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Midsummer Moon
Although she is an heiress, Miss Jane Reynolds's quiet life with a widowed aunt has left her on the shelf at 26. Now she is spending the summer with her irrepressible cousin Cynthia in the country--when two very eligible gentlemen arrive. Naturally, Jane assumes they will be courting her cousin. Yet Sir George Overton, one of the most fashionable Pinks of the ton, is quite taken with her--and well on his way to losing his heart! A Regency romance original.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1997
77 people want to read
About the author
Joy Reed
34 books6 followersI have been reading Regency romances since I was in my teens and actually wrote my first one--a truly dreadful effort--when I was about sixteen. But since I chose to pursue an education and career in a different field (automotive technology, with minors in French and business administration), that early effort gathered dust for many years. It wasn't until after the birth of my daughter that I had the time and inclination to take up writing again. I enjoy writing and enjoy even more hearing from readers of my books. I work hard to make my Regencies accurate in period detail as well as entertaining in content.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 23, 2012
I enjoyed The Duke And Miss Dennyvery much and was curious to see if I would like her other books too. So I bought "Midsummer moon" and set to reading.
Jane Reynolds(our heroine) is spending the summer with her aunt and cousin in the country while her other aunt (who she lives with) is touring Europe to look at old battlefields.She is grateful for that as the aunt is somewhat of a domineering woman.
Her aunt and cousin are discussing the arrival of the new heir to an estate nearby,that is really something out of the ordinary.Turns out the excentric old lady who owned it was mad about building fanciful structures in her gardens.
Her cousin convinces her to sneak out and have a look at the gardens,before the new owner arrives and they become off limits.
They are exploring and playing around when they are interrupted by a very fashionable man,that turns out to be the new heir George Overton.
Jane becomes a bit fretful of them appearing as intruders,but he soon sets them at ease by teasing them and being all around friendly.Lydia (the cousin) even invites him to come home with them to have dinner.
Soon its not long before the two of them finds themselves together on other ocassions,and becoming quite the good friends and maybe more....
There was so much to like in this book,the chemistry of the hero and heroine,the country setting and the quirky supporting characters.
It was nice having a heroine that wasnt feisty and headstrong.The heroine was no pushover but she didnt start an argument at the drop of a hat (or bonnet) She is the kind of heroine I really like and can sympatize with.
"Maybe you are a little bit too quiet,but I talk enough for the both of us.When you want me to be silent you only have to do one thing." "What is that?" Jane asked. "This."he said and kissed her.
((paraphrased..dont have the book with me atm))
The hero was also a delight since he has a somewhat teasing manner and likes to dress well. It was refreshing from the usual dark and brooding heroes that usually occupy historical romances (im not saying I dont like them but every now and then you get tired of that)
Another thing that I liked was that the cousin and aunt isnt the villains,nor is the heroine poor and therefore reliant on their goodwill.Also since this takes place in the country there is no Almacks and
The romance is slow but its enjoyable to read along while the couple get to know each other.
In short a very sweet read with shades of Austen. A real gem.
Jane Reynolds(our heroine) is spending the summer with her aunt and cousin in the country while her other aunt (who she lives with) is touring Europe to look at old battlefields.She is grateful for that as the aunt is somewhat of a domineering woman.
Her aunt and cousin are discussing the arrival of the new heir to an estate nearby,that is really something out of the ordinary.Turns out the excentric old lady who owned it was mad about building fanciful structures in her gardens.
Her cousin convinces her to sneak out and have a look at the gardens,before the new owner arrives and they become off limits.
They are exploring and playing around when they are interrupted by a very fashionable man,that turns out to be the new heir George Overton.
Jane becomes a bit fretful of them appearing as intruders,but he soon sets them at ease by teasing them and being all around friendly.Lydia (the cousin) even invites him to come home with them to have dinner.
Soon its not long before the two of them finds themselves together on other ocassions,and becoming quite the good friends and maybe more....
There was so much to like in this book,the chemistry of the hero and heroine,the country setting and the quirky supporting characters.
It was nice having a heroine that wasnt feisty and headstrong.The heroine was no pushover but she didnt start an argument at the drop of a hat (or bonnet) She is the kind of heroine I really like and can sympatize with.
"Maybe you are a little bit too quiet,but I talk enough for the both of us.When you want me to be silent you only have to do one thing." "What is that?" Jane asked. "This."he said and kissed her.
((paraphrased..dont have the book with me atm))
The hero was also a delight since he has a somewhat teasing manner and likes to dress well. It was refreshing from the usual dark and brooding heroes that usually occupy historical romances (im not saying I dont like them but every now and then you get tired of that)
Another thing that I liked was that the cousin and aunt isnt the villains,nor is the heroine poor and therefore reliant on their goodwill.Also since this takes place in the country there is no Almacks and
The romance is slow but its enjoyable to read along while the couple get to know each other.
In short a very sweet read with shades of Austen. A real gem.
November 14, 2013
This is a lovely, sweet story. The characters and plot are largely original which is very refreshing. Sir George is neither a rake nor a Corinthian. He's not even an Alpha hero. He's known as a Dandy and rattle but his sense of humor shows him to be well-read and intelligent, traits that will endear him to any romantic reader. Jane is an original heroine is well. She can be shy and tongue-tied at time, something I can relate to very well. The relationship between the heroine and hero develops really nicely. They get to know each other and really connect. There's no major chemistry or fireworks but there is a lovely friendship based on mutual interests that develops into more, which I absolutely loved. There are lots of chuckle out loud moments, especially during a dinner party. The detailed descriptions the Priory and gardens are amazing. I felt like I was walking along with the characters. My only complaint is that the story goes on too long. The big misunderstanding happens late in the story and feels out of place at that point. It's obvious what happened and Jane's reaction was so out of character that that part of the novel felt forced. Newcomers to the genre who love the fashions of the period will find this novel a good place to start. Long-time fans of the genre will love this well-written, intelligent, sweet story. It's not quite one for the keeper shelf, but definitely one of the better Zebra Regencies.
October 5, 2018
While I found it readable and entertaining, this may be the most low-conflict romance I have ever read. I like the fact that most couples in Grace Livingston Hill's books have a low-key, conflict-free romance, however GLH generally livens up the plot with conflicts outside that relationship. While there are very minor conflicts flitting through here and there, the only serious threat to our heroine's happiness in this book is a Big Misunderstanding toward the end, which seems ridiculously out of place (book would have gotten four stars without it).
That aspect of the plot fits our heroine, actually. She's a small, shy, and quiet woman with some self-esteem issues, who could have been overwhelmed in the sort of high energy plots I usually read. Barring the Big Misunderstanding bit, I liked both heroine and story.
I have no idea if this is a typical Zebra romance or not; not sure I've ever read any others. If it is typical, maybe I should set up a backlog of them for the next time I've got the flu; great comfort read when you don't want to deal with a hero who really needs to give good grovel to be tolerable.
That aspect of the plot fits our heroine, actually. She's a small, shy, and quiet woman with some self-esteem issues, who could have been overwhelmed in the sort of high energy plots I usually read. Barring the Big Misunderstanding bit, I liked both heroine and story.
I have no idea if this is a typical Zebra romance or not; not sure I've ever read any others. If it is typical, maybe I should set up a backlog of them for the next time I've got the flu; great comfort read when you don't want to deal with a hero who really needs to give good grovel to be tolerable.
January 6, 2026
This story was pleasant and sweet but soooooo long and a bit dull with a few cute moments here and there. The hero was not a Corinthian but a Pink of the ton. I thought he was masculine but mercy it took him and her forever to get together! This was the most sedate regency I can recall ever reading as well, Like I said, this story went on for sooooooo long! This is one that although I do not regret having read it, I will not reread it.
July 1, 2013
I liked it. It was clean and the characters likeable. The heroine was a little on the stiff side and it took the hero's charm to get her to loosen up (a little). I think this is the second or third Joy Reed book I've read and I'll keep an eye out for more.
September 25, 2009
Regency
May 2, 2012
A true regency, when they are good, they are very, very good.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews