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Curricle & Chaise
When Mrs Thomas Barrington was so inconsiderate as to depart this world without so much as a ‘by your leave’, leaving two daughters to burden their aunts and precious little else to cover their maintenance, their futures looked very uncertain indeed.
Of course, it was entirely natural that two young ladies of 19 and 7 would feel bereft at the loss of their mama, but to Miss Lydia and Miss Susan Barrington their change in circumstances demanded a total and somewhat painful adjustment to their whole way of life.
With their father less than two years dead and no male relative available to render them assistance it quickly became apparent that they must learn to shift for themselves. Even this might have proved tolerable. After all, Lydia was an independent sort of a girl, more than capable of holding her own against importunate tradesmen, and more than happy to bring her younger sister up on her own.
It would not do, however. The state in which Lydia discovered the family affairs made independent existence quite out of the question. In spite of all her best efforts, within a few months of her mama’s death, and scarcely out of full mourning, it became apparent to her that there was nothing to be done but to acknowledge the inevitable and appeal to her relations for help….
It is 1810. Lydia, now penniless, is forced to seek a home with an aunt and uncle who have no interest in her whatsoever. But there are plenty of others with an interest in her – including the handsome but selfish son of the family – her cousin Charles - and two elegant brothers who live nearby.
Each, in his own way, poses an intriguing challenge to her. Luckily Lydia is well able to look after herself but she gets into a number of scrapes which almost cost her any chance of happiness before finally managing to sort things out in the end.
Of course, it was entirely natural that two young ladies of 19 and 7 would feel bereft at the loss of their mama, but to Miss Lydia and Miss Susan Barrington their change in circumstances demanded a total and somewhat painful adjustment to their whole way of life.
With their father less than two years dead and no male relative available to render them assistance it quickly became apparent that they must learn to shift for themselves. Even this might have proved tolerable. After all, Lydia was an independent sort of a girl, more than capable of holding her own against importunate tradesmen, and more than happy to bring her younger sister up on her own.
It would not do, however. The state in which Lydia discovered the family affairs made independent existence quite out of the question. In spite of all her best efforts, within a few months of her mama’s death, and scarcely out of full mourning, it became apparent to her that there was nothing to be done but to acknowledge the inevitable and appeal to her relations for help….
It is 1810. Lydia, now penniless, is forced to seek a home with an aunt and uncle who have no interest in her whatsoever. But there are plenty of others with an interest in her – including the handsome but selfish son of the family – her cousin Charles - and two elegant brothers who live nearby.
Each, in his own way, poses an intriguing challenge to her. Luckily Lydia is well able to look after herself but she gets into a number of scrapes which almost cost her any chance of happiness before finally managing to sort things out in the end.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 21, 2019
This is a perfectly unobjectionable Regency romance that had some genuinely funny moments. Parts of the plot felt a bit overwritten (particularly ), but it was charming enough that I kept on reading.
The heroine, Lydia, is beautiful but poor, which is the start to any good story. What's really interesting about Lydia is that she is also quite unaccomplished for a lady - she can't play music or draw, and is only vaguely a reader - and her main personality trait is "very active," which means she enjoys walking and gamboling about outside. There's an implication that Lydia kept her family afloat after the death of her father and bargained quite heartily with the tradespeople coming to dismantle the estate, but this is only briefly mentioned in places (which I thought was odd since ). Otherwise, she's just careening up and down hills and being super hot while she does it. The unfortunate thing about her beauty is that this sets up multiple plots in which men aggressively pursue her in an alarming way, which I thought was a bit much (did it need to happen more than once? is there another way to more clearly pose the danger that a penniless woman of a certain class faces?). I did like Lydia's honesty and her commitment to living as best she could in her circumstances.
The hero, Henry, is very wealthy and owns multiple estates, one of which is an ancient castle. I am into this, but not into the fact that he clocks in at 5'9". He's a bit of a Darcy figure in that he has ulterior motives around his brother's dalliance with Lydia's cousin, Julia, and he's quite stoic for most of the book. I had some trouble really dialing in to why Henry was so taken with Lydia and if there were any consequences to picking a penniless woman as a wife; obviously he's rich enough for the two of them, but in a reversal of traditional romance novels the older women in his life (his aunt, his mother) don't particularly care that Lydia has no money and are quite taken with her. I guess the answer is "Lydia is hot and a good conversationalist."
I enjoyed this, but it wasn't amazing. It's a good book for a plane or as a palate cleanser.
The heroine, Lydia, is beautiful but poor, which is the start to any good story. What's really interesting about Lydia is that she is also quite unaccomplished for a lady - she can't play music or draw, and is only vaguely a reader - and her main personality trait is "very active," which means she enjoys walking and gamboling about outside. There's an implication that Lydia kept her family afloat after the death of her father and bargained quite heartily with the tradespeople coming to dismantle the estate, but this is only briefly mentioned in places (which I thought was odd since ). Otherwise, she's just careening up and down hills and being super hot while she does it. The unfortunate thing about her beauty is that this sets up multiple plots in which men aggressively pursue her in an alarming way, which I thought was a bit much (did it need to happen more than once? is there another way to more clearly pose the danger that a penniless woman of a certain class faces?). I did like Lydia's honesty and her commitment to living as best she could in her circumstances.
The hero, Henry, is very wealthy and owns multiple estates, one of which is an ancient castle. I am into this, but not into the fact that he clocks in at 5'9". He's a bit of a Darcy figure in that he has ulterior motives around his brother's dalliance with Lydia's cousin, Julia, and he's quite stoic for most of the book. I had some trouble really dialing in to why Henry was so taken with Lydia and if there were any consequences to picking a penniless woman as a wife; obviously he's rich enough for the two of them, but in a reversal of traditional romance novels the older women in his life (his aunt, his mother) don't particularly care that Lydia has no money and are quite taken with her. I guess the answer is "Lydia is hot and a good conversationalist."
I enjoyed this, but it wasn't amazing. It's a good book for a plane or as a palate cleanser.
April 19, 2012
After Lydia Barrington is orphaned, she tries to maintain her household but is quickly forced to admit defeat. Her younger sister goes to live with one aunt, and she to another. Although her Aunt Abdale does her best to make Lydia feel the full humiliation of being a poor dependent relation, Lydia manages to make friends and enjoy herself. She even makes a connection to a local gentleman. But the course of love never did run smooth--Lydia's poverty and lack of protection
I was astonished by how much I enjoyed this book. The language is just what I wish for from a regency romance: long sentences with plenty of clauses, reminiscent of the literary style of the 1790s-1820 without sounding forced. The tone is light, but with a dollop of social insight. Lydia herself is a wonderful heroine, with plenty of spirit and wit without ever coming across as anachronistic or waspish. The plot clips along quickly, but there's plenty of time to enjoy the slow build of relationships and yearning tension.
I was astonished by how much I enjoyed this book. The language is just what I wish for from a regency romance: long sentences with plenty of clauses, reminiscent of the literary style of the 1790s-1820 without sounding forced. The tone is light, but with a dollop of social insight. Lydia herself is a wonderful heroine, with plenty of spirit and wit without ever coming across as anachronistic or waspish. The plot clips along quickly, but there's plenty of time to enjoy the slow build of relationships and yearning tension.
October 18, 2012
This was an utterly delightful book. This author writes very well, and this book reminds me of a more contemporary version of Jane Austin or Georgette Heyer. Lydia, the heroine here is intelligent and spirited. As a penniless orphan, she goes to live with her extremely mean spirited aunt and uncle. She never lets her aunt bully her, and I always wanted to applaud the assertive way Lydia handled herself.
The author is an excellent story teller. I didn't finish another book of hers because I found the heroine so nasty and obnoxious as to be offensive. However, I planned to give the author a second chance, because I found the quality of her writing to be very high. I'm glad I did. This author can definitely write a spirited, intelligent, assertive heroine, with heart and compassion, as she did here. I look forward to more books by Ms. Church.
The author is an excellent story teller. I didn't finish another book of hers because I found the heroine so nasty and obnoxious as to be offensive. However, I planned to give the author a second chance, because I found the quality of her writing to be very high. I'm glad I did. This author can definitely write a spirited, intelligent, assertive heroine, with heart and compassion, as she did here. I look forward to more books by Ms. Church.
August 12, 2012
Exasperating read at times. Some characters I just wanted them to die of some horrible, wasting disease, but everyone was so polite to them. I'll commend Lizzie Church for the language. I imagine that each sentence must have taken hours to construct.
February 24, 2015
It's amazing how many books you can get through when you are feeling sick. I was glad to find this on Kindle Unlimited. This is just my style of romance book.
June 1, 2012
I'm torn in my rating of this book, just as I'm torn in reviewing it. Someone else rated the book low, and said it was "pseudo-Jane Austen", and that's exactly what I both like and don't like about it. As I was reading it, I kept thinking that I needed to go back to the title page to make sure this was a recently published book. It is written SO much like the books of the period, which is both endearing and annoying.
I LOVE Jane Austen. But let's be realistic -- the woman would not be published today. By today's standards, her books would be considered poorly paced, with too much POV shifting, and too much expository text. But we read them and love them and forgive her because she wrote such a long time ago.
This book is written so much like Austen's books that it has all of their flaws. BUT it also has all of their strengths, plus one, in that Austen didn't have to research her time period, whereas Ms. Church has extremely well-researched the time period about which she writes.
Ultimately, I am giving this 4 stars because when I read it, I felt like I was reading a book written in the time period in which it is set. This is a unique way to write an historical novel, affecting the style of writing of the period in addition to including all of the historically accurate details. Plus, I didn't want to put it down, and that's always a plus.
I LOVE Jane Austen. But let's be realistic -- the woman would not be published today. By today's standards, her books would be considered poorly paced, with too much POV shifting, and too much expository text. But we read them and love them and forgive her because she wrote such a long time ago.
This book is written so much like Austen's books that it has all of their flaws. BUT it also has all of their strengths, plus one, in that Austen didn't have to research her time period, whereas Ms. Church has extremely well-researched the time period about which she writes.
Ultimately, I am giving this 4 stars because when I read it, I felt like I was reading a book written in the time period in which it is set. This is a unique way to write an historical novel, affecting the style of writing of the period in addition to including all of the historically accurate details. Plus, I didn't want to put it down, and that's always a plus.
July 16, 2014
I enjoyed this book and have downloaded to kindle the next two Lizzie Church has written. I don't write romance myself but love the Regency romances when well written. This is what the author calls 'traditional', which I guess means gentle, in the sense of Jane Austen, and not the smouldering, almost bodice rippers, that some authors produce. While not disparaging those, as have read my share, they tend to all blend together after a while. There seems to be better character development, more range of characters, and a more varied storyline in the traditional form, and are generally less fraught.
October 21, 2015
The language is a bit old school/high brow, but the story is good. I liked it despite the lofty writing.
January 13, 2019
Meh again!
As previously stated, I am reading books in a strange pointless sort of manner. I picked this out of my "Free Books -- To Read" collection because after American Heiress, and The Bean Trees, I was up to picking a book that started with "C". I did have some books in there with more substance but I already knew my "meh" mood (getting worse every day, the longer I am laid up with my back") so I intentionally picked fluff.
I feel a little guilty if all that contributes to why I gave this "only" two starts but, truly, it really is just okay.
The writing is fine, the story is fine, it's pretty a 'classic' formula for "regency romance"... but the characters are pretty flat. People make comparisons to austen, heyer, etc. and it's not even close. It's the same *genre*, yes, but that's about it. If you are in the mood for this particular style of book (regency romance; and I don't judge, because I quite enjoy it!) just go ahead and read some Heyer Georgette instead -- tons of her stuff is free on kindle unlimited and her characters and dialog really do pop. Even The Marriage Mart is so much better than this and it is straight cutesy regency romance.
So, yeah, meh again!
As previously stated, I am reading books in a strange pointless sort of manner. I picked this out of my "Free Books -- To Read" collection because after American Heiress, and The Bean Trees, I was up to picking a book that started with "C". I did have some books in there with more substance but I already knew my "meh" mood (getting worse every day, the longer I am laid up with my back") so I intentionally picked fluff.
I feel a little guilty if all that contributes to why I gave this "only" two starts but, truly, it really is just okay.
The writing is fine, the story is fine, it's pretty a 'classic' formula for "regency romance"... but the characters are pretty flat. People make comparisons to austen, heyer, etc. and it's not even close. It's the same *genre*, yes, but that's about it. If you are in the mood for this particular style of book (regency romance; and I don't judge, because I quite enjoy it!) just go ahead and read some Heyer Georgette instead -- tons of her stuff is free on kindle unlimited and her characters and dialog really do pop. Even The Marriage Mart is so much better than this and it is straight cutesy regency romance.
So, yeah, meh again!
January 2, 2023
1.5 stars, a lackluster Regency romance novel. The writing isn’t terrible, but the dialogue is not engaging, the characterizations are weak, and there’s no chemistry between, well, anybody. The only thing going for this is that it’s old-school, so at least nobody is having sex in chapter three.
It was difficult to keep reading when Lydia’s aunt and cousin repeatedly make ridiculously over-the-top comments to her. The aunt: “In short, you and your sister have been reduced to beggars. You will expect, therefore, to earn your keep while you remain at Abdale House, and though by necessity you will enjoy the company and companionship of my family you will not think of being treated in any way as our equals.” The cousin: “‘Are you not thoroughly miserable now that you have no prospects of your own? I could not abide the thought of reaching my twenty-first year and finding myself without a penny to my name.”
It was difficult to keep reading when Lydia’s aunt and cousin repeatedly make ridiculously over-the-top comments to her. The aunt: “In short, you and your sister have been reduced to beggars. You will expect, therefore, to earn your keep while you remain at Abdale House, and though by necessity you will enjoy the company and companionship of my family you will not think of being treated in any way as our equals.” The cousin: “‘Are you not thoroughly miserable now that you have no prospects of your own? I could not abide the thought of reaching my twenty-first year and finding myself without a penny to my name.”
March 30, 2022
Enjoyable Read
This book keeps you wandering to the very end. Will he or won’t he, the suspense doesn’t end till almost the end of the story. I enjoyed it very much.
This book keeps you wandering to the very end. Will he or won’t he, the suspense doesn’t end till almost the end of the story. I enjoyed it very much.
November 4, 2024
The book was good, but wasn’t one I rushed to finish. It sort of drug along at times. Did enjoy and would read more by this author.
August 22, 2018
Well, I gave the book a read, and in conclusion, I'm not a fan of this book. It seems too much like it is the imitation of another classic author from times past, like the writer was trying to imitate their work. I found the book to be rather tedious to read, and there was too many mundane details and conservations. The characters in the story were interesting, but not gripping. It just wasn't a memorable book for me.
April 16, 2021
These main character is exeptionally excellent.
February 7, 2021
Wow, this is the second time in a very short span of time that I’ve re-read a book and changed my initial thoughts about it. The first book was The Wooing of Miss Masters which I thoroughly enjoyed the second time around.
I didn’t quite enjoy Curricle & Chaise as much on the second re-reading, but it was better than I remembered it being.
The story in brief: Lydia Barrington and her younger sister are left penniless on the deaths of their parents and are forced to rely on the generosity of their aunts. Susan goes to the ‘better but poor aunt’ (wife of a minister) whilst Lydia goes to the appalling but rich aunt. Whilst there she meets the hero, is treated appallingly by her male cousin and ends up returning to stay with the poor aunt. Where she stays for ages and ages and ages until through a whole lot of coincidences she ends up running into the hero again and getting her Happily Ever After.
I did enjoy this book but the very, very long period between the heroine leaving her rich aunt and seeing the hero again seemed completely irrelevant. There was no character development of the heroine and certainly she seemed to give up any thoughts of the hero quite easily. The POV jumped around quite a bit as well which I’m never fond of (unless it is to let us know the inner thoughts of the stoic hero of course!)
The author cites Jane Austen as one of her inspirations and I certainly got a sense of Mr Fairfax (from Emma) in terms of the antics by the hero’s brother. There’s a bit of humour as well – I enjoyed Sir John Ferdinand and some of the heroine’s antics – but some of the humour occasionally seemed out of place. And the final act visited upon Lydia’s female cousin (spoilers if I say any more) seemed cruel and unnecessary, in my opinion.
If you’re after a slow paced book with lots of dialogue and an extremely long period between encounters, then I’d definitely recommend buying Curricle & Chaise, but otherwise give it a miss.
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
I didn’t quite enjoy Curricle & Chaise as much on the second re-reading, but it was better than I remembered it being.
The story in brief: Lydia Barrington and her younger sister are left penniless on the deaths of their parents and are forced to rely on the generosity of their aunts. Susan goes to the ‘better but poor aunt’ (wife of a minister) whilst Lydia goes to the appalling but rich aunt. Whilst there she meets the hero, is treated appallingly by her male cousin and ends up returning to stay with the poor aunt. Where she stays for ages and ages and ages until through a whole lot of coincidences she ends up running into the hero again and getting her Happily Ever After.
I did enjoy this book but the very, very long period between the heroine leaving her rich aunt and seeing the hero again seemed completely irrelevant. There was no character development of the heroine and certainly she seemed to give up any thoughts of the hero quite easily. The POV jumped around quite a bit as well which I’m never fond of (unless it is to let us know the inner thoughts of the stoic hero of course!)
The author cites Jane Austen as one of her inspirations and I certainly got a sense of Mr Fairfax (from Emma) in terms of the antics by the hero’s brother. There’s a bit of humour as well – I enjoyed Sir John Ferdinand and some of the heroine’s antics – but some of the humour occasionally seemed out of place. And the final act visited upon Lydia’s female cousin (spoilers if I say any more) seemed cruel and unnecessary, in my opinion.
If you’re after a slow paced book with lots of dialogue and an extremely long period between encounters, then I’d definitely recommend buying Curricle & Chaise, but otherwise give it a miss.
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
October 16, 2012
In which Lydia is constantly sexually harassed, but manages to parlay her marriagability into a respectable life.
I love a good Austen pastiche as much as the next person. This one, however, left me cold.
Lydia is a patient, responsible, dutiful woman who is not excited about being a household drudge, but as a dependent relative with no particular mental gifts, she is kind of stuck. Happily, there is a rich neighboring landowner. Also competing for her affections are a feckless younger brother who ought to be paying attention to his own girl, and elderly squire, and her odious cousin who likes to corner her.
The story line depends on a fortuitous carriage accident, some chance meetings, and a little more coincidence than was strictly necessary.
The narrative voice is amusing, and probably my favorite part of this book. Lydia's skill at making friends while staying polite and appropriate is endearing.
Read if: You are in the mood for a low-impact romance you could give to your aunt without fear of embarrassment.
Skip if: You are going to be ooked out by how much Lydia has to work to defend herself against sexual onslaughts.
Read instead:Frederica, for a custodial sister who is more empowered.
I love a good Austen pastiche as much as the next person. This one, however, left me cold.
Lydia is a patient, responsible, dutiful woman who is not excited about being a household drudge, but as a dependent relative with no particular mental gifts, she is kind of stuck. Happily, there is a rich neighboring landowner. Also competing for her affections are a feckless younger brother who ought to be paying attention to his own girl, and elderly squire, and her odious cousin who likes to corner her.
The story line depends on a fortuitous carriage accident, some chance meetings, and a little more coincidence than was strictly necessary.
The narrative voice is amusing, and probably my favorite part of this book. Lydia's skill at making friends while staying polite and appropriate is endearing.
Read if: You are in the mood for a low-impact romance you could give to your aunt without fear of embarrassment.
Skip if: You are going to be ooked out by how much Lydia has to work to defend herself against sexual onslaughts.
Read instead:Frederica, for a custodial sister who is more empowered.
July 24, 2015
I liked the very beginning of this book! When Mrs. Barrington decided to very inconsiderately decided to die..........., this was enough for me to decide this was a mix of Georgette Heyer, with a dash of Jane Austen.
I've finished Georgette Heyer's books and love the Regency period and the descriptions of domestic life and the characters that people her books. This was no different.
Lydia and Susan are left destitute on the death of their mother and unfortunately they both cannot be taken in by a single family. One aunt takes on Susan who is a quiet, shy child and Lydia goes to the Abdales where she is treated no less than a servant, not at all like a niece.
Lydia's time in the Abdale household is a tough one. She is always made to feel that even giving her the time of day is a luxury and she should look on it as being extremely lucky to have a place in this great house. Her cousin Julia is a pretty girl, whose interests are fixed on the second son of a neighbour whereas her ambitious mother wants her to aim higher for the eldest son. He is more interested in Lydia from the onset but this Mrs. Abdale doesn't figure! To make matters worse the obnoxious son of the household has his eye on Lydia and you know it is not going to end well the way things are going.
Like all Regency love stories you know this is going to end well and happily and it did.
I've finished Georgette Heyer's books and love the Regency period and the descriptions of domestic life and the characters that people her books. This was no different.
Lydia and Susan are left destitute on the death of their mother and unfortunately they both cannot be taken in by a single family. One aunt takes on Susan who is a quiet, shy child and Lydia goes to the Abdales where she is treated no less than a servant, not at all like a niece.
Lydia's time in the Abdale household is a tough one. She is always made to feel that even giving her the time of day is a luxury and she should look on it as being extremely lucky to have a place in this great house. Her cousin Julia is a pretty girl, whose interests are fixed on the second son of a neighbour whereas her ambitious mother wants her to aim higher for the eldest son. He is more interested in Lydia from the onset but this Mrs. Abdale doesn't figure! To make matters worse the obnoxious son of the household has his eye on Lydia and you know it is not going to end well the way things are going.
Like all Regency love stories you know this is going to end well and happily and it did.
August 2, 2015
I was super excited when I found this as a freebie for my kindle. I adore Jane Austen and the idea of finding another author that wrote Regency romances made me happy. It did not disappoint.
I fell in love with Henry almost instantly and was hoping that Lizzie Church would follow in Jane's footsteps and it would be obvious who would end up with the heroine. Henry's spunk coupled with how much of a gentleman he was made me swoon on nearly every page. The fruit bit? oh my. I was swooning hardcore.
It did seem like every man that came in contact with Lydia fell in love with her, and that was a bit much. Though there are girls who have that going for them. It did create a different kind of tension. Instead of having everyone dislike her because of her low connection, the couple was pulled apart by a misunderstanding.
There are certain plot points that I am a complete sucker for and Lizzie Church utilizes them perfectly. I felt myself hoping things would go a certain way and they did indeed. Such a joy from start to finish.
I fell in love with Henry almost instantly and was hoping that Lizzie Church would follow in Jane's footsteps and it would be obvious who would end up with the heroine. Henry's spunk coupled with how much of a gentleman he was made me swoon on nearly every page. The fruit bit? oh my. I was swooning hardcore.
It did seem like every man that came in contact with Lydia fell in love with her, and that was a bit much. Though there are girls who have that going for them. It did create a different kind of tension. Instead of having everyone dislike her because of her low connection, the couple was pulled apart by a misunderstanding.
There are certain plot points that I am a complete sucker for and Lizzie Church utilizes them perfectly. I felt myself hoping things would go a certain way and they did indeed. Such a joy from start to finish.
July 24, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable romp through the lives and times of Regency England. Our heroine, Lydia, recently orphaned and predictably penniless, is thankfully neither a simpering idiot or exhibiting attitudes so modern and out of place that Jane Austen would be spinning in her grave. To my mind she is a nicely drawn mix of a young lady who is aware of her place in the world, sadly sunk low, but with enough brains and wit to make her personality shine. I found her response to the situations fate sends her well written and fitting. All in all a very enjoyable Regency romance with a nice balance of characters, written with care and talent, and a plot managing to avoid many of the cliches writers of this era often fall into, and with a few curves and surprises to keep the reader guessing. Definitely recommended.
July 2, 2012
Fans of Regency romances and Jane Austen alike will appreciate the author's effort, if not the actual execution. Like the traditional Regency romance, "Curricle & Chaise" features a warm, but certainly not burning hot romance that's a pull and tug for most of the book. Like a Jane Austen book, the story features a large ensemble cast and continuous play on the manners of the Regency period. However, the book is neither fish nor fowl as far as Regency or Jane Austen clone goes; it goes on too long and has too little action to be a Regency, but is too light and frothy to mimic the insight of Austen. And I still have no idea what the title means. A pleasant, but unmemorable read.
June 3, 2012
Every once in a while I feel like reading a good old fashioned Regency Romance! This one does not disappoint! A charming tale of a young woman who faces life penniless and her parents deceased (how many Regencies have you read like this-- far too many!) But it has plot, characters and a lot of goings on-- just when you think it will go one way- it throws in a switch! No one in this book is a flawless person-- they are all just normal people faced with odd happenings! Not your normal or paranormal regency! Enjoy!
July 20, 2012
G-rated, regency romance, free kindle download.
very sweet story. My only complaint is the use of parenthesis by the author. I was not sure if they were under the breath comments between characters, or only notes to the reader. It was confusing. I also prefer quotes instead of single quotes for dialog.
Other than those couple of things, I thought it was a really good book.
Happy reading,
-Frankie
very sweet story. My only complaint is the use of parenthesis by the author. I was not sure if they were under the breath comments between characters, or only notes to the reader. It was confusing. I also prefer quotes instead of single quotes for dialog.
Other than those couple of things, I thought it was a really good book.
Happy reading,
-Frankie
March 22, 2019
I really like all historical romance and this one was good, I did find it a little slow, the characters were likable and it was a clean read.
Lydia is penniless and is forced to live with her aunt and uncle, who really don’t want her. She has plenty of admirers. Luckily Lydia is well able to look after herself but she gets into a number of scrapes which almost cost her any chance of happiness before finally managing to sort things out in the end.
Lydia is penniless and is forced to live with her aunt and uncle, who really don’t want her. She has plenty of admirers. Luckily Lydia is well able to look after herself but she gets into a number of scrapes which almost cost her any chance of happiness before finally managing to sort things out in the end.
May 11, 2012
I loved this well written story. I got it as a Kindle Freebie and it is clean too, another bonus. The writing style is very reminiscent of an older era. Another person commented on the odd use of parenthesis in the dialogue. I noticed it but it didn't really bother me.
I hope that Lizzie Church goes on to write many more novels.
I very highly recommend this book to Regency lovers.
I hope that Lizzie Church goes on to write many more novels.
I very highly recommend this book to Regency lovers.
June 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. The author did an excellent job of recreating the period. I felt like I was reading a novel from Jane Austin's time. It read just like one her books with the comedic over-the-top characters as well as the dastardly villians and of course the descriptions of homes, dresses, etc. It was a fun read.
April 27, 2024
I read this book for the second time (the first time I didn’t leave a review and it had been long enough that I’d completely forgot the whole thing). This author’s writing is totally genuine and authentic to the times. I felt like I was reading a Georgette Heyer novel, which is high praise. My only complaint was the middle part seemed to drag on a bit and I was bored. The end made up for it.
September 13, 2012
This was a predictable book, mostly due to the fact that Church was obviously attempting to copy Jane Austen. That imitation is both a strength and a weakness to the book. Austen's romances were usually predictable and that didn't detract from the enjoyment of reading them; this is the case here. However, Church is NOT Jane Austen and her imitation falls flat.
August 2, 2014
It seems wherever Lydia goes trouble finds her and she can't seem to catch a break. It is one bad string of luck after another and then it finally ends only to throw her upside down once again. The story does have a Happy Ever After but it does take forever to get there. I enjoyed reading the ups and downs and shocking surprises. A well developed story and enjoyable journey.
May 21, 2015
It took me awhile to really get into this book, but once I did, I just wanted to keep reading it. It is written in an older style and doesn't have standard American punctuation. I liked seeing Lydia grow and seeing the relationships between her and other characters.
Content: 8 swear words, very early stage of attempted rape, some innuendo
Content: 8 swear words, very early stage of attempted rape, some innuendo
November 25, 2012
Good book but I'm almost sure I read something quite similar to this story before.
Really liked Lydia and her Aunt Elizabeth and uncle Thomas.
Loved Henri and his mother and grand aunt.
Love to hate the aunt and male cousin Abdable.
Would of like to know more about the little sister Susan.
Really liked Lydia and her Aunt Elizabeth and uncle Thomas.
Loved Henri and his mother and grand aunt.
Love to hate the aunt and male cousin Abdable.
Would of like to know more about the little sister Susan.
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