Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore

Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
1812

Southern belle Meg Burton is her parents’ last hope of avoiding financial ruin, and a distant cousin’s kind gesture seems an ideal solution: he will sponsor Meg for a London Season. The pursuit of a wealthy husband was not exactly how the bookish young woman had envisioned her first trip abroad—after all, what does a girl from Charleston, South Carolina, know about being a lady? Amidst the stunning gowns and extravagant balls of the ton, Meg feels like an imposter. Thankfully, she has one friend who knows her true self—Carlo, a handsome stable hand. Despite their difference in station, love blossoms between the unlikely pair, and Meg is sure of one thing: she wants nothing to do with the insufferable European aristocracy.

Prince Rodrigo de Talavera has lost everything to Napoleon. Jaded by war, he has become bitter and miserable—until he meets Meg, an American woman whose eccentric schemes and passion for life remind him what it is to laugh and to love. If only she knew him for himself and not as Carlo the stable hand. With the shadow of deception looming over their happy acquaintance and the dangers of war drawing ever more near, can Meg and Rodrigo find the courage to put aside their pretenses and discover if they can be loved as they truly are?

5 Stars

Received ebook from Publisher for an honest review

My Review:
My favorite book genre is historical fiction, especially the English Regency era.  This book falls right in to this time period, but also covers a topic with which I am unfamiliar.  The Prince from the title is a Spanish Prince who has fled Spain during the Peninsular War after Joseph Bonaparte has been made King by his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte.  Although the author is writing about fictional characters, she has placed them and referenced them to real historical events.  This interests me and causes me to look in to the subject further.  So I may be reading this book for entertainment, but I am learning about world history at the same time.  

I love the relationship development in this book.  I especially like Carlo and his interest in helping Miss Burton live out her gothic novel fantasies.  Miss Burton likes to be thrilled and scared, she likes to feel chills and goosebumps.  Carlo is sweet in his efforts to make her happy.  At the same time, Miss Burton's love of life and excitement help Carlo come out of his doldrums.  They fulfill each other's needs at a time in their lives where they each feel alone, even while being surrounded by many people.

I like this book a lot, but it is a bit predictable.  At times, I don't know how the author is going to resolve a conflict, but there isn't a lot of surprise in how it is resolved.  There is romance, adventure, some comedy and a satisfying ending.  

This book has a nice blend of history and romance, 2 things I really love.  And, because of that, I am going to look in to other works by this author, Jennifer Moore.

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this book.