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The Hapgoods of Bramleigh #2
A Very Plain Young Man
The anticipated follow-up to THE NATURALIST, a Regency romance described by Austenprose.com as "a literary feast for any Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fan...If you read one Traditional Regency this year let it be The Naturalist." Book One of the series The Hapgoods of Bramleigh, THE NATURALIST was also a finalist for Best Romance in the 2013 PNWA Literary Contest.
In Book Two of the series, A VERY PLAIN YOUNG MAN takes up the story of Elfrida, the most beautiful of the Hapgood sisters, as well as the most practical. If she must marry eventually, she intends to choose a husband not with her eyes, nor even with her heart, but with her common sense. He must be respectable and steady--not given to gambling or wenching or idling like her scapegrace uncles. So naturally, Frederick Tierney, the rakish brother of her new brother-in-law, will never do. Not only is his chequered past not entirely in the past, but he is too handsome for his own good and takes delight in unsettling her. But when another offer comes her way which meets all of her supposed requirements, Elfrida finds choosing duty over desire not as simple as she imagined.
In Book Two of the series, A VERY PLAIN YOUNG MAN takes up the story of Elfrida, the most beautiful of the Hapgood sisters, as well as the most practical. If she must marry eventually, she intends to choose a husband not with her eyes, nor even with her heart, but with her common sense. He must be respectable and steady--not given to gambling or wenching or idling like her scapegrace uncles. So naturally, Frederick Tierney, the rakish brother of her new brother-in-law, will never do. Not only is his chequered past not entirely in the past, but he is too handsome for his own good and takes delight in unsettling her. But when another offer comes her way which meets all of her supposed requirements, Elfrida finds choosing duty over desire not as simple as she imagined.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
About the author
Christina Dudley
28 books278 followersChristina Hwang Dudley is the author of clean historical and contemporary romance.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 24, 2025
Plain People
Elfrida Hapgood is most sensible and a woman gifted with a quiet and gentle spirit. Mr. Frederick Tierney is a boisterous peacock of a man who thinks quite well of himself and is shocked when Miss Hapgood doesn’t fall all over him.
This was not an exciting story by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a comfortable book to read before bed.
The writing is good, the characters are well written and if the story lacks any real dash, it doesn’t detract from a cozy love story. Three and a half stars rounded up to four for this clean romance.
Elfrida Hapgood is most sensible and a woman gifted with a quiet and gentle spirit. Mr. Frederick Tierney is a boisterous peacock of a man who thinks quite well of himself and is shocked when Miss Hapgood doesn’t fall all over him.
This was not an exciting story by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a comfortable book to read before bed.
The writing is good, the characters are well written and if the story lacks any real dash, it doesn’t detract from a cozy love story. Three and a half stars rounded up to four for this clean romance.
September 21, 2022
The second in the Hapgood Series, this tells the story of Elfrida, eldest and most beautiful of the Hapgood sisters. With her sister Alice now happily married, Elfrida is aware that she too must think of marriage, though for herself she is intent on a practical match. Her future husband must be respectable and sensible, not prone to gambling or other excesses like her Arbuthnot Uncles, who are forever borrowing money from her poor put upon father. Unfortunate then that she can but find herself falling for the handsome and charming Frederick Tierney, whose reputation precedes him!
I was delighted by the first book in this series, and was glad to find this too an enjoyable read, sharing many of the strengths of its predecessor.
It was a pleasure to further get to know the Hapgood family, more time spent with the younger sisters in this book too, with some charming and humorous scenes between them all at Bramleigh. I particularly enjoyed the sequence with Frederick coming to sit for Edith to paint, his mischievousness adding to the humour of it all.
Elfrida is a very different heroine from Alice, far more practical and sensible, and shouldering many of the responsibilities for the family, with her mother keeping to her sick bed. It was easy to understand why she should be thinking more with her head than her heart, after all she has been witness to with her family's misfortunes, and as such why she has such misgivings about Frederick, even as she finds herself falling for him.
Frederick, who we were introduced to in the last book as Joseph's older brother, is quite the opposite of what Elfrida is looking for in a husband. We know he has a reputation, and indeed we are privy to the rather scandalous life he leads from the very prologue, where we see him with his married mistress, albeit rather tiring of her and looking for a way out. Despite his flaws, however, it was hard not to like Frederick, with his mischievous sense of humour and easy charm, and as the book goes on we do see a definite change in his character as he aspires to be a better man.
Whilst much of the book is set in Somerset, I liked the change of setting later in the book to the Tierney's place of residence, as it also meant we were afforded a picture of Alice and Joseph's newly married bliss.
As with the prior book, this is an old-fashioned and clean-cut romance, with lots of colourful characters and amusing happenings along the way as our hero and heroine overcome the various obstacles and misunderstandings keeping them apart. I will say that for me personally, this didn't quite match the first book, perhaps because the trope of the reformed Rake is rather a more common one in Regency romance. Also certain characters like Lady Wimpole, Frederick's prior mistress, were rather grating on the nerves, and I did also find the ending a little more dramatic than it perhaps needed to be.
Still a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the series at a later date.
I was delighted by the first book in this series, and was glad to find this too an enjoyable read, sharing many of the strengths of its predecessor.
It was a pleasure to further get to know the Hapgood family, more time spent with the younger sisters in this book too, with some charming and humorous scenes between them all at Bramleigh. I particularly enjoyed the sequence with Frederick coming to sit for Edith to paint, his mischievousness adding to the humour of it all.
Elfrida is a very different heroine from Alice, far more practical and sensible, and shouldering many of the responsibilities for the family, with her mother keeping to her sick bed. It was easy to understand why she should be thinking more with her head than her heart, after all she has been witness to with her family's misfortunes, and as such why she has such misgivings about Frederick, even as she finds herself falling for him.
Frederick, who we were introduced to in the last book as Joseph's older brother, is quite the opposite of what Elfrida is looking for in a husband. We know he has a reputation, and indeed we are privy to the rather scandalous life he leads from the very prologue, where we see him with his married mistress, albeit rather tiring of her and looking for a way out. Despite his flaws, however, it was hard not to like Frederick, with his mischievous sense of humour and easy charm, and as the book goes on we do see a definite change in his character as he aspires to be a better man.
Whilst much of the book is set in Somerset, I liked the change of setting later in the book to the Tierney's place of residence, as it also meant we were afforded a picture of Alice and Joseph's newly married bliss.
As with the prior book, this is an old-fashioned and clean-cut romance, with lots of colourful characters and amusing happenings along the way as our hero and heroine overcome the various obstacles and misunderstandings keeping them apart. I will say that for me personally, this didn't quite match the first book, perhaps because the trope of the reformed Rake is rather a more common one in Regency romance. Also certain characters like Lady Wimpole, Frederick's prior mistress, were rather grating on the nerves, and I did also find the ending a little more dramatic than it perhaps needed to be.
Still a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the series at a later date.
June 30, 2022
Another delight. The Hapgoods of Bramleigh is quickly becoming one of my favorite series ever, and one I'll be revisiting whenever my spirits need a pick me up or a good laugh or just a reminder of how glorious writing can be.
September 10, 2014
A Very Plain Young Man is Book Two in the Hapgoods of Bramleigh series by Christina Dudley (a Traditional Regency romance series in the style of Georgette Heyer). The series focuses on the Hapgoods, an almost impoverished gentry family living in Somerset. The family is headed by a blustery, unsophisticated squire who prefers to spend all his time with his beloved canines and an often indisposed and indolent mother. The four delightful daughters of the family are frequently left to their own devices and have very little society besides their immediate family.
Book One of this series, The Naturalist, was about Alice The NaturalistHapgood (the second oldest) and how her desperate desire to study nature led her both into scandal as well as to the altar! In Book Two, we spend more time with Elfrida, the eldest and most beautiful sister in the family. While Elfrida’s beauty attracts the notice of all around her, she pays it no consequence, in fact she considers being called practical the more desired compliment. Elfrida is an adorable heroine who carries a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders – she is indeed practical, forthright, and composed, all things a young lady ought, but her one flaw is her nearsightedness. Poor Elfrida can’t see much detail in anything unless it is a few inches from her face. And perhaps Elfrida’s shortsighted tendencies extend to her views on men and marriage…
Because of her attractive and amiable qualities, Elfrida is pursued by two men in this novel, one suitor being the handsome, rakish brother of her sister’s new husband. Frederick Tierney, who spends a good deal on flashy apparel and immoderately enjoys the pleasures of town life, finds himself in want of a wife (or at least a fiancé) to help him avoid certain scandal. In addition to wearing fancy embroidered waistcoats, Mr. Frederick Tierney is a rake with a proclivity for married women and actresses, and his latest inamorata is getting a little too demanding, conniving, and hysterical for his tastes. Will Elfrida be a good decoy for him?
Elfrida’s other suitor is her cousin who recently became a widower. Hugh Hapgood, heir to Bramleigh (yes, another entailment!) and father of three children decides to descend upon the Hapgoods and search for a new wife and mother from amongst his fair cousins (but guess what, Elfrida is the only one of marriageable age!) Will she sacrifice herself in marriage for the sake of her family?Will Elfrida let her practical nature rule? Or, will she give her heart to a known rake?
This story was just marvelous! I loved our proper and dutiful heroine and how the rakish Frederick Tierney would tease and try to ruffle her! What a pair they made – she determined to ignore him and distrust his intentions, and he steadfastly falling deeper and deeper in love with her! Loved every minute of their tumultuous journey – and in Frederick’s case, admirable transformation! And I thoroughly enjoyed how Christina Dudley kept preventing this couple from coming to an “understanding” by throwing more obstacles and surprises their way! Ending the story in a very madcap and uproarious style – classic Georgette Heyer.
I simply cannot decide what I love most about this second installment to the Hapgoods of Bramleigh series – the brilliant characters with so much personality and depth, the playful tone and witty banter the author deftly commands, or the thoughtful and riveting plot that was far from predictable. I loved it all! A splendid and skillfully written traditional Regency romance! I can hardly wait for the next installment! I <3 the Hapgoods! #TakeMeBacktoBramleigh
Austenesque Reviews
Book One of this series, The Naturalist, was about Alice The NaturalistHapgood (the second oldest) and how her desperate desire to study nature led her both into scandal as well as to the altar! In Book Two, we spend more time with Elfrida, the eldest and most beautiful sister in the family. While Elfrida’s beauty attracts the notice of all around her, she pays it no consequence, in fact she considers being called practical the more desired compliment. Elfrida is an adorable heroine who carries a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders – she is indeed practical, forthright, and composed, all things a young lady ought, but her one flaw is her nearsightedness. Poor Elfrida can’t see much detail in anything unless it is a few inches from her face. And perhaps Elfrida’s shortsighted tendencies extend to her views on men and marriage…
Because of her attractive and amiable qualities, Elfrida is pursued by two men in this novel, one suitor being the handsome, rakish brother of her sister’s new husband. Frederick Tierney, who spends a good deal on flashy apparel and immoderately enjoys the pleasures of town life, finds himself in want of a wife (or at least a fiancé) to help him avoid certain scandal. In addition to wearing fancy embroidered waistcoats, Mr. Frederick Tierney is a rake with a proclivity for married women and actresses, and his latest inamorata is getting a little too demanding, conniving, and hysterical for his tastes. Will Elfrida be a good decoy for him?
Elfrida’s other suitor is her cousin who recently became a widower. Hugh Hapgood, heir to Bramleigh (yes, another entailment!) and father of three children decides to descend upon the Hapgoods and search for a new wife and mother from amongst his fair cousins (but guess what, Elfrida is the only one of marriageable age!) Will she sacrifice herself in marriage for the sake of her family?Will Elfrida let her practical nature rule? Or, will she give her heart to a known rake?
This story was just marvelous! I loved our proper and dutiful heroine and how the rakish Frederick Tierney would tease and try to ruffle her! What a pair they made – she determined to ignore him and distrust his intentions, and he steadfastly falling deeper and deeper in love with her! Loved every minute of their tumultuous journey – and in Frederick’s case, admirable transformation! And I thoroughly enjoyed how Christina Dudley kept preventing this couple from coming to an “understanding” by throwing more obstacles and surprises their way! Ending the story in a very madcap and uproarious style – classic Georgette Heyer.
I simply cannot decide what I love most about this second installment to the Hapgoods of Bramleigh series – the brilliant characters with so much personality and depth, the playful tone and witty banter the author deftly commands, or the thoughtful and riveting plot that was far from predictable. I loved it all! A splendid and skillfully written traditional Regency romance! I can hardly wait for the next installment! I <3 the Hapgoods! #TakeMeBacktoBramleigh
Austenesque Reviews
November 27, 2025
A few years back, I was delighted to enter the world of The Hapgoods of Bramleigh and enjoy the sparkling Regency romantic comedy of a serious-minded naturalist and the whimsical woman who was enthralled by the subject and the man. I always meant to return to the series and read more about the eccentric Hapgoods and their romping road to romance.
A Very Plain Young Man picks up during the closing evens of The Naturalist, but is told from Elfrida Hapgood and Frederick Tierney’s (elder siblings to the Naturalist’s romance pair) alternating point of view.
Beautiful, dutiful, and myopic Elfie has seen plenty of examples of what she doesn’t want in a marriage and she’s certain not even deep love will entice her. The flirtatious and handsome Frederick Tierney’s wiles and smiles are bestowed in vain. She knows rakish men like him and her uncles can’t be steady or trusted.
Frederick has set London society ablaze with his idle pursuits and his latest light of love’s drama has made him end it. His brother’s wedding in Somerset into a poor, but good family introduce him to a woman of beauty whose calm, forthright behavior shows him how hollow his past flirtations have been. He’s determined to win her and, in the process, he starts changing his ways. But, is the lady’s short-sightedness able to see it before she chooses a good, steady fellow instead.
A Very Plain Young Man had a light and amusing tone with a few laugh out loud moments among the Hapgood sisters while tackling a good girl- (reforming) bad boy romance trope. I enjoyed this for a light and entertaining romp. Elfrida is a nearly perfect lady- she’s had to be responsible early since neither parent or siblings and even her uncles show much common sense. I was glad to see Frederick had the ability to discompose her because she needed someone livelier to challenge her and appreciate her for more than her looks. Now, Frederick, on the other hand, was a little more problematic for me. I liked him and rooted him on getting his life straightened out and taking his responsibilities more seriously. However, this story goes from thought of reform to the point where he meets Elfrida once and is ready to settle down and marry- even half-way into love. I would have loved to have gotten a few more transformation moments between to buy completely into the romance. I was glad she gives him a run for his money and forces him to work for what he wants especially since he has a very worthy rival.
The focus was on the characters, but the historical background, dialogue, and activities that surrounded the characters and plot were well-written giving readers a strong picture of a Regency country neighborhood and families. The style of the story harks back to Heyer and Austen for me.
All in all, A Very Plain Young Man hit the spot, didn’t try to do too much, and engaged as well as entertained just as a dazzling Regency Romp out to. I’ll be eagerly pressing forward with the series and recommend it to those who enjoy sweet historical romance and comedy.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy 11.19.25.
A Very Plain Young Man picks up during the closing evens of The Naturalist, but is told from Elfrida Hapgood and Frederick Tierney’s (elder siblings to the Naturalist’s romance pair) alternating point of view.
Beautiful, dutiful, and myopic Elfie has seen plenty of examples of what she doesn’t want in a marriage and she’s certain not even deep love will entice her. The flirtatious and handsome Frederick Tierney’s wiles and smiles are bestowed in vain. She knows rakish men like him and her uncles can’t be steady or trusted.
Frederick has set London society ablaze with his idle pursuits and his latest light of love’s drama has made him end it. His brother’s wedding in Somerset into a poor, but good family introduce him to a woman of beauty whose calm, forthright behavior shows him how hollow his past flirtations have been. He’s determined to win her and, in the process, he starts changing his ways. But, is the lady’s short-sightedness able to see it before she chooses a good, steady fellow instead.
A Very Plain Young Man had a light and amusing tone with a few laugh out loud moments among the Hapgood sisters while tackling a good girl- (reforming) bad boy romance trope. I enjoyed this for a light and entertaining romp. Elfrida is a nearly perfect lady- she’s had to be responsible early since neither parent or siblings and even her uncles show much common sense. I was glad to see Frederick had the ability to discompose her because she needed someone livelier to challenge her and appreciate her for more than her looks. Now, Frederick, on the other hand, was a little more problematic for me. I liked him and rooted him on getting his life straightened out and taking his responsibilities more seriously. However, this story goes from thought of reform to the point where he meets Elfrida once and is ready to settle down and marry- even half-way into love. I would have loved to have gotten a few more transformation moments between to buy completely into the romance. I was glad she gives him a run for his money and forces him to work for what he wants especially since he has a very worthy rival.
The focus was on the characters, but the historical background, dialogue, and activities that surrounded the characters and plot were well-written giving readers a strong picture of a Regency country neighborhood and families. The style of the story harks back to Heyer and Austen for me.
All in all, A Very Plain Young Man hit the spot, didn’t try to do too much, and engaged as well as entertained just as a dazzling Regency Romp out to. I’ll be eagerly pressing forward with the series and recommend it to those who enjoy sweet historical romance and comedy.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy 11.19.25.
May 6, 2022
This was a delight almost from start to finish… no, not even almost, it actually was delightful from start to finish, because although the story opens with the hero visiting his mistress, which would normally be a downer in an otherwise traditional Regency, the scene is so funny I forgive it. The lady is a bit of a drama queen, and since Our Hero is not best pleased by her histrionics, he finds himself scratching around for a delicate way to end their relationship. To his every excuse, she finds some counter-argument, and in the end he’s forced to tell her that he’s about to marry. Any self-respecting mistress understands that he can’t have any other relationships - at least, not for a while. He’s free! But in order to keep the lady from pestering him, he’ll really have to find himself a wife, or at least make the attempt.
And so begins the story. Our Hero is Frederick Tierney, the wild older brother of Joseph, the gentle hero of the previous book, The Naturalist, and since said brother has just married the impoverished but equally beetle-mad Alice Hapgood, Frederick decides to descend on the Hapgoods. Having spied the serenely beautiful older sister, Elfrida Hapgood at a ball, he decides that she would make him a suitable wife. Since he’s handsome, charming and wealthy, not to mention the heir to a baronetcy, he can’t imagine that he’ll have any trouble wooing her. But Elfrida is a down-to-earth young lady, not at all romantic, and she knows Frederick’s quite above her touch, not to mention having a terrible reputation. To his surprise, she’s not even interested in him.
And that, in a nutshell, is the whole story. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? It’s hardly an original plot. But the skill is all in the execution, or in this case the characters of the two principals. Frederick is sunnily undeterred by Elfrida’s indifference, and determines to ruffle her composure however he can. This manifests itself in the most glorious teasing banter, which manages to be witty and brain-addling and gloriously funny all at the same time. Many authors are claimed to be masters (or mistresses) of the art of writing witty banter, but nothing I have read before even comes close to this. It’s quite brilliant.
Elfrida’s composure stems at least in part from short-sightedness, so she sees the world in unrelieved fuzziness and doesn’t fuss over the details. And Frederick, lovely Frederick, discovers her secret and realises that she’s never seen just how handsome he is, so he takes care to position himself close enough for her to appreciate him in all his golden-haired glory. And the beauty of this is that it doesn’t come across as arrogance, but as a simple acceptance of himself. He truly thinks that when she sees him properly, she’ll fall for him. And who would not? I defy anyone not to love Frederick.
Of course, there are bound to be obstacles to the path of true love. Frederick’s past comes back to haunt him, and Elfrida is faced with a potential husband of a very different kind, soberly honourable and a very sensible choice. Needless to say, things come right in the end, thanks to Frederick’s irrepressible conviction that Elfrida will marry him eventually. There is only one wobbly moment where Elfrida makes a really stupid decision, but the rest of the book is so brilliant, and Frederick’s solution to the difficulty is so adept that I won’t hold it against her.
An honourable mention for some of the minor characters. I loved Elfrida’s younger sisters, chatterbox Margaret and artistic Edith, and her parents too, the father only interested in his dogs, and the mother dozing by the fire, when she can work up the energy to get out of bed. I’ve mentioned the melodramatic mistress, and then there’s the ‘maid’, Mrs Todd, who is in a league of her own. I love a book that’s funny, and this one actually had me laughing till I cried.
The writing is a treat for anyone looking for truly Austenesque prose, although there are a fair few Americanisms [*]. Nothing drastic, though, and certainly not enough to disrupt my enjoyment. A wonderful read that I raced through almost in one sitting. Five stars.
[*] The author tells me that these have been fixed.
And so begins the story. Our Hero is Frederick Tierney, the wild older brother of Joseph, the gentle hero of the previous book, The Naturalist, and since said brother has just married the impoverished but equally beetle-mad Alice Hapgood, Frederick decides to descend on the Hapgoods. Having spied the serenely beautiful older sister, Elfrida Hapgood at a ball, he decides that she would make him a suitable wife. Since he’s handsome, charming and wealthy, not to mention the heir to a baronetcy, he can’t imagine that he’ll have any trouble wooing her. But Elfrida is a down-to-earth young lady, not at all romantic, and she knows Frederick’s quite above her touch, not to mention having a terrible reputation. To his surprise, she’s not even interested in him.
And that, in a nutshell, is the whole story. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? It’s hardly an original plot. But the skill is all in the execution, or in this case the characters of the two principals. Frederick is sunnily undeterred by Elfrida’s indifference, and determines to ruffle her composure however he can. This manifests itself in the most glorious teasing banter, which manages to be witty and brain-addling and gloriously funny all at the same time. Many authors are claimed to be masters (or mistresses) of the art of writing witty banter, but nothing I have read before even comes close to this. It’s quite brilliant.
Elfrida’s composure stems at least in part from short-sightedness, so she sees the world in unrelieved fuzziness and doesn’t fuss over the details. And Frederick, lovely Frederick, discovers her secret and realises that she’s never seen just how handsome he is, so he takes care to position himself close enough for her to appreciate him in all his golden-haired glory. And the beauty of this is that it doesn’t come across as arrogance, but as a simple acceptance of himself. He truly thinks that when she sees him properly, she’ll fall for him. And who would not? I defy anyone not to love Frederick.
Of course, there are bound to be obstacles to the path of true love. Frederick’s past comes back to haunt him, and Elfrida is faced with a potential husband of a very different kind, soberly honourable and a very sensible choice. Needless to say, things come right in the end, thanks to Frederick’s irrepressible conviction that Elfrida will marry him eventually. There is only one wobbly moment where Elfrida makes a really stupid decision, but the rest of the book is so brilliant, and Frederick’s solution to the difficulty is so adept that I won’t hold it against her.
An honourable mention for some of the minor characters. I loved Elfrida’s younger sisters, chatterbox Margaret and artistic Edith, and her parents too, the father only interested in his dogs, and the mother dozing by the fire, when she can work up the energy to get out of bed. I’ve mentioned the melodramatic mistress, and then there’s the ‘maid’, Mrs Todd, who is in a league of her own. I love a book that’s funny, and this one actually had me laughing till I cried.
The writing is a treat for anyone looking for truly Austenesque prose, although there are a fair few Americanisms [*]. Nothing drastic, though, and certainly not enough to disrupt my enjoyment. A wonderful read that I raced through almost in one sitting. Five stars.
[*] The author tells me that these have been fixed.
September 19, 2015
First, a practical note: A Very Plain Young Man is the second in a series that should probably be read in order. Characters who are relatively minor in this novel are the centerpiece of the first volume, and if you haven’t read it, they (and the major events of their lives) might seem underexplained here.
Christina Dudley’s writing is very polished and elegant, convincingly “period” in its phrasing and style. I experience a little dissonance when reading her books because while the Regency language is very correct, the sensibility of the novels is relatively modern. The book opens with a bedroom scene (not explicit, for those readers who prefer “clean”) between an adulterous couple; some comic episodes draw inspiration from modern forms of humor, dressed up in period language; some of the characters’ manners are conspicuously modern. I find these aspects a little jarring sometimes, but Dudley’s writing is so winning that I don’t really mind.
The Hapgoods of Bramleigh series, of which this is the second, focuses on an impecunious Somersetshire family with four daughters, a huntin’-and-shootin’ father, and a hypochondriac mother. The major characters are all strongly drawn and very appealing. This story centers on the eldest daughter, nearsighted Elfrida, who is the backbone of the household—practical, dutiful, calm. (I worry how the others will go on when she leaves them!) Into her life comes Frederick Tierney, the brother of her younger sister’s husband, a wild London rake. He decides rather early on that he will marry her, for reasons that seem inadequate to me but help the plot along. She, of course, is not interested—at first. Cue the complications and misunderstandings.
The family’s circumstances and dynamics are used in credible ways to drive the plot, leaving Elfrida suspended between duty and desire. But I wish she had not taken a journey at the juncture in the plot when she did—if the other characters had come to her instead of her going to them, there might have been more opportunity for direct conflict between these dueling aspects of her personality. As it is, we know all along which path she will choose, and the pressure on her to do otherwise is more described than felt. Mrs. Todd was an amusing addition to the story, though her speech could have been more specifically London and less generically lower-class. On the subject of accuracy, the climactic ball scene was not so credible because a lord would not be likely to throw a ball in the country in the summertime, during the peak of the agricultural activity; it might have been better to shift the time of year.
These are mere quibbles, however, and overall I enjoyed this story as much as the first. Considering the personalities of the third and fourth daughters of the house, I can’t wait to read their tales! Margaret’s especially should be a rollicking journey.
Christina Dudley’s writing is very polished and elegant, convincingly “period” in its phrasing and style. I experience a little dissonance when reading her books because while the Regency language is very correct, the sensibility of the novels is relatively modern. The book opens with a bedroom scene (not explicit, for those readers who prefer “clean”) between an adulterous couple; some comic episodes draw inspiration from modern forms of humor, dressed up in period language; some of the characters’ manners are conspicuously modern. I find these aspects a little jarring sometimes, but Dudley’s writing is so winning that I don’t really mind.
The Hapgoods of Bramleigh series, of which this is the second, focuses on an impecunious Somersetshire family with four daughters, a huntin’-and-shootin’ father, and a hypochondriac mother. The major characters are all strongly drawn and very appealing. This story centers on the eldest daughter, nearsighted Elfrida, who is the backbone of the household—practical, dutiful, calm. (I worry how the others will go on when she leaves them!) Into her life comes Frederick Tierney, the brother of her younger sister’s husband, a wild London rake. He decides rather early on that he will marry her, for reasons that seem inadequate to me but help the plot along. She, of course, is not interested—at first. Cue the complications and misunderstandings.
The family’s circumstances and dynamics are used in credible ways to drive the plot, leaving Elfrida suspended between duty and desire. But I wish she had not taken a journey at the juncture in the plot when she did—if the other characters had come to her instead of her going to them, there might have been more opportunity for direct conflict between these dueling aspects of her personality. As it is, we know all along which path she will choose, and the pressure on her to do otherwise is more described than felt. Mrs. Todd was an amusing addition to the story, though her speech could have been more specifically London and less generically lower-class. On the subject of accuracy, the climactic ball scene was not so credible because a lord would not be likely to throw a ball in the country in the summertime, during the peak of the agricultural activity; it might have been better to shift the time of year.
These are mere quibbles, however, and overall I enjoyed this story as much as the first. Considering the personalities of the third and fourth daughters of the house, I can’t wait to read their tales! Margaret’s especially should be a rollicking journey.
January 1, 2023
I had never heard of Christina Dudley, so it was exciting to run into this book serendipitously and to see it compared to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, two of my favorite authors. I could not put this book down. I enjoyed the hero and heroine's conversations and the situations that her short-sightedness put them in. The only thing I didn't love is that a 'rake' isn't my favorite kind of character because it's just not convincing that they won't keep running into the numerous women he's had affairs with. And the ending was a bit too wild for my taste - I would have preferred a different, though still clever, way of concluding matters. However, I really enjoyed this and will probably read all of Christina Dudley's other books.
August 23, 2015
Perhaps not quite as entertaining as the first novel, but I liked the hero a little better than his brother because of his obstreperousness (a word used perhaps too often by the author). This dude just won't take no for an answer, and it's fabulous!
He's an Adonis of a rake, and in the beginning you don't feel bad for him at all. In fact, I'm not one ever does feel very sorry for him, except for one brief moment of self-dejection. He's eminently capable of managing his own affairs to his liking, and prompting hilarity into the bargain.
On the other hand, Elfrida is a spirited, beautiful girl, kept much at home, and self-resigned to doing her duty as manager of the household and as eldest sister. She is perfectly willing to offer herself upon the altar of matrimonial sacrifice in order to save the family from financial straits. Her one stipulation is that her future husband must be sober-minded, thoughtful, and the plainer the better- she knows all too well what havoc a rake can incite!
