What do you think?
Rate this book
Madison Sisters #1
The Countess
The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily-ever-after....
Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters' debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing's happened....
Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title - only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited "wife" - certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new "husband"... and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts!
Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters' debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing's happened....
Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title - only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited "wife" - certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new "husband"... and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts!
Audio
First published January 25, 2011
About the author
Lynsay Sands
126 books12.3k followersLYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author who is known for her hysterical historicals as well as the popular Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series. With her witty and charming personality, Sands describes books as, “Waking dreams or stories, tales to amuse, entertain and distract us from everyday life.” She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there are occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Visit her official website at www.lynsaysands.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 655 reviews
June 7, 2022
3.5 stars
Twins!
And one of them is evil.
This one has a wacky soap opera plot going for it, so if you're not on board with that sort of thing you're going to want to abandon ship quickly.
The upside is, if you are into fucknut crazy stories, then this has all the things.
The downside for me personally, was the actual romance. Don't get me wrong, she's nice and he's nice, but there's nothing in this that made me think they were soulmates or something. Which. Fine. I'm not a big believer in that one person for me kind of love. It's just that there was never a moment that I thought they were anything except two really great people who were happy to make the best out of being stuck with each other.
So, Christiana married Richard. Dicky was a complete horror to live with and isolated her from her family and friends. Until the day her sisters come to visit with some terrible news about their father's gambling problem.
At which point, Dicky drank some booze and dropped dead.
YAY!
Sadly, her little sister needs to find a guy to marry (who will agree to her terms) in order to save the family estate. So they put her dead husband on ice and head out to a ball.
Where they promptly run into her not-so-dead husband.
EXCEPT!
It's not her dead husband, Dicky, it's his twin brother, Richard! And Dicky wasn't actually Dicky, he was the evil twin, George. As in, George hired men to kill his older-by-3-minutes twin, Richard, and then took his place.
BECAUSE BODICE RIPPER REASONS.
This is a dodgy romance novel - for the love of god stop trying to make sense of it!
This means that Christiana wasn't actually married at all! She's been living with a man unchaperoned for a year and the SCANDAL will ruin her sisters and herself if it ever gets out.
And that still leaves the mystery of who poisoned Dicky, who's trying to blackmail the new/original earl, and why did her father lose all of his money in a gambling session that he can't even remember!?
WHAT?!
Exactly.
Oh, oh, OH!
And George/Dicky was impotent.
So she's also still a virgin. Thank god for the real Dick, amirite?!
Anyway.
This was cute. I originally rated it 4 stars, but I think I have to come down on that just a wee bit.
Still, this was fun enough as long as you don't take it seriously.
Twins!
And one of them is evil.
This one has a wacky soap opera plot going for it, so if you're not on board with that sort of thing you're going to want to abandon ship quickly.
The upside is, if you are into fucknut crazy stories, then this has all the things.
The downside for me personally, was the actual romance. Don't get me wrong, she's nice and he's nice, but there's nothing in this that made me think they were soulmates or something. Which. Fine. I'm not a big believer in that one person for me kind of love. It's just that there was never a moment that I thought they were anything except two really great people who were happy to make the best out of being stuck with each other.
So, Christiana married Richard. Dicky was a complete horror to live with and isolated her from her family and friends. Until the day her sisters come to visit with some terrible news about their father's gambling problem.
At which point, Dicky drank some booze and dropped dead.
YAY!
Sadly, her little sister needs to find a guy to marry (who will agree to her terms) in order to save the family estate. So they put her dead husband on ice and head out to a ball.
Where they promptly run into her not-so-dead husband.
EXCEPT!
It's not her dead husband, Dicky, it's his twin brother, Richard! And Dicky wasn't actually Dicky, he was the evil twin, George. As in, George hired men to kill his older-by-3-minutes twin, Richard, and then took his place.
BECAUSE BODICE RIPPER REASONS.
This is a dodgy romance novel - for the love of god stop trying to make sense of it!
This means that Christiana wasn't actually married at all! She's been living with a man unchaperoned for a year and the SCANDAL will ruin her sisters and herself if it ever gets out.
And that still leaves the mystery of who poisoned Dicky, who's trying to blackmail the new/original earl, and why did her father lose all of his money in a gambling session that he can't even remember!?
WHAT?!
Exactly.
Oh, oh, OH!
And George/Dicky was impotent.
So she's also still a virgin. Thank god for the real Dick, amirite?!
Anyway.
This was cute. I originally rated it 4 stars, but I think I have to come down on that just a wee bit.
Still, this was fun enough as long as you don't take it seriously.
August 11, 2022
I really enjoyed my first Lynsay Sands book! The Madison sisters were charming and hilarious in their pursuits to help each other and their father.
I’m glad I didn’t have to deal with Dickie for very long because he was exactly that. The story starts with Christiana being emotionally and mentally manipulated by her husband and he then turns up dead. No one seems overly upset about it and it seems like they will figure something out until his twin brother shows up and the whole thing turns into more drama than the sisters originally thought.
This gave me serious soap opera vibes and I’m not mad about it. I can’t wait to see what happens with the other two Madison girls!
I’m glad I didn’t have to deal with Dickie for very long because he was exactly that. The story starts with Christiana being emotionally and mentally manipulated by her husband and he then turns up dead. No one seems overly upset about it and it seems like they will figure something out until his twin brother shows up and the whole thing turns into more drama than the sisters originally thought.
This gave me serious soap opera vibes and I’m not mad about it. I can’t wait to see what happens with the other two Madison girls!
October 29, 2022
⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.
This was a rather charming and entertaining read.
With a farcical comedy feel to it.( Like it is intended to be I think)
The villain/villains was so over the top and the situations were so ridiculous but it was funny and the main characters had good chemistry.
But it was also a little bit simplistic and had some plot-holes.
November 26, 2019
I laugh a lot reading this book. plenty happening, and good characters.
November 17, 2010
Fascinating, touching and wickedly sexy. I just love Lynsay Sands hot writing style. I found a mystery that had me stumped. An adventure that had me on the edge of my seat, the closing had me wanting more. If you’re an historical romance reader please add this one to your list to try, especially if you like your books on the spicy side with a touch of humor.
Few spoilers below
Christiana wound up married to a hateful disrespectful man. Now she has no way out. After a year of living with this man, her sisters came to visit. This is where Christiana finally finds a way out of her marriage and she doesn’t have to do a thing (you have to read to find out what happens), but find his body and put him on ice, while she helps find her sister a husband at this ball that night. While at the ball an unexpected thing happens the dead Duke shows up. Needless to say Christiana is floored along with her sisters.
While Richard has already had a bad life and finds himself back in England and at a ball where he also finds he is married. His wife is there with a look on her face that is shocking because is a look of horror. What’s a man to do when his brother has already messed up his life and now he finds that he has to save this woman and her sisters from a scandal that his brother has caused. Then again he just may find his life has turned for the better, he just has to clean up the mess his brother has caused and find the killer before he finds himself dead also.
I love the way Lynsay wrote this book. The sizzle that you find between Richard and Christiana is wonderful. Richard has to make sure he takes care of her and to let her know he is not his brother. She in turn has to learn to let go and be herself again. You get a good feel for the sisters because they are very interactive in the story.
Few spoilers below
Christiana wound up married to a hateful disrespectful man. Now she has no way out. After a year of living with this man, her sisters came to visit. This is where Christiana finally finds a way out of her marriage and she doesn’t have to do a thing (you have to read to find out what happens), but find his body and put him on ice, while she helps find her sister a husband at this ball that night. While at the ball an unexpected thing happens the dead Duke shows up. Needless to say Christiana is floored along with her sisters.
While Richard has already had a bad life and finds himself back in England and at a ball where he also finds he is married. His wife is there with a look on her face that is shocking because is a look of horror. What’s a man to do when his brother has already messed up his life and now he finds that he has to save this woman and her sisters from a scandal that his brother has caused. Then again he just may find his life has turned for the better, he just has to clean up the mess his brother has caused and find the killer before he finds himself dead also.
I love the way Lynsay wrote this book. The sizzle that you find between Richard and Christiana is wonderful. Richard has to make sure he takes care of her and to let her know he is not his brother. She in turn has to learn to let go and be herself again. You get a good feel for the sisters because they are very interactive in the story.
December 12, 2017
If you're an Elizabeth Boyle fan but feel that she is perhaps a tad too historically accurate in her characters' behavior and speech and that her plots and characters are not silly, superficial and one-dimensional enough, then this Lynsay Sands book is the one for you. I'm pretty sure Sands wasn't even intending for this HR to have any "historical" in it, but why then bother to throw words like "aye", "'tis" and "'twas" into the dialogue as if attempting some kind of period speech? Just leaving it all modern would have worked better for me.
The plot is a farce and I'm sure it was meant to be so, but somehow instead of finding it LOL funny, I just found it to be silly. It also is full of more holes than Swiss cheese and is so simplistic that if it weren't for the several hot sex scenes, I would have thought it was a book intended for 15-year-old girls.
The characters are appealing in a one-dimensional, cartoonish way, but I like a little more depth in character and plot. The three sisters in the book (1800s England is the setting, I believe) are named Chrissy, Suzette and Lisa. 'Nuff said. So avoid this book if, like me, you prefer HR authors such as Madeline Hunter, Judith James, Joanna Bourne, Carla Kelly, Julia Ross, the old Mary Jo Putney (pre-Lost Lords), etc. On the other hand, if you like cute HRs, this is a cute one.
I'm not sure why I bought this the other day along with 3 other new releases. But since I put out my hard-earned cash for it I felt obliged to read it to the very end. Kind of like a punishment for being as silly as the characters in this book.
The plot is a farce and I'm sure it was meant to be so, but somehow instead of finding it LOL funny, I just found it to be silly. It also is full of more holes than Swiss cheese and is so simplistic that if it weren't for the several hot sex scenes, I would have thought it was a book intended for 15-year-old girls.
The characters are appealing in a one-dimensional, cartoonish way, but I like a little more depth in character and plot. The three sisters in the book (1800s England is the setting, I believe) are named Chrissy, Suzette and Lisa. 'Nuff said. So avoid this book if, like me, you prefer HR authors such as Madeline Hunter, Judith James, Joanna Bourne, Carla Kelly, Julia Ross, the old Mary Jo Putney (pre-Lost Lords), etc. On the other hand, if you like cute HRs, this is a cute one.
I'm not sure why I bought this the other day along with 3 other new releases. But since I put out my hard-earned cash for it I felt obliged to read it to the very end. Kind of like a punishment for being as silly as the characters in this book.
July 18, 2016
Completely nutso, wacky, and unbelievable. But funny!
December 25, 2010
The Countess is not only funny or intriguing, but it is sinfully sexy.
When Christiana’s mean, cruel husband Dicky Fairgrave drops suddenly dead of what they assume are natural causes, she and her sisters decide to put him on ice (literally) and go on as if life hasn’t changed except for the better. The First night of Dicky’s death Christiana decides to go to a ball with her sisters. With Dicky being dead and all you could only imagine their complete utter shock when they see Dicky at the ball.
Richard Fairgrave has just come back from America to confront his twin brother who has stolen his identity as well as married under his name. When Richard meets his “wife” at the ball he finds her to be a little less than he expected. But with some time and whiskey on Christiana’s part, he soon finds that he really wants to keep his “wife”. Now will he have to earn her trust to get to the bottom of her and who murdered his bother.
In my book Lynsay Sands could do no wrong. I loved the way the story was written and told. The characters are very much likable and enjoyable. The attraction between Richard and Christiana is just phenomenal and they fit perfect together. You also get a good look not only into Christiana's life, but her sisters as well. The story flowed so well I didn't realize I was turning the pages faster and faster wanting to know what was going to happen and who killed Dicky. Then having to slow down because I really didn't want it to come to the end. It kept my attention throughout the whole story and that is a huge plus.
The romance was absolutely outstanding. I couldn't get enough of how deep their emotions ran for each other. Suzette intrigued me so I am really looking forward to reading about her. Lynsay Sands just keeps you wanting more. And more do I want.
Over in all this book was fantastic, it was funny at times which I wasn't really expecting. The book wasn't all romance, it had mystery twist which I loved to pieces. This is truly a must read for not only Lynsay Sands fans, but romance fans in general. I am really looking forward to the next installment, The Heiress which is set to release February 2011.
When Christiana’s mean, cruel husband Dicky Fairgrave drops suddenly dead of what they assume are natural causes, she and her sisters decide to put him on ice (literally) and go on as if life hasn’t changed except for the better. The First night of Dicky’s death Christiana decides to go to a ball with her sisters. With Dicky being dead and all you could only imagine their complete utter shock when they see Dicky at the ball.
Richard Fairgrave has just come back from America to confront his twin brother who has stolen his identity as well as married under his name. When Richard meets his “wife” at the ball he finds her to be a little less than he expected. But with some time and whiskey on Christiana’s part, he soon finds that he really wants to keep his “wife”. Now will he have to earn her trust to get to the bottom of her and who murdered his bother.
In my book Lynsay Sands could do no wrong. I loved the way the story was written and told. The characters are very much likable and enjoyable. The attraction between Richard and Christiana is just phenomenal and they fit perfect together. You also get a good look not only into Christiana's life, but her sisters as well. The story flowed so well I didn't realize I was turning the pages faster and faster wanting to know what was going to happen and who killed Dicky. Then having to slow down because I really didn't want it to come to the end. It kept my attention throughout the whole story and that is a huge plus.
The romance was absolutely outstanding. I couldn't get enough of how deep their emotions ran for each other. Suzette intrigued me so I am really looking forward to reading about her. Lynsay Sands just keeps you wanting more. And more do I want.
Over in all this book was fantastic, it was funny at times which I wasn't really expecting. The book wasn't all romance, it had mystery twist which I loved to pieces. This is truly a must read for not only Lynsay Sands fans, but romance fans in general. I am really looking forward to the next installment, The Heiress which is set to release February 2011.
October 17, 2020
Ameii... Love... Encantador... Charming...
😍😍😍
No momento em que iniciei a leitura soube que seria impossível não gostar... Dito e feito... 🤭🤭 Tudo nessa story é muito lindamente escrito, desde o sofrimento a felicidade...
Lady Christiana e Richard Fairgrave 😍🥰
Ambos sofreram por causa de atitudes tomada por outra pessoa, e pagaram um alto preço, até que em um sopro do destino tudo mudou, e se encontraram vivendo uma linda aventura, em busca de solucionar esses problemas.. Mas o amo surgem nas atitudes que são feitas, e fica claro para qualquer pessoa que são perfeitos juntos.. 🥰🥰
Impossible not to love this story!!
#BoaLeitura!🎀 #GoodReading!🎀
😍😍😍
No momento em que iniciei a leitura soube que seria impossível não gostar... Dito e feito... 🤭🤭 Tudo nessa story é muito lindamente escrito, desde o sofrimento a felicidade...
Lady Christiana e Richard Fairgrave 😍🥰
Ambos sofreram por causa de atitudes tomada por outra pessoa, e pagaram um alto preço, até que em um sopro do destino tudo mudou, e se encontraram vivendo uma linda aventura, em busca de solucionar esses problemas.. Mas o amo surgem nas atitudes que são feitas, e fica claro para qualquer pessoa que são perfeitos juntos.. 🥰🥰
Impossible not to love this story!!
#BoaLeitura!🎀 #GoodReading!🎀
July 26, 2021
I read the second book in the series before this book, so I knew pretty much everything that was going to occur because the events in this book (minus the sex scenes) are repeated in the first 10 or so chapters of the second book, just through the point of views of the H/h. Yeah, so save yourself some time and skip this first book and just read books 2 and 3.
October 19, 2017
Christiana assumed she had met and fallen in love with the man of her dreams, Dicky Fairgrove. But once they are married Dicky dissolves all the charm and turns into a cruel, spiteful man always criticizing Christiana and refusing any callers or to go to any balls. When Dicky suddenly drops dead one afternoon, she decides, along with her two sisters Suzette and Lisa, to put him on ice (literally) and head to a ball to try to snare a husband for Suzette as their father has run up some gambling debts that need to be paid by her dowry. Christianna got a bum-deal when she married Dicky. He made promises of love and devotion, but on the day they got married, he dropped his facade of a white knight. And in the year since, he has been unloving and cruel. He insults her at every turn; has cut her off from society and those she loves. Straight away, The Countess sets the stage for scandal when Christiana and her sisters discover George, her abusive tyrant of a husband has suddenly died, leaving them with only two choices – bring in the authorities and face a scandal that could completely ruin them or keep silent long enough for Christiana’s sister Suzette to find herself a husband and solve their problems. What follows is nothing short of hilarious as Richard, George’s twin brother, appears on the scene ready to reclaim his life by revealing George as the fraud he is. Christiana, because of a gambling debt from her father, was forced to marry, a man that she once fell in love with and found charming and irresistable, however the minute he put his ring on her finger, everything about him changed. He was no longer the man she once knew, but someone that for a year, emotionally abused her, and Christiana desperate to escape but has no idea on how to go about it. Then her husband falls dead, and so as a temporary measure to escape a scandal until she can get her sisters married, she hides him away and puts him on ice..literally. But then that evening at ball, she comes face to face with a furious looking man that resembles her husband most strongly, and she is in shock...that after being dead has come back alive.
Fascinating, touching and wickedly sexy. I just love Lynsay Sands hot writing style. I found a mystery that had me stumped. An adventure that had me on the edge of my seat, the closing had me wanting more. This was a fun, sexy book...if you can get past the tad bit silly plot of hefting around a dead man numerous times! What fun! I almost wanted to make a new category of books to put this in -- SENSATION NOVEL! It's intentionally over the top, and an absolute pleasure to read.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies... I can't say exactly what I was expecting, but this was totally different from that! Right from the beginning of the book I was laughing, a lot, something you don't normally do while reading a regency romance. The best description I could come up with would be to say this book reminds me of the movie Clue. Lots of running around, dashing back and forth, attempted murders, an actual murder, blackmail, sex, scandal - and it's funny and lighthearted! A great story that had me in stitches with some of the laugh-out loud passages. Any easy-to-read and pleasing tale of murder, blackmail, and stolen identities. Not at all realistic, but totally fun! I think the basic plot is pretty well covered by the blurb, so I'm not going to go into it. It is worth mentioning, however, that there is quite a bit of humor involved in this book. Especially when everyone is trying to dispose of The Body! This was sweet and funny. Even with a plot I thought I would HATE it was trigger free and really just an easy read. There’s something about a historical romance written by Lynsay Sands that has me sighing even before I’ve cracked open the cover. Once again I found myself swept up in light and funny storyline with characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with. The Countess had everything that I have come to expect and love in a Lynsay Sands historical romance. The plots are always a little zany, parts that are laugh out loud worthy, and some serious passion. I am always ecstatic when I read a historical romance without the massive over-blown misunderstanding. It is a major pet-peeve when the insane misunderstandings take over, and any semblance of plot is left behind.
Christiana turned back to her sisters, most distressed to find her earlier good cheer suddenly replaced with a deep depression, and the blurted mournfully, "Do you know I've never seen Dicky daked? A wife should see a naked Nicky."
"Or even a naked Dick," Suzette put in dryly.
"Suzie!" Lisa gasped, blushing furiously.
"What? It's his name," Suzette pointed out.
Fascinating, touching and wickedly sexy. I just love Lynsay Sands hot writing style. I found a mystery that had me stumped. An adventure that had me on the edge of my seat, the closing had me wanting more. This was a fun, sexy book...if you can get past the tad bit silly plot of hefting around a dead man numerous times! What fun! I almost wanted to make a new category of books to put this in -- SENSATION NOVEL! It's intentionally over the top, and an absolute pleasure to read.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies... I can't say exactly what I was expecting, but this was totally different from that! Right from the beginning of the book I was laughing, a lot, something you don't normally do while reading a regency romance. The best description I could come up with would be to say this book reminds me of the movie Clue. Lots of running around, dashing back and forth, attempted murders, an actual murder, blackmail, sex, scandal - and it's funny and lighthearted! A great story that had me in stitches with some of the laugh-out loud passages. Any easy-to-read and pleasing tale of murder, blackmail, and stolen identities. Not at all realistic, but totally fun! I think the basic plot is pretty well covered by the blurb, so I'm not going to go into it. It is worth mentioning, however, that there is quite a bit of humor involved in this book. Especially when everyone is trying to dispose of The Body! This was sweet and funny. Even with a plot I thought I would HATE it was trigger free and really just an easy read. There’s something about a historical romance written by Lynsay Sands that has me sighing even before I’ve cracked open the cover. Once again I found myself swept up in light and funny storyline with characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with. The Countess had everything that I have come to expect and love in a Lynsay Sands historical romance. The plots are always a little zany, parts that are laugh out loud worthy, and some serious passion. I am always ecstatic when I read a historical romance without the massive over-blown misunderstanding. It is a major pet-peeve when the insane misunderstandings take over, and any semblance of plot is left behind.
Christiana turned back to her sisters, most distressed to find her earlier good cheer suddenly replaced with a deep depression, and the blurted mournfully, "Do you know I've never seen Dicky daked? A wife should see a naked Nicky."
"Or even a naked Dick," Suzette put in dryly.
"Suzie!" Lisa gasped, blushing furiously.
"What? It's his name," Suzette pointed out.
January 31, 2011
The Countess by Lynsay Sands was my first book by the author and I have to say, I really enjoyed it so I'm definitely looking forward to her next books! The book itself was sexy, witty, and amusing with a very engaging plot. It's slightly part mystery and romance but it fit well together. Throughout the entire story, I was clueless as to who the main culprit was, so if you like mystery with a touch of spice in the romance department in your historical romance books, then this is the one for you! Although I do have to admit that I thought the love between Christiana and Richard was rather weak. They definitely did have plenty of sexual chemistry, ahem! So I guess I just shrugged and went with it because their sexual chemistry was oh so hot.
The story starts out with an unhappy Christiana who is married to a horrible man who she fears. Her sister ends up arriving at the doorstep one day-- which of course, angers her husband. It was rather amusing as to what happened when she finds out that her husband had apparently died... so she ends up packing him in ice to preserve the body, literally! The reason why was quite simple, since her sisters were in dire need of a husband in order to access their dowry money, Christiana and her sisters decided to hide the body in order to have a scandal-free debut! This is where the fun truly begins because at that same ball, Christiana ends up meeting her husband's twin who she thinks is her dead husband come alive. This person is of course, the real Richard Fairgrave, while the one Christiana married was the evil twin named George who tried to kill Richard and impersonated him. You'll get it once you read it. Anyway, that's basically how Christiana ends up meeting Richard and how they both start to have feelings for one another. And making hot love scenes as well. *coughs*
To sum it up, I really did like the first book to this series and I can't wait for Suzette and Daniel's book, The Heiress. You pretty much get a preview of their relationship in The Countess, and I'm guessing Lisa the romantic of the sisters will end up with Langley in the 3rd book. The love scenes were sizzling and very hot, so you definitely don't want to miss that! I'll be giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
The story starts out with an unhappy Christiana who is married to a horrible man who she fears. Her sister ends up arriving at the doorstep one day-- which of course, angers her husband. It was rather amusing as to what happened when she finds out that her husband had apparently died... so she ends up packing him in ice to preserve the body, literally! The reason why was quite simple, since her sisters were in dire need of a husband in order to access their dowry money, Christiana and her sisters decided to hide the body in order to have a scandal-free debut! This is where the fun truly begins because at that same ball, Christiana ends up meeting her husband's twin who she thinks is her dead husband come alive. This person is of course, the real Richard Fairgrave, while the one Christiana married was the evil twin named George who tried to kill Richard and impersonated him. You'll get it once you read it. Anyway, that's basically how Christiana ends up meeting Richard and how they both start to have feelings for one another. And making hot love scenes as well. *coughs*
To sum it up, I really did like the first book to this series and I can't wait for Suzette and Daniel's book, The Heiress. You pretty much get a preview of their relationship in The Countess, and I'm guessing Lisa the romantic of the sisters will end up with Langley in the 3rd book. The love scenes were sizzling and very hot, so you definitely don't want to miss that! I'll be giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
February 27, 2019
2.5 STARS
I skipped through the last bit not gonna lie. I mostly just wanted to see how the mystery played out.
I skipped through the last bit not gonna lie. I mostly just wanted to see how the mystery played out.
December 30, 2010
The Countess was my first book by Lynsay Sands and I have found yet another author to watch and catch up with! This was a fun, sexy book...if you can get past the tad bit silly plot of hefting around a dead man numerous times! Christiana assumed she had met and fallen in love with the man of her dreams, Dicky Fairgrove. But once they are married Dicky dissolves all the charm and turns into a cruel, spiteful man always criticizing Christiana and refusing any callers or to go to any balls. When Dicky suddenly drops dead one afternoon, she decides, along with her two sisters Suzette and Lisa, to put him on ice (literally) and head to a ball to try to snare a husband for Suzette as their father has run up some gambling debts that need to be paid by her dowry.
Now, imagine their surprise when "Dicky" turns up at the ball! It is really Richard, or the real Earl, coming home to confront his twin brother George, who tried to murder him. Richard is just as surprised to find that he has a wife but is intrigued by Christiana almost immediately. After all, she might be a money hunter or a murderer! As the truth begins to unravel about George, Richard, the past and plans to best salvage and protect everyones reputation, Richard and Christiana develop deep (hot!) feelings for each other.
Part of what I really enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Christiana and Richard. She was attracted to him immediately, even though she thought he was her spiteful husband, and I was glad the truth came out fairly quickly. Though not until after they had a very steamy night together...that bit I didn't like too much as she had had a bit to drink and Richard seemed to take advantage of her, even though he didn't! But still.... I loved how Richard strove to prove to Christiana how different he was from George, and how he planned to stay that way and her gradual acceptance of that and her loosening of the ties she had restrained herself with to be "perfect" for George and go back to her carefree self was wonderful to read. I also really enjoyed the humor in this book. I mean really, first the sisters tote around dead George and then later on its Richard and his friend David moving him about. All the funny mishaps that happen while doing this were quite fun. The mystery surrounding Georges death was done well. It was not a huge part of the story but it offered just enough intrigue to help the story along. The relationship between the sisters is wonderful as well, and how Richard takes them all in as part of his family immediately and sets to protect their reputations was so sweet. Later on, when the sisters dad comes to rescue Christiana from her horrible marriage brought a smile to my face to have such a loving father. And this is yet another story that did not have that 'big misunderstanding' so that was a plus for me! Overall, if you are in the mood for a fun, sexy, with a bit of a mystery, pick up The Countess! I know I am looking forward to Suzettes story (which I think runs at the same time as this one so we will see how that goes!) in The Heiress and hopefully Lisas story later! 4 1/2 stars
I received this ebook from netgallery.com
Now, imagine their surprise when "Dicky" turns up at the ball! It is really Richard, or the real Earl, coming home to confront his twin brother George, who tried to murder him. Richard is just as surprised to find that he has a wife but is intrigued by Christiana almost immediately. After all, she might be a money hunter or a murderer! As the truth begins to unravel about George, Richard, the past and plans to best salvage and protect everyones reputation, Richard and Christiana develop deep (hot!) feelings for each other.
Part of what I really enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Christiana and Richard. She was attracted to him immediately, even though she thought he was her spiteful husband, and I was glad the truth came out fairly quickly. Though not until after they had a very steamy night together...that bit I didn't like too much as she had had a bit to drink and Richard seemed to take advantage of her, even though he didn't! But still.... I loved how Richard strove to prove to Christiana how different he was from George, and how he planned to stay that way and her gradual acceptance of that and her loosening of the ties she had restrained herself with to be "perfect" for George and go back to her carefree self was wonderful to read. I also really enjoyed the humor in this book. I mean really, first the sisters tote around dead George and then later on its Richard and his friend David moving him about. All the funny mishaps that happen while doing this were quite fun. The mystery surrounding Georges death was done well. It was not a huge part of the story but it offered just enough intrigue to help the story along. The relationship between the sisters is wonderful as well, and how Richard takes them all in as part of his family immediately and sets to protect their reputations was so sweet. Later on, when the sisters dad comes to rescue Christiana from her horrible marriage brought a smile to my face to have such a loving father. And this is yet another story that did not have that 'big misunderstanding' so that was a plus for me! Overall, if you are in the mood for a fun, sexy, with a bit of a mystery, pick up The Countess! I know I am looking forward to Suzettes story (which I think runs at the same time as this one so we will see how that goes!) in The Heiress and hopefully Lisas story later! 4 1/2 stars
I received this ebook from netgallery.com
January 6, 2016
I have been a big fan of Lynsay Sands more recent historicals such as The Highlander Takes a Bride, and I am really looking forward to Always (on hold at the library), so I thought I would try some of her other books while I wait. I am so glad that I did, as The Countess did not disappoint.
I listened to this book while I was working on a craft project over the weekend, and I laughed out loud so many times. I love it when a book puts me in a good mood... and my ratings are always based on how a book made me feel. This one was light-hearted and fun, and I am looking forward to continuing the series. I have to say that a good part of my LOL moments were due to the narrator as well. She did a fabulous job, particularly with the affectations of a drunk female.
So our heroine, Christiana Fairgave, has been married to a miserable man for the last year. He chastised her so much that she has quite lost herself and is now full of self-doubt and anxiety. Christiana could not understand what happened to her husband, Dickie, as he was so wonderful while courting her, only to do a complete 180 once the marriage vows were said. He has alienated her from all family and friends so Christiana is quite alone. I really felt sorry for her - Dickie took passive aggressive to a whole new level and found little ways to torment his poor wife. It would have drove me to murder. Luckily for Christiana, her husband apparently drops dead right when she needs to help her sisters and family out of a financial situation to avoid a terrible scandal. Imagine Christiana's surprise and horror when her dead husband shows up at the ball after she and her sisters had packed him away on ice!
The real Richard Fairbanks (who hates to be called Dickie) has made his way back from America after his twin brother (George) paid to have him killed so he could take his place in society. Unfortunately he shows up at the ball on the very day that George dies, which puts a kink in his plan for vengeance and restoration. He is also quite shocked to find that he apparently now has a wife... whom he doesn't find very attractive. Now that George is dead, Richard has to decide how to proceed. Should he keep his wife and act as if he was never gone - or should he try to expose Dickie's dirty deeds?
This story had such lovable and entertaining characters - I really can't say there was anything I disliked. Christiana and Richard were sweet and funny as our main pair, but the secondary characters played a big part and were just as engaging. I am looking forward to finishing out this series. The narrator was so good that I think I will do all of them in audio.
4.5 stars / 3 flames.
I listened to this book while I was working on a craft project over the weekend, and I laughed out loud so many times. I love it when a book puts me in a good mood... and my ratings are always based on how a book made me feel. This one was light-hearted and fun, and I am looking forward to continuing the series. I have to say that a good part of my LOL moments were due to the narrator as well. She did a fabulous job, particularly with the affectations of a drunk female.
So our heroine, Christiana Fairgave, has been married to a miserable man for the last year. He chastised her so much that she has quite lost herself and is now full of self-doubt and anxiety. Christiana could not understand what happened to her husband, Dickie, as he was so wonderful while courting her, only to do a complete 180 once the marriage vows were said. He has alienated her from all family and friends so Christiana is quite alone. I really felt sorry for her - Dickie took passive aggressive to a whole new level and found little ways to torment his poor wife. It would have drove me to murder. Luckily for Christiana, her husband apparently drops dead right when she needs to help her sisters and family out of a financial situation to avoid a terrible scandal. Imagine Christiana's surprise and horror when her dead husband shows up at the ball after she and her sisters had packed him away on ice!
The real Richard Fairbanks (who hates to be called Dickie) has made his way back from America after his twin brother (George) paid to have him killed so he could take his place in society. Unfortunately he shows up at the ball on the very day that George dies, which puts a kink in his plan for vengeance and restoration. He is also quite shocked to find that he apparently now has a wife... whom he doesn't find very attractive. Now that George is dead, Richard has to decide how to proceed. Should he keep his wife and act as if he was never gone - or should he try to expose Dickie's dirty deeds?
This story had such lovable and entertaining characters - I really can't say there was anything I disliked. Christiana and Richard were sweet and funny as our main pair, but the secondary characters played a big part and were just as engaging. I am looking forward to finishing out this series. The narrator was so good that I think I will do all of them in audio.
4.5 stars / 3 flames.
March 27, 2012
What fun! I almost wanted to make a new category of books to put this in -- SENSATION NOVEL! It's intentionally over the top, and an absolute pleasure to read.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies...
The most considerate thing Christiana's husband, Dickie, does in a year of marriage is to suddenly drop dead, leaving her a widow. The timing is a bit off, though, because Christiana's sister is in desperate need of getting married, and they simply can't go into mourning until they've gone to a couple of balls. So they tell the servants he's sick and not to be disturbed, then go to their ball.
But then....at the ball...Dickie shows up, alive and well. Except it's not Dickie, it's his identical twin brother, Richard. Dickie is actually George, who thought he had killed his brother in a fire, and then stolen his identity. And some people are starting to get suspicious that Dickie isn't really Richard, except now his he...or will be, as soon as he decides what to do with the body.
And on and on! This stayed lively and fun from start to finish. I definitely recommend for romance fans in the mood for a light, fun read.
www.christineamsden.com
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies...
The most considerate thing Christiana's husband, Dickie, does in a year of marriage is to suddenly drop dead, leaving her a widow. The timing is a bit off, though, because Christiana's sister is in desperate need of getting married, and they simply can't go into mourning until they've gone to a couple of balls. So they tell the servants he's sick and not to be disturbed, then go to their ball.
But then....at the ball...Dickie shows up, alive and well. Except it's not Dickie, it's his identical twin brother, Richard. Dickie is actually George, who thought he had killed his brother in a fire, and then stolen his identity. And some people are starting to get suspicious that Dickie isn't really Richard, except now his he...or will be, as soon as he decides what to do with the body.
And on and on! This stayed lively and fun from start to finish. I definitely recommend for romance fans in the mood for a light, fun read.
www.christineamsden.com
November 16, 2020
Ричард Феъргрейв и Кристина Мадисън
Не знам защо се колебах толкова дали да започна книгата. Останах истински очарована. За пореден път, Линзи ми отвя главата. По-чаровна, нелепа и забавна книга не съм чела до сега.
След като бащата на Кристиана, който никога не залага, изневиделица губи огромна сума на хазарт, толкова голяма, че да не може да се издлъжни, се появява млад красив лорд, Ричард Феъргрейв, който иска ръката на Кристиана и я ухажва неимоверно, обещавайки, че ще плати дълга на баща й, ако тя се омъжи за него. Кристиана, която не се смята за голяма красавица е заслепена от факта, че толкова влиятелен и красив лорд е поискал ръката й и приема. Но веднъж щом клетвите са изречени, Ричард, или както той иска да го наричат Дики, се превръща в чудовище, което в продължение на цяла година тъпче и унижава Кристиана, карайки я да се чувства глупава и грозна. Той прави всичко по силите си да я отдели от всички приятели, познати и роднини и непрестанно я малтретира психически. Кристина се превръща в бледа сянка на щастливата жизнерадостна жена, която е била... но всичко се променя, когато една сутрин открива съпруга си мъртъв в кабинета му.
Точно в деня в който двете й сестри, Сюзет и Лиса идват, за да кажат на Криси, че баща им отново е изгубил цяло състояние на хазарт, и за да го спасят, Сюзет е решила да сключи брак с някой джентълмен, който има нужда от пари и с който ще сключи сделка, той да получи половината й зестра, а тя с останалата ще плати дълговете на баща им, трите откриват Дики мъртъв. Баща им има само 2 седмици да плати дълга си, но ако сега обявят, че Дики е мъртъв, няма да могат да излязат в обществото, където Сюзет да си намери подходящ съпруг.
По тази причина на трите им хрумва гениалната идея да завлекат трупа в спалнята му, да го покрият с лед и да кажат на всички, че е болен, за да си осигурят няколко дни в които да намерят съпруг на Сюзет. Криси е извън себе си от щастие, че се е отървала от ужасния си съпруг и още същата вечер отиват на бал, първият както за Кристиана, така и за сестрите й, които така и не са имали дебют, и се забавляват истински, до мига в който на бала се появява не кой да е, а съпругът й, който в този момент би следвало да е мъртъв и покрит с лед в спалнята си.
Ричард, истинският Ричард Феъргрейв, се завръща у дома след година и половина изгнание в колониите. Неговият браат близнак Джордж, урежда смъртта на Ричард, за да заеме мястото му, представяйки се за истинския граф. Ричард обаче успява да убеди нападателите си да не го убиват и така се оказва пребит и болен в Америка, където му отнема цяла година да се възстанови и да изпрати вест на най-добрият си приятел, Даниел Удууд, който на мига заминава за Америка, за да върне приятелят си у дома.
Отново на родна земя Ричард е готов да се изправи пред брат си и да му поиска сметка, когато научава, че брат му не просто се е представял за него женейки се за млада дама, но точно днес най-несъобразително е умрял. Сега Ричард се изправя пред дилема. Дали да разобличи публично брат си, излагайки на позор съпругата му, която се оказва, че е живяла с Джордж цяла година, без да имат истински брак, и да рискува дълъг съдебен процес, с който не се знае дали ще успее да докаже самоличността си, или просто да се отърве от тялото на брат си и да заеме мястото си, оставайки женен за младата дама.
Ричард решава да избере опция номер две, и от тук започва веселбата. Кнгата бе толкова забавна и моменти толкова налудничева, че се прививах от смях докато четях. От всички абсурдни ситуации с трупа на Джордж, като това, че първо сестрите го мъкнеха увит в килим, търкаляха го и го влачеха, преди да го покрият с лед, през решението на Ричард и Даниел да го изнесат от дама, подмятайки го по коридори и стълби, после го метнаха през прозореца и едва сгънаха вкочанения труп за да го набутат в карета, до решението им да го върнат обратно на мястото му, просто съм се хилила като умопобъркана. Имаше толкова забавни моменти, че дори не мога да опиша всичко. Отделно след всичко, което Криси беше изстрадала и това колко й беше трудно да разбере в началото защо Дики се е променил толкова много и след това, когато разбра, че Ричард не е мъжа с който е живяла цяла година, през цялото време се боеше да не би и Ричард подобно на Дики да се промени изведнъж и да стане зъл, но Ричард беше прекрасен. Мил, внимателен, разумен и любвеобилен. Един наистина прекрасен герой, който буквално обожавам.
Хареса ми това, че трите двойки в книгите бяха в непрестанен контакт и съконспиратори в историята и се чудя дали сега следващата книга за Сюзет и Даниел, ще започне от тук, където свърши в тази книга, или авторката ще ни представи всичко, което ни беше подхвърлено като кокълче сега в пълната му светлина. От запознанството им, през всички страстни срещи, за които се разбираше между другото в тази книга.
Цялата история бе толкова различна от всичко, което съм чела, толкова оригинална и необикновена която имаше възможността да бъде една доста тъмна история, но Линзи я е превърнала в нещо забавно, сладко, романтично и прекрасно. Препоръчвам наистина горещо на всички фенове на любовните исторически романи, които искат нещо ралзично, свежо, забавно и пълно с романтика.
Не знам защо се колебах толкова дали да започна книгата. Останах истински очарована. За пореден път, Линзи ми отвя главата. По-чаровна, нелепа и забавна книга не съм чела до сега.
След като бащата на Кристиана, който никога не залага, изневиделица губи огромна сума на хазарт, толкова голяма, че да не може да се издлъжни, се появява млад красив лорд, Ричард Феъргрейв, който иска ръката на Кристиана и я ухажва неимоверно, обещавайки, че ще плати дълга на баща й, ако тя се омъжи за него. Кристиана, която не се смята за голяма красавица е заслепена от факта, че толкова влиятелен и красив лорд е поискал ръката й и приема. Но веднъж щом клетвите са изречени, Ричард, или както той иска да го наричат Дики, се превръща в чудовище, което в продължение на цяла година тъпче и унижава Кристиана, карайки я да се чувства глупава и грозна. Той прави всичко по силите си да я отдели от всички приятели, познати и роднини и непрестанно я малтретира психически. Кристина се превръща в бледа сянка на щастливата жизнерадостна жена, която е била... но всичко се променя, когато една сутрин открива съпруга си мъртъв в кабинета му.
Точно в деня в който двете й сестри, Сюзет и Лиса идват, за да кажат на Криси, че баща им отново е изгубил цяло състояние на хазарт, и за да го спасят, Сюзет е решила да сключи брак с някой джентълмен, който има нужда от пари и с който ще сключи сделка, той да получи половината й зестра, а тя с останалата ще плати дълговете на баща им, трите откриват Дики мъртъв. Баща им има само 2 седмици да плати дълга си, но ако сега обявят, че Дики е мъртъв, няма да могат да излязат в обществото, където Сюзет да си намери подходящ съпруг.
По тази причина на трите им хрумва гениалната идея да завлекат трупа в спалнята му, да го покрият с лед и да кажат на всички, че е болен, за да си осигурят няколко дни в които да намерят съпруг на Сюзет. Криси е извън себе си от щастие, че се е отървала от ужасния си съпруг и още същата вечер отиват на бал, първият както за Кристиана, така и за сестрите й, които така и не са имали дебют, и се забавляват истински, до мига в който на бала се появява не кой да е, а съпругът й, който в този момент би следвало да е мъртъв и покрит с лед в спалнята си.
Ричард, истинският Ричард Феъргрейв, се завръща у дома след година и половина изгнание в колониите. Неговият браат близнак Джордж, урежда смъртта на Ричард, за да заеме мястото му, представяйки се за истинския граф. Ричард обаче успява да убеди нападателите си да не го убиват и така се оказва пребит и болен в Америка, където му отнема цяла година да се възстанови и да изпрати вест на най-добрият си приятел, Даниел Удууд, който на мига заминава за Америка, за да върне приятелят си у дома.
Отново на родна земя Ричард е готов да се изправи пред брат си и да му поиска сметка, когато научава, че брат му не просто се е представял за него женейки се за млада дама, но точно днес най-несъобразително е умрял. Сега Ричард се изправя пред дилема. Дали да разобличи публично брат си, излагайки на позор съпругата му, която се оказва, че е живяла с Джордж цяла година, без да имат истински брак, и да рискува дълъг съдебен процес, с който не се знае дали ще успее да докаже самоличността си, или просто да се отърве от тялото на брат си и да заеме мястото си, оставайки женен за младата дама.
Ричард решава да избере опция номер две, и от тук започва веселбата. Кнгата бе толкова забавна и моменти толкова налудничева, че се прививах от смях докато четях. От всички абсурдни ситуации с трупа на Джордж, като това, че първо сестрите го мъкнеха увит в килим, търкаляха го и го влачеха, преди да го покрият с лед, през решението на Ричард и Даниел да го изнесат от дама, подмятайки го по коридори и стълби, после го метнаха през прозореца и едва сгънаха вкочанения труп за да го набутат в карета, до решението им да го върнат обратно на мястото му, просто съм се хилила като умопобъркана. Имаше толкова забавни моменти, че дори не мога да опиша всичко. Отделно след всичко, което Криси беше изстрадала и това колко й беше трудно да разбере в началото защо Дики се е променил толкова много и след това, когато разбра, че Ричард не е мъжа с който е живяла цяла година, през цялото време се боеше да не би и Ричард подобно на Дики да се промени изведнъж и да стане зъл, но Ричард беше прекрасен. Мил, внимателен, разумен и любвеобилен. Един наистина прекрасен герой, който буквално обожавам.
Хареса ми това, че трите двойки в книгите бяха в непрестанен контакт и съконспиратори в историята и се чудя дали сега следващата книга за Сюзет и Даниел, ще започне от тук, където свърши в тази книга, или авторката ще ни представи всичко, което ни беше подхвърлено като кокълче сега в пълната му светлина. От запознанството им, през всички страстни срещи, за които се разбираше между другото в тази книга.
Цялата история бе толкова различна от всичко, което съм чела, толкова оригинална и необикновена която имаше възможността да бъде една доста тъмна история, но Линзи я е превърнала в нещо забавно, сладко, романтично и прекрасно. Препоръчвам наистина горещо на всички фенове на любовните исторически романи, които искат нещо ралзично, свежо, забавно и пълно с романтика.
July 1, 2011
Oh, my heavens, what a wonderful time I had with this book! Lynsay Sands, of course, is a fave of mine, love her historical romance novels with a passion. This book is all you expect from her and then some. That then some is the humor. Though the story is full of mystery and misery, the wittiness, fun, and romance interspersed throughout makes this book one of the best of the year. It’s only February, but I know that already.
We learn right off that Christiana is in a bad marriage, one full of verbal abuse. Her husband, the Earl of Rador, or Dicky as he likes to be called, has chipped away at her self-esteem over the year since their wedding. He’s basically imprisoned her, keeping her from family and friends, including highjacking correspondence to and from her sisters. Christiana now doubts her judgment in all things, mostly in people and their character. How could she have been so taken in by the charming earl who led her to believe she’d have her happily ever after? And what happened to that man after the vows were said?
When she learns of Dicky’s underhandedness concerning her letters to family, Christiana talks herself into the backbone she once had and decides to confront him, while also hoping he will once again help take care of her father’s recently acquired gambling problem, a problem that surfaced last year and prompted Christiana’s marriage to the earl. Unfortunately for Christiana, her taking control comes a tad too late - she finds her husband lying dead on the library floor. What to do now? Well, what any self-respecting countess would do - keep the body on ice until she and her sisters can resolve the impending scandal!
Their resolution is to find a suitable husband - one who needs money - for Suzette, a man who will agree to leave enough of her dowry to cover the outstanding gambling debts. So off they go to a ball that evening, ready to husband hunt, but Christiana is dumbfounded when who but the earl himself should walk into the room, alive and well! The ensuing comedy of errors is just delicious. She’s confused at the behavior change in Dicky since his resurrection. He’s kind and gentle with not a harsh word to her. What she doesn’t know is that this is the true Earl of Radnor, Richard, who has been believed dead in a fire, has just returned from America after a long illness and is ready to wreak revenge on his twin brother George for his hand in Richard’s supposed death and stealing his identity.
Richard’s not sure what to do with his sudden new wife, except protect her from scandal the best he can once he discovers George and his current situation. I don’t know how many times I laughed out loud once Richard and his close friend Daniel become involved in moving the iced corpse to stave off any future blackmail due to George’s behavior while he impersonated Richard and/or any repercussions once the entire duplicity is found out, which they’re hoping to avoid. Richard, of course, is the complete opposite of George, hero material to the max, and Christiana is not the only one to eventually fall in love with him. Daniel becomes more involved also when he’s the one Suzette chooses to marry, though she doesn’t know the whole truth about him. I enjoyed their growing relationship and look forward to their story in the next book.
The banter among all the characters, sister to sister, Richard with Christiana and Daniel, Daniel with Suzette, including others, is so much fun. You go from serious angst to lightheartedness and back quite a bit and it’s done seamlessly with Ms. Sands’ superb writing. In between all of that is the love Richard and Christiana find together, each having to overcome their personal issues to make the relationship work. They’re a very engaging couple and I enjoyed every minute with them.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
We learn right off that Christiana is in a bad marriage, one full of verbal abuse. Her husband, the Earl of Rador, or Dicky as he likes to be called, has chipped away at her self-esteem over the year since their wedding. He’s basically imprisoned her, keeping her from family and friends, including highjacking correspondence to and from her sisters. Christiana now doubts her judgment in all things, mostly in people and their character. How could she have been so taken in by the charming earl who led her to believe she’d have her happily ever after? And what happened to that man after the vows were said?
When she learns of Dicky’s underhandedness concerning her letters to family, Christiana talks herself into the backbone she once had and decides to confront him, while also hoping he will once again help take care of her father’s recently acquired gambling problem, a problem that surfaced last year and prompted Christiana’s marriage to the earl. Unfortunately for Christiana, her taking control comes a tad too late - she finds her husband lying dead on the library floor. What to do now? Well, what any self-respecting countess would do - keep the body on ice until she and her sisters can resolve the impending scandal!
Their resolution is to find a suitable husband - one who needs money - for Suzette, a man who will agree to leave enough of her dowry to cover the outstanding gambling debts. So off they go to a ball that evening, ready to husband hunt, but Christiana is dumbfounded when who but the earl himself should walk into the room, alive and well! The ensuing comedy of errors is just delicious. She’s confused at the behavior change in Dicky since his resurrection. He’s kind and gentle with not a harsh word to her. What she doesn’t know is that this is the true Earl of Radnor, Richard, who has been believed dead in a fire, has just returned from America after a long illness and is ready to wreak revenge on his twin brother George for his hand in Richard’s supposed death and stealing his identity.
Richard’s not sure what to do with his sudden new wife, except protect her from scandal the best he can once he discovers George and his current situation. I don’t know how many times I laughed out loud once Richard and his close friend Daniel become involved in moving the iced corpse to stave off any future blackmail due to George’s behavior while he impersonated Richard and/or any repercussions once the entire duplicity is found out, which they’re hoping to avoid. Richard, of course, is the complete opposite of George, hero material to the max, and Christiana is not the only one to eventually fall in love with him. Daniel becomes more involved also when he’s the one Suzette chooses to marry, though she doesn’t know the whole truth about him. I enjoyed their growing relationship and look forward to their story in the next book.
The banter among all the characters, sister to sister, Richard with Christiana and Daniel, Daniel with Suzette, including others, is so much fun. You go from serious angst to lightheartedness and back quite a bit and it’s done seamlessly with Ms. Sands’ superb writing. In between all of that is the love Richard and Christiana find together, each having to overcome their personal issues to make the relationship work. They’re a very engaging couple and I enjoyed every minute with them.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
January 27, 2021
"Two nights," she said tightly. "We cannot risk any more than that."
"Two nights," Suzette agreed on a breach of relief. Christiana shook her head. "We are mad."
"The mad Madison sisters," Suzette said with a sudden grin.
March 3, 2011
Christiana could not help but agree to marry Dicky after their whirlwind courtship. He was courteous, charming, and quite frankly treated her like a princess. But that all changed after their "I Do's". Instead of the fairytale marriage she expected, Dicky became cruel, mentally abusive and alienated her from her friends and family. When Dicky suddenly drops dead she is definitely no heartbroken widow. Instead she and her sisters hide the body away and attend a ball. Needless to say it is quite the surprise when shortly after their arrival at the ball they encounter Dicky... alive and well.
Richard Fairgrave - the real (and much alive) Earl of Radnor has come back to London to confront his twin brother who has stolen not only his identity but his life. But before finding his brother, he runs into his "wife". A wife who is staring at him with nothing short of horror. Now what is a respectable man to do - make known the fact that his brother usurped his life... or find a way to save this woman, her sisters and himself from scandal...
I loved this story! Ms. Sands expertly weaves a tale full of mystery and adventure but also full of laughter and romance. I absolutely loved all the characters in this story... well, everyone except that despicable Dicky (whom thankfully dies right at the start). Their interactions were downright hilarious. From Christiana's efforts at trying to catch a glimpse of Richard's bum, to the dead body that keeps popping up at the most inopportune moments. I loved it! I found myself laughing out loud constantly. Christiana and her sisters (whom are very interactive in this story) were a hoot. I loved how they dealt with Dicky's death, their father's gambling and eventually with their own beau's in the story. The gentlemen - Richard, his close friend Daniel, and Robert (the girls' childhood friend) were also just as entertaining. The romance between Christiana and Richard sizzles. Their chemistry (even that one time with the whiskey) was spot on. I loved their interludes, their push and pull, the private conversations in the "closet", etc.
This was such an unexpected treat. It was light-hearted, romantic and insanely funny. A great beginning to the series and a fabulous introduction to this author - since this is my first Lynsay Sands book.
Richard Fairgrave - the real (and much alive) Earl of Radnor has come back to London to confront his twin brother who has stolen not only his identity but his life. But before finding his brother, he runs into his "wife". A wife who is staring at him with nothing short of horror. Now what is a respectable man to do - make known the fact that his brother usurped his life... or find a way to save this woman, her sisters and himself from scandal...
I loved this story! Ms. Sands expertly weaves a tale full of mystery and adventure but also full of laughter and romance. I absolutely loved all the characters in this story... well, everyone except that despicable Dicky (whom thankfully dies right at the start). Their interactions were downright hilarious. From Christiana's efforts at trying to catch a glimpse of Richard's bum, to the dead body that keeps popping up at the most inopportune moments. I loved it! I found myself laughing out loud constantly. Christiana and her sisters (whom are very interactive in this story) were a hoot. I loved how they dealt with Dicky's death, their father's gambling and eventually with their own beau's in the story. The gentlemen - Richard, his close friend Daniel, and Robert (the girls' childhood friend) were also just as entertaining. The romance between Christiana and Richard sizzles. Their chemistry (even that one time with the whiskey) was spot on. I loved their interludes, their push and pull, the private conversations in the "closet", etc.
This was such an unexpected treat. It was light-hearted, romantic and insanely funny. A great beginning to the series and a fabulous introduction to this author - since this is my first Lynsay Sands book.
July 17, 2011
I didn't realize that Sands had another historical romance until I happened across this one at BN the other day. I had to give it a try since I really liked her Scottish highlander series. This one was a regency novel which I can be picky about, so I was surprised by how much I liked it. What was great about this one was that not only did it have that great romance I was looking for but it also had a little mystery to go along with it.
Christiana is the main character, and the book starts off with her suffering through a horrid marriage. Her husband Richard changed from the moment they said "I do" and became a dominating and cruel man. When Christiana finds out that he has been turning away people who come calling for her, she isn't sure what to do. When she gets word her sisters are there to see her, she rushes down to prevent him from sending them away. The news they bring is disastrous and means her younger sister needs to find someone to marry quickly so they can get money to help their father out. When Christiana decides to confront her husband and demand he stop treating her so badly she finds him dead. She knows she must hide the body otherwise the whole family will be forced into mourning and the sisters won't be able to settle the father's debt. So they go out to husband hunt and to Christiana's surprise, in walks Richard back from the dead.. sort of.
I loved Richard and Christiana together, I liked watching their relationship develop and navigate all the issues that Christiana had about marriage. The mystery surrounding Richard and who is trying to kill him was great and I had a hard time figuring it out. Christiana's sisters were really amusing and I particularly liked Suzette, she had a great attitude and was very forward thinking. I think the next book is about her and I look forward to that.
Christiana is the main character, and the book starts off with her suffering through a horrid marriage. Her husband Richard changed from the moment they said "I do" and became a dominating and cruel man. When Christiana finds out that he has been turning away people who come calling for her, she isn't sure what to do. When she gets word her sisters are there to see her, she rushes down to prevent him from sending them away. The news they bring is disastrous and means her younger sister needs to find someone to marry quickly so they can get money to help their father out. When Christiana decides to confront her husband and demand he stop treating her so badly she finds him dead. She knows she must hide the body otherwise the whole family will be forced into mourning and the sisters won't be able to settle the father's debt. So they go out to husband hunt and to Christiana's surprise, in walks Richard back from the dead.. sort of.
I loved Richard and Christiana together, I liked watching their relationship develop and navigate all the issues that Christiana had about marriage. The mystery surrounding Richard and who is trying to kill him was great and I had a hard time figuring it out. Christiana's sisters were really amusing and I particularly liked Suzette, she had a great attitude and was very forward thinking. I think the next book is about her and I look forward to that.
April 27, 2016
Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Someone described this book as a “historical romance Weekend at Bernie's” and that was like putting a plate of cookies under a box held up by a stick and the box was labeled “RHG Trap” and how could I not?
This is RIDONKADONK.
I really liked this. Amid the ridonkadonk, Sands does a good portrayal of how an abuser can slowly whittle down his partner’s self-confidence and isolate her until he can do whatever he wants. I think it’s notable that Dicky/George is never portrayed as actually physically abusing Christiana. Instead, he uses the dominance he’s given by society. His words and actions punish her for being too outspoken so he can make her do what he wants. Even after he’s dead, she still finds herself doing what he would have wanted- embroidery, for example. Because that is what ladies do. It doesn’t help that Richard is there looking exactly like her abuser. There isn’t a magic fix for her; it takes time.
This was just a lot of fun, even if I had to stop in the middle and go to the other Bitches and say, “GUYS THE HERO AND HEROINE JUST FUCKED ON A DEAD GUY.”
- Redheadedgirl
Someone described this book as a “historical romance Weekend at Bernie's” and that was like putting a plate of cookies under a box held up by a stick and the box was labeled “RHG Trap” and how could I not?
This is RIDONKADONK.
I really liked this. Amid the ridonkadonk, Sands does a good portrayal of how an abuser can slowly whittle down his partner’s self-confidence and isolate her until he can do whatever he wants. I think it’s notable that Dicky/George is never portrayed as actually physically abusing Christiana. Instead, he uses the dominance he’s given by society. His words and actions punish her for being too outspoken so he can make her do what he wants. Even after he’s dead, she still finds herself doing what he would have wanted- embroidery, for example. Because that is what ladies do. It doesn’t help that Richard is there looking exactly like her abuser. There isn’t a magic fix for her; it takes time.
This was just a lot of fun, even if I had to stop in the middle and go to the other Bitches and say, “GUYS THE HERO AND HEROINE JUST FUCKED ON A DEAD GUY.”
- Redheadedgirl
June 28, 2020
4.5 stars, but really could be 5 if not for the extremely quick timeline of the story.
This book is really phenomenal. It is so extremely funny, I was laughing out loud and my husband and kids were giving me dirty looks. 👀 I will say that the humor in this story is a little childish, but it really works. Half of the book was spent with different characters moving a dead body around... and it’s absolutely hilarious. I’m fairly sure my neighbors could hear me laughing.
Anyyyyways, as I was saying at the beginning, this would have been 5 stars if not for the whole story taking place in only a few days. The hero & heroine end up declaring their love. LOL. I don’t buy it. Did I think they were in lust? Yes! And did I think they had mutual admiration that could grow into love? Yes. But for them to go into declarations of love so quickly? Not likely. They needed more time as a couple, but this book didn’t provide it.
I don’t think that I’m going to go on to read the next two books either - they don’t seem very good based on reviews. Sad, considering how much I liked this one.
This one should be safe for most readers.
This book is really phenomenal. It is so extremely funny, I was laughing out loud and my husband and kids were giving me dirty looks. 👀 I will say that the humor in this story is a little childish, but it really works. Half of the book was spent with different characters moving a dead body around... and it’s absolutely hilarious. I’m fairly sure my neighbors could hear me laughing.
Anyyyyways, as I was saying at the beginning, this would have been 5 stars if not for the whole story taking place in only a few days. The hero & heroine end up declaring their love. LOL. I don’t buy it. Did I think they were in lust? Yes! And did I think they had mutual admiration that could grow into love? Yes. But for them to go into declarations of love so quickly? Not likely. They needed more time as a couple, but this book didn’t provide it.
I don’t think that I’m going to go on to read the next two books either - they don’t seem very good based on reviews. Sad, considering how much I liked this one.
This one should be safe for most readers.
December 7, 2013
Sands writes really light-hearted, funny romps. Though The Countess started out rather serious, it wasn't long before the silly side of the story emerged. This is the start of a new trilogy about three sisters with large dowries who must marry to save their family from ruin. I read them out of order because I didn't realize they were connected. I really enjoyed them, though they were rather farcical at times. They're told in tandem, which means they were kind of redundant at times, but overall they were light and fun reads.
Although I enjoyed much of the story, I really had to suspend disbelief to buy the basic premise. The blackmail angle didn't work for me at all, since I thought the case behind it was rather flimsy (a he said/she said kind of thing that could easily be explained away).
Aside from that this was a fun story. I like that Sands explored the issue of trust between a husband and wife. I also liked both main characters and the full cast of secondary characters.
Although I enjoyed much of the story, I really had to suspend disbelief to buy the basic premise. The blackmail angle didn't work for me at all, since I thought the case behind it was rather flimsy (a he said/she said kind of thing that could easily be explained away).
Aside from that this was a fun story. I like that Sands explored the issue of trust between a husband and wife. I also liked both main characters and the full cast of secondary characters.
February 7, 2017
Apparently, I'm on a Lynsay Sands kick. I tend to do that with this genre, especially once I find an author I really enjoy. And for once, I started with the first book in a series! Go me! And while I do usually love series that focus on a particular family and all of their romantic dealings, I feel like I already know where this series is going. Who's going to end up with whom, what troubles will plague them, etc. It's fine to allude to it, but it's so clearly obvious from this first book. That said, I'm still here for all the trials and tribulations along the way to the alter because it's all just so amusing.
March 22, 2024
This book is complete and total crazysauce. Absolutely bonkers. And for that I will dearly treasure it and reread it when I need something so absolutely unbelievable involving a not-dead twin, a dead twin, a dead man in a rug (more than once!), confusing murder plots, suspicious servants, side romances, road trips, long winded paragraphs of much needed explanation, and neat and tidy endings in less than 300 pages.
Honestly, this is a work of art and should be read by anyone who delights in crazysauce romance.
Final Grade: B+
(I can't give it an "A" because there are a few plot holes that could have been filled with more exposition and crazysauce.)
Honestly, this is a work of art and should be read by anyone who delights in crazysauce romance.
Final Grade: B+
(I can't give it an "A" because there are a few plot holes that could have been filled with more exposition and crazysauce.)
February 4, 2015
Me ha encantado!
June 21, 2020
Couldn't finish.
June 13, 2022
3.5 stars.
Let me start by saying the blurb on this book is crap and doesn't do it justice. I would never have picked this book up without Anne's review, which just made this book sound absolutely OTT and delightful.
Basically, Christiana married a man she thought was the Earl of Something English but it was really his eeeeevil identical twin brother, George. See, the evil twin wasn't content with just murdering his three-minutes-older brother (which he didn't do anyway), instead of just inheriting the Earldom, George took the older brother's place so he could take gleeful delight in tanking Richard's reputation. Right down to adopting the nickname Richard always hated, "Dicky." So London thinks that George died and Richard survived.
Got it? Good.
I mean seriously...
So GeorgeDicky marries Christiana, is emotionally abusive to her throughout their marriage, then thoughtfully dies in the first chapter of the book. Quickly, Christiana realizes that if she has to go in mourning, she can't help her sisters find a husband, which they desperately need to do because thanks to GeorgeDicky's machinations, their father now owes a great deal of money. So, Dead GeorgeDicky goes on ice so the sisters can find respectable husbands. Literally, they put the corpse on ice in his bed. The book made me giggle when Christiana and her two sisters were attempting to hide the body, so it had that going for it. For just a little while, I kept expecting the book to go full Weekend at Bernie's with the move-the-body schtick, but it didn't quite get there.
Realizing time is of the essence, that same night, Christiana and her sisters attend a ball, when who shows up? Christiana's husband who has the bad manners to be alive. Of course, any romance reader knows that this is the real Earl of Something English and a secret good twin (although not that secret since a large number of people knew that there was a twin thing happening).
Oh and did I mention that the married-for-a-year Christiana is still a virgin? Seriously, does anyone other than me hate the plot contortions that some romance authors go to in order to ensure that their heroine can be both A) married to a man who is not the hero and B) still a virgin? (I feel like there's a Schrödinger's Virgin joke in here somewhere.) But alas, GeorgeDicky was too busy being eeeeevil to want to have sex, so there's still a chance for an annulment. And of course, Christiana finds out about alllll of this on the same night the real Richard comes back. (This is all in the first two or three chapters so I don't feel spoiler tags are necessary here.)
The book's first half consists of Christiana believing her husband is GeorgeDicky, who was awful and abusive, and Richard trying to reconcile the "new" sweet, kind, Richard with the "old" Dicky. There was some serious crazysauce on this burger.
The book was fun and did make me smile a few times, but I'm not sure I'd ever re-read it again, so I'm glad I was able to pick it up from the library.
As far as the audio reader, I forgot to find out who she was, but holy cats, did I like her. I'm not usually a fan of audio readers who let their performance get in the way of the book (it's why I don't listen to Renee Raudman) but this woman struck a perfect balance and did an excellent job. I need to go back and figure out who she was and listen to more books from her. I'm sure she's someone I've listened to before, but she did an excellent job balancing emotions and story.
Let me start by saying the blurb on this book is crap and doesn't do it justice. I would never have picked this book up without Anne's review, which just made this book sound absolutely OTT and delightful.
Basically, Christiana married a man she thought was the Earl of Something English but it was really his eeeeevil identical twin brother, George. See, the evil twin wasn't content with just murdering his three-minutes-older brother (which he didn't do anyway), instead of just inheriting the Earldom, George took the older brother's place so he could take gleeful delight in tanking Richard's reputation. Right down to adopting the nickname Richard always hated, "Dicky." So London thinks that George died and Richard survived.
Got it? Good.
I mean seriously...
So GeorgeDicky marries Christiana, is emotionally abusive to her throughout their marriage, then thoughtfully dies in the first chapter of the book. Quickly, Christiana realizes that if she has to go in mourning, she can't help her sisters find a husband, which they desperately need to do because thanks to GeorgeDicky's machinations, their father now owes a great deal of money. So, Dead GeorgeDicky goes on ice so the sisters can find respectable husbands. Literally, they put the corpse on ice in his bed. The book made me giggle when Christiana and her two sisters were attempting to hide the body, so it had that going for it. For just a little while, I kept expecting the book to go full Weekend at Bernie's with the move-the-body schtick, but it didn't quite get there.
Realizing time is of the essence, that same night, Christiana and her sisters attend a ball, when who shows up? Christiana's husband who has the bad manners to be alive. Of course, any romance reader knows that this is the real Earl of Something English and a secret good twin (although not that secret since a large number of people knew that there was a twin thing happening).
Oh and did I mention that the married-for-a-year Christiana is still a virgin? Seriously, does anyone other than me hate the plot contortions that some romance authors go to in order to ensure that their heroine can be both A) married to a man who is not the hero and B) still a virgin? (I feel like there's a Schrödinger's Virgin joke in here somewhere.) But alas, GeorgeDicky was too busy being eeeeevil to want to have sex, so there's still a chance for an annulment. And of course, Christiana finds out about alllll of this on the same night the real Richard comes back. (This is all in the first two or three chapters so I don't feel spoiler tags are necessary here.)
The book's first half consists of Christiana believing her husband is GeorgeDicky, who was awful and abusive, and Richard trying to reconcile the "new" sweet, kind, Richard with the "old" Dicky. There was some serious crazysauce on this burger.
The book was fun and did make me smile a few times, but I'm not sure I'd ever re-read it again, so I'm glad I was able to pick it up from the library.
As far as the audio reader, I forgot to find out who she was, but holy cats, did I like her. I'm not usually a fan of audio readers who let their performance get in the way of the book (it's why I don't listen to Renee Raudman) but this woman struck a perfect balance and did an excellent job. I need to go back and figure out who she was and listen to more books from her. I'm sure she's someone I've listened to before, but she did an excellent job balancing emotions and story.
November 13, 2017
leída en Nov 2011
Me encantó la trama....muy entretenido!
La Condesa
El cortejo de cuento de hadas no dio paso a un final feliz…
No hasta que su marido cayó fulminado en el acto, claro estaba. Él se había mostrado cruel con Christiana durante su breve matrimonio, y no estaba dispuesta a consentir que el tradicional periodo de luto arruinase también el debut de sus hermanas. De modo que decide meterle en hielo y seguir adelante como si nada hubiera pasado…
Hasta que aparece el verdadero conde. Richard Fairgrave tiene intención de enfrentarse a su malvado gemelo que le ha robado su nombre y su título… y descubre que ha muerto. Tras asumir en secreto su identidad, Richard debe ahora bregar con el enloquecedor deseo que siente por su deslumbrante esposa «heredada»: cierta cazafortunas y una posible asesina. Y Christiana debe lidiar con un esposo no deseado… y ambos tendrán que descubrir qué hacer antes de que el hielo se derrita.
Me encantó la trama....muy entretenido!
La Condesa
El cortejo de cuento de hadas no dio paso a un final feliz…
No hasta que su marido cayó fulminado en el acto, claro estaba. Él se había mostrado cruel con Christiana durante su breve matrimonio, y no estaba dispuesta a consentir que el tradicional periodo de luto arruinase también el debut de sus hermanas. De modo que decide meterle en hielo y seguir adelante como si nada hubiera pasado…
Hasta que aparece el verdadero conde. Richard Fairgrave tiene intención de enfrentarse a su malvado gemelo que le ha robado su nombre y su título… y descubre que ha muerto. Tras asumir en secreto su identidad, Richard debe ahora bregar con el enloquecedor deseo que siente por su deslumbrante esposa «heredada»: cierta cazafortunas y una posible asesina. Y Christiana debe lidiar con un esposo no deseado… y ambos tendrán que descubrir qué hacer antes de que el hielo se derrita.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 655 reviews