Joanna Novins, The Souvenir Countess

The Souvenir Countess

Joanna Nevins

Berkley, Jan 2004

ISBN: 042519387X

1792 Paris remains an unsafe place for the aristocracy. Lady Alix de la Brou knows she must flee, but first searches for her missing mamam so that they can find sanctuary across the Channel. However, Alix instead finds herself in danger until visiting Englishman Rafe Harcourt rescues her from Madam Guillotine. To keep her reputation intact as they journey to England together, they marry though she is convinced she has wed a commoner.

In London, they separate and Alix moves in with her mother, who had previously escaped from France. Rafe missies his French spouse and wants her back, but she refuses to return to him saying he married her under false pretenses by not revealing he was an earl and only wed her to take her to safety in accordance with acceptable convention. Rafe has his work cut out as he courts his wife in an attempt to prove to her he loves her.

Though the heroine is a charmer, her behavior at times seems odd (battle fatigue syndrome perhaps?); yet fans will still enjoy this French Revolution Era romance due to the dysfunctional loving relationship between the lead couple. Rafe is a delightful protagonist while fans will feel empathy towards Alix's plight of loving him, but not able to trust his motives. Fans will enjoy Joanna Nevins swift-paced sensational story that brings the time period alive on both sides of the Channel inside a fine historical romantic read.

Harriet Klausner