Alas! Life never goes the way one imagines... And all to the better for its unpredictability.
He's an Adonis of a rake, and in the beginning you don't feel bad for him at all. In fact, I'm not one ever does feel very sorry for him, except for one brief moment of self-dejection. He's eminently capable of managing his own affairs to his liking, and prompting hilarity into the bargain.
On the other hand, Elfrida is a spirited, beautiful girl, kept much at home, and self-resigned to doing her duty as manager of the household and as eldest sister. She is perfectly willing to offer herself upon the altar of matrimonial sacrifice in order to save the family from financial straits. Her one stipulation is that her future husband must be sober-minded, thoughtful, and the plainer the better- she knows all too well what havoc a rake can incite!
Alas! Life never goes the way one imagines... And all to the better for its unpredictability.
August 5, 2014
I once again LOVED this modern take book written in Regency style! I don't understand how you do this but love the result. I am so happy the Hapgoods have two other daughters and I'm hoping that means two more books!
July 14, 2025
Audiobook reread in July 2025. Poor nearsighted Elfrida! That probably would’ve been me if I was born in Regency times ha ha! I must say I completely forgot about the ending of this book, and it took me by surprise.
March 27, 2023
I’m on to the next book for sure!
Wow, the last fourth of the book was as compelling as watching a train wreck in slow motion. Agonizing and emotionally charged, “Oh no she didn’t!!!” Boo hiss.
For me the first part of the book moved much too slowly. The introduction of the new protagonist into a family I was already somewhat familiar with, from the first book, was charming and teasing and obvious that he would be our hero. The flamboyant Frederick Tierney had so much potential to liven up the Hapgood family, which he did! It’s normal plot writing to introduce the Hero love interest in the beginning. And given said Heroe’s reputation and mannerisms, the charming part of his actions were expected. But I felt the story dragged here because there was way too much time devoted to his spending time with the family in the area he was staying with. The two ladies there were obviously solicitous of him and disparaging of the Hapgood family he now has a connection to due to his brother marrying one of the sisters. It took forever to figure out when he was going to drop the flamboyance and seriously court the eldest sister, Elfrida. When he finally made his decision he hadn’t a clue his actions went over like a lead balloon.
And we still had more than half the book to get through. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great Regency Traditional Romance story. The characters (except the two women mentioned above) were all interesting to the plot. And I adored the ending. Even knowing who would end up with who, and the dragging pace I struggled to stay with, I did stick with it because I was very invested in seeing Elfie find happiness. And how Frederick was going to change because of her influence. I liked it enough that I’ll be reading the next book in the series soon. Because I love these Hapgood sisters almost as much as the Bennets Jane Austen wrote about. And there are numerous nods to Austen’s famous book throughout A Very Plain Young Man, with aplomb.
I recommend this to Regency and Austenesque readers.
Wow, the last fourth of the book was as compelling as watching a train wreck in slow motion. Agonizing and emotionally charged, “Oh no she didn’t!!!” Boo hiss.
For me the first part of the book moved much too slowly. The introduction of the new protagonist into a family I was already somewhat familiar with, from the first book, was charming and teasing and obvious that he would be our hero. The flamboyant Frederick Tierney had so much potential to liven up the Hapgood family, which he did! It’s normal plot writing to introduce the Hero love interest in the beginning. And given said Heroe’s reputation and mannerisms, the charming part of his actions were expected. But I felt the story dragged here because there was way too much time devoted to his spending time with the family in the area he was staying with. The two ladies there were obviously solicitous of him and disparaging of the Hapgood family he now has a connection to due to his brother marrying one of the sisters. It took forever to figure out when he was going to drop the flamboyance and seriously court the eldest sister, Elfrida. When he finally made his decision he hadn’t a clue his actions went over like a lead balloon.
And we still had more than half the book to get through. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great Regency Traditional Romance story. The characters (except the two women mentioned above) were all interesting to the plot. And I adored the ending. Even knowing who would end up with who, and the dragging pace I struggled to stay with, I did stick with it because I was very invested in seeing Elfie find happiness. And how Frederick was going to change because of her influence. I liked it enough that I’ll be reading the next book in the series soon. Because I love these Hapgood sisters almost as much as the Bennets Jane Austen wrote about. And there are numerous nods to Austen’s famous book throughout A Very Plain Young Man, with aplomb.
I recommend this to Regency and Austenesque readers.
January 13, 2024
4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this book but I'm not sure I can explain why. I really wanted the H and h to find a way to be together, to get beyond his past relationships. I think I appreciated the focus on storytelling without the cliche phrases that are repeated in books that seem to follow a formula. The physical sparks were there without the usually described sex scenes, a touch on the nape of the neck. The character development was believable.
April 9, 2025
DNFd. i tried to keep going but i've lost interest.Shes boring and he is a rake and I don't like him.
May 5, 2025
the message of this book:
having morals = plain
being a manwhore = attractive
having morals = plain
being a manwhore = attractive
April 28, 2025
I didn't like this story. I liked the young lady but couldn't figure out what she saw in the young man. I didn't see him grow much & he seemed quite shallow to me.
August 26, 2023
p.s. i just saw my kindle edition got a new cover and. whoof. i love it.
Got a little goofy there at a few points but I very much enjoyed myself. Lighthearted and funny
Got a little goofy there at a few points but I very much enjoyed myself. Lighthearted and funny
May 4, 2025
2,5
I really really liked The Naturalist and was so excited for the rest of the series. However, I found this book very disappointing.
Primarily, I found the romance between Frederick and Elfie very unbelievable.
They didn't have a lot of interaction with each other before the kiss and when they did, I did not get the impression Elfie was impressed by Frederick's teasing (I didn't think his attempts at banter were that funny myself to be honest).
Then after the kiss (he kissed her, she made no attempt), Elfie suddenly had feelings for him and was glad they had to marry? He had not proven himself to be a good man in the slightest at this point, so why would she like him now? Because she found him attractive?
Luckily, she refuses his first attempt at a proposal. But then he is annoyed and rude when Elfie explains her understandable reasons for not marrying him. It fits his character though.
This was around 1/2 of the book and I had yet to see a redeeming quality in Frederick... I still found him quite unlikable and he hadn't really had a nice and selfless thought until then.
At this point I thought: only a timeskip can save this, wherein Frederick proves he can change and stick with it. Because I cannot believe that this man will change his entire personality in a couple of weeks.
But alas, that is what we get. In the other half of the story, I got the sense that Frederick was just shocked that a woman would reject him, not that he was heartbroken. I think he just saw a challenge in her and thought marriage could be amusing, so he tried again. Never did I get the impression he really loved her, as I never got the impression Elfie really loved him, but was rather just physically attracted to him.
There wasn't enough redemption and change in Frederick. The "changes" he made were all because he wanted to lure Elfie in marriage, not because he truly believed he should better his life.
I just cannot believe this man wouldn't be bored with Elfie after a couple of years and set his sights on other women again.
I hope the other books in the series are of the same quality as The Naturalist, not this one!
I really really liked The Naturalist and was so excited for the rest of the series. However, I found this book very disappointing.
Primarily, I found the romance between Frederick and Elfie very unbelievable.
