Book Review: Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare

Title: Beauty and the Blacksmith
Series: Spindle Cove, Book 3.5
Author: Tessa Dare
Genre: Historical Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: Avon Addict
Published: April 30, 2013 by Avon Impulse

Beautiful and elegant, Miss Diana Highwood is destined to marry a wealthy, well-placed nobleman. At least, that's what her mother has loudly declared to everyone in Spindle Cove.

But Diana's not excited by dukes and lords. The only man who makes her heart pound is the village blacksmith, Aaron Dawes. By birth and fortune, they couldn't be more wrong for each other...but during stolen, steamy moments in his forge, his strong hands feel so right.

Is their love forged strong enough to last, or are they just playing with fire?

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Unique set up for a historical romance with a commoner hero and high-born heroine. I enjoyed their honest relationship with its sexual and emotional intensity.

The Set Up: Diana is the town’s virginal beauty who’s been secretly lusting after the town’s blacksmith, Aaron. Would these unlikely people ever be able to make a relationship work?

Why I Read this Book: Avon Addict here!

What I Liked: I loved the set up here with Aaron being a craftsman blacksmith and Diana being the lady. They have realistic discussions about whether they can find middle ground to build a relationship on. They communicate very well with each and I love this in my romance. Aaron trusts that Diana knows her mind and Diana trusts that she loves Aaron without trying to change who he is. I was pleasantly surprised by the sensuality in Diana and Aaron’s romance and love that the author had both leads be sexual equals.

What I Also Liked: This is a light-hearted read with good secondary characters. Diana’s charming sister, Charlotte, is a lovely character with plenty of spunk. Given this is a novella, the romance is primary, as it should be, but there is a slight sub-plot of items coming up missing in the boarding house where Diana and her family live. The conclusion of this was humorous and fit with the tone of this light, fun novella.

What I Didn’t Like: I’ve not read any of the other books in the Spindle Cove series so all the characters were a bit much for me, especially because the couples from the previous stories were mentioned constantly.

IMO: I think series readers will love this novella and new readers, such as me, should be able to look past all the characters and just enjoy this fun, sexy romance.

J9’s Rating: