REVIEW: A Lady Never Lies by Juliana Grey
Dear Ms. Grey
I was sent this book by Berkley with a note that they know I like unusual historical settings. The book takes place in Italy in 1890. The set up is a little strained. Three male friends – the impoverished Duke of Wallingford, his brother, of Lord Roland Penhallow, and their friend Phineas Fitzwilliam Burke decide to lease a Tuscan fortress advertised in the newspaper.
Burke actually leases it with his “sordid millions” made from his patents and inventions and bullies his two friends into rusticating with him because he is worried about their excessive drinking and whoring. Burke plans to compete in an auto engine race against Delmonico in Rome and thinks that the retreat will be the perfect place to perfect his engine.
Also going to Florence is Alexandra, Dowager Marchioness of Morley; her sister, Abigail; and her cousin, Lilibet, Lady Somerton. Alexandra holds an exalted position in society but won’t for much longer if word of her straightened circumstances leak out. Her husband’s nephew invested her jointure into a factory designed to produce a steam engine for an automotive but the factory has been thus far unsuccessful and the bank is knocking at the door. The two groups of people end up being housed in the same residence due to a rental mixup. Given that the estate is quite large, the two agree that they will both remain. And because no group of men and women in a romance book can stay in the same house without some kind of wager, the two groups bet on who will stay the longest with the winner posting a notice in the Times as to which sex was superior.
The main romance centers around Alexandra and Finn. There are class issues given Alexandra’s nobility and Finn’s trade status not to mention that he is a bastard. There are personality issues. Alexandra is a known society maven and Finn is a scientist and inventor. Alex is intimidated by Finn’s knowledge and Finn is intimidated by Alex’s social ease. She always seems to know the right thing to say, the right riposte.
This is a book about which I have much conflict. I loved the period feel of the book and the location (Italy) as well as the automative details. The race through the streets at the end had a marvelous turn of the century feel. Alex and Finn are a great pair and Alex herself is a very vibrant character. Finn is ginger haired, green eyed, freckled and stands 6 and a half feet in his stockings. Alex refers to him privately as an overgrown leprechaun upon meeting him. Alex’s search for her own independence in this period was also interesting. Finn’s wealth, not his parentage, is troublesome to her. She has felt like a commodity and now, having stupidly trusted another man, wonders whether she can marry one whose wealth is so much greater than her own:
“I can’t,” Alexandra said. She stared at that distant shock of ginger hair, fiery red-gold in the torchlight, and her voice, when it emerged, choked painfully at the base of her throat. “I won’t. Marriage is a bargain, a contract. You know that as well as I do. I won’t take something so beautiful as this and turn it into something sordid. I won’t ruin it.”
“Is it because of his money?”
Alexandra picked up the macaroon and placed it in her mouth, where it melted sweetly on her tongue, coating her mouth with the rich taste of almond. “It spoils everything, money.”
“Do you love him?”
Alexandra’s throat closed.
“Because if you do, the money won’t matter.”
“But it will,” Alexandra whispered. “Money always does. What if…what if it is the money? And if I marry him, I’ll never know. I’ll be comfortable and luxurious, and never know if it was just the money, after all. If I wasn’t just deceiving myself about the rest of it.” Oh God, what was she saying? The wine, the stupid wine, making the thoughts tumble unchecked from her mouth.
What I didn’t like was the faux battle of the sexes, the convenient set up, and, my least favorite element, the use of ghosts or spirits to bring about crisis or to solve them. One other thing that some readers may find off-putting was that Alex was spying on Finn’s inventions. I didn’t find it offensive because she simply didn’t know enough to be able to use any information to help the factory in which she had invested all her money but it was an underhanded and sneaky thing to do. The setting, the inventions, and likeability of the characters made for a better than average read. C+
Best regards,
Jane
Hmm, the things that bothered you sound like things that wouldn’t work for me, either, but the setting sounds interesting and different enough that I might give this a shot, anyway. Thanks for the review!
The review seems interesting i will luv to check it out.
The things that bothered you are the same that got to me – I was struggling with the book and at 100 pages in I flipped to the end, saw the “oh, it was the ghosts” bit, and decided DNF was the way to go. I don’t like ghosts as characters – especially when it is something I’m not expecting/is not paranormal/UF book.
The sample of this book really appealed to me, so I bought a copy. Sadly, the rest of the book hasn’t stood up to the intro. Wish I’d read this review before buying.
Thank you for your stimulating review!
The paranormal angle would have made me reject this book had I known about it before I placed my order. Ouch, don’t know how I managed to miss that. Fingers crossed the period details and use of setting, which tend to greatly influence my enjoyment of historicals, will balance out the drawbacks noted in your review. On the other hand your discussion of why you feel conflicted about the book makes me hopeful. I would rather take a chance on a romance with problems if it comes with thoughtful, unconventional elements than read one more washed-out UK-set Regency.
Gray’s story is a retelling of Shakespeare’s LOVES LABOURS LOST, which may account for the “strained” feel of the set-up to some readers. If you’re familiar with stage comedy conventions, the plot set-up feels familiar and fun. I really enjoyed the light humor, zany plot twists, and especially Gray’s lovely prose. This one was a keeper for me!