No Mistress Of Mine (An American Heiress in London, #4) by Laura Lee Guhrke

Title: No Mistress of Mine: An American Heiress in London
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: American Heiress in London (Book 4)
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (August 30, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062334670
ISBN-13: 978-0062334671
Author's website: http://lauraleeguhrke.com/
Notes:  I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Once upon a time a Viscount's heir fell in love with a show girl. As one would expect, it did not end well. He fell into debt after financing a show which was supposed to make her dream of becoming a serious stage actor a reality. The show flopped, she ran off with a man who "made a better offer", and his heart was broken.

Now, 6 years later she has returned. The woman who broke his heart is back looking just as beautiful and tempting as ever. Will she wreak havoc on his life again or will he be able to resist her feminine charms?

This was the 4th book of Laura Lee Guhrke's An American in London series, and I wish I'd read all of the previous books. The camaraderie and support between these friends makes me wish I'd followed their stories from beginning to end. While I didn't feel lost, I could tell I missed out on something special. I'll have to see if I can fit the novels I've haven't read in the series in with the books I intend to read in the coming month. Here's hoping.

Lord Denys Somerton turns to his friends for advice when the woman who jilted him returns to town. He's being forced to work with her because she is his new partner at the Imperial Theater. He's worked hard to make the theater a success, and he doesn't want to lose it, but Lola, his former lover, is nothing if not persistent. She has not intention of selling. She has plans to star in a Shakespearean production and she intends to do it at the theater she partially owns. Denys fears this will have disastrous consequences like the last production he backed for her. He searches desperately to find a way to cut her out of the picture, to find a loophole in their partnership agreement, but to no avail. He appears to be stuck with her.

While I instantly liked  Denys, I had a hard time liking Lola in the beginning. We soon learn, however, things aren't quite so clear cut when it comes to Lola. She did not have an easy life, and there are things in her past that Denys knows nothing about--things that are unbefitting of a Viscountess. As the truth starts to emerge, and we get to know Lola, I couldn't help but change my opinion of her. She ultimately won me over, and I enjoyed watching these two kiss and make up.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a fun read with characters who were both complex and real. There was a touch of heaviness and depth to the story. It dealt with the fear of not being accepted for who you are and, being rejected by the one you've given your heart to--something I think we all can relate to. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.