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Nobody #1
The Nobody
A portionless country girl, Caitlin Campbell is driven from an elegant soiree by the harsh words of the snobbish Lady Elizabeth, only to become embroiled with the dashing Lord Kilverton, the fiance of the woman who had insulted her
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 12, 2014
Oh what a lovely book!!! I loved every minute I spent reading it.
The romance was delightful! Caitlin Campbell is a pleasant, determined and somewhat outspoken country girl, who goes to London for her first season with her shy, sweet sister Emily. There, Caitlin befriends Lady Serena Kilverton, a very lively and amiable young lady, and the two begin a friendship that will surely last a lifetime. Serena doesn't allow others to dictate how she should live her life and whom she should or shouldn't associate with. Caitlin may be considered a nobody amongst the ton, but Serena doesn't care, and apparently neither does her brother, Viscount Kilverton...
I would honestly marry that guy in a heartbeat. He was so sweet, kind, teasing, loyal, honest, respectable, elegant, tall, handsome, in short he was perfect!
The tension and electricity levels were very high whenever he and Caitlin met. She seemed drawn to him, he seemed drawn to her, ok she was a little bit beneath his station but no one of his family really cared, so they can just hit it off and get married, right??
Oh no, wait.
Lord Kilverton is already engaged.
Engaged . To a monstrosity bearing the name of Lady Elizabeth. Honestly, how the heck Kilverton came to chose her as his future bride is beyond me. I understand that he needed to marry quickly to have an heir as soon as possible, and that he had tried to fall in love but hadn't, so he had finally proposed to Lady Elizabeth because...because what, actually? We never really know. Or at least, I don't remember. But all I say is that it is impossible to mistake someone's character as Kilverton mistook Elizabeth's.
She is horrible. She's like Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice, but worse, because she doesn't even bother to pretend to like people she detests, she just strait up hates everyone and everything and doesn't hesitate in letting anybody know it. She spent the whole book complaining.
Oh, pray, excuse me while I go change my morning dress to a more suitable one for dinner, because even though I've been trying to solve a murder intrigue all day long and I'm clearly worn out and fatigued, Miss-Lady-Elizabeth-Daughter-of-a-Duke will be offended and possibly cast away from the beau monde if I'm not presentable for dinner.
I'm not even kidding, she drove everyone nuts. Poor Kilverton badly regrets his hasty decision of asking her to marry him, but he sees no way out of it. Because, if a lady backs out of a proposal, no one bats an eyelid, but if the gentleman gently seeks to break it, everybody loses their minds. Seriously?! Why?! It seems too unfair :/
Meanwhile, our poor Caitie is desperately trying to fight her attraction to Lord Kilverton, which is pretty hard, considering the perfection of that man. I admired Caitlin a lot. She didn't have a big part in the story, mainly because she has absolutely nothing to do with the murder plot!!! I thought that was very odd. The heroine, not present to help solving the mystery. Hmm. I think that's the only thing which dissatisfied me: the whole resolution of the intrigue is extremely rushed, and the heroine never knows who was the culprit. Very odd. But as romance is the main subject of The Nobody, and since it was so well done (with charming secondary romances as well), one can easily make amends for the hasty mystery resolve.
This novel was very fun and loveable, and I strongly recommend to all my fellow Regency readers! :)
The romance was delightful! Caitlin Campbell is a pleasant, determined and somewhat outspoken country girl, who goes to London for her first season with her shy, sweet sister Emily. There, Caitlin befriends Lady Serena Kilverton, a very lively and amiable young lady, and the two begin a friendship that will surely last a lifetime. Serena doesn't allow others to dictate how she should live her life and whom she should or shouldn't associate with. Caitlin may be considered a nobody amongst the ton, but Serena doesn't care, and apparently neither does her brother, Viscount Kilverton...
I would honestly marry that guy in a heartbeat. He was so sweet, kind, teasing, loyal, honest, respectable, elegant, tall, handsome, in short he was perfect!
The tension and electricity levels were very high whenever he and Caitlin met. She seemed drawn to him, he seemed drawn to her, ok she was a little bit beneath his station but no one of his family really cared, so they can just hit it off and get married, right??
Oh no, wait.
Lord Kilverton is already engaged.
Engaged . To a monstrosity bearing the name of Lady Elizabeth. Honestly, how the heck Kilverton came to chose her as his future bride is beyond me. I understand that he needed to marry quickly to have an heir as soon as possible, and that he had tried to fall in love but hadn't, so he had finally proposed to Lady Elizabeth because...because what, actually? We never really know. Or at least, I don't remember. But all I say is that it is impossible to mistake someone's character as Kilverton mistook Elizabeth's.
She is horrible. She's like Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice, but worse, because she doesn't even bother to pretend to like people she detests, she just strait up hates everyone and everything and doesn't hesitate in letting anybody know it. She spent the whole book complaining.
Oh, pray, excuse me while I go change my morning dress to a more suitable one for dinner, because even though I've been trying to solve a murder intrigue all day long and I'm clearly worn out and fatigued, Miss-Lady-Elizabeth-Daughter-of-a-Duke will be offended and possibly cast away from the beau monde if I'm not presentable for dinner.
I'm not even kidding, she drove everyone nuts. Poor Kilverton badly regrets his hasty decision of asking her to marry him, but he sees no way out of it. Because, if a lady backs out of a proposal, no one bats an eyelid, but if the gentleman gently seeks to break it, everybody loses their minds. Seriously?! Why?! It seems too unfair :/
Meanwhile, our poor Caitie is desperately trying to fight her attraction to Lord Kilverton, which is pretty hard, considering the perfection of that man. I admired Caitlin a lot. She didn't have a big part in the story, mainly because she has absolutely nothing to do with the murder plot!!! I thought that was very odd. The heroine, not present to help solving the mystery. Hmm. I think that's the only thing which dissatisfied me: the whole resolution of the intrigue is extremely rushed, and the heroine never knows who was the culprit. Very odd. But as romance is the main subject of The Nobody, and since it was so well done (with charming secondary romances as well), one can easily make amends for the hasty mystery resolve.
This novel was very fun and loveable, and I strongly recommend to all my fellow Regency readers! :)
August 27, 2018
3.5 stars
I don't know why this writer didn't come to my radar earlier since her style is something that I like in historical romance.
I managed to finish this story in just a few days (that means a lot nowadays haha). Interesting storyline, it shows a different angle in a relationship than most of the usual romances. The hero was already betrothed to another when he met the heroin. The sparks between them was very bright and the banters delightful, but alas it was shadowed by the fiancee. And as you can imagined, the fiancee was not very likeable.
But, it was written in a lightly style. It lacked depth especially in emotions. I can see the attractions between the H/h but that's all. The deeper feelings, the supposedly frustration was quite bland. I just can foresee fate will reveal its path in the end without having to suffer with them first. And the attempted murder to the viscount was very loosely described even though it was supposed to be a twist to the story.
I think this story has a similarity with Ms Heyer's The Grand Sophy and I can't help myself comparing them.
Oh, one more thing. Less is more is better. For a not-so-long novel, three pairs and an attempted murder plot were very,very crowded.
I like the writing style, so I will search for other books by Ms. Farr.
I don't know why this writer didn't come to my radar earlier since her style is something that I like in historical romance.
I managed to finish this story in just a few days (that means a lot nowadays haha). Interesting storyline, it shows a different angle in a relationship than most of the usual romances. The hero was already betrothed to another when he met the heroin. The sparks between them was very bright and the banters delightful, but alas it was shadowed by the fiancee. And as you can imagined, the fiancee was not very likeable.
But, it was written in a lightly style. It lacked depth especially in emotions. I can see the attractions between the H/h but that's all. The deeper feelings, the supposedly frustration was quite bland. I just can foresee fate will reveal its path in the end without having to suffer with them first. And the attempted murder to the viscount was very loosely described even though it was supposed to be a twist to the story.
I think this story has a similarity with Ms Heyer's The Grand Sophy and I can't help myself comparing them.
Oh, one more thing. Less is more is better. For a not-so-long novel, three pairs and an attempted murder plot were very,very crowded.
I like the writing style, so I will search for other books by Ms. Farr.
August 23, 2017
This was just ok. Nothing in it made me upset, except for The romance was slow burn and sweet, but the characterization was weak and the plot was predictable. The twist at the end did surprise me a little, but it wasn't enough for me to remember this story. However, I appreciate the author making an attempt to stay true to the language of this time period (instead of another book that shall not be named). The multiple povs were enjoyable as well, even if the author didn't indicate a change in perspective.
August 17, 2017
An okay read, but I much preferred The Fortune Hunter.
February 14, 2018
An utterly delightful book, that I loved from start to weepy finish. Caitlin is the older sister who goes along for the ride on her prettier younger sister’s debut season in London. Nothing much is expected of Caitlin, and she isn’t even presented at court (the family couldn’t afford two court dresses, which made me very sad for her), and when her sister is off curtsying to the Queen, Caitlin is at a musical evening with her new friend, overhearing herself described by a snobbish lady of the ton as a nobody.
Humiliated and upset, Caitlin makes a run for home through the dark streets of London. She witnesses a man running away from a group of thugs, and finds herself unceremoniously pulled into a passionate kiss so that he can evade his pursuers. They part, after a lively discussion of the proprieties pertaining to the unusual situation, without either knowing who the other is. But it isn’t long before they find out, and Caitlin realises she’s been kissed by the brother of her new friend, a man who is betrothed to the snobbish lady who insulted her.
Now all this is fairly implausible, but very entertaining. The banter between the two is lively and witty, especially so on his side, and we can see exactly where this is going. Except that Richard Kilverton is betrothed, and a Regency gentleman does not, under any circumstances, cry off from a betrothal. So the rest of the book is, naturally, focused on him trying to persuade the lady to cry off, instead.
Which leads me to my main, possibly only, grumble about this book. I can let Richard off that snatched kiss at the beginning, which was a desperate measure of self-preservation, and a pretty innovative one, it has to be said. But he then proceeds to pay an inordinate amount of attention to Caitlin, including (but not limited to) dancing the waltz with her (twice! On one night!) and sneaking out onto a terrace to kiss her rather thoroughly. Given that he’s engaged to someone else, this is very ungentlemanly behaviour, and would be unforgivable… except that he really is incredibly charming and delightful, and it’s very hard to be cross with him.
Needless to say, with a bit of sleight of hand, everything comes right, and the subplot turned out to have an unexpected ending, and I enjoyed the whole unlikely story so much that I can’t give it less than five stars.
Humiliated and upset, Caitlin makes a run for home through the dark streets of London. She witnesses a man running away from a group of thugs, and finds herself unceremoniously pulled into a passionate kiss so that he can evade his pursuers. They part, after a lively discussion of the proprieties pertaining to the unusual situation, without either knowing who the other is. But it isn’t long before they find out, and Caitlin realises she’s been kissed by the brother of her new friend, a man who is betrothed to the snobbish lady who insulted her.
Now all this is fairly implausible, but very entertaining. The banter between the two is lively and witty, especially so on his side, and we can see exactly where this is going. Except that Richard Kilverton is betrothed, and a Regency gentleman does not, under any circumstances, cry off from a betrothal. So the rest of the book is, naturally, focused on him trying to persuade the lady to cry off, instead.
Which leads me to my main, possibly only, grumble about this book. I can let Richard off that snatched kiss at the beginning, which was a desperate measure of self-preservation, and a pretty innovative one, it has to be said. But he then proceeds to pay an inordinate amount of attention to Caitlin, including (but not limited to) dancing the waltz with her (twice! On one night!) and sneaking out onto a terrace to kiss her rather thoroughly. Given that he’s engaged to someone else, this is very ungentlemanly behaviour, and would be unforgivable… except that he really is incredibly charming and delightful, and it’s very hard to be cross with him.
Needless to say, with a bit of sleight of hand, everything comes right, and the subplot turned out to have an unexpected ending, and I enjoyed the whole unlikely story so much that I can’t give it less than five stars.
May 1, 2016
A charming, witty Traditional Regency in the vein of Georgette Heyer. I really enjoyed it!
November 24, 2018
How absolutely delightful!
Despite some of the weak points of the story, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Diane Farr writes wonderfully well, and she lets her readers come to their own conclusions - I love that she respects our intelligence! - and doesn't needlessly explain every single gesture or word spoken.
Despite some of the weak points of the story, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Diane Farr writes wonderfully well, and she lets her readers come to their own conclusions - I love that she respects our intelligence! - and doesn't needlessly explain every single gesture or word spoken.
February 16, 2014
This is so charming. I cut my romance-reading teeth on Georgette Heyer, and I think she is probably (certainly in Regencies) the benchmark I subconsciously measure everything against. This reminded me very much of that style of book: a comedy of manners with a romance between main characters who are so well-drawn the romance feels real, and a backdrop of amusing secondary characters/weirdos.
Heroine is "the nobody", a provincial 22-year-old of no rank, no money, and no particular degree of beauty. But she's funny and smart (which is a thing I always love in a romance, when the two leads make each other laugh) and pretty unflappable. She meets the man of her dreams, only to discover that he's already engaged. Romantic shenanigans ensue.
Hero is an earl's heir who has, after looking in vain for someone he might be able to feel at least warmth for, recently become engaged to someone he can (so he thinks) respect and honor. Unfortunately, his fiancee turns out to be truly, awesomely judgy and terrible. Lady Elizabeth is a GREAT character. What a fantastic antagonist she was.
Tl:dr: I enjoyed this sex-free Traditional Regency quite a bit. It was a first from this author for me, and a fun read.
Heroine is "the nobody", a provincial 22-year-old of no rank, no money, and no particular degree of beauty. But she's funny and smart (which is a thing I always love in a romance, when the two leads make each other laugh) and pretty unflappable. She meets the man of her dreams, only to discover that he's already engaged. Romantic shenanigans ensue.
Hero is an earl's heir who has, after looking in vain for someone he might be able to feel at least warmth for, recently become engaged to someone he can (so he thinks) respect and honor. Unfortunately, his fiancee turns out to be truly, awesomely judgy and terrible. Lady Elizabeth is a GREAT character. What a fantastic antagonist she was.
Tl:dr: I enjoyed this sex-free Traditional Regency quite a bit. It was a first from this author for me, and a fun read.
March 29, 2013
A very enjoyable read :) I have enjoyed many of Diane Farr's book already and I loved this one just as much as the others. The story was very fun and the relationship between the hero and heroine was very fun. The adventure aspect of the story was a nice touch and I didn't quite see what was coming, which is always nice not to know what is going to happen. I look forward to the remainder of her work :)
May 25, 2015
Started out really well. Lost some speed toward the end when I bumped into a pet peeve. At first I thought I would give this book a 4 star because it was so good in the beginning, but it just didn't hold. I liked the angst with the hero's fiancé and the heroine. That was the best part of the book until that came to an end. Not a horrible read but not really above average for me either. It could have easily been though.
March 25, 2011
What really makes this book great is all the characters and the details the author uses in every scene. It's not a lot of filler with a few good scenes - the whole book flows nicely and really gets you caught up in the emotions of everyone. I found this book very exciting from start to finish. The lively plot keeps you on your toes and makes you constantly on your toes. The variety of distinct characters play off each other and complete the story. Great read - hard to put down.
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November 6, 2015
Sweet Traditional Romance, clean (including chaste kisses, blushes, tears), predictable and very forgettable.
Nice characters are very nice; mean people are really mean; naive people are incredible naive.. you get the picture.
Nice characters are very nice; mean people are really mean; naive people are incredible naive.. you get the picture.
August 20, 2014
I really loved this regency romance! The characters, the story and the writing were fabulous. My only complaint was the e-book edition on my kindle had lots of typos.
December 14, 2025
I loved this primarily for the amusing dialogue.
September 2, 2015
My first time reading it, it was a DNF (a boring DNF)!
H kisses h in the dark. Later h finds he's the brother of her friend, and engaged to be married. But hey, he's only marrying the other chit so his father can die in peace (that he's married off and settled). And the fiancee is a rigid, humorless, moralist, who's rather mean...whatever... I'm halfway through, and while I'm not wholly sympathetic to the ow, I do think she's gotten the short end of the stick :(.
In fact, I found the H who's trying to break off his engagement with the ow, after he has assurance from the h that she will wait for him, very very shabby. Yeah, I'd rather have both birds in hand, before I let one go. What a lovely hero.
Okay, so the end was the saving grace of this novel And all the couples, well, coupling up; nothing's left for the 'next book', which I genuinely appreciated.
3.5 stars. but I find I can't let go of my initial dislike to round up to 4 stars :/.
H kisses h in the dark. Later h finds he's the brother of her friend, and engaged to be married. But hey, he's only marrying the other chit so his father can die in peace (that he's married off and settled). And the fiancee is a rigid, humorless, moralist, who's rather mean...whatever... I'm halfway through, and while I'm not wholly sympathetic to the ow, I do think she's gotten the short end of the stick :(.
In fact, I found the H who's trying to break off his engagement with the ow, after he has assurance from the h that she will wait for him, very very shabby. Yeah, I'd rather have both birds in hand, before I let one go. What a lovely hero.
Okay, so the end was the saving grace of this novel And all the couples, well, coupling up; nothing's left for the 'next book', which I genuinely appreciated.
3.5 stars. but I find I can't let go of my initial dislike to round up to 4 stars :/.
June 5, 2014
Magnificent! I sighed at the end. What a satisfying read! It was very romantic, especially Lord Kilverton's declaration of love to Caitlin during his proposal. There's action, foiled murder attempts, humour, wit, chemistry...This is definitely one of my favourites. Another winner from Diane Farr. Her characters are well-developed and have depth. You really grow fond of the main characters as well as loath Lady Elizabeth's snobbery. Although in "Once Upon a Christmas" her prickly manner is explained and by the end of that story you actually feel some empathy for her. This was well-done. A very well-paced story that leaves you feeling satisfied at the very end. This is what a well-written, clean romance is all about. An excellent story without the smut. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
May 26, 2016
I needed a nice, simple romance which would not bother me. And I had it in this piece. It isn't Georgette Heyer but it is quite pleasant. There are a few really enjoyable scenes and dialogues. And characters of Caitlin and Kilverton are engaging, they have bigger potential than it was exploited in the book.
I won't write what would improve the book in my opinion. Not each romance (a novel) must be a high-literature. A good written simple story has own place in every reader's shelf.
I regret only there is not enough (for me) of the story of Serena and Mr. Montague. I love this idea of a long acquaintance, a friend of big brother and so on, when one person is in love for years.
I won't write what would improve the book in my opinion. Not each romance (a novel) must be a high-literature. A good written simple story has own place in every reader's shelf.
I regret only there is not enough (for me) of the story of Serena and Mr. Montague. I love this idea of a long acquaintance, a friend of big brother and so on, when one person is in love for years.
September 7, 2014
Charming! A delightful tale of an inauspicious encounter between a betrothed nobleman and a gentleman's daughter of twenty-five in London for her first Season that leads to a love match. An unknown assailant is trying to kill the nobleman, so their path to happily ever after is strewn with obstacles.
I've read this book several times, and I enjoy it as much, or more, every time.
I've read this book several times, and I enjoy it as much, or more, every time.
April 15, 2019
Don't bother, unless you don't mind a boring, missish heroine prone to overthinking. Seriously, I skipped most of her ruminating (it goes pages after pages) and I don't think I missed much of the story. The romance lacked any spark. 2 stars. Not less, because I kind of liked Serena and Ned (secondary characters).
August 14, 2014
A charming little Regency period historical. Rated G for those interested. It was interesting to read the slang of the period and I learned a few new words.
September 17, 2011
Wonderful Regency romance reminiscent of the classics of Georgette Heyer about a stolen kiss, and mysterious stranger, and forbidden love, and, of course, a happily ever after.
July 24, 2015
To me, this is really a classic regency and one for the keeper shelf
January 3, 2018
I love it when these old, hard to find regencies become available on kindle. Great writing.
November 14, 2020
Total romp. Utterly enjoyable. I have never read a regency romance with so much subtle humor and real dramatic stakes.
"I never play May games in June."
Lord Kilverton just kiss me now! My goodness, Sir, I can't take the suspense any longer even though I know this will end happily as that is a key enjoyment of this genre for me.
The tagline on the cover of the publication I purchased tagged this book as a sure please to any lover of regency romance. A lofty claim. I was dubious. I have been down this road before and left sorely disappointed. But, Ms. Farr does it, though. And here's the thing, the genre of regency romance is operating on only a few variables. It's a comfort of the genre and can be a pitfall. The variations in these books, regardless of author, is always the same and can attest to how well an author spins them.
Well, Ms. Farr does a darn fine job. Her supporting characters are memorable, her main character is headstrong without being oddly annoying, and the love interest is reserved and attractive in all the right ways. I haven't been brave about my reading lately. I want comfort reads. And this was a fine, fine read.
"I never play May games in June."
Lord Kilverton just kiss me now! My goodness, Sir, I can't take the suspense any longer even though I know this will end happily as that is a key enjoyment of this genre for me.
The tagline on the cover of the publication I purchased tagged this book as a sure please to any lover of regency romance. A lofty claim. I was dubious. I have been down this road before and left sorely disappointed. But, Ms. Farr does it, though. And here's the thing, the genre of regency romance is operating on only a few variables. It's a comfort of the genre and can be a pitfall. The variations in these books, regardless of author, is always the same and can attest to how well an author spins them.
Well, Ms. Farr does a darn fine job. Her supporting characters are memorable, her main character is headstrong without being oddly annoying, and the love interest is reserved and attractive in all the right ways. I haven't been brave about my reading lately. I want comfort reads. And this was a fine, fine read.
August 12, 2016
Oh, a lovely book! Very well written, no doubt about that. In fact, it's unbelievable that this was her debut novel! She captured that atmosphere of regency romance so accurately that it was a joy reading each and every sentences. And most of her characters are not overly dramatized - except the Delacourt family - that made me relieved. And as for the villain, I'm quite conflicted. I was desperately hoping that the villain is not that obvious, and was relieved to find my wish fulfilled, but the alternative was equally unsatisfying, probably because I was secretely rooting for him. The murder subplot was interesting but it ran parallel to the main plot. While this was refreshing(there are too many stories with heroines involved in the intrigue, and they usually stretch it too far in effort to include them.. )
And characters. I said they are quite normal people, and that also is reason for my discontent with the book (hence the four stars). Just like us, they have flaws, and I can't really like that the author tried to justify with by turning their opponents into monsters. First Sir Egbert - I hated how everyone, even the Nobody herself, disparaged him. Even I don't like to be around such a person, but that doesn't mean you can ridicule someone just because he's boring (well, I get that being garrulous and lacking wit is almost a sin in regency society, maybe it still is today, but that doesn't make it right to look down on someone).
And then there's Lady Elizabeth. That woman is so easy to dislike. She's such a snob, and her entire family is nasty. But that shouldn't be used to justify how Kilvern and Caitlin treated her. They do have some flashes of repentence, but that doens't change fact Elizabeth and Kilvern were engaged, and Caitlin and Kilvern had no business making out under the moonlight. And Kilvern even had the effrontery to demand Elizabeth to jilt him! I have to quote her; "It is you who desires a release from your promise, not I! How dare you come to me, mewling and sniveling about ‘smoothing my way’? Pretending to consider my feelings!" when we all perfectly know the reason is because he's infatuated with someone else that he's willing to ruin her future! I'm really disappointed that the author turned Elizabeth into such a monster that the way Kilvern had treated Elizabeth didn't seem such an inconsiderate, selfish disregard.But I guess that's how people usually are, when we are born selfish and blinded by love.
Anyway, even though I don't like Caitlin and Kilvern all that much, and dislike how the author manuevered us to support them, The Nobody is surprisingly well written book and I'm so happy to find such a talented author.
August 3, 2017
I really enjoyed the romance in the story. It reminds me a lot of Eleanor and Edward from "Sense and Sensibility". It's all about people in love, who can't be together and it really touched me. It was a different type of love triangle. I really felt for the hero and heroine as they pined for one another. And I liked the other woman (the hero's fiance). Not as a person, but as a character. She's terrible and uptight, but she's not evil or a bad person, per se. She's painted to be the villain, but she's not villainous; she's just a product of her time and upbringing. Even when she's rude to those around her, she's not over-the-top. She simply is an arrogant know-it-all who clings to decorum and station to an annoying level. It would have been easy for the author to make her a farce or catty stereotype, but instead I found myself enjoying a character who is a different type of villain--one who is villainous, simply because she stands in the way of the hero and heroine getting together. She's not evil, she's just in the way.
However, it did drop the ball in one major aspect. The story just couldn't help itself. It wasn't enough to have a great drama circulating around wanting what you can't have and trying to hold to honor and duty, while wanting something else. So, it threw in a ridiculous attempted murder plot. It's not a massive part of the plot (though it does play a part in how the hero and heroine meet in the first place), but it seemed unnecessary and frankly ruined the story just a little for me. It really served little to no purpose to the main story line and really threw the story from a great character driven romantic drama to a melodrama.
Overall, a sweet read and entertaining, but there was a lot that could have been cut out of the story, which would have allowed more time to develop the romance between the main characters.
However, it did drop the ball in one major aspect. The story just couldn't help itself. It wasn't enough to have a great drama circulating around wanting what you can't have and trying to hold to honor and duty, while wanting something else. So, it threw in a ridiculous attempted murder plot. It's not a massive part of the plot (though it does play a part in how the hero and heroine meet in the first place), but it seemed unnecessary and frankly ruined the story just a little for me. It really served little to no purpose to the main story line and really threw the story from a great character driven romantic drama to a melodrama.
Overall, a sweet read and entertaining, but there was a lot that could have been cut out of the story, which would have allowed more time to develop the romance between the main characters.
September 3, 2012
Another traditional Regency that I recently re-read, The Nobody features a poor heroine who has come to London to find a husband for her lovely younger sister. In the process, she meets the hero who is, much to the dismay of both, already engaged to the nasty Lady Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a love-to-hate character, who is so invariably unpleasant that every time she opens her mouth and alienates the hero, the reader smiles.
There are two secondary romances in this little gem of a book which, happily, can now be purchased digitally at an eminently reasonable price. If you enjoy the style of traditional Regencies, you can't miss with Diane Farr. Her books remind me of the Regencies of Charlotte Louise Dolan, so if you like Dolan, give Farr a try.
There are two secondary romances in this little gem of a book which, happily, can now be purchased digitally at an eminently reasonable price. If you enjoy the style of traditional Regencies, you can't miss with Diane Farr. Her books remind me of the Regencies of Charlotte Louise Dolan, so if you like Dolan, give Farr a try.
September 13, 2020
I thought this was really enjoyable. I really liked Caitlin and Richard, especially when they were together. There were quite a few characters in this book and unfortunately a few too many POV. I wish it would have stuck with just Richard and Caitlin. It was a fun read though, clean and cute storyline. Overall, I give it 3 stars, but would bump it to 4 stars for the times when Richard really made me smile.
March 2, 2017
4.65 stars - pg13
Great engaging regency romance. Humor. Bit of mystery. Loved the Hero (sigh!) and his best friend Ned. Looking forward to "Once Upon A Christmas", the next in this series.
Great engaging regency romance. Humor. Bit of mystery. Loved the Hero (sigh!) and his best friend Ned. Looking forward to "Once Upon A Christmas", the next in this series.
February 23, 2016
It was predictable, but I really enjoyed the ride. Not overdone, and pretty quippy. Clean romance.
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