Martha Farfield was companion and housekeeper to Lady Dunham. Her life would be complete if it was not for the interference of Lord Dunham's man of business, Charles Anderton. At every opportunity he undermines her and causes annoyance. Martha cannot control her anger when in his company. Charles Anderton is smitten by Martha Fairfield, well he was when they first met. He blundered his first encounters with her and now she openly dislikes him. Every time he tries to help, he just creates further problems for them both. He needs to ease the tension, but has no idea how. Laura Atkinson is on the run. She was a prostitute for Baron Kersal and knew about his illegal activity. When the Baron's trial collapses and the others involved in the scheme start to go missing, Laura realises her life is in danger. She seeks out the only man that she has ever trusted, the only man she thinks can keep her safe. Alfred Peters is a Bow Street Officer. He is alone in the world and although not happy with his lot, knows that in his employment, the casualty rate is quite high. He is resigned to keeping himself to himself. There was once one woman........but wishing just means less concentration, which is foolish in the extreme. The four are destined to be thrown together in a way that will turn all of their lives upside down. None will come away unscathed from the encounter.
Audrey Harrison was born about two hundred years too late. She wants to belong to a time when men were men and women were dressed in gowns and could float, simper and sigh.
In the real world she has always longed to write, writing a full manuscript when she was fourteen years old. Work, marriage and children got in the way as they do and it was only when an event at work landed her in hospital that she decided to take stock. One Voluntary Redundancy later, she found that the words and characters came to the forefront and the writing began in earnest.
Her ideal would be to write Regency Romances, but more modern characters are insisting on being heard, hence the release of’ ‘A Very Modern Lord’, a contemporary romance.
So, although at home more these days, the housework is still neglected and tea is still late on the table, but she has an understanding family, who usually shake their heads at her and sigh. That is a sign of understanding, isn’t it?
I have completed this trilogy and was thoroughly disappointed in the story line, plot and ending. Very depressing story! Spoiler alert. What author kills off the main character at the end of the book?
I didn't read the first two so maybe I'm missing something. It's about two couples not of the aristocracy but of the working class. Both couples are depressed or repressed through most of the book . One of the couples does not even get an hea. It was a whole lotta sad. A soft 3
Very few series books end up with the final book being as good as the first. In this case, the third book surpassed the first and is actually my favorite [even though it made me snivel & I hated the epilogue]. Each book ends, complete, an entire story. There is chapter one of the next book offered at the end but they are all available now so you won't have to deal with that gut churning fear exacerbated by eons of time waiting on the next book.
I love books with more than one story in them, especially romances, best when it's not some novella that is a glorified epilogue. That the main characters are not titled, in positions of power, wealth or former villains is like a hot fudge Sunday on a summer evening, perfect.
I liked Martha, she was practical and able. Likewise, Charles was both amusing and predictable. They didn't seem to amount to more than the brief flashes of depth you caught a glimpse of as the stories of Lord and Lady Dunham and Lord and Lady Halkyn progressed. As their lives are fleshed out, you realize there has been an undercurrent of irritation between them, even when they joined forces. I was a bit bewildered at first, but as the story developed, I felt my confusion pass.
Their story had a frustrating feel to it. Clashes caused by misunderstanding that were repetitiously irritating. I don't like sniping. I avoid like the plague people walking around with chips on their shoulders insisting others are chiseling at them. For more of the story than less, I didn't like these two even though I did like them before. Looking in the mirror, I asked myself if I'd have been more compassionate if he'd been a Lord and she a Lady. Fact is, I wouldn't have bothered to read their story at all if that had been the case. It was their background and station in life that granted them the hand wave I wouldn't give nobility. What a snob I am!
However, they both held on to my interest - separately - until they could establish my affection, together. It was a rocky road but they kept on doing their jobs, being kind to others and even apologized to each other when appropriate. That each apology made things worse wasn't amusing in this book, it was heart breaking. When they finally make peace and consummate understanding ... I was not only smiling but vastly relieved. Learning to love isn't always easy, learning to be a friend and allowing another to be yours can be even harder. After reading the easy development of friendship in the previous two books, it was hard to see these two struggle for the same thing. Finding their way, I don't think they will so easily lose it again.
Laura and Alfred touched me in the second book, right from the moment they met. I was eager for their story, so hopeful for them despite the odds. She was so much more than a victim of birth and Baron Kersal. Her spirit was battered but her outlook realistic. She was not bitter or falsely optimistic. She was a genuine heroine IMHO.
Alfred was a complex character, worthy of brooding hero award, and yet, he had this quirky sense of humor and a desire to be everything he could be. He had a traumatic past, that he spent years atoning for and like Laura, a realistic outlook. In his case it had become just a bit too rigid to allow for the possibility the world was not the dark place he knew. Laura shined light and warmth on that place. He wanted to embrace that and yet ... he was so afraid. I cannot write more of Laura and Alfred without spoiling the story. I want to - I really, Really, really want to, but I won't.
The entwined lives with the coming and going of Important Folks made this a Keeper for me. The Villain is surprising and chilling, the characters consistent, the ending bittersweet and yes, I sniveled. I've already re-read the book and expect to do so again. Ms. Harrison surprised me. She so thoroughly mastered the balance of amusing friendship and loving commitment with humor and a bit of tomfoolery plus the action packed moments that this book caught me off guard. Exploring the characters that were "ordinary people" in times that seem extraordinary to us; she held me as firmly as her lighter prose.
I recommend all three of these books, separately, in order or out of order. I think you'll enjoy the Traditional Feel as well as the Rational Differences. Totally character driven, the details, dialog, and atmosphere are still exemplary making these books worth your time.
[One quibble was the repeated use of gentile for genteel and several minor grammatical or conversion errors. A gentile is a non-Jew; genteel means polite, refined, respectable. Every instance made me smile and whisper: Curse you auto correct!]
This is the final installment of the Inconvenient Trilogy by Ms. Harrison and it satisfyingly ends the story she was building since the first book. Some secondary storylines and characters from the previous books took front stage in this one, and we are able to read about Martha and Charles as well as about Laura and Alfred, whose relationships already drew the readers’ interest in the trilogy. There is, however, a difference in this book that makes me doubt how exactly to rate it. If the first book had realistic outcomes mixed with fiendish twists and turns typical of a good romance, and the second book had a more lively and funny tone to it with underlying darkness beneath, this third book has a dose of realism and a dose of darkness that I can’t decide if it’s cliché or just real, but made me reel. I will not enter into details of this or I would spoil the story, but I have to say it had an unexpected twist that I didn’t see coming because I felt it diverges from the lighthearted genre of the trilogy. The characters, as always, are rich and interesting, most of the plot is composed of misunderstandings between them or their inability to see or accept the other as he or she is, and with a good writing it turned out good and entertaining. As an end of a trilogy, I would certainly read it and recommend it after the first two books.
I was given a copy of the audiobook to review and I would recommend this trilogy to everyone who enjoys regency novels. The narration is outstanding with an excellent range of voice and tone, and I would like to thank Elizabeth Klett for narrating this trilogy and making it even more enjoyable.
Audiobook - narration, Elizabeth Klett, fabulous again. She narrates the entire series and does a wonderful job!
This book? Gah! This book.
We have the stories of secondary characters from the previous books in the series, Martha and Charles who are the primary help for Lord and Lady Dunham and Laura and Alfred who helped Steven Halkyn and Charlotte Webster come together.
The concepts are similar to the previous two with one gigantic difference which I cannot share. But I will say that one difference between this book and the prior two is that it broke out my ugly cry. When it started looking like it was going somewhere I couldn't believe it would go, I relaxed and told myself, nah...she won't go there.
She did.
Heartbreaking, but hopeful, this book completed the trilogy in a lovely way. I'm kinda book hang-over-ing and already missing these characters.
I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from AudiobookBoom in exchange for an unbiased review
Honestly dk where to land, with this author. Something about her writing isn't quite enjoyable to me, but I can't put my finger on it. I think it's an oddness in the chemistry between characters, the way they hurt each other in ways they don't quiiite fully atone for or even acknowledge. But I truly can't tell for sure what it is.
In this book, tho, the problem was clear: the book felt focused on two romances, sort of a parallel-plot situation with two heroines and two heroes, each with their own POVs and plots... and then one of the two romances ended in ?! That breaks the rules of HR and I'm still mad about it. Do not get me emotionally involved in a romance plot only to . Plus I'm not entirely sure there wasn't some moralistic undertone about that plot point regarding the heroine's former profession, soo...yeah. Lots of objections to this book.
The epilogue also felt rushed and unsatisfactory, but of course, how could it be otherwise, given what had happened in the previous chapter(s)?
Book 3 gets 5 STARS and is the end of this wonderful exciting Series: Inconvenient Trilogy. Great characters from the 2 prior books and a couple of new ones.
When I read the BLURB I actually said out loud heck yeah I'm going to read this book, because it tells about 2 couples I had wondered about. One left over from Book 1 & the other from Book 2. There is mystery & intrigue in this book as the other two but this one affected me a bit more. I cried tears.
I had lots of emotions from all of the Trilogy, but something about this one stole my heart . It is well written, a page turner, & has lots of action.
I really enjoyed the whole series but in my opinion this was the best book in the series. Spoiler: I sobbed for at least an hour when the assailant caught up with Laura and stabbed her which ultimately caused her death and left her baby motherless. I was disappointed that nothing was said about the assassin. I wanted to know if he was caught or not. I was also curious to know if he was caught, if the capture resulted in the Barron being arrested again for instigating the murders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have just finished this series and loved it this last book had me in tears but all these book show what real life was like in those days and how hard it was for women and I particularly liked the epilogue telling us there futures were happy very very well written and honest not all flowery like some are life was hard in those days and this author recognises this
I liked the previous books in the series better. Maybe that was why it took me ages to start listening to this book.
Elizabeth Klett however did a great job at narrating the book. I don't think I would have finished it had I read the book, but the audio version made it so much more enjoyable.
Martha has a persecution complex over the top. Everything charles said was miss understood. It went on throughout the book. The other couple, Laura and Alfred were a mixed bag. Spoiler alert - I read this type of book for escape, I don't like someone dying who I have come to know. Unnecessary.
I could not finish this book. There were to many people in the book, too many relationship going on. It was hard to keep track of who was who and what was happening. I think you have to read the books prior in order to understand what was going on.
These stories are engaging and enjoyable. The settings were believable, and the characters well drawn. By the third book, i was totally immersed in the story, and emotionally involved with the characters. Definitely a good read.
This book tied up all the ends that were hinted at in the other two stories of this series. All ended up happy although Alfred and Laura had another ending
I writing this review with the hope that the author would change her mind and re-write the book again and would give us what we want. I keep up with Charles and Martha story because of Alfred and Laura story. Martha was very annoying at times just finding reasons to fight with Charles for nothing really stupid. Laura on the other side was an amazing woman why the heck the author though it was a good idea to let her story end that way? That was really cruel!! As I said before Laura's end the book was amazing so I insist re-writing the book again would make this book one of the best books I ever read. Please! !! :-)
Although this last book in the series was written in the same vein as the first two were, because of the characters this one is just different. When you read it you will be in for some surprises. One was definitely not a happy one but it made the story all the more more interesting. On the whole, a most enjoyable book, well written and well narrated. If you haven't read the first two, I suggest you start at the beginning and read them all. It's worth it! This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
I read and enjoyed the first two books in the series. I liked this one the best, I think because there was another layer in exploring love outside the aristocracy. There were still some of the typical elements in the story that I have come to expect, and it was another enjoyable read. There were still grammatical problems, but not as bad as the last book. I read this book the fastest out of all of them, and I think the flow of the book with two love stories kept me more interested.
Inconvenient Companion, the third book in the trilogy was definitely another good book and probably my favorite of the series. I enjoyed learning more about these characters and their lives. Although I was very disappointed at one point in the book, I do understand why the story happened the way it did. I look forward to reading more of Audrey Harrison’s novels in the future. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
Wow! What a way to end a series. The characters were all very well written. I liked all of the characters from books one and two. I was excited to read this book. It has sweet parts and heartbreaking parts. I didn't expect some parts. This is a book that I hate almost as much as I love. I don't want to give away the story, but Audrey Harrison if you read this review, know that you surprised me and that doesn't happen often. I think the two love stories unfolding in the same book was a brilliant idea.
I truly enjoyed this story. It is well written with complete characters and compelling story lines. For once it is not about aristocrats, but about the people around them without being condescending. These people have purpose as well as loyalty and strength. They deal with tragedy and happiness, and they do it with dignity. This is a little gem.
I found this author on here (Goodreads) and I'm glad I did. I have devoured all five novels. I normally read a lot of murder mystery novels and need a good romance to counterbalance all the murder-death-kill! These stories are witty with some action and a strong female character. (Which I love)
Well I wear all three on the in inconvenient series.can't deside which i enjoyed the most because they all good and had a little mystery. I was hoping Laura would live. Alford needed her. Enjoy.
I was not expecting this story and these characters and I was agreably surprised at the beginning of the book. Not so sure about how I feel about the end, but it was a good book nonetheless.