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Regency Royal #16
The Dreadful Debutante Lib/E
Arranging a season for an unruly young lady whose habit is to enter drawing rooms by sliding down banisters presents a challenge at best especially since the hoydenish Mira has a sister of incomparable grace and beauty.
Mira isn t at all daunted by the local society and its ridiculous marriage mart. Her heart belongs to Lord Charles, who has been the object of her dreams ever since she was a child. But alas, Charles has eyes only for her ever-perfect sister, Drusilla.
Along the sidelines, the Marquess of Grantley enjoys Mira s jealous antics although pushing her sister into the fountains has practically ruined her social cachet. It is up to him to restore her to respectability and make her an eligible bride once again. When he succeeds, however, the lovelorn marquess will begin to wish he had left well enough alone. "
Mira isn t at all daunted by the local society and its ridiculous marriage mart. Her heart belongs to Lord Charles, who has been the object of her dreams ever since she was a child. But alas, Charles has eyes only for her ever-perfect sister, Drusilla.
Along the sidelines, the Marquess of Grantley enjoys Mira s jealous antics although pushing her sister into the fountains has practically ruined her social cachet. It is up to him to restore her to respectability and make her an eligible bride once again. When he succeeds, however, the lovelorn marquess will begin to wish he had left well enough alone. "
Audio CD
First published November 30, 1994
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About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books750 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 15, 2016
This is a fun, rollicking Regency romance that takes a number of twists and turns. It primarily centers on Mira Markham, an 18-year-old tomboy who loves hunting and riding and prefers wearing boy's clothing to dresses. Her older sister, Drusilla, is quite the opposite. Drusilla is everything demure and proper and beautiful... and consequently is pampered and spoiled by her parents. Their mother in particular always disparages Mira in comparison to the perfect Drusilla. Lord Charles Devere of the neighboring estate has been a hunting buddy and encouraged Mira's improper behavior. He's been away in the army for the past four years.
As the book begins, Mr. Markham announces his decision that the family will go to London and both girls will have their come-out together this Season. Mira at first objects because she would rather stay on the estate where she can continue to enjoy a more unfettered lifestyle. Once she learns Charles is back on leave from the army and will be in London looking for a wife, Mira changes her mind. In London, she sneaks out to see Charles. Unfortunately, the four years away have changed him, and he immediately chastises her and sends her back home.
Mira chafes and becomes bored easily in polite society, invites a scandal with her actions at the first ball they attend, and is confined to the house for a fortnight. To add insult to injury, Drusilla is receiving Charles' attentions. Mira puts on her masculine clothing, escapes the house, and manages to get in a curricle race as the tiger for the Marquess of Grantley. He discovers her secret and becomes her ally, coaching her how to successfully recover from her misstep and attract Charles.
The story proceeds from there. There's a villainess in the mix who makes things more difficult for Mira. Scandal looms, recedes, and then erupts. Engagements are made, broken and made again. Most impressively, both Mira and Drusilla grow and change believably over the course of the book.
While not the most credible of plots, The Dreadful Debutante was wonderful escapist fare for this reader. It was entertaining and humorous, well constructed, and well written.
As the book begins, Mr. Markham announces his decision that the family will go to London and both girls will have their come-out together this Season. Mira at first objects because she would rather stay on the estate where she can continue to enjoy a more unfettered lifestyle. Once she learns Charles is back on leave from the army and will be in London looking for a wife, Mira changes her mind. In London, she sneaks out to see Charles. Unfortunately, the four years away have changed him, and he immediately chastises her and sends her back home.
Mira chafes and becomes bored easily in polite society, invites a scandal with her actions at the first ball they attend, and is confined to the house for a fortnight. To add insult to injury, Drusilla is receiving Charles' attentions. Mira puts on her masculine clothing, escapes the house, and manages to get in a curricle race as the tiger for the Marquess of Grantley. He discovers her secret and becomes her ally, coaching her how to successfully recover from her misstep and attract Charles.
The story proceeds from there. There's a villainess in the mix who makes things more difficult for Mira. Scandal looms, recedes, and then erupts. Engagements are made, broken and made again. Most impressively, both Mira and Drusilla grow and change believably over the course of the book.
While not the most credible of plots, The Dreadful Debutante was wonderful escapist fare for this reader. It was entertaining and humorous, well constructed, and well written.
June 17, 2018
It was funny, enjoyable Regency romance.
The young heroine - constantly getting into mischief (often wearing boy's cloth).
The alpha hero - constantly rescuing her.
Is it a common scheme in Regency romance? Of course, it is. But, that didn't matter because I have had a great time. I laughed, I sighed (because of a love story). I found well-created characters, next to two main's, also Drusilla and Charles are worth mentioning. I really liked how Drusilla showed who she was (not just a vain spoiled beauty), especially her true concern and wonder that someone could feel a passion. To me, it was one of the best points of this novel.
Like Debbie Brown wrote: While not the most credible of plots, 'The Dreadful Debutante' was wonderful escapist fare for this reader. It was entertaining and humorous, well constructed, and well written.
It was almost as good as the best of Chesney I have read until now.
The young heroine - constantly getting into mischief (often wearing boy's cloth).
The alpha hero - constantly rescuing her.
Is it a common scheme in Regency romance? Of course, it is. But, that didn't matter because I have had a great time. I laughed, I sighed (because of a love story). I found well-created characters, next to two main's, also Drusilla and Charles are worth mentioning. I really liked how Drusilla showed who she was (not just a vain spoiled beauty), especially her true concern and wonder that someone could feel a passion. To me, it was one of the best points of this novel.
Like Debbie Brown wrote: While not the most credible of plots, 'The Dreadful Debutante' was wonderful escapist fare for this reader. It was entertaining and humorous, well constructed, and well written.
It was almost as good as the best of Chesney I have read until now.
December 13, 2021
These are cute Regency quick reads. A review of another M.C. Beaton book I read last week noted that these books are very similar. This title shares many features with Refining Felicity. Both tell of a hoyden daughter preparing for her 'Season', both have a handsome marquess and both have happy endings. In this story a nasty, jealous gossip gets her comeuppance.
December, 2021
I have to say I had absolutely ZERO recall of this story even upon completing my re-read if wasn't that I saw my star rating I would have been ready to swear it was new to me.
This is story of two sisters one beautiful and placid and the other rambunctious and tom boyish. Mira is excited to be reunited with her childhood play mate; who at 11 years her senior is a bit creepy in 2021, alas he spurs her for her beautiful vapid sister.
Mira resorts to pretending to be a boy and encounters a Marquess ( I think) who agrees to be her faux boyfriend to help her 'take'
We all know how this ends...
December, 2021
I have to say I had absolutely ZERO recall of this story even upon completing my re-read if wasn't that I saw my star rating I would have been ready to swear it was new to me.
This is story of two sisters one beautiful and placid and the other rambunctious and tom boyish. Mira is excited to be reunited with her childhood play mate; who at 11 years her senior is a bit creepy in 2021, alas he spurs her for her beautiful vapid sister.
Mira resorts to pretending to be a boy and encounters a Marquess ( I think) who agrees to be her faux boyfriend to help her 'take'
We all know how this ends...
April 20, 2022
This is an enjoyable 3.5-star effort. The H and the h are made for each other, but they have hot and cold running drama until they finally get together.
This is particularly fun because the dignified, aloof H is drawn into a some major escapades, and even as he rescues the h, engages in a lot of teenage drama himself. The reason? He's in love, an alien emotion, which explains why he doesn't know what hit him. In fact, everyone around them thinks that romantic love is the equivalent of brain fever, which is completely reasonable considering the exhausting nature of their relationship.
If you dislike tangle after tangle, you will not like this book, which goes to that well at least two times too many.
This is particularly fun because the dignified, aloof H is drawn into a some major escapades, and even as he rescues the h, engages in a lot of teenage drama himself. The reason? He's in love, an alien emotion, which explains why he doesn't know what hit him. In fact, everyone around them thinks that romantic love is the equivalent of brain fever, which is completely reasonable considering the exhausting nature of their relationship.
If you dislike tangle after tangle, you will not like this book, which goes to that well at least two times too many.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
3 stars (Audible). Cute + short.
August 20, 2023
A fun, Regency romantic comedy
Similar to the plot of The Loves of Lord Granton by Marion Chesney, in this Regency romance, a secret, platonic friendship leads to romantic love. However, this version is much more exciting because the heroine, the titular Dreadful Debutante, dresses in boy's clothes and sneaks out of her home to embark on wild adventures with the sexy hero.
Similar to the plot of The Loves of Lord Granton by Marion Chesney, in this Regency romance, a secret, platonic friendship leads to romantic love. However, this version is much more exciting because the heroine, the titular Dreadful Debutante, dresses in boy's clothes and sneaks out of her home to embark on wild adventures with the sexy hero.
January 9, 2014
Romance fiction - even Regency romance - is not normally my choice in reading material, nor any of my preference, but my library's summary of this story intrigued me, and as I had one space left for ebook loans I decided to try it. I'm glad I did.
With most of the romance fiction I've ever tried to read (I specify fiction as I quite like romantic fanfiction, already knowing who the characters are and many of their possible motivations), I've found the major, and especially minor, characters far too thinly drawn for my liking, or else overdone in a way that means I lose much of my empathy or sympathy with them. That's not the case here. Leading lady Mira Markham is a sparky young woman of 18, who has been raised largely through ignorance by her parents, who spent all their time concentrating on her more obviously beautiful elder sister Drusilla - this to the detriment of the spoiled sister far more than to that of Mira, who has developed character and strength that Drusilla has not, and it shows. Mira's actions are initially so childish and scandalous that she is threatened with being sent home, but once she begins to mature in truth, she controls herself better, but as an innocent still lets herself in for things she has no idea to expect. All this makes her character far more relatable than her sophisticate sister, though Drusilla is not left to be two-dimensional throughout.
The male characters are about as balanced as the females, and even down to the minor characters we are given at least some idea of their motivations, which I feel is much better than the way Harlequin/Mills & Boon seem to come across to me most of the time, with characters who do things to advance the plot just for the sake of doing them. Here, the characters' actions follow well from their given or implied motivations, which makes the story much more coherent.
Of course there are recurring tropes from the genre - as soon as a certain character appeared I knew how Mira would end up, but getting to that end is fun and less predictable than the traditional fashion, both for the reader and several characters. I think I'm going to seek out more of this series, though I couldn't get interested in Agatha Raisin.
With most of the romance fiction I've ever tried to read (I specify fiction as I quite like romantic fanfiction, already knowing who the characters are and many of their possible motivations), I've found the major, and especially minor, characters far too thinly drawn for my liking, or else overdone in a way that means I lose much of my empathy or sympathy with them. That's not the case here. Leading lady Mira Markham is a sparky young woman of 18, who has been raised largely through ignorance by her parents, who spent all their time concentrating on her more obviously beautiful elder sister Drusilla - this to the detriment of the spoiled sister far more than to that of Mira, who has developed character and strength that Drusilla has not, and it shows. Mira's actions are initially so childish and scandalous that she is threatened with being sent home, but once she begins to mature in truth, she controls herself better, but as an innocent still lets herself in for things she has no idea to expect. All this makes her character far more relatable than her sophisticate sister, though Drusilla is not left to be two-dimensional throughout.
The male characters are about as balanced as the females, and even down to the minor characters we are given at least some idea of their motivations, which I feel is much better than the way Harlequin/Mills & Boon seem to come across to me most of the time, with characters who do things to advance the plot just for the sake of doing them. Here, the characters' actions follow well from their given or implied motivations, which makes the story much more coherent.
Of course there are recurring tropes from the genre - as soon as a certain character appeared I knew how Mira would end up, but getting to that end is fun and less predictable than the traditional fashion, both for the reader and several characters. I think I'm going to seek out more of this series, though I couldn't get interested in Agatha Raisin.
February 7, 2014
Mira Markham has always tried to be the son her father never had. She enjoys dressing like a boy, riding, fishing and hunting. Her childhood was spent in company with their neighbor, Lord Charles Devere who treated Mira as a best friend. Now Lord Charles is back from the wars and in town for the Season and Mrs. Markham has decided to bring Mira and her beautiful, ladylike sister Drusilla to London for a Season. Balls and parties and gowns aren't Mira's idea of fun but she doesn't mind as long as she can see Lord Charles again. She believes that it will be just like old times now that Lord Charles is back, but when she disguises herself as a boy and seeks him out at his lodgings, he is sadly disapointing and disapointed in Mira for not acting ladylike. Even worse for Mira, is the fact that Lord Charles is instantly smitten with her sister. The two sisters compete for attention and Mira ruins her reputation by pushing her sister into a fountain. Confined to the house as punishment, Mira longs for freedom and grabs her chance while everyone else is away. Once again disguised as a boy, she heads out into fashionable London and ends up becoming friends with the Marquess of Grantley who encourages her secret hoydenish behavior and discourages her attracion to Lord Charles. Soon, scandal errupts and the only way to save Mira's reputation is for the Marquess and Mira to become engaged. Feelings and hurt pride get in the way before true love prevails. I liked Mira and her tomboy activities and I feel sorry for women of that time period but the story itself was pretty weak and insubstantial. The characters were stereotypical and mostly unlikeable. I did learn to like and appreciate Mira's sister but her transformation was too quick and unrealistic. This book just isn't as charming as Chesney's series books.
June 23, 2017
Think back to romance novels in the 1990's. There were no explicit 'love' scenes and not a lot of filler to teach you 'how to' do something. This is one of those novels. The hero and heroine were archetypes of the handsome titled gentleman and the wild, tomboy type of young lady in her first season. Her parents were worried about her and spent all of their attention on her beautiful sister. If was a nice uncomplicated read. I like Marion Chesney books. Her Regency series got me hooked on the life and times during that era. (She also writes mysteries (Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin) under the name M. C. Beaton.) Recommend.
March 3, 2015
This was a dreadful book. The writing was stilted. Did she do ANY research of the Regency period beyond what she read in other bad novels? All I can say is say is thankfully, I read the Agatha Raisin book first as I would not have bothered with this author. I gave it a two ONLY because I thought she did do a good job of characterization and I laughed at two spots. I'll stick with Agatha and Hamish after this.
September 6, 2019
Mira is a debutante who dressed in boys clothes to sneak out. She did not like the strict life she must lead by finding a husband by hoping for a husband by going to balls. Her sister who has all the beauty is also looking for a husband. Mira had a crush on Lord Charles and her sister Drusilla was so jealous that she wanted Charles as her husband. In the end Charles picks Drusilla for her hand in marriage. Mira realizes her long crush was a mistake and talks with Marquess of Grantley about her feelings. Marquess and Mira get caught in compromising situation that ruins there reputation but Marquess Grantley saves her reputation by asking her hand in marriage as a ploy to save her reputation. Do these two fall in love or will this be just a ploy. This was a good story and entertaining. I liked Mira's wanting freedom for herself that she does not want to follow the rules as they are set for ladies. She wanted not to marry at all and be free to ride and do as she pleases. She was a tiger that needed to be tamed is there a man that can handle her.
June 23, 2021
Mira has spent her whole eighteen years trying to be the son her father never had, but when she finds out that she is going to have her come-out alongside her older, and spectacularly beautiful, sister, she feels at a loss. Especially when her old playmate, Sir Charles, will be at the season looking for a wife, and seems to only have eyes for her sister. But when a series of misadventures through Mira into the company of the Marquess of Grantley, he inadvertently becomes a friend and confidant, that is, until he decides that maybe his feelings for Mira are more than friendship.
A quick, sweet and fun read. I loved both Mira and Grantley, and I also enjoyed how her sister sort of changed for the better - ha ha.
A quick, sweet and fun read. I loved both Mira and Grantley, and I also enjoyed how her sister sort of changed for the better - ha ha.
August 27, 2022
ITS NOT MY FAULT! I WANTED SOMETHING SHORT AND BRAINLESS!! Even so, I only finished this piece of trash by listening to it at 1.75. AND I only finished it because I’m behind in my reading challenge.
I was hoping that it would be sarcastic. Instead, at a normal speed, this 7:30 crammed in every Regency trope. THIS is why I never read student creative writing. THIS is why I will be extremely careful if I ever think of reading a free audible book again.
BTW - I hope the poor reader was overpaid for sullying her poor brain and mouth with such drivel.
I was hoping that it would be sarcastic. Instead, at a normal speed, this 7:30 crammed in every Regency trope. THIS is why I never read student creative writing. THIS is why I will be extremely careful if I ever think of reading a free audible book again.
BTW - I hope the poor reader was overpaid for sullying her poor brain and mouth with such drivel.
June 28, 2021
This is an oldie but goodie and probably the very first romance novel I read in my life. I loved Mira and the greatest line in the book is when it says something like 'her sister did a selfless act for the first time ever.' "I think something is wrong with the meat."
The only issue I have is that it hasn't aged as well as she is like barely 18 and he's over 30. However, its a 25 year old book.
The only issue I have is that it hasn't aged as well as she is like barely 18 and he's over 30. However, its a 25 year old book.
February 27, 2024
The heroine, the dreadful debutant of our story was truly delightful, high spirited and vivacious! I really enjoyed her.
The Hero was not much better, always aiding and abetting her bad behavior. Neither of them realizes that they love each other and are perfect together.
When they do, they just end up fighting and indulging in bad behavior because they are both unsure of the other’s feelings. Quite amusing. Until the end when they finally do reveal their feelings.
However, with two such volatile personalities, the author shows us in the end how the passionate pair goes on.
The Hero was not much better, always aiding and abetting her bad behavior. Neither of them realizes that they love each other and are perfect together.
When they do, they just end up fighting and indulging in bad behavior because they are both unsure of the other’s feelings. Quite amusing. Until the end when they finally do reveal their feelings.
However, with two such volatile personalities, the author shows us in the end how the passionate pair goes on.
February 12, 2016
Another Hysterical Historical with a cast I thought was very well fleshed put as well as very complementary to each other when they were interacting. The term dreadful debutante was a bit harsh when she was actually just a non-comformist whose true worth should never have been based solely upon her looks but rather on her spirit of embracing life to the fullest and always finding a way to help those in need.
The comedy of errors in this book were many and the resolution to them was delightful to read as they unfolded. A nice addition to the historical romance genre and my first but hopefully not last M.C. Beaton book!
The comedy of errors in this book were many and the resolution to them was delightful to read as they unfolded. A nice addition to the historical romance genre and my first but hopefully not last M.C. Beaton book!
March 16, 2015
I was stuck at home over the weekend, with nothing to read. Then, I remembered, I have Kindle Unlimited! I found this series, and I've quickly read through the first 4 books. They're fast and cute. Perfect Kindle Unlimited reading, because I'd be annoyed by the length (too short) if I bought them, but for borrowing, they're ideal.
February 9, 2020
Fun regency romance , but nothing to write home about. I got a bit bored of Mira's antics and childishness. Not very plausible , but cute if you suspend belief. Likable hero. Not very memorable, since i finished it a few weeks ago and Im already fighting to remember the plot details and the character names.
May 12, 2018
I like MC Beaton's Agatha Raisin series and really enjoy the Hamish MacBeth books too. However, her abrupt writing style that works so well for those books, wasn't conducive to a great regency romance.
February 4, 2015
Dreadful
This book is written poorly. Simply dreadful. It gives me a headache reading it. I won't even give it one star.
This book is written poorly. Simply dreadful. It gives me a headache reading it. I won't even give it one star.
November 1, 2023
Dreadful, indeed.
November 27, 2024
5 STARS, REGENCY HISTORICAL HIJINKS
Marquiss of Grantly a sought after young man that had been married once & widowed had returned to the Season. It was well known he was seeking a new bride and he was tall, handsome, & wealthy. Mira was spending her debut season being a hoyden. It was fortunate for her that although her father, Mr Markham wasn't titled he was very wealthy & was bringing out his beautiful oldest daughter, Drusilla & Mira his youngest daughter who reminded one of a fairy sprite.
This is an interesting & exciting storyline that captivates from the beginning of its fast paced & antic action packed start. 5 STARS to M.C. Beaton for this book in her Series : The Royal Ambition plus a provided good BLURB.
The reader will fall in love with these different characters & wish knowing more about their lives. I love Mira & Rupert & wish them well.
RECOMMEND
Marquiss of Grantly a sought after young man that had been married once & widowed had returned to the Season. It was well known he was seeking a new bride and he was tall, handsome, & wealthy. Mira was spending her debut season being a hoyden. It was fortunate for her that although her father, Mr Markham wasn't titled he was very wealthy & was bringing out his beautiful oldest daughter, Drusilla & Mira his youngest daughter who reminded one of a fairy sprite.
This is an interesting & exciting storyline that captivates from the beginning of its fast paced & antic action packed start. 5 STARS to M.C. Beaton for this book in her Series : The Royal Ambition plus a provided good BLURB.
The reader will fall in love with these different characters & wish knowing more about their lives. I love Mira & Rupert & wish them well.
RECOMMEND
December 20, 2023
I feel as though I just got off a whirlwind trip through a young girl's life and romance!
You read the opening and that is just a warning to fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a ride that never trots but gallops forward!
The parents of the heroine are completely removed from this "younger daughter" who is trying to be the son her father made clear was what he really wanted and as a result was a rebel that couldn't stand to be stuck inside or sitting and chatting nonsense and only talk about the weather. THAT was for her beautiful older sister who had all the men fighting for her favors.
But somehow the hero and heroine meet and through thick and thin the hero comes to her resue. BUT WOW what a ride. Open the book, and enjoy---I DID!
You read the opening and that is just a warning to fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a ride that never trots but gallops forward!
The parents of the heroine are completely removed from this "younger daughter" who is trying to be the son her father made clear was what he really wanted and as a result was a rebel that couldn't stand to be stuck inside or sitting and chatting nonsense and only talk about the weather. THAT was for her beautiful older sister who had all the men fighting for her favors.
But somehow the hero and heroine meet and through thick and thin the hero comes to her resue. BUT WOW what a ride. Open the book, and enjoy---I DID!
September 3, 2025
Audiobook on Spotify while I was laid up with a headache that would not quit. I started a Jon Krakauer audiobook (Under the Banner of Heaven) but quickly switched to something deliberately fluffy 'cause I just did not have the wherewithal to follow a subject so intense. Chesney is generally reliable for a fun quick read but even so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this -- it was really helped by the narrator who did a terrific job. Also I think I do Chesney a disservice by writing her off as "fluffy" -- she really seemed to have done her research on the Regency period; the detail alone reads a lot more Heyer-adjacent than you see in other more contemporary offerings in the genre.
December 17, 2021
...well, she's no Georgette Heyer.
But that's a pretty high bar to clear, and this wasn't bad. I've been meaning to check out M.C. Beaton (or Marion Chesney in this instance) and had no idea where to begin. So I took this recommendation since it was included for free with my Audible account. Pleasant, almost totally clean and the recording did make me laugh a few times. A diverting little Regency romp. Maybe I'll try the Agatha Raisin series? (And by the way: is there a worse name than Drusilla? I think not. Also, for the record: when I see Mira I think MEE-ra not MY-ra. Good thing I listened to the audio.)
But that's a pretty high bar to clear, and this wasn't bad. I've been meaning to check out M.C. Beaton (or Marion Chesney in this instance) and had no idea where to begin. So I took this recommendation since it was included for free with my Audible account. Pleasant, almost totally clean and the recording did make me laugh a few times. A diverting little Regency romp. Maybe I'll try the Agatha Raisin series? (And by the way: is there a worse name than Drusilla? I think not. Also, for the record: when I see Mira I think MEE-ra not MY-ra. Good thing I listened to the audio.)
August 9, 2022
Her books are funny. None of the usual bodice ripping shmutt. Always some out of the ordinary set up with many silly twists that get in the way. The audible is free and.the narrator is a bit strange but really funny. The novels by Marion Chesney contain many laugh out loud characters. So while they are oerhaps not the highest quality writing, they are unique and fun, and seem very cozy. A nice read for a stormy day and often underdogs win. AND she seems to villanize clergy in many of her books, which is a bonus for me.
July 11, 2017
Enjoyable! Hooray for Mira and Rupert!
I enjoyed Mira's spirit, her daring to be herself and not what was expected , considering her breeding. Courage to be yourself. Rupert was very helpful in making her realize she had been living in a fantasy and so had he. I could add more, but it should be discovered by the next reader.
I enjoyed Mira's spirit, her daring to be herself and not what was expected , considering her breeding. Courage to be yourself. Rupert was very helpful in making her realize she had been living in a fantasy and so had he. I could add more, but it should be discovered by the next reader.
March 19, 2022
one of the early Chesney's i missed and was glad to discover. typical fare for her but still hugely entertaining and classic regency. Mira was a strong, unusual and impressive character. The Marquess was a pleasant surprise especially for the age difference. A clean romance that still had you smiling with hea. sometimes the partially dressed is more tantalizing than the undressed
October 20, 2024
This book starts very well and continues until the last 1/4 of the book when it spirals into a ridiculous mess of contrived and endlessly repeated "misunderstandings" that go on and on and on and on and on ad infinitum. Unfortunately the last part of the book is difficult to read without tossing it aside and leaving it unfinished.
What a shame.
What a shame.
January 7, 2017
I love MC Beaton (aka Marion Chesney). I've read all of her cozy mysteries and am delighted to find these romance books. The love story between Mira and the Marquess is quite entertaining and original.
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