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A House for the Season #6
Rainbird's Revenge
When the Duke of Pelham returns to his town house at 67 Clarges Street, he is grimly determined to find a suitable wife--but completely unprepared for what the Season has to offer. The duke’s title alone has always brought him more than his share of feminine attention; claiming not to believe in love, he has never been spurned by a lady. The duke’s self-imposed search is soon disrupted by the arrival in London of Miss Jenny Sutherland, a spoiled but beautiful country girl whose vanity is her tragic flaw. According to her guardian Aunt Letitia, lack of competition has made Jenny put on airs; in London, she will get the set-down she sorely deserves. Indeed, at her first important London party, Jenny’s blatant disdain for the duke leads to certain disaster. But no one has counted on the intervention of John Rainbird, the shrewd and resourceful butler at 67 Clarges Street. Rainbird befriends Jenny, suggesting she look in the mirror a little less often. The result is a mischievous scheme that will insure Jenny’s social success and determine the fate of the close-knit family of servants at 67 Clarges Street.
(From M.C. Beaton's official website)
(From M.C. Beaton's official website)
Paperback
First published May 1, 1988
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About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books750 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
December 1, 2018
(This is a review of "A House for the Season")
Just like any Marion Chesney novel, every book in "A House for the Season" has: a predictable plot but is redeemed by an entertaining narrative, and shallow yet beguiling characters. Chesney is my antidote for a book hangover, and she always delivers!
For this series, Chesney sticks to the same formula (romantic comedy/comedy of manners) but this time added the servants of #67 Clarges St, who serve as supporting characters for each book, but nonetheless are the stars of the over-arching story. There are 6 books in the series, and each book is less than 200 pages long.
I find Rainbird and his fellow servants quite endearing. The struggles each of them are going through and the ones they shared bound me to the story, and is the main reason why I trudged on despite the ridiculous, canned romance I have to go through. The end to the series is bittersweet, and I once again feel the pain of bidding farewell to a set of beloved characters.
Marion Chesney/M.C. Beaton is still a wonder to me. She gets me flustered and giddy at the same time. She has this uncanny ability to pull me in to the story, never expecting anything from me except to forego all reason and just enjoy the story. Whenever I feel miserable after finishing a good book, I will read something from her and it will be balm for my aching heart.
Just like any Marion Chesney novel, every book in "A House for the Season" has: a predictable plot but is redeemed by an entertaining narrative, and shallow yet beguiling characters. Chesney is my antidote for a book hangover, and she always delivers!
For this series, Chesney sticks to the same formula (romantic comedy/comedy of manners) but this time added the servants of #67 Clarges St, who serve as supporting characters for each book, but nonetheless are the stars of the over-arching story. There are 6 books in the series, and each book is less than 200 pages long.
I find Rainbird and his fellow servants quite endearing. The struggles each of them are going through and the ones they shared bound me to the story, and is the main reason why I trudged on despite the ridiculous, canned romance I have to go through. The end to the series is bittersweet, and I once again feel the pain of bidding farewell to a set of beloved characters.
Marion Chesney/M.C. Beaton is still a wonder to me. She gets me flustered and giddy at the same time. She has this uncanny ability to pull me in to the story, never expecting anything from me except to forego all reason and just enjoy the story. Whenever I feel miserable after finishing a good book, I will read something from her and it will be balm for my aching heart.
August 19, 2019
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
An amazing dynamic ending. I would liked to have had more of everyone but it was enjoyable. Definitely a series I will revisit.
An amazing dynamic ending. I would liked to have had more of everyone but it was enjoyable. Definitely a series I will revisit.
May 7, 2017
Booktubeathon book #7
-book older than me
-read seven books
Everybody got there hea, but it felt a bit rushed and convenient.
Series review
This is a fun, light series that focuses on the servants of 67 Claridge street. The servants are definitely what pulled me through the series and made me want to read the entire thing. The series is obviously well researched, I learnt a lot about the era.
Towards the end of the series , the hea tend to become more rushed and the "gentlemen" become less like gentlemen. The characters at the start of the book can seem vain or stupid, but mostly they grow on you as you learn more about them.
#1 -3 stars
#2 - 4 stars
#3 - 4 stars
#4 - 3 stars
#5 - 4 stars
#6 - 4 stars
#2 and #3 where definitely my favourites in the series.
-book older than me
-read seven books
Everybody got there hea, but it felt a bit rushed and convenient.
