I used to read a lot of historical romance especially in the Victorian time period - there was just something about it I loved despite it being absolute trash most of the time. However, recently I have found myself become a lot more picky with these kinds of books. Sylvia Day still continues to impress and astound me in equal measure - I don't think there is a book by her I haven't loved but A Suitable Affair just wasn't quite hitting the right notes for me.

This type of romance is why I love reading romance. It is the falling in love that keeps readers wanting more. Authors like Taylor have made falling in love an art and keep perfecting the wonderful ways it happens. A lovely book that I recommend to all romance readers.

Lady Susanna Mcallister had been nearly trampled to death.But her walking companions Viscount Riverton kept his wits and pushed Susanna out of the way of the riders path. Susanna caught her self against a tree. And turned to see her would be assailant and saw his gaze bore into Lord Riverton , his gaze showing something Like hatred. Then Lord Riverton told Susanna that the rider was the Earl of Wescott . Then he added Wescott had almost been his brother in law when Lord Riverton had been engaged to the Earl’s sister Elizabeth/Beth. But Elizabeth had tragically taken from him. Then Riverton said he had to go as it depressed him as he was unaware the Earl of Wescott had returned to town. Then Riverton asked if Susanna and her sister in law Clara could make it home safely. Lord Riverton had been courting Susanna for months. Susanna had never seen Lord Riverton agitated or frightened , never anxious and certainly never hateful. He seemed to be very calm and even tempered fellow- almost boring if she were honest. Riverton had forwardly introduced himself during during a mutual friend’s house party in July. Until then Susanna had never heard of him. Susanna’s brother Andrew was the Duke of Bredstone. Susanna knew her position in society and family connections opened many doors but they closed just as many when it came to marriageable prospects. Susanna had four other brothers besides Andrew and not many suitors were willing to take on all her brothers in order to pursue Susanna’s hand. It had been over two months since Lord Riverton had begun to court her. Susanna was expecting a declaration any day now. But there was something holding Riverton back. Then Clara said that she wanted to see Susanna happy and Lord Riverton was a bore and today ungentlemanly leaving them with no footman or anyone to escort them home safely. Susanna felt Clara was more than a friend a true sister. The Earl of Wescott was Ian Carlisle. He was at his father’s home and his first instinct had been to board up the home after his sister's death. Then his cousin- Lord Rheneas Warren - Earl of Bexley asked if there were problems. Rheneas and Ian had been boys together. Bexley said he had come over as soon as he heard Ian had returned to town as it had been three years, The men had seen each other at Easter six months ago but that had not been in town. Then Bexley said it was noticed he was back when Then Bexley said the Duke was hosting a house party and Ian had been issued an invitation by the Duchess and noone refuses the Duchess. Ian had never had a proper season. He had left the country before he was old enough to make his own bows to the King only doing so when Ian was home on a brief leave and his father forced him to. Ian had only attended a few balls, one musical, and two nights at Almack’s Assembly Room before he left again. Ian had not returned until Beth’s engagement three years ago. Since then the Home Office had allowed him time to spend in England. His appearance in London now because of a summons from his superiors. As he had bought a commission when he was younger. Ian supposed he owed Lady Susanna a sensible explanation , an apology. It wasn’t gentlemanly to nearly crash into a lady of quality with his horse. Plus Ian felt oddly obligated to warn Lady Susanna of his past with Riverton as he felt she should know the type of character Riverton was. Ian didn’t feel the viscount was fit company for any lady. Ian ran into Lady Susanna and behind her appearance as a sophisticated English lady, she possessed something Ian didn’t know existed in any lady of the ton. Lady Susanna possessed strength. Susanna and Ian agreed to make a chance to talk about Riverton then Ian would drop it and honor her decision on Riverton. Ian warned Susanna to end her relationship with Riverton. He feels Lord Riverton if she treasured her life. He felt Lord Riverton was after susanna’s dowry as he had been with Ian’s sister Beth. But beth had been kidnapped then murdered and Ian felt Riverton had something to do with it Susanna did agree to help Ian investigate Riverton. Ian brings out feelings in Susanna that she thought weren’t possible. Ian finds he wants Susanna but tries to stay away as he felt he didn’t deserve love and marriage and family as he failed to protect his sister Beth.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the plot. The suspense, adventure, and mystery in this book. I liked that the romance developing between Ian and Susanna Beth. and then to know a very similar thing was happening to other engaged women. I really liked how close Susanna and her family and her sister in law. I did feel the ending was too rushed and would have liked the book to show Susanna and Ian get married. I do feel Ian was a little selfish how he was and acted toward Susanna especially not worrying at all about her reputation. I liked the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

From goodreads: I really wanted to like this book. The premise is great, the plot was interesting and I really wanted to know how the mystery would play out. I also liked a lot of the characters - and would be particularly interested in seeing what Susanna's sister's story is.

Unfortunately, I found it hard to enjoy a lot of the reading experience, I just wanted to finish to find out what happened. I found myself not believing in the historical setting from the start. It just didn't feel real, like it should when reading historical romance. The author doesn't have to get every little fact right, but to me, the tone of the novel is really important and A Suitable Affair didn't manage to achieve it.

The main issue I had was the motivations of the two main characters just didn't make sense, and most of the 'will they end up together' elements of the book were boring and dragged. The middle of the book needed serious editing, and overall I think failed to achieve the right balance between the necessary drama of a romance novel and over the top, ridiculous conflict.

I don't think Erica Taylor is a bad writer, and I would probably give another of her books a go if I was interested in the premise. This book just needed more work.

DNF I will try again in the future (Have kept in my GoodReads to be read list)

1 1/2 Stars

I thought there was potential, especially in the beginning -- good banter, I was liking the writing just fine -- but then things went down hill and I had to slog through this book. It seemed to never end, yet nothing much really took place, 99% of it was too slow and then the climax and resolution was over in 2 or 3 pages. I didn't care for either character, which meant it all read like insta-love.

I didn't HATE any of this. I have nothing to bitch about. But I was so bored, it was a pain to finish and I didn't care about any of it. I should have DNFed, I suppose; one of these days I will learn.

I'm not writing Taylor off completely, but this one didn't work for me at all and especially considering the price, I can't see recommending it to anyone. <-- Things I *hate* saying as a reviewer, trust me.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~


I will be talking about the book on my next Whatcha Reading? podcast which is now up on TBQ's Book Palace (10/7).

Susanna has not been very lucky when it comes to attracting suitors, mainly because of her older brothers (especially the duke), so she's almost convinced herself to settle for boring Lord Riverton... Until Lord Westcott comes along and makes her realize that she can actually hope for more.

I really liked Susanna. And I felt so bad for her, everyone just wanted her to marry and move out. It's not like her brother didn't love her, but he obviously thought they would all be better off if she had her own house to manage (why scare off suitors then?). It's really unfair that a woman just stops having her own home when her brother gets married, even if she's been living there her whole life!

And Ian was a sweetheart! Although he was going waay too fast. He needed to calm down, and start to take some responsibility for his actions. Ian wanted to spend an awful lot of time with Susanna, but didn't want to marry her, and that was a little selfish... Good luck trying not to ruin Susanna's reputation, Ian! It's not like it's the 21st century. Be a responsible grown-up and propose!

He just kept asking too much from her, and was always trying to get her to answer his questions. But he never answered any of hers.

I would've liked to see someone worthy of Susanna coming out of nowhere, sweeping her off her feet and proposing... Now, what would you do then, Ian? Huh?? Would you let her go? It's like he thought she'd just be there for him and that there'd be no consequences or whatever... No, wait... I just don't know what was going on inside his brain.

The poor girl had so much pressure to get married that she would've accepted (almost) any offer.

And ok, all right, I know I'm just complaining about Ian, but what I said at first is true, he is a sweetheart. I just wanted to slap him for risking Susanna's reputation and not proposing to her when he obviously wanted to marry her.

Something I really enjoyed was that Ian and Susanna spend so much time together from the very beginning! We don't have to wait to finally see them together, it just happens right away!

A very cute couple. And a very cute ending, I would've liked to see more though :)

Another thing worth mentioning: Susanna's brother's relationship was really touching and I loved reading about him and his wife, I'm very interested in reading their own story.

Really recommend this to any fan of historical romance.

Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister’s marriage prospects are rather lacking. Unwilling to let an opportunity pass her by, she decides a loveless marriage is better than spinsterhood, as it will allow her to continue her charities.
The life of Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott, has been overshadowed by darkness and guilt for the past decade. Having abandoned his family when he was eighteen, Ian’s position within a secret division of the government has provided him an escape from the guilt he feels over the death of his sister.
When the Earl's horse almost tramples Susanna in the middle of Hyde Park, Ian embraces the chance encounter as a possibility for redemption, for Susanna’s soon-to-be fiancé is the man Ian holds responsible for the death of his sister. Can this damaged lord hope to absolve the guilt he feels for failing his beloved sister by saving this vibrant, and unsuspecting lady from a similar fate? And will this charity-minded well-bred lady, who is not the perfectly bound book as Ian assumes, be willing to take a chance on the unstable earl, when something more dignified and permanent is well within reach?
The debut novel by Erica Taylor, and it features a likeable heroine, a charming hero and a really clever plot that took me a while to figure out.. the mystery was interesting at the end even though I was almost bored by the time it was revealed.

If you like historical romances this story is for you. It will keep you guessing about who Susanna chooses and why she chooses the man she does.

Although this is historical fiction, it has it all! Balls, debutantes, handsome Earls, and an almost ripperesque mystery to be solved! Lady Susanna is unlike most ladies of the ton in her determination to be her own person; Lord Ian is a guilt ridden, lost, devilishly charming rogue with too many secrets to count! Buckle up because their story is going to be a wild ride!

One of the better romances I've read in a while. It had everything a compelling story should have. A smart heroine, a dashing albeit slightly annoying hero, a plot twist that you kind of see coming, but it's still good anyway.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The romance was tied into a murder mystery that had this reader unsure of the killer until the end. The plot was interesting, characters had intelligent and witty dialogue, and plot was not the run of the mill historical romance. Well done.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. For a first book, this seems to be a good start. The main characters are Susanna, who is a very capable young woman, and Ian, who is guilt ridden over leaving him family to go to war after his father dies. They meet after Ian almost runs her down with his horse and after several meetings they start to form an attraction that adds to the story. There is a mystery surrounding the death of Ian's sister and he suspect's a man that Susanna is expecting a marriage proposal from. The ending is abrupt and leaves you wanting a epilogue. The cover is not a good selling point for this book, it needs to be improved. The cost is not comparable to other exceptional historical romance writers.

A Suitable Affair is the debut novel by Erica Taylor, and it features a likeable heroine, a charming hero and a really rather clever plot with a twist it took me a while to figure out.

The heroine is the younger sister of a Duke who has recently got married after a courtship alluded to multiple times in the book as being dramatic and unconventional.
Lady Susanna Macalister is walking with Viscount Riverton when an out of control horse just misses trampling her. The horse is being ridden by Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott. Riverton acts more angry at having seen Westcott more than being angry at the possible injury to Susanna. At one time, he had been affianced to Westcott’s sister, Lady Elizabeth, before her untimely death. So upset is he that he abandons Susanna and her sister-in-law, Clara, to go home. Susanna is surprised at his reaction as he is now the man from whom she expecting a proposal.

Susanna’s brother, Andrew, the Duke of Bradstone, is not convinced that Riverton is the man for his sister and Andrew and Clara want her to find someone who truly loves her.

Though the plot and characters were good, the writing was clumsy. It took me a while to get into the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

This is the book I have struggled with most, so far, this year. 1.5 stars.

Set in England in 1813, it tells the story of the romance between Lady Susanna Macalister and Ian Carlisle, Earl of Westcott. Woven into the romance is an investigation into a series of murders of young women which the Earl is investigating as part of his Secret Service job. Implicated in this is Viscount Riverton who is wooing Lady Susanna. The plot is fairly simple but the book is a very long 332 pages and has an extremely abrupt final chapter.

The book needs the work of a good editor/reader who would have cut some of the tedious and inconsequential earlier chapters which did not move the story on and would have picked up the different spellings of the name of Westcott’s horse, for instance. This would have left room for a satisfactory ending-although by the time I had waded through, ANY anding was a blessed relief.

There was an obsession with describing furnishings and clothing, especially colours. There were too many social events, balls dinners, parties.

The author has a degree in History and this did show in the accurate use of real figures from early 19th century British politics.However, the book totally lacked historical feeling: the events could have happened at any time. There were a lot of inaccuracies, inexcusable given that almost anything can be checked on the Internet.For example “brunch” was not used in Britain until 1895, “cyan” not until 1879. The use of titles is a minefield and there were lots of mistakes with them here. A duke would never live in property described as a “manor”. Bonnets are made of straw never wicker. Some choices of given names seemed unlikely e.g. “Niles”.

The writing was also riddled with grammatical and syntactic errors.While I appreciate that it is acceptable for the narrative to be in American English, the dialogue should attempt to be as English as possible and reflect the period and class of the speakers. The speech here felt modern and inappropriate and the occasional attempts to use English words such as “bum” were ludicrous.
Constant use of “their graces” to describe a Duke and his Duchess was grating and wrong. No-one would ATTEND Eton and Oxford.

This was obviously the start of a series, since a huge cast of characters appeared. References were made to past events which, I assume will be expanded in future stories- the tale of the Duke and Duchess of Bradstone for instance. This was a source of irritation as it meant some things were left unexplained or hanging in the air.

There were good ideas behind this book Unfortunately they were badly executed.

Wonderful light read, perfect mixture of romance and mystery. I enjoyed this one very much.

A Suitable Affair is the debut novel by Erica Taylor, and it features a likeable heroine, a charming hero and a really rather clever plot with a twist it took me a while to figure out.

Sounds great, huh? Yeah... it's also really, really confusing. The heroine is the younger sister of a Duke who has recently got married after a courtship alluded to multiple times in the book as being dramatic and unconventional. I was absolutely, utterly convinced that Andrew and Clara were the subjects of an earlier book in 'The Macalisters'. Indeed, I enjoyed A Suitable Affair enough that I was considering purchasing that other book for myself.

See the first paragraph above and the phrase debut novel. There IS no earlier book in the series, and this means that, in fact, we have basically been dropped into the middle of something with already established characters, but with no way to know about them. I was reading this under the assumption that existing fans of the series would know exactly what was going on and be thoroughly enjoying seeing the stars of an earlier book feature again. But no. That's not what is going on here.

And that means that the editing of this book is a LOT worse than I thought. There were quite a number of mistakes, which since I received an ARC from NetGalley, I was going to assume would be corrected in the final edition. Mistakes like 'honesty' instead of 'honestly', 'softy' instead of 'softly', 'swamed' instead of 'swarmed' and 'persuing' instead of 'pursuing' - seriously a spellchecker should have caught THOSE. That's basic proofreading.

The muddle of existing characters with alluded-to interesting backstory is the job of a content editor, and it seems apparent that neither a competent content editor NOR a competent proofreader have been employed to finalise this book.

Which makes the Kindle price of $9.87 all the more shocking. That's just a fraction less than the PAPERBACK, and that's an appalling price strategy for an unknown author. It's a ripoff any way you look at it considering the relative production costs of paperbacks and ebooks; the Big 5 publishers have been employing this sort of strategy of late (and then complaining about falling ebook sales) but it's madness for a small press and a debut novel.

Erica Taylor, you are a really talented author with a knack for creating intriguing characters and fascinating plots, but you need to get the heck away from Amberjack Press. They aren't doing your book justice with their editing and they're ripping off your potential readers with their pricing. Get out and find a reputable publisher or hire an editor and self-publish. You'll win a lot more fans taking either route.

Five stars for the story; one for the editing and the pricing strategy, which I'm afraid rounds out to three. It is what it is.

Loved the chemistry between characters. Definitively a good buy.