Passionately Yours by Cara Elliott

The Basics:
Passionately Yours by Cara Elliott
Forever
Book Three in The Hellions of High Street series
Historical Romance
Published Mar 4, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I actually loved the cover - it felt very spring-like and I really need a good dose of spring right now. Also, I love headstrong, opinionated historical romance heroines.

Blurb:

Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only thing they are encouraged to pursue is an eligible bachelor.

Preferably one with both a title and a fortune.

So, the headstrong, opinionated Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. 

Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .

My thoughts:

Even now sitting to do this review after having put it off for a few days, I am in love with the cover. It contrasts so strongly with the snowy, winter landscape I can see how of my front window that it's making me want to read the book again to see if it'll envelop me in a springtime atmosphere.

Can you tell I'm through with winter?

Focusing on the story, I enjoyed this one a lot. It hit two of my hot buttons - the headstrong historical heroine and the inclusion of writers/poets and resulting wordplay. 

What I liked about Caro and Alec is that as much as he's a rough Scotsman and she's a semi-scandalous English lady, they weren't really concerned too much about that sort of mismatch in their relationship. 

What I mean is, there wasn't a ton of Caro fretting that her penchant for behaving outside the approved bounds of the ton would bring shame and scandal down on Alec's head. Nor was Alec ever too worried that Caro wouldn't be comfortable making a home with him (though he did think he himself might be too rough around the edges for her). 

There are reasons why they spark together, but aren't giving a relationship between them a chance, and while a little angsty, these reasons work. Certainly, the journey along the way, the misteps (or feet in mouths), and the sense of Adventure are all quite fun.

I really Alec's sister Isobel and Caro's friend Andover as well. They add some depth and humour without detracting from the main romance. Their ability to offer concern and act as confidants really helped move the story along.

Bottom line:

I really liked this one. It was fun, flirty, had some well-written, back-and-forth dialogue. I got a sense of equality in the relationship that I really approved of and in the end, I was left feeling happy, which is really what I want from a romance novel

4.5 stars
For fans of historical romance, the city of Bath, smart heroines