How to Ruin your Reputation in Ten Days by Harmony Williams – a Review

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Description:
In 1814 London, England, a lady is defined as a demure, delicate flower. Miss Francine Annesley is not that lady. If men were like plants, she would have a garden of admirers to choose from instead of the thorn in her side since childhood, Julian Beckwith. But she would make an even worse nun than she does a lady, which will be her fate if she can’t dig up a husband before the Season ends. However, Julian is not an option.

With only ten short days left in the Season, Francine doesn’t have time to waste on petty squabbles or knee-weakening kisses, even if Julian’s offer to fulfill her every wish rouses her curiosity. It seems men are more complicated than plants. Too bad love bloomed at the most inconvenient of times…

Review:

How to Ruin Your Reputation in Ten Days begins with only ten days left in the Season.  Francine is attending a party at which her parents are hoping that she finds an appropriate suitor.  After five Seasons without an offer, their hopes of her picking someone are faltering.  Francine is determined not to enter into a loveless relationship with someone who is more interested in her dowry than they are in her.  As Francine skirts the people and their boring conversations at the party trying to get away from unwanted suitors, she makes her way outside and into the garden.  She soon finds herself in an awkward position and snags her dress on a thorny bush and eventually gets herself freed, only to come face to face with none other than her childhood friend, Julian Beckwith.  The two of them had been exchanging letters for the last few years, but he suddenly stopped replying, which hurt her more than she wanted to let on.

As things progress, there is no denying the pull between them, but when Francine discovers the reason he stopped replying to her letters, she is shattered.  To make matters even worse, her father has had it with her not choosing a suitor and issues an ultimatum:  pick a suitable suitor by the end of the Season or you’re going to the convent!  (Harsh much?!?!)  Seems he’s had it with her independent ways and the fact the she always seems to get caught in the most awkward and inappropriate situations.  Unfortunately, said situations have made her the gossip of the ton, and her father is DONE.

How to Ruin Your Reputation in Ten Days is a nicely written tale with two great characters.  I loved Francine.  I loved her independent streak that warred with her wanting to please her parents, who in my opinion, were sorely lacking in the parenting department.  I also loved her devotion to her friends and to Julian.  She also made me laugh.  Julian was great as well.  Once we find out the back story as to why he’d stopped responding to her letters, your heart broke a little.  You also wanted to box his ears a little!  The two of them together will melt your heart.  With all of that said, I have to admit that the story I’m most anxious for is her friend, Mary’s.  That one has great potential and I can’t imagine how she’ll be tamed, seeing as she is one of the most inappropriate (for the time) and independent characters I’ve read in years.  I have my fingers crossed that her story will not disappoint.  If you’re a fan of historicals, this series is a nice read.   Well done, Harmony Williams!

Reviewed by Vickie

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