They didn't have a lot of interaction with each other before the kiss and when they did, I did not get the impression Elfie was impressed by Frederick's teasing (I didn't think his attempts at banter were that funny myself to be honest).
Then after the kiss (he kissed her, she made no attempt), Elfie suddenly had feelings for him and was glad they had to marry? He had not proven himself to be a good man in the slightest at this point, so why would she like him now? Because she found him attractive?
Luckily, she refuses his first attempt at a proposal. But then he is annoyed and rude when Elfie explains her understandable reasons for not marrying him. It fits his character though.
This was around 1/2 of the book and I had yet to see a redeeming quality in Frederick... I still found him quite unlikable and he hadn't really had a nice and selfless thought until then.
At this point I thought: only a timeskip can save this, wherein Frederick proves he can change and stick with it. Because I cannot believe that this man will change his entire personality in a couple of weeks.
But alas, that is what we get. In the other half of the story, I got the sense that Frederick was just shocked that a woman would reject him, not that he was heartbroken. I think he just saw a challenge in her and thought marriage could be amusing, so he tried again. Never did I get the impression he really loved her, as I never got the impression Elfie really loved him, but was rather just physically attracted to him.
There wasn't enough redemption and change in Frederick. The "changes" he made were all because he wanted to lure Elfie in marriage, not because he truly believed he should better his life.
I just cannot believe this man wouldn't be bored with Elfie after a couple of years and set his sights on other women again.
I hope the other books in the series are of the same quality as The Naturalist, not this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
This delightful historical romance is about the eldest Hapgood daughter, Elfrida who is a beautiful, short sighted (she does not wear spectacles), practical and serene young lady of twenty years of age. Her family is country gentry and just above an improvised state. As her father, the Squire has no sons, their family home is in danger of passing onto their father's cousin Hugh Hapgood.
Mr Frederick Tierney is her sister, Alice's brother-in-law, who is a twenty five year old, incredibly good looking Adonis with a penchant for colourful jackets and embroidered waistcoats with a reputation of being a rake.
Much to her dismay, they are thrown together rather regularly since their families have become connected by marriage and he is suddenly in her sphere of acquaintances. She has not formed a flattering opinion of him and tries to avoid him every chance she can but to no avail.
He urgently needs to be betrothed in order to avoid a scandal following a dalliance between him and married Lady Wimpole and he is instantly attracted to Elfrida and decides she will make him an excellent wife. He decides to actively pursue her even if it means that he must dress and act more somberly and responsibly.
Their path to love is not smooth, especially not for Mr Tierney as Elfrida is single-mindedly practical in deciding whom she should marry (she received a proposal from her older, widower cousin Hugh, who will help her secure her family's future at her country home, Bramleigh but he has three children) or should she consider, the irrepressible, disturbingly attractive rake, Frederick?
This charming story is written in the more traditional style of Regency novels such as the likes of Georgette Heyer which is a lovely change from some of the more contemporary versions. The main characters are both very likeable and believable and this story is told from multiple points of view which is great. It is a clean story and I really enjoyed it very much, especially the latter half of the book though I wish there was an epilogue. I rate this book 4.5*.
Mr Frederick Tierney is her sister, Alice's brother-in-law, who is a twenty five year old, incredibly good looking Adonis with a penchant for colourful jackets and embroidered waistcoats with a reputation of being a rake.
Much to her dismay, they are thrown together rather regularly since their families have become connected by marriage and he is suddenly in her sphere of acquaintances. She has not formed a flattering opinion of him and tries to avoid him every chance she can but to no avail.
He urgently needs to be betrothed in order to avoid a scandal following a dalliance between him and married Lady Wimpole and he is instantly attracted to Elfrida and decides she will make him an excellent wife. He decides to actively pursue her even if it means that he must dress and act more somberly and responsibly.
Their path to love is not smooth, especially not for Mr Tierney as Elfrida is single-mindedly practical in deciding whom she should marry (she received a proposal from her older, widower cousin Hugh, who will help her secure her family's future at her country home, Bramleigh but he has three children) or should she consider, the irrepressible, disturbingly attractive rake, Frederick?
This charming story is written in the more traditional style of Regency novels such as the likes of Georgette Heyer which is a lovely change from some of the more contemporary versions. The main characters are both very likeable and believable and this story is told from multiple points of view which is great. It is a clean story and I really enjoyed it very much, especially the latter half of the book though I wish there was an epilogue. I rate this book 4.5*.
October 18, 2025
Elfrida (😬 ) is all about substance over looks, which is interesting because she is gorgeous herself, and also part of the reason why. She’s also near sighted, which means beauty is mostly blurred on the edges and in the periphery of her life, which has led her to appreciate tranquility, steadiness and practicality. The influence of her parents marriage and her loose uncles have also left their mark, making her prize fidelity, a quiet life, serious conversation and frugality. I found Elfrida’s character to be naturally and well developed, unique and interesting.
Until our hero kissed her midway through the book. She dropped everything she valued, walked around in a daze, and considered their marriage with anticipation. Erm. ?!
She snapped out of it not too long after and sent him packing. I appreciated the efforts he made to amend his character but a few weeks?! She didn’t see him in places of temptation where his new convictions would be tried. They hardly even stood the test of time.
I both loved and hated the ending. On one hand, I appreciated that he got mad for a moment then stormed off and got to work, refusing to let her go and derail both of their lives in a fit of pique. On the other hand, I hated that he dismissed her statements on a basis of age (because he was so much older and wiser at 25 🙄) and I REALLY hated the emotionally manipulative ‘kidnapping’ to gretna green. I didn’t think it was entertaining or funny. Wayyyy over the top. And I can’t believe she, with all her values and practicality, opted to continue it.
Until our hero kissed her midway through the book. She dropped everything she valued, walked around in a daze, and considered their marriage with anticipation. Erm. ?!
She snapped out of it not too long after and sent him packing. I appreciated the efforts he made to amend his character but a few weeks?! She didn’t see him in places of temptation where his new convictions would be tried. They hardly even stood the test of time.
I both loved and hated the ending. On one hand, I appreciated that he got mad for a moment then stormed off and got to work, refusing to let her go and derail both of their lives in a fit of pique. On the other hand, I hated that he dismissed her statements on a basis of age (because he was so much older and wiser at 25 🙄) and I REALLY hated the emotionally manipulative ‘kidnapping’ to gretna green. I didn’t think it was entertaining or funny. Wayyyy over the top. And I can’t believe she, with all her values and practicality, opted to continue it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
I found myself unable to like Frederick. He was vain and selfish. It seemed like the only reason he pursued Elfrida was because she turned him down. His pride couldn't handle the rejection. There was never a moment where he appeared to truly regret his promiscuous lifestyle. Any changes he made were simply designed to catch Elfrida's notice and I doubt they would last.
March 25, 2022
I love the style of this author. Fans of Georgette Heyer will enjoy this series. I was on the fence about Mr. Tierney. He was for sure full of himself lol. His wooing felt like a game to him. Life handed him lots of things on a silver platter. I was a bit nervous would this love story be the same. However, i didnt need to worry. The way the story unfolded and came about left me feeling satisfied and glad to see the growth of both h and H. The path the author took them on to finally be together held my interest. I liked the conflict and uncertainty that was written in the story. The flow of the story, the dialogue and the secondary characters were all wonderful.
January 25, 2025
The prose isn’t bad, though I picked out several lines taken directly from Austen. What bothered me most was Frederick’s character. I liked his banter and dialogue, but anyone who thinks a real womanizer, gambler, and overall “rake” will suddenly change, is fantasizing. Maybe I’m too cynical, but people are essentially who they are and it is very difficult for them to actually change. Wanting to change is a different matter, but believing that Elfrida and Frederick will have a wonderful marriage and that a man who has continually chased women (including married women) and then left them without a thought will suddenly be happy with a steady and “boring” wife is a little far fetched.
Read
April 9, 2022Did Not Finish
I only read 25% of this book. My problem was not the writing, but a matter of preference. I just can’t stand a hero who thinks he is god’s gift to women, and I dislike as much or more the women who fall for such heroes.
I only read 25% of this book. My problem was not the writing, but a matter of preference. I just can’t stand a hero who thinks he is god’s gift to women, and I dislike as much or more the women who fall for such heroes.
May 2, 2023
Kind of silly
This was the least favorite of Christina Dudley's novels of those I've read so far. I didn't really understand what attracted the main characters to each other. There wasn't much to show that the male lead had reformed his character. The end was kind of silly.
This was the least favorite of Christina Dudley's novels of those I've read so far. I didn't really understand what attracted the main characters to each other. There wasn't much to show that the male lead had reformed his character. The end was kind of silly.
July 30, 2015
while I didn't like this one quite as much as the first book in the series, it was still great fun, clean, funny and romantic. Definitely worth reading.
July 20, 2025
This book was good until the end. The ending was so dumb that it dropped my rating two whole stars. 🙄🤦🏼♀️
September 15, 2025
3.75 stars. Not quite four. Simply because I have also recently read "The Bestowed Bride" which made me laugh out loud at one point.
This is not a Christian/ Inspirational romance. Please do not think it is just because it is a "clean" romance.
There are two instances within the context of dialogue that a word is used that might some might object to.
I do not.
There are no explicit love scenes described.
However there are two kissing scenes (by my count).
There is one fisticuffs scene described in the novel between a local man and the hero.
Her use of the English language is reflective of the Regency Enlang period (early 1800's) but it is not so overly done that it's easy enough to understand.
For the average bookworm I would say that Ms. Dudley's writing style and use of early 19th century English language makes this an easy read.
I would not recommend this book for parents looking for a thoroughly clean- of- all- profligacy- and- profanity romance for their admiring- of- love- stories child/ children. (It depends on each parent and their judgement as to their child's level of maturity for their respective age.)
I would recommend this book for any adult reader who is looking for a no- explicit- love scenes historical romance with only two words used that are considered "profane" both in the sentiment they are used. (By "sentiment" I do not mean context. With regards to context, both words are used correctly.)
If you are like myself, who reads books ranging from true crime to historical tomes on past events/ eras/ wars etc, to natural history & linguistics as well as all sorts of fiction (yes, including romance), then- most likely- you won't find anything in this book in the least offensive.
Now then.
This is the first Hapsgood book I've read. Though this is not the first book I have read by Ms. Dudley. It is, in fact, the third.
We first meet our rake- hero, Frederick Tierney, climbing up and over a balcony of his married lover's budoir.
No, no. Nothing explicitly described.
I do like the beginning quite a bit.
Fred bandies about the word "love" as easily as we today promise children dessert if they eat their broccoli.
Frederick uses the word "love" to placate his current- at- the- beginning lover, Lady Wimpole. Just as he had with other women he had affairs with in the past.
(This becomes an important detail in the story, for both the hero and the heroine.)
Though he is not a man who has ever been too deep in his cups, it is certainly implied he has a love for gambling on games of chance as well as on the ponies (horse races).
He is also something of a peacock. He takes care and pride in his appearance. However he is also not afraid of a fight. In fact, our hero has a reckless streak.
He is not at all unlikeable. He is a very likeable rake.
Seeing him go from a constant source of anxiety to his parents to a man trying to make himself a good husband- to- be for the beautiful, calm, and short- sighted (myopic) Elfrida Hapsgood is a fine drawing of character development.
If Frederick Tierney needed a push to towards redemption then Elfrida Hapsgood was in need of a push out of her tendency to be judgemental.
She is upright, practical, calm, responsible. She has two uncles who are bachelor- rakes. So naturally what she wants in a future husband is the exact opposite of everything a rake is.
However she falls into the trap of giving rumors too much credence (which we still do today) and lets the whispers of other ladies who have their own agendas get to her too much. Impartial she is not.
However she is twenty years old. So this sort of behavior is reflective of her age I think.
No, this is not an age- gap romance.
The hero is twenty- five. So for anyone looking for a Regency romance with no wide age- gaps between the hero and heroine, this might be for you. (If you are looking for explicit love scenes, alas. This book has none- as I have already pointed out.)
Towards the end, the culprit behind the debacle is predictable but that does not make it any less entertaining. It only highlights the most important fact of all.
No, no. I won't say.
I have given enough spoilers already.
I would not say that this book, or any others I have read, by Ms. Dudley is like Austen or Heyer.
Ms. Dudley has a writing style of her own I think that shines just as brightly.
I will be reading more of her books. I do not usually tend towards Regency romances however I do make exceptions from time to time.
Ms. Dudley is like Austen and Heyer in the sense that just as I have enjoyed some of their books, so, too, I find myself enjoying hers.
This is not a Christian/ Inspirational romance. Please do not think it is just because it is a "clean" romance.
There are two instances within the context of dialogue that a word is used that might some might object to.
I do not.
There are no explicit love scenes described.
However there are two kissing scenes (by my count).
There is one fisticuffs scene described in the novel between a local man and the hero.
Her use of the English language is reflective of the Regency Enlang period (early 1800's) but it is not so overly done that it's easy enough to understand.
For the average bookworm I would say that Ms. Dudley's writing style and use of early 19th century English language makes this an easy read.
I would not recommend this book for parents looking for a thoroughly clean- of- all- profligacy- and- profanity romance for their admiring- of- love- stories child/ children. (It depends on each parent and their judgement as to their child's level of maturity for their respective age.)
I would recommend this book for any adult reader who is looking for a no- explicit- love scenes historical romance with only two words used that are considered "profane" both in the sentiment they are used. (By "sentiment" I do not mean context. With regards to context, both words are used correctly.)
If you are like myself, who reads books ranging from true crime to historical tomes on past events/ eras/ wars etc, to natural history & linguistics as well as all sorts of fiction (yes, including romance), then- most likely- you won't find anything in this book in the least offensive.
Now then.
This is the first Hapsgood book I've read. Though this is not the first book I have read by Ms. Dudley. It is, in fact, the third.
We first meet our rake- hero, Frederick Tierney, climbing up and over a balcony of his married lover's budoir.
No, no. Nothing explicitly described.
I do like the beginning quite a bit.
Fred bandies about the word "love" as easily as we today promise children dessert if they eat their broccoli.
Frederick uses the word "love" to placate his current- at- the- beginning lover, Lady Wimpole. Just as he had with other women he had affairs with in the past.
(This becomes an important detail in the story, for both the hero and the heroine.)
Though he is not a man who has ever been too deep in his cups, it is certainly implied he has a love for gambling on games of chance as well as on the ponies (horse races).
He is also something of a peacock. He takes care and pride in his appearance. However he is also not afraid of a fight. In fact, our hero has a reckless streak.
He is not at all unlikeable. He is a very likeable rake.
Seeing him go from a constant source of anxiety to his parents to a man trying to make himself a good husband- to- be for the beautiful, calm, and short- sighted (myopic) Elfrida Hapsgood is a fine drawing of character development.
If Frederick Tierney needed a push to towards redemption then Elfrida Hapsgood was in need of a push out of her tendency to be judgemental.
She is upright, practical, calm, responsible. She has two uncles who are bachelor- rakes. So naturally what she wants in a future husband is the exact opposite of everything a rake is.
However she falls into the trap of giving rumors too much credence (which we still do today) and lets the whispers of other ladies who have their own agendas get to her too much. Impartial she is not.
However she is twenty years old. So this sort of behavior is reflective of her age I think.
No, this is not an age- gap romance.
The hero is twenty- five. So for anyone looking for a Regency romance with no wide age- gaps between the hero and heroine, this might be for you. (If you are looking for explicit love scenes, alas. This book has none- as I have already pointed out.)
Towards the end, the culprit behind the debacle is predictable but that does not make it any less entertaining. It only highlights the most important fact of all.
No, no. I won't say.
I have given enough spoilers already.
I would not say that this book, or any others I have read, by Ms. Dudley is like Austen or Heyer.
Ms. Dudley has a writing style of her own I think that shines just as brightly.
I will be reading more of her books. I do not usually tend towards Regency romances however I do make exceptions from time to time.
Ms. Dudley is like Austen and Heyer in the sense that just as I have enjoyed some of their books, so, too, I find myself enjoying hers.
July 18, 2024
When I can't choose what to read, it's easy to fall back on past favourites. One of them is Christina Dudley who, with her sparkling language, sense of dialogue and knowledge of the Regency period, is a safe choice. In A Very Plain Young Man, we are invited to a witty, funny love story between a myopic heroine and a reformed rake.
Elfrida Hapgood had to take responsibility for her family early on. Her mother has problems with her nerves and her father cares mostly about his dogs. The Hapgood family has ancient ancestry but no money. There is no son to take over the title, so to save the family in the future death of her father, Elfrida realizes that she must marry her cousin, a man many years older than herself.
Fredrick Tierney could be described as follows; heir to two mansions, a rake and an unusually handsome fellow (of which he is aware). After several letters from his worried mother and the loud whispers among London's nobility, he realizes that he cannot continue living the way he does. To break with a clingy married mistress, he says he must get married.
It is not uncommon for the heroine in historical romance to have some type of flaw. Think Emma in Jane Austen's book who loves to pair people up or Marianne in Sense and Sensibility who sees everything through a romantic shimmer. There are heroines with different physical flaws but this is the first time I've read about a heroine who is nearsighted.
It fits the story perfectly. Fredrick is used to his looks giving him advantages so when Elfrida doesn't react the way he's used to, he gets curious.
It is a wonderful book. Well written, funny and with two main characters who are lovable in their humanity. They make mistakes, draw wrong conclusions, have negative thoughts about themselves. Dudley has also written a, for me, new variant of the reforming rake. That he reevaluates life is not only due to his love for Elfrida, but also because he cares about his family and his heritage.
What massively brought the rating down for me was the last 1 ½ chapters. It's way too elaborate for my taste but many other reviewers love the adventure that unfolds. I admit that I only skimmed the text to get to the end.
The book's greatness lies in the execution, in the author's love for the time she writes about and the finely crafted main characters. The wonderful descriptions of clothes, décor, carriages and what not, is all included in the price.
Review in Swedish https://fantastika.se/bok/a-very-plai...
Elfrida Hapgood had to take responsibility for her family early on. Her mother has problems with her nerves and her father cares mostly about his dogs. The Hapgood family has ancient ancestry but no money. There is no son to take over the title, so to save the family in the future death of her father, Elfrida realizes that she must marry her cousin, a man many years older than herself.
Fredrick Tierney could be described as follows; heir to two mansions, a rake and an unusually handsome fellow (of which he is aware). After several letters from his worried mother and the loud whispers among London's nobility, he realizes that he cannot continue living the way he does. To break with a clingy married mistress, he says he must get married.
It is not uncommon for the heroine in historical romance to have some type of flaw. Think Emma in Jane Austen's book who loves to pair people up or Marianne in Sense and Sensibility who sees everything through a romantic shimmer. There are heroines with different physical flaws but this is the first time I've read about a heroine who is nearsighted.
It fits the story perfectly. Fredrick is used to his looks giving him advantages so when Elfrida doesn't react the way he's used to, he gets curious.
It is a wonderful book. Well written, funny and with two main characters who are lovable in their humanity. They make mistakes, draw wrong conclusions, have negative thoughts about themselves. Dudley has also written a, for me, new variant of the reforming rake. That he reevaluates life is not only due to his love for Elfrida, but also because he cares about his family and his heritage.
What massively brought the rating down for me was the last 1 ½ chapters. It's way too elaborate for my taste but many other reviewers love the adventure that unfolds. I admit that I only skimmed the text to get to the end.
The book's greatness lies in the execution, in the author's love for the time she writes about and the finely crafted main characters. The wonderful descriptions of clothes, décor, carriages and what not, is all included in the price.
Review in Swedish https://fantastika.se/bok/a-very-plai...
February 6, 2025
I must say this book surprised me. Historical regency fiction such as this is always hard for me to read. However, I dared myself outside my comfort zone this time and read this book. And I'm glad I did, otherwise I would have missed historical regency romance at its finest. Although it took me quite a while to get accustomed to the writing not by any fault of the author AT ALL, but by my novice trait. The characters and their interactions was what charmed me and I didn't pull back.
Christina Dudley created characters that felt real, that were delightful, that had flaws, that experienced growth. Her characters held me til the end.
The dialogues were another highlight for me, the conversations were crisp, clever and laced with humor that had me laughing out loud.
The romance as well was swoonworthy and toe curling, I found myself smiling at the plots devised by the hero in pursuit the heroine.
So even when I found some parts challenging to understand, the author's characters, clever writing and the romance pleased me so much that my own flaw just had to be overlooked. And I enjoyed my read immensely. I'm going back to read the first book in the series, then continue therefrom.
Final thoughts
Christina Dudley has crafted a brilliant romance, with strong dialogues and characters so charming and flawed in ways that made them human.
PS: This book taught me something about love that really warmed my heart.
Be sure to read this book if you're a fan of historical regency fiction and even if you're not, do step out of your comfort genres once in a while, and you'll be surprised.
Christina Dudley created characters that felt real, that were delightful, that had flaws, that experienced growth. Her characters held me til the end.
The dialogues were another highlight for me, the conversations were crisp, clever and laced with humor that had me laughing out loud.
The romance as well was swoonworthy and toe curling, I found myself smiling at the plots devised by the hero in pursuit the heroine.
So even when I found some parts challenging to understand, the author's characters, clever writing and the romance pleased me so much that my own flaw just had to be overlooked. And I enjoyed my read immensely. I'm going back to read the first book in the series, then continue therefrom.
Final thoughts
Christina Dudley has crafted a brilliant romance, with strong dialogues and characters so charming and flawed in ways that made them human.
PS: This book taught me something about love that really warmed my heart.
Be sure to read this book if you're a fan of historical regency fiction and even if you're not, do step out of your comfort genres once in a while, and you'll be surprised.
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