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Mallorens & Friends #12
Una condesa atrevida
Casada con apenas dieciséis años con su amigo y vecino de diecinueve, el conde de Maybury, Georgia siempre ha sido fiel a su marido, aunque jamás dejó de coquetear con otros hombres y actuar de una manera que, para las rígidas convenciones de la época, podía parecer demasiado atrevida. Cuando el conde muere en un duelo, arrecian los rumores de infidelidad y engaño. La joven viuda debe ocultarse en casa de sus padres para superar el dolor por la muerte de su marido y para protegerse de las maledicencias.
Pero no contaba con que aparecería lord Dracy, un noble arruinado pero increíblemente atractivo. Y mucho menos que el propio padre de Georgia la ofrecería en matrimonio a Dracy para pagar una deuda de juego. Mientras ella trata de recobrar su reputación y Dracy intenta desvelar el complot que se oculta tras los malintencionados rumores, surge entre ambos una atracción que puede poner en peligro todo aquello por lo que luchan.
Pero no contaba con que aparecería lord Dracy, un noble arruinado pero increíblemente atractivo. Y mucho menos que el propio padre de Georgia la ofrecería en matrimonio a Dracy para pagar una deuda de juego. Mientras ella trata de recobrar su reputación y Dracy intenta desvelar el complot que se oculta tras los malintencionados rumores, surge entre ambos una atracción que puede poner en peligro todo aquello por lo que luchan.
445 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
103 people are currently reading
955 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
140 books1,126 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
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April 23, 2022
4 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado mucho ésta novela, más de lo que pensaba. Es algo más larga y compleja que otras novelas de la autora, pero su trabajo de investigación mereció la pena porque me ha convencido.
"Una condesa atrevida" supuso un reto para Jo Beverley, al presentarnos una viuda de sólo veinte años. Lady Georgia Maybury se convirtió en condesa con sólo dieciséis años. Dado su desparpajo, belleza y coquetería, resultó evidente que lo mejor era casarla cuanto antes, y lo hicieron con su vecino, el conde de Maybury.
El joven matrimonio fue feliz y satisfactorio para ambos. La posición y riqueza de Georgia le procuraban la vida social y la atención que siempre había deseado; pero dada su naturaleza vivaracha no tardó en acechar el escándalo sobre ella, pues no era un secreto para nadie que estando casada coqueteaba con todos los caballeros y tenía un séquito de admiradores.
Un día, Georgia despierta viuda y expulsada de su casa. Tras una trifulca, su marido muere en un duelo, y las malas lenguas echan la culpa del mismo a Georgia. Al ser viuda, joven y sin hijos, el nuevo conde la echa de casa con su dote íntegra. Y para disipar el escándalo, sus padres se la llevan a su casa de campo a pasar su viudedad.
Transcurrido ése año de exilio, Georgia planea volver a Londres de nuevo como Lady May, la que siempre había sido, pero el escándalo sigue acechando y sólo un matrimonio ventajoso y respetable puede devolverle a Georgia su vida anterior.
Aquí es cuando entra en escena el nuevo barón Dracy. Dracy acaba de heredar el título de un primo suyo. Antes de eso se ganó la vida en la Marina y las batallas en el mar le dejaron algunas secuelas, como una parte de su rostro desfigurado; pero lejos de compadecerse o sumirse en la amargura, Dracy le resta importancia a éste hecho y sigue con su vida. Su nueva responsabilidad le exige ocuparse de sus tierras y su casa destartalada, pues el anterior barón convirtió Devon House en una ruina tras los muchos excesos.
Cerca de acabar el año de viudedad de Georgia, su padre celebra unas carreras de caballos en sus tierras, y se presenta el nuevo barón Dracy dispuesto a ganar algún dinero para reformar los establos y su casa. Dracy presenta una yegua que ganará la carrera, pero el padre de Georgia no está dispuesto a perder a su mejor caballo, así que le ofrece a Dracy su hija a cambio.
Aunque a Dracy no le agrada esta mercadería, cuando ve a la joven no puede si no fijarse en ella y su belleza, pero también le han advertido de su mala reputación. Dracy acepta con la condición de que no le digan nada a Georgia y sea él capaz de ganarse su afecto por sí mismo.
Lejos de pensar que a Georgia le repudiaría el aspecto de Dracy, la joven en seguida lo toma bajo su ala y está dispuesta a ser su cicerone por Londres y lo que le espera al barón en su nueva vida en sociedad.
Sí, el año de luto ha terminado, y Lady May vuelve a Londres en todo su esplendor, dispuesta a encontrar un nuevo marido, pero no aceptará menos de un conde, lo que deja a Dracy entre los no elegibles. Pero el regreso de Georgis no será fácil, pues el fantasma del pasado volverá a ella en forma de cartas y caricaturas mal avenidas, que harán que el escándalo no se olvide.
Lo mejor que ha tenido la novela, sin duda han sido las últimas cien páginas. Pues Jo Beverley crea una trama de investigación en torno a Georgia por descubrir quién está detrás de tanto odio y quién quiere que Lady May siga cayendo, y lo que realmente pasó en el duelo en que murió su marido.
En toda ésta vorágine se encontrará el barón Dracy, que siguiendo la ayuda de los padres de Georgia, será alojado en la casa familiar para estar cerca de ella. La relación de Georgia y Dracy será en principio de amistad, pues ella está dispuesta a ayudarlo a él en su vida social y él a brindarle su compañía y respetabilidad. Pero cuando las cosas se pongan feas, Dracy estará ahí para ayudarla, y un "falso" compromiso entre ellos será suficiente para que la rata salga de su escondrijo.
Aunque breve, el romance me ha gustado mucho. Los protagonistas pasan de la amistad al amor, de forma breve pero muy intensa, sobre todo cuando ambos se den cuenta de lo que sienten el uno por el otro. Georgia aprecia realmente a Dracy, pero ¿qué hará ella, Lady May, con un barón empobrecido en una casa destartalada y ruinosa en Devon, cuando ella está destinada a brillar entre la riqueza de los salones de Londres?
Podría pensarse que dado el carácter de Georgia, es una protagonista que no caería bien, pero en el fondo es una niña que ha sido criada y educada para una cosa, y aún es muy joven y puede madurar. En todo caso, la casaron con un niño no muy distinto a ella, y lo que necesita Georgia es un hombre hecho y derecho, por eso al conocer su padre a Dracy, le parece un buen candidato que pondrá a su hija en vereda y la tendrá en su finca, lejos de las tentaciones de Londres. Y sí, Dracy es un buen hombre que ha visto lo peor de la vida, pero es sincero y honrado y sabe que en el fondo lo que Georgia necesita es eso.
Desde luego, el libro me ha gustado mucho y me ha convencido. Los protagonistas me han encantado, ambos. Me ha gustado que Georgia sea una niña dispuesta a descubrir de nuevo el mundo; y me gusta que Jo Beverley se haya atrevido con un héroe de guerra, un hombre desfigurado, que lejos de despertar compasión, cause admiración por parte del personaje que más necesita de él.
Me da pena llegar hasta aquí, pero terminando con la serie de los Malloren y a lo último que escribió Jo Beverley, tras éste libro maravilloso tengo muchas ganas de leer el libro del hermano mayor de Georgia, Peregrine Perrian, a quien conocimos también en el anterior libro.
"Una condesa atrevida" supuso un reto para Jo Beverley, al presentarnos una viuda de sólo veinte años. Lady Georgia Maybury se convirtió en condesa con sólo dieciséis años. Dado su desparpajo, belleza y coquetería, resultó evidente que lo mejor era casarla cuanto antes, y lo hicieron con su vecino, el conde de Maybury.
El joven matrimonio fue feliz y satisfactorio para ambos. La posición y riqueza de Georgia le procuraban la vida social y la atención que siempre había deseado; pero dada su naturaleza vivaracha no tardó en acechar el escándalo sobre ella, pues no era un secreto para nadie que estando casada coqueteaba con todos los caballeros y tenía un séquito de admiradores.
Un día, Georgia despierta viuda y expulsada de su casa. Tras una trifulca, su marido muere en un duelo, y las malas lenguas echan la culpa del mismo a Georgia. Al ser viuda, joven y sin hijos, el nuevo conde la echa de casa con su dote íntegra. Y para disipar el escándalo, sus padres se la llevan a su casa de campo a pasar su viudedad.
Transcurrido ése año de exilio, Georgia planea volver a Londres de nuevo como Lady May, la que siempre había sido, pero el escándalo sigue acechando y sólo un matrimonio ventajoso y respetable puede devolverle a Georgia su vida anterior.
Aquí es cuando entra en escena el nuevo barón Dracy. Dracy acaba de heredar el título de un primo suyo. Antes de eso se ganó la vida en la Marina y las batallas en el mar le dejaron algunas secuelas, como una parte de su rostro desfigurado; pero lejos de compadecerse o sumirse en la amargura, Dracy le resta importancia a éste hecho y sigue con su vida. Su nueva responsabilidad le exige ocuparse de sus tierras y su casa destartalada, pues el anterior barón convirtió Devon House en una ruina tras los muchos excesos.
Cerca de acabar el año de viudedad de Georgia, su padre celebra unas carreras de caballos en sus tierras, y se presenta el nuevo barón Dracy dispuesto a ganar algún dinero para reformar los establos y su casa. Dracy presenta una yegua que ganará la carrera, pero el padre de Georgia no está dispuesto a perder a su mejor caballo, así que le ofrece a Dracy su hija a cambio.
Aunque a Dracy no le agrada esta mercadería, cuando ve a la joven no puede si no fijarse en ella y su belleza, pero también le han advertido de su mala reputación. Dracy acepta con la condición de que no le digan nada a Georgia y sea él capaz de ganarse su afecto por sí mismo.
Lejos de pensar que a Georgia le repudiaría el aspecto de Dracy, la joven en seguida lo toma bajo su ala y está dispuesta a ser su cicerone por Londres y lo que le espera al barón en su nueva vida en sociedad.
Sí, el año de luto ha terminado, y Lady May vuelve a Londres en todo su esplendor, dispuesta a encontrar un nuevo marido, pero no aceptará menos de un conde, lo que deja a Dracy entre los no elegibles. Pero el regreso de Georgis no será fácil, pues el fantasma del pasado volverá a ella en forma de cartas y caricaturas mal avenidas, que harán que el escándalo no se olvide.
Lo mejor que ha tenido la novela, sin duda han sido las últimas cien páginas. Pues Jo Beverley crea una trama de investigación en torno a Georgia por descubrir quién está detrás de tanto odio y quién quiere que Lady May siga cayendo, y lo que realmente pasó en el duelo en que murió su marido.
En toda ésta vorágine se encontrará el barón Dracy, que siguiendo la ayuda de los padres de Georgia, será alojado en la casa familiar para estar cerca de ella. La relación de Georgia y Dracy será en principio de amistad, pues ella está dispuesta a ayudarlo a él en su vida social y él a brindarle su compañía y respetabilidad. Pero cuando las cosas se pongan feas, Dracy estará ahí para ayudarla, y un "falso" compromiso entre ellos será suficiente para que la rata salga de su escondrijo.
Aunque breve, el romance me ha gustado mucho. Los protagonistas pasan de la amistad al amor, de forma breve pero muy intensa, sobre todo cuando ambos se den cuenta de lo que sienten el uno por el otro. Georgia aprecia realmente a Dracy, pero ¿qué hará ella, Lady May, con un barón empobrecido en una casa destartalada y ruinosa en Devon, cuando ella está destinada a brillar entre la riqueza de los salones de Londres?
Podría pensarse que dado el carácter de Georgia, es una protagonista que no caería bien, pero en el fondo es una niña que ha sido criada y educada para una cosa, y aún es muy joven y puede madurar. En todo caso, la casaron con un niño no muy distinto a ella, y lo que necesita Georgia es un hombre hecho y derecho, por eso al conocer su padre a Dracy, le parece un buen candidato que pondrá a su hija en vereda y la tendrá en su finca, lejos de las tentaciones de Londres. Y sí, Dracy es un buen hombre que ha visto lo peor de la vida, pero es sincero y honrado y sabe que en el fondo lo que Georgia necesita es eso.
Desde luego, el libro me ha gustado mucho y me ha convencido. Los protagonistas me han encantado, ambos. Me ha gustado que Georgia sea una niña dispuesta a descubrir de nuevo el mundo; y me gusta que Jo Beverley se haya atrevido con un héroe de guerra, un hombre desfigurado, que lejos de despertar compasión, cause admiración por parte del personaje que más necesita de él.
Me da pena llegar hasta aquí, pero terminando con la serie de los Malloren y a lo último que escribió Jo Beverley, tras éste libro maravilloso tengo muchas ganas de leer el libro del hermano mayor de Georgia, Peregrine Perrian, a quien conocimos también en el anterior libro.
June 20, 2016
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't outstanding, either. It's not quite as stand-alone as the previous, but it's close. The only character really in both is Georgia's brother (can't wait for his book next!) and you really don't need to know the details of what he was doing up north, off-stage, so you can easily start here in the series if you like—though I question why you'd want to...
Most of my engagement with this book was based on Dracy (and yes, my mind does want to read that as Darcy). He's a sensible guy with drive and strength who knows what he wants and goes after it with determination. I particularly like that while he observes and notes the reactions he gets from others on seeing his facial scarring, it otherwise doesn't enter his consciousness at all. Not only is he not all woe-is-me, but it just doesn't even enter his mind as something to worry about.
Georgia has little going for her, on the other hand—mainly being as unconscious about his scarring as he is. Other than that, she's immature and flighty and self-involved and a bit conceited. There are glimmers of more (in her involvement with some charity work, for example), but not enough to offset the selfishness, at least for me. This is ameliorated, somewhat, in that the story is largely about her growing up and becoming less self-centered. That said, while I liked where she was by the end, I didn't really feel that the destination was very well earned; I just didn't get any sense of motivation or direction beyond simply getting through her scandal.
As usual, I did rather enjoy the ending. Beverley really has a way with those emotionally cathartic releases at the end and this is no exception. The story plays out beautifully, and by the time Georgia had finished all that growing, I rather liked her and Dracy together. It's not quite enough for me to want to round up to four stars, but it was a close-run thing.
A note about Steamy: I can't decide if this makes it out of the low end of my steam tolerance or not. There's one lengthy explicit not-quite-sex scene and one pretty short explicit totally-all-the-way-sex scene. Which leaves this on the edge of my mid range, but still on the low side.
Most of my engagement with this book was based on Dracy (and yes, my mind does want to read that as Darcy). He's a sensible guy with drive and strength who knows what he wants and goes after it with determination. I particularly like that while he observes and notes the reactions he gets from others on seeing his facial scarring, it otherwise doesn't enter his consciousness at all. Not only is he not all woe-is-me, but it just doesn't even enter his mind as something to worry about.
Georgia has little going for her, on the other hand—mainly being as unconscious about his scarring as he is. Other than that, she's immature and flighty and self-involved and a bit conceited. There are glimmers of more (in her involvement with some charity work, for example), but not enough to offset the selfishness, at least for me. This is ameliorated, somewhat, in that the story is largely about her growing up and becoming less self-centered. That said, while I liked where she was by the end, I didn't really feel that the destination was very well earned; I just didn't get any sense of motivation or direction beyond simply getting through her scandal.
As usual, I did rather enjoy the ending. Beverley really has a way with those emotionally cathartic releases at the end and this is no exception. The story plays out beautifully, and by the time Georgia had finished all that growing, I rather liked her and Dracy together. It's not quite enough for me to want to round up to four stars, but it was a close-run thing.
A note about Steamy: I can't decide if this makes it out of the low end of my steam tolerance or not. There's one lengthy explicit not-quite-sex scene and one pretty short explicit totally-all-the-way-sex scene. Which leaves this on the edge of my mid range, but still on the low side.
October 20, 2012
Georgia was 16 when she married her childhood friend Dickon, Earl of Maybury. She’s become the darling of the beau monde (the male half, at least), known for her daring and flirtatious ways. She’s true to her husband, though, who adored being the envy of his pals.
In one fatal morning, now 20-year-old Georgia is widowed and the new earl drop-kicks her and her dowry back to her father, the Earl of Hernescroft. It's whispered that the fatal duel was fought over her. She retires to her father's country estate, where her family advises her to live out her mourning year, to give the gossip time to die off.
Fast forward almost a year. With her mourning period almost over, Georgia is keen to return to Town and resume her place in society, but her father is stonewalling. It seems the gossip never did die down—in fact it was fueled by her former mother-in-law, who claimed to have seen a letter from the duelist who killed Dickon, stating that Georgia had promised that once he killed her hubby she would be his. Odd, that, since she barely knew the man and wouldn’t have bedded him.
Lord Dracy (not Darcy—sorry, Austen fans) is a Naval hero, badly scarred from a burn to his face, who has returned England to find himself a Baron, his wastrel older brother having had the discourtesy to die. The estates are falling down around his ears, and he has little money. He pours it all into rebuilding his stable with the goal of raising race horses. But he needs a stud.
No, not that kind of stud.
Better. Thing is, he hasn’t the blunt to buy one or even rent one for the night. So he stakes his best filly against Fancy Free, a filly owned and much prized by Lord Hernescroft. Dracy’s filly wins, and Dracy accepts an invitation to the Hernescroft estate, where he hopes to talk Lord Hernescroft into a deal—he’ll let the man keep his filly if he can have one of the studs, a mean-spirited lad who tends to kick the snot out of anything that strays into range. Good blood lines if a bit of a PIA.
Problem:
The stud in question has kicked one last thing—the bucket. But Lord H has another deal to offer. How about a filly of the human kind—namely Georgia? Her dowry is £12,000, (which would come to about $1.3 million in modern US currency). Enough to buy a lot of studs, and rebuild the barony, with careful management. When Dracy asks if the lass is willing, Lord H says, “She’ll do as she’s told.”
Seems the doting daddy thinks Georgia needs a firm hand and lot of miles between her and the scandalmongers in London. Dracy has a rep of being a stern, tough officer, so he can handle high-spirited Georgia—Daddy advises the liberal use of a switch to keep her in line. And hey, it’ll be much easier to part with G than Fancy Free.
Dracy is no fool. The money is tempting, though he’s not keen on the idea of being saddled with a merry widow whose reputation precedes her. He decides he needs to meet her and have a look at the goods (yes, he actually puts it that way later on).
Georgia, meanwhile, is ordered to put in an appearance at the small house party her father is holding for the people who came for the race. She’s not eager. Her family has kept her mostly in the dark about her ruin, but she has an inkling, and she's still in mourning. But Mummy insists. She tells G that her dad is working on Dracy to negotiate a trade for Fancy Free, and if she would butter him up, it would not go amiss. G agrees to take one for the filly.
It’s like at first sight. Dracy is pleased that G doesn’t flinch at his scars. G enjoys his conversation—he’s not near as awkward as Mummy let on. Things progress somewhat predictably in the relationship, tho as feelings begin to develop, G consistently warns that there can be nothing between them.
She’s angling for a duke this time—certainly not a mere baron, especially one who wants to molder away in the country rather than enjoy the amusements in Town. Even the shock of Society’s new hostility towards her fails to make her reconsider. She’ll live it down, eventually. And she still has many of her former cicisbei—a couple dukes among them. Also among them is Sellerby, a good friend from before whose conversation is amusing, though his attempts to court her during her mourning didn’t quite amuse.
Intrigue becomes part of the game as “the letter” surfaces, giving rise to even more hostility towards Georgia. Old friends distance themselves. Only a few stalwarts, including Dracy, Sellerby, a few gal pals (including a couple Malloren brides) and her family. Dracy detects an odd aroma around the whole thing and starts investigating, and what he digs up is pretty good stuff. There’s a nice twist in the romance, too, before the HEA. Plus there is some priceless info in the author notes explaining matters of inheritance, jointure, dowry and inheritance, as well as some really gross info about the water systems in London. (No wonder they always drank booze!)
April 5, 2012
What I love about Jo Beverley's writing is the way she incorporates historical detail into the story - it's so richly drawn and yet she doesn't do info-dropping. I thought this was a realistic romance - Georgia and Dracy really worked as a couple and the way they worked out the obstacles to their HEA was believable. I admit to thinking the villain was a bit OTT, though. And because I'm a Malloren fangirl, I did like the cameos by the Mallorens - especially Rothgar.
April 22, 2018
DNF 15% - could not get into it, no likeable characters, they are either way too immature, or self-obsessed. I'm out.
June 13, 2012
For nostalgia's sake and because I sorta liked the hero, I upped this from 1 to 2 stars. I have loved so many of Jo Beverley's books. Especially the earlier Mallorens. This one didn't capture me. At all. I seriously disliked the heroine from the beginning. I kept reading. I actually enjoyed the hero and was disappointed when I reached page 134 and realized I didn't like him enough to endure anymore of Lady May's arrogant blabbering. Here is what did me in:
Lord Dracy is taken aback by her beauty at a ball. He finds himself staring and she notices and informs him they can never be more than friends. Then, he reminds her that any man would find it difficult to not be entranced with her rare beauty and personality. She actually says, "I hoped you'd be immune!" When he says he'll wear a blindfold, she continues on "admire and inhale, then, but don't fall in love. I already have a surfeit of unwanted devotees". Seriously. She says that. The heroine...not a snotty secondary character or bratty family member. The heroine. I about threw up. Before this, I battled to continue on, refusing to give up. Well, I'm done. Sorry, but with so many great reads waiting on my TBR list, I just don't see myself purchasing her next book. Bummer.
Lord Dracy is taken aback by her beauty at a ball. He finds himself staring and she notices and informs him they can never be more than friends. Then, he reminds her that any man would find it difficult to not be entranced with her rare beauty and personality. She actually says, "I hoped you'd be immune!" When he says he'll wear a blindfold, she continues on "admire and inhale, then, but don't fall in love. I already have a surfeit of unwanted devotees". Seriously. She says that. The heroine...not a snotty secondary character or bratty family member. The heroine. I about threw up. Before this, I battled to continue on, refusing to give up. Well, I'm done. Sorry, but with so many great reads waiting on my TBR list, I just don't see myself purchasing her next book. Bummer.
January 2, 2015
Very good book. At the beginning, I didn't care much for Georgia. She was selfish and spoiled, and intent only on finding a new husband that would keep her in style. I did like Dracy from the beginning. He was determined to bring his estate back from ruin, and had a plan to make it happen. When Georgia's father comes to him and offers his daughter in marriage, he is tempted. Not just for the money, but for Georgia herself. Georgia has been tasked by her parents to help Dracy fit in - she knows nothing about the offer. As she tries to regain her life in the beau monde, the old scandal is brought back to life. Dracy is there through it all, helping to protect her, and trying to find out who is causing the trouble. As time goes on, more information comes out, and both of them are threatened. I really liked the way that Dracy took care of Georgia. I was also glad to see her mature as the book went on, and see how she came to care for him. I loved seeing the way Dracy's mind worked to puzzle out who was causing the trouble.
April 19, 2012
I couldn't relate or care about either of the main characters. I didn't believe the family, the setup, or the people. Skip this one, folks.
January 10, 2025
3 stelline e mezzo
Come ho già avuto modo di notare in questa (lunga) serie, il mio giudizio non è stato chiaramente sempre uguale, con volumi e coppie che mi sono piaciuti moltissimo, e altri, in realtà pochi, meno convincenti.
Questo dodicesimo volume si colloca tra quelli che credo dimenticherò facilmente, anche se vi era un personaggio maschile di tutto rispetto: Lord Dracy è nato senza titoli ed è stato inviato in mare da bambino, facendo poi la gavetta nella Marina inglese e riportando un vistoso sfregio al viso che gli conferisce un'impressione ghignante, anche se il suo carattere è mite e generoso.
Quando eredita una tenuta in stato di abbandono, deve attivarsi per fare l'unica cosa possibile (a parte lavorare), ovvero impalmare un'ereditiera.
Caso vuole che la sua passione per i cavalli di razza lo ponga in contatto con un conte, desideroso di maritare la figlia (con inquietanti dialoghi acquisto cavalli/scambio dote che non lo rendono un padre così carismatico).
A sua volta, lady Georgia si è sposata sedicenne e a neanche vent'anni è di nuovo vedova, buttata fuori di casa in quanto non ha avuto figli, e trascorre il periodo di lutto in attesa di gettarsi sulla piazza.
Poteva essere una bella storia, ma tutto è rovinato da com'è descritta la protagonista, un'ochetta frivola, che combatte la noia facendosi corteggiare e disperandosi per essere sempre al centro dei pettegolezzi. Capisco il suo essere in balia di parenti maschi, senza alcun diritto, ma ho fatto comunque fatica a provare simpatia e compassione per lei.
Sviluppo lento e farraginoso, e i Malloren appaiono in una scena, senza un vero collegamento.
Come ho già avuto modo di notare in questa (lunga) serie, il mio giudizio non è stato chiaramente sempre uguale, con volumi e coppie che mi sono piaciuti moltissimo, e altri, in realtà pochi, meno convincenti.
Questo dodicesimo volume si colloca tra quelli che credo dimenticherò facilmente, anche se vi era un personaggio maschile di tutto rispetto: Lord Dracy è nato senza titoli ed è stato inviato in mare da bambino, facendo poi la gavetta nella Marina inglese e riportando un vistoso sfregio al viso che gli conferisce un'impressione ghignante, anche se il suo carattere è mite e generoso.
Quando eredita una tenuta in stato di abbandono, deve attivarsi per fare l'unica cosa possibile (a parte lavorare), ovvero impalmare un'ereditiera.
Caso vuole che la sua passione per i cavalli di razza lo ponga in contatto con un conte, desideroso di maritare la figlia (con inquietanti dialoghi acquisto cavalli/scambio dote che non lo rendono un padre così carismatico).
A sua volta, lady Georgia si è sposata sedicenne e a neanche vent'anni è di nuovo vedova, buttata fuori di casa in quanto non ha avuto figli, e trascorre il periodo di lutto in attesa di gettarsi sulla piazza.
Poteva essere una bella storia, ma tutto è rovinato da com'è descritta la protagonista, un'ochetta frivola, che combatte la noia facendosi corteggiare e disperandosi per essere sempre al centro dei pettegolezzi. Capisco il suo essere in balia di parenti maschi, senza alcun diritto, ma ho fatto comunque fatica a provare simpatia e compassione per lei.
Sviluppo lento e farraginoso, e i Malloren appaiono in una scena, senza un vero collegamento.
August 18, 2025
Once in awhile I find a Perfect Book. Today it’s this one. There is a perfect balance between plot and characters, action and pacing, romance, humor, and heart stopping thrill. My goodness, I enjoyed this. It may be my favorite of the Malloren books, though I have one left. The cover on the audiobook is atrocious but it’s well read. I found this series because someone mentioned it in a GR review, so I will return the favor and mention some other Perfect Books: Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale; Frederica by Georgette Heyer; The Parfit Knight by Stella Riley. I’ve only been reading HR since COVID so I expect I will find more treasures over time.
November 13, 2012
In 1763, England passed a law fixing the minimum age for marriage at 16, with parental consent needed for anyone under 21. During the Georgian Period, the average age of marriage was 27. Teenage brides were anomalous. One can understand why when reading Jo Beverley’s latest novel, A Scandalous Countess. Her heroine, Georgia, is just twenty and after almost three years of marriage, a widow.
Georgie was an immature bride — she was wed to a neighbor three years her senior when she was 16 — and is an immature widow. Her husband was killed in a duel over what many believe was Georgie’s infidelity. She’s young, lovely, and after her year of mourning, desperate to regain her place in society. She’s too immature to live on her own — although under the law, she could — and yet she longs for the freedom she had while married. She wants a new husband, preferably one with a title and lots of money to buy the outrageous gowns for which she is known.
Lord Dracy has neither money nor an impressive title. He abruptly left the naval life he loved when his fribble of a cousin, the previous Lord Dracy, died after bankrupting the family holdings. Dracy has come to Devon and is trying to raise funds to rebuild his estate. One of the only things his cousin left was a fast filly named Cartagena. Dracy brings Cartagena to Georgia’s father’s estate, Herne, to race her against the Earl of Hernscroft’s famous bay mare, Fancy Free. The race is winner takes all — whoever wins gets both horses. Dracy wants to win but not to gain Fancy Free. He plans to ask the Earl to instead give him one of the Earl’s stud horses, a prize breeder named Gosling-go. Dracy wins the race but, when he sits down to talk about the trade — the Earl really doesn’t want to part with Fancy Free — Dracy is distressed to find that earlier in the week, Gosling-go had to be put down. The Earl then offers Dracy a trade for a different filly: his daughter. If Darcy marries the young widow, he’ll get her portion of twelve thousand pounds, cash in hand, the day he weds her. As the Earl points out, Dracy could buy a herd of stallions with that kind of blunt.
Dracy is shocked to hear the Earl’s proposal. The Earl points out that his daughter, who was wild when married (although faithful), is likely to return to her scandalous ways when she’s let loose on the ton again and would probably end up married to a “blackguard.” He’s looked into Dracy’s background, and feels Dracy is a trustworthy, solid man. The Earl laughs and says, “You’re the type she needs. A man of iron, used to command.” The Earl urges Dracy to take his offer; the Earl can keep his beloved horse, rid himself of a troublesome, scandalous daughter, and Dracy can wed and bed a gorgeous young girl and gain twelve thousand pounds.
This is a partial review. To read the entire review, please go to All About Romance.
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
Georgie was an immature bride — she was wed to a neighbor three years her senior when she was 16 — and is an immature widow. Her husband was killed in a duel over what many believe was Georgie’s infidelity. She’s young, lovely, and after her year of mourning, desperate to regain her place in society. She’s too immature to live on her own — although under the law, she could — and yet she longs for the freedom she had while married. She wants a new husband, preferably one with a title and lots of money to buy the outrageous gowns for which she is known.
Lord Dracy has neither money nor an impressive title. He abruptly left the naval life he loved when his fribble of a cousin, the previous Lord Dracy, died after bankrupting the family holdings. Dracy has come to Devon and is trying to raise funds to rebuild his estate. One of the only things his cousin left was a fast filly named Cartagena. Dracy brings Cartagena to Georgia’s father’s estate, Herne, to race her against the Earl of Hernscroft’s famous bay mare, Fancy Free. The race is winner takes all — whoever wins gets both horses. Dracy wants to win but not to gain Fancy Free. He plans to ask the Earl to instead give him one of the Earl’s stud horses, a prize breeder named Gosling-go. Dracy wins the race but, when he sits down to talk about the trade — the Earl really doesn’t want to part with Fancy Free — Dracy is distressed to find that earlier in the week, Gosling-go had to be put down. The Earl then offers Dracy a trade for a different filly: his daughter. If Darcy marries the young widow, he’ll get her portion of twelve thousand pounds, cash in hand, the day he weds her. As the Earl points out, Dracy could buy a herd of stallions with that kind of blunt.
Dracy is shocked to hear the Earl’s proposal. The Earl points out that his daughter, who was wild when married (although faithful), is likely to return to her scandalous ways when she’s let loose on the ton again and would probably end up married to a “blackguard.” He’s looked into Dracy’s background, and feels Dracy is a trustworthy, solid man. The Earl laughs and says, “You’re the type she needs. A man of iron, used to command.” The Earl urges Dracy to take his offer; the Earl can keep his beloved horse, rid himself of a troublesome, scandalous daughter, and Dracy can wed and bed a gorgeous young girl and gain twelve thousand pounds.
This is a partial review. To read the entire review, please go to All About Romance.
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
March 21, 2012
I'll go out on a limb and say this is more like 4 1/2* -- Jo Beverley is back in fine form. I checked off the cabin-romance and road-trip-romance shelves because once Dracy and Georgia met, they really weren't separated again. Lots of echoes of Beverley's I've liked, like another widow that was very popular with the ton (Skylark). The tension between a daughter and her powerful parents reminded me of Hazard. A Scandalous Countess was so enjoyable, I'd like to go back and read the book that preceded it, An Unlikely Countess, to get another glance at a couple characters that intrigued me (like Georgia's brother Perriam.
This isn't much of a review so let me think. Don't read it if you haven't kept up with the Malloren world: it's a definite continuity book. If it hadn't be for @superwendy's challenge, I probably wouldn't have picked it up and that would have been a shame because it was great. It starts off slow though. Stick with it! It's the story of a man and woman who were meant to be together but who had obstacles to clear away (not the least, the madman who arranged for Georgia's husband to be killed). In essence though, it's a book that focuses on the truly important and that's not one's status in the ton.
There were so many pings of remembering this Rogue book and that Rogue book (even though this is set in Beverley's Georgian world) that I think the only solution for this reader is for Jo Beverley to write a new Rogue book.
This isn't much of a review so let me think. Don't read it if you haven't kept up with the Malloren world: it's a definite continuity book. If it hadn't be for @superwendy's challenge, I probably wouldn't have picked it up and that would have been a shame because it was great. It starts off slow though. Stick with it! It's the story of a man and woman who were meant to be together but who had obstacles to clear away (not the least, the madman who arranged for Georgia's husband to be killed). In essence though, it's a book that focuses on the truly important and that's not one's status in the ton.
There were so many pings of remembering this Rogue book and that Rogue book (even though this is set in Beverley's Georgian world) that I think the only solution for this reader is for Jo Beverley to write a new Rogue book.
July 28, 2012
grrrr hate when that happens - I had the review all typed out, hit the wrong key, and mysteriously the screen went back two pages and lost all my typing. Too lazy to re-type. Suffice it to say: I liked but did not love this book. There is a certain detachment and formality to it that kept me from being drawn in. The big reveal towards the end had been blindingly obvious for hundreds of pages.
Plot summary: Lady May (widow of Lord Maybury, killed in a duel) has finished her year of mourning, and her parents want to set her up with their new neighbor, Lord Dracy. Very confusing for me, I kept wanting to call him Lord Darcy. Isn't Darcy like a well-known name from a really really super ultra famous old romance, right? So why in god's name would the author choose such a similar name???? Anyway, the characters are fine, their romance is lovely. They actually don't have sex until the very end, which very nice and probably in keeping with how things were in the 1700s, but yet is very unusual for this genre. Refreshing.
Plot summary: Lady May (widow of Lord Maybury, killed in a duel) has finished her year of mourning, and her parents want to set her up with their new neighbor, Lord Dracy. Very confusing for me, I kept wanting to call him Lord Darcy. Isn't Darcy like a well-known name from a really really super ultra famous old romance, right? So why in god's name would the author choose such a similar name???? Anyway, the characters are fine, their romance is lovely. They actually don't have sex until the very end, which very nice and probably in keeping with how things were in the 1700s, but yet is very unusual for this genre. Refreshing.
March 30, 2017
Román začína spomínanými dostihmi koní. Dracy si brúsi zuby na krásnu kobylku Fancy Free. Po tom, ako sa vrátil z námorníctva, by si chcel založiť chovnú stanicu. Týmto spôsobom by chcel zarobiť peniaze, ktoré by mohol investovať aj na úpravu chátrajúceho sídla, ktoré mu bolo zverené do starostlivosti.
Jeho kobylka Cartagena dostihy s Fancy Free skutočne vyhrá, no lord Hernescroft ani najmenej netúži rozlúčiť sa s takým skvelým koňom. Rozhodne sa ponúknuť Darcymu niečo iné. Svoju ovdovenú dcéru Georgiu. Ach, čo sú to za ľudia, ktorí majú radšej zvery ako ľudí? Niekedy sa tomu i dá porozumieť, no zbaviť sa takýmto spôsobom vlastnej dcéry, vlastnej krvi?
Kým sa Dracy rozhodne súhlasiť, najskôr musí zistiť /opáčiť/ či je táto ponuka pre neho dostatočne lukratívna. Odvtedy sa stáva súčasťou každého večierka, či iného soirée, ktorého súčasťou je aj krásna Georgia. Zvyšok recenzie je tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
Jeho kobylka Cartagena dostihy s Fancy Free skutočne vyhrá, no lord Hernescroft ani najmenej netúži rozlúčiť sa s takým skvelým koňom. Rozhodne sa ponúknuť Darcymu niečo iné. Svoju ovdovenú dcéru Georgiu. Ach, čo sú to za ľudia, ktorí majú radšej zvery ako ľudí? Niekedy sa tomu i dá porozumieť, no zbaviť sa takýmto spôsobom vlastnej dcéry, vlastnej krvi?
Kým sa Dracy rozhodne súhlasiť, najskôr musí zistiť /opáčiť/ či je táto ponuka pre neho dostatočne lukratívna. Odvtedy sa stáva súčasťou každého večierka, či iného soirée, ktorého súčasťou je aj krásna Georgia. Zvyšok recenzie je tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
August 2, 2012
I am not sure I can stand to read the rest of the book about Georgia. Despite the author trying to convince the reader there is more to her than shallow fluff, I haven't seen if yet. I do like Dracy tho, can't wait to see more (literally!) of him. Also, for about the last 3-4 Malloren books, Jo B. has really had a bee in her bonnet about women's rights in the 18th century. Not something we can fix retroactively, unfortunately.
Finished the book. Figured out the villain way too early. Plot very reminiscent of that in Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh. Would love to see more of Dracy still. I wonder who will be the h/h in the third countess book. Perry?
Finished the book. Figured out the villain way too early. Plot very reminiscent of that in Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh. Would love to see more of Dracy still. I wonder who will be the h/h in the third countess book. Perry?
September 17, 2018
Just couldn't get into this one. I honestly tried but just couldn't do it :( This was a definite "skimmer"(i.e. I just skimmed through the book). This was my first Jo Beverley book and I am unsure if I will try another one. If you know a better book of hers then please, by all means, recommend one to me. I am willing to give her a second chance.
June 5, 2012
2.5 stars round up to 3 stars.
Another scarred hero, the book lost steam for me unfortunately and I found it sagged in the middle. Still and all, Jo Beverley is a great writer and this was a solid, satisfactory read.
Another scarred hero, the book lost steam for me unfortunately and I found it sagged in the middle. Still and all, Jo Beverley is a great writer and this was a solid, satisfactory read.
April 19, 2012
I always feel like a wittier person when I finish one of Jo Beverley's romances.
April 6, 2012
The plot is very similar to Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh.
July 9, 2013
This is more a 2.5, but it's not the usual Jo Beverley quality.
March 26, 2022
This was a delight, especially after just finishing a less successful late Victorian novel. I guess when it comes to fluffy historical romances, I prefer those that are heavier on the historical and lighter on the romance. This one is set in the middle Georgian era, 1764 – 1765, when Britain was expanding its empire and building the world’s first industrialized nation.
The issue at the core of the story is the rights, privileges, constraints and status of a wealthy aristocratic widow, especially a very young widow in a very paternalistic society. We learn about the lives of the rich, famous, and under-employed, as well as the plumbing in the city of London, and thankfully (for fluffy entertainment) it doesn’t dwell on the horrors of the poor and abused, or the victims of British industrialization. Apparently it fits into a lengthy series of novels about the fabulous Malloren family, which I don’t seem to have read though the author’s name is familiar to me. I shall have to pursue this series, as I liked the way Ms. Beverley handled her subject.
Now I really want to find some Nicotiana alata, and see what it smells like.
The issue at the core of the story is the rights, privileges, constraints and status of a wealthy aristocratic widow, especially a very young widow in a very paternalistic society. We learn about the lives of the rich, famous, and under-employed, as well as the plumbing in the city of London, and thankfully (for fluffy entertainment) it doesn’t dwell on the horrors of the poor and abused, or the victims of British industrialization. Apparently it fits into a lengthy series of novels about the fabulous Malloren family, which I don’t seem to have read though the author’s name is familiar to me. I shall have to pursue this series, as I liked the way Ms. Beverley handled her subject.
Now I really want to find some Nicotiana alata, and see what it smells like.
January 25, 2012
I reviewed this book for Night Owl Reviews - Rated 4.75 Stars
Lady May returns!
Falling from her position as the “toast” of Georgian society because of her husband’s death has been hard for Georgia, the Countess of Maybury. Even a year of mourning hasn’t silenced the rumors that her infidelity led to her husband’s death in a duel. It’s a scandal that doesn’t want to go away.
While Georgia has plans to regain her footing in the beau monde, Lord Dracy has plans to restore Dracy Manor to its former glory. While Lord Dracy wasn’t looking for a wife, and his financial footing isn’t what she’s accustomed to, he can’t deny the beauty of Lady May or her charm. The only thing he has to offer is passion like she’s never experienced before…….
When new scandals threaten Lady May, both their plans and their lives are suddenly at risk.
“A Scandalous Countess” by Jo Beverley is the dazzling second story in the Three Countesses Trilogy, a part of the Malloren World series. Having read the previous book in the trilogy, An Unlikely Countess, I was once again drawn into Ms. Beverley’s Georgian world filled with lively characters, a touch of intrigue and witty conversation. While this is a historical series and while I do generally recommend reading the other books, this book can easily be read on its own. Be prepared though, once you get started, you never want Ms. Beverley’s book to end.
Georgia, the Countess of Maybury, seems to live a charmed life, the “toast” of society at only twenty years old, she’s beautiful, married to a man who indulges her desires and she has plenty of friends. All of that changes when her husband, Dickon, gets killed in a duel. A duel she knew nothing about. While the reason for the duel is allegedly over a horse race, soon the rumor begins that the reason for the duel was Georgia’s alleged affair with Sir Charnley Vance, the man who killed her husband. Since Georgia is known to be a flirt, it’s easy for many to believe the rumors.
While Georgia not only has to deal with the loss of her husband, she also has to deal with the loss of their home, as a woman she can’t inherit the estate. Everything goes to her husband’s male cousin; she only gets to keep her clothes and the small nick-knacks her husband bought her. Giving in to her parents, Georgia agrees to spend her mourning period at their estate in the country. Her plans are to let the scandal die down, and then return to society to find her next husband. I really liked how Ms. Beverley developed Georgia’s character throughout this story, at first she does appear to be somewhat flighty and spoiled, but once you begin to get to know her, she’s really so much more. She’s loving, loyal and quite bright. As the story progresses, her quick wit and charm really grew on me.
Lord Dracy has just inherited his family’s estate due to his cousin’s death. Coming back from years in the navy, he’s not prepared for how rundown Dracy Manor has become. Determined to restore his childhood home, he suffers from a lack of funds; his cousin spent all of the family money while living in London. He does have one hope, a horse he plans to race to raise money. When the Earl of Hernescroft, Georgia’s father, challenges his horse to a race, Dracy accepts. He knows his horse will win and has plans for the prize, the Earl’s prize horse. He didn’t plan on getting outwitted by the wily Earl, who never planned to give up his horse but has plans to talk Dracy into marrying his widowed daughter. While Dracy may not be his financial equal, the Earl knows he’s the perfect man for his daughter. He’ll tame her and keep her out of trouble. They just have to convince her to overlook Dracy’s flaws, his poor wallet and the scar on his face. A scar he received in service to his country.
I really enjoyed the scenes between Georgia and Dracy. They are lively, charming and engage in witty conversation. While it does seem like an odd match, they are perfect for each other. While Georgia’s beauty can’t be ignored, Dracy admires her latent wit and realizes she’s everything he wants in life. While at first shocked at Dracy’s scar, Georgia’s good manners and the discovery that it was a result of the war, she sees a man she can admire. As they spend time together they learn each other’s weaknesses and strengths. While Georgia’s family encourages their union, there is still the issue of Georgia’s maturity and of the scandal that won’t die down. Just as they make progress on one item, something else just seems to pop up. I really enjoyed how Ms. Beverley showed us Georgia’s progression as she goes flighty society girl to becoming a woman of substance. She also did a great job managing the mystery of the scandal, who was behind the rumors and why it came up.
I enjoyed meeting the secondary characters especially Georgia’s family, which is an interesting bunch, and her friends. While most are supportive, like any family there are some conflicts. I especially enjoyed getting to know Georgia’s brother, Peregrine Perriam, who secretly works for the home office (think MI-6). He and Lord Dracy worked well together resolving the scandal and discovering the source. The villain of the story is also well done, and when the mystery is solved and everything falls into place, it’s nice to see justice take place.
When it becomes apparent Georgia’s life is in danger, will Dracy be able to keep her safe? And will Georgia recognize that a future with Dracy is what she’s been looking for all along? You’ll have to read A Scandalous Countess to find out. I loved this installment in this series and can’t wait to see what will come next.
Lady May returns!
Falling from her position as the “toast” of Georgian society because of her husband’s death has been hard for Georgia, the Countess of Maybury. Even a year of mourning hasn’t silenced the rumors that her infidelity led to her husband’s death in a duel. It’s a scandal that doesn’t want to go away.
While Georgia has plans to regain her footing in the beau monde, Lord Dracy has plans to restore Dracy Manor to its former glory. While Lord Dracy wasn’t looking for a wife, and his financial footing isn’t what she’s accustomed to, he can’t deny the beauty of Lady May or her charm. The only thing he has to offer is passion like she’s never experienced before…….
When new scandals threaten Lady May, both their plans and their lives are suddenly at risk.
“A Scandalous Countess” by Jo Beverley is the dazzling second story in the Three Countesses Trilogy, a part of the Malloren World series. Having read the previous book in the trilogy, An Unlikely Countess, I was once again drawn into Ms. Beverley’s Georgian world filled with lively characters, a touch of intrigue and witty conversation. While this is a historical series and while I do generally recommend reading the other books, this book can easily be read on its own. Be prepared though, once you get started, you never want Ms. Beverley’s book to end.
Georgia, the Countess of Maybury, seems to live a charmed life, the “toast” of society at only twenty years old, she’s beautiful, married to a man who indulges her desires and she has plenty of friends. All of that changes when her husband, Dickon, gets killed in a duel. A duel she knew nothing about. While the reason for the duel is allegedly over a horse race, soon the rumor begins that the reason for the duel was Georgia’s alleged affair with Sir Charnley Vance, the man who killed her husband. Since Georgia is known to be a flirt, it’s easy for many to believe the rumors.
While Georgia not only has to deal with the loss of her husband, she also has to deal with the loss of their home, as a woman she can’t inherit the estate. Everything goes to her husband’s male cousin; she only gets to keep her clothes and the small nick-knacks her husband bought her. Giving in to her parents, Georgia agrees to spend her mourning period at their estate in the country. Her plans are to let the scandal die down, and then return to society to find her next husband. I really liked how Ms. Beverley developed Georgia’s character throughout this story, at first she does appear to be somewhat flighty and spoiled, but once you begin to get to know her, she’s really so much more. She’s loving, loyal and quite bright. As the story progresses, her quick wit and charm really grew on me.
Lord Dracy has just inherited his family’s estate due to his cousin’s death. Coming back from years in the navy, he’s not prepared for how rundown Dracy Manor has become. Determined to restore his childhood home, he suffers from a lack of funds; his cousin spent all of the family money while living in London. He does have one hope, a horse he plans to race to raise money. When the Earl of Hernescroft, Georgia’s father, challenges his horse to a race, Dracy accepts. He knows his horse will win and has plans for the prize, the Earl’s prize horse. He didn’t plan on getting outwitted by the wily Earl, who never planned to give up his horse but has plans to talk Dracy into marrying his widowed daughter. While Dracy may not be his financial equal, the Earl knows he’s the perfect man for his daughter. He’ll tame her and keep her out of trouble. They just have to convince her to overlook Dracy’s flaws, his poor wallet and the scar on his face. A scar he received in service to his country.
I really enjoyed the scenes between Georgia and Dracy. They are lively, charming and engage in witty conversation. While it does seem like an odd match, they are perfect for each other. While Georgia’s beauty can’t be ignored, Dracy admires her latent wit and realizes she’s everything he wants in life. While at first shocked at Dracy’s scar, Georgia’s good manners and the discovery that it was a result of the war, she sees a man she can admire. As they spend time together they learn each other’s weaknesses and strengths. While Georgia’s family encourages their union, there is still the issue of Georgia’s maturity and of the scandal that won’t die down. Just as they make progress on one item, something else just seems to pop up. I really enjoyed how Ms. Beverley showed us Georgia’s progression as she goes flighty society girl to becoming a woman of substance. She also did a great job managing the mystery of the scandal, who was behind the rumors and why it came up.
I enjoyed meeting the secondary characters especially Georgia’s family, which is an interesting bunch, and her friends. While most are supportive, like any family there are some conflicts. I especially enjoyed getting to know Georgia’s brother, Peregrine Perriam, who secretly works for the home office (think MI-6). He and Lord Dracy worked well together resolving the scandal and discovering the source. The villain of the story is also well done, and when the mystery is solved and everything falls into place, it’s nice to see justice take place.
When it becomes apparent Georgia’s life is in danger, will Dracy be able to keep her safe? And will Georgia recognize that a future with Dracy is what she’s been looking for all along? You’ll have to read A Scandalous Countess to find out. I loved this installment in this series and can’t wait to see what will come next.
May 15, 2021
I just couldn’t get into this one. The tragedies of the past seemed to overpower the present. And the heroine’s change was less than convincing. But still a excellent book. It made me want to plant nicotiana. ;D
November 5, 2023
Este libro me encantó!!! Tiene de todo: protagonistas estupendos y por momentos chistosos, antagonistas muy de la época y también muy contemporáneos por desgracia, secundarios interesantes y trama guay.
Me da pena no haber leído a Jo Beverley antes.
Me da pena no haber leído a Jo Beverley antes.
April 13, 2025
Enjoyable and typical historical romance. There was a bit of mystery that made for an interesting read. The heroine was a little shallow at times. Overall good read and didn’t have a lot of spicy scenes.
September 29, 2023
Lots of information about the life and experiences of Regency England woven into a entertaining mystery/romance.
June 3, 2024
Excellent book. Enjoyed very much
November 18, 2024
Better than the last one. In fact, I give it 3 1/2 stars. A novel about the power of gossip
August 3, 2016
I actually rate this about a 3.75, but since it's not an option I round up.
Great writing and world building as usual, but not my favorite heroine. While I thought she was a well developed character it was hard to really sympathize with her. At times she could come off us superficial and thoughtless, which I do recognize as a plot driver. However, this made it difficult to really like her in the 1st half of the book.
As the story progresses she matures and becomes a more sympathetic character albeit a rather melodramatic one. Of course you can then argue she's young and so it's still within character. So maybe this complaint is more with me than her character development. I think I prefer my heroines with a bit more maturity.
Her family, even her most devoted brother, were rather cold at times. She was treated more as a possession than a person in her own right - by her family and her suitors. I found her limitations as frustrating as she did, so that helped solidify her as a more sympathetic character.
The relationship building between Dracy and the Countess was well done, if a little one sided at times. (More believable on his part than hers.) You could see outright lust on Dracy's part evolving into love. I was less convinced of Georgian's part, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. I think her willingness to brave the dilapidated Dracy estate helped convince me in the end though.
I'll end this by saying that I would love it if Jo Beverley would give the Malloren world a rest for a bit and write more in the Rogue world. Her last 4 or 5 novels have been a Malloren novel and I'm now ready for more Rogues.
Great writing and world building as usual, but not my favorite heroine. While I thought she was a well developed character it was hard to really sympathize with her. At times she could come off us superficial and thoughtless, which I do recognize as a plot driver. However, this made it difficult to really like her in the 1st half of the book.
As the story progresses she matures and becomes a more sympathetic character albeit a rather melodramatic one. Of course you can then argue she's young and so it's still within character. So maybe this complaint is more with me than her character development. I think I prefer my heroines with a bit more maturity.
Her family, even her most devoted brother, were rather cold at times. She was treated more as a possession than a person in her own right - by her family and her suitors. I found her limitations as frustrating as she did, so that helped solidify her as a more sympathetic character.
The relationship building between Dracy and the Countess was well done, if a little one sided at times. (More believable on his part than hers.) You could see outright lust on Dracy's part evolving into love. I was less convinced of Georgian's part, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. I think her willingness to brave the dilapidated Dracy estate helped convince me in the end though.
I'll end this by saying that I would love it if Jo Beverley would give the Malloren world a rest for a bit and write more in the Rogue world. Her last 4 or 5 novels have been a Malloren novel and I'm now ready for more Rogues.
October 13, 2016
2 1/2 stars maybe. This book was too long. About a third of it could have been cut out. Yet for all its length, it lacked enough characterization for me. I felt like the book was more about the scandal than the romance. Georgia is very young, and in some ways very innocent, and I sympathized with her but the truth is we don't know much about her. She's described as flighty several times (although I don't really see that), she's pretty and a bit of a flirt (which is viewed as bad, although let's be real, it means nothing), she's extravagant and throws money around (exactly what I expect for the daughter and widow of earls), she doesn't flinch at Dracy's scars, and she does some charity work. Dracy was orphaned, a naval officer, disfigured, and poor and unequipped for his elevation into his cousin's barony. These things don't make characters. By the middle of the book, everything was similar and dragging out. I was sick of the scandal already, and I was sick of how people were describing Georgia, and I was sick of the manipulation surrounding Dracy and Georgia's match. I was ready for it to be over, which of course meant another 300 ebook pages to go. I do appreciate, however, that it's not so much of a question of who the villain was as to how and what exactly they did. The villain is pretty obvious. I also appreciated that Georgia was quick thinking when he tries to kidnap her. But the length, Dracy's initial thoughts on her, and her self pity and recrimination got really old really fast.
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