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Regency Royal #18
The Loves of Lord Granton
As the youngest of four unmarried vicar's daughters, Frederica feared her destiny was to die of boredom in the sleepy village of Barton Sub Edge. Her looks were deemed unfortunate and her wilful manner label her difficult. She never dreamt the arrival of a stranger would be a twist to her fate.
But Frederica and the wordily gentleman from the city, Lord Granton had something in common: boredom. So it was that the two formed a secret friendship. Frederica lived vicariously through his many tales of adventure while he found a delightful respite from the simpering females thrown his way.
When had their summer idyll turned so simply to love? When had a country miss become such a breathtaking lady? And what the devil was a certified rogue who was much too old for her going to do about it?
But Frederica and the wordily gentleman from the city, Lord Granton had something in common: boredom. So it was that the two formed a secret friendship. Frederica lived vicariously through his many tales of adventure while he found a delightful respite from the simpering females thrown his way.
When had their summer idyll turned so simply to love? When had a country miss become such a breathtaking lady? And what the devil was a certified rogue who was much too old for her going to do about it?
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 1996
56 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
144 books758 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 44 reviews
July 11, 2017
Frederica Hadley is the youngest of four daughters of a country rector. Being only just 18 and not as beautiful as her sisters, she's largely neglected. So far this has worked to advantage for Frederica. She's been reading a lot of things her Papa would likely not approve of-like essays of education of women and Indian freedom. She despises her brainless, snobby neighbor Annabelle Crown and all she stands for. The last thing Frederica wants is to be another simpering debutante and marry a man she doesn't love. That is, until she meets Lord Granton, who shows her that some men can respect a woman of intelligence and have fun dancing by moonlight at the same time. Lord Granton must be mad. A reformed rake, he is visiting the country with his friend, a Major, ostensibly to court Annabelle Crown. It doesn't take him long to discover she's just another brainless, flirtatious chit like all the other girls he has ever met. A chance meeting introduces him to Frederica and her curious mind. She amuses him like no one else has ever done, so he sticks around for the sake of amusement and meets Frederica secretly at night to carry on a platonic friendship. He must be mad! If he asks permission to see Frederica openly it will trap him into a marriage he doesn't want-or does he?
Though the answer to that last question is obvious, getting to the happily ever after is the fun part. This is a cute take on Cinderella. It has a lot more substance than the usual Cinderella tale. For one thing, there's no love at first sight or literal fairy godmothers. At first I thought I wouldn't like this book much because Frederica is so young, but she is wise beyond her years. She's very intelligent from all that reading she does. She is so naive and innocent, she isn't afraid for her reputation or of Lord Granton. She asks serious questions and gets honest answers. I loved her sense of humor, even if it is a bit wicked. I agreed with her about Annabelle and the other Hadley girls. Frederica became one of my favorite heroines. Though I felt the misunderstandings were silly and unnecessary. She's more intelligent than that and she doesn't lack self-confidence at any other time.
Frederica's sisters are largely cookie cutter. Mary resembles Mary Bennet in Pride and Prejudice though not quite as pedantic. This Mary writes long winded bad poetry. The other sisters don't really have much of a personality and they appear only in the background. Their role is to be the ugly stepsisters in the Cinderella tale though they are neither ugly nor stepsisters or even mean- just a bit selfish as teenagers tend to be.
Annabelle Crown in the real ugly stepsister of the story. She's snobby, rude and while her anger at Frederica was sometimes justified, she is completely self-centered and vain. Her mother is just as bad. There was no sense of noblesse oblige with the Crowns.
The male characters are better drawn. Lord Granton is kind of a stock character. He was a rake and now he's reformed. He's bored with Society and vapid debutantes. Same old same old... where he differs is in his brain. He's intelligent, thoughtful and very kind to Frederica. He is not kind to her out of a sense of noblesse oblige. He's just nice because at first he feels amused by her and then he feels sorry for her because she's so lonely and neglected. I loved how they built a platonic friendship until almost the very end of the book. The romance builds very slowly and then accelerates very quickly.
Lord Granton's friend, the Major, is not a very supportive friend. At first he's a Mr. Bingley type but then he develops on his own. He can't see what is in front of his nose and his attraction clouds his judgement. I didn't like how his story ended up and felt bad for him though. He is essentially a nice guy.
Dr. Hadley is a father similar to Mr. Bennet. His wife is somewhat silly and he largely ignores her and their daughters, however, he takes a more active role in his family than Mr. Bennet. I liked how he tries to help the action along because it shows he is a kind and caring father. Unfortunately, his wife overpowers him.
I have loved almost all of Marion Chesney's stories. This one is very good for her because she doesn't step out of the story to share historical information and she keeps it squeaky clean until the last page. There is ONE brief mention of a married couple making love in the last paragraph. It's not graphic and you can easily skip it if you want. It's more of an epilogue or footnote.
The narrator did a great job reading this book. She made Frederica sound like a breathless young girl and pitched her already deep voice to portray male characters. Her Annabelle voice is appropriately annoyingly girlish and peevish at the same time. I really liked her style and will listen to her again.
Read this if you like Pride and Prejudice and traditional Regency romances
Though the answer to that last question is obvious, getting to the happily ever after is the fun part. This is a cute take on Cinderella. It has a lot more substance than the usual Cinderella tale. For one thing, there's no love at first sight or literal fairy godmothers. At first I thought I wouldn't like this book much because Frederica is so young, but she is wise beyond her years. She's very intelligent from all that reading she does. She is so naive and innocent, she isn't afraid for her reputation or of Lord Granton. She asks serious questions and gets honest answers. I loved her sense of humor, even if it is a bit wicked. I agreed with her about Annabelle and the other Hadley girls. Frederica became one of my favorite heroines. Though I felt the misunderstandings were silly and unnecessary. She's more intelligent than that and she doesn't lack self-confidence at any other time.
Frederica's sisters are largely cookie cutter. Mary resembles Mary Bennet in Pride and Prejudice though not quite as pedantic. This Mary writes long winded bad poetry. The other sisters don't really have much of a personality and they appear only in the background. Their role is to be the ugly stepsisters in the Cinderella tale though they are neither ugly nor stepsisters or even mean- just a bit selfish as teenagers tend to be.
Annabelle Crown in the real ugly stepsister of the story. She's snobby, rude and while her anger at Frederica was sometimes justified, she is completely self-centered and vain. Her mother is just as bad. There was no sense of noblesse oblige with the Crowns.
The male characters are better drawn. Lord Granton is kind of a stock character. He was a rake and now he's reformed. He's bored with Society and vapid debutantes. Same old same old... where he differs is in his brain. He's intelligent, thoughtful and very kind to Frederica. He is not kind to her out of a sense of noblesse oblige. He's just nice because at first he feels amused by her and then he feels sorry for her because she's so lonely and neglected. I loved how they built a platonic friendship until almost the very end of the book. The romance builds very slowly and then accelerates very quickly.
Lord Granton's friend, the Major, is not a very supportive friend. At first he's a Mr. Bingley type but then he develops on his own. He can't see what is in front of his nose and his attraction clouds his judgement. I didn't like how his story ended up and felt bad for him though. He is essentially a nice guy.
Dr. Hadley is a father similar to Mr. Bennet. His wife is somewhat silly and he largely ignores her and their daughters, however, he takes a more active role in his family than Mr. Bennet. I liked how he tries to help the action along because it shows he is a kind and caring father. Unfortunately, his wife overpowers him.
I have loved almost all of Marion Chesney's stories. This one is very good for her because she doesn't step out of the story to share historical information and she keeps it squeaky clean until the last page. There is ONE brief mention of a married couple making love in the last paragraph. It's not graphic and you can easily skip it if you want. It's more of an epilogue or footnote.
The narrator did a great job reading this book. She made Frederica sound like a breathless young girl and pitched her already deep voice to portray male characters. Her Annabelle voice is appropriately annoyingly girlish and peevish at the same time. I really liked her style and will listen to her again.
Read this if you like Pride and Prejudice and traditional Regency romances
March 9, 2015
I enjoyed this book straight to the last page! Loved the slow burn of the courtship and the fact that every conflict was resolved quickly. All the characters had real life personalities and none were perfect or cookie cut. That's one of my favorite things about Marion Chesney's writing.
July 13, 2017
A charming Regency love story. One could simply call it: classical.
Witty, enjoyable, sweet, clean, with interesting characters.
A little short so some things were getting faster than in other Regency romances.
Reading it, I constantly felt like Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whispered into Chesney's ear when she was writing it.
Witty, enjoyable, sweet, clean, with interesting characters.
A little short so some things were getting faster than in other Regency romances.
Reading it, I constantly felt like Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whispered into Chesney's ear when she was writing it.
August 6, 2017
I usually turn to Marion Chesney books when I am in a difficult situation and I need a diversion. I don't pick them randomly because I had many failures up to now. I rely on friends reviews. This is the best Chesney romance I have read for a while. The transition from friends to couple happens slowly and there are not the usual very evil villains (just minor ones).
January 4, 2024
Unusual Regency romance, based on a tenderly innocent, secret friendship
Lord Rupert Granton is a handsome, 31-year-old viscount with an athletic build, who is one of the richest men in England. The combination of so many socially revered attributes has made him a marital prize of the first order, regardless of the fact that he has a reputation as a rake. But he has never before had any desire to marry. Until now. He is utterly bored with the purposeless rounds of ton social events and the boozing and gambling that idle, aristocratic men routinely engage in. He informs his BFF, portly, 30-something Major Harry Delisle, who is on leave from the military and is just as enervated with ennui as Rupert, that he has accepted an invitation to visit the country house of the father of a beautiful, young, aristocratic lady, who appears to be a viable bride prospect. He has conceived the notion that marriage might liven up his dull existence and, of course, he must eventually marry to beget an heir. But as insurance against the possible failure of this adventure, he insists that Harry come with him as moral support.
Snobbish Sir Giles and Lady Crown are thrilled that Lord Granton will be gracing them with his presence for an open-ended visit at their estate, near the fictional Cotswolds village, Barton Sub Edge. Their daughter, Annabelle, unexpectedly did not succeed in snagging an eligible match during her recent come-out season, in spite of her great beauty and a huge dowry, but they have high hopes that this wealthy, sophisticated viscount will be the answer to their prayers. Unfortunately for the hopes of both the Crowns and Rupert, however, he rapidly becomes even more disenchanted with vain, narcissistic Annabelle than with his meaningless pursuits in London. Her conversation is vapid, and she frequently strums a harp with such a lack of finesse, her company is irritating beyond measure.
One night, not long after his arrival, Rupert manages to sneak away into the forest near the Crown estate, where he wanders upon a small, woodland pool. Sitting beside it, like a mysterious fairy princess, is a lovely, fair-haired young woman.
Frederica Hadley, at age 18, is the youngest of the local vicar's four unmarried daughters. Because she has an unconventional, ethereal beauty and a slender figure, in an age where apple cheeks, dimpled arms and generously rounded bosom and hips are the accepted standard of beauty, Frederica has been informed by her parents, since her early teens, that she is so plain as to be unmarriageable. As a result of their casually cruel conviction, they have focused all of their attention on their other three daughters. The silver lining of the omnipresent dark cloud of parental neglectful disrespect is that introverted, studious Frederica has been left alone to spend most of every day reading books, culled from a huge library left behind by the deceased former vicar, or dreamily lounging beside a sequestered pool in the forest that surrounds Barton Sub Edge. None of the villagers ever comes near the pool, due to a widely accepted local legend that it is haunted by the ghost of a woman who, decades ago, committed suicide.
It is at this sylvan glade that Frederica and Rupert carry on an innocent, secret friendship, which transforms them both. In spite of their differences in age, gender, and station, they recognize each other as kindred spirits.
I really enjoyed Frederica, because I always appreciate an intelligent, well read FMC in a historical romance. Rupert is also a welcome change from the usual, harsh, domineering, alpha MMCs in Chesney's novels. He is attentive to Frederica and carries on interesting conversations with her.
The main romantic conflict throughout this book is Rupert's belief that Frederica is much too young and naive for a man of his age and cynical disposition to ever regard as anything but a treasured, platonic friend. I find this artistic choice by MC much preferable to the murder-mystery subplots that are melodramatically larded onto the vast majority of her Regency romances. In addition, this novel is one of the few by MC in which the FMC and MMC spend a great deal of the novel together. Typically, MC only unites her FMC and MMC onstage during about 25% of her Regencies. She also almost always has her FMC and MMC at odds with each other from their first meet until the very end of the novel. In contrast, in this story, Frederica and Rupert do not argue senselessly, and they are together more than 60% of the story, as they form a delightful friendship, which gradually ripens into romantic love.
Lord Rupert Granton is a handsome, 31-year-old viscount with an athletic build, who is one of the richest men in England. The combination of so many socially revered attributes has made him a marital prize of the first order, regardless of the fact that he has a reputation as a rake. But he has never before had any desire to marry. Until now. He is utterly bored with the purposeless rounds of ton social events and the boozing and gambling that idle, aristocratic men routinely engage in. He informs his BFF, portly, 30-something Major Harry Delisle, who is on leave from the military and is just as enervated with ennui as Rupert, that he has accepted an invitation to visit the country house of the father of a beautiful, young, aristocratic lady, who appears to be a viable bride prospect. He has conceived the notion that marriage might liven up his dull existence and, of course, he must eventually marry to beget an heir. But as insurance against the possible failure of this adventure, he insists that Harry come with him as moral support.
Snobbish Sir Giles and Lady Crown are thrilled that Lord Granton will be gracing them with his presence for an open-ended visit at their estate, near the fictional Cotswolds village, Barton Sub Edge. Their daughter, Annabelle, unexpectedly did not succeed in snagging an eligible match during her recent come-out season, in spite of her great beauty and a huge dowry, but they have high hopes that this wealthy, sophisticated viscount will be the answer to their prayers. Unfortunately for the hopes of both the Crowns and Rupert, however, he rapidly becomes even more disenchanted with vain, narcissistic Annabelle than with his meaningless pursuits in London. Her conversation is vapid, and she frequently strums a harp with such a lack of finesse, her company is irritating beyond measure.
One night, not long after his arrival, Rupert manages to sneak away into the forest near the Crown estate, where he wanders upon a small, woodland pool. Sitting beside it, like a mysterious fairy princess, is a lovely, fair-haired young woman.
Frederica Hadley, at age 18, is the youngest of the local vicar's four unmarried daughters. Because she has an unconventional, ethereal beauty and a slender figure, in an age where apple cheeks, dimpled arms and generously rounded bosom and hips are the accepted standard of beauty, Frederica has been informed by her parents, since her early teens, that she is so plain as to be unmarriageable. As a result of their casually cruel conviction, they have focused all of their attention on their other three daughters. The silver lining of the omnipresent dark cloud of parental neglectful disrespect is that introverted, studious Frederica has been left alone to spend most of every day reading books, culled from a huge library left behind by the deceased former vicar, or dreamily lounging beside a sequestered pool in the forest that surrounds Barton Sub Edge. None of the villagers ever comes near the pool, due to a widely accepted local legend that it is haunted by the ghost of a woman who, decades ago, committed suicide.
It is at this sylvan glade that Frederica and Rupert carry on an innocent, secret friendship, which transforms them both. In spite of their differences in age, gender, and station, they recognize each other as kindred spirits.
I really enjoyed Frederica, because I always appreciate an intelligent, well read FMC in a historical romance. Rupert is also a welcome change from the usual, harsh, domineering, alpha MMCs in Chesney's novels. He is attentive to Frederica and carries on interesting conversations with her.
The main romantic conflict throughout this book is Rupert's belief that Frederica is much too young and naive for a man of his age and cynical disposition to ever regard as anything but a treasured, platonic friend. I find this artistic choice by MC much preferable to the murder-mystery subplots that are melodramatically larded onto the vast majority of her Regency romances. In addition, this novel is one of the few by MC in which the FMC and MMC spend a great deal of the novel together. Typically, MC only unites her FMC and MMC onstage during about 25% of her Regencies. She also almost always has her FMC and MMC at odds with each other from their first meet until the very end of the novel. In contrast, in this story, Frederica and Rupert do not argue senselessly, and they are together more than 60% of the story, as they form a delightful friendship, which gradually ripens into romantic love.
December 16, 2022
Audible Plus 5 hours 10 min. Narrated by Lindy Nettleton (A)
3.5 stars due to the pleasure of Lindy Nettleton's reading. This book is one of a number of Regency romances written by Marion Chesney. I prefer non-fiction, history, biography, and spiritual reading; but not much in those categories is offered on Plus. I notice that this category is enjoyed by a larger number of readers both on Auble and on Goodreads. This particular book is rated 4 stars. This afternoon my husband is gone hunting; it's chilly,, and I'm not feeling well, so this light-hearted romance proved just the right medicince. to lift my spirits.
I've recently listened to biographies Abraham Lincoln and U. S. Grant and have started Jeff Shaara's fascinating historical fiction series about the major battles of the western front fought during the Civil War, I have been without my reading glasses for almost four weeks and h@ven't been able to write reviews on any. I have missed being able to read reviews written by others too. I'm struggling to type carefully on my tablet just let others know how much I've missed the interaction with my reading friends on Goodreads, I recognize that there is coming a time when I may no longer be able to use this app because the type is so small. I pray that God will grant me more time through new glasses to stay in touch!
3.5 stars due to the pleasure of Lindy Nettleton's reading. This book is one of a number of Regency romances written by Marion Chesney. I prefer non-fiction, history, biography, and spiritual reading; but not much in those categories is offered on Plus. I notice that this category is enjoyed by a larger number of readers both on Auble and on Goodreads. This particular book is rated 4 stars. This afternoon my husband is gone hunting; it's chilly,, and I'm not feeling well, so this light-hearted romance proved just the right medicince. to lift my spirits.
I've recently listened to biographies Abraham Lincoln and U. S. Grant and have started Jeff Shaara's fascinating historical fiction series about the major battles of the western front fought during the Civil War, I have been without my reading glasses for almost four weeks and h@ven't been able to write reviews on any. I have missed being able to read reviews written by others too. I'm struggling to type carefully on my tablet just let others know how much I've missed the interaction with my reading friends on Goodreads, I recognize that there is coming a time when I may no longer be able to use this app because the type is so small. I pray that God will grant me more time through new glasses to stay in touch!
July 3, 2023
This one was sweet.
The Hero is a bored (reformed) rake and accepts an invitation to the country to possibly court the daughter of a friend. While he is there he meets the very young heroine. Although she is 18, as the youngest, she is still treated like a child, and even still wears her hair down.
The heroine is very smart and candid, so the Hero is immediately amused and charmed. He is suddenly enjoying his visit. Up until then, he finds the daughter (OW) a vain and conceited witch.
He starts meeting the heroine in secret, and a lovely friendship forms between the them. However this is risky and they are almost found out a couple of times.
I like how their relationship developed and there was a lot of couple time in this book.
The Hero is a bored (reformed) rake and accepts an invitation to the country to possibly court the daughter of a friend. While he is there he meets the very young heroine. Although she is 18, as the youngest, she is still treated like a child, and even still wears her hair down.
The heroine is very smart and candid, so the Hero is immediately amused and charmed. He is suddenly enjoying his visit. Up until then, he finds the daughter (OW) a vain and conceited witch.
He starts meeting the heroine in secret, and a lovely friendship forms between the them. However this is risky and they are almost found out a couple of times.
I like how their relationship developed and there was a lot of couple time in this book.
September 14, 2019
The story was cute and I always like, when ugly duck (h) becomes a swan. But still, the story is a little bit childish and abrupt. Nice read though But no need to read twice.
April 19, 2022
Another light gem from this series, which really ranges in quality. The H is enchanted by the h but doesn't recognize it as such. She is very naive but also tough as nails in a stealthy way. Idiots conspire against them, but love prevails.
June 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this light, fun Regency romance, which owes a debt to the Cinderella tale. Much of the plot revolves around whether a young woman, overlooked and neglected by her family but blossoming into beauty, will be allowed to attend a fashionable ball.
The hero, Lord Granton, is a most eligible bachelor with a rakish reputation, earned from a few minor, youthful indiscretions embellished by gossip. Bored and restless, he decides on a whim to accept the invitation of the vain, social-climbing Sir Giles and Lady Crown for an extended stay at their country home, in the sleepy village of Barton Sub Edge. The Crown's daughter, Annabelle, failed to "take" during her coming-out Season, and her parents hope the wealthy viscount will take her off their hands. But Rupert finds her shallowness, vanity and interminable harp playing even more tedious than the London social whirl he's just escaped.
On a walk to avoid Annabelle and her harp, Lord Granton meets a fey, awkward and bookish child next to a small woodland pool. Frederica, just 18, is the youngest of four unmarried daughters of the local vicar. Her family pays her little attention; she is considered unmarriageable for her unconventional looks, odd ways and willful turn of mind.
Frederica immerses herself in books and daydreaming to escape the unending tedium of her little village. Lord Granton recognizes in her another bored and restless soul and finds talking to her both diverting and amusing. The two form an innocent secret friendship, meeting every evening. Their meetings soon become the most enjoyable part of their days. Angered by Frederica's family's neglect of her, Lord Granton teaches her to dance and supplies her with a beautiful ball gown - the only dress she owns that isn't a hand-me-down.
Chesney believably develops the friendship between Lord Granton and Frederica, and ever so subtly shows them falling in love, before either is aware of their own feelings. Frederica assumes she is too young and not high enough in rank to attract the viscount's romantic interest. Lord Granton persists in viewing her as an amusing child, until the night he sees her with her hair swept up, standing in a shaft of moonlight ...
But the Crowns cling to their foolish notion Lord Granton intends to propose to Annabelle. Why, he's sure to announce their engagement at the elegant ball being held in his honor. Will Frederica be allowed to attend the ball? Will Annabelle's vanity finally be deflated? Those questions kept me quickly turning the pages. I longed to see Annabelle receive a much needed set-down and to savor a triumph for Frederica.
Chesney's tale was a very good light read, perfect for a lazy summer day, with a satisfying and romantic ending.
The hero, Lord Granton, is a most eligible bachelor with a rakish reputation, earned from a few minor, youthful indiscretions embellished by gossip. Bored and restless, he decides on a whim to accept the invitation of the vain, social-climbing Sir Giles and Lady Crown for an extended stay at their country home, in the sleepy village of Barton Sub Edge. The Crown's daughter, Annabelle, failed to "take" during her coming-out Season, and her parents hope the wealthy viscount will take her off their hands. But Rupert finds her shallowness, vanity and interminable harp playing even more tedious than the London social whirl he's just escaped.
On a walk to avoid Annabelle and her harp, Lord Granton meets a fey, awkward and bookish child next to a small woodland pool. Frederica, just 18, is the youngest of four unmarried daughters of the local vicar. Her family pays her little attention; she is considered unmarriageable for her unconventional looks, odd ways and willful turn of mind.
Frederica immerses herself in books and daydreaming to escape the unending tedium of her little village. Lord Granton recognizes in her another bored and restless soul and finds talking to her both diverting and amusing. The two form an innocent secret friendship, meeting every evening. Their meetings soon become the most enjoyable part of their days. Angered by Frederica's family's neglect of her, Lord Granton teaches her to dance and supplies her with a beautiful ball gown - the only dress she owns that isn't a hand-me-down.
Chesney believably develops the friendship between Lord Granton and Frederica, and ever so subtly shows them falling in love, before either is aware of their own feelings. Frederica assumes she is too young and not high enough in rank to attract the viscount's romantic interest. Lord Granton persists in viewing her as an amusing child, until the night he sees her with her hair swept up, standing in a shaft of moonlight ...
But the Crowns cling to their foolish notion Lord Granton intends to propose to Annabelle. Why, he's sure to announce their engagement at the elegant ball being held in his honor. Will Frederica be allowed to attend the ball? Will Annabelle's vanity finally be deflated? Those questions kept me quickly turning the pages. I longed to see Annabelle receive a much needed set-down and to savor a triumph for Frederica.
Chesney's tale was a very good light read, perfect for a lazy summer day, with a satisfying and romantic ending.
July 19, 2013
According to the Romantic Times, Marion Chesney is ‘the best Regency series writer’. If this is the best they can offer, I dread to think of what the worst might be like.
This is the tale of a dark and handsome bored aristocrat who accepts an invitation to a country estate where he is expected to propose to the daughter of the house. Instead he takes to having secret meetings with the intelligent but neglected youngest daughter of the local rector, and causes consternation all round when he proposes to her.
Although the story is quite sweet, I can only call the style pedestrian at best, and, unfortunately for a romance writer, Chesney just can’t do love scenes. I doubt that the required response from a reader is ‘Ooh, yuk!’
This is the tale of a dark and handsome bored aristocrat who accepts an invitation to a country estate where he is expected to propose to the daughter of the house. Instead he takes to having secret meetings with the intelligent but neglected youngest daughter of the local rector, and causes consternation all round when he proposes to her.
Although the story is quite sweet, I can only call the style pedestrian at best, and, unfortunately for a romance writer, Chesney just can’t do love scenes. I doubt that the required response from a reader is ‘Ooh, yuk!’
July 6, 2019
An amazing story of friendship that turns to love, an ugly duckling who turned swan.
I liked this story, Frederica, the youngest of four, an honest book reader, has been neglected and became less favoured for everyone, meets the bored Lord Granton who is seeking a chance to amuse himself.
They became friends despite their age, and their friendship bloomed.
Nice settings, I liked that heroine is not an extreme beauty, a normal lady with normal looks and intelligent mind.
Book to keep
I liked this story, Frederica, the youngest of four, an honest book reader, has been neglected and became less favoured for everyone, meets the bored Lord Granton who is seeking a chance to amuse himself.
They became friends despite their age, and their friendship bloomed.
Nice settings, I liked that heroine is not an extreme beauty, a normal lady with normal looks and intelligent mind.
Book to keep
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2021
Audio version. Extra star for good narration.
The story itself? Really weak. It's like a modernized, YA version of Pride and Prejudice mixed with Cinderella. The characters do things that are absolutely ridiculous for the period - this story is "regency" only in that the characters visit country houses, wear gowns and mention Almacks.
The story itself? Really weak. It's like a modernized, YA version of Pride and Prejudice mixed with Cinderella. The characters do things that are absolutely ridiculous for the period - this story is "regency" only in that the characters visit country houses, wear gowns and mention Almacks.
July 5, 2019
Review - I thought that the characters were quire forgettable in this book. None of them really stood out for me. The story itself I enjoyed as it was more of a slow burn than some of the other Regency / Georgian romances I've read. Beaton's books remind me of Georgette Heyer, but they don't seem to succeed where Heyer's do. I do like the writing style of these books, but the characters in this series don't seem to be very well-formed, or maybe it's just listening to them rather than reading them, I don't know.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Frederica Hadley / Lord Granton / Reverend Hadley / Annabelle
Setting? - Barton Sub Edge (England)
Series? - Regency Royal #18
Recommend? – Maybe
Rating - 15/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Frederica Hadley / Lord Granton / Reverend Hadley / Annabelle
Setting? - Barton Sub Edge (England)
Series? - Regency Royal #18
Recommend? – Maybe
Rating - 15/20
September 7, 2019
Marion Cheney books were among some of the first historic romances I read back when I was in high school. I hadn’t read one in years when it occurred to me to look for her in the audiobook section and I found this one. It was much as I remembered her books: compact and full of engaging characters, who may be a little two dimensional, but entertain nevertheless.
October 22, 2023
A typical but tedious story. To me, none of the characters were overly interesting. My mind kept wandering while listening. It was entertaining for awhile. I kept listening because I enjoy reading about that time period in history. It wasn't too much of a let down as I usually love anything Ms. Chesney, aka M. C. Beaton, writes.
June 9, 2020
Light feel-good Listening, amongst the better ones when Beaton was writing as Marion Chesney
My Full Review
My Full Review
October 19, 2021
Frederica was the youngest of four unmarried vicar's daughters. She never dreamt that the arrival of a rake would challenge her fate in the most surprising way. If you like Regency Romance you will enjoy this book.
February 7, 2022
Frederica & Rupert? (Lord Granton)
Just ok. If you know the plot to Cinderella nothing about this book will surprise you.
Still, I could appreciate the innocent friendship that turned romantic as I had a similar first love. That one didn't have a HEA, but such is life.
Just ok. If you know the plot to Cinderella nothing about this book will surprise you.
Still, I could appreciate the innocent friendship that turned romantic as I had a similar first love. That one didn't have a HEA, but such is life.
October 14, 2017
Every Cinderella gets her day, no?
November 17, 2017
It is a sweet, clean, old-fashioned romance story.
July 19, 2018
Total crap. If I could have accessed WiFi to download any other book I would have.
January 23, 2019
This was one of my more favorite Chesney romances.
March 16, 2021
One of the better Regency romances by Marion Chesney that I've read.
September 4, 2021
This was a good read. I enjoyed it.
September 5, 2022
This sweet, predictable little Regency romance was just what I wanted today.
June 14, 2023
I do not like those people and couldn't finish the book.
April 23, 2024
This was sweet and fun
October 28, 2024
Simple, sweet and enjoyable.
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