Finally, This Season is a clever, charming tale that is a joy to read. Ms. Leone has put her finger on the pulse of the peerage, describing the ton in just a few succinct pages. She gets straight to the heart of all things from that time period—money, social position and marital alliances.

Alexandra’s father has told her she must choose a man to marry this social season. She is a dutiful daughter and wants to please her father but there are no eligible men who catch her attention. Alexandra doesn’t want to marry for social position or security, but for love. Annoyed by her current situation, one day she takes a walk in the park. She isn’t paying attention to where she is going or what she is doing and kicks a stone with a great deal of force off the path. The stone hits a man she hasn’t seen before. He is good looking and they begin to walk together. She tells him her tale of woe and he listens. Before she leaves they kiss. It is a kiss she can’t forget. The next night she attends a ball where she meets an Earl who catches her fancy. Will Alexandra finally be able to choose a man to wed?

I loved this little story. As I said, it pulls every aspect of the time period into play and it happens in a tightly written, witty few pages. I loved the way Alexandra was smart and knew her mind. Even though she wanted to please her father she knew she had to be true to her heart. Alexandra was forward thinking and ahead of her time. The handsome stranger had personality plus, and was a perfect hero. I thought it was great he demanded “payment” for being hit with a stone! Finally, This Season is a perfect example of short storytelling at its best!

Reviewed by: Marlene