Review: Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah

Reviewed by Jen
 

Deborah is a widow, who still has not recovered from her terrible marriage.  Though it has been two years since her husband died, his rejection of her haunts her and she blames herself for their inability to find happiness.  She finds her only solace in writing racy romance novels.

She is visiting her late husband's horrible cousin when she stumbles across a thief who is making his escape.  Rather than fear or revulsion, Deborah feels excited and curious about the housebreaker who steals a kiss before he makes his getaway.   And when she passes him on the street weeks later, an unlikely friendship is born.

Elliot has been leading a double life as the notorious Peacock for some time now.  No one realizes it, but the thefts he orchestrates have a greater purpose.  As a former soldier who lost a dear friend over the ignorance and tight purse string of those in charge, he wants justice.  He steals items that were misbegotten in war, from people who were less than honorable.  Then he sells those items to help the veterans who society now ignores.

When Deborah demands that he take her along on a job, it gives his adventures an entirely new rush. And it's in the aftermath that their mutual attraction really begins to take off. It's also where it hits its first roadblock.  For as much as Deborah wants Elliot, she can't get over her insecurities brought on by her husband's revulsion of her.  She runs away from Elliot. They circle back to each other. She runs again... and so goes the cycle.

I liked Elliot. He's a good guy and he is inordinately patient and forgiving of Deborah's seemingly bipolar behavior.  She wants him, she gets hot and heavy for him, then she slaps him down... over and over again.  And he keeps taking her back. I know I was supposed to feel sorry for Deborah, but I really felt more sorry for him. She didn't treat him very well.

I had a hard time liking Deborah. She is supposed to be smart, but even I figured out what the deal was with her husband early on... and after seven years, she is still clueless?  There are times when she has potential, like in her attempts to bring attention to Elliot's cause. But then she would freak out and push him away or shut down on him again. It just got old.

I did like their adventures together, both in the housebreaking and, later, with the veterans.  I also liked the elements of the story surrounding Deborah's writing and how it helped her cope.  I just kind of felt like Deborah's issues were overblown and I just wanted her to hurry up and get over it already.

Rating: C


*Book provided by author for review

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Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah

by Marguerite Kaye
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin