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Only a Hero Will Do
Hetty’s desperate gamble to avoid an odious match lands her all at sea. Can a stuffy ship’s physician really be the hero she needs to escape her treacherous family?
Marriage to a cruel dandy is not how Hetty Avebury envisions spending the rest of her life. Determined to raise funds to escape the match she earns money the only way she knows how—gambling. Her plans go astray and she finds herself onboard a man-of-war under the care of its high handed physician. But Hetty soon realizes that Doctor Withington is not quite the stuffed shirt she had first imagined.
If it wasn’t bad enough declaring one of the pressed men as a woman, Robert has been tasked with the tiresome job of returning her safely back to her dysfunctional family. It was ten years ago when his father gambled away his inheritance, home, and any chance of marrying the woman he loved. So when Robert discovers Hetty gambling he takes drastic action to cure her of the habit.
Marriage to a cruel dandy is not how Hetty Avebury envisions spending the rest of her life. Determined to raise funds to escape the match she earns money the only way she knows how—gambling. Her plans go astray and she finds herself onboard a man-of-war under the care of its high handed physician. But Hetty soon realizes that Doctor Withington is not quite the stuffed shirt she had first imagined.
If it wasn’t bad enough declaring one of the pressed men as a woman, Robert has been tasked with the tiresome job of returning her safely back to her dysfunctional family. It was ten years ago when his father gambled away his inheritance, home, and any chance of marrying the woman he loved. So when Robert discovers Hetty gambling he takes drastic action to cure her of the habit.
202 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2012
20 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Susan Lodge
7 books29 followersSusan Lodge writes historical romance set against the backdrop of Nelson’s navy and injects a fair dose of humour into her stories.
If someone asked Susan for her wish list it would start with a Star Trek holodeck.
A great admirer of the works of Patrick O’Brian and Georgette Heyer, her destinations would start with a voyage on Jack Aubrey’s frigate (preferably avoiding times of conflict). Next would be dinner with some of Heyer’s memorable characters; Hugo Darracott and The Marquis of Alvertsoke, would be among them.
Susan has a science degree and always wanted to be an astronaut but settled for a career in the Civil Service. She loves old sailing ships, chocolate, spell checks and tinkering on her piano.
If someone asked Susan for her wish list it would start with a Star Trek holodeck.
A great admirer of the works of Patrick O’Brian and Georgette Heyer, her destinations would start with a voyage on Jack Aubrey’s frigate (preferably avoiding times of conflict). Next would be dinner with some of Heyer’s memorable characters; Hugo Darracott and The Marquis of Alvertsoke, would be among them.
Susan has a science degree and always wanted to be an astronaut but settled for a career in the Civil Service. She loves old sailing ships, chocolate, spell checks and tinkering on her piano.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 29, 2018
An absolute page turner!
What an adventurous read. I loved the mc, Hetty Avebury. Nevermind her quest for a hero, she is the feisty heroine in this book... and could teach modern-day men - and women - a thing or two. Brilliant cliff hangers and pace throughout, making this story shine and breaking the stereotypical assumption that a historical romance is lacking in action and suspense.
What an adventurous read. I loved the mc, Hetty Avebury. Nevermind her quest for a hero, she is the feisty heroine in this book... and could teach modern-day men - and women - a thing or two. Brilliant cliff hangers and pace throughout, making this story shine and breaking the stereotypical assumption that a historical romance is lacking in action and suspense.
December 26, 2014
I enjoyed this novel very much. The characters were fun, and the romance between the hero and heroine developed at a nice pace. There were villains to overcome and even an adventurous, perilous sea voyage to increase the drama. Only a Hero Will Do is a sweet love story which is well worth your time!
May 15, 2018
Fun little romance. Perfect for the long weekend. I’d happily read more by this author.
August 1, 2016
Fun Story
I enjoyed reading Only A Hero Will Do and found myself anxious to get back to it any time I had to put it down. The characters were likeable and the storyline had one twist after another. Perhaps the dialogue was not always true to the era, but that didn't detract too much from the pleasure I experienced while reading the book. Also appreciated a nice, clean story!
I enjoyed reading Only A Hero Will Do and found myself anxious to get back to it any time I had to put it down. The characters were likeable and the storyline had one twist after another. Perhaps the dialogue was not always true to the era, but that didn't detract too much from the pleasure I experienced while reading the book. Also appreciated a nice, clean story!
December 30, 2014
3.8 stars
Review coming soon
Review coming soon
December 10, 2014
:) Check out 4 and 5 star reviews at Amazon.com and Amazon UK. Including reviews from Long and Short Romance,The Romance Review and Regency Reader.
February 18, 2016
This was a pretty good Regency utilizing an exciting non-standard plot. The protagonists are likable with some quirks for interest's sake. I'm glad I found the author.
April 11, 2016
Another totally engaging adventure romance. Fun, fast paced & original. Too bad she only has two books out.
October 14, 2020
Story was interesting, but ugh,...why the need for the language? The first few chapters are inserted with language that's jarring and incongruous to the time period. It lets down the story. Author manages to convey feelings and frustration for the last three quarters of the book, including a period while on a ship with sailors without it, so why insert it in the begining, it was off-putting.
July 11, 2018
intrigante, avventuroso e diverso dal solito plot ...
August 17, 2014
This really was kinda bad. Bad in that it felt very amateur in the writing, plot and character development. It had potential and it held my attention long enough for me to finish it but it was a bit painful. I would read to a point of thinking maybe this isn't so bad, maybe this is going somewhere but then I would find out that no it's not going anywhere with that lead, that was it. Cringe worthy moments were a plenty but none more so than the last paragraph of the book.
The characters of Hettie and especially Robert had glimpses of depth that showed they could be great characters but she never really explored them and their lives as much as she should have leaving me as a reader rather unattached to them.
It had enough potential to get it two stars but it's not one I will feel the need to revisit or recommend.
The characters of Hettie and especially Robert had glimpses of depth that showed they could be great characters but she never really explored them and their lives as much as she should have leaving me as a reader rather unattached to them.
It had enough potential to get it two stars but it's not one I will feel the need to revisit or recommend.
December 9, 2014
Although I opened this book with great anticipation, I ended up a bit disappointed. Hoping for a high seas adventure and forbidden romance, I was left with a much longer and convoluted plot. Characters that were as ever changing as they were shallow, I never really cared about any of the characters, main or side. The romance was barely touched on and I never saw any catalyst to change from frustrated strangers thrust together to those who care for each other. Technically, there were various grammatical mistakes that showed a poor grasp of turns of phrase, modern or time-period, which altogether were distracting. Overall, a great set-up for a story that didn't fulfill its potential.
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February 26, 2016
This is a delightful story set in the early 1800s. The scrapes that Hettie gets herself into are highly entertaining, yet she manages to remain an innocent. The different themes in the novel all play out very nicely as Robert Withington becomes the best ever protector. Regency romances tend to have their villains and this book doesn’t disappoint. It’s as easy to take an instant dislike of Hettie’s brother as it is to like Robert Withington. Getting herself out of a detestable betrothal isn’t so easy but Hettie’s ways and means are inventive. If you want a quick easy read set in Regency times, I recommend this amusing 4 and 1/2 * novel.
October 30, 2018
3.75 stars - pg/pg13??
I'm very slowly going through all my bookshelves and trying to catalogue books bought and read in years gone by. Stars and ratings are mere guesses at this point. I'm assuming I enjoyed the book at some point in my life?
I'm very slowly going through all my bookshelves and trying to catalogue books bought and read in years gone by. Stars and ratings are mere guesses at this point. I'm assuming I enjoyed the book at some point in my life?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews