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Benedict Nesbitt #1
Libby's London Merchant
An engaging Signet Regency Romance of mysterious suitors and surprising secrets from the "the powerful and wonderfully perceptive Carla Kelly . . . ."*
Available Digitally for the First Time
Beautiful Miss Libby Ames knew little about the man who landed unexpectedly at her country manor. Only that he called himself Mr. Nesbitt Duke, a London merchant. And after one look at Libby, he claimed he'd fallen in love. But it was soon clear that this handsome stranger was not being entirely truthful.
Arriving at Libby's doorstep was not fate, but rather an encounter of Nesbitt's own design. Furthermore, his position in life was far from that of a merchant. His name too was a lie. But his true identity was still not the greatest mystery. For Libby had no idea of the secret longings of her own heart--or what to do next about the mystery man, and the passionate love that has taken her by shocking surprise.
*"New York Times" bestselling author Mary Jo Putney
Available Digitally for the First Time
Beautiful Miss Libby Ames knew little about the man who landed unexpectedly at her country manor. Only that he called himself Mr. Nesbitt Duke, a London merchant. And after one look at Libby, he claimed he'd fallen in love. But it was soon clear that this handsome stranger was not being entirely truthful.
Arriving at Libby's doorstep was not fate, but rather an encounter of Nesbitt's own design. Furthermore, his position in life was far from that of a merchant. His name too was a lie. But his true identity was still not the greatest mystery. For Libby had no idea of the secret longings of her own heart--or what to do next about the mystery man, and the passionate love that has taken her by shocking surprise.
*"New York Times" bestselling author Mary Jo Putney
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1991
78 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books804 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 15, 2025
I am having difficulty rating this one as sometimes I loved it and others I am shaking my head in exasperation. (For all of this I do recommend the book just be prepared) The start of the book deals with (Mr Duke to find out about Miss Ames...yes, he really is the Duke) having a carriage accident and having to stay at Libby's home to heal. The duke is an alcoholic and Dr Cook helps him to detox and also deal with PTSD. There are so many themes in the book that I felt overwhelmed by them. The Dukes alcoholism seems to be cured rather easily, and we find out the Dr is in love with Libby (one of the Miss Ames) so then we have a love triangle as the Duke also falls in love. Then there is Libby's brother that has a TBI and the Doctors father who dislikes said brother (that is another side plot which is bonkers). There are parts of the book that were written so beautifully that it was great then it takes a turn to a different plot line. I am really glad I read this book and do recommend it.
April 20, 2013
I picked up this book reluctantly, even though Carla Kelly is one of my favorite authors. It involves a duke disguised as a chocolate merchant meeting and falling in love with a penniless lady whom he mistakenly believes is wealthy. Meh. But there were some glowing reviews, and CK has never let me down.
So I began slowly, and then I could hardly put it down. This is one of the best romances I've ever read! Carla Kelly is a genius. It is no accident that this book is a 5-star Desert Island Keeper on All About Romance.
At the request of his best friend, Benedict Nesbitt, Duke of Knaresborough, agrees to disguise himself as a chocolate merchant and travel to Kent to inspect the bride that the friend's father has picked out. He stages a carriage accident near the lady's home, but it goes awry and Nez is injured rather seriously. Libby, the intended bride, and her mentally damaged young brother rescue him and send for Anthony Cook, the local doctor. Several things quickly become apparent. Anthony is in love with Libby, but she sees him as just a sweet but clumsy and overweight neighbor. Nez is an alcoholic, who drinks to forget the horrible things he witnessed in the Peninsular Wars. Libby is not wealthy (although her cousin Lydia is). Nez falls in love with her and decides to cut out his friend and marry her himself.
I can't discuss this any more without spoilers, so if you like Carla Kelly and you haven't read this book, don't read any farther in this review. In fact, don't read any reviews. Just get the book. Right now!
Here Be Spoilers.
This review really doesn't do justice to the story, largely because I'm not as good a writer as Carla Kelly. Not even in the same universe. There is humor and tragedy, and the horrors of war are never far from the surface. (Libby's mother followed the drum until her husband died). The characters are all beautifully drawn and totally believable. The plot hums along, and there are several curve balls that I haven't even mentioned.
Although Kelly does not write series, Nez appears in One Good Turn. I strongly recommend reading this one first, though.
So I began slowly, and then I could hardly put it down. This is one of the best romances I've ever read! Carla Kelly is a genius. It is no accident that this book is a 5-star Desert Island Keeper on All About Romance.
At the request of his best friend, Benedict Nesbitt, Duke of Knaresborough, agrees to disguise himself as a chocolate merchant and travel to Kent to inspect the bride that the friend's father has picked out. He stages a carriage accident near the lady's home, but it goes awry and Nez is injured rather seriously. Libby, the intended bride, and her mentally damaged young brother rescue him and send for Anthony Cook, the local doctor. Several things quickly become apparent. Anthony is in love with Libby, but she sees him as just a sweet but clumsy and overweight neighbor. Nez is an alcoholic, who drinks to forget the horrible things he witnessed in the Peninsular Wars. Libby is not wealthy (although her cousin Lydia is). Nez falls in love with her and decides to cut out his friend and marry her himself.
I can't discuss this any more without spoilers, so if you like Carla Kelly and you haven't read this book, don't read any farther in this review. In fact, don't read any reviews. Just get the book. Right now!
Here Be Spoilers.
This review really doesn't do justice to the story, largely because I'm not as good a writer as Carla Kelly. Not even in the same universe. There is humor and tragedy, and the horrors of war are never far from the surface. (Libby's mother followed the drum until her husband died). The characters are all beautifully drawn and totally believable. The plot hums along, and there are several curve balls that I haven't even mentioned.
Although Kelly does not write series, Nez appears in One Good Turn. I strongly recommend reading this one first, though.
December 15, 2025
I wanted to rant but...
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October 25, 2015
I've said it before, but it warrants repeating: Carla Kelly is a genius. I read this straight through in about five hours and finally turned my light out at about 3.30am with all the good swirly feelings rattling around my heart. That's rather the problem with trying to review Kelly. So much of her appeal is in that completely undefinable ability to write a story that storms its way right into your soul and yet does so with such subtlety you don't even realise it until it's 2am and you simply must keep reading because you're so invested in the characters you have to know what's going to happen (even though this is romance and we know there will be a happy ending). I'm not a big crier generally in life, but I had a little weep towards the end of this one, more because of the tension than anything else. I've never read a romance where i didn't know who the heroine would eventually end up with, but here we have one. A genuine love triangle and in a traditional Carla Kelly Regency, who would've thought it? A love triangle, no less, in which my allegiances swung between the two heroes (I suppose there's only one hero really, and I won't spoiler it by revealing who it is, but it felt as though there were two) on multiple occasions. The reader lives and feels the journey of the heroine, Libby, who is completely torn between the two heroes until the very last moment when she finally sees everyone and everything how they really are. All the characters are top notch - brilliant, brilliant characterisation. The plot is humourous and light but with dark moments and difficult issues (war, alcoholism, disability). It takes a truly deft writer to balance all of that. Libby is optimistic and clever and resourceful but, at times, misguided and sad. Nez is, in many ways, the consummate duke (and Kelly doesn't forget his position when it would have been very easy to do so in order to resolve things) but damaged by his wartime experiences and who finds a happiness he hasn't known when he is unexpectedly ensconced in Libby's community and her life. Then there's Dr Cook: bespectacled, large (not fat, but 'a clinker-built coal barge'), clumsy (except when he's treating patients) Dr Cook who is in love with Libby from the outset. Oh, I cannot do this book any kind of justice, you should just go and read it. It was so good I wasn't even bothered that there was only kissing. Wonderful, wonderful book. Go: go read.
January 9, 2015
Closer to 3.5 stars
You've heard of the phrases 'beauty is skin-deep' and 'appearances can be deceiving'. LIBBY'S LONDON MERCHANT concerned three people and how each of their appearances affected the other. It was the first of two books about Benedict Nesbett, the Seventh Duke of Knaresborough. I strongly recommend if you are interested in this duo to read LLM before starting ONE GOOD TURN.
Nez, as he is called by family and friends, had drunk himself into blindness. Oh, wait a minute, it is the pillow laying across his face. Well, he does have issues; he is an alcoholic long before the term came into being. While literally under the table, he made a deal with his drinking buddy, Eustace. His mission: to disguise himself as a merchant and peruse his friend's future wife. If she is ugly he will let Eustace know so he can but some distance between himself and the lady. But, as in many of Ms. Kelly's stories, her characters are flawed and things never go as intended.
Nez's journey had him involved in a very real accident in front of the home of Libby Ames, a relative of Eustace's intended. He was taken in and cared for by Libby and her 'friend', Dr. Anthony Cook. Their mission? To heal his injuries and dry him out. Nez, in disguise as a chocolate merchant, was a nasty patient.
Tony was a beta male. He had silently loved Libby for a long time. But she just considered him a necessary companion and sometime confidant. He had his attributes: he was tall, had a lustrous head of hair and a kindly attitude. Unfortunately, he loved to eat and it showed. He was also clumsy, knocking into and tripping over various household items. How much this was affected by Libby's very presence would never be known. Lastly, he wore glasses. Glasses that slid to the end of his nose and fell off his face. Of course it doesn't help his rumpled appearance. The poor guy!
LIBBY'S LONDON MERCHANT had its fair share of plot twists. As the story continued, Libby fell in love. And, normally, I am not a big fan of two guys pursuing one woman: someone always gets hurt. But in this case it was necessary because it drove the story. Nez and Tony had their moments but each of these men pulled out the big guns to win her hand.
I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did because I read the duo out-of-order. I had some minor quibbles because a few issues did not match with the content of the sequel. But they could be easily overlooked. And Ms. Kelly's stories rarely disappoint me.
This was a story of a young woman whose very youth (she is 20 years old) factored in with complicated emotions that affected her decisions. As the reader, I enjoyed when Libby had her 'Ah, ha!' moments. And, except for a few kisses here and there and some minor groping by the soon-to-be excited husband at the end, it is a clean romance and a traditional-style Regency.
You've heard of the phrases 'beauty is skin-deep' and 'appearances can be deceiving'. LIBBY'S LONDON MERCHANT concerned three people and how each of their appearances affected the other. It was the first of two books about Benedict Nesbett, the Seventh Duke of Knaresborough. I strongly recommend if you are interested in this duo to read LLM before starting ONE GOOD TURN.
Nez, as he is called by family and friends, had drunk himself into blindness. Oh, wait a minute, it is the pillow laying across his face. Well, he does have issues; he is an alcoholic long before the term came into being. While literally under the table, he made a deal with his drinking buddy, Eustace. His mission: to disguise himself as a merchant and peruse his friend's future wife. If she is ugly he will let Eustace know so he can but some distance between himself and the lady. But, as in many of Ms. Kelly's stories, her characters are flawed and things never go as intended.
Nez's journey had him involved in a very real accident in front of the home of Libby Ames, a relative of Eustace's intended. He was taken in and cared for by Libby and her 'friend', Dr. Anthony Cook. Their mission? To heal his injuries and dry him out. Nez, in disguise as a chocolate merchant, was a nasty patient.
Tony was a beta male. He had silently loved Libby for a long time. But she just considered him a necessary companion and sometime confidant. He had his attributes: he was tall, had a lustrous head of hair and a kindly attitude. Unfortunately, he loved to eat and it showed. He was also clumsy, knocking into and tripping over various household items. How much this was affected by Libby's very presence would never be known. Lastly, he wore glasses. Glasses that slid to the end of his nose and fell off his face. Of course it doesn't help his rumpled appearance. The poor guy!
LIBBY'S LONDON MERCHANT had its fair share of plot twists. As the story continued, Libby fell in love. And, normally, I am not a big fan of two guys pursuing one woman: someone always gets hurt. But in this case it was necessary because it drove the story. Nez and Tony had their moments but each of these men pulled out the big guns to win her hand.
I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did because I read the duo out-of-order. I had some minor quibbles because a few issues did not match with the content of the sequel. But they could be easily overlooked. And Ms. Kelly's stories rarely disappoint me.
This was a story of a young woman whose very youth (she is 20 years old) factored in with complicated emotions that affected her decisions. As the reader, I enjoyed when Libby had her 'Ah, ha!' moments. And, except for a few kisses here and there and some minor groping by the soon-to-be excited husband at the end, it is a clean romance and a traditional-style Regency.
April 21, 2009
I was quite surprised when I picked up this book. At first glance, it seemed to have many things I don’t particularly like romance, the first of which is a love triangle, but it the end Kelly convinced me again. I wasn’t as enthusiastic as with the previous one I read by her but it was a satisfying read, especially because the right man won in the end.
So, Kelly starts off with something that is not that original. Two drunken friends, one asks the other to go and check if the fiancée his father arranged for him is ugly as sin, we can almost see the friend falling for the girl, etc etc… but that’s not how Kelly tells it.
Instead of the fiancée, the friends find her cousin, a sensible and beautiful girl. He is injured in an accident and spends some time at her house being tended by her and the doctor. The doctor is a clumsy big man who is also in love with Libby but whose lack of social graces and general clumsiness make him the butt of jokes.
The friend (a duke in disguise pretending to be a merchant) and Libby proceed to fall in love but when he plans to offer Libby’s cousin tells him she has no dowry and is the daughter of an unequal marriage that lead to her father being disinherited. Unable to face social disgrace the duke pretends he had a less than honourable intentions, which leads to Libby refusing him. It’s a huge deception for her and the tragic part is that the duke is not that bad a person, he will eventually realize his mistake.
In the mean time Libby becomes closer to the doctor, she gets to know him better, to appreciate his qualities, not the less of which is how he treats her brother, a boy who is a bit slow but who Libby loves dearly. I was a bit worried because Kelly does make Libby a bit too undecided; in fact, she stays undecided about which suitor to favor almost till the end. However, considering this was not your standard regency romance and I like originality it worked very well that way.
When I think of the book as a whole, I realize many different subjects are brought into this plot. None of the characters is black and white, there’s mention of physical wounds and brain damage, the relationship of fathers and sons, the social rules and behavior of polite society and the contrast of those of the common people, alcoholism, she creates a very vivid world and that is very attractive. In the end, I closed the book with a deeply satisfied sigh but I realize that readers who prefer standard regency plots might not be as happy with this one.
Grade: 4.5/5
So, Kelly starts off with something that is not that original. Two drunken friends, one asks the other to go and check if the fiancée his father arranged for him is ugly as sin, we can almost see the friend falling for the girl, etc etc… but that’s not how Kelly tells it.
Instead of the fiancée, the friends find her cousin, a sensible and beautiful girl. He is injured in an accident and spends some time at her house being tended by her and the doctor. The doctor is a clumsy big man who is also in love with Libby but whose lack of social graces and general clumsiness make him the butt of jokes.
The friend (a duke in disguise pretending to be a merchant) and Libby proceed to fall in love but when he plans to offer Libby’s cousin tells him she has no dowry and is the daughter of an unequal marriage that lead to her father being disinherited. Unable to face social disgrace the duke pretends he had a less than honourable intentions, which leads to Libby refusing him. It’s a huge deception for her and the tragic part is that the duke is not that bad a person, he will eventually realize his mistake.
In the mean time Libby becomes closer to the doctor, she gets to know him better, to appreciate his qualities, not the less of which is how he treats her brother, a boy who is a bit slow but who Libby loves dearly. I was a bit worried because Kelly does make Libby a bit too undecided; in fact, she stays undecided about which suitor to favor almost till the end. However, considering this was not your standard regency romance and I like originality it worked very well that way.
When I think of the book as a whole, I realize many different subjects are brought into this plot. None of the characters is black and white, there’s mention of physical wounds and brain damage, the relationship of fathers and sons, the social rules and behavior of polite society and the contrast of those of the common people, alcoholism, she creates a very vivid world and that is very attractive. In the end, I closed the book with a deeply satisfied sigh but I realize that readers who prefer standard regency plots might not be as happy with this one.
Grade: 4.5/5
June 13, 2020
"Libby's London Merchant" is the story of Libby and Nez/Cook.
I am going to try to write this without spoilers, but oh what a wonderfully written and engaging story! The duke, the doctor and the damsel's decisions kept me hooked!
The book begins with the duke heavily drunk, and in throes of intoxication. He is coerced by his shrewd cousin to go out and spy on his fiance. After much blackmail, he agrees to masquerade as a chocolate selling merchant, only to experience severe withdrawal and collapse on the heroine's doorstep.
The heroine is impoverished due to her late father's decisions, and works as a servant for her cousin's family. Her mother too, has a job of servitude, and her brain damaged brother is their focus of care and protection.
The duke is then rescued by the heroine and her sweet neighboring doctor, and slowly nursed back to health. But as love starts blooming, cupid strikes everyone, and soon the heroine is at impasse. She has to choose between a titled royalty and a hardworking physician, and what she ultimately decides and why forms the story.
This book has such a strong plot! The characters are well fleshed out, and very very interesting. Until the last page, I was rooting for one and squealed when it did come true! We as readers get to experience the sweet romance, the gut wrenching angst, the anxiety of her predicament and the ultimate happiness of her final choice.
So many scenes work for me- I think the author wonderfully wove the web of their intricate relationships. We saw the sweet romance develop between the duke and heroine, as well as comfort and love between the doctor and her. We saw her in a bind when she was betrayed, her heart when she felt and also did not feel the passion. Her capability to care and forgive was admirable, and despite the lashing, gunshots, betrayals, propositions, deadlocks and kisses, I'm glad she chose the right man at the end. She deserved better and respect, and she got it.
Heavily recommend this book because it was amazing and the actual hero/heroine's love is SO GOOD!
Safe..ish
4.5/5
I am going to try to write this without spoilers, but oh what a wonderfully written and engaging story! The duke, the doctor and the damsel's decisions kept me hooked!
The book begins with the duke heavily drunk, and in throes of intoxication. He is coerced by his shrewd cousin to go out and spy on his fiance. After much blackmail, he agrees to masquerade as a chocolate selling merchant, only to experience severe withdrawal and collapse on the heroine's doorstep.
The heroine is impoverished due to her late father's decisions, and works as a servant for her cousin's family. Her mother too, has a job of servitude, and her brain damaged brother is their focus of care and protection.
The duke is then rescued by the heroine and her sweet neighboring doctor, and slowly nursed back to health. But as love starts blooming, cupid strikes everyone, and soon the heroine is at impasse. She has to choose between a titled royalty and a hardworking physician, and what she ultimately decides and why forms the story.
This book has such a strong plot! The characters are well fleshed out, and very very interesting. Until the last page, I was rooting for one and squealed when it did come true! We as readers get to experience the sweet romance, the gut wrenching angst, the anxiety of her predicament and the ultimate happiness of her final choice.
So many scenes work for me- I think the author wonderfully wove the web of their intricate relationships. We saw the sweet romance develop between the duke and heroine, as well as comfort and love between the doctor and her. We saw her in a bind when she was betrayed, her heart when she felt and also did not feel the passion. Her capability to care and forgive was admirable, and despite the lashing, gunshots, betrayals, propositions, deadlocks and kisses, I'm glad she chose the right man at the end. She deserved better and respect, and she got it.
Heavily recommend this book because it was amazing and the actual hero/heroine's love is SO GOOD!
Safe..ish
4.5/5
December 16, 2020
Had this on my TBR shelf for 5 years.
I don't normally care for romance stories that have love triangles, but since another reviewer shared who "won" I decided to give it a go.
The writing is very good and at times witty. The plot was mostly character driven and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
There were a few things that I didn't care for and one was the heroine's fickleness. It frustrated me so much. I was very glad to have advance knowledge who she decided to marry because had I not, I would have thought she'd pick and been disappointed.
If you are a stickler for accuracy of propriety during the 1800's, you may need to give a little leeway. I am no historian, but it felt to me that some of the things that happen, would have been unlikely.
The last thing which bothered me most was that
Summary: The duke, a drunkard, is asked by his drunkard friend to stage an accident in front his betroths home, so he can assess what she looks like and report back. The duke pretends to be a chocolatier salesman and ends up more seriously hurt then anticipated during his "accident." He ends up staying at the Ames residence (the betroths)and is cared for by Libby and Dr. Anthony Cook. They not only nurse his accident wounds, but also get him off alcohol. Libby is penniless because her father of noble class was disinherited for marrying her mother who was the daughter of a mere tobacconist. The duke, however, thinks Libby is his friend's betrothed in error. Anthony is a dedicated doctor, kind, compassionate and a bit bumbling. He is not very much to look at either. The duke is handsome, charming, and a bit arrogant. The duke (Nez) ends up falling for Libby and so does Anthony.
Lots of confusion goes on, and misunderstandings happen.
The romance didn't feel as sweet as I was hoping for, and the angst wasn't too terrible either (because I knew who to cheer for haha).
The kindle version is only 2.99 and I think it is worth a recommendation.
.Content concerns:
I don't normally care for romance stories that have love triangles, but since another reviewer shared who "won" I decided to give it a go.
The writing is very good and at times witty. The plot was mostly character driven and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
There were a few things that I didn't care for and one was the heroine's fickleness. It frustrated me so much. I was very glad to have advance knowledge who she decided to marry because had I not, I would have thought she'd pick and been disappointed.
If you are a stickler for accuracy of propriety during the 1800's, you may need to give a little leeway. I am no historian, but it felt to me that some of the things that happen, would have been unlikely.
The last thing which bothered me most was that
Summary: The duke, a drunkard, is asked by his drunkard friend to stage an accident in front his betroths home, so he can assess what she looks like and report back. The duke pretends to be a chocolatier salesman and ends up more seriously hurt then anticipated during his "accident." He ends up staying at the Ames residence (the betroths)and is cared for by Libby and Dr. Anthony Cook. They not only nurse his accident wounds, but also get him off alcohol. Libby is penniless because her father of noble class was disinherited for marrying her mother who was the daughter of a mere tobacconist. The duke, however, thinks Libby is his friend's betrothed in error. Anthony is a dedicated doctor, kind, compassionate and a bit bumbling. He is not very much to look at either. The duke is handsome, charming, and a bit arrogant. The duke (Nez) ends up falling for Libby and so does Anthony.
Lots of confusion goes on, and misunderstandings happen.
The romance didn't feel as sweet as I was hoping for, and the angst wasn't too terrible either (because I knew who to cheer for haha).
The kindle version is only 2.99 and I think it is worth a recommendation.
.Content concerns:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2017
This is probably my all-time favorite historical romance novel. It certainly was the first time I ever finished a book, turned back to the first page and immediately re-read it.
February 16, 2019
she just writes the most fantastic heroes.
not-going-to-finish
January 3, 2024For some reason I would swear this book had been on my to read list for years and years. But it actually wasn't that long. I just couldn't find it anywhere. And that drove me crazy.
Now I've found it 26% in (and a few spoilers later), I'm admitting defeat.
I like the idea of where this is going but the writing isn't all that great, the historical accuracy sketch at best, and the payout not sufficient to keep me going.
I'm pleasantly surprised with how it sets up the love triangle so if you like Carla Kelly, you'll probably like this one.
Now I've found it 26% in (and a few spoilers later), I'm admitting defeat.
I like the idea of where this is going but the writing isn't all that great, the historical accuracy sketch at best, and the payout not sufficient to keep me going.
I'm pleasantly surprised with how it sets up the love triangle so if you like Carla Kelly, you'll probably like this one.
February 9, 2014
This is a hard book to review. It's very different from your typical Regency plot. For one thing, it deals with PTSD, survivor's guilt and alcoholism. A good chunk of the novel is taken up with helping someone withdraw from alcohol. It makes the tone of the novel more serious than I usually like.
Then, there's a love triangle. A very unexpected love triangle because both the gentlemen are likeable and I wanted them both to succeed and be happy. Yet my heart was pulling Libby towards one of the men. I felt that only one was the perfect choice for her. When she made her decision, I felt so bad for the other gentleman though. The characters are so well developed, they feel real. Their pain, their joy, their feelings are all so real.
There are a number of historical inaccuracies in this book. Since it was written in 1991, Carla Kelly points out that her editor in 2001 caught one mistake but it was too late for a rewrite. I caught several mistakes: edible chocolate like that was not invented until the late 19th century. This is the mistake her editor caught. It didn't really affect the story overall though. The second mistake is dumbwaiters are an American invention that didn't exist yet in 1816. And then, Mary Had a Little Lamb was written by Sarah Josepha Hale, a New England woman in 1830 so there's no way that would be a frame of reference for Libby and Joseph. Finally, the inaccurate modern language annoyed me to no end. It seems like Carla Kelly spent all her research efforts on the larger issues and not the day to day ordinary things that Georgette Heyer so excelled at.
This is my first Carla Kelly novel and I believe her first. It's not what I expected and I probably won't read more of her novels because I prefer light, bright and sparkling for bedtime reading. If you like stories with well written, ordinary characters who think and feel deeply you will enjoy her writing. Here you will not find fireworks or grand sweeping passion but a quiet, coming together of two souls and minds.
The rest of my review is a spoiler for the plot so read at your own risk!
Then, there's a love triangle. A very unexpected love triangle because both the gentlemen are likeable and I wanted them both to succeed and be happy. Yet my heart was pulling Libby towards one of the men. I felt that only one was the perfect choice for her. When she made her decision, I felt so bad for the other gentleman though. The characters are so well developed, they feel real. Their pain, their joy, their feelings are all so real.
There are a number of historical inaccuracies in this book. Since it was written in 1991, Carla Kelly points out that her editor in 2001 caught one mistake but it was too late for a rewrite. I caught several mistakes: edible chocolate like that was not invented until the late 19th century. This is the mistake her editor caught. It didn't really affect the story overall though. The second mistake is dumbwaiters are an American invention that didn't exist yet in 1816. And then, Mary Had a Little Lamb was written by Sarah Josepha Hale, a New England woman in 1830 so there's no way that would be a frame of reference for Libby and Joseph. Finally, the inaccurate modern language annoyed me to no end. It seems like Carla Kelly spent all her research efforts on the larger issues and not the day to day ordinary things that Georgette Heyer so excelled at.
This is my first Carla Kelly novel and I believe her first. It's not what I expected and I probably won't read more of her novels because I prefer light, bright and sparkling for bedtime reading. If you like stories with well written, ordinary characters who think and feel deeply you will enjoy her writing. Here you will not find fireworks or grand sweeping passion but a quiet, coming together of two souls and minds.
The rest of my review is a spoiler for the plot so read at your own risk!
no-dull-mwh-dmh-tstl-unsafe
November 12, 2021I didn't make it past chapter 2. The hero didn't seem very likable and as I think I'll just pass on this duology all together. There are just too many other books out there to read. :)
January 3, 2020
I do love the plot, truth be told, even the characters and the dramas here and there.
The problem is, personally, it is poorly executed, like there's something lacking. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the romance twist in the story. :)
The problem is, personally, it is poorly executed, like there's something lacking. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the romance twist in the story. :)
March 14, 2017
Carla Kelly's stories are not what I would call witty or sparkling -- in fact, I often find the humor in them rather forced, as happened a time or two with this one -- but she still manages to come as close to Georgette Heyer as anyone I have read, in the sense that her characters become very real to me and so far (I haven't read a lot of her books) she is not predictable the way, say, Jayne Ann Krentz is. I adore JAK, but the fact is all her heroes and heroines are of the same personality types and blur in my brain; the plots vary somewhat, but the two leads are only different in the sense of having had different experiences, rather than being truly different personalities.
Kelly's leads, thus far, do not fit so neatly into two types. Kelly also manages to deal with serious issues without beating me over the head with them the way Mary Jo Putney can. The serious aspects fit naturally in with the plot and characters instead of feeling plastered in there to make a point.
Kelly's stories are not as sparkling as Heyer's, but they also aren't as mannered -- they have a down-to-earth feel to them that I enjoy. When I think about it, the plot is just as contrived as it is in the average regency -- point is, when I'm actually reading the thing, I *don't* think about it! I'm happy to go along for the ride and the way people act makes sense, which is more than I get from many another romance author.
I was somewhat spoilered with this one, which may have influenced me, but I think I would have liked it just as well if I hadn't known some things going in.
Kelly's leads, thus far, do not fit so neatly into two types. Kelly also manages to deal with serious issues without beating me over the head with them the way Mary Jo Putney can. The serious aspects fit naturally in with the plot and characters instead of feeling plastered in there to make a point.
Kelly's stories are not as sparkling as Heyer's, but they also aren't as mannered -- they have a down-to-earth feel to them that I enjoy. When I think about it, the plot is just as contrived as it is in the average regency -- point is, when I'm actually reading the thing, I *don't* think about it! I'm happy to go along for the ride and the way people act makes sense, which is more than I get from many another romance author.
I was somewhat spoilered with this one, which may have influenced me, but I think I would have liked it just as well if I hadn't known some things going in.
January 13, 2016
4 Stars
Read for the 2015 TBR Challenge--January--Short Shorts. The challenge is hosted by Wendy the Super Librarian.
Libby's London Merchant has been on my radar ever since I started reading historical romance in undergrad and I was excited to get a copy through Paperback Swap. Then I got distracted and three years later (!), I hadn't even opened it. But, thanks to the 2015 TBR Challenge over at The Misadventures of Super Librarian, I finally read it! And I found to be both surprising and enjoyable.
This review is going to be a little weird due to the fact that I think most of my enjoyment came out of the unpredictable nature of the plot. I do not want to spoil anything for future readers so am trying to sing the praises of Ms. Kelly's work without offering specific evidence. But, I can say that I was very impressed with the character development and the writing style.
The center of this book is the titular Libby Ames who is a poor relation of a baronet in Kent. Her life is pretty routine as she helps manage her uncle's house and acts as a companion to her spoiled cousin. Things change forever when a mysterious merchant (Nez Duke) is injured in a carriage accident outside the house and she works alongside the town doctor (Anthony Cook) to mend him.
I really liked the three main characters that Carla Kelly focused on in this book: Libby, Nez, and Anthony. I am rarely a fan of love triangles, but I can appreciate what she was trying to accomplish with this book. There are many stereotypes when it comes to historical romances and this story really turns them on their heads such as the reformed rake and the always popular groveling moment at the end.
The main issue that I had with Libby's London Merchant was the uneven pacing especially at the beginning. I understand that the author was trying to establish the characters and their place in each other's world, but I kept getting distracted and was close to putting it down. But, by the middle, the action picks up and I was easily able to plow through the rest. So I do want to warn future readers to keep going through the first few chapters, know that it does get better, and is worth it by the end.
So, while it took me a long time to actually read it, I am happy that I finally finished Libby's London Merchant. Carla Kelly has a very distinct writing style and it was a pleasant change from the other historical romances I have been reading lately.
Read for the 2015 TBR Challenge--January--Short Shorts. The challenge is hosted by Wendy the Super Librarian.
Libby's London Merchant has been on my radar ever since I started reading historical romance in undergrad and I was excited to get a copy through Paperback Swap. Then I got distracted and three years later (!), I hadn't even opened it. But, thanks to the 2015 TBR Challenge over at The Misadventures of Super Librarian, I finally read it! And I found to be both surprising and enjoyable.
This review is going to be a little weird due to the fact that I think most of my enjoyment came out of the unpredictable nature of the plot. I do not want to spoil anything for future readers so am trying to sing the praises of Ms. Kelly's work without offering specific evidence. But, I can say that I was very impressed with the character development and the writing style.
The center of this book is the titular Libby Ames who is a poor relation of a baronet in Kent. Her life is pretty routine as she helps manage her uncle's house and acts as a companion to her spoiled cousin. Things change forever when a mysterious merchant (Nez Duke) is injured in a carriage accident outside the house and she works alongside the town doctor (Anthony Cook) to mend him.
I really liked the three main characters that Carla Kelly focused on in this book: Libby, Nez, and Anthony. I am rarely a fan of love triangles, but I can appreciate what she was trying to accomplish with this book. There are many stereotypes when it comes to historical romances and this story really turns them on their heads such as the reformed rake and the always popular groveling moment at the end.
The main issue that I had with Libby's London Merchant was the uneven pacing especially at the beginning. I understand that the author was trying to establish the characters and their place in each other's world, but I kept getting distracted and was close to putting it down. But, by the middle, the action picks up and I was easily able to plow through the rest. So I do want to warn future readers to keep going through the first few chapters, know that it does get better, and is worth it by the end.
So, while it took me a long time to actually read it, I am happy that I finally finished Libby's London Merchant. Carla Kelly has a very distinct writing style and it was a pleasant change from the other historical romances I have been reading lately.
September 24, 2012
3.5
I’m still wavering on the rating for this one. I did enjoy it and was surprised by the way everything turned out, but there was just something off for me. I think Ms. Kelly is an excellent writer and really brings the characters to life. I liked that this wasn’t your typical regency, the story and characters were unique. I really liked Libby; I think she was easy to relate to. I liked that she was strong, but not overpowering. I was a bit surprised when a love-triangle unfolded, you don’t see many of those in regencies. I’m not really a big fan of love-triangles, although this one was handled well. Libby and her choice had a good relationship though and I liked that it had more substance than you normally find in regencies. He is steadfast and always treats Libby with respect and love. You really grow to care for him and see what a good fit they would be together. I think everyone will be rooting for them by time the book finishes. I liked him quite a bit. The other guy was also likable though, for the most part and it was sad to see him go, and while I don’t think he deserves Libby, I still want him to get a HEA. I am curious to read about his story in the sequel One Good Turn.
Overall, a good regency. Good character development and storytelling.
Content: Clean.
Similar Reads:
Deceiving Miss Dearborn
I’m still wavering on the rating for this one. I did enjoy it and was surprised by the way everything turned out, but there was just something off for me. I think Ms. Kelly is an excellent writer and really brings the characters to life. I liked that this wasn’t your typical regency, the story and characters were unique. I really liked Libby; I think she was easy to relate to. I liked that she was strong, but not overpowering. I was a bit surprised when a love-triangle unfolded, you don’t see many of those in regencies. I’m not really a big fan of love-triangles, although this one was handled well. Libby and her choice had a good relationship though and I liked that it had more substance than you normally find in regencies. He is steadfast and always treats Libby with respect and love. You really grow to care for him and see what a good fit they would be together. I think everyone will be rooting for them by time the book finishes. I liked him quite a bit. The other guy was also likable though, for the most part and it was sad to see him go, and while I don’t think he deserves Libby, I still want him to get a HEA. I am curious to read about his story in the sequel One Good Turn.
Overall, a good regency. Good character development and storytelling.
Content: Clean.
Similar Reads:
Deceiving Miss Dearborn
January 3, 2018
What a wonderful romance novel and so much more! Libby is more than an ingenue, but she's still callow enough not to realize right away who deserves her beauty, her love, her friendship and life-long fidelity. The course of how she does so is one of the best Regency romance novels I've ever read. You're welcome to read a more extensive review on my blog:
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/201...
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/201...
July 14, 2022
Oh this was really well done.
A little bit of a love triangle. There are two heroes, and the heroine is in a real quandary.
I don’t want to spoil anything because, not knowing until the end is what made the book for me, although I was definitely rooting for one of them by the 75% mark.
A little bit of a love triangle. There are two heroes, and the heroine is in a real quandary.
I don’t want to spoil anything because, not knowing until the end is what made the book for me, although I was definitely rooting for one of them by the 75% mark.
October 28, 2020
Libby and Dr. Anthony and Nesbitt. Love triangle trope. This is an unconventional clean romance story that I can not believe I am giving 4 stars to.
Libby the heroine is beautiful and poor. Nesbitt, is a Duke but acting as a common chocolate merchant to spy on his friend's future wife. Nesbitt is suffering for PSTD and survivors guilt as well as also being addicted to alcohol when the heroine meets him. Dr. Anthony is no normal love interest. He is fat, long nosed, ruddy faced and clumsy.
Some unique things in this story are the heroine when kissed by both hero's does not suddenly lose her head and have sex with them, everyone is so human--(people cry, vomit, belch, laugh, make fun of, hurt, be kind to, etc), and for author takes unexpected routes along this journey.
This is not a romantic romance and if had not been so cleverly done I could see me rating this much lower. It was like a train wreck where one does not want to look, but can not help looking. I did not always like where it was going and despite not being comfortable with what I was seeing the story is a very different read and I enjoyed it in an uncomfortable way. Ha!
Libby the heroine is beautiful and poor. Nesbitt, is a Duke but acting as a common chocolate merchant to spy on his friend's future wife. Nesbitt is suffering for PSTD and survivors guilt as well as also being addicted to alcohol when the heroine meets him. Dr. Anthony is no normal love interest. He is fat, long nosed, ruddy faced and clumsy.
Some unique things in this story are the heroine when kissed by both hero's does not suddenly lose her head and have sex with them, everyone is so human--(people cry, vomit, belch, laugh, make fun of, hurt, be kind to, etc), and for author takes unexpected routes along this journey.
This is not a romantic romance and if had not been so cleverly done I could see me rating this much lower. It was like a train wreck where one does not want to look, but can not help looking. I did not always like where it was going and despite not being comfortable with what I was seeing the story is a very different read and I enjoyed it in an uncomfortable way. Ha!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2022
Trash Book!
The story starts with Libby and the London merchant, you are given the impression that they will fall in love with each story and overcome whatever keeps them apart.
And then in the middle you realize the author has other plans, as you keep seeing Libby getting close to that ugly and fat doctor.
And at the end, she ends up with the doc!
I never been THAT mad.... When the story was getting close to 100% and there was no hint of Libby and Nez getting back together I started to despair, hoping there would be any last minute twist for them, or a cliffhanger or a redemption from Nez but NOPE! The ugly doctor gets the girl...
F you Carla Kelly, learn how to position your TRUE male lead so your readers will root for him from the beginning!
Just avoid this book, it has the worst ending ever because you don't get the Happy Ending the book was leading you to expect. Should have DNF and imagine my own ending -_-
The story starts with Libby and the London merchant, you are given the impression that they will fall in love with each story and overcome whatever keeps them apart.
And then in the middle you realize the author has other plans, as you keep seeing Libby getting close to that ugly and fat doctor.
And at the end, she ends up with the doc!
I never been THAT mad.... When the story was getting close to 100% and there was no hint of Libby and Nez getting back together I started to despair, hoping there would be any last minute twist for them, or a cliffhanger or a redemption from Nez but NOPE! The ugly doctor gets the girl...
F you Carla Kelly, learn how to position your TRUE male lead so your readers will root for him from the beginning!
Just avoid this book, it has the worst ending ever because you don't get the Happy Ending the book was leading you to expect. Should have DNF and imagine my own ending -_-
August 3, 2020
3.5 stars
The dashing young man or the unromantic local doctor? It's not clear till nearly the end which Libby will choose, and while the story itself is told as intelligently and sensitively I'd expect from Carla Kelly, I could have done with a more extended HEA. I'd invested in the characters and I wanted some validation of the outcome. But that's a small gripe against the pleasure I got from the subtle characterisation and period detail. Carla Kelly's books are generally quite limited in focus, concentrating on the small details of life as a means of drawing out character. She doesn't need London ballrooms and second-last chapter kidnappings to resolve relationships and Libby's London Merchant is a perfect example of how her approach pays off.
February 16, 2016
Sometimes regency romances are too historically accurate for my modern feminist tastes, and this was like that. NEZ IS THE WORST. I remember ragequitting on a romance back in the day (I think it was a Victoria Holt) when the "hero" asked the lowborn heroine to be his mistress while he married someone else. UGH. This followed a similar vein, and it only recovered a little bit towards the end. I don't like love triangles anyway, so I probably shouldn't have pick this one up at all. OH WELL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2018
10 stars, especially when combined with reading the follow up book - Doing no Harm. I didn't quite value this book until I read it the 2nd time. It was due to my ignorance that I didn't understand at first, the power of this author's writing. The H is a doctor and a very good man who loves the h so much, he put her happiness first. The h is sweet, very young and her situation is challenging. This a complex story with much to be resolved and I loved it.
December 29, 2017
Un romance veramente carino, che, sfortunatamente non è disponibile italiano, o almeno non ne ho trovato traccia. Se mi sbaglio ed è stato tradotto fatemelo sapere, sarebbe una bella sorpresa. Anche perchè non mi spiego come mai sia stato ignorato sia dai romanzi #Mondadori che da HarperCollins Italia Editore visto che è il più famoso di Carla Kelly, autrice famosissima che entrambe le case editrici hanno pubblicato più volte con altre opere. Mistero.
Comunque il libro in questione è Libby’s London Merchant del 1991
image
Vecchiotto direte…ma se è diventato un classico un motivo ci sarà. Così nonostante la trama non mi ispirasse l’ho iniziato senza grandi aspettative, ma ben decisa a finirlo e ne sono felice perchè mi è piaciuto molto alla fine.
Iniziamo dalla Trama che non mi ispirava e che sembrava troppo simile a molte altre trame romance.
Abbiamo un duca, detto Nez (vero nome Nasbitt) reduce da Waterloo, che sentendosi in colpa per essere sopravvissuto mentre molti altri migliori di lui sono morti si è dato all’alcool e alle frivolezze della vita, diventnado un tale alcolizzato che persino la sua servitù non ne può più di vederlo ridotto così. Fortuna vuole che un perdigiorno peggio di lui e suo amico gli chieda un favore. Siccome fin da piccolo per volere del padre è fidanzato con una ereditiera che non ha mai visto e ha accuratamente evitato, ma ora è veramente indebitato fino al collo e si vede praticamente costretto a sposarla o andare al’estero, vuole che Nez sottomentite spoglie vada a casa di lei in campagna e poi riporti a lui com’è sia di aspetto che di carattere.
Nez, sobrio non avrebbe mai accettato, ma visto che non è mai sobrio accetta, per poi pentirsene e ritrattare, ma la servitù lo ricatta minacciando di licenziarsi in toto e lo costringe a portare avanti l’assurdo piano con la speranza che lontano da Londra e amicizie nefaste possa riprendere giudizio. Così il povero Nez travestito da mercante di cioccolatini si mtte in viaggio.
Il piano è semplice, fingere un piccolo incidente vicino alla magione della promessa sposa Miss Lidia Ames, in modo che siano obbligati a soccorrerlo e ospitarlo. Purtroppo però gli ubriachi e la guida non vanno molto d’accordo e Nez finisce in un vero incidente.
Il piano comunque funziona e gli abitanti della residenza degli Ames lo soccorrono, peccato che in residenza non ci sia Lidia, ma solo Libby sua cugina destituita e senza un penny di dote, figlia del fratello diseredato del padrone di casa perchè decise di sposare la figlia di un venditore di tabacco.
Libby è molto bella, dolce, altruista e priva di arie, essendo cresciuta sui campi di battaglia con sua madre al seguito del padre di carriera nell’esercito. Dal momento che suo zio, sua madre e sua cugina sono al mare per una vacanza, in casa ci soono solo i servitori, lei, suo fratello minore che purtroppo è ritardato a causa di una caduta da cavallo da piccolo, e una sua lontana zia anziana che le fa da chaperone, in teoria.
Nez, neanche a dirlo scambia Libby per Lidia e da lì i malintesi si susseguono.
La mia opinione: credo abbiate capito perchè la trama non mi ispirava, ma per fortuna il classico scambio di identià/travestimento, è solo l’inizio del libro e non è poi così centrale nel libro.
Immaginavo che Nez si sarebbe innamorato di Libby così bella, dolce, perfetta e così è stato. E immaginavo pure che lei lo redimesse, e ricambiasse il suo amore, solo per poi scoprire che l’aveva ingannata e da lì due avrebbero dovuto superare il problema delle origini di lei e delle bugie di lui per vivere felice e contenti, invece no…il libro non prosegue affatto così, ma prende una strada ben diversa e molto più originale.
Tanto per iniziare ci sono molte sottotrame alla trama principale e altri personaggi centrali. Il più importante è il vicino di casa di Libby, il Dr. Cook, di nobili origini ma medico, un omaccione alto e ben piantato, molto goffo ma dal cuore grande come il mondo, innamorato da sempre di lei. Nonostante Cook capisca subito che il raffinato mercante di cioccolato così aitante e bello è chiaramente un possibile contendente per il cuore di Libby, che ignora ciò che prova il dottore perchè ha il salame sugli occhi, lui non esita un attimo a decidere che vuole salvare ben più della gamba di quell’uomo. Capisce che ha sofferto in guerra e che ora è un alcolizzato e decide di liberarlo dalla sua dipendenza con l’aiuto di Libby.
L’astinenza per Nez è tremenda sia fisicamente che mentalmente, ma dopo giorni, finalmente sobrio, riesce a pensare chiaramente dopo tanto tempo. E’ grato sia al dottore che a Libby, ed è ammirato dalla morale e dalla condotta di Cook che non si risparmia con nessuno, così come Libby e capisce quanto sia stato inutile al prossimo se confrontato con loro.
Capisce anche che il dottore è innamorato di Libby e lo rivela alla ragazza che finalmente apre gli occhi, ma al tempo stesso decide che ella che lui crede Lidia e titolata sarà sua moglie perchè la ama.
Libby è un poco ingenua e a volte avrei voluto scuoterla perchè è molto indecisa. Ammira il dottore quello che fa come si dona ai poveri in cambio di nulla, come è pronto ad affrontare ogni pericolo per un malato (ne accadono di belle nel libro) ma non lo ha mai considerato un possibile marito. Lo ha sempre e solo trovato divertente e simpatico…e basta. Mentre il mercante di cioccolata è così bello, e misterioso e sicuro di se’ e lei ne è attratta…Così entrambi fiscono per baciarla, in momenti e circostanze molto diverse, e lei ricambia entrambi i baci, e non capisce chi dei due ama… e non lo capisce per molto tempo. E in fondo poi ho capito che questa sua indecisione è veramente ciò che la rende umana e reale come personaggio…tanti avrebbero avuto la sua stessa indecisione. Come capiamo chi amiamo veramente? Come distinguere tra amore e semplice attrazione o semplice affetto?. Lei vuole prendersi cura di entrambi….poi però segue l’attrazione, e bè sceglie il più bello dei due. Ancora, normale, triste , ma normale, plausibile.
Peccato che Nez dopo averle chiesto di sposarlo, scopra grazie all’arrivo della vera Lidia chi è Libby, e cambi la proposta di matrimonio in una di…er…protezione. Insomma le offra il posto di amante, perchè la ama, anche se non può sposarla viste le sue origini.
Al che Libby rinsavisce, declina fin troppo educatamente l’offerta, e lo manda mentalmente a quel paese. Nez esce quindi di scena, ora sobrio e redento, ma ancora leggermente stron…tronfio, come abbiamo visto e Libby è molto ferita dal suo comportamento.
Un terribile incidente che accade a suo fratello fa avvicinare lei e il Dr. Cook, che rinnova la sua richiesta di matrimonio, e lei stavolta giù di corda la accetta. Ora non è come sembra, prima di accettare ci pensa e gli dice che al momento non lo ama, e gli racconta pure cosa è accaduto con Nez…insomma lui sa di essere un rimpiazzo al momento, ma non gli importa.
Poi però accadono alcune cose che riguardano il padre del dottore e che non vi rivelerò, e mentre Libby ha sempre più prova delle incredibili doti di Cook, che è coraggioso, altruista e chi più ne ha più ne metta…e bacia pure bene…lui sembra invece allontanarla da sè. E qui il lettore è più che sopreso. E che cavolo per tre quarti del libro l’ha adorata e ora che potrebbe sposarla subito la allontana?!
Arriva addirittura a dirle di andare da sua madre al mare a Brighton col fratello convalescente…lui le scriverà. Ma non le scrive e Libby è convinta non la voglia più. Poi però dopo settimane ecco che si rifà vivo a Brighton e le rivela il perchè del suo momentaneo allontanamento, una scemata, ma che spiega molte cose, i due si riappacificano e scelgono la data delle nozze.
Al che ecco ricomparire Nez. Sempre più redento, che ha capito i suoi errori. E che ora ha cercato e aiutato i suoi ex commilitoni caduti in miseria, ha iniziato a far rifiore la sua tenuta di famiglia, non ha più toccato una goccia di alcool e tutto questo per Libby, per essere degno di lei. E ora la vuole sposare al diavolo le sue origini, non importano.
Lui bello e impossibile e duca arriva aitante in groppa al suo destriero e come un principe si dichiara a Libby che mi torna confusa di nuovo davanti a tale beltà e al titolo ducale.. Confusa, ma mica scema, non ha scordato la ferita che le ha inferto e per quanto tentata non è che gli cade fra le braccia. Però il medico, preso da mille pazienti la trascura e lei è sempre più confusa. Non sa quello che prova. In modo diverso tiene a entrambi quegli uomini, ma non sa chi ama veramente.
Poi accade un terribile incendio e sia il medico che il duca (per motivi diversi) restano coinvolti e rischiano la vita, e lì, davanti alla possibiltà di perdere….Libby capisce di amare…..
Eh eh non vi rivelo altro. Anche se è intuibile. Se volete sapere cosa succede dovrete leggere il libro, in inglese. Dovrete leggerlo anche perhchè ci sono molte sottotrame che meritano di essere lette e che io non ho nominato, la medicina viene trattata, l’intolleranza, viene trattata, i disturbi post traumatici vengono trattati, la diversità, l’ipocrisia, le dipendenze…..E’ veramente un libro ricco di contenuti. Sì ha qualche difetto non lo nego, e a volte avrei voluto strozzare Libby ma solo perchè è stata molto più umana e sincera con se stessa di molte altre eroine di romance che sanno fin da subito che ameranno lui e solo lui per sempre al primo sguardo. Nella vita reale difficilmente accade questo. Sono l’attrazione e l’affetto che nelle circostanze giuste si trasformano in amore. E non sempre è facile capire quando questo accade. Inoltre ho trovato rinfrescante vedere un’eroina baciare due uomini, e ammettere a se stessa che le son piaciuti entrambi i baci e che è fisicamente attratta da entrambi.
Poi va detto che nei libri della Kelly difficilmente c’è sesso, si resta quasi sempre sui baci o poco più,
In conclusione comunque vi consiglio questo libro se sapete l’inglese, e se non lo sapete sappiate che non potrete leggere questo, ma il suo seguito sì, perchè quello è stato pubblicato in italiano e vede protagonista colui che Libby rifiuta alla fine. Non vi svelo la trama altrimente saprete subito chi è. Anche se è facilmente intuibile.
Si intitola One good turn, in italiano Una svolta del destino, ed è leggibile a se stante, anche senza leggere il primo libro con protagonista colui che non posso nominare.
Comunque il libro in questione è Libby’s London Merchant del 1991
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Vecchiotto direte…ma se è diventato un classico un motivo ci sarà. Così nonostante la trama non mi ispirasse l’ho iniziato senza grandi aspettative, ma ben decisa a finirlo e ne sono felice perchè mi è piaciuto molto alla fine.
Iniziamo dalla Trama che non mi ispirava e che sembrava troppo simile a molte altre trame romance.
Abbiamo un duca, detto Nez (vero nome Nasbitt) reduce da Waterloo, che sentendosi in colpa per essere sopravvissuto mentre molti altri migliori di lui sono morti si è dato all’alcool e alle frivolezze della vita, diventnado un tale alcolizzato che persino la sua servitù non ne può più di vederlo ridotto così. Fortuna vuole che un perdigiorno peggio di lui e suo amico gli chieda un favore. Siccome fin da piccolo per volere del padre è fidanzato con una ereditiera che non ha mai visto e ha accuratamente evitato, ma ora è veramente indebitato fino al collo e si vede praticamente costretto a sposarla o andare al’estero, vuole che Nez sottomentite spoglie vada a casa di lei in campagna e poi riporti a lui com’è sia di aspetto che di carattere.
Nez, sobrio non avrebbe mai accettato, ma visto che non è mai sobrio accetta, per poi pentirsene e ritrattare, ma la servitù lo ricatta minacciando di licenziarsi in toto e lo costringe a portare avanti l’assurdo piano con la speranza che lontano da Londra e amicizie nefaste possa riprendere giudizio. Così il povero Nez travestito da mercante di cioccolatini si mtte in viaggio.
Il piano è semplice, fingere un piccolo incidente vicino alla magione della promessa sposa Miss Lidia Ames, in modo che siano obbligati a soccorrerlo e ospitarlo. Purtroppo però gli ubriachi e la guida non vanno molto d’accordo e Nez finisce in un vero incidente.
Il piano comunque funziona e gli abitanti della residenza degli Ames lo soccorrono, peccato che in residenza non ci sia Lidia, ma solo Libby sua cugina destituita e senza un penny di dote, figlia del fratello diseredato del padrone di casa perchè decise di sposare la figlia di un venditore di tabacco.
Libby è molto bella, dolce, altruista e priva di arie, essendo cresciuta sui campi di battaglia con sua madre al seguito del padre di carriera nell’esercito. Dal momento che suo zio, sua madre e sua cugina sono al mare per una vacanza, in casa ci soono solo i servitori, lei, suo fratello minore che purtroppo è ritardato a causa di una caduta da cavallo da piccolo, e una sua lontana zia anziana che le fa da chaperone, in teoria.
Nez, neanche a dirlo scambia Libby per Lidia e da lì i malintesi si susseguono.
La mia opinione: credo abbiate capito perchè la trama non mi ispirava, ma per fortuna il classico scambio di identià/travestimento, è solo l’inizio del libro e non è poi così centrale nel libro.
Immaginavo che Nez si sarebbe innamorato di Libby così bella, dolce, perfetta e così è stato. E immaginavo pure che lei lo redimesse, e ricambiasse il suo amore, solo per poi scoprire che l’aveva ingannata e da lì due avrebbero dovuto superare il problema delle origini di lei e delle bugie di lui per vivere felice e contenti, invece no…il libro non prosegue affatto così, ma prende una strada ben diversa e molto più originale.
Tanto per iniziare ci sono molte sottotrame alla trama principale e altri personaggi centrali. Il più importante è il vicino di casa di Libby, il Dr. Cook, di nobili origini ma medico, un omaccione alto e ben piantato, molto goffo ma dal cuore grande come il mondo, innamorato da sempre di lei. Nonostante Cook capisca subito che il raffinato mercante di cioccolato così aitante e bello è chiaramente un possibile contendente per il cuore di Libby, che ignora ciò che prova il dottore perchè ha il salame sugli occhi, lui non esita un attimo a decidere che vuole salvare ben più della gamba di quell’uomo. Capisce che ha sofferto in guerra e che ora è un alcolizzato e decide di liberarlo dalla sua dipendenza con l’aiuto di Libby.
L’astinenza per Nez è tremenda sia fisicamente che mentalmente, ma dopo giorni, finalmente sobrio, riesce a pensare chiaramente dopo tanto tempo. E’ grato sia al dottore che a Libby, ed è ammirato dalla morale e dalla condotta di Cook che non si risparmia con nessuno, così come Libby e capisce quanto sia stato inutile al prossimo se confrontato con loro.
Capisce anche che il dottore è innamorato di Libby e lo rivela alla ragazza che finalmente apre gli occhi, ma al tempo stesso decide che ella che lui crede Lidia e titolata sarà sua moglie perchè la ama.
Libby è un poco ingenua e a volte avrei voluto scuoterla perchè è molto indecisa. Ammira il dottore quello che fa come si dona ai poveri in cambio di nulla, come è pronto ad affrontare ogni pericolo per un malato (ne accadono di belle nel libro) ma non lo ha mai considerato un possibile marito. Lo ha sempre e solo trovato divertente e simpatico…e basta. Mentre il mercante di cioccolata è così bello, e misterioso e sicuro di se’ e lei ne è attratta…Così entrambi fiscono per baciarla, in momenti e circostanze molto diverse, e lei ricambia entrambi i baci, e non capisce chi dei due ama… e non lo capisce per molto tempo. E in fondo poi ho capito che questa sua indecisione è veramente ciò che la rende umana e reale come personaggio…tanti avrebbero avuto la sua stessa indecisione. Come capiamo chi amiamo veramente? Come distinguere tra amore e semplice attrazione o semplice affetto?. Lei vuole prendersi cura di entrambi….poi però segue l’attrazione, e bè sceglie il più bello dei due. Ancora, normale, triste , ma normale, plausibile.
Peccato che Nez dopo averle chiesto di sposarlo, scopra grazie all’arrivo della vera Lidia chi è Libby, e cambi la proposta di matrimonio in una di…er…protezione. Insomma le offra il posto di amante, perchè la ama, anche se non può sposarla viste le sue origini.
Al che Libby rinsavisce, declina fin troppo educatamente l’offerta, e lo manda mentalmente a quel paese. Nez esce quindi di scena, ora sobrio e redento, ma ancora leggermente stron…tronfio, come abbiamo visto e Libby è molto ferita dal suo comportamento.
Un terribile incidente che accade a suo fratello fa avvicinare lei e il Dr. Cook, che rinnova la sua richiesta di matrimonio, e lei stavolta giù di corda la accetta. Ora non è come sembra, prima di accettare ci pensa e gli dice che al momento non lo ama, e gli racconta pure cosa è accaduto con Nez…insomma lui sa di essere un rimpiazzo al momento, ma non gli importa.
Poi però accadono alcune cose che riguardano il padre del dottore e che non vi rivelerò, e mentre Libby ha sempre più prova delle incredibili doti di Cook, che è coraggioso, altruista e chi più ne ha più ne metta…e bacia pure bene…lui sembra invece allontanarla da sè. E qui il lettore è più che sopreso. E che cavolo per tre quarti del libro l’ha adorata e ora che potrebbe sposarla subito la allontana?!
Arriva addirittura a dirle di andare da sua madre al mare a Brighton col fratello convalescente…lui le scriverà. Ma non le scrive e Libby è convinta non la voglia più. Poi però dopo settimane ecco che si rifà vivo a Brighton e le rivela il perchè del suo momentaneo allontanamento, una scemata, ma che spiega molte cose, i due si riappacificano e scelgono la data delle nozze.
Al che ecco ricomparire Nez. Sempre più redento, che ha capito i suoi errori. E che ora ha cercato e aiutato i suoi ex commilitoni caduti in miseria, ha iniziato a far rifiore la sua tenuta di famiglia, non ha più toccato una goccia di alcool e tutto questo per Libby, per essere degno di lei. E ora la vuole sposare al diavolo le sue origini, non importano.
Lui bello e impossibile e duca arriva aitante in groppa al suo destriero e come un principe si dichiara a Libby che mi torna confusa di nuovo davanti a tale beltà e al titolo ducale.. Confusa, ma mica scema, non ha scordato la ferita che le ha inferto e per quanto tentata non è che gli cade fra le braccia. Però il medico, preso da mille pazienti la trascura e lei è sempre più confusa. Non sa quello che prova. In modo diverso tiene a entrambi quegli uomini, ma non sa chi ama veramente.
Poi accade un terribile incendio e sia il medico che il duca (per motivi diversi) restano coinvolti e rischiano la vita, e lì, davanti alla possibiltà di perdere….Libby capisce di amare…..
Eh eh non vi rivelo altro. Anche se è intuibile. Se volete sapere cosa succede dovrete leggere il libro, in inglese. Dovrete leggerlo anche perhchè ci sono molte sottotrame che meritano di essere lette e che io non ho nominato, la medicina viene trattata, l’intolleranza, viene trattata, i disturbi post traumatici vengono trattati, la diversità, l’ipocrisia, le dipendenze…..E’ veramente un libro ricco di contenuti. Sì ha qualche difetto non lo nego, e a volte avrei voluto strozzare Libby ma solo perchè è stata molto più umana e sincera con se stessa di molte altre eroine di romance che sanno fin da subito che ameranno lui e solo lui per sempre al primo sguardo. Nella vita reale difficilmente accade questo. Sono l’attrazione e l’affetto che nelle circostanze giuste si trasformano in amore. E non sempre è facile capire quando questo accade. Inoltre ho trovato rinfrescante vedere un’eroina baciare due uomini, e ammettere a se stessa che le son piaciuti entrambi i baci e che è fisicamente attratta da entrambi.
Poi va detto che nei libri della Kelly difficilmente c’è sesso, si resta quasi sempre sui baci o poco più,
In conclusione comunque vi consiglio questo libro se sapete l’inglese, e se non lo sapete sappiate che non potrete leggere questo, ma il suo seguito sì, perchè quello è stato pubblicato in italiano e vede protagonista colui che Libby rifiuta alla fine. Non vi svelo la trama altrimente saprete subito chi è. Anche se è facilmente intuibile.
Si intitola One good turn, in italiano Una svolta del destino, ed è leggibile a se stante, anche senza leggere il primo libro con protagonista colui che non posso nominare.
February 2, 2019
Highest marks I can give a book and extra credit for remaining clean and making me cry.
It was excellent.
Hit all the emotional levels. It was amusing, poignant, romantic, frustrating, lovely, and the ending had me reading blurry pages and reaching for the kleenex.
The writing was great. The dialogue was very good. The setting was fitting. The pace had a few lovely jolts around the steady bits. The characters were deeply engaging human beings with idiosyncrasies and foibles that made them adorable and detestable all at the same time.
There is a love triangle that is the epitome of what a love triangle in a romance should be.
Violence, no sex, mild language, themes of nasty injuries, wartime, violence against children and the disabled, alcoholism and detox, PTSD
It was excellent.
Hit all the emotional levels. It was amusing, poignant, romantic, frustrating, lovely, and the ending had me reading blurry pages and reaching for the kleenex.
The writing was great. The dialogue was very good. The setting was fitting. The pace had a few lovely jolts around the steady bits. The characters were deeply engaging human beings with idiosyncrasies and foibles that made them adorable and detestable all at the same time.
There is a love triangle that is the epitome of what a love triangle in a romance should be.
Violence, no sex, mild language, themes of nasty injuries, wartime, violence against children and the disabled, alcoholism and detox, PTSD
July 6, 2020
Miss Libby Ames is stunningly beautiful. And stunningly poor. And the granddaughter of a tobacconist. So the duke (in disguise) that she nurses back to health with the help of the doctor next door couldn't possibly marry her because reasons. And a love triangle. And snore. I like that the story didn't go the way I thought it would go but the love triangle was tedious. It might be time to read something more substantial again.
August 20, 2021
My first book by this author. A lovely read, this one, with some endearing characters.
My reservation from reading reviews was that it was a dual romance, but the way these were developed was believable and the outcome exactly what I hoped it would be.
Lydia, the self-centred, thoughtless friend is superficial, as is her eventual partner. But all the other characters have depth, and the doctor’s family have a tragic secret which, when eventually revealed, explains his father’s antipathy towards Libby’s brother Joseph.
And what becomes the central romance is heartwarming. I’ll definitely read the sequel to find out what becomes of the one who didn’t win Libby’s hand.
My reservation from reading reviews was that it was a dual romance, but the way these were developed was believable and the outcome exactly what I hoped it would be.
Lydia, the self-centred, thoughtless friend is superficial, as is her eventual partner. But all the other characters have depth, and the doctor’s family have a tragic secret which, when eventually revealed, explains his father’s antipathy towards Libby’s brother Joseph.
And what becomes the central romance is heartwarming. I’ll definitely read the sequel to find out what becomes of the one who didn’t win Libby’s hand.
April 28, 2019
A romantic triangle that I didn't hate. Who knew it was even possible?
May 12, 2017
-I don't recommend you read this review before reading the book.-
I have just finished reading this book and I feel like reading it again. Because I didn't pay much attention to Dr. Cook until the story was advanced and I started to REALLY like him. Before that I was shipping Libby with Nes. But then my heart broke for Anthony and I started to skim a lot to get to the end and then I loved it! Carla Kelly surprised me there.
I have just finished reading this book and I feel like reading it again. Because I didn't pay much attention to Dr. Cook until the story was advanced and I started to REALLY like him. Before that I was shipping Libby with Nes. But then my heart broke for Anthony and I started to skim a lot to get to the end and then I loved it! Carla Kelly surprised me there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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