The Frost Fair

by Elizabeth Mansfield

It was the worst winter in London's history, and the worst dilemma in Meg's.

Fiery Lady Margaret Underwood thoroughly enjoyed being single and the toast of the ton. But Lady Meg also enjoyed being immensely wealthy, and by the terms of the late Earl of Barringham's will, she would soon have to marry or give up her fortune.

Then she found herself challenged by a man as stubbornly devoted to his bachelorhood as she was to her own willful ways...

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Traditional Regency, Regency, Historical Fiction

217 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Elizabeth Mansfield is the author of numerous regency romances. She is an intelligent and thoughtful writer, a hidden gem whose novels deserve to be more widely read and enjoyed.

Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.

Reviews

[Nenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half, I didn't like the h (runs away from betrothed in the middle of the night, into snow, and he's not half bad, his main crime being that he's boring). The next half, I didn't like the H (pompous, assumptious, high handed boor that the h originally thought him; oh and, noone is 'that' devoted to being a soldier. boohoo).

But overall, neither of them was completely unbearable, so solid 3stars.

[Griffinyarn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun bit of light reading. The only complaint I will make is that I had to stop reading several times due to empathetic embarrassment for the heroine.

[Mary23nm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Frost Fair. The heroine was a rather self-centered in the beginning, but matured after her accident. The hero was delightfully stiff and curmudgeonly initially, but it turned out he was not all that bad either. Her companion aunt and the grouchy Scottish country doctor were great characters.
There were a few things that bothered me like, how the heroine had "borrowed" her betrothed's carriage and horses and groom (in a snowstorm) and didn't send a message, or seem to give that a thought, long after she was recovered. And she didn't bother to let Arthur or her friends know that she was okay. 4/5 stars

[Ramona Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Frost Fair

Another delightful story by a wonderful storyteller.
I enjoyed reading this book. I'm sure you will enjoy reading it also.

[Polo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean and sweet. Witty. Recommend it to those who want substance and not explicitly.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

The FMC was irritating at first (she gets into a ridiculous fix that is no one's fault but her own, puts several other people in danger of getting hurt, and then gets absurdly huffy at the guy who helped her). The MMC was irritating at first (he is a misogynist on a good day, and when he makes a pass at her he then walks it back for some ridiculous reason). The MMC's family is somewhat problematic and IDK how they're going to keep the dowager from bankrupting them. But I was entertained and it's all good.

The frost fair is relevant fairly late in the book.

[SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75, light funny at times read.
4 star worthy till 70% rest is usual romp and confusion and misunderstanding and foolishness.
Heroine is spoiled brat and her attitude in the beginning was cringe worthy. But by end she is likeable and we feel bad for her. Hero’s wit was good and the way he restrained against heroine’s antics were nice. Bantering was funny and sweet.

Some of the secondary characters are caricaturish but funny. Over all entertaining. The frost fair was fun from descriptions.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Regency romance. Fun characters that fit my expectations of the genre.

I want to read more by Ms. Mansfield but my local library doesn't have her books; they are not currently available on overdrive; but I will have to look for other "free" sources as they are out of my price range..

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non so a che punto della produzione di Elizabeth Mansfield si collochi questo romance; certo, è scritto con un 'wit' e una disinvoltura che non ho trovato in tutti gli altri suoi libri. Leggero, ma divertente e gradevole al massimo grado.

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

not okay

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun!

I can almost imagine that I'm reading an unknown Georgette Heyer. Great characters and setting and a delightful ending with three happy couples.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An author new to me wrote this novel. A pleasant afternoon's reading; I will read more of this writer's work.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the writing quality, 3 for the story.

[Dd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just ok. A typical poorly written imitation of Heyer

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Millicent Chaplinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this tale from beginning to end. Loved the characters, plot which kept me guessing…I figured it out. Hard to put down. Recommend

[ike pauh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heroine is maddeningly entertaining. Her perspective has me alternating between scratching my head, giggling and wanting to wring her neck. Man's just there. Solid, honorable, misunderstood. My attention is all hers. Her aunt and the doctor's secondary romance was just the bit The Frost Fair needed. The book would make a nice little movie adaptation.

[Beeface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite but still fun.