Review: An Unexpected Kiss (Captivating Kisses #1) by Alexa Aston

  

Print Length:  248 pages

Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing (February 4, 2025)

From Goodreads.com: A common laborer who becomes a marquess. A caring debutante who wants to be more than a pretty face in a pretty gown. An unexpected kiss, which changes the course of their lives . . .

London dockworker Julian Watts was born out of wedlock. Raised by his seamstress mother, he has only known gnawing poverty. Through a remarkable discovery, he morphs into Julian Barrington, Marquess of Aldridge. Thrust into a world he never imagined, Julian grapples with his newfound status and the weight of the responsibilities that come with it.

Lady Ariadne Worthington is on the verge of making her come-out when she meets her family’s new neighbor, a titled gentleman that she is inexplicably drawn to. Lord Aldridge becomes friendly with her brother and cousin, and the more time she spends in the marquess’ company, the more their attraction grows.

An unexpected kiss from Julian leads Ariadne to believe he will pursue her, but once the Season begins, he dashes her hopes, ignoring her and dancing with nothing but wallflowers. As a diamond of the first water, Ariadne has her pick of suitors, yet the come-out Season she had long looked forward to now holds no appeal because of her broken heart.

Will Julian find the courage to conquer his self-doubts and court the love he so desperately desires, or will he allow his feelings of inadequacy to prevent him—and Ariadne—from finding lasting love?

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My Rating: 2 stars out of 5

If you like your historical romances to be historically accurate, then this one will NOT be for you. To begin with, Ariadne is afforded the opportunity to meet Julian because she goes off "for a walk" unchaperoned, and then speaks to the man despite knowing better. 

Then later on, Ariadne talks about how her mother  neglected her duties. Going on to say how her BROTHER filled in the necessary gaps regarding etiquette, the behavior expected from her, and .... even the marriage bed. I'm sorry? Since when do brothers give their sisters advice like that? This is funnier considering Ariadne is one of the ones giving Julian not only societal cues, but also teaching him how to dance and how to play cards. 

And while this is also historically inaccurate, I also believe it had the potential to add some drama to this story. You see the old Marquess did something unthinkable for the time. When he got Julian's mother pregnant, he married her in secret (leaving a record of it). Then he went on to (illegally) marry three more times. Thankfully none of those women ever gave birth because can you imagine the scandal?! Honestly, I don't know which side-plot I would have liked more. If Julian had to oust the poor guy who had been raised thinking he was the heir, or if he had inherited six sisters all needing a come-out.  Both of those things would have been better than all of the things these two had in common, but refused to speak about.

As it stands, there was no drama to this novel. There was nothing standing in the way of their happiness expect Julian's own "imposter syndrome". Something that could have easily been remedied had they only spoken to one another sooner. They both wanted to help the poor of London, but because of his "humble beginnings" he felt he wasn't worthy of her? Good gracious. Watching these two stumble about was boring. 

However, the fact this was a slow burn romance that kept sex to the marriage bed instead of the books I usually read where the main characters sleep together and then decide they are in love? I will read book number two in this series based on that alone.