A Reckless Desire: (The Breconridge Brothers) by Isabella Bradford-4 1/2 * REVIEW

Title: A Reckless Desire
Series: Breconridge Brothers #3
Author: Isabella Bradford
Genre: Historical Romance

Rating: * * * * 1/2

Publishers: Ballantine Books 

(Mar 1, 2016)

Paperback: 384  pages

ISBN: 978-0345548160

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

For fans of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries: the elegantly seductive third historical romance in Isabella Bradford's Breconridge Brothers trilogy.

Lord Rivers Fitzroy is as charming and sought-after as his rakish elder brothers, though he immerses himself more in dusty books and scholarly pursuits than in bawdy houses. Yet, Hell-bent on making the most of his remaining bachelorhood now that his father insists he marry, Rivers becomes the favorite of a troupe of Italian dancers. One night, after a performance, the handsome lord is challenged with a most provocative wager: Turn the players' meek and mousy cousin into the first lady of the London stage.

But Lucia di Rossi is not what she seems. Scorned by the rest of her family, Lucia longs for the respect and stardom of a great actress. Rivers's wager could be the answer to all her hopes—so long as he understands that she wants to be an actress, not his mistress. The two commence her metamorphosis in earnest—even as passion begins to take center stage. As Lucia's dreams come true, she fears that it may be Rivers, not she, who is the master performer. Is he only making her believe he cares? Has she found the spotlight only to lose her heart—or will the final curtain reveal a love strong enough to last?

Breconridge Brothers

1. A Wicked Pursuit (2014)

2. A Sinful Deception (2015)

3. A Reckless Desire (2016)

I've read lots of historical romances over the years 

and I loved this final book in the Breconridge

Brothers series immensely. 

Rivers was not the average Duke or Lord. He was more of a 

nerdy type of character(which I so loved)

 with his books and scholarly 

interests. He meshed quite nicely with Lucia as 

he takes on the role of teacher and trains her

not only in how to become a lady but 

in the art of becoming an actress. I loved the honesty 

and trust that they put in one another, 

something you don't encounter in relationships

in this era very often. Though the lack of that honesty 

towards the end caused me to give the book a 4.5 

rather than a 5 star review. 

(Yeah, I know we must have some conflict so 

that they can live happily ever after but I hate

 when characters act out of character 

for the sake of a story.) 

I loved the peek we get 

of both the dancing and acting profession 

from this era. Not  sure how historically correct it was 

but it was certainly fascinating. 

Enjoyed most of the secondary characters, 

other than River's Dad (who was a pompous ass) 

and his friend Everett (another ass). 

Having "met" his brothers and their 

wives from the earlier books, it was great to 

catch up with them and their growing families.

As usual, Bradford never failed to entertain 

and this was pretty much a cover to cover read 

over the period of a snowy day.