What do you think?
Rate this book
The Waverly Women #1
The First Rebellion
The Earl of Tredair had his fill of balls, routs, and silly misses, and he despaired of finding anyone out of the extraordinary - that is, until he met Miss Fanny Waverley.
Most unique and intriguing, she and her two sisters were the adopted daughters of the reclusive bluestocking Madame Waverley. They had been raised as her disciples to spread the word of women's rights and to encourage poor oppressed females to stand up against the iniquities of the male sex!
The beautiful and farouche Miss Fanny, however, found it quite hard to think of all men as cruel and lustful beasts - how could she when now she found herself longing to kiss one of the most hated of his breed!
ABOUT THE SERIES
Waverly women pursue their aspirations no matter what the obstacle. They may marry if the cause seems to suit the purpose or they may flirt until their heart is content, or, perhaps until the gentleman who has until then proven to be the most elusive of all is clearly within reach. No matter what the obstacle, none is too big for a Waverly woman. These are books of dreams, lessons, fanciful thoughts, and most of all, tales of girls grown now to women who won't settle for anything less than their full dream, impossible as it may seem at the outset.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom.
Most unique and intriguing, she and her two sisters were the adopted daughters of the reclusive bluestocking Madame Waverley. They had been raised as her disciples to spread the word of women's rights and to encourage poor oppressed females to stand up against the iniquities of the male sex!
The beautiful and farouche Miss Fanny, however, found it quite hard to think of all men as cruel and lustful beasts - how could she when now she found herself longing to kiss one of the most hated of his breed!
ABOUT THE SERIES
Waverly women pursue their aspirations no matter what the obstacle. They may marry if the cause seems to suit the purpose or they may flirt until their heart is content, or, perhaps until the gentleman who has until then proven to be the most elusive of all is clearly within reach. No matter what the obstacle, none is too big for a Waverly woman. These are books of dreams, lessons, fanciful thoughts, and most of all, tales of girls grown now to women who won't settle for anything less than their full dream, impossible as it may seem at the outset.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 1989
43 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books752 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 6, 2022
He thought so hard and fast he could practically feel his mind jumping through hoops like those performing dogs at Astley’s Amphitheatre.
Yes, it was funny, although not as hilariously funny as some other Mrs Chesney's stories are.
Fanny's awakening was charming, not sudden and complete, but gradual - quite believable.
There were fewer fascinating discussions (about women rights etc) than in Silken Bonds but on the other hand, I liked this romance more. Moreover, an additional value here was Lady Artemis and Mr Fordyce. I didn't like Lady Artemis but I sympathized with her doubts (at the end of the book).
Definitely promising beginning of the series.
January 17, 2016
Not bad. Not great. It's the first of a trilogy and too many questions remained unanswered. What I liked the most: the many many discussions about the education of women. That was fascinating. Also, the three adopted daughters were presented as enemies but that was somewhat forced (forced by their adoptive mother) ... I loved seeing them work together as allies.
March 26, 2024
First book in a Regency-romance trilogy, from 1989
The Earl of Tredair is in his early 30s and feels that he can no longer put off marrying to produce an heir. Unfortunately, he is not interested in the type of women who abound in the ton. Their superficial chatter and stagey flirtatiousness leave him cold. He longs to discover a woman who is completely out of the ordinary. Ironically, it is through the intervention of a lovely, 25-year-old, wealthy widow, Lady Artemis, who is determined to make the Earl her second husband, that an opportunity arises to meet an entirely different type of woman. At a society ball, Lady Artemis attempts to hold his wandering attention, when the Earl is growing bored with her, by informing him that, living in the mansion across the street from her home in Hanover Square is a house full of eccentric bluestockings, a Mrs Waverly and her three young and beautiful daughters. Mrs Waverly is an extremely rich, middle-aged widow, who fervently preaches the rights of women and scorns men. She has no male servants, refuses to go into society, and lives like a recluse. The Earl does not believe that any woman could be a true believer of that philosophy, and Lady Artemis cheekily bets him £100 that she is right. She connives her way into the home of Mrs Waverly, pretending to be interested in women's rights. Then she requests permission to come to a weekly lecture given by Mrs Waverly in her home and asks if she can bring a guest, not specifying the guest's gender.
