An Unlikely Hero

by Gail Eastwood

Book Overview

Defending her gentle identical twin sister from undesirable suitors by arranging a match between Vivian and Lord Kentwell, strong-willed Lady Venetia is unprepared for her own feelings for him. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451190017
• ISBN13: 9780451190017
• Release Date: August 1996
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A Charming Story That Kept Me Wondering

Gilbey Kentwell, Viscount Cranford, doesn't feel comfortable at the estate of the Duke of Roxley, but his friend Nicholas, the Duke's son, persuades him to come, saying that he needs Gilbey's assistance as a chaperon for the house party. Gilbey knows that a viscount without great wealth cannot be considered a proper suitor to the Duke's daughters, so he agrees to go, knowing there will be no pressure to woo.Twins Venetia and Vivian are none too happy with their father's latest scheme to force them both to wed. However, perhaps this two week house party will turn up someone--two someones--they can content themselves with. The biggest problem is Vivian's secret illness: the girls feel they must find husbands before anyone finds out about her misunderstood condition, and Venetia has long since vowed to not marry until Vivian does as well.Gilbey discovers that his friend's sisters are not only beautiful, but charming and intelligent as well. He is one of the few guests who can tell them apart; to him, it is easy to note their differences. Gilbey is reminded, however, not once but twice by the Duke that he is not there to court his daughters, only to round out the male/female ratio.Gail Eastwood has written a compelling Regency with an important but not overpowering social message. It is also a fun twist on the twins theme, as the reader does not know for many pages which twin will end up with Nicholas. The girls are portrayed masterfully--the reader sees the differences in their personalities as easily as Nicholas does. Sympathetic characters and a story that keeps the reader wondering make AN UNLIKELY HERO a charming, enjoyable read.Kimberly Borrowdale - Under the Covers Book Reviews

Great follow-up book, sensitive handling of a disability

This book is a sequel to A Perilous Journey. It is the story of Gillian's twin, Gilbert. When I wrote my review of that book, saying that I wanted to see his story, I didn't know it had already been written! Now I want to see the story of Venetia and Vivian's brother, Nicholas(hint to the author!) Venetia, the heroine of this book, is much like Gillian, and that is probably why the hero feels so comfortable with her. She is the more out-going of the two girls, and is focused on protecting her twin Vivian and finding a husband for her. Vivian suffers from seizures following a head injury in an accident, and someone tries to blackmail the family because in the regency period, such a disability would be considered stigmatic. The plot revolves around solving this problem, finding a good husband for Vivian, and ultimately in the coming together of Gilbey and Venetia. The twin girls are daughters of a duke, and really expected to marry higher than a "mere viscount," which Gilbey is. The issues of epilepsy and the unfairness of the disparities in social class are handled sensitively and intelligently. This book was a worthy follow-up to it's successor, which also ranked 5 stars from me, and both are on my "keeper shelf." I hope to see more from Gail Eastwood. She has the ability to make me become a part of the story and cheer for the characters(I generally REALLY like her heros--they are definitely my type, being sensitive, strong, caring, and funny)