Hannah’s Pick of the Week: The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit

‘”Do you know the word?”

Alexander felt himself in danger of blushing. He had done or witnessed just about every possible act that might call for embarrassment, yet he could not remember a single previous instance of blushing. Never had a woman–nay, any person–made him feel so off-balance. It was as if he were the innocent. He gathered himself to his full height, straightened his posture, and cleared his throat, as if to start the whole interaction over.

“I do.”‘

Sophia Benoit, The Very Definition of Love, page 40

I’m a historical fiction lover who is very difficult to please. If there are too many anachronisms, or if the writing is too choppy, or if the light doesn’t hit the pages just right: frankly, I am not afraid to DNF something if it doesn’t fulfill that itch. But this regency-era romp by a debut author was such a delight that I immediately re-read it after reading it (re: devouring it) the first time.

It begins with a traditional ugly-duckling tale: Harriet Barrington is sick of going to balls. Going on her fifth season and being known as the “other Barrington sister” has simply drained her of hope for a marriage prospect, and thus she would rather spend her time working on her dictionary of lay English jargon and cant terms. Harriet’s sisters, known to be beauties and considered a lot more interesting than wallflower Harriet, normally take up enough space on the dance floor for Harriet to sneak away to the estates’ library.

But this time around, known rake and philanderer Lord Alexander is waiting there, mistaking Harriet for her widowed (and land-owning) sister. Caught in a compromising position, what is Harriet to do but kidnap the hungover lord from his mistress’ estate and drag him into a carriage en route to elopement in Scotland. All she needs to do is convince this legendary Lothario that a no-strings-attached marriage is the best solution for them both.

The chemistry between Alexander and Harriet is both fiery and sweet all at once, the writing can be laugh-out-loud funny, and Benoit even supplies an index of all the Regency-era verbiage she uses in the back. I couldn’t stop until I had read this book in its totality.  Simply put, if you’re waiting for the next season of Bridgerton to release, or if you find yourself giggling and kicking your feet at the latest releases by Martha Waters and Suzanne Enoch, then The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit is a next great read for you.