HR Review: The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

The Truth About Lord Stoneville 

by Sabrina Jeffries

(Hellions of Halstead Hall #1)
Pocket Books; Original edition (January 19, 2010)
Purchase B&N - Amazon
★★★★ 1/2

They're the scandalous Sharpes, five hell-raising siblings tainted by a shocking family legacy. Now each faces a daunting ultimatum: marry by year's end—or kiss their inheritance good-bye.

In the two decades since a tragic "accident" took the lives of his parents, Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has survived the scandal surrounding that fateful night by living as an unrepentant rakehell. And with his grandmother vowing to disinherit him if he doesn't settle down and wed, he plans to fulfill the bargain in true Sharpe style—by bringing home a fake fiancee from a brothel! But his scheme is derailed when he rescues an American beauty in a dire predicament instead.

Maria Butterfield came to London to track down her groom-to-be, who's gone missing, but her engagement won't stop Oliver from getting what he wants: her, in his bed. His rebellious masquerade may call his grandmother's bluff, but it's soon made all too real—by a love that tempts him to be a hellion no more. (From Goodreads)

Review:

Having read book two before, my hopes were high for book one and I was not disappointed.

This is a wonderful beginning to a historical romance series.

Oliver Sharpe was living a peaceful life of debauchery before his grandmother turned his life upside down. As the wealthy matriarch of the family, she was sworn to disinherit all her grandchildren if they do not marry within a year. She has grown tired of her grandson's wayward life styles and her granddaughter's inappropriate behavior (such as pistol dueling with men and writing Gothic romance novels). But, Oliver has deviced a plan, intending to call his grandmother's bluff.

Maria Butterfield was at the wrong place at the right time. Having come to England in search of her scoundrel of a fiance, she never expected to be proposed to in a brothel...well, not exactly proposed to, but Lord Stoneville asks her pretend to be his fiance in exchange for is help finding hers.

Oliver's is the typical rake with a secret that he fear will make his family hate him. Maria is stubborn American, who keeps her eye on the prize. The two are very entertaining and great couple.

Neither expects the rues to turn into romance, least of all Oliver, who has never wanted to marry.

This book was really fun and I can't wait to read the rest. This family is very entertaining and with 5 total grandchildren, their grandmother has her work cut out for her. If you like regency romance, I would recommend this series!