Donna Lea Simpson continues the Saga of the Neville family in her Regency Romance A Lady's Choice. In the first book, Lord Haven's Deception, Lord Haven finds true love with Miss Jane Corbett, and in the second book, The Debutante's Dilemma, youngest sister
Pamela lands a husband who loves her despite her hoydenish ways. Now it's Rachel's turn to discover her future path in life. At Pamela and Lord Strongwycke's wedding breakfast she sits beside her fiancé, Lord Francis Yarnell, who scorns the behavior of her family and friends. There's Grand, an outspoken, often lewd grandmother whose inappropriate innuendos on married life make Rachel cringe. Even family friend Colin Varens embarrasses her when he calls for the newly married couple to share a kiss.

Yet once Pamela is on her honeymoon, Rachel feels lost. Despite their differences, she had recently begun to rediscover their childhood connection and now feels the loss despite her own future as a wife to a Marquis. Yet here she is in London, finally able to enjoy all the pleasures of a Season. If only her stiff and proper fiancé weren't so domineering. Rachel begins to wonder what married life will offer as she deals with an overbearing future mother-in-law who even has plans to accompany them on their honeymoon. Her betrothed seems to make all the decisions expecting her to acquiesce to his whims while ignoring her wishes. His once admiral autocratic qualities dim as he continually criticizes her friends, wishing to ban her from socially interacting with those he considers culturally inferior, including Grand. Suddenly a marriage of convenience doesn't look so promising.

In the wings is Colin Varens, a country gentleman from back home, and his sister Andromeda, a nonconformist with a large heart. The two are house sitting for Lord Strongwycke taking care of his niece Belinda, a true rebel who consistently finds herself in trouble. Rachel takes comfort in their presence, despite the censure of her husband-to-be. Colin has been in love with his beautiful neighbor for years, continuing his courtship even while anticipating her inevitable rejection, but has now come to accept their new status as friends. To work out his frustrations he has focused his attentions on pugilism, winning acclaim as the local boxing champion. In London he finds a mentor, Sir Parnell Waterford, to teach him the ropes so he can try his hand with the London crowd. Andromeda is horrified by her brothers "hobby" and does everything she can to deter him, even appealing to Sir Parnell. Rachel supports Andromeda's endeavors but is fascinated by the sight of the muscular, bare chested Colin as he exhibits his talents in the ring.

As the Regency Romance progresses, Rachel's former icy interior begins to melt and she discovers a new depth of character to counter her former superficiality. In the end she finds a path which meets the needs of all concerned.

Originally published as Rachel's Change of Heart in 2003, this novel starts out strong with some wonderful characterizations and witty dialogue. There are even some interesting incidents, just not enough to carry an entire book. Except for an obnoxious mother of the groom, there really aren't too many obstacles to provide tension, despite the tale of two romances and secondary issues dealing with boxing and slavery. With quite a bit of tell and not enough show, the story contained an excess of repetition with an emphasis on the main characters' inner contemplations. A shorter, tighter story, perhaps a novella, would have been more pleasing. A pity!

Two and a half stars and a thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Lady's Choice was a really good book that highlights what can happen when we take a look at things through clear lenses and really "see" our situation. The main character in this book did just that and the ending result was just glorious.

Rachel and her family headed to London for the season. Rachel strictly adheres to the rules of London society and has received a marriage proposal from a gentleman that takes things equally serious. Rachel begins to realize that what she has worked to obtain is not all that it appears to be. She realizes her fiance is in love with another woman, so she breaks off their engagement knowing her reputation may suffer.

She turns to her true friends that are not bound by society rules. Colin is one of those friends. He has always been love sick over Rachel. She has consistently rejected his affections. Colin begins to see that he has to get over his love for Rachel so he dives into the world of boxing in London. Once Rachel sees Colin bare chested in his breeches she begins to have a longing for him she cannot describe. Once he is hit and nearly knocked out her heart becomes involved. Colin has learned he cannot take a chance on getting hurt again by Rachel, so despite his love for her he puts distance between them. The distance is exactly what Rachel does not want. With the help of a dear Grandmother, both Colin and Rachel receive advice that helps draw them together but both have to be willing to put themselves out there to receive the reward which is true love.

A Lady's Choice kept my attention. I loved the characters and enjoyed watching them develop. The book was well written and had a great ending. I am ready to dive into the next book by Donna Lea Simpson.

