Title – Fool Me Twice
Author – Philippa Jane Keyworth
Genre – Historical Romance
Length – 211 Pages
Publication – December 2016
My Rating –4/5 Stars

Synopsis

In the gaming hells of eighteenth century London, orphan Caro Worth is leading a double life. By day she plays a proper gentlewoman on the lookout for a wealthy husband. By night she plays the infamous Angelica, her fictional half-sister with a talent for cards and an ability to finance the life her respectable self has built. An introduction to a rich Marquis brings marriage and security within Caro’s grasp…until the arrival of the unpredictable and totally ineligible Mr. Tobias Felton.

Dismayed by Felton’s persistent appearances, shocking frankness, and enigmatic green eyes, Caro watches helplessly as he comes closer than anyone to guessing her secret, but when complete and utter ruin threatens, she finds that Felton’s suspicions just might become her salvation. As the walls she has built to protect herself crumble down around her, Caro learns that no matter how careful your plans, life and love have a habit of falling quite spectacularly out of control!

Review

If you’ve read any of my reviews before you’ll know I’m not a fan of romance novels..it’s just not my genre but this book has a plot that easily overshadows the underlying romance of the tale.

Caro Worth has been left penniless and alone except for her trusting servants. She leads a double life as Angelica in order to pay her debts and to keep a roof over her head.

During the day Caro is looking for a suitor to save her. She isn’t intent on finding love..what she needs is safety and protection that can be given by a man of worth.

I didn’t really like that side to Caro,  she’s only after a man for the money and safety he can provide at first but you learn she does this with the best intentions, she’s not a black widow or a gold digger..just a woman in need.

In walks Felton, loved him. He’s a misfit and a constant embarrassment to his family. Felton and Caro’s worlds collide and he finds himself drawn to her.

There’s a lot of back and forth between the two, neither wanting to fully admit the attraction that grows.

The plot thickens when another suitor appears on the scene..but he’s after Angelica, and he wants to treat her like his property. This man forces his way into Caro’s life by way of gossip and debt so she is stuck not knowing how to get rid of this unwanted attention.

When Felton puts things together you can see him change, he wants to help her as any respectable man should.

It would spoil the book if I told you what happens next but let’s just say Caro struggles to keep her secret and let anyone get close to the real Caro.

The book is well written and easy to follow. I loved the plot and was eager to see if Caro could find a way out of this mess.

The ending suited the tale perfectly for me and the romance while always a present undertone didn’t overwhelm the story.

Will Caro be saved? Will Felton become a man and take some responsibility for his life? Well why not have a read and find out?

My thanks go to the author and Rosanne at MStPublishing for the chance to read/review the book.

 To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads.