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A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time #3
His Not So Sensible Miss
Emily Frasier has lived as the ward of Duke Ellings since her father died when she was fifteen. She also knows that soon it will be time to leave his household and make her way on her own. When she discovers a cottage while visiting her aunt and uncle she knows this is where she wants to live and become a teacher, as her father once was.
Dillon Chambers must find a wife this season in order to please his mother. If she didn’t have control over something more precious than his freedom and life, he would not have made the promise to marry a lady with high connections at the end of the season. When he comes across Emily at his cottage and learns she is the ward of a duke, he feels his luck has finally changed. He could please his mother and settle with a lady he would actually want to have as his wife.
When the truth becomes known in London that Emily is only a professor’s d
aughter, Dillon knows his parents will never approve. Will he risk everything to have her? Will Emily do the sensible thing or risk her reputation and heart so that Dillon doesn’t destroy all he holds dear?
Dillon Chambers must find a wife this season in order to please his mother. If she didn’t have control over something more precious than his freedom and life, he would not have made the promise to marry a lady with high connections at the end of the season. When he comes across Emily at his cottage and learns she is the ward of a duke, he feels his luck has finally changed. He could please his mother and settle with a lady he would actually want to have as his wife.
When the truth becomes known in London that Emily is only a professor’s d
aughter, Dillon knows his parents will never approve. Will he risk everything to have her? Will Emily do the sensible thing or risk her reputation and heart so that Dillon doesn’t destroy all he holds dear?
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First published September 1, 2011
32 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Jane Charles
175 books390 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jane Charles is a prolific writer of over fifty historical and contemporary romance novels. Her love of research and history lends authenticity to her Regency romances, and her experience directing theatre productions helps her craft beautiful, touching stories that tug at the heartstrings. Jane is an upbeat and positive author dedicated to giving her characters happy-ever-afters and leaving the readers satisfied at the end of an emotional journey. She is a lifelong Cubs fan, loves wine tastings, and lives in Central Illinois with her two huskies and husband. She is currently writing her next book while planning her dream trip to Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 7, 2018
Not a clean read.
August 5, 2024
Dillon and Emily are interesting, complex, wounded, strong, intriguing, entertaining characters. I enjoyed spending time with them. The path to their HEA was not easy but entertaining to read. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.
I enjoyed the audio version of this story and the narrator.
I enjoyed the audio version of this story and the narrator.
February 24, 2016
Emily was a very astute young lady, daughter of a scholar and respected professor. She, herself, was very intelligent and most learned for even a male of those days. Emily knew her station was a difficult one thereby the male gender would find her an unsuitable match. After all, her intelligence did not attract a laborer or servant for possible marriage (nor was she attracted to such), and she didn’t attract any of the aristocracy without the necessary pedigree.
Emily comes upon Dillon when he’s planning on working on the roof of his cottage. She assumes he's a laborer since he's dressed as one. Both hide who they really are, although Dillon more so. Each have their reasons. They are just Emily and Dillon, although Dillon knows or perhaps I should say, assumes he knows her station in society.
The author had me chuckling when Emily tells Dillon she studies countries in alphabetical order. She, presently, is studying Greece. Her studies have her reading anything and everything about a country, from philosophy to dance, from ancient times to present. When her discussion gets rather racy, discussing lesbianism, Dillon isn’t sure the kind of education she’s had, changed her gender preference or not. This scene was humorously written and very entertaining.
Unbeknownst to her aunt and uncle, Emily secretly meets with Dillon for a month at his cottage—a month of friendship, discussions and pleasurably getting to know each other. Dillon dare not ruin the young lady, however, he is drawn to her wit, beauty and intelligence.
Emily is summoned to London by her guardian, the duke. Both Emily and Dillon are disappointed for their friendship and promises to each other would have to wait upon her return. Will society let them choose outside their stations?
This story was full of complicated situations, misunderstandings, half-truths, and parents who shatter their child’s happiness for family connections. It also had an ending I didn’t guess. I commiserated with Emily and Dillon and cheered for them when there looked to be a bright ending for them both. At the beginning of the story, I wish there was more excitement in the plot itself, but it picked up at a better clip later.
I’ve listened to many of narrator Paul Woodson’s productions. I like the way he tells a story; his cadence of phrase, and inflections of feelings with an animated voice. I particularly enjoy his work with female speech and thought.
This is a good read for readers who enjoy Regency genre complicated by social issues, interfering families and with adorable, honorable heroes who'll do anything to have what is theirs.
Emily comes upon Dillon when he’s planning on working on the roof of his cottage. She assumes he's a laborer since he's dressed as one. Both hide who they really are, although Dillon more so. Each have their reasons. They are just Emily and Dillon, although Dillon knows or perhaps I should say, assumes he knows her station in society.
The author had me chuckling when Emily tells Dillon she studies countries in alphabetical order. She, presently, is studying Greece. Her studies have her reading anything and everything about a country, from philosophy to dance, from ancient times to present. When her discussion gets rather racy, discussing lesbianism, Dillon isn’t sure the kind of education she’s had, changed her gender preference or not. This scene was humorously written and very entertaining.
Unbeknownst to her aunt and uncle, Emily secretly meets with Dillon for a month at his cottage—a month of friendship, discussions and pleasurably getting to know each other. Dillon dare not ruin the young lady, however, he is drawn to her wit, beauty and intelligence.
Emily is summoned to London by her guardian, the duke. Both Emily and Dillon are disappointed for their friendship and promises to each other would have to wait upon her return. Will society let them choose outside their stations?
This story was full of complicated situations, misunderstandings, half-truths, and parents who shatter their child’s happiness for family connections. It also had an ending I didn’t guess. I commiserated with Emily and Dillon and cheered for them when there looked to be a bright ending for them both. At the beginning of the story, I wish there was more excitement in the plot itself, but it picked up at a better clip later.
I’ve listened to many of narrator Paul Woodson’s productions. I like the way he tells a story; his cadence of phrase, and inflections of feelings with an animated voice. I particularly enjoy his work with female speech and thought.
This is a good read for readers who enjoy Regency genre complicated by social issues, interfering families and with adorable, honorable heroes who'll do anything to have what is theirs.
April 10, 2013
This is the only book of the series I've read because it was a free download. Thank heavens for that.
I'll overlook the numerous typos only because there can be software glitches. I'm hoping that's the case here because this was full of spelling and editing mistakes.
Sex and marriage are related. They go hand in hand and you really shouldn't have one without the other. The scene in the nursery where they induce climax in each other was just wrong. Just because there was no actual penetration doesn't mean it wasn't sex and wasn't inappropriate.
Then the cavalier attitude of the 'hero' of 'well, we're getting married in the morning so why not start now?' was deplorable. I don't care how insanely attracted you are or how much you're in love. Marriage comes first.
Then, knowing she's not going to accept his proposal, she still agrees to go to the cottage. So, she's a selfish slut. Forgetting she could get pregnant, she just wants the memory of the experience.
Horrific display of stupid, selfish behavior all around. It had such promise. It could've been so much better.
I'll overlook the numerous typos only because there can be software glitches. I'm hoping that's the case here because this was full of spelling and editing mistakes.
Sex and marriage are related. They go hand in hand and you really shouldn't have one without the other. The scene in the nursery where they induce climax in each other was just wrong. Just because there was no actual penetration doesn't mean it wasn't sex and wasn't inappropriate.
Then the cavalier attitude of the 'hero' of 'well, we're getting married in the morning so why not start now?' was deplorable. I don't care how insanely attracted you are or how much you're in love. Marriage comes first.
Then, knowing she's not going to accept his proposal, she still agrees to go to the cottage. So, she's a selfish slut. Forgetting she could get pregnant, she just wants the memory of the experience.
Horrific display of stupid, selfish behavior all around. It had such promise. It could've been so much better.
April 23, 2013
Not the longest book in the work, but thoroughly enjoyable none the less.
I snagged it as a freebie download, but there is no doubt I would have been happy enough to pay for this book, and actually have now added other books in the series to my Wish List, and am eagerly looking forward to reading the other sub-character stories.
All in all a 4 star read, it could have been a 5 though if the author had developed the plot - thus lengthening the story - to obtain a full novel.
In case I didn’t mention this was a Free Kindle Download at the time (see my blog www.toodlesbookclub.blogspot.com for daily selections of free downloads).
I snagged it as a freebie download, but there is no doubt I would have been happy enough to pay for this book, and actually have now added other books in the series to my Wish List, and am eagerly looking forward to reading the other sub-character stories.
All in all a 4 star read, it could have been a 5 though if the author had developed the plot - thus lengthening the story - to obtain a full novel.
In case I didn’t mention this was a Free Kindle Download at the time (see my blog www.toodlesbookclub.blogspot.com for daily selections of free downloads).
November 17, 2012
I finished this book in a day. I got it as a free download and didn't expect much of it. I was pleasantly surprised. The character development was a bit rushed, and the ending was jarringly abrupt, but the book as a whole wasn't horrible. It's a very quick read, and I do recommend reading the other two books first. You can easily get through it without knowledge of previous stories, but it can be a little muddled. Good for a quick, sappy read.
April 19, 2014
I liked it. It feels a bit rough in terms of progression (unlike, let say, a mary balogh novel) but the story is great and it did made me giddy, and sigh wistfully and root for the characters. It's annoying how they manage to keep on having miscommunications but not intolerable. I wish there were more character development though. I kinda like the twists at the end.
March 26, 2013
Enjoyable read about a couple who meet in the country, each not knowing the other's social status.
Things go awry when they meet later in London during the social season, but this being a historical romance, of course they find their HEA. Interesting little twists to each one's situation make for a satisfying end.
Things go awry when they meet later in London during the social season, but this being a historical romance, of course they find their HEA. Interesting little twists to each one's situation make for a satisfying end.
May 7, 2015
It was longer than it needed to be. Good plot, great idea but just too darn long. Could have left out some minor storylines and got to the nitty gritty faster. Even though there was foreshadowing it was so brief that you forgot about it completely.
Was a free download. I might give the next book a chance.
Was a free download. I might give the next book a chance.
November 14, 2011
Okay I need to dry my eyes to write this review. The book was AMAZING. It was the first in the series that I have read and getting it free from AMAZON. I was not expecting much..Only a short story with no depth and meaning. I am ready to buy the rest of her books.
July 10, 2012
The premise of this book could have been very good, but the lack of a proofreader was quite evident and distracting. It also wrapped up quite suddenly in a not very believable way with almost no foreshadowing.
July 10, 2013
My third book in the series and I'm happy with the the story. I like the way this couple meets. And there was a good part when I really didn't think they would get together. In the end everything gets worked out. I'll keep reading books from this author.
September 23, 2013
I liked the story. I had a real problem with how often Emily could sneak out to see the hero. I also couldn't figure out how the hero could accomplish so much by himself in what seemed like a couple of hours. All in all it felt like a modern book plunked into the regency period.
November 17, 2015
This was an enjoyable HR story, however this is one I listened to and I think I may stick to reading rather than audio in the future.
I have to say, I was most surprised by the ending, didn't expect that and it just made the end of the couples story perfect!
I have to say, I was most surprised by the ending, didn't expect that and it just made the end of the couples story perfect!
July 21, 2012
A cute regency romance novel.
July 23, 2012
I enjoyed this, save for the heroine's propensity to think the worst of the hero with the least reason and the much too abrupt ending.
September 15, 2012
Enjoyed the story, characters and it's twists and turns, however I thought it ended abruptly.
April 2, 2013
I loved this short novella. I loved the characters. The only thing I didn't like was the abrupt ending.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews