Loved the cover, loved the premise, and eagerly looked forward to Lilian and her Duke for reasons: I'd read a previous Heath romance and loved it and I was keen to read a romance with protagonists of a ripe age. Unfortunately, there were weaknesses that took me out of the story and I did not enjoy it. I was also looking forward to the original setting, not Regency England for a change, but the first quarter of the novel read more travelogue than romance. The protagonists were weakly drawn, especially Pietro. He was smirky and dislikeable and his opinions about marriage-seeking, conniving women grew wearisome. There was a strong scene where Lilian contemplates her middle-aged body, but the conversation that preceded it, pretty much stereotyping Italians and the English, was a cop-out of characterization. I would read Heath again, but I would approach with caution rather than the enthusiasm I initially had for Lilian and her not-so-irresistible duke.

This story has it all...great characters, passion and Italy! Need I say more. The author takes us on a wonderful story of two mature characters that unexpectedly find love and romance in the beautifully detailed setting of Rome.
Thank you for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I was looking forward to reading about older hero and heroine, and the book started really well. After the first half or so, however, it lost some steam, and the final third was marred by a "black moment' that has the supposedly mature heroine falling for gossip and acting like a teenager. This author's writing is always enjoyable, so there's that.

This books was a cozy romance. With intriguing characters, the author tells the story of this romance in a soulful way. The characters have flaws that enhance their likability. I enjoyed this book..

Reviewed excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2020/02/27/lilian-and-the-irresistible-duke-by-virginia-heath/)

My Rating: 4 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.


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Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The Art Collector Italian Duke (H) / The Charitable English Widow(h)

Sexual content: Some; “on-screen” and explicit; a fair amount also recounted, or mentioned in passing

Triggers: Recounted spousal death; drug abuse (not by H or h)

Grammar/Editing: This ARC had a number of formatting issues. I consistently have this issue with Harlequin ARCs.

Review: This quick paced novel is set in both Victorian London and Rome. It contains meticulous;y researched detail about art, Rome, the Vatican Archives, and many other historical facts. Readers should be aware that this book is centered around a sexual affair that evolves, so even if all of the sex isn’t “on-screen,” it is always present like another character.

The main characters of this novel are Lilian and Pietro, both of whom are widowed. At the beginning of the novel, it becomes apparent that they have met once before and were instantly attracted to one another, although neither is looking for a new marriage. Pietro is set against feelings and involvement (the contemporary reference would be “commitmentphobe”), due to his disastrous marriage. Lilian is less afraid than she is guarded. Regardless of their reluctance, however, they begin as friends and lovers and grow together.

The supporting characters in this novel are well-enough developed for their parts. Lilian’s children (each has their own book in the series) are actually surprisingly well-described given that they only appear briefly. The catty aristocratic ladies in Rome are also quite effective. The descriptions of the previous spouses were also well-done, making them seem as if they were living characters. I will definitely go back and read the previous installments of the series.

Art version: While not as breathtaking as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, this artwork is pleasing to the eye and will satisfy most art lovers who don’t mind a nude or two in historic paintings.



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't read a lot of regency romance books, but when I do, I reach for something by Virginia Heath. The stories she writes may have rather quick romances develop, but they also include a story about the characters that will draw you into their stories and have you feeling many different feelings. This story is no exception. Lilian Fairclough is a widow that still loves her deceased husband ten years later. She has devoted herself to raising her children and running his Foundation. Now that her children are happy and independent, they gift her with a trip to Rome accompanying her sister-in-law, Alexandra. Unbeknownst to Lilian, Alexandra and her friend Carlotta have an ulterior motive for this six week getaway, presumably for Lilian to view the great masters of Rome. Pietro, Carlotta's brother, met Lilian once and has never forgotten her. When she turns up in his home, he vows to stay away from her, after all, she is a guest in his home. Fortunately for both of them, feelings and fate have another idea.

I enjoyed reading about the relationship that developed between Lilian and Pietro. They were drawn to each other, but neither realized what was behind those feelings. Pietro had vowed to never get involved with a woman beyond physical pleasure, but no one really knew why. As he opens up to Lilian, I felt so bad for him. He had been through so much at a young age. The Italian acceptance of affairs is something that I am not always comfortable with and this book had me cringing a few times, but it was all part of the story plot. Lilian is such an open, giving, caring and loving person who is unable to hide or mask her emotions and Pietro is so closed. It was fun to see how Lilian could see beyond his mask and determine his feelings. Of course, it wouldn't be a romance unless there was some angst and situations that tear the couple apart and this story has a few. This was a well-written story, including a few romantic scenes, that were not too graphic. The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed visiting with both the main and the secondary ones. There were characters that I did not like at all and were responsible for some of the angst, but I like the presence of characters that I love to hate. I also enjoyed learning about some of the Renaissance artists, the countryside around Rome and the culture and lifestyle of the time. It was well-researched and added much to this story. Overall, I enjoyed this story quite a bit and definitely recommend it to those who enjoy romance, historical romance and even learning about a different time and place. I will continue to look for stories by this talented author.

Lilian Fairclough is a loose ends in her life, widowed for many years, she has devoted her life to her children and keeping the Fairclough Foundation’s doors open. But now her children are grown and married, her daughter and her husband have taken over running the foundation and while they are happy for Lilian’s help, they don’t really need her. So when the opportunity to visit Italy arose, Lilian was eager to have an adventure. She is traveling with her late husband’s cousin Alexandra – who warns Lilian that Italy is not like England and the Italians are nothing like the prim and proper English. This is something Lilian is very aware of since meeting Pietro Venturi, Duca della Torizia last Christmas and sharing a kiss with him that still haunts her all these months later.

When they finally arrive in Italy, Lilian is horrified to learn that they are staying with Pietro! Lilian had no idea his sister Carlotta moved back to his home when she was widowed. So after an awkward and embarrassing reunion – in which Pietro misunderstands Lilian’s arrival in his home and is unbelievably rude and crass to her, it becomes clear that this will not be a smooth journey to HEA. Lilian is hurt and angry, but her desire to experience Rome and to see art that she has only seen in pictures, outweighs her anger, she will ignore Pietro and enjoy the sights.
Pietro almost immediately realizes his error and apologizes at the first opportunity. He and Lilian share a love of art and agree to “forget” about the kiss and be friends. He shows her the fresco in his home and she is awed – but unlike others who have seen it, she is more interested in the story behind it – just like Pietro. Intrigued by her, he offers to show her the Sistine Chapel and tells her places to visit. They form a true friendship and try to ignore the attraction that is simmering between them.

When Pietro takes her to his gallery and shares his most treasured possession with her – sketches of the design of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo – the passion between them ignites and neither can deny it any longer. They begin an affair, but set rules and make it clear that the affair is temporary, goodbye will be goodbye. In addition, Pietro, who is quite the ladies’ man, has rules of his own that he doesn’t share with her. They embark on a very passionate affair, but soon they both realize they are in over their heads. And when Lilian learns of his past, she is hurt and decides to end their affair before she does the unthinkable and falls in love with him. But is it already too late? And can Pietro let go of the past and seize a chance at true love or will he let it condemn him to a lonely future?

I loved this book, it is well written, flows nicely and is almost impossible to put down. I love that Lilian and Pietro are older and shared more than just passion. The author did a wonderful job with imagery for this book, I was fascinated by the vivid descriptions of the art and the landmarks used in the story and had no problem visualizing based on her writing. The story itself was a lovely “second love” story, filled with emotion, steamy love scenes, heartache, guilt, learning to move on from the past and healing. It is definitely one of the better “second love” stories that I have read and I highly recommend this book. It is the final novel in an author collaboration series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*

A sensual journey of romance and an unexpected chance at finding love a second time. Prepare to step back in history and see beautiful Rome with all of its wondrous art and settings as described perfectly by this author. Virginia Heath has engaged her knowledge and historical facts perfectly as we follow widow Lilian Fairclough on her travels to Rome, where she meets Duke Pietro Venturi. Having shared a sizzling kiss a year hence while he was in London, it was one that neither had forgotten. As fate brings them back together, there is resistance at first but as they spend time together it is amazing how much they have in common and their attraction grows.
Lilian is a wonderful character. She is romantic, has a joy for life and loves the city and the culture. Pietro is the quintessential Italian lover, handsome, a little bit of a rogue but charming. As they give into their attraction, is that all it will be?
Amazing characters, scenic romantic vistas, witty dialogue and this author's magnificent prose bring this story full circle to be one that is a keeper and will be read again. Perfect.