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The Counterfeit Gentleman
A wealthy and aristocratic heiress, Miss Bethia Pepperell falls head over heels in love with Digory Rendell, the handsome stranger who had saved her life and who flaunts the fact that he makes his living outside the law.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
29 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Louise Dolan
10 books53 followersCharlotte Louise Dolan earned a bachelors degree from Eastern Illinois University and a masters degree in German from Middlebury College. She has lived throughout the United States and in Germany, the Soviet Union, Canada, Taiwan, and Austria. A bookworm since the age of four, she fell in love with Regency England when she read her first Georgette Heyer book. Besides writing, she has worked as a high school Germany teacher, a toymaker, a tech editor, a genealogist, and a craft designer. She is the mother of three children.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 4, 2011
Definitely a very silly book. We have an attempted murder of the heroine, an ex-smuggler hero who happens to be around to save her, a merry band of loyal ruffians at the hero's disposal, an aunt who's a stickler for etiquette, noble spies who come to the hero's aid, a society dragon with a mischievous, matchmaking streak, an evil half brother, a murder trial and a partridge in a pear tree.
Since there are only so many pages to work with, the romance takes a back seat to all the plotting. They both fall in love with the other fast and hard, but I saw no reason why beyond finding the other good looking. They don't flirt, have long conversations or even fight. He fishes her out of the ocean, draws her a bath and brushes her hair and she's decided he's the other half of her soul. For his part, he was sporting a chubby while treading water with her during the rescue because, you know, they fit so perfectly.
But, you know what? The book manages to be a ton of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, so it was pretty enjoyable if read as a farce. The zany characters and over-the-top villains give it a sort of silly vaudeville vibe, and if you check your brain at the door, it's a fun trip.
Since there are only so many pages to work with, the romance takes a back seat to all the plotting. They both fall in love with the other fast and hard, but I saw no reason why beyond finding the other good looking. They don't flirt, have long conversations or even fight. He fishes her out of the ocean, draws her a bath and brushes her hair and she's decided he's the other half of her soul. For his part, he was sporting a chubby while treading water with her during the rescue because, you know, they fit so perfectly.
But, you know what? The book manages to be a ton of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, so it was pretty enjoyable if read as a farce. The zany characters and over-the-top villains give it a sort of silly vaudeville vibe, and if you check your brain at the door, it's a fun trip.
March 2, 2020
After reading Fallen Angel and Three Lords for Lady Anne, I thought I had found a new favorite author. But after picking up this book and The Black Widow I've come to realize that other than my two favorites, everything by Dolan is melodramatic and just a little ridiculous. This novel started off strong enough--after reading about I thought this time the heroine might have a little spunk. But sadly, that turned out to not be the case. This story pairs two of my most hated tropes: the "heroine relies on the hero to solve all of her problems in life" trope and the "heroine decides from the first meeting that she has experienced true love and is determined to be with the hero regardless of all obstacles, whether they be society, family, reputation or even the hero's own reluctance to be with her" trope. After only a few chapters I was ready to vomit all over my couch in protest, but I pushed through, and man, I kinda wish I had given up halfway. I know this book is from the 90's, and maybe that's what people liked back then, but after enjoying a few of Dolan's other novels, I can't help but feel cheated and disappointed.
August 25, 2012
4.5
This one starts off pretty exciting and kept me entertained the whole way through. It opens with Bethia being kidnapped and brought out to sea. She soon realizes what her kidnappers are up to and thinks all is lost. Luckily, Digory is nearby and hears her cries for help. I thought Digory and Bethia were cute together. Normally in these type stories I wish the couple would say their feelings more. In this one I kind of wish Bethia would have kept her love a secret a little longer. She is not shy in telling Digory how she feels about him, all the time. Digory on the other hand keeps his feeling close. On the other hand, I kind of liked that Bethia was so unwavering and loyal to Digory. Anyway, the story was a lot of fun and I liked how everything progresses, definitely a fun read.
Content: Clean.
This one starts off pretty exciting and kept me entertained the whole way through. It opens with Bethia being kidnapped and brought out to sea. She soon realizes what her kidnappers are up to and thinks all is lost. Luckily, Digory is nearby and hears her cries for help. I thought Digory and Bethia were cute together. Normally in these type stories I wish the couple would say their feelings more. In this one I kind of wish Bethia would have kept her love a secret a little longer. She is not shy in telling Digory how she feels about him, all the time. Digory on the other hand keeps his feeling close. On the other hand, I kind of liked that Bethia was so unwavering and loyal to Digory. Anyway, the story was a lot of fun and I liked how everything progresses, definitely a fun read.
Content: Clean.
May 11, 2015
Enjoyable but not as good as some of her other books. A lot of characters from other books show up in this one. I feel the plot wasn't as polished as what I am used to from this author.
November 29, 2024
Another very strange read from this author. She really does like melodrama, and sometimes that works and sometimes… hmm, less so. A fine hero, but I’d have liked a bit less of the clingy dependency from the heroine.
Here’s the premise: heiress Bethia Pepperell has been kidnapped, drugged and hauled from London all the way to Cornwall and is about to be dumped into the sea to drown (did I mention the melodrama?), presumably under orders from one of the three cousins who stand to inherit after her death. Miraculously, as she pleads for her life, she’s overheard by ex-smuggler Digory Rendel, unseen in the fog, who contrives to rescue her and leave her would-be murderers thinking she’s drowned. The next day, when they come looking for the body, they meet Digory and his smuggling pals. Unfortunately, their attempts to capture them and find out who sent them end up with both men dead.
Digory’s prepared to help protect Bethia but she knows the only sure way to fix the problem, and that is for the two of them to marry. Since they have the hots for each other, and she’s not at all shy about showing him how she feels, even to the extent of inviting him into her bed and otherwise trying to seduce him, he reluctantly agrees to it, even though he realises that he’s not at all of her station in life. I really felt that Bethia is stepping outside the bounds of propriety and even common sense at this point. Yes, she’s overwhelmed by Digory’s masculinity (or something), but really, girl, get a grip! By hurling herself at him with abandon, she really gives him no choice but to agree to the marriage. Which is pretty silly, frankly.
So they go back to London, where her aunt, whose powers of self-deception know no bounds, happily tells herself that the story she’s been telling that Bethia was laid up with illness is actually true and now she’s better so everything’s fine… isn’t it? And all this worrying about murderous cousins is just nonsense. But Digory summons some very disreputable (but high ranking) friends who will swear to his blameless past and help him marry Bethia, which they do and then show themselves in society so that everyone will think everything’s fine. And then, right at the end, everything goes to hell in a handcart in spectacular fashion. No, it seems an ex-smuggler can’t pass himself off as a gentleman after all.
I’m going to be honest, and say that I really disapproved of both hero and heroine in this one. Bethia was so hot for Digory that she was prepared to do absolutely anything to stay with him, and frankly, I think they should have run off to the continent or America or some such right from the start. It would have saved a lot of bother. As for Digory, with the whole we’ll get married but we won’t really be married schtick - oh, per-lease. Either marry the girl or don’t, but just get over yourself.
My other main quibble is with ‘society’, which is prepared to randomly accept some unknown man because one or two people vouch for him, and then turn against him the instant some other random (and known to be evil) bloke says he’s no good. People, even at the highest levels of society, still have some sense of judgement and don’t accept or reject people purely on the basis of hearsay.
Some historical quibbles. No, you can’t annul a marriage for non-consummation (not in England, anyway). And no, a title once awarded can’t be retracted, even when it turns out it went to the wrong person (in general, anyway; the king could, of course, do whatever he liked about those pesky titles). Money and property, yes, that can be redistributed after the event, but titles, no. What would likely happen if a title has been wrongfully claimed and the true heir turns up is (probably) that he would be given another, equivalent title.
I’m going to be honest - I did enjoy the read, on the whole, but the flaws in the characters of the principals keep it to three stars.
Here’s the premise: heiress Bethia Pepperell has been kidnapped, drugged and hauled from London all the way to Cornwall and is about to be dumped into the sea to drown (did I mention the melodrama?), presumably under orders from one of the three cousins who stand to inherit after her death. Miraculously, as she pleads for her life, she’s overheard by ex-smuggler Digory Rendel, unseen in the fog, who contrives to rescue her and leave her would-be murderers thinking she’s drowned. The next day, when they come looking for the body, they meet Digory and his smuggling pals. Unfortunately, their attempts to capture them and find out who sent them end up with both men dead.
Digory’s prepared to help protect Bethia but she knows the only sure way to fix the problem, and that is for the two of them to marry. Since they have the hots for each other, and she’s not at all shy about showing him how she feels, even to the extent of inviting him into her bed and otherwise trying to seduce him, he reluctantly agrees to it, even though he realises that he’s not at all of her station in life. I really felt that Bethia is stepping outside the bounds of propriety and even common sense at this point. Yes, she’s overwhelmed by Digory’s masculinity (or something), but really, girl, get a grip! By hurling herself at him with abandon, she really gives him no choice but to agree to the marriage. Which is pretty silly, frankly.
So they go back to London, where her aunt, whose powers of self-deception know no bounds, happily tells herself that the story she’s been telling that Bethia was laid up with illness is actually true and now she’s better so everything’s fine… isn’t it? And all this worrying about murderous cousins is just nonsense. But Digory summons some very disreputable (but high ranking) friends who will swear to his blameless past and help him marry Bethia, which they do and then show themselves in society so that everyone will think everything’s fine. And then, right at the end, everything goes to hell in a handcart in spectacular fashion. No, it seems an ex-smuggler can’t pass himself off as a gentleman after all.
I’m going to be honest, and say that I really disapproved of both hero and heroine in this one. Bethia was so hot for Digory that she was prepared to do absolutely anything to stay with him, and frankly, I think they should have run off to the continent or America or some such right from the start. It would have saved a lot of bother. As for Digory, with the whole we’ll get married but we won’t really be married schtick - oh, per-lease. Either marry the girl or don’t, but just get over yourself.
My other main quibble is with ‘society’, which is prepared to randomly accept some unknown man because one or two people vouch for him, and then turn against him the instant some other random (and known to be evil) bloke says he’s no good. People, even at the highest levels of society, still have some sense of judgement and don’t accept or reject people purely on the basis of hearsay.
Some historical quibbles. No, you can’t annul a marriage for non-consummation (not in England, anyway). And no, a title once awarded can’t be retracted, even when it turns out it went to the wrong person (in general, anyway; the king could, of course, do whatever he liked about those pesky titles). Money and property, yes, that can be redistributed after the event, but titles, no. What would likely happen if a title has been wrongfully claimed and the true heir turns up is (probably) that he would be given another, equivalent title.
I’m going to be honest - I did enjoy the read, on the whole, but the flaws in the characters of the principals keep it to three stars.
March 27, 2021
After reading Three Lords for Lady Anne, I was excited about reading another book by the author. This one started very promising, right in the middle of the action. My first impression of the heroine was also very positive but, as soon, as she's saved, it starts to go downhill with the insta-love and stupid decisions. I found the tone of this book to be completely different from Three Lords and not nearly as amusing. The best part of the book was when members of the ton start banding together to help the H. I wouldn't mind reading a book about some of them, especially Lord Cavenaugh. Overall, it just felt disjointed and the main characters were not strong enough to elevate the story. For those who care, this book has no explicit sexual content but it does refer a few times to things that happen behind closed doors as well as kissing and passionate feelings.
February 19, 2023
Started out interesting. An heiress of the ton being rowed out in a small boat and about to be drowned by hired assassins. Enter the hero who saves her earning her gratitude and undying love. Though I'm not a fan of insta love a man who saves you from a watery grave and decides to protect you from future attacks is probably hard to resist.
After that the story goes down hill. Starting with her returning home after a week and finding out no one is looking for her. No one is looking for a 20 year old heiress who disappears from her bedroom one night. This in an age when a single woman could not go anywhere without a chaperone
The first of many goof ups. Too bad the book didn't live up to its opening chapter.
After that the story goes down hill. Starting with her returning home after a week and finding out no one is looking for her. No one is looking for a 20 year old heiress who disappears from her bedroom one night. This in an age when a single woman could not go anywhere without a chaperone
The first of many goof ups. Too bad the book didn't live up to its opening chapter.
March 9, 2022
Very, very silly.
The hero and the heroine are a case of insta-love, but he thinks he's not good enough for her (I mean, socially they are a complete mismatch since he's an illegitimate former smuggler, but it all works out in the end). Her cousin wants to kill her for her inheritance, but when that fails he decides to just ruin her socially, and then the hero's (previously presumed dead) half-brother shows up and ruins both their lives.
The hero and the heroine are a case of insta-love, but he thinks he's not good enough for her (I mean, socially they are a complete mismatch since he's an illegitimate former smuggler, but it all works out in the end). Her cousin wants to kill her for her inheritance, but when that fails he decides to just ruin her socially, and then the hero's (previously presumed dead) half-brother shows up and ruins both their lives.
February 25, 2021
Started off interesting with an attempted murder on an heiress and a smuggler/gentleman rescuing her and trying to figure out which cousin wanted her dead. Then it turned into insta-love with the main characters and then all their problems resolved too easily.
dnf-skimmed-or-free-samples
October 15, 2025This started out interesting, as an heiress is in danger of being murdered for her fortune. A smuggler saves her life, and she thinks he ought to marry her. He thinks she shouldn't marry him. (it's a long story). I don't really know what happened next, I lost interest.
December 15, 2017
A little slow but the story was really cute.
March 3, 2018
3.5 out of 5 stars
December 10, 2023
Maybe deserves a better rating. But don't remember it at all. OTOH I kept it.
October 31, 2024
Another great story from Dolan. Her characters are so rich and their thoughts so real and delightful. The insta-love between the hero and heroine was my only beef—I would have liked to see that relationship nurtured and allowed to bloom. But the rest was lovely and very fun, so I just pretended the falling in love had happened the way I wanted. I’m a sucker for a good adventure, and when it involves an underdog winning against the odds, all the better—even if it was just a touch easy. A satisfying romance. Can’t get enough of Lady Letitia!
March 12, 2020
This one took awhile to get going, glad I stuck it out. Fun ending!
February 18, 2017
This was super fun with a great twist at the end to make the expected happy ending even happier.
August 14, 2014
I loved this book. Since the introduction of the character of Digory Rendel in The Unofficial Suitor, I was looking forward to story where he was the hero.
This story has everything. Adventure, romance, danger, as well as seemingly insurmountable obstacles for the hero and heroine. I enjoyed the supporting characters, as well.
Their was a brief inclusion of characters from The Unofficial Suitor, and other stories by CLD. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Lady Leticia. What a wonderful creation she is!
This is a fun read. I recommend it!
This story has everything. Adventure, romance, danger, as well as seemingly insurmountable obstacles for the hero and heroine. I enjoyed the supporting characters, as well.
Their was a brief inclusion of characters from The Unofficial Suitor, and other stories by CLD. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Lady Leticia. What a wonderful creation she is!
This is a fun read. I recommend it!
Read
April 9, 2014Diggory, an ex-smuggler, is drifting in his fishing boat during a foggy evening, and hears a commotion not far from him. A woman on another boat is being forced overboard by two men saying they'll kill her. Diggory swims to her rescue, then must figure out how to keep her safe from then on. This is a companion novel to "The Unofficial Suitor" and should probably be read second. It was fun to read, but I sorta wished Diggory wasn't quite to self-disciplined. *grin*
March 12, 2014
I give only 3 stars because unlike a 4 or 5 star read, I don't wish I could go back and read it again for the first time. It was cute and very well written but I didn't fall in love with any of the characters. It may be that they weren't as developed as they could have been. It bothered me that she never considered the possibility that he might not want to marry her.
September 25, 2009
Regency
January 25, 2016
Yes
Very enjoyable romance mixed with murder and mystery. I really do love reading this author so much that I just discovered I accidentally bought one of her books twice!
Very enjoyable romance mixed with murder and mystery. I really do love reading this author so much that I just discovered I accidentally bought one of her books twice!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews