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Regency Quartet #1
The Vicar's Daughter
Lord Wycliffe Had Finally Met His Match.
With golden hair and eyes of springtime green, Charlotte Trowbridge was the toast of the London Season. "An incomparable goddess" her dazzled admirers proclaimed. But the earl of Wycliffe knew she was only a vicar's daughter, with the taste of heaven on her lips...!
Methodical. Logical. Orderly. Charlotte would also have to add devilishly handsome to her description of Lord Wycliffe. Still, the man was desperately in need of some loosening up, and it looked as though she was the only woman capable of rattling his famous reserve.
With golden hair and eyes of springtime green, Charlotte Trowbridge was the toast of the London Season. "An incomparable goddess" her dazzled admirers proclaimed. But the earl of Wycliffe knew she was only a vicar's daughter, with the taste of heaven on her lips...!
Methodical. Logical. Orderly. Charlotte would also have to add devilishly handsome to her description of Lord Wycliffe. Still, the man was desperately in need of some loosening up, and it looked as though she was the only woman capable of rattling his famous reserve.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
121 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Simmons
157 books205 followersDeborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 18, 2018
3.5 stars - read for the 2018 TBR Challenge prompt - Kickin' it old-skool.
For my ‘old-skool’ read, I chose a Harlequin Historical from 1995, the first in Deborah Simmons’ Regency Quartet . The Vicar’s Daughter is one of those ‘stuffed-shirt meets wild-child’ romances (although the heroine isn’t really a wild-child as such), and while it’s fairly predictable, it’s a light-hearted, fun read and the two central characters are well-drawn and endearing. Maximillian Fortescue, Earl of Wycliffe has just inherited Casterleigh, near the village of Upper Bidwell in Sussex, and is about to pay a half-hour (a suitable length of time for this sort of thing) courtesy call on the local vicar. Arrived at the vicarage, Wycliffe – a tightly controlled and rather staid young man - is confronted by a passel of noisy, boisterous children, and, when ushered into the parlour, is arrested by the sight of the lush backside of a young woman who is peering under the sofa. Wycliffe’s impressions of her lusciousness are bolstered when she finally gets up clutching a pair of kittens; the vicar’s daughter is stunningly beautiful and Wycliffe – who isn’t normally one to languish over a woman’s charms - is pretty much smitten from the get go. In fact, he’s so smitten that he fails to adhere to his self-imposed schedule and ends up staying for the family dinner, which is full of chatter and laughter and like nothing he’s ever experienced. He can hardly take his eyes off the lovely Charlotte, yes, but he’s also amazed at the ease with which father and siblings interact with each other and with the way he’s been so quickly and easily accepted by them.
During the visit, Wycliffe learns that Charlotte is soon to depart for London where she is to take part in the Season under the auspices of an elderly cousin, with the intention of finding a husband. Wycliffe is surprised to find he doesn’t like this idea at all – but tells himself not to be ridiculous and offers to look in on her in London so that he can reassure her father that all is going well.
Naturally, Wycliffe’s role as self-appointed guardian and defender of Charlotte’s honour sees him running off all her potential suitors, even as he is stubbornly denying his own attraction to her and reminding himself that a man of his station cannot possibly marry the daughter of a mere country vicar.
Charlotte might be fresh out of the schoolroom, but she’s no simpering miss; she’s unaffected, intelligent and good-natured, with a good sense of humour and is well aware that making an advantageous marriage is important for her entire family (she has seven brothers and sisters) and not just herself. The trouble is that she’s also aware that most men are attracted only to her looks and aren’t likely to offer the sort of affection and companionship she longs for in her marriage. Even though she knows that a man of Wycliffe’s station can’t possibly marry her, she can’t help wishing, and she can’t help loving him and wanting to show him the sort of love and affection she’s come to realise he’s never had in his life.
One of the best things about this type of story is watching the starchy, strictly disciplined hero gradually abandon all his routines as he falls for the heroine, usually without realising it. Wycliffe is widely known for being cold, unemotional and the sort of man you could set your watch by; even his visits to his (former) mistress were on a regular, pre-arranged schedule. Yet from the moment he sets eyes on Charlotte, he starts to deviate from his routine, to the horror of his secretary and the amusement of Raleigh, Wycliffe’s best friend and hero of The Last RogueThe Last Rogue, the fourth (and best) book in this series.
For all the story’s predictability, the romance is well-done, the chemistry between Wycliffe and Charlotte crackles nicely, and there are a few steamy love scenes along the way. But a real bum note is struck near the end when a seemingly harmless suitor of Charlotte’s turns out to be a drug-crazed madman and attempts to carry her off – twice – in the last chapter or two. I could have forgiven a bit of tacked-on drama once, but twice was taking it too far and it was incredibly jarring.
Overall though, The Vicar’s Daughter proved to be an enjoyable, low-angst read, and while it’s not going onto my keeper shelf, it was nonetheless entertaining. If you’re looking for an undemanding, upbeat historical that radiates warmth and gentle humour, you might consider checking it out.
For my ‘old-skool’ read, I chose a Harlequin Historical from 1995, the first in Deborah Simmons’ Regency Quartet . The Vicar’s Daughter is one of those ‘stuffed-shirt meets wild-child’ romances (although the heroine isn’t really a wild-child as such), and while it’s fairly predictable, it’s a light-hearted, fun read and the two central characters are well-drawn and endearing. Maximillian Fortescue, Earl of Wycliffe has just inherited Casterleigh, near the village of Upper Bidwell in Sussex, and is about to pay a half-hour (a suitable length of time for this sort of thing) courtesy call on the local vicar. Arrived at the vicarage, Wycliffe – a tightly controlled and rather staid young man - is confronted by a passel of noisy, boisterous children, and, when ushered into the parlour, is arrested by the sight of the lush backside of a young woman who is peering under the sofa. Wycliffe’s impressions of her lusciousness are bolstered when she finally gets up clutching a pair of kittens; the vicar’s daughter is stunningly beautiful and Wycliffe – who isn’t normally one to languish over a woman’s charms - is pretty much smitten from the get go. In fact, he’s so smitten that he fails to adhere to his self-imposed schedule and ends up staying for the family dinner, which is full of chatter and laughter and like nothing he’s ever experienced. He can hardly take his eyes off the lovely Charlotte, yes, but he’s also amazed at the ease with which father and siblings interact with each other and with the way he’s been so quickly and easily accepted by them.
During the visit, Wycliffe learns that Charlotte is soon to depart for London where she is to take part in the Season under the auspices of an elderly cousin, with the intention of finding a husband. Wycliffe is surprised to find he doesn’t like this idea at all – but tells himself not to be ridiculous and offers to look in on her in London so that he can reassure her father that all is going well.
Naturally, Wycliffe’s role as self-appointed guardian and defender of Charlotte’s honour sees him running off all her potential suitors, even as he is stubbornly denying his own attraction to her and reminding himself that a man of his station cannot possibly marry the daughter of a mere country vicar.
Charlotte might be fresh out of the schoolroom, but she’s no simpering miss; she’s unaffected, intelligent and good-natured, with a good sense of humour and is well aware that making an advantageous marriage is important for her entire family (she has seven brothers and sisters) and not just herself. The trouble is that she’s also aware that most men are attracted only to her looks and aren’t likely to offer the sort of affection and companionship she longs for in her marriage. Even though she knows that a man of Wycliffe’s station can’t possibly marry her, she can’t help wishing, and she can’t help loving him and wanting to show him the sort of love and affection she’s come to realise he’s never had in his life.
One of the best things about this type of story is watching the starchy, strictly disciplined hero gradually abandon all his routines as he falls for the heroine, usually without realising it. Wycliffe is widely known for being cold, unemotional and the sort of man you could set your watch by; even his visits to his (former) mistress were on a regular, pre-arranged schedule. Yet from the moment he sets eyes on Charlotte, he starts to deviate from his routine, to the horror of his secretary and the amusement of Raleigh, Wycliffe’s best friend and hero of The Last RogueThe Last Rogue, the fourth (and best) book in this series.
For all the story’s predictability, the romance is well-done, the chemistry between Wycliffe and Charlotte crackles nicely, and there are a few steamy love scenes along the way. But a real bum note is struck near the end when a seemingly harmless suitor of Charlotte’s turns out to be a drug-crazed madman and attempts to carry her off – twice – in the last chapter or two. I could have forgiven a bit of tacked-on drama once, but twice was taking it too far and it was incredibly jarring.
Overall though, The Vicar’s Daughter proved to be an enjoyable, low-angst read, and while it’s not going onto my keeper shelf, it was nonetheless entertaining. If you’re looking for an undemanding, upbeat historical that radiates warmth and gentle humour, you might consider checking it out.
December 9, 2017
This novel may not appeal to all romance lovers but I just LOVED it. It was a "happy read" type of novel. It was so romantic and sweet. There was so much chemistry between the main characters; the chemistry was apparent from the very instant they first met. I loved the heroine Charlotte ! She was the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful and endearing heroine. Her family was wonderful too. Her father, the absentminded but lovable Vicar, adored his 7 kids. I loved the way Charlottle's toddler sister kept calling the hero "MY lord". It was so cute and the little girl's obvious fondness for the hero was so entertaining as was the way all the kids wormed their way into his stuffy heart. Charlotte's older sister Sarah and her eataholic hubby Alf were funny too. Charlotte's family was poor but her father was determined to see that she had a Season in London so that she could find a husband. His entire savings was put aside for that purpose because Charlotte was the beauty in the family and as such she was seen as their only hope. Charlotte was expected to gain a husband who would be able to help with her younger siblings' future prospects in life. I almost felt sorry for Charlotte because this was such a burden she had to bear. She knew the family could only afford one season so she definitely had to find a husband. She was in love with the hero but knew that she could not aspire to be his wife because he was a wealthy Earl and therefore would never marry a poor vicar's daughter.
The H was such an idiot at times. He wanted Charlotte but was against marrying her because he didn't think a vicar's daughter would be suitable for him. Despite his misgivings however, he kept getting rid of all of Charlotte's suitors. That part was so funny. Almost against his own wishes he found himself changing from his staid, stuffy personality to a man who would do almost anything to protect Charlotte and guard her from the men who swarmed around her. His obsession with her big breasts and uncontrollable blonde hair was an ongoing source of humor, because he was not a rakish type of man and he had never before been so addicted to gaping at a specific woman's body parts. Poor Charlotte was saddled with an aunt/chaperone in London who thought that her big boobs and voluptuous figure needed to be camouflaged with gowns that did nothing for her - to the hero's dismay.
In the end love won out because the H just couldn't abide the thought of his Charlotte marrying anyone else. In the midst of all of this there are many funny scenes and there's a dastardly villain who is obsessed with Charlotte. Then there's the sexy Marquis of Wroth, another one of Charlotte's suitors; he gets his own novel called Tempting Kate which I will read soon because that man is so damn hot ! I hope he gets a heroine who deserves his hotness.
The epilogue was absolutely beautiful. We get to see Max and Charlotte with their 7 kids on vacation on Greece. The H has his heir who is a chip off the old block - right down to being super organized, obsessed with watching the clock and being on schedule and a few uncontrollable playful cute kids. This was one of the nicest epilogues I've ever read because it showed just how happy the H is with his wife and kids and how much he had learned to embrace the spontaneous joys of life, rather than to be continually controlled by his penchant for schedules. And sweet Charlotte got the man of her dreams and a family of her own to love. It was perfect - in my humble opinion.
The H was such an idiot at times. He wanted Charlotte but was against marrying her because he didn't think a vicar's daughter would be suitable for him. Despite his misgivings however, he kept getting rid of all of Charlotte's suitors. That part was so funny. Almost against his own wishes he found himself changing from his staid, stuffy personality to a man who would do almost anything to protect Charlotte and guard her from the men who swarmed around her. His obsession with her big breasts and uncontrollable blonde hair was an ongoing source of humor, because he was not a rakish type of man and he had never before been so addicted to gaping at a specific woman's body parts. Poor Charlotte was saddled with an aunt/chaperone in London who thought that her big boobs and voluptuous figure needed to be camouflaged with gowns that did nothing for her - to the hero's dismay.
In the end love won out because the H just couldn't abide the thought of his Charlotte marrying anyone else. In the midst of all of this there are many funny scenes and there's a dastardly villain who is obsessed with Charlotte. Then there's the sexy Marquis of Wroth, another one of Charlotte's suitors; he gets his own novel called Tempting Kate which I will read soon because that man is so damn hot ! I hope he gets a heroine who deserves his hotness.
The epilogue was absolutely beautiful. We get to see Max and Charlotte with their 7 kids on vacation on Greece. The H has his heir who is a chip off the old block - right down to being super organized, obsessed with watching the clock and being on schedule and a few uncontrollable playful cute kids. This was one of the nicest epilogues I've ever read because it showed just how happy the H is with his wife and kids and how much he had learned to embrace the spontaneous joys of life, rather than to be continually controlled by his penchant for schedules. And sweet Charlotte got the man of her dreams and a family of her own to love. It was perfect - in my humble opinion.
May 2, 2019
"The Vicar's Daughter" is the story of Charlotte and Max.
A tale of instant attraction and blooming love, we have the haughty Earl of Wycliffe Max, who takes one look at his vicar's gorgeous and curvaceous daughter, and is completely bowled over in the small Sussex countryside. He soon ends up sponsoring her London season, falling for her 7 lively siblings, driving every suitor away and soon realizing he cannot live without her in his life. He goes from being a pompous aristocrat, to becoming a super besotted buffoon..it was adorably hilarious! Charlotte, on the other hand, instantly falls for him when he sees the mighty Earl cuddling her baby sister, and while he tries to push her into the society, her fantasies always lead her back to him.
A very sweet love story with such likable characters, humor, sizzling chemistry, eccentric but lovable families, some stalker drama with one of the most heartwarming epilogues ever.
Definitely managed to cheer me up a little on one of the worst days of my life. One of the best feel good books out there!
Safe
4.5/5
A tale of instant attraction and blooming love, we have the haughty Earl of Wycliffe Max, who takes one look at his vicar's gorgeous and curvaceous daughter, and is completely bowled over in the small Sussex countryside. He soon ends up sponsoring her London season, falling for her 7 lively siblings, driving every suitor away and soon realizing he cannot live without her in his life. He goes from being a pompous aristocrat, to becoming a super besotted buffoon..it was adorably hilarious! Charlotte, on the other hand, instantly falls for him when he sees the mighty Earl cuddling her baby sister, and while he tries to push her into the society, her fantasies always lead her back to him.
A very sweet love story with such likable characters, humor, sizzling chemistry, eccentric but lovable families, some stalker drama with one of the most heartwarming epilogues ever.
Definitely managed to cheer me up a little on one of the worst days of my life. One of the best feel good books out there!
Safe
4.5/5
December 28, 2021
This was a real delight! I had a hard time warming up to the hero initially because he kept looking down his aristocratic nose on everyone else (he thought he was being magnanimous but he actually came across as condescending). It was a lot of fun to see him being brought down to his knees by a mere vicar's daughter. His schedules were always disrupted and so many funny things happened when they were together (somehow or rather, the hero was always covered with food in their encounters). A new-to-me author and I'm sure I'll be reading up her other works in the future. This was a good, light-hearted romp!
May 16, 2014
This is my first book by Deborah Simmons and I must count myself a big fan of hers already. The plot of The Vicar's Daughter is not an entirely original trope, that of a lord falling for someone of a lower station. However, Simmons took this overused trope and created a refreshing and hilarious story that gave me much laughter and delight for a few hours, to the point that I wish the book were longer so I can read more of Charlotte and Max's story.
Wycliffe often said that had he known what awaited him that fateful day, he would never have entered the vicarage.
Alas, Maximilian Fortescue, the Earl of Wycliffe, made the unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) decision to visit the vicarage of one of his newest holdings, and encountered the vicar's rambunctious children, including the gorgeous Charlotte, who is about to have her come-out in London. Despite the warning bells ringing in his mind, Max offers to become Charlotte's guardian in London to safeguard her from the clutches of rakes and troublemakers; his excuse all the more feeble as he cannot help but succumb to a fatal attraction to her, as aristocratic snobbishness makes him unwilling to marry a vicar's daughter. However, as Max spurns each of Charlotte's suitors, he learns that it is him, and only him, who is worthy of Charlotte's affections.
The characters in this story are quite entertaining. It is especially hilarious how Max, known to be cold-hearted and extremely punctual, constantly bends his timetable for Charlotte, and turns into a mass of jealousy at seeing her with any other man. It took a great deal of self-control for Max to control his desire for Charlotte, much to the amusement of his matchmaking friend. But he is also very caring and dependable, and it was nice to see that Max's feelings for Charlotte ran deeper than mere lust, as she gives him a warm, familial feeling that touches his heart.
Charlotte is a delightful creature. Though fresh out of the classroom, she is by no means an insipid, simpering miss. True, she is an innocent, but she is also intelligent and charming, in addition to bearing a sweet and humorous nature. What interests me of her character is that she is realistic and knows where her responsibilities lie for her family. She is aware of her beauty (how could she not?) but sees that as an impediment as it attracts suitors only on a superficial level, not the sort of companionship and love she craves. I find her self-awareness refreshing and not in the least vain, as she is not shallow and does not try to over-shine others, but simply to do her duty by making a good match to help her family. It is quite adorable how despite knowing the slim chances that she will attract an offer from Max, she cannot help but try to attract his attention, finally to the point of falling in love with him and refusing all other suitors.
This lighthearted and engaging book is a must-have for fans in want of a sweet and adorable read with a slight undertone of action that only accentuates the feelings between Charlotte and Max. I recommend this to fans of light and sweet romance novels.
Wycliffe often said that had he known what awaited him that fateful day, he would never have entered the vicarage.
Alas, Maximilian Fortescue, the Earl of Wycliffe, made the unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) decision to visit the vicarage of one of his newest holdings, and encountered the vicar's rambunctious children, including the gorgeous Charlotte, who is about to have her come-out in London. Despite the warning bells ringing in his mind, Max offers to become Charlotte's guardian in London to safeguard her from the clutches of rakes and troublemakers; his excuse all the more feeble as he cannot help but succumb to a fatal attraction to her, as aristocratic snobbishness makes him unwilling to marry a vicar's daughter. However, as Max spurns each of Charlotte's suitors, he learns that it is him, and only him, who is worthy of Charlotte's affections.
The characters in this story are quite entertaining. It is especially hilarious how Max, known to be cold-hearted and extremely punctual, constantly bends his timetable for Charlotte, and turns into a mass of jealousy at seeing her with any other man. It took a great deal of self-control for Max to control his desire for Charlotte, much to the amusement of his matchmaking friend. But he is also very caring and dependable, and it was nice to see that Max's feelings for Charlotte ran deeper than mere lust, as she gives him a warm, familial feeling that touches his heart.
Charlotte is a delightful creature. Though fresh out of the classroom, she is by no means an insipid, simpering miss. True, she is an innocent, but she is also intelligent and charming, in addition to bearing a sweet and humorous nature. What interests me of her character is that she is realistic and knows where her responsibilities lie for her family. She is aware of her beauty (how could she not?) but sees that as an impediment as it attracts suitors only on a superficial level, not the sort of companionship and love she craves. I find her self-awareness refreshing and not in the least vain, as she is not shallow and does not try to over-shine others, but simply to do her duty by making a good match to help her family. It is quite adorable how despite knowing the slim chances that she will attract an offer from Max, she cannot help but try to attract his attention, finally to the point of falling in love with him and refusing all other suitors.
This lighthearted and engaging book is a must-have for fans in want of a sweet and adorable read with a slight undertone of action that only accentuates the feelings between Charlotte and Max. I recommend this to fans of light and sweet romance novels.
May 24, 2017
Great story about a H with rigid schedules and rules charmed by a vicars daughter and her family. I love this story. He tried to hard to find her a husband but he was the perfect one for her. I loved her family and how they thawed his frozen heart. It was so cute. I can't say enough. Why not five stars, it did drag a little at the 75% part and could have ended earlier but I still loved it. Highly recommend.
May 20, 2010
Let me start out by saying.....I love Deborah Simmons. She has penned some of my favorite stories (The Devil Earl and Taming the Wolf), but she has also penned some average (at best) reads. Unfortunately for me...this was one of the latter reads.
My biggest issue with this book was Charlotte. She was the Vicar's daughter for heaven's sake and she did NOT act the part. I like heroines who are beautiful and either don't know it......... or don't dwell on it if they DO know it. Charlotte seemed preoccupied with her looks. There are times in this book when she makes comments like "I wish I would have been born ugly" and "Being beautiful is certainly tiresome"......Yuck! I disliked her vanity and her spoiled selfish motivations. She also had very loose morals and it was hard to stomach that the vicar's daughter would've acted in such ways.
Maximilian, the Earl of Wycliffe, was an awesome speciman of a man. He was the only saving grace this book had. He was an uptight, scheduled, control freak who was literally "knocked on his feet" by the vicar's daughter. I loved how Charlotte kept him off balance and pushed him to actions that were completely unlike him. I love my heroes "unsettled" by the women they love, and this man was CERTAINLY unsettled.
If only I would've felt that Charlotte was deserving of him...........
My biggest issue with this book was Charlotte. She was the Vicar's daughter for heaven's sake and she did NOT act the part. I like heroines who are beautiful and either don't know it......... or don't dwell on it if they DO know it. Charlotte seemed preoccupied with her looks. There are times in this book when she makes comments like "I wish I would have been born ugly" and "Being beautiful is certainly tiresome"......Yuck! I disliked her vanity and her spoiled selfish motivations. She also had very loose morals and it was hard to stomach that the vicar's daughter would've acted in such ways.
Maximilian, the Earl of Wycliffe, was an awesome speciman of a man. He was the only saving grace this book had. He was an uptight, scheduled, control freak who was literally "knocked on his feet" by the vicar's daughter. I loved how Charlotte kept him off balance and pushed him to actions that were completely unlike him. I love my heroes "unsettled" by the women they love, and this man was CERTAINLY unsettled.
If only I would've felt that Charlotte was deserving of him...........
March 14, 2019
This one didn't reinvent the wheel as far as storylines go but I liked the execution because I love a heroine who can shake an unshakeable hero. The controlled rigid hero's life is turned upside down when he visits the heroine's father and her family. He finds himself breaking appointments, doing things he normally wouldn't do and finally giving into the inevitable. Entertaining.
February 13, 2009
Although I own several Simmons' books, I haven't gotten around to reading them all. This one I have read several times. I love the humor in TVD as well as the fact that it's part of a series.
The Heroine doesn't really seem like a Vicar's daughter and the hero has to keep reminding himself that she truly is.
There is also a villain who shows up toward the end of the book with a slight twist.
Loved it!
The Heroine doesn't really seem like a Vicar's daughter and the hero has to keep reminding himself that she truly is.
There is also a villain who shows up toward the end of the book with a slight twist.
Loved it!
August 10, 2017
Ame por completo este primer libro, la historia es muy divertida, romántica y completa.
February 18, 2026
gente me dá raiva esse negócio de amante pqp odeio muitooo e olha q nesse livro nem tem nada explícito só a ex flnd q ele é bom de cama e já me deu raiva queria bater nele me da MUITO nojo pq infelizmente em 1700 não tinha camisinha ent ele provavelmente tinha sífilis e passou pra minha princesa do campo charlotte
fora isso é fofo
fora isso é fofo
March 4, 2025
delightful regency romp
so charming full of a rambunctious family and a very proud lord who thinks he's above marrying a girl from such a shabby gentile station.
so great with delightful gentle characterisations.
so charming full of a rambunctious family and a very proud lord who thinks he's above marrying a girl from such a shabby gentile station.
so great with delightful gentle characterisations.
August 21, 2018
Charming
Loved it! Feel good romance with some adventure. I loved the h&H and their relationship! While the plot is not overly unique Simmons does a good job of adding unique situations and characters. Charlotte is relatable, sweet, and adorable. Max was an interesting character and absolutely smitten with Charlotte from the first meeting. Of course it helped that she spilt jam on his pants and then rubbed it off...Oops!
My one complaint is that the H never tells Charlotte he loves her. This isn't the first time Simmons has done this. It's almost like she was waiting for the perfect moment at the end then just forgets to include it. It's something I'm waiting for as a reader and feel disappointed when the H never says the words. I also wish we could've gotten Max's perspective of when his bride goes missing. There are a few editing errors but not enough to really be distracting. I have read every book, most of them at least twice, by Deborah Simmons and I loved all but a couple. I love the way she writes and even if I don't like the characters or the plot I find myself drawn in by her skill. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if that offends you.
Romance-5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-3/5
https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/
Loved it! Feel good romance with some adventure. I loved the h&H and their relationship! While the plot is not overly unique Simmons does a good job of adding unique situations and characters. Charlotte is relatable, sweet, and adorable. Max was an interesting character and absolutely smitten with Charlotte from the first meeting. Of course it helped that she spilt jam on his pants and then rubbed it off...Oops!
My one complaint is that the H never tells Charlotte he loves her. This isn't the first time Simmons has done this. It's almost like she was waiting for the perfect moment at the end then just forgets to include it. It's something I'm waiting for as a reader and feel disappointed when the H never says the words. I also wish we could've gotten Max's perspective of when his bride goes missing. There are a few editing errors but not enough to really be distracting. I have read every book, most of them at least twice, by Deborah Simmons and I loved all but a couple. I love the way she writes and even if I don't like the characters or the plot I find myself drawn in by her skill. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if that offends you.
Romance-5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-3/5
https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/
May 20, 2019
Very Entertaining
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and funny. Although, I enjoyed the book as written, I would have liked more sexy scenes earlier in the book.... Even if in thought alone (princesses a Vicar's daughter.
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and funny. Although, I enjoyed the book as written, I would have liked more sexy scenes earlier in the book.... Even if in thought alone (princesses a Vicar's daughter.
June 24, 2018
Oh, historical romance that wonderful world of a genre where they don't slacken on the fairy tale scrapes but tighten it to a degree to make our toes curl. How can modern-day romances compare with its modern standards of horse-faced beauties and mortal and moral ineligibilities? Trussed up like a prime confection for the arrogant wolfish Earl of Wycliffe is the vicar's daughter Charlotte Trowbridge. Ms. Simmons makes no humble account of our heroine's bounty. Charlotte Trowbridge is a certified beauty by her descriptions. Due to this fact, Charlotte is awarded by her family a season in London, to catch a gentleman of means and to uplift the family fortunes. What makes this novel a delightful comedy is the Earl of Wycliffe after detouring into the humble vicar's cottage is really thrown off kilter by our heroine from the very start: they fumble and drop pastries here and there. There is certainly a jaw-dropping attraction between them but of course, due to Wycliffe's own arrogance of clinging to the status quo, he relegates himself to the sidelines as Ms. Trowbridge's guardian for her season in London. He swears he will never offer for the vicar's daughter. He has to marry within his social class so no matter how attracted he is and no matter how absurdly he is behaving to Charlotte's myriad suitors, this character clings to this delusion. Wycliffe is certainly a match to Charlotte's goddess-like blonde looks and to add they both have a fondness for Greek classics. Romance novels aside there is a certain friendship born when you meet someone who esteems the same book as you or even enjoys the same genre and these characters certainly share a love for Greek tales as a cherry on top.
Charlotte for her part never considered herself as wife material for Wycliffe no matter if her fancy sometimes gets away with her. Her feet, for the most part, are on terra firma although she eventually has to capitulate that she will never marry for anything less than love and the one she loves is Wycliffe. It is really quite interesting to read the heroine's dilemma. She knows she has to win a husband of means because her family is counting on her (she has plenty of siblings) and yet she knows she cannot wish for Wycliffe because of her status of being merely a vicar's daughter. At some points, Charlotte steels herself and deliberately ignores Wycliffe's attention because she knows he won't offer for her and will only be wasting her time. These moments in the novel are gut-wrenching because we know these two are meant for each other and yet they must go against it. Eventually, after all the scrapes it is Wycliffe who relents. He knows he can't keep on brushing off what he perceives to be Charlotte's ineligible suitors, and finally writes her father all the while keeping his intentions in stealth much to Charlotte's annoyance. The vicar's daughter is a worthy read because it's interesting how the hero is finally humbled about his misconceptions about love and marriage and we love to see him fail because that means his happily ever after.
Charlotte for her part never considered herself as wife material for Wycliffe no matter if her fancy sometimes gets away with her. Her feet, for the most part, are on terra firma although she eventually has to capitulate that she will never marry for anything less than love and the one she loves is Wycliffe. It is really quite interesting to read the heroine's dilemma. She knows she has to win a husband of means because her family is counting on her (she has plenty of siblings) and yet she knows she cannot wish for Wycliffe because of her status of being merely a vicar's daughter. At some points, Charlotte steels herself and deliberately ignores Wycliffe's attention because she knows he won't offer for her and will only be wasting her time. These moments in the novel are gut-wrenching because we know these two are meant for each other and yet they must go against it. Eventually, after all the scrapes it is Wycliffe who relents. He knows he can't keep on brushing off what he perceives to be Charlotte's ineligible suitors, and finally writes her father all the while keeping his intentions in stealth much to Charlotte's annoyance. The vicar's daughter is a worthy read because it's interesting how the hero is finally humbled about his misconceptions about love and marriage and we love to see him fail because that means his happily ever after.
July 25, 2023
Stern, grumpy heroes who get all ruffled and messy from their ladies always melt my heart! And this one delivers that! The hero is rigid, punctual, and governs his life according to a strict schedule. Until the heroine. And suddenly chaos is blowing up his schedule!
There’s a lot of OM drama in this one. The heroine is in town to find a husband and the hero takes a special interest in the search…to help her find the right one, of course! And if he just so happens to run off her prospective grooms, it’s DEFINITELY not because he wants her!
This wasn’t very steamy although there are a couple of smexy times, they’re not very explicit. What this did have was engaging characters, lots of emotional connection and yearning and
The heroine does kiss one OM, to get the heroes attention and another OM kisses her against her will.
Hero’s past is mentioned briefly, that he has a mistress but he crosses his visits with her out of his schedule after meeting heroine. No cheating or sharing. HEA with epilogue
There’s a lot of OM drama in this one. The heroine is in town to find a husband and the hero takes a special interest in the search…to help her find the right one, of course! And if he just so happens to run off her prospective grooms, it’s DEFINITELY not because he wants her!
This wasn’t very steamy although there are a couple of smexy times, they’re not very explicit. What this did have was engaging characters, lots of emotional connection and yearning and
The heroine does kiss one OM, to get the heroes attention and another OM kisses her against her will.
Hero’s past is mentioned briefly, that he has a mistress but he crosses his visits with her out of his schedule after meeting heroine. No cheating or sharing. HEA with epilogue
January 29, 2022
Overall it was a decent book. It should have been shorter though. The middle really drags while the couple dances around each other, and without a subplot to keep things moving I found myself bored.
The heroine was inconsistent. One scene she would be reckless and manipulative and the next she would be sensible and straight forward. I didn't care for the hero much, but that's because I don't really like the snobby responsible types in my romances generally.
I did not see the point of the villain at the climax. There was almost no build up to it and then no resolution afterwards. It could have been left out entirely and it would not have changed anything.
The heroine was inconsistent. One scene she would be reckless and manipulative and the next she would be sensible and straight forward. I didn't care for the hero much, but that's because I don't really like the snobby responsible types in my romances generally.
I did not see the point of the villain at the climax. There was almost no build up to it and then no resolution afterwards. It could have been left out entirely and it would not have changed anything.
October 11, 2023
Primeiro livro da série Quartet Regency.
É um daqueles livros que valem cada trocado gasto. Charlote é a filha de um pastor, que alegremente seduz os homens ao mesmo tempo que se prepara para sua estreia como debutante. Wycliff, seu par romântico, é o sisudo conde responsável por cuidar de sua segurança física e moral... quando ele próprio não está sendo incentivado a destruí-los.
Não há muita coisa na trama, são piadas misturadas com algumas cenas mais picantes o que dá incrivelmente certo.
Divertido
É um daqueles livros que valem cada trocado gasto. Charlote é a filha de um pastor, que alegremente seduz os homens ao mesmo tempo que se prepara para sua estreia como debutante. Wycliff, seu par romântico, é o sisudo conde responsável por cuidar de sua segurança física e moral... quando ele próprio não está sendo incentivado a destruí-los.
Não há muita coisa na trama, são piadas misturadas com algumas cenas mais picantes o que dá incrivelmente certo.
Divertido
April 13, 2022
3 stars
Idk really how much I liked this book. Characters felt two dimensional, the story progressed well I guess but as I always believe measure of a good book is when you cant stop reading/ get so engrossed time flies by. Which was not the case here. I was almost getting impatient for the damned end to come.
It couldn't have come sooner tbh 🤦🏻♀️
Idk really how much I liked this book. Characters felt two dimensional, the story progressed well I guess but as I always believe measure of a good book is when you cant stop reading/ get so engrossed time flies by. Which was not the case here. I was almost getting impatient for the damned end to come.
It couldn't have come sooner tbh 🤦🏻♀️
September 4, 2019
I loved the characters as they developed. I also liked the food on their clothes and especially the champagne party. I liked that the stereo typed Englishman had a sense of humor. I think that her books are getting better.
March 14, 2024
Charming with a bit of spice.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Great characters.
Charm, wit, humor, angst, romance, spice.
HEA.
There is potential for more stories with the family & friends of the main characters.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Great characters.
Charm, wit, humor, angst, romance, spice.
HEA.
There is potential for more stories with the family & friends of the main characters.
October 31, 2024
3.5 stars
December 26, 2024
Lo disfrute mucho. hubo momentos tiernos, romanticos, graciosos y de mucha tension...
Se convirtio en uno de mis favoritos.
Calificación Final: 5 Estrellas
Se convirtio en uno de mis favoritos.
Calificación Final: 5 Estrellas
September 20, 2025
note: have read before but forgot to log
July 3, 2024
Too long, too slow, too many unnecessary characters. I liked the plot and the main characters, but I skimmed half of the book and didn't miss anything.
March 13, 2024
Delightful read
I loved this book. The heroine was wonderful, quirky, sweet, and lovable. Max was the perfect hero. His "pursuit" of Charlotte made for one delightful read. There was enough drama, action, and well written story to make any lover of romance novels happy. I highly recommend this book.
I loved this book. The heroine was wonderful, quirky, sweet, and lovable. Max was the perfect hero. His "pursuit" of Charlotte made for one delightful read. There was enough drama, action, and well written story to make any lover of romance novels happy. I highly recommend this book.
March 8, 2017
Whatever happened to...
Many many years ago there was a group of delightful books by an author named Deborah Simmons. This was in the days when a "series" wasn't as pre-ordained as it is now. Anyway, she had/has a regency series (without a name) and a medieval series (with a name). The first few books in the medieval series were a delight, but even more wonderful were her
regency books. She was/is a joy to read.
Then something happened over at Harlequin and she disappeared for a while, then she came back. However, her last book was published in the early part of 2013. Her website doesn't show any recent activity and I am nervous. Even though her last few books were a disappointment for me, I have continued to keep an eye out, but nothing seems to be happening. If you have never read any of her books, the three I'm going to talk about are gems and you should try to find them somewhere. Two of them have been released in electronic format, but The Vicar's Daughter is still out-of-print and hard to find.
Let's start with the first one - sort of - The Vicar's Daughter, 1995. I say sort of because I'm only talking about three of Ms. Simmons early regencies. There are earlier regencies with characters that are mentioned in these three books; however, I've always considered The Vicar's Daughter, Tempting Kate, and The Last Rogue the best of Ms. Simmons' regencies.
Back to The Vicar's Daughter, which I reviewed years ago and have not changed my mind. I love when I can go back to a much-beloved book and find that it still brings me pleasure. The Vicar's Daughter has one of my favorite type of heroes, an uptight stuffed-shirt who turns into an out of control befuddled male. In fact all three stories featured befuddled males. Max has mapped his life out completely, down to the last hair on his head. He has scheduled everything, he's orderly, everything is timed. He has time pieces that keep him on his schedule, he looks at them constantly. He doesn't have too much of a sense of humor, he's neat, precise, only drinks two glasses of wine and even has visits to his mistress penciled into his schedule. His secretary knows that Max has broken off with his mistress because he has scratched her name out of his time-table.
As luck would have it, he has purchased an estate in the country and is visiting it, adding it into his well-ordered life. It is while he is at this estate that he decides to pay a visit to the local vicar and there he meets his doom in the form of the vicar's second eldest daughter, Charlotte. From the moment he enters the ramshackle home of the vicar, his life is never the same. The vicar, you see, Mr. Trowbridge, has eight children and only one of those eight children is married and not living at home. Max's entrance into the home is very amusing. This house is full of exuberant children and nothing in it is anything Max has ever experienced. His first encounter with Charlotte is funny and sets the course for the rest of his encounters with her. Usually those encounters include food being spilled on him and her trying to wipe it up.
This is not a deep dark story, nor does it cause frown lines. Max and Charlotte are a great couple, and though they are complete opposites they bring into the relationship just what the other person needs to be a better person. It's filled with wit, charm and fun. I had a great time watching Max stutter, deny and flounder his way toward his HEA.
Many many years ago there was a group of delightful books by an author named Deborah Simmons. This was in the days when a "series" wasn't as pre-ordained as it is now. Anyway, she had/has a regency series (without a name) and a medieval series (with a name). The first few books in the medieval series were a delight, but even more wonderful were her
regency books. She was/is a joy to read.
Then something happened over at Harlequin and she disappeared for a while, then she came back. However, her last book was published in the early part of 2013. Her website doesn't show any recent activity and I am nervous. Even though her last few books were a disappointment for me, I have continued to keep an eye out, but nothing seems to be happening. If you have never read any of her books, the three I'm going to talk about are gems and you should try to find them somewhere. Two of them have been released in electronic format, but The Vicar's Daughter is still out-of-print and hard to find.
Let's start with the first one - sort of - The Vicar's Daughter, 1995. I say sort of because I'm only talking about three of Ms. Simmons early regencies. There are earlier regencies with characters that are mentioned in these three books; however, I've always considered The Vicar's Daughter, Tempting Kate, and The Last Rogue the best of Ms. Simmons' regencies.
Back to The Vicar's Daughter, which I reviewed years ago and have not changed my mind. I love when I can go back to a much-beloved book and find that it still brings me pleasure. The Vicar's Daughter has one of my favorite type of heroes, an uptight stuffed-shirt who turns into an out of control befuddled male. In fact all three stories featured befuddled males. Max has mapped his life out completely, down to the last hair on his head. He has scheduled everything, he's orderly, everything is timed. He has time pieces that keep him on his schedule, he looks at them constantly. He doesn't have too much of a sense of humor, he's neat, precise, only drinks two glasses of wine and even has visits to his mistress penciled into his schedule. His secretary knows that Max has broken off with his mistress because he has scratched her name out of his time-table.
As luck would have it, he has purchased an estate in the country and is visiting it, adding it into his well-ordered life. It is while he is at this estate that he decides to pay a visit to the local vicar and there he meets his doom in the form of the vicar's second eldest daughter, Charlotte. From the moment he enters the ramshackle home of the vicar, his life is never the same. The vicar, you see, Mr. Trowbridge, has eight children and only one of those eight children is married and not living at home. Max's entrance into the home is very amusing. This house is full of exuberant children and nothing in it is anything Max has ever experienced. His first encounter with Charlotte is funny and sets the course for the rest of his encounters with her. Usually those encounters include food being spilled on him and her trying to wipe it up.
This is not a deep dark story, nor does it cause frown lines. Max and Charlotte are a great couple, and though they are complete opposites they bring into the relationship just what the other person needs to be a better person. It's filled with wit, charm and fun. I had a great time watching Max stutter, deny and flounder his way toward his HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2008
The Vicar's Daughter - G
Simmons, Deborah - standalone
Charlotte Trowbridge has been looking forward to her London season since she was a little girl. It will be her opportunity to meet eligible men and bring home a husband who will help take care of her family. But when she meets the new owner of the Great House, she knows she doesn't need to go to London to find the man she wants to marry. The Earl of Wycliffe is everything she could want in a husband. Unfortunately, she is only a country girl from Sussex and the vicar's daughter -- he would never want her. Maximilian, Earl of Wycliffe, is charmed by the vicar's daughter-- and her entire family with all its boisterous children. He offers to look out for Charlotte during her time in London and he promises the vicar he will find a suitable husband for her. Yet once Charlotte arrives in London, he finds fault with every one of her suitors no matter what their wealth or title! The vicar's daughter has a strange affect on Maximilian, but he is determined to act as her guardian. So why does he keep ending up in compromising positions with the young lady? Realizing she will never be happy marrying another man, Charlotte sets her sights on Max, even though she knows he wouldn't marry a simple country girl. She wants to help her family, but she loves Max and often finds herself in situations that will bring him to her rescue. His self-control stretched to the limits, Max finds Charlotte's escapades irritating and a disruption to his rigid schedule. Her beauty and intelligence are an attractive combination and he finally decides that the only way to stop the advances of her suitors is to marry her himself. But one of her scorned suitors interrupts their wedded bliss and this time Charlotte can't wait for Max to rescue her!
If you're looking for a delightful, light romance, this, and all of Simmon's Harlequin books, fits the bill.
Simmons, Deborah - standalone
Charlotte Trowbridge has been looking forward to her London season since she was a little girl. It will be her opportunity to meet eligible men and bring home a husband who will help take care of her family. But when she meets the new owner of the Great House, she knows she doesn't need to go to London to find the man she wants to marry. The Earl of Wycliffe is everything she could want in a husband. Unfortunately, she is only a country girl from Sussex and the vicar's daughter -- he would never want her. Maximilian, Earl of Wycliffe, is charmed by the vicar's daughter-- and her entire family with all its boisterous children. He offers to look out for Charlotte during her time in London and he promises the vicar he will find a suitable husband for her. Yet once Charlotte arrives in London, he finds fault with every one of her suitors no matter what their wealth or title! The vicar's daughter has a strange affect on Maximilian, but he is determined to act as her guardian. So why does he keep ending up in compromising positions with the young lady? Realizing she will never be happy marrying another man, Charlotte sets her sights on Max, even though she knows he wouldn't marry a simple country girl. She wants to help her family, but she loves Max and often finds herself in situations that will bring him to her rescue. His self-control stretched to the limits, Max finds Charlotte's escapades irritating and a disruption to his rigid schedule. Her beauty and intelligence are an attractive combination and he finally decides that the only way to stop the advances of her suitors is to marry her himself. But one of her scorned suitors interrupts their wedded bliss and this time Charlotte can't wait for Max to rescue her!
If you're looking for a delightful, light romance, this, and all of Simmon's Harlequin books, fits the bill.
November 29, 2012
What I knew about the heroine by the end of the book:
She had big breasts. Very big breasts. ("They fell into his large palms and spilled over, bounty too beauteous to be contained.")
She was a vicar's daughter.
She had a lot of hair.
All three of these points, and especially the first two, were repeated over and over throughout the book. Just so I (or more to the point, the hero,) didn't forget...? It seemed a bit excessive at times. I mean, is there really no other way to refer to the heroine besides "the vicar's daughter"?
(To those reviewers complaining about the heroine seeming to not act as a vicar's daughter should, well, at least she's more vicar's daughter-ly than Lisa Valdez's heroines, but that's not really saying much, as they seem to have a penchant for having sex with men they've never met before. Personally, in this book, I didn't have a problem with it, since they were betrothed by that point.)
I don't say this often, but I really think this book should have been shorter. The pacing seemed off: for the first half of the book, nothing seemed to happen at all, and in the second half, periods of action alternated with more sections of nothing happening.
And the crazy guy didn't even make sense in a crazy way. The husband of a peeress in her own right gets nothing. So while his son will inherit, he's stuck with whatever title he had to begin with.
I did like the hero. He was adorable. (I adore stories where stuffy heroes become decidedly unstuffy when confronted by the heroine.) The heroine could get kind of annoying at times, though. And both of them were obnoxiously dense at times.
There were parts I liked, and parts that amused me, but there were definitely parts that bored me, too. So I give it three stars.
She had big breasts. Very big breasts. ("They fell into his large palms and spilled over, bounty too beauteous to be contained.")
She was a vicar's daughter.
She had a lot of hair.
All three of these points, and especially the first two, were repeated over and over throughout the book. Just so I (or more to the point, the hero,) didn't forget...? It seemed a bit excessive at times. I mean, is there really no other way to refer to the heroine besides "the vicar's daughter"?
(To those reviewers complaining about the heroine seeming to not act as a vicar's daughter should, well, at least she's more vicar's daughter-ly than Lisa Valdez's heroines, but that's not really saying much, as they seem to have a penchant for having sex with men they've never met before. Personally, in this book, I didn't have a problem with it, since they were betrothed by that point.)
I don't say this often, but I really think this book should have been shorter. The pacing seemed off: for the first half of the book, nothing seemed to happen at all, and in the second half, periods of action alternated with more sections of nothing happening.
And the crazy guy didn't even make sense in a crazy way. The husband of a peeress in her own right gets nothing. So while his son will inherit, he's stuck with whatever title he had to begin with.
I did like the hero. He was adorable. (I adore stories where stuffy heroes become decidedly unstuffy when confronted by the heroine.) The heroine could get kind of annoying at times, though. And both of them were obnoxiously dense at times.
There were parts I liked, and parts that amused me, but there were definitely parts that bored me, too. So I give it three stars.
April 6, 2009
Sweet (but well-read) country-bred innocent must wed well to save impoverished family. Cynical, filthy-rich Earl falls for novelty of fabulous beauty and innocence despite girl's lowly birth. Kidnappings, races to Gretna Green, a duel, fisticuffs, and more sex than a properly brought up young lady (from this era, at least) would allow prior to marriage.
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