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Miss Dramatic
Don’t be so dramatic!
Gavin DeWitt has given up a career on the stage to take his place among the respectable gentry of Crosspatch Corners. His older sister has married quite well, and now it’s Gavin’s job to ensure he and his younger siblings make an excellent impression on polite society too. He’s handsome, witty, charming--and quietly dying inside--but nonetheless playing the role of country gentleman desperately well.
Will it be kisses… or curtains?
Enter Mrs. Rose Roberts, a widow from Gavin’s theatrical past. She broke his heart when last they parted, but oddly enough, he broke her heart too. Can they piece together what really happened and forge a future together, despite the forces of mischief and mayhem plotting more fiercely than ever to keep them apart?
Gavin DeWitt has given up a career on the stage to take his place among the respectable gentry of Crosspatch Corners. His older sister has married quite well, and now it’s Gavin’s job to ensure he and his younger siblings make an excellent impression on polite society too. He’s handsome, witty, charming--and quietly dying inside--but nonetheless playing the role of country gentleman desperately well.
Will it be kisses… or curtains?
Enter Mrs. Rose Roberts, a widow from Gavin’s theatrical past. She broke his heart when last they parted, but oddly enough, he broke her heart too. Can they piece together what really happened and forge a future together, despite the forces of mischief and mayhem plotting more fiercely than ever to keep them apart?
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2023
172 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,917 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 15, 2023
Ninth book in the Mischief in Mayfair series that should have ended three books ago. There’s a soft serve mystery that wends along a muddy path, but was ultimately predictable. The best moments were any scenes that contained or mentioned Roland, unfailingly charming and humorous. Also, a horse.
December 3, 2023
MISS DRAMATIC is all the way up to book 9 in the Mischief in Mayfair series- wow! Historical romance author Grace Burrowes brings us another gentle romance set in the UK following the Napoleonic War. Miss Dramatic is the last novel in this Mischief in Mayfair series, and brings us back to Crosspatch Corners. Readers familiar with the series will see many familiar faces, but each book can easily be read on its own merits such that new readers won't have any problems picking things right up here. Burrowes describes this as a "duke-free" series, which makes me chuckle, but I also find very refreshing for historical romance!
MISS DRAMATIC cleverly refers to two things in this short novel. Our heroine, Mrs. Rose Roberts, is a charming and stalwart widow. Her ne'er-do-well husband used to taunt her, asking, "Why must you always make a Drury Lane production out of nothing, little Miss Dramatic?" The (thankfully deceased) jerk thought that his infidelities and his nasty temper were 'nothing' and that his wife should just bear up under the tribulations that he served her. Ugh. The hero of our story, Gavin DeWitt, has returned from a several year escape from the landed gentry, where he was sowing his wild oats as a Shakesperean actor. Gavin is a quite excellent actor, but has resolved to put the passion for his profession away in order to take up the dreary reins of country life to satisfy his family's needs. It's easy to both like and respect each of them!
Rose and Gavin have some shared history that has left them on very awkward footing, and are now thrown together at another country house party. Each broke the other's heart, yet the many physical and emotional things that drew them together before have not abated. Gavin and Rose first resolve to put things behind them, but quickly discover that they want to take up where they left things off- in bed!
Burrowes always has some malicious blighter who screws up the course of true love in her tales, and in MISS DRAMATIC I was disappointed that evil doers do not seem to get their comeuppance. The love story is pleasing though, and our two lovers manage to figure out who is wishing them ill and foil the ill-natured plot. Burrowes' MISS DRAMATIC is a cozy historical romance with engaging characters and plenty of satisfying emotional depth.
I have submitted my review to Fresh Fiction, and will update this GR review to include an excerpt and a link once the review is published on the Fresh Fiction website
MISS DRAMATIC cleverly refers to two things in this short novel. Our heroine, Mrs. Rose Roberts, is a charming and stalwart widow. Her ne'er-do-well husband used to taunt her, asking, "Why must you always make a Drury Lane production out of nothing, little Miss Dramatic?" The (thankfully deceased) jerk thought that his infidelities and his nasty temper were 'nothing' and that his wife should just bear up under the tribulations that he served her. Ugh. The hero of our story, Gavin DeWitt, has returned from a several year escape from the landed gentry, where he was sowing his wild oats as a Shakesperean actor. Gavin is a quite excellent actor, but has resolved to put the passion for his profession away in order to take up the dreary reins of country life to satisfy his family's needs. It's easy to both like and respect each of them!
