Johanna Lindsey's Man Of My Dreams was one of the first romance novels I ever read. I recently curled up with the ebook to reread it for the first time in years and still got that perfect, HEA-high that the best romances give me.
Lindsey does things that would earn most authors writing today a big slap on the wrist - she switches between her h/H's point of view every paragraph or two in some scenes, always letting us see into the head of whoever's having the most exciting thoughts. She mentions when characters don't notice something - "Megan looked away first, her face hotter than ever, so she didn't see the flush that also came into Devlin's cheeks" - which is bad form these days but, as in the above example, can be really fun for the reader.
And she's written a book that hinges on a silly contrivance - Devlin shows up at the heroine's house masquerading as a horse breeder, but he's actually the Duke of Wrothston. He needs to lay low for a while to avoid a duel and that's the solution he comes up with. Also straight out of Romancelandia? The heroine, Megan's, fantastic good looks. After one look at her, men drop to one knee and spout proposals. She's not just beautiful, she's dangerous.
I actually find Megan to be a really delightful character. She has this matter-of-fact attitude about her looks that I admired - she knows she's gorgeous but she doesn't dwell or gloat - and she's just as matter-of-fact and accepting of her flaws, like the fact that she's spoiled and stubborn. As a result, she never seemed childish to me. I think it takes a fair bit of maturity to know yourself and accept yourself so well.
Devlin is used to being the heartthrob in the room - he's a fantastically good-looking duke! But Megan's beautiful enough to smash even his composure and he meets her as a laborer, without the aphrodisiac effect of his title. He hates being at a disadvantage and reacts by cutting loose. He speaks his mind, courtesy be damned, and throws propriety to the winds.
The best thing about MAN OF MY DREAMS are the verbal sparring matches between Devlin and Megan. Their banter is quick and sexy and so fun. One early plot twist gets started when Megan informs Devlin that she's set her cap for a man she thinks she's never met, the Duke of Wrothston. Devlin is horrified to think how easily he'd have fallen under Megan's spell if he hadn't been warned about her title hunting & sets out to teach her a lesson.
The best parts of the book take place before the game is up and Devlin reveals his true identity, but this is still an all-time favorite for me.
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Top reviews from other countries
Amrita
The Sherring Cross series is an absolute delight ..
Reviewed in India on June 11, 2021
Tammy
Any book from joanna lyndsey is a great book for me so far
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2020