The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

Nothing goes right for Eloise. The one day she wears her new suede boots, it rains cats and dogs. When the subway stops short, she's always the one thrown into some stranger's lap. Plus, she's had more than her share of misfortune in the way of love. In fact, ever since she realized romantic heroes are a thing of the past, she's decided it's time for a fresh start. Setting off for England, Eloise is determined to finish her dissertation on that dashing pair of spies, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. But what she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: the secret history of the Pink Carnation - the most elusive spy of all time. As she works to unmask this obscure spy, Eloise stumbles across answers to all kinds of questions. Like how did the Pink Carnation save England from Napoleon? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly escape her bad luck and find a living, breathing hero all her own?

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449 pages

Average rating: 6.94

18 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Anonymous
Nov 29, 2024
8/10 stars
I loved the direction Lauren Willig took this novel. It was like reading two books in one- a historical and a contemporary romance. However it blended seamlessly throughout the entire novel. It was actually one of the better romance novels by an unknown author [to me] that I have read recently. She is definitely an author that I will pick up again.
melbeesue
Oct 16, 2023
4/10 stars
The premise excited me, and the author had me at her mercy for that reason. And while I liked re-exploring the Scarlet Pimpernel and related English heroes of the period, I found this book to be little more than another bodice-wripping sexual romp through history. It was a predictable quick read.

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