An Unexpected Gentleman is Book Two in the new series by Alissa Johnson. Book One in the series is entitled Barely a Lady.

Adelaide Ward must secure a financially stable marriage to ensure her impoverished family's continued well-being. Her only prospect at the moment is Sir Robert Maxwell, a local baron of more than adequate means. Adelaide has many responsibilities, including her family's modest property, her debt-ridden gambler of a brother, her brother's motherless child and her sister, and without a suitably comfortable marriage, all is lost. While at a house party where the baron is sure to propose, she encounters an oddly appealing, mysterious man who insists she rethink her marital prospects...and offers himself as an alternative.

Connor Brice has suffered much in his life, particularly the time he spent as a part of a press gang, not to mention the fact that his own brother set him up and had him jailed. The woes of his life certainly made a man out of Connor, and now, fabulously wealthy and prepared for anything, he wants revenge. Stealing his odious brother's intended bride seems a good place to start, but Connor never could have dreamed that he would come to have feelings for Adelaide and her odd little family. Given the choice, can Connor put aside his revenge for love?

An Unexpected Gentleman is a Regency-era novel that weighs the motives of one's life. Adelaide is a spirited and smart woman placed in most untenable circumstances. She will do whatever it takes to provide for her family, and she comes across as a woman of principle and intelligence. There is steel in her backbone, and Connor finds this out the hard way when he tries to use her as a pawn in his vengeful schemes. Connor is a man driven by the need for vengeance, and it was fascinating to watch him war with himself as he comes to care for Adelaide. Secondary characters were interesting as well, especially the gruff but endearing Gregory and Michael. The story flowed well, and I enjoyed seeing characters from Nearly a Lady again. The author tied up the pieces of the plot quite nicely, and these characters got a well-written and surprising ending. Five Angels.

Reviewed by: Michelle B.