Ladies in Hating
Georgiana Cleeve and Cat Lacey are female Gothic novelists in Regency England. At first, Georgiana respects the other’s novels, but when similarities in titles, character names, and other details appear in their recent novels, Georgiana accuses Cat of stealing her ideas. A rivalry ensues with anger that is more displaced attraction than real rage. When the two arrive for an extended stay at the “haunted” Renwick House at the same time, they are now the heroines in a Gothic romance, complete with bat-infested passageways, a secret garden with a gravestone, strange screams in the night…and a corpse!
After a few stolen kisses, they are unable to control their passion for one another. Cut to hot and steamy sex scenes. Georgiana remembers that she hurts everyone who gets close to her, so she steps back. Cat is hurt and confused. Their relationship teeters one way and another as each deal with their difficult pasts. And who is pushing them toward similar research in their writing? And why? Is the house haunted? Where has Cat’s brother disappeared to? Is he in danger?
The tone of this story is light and playful. Georgiana and Cat are charming and intrepid. Although the title suggests a love-hate romance, I liked that the “hatred” is something the characters attempt, unsuccessfully, to manifest. These women are too kind and open-minded to hold on to anger. The romance is fun, but Georgiana’s push and pull does become frustrating. The mysteries are engaging and suspenseful. I wish the story spent more time focused on developing these Gothic plot points. Likely, fans of Vasti and devotees of Sapphic romances will disagree. A fun story.