Series review
This is a fun, light series that focuses on the servants of 67 Claridge street. The servants are definitely what pulled me through the series and made me want to read the entire thing. The series is obviously well researched, I learnt a lot about the era.
Towards the end of the series , the hea tend to become more rushed and the "gentlemen" become less like gentlemen. The characters at the start of the book can seem vain or stupid, but mostly they grow on you as you learn more about them.
#1 -3 stars
#2 - 4 stars
#3 - 4 stars
#4 - 3 stars
#5 - 4 stars
#6 - 4 stars
#2 and #3 where definitely my favourites in the series.
December 1, 2016
Wow!!! What a bittersweet book. I've loved the entire series that has centered around the house at 67 Clarges Street and this series ending wrap-up is just perfect.
First - let's just say the revenge on Mr. Palmer is absolutely perfect, but I won't tell you what it is or how it happens because that would spoil it for you. Just know that you'll love it!
Yes, there is a romance (or two or three or . . ). The Duke finally visits his property and meets the servants. Can they manage to tame a haughty, pompous Duke -- you bet they can! Then, there is also the vain, shallow heroine - how will they give her a lesson in humility without crushing her spirit. Lots of the stuff the Duke and his lady love work out for themselves, but the 'help' definitely does their share.
If you have read the series, you know that the staff at 67 Clarges Street has practically been held hostage by the nefarious Mr. Palmer. He's cooking the books, paying them starvation wages and recording a higher salary in the books. He, of course, pockets the difference. The staff is 'hostage' because both Rainbird and Joseph have pasts that Palmer threatens to expose if any of them try to leave. Neither is guilty of what they were accused, but that doesn't stop Palmer. So, over the course of the years, the entire staff has been saving whatever tips, bonuses they have gotten from the various renters of the house. They plan to all leave service and purchase a pub that they will all own and manage together - thus leaving service and nullifying Palmers threat against them. In this book, that ownership becomes a reality. However, like many dreams, when you are presented with the reality you begin to question if that is what you REALLY want. Evidently not all of them really want that reality.
Each of the staff gets their own version of Happily Ever After and they are so sweet! Again, I'll not tell you what each of those HEA's are, but they are absolutely PERFECT for that person.
At the end of the book, there is a one-year reunion for the staff and it is great to see how each of them have done in their chosen path.
I was so sad for the series to end, but absolutely loved this perfect wrap-up for it!
First - let's just say the revenge on Mr. Palmer is absolutely perfect, but I won't tell you what it is or how it happens because that would spoil it for you. Just know that you'll love it!
Yes, there is a romance (or two or three or . . ). The Duke finally visits his property and meets the servants. Can they manage to tame a haughty, pompous Duke -- you bet they can! Then, there is also the vain, shallow heroine - how will they give her a lesson in humility without crushing her spirit. Lots of the stuff the Duke and his lady love work out for themselves, but the 'help' definitely does their share.
If you have read the series, you know that the staff at 67 Clarges Street has practically been held hostage by the nefarious Mr. Palmer. He's cooking the books, paying them starvation wages and recording a higher salary in the books. He, of course, pockets the difference. The staff is 'hostage' because both Rainbird and Joseph have pasts that Palmer threatens to expose if any of them try to leave. Neither is guilty of what they were accused, but that doesn't stop Palmer. So, over the course of the years, the entire staff has been saving whatever tips, bonuses they have gotten from the various renters of the house. They plan to all leave service and purchase a pub that they will all own and manage together - thus leaving service and nullifying Palmers threat against them. In this book, that ownership becomes a reality. However, like many dreams, when you are presented with the reality you begin to question if that is what you REALLY want. Evidently not all of them really want that reality.
Each of the staff gets their own version of Happily Ever After and they are so sweet! Again, I'll not tell you what each of those HEA's are, but they are absolutely PERFECT for that person.
At the end of the book, there is a one-year reunion for the staff and it is great to see how each of them have done in their chosen path.
I was so sad for the series to end, but absolutely loved this perfect wrap-up for it!
July 29, 2022
Very nice epilogue to the group of servants in #67!
The romance of the Duke and Ms Jenny was a bit rushed and abrupt, but by this time I was mor interested in the final outcome of Rainbird and his crew.
🥰
The romance of the Duke and Ms Jenny was a bit rushed and abrupt, but by this time I was mor interested in the final outcome of Rainbird and his crew.
🥰
April 27, 2023
A nice ending of the series.
The main couple was believable and enjoyable.
The final touches and what became of Clarges Street 67 servants were charming and satisfying.
Sidenote about the whole series: Between the lines Chesney painted the sad (and often grim) life of domestic servants. The convention of the books made the novels light, funny, and a bit exaggerated. In such a convention, those people's fate looked even more awful.
[4-4.5 stars]
The main couple was believable and enjoyable.
The final touches and what became of Clarges Street 67 servants were charming and satisfying.
Sidenote about the whole series: Between the lines Chesney painted the sad (and often grim) life of domestic servants. The convention of the books made the novels light, funny, and a bit exaggerated. In such a convention, those people's fate looked even more awful.
[4-4.5 stars]
June 20, 2021
A satisfying ending to a lovely series. For 5 books we have watched the servants become a family, survive despite a cheating agent, and finally the Duke, the owner of the house returns home and the agent gets his comeuppance, the Duke finds a wife and each servant gets the happy ending we have been hoping for.
April 11, 2021
Degna conclusione di questo ciclo di libri!
July 5, 2021
Enjoyed the final installment of this tale of the house and its inhabitants at 67 Clarges Street in Regency England.
November 3, 2023
Loved this series
March 23, 2021
As Expected
M C Beaton never disappoints. This story is the finishing of the story about the servants at 67 Clarges St. A very fitting and unexpected ending for all of the servants. They don’t have the HEA ending they all expected to have. But they all do have their HEA. The story is told in the usual lighthearted way that Beaton has with her stories. You feel happy for the characters and just enjoy the read about how they all settle in their adventures.
M C Beaton never disappoints. This story is the finishing of the story about the servants at 67 Clarges St. A very fitting and unexpected ending for all of the servants. They don’t have the HEA ending they all expected to have. But they all do have their HEA. The story is told in the usual lighthearted way that Beaton has with her stories. You feel happy for the characters and just enjoy the read about how they all settle in their adventures.
October 26, 2014
Trying to broaden my horizons I tackled a few of MC Beaton's Regency novels lately, which fall into the romance genre I guess but are saved from the slushy, mushy pile by their humour and witty social observations.
I wasn't able to read the entire delightful series ( 6 books in all), as only 3 were available at the library I'm currently using during my travels. All of them deal with a house in Mayfair that belongs to the juvenile Duke of Pelham, after the suicide of his father in the said house.
Deemed to be an unlucky abode and a haunted house - and not a very fashionable or imposing property for an aristocratic personage, the new Duke of Pelham is bundled off to live in grander style until he reaches maturity. He joins the army and for some ten years is fighting in the various wars erupting all over Europe.
Meanwhile, the house at 67 Clarges Street is let for the Season to an ever-changing clientele of well-to-do tenants, some good, some bad. The static factor of the series are the wonderful servants at this house, who have learned to cope with whatever life throws at them. Chained to the property by an evil and greedy land agent who works for the Duke of Pelham and has long cheated him out of substantial amounts of money by cooking the books, the servants are forced to augment their meagre wages by taking tips from the "ton", the fashionable London society tenants who use the house for the spring Season to bring out their debutante daughters or to ingratiate themselves with their rich relatives in the hope of becoming their heirs.
Under Rainbird the Butler's wise and clever leadership, the servants have long been saving their wages and tips to buy their way out of servitude. With this final Season they will be free - they will buy a Highgate pub together and run it as proud co-owners.
However, life rarely works out the way we plan it and more often than not our dreams change over time. As each servant discovers they no longer share the "pub" dream and want to follow their own aspirations instead, the young Duke of Pelham decides to avail himself of their services and the house in Clarges Street, while his own much grander home in Grosvenor Square is being refurbished. Knowing they no longer have to bow and curtesey for a living, the servants are determined to make the most out of their last season and show the Duke what their made of.
Haughty and vain, arrogant to excess, the young Duke is out and about in London to find a wife, although he doesn't believe in love. That he may have to actually woo a woman and show some tender interest the female of his choice comes as rather a shock to him. I loved the scene of his bodged marriage proposal and the way the lady in question puts him down.
At the same time, middle-aged country beauty Lady Letitia decides its about time her young ward Miss Jenny Sutherland learns that not everybody will fall at her feet and worship her for her beauty. As vain and arrogant as the Duke, the gorgeous Miss Jenny Sutherland soon learns that London's "ton" admire vastly different qualities in a girl than just physical beauty.
Needless to say, the two arrogant young people are soon thrown together by life and each in their own way learns that love can trips us at any moment, no matter how hard we try to avoid emotional entanglements of that sort.
The Clarges Street servants do their best to bring those two foolish hearts together and to effect their revenge on the evil land agent, who has held their fates in his hands for such a long time. Rainbird gets his revenge in the end and the land agent gets his long overdue come-uppance.
This being the author M C Beaton's take on Regency Romance, the journey for all concerned holds many surprises and hilarious complications. Perhaps my favourite of all her characters appears in this book - what a shame there was not more of the delightful Mrs Freemantle in the earlier books of this series.
Imagine an 80-year-old Patsy from Jennifer Saunder's TV series Absolutely Fabulous and you get the drift. Permanently sozzled and dressed as a big-hearted wolf in mutton's clothing, to paraphrase the old saying, Mrs Freemantle is an utter delight. I hope Ms M C Beaton will write a whole new series based on Mrs Freemantle's exploits, perhaps show us what a hoyden that lady was in her 18th century youth!
All ends well, albeit not as the servants expected or the two romantically involved protagonists could have ever imagined. The ending for the house at 67 Clarges Street is, however, thought provoking and a little sad.
I wasn't able to read the entire delightful series ( 6 books in all), as only 3 were available at the library I'm currently using during my travels. All of them deal with a house in Mayfair that belongs to the juvenile Duke of Pelham, after the suicide of his father in the said house.
Deemed to be an unlucky abode and a haunted house - and not a very fashionable or imposing property for an aristocratic personage, the new Duke of Pelham is bundled off to live in grander style until he reaches maturity. He joins the army and for some ten years is fighting in the various wars erupting all over Europe.
Meanwhile, the house at 67 Clarges Street is let for the Season to an ever-changing clientele of well-to-do tenants, some good, some bad. The static factor of the series are the wonderful servants at this house, who have learned to cope with whatever life throws at them. Chained to the property by an evil and greedy land agent who works for the Duke of Pelham and has long cheated him out of substantial amounts of money by cooking the books, the servants are forced to augment their meagre wages by taking tips from the "ton", the fashionable London society tenants who use the house for the spring Season to bring out their debutante daughters or to ingratiate themselves with their rich relatives in the hope of becoming their heirs.
Under Rainbird the Butler's wise and clever leadership, the servants have long been saving their wages and tips to buy their way out of servitude. With this final Season they will be free - they will buy a Highgate pub together and run it as proud co-owners.
However, life rarely works out the way we plan it and more often than not our dreams change over time. As each servant discovers they no longer share the "pub" dream and want to follow their own aspirations instead, the young Duke of Pelham decides to avail himself of their services and the house in Clarges Street, while his own much grander home in Grosvenor Square is being refurbished. Knowing they no longer have to bow and curtesey for a living, the servants are determined to make the most out of their last season and show the Duke what their made of.
Haughty and vain, arrogant to excess, the young Duke is out and about in London to find a wife, although he doesn't believe in love. That he may have to actually woo a woman and show some tender interest the female of his choice comes as rather a shock to him. I loved the scene of his bodged marriage proposal and the way the lady in question puts him down.
At the same time, middle-aged country beauty Lady Letitia decides its about time her young ward Miss Jenny Sutherland learns that not everybody will fall at her feet and worship her for her beauty. As vain and arrogant as the Duke, the gorgeous Miss Jenny Sutherland soon learns that London's "ton" admire vastly different qualities in a girl than just physical beauty.
Needless to say, the two arrogant young people are soon thrown together by life and each in their own way learns that love can trips us at any moment, no matter how hard we try to avoid emotional entanglements of that sort.
The Clarges Street servants do their best to bring those two foolish hearts together and to effect their revenge on the evil land agent, who has held their fates in his hands for such a long time. Rainbird gets his revenge in the end and the land agent gets his long overdue come-uppance.
This being the author M C Beaton's take on Regency Romance, the journey for all concerned holds many surprises and hilarious complications. Perhaps my favourite of all her characters appears in this book - what a shame there was not more of the delightful Mrs Freemantle in the earlier books of this series.
Imagine an 80-year-old Patsy from Jennifer Saunder's TV series Absolutely Fabulous and you get the drift. Permanently sozzled and dressed as a big-hearted wolf in mutton's clothing, to paraphrase the old saying, Mrs Freemantle is an utter delight. I hope Ms M C Beaton will write a whole new series based on Mrs Freemantle's exploits, perhaps show us what a hoyden that lady was in her 18th century youth!
All ends well, albeit not as the servants expected or the two romantically involved protagonists could have ever imagined. The ending for the house at 67 Clarges Street is, however, thought provoking and a little sad.
December 5, 2012
Our terminally vain heroine Jenny Sutherland, whose beauty has spellbound all the provincial gentlemen, is brought to London and discovers that her vanity has made her into a narcissistic, boringly self-absorbed prig. What a come-down! Even the servants at her new home, 67 Clarges Street, are more interesting than she.
In this book we learn what becomes of those servants who are now so dear to us. This is the endearing part of the series finale. Not quite so many zany characters as in previous books - but we do have Mrs. Freemantle, mutton dressed as lamb, who enjoys carousing until dawn with the young Regency bucks of the ton. She "was slumped in a chair by the hearth when Lady Letitia entered the room. She exuded a strong smell of spirits. Her cap lay in a crumpled heap at her feet and her wig had slipped over one eye." Mrs. Freemantle has Jenny's number and places her immediately among the "coxcombs who start their day each morning by admiring themselves in the glass. They are so pleased with themselves they never notice anyone else."
We are treated to another glimpse of the Prince Regent, this time as he dances with Jenny at her first rout..."'You must do exactly what his Royal Highness does,' she heard her aunt whisper desperately...He reeled and staggered, and to her mortification, he forced her to reel and stagger as well...Such was the peculiar etiquette. It was dreadful to hear the titters as they staggered and swayed and stumbled."
The Duke of Pelham, owner of 67 Clarges Street, turns out to be quite a good fellow once he overcomes his ennui and becomes the instrument of Rainbird's exquisite revenge.
I haven't mentioned the apposite quotations at the beginning of each chapter. Here are two that I like:
"If all the good people were clever,
And all clever people were good,
The world would be nicer than ever
We thought that it possibly could.
But, somehow, 'tis seldom or never
The two hit it off as they should;
The good are so harsh to the clever,
The clever so rude to the good!"
-- Elizabeth Wordsworth
"For ennui is a growth of English root,
Though nameless in our language: -- we retort
The fact for words, and let the French translate
That awful yawn which sleep cannot abate."
-- Lord Byron
In this book we learn what becomes of those servants who are now so dear to us. This is the endearing part of the series finale. Not quite so many zany characters as in previous books - but we do have Mrs. Freemantle, mutton dressed as lamb, who enjoys carousing until dawn with the young Regency bucks of the ton. She "was slumped in a chair by the hearth when Lady Letitia entered the room. She exuded a strong smell of spirits. Her cap lay in a crumpled heap at her feet and her wig had slipped over one eye." Mrs. Freemantle has Jenny's number and places her immediately among the "coxcombs who start their day each morning by admiring themselves in the glass. They are so pleased with themselves they never notice anyone else."
We are treated to another glimpse of the Prince Regent, this time as he dances with Jenny at her first rout..."'You must do exactly what his Royal Highness does,' she heard her aunt whisper desperately...He reeled and staggered, and to her mortification, he forced her to reel and stagger as well...Such was the peculiar etiquette. It was dreadful to hear the titters as they staggered and swayed and stumbled."
The Duke of Pelham, owner of 67 Clarges Street, turns out to be quite a good fellow once he overcomes his ennui and becomes the instrument of Rainbird's exquisite revenge.
I haven't mentioned the apposite quotations at the beginning of each chapter. Here are two that I like:
"If all the good people were clever,
And all clever people were good,
The world would be nicer than ever
We thought that it possibly could.
But, somehow, 'tis seldom or never
The two hit it off as they should;
The good are so harsh to the clever,
The clever so rude to the good!"
-- Elizabeth Wordsworth
"For ennui is a growth of English root,
Though nameless in our language: -- we retort
The fact for words, and let the French translate
That awful yawn which sleep cannot abate."
-- Lord Byron
August 14, 2017
A nice ending to a sweet series. Like the rest, this was a nice piece of escapist reading, almost like an extra-light Pride and Prejudice if Elizabeth Bennett had been a vain twit. The ending was slightly predictable, but I really do think it was the best result for everyone. For everything to go "according to plan" would have been too easy and not nearly as fun or true to the characters. Besides, little Lizzie deserved better than she would otherwise have gotten. The writing and descriptions were especially nice in these last two books as well. The only thing I would have liked to see would have been the former renters and residents of 67 Clarges Street visiting the MacGregors' little establishment, just as an acknowledgement of of what those former servants did for them. Alas, I'm a little bit sappy and it just was not to be. A cute series though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2015
Review - A fantastic end to the series, and also great as a standalone book. I think Pelham's attitude towards his servants formed a huge part of the novel, and it was great to see two different classes of people interacting together. At first I hated both Pelham and Jenny, but they began to grow on me. I still don't see them as very developed characters and their story arc was a little unbelievable. I loved Rainbird and his skills and personality.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - John Rainbird / Peter, Duke of Pelham / Lizzie / Angus MacGregor / Mrs Middleton / Alice / Jenny / Jenny Sutherland / Jonas Palmer
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - A House for the Season #6
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - John Rainbird / Peter, Duke of Pelham / Lizzie / Angus MacGregor / Mrs Middleton / Alice / Jenny / Jenny Sutherland / Jonas Palmer
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - A House for the Season #6
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
August 5, 2016
Final book in this charming series. Finally the owner of the house is returning for the season and the staff are ready to break free and open their long dreamed of pub. But as the reality sinks in some of the staff are less than enthused about the career of a publican.
August 3, 2019
This is the final book in Marion Chesney’s A House for the Season and though it didn’t end quite as I had anticipated I think that the changes she instigated were probably for the best. Focusing on the servants and their dreams and aspirations now they could finally cast off the shackles of servitude, we begin to see that the unity of the servants perhaps provided happiness but when opportunities abound discontent can be the result.
Through the arrival of the Duke of Pelham we see that being a member of the aristocracy is perhaps not as satisfying as has been suggested, and in all honesty this has been a continuing theme of the books, and they too can envy what they perceive as being out of reach.
In terms of the actual resolution I will concede that I was a little disappointed. I did expect it to be a neat little ending but I expected it to be a little outside the norm. I felt in a way that perhaps Marion Chesney changed her mind on how it should be concluded and rushed to push all her pieces into their new allotted slots, which made it all seem a bit hasty.
In all I did enjoy the book and the series, it is best suited for those who like a bit of a lighthearted read which requires little commitment on the part of the reader.
Through the arrival of the Duke of Pelham we see that being a member of the aristocracy is perhaps not as satisfying as has been suggested, and in all honesty this has been a continuing theme of the books, and they too can envy what they perceive as being out of reach.
In terms of the actual resolution I will concede that I was a little disappointed. I did expect it to be a neat little ending but I expected it to be a little outside the norm. I felt in a way that perhaps Marion Chesney changed her mind on how it should be concluded and rushed to push all her pieces into their new allotted slots, which made it all seem a bit hasty.
In all I did enjoy the book and the series, it is best suited for those who like a bit of a lighthearted read which requires little commitment on the part of the reader.
November 23, 2024
recensione completa qui: https://www.lunaticamente.com/recensi...
E' difficile esprimere a parole cosa mi ha regalato questa Saga che ho letto d'un fiato. Difficile anche dire quale di questi sei è il mio preferito. Un consiglio solo: se comprate il primo, assicuratevi di avere anche gli altri a portata di mano.
Ho riso molto, mi sono affezionata ai personaggi, mi sono commossa e ho trovato degli amici che porterò per sempre nel mio cuore. Tra queste pagine c'è ironia, amore e speranza. E' impossibile staccarsi dalla lettura e allo stesso tempo si desidera che la fine arrivi il più tardi possibile. Ho amato la sua scrittura e la capacità di rendere familiari ambientazioni e personaggi.
Il finale è glorioso e anche se ti lascia un pizzico di malinconia, nel cuore sai che è giusto così.
Se amate Downton Abbey, questa saga non può mancarvi. E se invece non avete mai letto nulla di simile, allora vi spalancherà le porte a un mondo meraviglioso.
E' difficile esprimere a parole cosa mi ha regalato questa Saga che ho letto d'un fiato. Difficile anche dire quale di questi sei è il mio preferito. Un consiglio solo: se comprate il primo, assicuratevi di avere anche gli altri a portata di mano.
Ho riso molto, mi sono affezionata ai personaggi, mi sono commossa e ho trovato degli amici che porterò per sempre nel mio cuore. Tra queste pagine c'è ironia, amore e speranza. E' impossibile staccarsi dalla lettura e allo stesso tempo si desidera che la fine arrivi il più tardi possibile. Ho amato la sua scrittura e la capacità di rendere familiari ambientazioni e personaggi.
Il finale è glorioso e anche se ti lascia un pizzico di malinconia, nel cuore sai che è giusto così.
Se amate Downton Abbey, questa saga non può mancarvi. E se invece non avete mai letto nulla di simile, allora vi spalancherà le porte a un mondo meraviglioso.
Read
January 8, 2021Letti uno dopo l'altro, i libri che compongono la serie 67 Clarges Street sono un ottimo passatempo, ben scritti e divertenti. Ogni libro è dedicato a una diversa storia d'amore fra quelle che si intrecciano nella stagione dei balli a Londra, fra i personaggi che affittano la dimora di Clarges Street e gli uomini e le donne che durante la stagione londinese cercano un matrimonio conveniente, con o senza amore.
La servitù, guidata dal maggiordomo Rainbird, che rimane la stessa in tutti e sei i libri e della quale seguiamo vicende, amori, vendette e sfortune, diventa protagonista e tesse le trame per accaparrare i partiti alle Miss che affittano casa, fra balli e passaggiate in carrozza.
Una lettura relax, con humor.
La servitù, guidata dal maggiordomo Rainbird, che rimane la stessa in tutti e sei i libri e della quale seguiamo vicende, amori, vendette e sfortune, diventa protagonista e tesse le trame per accaparrare i partiti alle Miss che affittano casa, fra balli e passaggiate in carrozza.
Una lettura relax, con humor.
September 23, 2021
Marion Chesney is one of my favorite authors right up there with Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. I love that this old school clean romance. Marion knows the regency world and describes it very well. Her characters are fun and interesting. The premise here is a house with servants rented out each season. This may be my favorite Marion Chesney book, which say a lot. This series would make an excellent TV show.
I have read all of Marion Chesney’s books now between Libby, scribd, and kindle. The audiobooks on Libby are great by the way. If anyone reading this review has a comment about a new regency clean romance author I can try please let me know.
I have read all of Marion Chesney’s books now between Libby, scribd, and kindle. The audiobooks on Libby are great by the way. If anyone reading this review has a comment about a new regency clean romance author I can try please let me know.
April 9, 2022
2.5 stars
At the beginning of this novel, I was afraid that a romance between two vain people (the Duke of Pelham and Jenny) would be unpleasant to read. But it wasn't. It was okay, somewhat interesting.
Except that I took out half a star because of this.
Anyway, I was more curious about what would become of the servants. And I'm glad that all of them found their ways to happiness.
I'm especially happy for Lizzie.
At the beginning of this novel, I was afraid that a romance between two vain people (the Duke of Pelham and Jenny) would be unpleasant to read. But it wasn't. It was okay, somewhat interesting.
Except that I took out half a star because of this.
Anyway, I was more curious about what would become of the servants. And I'm glad that all of them found their ways to happiness.
I'm especially happy for Lizzie.
February 9, 2024
My favourite of the series given the dynamic between the hero and heroine - they were both haughty and I liked how they took each other down a peg - but I didn’t like the ultimate resolution of the servants’ story. They were FAMILY - it feels like the author just wanted them to leave it all behind, which didn’t ring true to how they behaved the rest of the story. I was especially annoyed by how Paul wanted to stop Lizzie from seeing everyone - why was he being so creepy and controlling? That was frustrating and unfortunately a common theme in these stories.
(Also, Rainbird and Lady Clara? Why did they not meet and sparks fly? Huge missed opportunity)
(Also, Rainbird and Lady Clara? Why did they not meet and sparks fly? Huge missed opportunity)
April 27, 2025
2.5 Stars. I liked that both the hero and heroine were flawed. One vain, the other pompous. I was drawn to their persona and storyline, but all the other characters entwined overshadowed their romance. I know the other characters were inveigled throughout the series, but I just wasn’t interested in all the commotion of everyone else. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine. I’m proud of myself for finishing it because it was very tempting to put the book down forever at different intervals when the secondary characters were too prominent. Luckily, I ended up skimming their parts and that helped to push me along.
May 17, 2017
Brilliant book told from the servants perspective
This book was brilliant from beginning to end and reminded me somewhat of Steinbeck, as it did not idolize anybody and revealed truly fractured characters with very good story arcs. You got to see the story unfold from largely the point of view of the hired help. The heroin and her love were also good parts of the story with their own story arcs of vanity and pompousness. It had a beautiful ending and would make a lovely play or movie with all the plot twists & turns!
This book was brilliant from beginning to end and reminded me somewhat of Steinbeck, as it did not idolize anybody and revealed truly fractured characters with very good story arcs. You got to see the story unfold from largely the point of view of the hired help. The heroin and her love were also good parts of the story with their own story arcs of vanity and pompousness. It had a beautiful ending and would make a lovely play or movie with all the plot twists & turns!
February 20, 2018
Jenny Sutherland è una bellissima ragazza di provincia, ma davvero troppo vanitosa, così il duca di Pelham le brucia tutti i ponti durante la Stagione. Anche lui è a caccia di un matrimonio, un contratto, non certo per amore! I domestici del 67 di Clarges Street sono pronti per comprare il pub... ma non tutti sono così contenti che il sogno diventi finalmente realtà.
L'ultima avventura di questa serie non mi ha delusa! Amori, matrimoni, equivoci e un bel lieto fine. Proprio quello di cui avevo bisogno in questo periodo E non poteva finire meglio!
L'ultima avventura di questa serie non mi ha delusa! Amori, matrimoni, equivoci e un bel lieto fine. Proprio quello di cui avevo bisogno in questo periodo E non poteva finire meglio!
May 1, 2020
I really loved this series, hust for the sake of cursed house servants , i felt they are more than family and i wished if Mc Beaton could keep them together and near , not everyone on his own , the romance was filling the air through the whole book .
A pompous hero and a pompous heroin who met accidentally and ended up happily with their own personality changed to a better self.
Liked what happened to Palmer , but i would rather he would be shamed and went to proson rather unlucky events happen with him.
A pompous hero and a pompous heroin who met accidentally and ended up happily with their own personality changed to a better self.
Liked what happened to Palmer , but i would rather he would be shamed and went to proson rather unlucky events happen with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2017
You must read the entire series!
I fell in love with the servants in this series of romances. Yes, the romances are charming, but what really tugs the heartstrings is the interwoven tale of servants who became family. I don't usually cry but when I finally finished this last of six books I just couldn't help it. Loved Palmers comeuppance and the nicely tied ends of all the servants. Beautifully done!
I fell in love with the servants in this series of romances. Yes, the romances are charming, but what really tugs the heartstrings is the interwoven tale of servants who became family. I don't usually cry but when I finally finished this last of six books I just couldn't help it. Loved Palmers comeuppance and the nicely tied ends of all the servants. Beautifully done!
December 9, 2021
A surprising wrap up
I hate to see this series end. It's been so fun to read. Beaton does a great job keeping things moving. She doesn't waste the reader's time with any repetitive the way so many Regency authors do. And she cleverly turns the plot with little surprises some of which make me laugh out loud. I loved how the story wrapped up each of the Number 67 crew's situations. I shall miss them.
I hate to see this series end. It's been so fun to read. Beaton does a great job keeping things moving. She doesn't waste the reader's time with any repetitive the way so many Regency authors do. And she cleverly turns the plot with little surprises some of which make me laugh out loud. I loved how the story wrapped up each of the Number 67 crew's situations. I shall miss them.
September 24, 2022
Fun Fast Read!
Recency era read in a light romance book that's clean, well edited, using correct punctuation, grammar, spelling and appropriate words in the correct usage, plus dialog, dress, attitudes & latitudes accurate for the period.
Total pleasure to read for almost that alone, but the story is completely charming & very entertaining as have all the books in the House for the Season series.
Recommend this book and the entire series highly!
Recency era read in a light romance book that's clean, well edited, using correct punctuation, grammar, spelling and appropriate words in the correct usage, plus dialog, dress, attitudes & latitudes accurate for the period.
Total pleasure to read for almost that alone, but the story is completely charming & very entertaining as have all the books in the House for the Season series.
Recommend this book and the entire series highly!
April 25, 2025
Il punto di forza della serie 67 Clarges Street, (A House for the Season) sono decisamente i personaggi che popolano i sotterranei della casa, la servitù con la sua rigida divisione in classi, le sue privazioni, le sue aspirazioni. Nell'arco di 6 romanzi seguiamo le loro storie e la loro evoluzione. Le trame sono invece un po' deboli, ma questi 6 libri sono una boccata d'aria fresca che sarebbe un peccato perdersi.
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