What Isabella Desires
by Anne Mallory
Avon Books, 2007
Historical Romance
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Lady Isabella Willoughby has always been patient and proper. But secretly, scandalously, she longs to be wild—to wear daring gowns while dancing the night away. Above all, she craves one thing: to be more than merely a “friend” to Marcus, the dashing, sinfully handsome Lord Roth.
Marcus has everything—power, prestige, wealth . . . enemies. He thrives on danger and lives life to the fullest knowing each day might be his last, for he carries a dark family secret which precipitates one simple rule—never fall in love. Especially not with dear Bella, who has, of late, transformed herself into a siren, bewitching every male she encounters with her newly unfettered sensuality. Marcus must not allow himself to be tempted—but his resolve is weakening by the minute.
For what Isabella desires, she is determined to get . . .
Isabella Willoughby has been in love with Lord Roth for a decade or longer, but he has always treated her as a dear friend. Now, a widow, Isabella is determined to change her demure ways and make a play for Marcus. She’s determined to catch his eye and turn their relationship to something more than friends –friends with benefits, to be precise, since she knows that Marcus isn’t interested in marrying. It seems charming and daring that this woman is going to take charge of her life and go for what she really wants.
Then there’s the focus of her affection. For his part, Marcus is willing to play along, once he becomes aware of Isabella’s interest. Not because he’s got any deep, long-suppressed feelings for Isabella, beyond friendly fondness. Nor because he’s discovered new feelings for her. Nope. He decides to accept her offer to deepen their relationship, at first because he wants to pacify her, seeing as she’s lonely and just looking for a lover or something. When she proves she’s serious about her interest in him and begins to get irritated that he’s simply humoring her with mild courtesy and an occasional dance, he thinks about stepping up his game, if only to keep her from just looking elsewhere to satisfy an itch. When the evhil villhin (who’s pretty easy to figure out, cardboard character that he is) targets poor Isabella to get back at Marcus, well, he’s finally spurred into action and takes her to the seaside where things get physical. Does he tell her why they have to leave town so abruptly? Of course not. Don’t want her knowing what’s really going on, when he can just play on her feelings.
Sadly, things never seem to develop more emotionally between them. Marcus breaks things off with Isabella for personal reasons, that are never really resolved. Instead, he just changes his mind at the end because…. well, he just decides to.
I really wanted to like this story. I did like Isabella and her motivations. She came across as a realistic and motivated. And I felt by the end of the story that she deserved someone better than Marcus, someone who actually would grow and care deeply for her. Marcus never really seems to feel anything unique or to even long for Isabella, at least no more at the end than he did at the beginning.
Assessment: Not for me.
Notice: To comply FTC Guidelines, please be aware that this book was provided by the publisher as a promotional giveaway at the 2009 RWA National Convention.