Rose and Gavin have some shared history that has left them on very awkward footing, and are now thrown together at another country house party. Each broke the other's heart, yet the many physical and emotional things that drew them together before have not abated. Gavin and Rose first resolve to put things behind them, but quickly discover that they want to take up where they left things off- in bed!
Burrowes always has some malicious blighter who screws up the course of true love in her tales, and in MISS DRAMATIC I was disappointed that evil doers do not seem to get their comeuppance. The love story is pleasing though, and our two lovers manage to figure out who is wishing them ill and foil the ill-natured plot. Burrowes' MISS DRAMATIC is a cozy historical romance with engaging characters and plenty of satisfying emotional depth.
I have submitted my review to Fresh Fiction, and will update this GR review to include an excerpt and a link once the review is published on the Fresh Fiction website
December 7, 2023
Mrs. Rose Roberts and Mr. Gavin DeWitt were enamored of each other many years ago when their paths crossed, but due to a tragic misunderstanding on both sides, they separated with hurt feelings all around. When years later both are invited to another house party, their initial instinct is to avoid each other at all costs, but their initial attraction overcomes caution. Gavin left home to pursue an acting career against the advice and wishes of family. Rose endured an unhappy marriage to a man who was not only transparently unfaithful but a sot. That these two wounded people manage to renew their attachment is nothing short of miraculous, but outside influences and circumstances threaten to rip them apart, once again. Mixed in with their renewed love story is a whodunit of dangerous proportions that could negatively impact all their lives. Just when the reader thought she knew where this story was going, Ms. Burrowes threw an unanticipated curveball to keep the reader enthralled to the last page. As always, Ms. Burrowes writes witty dialog, beautiful descriptive prose, along with honorable and empathetic characters. I highly recommend Miss Dramatic, the latest addition to Ms. Burrowes Mischief in Mayfair series. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.
December 6, 2023
Grace Burrowes' "Mistress in Mayfair" series is set in London and environs during the Regency period, a few years after the Napoleonic wars. The series is populated by members of high society as well as many others, from returning soldiers to street sweepers.
Miss Dramatic is perhaps my favorite book in the series. The storyline weaves together village and town life, the theater, Shakespeare, and women (and men) reaching for a new way to live their lives unbound by some of high society's strictures.
To me, Grace Burrowes books bring romance in a broader sense - they're not just the story of individuals searching for their "happily ever after," although I love that part too. She has created a larger world of deeply realized characters and richly described places, which reach across many of her series. For example, you may run across a learned, compassionate lord who is also a physician - who briefly attends people in many series, in addition to having his own book in a separate series. I am in love with that world, not just the individual characters, and reading her books allows me to wander there for a while.
Miss Dramatic is perhaps my favorite book in the series. The storyline weaves together village and town life, the theater, Shakespeare, and women (and men) reaching for a new way to live their lives unbound by some of high society's strictures.
To me, Grace Burrowes books bring romance in a broader sense - they're not just the story of individuals searching for their "happily ever after," although I love that part too. She has created a larger world of deeply realized characters and richly described places, which reach across many of her series. For example, you may run across a learned, compassionate lord who is also a physician - who briefly attends people in many series, in addition to having his own book in a separate series. I am in love with that world, not just the individual characters, and reading her books allows me to wander there for a while.
December 8, 2023
In short I really enjoyed this, to the point of reading it in one sitting and finishing about 1am.
Gavin DeWitt, who has featured in the last two books in this series, is settling back into life at home. He's happy enough training his wonderful horse (a real character) and pottering about playing a country gentleman, but something is missing. When his brother in law announces a house party, Gavin is both dismayed and a little energised when he sees the almost exclusively female guest list.
Rose Roberts, now out of mourning has accepted an invitation to a house party much to her (impudent) maids displeasure. She's wary of seeing Gavin again after he ignored her at the Earl of Nunns house party and she doesn't know why.
The guests are an odd bunch of ladies, but the party is going well, until a troupe of actors is invited to entertain, and the atmosphere changed for the worse.
Great end to the series, can't wait until the new series starts. As always this author writes great characters, and much of the joy in her books is that we meet them not only in the current series, but across series too.
Gavin DeWitt, who has featured in the last two books in this series, is settling back into life at home. He's happy enough training his wonderful horse (a real character) and pottering about playing a country gentleman, but something is missing. When his brother in law announces a house party, Gavin is both dismayed and a little energised when he sees the almost exclusively female guest list.
Rose Roberts, now out of mourning has accepted an invitation to a house party much to her (impudent) maids displeasure. She's wary of seeing Gavin again after he ignored her at the Earl of Nunns house party and she doesn't know why.
The guests are an odd bunch of ladies, but the party is going well, until a troupe of actors is invited to entertain, and the atmosphere changed for the worse.
Great end to the series, can't wait until the new series starts. As always this author writes great characters, and much of the joy in her books is that we meet them not only in the current series, but across series too.
January 8, 2024
DNF at like 19%. If this book in particular was 36% more earnestly horny I could get into it. But it's not, so I can't. Three stars because I have no objections to it, I just cannot invest myself into the characters enough to finish--fatal for a romance novel. The last few books have been completely inoffensive, like reading dryer sheets. However, I've read "two good-hearted people who quite like each other fall politely & frictionlessly in love; overcome some mild societal and familial objections to getting their fuck on" from Ms. Grace so many times that the sheen has worn off.
That's uncharitable. I like this plot. This plot has gotten me through many long bus rides and lunch breaks. This plot can be executed cleverly. I'm just a little tired of it. I know Grace Burrowes has more range than this and I generally enjoy the themes she uses her novels to explore. Maybe I'll like her next series better.
Also, as a final complaint, this book suffers from the problem of all late romance novel series books, where it's just so jam packed with characters from previous books being lovey-dovey that the principals have no time to shine. Excruciating!
That's uncharitable. I like this plot. This plot has gotten me through many long bus rides and lunch breaks. This plot can be executed cleverly. I'm just a little tired of it. I know Grace Burrowes has more range than this and I generally enjoy the themes she uses her novels to explore. Maybe I'll like her next series better.
Also, as a final complaint, this book suffers from the problem of all late romance novel series books, where it's just so jam packed with characters from previous books being lovey-dovey that the principals have no time to shine. Excruciating!
December 1, 2023
I would say that on the whole I have not really enjoyed this series. Some have been better than others and maybe I would do well to reread it back to back rather than having read them as they came out. Of course Ms Burrowes' elegant style is present and I enjoyed her allusive references, but the crux of the story did not really entertain me. The interesting element is the relationship between Gavin and Rose but once they realised how they've been manipulated. the whole sub story of the stolen necklace and money did not carry conviction. I kept wondering why the money in the jewellery box could have gone unnoticed and Rose's vague recollection seemed weak for such a perceptive and sensitive character. As others have mentioned, Caroline and Diana appear to be very interesting young ladies whose story as they reach maturity might well be worth developing. I hope Ms Burrowes feels inspired to do it.
January 25, 2024
I was so hesitant to start this book because it's the last in this series. I didn't want to leave this large, whimsical family (the Dornings and everyone connected to them) behind. Gavin DeWitt and Rose Roberts met at a house party, and each left broken hearted through a manipulation of events. Meeting again at a house party a year later they can set things to right, if they let their head get out of the way. There is so much going on on in this story and it all weaves together brilliantly. Burrows is a master of pulling one loose string and BOOM: mystery solved, couples together and everyone happy.
This is a stand-alone book, but if you've read the full series, along with the True Gentlemen series you will enjoy the visits from the meddling extended family.
This is a stand-alone book, but if you've read the full series, along with the True Gentlemen series you will enjoy the visits from the meddling extended family.
February 26, 2024
Quite a slog. I enjoyed this series as long as it was centered on the middle-class denizens of St Mildred’s, but it devolved at the end to Burrowes’ customary aristocrats. I also felt like there was some bait-and-switch involved: the last book suggested that Gavin was flourishing as an actor and that Rose was a devoted widow learning to live again. Instead, Gavin has given up the stage for no good reason and Rose has become the usual woman pretending to mourn an unworthy man. Their blundering at cross-purposes and the extraneous introduction of a jewel robbery were tedious and reminded me that Burrowes is terrible at intrigue.
August 20, 2024
Last in the series apparently. Gavin DeWitt has returned home after working as an actor for the last two years. Discontented describes him, but he feels he owes his family.
His sister, recently married to a Marquess (Tavistock), is having her first house party and none other than Rose, who he is pining for, has been invited.
Following the usual, the road to true love is a bit rocky, but eventually the family comes together to solve the problems thrown in their path. Enjoyed this more than some of the earlier books in the series.
His sister, recently married to a Marquess (Tavistock), is having her first house party and none other than Rose, who he is pining for, has been invited.
Following the usual, the road to true love is a bit rocky, but eventually the family comes together to solve the problems thrown in their path. Enjoyed this more than some of the earlier books in the series.
December 13, 2023
always a great read
Grace Burrowes is a long time favorite of mine. I’ve loved her since the Wyndham series. Miss Dramatic is a great continuation of the series. We see characters we’ve come to love and get to witness a HEA for Gavin and Rose.
While this isn’t my favorite of the series. It’s a great read and an easy one to recommend.
Grace Burrowes is a long time favorite of mine. I’ve loved her since the Wyndham series. Miss Dramatic is a great continuation of the series. We see characters we’ve come to love and get to witness a HEA for Gavin and Rose.
While this isn’t my favorite of the series. It’s a great read and an easy one to recommend.
December 30, 2023
Rose and Gavin had an affair at a house party which ended badly. They find themselves at another house party where they try to clear the air. There are some folks causing havoc, so it takes a while to sort everything out. What I love is that Rose recognizes Gavin's talent and encourages him to follow his dreams. I enjoyed this book.
February 20, 2024
Gavin's and Rose's story.
Gavin and Rose are thrown together again at his sister's house party. Without clearing their misunderstandings they decide to start their relationship anew. However, more obstacles appear. Gavin's old acting group is invited by his brother-in-law as a surprise and the leader accuses Gavin of thievery and threatens his sisters and Rose.
Gavin and Rose are thrown together again at his sister's house party. Without clearing their misunderstandings they decide to start their relationship anew. However, more obstacles appear. Gavin's old acting group is invited by his brother-in-law as a surprise and the leader accuses Gavin of thievery and threatens his sisters and Rose.
November 18, 2024
Another wonderful read from this author. I love her books and this series so much.
The interactions, history, and chemistry between Gavin and Rose are fabulous, with just the right amount of steam, and there are many other interesting secondary characters that make this a highly captivating, entertaining read.
It is part of a series, however, can be read as a standalone.
The interactions, history, and chemistry between Gavin and Rose are fabulous, with just the right amount of steam, and there are many other interesting secondary characters that make this a highly captivating, entertaining read.
It is part of a series, however, can be read as a standalone.
December 8, 2023
Brava!
Oh how I love this series, and if this book is the end of it, I do hope all of these wonderful characters will pop up in other places in the words and worlds of Grace Burrowes (Diana has to make her come out, after all). Gavin and his Rose deserved their happily ever after, but another curtain call would be icing on the cake. Highly recommended.
Oh how I love this series, and if this book is the end of it, I do hope all of these wonderful characters will pop up in other places in the words and worlds of Grace Burrowes (Diana has to make her come out, after all). Gavin and his Rose deserved their happily ever after, but another curtain call would be icing on the cake. Highly recommended.
January 23, 2024
Grace Burrowes is already a favorite author of mine and I was pleased to be laughing aloud again a few times while reading this one. And I always enjoy a bit of theater thrown in so having Shakespearean players plus a mystery along with the romance made this book a winner for me.
February 22, 2024
quite entertaining
The story gets off to a very slow start, so bear with it. About mid way through, an actual plot develops with a mystery and a villain and a HEA. Not a brilliant book, but a lovely addition to the series
The story gets off to a very slow start, so bear with it. About mid way through, an actual plot develops with a mystery and a villain and a HEA. Not a brilliant book, but a lovely addition to the series
March 1, 2024
I rate Grace Buddies 5 stars in writing but this story didn't grab me. Too much low-key angst along with the mysteries and relationship problems and miscommunications. Maybe it's just me: I didn't have the patience for it.
January 3, 2024
So very similar to the other stories in this line up.
January 5, 2024
I have read most of the books in this Series, some are more enjoyable, to me, than others. This wasn't one of my favorites. It wasn't bad, but it didn't hold my interest. 3-1/2 Stars
January 19, 2024
Another delightful romp in this Regency series. Will be sorry if this is the last entry, and so hope the author reconsiders…. At least I have the Lord Julian series to watch for!
January 30, 2024
A nice romance full of misunderstandings and dithering. I’m glad the series is finished. This one felt forced.
March 18, 2024
Might have been 4 stars if not for the convoluted answer regarding the missing money and jewelry.
June 25, 2024
Not my favorite of author’s, no humor and way too predictable.
October 21, 2024
Meh, I couldn’t care less about the hero, I don’t like “actor” heroes. This was a struggle and DNF, 2.5
April 5, 2025
Best of the series, methinks.
September 11, 2025
Wonderful author, but not this book so much. This is one too much in the series. The subject well chosen but a meek end.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews