MISS WINTHORPE'S ELOPEMENT: Harlequin Manga

This was lots of fun. Penelope is an heiress who wants nothing more than to be left alone to read all the books she wants but then her brother forbids her from buying anymore books until she gets married! Adam Felkirk is in debt after an unfortunate investment got ship wrecked-literally! So what can they do except have a marriage of convenience? Adam gets to pay off his debts with Penelope's money and Penelope gets the freedom she desires.
The story itself was cute and kind of silly at times. The art had personality and kept the tone light. I'm not sure how well it reflected the original novel but it was an enjoyable, quick read.

Lady Penelope adores reading books. She doesn't need anything else in her life except for her books, but her brother thinks it is high time she got married and he forbids her to read any more books in the house. (the toad!)

Lady P is supposed to attend parties, balls and picnics but instead of doing that she runs away to find a husband so she can get married and get back to her books. And she finds one!

Duke Adam Felkirk is distraught and troubled when he learns that his shipping business venture has failed and that the ship has sunk. He believes the only thing left for him to do is to commit suicide so that his debtors and servants can be paid and so he steps into an oncoming horse carriage and ends up married to Lady P in Gretna Green.

As the newly weds work out their arrangement Adam comes to realise that Penny is interesting, wise and hard working and despite the rude and sceptical response from high society, he really likes her. It is a like that will eventually turn into love but as the responsibilities and life of high society begin to intrude will Lady P be able to adjust to this new life even if she is entranced by Adam's library. Will she ever be entranced by Adam?

This was great with lovely drawings. It was a really entertaining story with characters that held my attention. I liked Lady P who loved her books more than the thought of marriage, and Adam was also a very caring Duke, wanting to do the right thing by his tenants and business partners. And then there were the naysayers who tried to put Lady P down but she manages to best them all and show them that she may not have beauty but she definitely has intelligence and love and of course it is her love that wins the day.

This is a really lovely story. It is one of those manga romances that is just so good I have to read the print version of the story. Definitely a good story to get into and highly enjoyable!

Copy provided by Harlequin/SB Creative in exchange for an unbiased review.