Daphne Wade has been working for the Duke of Tremore for several months, restoring the artifacts he uncovers in his own back yard for the museum he intends to shortly open. An orphan, Daphne was exceedingly grateful that the Duke took a chance and hired her, though no doubt her knowledge and experience of Roman artifacts hung heavily in her favor even as her gender went against her. But it is not gratitude that has Daphne jumping to do the Duke's bidding. Daphne has fallen in love with him, though she realizes nothing can happen between them. For one, his station is so much higher than her own. For another, he barely acknowledges her existence – and that is unlikely to change. Or is it?

Anthony, Duke of Tremore, is stunned when his antiquity restorer has a sudden personality change. Why, she has become critical of him when no one else dares, and wants to leave his employ to join his sister for the London season. He cannot imagine what happened to the plain woman he had barely noticed, unaware that she overheard him talking of her in most unflattering terms, and is completely unwilling to allow her to leave him in the lurch. But to what lengths will he go to keep her and her expertise by his side? And how is he going to handle this sudden attraction he feels for her?

Laura Lee Guhrke's Guilty Pleasures is a fabulous historical novel that I loved reading, and shall certainly do so again. The tale is one of a young woman undergoing an amazing transformation, from unnoticeable, plain and dowdy to outspoken and desirable. Her change is a remarkable one, yet everything she becomes is not something she didn't have in the beginning. For a long time, she has hidden her figure under baggy work clothes, and it is hardly surprising that Anthony thinks her a nervous, stuttering woman when she becomes tongue-tied in his presence. Anthony himself is also an excellently developed character, and a man I'd love to claim for myself. Their courtship is a rather unusual one, and I found the way the heroine stood against him when he is so used to compliance from everyone absolutely fantastic. The story is rather unusual in that the characters both have a love for historical artifacts, and the excavation of these artifacts is central and key to the story. The plot is solid, with a smooth flow and no errors. Ms Guhrke's writing style is excellent and ensures I will be reading much more from her, especially the others in this wonderful series.


Reviewed by: Elizabeth