MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 Stars. As a Pick-Me-Up read, PRUDENCE fit my mood perfectly. I’ve been listening & reading my way through the Shackleford series since I first discovered it (and the author) a number of months ago. This series is light in tone with comedic scenes and romp-style adventures (similar to Classic vignettes of ‘I Love Lucy’ or Carol Burnett from days of old). PRUDENCE continues the farcical antics of the eccentric Shackleford family. I found myself truly enjoying PRUDENCE and the resolution at the end. Just ANTHONY left.
1=DNF/What was that?; 2=Not for me; 3=Ok; 3.5=I enjoyed this; 4=I REAALY LIKED THIS; 5=I lOVED THIS! (5 is rare for me).
London, a month frm the Prince’s Coronation, Summer 1821 ~
Pru Shackleford, nearing 23, is the youngest of 8 Shackleford daughters, the daughters of a small village vicar. Each of her older siblings found, in their own time, a love match and happily married. Remarkably, several sisters even married men of the ton - a Duke, a Marquess, an Earl and a Viscount as well as the son of a wealthy mine owner, a retired naval ‘pirate’ Captain and another naval man returned from duty. Prudence had no intention of marrying anyone, unless she could find a man who would allow her to continue reading her gothic novels, entertain herself as she pleased and wear whatever she wished.
Lowborn Jaimie Fitzroy left Blackmoor village 6yrs ago and headed to London to make his own way. He has been a successful Bow street runner for 5yrs. Suspicion of an assassinate attempt of the King during his London Coronation brings Jaimie back to Blackmoor where his mentor, the Duke of Blackmoor resides. While enroute to the Duke’s estate Jaimie runs across Prudence, who he knew years ago. Prudence has changed much from the straggly ragamuffin Jaime remembers. She still speaks her mind, but she has become quite lovely.
Comments ~
1) Each book in the Shackleford series features one of Reverend Shackleford’s eight daughters, with the 9th and final book, ANTHONY, featuring the Reverend’s only son. PRUDENCE features main characters who were acquainted in their youth but grew apart as they matured. When they meet again, 6yrs later, sparks fly, barriers rise, dastardly political plots and a royal Coronation hinder their path to happiness. But love finds a way.
2) PRUDENCE is bk8 in the 9bk Shackleford Sisters Historical/Comedy Romance series and can probably be read and enjoyed as a standalone title. Each novel after bk1, however, includes certain older siblings and their (newly) acquired spouses in peripheral roles in the books that follow. I have enjoyed reading this series in order (and listening). The last book, ANTHONY, features the youngest child and only son of vicar Shackleford. I purchased the audio of it and look forward to returning to this eccentric family again in the future.
3) In my previous reviews of bks 1-3, I remarked on the frequent & ridiculous behavior of Mr Shackleford. (His character is the main comic relief, especially in the earlier books). It seems his behavior has become more restrained in the books that followed (or perhaps I simply have gotten accustomed to his & his family’s ridiculous behavior). Plenty of romp-adventures occur and the stories move quickly. I am surprised to be enjoying these as much as I am - as Pick-Me-Up, entertaining and humorous reads. This is my first series by B Watts.
4) Readers looking for a light palate cleanser, a Regency Comedic Romance Romp, a Pick-Me-Up read, something a bit crazy and not particularly deep might enjoy checking out this series. Books 3-8 (FAITH, HOPE, PATIENCE, CHARITY, CHASTITY & PRUDENCE) are my favorites so far (but the first 2 grabbed my attention, so there is that). ;D The audio for PRUDENCE was excellently narrated by Alan Medcroft, Eliidh Beaton, Hannah Hedley & Mark Elstob.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language and English slang are used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - brief intimacy scene in the second half which could easily be skipped if desired.