Diane Farr: Falling for Chloe

Dashing Sylvester “Gil” Gilliland would no more think of ravishing — much less marrying — his comely childhood friend Chloe than he would his own sister. But Gil’s mother happily sees more to their bond than either yet realizes. And when the two innocents are caught in a deceptively compromising situation, she wastes no time in using it to her advantage — and theirs….

Soon enough, the pair find themselves no less than engaged — and no less than panicked at the very idea. But in a case of mother knows best, what seems a tender trap may free two stubborn hearts….

I have heard this book compared to Heyer’s Cotillion, which given the rough plot similarities is a fair match (ie faux betrothal between two life long friends). The biggest difference is that Cotillion gives us a lot more of hero Freddy, which I think is why it is often rated a reader top. Gil, Farr’s hero, is less present but I thought still very likeable. He is much more handsome than Freddy, and quite a bit cleverer, but still a devotee of fashion and generally a good soul. Chloe is more headstrong and impetuous than Kitty, or perhaps a little more world wise and less superficial about her interests.

That being said, Chloe and Gil are not pattern card cut outs of Reg Rom H/h. They are well written enough to have life and while maybe a bit modern in some of their sensibilities but aren’t anachronistic or overreaching in their less than historically accurate moments.

Farr, who many Reg Readers love, actually won me over again to her talent in the genre. Fans of her work with Lord Rival in The Fortune Hunter, will also love this prequel as we meet the Lord during his scandalous days of looking for an heiress. Readers who thirst for the bad-boy rakehell will not find it in the hero, Gil, but will get plenty of satisfaction in Rival as a secondary character.

Like Heyer, Farr uses subplot/supporting characters as a foil to the main romance. In Falling for Chloe, we have Chloe staying with the forlorn sister of Gil, Tish, who has gone a bit mad about Town. There are some sweet, real moments with Tish and her husband Robert that not only serve to help educate the provincial Chloe, but also provide the reader with a sense that Farr really does understand romance.

Clean and light on adult subject matter, with the exception of some innuendo, Falling for Chloe will appeal to the traditional Reg Rom readers. Probably not so much for those who like a fair amount of steamy scenes or erotic material–there is no bodice ripping or attention to physical arousal. Chloe does have an awakening, in a sense, of realizing her feminine desires but it is done tastefully and fondly enough that it will make readers past puberty smile with memories.

This was a quick read and probably one I will enjoy again. I recommend clean and trad. Reg Rom readers check out Farr and this book, you won’t be disappointed.

5 Stars 5 out of 6 Clean, traditional Reg. Rom with a sweet friends to lovers plot filled with challenges, tonnish activities, and funny, light hearted action.