Confessions of a Little Black Gown

by Elizabeth Boyle

Book Overview

She spied him in the shadows . . .And in an instant, Thalia Langley knew the man before her was no saint. He might claim to be the Duke of Hollindrake's unassuming country cousin, but no man that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061373230
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Confessions of a Little Black Gown

Upon hearing the voice of a mysterious stranger in her brother-in-law's study, Thalia Langley thinks she just might have met her destiny...or not. How could the duke's bumbling, poorly-dressed vicar of a cousin be the man of her dreams? From the moment she meets the awkward Milo Ryder, Tally knows there must be more to him than meets the eye. And when a mysterious little black gown lands in her lap, Tally knows just how she's going to ferret out Mr. Ryder's secrets. Geoffrey, Baron Larken has been sent by the Crown to find and eliminate an escaped American pirate. A pirate that the beautiful Ms. Langley may have had a hand in freeing. Larken can't afford to make mistakes, and he definitely can't allow himself to be distracted by Tally. Yet what man can resist the woman who tempts him when she dons a deliciously scandalous dress? Passion, danger, intrigue, romance, and the perfect little black dress - Confessions of a Little Black Gown has it all. The fourth installment of Elizabeth Boyle's Bachelor Chronicles is a wonderfully entertaining read I could not put down. Tally is a heroine you have to adore. She's bright, inquisitive, caring, has a few unusual skills for a lady (such as her talent for picking locks), and has a slight knack for trouble. Ms. Boyle made me feel like I was following Tally along on her adventures, and I couldn't be more delighted. As for Lord Larken, he's the perfect spy hero: honorable, tormented, and genuinely good-hearted. With two such likeable protagonists, it was impossible for me not to root for their romance. Tally and Larken were perfectly matched with one another. Indeed, I couldn't put Confessions of a Little Black Gown down because I was so enjoying their almost cat-and-mouse game with one another as each tried to uncover the other's secrets. Though I'm not new to Ms. Boyle's work, I am new to this particular series and can say that this book only mostly stands on its own. All the information I needed for Tally and Larken's romance is provided in this book, but it was clear I was definitely missing information from previous books. Though that fact didn't prevent me from enjoying this story, I did end up emailing a few friends who had read the previous books and asking them some questions. All in all, I greatly enjoyed Confessions of a Little Black Gown. What's more, I'm incredibly grateful Tally's cousin Pippin's story, Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress, comes out soon because Confessions of a Little Black Gown ends with one heck of a cliffhanger for Pippin. Engaging and delightful! Shayna Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

A wonderful historical romance !!!

Lord Larken is asked to capture and kills an American spy - who and her cousin are hiding. Lord Larken ends up undercover as Duke of Hollindrake's ugly cousin but Thalia does believe his act. A nice mix of romance , humor and spy mystery. I enjoyed some of the twists and the chemistry of the characters was wonderful. I could not put it down , Enjoy! If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest; Sins of a Wicked Duke (Historical Romance), Her Notorious Viscount and Wicked As Sin: A Novel (Boscastle).

A Tidbit of Mystery

A wonderful, funny historical romance with well developed characters and plot. My favorite was Aunt Minty... would love to hear her story with her insightful witty character. The only shame is her introduction was so late in the story. I like the Pippin sideline in the story. However, I do hope Pippin's story ends in the arms of Gossett, not Dash. I am sure we will be entertained when Pippin's story continues even though it looks like it will be in the arms of Dash after some heartache. Poor Pippin! Elizabeth Boyle develops a marvelous story with well written language and character development. I look forward to hearing more stories from this author.

Fantastic Mystery!! Great Read! 4.5

I see that this book is not the first in a series, but this is the first I have read in it. Still, I did not feel I was missing anything and I loved this story. All of the characters were likable and well-defined and the romance was enjoyable. I felt like this was more mystery than romance, but it was a great mystery and it keeps you turning the pages wondering what will happen next. It was not totally predictable and you won't be able to put it down. The hero is hardened by a career as a ruthless spy bound by his honor and duty to his country, and to restoring the good name of his family. He is ordered on a new mission, which he is very reluctant to carry out...the killing of a friend who is wanted by the Bristish government. The heroine is the daughter of a former spy. She has traveled the world and knows the second that she meets the hero that her life is forever changed. But she has deep loyalities and familial obligations that stand in the way of this romance. She must learn who to trust and hopes that she makes the right decision in the end. I stayed glued to this book from the second I began reading it. I highly recommend it and think it will be a winner for anyone who enjoys suspense/romance.

amusing historical

In 1814 the Crown's master spy Lord Larken is assigned to assassinate Dashwell the American pirate who just escaped incarceration. Though he hates the assignment as he and Dashwell were friends before the second war with the colonies erupted; to accomplish his mission, Larken pretends to be a bumbling somewhat reticent vicar, Ryder, a cousin to a duke. The Langley sisters Thalia and Felicity (see LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE) helped Dashwell escape from prison. Thalia's luggage goes missing, but she receives someone else's trunk containing a little black gown that she puts on. When Thalia and the vicar meet, she rejects the notion this man is shy and clumsy; instead she believes he is hiding behind an image as she sees his gracefulness. He knows she abetted the pirate, but though he wants to arrest her he finds her arrestingly beautiful while she hides Dashwell from Ryder, a man who scares her because she is attracted to what he conceals. This is a wild Regency romance in which the War of 1812 has made friends and lovers into enemies. Larken seeks the woman who possesses the black gown because she will enable him to expose Napoleonic agents. However, he ends up with the wrong female due to the luggage mishandling. Filled with spins and twists, the latest Bachelor Chronicles is a terrific amusing historical filled with a warm romance and pot "boyled" intrigue. Harriet Klausner