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The Rules of Gentility
Regency heiress Philomena Wellesley-Clegg has rather strong opinions about men and clothing. As to the former, so far two lords, a viscount, and a mad poet have fallen far short of her expectations. But she is about to meet Inigo Linsley, an unshaven, wickedly handsome man with a scandalous secret. He's nothing she ever dreamed she'd want—why then can she not stop thinking about how he looks in his breeches?A delightful marriage of Pride and Prejudice with Bridget Jones's Diary , Janet Mullany's The Rules of Gentility transports us to the days before designer shoes, apple martinis, and speed dating—when great bonnets, punch at Almack's, and the marriage mart were in fashion—and captivates us with a winsome heroine who learns that some rules in society are made to be broken.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2007
26 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Janet Mullany
19 books104 followersJanet Mullany was raised in England by half of an amateur string quartet and now lives near Washington, DC. Persecuted from an early age for reading too long in the bathroom, she still loves books and is an avid and eclectic reader. She has worked as an archaeologist, classical music radio announcer, arts publicist, and for a small press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 15, 2014
I'm concerned that many of the top reviews for this title seem to have completely missed the whole point of the novel.
It seems to me that a lot of the readers wrongly discounted this book as no more or less clever than much of the other regency fiction on the market. To my mind this is a regency that pokes fun at the whole genre (lovingly!) and subtly chides both the authors that overuse its tropes and the readers who allow them license to do so.
For instance, some point out that the male love interest, predictably a rake with a mistress and a money problem, is drawn in an unlikeable way, and why couldn't the author make him more sympathetic, and why wouldn't the female protagonist go for the nice, steady guy? THAT'S THE POINT, GUYS. Mullany is pointing out that the typical hero of a Regency novel is, to put it bluntly, kind of a douche, and if we draw him as this perfect, sensitive, ideal guy, then we are lying to ourselves.
Ditto the female lead. "I didn't like her, she was too silly and super into bonnets and really pretty shallow." Again, YES. OF COURSE SHE IS, THAT'S THE POINT. Many of the upper-crust society misses that get idolized in this genre were purposely engineered by society to be -- forgive me -- spoiled, willfully ignorant, and shallow. To draw these ladies as typically insightful, well educated, or in touch with the world around them is, again, to rewrite history.
I could go on. But let's not, I don't want to move into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say, PLEASE pay no attention to the ratings numbers -- this is absolutely a title worth picking up if you are a fan of the genre, satire, insight, and/or snarky, clever writing.
It seems to me that a lot of the readers wrongly discounted this book as no more or less clever than much of the other regency fiction on the market. To my mind this is a regency that pokes fun at the whole genre (lovingly!) and subtly chides both the authors that overuse its tropes and the readers who allow them license to do so.
For instance, some point out that the male love interest, predictably a rake with a mistress and a money problem, is drawn in an unlikeable way, and why couldn't the author make him more sympathetic, and why wouldn't the female protagonist go for the nice, steady guy? THAT'S THE POINT, GUYS. Mullany is pointing out that the typical hero of a Regency novel is, to put it bluntly, kind of a douche, and if we draw him as this perfect, sensitive, ideal guy, then we are lying to ourselves.
Ditto the female lead. "I didn't like her, she was too silly and super into bonnets and really pretty shallow." Again, YES. OF COURSE SHE IS, THAT'S THE POINT. Many of the upper-crust society misses that get idolized in this genre were purposely engineered by society to be -- forgive me -- spoiled, willfully ignorant, and shallow. To draw these ladies as typically insightful, well educated, or in touch with the world around them is, again, to rewrite history.
I could go on. But let's not, I don't want to move into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say, PLEASE pay no attention to the ratings numbers -- this is absolutely a title worth picking up if you are a fan of the genre, satire, insight, and/or snarky, clever writing.
January 26, 2012
This book was a good romp. I wasn't sure I liked it at first - it seemed a bit contrived and shallow. But then something happened in the second chapter. The story became really funny. I found myself laughing out loud. The novel does not take itself too seriously, and even seems to mock the genre at times. However, there is a tender story underneath the fun. I won't give anything away, but Inigo Linsey is one of the most interesting characters I've encountered in a regency novel. He reminded me a bit of Jude Morgan's witty Stephen Leabrook, though Inigo is much more sensual and sensitive. He practically smoldered off the pages of this novel.
November 12, 2016
Just noticed I haven't added this on GR. I read this a million years ago and it was one of the very few books I had DNFed.
March 27, 2010
Silly, and only in the "historical fiction" category because that's what it's supposed to be. The back blurb describes it as " delightful marriage of Pride and Prejudice with Bridget Jones's Diary," but ... well, Philomena seems too brazen *and* naive for her time, and the specifically verbal nature of P&P which makes it such a fun read is absent here.
Making herself put money aside every time she thinks of Inigo's trousers, even though she doesn't understand what's so interesting about them? Completely accepting the relationship with his "former" mistress and son? ... Just didn't seem to fit together.
Making herself put money aside every time she thinks of Inigo's trousers, even though she doesn't understand what's so interesting about them? Completely accepting the relationship with his "former" mistress and son? ... Just didn't seem to fit together.
January 14, 2017
DNF. I recognize that this book is intended as a spoof (at least I hope this was the intent) of the regency romance genre. I like a good spoof every now and then, but this book just didn't work for me.
February 16, 2016
A fun, gentle send up of Regency romances. How can you not love a hero whose estate is named Weaselcopse? A light romp, intelligent and well written.
April 17, 2020
A little ridiculous at times, but since I'm sure that is what it was going for I can't really fault it for that. Enjoyable way to spend a few hours, at the very least.
Read
September 10, 2010This laugh-out-loud Regency wasn't what I expected it would be. I knew it would be funny. I assumed it would be sexy. But I didn't expect it to broach themes usually avoided in romance, let alone Regency romance.
It pushed boundaries, but did it with such a light hand that I never felt bogged down by the darkness of it all. It's not an easy thing to do, but the author seemed quite comfortable cracking jokes in the back alleys of Regency romance. It's hard to be uncomfortable as a reader when the author displays such facility with the material.
Full disclosure: the author is a friend of mine through the Maryland Romance Writers, so I was inclined to like the novel at the outset, but I ended up liking it on its own merit. Impressive and surprising, this novel is a great beach read -- just be prepared to explain to your friends why you can't stop giggling.
It pushed boundaries, but did it with such a light hand that I never felt bogged down by the darkness of it all. It's not an easy thing to do, but the author seemed quite comfortable cracking jokes in the back alleys of Regency romance. It's hard to be uncomfortable as a reader when the author displays such facility with the material.
Full disclosure: the author is a friend of mine through the Maryland Romance Writers, so I was inclined to like the novel at the outset, but I ended up liking it on its own merit. Impressive and surprising, this novel is a great beach read -- just be prepared to explain to your friends why you can't stop giggling.
August 25, 2014
This book is definitely what it promises in being a historical take on Bridget Jones's Diary, and not much more, so don't expect a great literary work.
That said, this was a quick read, and a lot of fun. The characters don't have great amounts of depth, and it's fairly predictable, but I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. The ending was a bit odd and unresolved in some ways, and I was a little disappointed with it - it felt like Mullany got tired of her characters and wrote it off as quickly as she could. I'd recommend this for a historical fiction fan looking for a beach or fluff read, because fluff (admittedly, enjoyable fluff) is exactly what you'll find.
That said, this was a quick read, and a lot of fun. The characters don't have great amounts of depth, and it's fairly predictable, but I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. The ending was a bit odd and unresolved in some ways, and I was a little disappointed with it - it felt like Mullany got tired of her characters and wrote it off as quickly as she could. I'd recommend this for a historical fiction fan looking for a beach or fluff read, because fluff (admittedly, enjoyable fluff) is exactly what you'll find.
August 15, 2022
This book made me laugh so many times! I read this in a day at the beach. It was a fun, short read.
March 19, 2018
A very enjoyable send-up of Regency novels. The characters are likable, and the story is witty and so much fun. A little like Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen, and a modern Regency romance rolled into one.
Very diverting!
Very diverting!
March 4, 2010
I can not believe this got published but I am happy it did, it had me giggling quite a few times. The author was shamelessly writing a chick lit novel ( though not really Bridget Jones, I think) and setting it in Regency times - and the result is fun, though thinking is probably not to be indulged. I got the feeling the author was making fun both of chick lit and regency conventions ( come on, sanding out Hebe´s nipple) and I was charmed. But I got a weakness for anything I consider satire... (but really if this book was not meant to be a satire I will eat somebody´s hat..)
May 14, 2009
The obvious formula here is Jane Austen meets Bridget Jones, but it feels more like Georgette Heyer meets contemporary chick lit. This was an enormously fun read, though about as substantial as a soap bubble; the characters will entertain you, but you probably won't come to care for them. I giggled through the whole thing, and would recommend this for anyone looking for a fluffy read.
September 22, 2008
Eh. It was a way to pass a couple of Sunday afternoon hours, but that's pretty much it for me. Witty in parts, but very shallow and I found the characters not terribly likeable. As with many books that throw around the Jane Austen comparisons, it only made me want to re-read hers.
May 5, 2010
Clever, charming and very, very funny.
May 22, 2015
3.5 Stars. A fun, albeit rather silly, tongue-in-cheek Regency romp. In fact, the fact that it was a silly book was the reason I picked it up. Perfect for a fun read out in the sunshine.
August 4, 2016
what starts as ridiculous hilarity turns into a seriously intriguing story!
I couldn't put it down!
I couldn't put it down!
May 23, 2025
Well this was an unexpected breath of fresh air. It was fun to read a different take on historical romance. It is everything other historical romances won’t touch on or it’s exaggerated here. I devoured this story. Is it terrible in some ways? Yes. It was on purpose. Everything in the plot and characterizations was on purpose.
Do your self a favor and get a copy of this that includes the author insights and extras.
The author explains in this section why she wrote the story the way she did the story started as a joke, to poke fun at historical romance and chicklit. She also didn’t want to write a lot of doom and gloom.
Enjoyed this immensely because it was different.
I will check out this authors other offerings.
Do your self a favor and get a copy of this that includes the author insights and extras.
The author explains in this section why she wrote the story the way she did the story started as a joke, to poke fun at historical romance and chicklit. She also didn’t want to write a lot of doom and gloom.
Enjoyed this immensely because it was different.
I will check out this authors other offerings.
September 18, 2025
As much as the beginning of the book was enjoyable and alluded to multiple love interests which I found exciting. By the 8th chapter Janet Mullany had written off all the male love interests and only truly focusing on Indigo Linsey way too soon in the book and eliminating any tension that she established in the first two chapters. After it’s revealed that the MMC Indigo Linsey had a child out of wedlock with his ex mistress the book became boring. I felt that the book became a satire of itself for the sake of “making fun” of regency romance. To claim that this author is anything close to Jane Austen while she pokes fun at the tropes that Austen invented is laughable at best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
I admit, when I first started this book, I was a little shocked by the main characters' behavior. Philomena Wellesley-Clegg and Inigo Linsley are just a little too over-the-top for anyone prancing around as a Regency purist. But, a few chapters in, when I finally let myself relax and enjoy this romantic romp, I enjoyed it like nobody's business. Mullany writes as one imagines people actually thought, beneath the prim-and-proper shell, and it was a hilarious ride. I didn't want to put it down, nor did I want it to end. Delicious fun.
July 10, 2022
Zany Historical Regency
This must be a one of a kind regency romance written mainly for laughs by Janet Mullany. Very well written it must be said but like no previous regency I have ever read. There's discussion of how well men look in their breeches, an out of wedlock baby borne by the protagonist and a well known actress, kissing with descriptions of tongues and their wetness, men of the ton peering down the heroines decolltege, etc, etc. It goes no farther than this I think because I did skip a lot although some of it was indeed very funny.
This must be a one of a kind regency romance written mainly for laughs by Janet Mullany. Very well written it must be said but like no previous regency I have ever read. There's discussion of how well men look in their breeches, an out of wedlock baby borne by the protagonist and a well known actress, kissing with descriptions of tongues and their wetness, men of the ton peering down the heroines decolltege, etc, etc. It goes no farther than this I think because I did skip a lot although some of it was indeed very funny.
June 19, 2019
LOVE IT.
This is my second time reading this book again and I absolutely adore every single page in here! All the witty, silly, and over-the-top expression is such a joy to me. I do hope to read more books like this and to appreciate them in their own sensibility.
This is my second time reading this book again and I absolutely adore every single page in here! All the witty, silly, and over-the-top expression is such a joy to me. I do hope to read more books like this and to appreciate them in their own sensibility.
July 22, 2019
Very entertaining book of manners, or the lack thereof and all those rules of gentility which they had back in the Georgian Era. Rather Austen-esque, but behind the scenes and not in front of company! Lots of laughter for me!
September 22, 2019
This was somewhat entertaining in the beginning, but them just devolved into utter silliness and never-gonna-happen and most characters behaving stupidly. This ended up as unfunny absurdity, when if more carefully done, could have been quite the slapstick romp.
July 6, 2021
Enjoyed the dueling thoughts
I did not want to put this book down after the first several pages. To be truthful, I was a bit confused at the beginning. It took those several pages to see that this book is the "conversation" between two people's thoughts. Clever!
I did not want to put this book down after the first several pages. To be truthful, I was a bit confused at the beginning. It took those several pages to see that this book is the "conversation" between two people's thoughts. Clever!
May 28, 2022
A gentle spoof on the genre of Regency Romances but as in all real good spoofs, it is actually a good specimen too. There's wit and humor. Also, there is more focus on physical awareness and sexual innuendos than in most Regencies but on the other hand aren't any love scenes.
It was fun.
It was fun.
January 18, 2023
I have read this book many times: when I need something funny, when I need a break from heavy content. This book doesn’t take itself seriously. A fun, quick, easy read with funny situations. Will never forget the A.R. S. E.
March 26, 2023
This was definitely an easy read but not really my thing. And I love Pride and Prejudice AND Bridget Jones's Diary. I don't really agree with comparisons made in the book blurb, which was what drew me in to reading this in the first place.
February 13, 2018
It was a fun read, poking fun at the usual Regency Novels. It alternated between the thoughts of the heroine and those of her supposed beau.
January 17, 2019
Took me a second to grasp that it was poking fun at Regency novels, it was adorably cute!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews