Prior Betrothal: A Novel of Regency England

by Elsie Lee

Old world splendor...anti-Napoleonic espionage...sparkling! - Baton Rouge advocate

Genres: Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Elsie Lee (Elsie Lee Sheridan) (1912 - 1987)

Pseudonym/s: Elsie Cromwell, Jane Gordon, Lee Sheridan

Wiki: "I write fairy tales for grownups, principally women... I am better at characterizations than plots, and best with cats who are unanimously adored by my readers... I will not compromise on the quality of vocabulary and grammar in my books... it is a writer's responsibility to TEACH subtly through entertainment..."

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.65 stars - mild pg13

Loved everything! Engaging fun story with romance, spies and twists. Wonderful writing style with dry, funny wit. Lots of great "real" characters. Marvelous settings (from pastoral England - to the party glitter of London & Brussels - to Waterloo battle horrors, and compassions). Loved the charming, refreshing and sweet heroine and the Hero (who at times we thought might be matched up with someone else). By the end we had several perfectly matched couples for our "happily ever after".

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 bk 150. One of my favorites of Lee's regencies. Many years ago I found a hardback - and that cover matches with none of the editions offered - even those the date matches what I picked. Again - I love how Lee writes her characters. In this one, the heroine is not the primary teller of the story. The cast of commentators about the events of the novel include her uncle, wife of her godfather, her former governness, and the duke to whom she was once betrothed. This is very much a story of families torn apart by pettiness and brought together by love. Truly enjoyable.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't write reviews since I am not a writer, just an avid reader. However, there are only 2 reviews and they are very much opposites. I will give my opinion so you may decide for yourself if you would like to read this book.

I missed the heyday of the Regency novels and am only recently catching up with them. In fact, last year was my first exposure to what many consider the "queen", Georgette Heyer. I read Venetia and fell in love. I have since started reading more and more of the older regencies. On a blog post about favorite reads, someone mentioned The Nabob's Widow by Elsie Lee. I got a copy of Widow from ILL and fell in love. I decided to read more of Ms. Lee's Regencies. This was my second and will not be my last. I find her characters charming and her writing style easy to read. The characters and your liking of character driven fiction is important as I agree that "not much happens". This is not a plot driven story...yes, there is one but it is not action packed and relies on some coincidences and suspension of disbelief by the reader. Instead, you get to know some people and the way they interact with each other and their surroundings.

All very subjective, but if you like Regencies you will like this one.

[Miki · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of words that, in the end, said very little about anything much at all. Ho-hum.

[Gillian Wiseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Classic, old-fashioned Regency, loaded with accurate historical details, a fun heroine, three romances, a mysterious lady, an absent father, an unwanted betrothal, and every other cliche possible to cram in. But, since it was written in the early 1970's, they weren't cliches, yet! The only thing I found less than stellar was the fact that the romances were sort of minor parts of the plot!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and light read - perfect for vacation! Characters are well drawn, and some nice plot twists. I find some of Lee's plots a bit too reminiscent of various Georgette Heyer regencies, but not this one.
I reread a number of Elsie Lee regencies last week on vacation, and this was one of my favorites. It's so nice when you get multiple happy endings, even for the older characters!

[AM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread June 2024:
The depictions of Brussels and Waterloo in this book are so moving.

Reread September 2022:
Frothy Regency goings-on, romance, family feuds - and then Waterloo. Enjoyable all around, but more of an historical novel than a romance.

[Michelle Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've only read 3 of her books and this was the best. She still has a way that is hard to follow.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite Georgette Heyer, but a charming Regency story with two sets of lovers. A good romp.