As always with Donna Lea Simpson, I have been drawn into the story and liked it very much! Original!

Although this novel comes as part of a series, you do not need to have read the others (I didn't) in order for this story to make sense.

I very much enjoyed watching Rachel's transformation unfold. From almost the beginning, I found fault with her fiance. I mean who invites their mother on their wedding trip? Who presents their fiance with a portrait of themselves and their mother as a gift?

For a time, I was worried that this was going to turn into one of those stories where the lady ends up regretting her choice of husband, and takes a lover. Thankfully, that was not the case. Rachel very much came into her own in this novel, figuring out that what society thinks of a person is worth much less than what their heart wants.

I also adored Colin's sister Andromeda (although I wish she would have gotten her own story to adequately explore her own love story), however, I felt her dedication to her brother admirable. The boxing aspect was something I hadn't experienced before, so it was interesting to me to have a character that engaged in such sport.

Overall, I am sure this story will appeal to those who enjoy historical romance novels. I would read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

A Lady's Choice is the first book I have read by Donna Lea Simpson, but it will not be the last. I didn't know at first what to expect, as I am always wary of new authors. I was, however, very pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading historical romance. Very good read.

The Neville-Varnes saga continues with A Lady’s Choice. I believe this is the last, which quite frankly makes me sad. This story appears to try to wrap everything up. However, if felt certain storylines deserved more time and consideration. Andromeda, for example, was a dynamic and interesting character whose story felt a anticlimatic at best. Despite her receiving her HEA, I didn’t feel as if it did her justice.

That being said, I was blown away by Rachel’s transformation. In the previous novels, the reader is presented with an image of what kind of person Rachel is. In A Lady’s Choice, we actually are able to get inside Rachel’s head, learn what makes her tick and her motivations behind her actions. I thought Rachel was a well written character who honestly felt the most human.

All in all, I enjoyed the novel. I don’t feel I enjoyed it as much as her sister’s story, but I have a soft spot for romances that involve childhood friends.

Normally in you do not change your mind once betrothed in the area period, but Rachel does and thank goodness for her. She has her friend Colin who stays her friend even though she has repeatedly rejected his proposal. Her fiance is a momma's boy, who wants to take his mom on their honeymoon. What?!! The good thing is she realizes before she makes that mistake, is that he does not love her. She get her HEA. Good for her.

Really got caught up in this wonderful romantic story of two star-crossed lovers. Would have given book 4 stars except for the ending. It left me bereft. Feel the author rushed through the last chapter and would have like a more satisfactory completion of the story.

For as long as she or anyone else can remember, the beautiful but cold Rachel Neville has always adhered strictly to society’s rules, and she is now reaping the rewards as she is now engaged to Francis Yarnell a Marquis. However despite her secure future that lies ahead, Rachel is suddenly questioning her acquiescence to the strictures of the ton & her future husband who also is cold & distant. She meets Miss Millicent Danvers a neighbour of Darnell who describes him as someone fun loving & romantic, certainly not the man Rachel knows.
Rachel is preoccupied with thoughts of Colin Varens, a wholly unsuitable neighbour. Colin can’t remember a time when his heartfelt declarations for Rachel weren’t being rebuffed, but the rough-and-tumble country gentleman has finally come to terms with the rejection and has made peace with her as friends.
Colin and Rachel along with his sister Andromeda spend more time together in London, he finds her once-haughty manner thawing into the warmth and vivaciousness that attracted him so many years ago, just as he is finding a growing strength and confidence of his own.
I started the novel disliking Rachel, she was cold calculating & a snob, thinking only of her position in society & her future as a Marchioness however she begins bit by bit to question herself & those around her & what starts with a drip soon becomes a deluge. She does change & by the end of the novel I did like her. Colin has been constant in his feelings & this surprised me but he obviously saw the ‘true’ Rachel not the society miss. Colin finds an outlet for his frustrations in boxing & this leads to his sister meeting his trainer Sir Parnell Waterford that leads to the secondary romance
The scene at Lady Codstead’s ball was unexpected but very moving.
It was also so good that a truly ‘nice’ gentleman who wasn’t extremely handsome got the girl!
The story was well paced & kept me wanting to continue reading, I’d recommend the book