The Ugly Duckling

Hiatt Regency Classics #2

by Brenda Hiatt

A sweetly sparkling Regency romance from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Hiatt
 
A reluctant debutante
 
Deirdre Wheaton doesn't mind being the lone ugly duckling among a flock of swans (her four beautiful sisters) until her mother insists she also have her London debut. Deirdre reluctantly agrees, but is far more interested in meeting celebrated poets and novelists than eligible bachelors. In fact, her deepest, most secret desire is to publish her own poetry someday . . . until she meets the dashing Marquis of Wrotham. Once Cupid's arrow strikes, Deirdre has a difficult time thinking about anything other than the handsome nobleman. Determined to give love, the poets' most exalted emotion, a fair try, she enlists a sister's help to transform herself into an elegant woman of fashion in order to catch Lord Wrotham's eye. Her plan is on the verge of succeeding when she learns that her intended apparently has an aversion to her first love--poetry! What to do?

A prize worth pursuing

Though long averse to matrimony, Edison Gates, Marquis of Wrotham must choose a bride for the succession to avoid having the title and estate fall to his feckless gamester cousin. In Miss Deirdre Wheaton, Lord Wrotham believes he has finally found a woman who unites beauty, breeding, humor and intellect. When she suddenly grows cool toward him, he is at a loss to explain it. Can he convince the lovely Miss Wheaton that he is her perfect mate after all?

Originally published as "The Ugly Duckling"

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1992

About the author

Brenda Hiatt is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sparkling romantic adventure. She's written twenty-five novels (so far), including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery, and her young adult science fiction STARSTRUCK series. Brenda began in traditional publishing with Harlequin, HarperCollins and Avon Books and later made a transition to indie publishing as she began getting rights back to her older books. So far, she hasn't been sorry! She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc, where she has served as president. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (she has over 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (where she is working toward her 4th degree black belt), hiking, traveling…and reading, of course!
Learn more at http://brendahiatt.com

Reviews

[Griffinyarn · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, let's address this misleading sentence in the description:

She was unable to resist his charms, though for the sake of her first love, she fervently wished she could.

Deirdre's first love is poetry. So although there is A RIVAL for her hand, there really isn't a love triangle (if anyone was worried).

Now for the review part. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I could have. I just didn't feel the love. Mostly due to the fact that Deirdre falls in love with the Marquis of Wrotham at first sight (literally).

There was something about him which seemed to call out to her, irresistibly drawing her attention. The man turned his head slightly and Deirdre felt as if an invisible hand squeezed her heart within her.

... Deirdre was beginning to realize what had befallen her: she had been smitten by that cherubic archer himself, Cupid. The shaft had struck with all the force and unexpectedness the little deity was famous for, and undoubtedly would be as impossible to extract.

WHAM! Insta-love!

And the Marquis is not much better.

There was an intelligence in her eyes, her expression, that made him wish to know her better, but he really could not be sure after less than half an hour's conversation whether it truly existed or not. She could be as stupid as a cow for all he had been able to discover so far.

But she was certainly prettier than one, he could not help thinking with a smile. Remembering her face, the way she turned her head, he felt a warm glow coursing through him. Was this love? He had heard the poets describe it so, but had never quite believed in it for mere mortals like himself.

The minimal dialogue and character development just made the romance feel flatter than 3 day old Coca Cola.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one. I was hooked from the beginning thinking that it would be a tale of true love where the H saw past the h’s plainness and was interested in her for herself. Instead it was a tale of insta-love even though they thought they had nothing in common, the h gets a makeover in the first half and so is seen for her beauty, and where the h hid herself from the H not letting him know her true self. There was no deep conversations between the two and no basis or reason why the Marquis would change his bachelor state for this particular girl.

The other issue I had with the book is how the characters are too familiar with each other. One girl refers to Dierdre as “Didi” after they are first introduced and also Didi goes on a first name basis with a man only after knowing him for a week. (Sometimes I think regency writers do this to simplify things as if we’ll remember the characters better if their first names are used rather than last).

Kisses only

[Wealhtheow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deirdre Wheaton is about to make her debut in London, but she doesn't care about finding a husband--her main object is to meet with potential publishers and fellow poets. She takes no interest in polish, either of her person or her manners. Then she sees Edison Gates, Marquis of Wrotham, enter a ballroom and she immediately falls in love. She throws herself into transforming herself into a beautiful woman he will notice; and succeeds. But does she really want someone who's attracted to her appearance and not her mind? She and Wrotham try to feel each other out on the subject of poetry (which each of them is passionately interested in), but polite manners keep them from understanding that they share this interest.

The story is good, but it's the writing that I really enjoyed. It has just the right ironic omniscient narrator feel to it.

[Sue Gosland]

I actually read this in a paperback edition, but I couldn't find that edition.

I really like this one. Deirde has never felt as beautiful as her sister, which is perfectly OK with her. She is more interested in writing poetry, as well as reading it. She has her debut into society with her older sister, who is a real beauty. She doesn't mind being in her sister's shadow, until she meets the Marquis of Wrotham. She is instantly attracted to him, but she's not sure he even sees her. So she goes to one of her older sisters, and has her help her get a makeover. Suddenly, she is no longer the ugly duckling. Will the Marquis notice? Will he see beyond the glam to the real gem underneath? Does he really hate poetry?

I adore Brenda Hiatt's writing style and story lines. This one was fun.

[Jean Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deidre is considered the ugly daughter by her mother and some of her sisters, which stems from her hair being a different color than her sisters and hard to control. Deidre thinks she doesn't care to marry, as she is happy with her poetry. But she falls hard for Lord Wrotham, although at first she has mistaken ideas about him which concern her. Lord Wrotham hadn't thought to marry either, but partly decided to seek a bride so his irresponsible relative can't inherit. Add in a man who just wants to marry her thinking she will help him with his poetry(which is terrible). Said man decided to kidnap Deidre, planning to force her into marriage with him. He is inept in that attempt as someone else takes her from him. All ends well in the end, with misunderstandings cleared up and love prevails.

[Betty Sotherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet poetic story of boy meets girl

An adventurous romance about a lady and a marques working at cross purposes toward a life together. Overcoming their differences was accomplished with funny circumstances and the ultimate adventure leading to marriage. A excellent,fun read. I recommend this book to classic romance lovers.

[Lisa Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Omg. I had to put this book down a few times because the suspense and fear of what might happen. Wonderful read, HEA.

[Susan Sieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute read

The book was very good. It had a different kind of twist to it that made it a hard to put down read.

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite unique. like the poetry thing a lot - could have been wrapped up better

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining, but I'm not sure I'd read it again. The romance was very subdued.

Sidenote: The model on the cover looks like she's mildly disturbed by whatever she's looking at.

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

La definirei una di quelle letture né carne né pesce... L ho trovato onestamente molto scialbo e fin troppo "vecchio stile" rispetto al primo della serie... tra i due protagonisti non ho sentito la minima alchimia e i piccoli fraintendimenti sono davvero campati in aria D: Nemmeno il tocco di azione finale riesce a risollevare il tutto e l happy ending per me è arrivato velocemente e con un sospiro di sollievo XD Speriamo il prossimo della serie si risollevi XD

[Cathy Posey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know when this book first fell into my hands, but I am so glad it did! In physical form, it is a small, unassuming Regency Romance book that could easily blend in with the wallpaper. Much like Mrs. Deirdre Wheaton, the main character, it is a swan among ducks! This book has some of my favorite tropes and plot points. The main character loves POETRY! She is considered the plain, unassuming one in her family. Her family felt she would never marry well, and in that time period, securing a good marriage was the only thing a lady needed to accomplish. For the main character, she has more profound, bigger dreams than that. However, just because her dreams are different from her sisters doesn't mean she can't find true love along the way and show everyone that her beauty outshines them all. Since I first read this book as a child in the 90s, it has been my favorite book of all time! Easily six stars!!!
Color Theme: Lavender and White

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deirdre (Didi) Wheaton is the 4th of 6 sisters and a poet. She is the ‘ugly duckling’ of the title only in that she is indifferent to her looks and often dreaming of her poetry; rather a girl whose light hasn’t shown as yet. When she and her sister go to London for the season and she meets someone of interest, Edison Gates, Lord Wrotham, and her poetry is well received by a publisher, she begins to take an interest in how she is presenting herself and she begins to shine. The conflict in the novel revolves around her poetry and how others approve, disapprove, or try to take advantage of her talent. Enjoyable Regency romance.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love regency romance and this one is not a disappointment at all. I love the romance between Lord Wrotham and Deirdre, and even that of Lord Ellerby and Celeste. The characters are funny and the way the author written them is entertaining and witty. The ending is concluded nicely with all the conflicts and misunderstands neatly resolved.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a new series that I could read and came across this one. This is book 2 in series. I did not love it as much as the first one. I just wish the Characters would have actually talked to each other. I hate when that is the main issue between the character. I am already half way finished with book 3 in the series and I am enjoying it a great deal more.

[Kami Reeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say? It's a summer read. Clean romance. Nothing earth shattering but a fun read sitting on the back porch while my kids were in the pool.

[Elsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that both characters were fleshed out and that they actually had similar interests and personalities. Cute regency novel, but nothing to write home about.

[Little Red Readinghood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice clean romance.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, cute, clean and easy read. I enjoyed that Ed and Didi are both a little awkward. Didi is a little more forgiving then I would be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.