of me, but ooooh she made me mad!

  10. Wendy Darling

    Uh oh, WordPress ate my first comment, so let’s see if this works!

    I’m not sure how I haven’t heard of this series before now, but it sounds great. “Tricks of the Ton” is a funny (and terrific) name for a series, hah. I don’t always mind tropes when they’re done well either, and I kind of expect them in this genre anyway.

    Thanks for the review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      bad WordPress! This series is delightful and yes I expect and enjoy the tropes of HR. Thanks Wendy!

  11. Lauren

    I’m glad this was suspenseful and entertaining, I’ll definitely have to add this author and this series to my list! I love a good historical romance with banter and a HEA. Lovely review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      this is turning out to be a delightfully fun series, thanks Lauren!

  12. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I just won a ton of historical romances but none of this author’s books was among them. 🙁 This sounds like such a fun historical rom. I’m am going to have to add her and this series to my wishlist.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ooo a box of books..what fun! Michels is a new author, this is her second book but I am loving her style!

  14. Michelle

    I love when I find new favorite authors. I’ll have to add Must Love Dukes to my library TBR. Great review Kimba!

  16. Heidi

    Another favorite author? Argh… I should check this out. My pile is growing today thanks to all the brilly reviews I am reading!

  17. Dre

    I’m not one to read historical romance, but I am not saying I won’t. Every time I see the name “Sue”, it reminds of Curly Sue! In this book, she sounds like a well-developed character. I like it when female MCs become better versions of themselves. Great review, Kimba 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Lots of peeps not fond of the name Sue..hmm think Suzanne 🙂

  18. Michele-A Belle's Tales

    Finding new favorite authors is the BEST! So happy you loved this one, Kimba! I absolutely adore the cleverness you mention — it’s so great when an author flawlessly intertwines character’s stories like that. Great review, my friend! ~ Michele

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Michele, this series is fun and makes me smile 🙂

  19. Braine Talk Supe

    I can tell how much you love this series. Your excitement about Sue & Holden and your prediction about them is obviously spot on. I love mayhem, I should definitely revisit this genre soon.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Aurian this is a series I think you would enjoy..such fun!

  22. sherry fundin

    Seems like you choose some goods books. I love when the dialogue has you interacting with the characters. Fantastic review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Sherry, it is always fun finding new authors and seeing familiar tropes through a fresh set of eyes.

  23. Dani

    This does sound like an adorable book to read! I really need to add more historical romance to my reading repertoire…

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love mixing them in, well lets be honest I love mixing many genres into my monthly reads 🙂

  24. Michelle

    I haven’t read Historical Romance is a long time but this book sounds so cute! I am going to have to check out this series!!!

    Great review
    So glad you enjoyed and thanks for sharing it
    (TBR list will never stop growing, will it) 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Michelle, I have truly enjoyed this series and look forward to the third book 🙂

  25. Jenny

    This sounds AWESOME Kim! I love Cinderella stories, especially ones that make me laugh along the way. I haven’t read anything by this author, but she’s on my list for sure now. I can’t wait to meet Sue/Suzanne and Holden!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope you enjoy her series as much as I do 🙂

  27. Jenea

    A Cinderella and Ugly Duckling type story sounds like a good one to me. I’m happy that you’ve found another fav author. 🙂 Great review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Jenea, her books are fun and I can easily get lost in them 🙂

  28. kindlemom1

    It is always so exciting to be able to add a new author to your list of favs. I am so glad you are not only loving this series but the author as well.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am, and I have had a chance to interact with her a few times..she is not only talented but a delightful person. 🙂

  29. Nick

    Aww! This sounds adorable, Kim! I already love the sound of Sue and Holden. I can’t imagine what they are like together. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this author before, so thanks for sharing. I’ll be adding this series to the books I must read over summer!
    Lovely review! 🙂

  30. Mary

    I love the Ugly Ducking and Cinderella tropes. There’s just something about a transformation story that makes me happy. I think I’ll have to add this to my list.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I do too Mary and I love how Michels mixed them.

  31. Kristin

    When I read the synopsis, I first thought, “Ugh, not another predictable Cinderella story and tale of goofs and blunders.” But the way you talk about it, it sounds like Michels can do new things with old ideas and spin them very well!! If you, my historical romance expert, loved this one, then I know it’s GOOD!! Great review, girlie!!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Isn’t that funny how certain names just evoke feelings..there are a few I do not like and yes I have skipped a book because of the name *hangs head in shame*

  33. blodeuedd

    I did like book 1 more cos well I always felt he should have known

    *checks book 3*

    YAY. I wanted a book about him

  34. Melliane

    oh really? A fave one? Wow, I’ll add right now book 1 in my wishlist. I love books like that so much and I’m really intrigued now! Thanks for this beautiful review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Melliane these are fun romps that make me laugh. I simply lose myself in them