When Lady Artemis shows up at Mrs Waverly's home with the Earl at her side, he immediately notices 19-year-old Fanny. She uses no feminine arts whatsoever to attract him and, in fact, engages in a lively and highly disrespectful debate with him. The Earl realizes that Fanny represents everything he has been hoping to find in a woman, and he is instantly and profoundly attracted to her.
This novel is the first in a trilogy, and all three novels are tightly linked together. They definitely should be read in order. In particular, a central mystery, figuring out the identity of the biological parents of the three FMCs of this series, who were adopted by Mrs Waverly some years before, is not answered until the third book.
Overall, this is one of the better attempts of Chesney to actually write a romance novel with the courtship of the FMC and MMC as the main focus. In far too many of her Regency novels, a melodramatic murder-mystery plot takes over the book and almost entirely squeezes out the romance.
The Earl of Tredair is not quite a Cinnamon Roll, but he definitely isn't a harsh Alpha. It is typical in virtually every Regency romance written by Chesney for there to be a 12-15-year age difference between the MMC and the FMC, and this novel is no exception.
This story was written in the '80s, when it was not common practice for the FMC in a Regency novel to have coequal agency with the MMC in their relationship. Therefore, the dangers that occur in the action-adventure portion of the novel are never resolved by the FMC saving herself, entirely by her own courageously competent efforts. On several occasions in this novel, the intrepid MMC must ride to her rescue.
I would not classify this novel as romantic comedy but, more accurately, dramedy. The humor mainly occurs within the early encounters between the Earl and Fanny, which offers some clever repartee.
Chesney rarely opens the bedroom door in her novels, and even when she does, there is very little description beyond kissing. In the case of this novel, there is no more sensuality involved than a few kisses.
I experienced this novel in audiobook format, which I obtained through Hoopla. The female narrator does an excellent job.
The Earl of Tredair is in his early 30s and feels that he can no longer put off marrying to produce an heir. Unfortunately, he is not interested in the type of women who abound in the ton. Their superficial chatter and stagey flirtatiousness leave him cold. He longs to discover a woman who is completely out of the ordinary. Ironically, it is through the intervention of a lovely, 25-year-old, wealthy widow, Lady Artemis, who is determined to make the Earl her second husband, that an opportunity arises to meet an entirely different type of woman. At a society ball, Lady Artemis attempts to hold his wandering attention, when the Earl is growing bored with her, by informing him that, living in the mansion across the street from her home in Hanover Square is a house full of eccentric bluestockings, a Mrs Waverly and her three young and beautiful daughters. Mrs Waverly is an extremely rich, middle-aged widow, who fervently preaches the rights of women and scorns men. She has no male servants, refuses to go into society, and lives like a recluse. The Earl does not believe that any woman could be a true believer of that philosophy, and Lady Artemis cheekily bets him £100 that she is right. She connives her way into the home of Mrs Waverly, pretending to be interested in women's rights. Then she requests permission to come to a weekly lecture given by Mrs Waverly in her home and asks if she can bring a guest, not specifying the guest's gender.
When Lady Artemis shows up at Mrs Waverly's home with the Earl at her side, he immediately notices 19-year-old Fanny. She uses no feminine arts whatsoever to attract him and, in fact, engages in a lively and highly disrespectful debate with him. The Earl realizes that Fanny represents everything he has been hoping to find in a woman, and he is instantly and profoundly attracted to her.
This novel is the first in a trilogy, and all three novels are tightly linked together. They definitely should be read in order. In particular, a central mystery, figuring out the identity of the biological parents of the three FMCs of this series, who were adopted by Mrs Waverly some years before, is not answered until the third book.
Overall, this is one of the better attempts of Chesney to actually write a romance novel with the courtship of the FMC and MMC as the main focus. In far too many of her Regency novels, a melodramatic murder-mystery plot takes over the book and almost entirely squeezes out the romance.
The Earl of Tredair is not quite a Cinnamon Roll, but he definitely isn't a harsh Alpha. It is typical in virtually every Regency romance written by Chesney for there to be a 12-15-year age difference between the MMC and the FMC, and this novel is no exception.
This story was written in the '80s, when it was not common practice for the FMC in a Regency novel to have coequal agency with the MMC in their relationship. Therefore, the dangers that occur in the action-adventure portion of the novel are never resolved by the FMC saving herself, entirely by her own courageously competent efforts. On several occasions in this novel, the intrepid MMC must ride to her rescue.
I would not classify this novel as romantic comedy but, more accurately, dramedy. The humor mainly occurs within the early encounters between the Earl and Fanny, which offers some clever repartee.
Chesney rarely opens the bedroom door in her novels, and even when she does, there is very little description beyond kissing. In the case of this novel, there is no more sensuality involved than a few kisses.
I experienced this novel in audiobook format, which I obtained through Hoopla. The female narrator does an excellent job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
Was not really a fan of this one.
Most of the characters were unlikeable, and I wasn't impressed with how the book portrays all feminist women as fake, cowardly, and in need of some sort of saving.
The romance was also unbelievable, and the plot just kind of bounced around a lot with no real idea of why these things were happening.
Most of the characters were unlikeable, and I wasn't impressed with how the book portrays all feminist women as fake, cowardly, and in need of some sort of saving.
The romance was also unbelievable, and the plot just kind of bounced around a lot with no real idea of why these things were happening.
July 26, 2021
The interesting part of this first book in the series is the societal and cultural changes that began with the education and enlightenment of women on a small scale and almost in secret. The story itself runs the typical plot of an historical Regency romance.
June 11, 2017
Enjoyable easy read
December 5, 2022
"I am still a modern woman and demand my rights, my lord. Kiss me!" ch 11 p 49
Hidden secrets. Chesney/ Beaton fills short books with many ups, downs and twists. Sequels can investigate orphanage, parentage of sisters Frederica and Felicity.
Is Mrs Waverly kind or mean? Widow Maria [or Prinny's Clorinda]? Fanny is her eldest, confused about physical feelings for rich Lord Tredair. His friend Mr Fordyce, John, and flighty Lady Artemis, Verity, change less predictably than the sparring and snogging main couple.
Typo ch 2 p 57 "her by him"
IS "him by her"
Hidden secrets. Chesney/ Beaton fills short books with many ups, downs and twists. Sequels can investigate orphanage, parentage of sisters Frederica and Felicity.
Is Mrs Waverly kind or mean? Widow Maria [or Prinny's Clorinda]? Fanny is her eldest, confused about physical feelings for rich Lord Tredair. His friend Mr Fordyce, John, and flighty Lady Artemis, Verity, change less predictably than the sparring and snogging main couple.
Typo ch 2 p 57 "her by him"
IS "him by her"
August 5, 2022
Such a disappointment. Beaton’s writing was almost amateurish and not nearly up to her usual eccentric characters, clever historical details, and humorous dialog. The characters’ behavior was unrealistic and therefore the plot was contorted to make a weirdly disjointed story. Sigh… I have loved many an M.C. Beaton romance.
June 29, 2012
I liked the novel, but after having read so many Georgette Heyer's this one seemed to be a bit on the flat side reagrding the writing. I loved the story though and can't wait to see what happens to the next sister...
September 3, 2016
I was excited to read a historical romance from a feminist perspective, but instead this just reinforced annoying stereotypes.
Full review here: https://whatemmasreading.wordpress.co...
Full review here: https://whatemmasreading.wordpress.co...
January 5, 2018
I have read [or, in this case, listened to as audio books] several MC Beaton books after having read - and adored! - her Poor Relations series in hopes of finding others that were as good. So far none have hit the mark for me and this was not an exception. It was okay, but overall I found it a disappointment.
To be fair, this is a fairly typical Regency romance story, so I can't object too much, and I certainly didn't hate this. It had moments of the clever, cheeky humour that I loved so, so much in the Poor Relations books, but they were hit and miss rather than consistent and throughout this book.
Both Fanny and the Earl had moments of intelligence, humour and good sense about the idiotic strictures of their society, and at those moments I like both of them a lot. But then they would believe some lie, or fall for some dastardly individual's attempts to thwart the happily ever after that were beyond obvious attempts to mislead, and at those moments I wanted to smack the both of them upside the head.
Overall, I found this story inconsistent and up and down in the pacing. As I said, it wasn't terrible, it just wasn't up to the standards of the entire Poor Relations series. If you like Regency era stories, check out the Poor Relations. I can't recommend this one. It was "meh" at best.
To be fair, this is a fairly typical Regency romance story, so I can't object too much, and I certainly didn't hate this. It had moments of the clever, cheeky humour that I loved so, so much in the Poor Relations books, but they were hit and miss rather than consistent and throughout this book.
Both Fanny and the Earl had moments of intelligence, humour and good sense about the idiotic strictures of their society, and at those moments I like both of them a lot. But then they would believe some lie, or fall for some dastardly individual's attempts to thwart the happily ever after that were beyond obvious attempts to mislead, and at those moments I wanted to smack the both of them upside the head.
Overall, I found this story inconsistent and up and down in the pacing. As I said, it wasn't terrible, it just wasn't up to the standards of the entire Poor Relations series. If you like Regency era stories, check out the Poor Relations. I can't recommend this one. It was "meh" at best.
April 8, 2018
I think I prefer M.C Beaton's mysteries rather than her romances. I found the characters in this book to be quite boring. I don't think I really connected with any of them. I also wasn't very fond of the romance element of this book.
This was a very quick read and I got through it quite quickly. It does portray the time period quite well and the role of women during that the time. Unfortunately, I didn't really like either the plot or the characters. The story felt quite flat as not a lot really happened and this wasn't made up by having interesting characters.
I do intend to read the other books in the series as I plan to read all of Beaton's works however as I mentioned above I think I prefer her mystery books. I have read a couple of her romance works now and I have not really enjoyed them. I find that the romantic interest has not been a character that I have particularly liked which makes it difficult to enjoy the story as this is such a huge plot focus.
This was a very quick read and I got through it quite quickly. It does portray the time period quite well and the role of women during that the time. Unfortunately, I didn't really like either the plot or the characters. The story felt quite flat as not a lot really happened and this wasn't made up by having interesting characters.
I do intend to read the other books in the series as I plan to read all of Beaton's works however as I mentioned above I think I prefer her mystery books. I have read a couple of her romance works now and I have not really enjoyed them. I find that the romantic interest has not been a character that I have particularly liked which makes it difficult to enjoy the story as this is such a huge plot focus.
August 16, 2020
This is a sweet slim novel about three young women living with their adoptive mother (really in modern terms more of a patron) who is a blue stocking and despises men. A lady trying to catch the eye of an earl who is bored with brainless women tricks Mrs Waverley into introducing her daughters to the earl, and Mrs Waverley’s plans to keep her daughters secluded and isolated begins to unravel.
This is the first in a three-book series, one book for each daughter.
Funnily enough, I must have read this book many many years ago, because scenes in it were very familiar to me.
This is the first in a three-book series, one book for each daughter.
Funnily enough, I must have read this book many many years ago, because scenes in it were very familiar to me.
July 25, 2021
Vanessa Benjamin did a wonderful reading of the audiobook - crisp and fresh and beautifully enunciated. This book was fun and silly, and had a few notable scenes including the pawn shops adventure, the kitchen scrubbing, the hot air balloon excursion, and the outing to Brighton to escape the possible ire of “the mob” that were plot-popping moments of colour in an otherwise standard Regency romance. Good for fans of Georgette Heyer, with stubborn proud men getting scolded, and stubborn proud women getting their way.
June 15, 2019
Chained by the past
Fanny is a fondling and was rescued by Mrs Waverly with two other girls! They endure a strict upbringing and are taught that men are vile rutting beasts to beware! The Earl of Tredair is drawn to Fannys beauty and intelligence! Fanny is less brain washed then the other two girls and begins to question her loyalties and every existence! A humorous story full of adventure!
Fanny is a fondling and was rescued by Mrs Waverly with two other girls! They endure a strict upbringing and are taught that men are vile rutting beasts to beware! The Earl of Tredair is drawn to Fannys beauty and intelligence! Fanny is less brain washed then the other two girls and begins to question her loyalties and every existence! A humorous story full of adventure!
November 10, 2021
1 in the Waverley Women trilogy. This 1989 series entry by author Marion Chesney (also published as by her well known pen name M.C. Beaton) is a Regency romance which is not normally a genre I would bother with. Here Fanny Waverley is the oldest of the three Waverley sisters, adopted by Mrs. Waverley and brought up in seclusion. I found the tale of how she escaped her bonds, and found love and marriage, to be quite entertaining. I'll certainly look at the other series entries.
January 22, 2022
Five stars all around. In this novel we get a look at women oppressing each other with education. I’m very curious to know the secrets that Mrs. Waverley is hiding. I’m wondering if she was once a mistress to the prince regent and if the three girls are his bastards by her, or maybe she knew their mother... It’s good to see that no one was forcing the young ladies on the titled gentlemen. However, the alternative doesn’t seem to be much better.
November 17, 2024
This one is the first of the author's wide range of books I have actively disliked. Every character is eminently repellant, from the nasty, man-hating "mother" to the dysfunctional, spoiled "daughters," not to mention the supercilious, selfish "hero" and an oversexed lady rival. The story just ended abruptly as if the author were as tired of these fools as I was. I suppose it continues in the next books, but I will not be wasting my time with them.
August 13, 2021
Fanny is an orphaned girl with a mysterious past. She and her two adopted sisters are wards of a wealthy woman who preaches woman’s rights and is against all men. After being brain washed her entire life that she will be a spinster and will live out her days with women, she meets an Earl and her entire life comes unraveled.
June 20, 2023
Lovely regency romance
A lovely regency romance. M.C. Beaton never dissapoints with her tales. Easy and humorus read, with love and womens rights as a backbone.
However, the question remains what relationship Mrs. Waverly has had with the prince.
A lovely regency romance. M.C. Beaton never dissapoints with her tales. Easy and humorus read, with love and womens rights as a backbone.
However, the question remains what relationship Mrs. Waverly has had with the prince.
May 11, 2024
I enjoy Marion Chesney’s light romances. They are perfect audiobooks to listen to on my daily walks. They are absurd, improbable, and often funny. This one perhaps less funny than some others of hers that I have read.
November 5, 2024
I found this an amusing and entertaining romp, but was disappointed that it’s not as clean as the other Chesney titles I’ve read. I will probably continue the series because I want to find out the secret of Mrs. Waverley’s past. Hopefully the others will be cleaner.
October 22, 2019
Quick, light, fluffy.
February 27, 2020
A Regency romance - not my usual genre but it was a light and easy read.
April 9, 2020
Nice light hearted Regency read just right at the moment
August 11, 2021
Cheesy fun.
September 11, 2021
Very good. I enjoyed it.
November 9, 2021
Audible Catalogue
AUDIOBOOK: Read 8 November 2021
5hrs 56min
Narrator: Vanessa Benjamin does a pretty good job
Liked it a lot. Secrets, laughs, manipulations etc.
AUDIOBOOK: Read 8 November 2021
5hrs 56min
Narrator: Vanessa Benjamin does a pretty good job
Liked it a lot. Secrets, laughs, manipulations etc.
February 5, 2022
I can't explain my love for these books, but love them I do!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews