The Romantic

Written by Madeline Hunter
Review by Nan Curnutt

Penelope, Duchess of Glastonbury, has been living separately from her abusive husband, but now he is demanding her return. She runs for help to her childhood friend and confidante, Julian Hampton. Julian is the darkly handsome and clever lawyer to Penelope’s brothers. He has always managed to protect Penelope in the past. He has also secretly loved her since their youth. Julian must fight to conceal his own desires as he struggles to protect Penelope from a clever and evil man.

This book, set in the mid-19th century, is the fifth in a series about various members of the London Dueling Society. Ms. Hunter skillfully portrays a man whose strong passion is at war with his masterful self-control. He is willing to sacrifice all, even his life, for the woman he loves, yet he will not reveal his love for her. Although the plot seems a bit elongated at times, the love and self-sacrifice of the two major characters is compelling. It’s, well… romantic.