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Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #1
A SEASON FOR THE HEART
Miss Melpomene Rand’s only refuge from a life of monotony and cruelty is the extensive library left to her by her grandfather. The fantastic notions and romantic heroes in those books are the only things that distract her from the abuse of her adopted family. But then a mysterious stranger, the Earl of Austell, finds they have a mutual malady of boredom, and he endeavors to rescue them both.
THE DUKE’S DILEMMA
After losing their parents in an accident, older sister Leslie Endale runs off with her two younger sisters and her brother Daryl, the nine-year-old heir to the Endale estate. She’s trying to rescue her siblings from their wicked cousin, March Wardell, who wants to do away with the young heir and capture the earldom for himself. Leslie leads the young orphans to the ruined mansion of the Duke of Kenelm, Drogo Trevelyan, who abandoned the estate after his father died. When Drogo discovers the Endale children in his home seeking refuge until they can reach their Great-aunt in London, the duke becomes frustratingly entangled with the children’s plight, and with Lady Leslie.
THE RANDOM GENTLEMAN
Belinda is arranged to marry the Duke of Romsdale, but rather than acquiesce to tradition, she flees to Devon. She soon discovers that the duke is in pursuit of her, and, disguised as a gypsy, endeavors to win what he believes is his birthright: her heart.
THE MARRIAGE MART
Athena always has her nose in a book despite her grandmother insisting she find a husband. Her grandmother comes up with a plan: take her to London, transform her from an ugly duckling into a swan, and marry her off to the first bachelor too dumb to recognize her intelligence. Her plan backfires when Athena meets the duke, and a social blunder turns them into instant enemies. As her grandmother had feared, her Bluestocking smarts thoroughly threatened the duke, and his campaign to slander her in polite society may mean she’ll never be married.
Miss Melpomene Rand’s only refuge from a life of monotony and cruelty is the extensive library left to her by her grandfather. The fantastic notions and romantic heroes in those books are the only things that distract her from the abuse of her adopted family. But then a mysterious stranger, the Earl of Austell, finds they have a mutual malady of boredom, and he endeavors to rescue them both.
THE DUKE’S DILEMMA
After losing their parents in an accident, older sister Leslie Endale runs off with her two younger sisters and her brother Daryl, the nine-year-old heir to the Endale estate. She’s trying to rescue her siblings from their wicked cousin, March Wardell, who wants to do away with the young heir and capture the earldom for himself. Leslie leads the young orphans to the ruined mansion of the Duke of Kenelm, Drogo Trevelyan, who abandoned the estate after his father died. When Drogo discovers the Endale children in his home seeking refuge until they can reach their Great-aunt in London, the duke becomes frustratingly entangled with the children’s plight, and with Lady Leslie.
THE RANDOM GENTLEMAN
Belinda is arranged to marry the Duke of Romsdale, but rather than acquiesce to tradition, she flees to Devon. She soon discovers that the duke is in pursuit of her, and, disguised as a gypsy, endeavors to win what he believes is his birthright: her heart.
THE MARRIAGE MART
Athena always has her nose in a book despite her grandmother insisting she find a husband. Her grandmother comes up with a plan: take her to London, transform her from an ugly duckling into a swan, and marry her off to the first bachelor too dumb to recognize her intelligence. Her plan backfires when Athena meets the duke, and a social blunder turns them into instant enemies. As her grandmother had feared, her Bluestocking smarts thoroughly threatened the duke, and his campaign to slander her in polite society may mean she’ll never be married.
604 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2013
303 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Chater
70 books22 followersElizabeth Chater (1910-2004) was the author of more than twenty-four novels and countless short stories. She received a B.A. from the University of British Columbia and an M.A. from San Diego State University and joined the faculty of the latter in 1963 where she began a lifelong friendship with science fiction author Greg Bear. She was honored with The Distinguished Teacher award in 1969 and was awarded Outstanding Professor of the Year in 1977. After receiving her Professor Emeritus, she embarked on a new career as a novelist with Richard Curtis as her agent. In the 1950s and 60s she published short stories in Fantastic Universe Magazine and The Saint Mystery Magazine, and she won the Publisher’s Weekly short story contest in 1975. At the age of sixty-eight, she began writing in the romance genre and published twenty-two novels over an eight-year period. She also wrote under the pen names Lee Chater, Lee Chaytor, and Lisa Moore. For more information, please visit: https://elizabethchaterbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 29, 2021
A Contemporary to Marion Chesney
I love both authors! They are both very similar to each other and I love it! It gives me more novels to to appreciate and to laugh with. These are just so entertaining, not syrupy nor sexually driven. Fun, clean reading!
Both authors take their novels down unexpected paths, ones where you don't tire from predictable story's of which so many who write in this genre do.
I love both authors! They are both very similar to each other and I love it! It gives me more novels to to appreciate and to laugh with. These are just so entertaining, not syrupy nor sexually driven. Fun, clean reading!
Both authors take their novels down unexpected paths, ones where you don't tire from predictable story's of which so many who write in this genre do.
January 8, 2022
Classic Regency Romances💕
These are outstanding classic Regency Romances💕 from an author who died years ago.
The quality of the dialogue and stories are better than at least 95% of what is being written today.
I highly recommend this authors entire collection of works for all lovers of Regency Romance💕!
These are outstanding classic Regency Romances💕 from an author who died years ago.
The quality of the dialogue and stories are better than at least 95% of what is being written today.
I highly recommend this authors entire collection of works for all lovers of Regency Romance💕!
July 8, 2015
A heir to Heyer
This set of Regency romances at its best is as good as Heyer. The first and third are a level above the second, where the arrogance of the hero makes any finer feelings somewhat unbelievable. The writing is competent, the period is well rendered but it is disappointing to find typos in the Kindle edition. The other slight disappointment is that the heroine's are all tiny and referred to as 'chits' all too often. Surely even in the Regency period there were men who did not have to be won over from misogyny to propose. Though the hero in the first novel is an exception. Certainly I will look for more by this author.
This set of Regency romances at its best is as good as Heyer. The first and third are a level above the second, where the arrogance of the hero makes any finer feelings somewhat unbelievable. The writing is competent, the period is well rendered but it is disappointing to find typos in the Kindle edition. The other slight disappointment is that the heroine's are all tiny and referred to as 'chits' all too often. Surely even in the Regency period there were men who did not have to be won over from misogyny to propose. Though the hero in the first novel is an exception. Certainly I will look for more by this author.
December 29, 2021
Romance collection
I enjoyed these fast paced stories, each independent of the other. The heroines are young, strong and entertaining. The men were self assured and commanding. The endings wrap up each tale quickly.
I enjoyed these fast paced stories, each independent of the other. The heroines are young, strong and entertaining. The men were self assured and commanding. The endings wrap up each tale quickly.
October 26, 2018
Book 1:
Fun storyline, mixed up relationships, delightful characters. Only gripe that the H tended to refer to the ‘h’ as a girl which sounded a touch creepy. I romped through this in one sitting. Clean, fun, good period writing.
Book 2:
A slightly too complex plot line with some aspects not resolved. The H was a bit of a bully which didnt endear me to him at first. Again, the 'h' comes across as a young girl.
Book 3:
Not happy with this one. The 'h' acts like a spoilt brat, the H - who is supposed to be a diplomat (?) has all the decorum of an oaf. I gave up reading half way through and returned the book.
Each story featured a large age gap between the two characters, which isnt a problem, but it was repetitive and not helped by the female appearing (and sometimes acting) like a child. It made me feel more than a little uncomfortable as the stories progressed.
Fun storyline, mixed up relationships, delightful characters. Only gripe that the H tended to refer to the ‘h’ as a girl which sounded a touch creepy. I romped through this in one sitting. Clean, fun, good period writing.
Book 2:
A slightly too complex plot line with some aspects not resolved. The H was a bit of a bully which didnt endear me to him at first. Again, the 'h' comes across as a young girl.
Book 3:
Not happy with this one. The 'h' acts like a spoilt brat, the H - who is supposed to be a diplomat (?) has all the decorum of an oaf. I gave up reading half way through and returned the book.
Each story featured a large age gap between the two characters, which isnt a problem, but it was repetitive and not helped by the female appearing (and sometimes acting) like a child. It made me feel more than a little uncomfortable as the stories progressed.
November 1, 2021
Lovely, just lovely
It is so nice to read a love story, in this day and age, that portrays two people who love one another without screaming sex scenes.
Did my heart good.
It is so nice to read a love story, in this day and age, that portrays two people who love one another without screaming sex scenes.
Did my heart good.
December 26, 2021
sweet and clean
A four story collection of sweet and clean romances. They all had complications to overcome before they reached their end.
A four story collection of sweet and clean romances. They all had complications to overcome before they reached their end.
November 7, 2015
The Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #1 is a gem! These are clean, traditional regencies, and I cannot believe I never came across Elizabeth Chater until last month! If clean regencies in a similar style to Barbara Metzger interest you, you really should try this collection! The four full-length books are listed below.
A Season for the Heart (1981)
The Duke's Dilemma (1986)
The Random Gentleman (1981)
The Marriage Mart (1984)
I loved these books! I will be reading collection #2 very soon!
A Season for the Heart (1981)
The Duke's Dilemma (1986)
The Random Gentleman (1981)
The Marriage Mart (1984)
I loved these books! I will be reading collection #2 very soon!
July 7, 2015
Shades of Georgette Heyer!
Elizabeth Chater writes in the style of the late great Georgette Heyer, and is a delight to read! Delightful heroines and wonderfully solid heroes--what more could you want??!
Elizabeth Chater writes in the style of the late great Georgette Heyer, and is a delight to read! Delightful heroines and wonderfully solid heroes--what more could you want??!
February 3, 2017
Awesome collection
I am so in love with these characters and stories!!! I laughed, cried, and was the edge of my seat more than once as read this collection as characters came to life and you all pain and joy this author did an amazing job!!!!!!.
I am so in love with these characters and stories!!! I laughed, cried, and was the edge of my seat more than once as read this collection as characters came to life and you all pain and joy this author did an amazing job!!!!!!.
August 13, 2024
I had never heard of this author until stumbling upon her collections. She died in 2004 and was 68 before she began writing Regency romances and published 22 of them in eight years. This is a collection of four of her short novels.
A Season For the Heart In this Cinderella story, Miss Melpomene Rand is an orphan living with her cruel aunt and indifferent uncle and their two equally cruel daughters. She's treated as a servant and abused both physically and mentally. The Earl of Austell finds her soaked to the skin at the inn where he has stopped on his way to London. Finding her to be a lively and intelligent creature, he rescues her and takes her to London to be a companion to his morose sister-in-law, a widow with a very handsome young son. Melpomene (Pommy) works her innocent magic on everyone, captivating the Earl and unwittingly bringing about two other marriages. This was delightful, fast-paced, and captivating! I was only a little disappointed with the ending, thinking there should at least have been a kiss. 4 stars
The Duke's Dilemma A take-off on Beauty and the Beast, with a huge, unsympathetic, arrogant, and rather cruel duke who happens to rescue the orphaned 9-year-old Earl of Endale (who must be saved from his murderous uncle, who would inherit the earldom if the boy died) and his three sisters when they take refuge in his crumbling mansion. The oldest sister, 17-year-old Leslie, is the not-so-beautiful Beauty of the story. 4 stars
The Random Gentleman This one was silly and ended being ridiculous. Gypsies were involved, as well as a young and irresponsible girl and an arrogant, high-nosed, entitled duke. The two were engaged from the cradle, a la Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but had never met each other. 3 stars
The Marriage Mart Athena comes from a family of rather dim-witted people, who regard her intelligence as odd. Her grandmother will sponsor her Season in London, all the while advising her to hide the fact that she's a bluestocking.
The Duke of Renfrew is described as "a very domineering, high-nosed, damn-your-eyes, arrogant phiz". He is both sought after and feared. His best friend, Charles Vernell, is a good-natured Charles Bingley-type, while the duke is haughty Darcy x 10. We are prepared for a collision with Athena. 3 stars
The four books are sprinkled with appropriately-used Regency Era cant, which was fun to read. They are all well-written. No slip-ups with modern expressions. A few typos, but no grammatical errors. The heroes were all "massive" Alpha males, overbearing and unsympathetic towards women, calling the love interest "child" and "little one". It's a bit overdone, as is the submissive attitude of the women. The endings of all four books are abrupt and a bit unsatisfying. An epilogue for each would have been nice. I enjoyed the prose and, for the most part, the stories, but had issues with the characters. Overall, 3.5 stars.
A Season For the Heart In this Cinderella story, Miss Melpomene Rand is an orphan living with her cruel aunt and indifferent uncle and their two equally cruel daughters. She's treated as a servant and abused both physically and mentally. The Earl of Austell finds her soaked to the skin at the inn where he has stopped on his way to London. Finding her to be a lively and intelligent creature, he rescues her and takes her to London to be a companion to his morose sister-in-law, a widow with a very handsome young son. Melpomene (Pommy) works her innocent magic on everyone, captivating the Earl and unwittingly bringing about two other marriages. This was delightful, fast-paced, and captivating! I was only a little disappointed with the ending, thinking there should at least have been a kiss. 4 stars
The Duke's Dilemma A take-off on Beauty and the Beast, with a huge, unsympathetic, arrogant, and rather cruel duke who happens to rescue the orphaned 9-year-old Earl of Endale (who must be saved from his murderous uncle, who would inherit the earldom if the boy died) and his three sisters when they take refuge in his crumbling mansion. The oldest sister, 17-year-old Leslie, is the not-so-beautiful Beauty of the story. 4 stars
The Random Gentleman This one was silly and ended being ridiculous. Gypsies were involved, as well as a young and irresponsible girl and an arrogant, high-nosed, entitled duke. The two were engaged from the cradle, a la Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but had never met each other. 3 stars
The Marriage Mart Athena comes from a family of rather dim-witted people, who regard her intelligence as odd. Her grandmother will sponsor her Season in London, all the while advising her to hide the fact that she's a bluestocking.
The Duke of Renfrew is described as "a very domineering, high-nosed, damn-your-eyes, arrogant phiz". He is both sought after and feared. His best friend, Charles Vernell, is a good-natured Charles Bingley-type, while the duke is haughty Darcy x 10. We are prepared for a collision with Athena. 3 stars
The four books are sprinkled with appropriately-used Regency Era cant, which was fun to read. They are all well-written. No slip-ups with modern expressions. A few typos, but no grammatical errors. The heroes were all "massive" Alpha males, overbearing and unsympathetic towards women, calling the love interest "child" and "little one". It's a bit overdone, as is the submissive attitude of the women. The endings of all four books are abrupt and a bit unsatisfying. An epilogue for each would have been nice. I enjoyed the prose and, for the most part, the stories, but had issues with the characters. Overall, 3.5 stars.
October 20, 2021
1. A Season For The Heart ~ 3 stars. If this is the Regency Period, books were difficult to come by and also these were at a guess hard bound, so these could not just possibly be left at an inn... though for a bit of plausibility, not frequently. So Pommey could not have had borrowed books given that scenario... maybe from the innkeeper's wife's library if she was a reader, and she was not. Fun sometimes annoying Regency frolic.
2. The Duke's Dilemma ~ 5 stars. The 9~year~old Earl of Endale, the youngest of a family of orphans was seeking refuge from their wicked guardian who wanted to kill him for the title and estates. He and his three sisters led by their eldest, 17~year~old Leslie took temporary shelter at their neighbour's derelict mansion. The Dukes of Kenelm's ancestral home was allowed to fall into ruin by the present duke having held no pleasant memories for him but his father's infidelities and his mother's indifference her being a self~absorbed hypochondriac... during the later years of the old duke, he went to the other extreme and fell prey to the Covenanters' Doctrine, the bloody hypocrite... and spent the rest of his miserable life berating his heir for the normal follies of youth.
3. The Random Gentleman ~ 3 stars. A plucky smart brat who had some more growing up to do... and acquire some wisdom, too... and a seasoned duke who had to learn patience and a little understanding for his recalitrant bride given that both of them were initally reluctant to fulfill their dead sires' match~making wishes. As things were, they had to navigate the enforced match vis~à~vis duty and their own hearts' dictates.
4. The Marriage Mart ~ 5 stars. The meeting of a young classics' scholar bluestocking and published radical author of educating and improving the lot of the lower orders... the publication of her book the reason for her presence in the drawing rooms of the ton... and a much older Duke with an even more noble and equally radical reason to hide his purpose... that of constructing schools for free instructions for all his tenants. A perfect match only they started with the wrong foot, and of course, there was their age difference (a point of doubt at least for the Duke) and countless other obstacles (like his obnoxious relatives) that must be tackled first before Love could slowly triumph.
2. The Duke's Dilemma ~ 5 stars. The 9~year~old Earl of Endale, the youngest of a family of orphans was seeking refuge from their wicked guardian who wanted to kill him for the title and estates. He and his three sisters led by their eldest, 17~year~old Leslie took temporary shelter at their neighbour's derelict mansion. The Dukes of Kenelm's ancestral home was allowed to fall into ruin by the present duke having held no pleasant memories for him but his father's infidelities and his mother's indifference her being a self~absorbed hypochondriac... during the later years of the old duke, he went to the other extreme and fell prey to the Covenanters' Doctrine, the bloody hypocrite... and spent the rest of his miserable life berating his heir for the normal follies of youth.
3. The Random Gentleman ~ 3 stars. A plucky smart brat who had some more growing up to do... and acquire some wisdom, too... and a seasoned duke who had to learn patience and a little understanding for his recalitrant bride given that both of them were initally reluctant to fulfill their dead sires' match~making wishes. As things were, they had to navigate the enforced match vis~à~vis duty and their own hearts' dictates.
4. The Marriage Mart ~ 5 stars. The meeting of a young classics' scholar bluestocking and published radical author of educating and improving the lot of the lower orders... the publication of her book the reason for her presence in the drawing rooms of the ton... and a much older Duke with an even more noble and equally radical reason to hide his purpose... that of constructing schools for free instructions for all his tenants. A perfect match only they started with the wrong foot, and of course, there was their age difference (a point of doubt at least for the Duke) and countless other obstacles (like his obnoxious relatives) that must be tackled first before Love could slowly triumph.
August 16, 2024
These books came out in the eighties and I think it shows. You may expect young heroines, about eighteen, give or take. The heroes are older, titled and somewhat condescending (would you like your love interest to call you a child, or an infant?) . They are forceful, overbearing personalities, and very handsome. Occasionally they betray a somewhat misogynistic attitude that the heroine obviously overcomes. There are balls in London, and carriage travels here and there, sometimes a villain or two. The endings are a bit abrupt and there are no epilogues letting you know how the mismatched couples get on with their lives. The editing is mostly fine although there are minor punctuation mishaps and a couple of repeated passages. Despite some attitudes that seem rather dated, I enjoyed the humour and the somewhat heyeresque writing style enough to get other books by this author.
July 9, 2018
A Season for the Heart-4 stars-Spectacular fun, with Pommy’s romanticism infecting the Earl of Austell’s sober lifestyle. Along with them, there’s are friends, such as Lady Masterson, enemies, such as Pommy’s uncle and aunt, and harmless dimwits, like Isabelle and Gareth.
Very entertaining read, a bit of folly, some romance, and even drama. Intelligently written, a great series starter.
The Duke’s Dilemma-4 stars-Drogo is an intriguing character, hard, arrogant, yet kind to the Endale orphan family. He finds them in his house, hiding from their guardian, an evil man who wants to kill his nephew, the underage earl of Endale, age 9.
Leslie, the oldest sister, saves the siblings, but meets her match in Drogo. He takes on their protection, gets them to their great aunt’s house in London, and then can’t stay away.
Excitement, fun, and grudging romance in this tale. I love the aunt, a bluestocking ready for adventure.
The Random Gentleman-
KU
Very entertaining read, a bit of folly, some romance, and even drama. Intelligently written, a great series starter.
The Duke’s Dilemma-4 stars-Drogo is an intriguing character, hard, arrogant, yet kind to the Endale orphan family. He finds them in his house, hiding from their guardian, an evil man who wants to kill his nephew, the underage earl of Endale, age 9.
Leslie, the oldest sister, saves the siblings, but meets her match in Drogo. He takes on their protection, gets them to their great aunt’s house in London, and then can’t stay away.
Excitement, fun, and grudging romance in this tale. I love the aunt, a bluestocking ready for adventure.
The Random Gentleman-
KU
August 27, 2024
Excellent Regency Author
Elizabeth Chater has written exceptional novels in the Regency genre. They are entertaining, relative to the period, and clean. Her novels have depth to them. I enjoy them because they are well-written by a person who knows how to write and who had researched or understood the Period they are set in. Because Ms. Chater's novels were written before the advent of self-publishing, they have been proofread for grammar and spelling errors, and this shows in how the storyline flows and how easier it is to read them. I highly recommend her novels.
Elizabeth Chater has written exceptional novels in the Regency genre. They are entertaining, relative to the period, and clean. Her novels have depth to them. I enjoy them because they are well-written by a person who knows how to write and who had researched or understood the Period they are set in. Because Ms. Chater's novels were written before the advent of self-publishing, they have been proofread for grammar and spelling errors, and this shows in how the storyline flows and how easier it is to read them. I highly recommend her novels.
March 4, 2023
Most looked forwarded to reads.
This author is recently new to me...why is a mystery. I get so lost in her characters and her stories are so completely different that I just love them. There is no set pattern or formula which you can find sometimes in the collections of some other authors..each one is unique and individual in every way. Now I just need to learn to slow down my reading to savour my next read by Elizabeth Chater..
This author is recently new to me...why is a mystery. I get so lost in her characters and her stories are so completely different that I just love them. There is no set pattern or formula which you can find sometimes in the collections of some other authors..each one is unique and individual in every way. Now I just need to learn to slow down my reading to savour my next read by Elizabeth Chater..
August 8, 2024
pleasant daydreams
Each story wraps up in never ending bliss of love. The characters are each entertaining, frustrating and immature. The ages between the couples alarms me somewhat. But each is clean in speech, and action there is slight crudeness in thought in one or two places.
If you are perfectionist then this set of stories is not for you, although the errors are rare.
As said in the heading these are pleasant daydreams.
Each story wraps up in never ending bliss of love. The characters are each entertaining, frustrating and immature. The ages between the couples alarms me somewhat. But each is clean in speech, and action there is slight crudeness in thought in one or two places.
If you are perfectionist then this set of stories is not for you, although the errors are rare.
As said in the heading these are pleasant daydreams.
February 12, 2018
Nice storylines
I enjoyed the stories. Only the last was not tightly wrapped as the others with a younger friend of the main character having an evil mother, who is really never dealt a conclusion. Overall this was an a just above average read. I was very grateful not to have a lot of sex!
I enjoyed the stories. Only the last was not tightly wrapped as the others with a younger friend of the main character having an evil mother, who is really never dealt a conclusion. Overall this was an a just above average read. I was very grateful not to have a lot of sex!
November 10, 2022
Gothic melodrama at its finest.
The more mad and extreme the emotions, the drama, the misunderstandings and the insecure characters the more this romp carries you along at a terrific pace.
The more mad and extreme the emotions, the drama, the misunderstandings and the insecure characters the more this romp carries you along at a terrific pace.
August 24, 2023
Everything your romantic mind could want
These books were terrific. My only negative comment was the poor editing (repeating sentences) that occurred more frequently than they should have. It was particularly surprising, given the excellent writing.
These books were terrific. My only negative comment was the poor editing (repeating sentences) that occurred more frequently than they should have. It was particularly surprising, given the excellent writing.
August 25, 2024
Very nice collection
In each of these stories the characters are easy to imagine, the story lines are well written and kept me interested and entertained. The bantering that goes on is definitely good. Worth reading and looking for more!
In each of these stories the characters are easy to imagine, the story lines are well written and kept me interested and entertained. The bantering that goes on is definitely good. Worth reading and looking for more!
January 29, 2025
Trio of sweet novellas
The first 2 were excellent with lots of chuckles and making me root for the leading lady
and the kids, but the 3rd was a let down hence the 4. Very enjoyable and looking forward to the other volumes. Sweet romance
The first 2 were excellent with lots of chuckles and making me root for the leading lady
and the kids, but the 3rd was a let down hence the 4. Very enjoyable and looking forward to the other volumes. Sweet romance
November 15, 2021
Completely frivolous. Will read the second collection eventually.
April 2, 2022
I stopped within the first 10 pages. The girl was ridiculous and the plot incredulous. I can't imagine trying to read this book nor what the others books in this set are like. Not going to try.
January 8, 2023
Recency romance
Four books in this collection. Each a bit different... A comedy of errors, gypsies and diplomats, cynical people, not many sympathetic characters.
Four books in this collection. Each a bit different... A comedy of errors, gypsies and diplomats, cynical people, not many sympathetic characters.
September 29, 2023
Nice having a group of stories to keep one interested.
August 16, 2024
Very good reads
All of the stories were charming; a little bit of adventure and mystery. Some romance. Nothing too risqué. Anyone can enjoy them.
All of the stories were charming; a little bit of adventure and mystery. Some romance. Nothing too risqué. Anyone can enjoy them.
October 15, 2024
Oct 2024
A rather entertaining compilation to while away the time. Stories are pleasant and they are well written nothing particularly exciting but easy to lose oneself in
A rather entertaining compilation to while away the time. Stories are pleasant and they are well written nothing particularly exciting but easy to lose oneself in
January 25, 2025
wonderful
Each of the stories were wonderful! I enjoyed each and couldn’t wait for the next. Yet-where are the epilogues? I need to know the real endings to the stories.
Each of the stories were wonderful! I enjoyed each and couldn’t wait for the next. Yet-where are the epilogues? I need to know the real endings to the stories.
July 5, 2015
Glad this cost me only 99 cents. The author has a thing for three words (_imbroglio_, _nous_, and _nonpareil_), repeating them over and over and over. She must believe the overuse makes her sound literate. Instead, she sounds pretentious. An expanded vocabulary and a sense of contextual appropriateness regarding diction would greatly benefit this author. These novels border on being classified as purple prose. Chater overreaches her grasp linguistically. She also has only one description for every time a character encounters stairs: he or she "runs lightly" up or down. My ocular muscles are strained from rolling my eyes so often at Chater's contrived language and plots. Oh, and everything is "outside of enough." Chater falls in love with certain words and phrases that are indicative of the era and then proceeds to wear them out, annoying the reader in the process. I guess people are giving this collection high ratings because they don't know any better. Today's readers seem to lack discernment and taste. Maybe they have never had literary "filet mignon," so "dog food" tastes good to them. I blame our K-12 educational system. We are churning out graduates who can neither understand nor appreciate good literature--or even good chick-lit.!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews