A Baron for Becky

Jude
Knight
Genre: 
Historical

At fifteen, Becky (aka Rose) was forced into a life of prostitution. Luckier than most girls in her situation, she was "rescued" from a brothel and turned into a courtesan. This protector was to be the final time she and her daughter, Sarah, would be beholden to a man for their living, but he sold the house—including the two females—to men he owed. If it wasn't for Aldridge, the Merry Marquis and someday Duke of Haverford showing up naked in her garden house, they would have been sold, and she would not have had her Baron.

 

"A Baron for Becky" is a fascinating look at ownership of all kinds. It does not seek to rewrite history when it comes to women owning anything. Titles and entailed ownership could indeed be held by women, but only at great cost, a vote, and Royal decree. Becky's evolution from courtesan to titled lady is a bit of a stretch, but not much of one with how it is all arranged. There are a few hiccups here - the prologue feels almost unnecessary, setting up one man for readers to know, and then he does not reappear until almost halfway through the book. The story also ends at 86%. So much time is given to Becky and Aldridge's relationship, and Aldridge and Overton's friendship, the spark between Overton and Becky just isn't at the same level of intensity. Nonetheless, all the characters are delightful, real, and three-dimensional, and the story is a scandalous romp into the past!

 

Julie York