REVIEW: ‘Compromised’ (2009) by Kate Noble

Compromised is Kate Noble’s debut novel. It is a traditional Regency romance, reminiscent of Mary Balogh’s style with a touch of Georgette Heyer.

Much to the delight of his nosey neighbours, diplomat Sir Geoffrey Alton has just returned to London after a number of years abroad. He is accompanied by his second wife, Romilla, and his two daughters, Evangeline and Gail. The girls are to make their debuts during the next social Season. The beautiful Evangeline, in particular, is expected to be a roaring success. Her younger sister, Gail, is less conventionally pretty, and chafes at polite society’s strict rules and conventions. She finds it difficult to conform to society’s idea of a proper young lady. Feeling suffocated by her stepmother’s rigid regime, Gail’s only solace is her early morning ride in Hyde Park.

Maximilian St. John, Viscount Fontaine, is under pressure. His father, the Earl, is threatening to disown him if he does not settle down and take a bride. When an early morning ride through Hyde Park ends in an undignified fall into the lake, Max makes the acquaintance of an annoying young girl who seems utterly unsympathetic to his soggy state.

Embarking upon the search for a suitable wife, Max is horrified to meet Gail again at a ball. Even more horrifying still is the predicament he finds himself in when circumstances force him to propose to Gail’s elder sister, Evangeline. Despite Evangeline’s undeniable beauty, Max soon realizes his affections lie elsewhere, and Evangeline finds herself attracted to Max’s best friend, Will.

Compromised is a conventional Regency romance with an entertaining cast of characters. Unfortunately, I found the first eight chapters hard-going and had problems engaging with the book. After a certain scene in chapter nine, my interest was piqued and I enjoyed the rest of the novel.

The problem for me with Regencies is that I overdosed on them several years ago. It takes a lot for a Regency-set historical to impress me. I tend to be far more tolerant of historical romances set in other eras, simply because they represent a refreshing change. Many elements of Compromised are typical Regency fare: a younger heroine and an older hero (Gail is 18, Max is 28); a comedy of manners; a beautiful sister contrasted with an awkward, bookish one; the struggle against convention which really is no struggle at all as it inevitably ends in marriage.

Despite not breaking any new ground in terms of storyline, Compromised does rise above many of its fellow historical romances it comes to characterization. I was particularly impressed with the evolution of the stepmother’s character. Romilla is probably the most nuanced character in the book. Gail is fun and acts her age, which is both positive and negative. I realize that it is probably historically accurate to pair an 18-year-old with a man a decade her senior. Somehow, though, this just doesn’t work for me. Despite my reservations about their relationship, Max is a worthy hero. He is not a miracle-worker who solves all problems by the end of the book, nor does he find a happy resolution in all aspects of the story which pertain to him. Evangeline and Will make a fine secondary couple.

If you are a fan of Regency-set historicals, Compromised in a worthy addition to the genre. Kate Noble has a crisp writing style and her debut novel has much to recommend it. Grade: B-

Tagged as: Historical Romance, Kate Noble