Romance. The word alone gives me a warm tingly feeling. Besides the fact I’m a sucker for a good love story, a good romance inspires, uplifts and entertains. There are many wonderful YA Romance Writers today and I just added another to my list of favorites: Sarah MacLean.
Ms. MacLean’s first YA Romance, THE SEASON, is set in Regency England at the beginning of a London season of balls, dinner parties and country weekends designed for the sole purpose of marrying off the wealthy social-sect. Unfortunately for seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford, that includes her. Alex abhors dress fittings and the idea of marriage is at the bottom of her to-do list. She much prefers a good adventure.Gavin, the Earl of Blackmoor, is a Stafford family friend and Alex’s childhood protector. After three months in mourning over the loss of his father, Gavin returns just in time for Alex’s society debut. As he continues the role of honorary fourth-brother, escorting and chaperoning Alex at various seasonal events, the tension between these two escalates. While battling their growing attraction and resulting miscommunication spats, Alex uncovers a dangerous plot with Blackmoor as the target. Along with her two wisecracking, spunky friends, Alex is determined to uncover the truth of the former Earl’s death as well as to save Gavin from potential danger. Little did Alex expect it to be her heart that was truly at risk.
This story was so much fun. It had suspense, intrigue, witty banter and most importantly, sexy romance. One of the highest praises I can give is that reading this brilliantly crafted book inspired my own novel writing. It rekindled my love for love triangles and after reading, it brought my own story telling up a significant notch. I loved it so much that not only did I reread it twice this week, but I also read one of her adult romances, Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake. Her adult series is set up to be a trilogy—which I am very excited about—and I can only hope the same in store for THE SEASON.
I fell in love with all the additional characters in THE SEASON and want to know how their love stories work out. Will Vivi find her One? Will Ella find a romance to inspire her writing? Will the Stafford boys—sexy Will, humorous Nick, and spirited Christopher/Kit—end up finding their own love match at one of the balls they detest attending? And finally, will rake Freddie find a woman to tame him? I need to know these things, Sarah!!!
Until then, I will pick up the latest in her adult series, Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and wait eagerly for her next YA project.
Be sure to pick up your copy of THE SEASON at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite indie bookstore.
Happy Reading!
