What do you think?
Rate this book
Sydney Dovedale #3
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal
When a Perfectly Proper Lady...
Lady Mercy Danforthe always has a plan. It's what makes her such a successful matchmaker, and why she's obligated to spend a great deal of time generously organizing the lives of her friends and family. But there's one man beyond her help. One man whose recklessness she can't rein in; whose chaos she can't contain. Her ex-husband, Rafe Hartley. Her one—and only!—mistake.
Flirts with a Reckless Rogue...
Rafe has never forgiven Mercy for running out on him. Their hastily annulled marriage may have only lasted three hours, but that doesn't mean he needs her help finding a proper wife. Someone needs to teach little Miss Know-It-All a lesson about keeping her adorably freckled nose out of other people's business. And it just so happens that Mercy "Silky Drawers" Danforthe still owes him a wedding night...
A Scandal's Never Far Behind
Lady Mercy Danforthe always has a plan. It's what makes her such a successful matchmaker, and why she's obligated to spend a great deal of time generously organizing the lives of her friends and family. But there's one man beyond her help. One man whose recklessness she can't rein in; whose chaos she can't contain. Her ex-husband, Rafe Hartley. Her one—and only!—mistake.
Flirts with a Reckless Rogue...
Rafe has never forgiven Mercy for running out on him. Their hastily annulled marriage may have only lasted three hours, but that doesn't mean he needs her help finding a proper wife. Someone needs to teach little Miss Know-It-All a lesson about keeping her adorably freckled nose out of other people's business. And it just so happens that Mercy "Silky Drawers" Danforthe still owes him a wedding night...
A Scandal's Never Far Behind
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
45 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 6, 2013
One of the main reasons why I think Gwyneth Paltrow was so good as Emma in the movie of the same name was that she is more Emma than Emma herself. Who better to play an overbearing, know-it-all, spoiled character who knows nothing of the real world than what she has experienced in every day of her privileged existence? Gwyneth Paltrow is more Emma than Emma could ever be. With that said, I picture Gwyneth Paltrow as the personification of the Lady Mercy Danforthe in this book.
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts With Scandal is intended to be a retelling of Emma. While not the most likeable character in the world, Emma worked because even if she is an interfering busybody, she is innocent and well-intentioned, and truly has everyone's best interests at heart. Lady Mercy Danforthe, on the other hand, is an single-minded, simple-minded meddler who suffers from a major case of hubris. Neither of the main characters in this book have any redeeming qualities whatsoever, and it must be said that I cheered when things did not go their way. Over five years ago, the very young Lady Mercy and Rafe Hartley eloped. They were found before the marriage was consummated, and the marriage was quickly and discreetly annulled. Since then, Rafe has hated Mercy's guts, and Mercy has gone out of her way to control his life without his knowledge. When her marriage plans for Rafe to wed her former lady's maid falls through, Rafe is furious at what he sees as Mercy's interference, and demands that she finds him a new bride. Blah blah blah, of course they end up falling in love again, what did you expect? There are a few similarities to Emma and this book; actually, only two that I can think of. Mercy as Emma, Molly as Harriet. I suppose Rafe could be Mr. Knightley, but the similarities are nonexistent. More on that in a bit.
Mercy is a highly unpleasant character. In other HR novels, when I dislike a character, I generally do so because they are bland, boring, annoying, and stupid. Mercy is not bland, she is not boring, she is not stupid. She is, however, irredeemably annoying. You think Emma was bad? No. No. You do not know interference until you have met Lady Mercy Danforthe. I wanted to strangle her. We started off meeting Mercy in disguise as she once again attempts to arrange Rafe's life...and that's just the beginning of my massive headache.
"Almost from the very first time they met, she knew it would be her duty to save that man. Not that he was ever grateful."
I wonder why...She is an obsessive, know-it-all buttinsky to the nth degree. She twitches whenever she's not on time. She makes everyone feel inferior with her mere graceful, aristocratic presence. She is inwardly condescending and superior in her own intelligence, wealth, and beauty, only so much more obnoxious. She is a professional meddler. "She considered it her mission to meddle in the lives of those she liked and to secure happy matches for her young friends most in need. People told her she was rather good at it, although, as her brother had recently pointed out, they would never dare say otherwise."
And meddle she does, even after her attempts come back to bite her in the ass when her best friend Molly runs off at her own wedding. Mercy does have her moments; I liked that she can stand up to Rafe. Speaking of which, Rafe. The most unlikeable male character in an HR I can recall reading in a long while.
Rafe is an ill-tempered brat. I use the word judiciously. He is an overgrown child. He throws temper tantrums, he is violent. He is demeaning to women, his communication skills are severely lacking, he can barely string together two words without shouting them. He has a hatred of the upper classes that verges on irrationality. I cannot bring myself to imagine what the rational, neat, composed Mercy saw in him when she decided to elope. Mercy herself describes his personality best when she says "'You're an ungrateful, thickheaded boy. You don't need a wife. You need a nanny.'"
He has an atrocious, violent temper, he has no reason, he has no rationality. It is an insult to me that his character was written by this author, that she thinks the people reading this book would find this uneducated, misogynistic boor attractive in any way.
"'Now I understand why Molly was afraid to face you, if you fly into this temper at the slightest provocation.'
'The slightest---?'
'You are reacting quite unreasonably.'
'Unreasonably?' He stood with fists clenched, knuckles resting on the edge of the table. 'Unreasonably?' He swore in words that would make most women wince, or perhaps even swoon."
Right, a temper and a mouth like a sailor. I'm swooning. Actually, no, that's the sound of my jaw dropping at the shock that this character would make me anything but ill. He belittles Mercy so much, calling her the Danforthe Brat, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth, etc...but really, he himself has been spoiled rotten his whole life despite his non-aristocratic upbringing.
"'You have an uncle who adores you and is always there to advise you, a father who cannot do enough for you and is constantly looking to make amends for past neglect—although, I admit, he does not always know the best way to go about it. As for the women in your life, you have all shapes and sizes at your disposal, it seems. But they let you get away with whatever you want. Spoiled'---poke---'Spoiled'---poke---"Spoiled!'"
And here is the final straw for me.
"'I don't care about shouldn't.' He stepped into the chamber and closed the door behind him, masterful and arrogant. 'You came here to put things right. So put them right. Give me what you denied me five years ago.'
'But I...we...'
'Unfinished business, my lady. You owe me.'"
He waltzes into Mercy's bed, demanding a WEDDING NIGHT. Listen, you son of a bitch, nobody owes you anything, much less sex. Never sex. Ralph is an entitled, rotten motherfucker. Need I mention while the horizontal tango is going on between Mercy and Rafe, he is still on the search for a wife and she is still engaged? I am not a fan of cheating. Mercy and Rafe end up getting along so well because they're both so worthy of the other. Mercy needs someone she can fix, and believe me, there's no fixer-upper like Rafe. He needs her because nobody else can stand up to his idiocy, violence, and temper like she can since women seem to fall at his feet for no explicable reason.
This is an insipid book featuring despicable characters behaving like nitwits. Please do yourself a favor and skip this shit.
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts With Scandal is intended to be a retelling of Emma. While not the most likeable character in the world, Emma worked because even if she is an interfering busybody, she is innocent and well-intentioned, and truly has everyone's best interests at heart. Lady Mercy Danforthe, on the other hand, is an single-minded, simple-minded meddler who suffers from a major case of hubris. Neither of the main characters in this book have any redeeming qualities whatsoever, and it must be said that I cheered when things did not go their way. Over five years ago, the very young Lady Mercy and Rafe Hartley eloped. They were found before the marriage was consummated, and the marriage was quickly and discreetly annulled. Since then, Rafe has hated Mercy's guts, and Mercy has gone out of her way to control his life without his knowledge. When her marriage plans for Rafe to wed her former lady's maid falls through, Rafe is furious at what he sees as Mercy's interference, and demands that she finds him a new bride. Blah blah blah, of course they end up falling in love again, what did you expect? There are a few similarities to Emma and this book; actually, only two that I can think of. Mercy as Emma, Molly as Harriet. I suppose Rafe could be Mr. Knightley, but the similarities are nonexistent. More on that in a bit.
Mercy is a highly unpleasant character. In other HR novels, when I dislike a character, I generally do so because they are bland, boring, annoying, and stupid. Mercy is not bland, she is not boring, she is not stupid. She is, however, irredeemably annoying. You think Emma was bad? No. No. You do not know interference until you have met Lady Mercy Danforthe. I wanted to strangle her. We started off meeting Mercy in disguise as she once again attempts to arrange Rafe's life...and that's just the beginning of my massive headache.
"Almost from the very first time they met, she knew it would be her duty to save that man. Not that he was ever grateful."
I wonder why...She is an obsessive, know-it-all buttinsky to the nth degree. She twitches whenever she's not on time. She makes everyone feel inferior with her mere graceful, aristocratic presence. She is inwardly condescending and superior in her own intelligence, wealth, and beauty, only so much more obnoxious. She is a professional meddler. "She considered it her mission to meddle in the lives of those she liked and to secure happy matches for her young friends most in need. People told her she was rather good at it, although, as her brother had recently pointed out, they would never dare say otherwise."
And meddle she does, even after her attempts come back to bite her in the ass when her best friend Molly runs off at her own wedding. Mercy does have her moments; I liked that she can stand up to Rafe. Speaking of which, Rafe. The most unlikeable male character in an HR I can recall reading in a long while.
Rafe is an ill-tempered brat. I use the word judiciously. He is an overgrown child. He throws temper tantrums, he is violent. He is demeaning to women, his communication skills are severely lacking, he can barely string together two words without shouting them. He has a hatred of the upper classes that verges on irrationality. I cannot bring myself to imagine what the rational, neat, composed Mercy saw in him when she decided to elope. Mercy herself describes his personality best when she says "'You're an ungrateful, thickheaded boy. You don't need a wife. You need a nanny.'"
He has an atrocious, violent temper, he has no reason, he has no rationality. It is an insult to me that his character was written by this author, that she thinks the people reading this book would find this uneducated, misogynistic boor attractive in any way.
"'Now I understand why Molly was afraid to face you, if you fly into this temper at the slightest provocation.'
'The slightest---?'
'You are reacting quite unreasonably.'
'Unreasonably?' He stood with fists clenched, knuckles resting on the edge of the table. 'Unreasonably?' He swore in words that would make most women wince, or perhaps even swoon."
Right, a temper and a mouth like a sailor. I'm swooning. Actually, no, that's the sound of my jaw dropping at the shock that this character would make me anything but ill. He belittles Mercy so much, calling her the Danforthe Brat, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth, etc...but really, he himself has been spoiled rotten his whole life despite his non-aristocratic upbringing.
"'You have an uncle who adores you and is always there to advise you, a father who cannot do enough for you and is constantly looking to make amends for past neglect—although, I admit, he does not always know the best way to go about it. As for the women in your life, you have all shapes and sizes at your disposal, it seems. But they let you get away with whatever you want. Spoiled'---poke---'Spoiled'---poke---"Spoiled!'"
And here is the final straw for me.
"'I don't care about shouldn't.' He stepped into the chamber and closed the door behind him, masterful and arrogant. 'You came here to put things right. So put them right. Give me what you denied me five years ago.'
'But I...we...'
'Unfinished business, my lady. You owe me.'"
He waltzes into Mercy's bed, demanding a WEDDING NIGHT. Listen, you son of a bitch, nobody owes you anything, much less sex. Never sex. Ralph is an entitled, rotten motherfucker. Need I mention while the horizontal tango is going on between Mercy and Rafe, he is still on the search for a wife and she is still engaged? I am not a fan of cheating. Mercy and Rafe end up getting along so well because they're both so worthy of the other. Mercy needs someone she can fix, and believe me, there's no fixer-upper like Rafe. He needs her because nobody else can stand up to his idiocy, violence, and temper like she can since women seem to fall at his feet for no explicable reason.
This is an insipid book featuring despicable characters behaving like nitwits. Please do yourself a favor and skip this shit.
June 11, 2013
I haven't gotten so involved with a book in years and the only thing I can say is that this book is a great read!
June 29, 2013
As posted at The Reading Cafe 05 Jun 13
http://thereadingcafe.com/sydney-dovedale-series-by-jayne-fresina-a-review/
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts With Scandal by Jayne Fresina
Book 3 Sydney Dovedale Series
4.5 out of 5
Description
Lady Mercy likes her life neat and tidy. She prides herself on being practical - like her engagement to Viscount Grey, whose dark colouring co-ordinates very well with her favourite furnishings. But things start to get messy when her best friend abandons her fiance at the altar, leaving it up to Mercy to help the couple. There's just one problem. The jilted man is Rafe Hartley—Mercy's former husband.
Rafe has not forgiven Mercy for deserting him when they were seventeen. Their hasty marriage was declared void by law, but in his eyes the bossy little vixen was still his wife, even if the marriage lasted only a few hours. And Mercy "Silky Drawers" Danforthe still owes him a wedding night.
Review
This was another absolutely fabo read. We met Lady Mercy Danforthe is book 2 and let me tell you .. if i could of kicked a boot up an arse it would of been hers. She was a BRAT. Entitled, "the world revolves around me", "what do you mean I can't have it?", BRAT BRAT BRAT! LOL
We also met Rafe in book 2 (he is James son by that serving maid in book 1). At that time, Rafe is also young, comes from the streets, has had to fight for everything he has in life .. he's TOUGH!
Flash forward another ten years and all of a sudden these two look a whole lot different.
Lady Mercy Danforthe lives in London and is a perfectionist extreme. She likes it neat and tidy, wrapped up in a pretty bow, all controlled and to her liking (even her chosen fiance the Viscount). She is precise, feels responsible for others, and certainly not anything like the young girl she use to be.
Mr Rafe Hartley, is a farmer who resides in Sydney Dovedale. He now knows who is father is and while he embraces that, he is very set in his ways with regards to not allowing his father to help in life. He is strong and proud, capable and handsome.
A few years ago these two decided impulsively to get married. Just before the marriage was consummated, Mercy's brother barged in an made sure that the wedding was stricken from both their lives. While Mercy carried on, Rafe always felt robbed of his right as a husband and what he wanted in life ... Mercy.
These two are reunited when Mercy's lady maid and BFF Molly decides to jilt Rafe at the alter because she wishes to live a different life. Somehow she manages to talk Mercy into breaking the bad news to Rafe and the fireworks start from there. The minute these two are reunited the banter starts, the sexual tension builds and their lives become ever changed.
It seems as the weeks go by, there is one thing or another keeping Mercy in town and Rafe clawing at her skirts. Mercy finds it harder and harder to bat him away just because he goes against all she has planned for her life. Bit by bit, her wall starts to crumble until they both find themselves under the pieces and quite liking it there.
Mercy impressed me wholeheartedly throughout this book. Like James, Jayne Fresina found a way for me to love this heroine. She sincerely cares for people and their welfare and it is evident through many actions she does around this small town. She is charming yet can be forceful and quite sharp tongued when she wants to be and she comes back at Rafe blow by blow and stands her ground.
Rafe is a doll. He can be stubborn and a little dim witted at times but he is so lovable. I think my fave thing within this story was the many names he had for Mercy within their banter. Let me give you a taste .... Mercy Fancy-Breeches, Lady Bossy-Breeches, Clever-Drawers, Lady Know-All, Frosty-Bottom, and Dainty-Breeches (think he has something of a liking to her underwear?? TEEHEE) Seriously reading all those made me chuckle!
I loved the build up of this story and to see how they turned out left me very satisfied. I enjoyed once again the secondary characters and the more I get into this series, the more investing I am in this town. I loved checking in with Sophie and Kane, James and Ellie and seeing how their lives together have developed.
So, although the first book was just okay for me, the second and third really came to play! I have added this series to a "must read" when the next one comes out. I am really hoping that Molly and Mercy's brother are paired together as they have the proper makings for a good read. If you are really into historical romance and like that added dash of humour than this is certainly for you. You do have to read the books in succession or I am afraid you just may miss out on too much information. I don't think I could of enjoyed them as much without reading them in order!
HAPPY READING!
http://thereadingcafe.com/sydney-dovedale-series-by-jayne-fresina-a-review/
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts With Scandal by Jayne Fresina
Book 3 Sydney Dovedale Series
4.5 out of 5
Description
Lady Mercy likes her life neat and tidy. She prides herself on being practical - like her engagement to Viscount Grey, whose dark colouring co-ordinates very well with her favourite furnishings. But things start to get messy when her best friend abandons her fiance at the altar, leaving it up to Mercy to help the couple. There's just one problem. The jilted man is Rafe Hartley—Mercy's former husband.
Rafe has not forgiven Mercy for deserting him when they were seventeen. Their hasty marriage was declared void by law, but in his eyes the bossy little vixen was still his wife, even if the marriage lasted only a few hours. And Mercy "Silky Drawers" Danforthe still owes him a wedding night.
Review
This was another absolutely fabo read. We met Lady Mercy Danforthe is book 2 and let me tell you .. if i could of kicked a boot up an arse it would of been hers. She was a BRAT. Entitled, "the world revolves around me", "what do you mean I can't have it?", BRAT BRAT BRAT! LOL
We also met Rafe in book 2 (he is James son by that serving maid in book 1). At that time, Rafe is also young, comes from the streets, has had to fight for everything he has in life .. he's TOUGH!
Flash forward another ten years and all of a sudden these two look a whole lot different.
Lady Mercy Danforthe lives in London and is a perfectionist extreme. She likes it neat and tidy, wrapped up in a pretty bow, all controlled and to her liking (even her chosen fiance the Viscount). She is precise, feels responsible for others, and certainly not anything like the young girl she use to be.
Mr Rafe Hartley, is a farmer who resides in Sydney Dovedale. He now knows who is father is and while he embraces that, he is very set in his ways with regards to not allowing his father to help in life. He is strong and proud, capable and handsome.
A few years ago these two decided impulsively to get married. Just before the marriage was consummated, Mercy's brother barged in an made sure that the wedding was stricken from both their lives. While Mercy carried on, Rafe always felt robbed of his right as a husband and what he wanted in life ... Mercy.
These two are reunited when Mercy's lady maid and BFF Molly decides to jilt Rafe at the alter because she wishes to live a different life. Somehow she manages to talk Mercy into breaking the bad news to Rafe and the fireworks start from there. The minute these two are reunited the banter starts, the sexual tension builds and their lives become ever changed.
It seems as the weeks go by, there is one thing or another keeping Mercy in town and Rafe clawing at her skirts. Mercy finds it harder and harder to bat him away just because he goes against all she has planned for her life. Bit by bit, her wall starts to crumble until they both find themselves under the pieces and quite liking it there.
Mercy impressed me wholeheartedly throughout this book. Like James, Jayne Fresina found a way for me to love this heroine. She sincerely cares for people and their welfare and it is evident through many actions she does around this small town. She is charming yet can be forceful and quite sharp tongued when she wants to be and she comes back at Rafe blow by blow and stands her ground.
Rafe is a doll. He can be stubborn and a little dim witted at times but he is so lovable. I think my fave thing within this story was the many names he had for Mercy within their banter. Let me give you a taste .... Mercy Fancy-Breeches, Lady Bossy-Breeches, Clever-Drawers, Lady Know-All, Frosty-Bottom, and Dainty-Breeches (think he has something of a liking to her underwear?? TEEHEE) Seriously reading all those made me chuckle!
I loved the build up of this story and to see how they turned out left me very satisfied. I enjoyed once again the secondary characters and the more I get into this series, the more investing I am in this town. I loved checking in with Sophie and Kane, James and Ellie and seeing how their lives together have developed.
So, although the first book was just okay for me, the second and third really came to play! I have added this series to a "must read" when the next one comes out. I am really hoping that Molly and Mercy's brother are paired together as they have the proper makings for a good read. If you are really into historical romance and like that added dash of humour than this is certainly for you. You do have to read the books in succession or I am afraid you just may miss out on too much information. I don't think I could of enjoyed them as much without reading them in order!
HAPPY READING!
June 1, 2013
Jane Fresina brings readers back to Sydney Dovedale as two characters first introduced in her previous book, The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne, have their own happily-ever-after.
Lady Mercy Danforthe is a managing woman, who does it so well few have cause to complain. The only time she had ever let rash action reign over reason was when she hastily agreed to marry Rafe Hartley as a young girl of seventeen, a marriage that was declared void by her brother’s intervention. In the five years since, she continued living the life of an aristocrat, though occasionally keeping an eye out for Rafe, such as when she masqueraded as an old woman to lend Rafe financial aid. Rafe has a farmer’s soul, despite attempts from his father to turn him into a more polished man. As such, he tries to stay away from the aristocracy, especially ladies like Lady Mercy. But alas, fate conspires against him when his intended bride (who is Lady Mercy’s maid, Molly Robbins) leaves him at the altar, and Lady Mercy is asked to “resolve the issue.” What does Rafe realize? That he needs precisely Lady Mercy to step in and do right by him.
Lady Mercy, sister of the Earl of Everscham, is the very epitome of noblesse oblige. She’s determined a course for herself as swiftly as she did for others, and voluntarily chosen to wed a boring man twice her age; preferring to devote her time to charities and the plights of unfortunate souls in the world, as well as matchmaking and giving advice to people. She’s sensible, practical, and unduly stubborn when she has a new goal in sight, but she is also understanding and determined to end Rafe’s self-imposed isolation from his loving family.
Rafe’s constant fighting with his family gives him an air of inelegance, as he’s always rebelled against the good wishes of his family due to some imagined inadequacy he feels. Mercy’s leadership arose from her brother’s inattention to her upbringing and her youthful loneliness, forcing her to confront and change the world rather than sitting forlorn in a corner, whereas Rafe just mopes and gets angry without intending any necessary action. He acts extremely childish for most of the book, pushing Mercy’s help away, yet persisting in slating his lust with her. It takes him a very long time to simply say, “I want to be a farmer,” instead of indulging in childish tantrums against his family without revealing his true intentions. I can’t say there is much love between Rafe and Mercy beyond simple lust, but their relationship does grow, albeit slowly, to the point Rafe exhibits some strengthening of character at the end of the story. Regardless, Lady Mercy Flirts With Scandal is a relatively engaging read, if one doesn’t require too much character and plot complexity.
And what will happen to Molly Robbins, now that she’s decided a life as a farmer’s life is not suited for her? Will she open up a dressmaking shop in London, and pursue a romance with Mercy’s brother, Carver? I’m looking forward to reading Molly’s story with Carver in the upcoming year!
*ARC via The Romance Reviews
Lady Mercy Danforthe is a managing woman, who does it so well few have cause to complain. The only time she had ever let rash action reign over reason was when she hastily agreed to marry Rafe Hartley as a young girl of seventeen, a marriage that was declared void by her brother’s intervention. In the five years since, she continued living the life of an aristocrat, though occasionally keeping an eye out for Rafe, such as when she masqueraded as an old woman to lend Rafe financial aid. Rafe has a farmer’s soul, despite attempts from his father to turn him into a more polished man. As such, he tries to stay away from the aristocracy, especially ladies like Lady Mercy. But alas, fate conspires against him when his intended bride (who is Lady Mercy’s maid, Molly Robbins) leaves him at the altar, and Lady Mercy is asked to “resolve the issue.” What does Rafe realize? That he needs precisely Lady Mercy to step in and do right by him.
Lady Mercy, sister of the Earl of Everscham, is the very epitome of noblesse oblige. She’s determined a course for herself as swiftly as she did for others, and voluntarily chosen to wed a boring man twice her age; preferring to devote her time to charities and the plights of unfortunate souls in the world, as well as matchmaking and giving advice to people. She’s sensible, practical, and unduly stubborn when she has a new goal in sight, but she is also understanding and determined to end Rafe’s self-imposed isolation from his loving family.
Rafe’s constant fighting with his family gives him an air of inelegance, as he’s always rebelled against the good wishes of his family due to some imagined inadequacy he feels. Mercy’s leadership arose from her brother’s inattention to her upbringing and her youthful loneliness, forcing her to confront and change the world rather than sitting forlorn in a corner, whereas Rafe just mopes and gets angry without intending any necessary action. He acts extremely childish for most of the book, pushing Mercy’s help away, yet persisting in slating his lust with her. It takes him a very long time to simply say, “I want to be a farmer,” instead of indulging in childish tantrums against his family without revealing his true intentions. I can’t say there is much love between Rafe and Mercy beyond simple lust, but their relationship does grow, albeit slowly, to the point Rafe exhibits some strengthening of character at the end of the story. Regardless, Lady Mercy Flirts With Scandal is a relatively engaging read, if one doesn’t require too much character and plot complexity.
And what will happen to Molly Robbins, now that she’s decided a life as a farmer’s life is not suited for her? Will she open up a dressmaking shop in London, and pursue a romance with Mercy’s brother, Carver? I’m looking forward to reading Molly’s story with Carver in the upcoming year!
*ARC via The Romance Reviews
June 24, 2013
LADY MERCY DANFORTHE FLIRTS WITH SCANDAL by Jayne Fresina is a Regency Historical Romance set in 1835 London. #3 in the Syndey Dovedale,but can be read as a stand alone,with re-appearing characters. Join Lady Mercy Danforthe and her ex-husband Rafe Hartley as they navigate their way from ex to passion and scandal. While, this story started out rather slow, it picks up after a few chapters. The characters are engaging,while Lady Mercy is a little self-centered,this is a fun,tale of scandal,mistakes and finding love. I enjoy this author's stories,but this one was a little slow to me and I had a hard time getting into the story. With that said, I do look forward to her next story. An interesting read!Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 3
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 3
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
March 30, 2013
Enjoyed this book as much as the last of the series. This authors books get better and better each one more witty than the last.I giggled out loud numerous times and couldn't put it down. I have to say it was the perfect vacation book
January 23, 2018
Me ha gustado mucho mas que el segundo. La verdad que el personaje de Mercy me ha encantado, su actitud, su desenvolvimiento durante la historia. Y Rafe ha sido genial. Los personajes del libro anterior la verdad que no destacaron para nada. De hecho, en cierta forma, parecen ser personajes completamente diferentes. Sigo sin querer leer el primero, porque sus peronajes hasta ahora no me han parecido del todo interesantes. Por otro lado, Lady Ursula ha sido igualmente destacable (debe ser por ese amor mio por viejas cascarrabias que siempre dicen lo que piensan). La verdad es que, a pesar que me ha tomado su tiempo terminar el libro, me ha mantenido entretenida y enganchada a la historia. Y definitivamente quiero leer el siguiente, porque esta cosa entre Molly Robbins y Carver me tiene de puntas.
July 26, 2014
(Originally posted on doingsomereading.wordpress.com)
Okay, where should I start? What is there to say about Lady Mercy Danforthe and Rafe Hartley? I just got to say this was the first book I’ve read from Ms. Jayne Fresina, even though I have her Sydney Doverdale #2 book The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne on my TBR shelf for 5 months now (I know~ FIVE MONTHS!!!). I for some reason, haven’t gotten to it and jumped to the 3rd book instead. Which I thought was Amazing~ Because now I can go back to book 2 and read up on one of my favorite couple, who plays a great role in this fabulous little book ;)
Lady Mercy Danforthe is a matchmaker who thinks she can help with anyone and everyone who asks of her or not. She always has a plan and they better go her way or she’ll have to make it go her way. She lives on the finer side of life and if anything goes amiss or gets out of place she’ll fix it; even if it’s a little speck of dirt or crack in the wall, she will get it fixed and be done with. She has a hot mouth for opinion and thought men useless. Although she’s engaged to a Viscount, she’ll do things her way and things in order- I mean, she did get her Viscount to proposed to her- so she’ll manage. There is only one thing that stands in her way unfortunately, Rafe Hartley, her ex-husband and her one and only mistake! But not for long, she’s determined to find him a bride~ and banish him from her life forever!
Rafe, an illegitimate son, wants nothing but to be a farmer even if his father wants nothing of it but for him to be the gentleman he was wanted to be and have a posting job at the offices in London. A wild child and rogue seen by many, he was still much loved and liked, and acknowledged, as the son of a well admire aristocratic of the town. When news came calling, in the form of the Little Miss Danforthe Brat, to tell him he was jilted at the alter, TWICE now, he meant to have his way once and for all no matter what. Someone needs to teach little Miss Know It All to keep her nose out of people’s business. How better to do that then to mess with her little head and get him the wedding night he deserves, she does owe him that first of all for running out on him at his first wedding.
I absolutely love this book!! I was drawn right into it from the first line.
“I have only one use for an overly proud cock.”
I mean hello~ if that didn’t catch you attention then what does!? I was already giggling grinning because what can come after that verse. :D It was highly enjoyable. I loved both the characters and they both really, and I mean really, have a strong personality and character. Although the little info I gave might give you a different picture of who they are, I think I’m just not good at introducing them.
But because of their strong personalities and opinions, they always argue :( But they’re amazing arguments and I love it when they argue and bicker! :D All of their sexual tension and vibes are there and ready to take aim and throw and punch and mingle and tangle and blahhlalalala. It’s just AWESOME! XD
Oh and that great sexy excerpt I gave not to long ago fit right in ;D
But both of these characters have a lot of flaws and had to get through and overcome a lot to get to their HEA. It was an amazing experience and I do not know what to say next…. They each had a past that haunted them in some form and it was nice to see how that effected who they were and how their relationship clashed. But it was also great to see them break that barrier and to come to understand and learn from each other to bring their relationship to a HEA~!
I was really surprise to see that our hero, Rafe, was the first to see that he would do anything to get his love even if she didn’t see it. His love was pure and true even though she broke him down, many a times, and degrade him because of his class, he still tried to get it in her little miss perfect mind that they can break that barrier. I just couldn’t help but adore him~ even when he got frustrated I couldn’t be angry at him for long.
Miss Mercy on the other hand I just couldn’t help but me frustrated and mixed with her. I love that she tried to help Rafe back on his feet after the cancelled wedding but can’t help but always hate it when brought up his “commonness“. Sure it really picks a punch during an argument but man, that really stings to the ears of someone that loves you. I also love that she tried to stay out of scandal for her Viscount’s sake and to her reputation but that is never easy. She also manages to act before she thinks, and wow, sometimes I just think her naive, which I liked when she brought that up upon herself but still, through all her secret rendezvous with Rafe she not thought once of her Viscount! That just gave me pause and troubled me. Poor Viscount. But they had to get their HEA you know and everything worked out after all. But it’s all good, no worries, I’m happy now, I just needed to get that off my chest.
So, I will tell you, I smiled, laughed, giggled, got mad and angry all along with these two characters throughout the book and it was a great~ pleasure. The last scene/pages of the book got me shivering with excitement and giggling like a lunatic that I had to read it over just to experience and laugh all over again before I was truly finish with the book.
Ms. Fresina did a fabulous job setting up the story and the characters that I couldn’t help but want to see more of them. They were a witty bomb shell of sexual tension that needed to get under the covers and thrash about each other like wonton wild beings. I highly enjoyed it.
This ARC was kindly provided by SourceBook Casablanca
Okay, where should I start? What is there to say about Lady Mercy Danforthe and Rafe Hartley? I just got to say this was the first book I’ve read from Ms. Jayne Fresina, even though I have her Sydney Doverdale #2 book The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne on my TBR shelf for 5 months now (I know~ FIVE MONTHS!!!). I for some reason, haven’t gotten to it and jumped to the 3rd book instead. Which I thought was Amazing~ Because now I can go back to book 2 and read up on one of my favorite couple, who plays a great role in this fabulous little book ;)
Lady Mercy Danforthe is a matchmaker who thinks she can help with anyone and everyone who asks of her or not. She always has a plan and they better go her way or she’ll have to make it go her way. She lives on the finer side of life and if anything goes amiss or gets out of place she’ll fix it; even if it’s a little speck of dirt or crack in the wall, she will get it fixed and be done with. She has a hot mouth for opinion and thought men useless. Although she’s engaged to a Viscount, she’ll do things her way and things in order- I mean, she did get her Viscount to proposed to her- so she’ll manage. There is only one thing that stands in her way unfortunately, Rafe Hartley, her ex-husband and her one and only mistake! But not for long, she’s determined to find him a bride~ and banish him from her life forever!
Rafe, an illegitimate son, wants nothing but to be a farmer even if his father wants nothing of it but for him to be the gentleman he was wanted to be and have a posting job at the offices in London. A wild child and rogue seen by many, he was still much loved and liked, and acknowledged, as the son of a well admire aristocratic of the town. When news came calling, in the form of the Little Miss Danforthe Brat, to tell him he was jilted at the alter, TWICE now, he meant to have his way once and for all no matter what. Someone needs to teach little Miss Know It All to keep her nose out of people’s business. How better to do that then to mess with her little head and get him the wedding night he deserves, she does owe him that first of all for running out on him at his first wedding.
I absolutely love this book!! I was drawn right into it from the first line.
“I have only one use for an overly proud cock.”
I mean hello~ if that didn’t catch you attention then what does!? I was already giggling grinning because what can come after that verse. :D It was highly enjoyable. I loved both the characters and they both really, and I mean really, have a strong personality and character. Although the little info I gave might give you a different picture of who they are, I think I’m just not good at introducing them.
But because of their strong personalities and opinions, they always argue :( But they’re amazing arguments and I love it when they argue and bicker! :D All of their sexual tension and vibes are there and ready to take aim and throw and punch and mingle and tangle and blahhlalalala. It’s just AWESOME! XD
Oh and that great sexy excerpt I gave not to long ago fit right in ;D
But both of these characters have a lot of flaws and had to get through and overcome a lot to get to their HEA. It was an amazing experience and I do not know what to say next…. They each had a past that haunted them in some form and it was nice to see how that effected who they were and how their relationship clashed. But it was also great to see them break that barrier and to come to understand and learn from each other to bring their relationship to a HEA~!
I was really surprise to see that our hero, Rafe, was the first to see that he would do anything to get his love even if she didn’t see it. His love was pure and true even though she broke him down, many a times, and degrade him because of his class, he still tried to get it in her little miss perfect mind that they can break that barrier. I just couldn’t help but adore him~ even when he got frustrated I couldn’t be angry at him for long.
Miss Mercy on the other hand I just couldn’t help but me frustrated and mixed with her. I love that she tried to help Rafe back on his feet after the cancelled wedding but can’t help but always hate it when brought up his “commonness“. Sure it really picks a punch during an argument but man, that really stings to the ears of someone that loves you. I also love that she tried to stay out of scandal for her Viscount’s sake and to her reputation but that is never easy. She also manages to act before she thinks, and wow, sometimes I just think her naive, which I liked when she brought that up upon herself but still, through all her secret rendezvous with Rafe she not thought once of her Viscount! That just gave me pause and troubled me. Poor Viscount. But they had to get their HEA you know and everything worked out after all. But it’s all good, no worries, I’m happy now, I just needed to get that off my chest.
So, I will tell you, I smiled, laughed, giggled, got mad and angry all along with these two characters throughout the book and it was a great~ pleasure. The last scene/pages of the book got me shivering with excitement and giggling like a lunatic that I had to read it over just to experience and laugh all over again before I was truly finish with the book.
Ms. Fresina did a fabulous job setting up the story and the characters that I couldn’t help but want to see more of them. They were a witty bomb shell of sexual tension that needed to get under the covers and thrash about each other like wonton wild beings. I highly enjoyed it.
This ARC was kindly provided by SourceBook Casablanca
February 16, 2015
A lighthearted read, which I rated 4.5! Taken from my review at Romancejunkies.com
Rafe Hartley, the illegitimate son of James Hartley and known for his charm as well as his temper, loves working the land and the village of Sydney Dovedale in the Norfolk countryside, where he once lived with his uncle and aunt. Being down to earth, he has no room in his life for ‘fancifications.’ Until twelve years ago, Rafe’s father had known nothing about him, unaware that he had impregnated Rafe’s mother, a house maid. He had tried to find peace with his father by studying law and going into the family business, no matter how much he detested it. But unable to stand it any longer, he quit his studies and his post as a clerk in a barrister’s office. Instead he turned to boxing to make a living rather than return home and face his father’s disappointment. As a boxer, he was under contract to his landlord so he could pay off his friend Pyke’s rent debt. He thought his activities were a secret so he was startled to discover that an elderly lady, who he knows as Lady Blunt, has purchased his contract. However, she does not want him to box; she wants him to go home and make peace with his father.
Rafe had been married once, but she left him after a matter of hours upon the arrival of her brother, an earl who had the marriage annulled. He is engaged to marry Molly, who had left Sydney Dovedale to be a lady’s maid to Lady Mercy Danforthe, the woman he had previously married and now considers a thorn in his side.
Lady Mercy Danforthe, a successful matchmaker and the sister of the wealthy Earl of Everscham, feels it is her duty to help those less fortunate or in need, so she spends a great deal of her time organizing the lives of her family and friends, always certain she is right. She is now engaged to Viscount Grey, a man who has been out of the country. But she cannot deny her desire for Rafe. To her way of thinking, she has only ever made one mistake…marrying Rafe. To her mind, he was way beneath her, but she could not deny her desire for him and the way he made her feel.
On Rafe and Molly’s wedding day, he arrives at the church to discover that his bride-to-be is backing out of their marriage and the one to deliver the news is Lady Mercy, who he considers responsible for all of his misfortune. After costing him two brides, he believes that Mercy needs to be taught a lesson and he still hasn’t had his wedding night. What will happen when he discovers that his generous benefactress, Lady Blunt, is none other than Lady Mercy in disguise, the woman he considers his wife, despite their annulment?
A lighthearted read, LADY MERCY DANFORTHE FLIRTS WITH SCANDAL, the third book in talented author Jayne Fresina’s SYDNEY DOVEDALE series, is a humorous, sexy historical romance. From the very first line, readers will be drawn into this story. Rafe and Mercy’s strong personalities and the sexual tension between them often results in the two quarreling, when it does not end up in intimacy. Anyone who has read the second book in this series, THE WICKED WEDDING OF MISS ELLIE VYNE, may remember Mercy who was a young girl in that book and she has not changed much in ways since then. She is still opinionated and takes matters into her own hands. In fact, I’m not sure that I even liked her at the beginning of the story, but she grew on me as the story unfolded and I realized the reasons for her actions. LADY MERCY DANFORTHE FLIRTS WITH SCANDAL can be read as a standalone, but for further insight into the series, I advise also reading the two previous books, including the first book, THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE. Brimming with humor, subterfuge, sexual tension, interesting characters, including a few quirky secondary characters, explosive romance, scandal and true love, this story is pure enjoyment. Do not miss it!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Rafe Hartley, the illegitimate son of James Hartley and known for his charm as well as his temper, loves working the land and the village of Sydney Dovedale in the Norfolk countryside, where he once lived with his uncle and aunt. Being down to earth, he has no room in his life for ‘fancifications.’ Until twelve years ago, Rafe’s father had known nothing about him, unaware that he had impregnated Rafe’s mother, a house maid. He had tried to find peace with his father by studying law and going into the family business, no matter how much he detested it. But unable to stand it any longer, he quit his studies and his post as a clerk in a barrister’s office. Instead he turned to boxing to make a living rather than return home and face his father’s disappointment. As a boxer, he was under contract to his landlord so he could pay off his friend Pyke’s rent debt. He thought his activities were a secret so he was startled to discover that an elderly lady, who he knows as Lady Blunt, has purchased his contract. However, she does not want him to box; she wants him to go home and make peace with his father.
Rafe had been married once, but she left him after a matter of hours upon the arrival of her brother, an earl who had the marriage annulled. He is engaged to marry Molly, who had left Sydney Dovedale to be a lady’s maid to Lady Mercy Danforthe, the woman he had previously married and now considers a thorn in his side.
Lady Mercy Danforthe, a successful matchmaker and the sister of the wealthy Earl of Everscham, feels it is her duty to help those less fortunate or in need, so she spends a great deal of her time organizing the lives of her family and friends, always certain she is right. She is now engaged to Viscount Grey, a man who has been out of the country. But she cannot deny her desire for Rafe. To her way of thinking, she has only ever made one mistake…marrying Rafe. To her mind, he was way beneath her, but she could not deny her desire for him and the way he made her feel.
On Rafe and Molly’s wedding day, he arrives at the church to discover that his bride-to-be is backing out of their marriage and the one to deliver the news is Lady Mercy, who he considers responsible for all of his misfortune. After costing him two brides, he believes that Mercy needs to be taught a lesson and he still hasn’t had his wedding night. What will happen when he discovers that his generous benefactress, Lady Blunt, is none other than Lady Mercy in disguise, the woman he considers his wife, despite their annulment?
A lighthearted read, LADY MERCY DANFORTHE FLIRTS WITH SCANDAL, the third book in talented author Jayne Fresina’s SYDNEY DOVEDALE series, is a humorous, sexy historical romance. From the very first line, readers will be drawn into this story. Rafe and Mercy’s strong personalities and the sexual tension between them often results in the two quarreling, when it does not end up in intimacy. Anyone who has read the second book in this series, THE WICKED WEDDING OF MISS ELLIE VYNE, may remember Mercy who was a young girl in that book and she has not changed much in ways since then. She is still opinionated and takes matters into her own hands. In fact, I’m not sure that I even liked her at the beginning of the story, but she grew on me as the story unfolded and I realized the reasons for her actions. LADY MERCY DANFORTHE FLIRTS WITH SCANDAL can be read as a standalone, but for further insight into the series, I advise also reading the two previous books, including the first book, THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE. Brimming with humor, subterfuge, sexual tension, interesting characters, including a few quirky secondary characters, explosive romance, scandal and true love, this story is pure enjoyment. Do not miss it!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
June 9, 2013
Posted on What I'm Reading
I finished Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal by Jayne Fresina. Let me just say, I did enjoyed the book, but I had a hard time getting into the story. So, through the book I was trying to put my finger on why? Then it dawned on me, I didn't really like Lady Mercy. Now you are probably wondering, why? Let me explain:
As I said, I didn't really care for Lady Mercy, well, it all stems from The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne. This is where I first encounter Lady Mercy, granted she was an obnoxious twelve year with an opinion about everything. Granted that doesn't change very much in ten years, she's still opinionated about everything and believes she knows what's best for everyone. She's believes she knows what's best for Rafe Hartley.
So, Rafe and Mercy have an animosity towards each other which borders on something I'm not sure. The crazy thing is their relationship kind of models Rafe's father James Hartley, and his step-mother Ellie. Which I didn't notice until towards the end of the story. So, if you have read The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne, you will notice some similarities. I guess chasing after obstinate women must run in the family.
Overall, it's a whimsical read. Basically, light and fun and is just pure entertaining. Yes, Rafe and Mercy are older and still fight like cats and dogs, but they it's a fun read. So, if you are looking for something light, I would suggest Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal. Plus, it has the feel of the other stories, which is important in a series. I'm just curious about what's going to happen with her Lady Mercy's brother. Now that should be interesting.
Copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley
I finished Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal by Jayne Fresina. Let me just say, I did enjoyed the book, but I had a hard time getting into the story. So, through the book I was trying to put my finger on why? Then it dawned on me, I didn't really like Lady Mercy. Now you are probably wondering, why? Let me explain:
As I said, I didn't really care for Lady Mercy, well, it all stems from The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne. This is where I first encounter Lady Mercy, granted she was an obnoxious twelve year with an opinion about everything. Granted that doesn't change very much in ten years, she's still opinionated about everything and believes she knows what's best for everyone. She's believes she knows what's best for Rafe Hartley.
So, Rafe and Mercy have an animosity towards each other which borders on something I'm not sure. The crazy thing is their relationship kind of models Rafe's father James Hartley, and his step-mother Ellie. Which I didn't notice until towards the end of the story. So, if you have read The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne, you will notice some similarities. I guess chasing after obstinate women must run in the family.
Overall, it's a whimsical read. Basically, light and fun and is just pure entertaining. Yes, Rafe and Mercy are older and still fight like cats and dogs, but they it's a fun read. So, if you are looking for something light, I would suggest Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal. Plus, it has the feel of the other stories, which is important in a series. I'm just curious about what's going to happen with her Lady Mercy's brother. Now that should be interesting.
Copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley
July 4, 2013
Loved this! Found the heroine charming, if occasionally unable to get out of her own way! Rafe was tough and probably just as bossy as her, although he couldn't see it. I think they made a wonderful couple and I was cheering for them by the end.
June 19, 2024
I loved this book! As a fanatic of historical romances I really, really loved how this books was written. For some, Lady mercy Danforthe may appear as an overbearing, know-it-all, meddlesome young woman with priviledge and wealth trying so hard to dictate the life of her (ex)husband. Yet for me, it was exactly what made her character so witty. She wasn't dull with all her meddling, not at all. Everything was funny, up until the last chapter and I really enjoyed it. I love Lady Ursula too! She's a really comical character to remember. I finished it in 2 days, and overall it was a great read!
March 8, 2025
3.25 stars
Ngl I was not a fan of the hero at first and the tantrums. Him throwing out and crashing the plates I’m the presence of the heroine almost had me dnfing this.
I liked him much better when he finally got over himself and started pursuing her instead of pushing her away at every single turn
Heroine wanting hero only for his body bc she’s denying her feelings for him and hero dying to marry heroine and is heartbroken by her actions has to be top 5 tropes
Ngl I was not a fan of the hero at first and the tantrums. Him throwing out and crashing the plates I’m the presence of the heroine almost had me dnfing this.
I liked him much better when he finally got over himself and started pursuing her instead of pushing her away at every single turn
Heroine wanting hero only for his body bc she’s denying her feelings for him and hero dying to marry heroine and is heartbroken by her actions has to be top 5 tropes
October 4, 2018
I'm honestly not sure I actually finished the book before it was returned. Neither main character were particularly likeable. I may have finished it because I didn't have anything else that was more appealing available at the time.
October 1, 2018
I loved this book so much. i loved the characters and their addiction to each other. It was a light, fun, and story.
January 21, 2025
Not bad. Had some funny moments.
June 17, 2013
Aside from the inexplicable and rather lame title, I found myself interested in the premise of Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts With Scandal. While I found the writing to be relatively engaging, and it does make for a quick read, at times, I felt like I was reading a contemporary romance masquerading as a historical.
Lady Mercy Danforthe is a no-nonsense and practical woman. Once having been married (or nearly so) to Rafe Hartley, she is the one who has to break the bad news to him that his fiancé has run off. Proud is one the many adjectives one could use to describe Rafe Hartley, and he does not take the news coming from Mercy very well at all. Mercy offers to help him find a new bride if his wayward fiancé does not return to him. In many instances, Mercy acts more like Rafe’s mother or an older sister than she does a former wife. In my eyes, this did detract from the story because as much as I like a nurturing heroine or hero, it played havoc with the dynamic of the romance in the novel.
As much as I had issues with the romance, I did enjoy how the author crafted the characters. Both Mercy and Rafe have their own flaws, each is unwilling to admit past wrongs and I found that to be a very realistic choice when it came to how they interacted with one another. There also was quite a bit of “filler” regarding the town of Sydney Dovedale. While the novel tries to give you a look at the different townspeople, I found these parts to be somewhat tedious and boring. The names that Rafe gives Mercy like “bossy-britches” or “bossy-drawers”, I would’ve have liked to have seen excised completely. While the nicknames were demonstrably used to illustrate affection, exasperation, or irritation, frankly, it got a little tiresome at how often they were used.
One subplot that I found more engrossing than the romance at hand was the relationship between Rafe and his father. Having been raised by his uncle, he only becomes aware of his father when he’s pretty much an adult. Both of them try very hard in different ways to please the other, only to keep falling short of expectations. I thought their frustration and willingness to try to please was very well written, and I really loved when the book focused on their relationship, however briefly. For me, the romance was amicable, if not all that exciting. I liked both main characters, but I found some of the above mentioned flaws to be distracting from the narrative.
- Ronnie
Lady Mercy Danforthe is a no-nonsense and practical woman. Once having been married (or nearly so) to Rafe Hartley, she is the one who has to break the bad news to him that his fiancé has run off. Proud is one the many adjectives one could use to describe Rafe Hartley, and he does not take the news coming from Mercy very well at all. Mercy offers to help him find a new bride if his wayward fiancé does not return to him. In many instances, Mercy acts more like Rafe’s mother or an older sister than she does a former wife. In my eyes, this did detract from the story because as much as I like a nurturing heroine or hero, it played havoc with the dynamic of the romance in the novel.
As much as I had issues with the romance, I did enjoy how the author crafted the characters. Both Mercy and Rafe have their own flaws, each is unwilling to admit past wrongs and I found that to be a very realistic choice when it came to how they interacted with one another. There also was quite a bit of “filler” regarding the town of Sydney Dovedale. While the novel tries to give you a look at the different townspeople, I found these parts to be somewhat tedious and boring. The names that Rafe gives Mercy like “bossy-britches” or “bossy-drawers”, I would’ve have liked to have seen excised completely. While the nicknames were demonstrably used to illustrate affection, exasperation, or irritation, frankly, it got a little tiresome at how often they were used.
One subplot that I found more engrossing than the romance at hand was the relationship between Rafe and his father. Having been raised by his uncle, he only becomes aware of his father when he’s pretty much an adult. Both of them try very hard in different ways to please the other, only to keep falling short of expectations. I thought their frustration and willingness to try to please was very well written, and I really loved when the book focused on their relationship, however briefly. For me, the romance was amicable, if not all that exciting. I liked both main characters, but I found some of the above mentioned flaws to be distracting from the narrative.
- Ronnie
October 29, 2013
Reviewed by Allison
Book provided by NetGalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
Review: Fancy breeches. The Danforth Brat. Not exactly the sentiments a woman wants to hear from the man she secretly loves. Thus part of the the conflict between the hero and heroine in Lady Mercy Danforth Flirts With Scandal.
Lady Mercy Danforth and Mr. Rafe Hartley ran away to Gretna Green and were married five years ago. But her brother and guardian swooped in and took her away before the marriage was consummated, so they are now exes. However, Mercy can’t help herself from meddling in Rafe’s life, and pretends to be an elderly woman who becomes his benefactress. Hidden beneath layers of heavy black veils and mourning clothes, Rafe has no idea the woman he looks up to is his ex-wife. She encourages him to return to his home village and be married to a young woman he’s been courting (Mercy’s own lady’s maid). But when Molly refuses to marry him because she wants to set up a dress shop, Mercy goes to Rafe’s small village to try and get them back together.
Mercy settles in to life in the small village and begins bossing everyone…er, guiding people to do what (she thinks) is best for them. She wants order in her own life, and can’t see why no one else feels the same way. Mercy holds herself to strict guidelines on a straight and narrow path, never daring to stray off it as her mother did, which ultimately led to an untimely death. This is the conflict Mercy struggles with – she has set her path and is so afraid of taking a chance on the man she really loves because therein lies the unknown, and what could be a devastating heartbreak.
Rafe has been angry at Mercy for all these years – he was cheated out of a wedding night, plus from his point of view, she willingly left him. He feels he wasn’t enough for her, that she would much rather be surrounded by all the things her money can buy, rather than the life he could give her. Rafe was the product of an illegitimate birth, and although his father would willingly give him money and a comfortable life, he’s stubborn and wants to make his own way as a farmer.
While this is a good story, with plenty of humor, it did tend to be slow in several places. The author has a humorous voice, and I liked how she took modern sayings and made them old-fashioned to fit the time period. An example of this is: Pull up your garters (put on your big girl panties and deal with it).
Book provided by NetGalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
Review: Fancy breeches. The Danforth Brat. Not exactly the sentiments a woman wants to hear from the man she secretly loves. Thus part of the the conflict between the hero and heroine in Lady Mercy Danforth Flirts With Scandal.
Lady Mercy Danforth and Mr. Rafe Hartley ran away to Gretna Green and were married five years ago. But her brother and guardian swooped in and took her away before the marriage was consummated, so they are now exes. However, Mercy can’t help herself from meddling in Rafe’s life, and pretends to be an elderly woman who becomes his benefactress. Hidden beneath layers of heavy black veils and mourning clothes, Rafe has no idea the woman he looks up to is his ex-wife. She encourages him to return to his home village and be married to a young woman he’s been courting (Mercy’s own lady’s maid). But when Molly refuses to marry him because she wants to set up a dress shop, Mercy goes to Rafe’s small village to try and get them back together.
Mercy settles in to life in the small village and begins bossing everyone…er, guiding people to do what (she thinks) is best for them. She wants order in her own life, and can’t see why no one else feels the same way. Mercy holds herself to strict guidelines on a straight and narrow path, never daring to stray off it as her mother did, which ultimately led to an untimely death. This is the conflict Mercy struggles with – she has set her path and is so afraid of taking a chance on the man she really loves because therein lies the unknown, and what could be a devastating heartbreak.
Rafe has been angry at Mercy for all these years – he was cheated out of a wedding night, plus from his point of view, she willingly left him. He feels he wasn’t enough for her, that she would much rather be surrounded by all the things her money can buy, rather than the life he could give her. Rafe was the product of an illegitimate birth, and although his father would willingly give him money and a comfortable life, he’s stubborn and wants to make his own way as a farmer.
While this is a good story, with plenty of humor, it did tend to be slow in several places. The author has a humorous voice, and I liked how she took modern sayings and made them old-fashioned to fit the time period. An example of this is: Pull up your garters (put on your big girl panties and deal with it).
March 17, 2014
Jayne FresinaThis book was really hilarious and has the quirky characters. Lady Mercy was a pain the butt at 10 but she mellowed some in her old age. She thinks everything and everyone should be organized, clean, neat and always do as she says. Mercy does do for others in need but she doesn't go about nicely. She has a big heart in her organized and careful world. Rafe is a illegitimate son and doesn't want anything from is rich dad. He says, "if can fill out my pants then I can fill its pockets!" He has grown up between 2 world and he likes working with his hands. Rafe got married in Gretna Green and is bride was Lady Mercy at the age of 17. Her brother, the earl, had it annulled. Now Rafe is going to the altar to marry Miss Robbins, but she flees and makes Mercy tell him. He blames her and she blames him for messed up her orderly life. Rafe has never got over her leaving him on their wedding night. Mercy is engaged to a man who never interrupts when she talks so he is a perfect husband in her mind. This story is like watching two jungle cats circling each other looking for the weak spot to go in for the kill. Rafe tempts and Mercy fights it. I love all the names they call one another. This is the second book I have read by Jayne Fresina and I must say her books keep getting better. I give this book 4 fingers up and 7 toes.
July 13, 2013
Character driven romance with a simple plot.
After reading so many romance novels, I find I truly appreciate when authors attempt to rite a unique, difficult to like and yet still likable character.
The heroine is a control freak and as irritating as she can be, she also made me laugh (like: one of the reasons she chose the a certain man to be her husband is because his coloring went with her home décor). It is absurd to try and control everything and everyone (my husband is a bit of a control freak, so I understand and happen to love one of those types). The author does a reasonably good job of showing why the heroine needs to feel in control.
The hero is chaos to the heroine's control. She is both attracted to and repelled by that force. So, she behaves hot and cold with him, not understating why she needs to help him but also needs to drive him away.
The hero is less defined, but then he is chaos. He knows he is the antithesis of what the heroine wants in her life. But on some level, he knows she needs him to bust her out of her rigid shell.
The middle sagged a bit, which tends to happen with long novels (don't know if it's a word count issues to meet the publisher's expectations or a writer too love with the story to hack out the slow parts).
Anyway, loved all three of the books in this series. Sidney Dovedale sounds like a nice place to life.
After reading so many romance novels, I find I truly appreciate when authors attempt to rite a unique, difficult to like and yet still likable character.
The heroine is a control freak and as irritating as she can be, she also made me laugh (like: one of the reasons she chose the a certain man to be her husband is because his coloring went with her home décor). It is absurd to try and control everything and everyone (my husband is a bit of a control freak, so I understand and happen to love one of those types). The author does a reasonably good job of showing why the heroine needs to feel in control.
The hero is chaos to the heroine's control. She is both attracted to and repelled by that force. So, she behaves hot and cold with him, not understating why she needs to help him but also needs to drive him away.
The hero is less defined, but then he is chaos. He knows he is the antithesis of what the heroine wants in her life. But on some level, he knows she needs him to bust her out of her rigid shell.
The middle sagged a bit, which tends to happen with long novels (don't know if it's a word count issues to meet the publisher's expectations or a writer too love with the story to hack out the slow parts).
Anyway, loved all three of the books in this series. Sidney Dovedale sounds like a nice place to life.
November 20, 2015
Things I liked about this novel: The hero, the heroine, their fights and sniping, their steamy coitus interruptus scenes. Things I didn't like: Damn near everything and everyone else. From the moment the original bride skips out on the wedding (and she was a character I liked in the second book!) to the closing scene where the OTP get the HEA, I really only wanted to read the scenes where they interacted. Everyone else, including the characters from the past two novels, were either hateful, annoying, bland, or useless, or a disappointing combination of those traits. And the underlying weird plot line of Rafe being a boxer whose benefactress was an old lady really set my teeth on edge. I feel like Fresina does a fine job fleshing out her main characters but everyone else is very two-dimensional and unlikable -- even when you liked them before! I'm still going to finish the series since there is only one book left, and I feel like Molly's character needs some redemption from her treatment here.
November 4, 2015
I was looking forward to reading this book because Lady Mercy & Rafe Hartley both where in the previous book "The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne". With this book it took a while for me to get into it because of my growing dislike for Lady Mercy. In the beginning I was only irritated with Lady Mercy. The way she would call Rafe young man & treat him as if he were a child when she was 3 years younger then him. I know that some people are more mature then others but I thought her attitude a bit much. The more I read the more I really started to dislike her.
I'm glad I stuck it out because eventually I began to see that she really had good intentions. Jayne Fresina shed light on her good deeds & the reasons behind her controlling attitude. The banner between Mercy & Rafe was enjoyable. Over all I enjoyed this book. I'm hoping the next book will be enjoyable as well. I'm looking forward to reading Molly & Carver's story.
I'm glad I stuck it out because eventually I began to see that she really had good intentions. Jayne Fresina shed light on her good deeds & the reasons behind her controlling attitude. The banner between Mercy & Rafe was enjoyable. Over all I enjoyed this book. I'm hoping the next book will be enjoyable as well. I'm looking forward to reading Molly & Carver's story.
Read
March 28, 2013Okay, I'm going to be honest. I didn't finish this book. I got about a quarter of the way through and I just couldn't do it. Lady Mercy was not a nice character and she made me very upset with her within that first quarter of the book, so I decided not to go on.
I don't know if it's something about the author's style that I isn't working for me because I haven't absolutely loved any of her books. So, I'm going to take a long break from her books and see if I can go back to them.
Now, there were a few things about this book that were promising, namely the love interest that Mercy was so determined to push on someone else. So, I may have been able to like the book. But Mercy was not a character I was able to deal with.
So, since I didn't finish this book, I won't rate it. But I didn't like it at all.
I don't know if it's something about the author's style that I isn't working for me because I haven't absolutely loved any of her books. So, I'm going to take a long break from her books and see if I can go back to them.
Now, there were a few things about this book that were promising, namely the love interest that Mercy was so determined to push on someone else. So, I may have been able to like the book. But Mercy was not a character I was able to deal with.
So, since I didn't finish this book, I won't rate it. But I didn't like it at all.
June 13, 2013
Lady Mercy was the annoying brat from book 2, and Rafe still calls her that, brat. Two people that are so wrong for each other, that they just might be right for each other.
Lady Mercy loves order, and to play around with other people's lives. But she is sweet, in her own way. She just wants things to be perfect.
Rafe is all the things she is not. He can be messy, does not care what people think and does what he wants too. Kind of Lady meets the tramp (if we make the tramp a farmer.) But the attraction is there, beneath the annoyance they feel for each other.
I would not call it an easy love story. He calls her brat and all kind of things. She wants him to find happiness with someone else. They argue, then they yell, then they kiss. Love can sure be found in all places and these two will fight it to the bitter end.
An amusing tale that I read fast.
Lady Mercy loves order, and to play around with other people's lives. But she is sweet, in her own way. She just wants things to be perfect.
Rafe is all the things she is not. He can be messy, does not care what people think and does what he wants too. Kind of Lady meets the tramp (if we make the tramp a farmer.) But the attraction is there, beneath the annoyance they feel for each other.
I would not call it an easy love story. He calls her brat and all kind of things. She wants him to find happiness with someone else. They argue, then they yell, then they kiss. Love can sure be found in all places and these two will fight it to the bitter end.
An amusing tale that I read fast.
November 3, 2013
Reading this book was enjoyable. I just thought it would be unrealistic for an ex-wife to be the matchmaker to her former husband. I would read more from this author.
Follow me!
Follow me!
July 2, 2013
I really liked the two books before this one in the series, not so much this one. It was okay, but I won't be rereading it. Even though it takes place 10 years after the last one I don't feel as if the characters grew any in this book. We met both Rate and Mercy when they were just 12 and 10 years old and they were brats, more so Mercy. I actually didn't like Mercy as a little girl so I wasn't sure how I was going to find her as an adult. She was still a brat and I didn't care for her. Rate was just as bad with all the name calling. I mean act your age for cripe's sake. It was nice to see both Sophie and Ellie as mothers.
January 4, 2014
Having read the previous Miss Ellie book, with Mercy and Rafe as children, I was eagerly looking forward to this one. But they are harder to like as adults, with Rafe not having grown up and Mercy controlling every situation. Their past, with their short lived marriage was a good premise, but it just didn't have the same magic as the previous book (Rafe's dad and step-mother) for me. Plus, Mercy didn't just flirt with scandal! She courted it. I did love the interplay between her and Rafe's stickler of a grandmother, though. Funny stuff in a book with not as many laughs.
February 15, 2016
Honestly, after the first few chapters I almost didn't even bother picking this book back up, I was so annoyed with Mercy as a heroine. She was just too naïve or underwritten. But I forced myself to keep going, and by about Chapter 5/6 I decided that the developing romance between Rafe and Mercy (and their history) was worth seeing to an end. However I still have issues with the OCDness of Mercy and the "explanations" given for it. And how clearly the author tried to make the class differences between Rafe and Mercy. Not sure if it's worth the read, but I have started the next in the series.
July 6, 2013
I started off not sure if I would like Mercy. She seemed a bit too meddlesome in the beginning. But as the story progressed, I understood her much more. Toward the end I wasn't sure if Rafe and Mercy would ever find a way to get together! LOL Of course they did. I'm so looking forward to the next book.
November 9, 2013
This was a good read! I enjoyed this book. It kept me interested. I would like to read more books by this Author. She did a good job with this book, and I am sure that her style will show up in anything else that she writes! I recommend her! Lady Mercy is a great character, and I want to rad more of her antics! :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews