A Poor Relation

by Carola Dunn

Shevowed to make the best of it. One day, Rowena Caxton was the proud owner and mistress of a large estate. The next, she had lost everything and was forced to take up residence with her only remaining family. Her days became an endless round of fetch and carry, though she would not complain. She was relieved, however, when the arrival of the new Earl of Farleigh interrupted the routine and caused a flurry of excitement in the neighbourhood. She could well understand the excitement generated by the handsome and erudite earl. But she constantly cautioned herself against her runaway heart. After all, what interest could such a man have in a poor relation?

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, 19th Century, Historical Fiction

218 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

About the author

Carola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.

Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.

Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)

Reviews

[Pauline Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that shouldn’t have worked at all, because it fell into such well-worn ruts that it was a wonder it was able to scramble its way out of them, but somehow it did, and I loved it.

Here’s the premise: Rowena Caxton receives some bad news from her lawyer - the estate her father left her, and which she has been quite happily managing to keep in good order, has been subsumed by debts, and must be sold. Rowena is penniless, and must throw herself on the mercy of her aunt and uncle. Her uncle is easy-going but distant, and her aunt is happy to take her on as companion and chaperon to the spoilt, wilful and beautiful Millicent, around whom the household revolves. Millicent delights in putting Rowena down at every opportunity, but Rowena makes a friend of Anne, the plain younger sister. Meanwhile, Major Christopher Scott, who has been escorting his injured friend, Captain Bernard Cartwright, back from the wars, is astonished to find that he has inherited an earldom, complete with run-down estate and no wherewithal to improve it. And right next door lives the incomparable Millie, with a sizable fortune…

Now, the cliches here just jump off the page. The poor relation heroine… check. The unexpected nobleman… check. The impoverished estate with the need to marry an heiress… check. The selfish and petulant ingenue… check. The charming (but interestingly injured) sidekick… check. The uncaring relations… check. And naturally the first few times the hero and heroine meet, it’s under difficult circumstances, when he treats her like a servant (because she looks like one) and she thinks he’s too rude for words (because he is). And naturally they are thrown together at every turn and slowly learn to appreciate each other.

So yes, the plot runs on well-worn rails, but the trick is in the execution, and it’s here that Dunn’s talent shines. Both hero and heroine (and the minor pairing) are lively characters, very likable. Rowena is a teeny bit subversive without veering into outright rebellion. The major is rather charming beneath the briskly military exterior. They bond over apples, which is seriously original (she tells him how to manage his orchards, which are his main crop). The minor characters, even those who are merely there as foils for the principals, are quirky rather than over-the-top pantomime characters. And needless to say, the writing is superb.

The romance develops nicely, and isn’t forgotten about until the last page, although I could have done without the final foolish obstacle and the (frankly silly) resolution of it, but I still enjoyed this enormously. Five stars.

[Lyuda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Carola Dunn’s Rothschild trilogy but this story is just an average traditional Regency fare.

From the back cover: ‘Rowena Caxton, formerly mistress of an estate, is reduced to being a “poor relation” in her beautiful cousin Millicent’s home. When the new Lord Farleigh, former major from the Peninsula wars, arrives in the neighborhood, Millicent immediately attempts to attach him. But it is Rowena who teaches the earl about orchards—and about his own heart.’

If I had a color-pallet to describe the story, it would be grey. The plot was quite predictable, somewhat dull. The heroine was a “poor relation” but had enough spirit and strength of character to resist being put down by her impertinent cousin. I liked it. The hero’s struggles to fit into his position and to bring the estate to profitability were believable and nicely characterized. But numerous secondary characters were so stereotypical! There was also a site romance I could’ve done without.

[kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A soft 3.

[Kel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good story, although the "sad misunderstandings" were a little much. Concur upon re-reading. Have to remember to check my goodreads reviews more often! I don't mind too much for fluffy summer reading.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowena was left with nothing when her father died except a head for harvesting fruit trees. She ends up staying as a poor relation at her aunts home. She meets Lord Farleigh on her way there and again when he moves in next to her Aunt's estate. He may be courting her cousin but soon focuses on Rowena.

[Via · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love a story of bringing a neglected state back into prosperity. I fell in love with how tenacious the heroine is as well although I would've love more scenes of her outwitting her cousin.

I also like the earl but I wish Ms. Dunn's romance books have more sass and chemistry between her couples. I want to feel like they're really in love with each other.

[Walford · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up.
A very formulaic 'traditional' Regency. You know exactly what you're going to get and you get it.
Sometimes one needs a Sure Thing when feeling a bit glum.
In the Georgette Heyer vein without the wit and humor.

[Judith Hale Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carola Dunn’s writing style is a little rushed and spare, but her plots are lovely. This one worked out very well though a few of the characters are a bit stock. The heroine and hero, however, are excellent and their progress from friends to love-interests is satisfying.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, fun read. The perfect antidote to a long trip.

[Fluttershy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Daenerys Targaryen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The heroine is Ms. goody two shoes. She goes from riches to rags and back to riches. Hero is an ex. Major with financial issues. The romance is very dull.

[Reading Fanatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squeaky Clean

I loved this book. It's well written, with an interesting—if not original—plot, and well developed characters. Ms. Dunn has a nice writing style, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Rowena is a wonderful character. She's smart, intelligent, strong-willed—but not stubborn—capable, and independent (at least until she lost her home.) Rowena is used to handling her own affairs and single-handedly running her family's extensive estate. With the recent death of her father, she sees no need for anything to change, that is, until she is informed that her father had mortgaged the estate. There is no way to pay off the mortgage without selling the property. Hence, in an instant, Rowena circumstances change from independent miss to poor relation. Rowena is forced to throw herself on the mercy of her mother's sister, who graciously invites Rowena to come and liver with her.

During her journey to her aunt's home, Rowena has an encounter with Major Christopher Scott, who has newly arrived from the French war. When Chris and Rowena first meet, he—at first—believes her to be a servant, and orders her to assist him with his injured friend, a fellow soldier who has also just returned from the war. When the two later meet again, Rowena is living with her aunt, and Chris (a newly minted Earl) coincidentally now owns the neighboring estate, which he inherited with the title. From there the story quickly develops—it's only around 200 pages—to its conclusion. Rowena's somewhat scatterbrained Aunt Hermione treats her niece well, and finds a friend in her cousin, Anne. But the vain, shallow, selfish Millicent is a whole different story. Aunt Hermion is so overwhelmed by Millicent's beauty that she caters to the girl's every whim. A fact which results in Rowena's unhappiness as Millicent constantly tries to push her around.

When Chris appears in the neighborhood, Millicent is immediately determined to secure him for herself. With her looks and a fabulous inheritance of $20k, it seems she will easily get her wish. It doesn't help that Chris is in dire need of money to repair his estate--he inherited title and estate, but no money. Chris knows what he needs to do, but he finds himself more and more being drawn towards the intrepid Rowena and eventually the two get their HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it as a wonderful read. FYI this is a squeaky clean romance; there's not even a kiss. Happy reading!

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dunn writes cute and sweet. This heroine's talents are orchards and crops. Guess what hero needs help with? But blue-eyed blonde cousin bats her eyes and all the neighborhood boys fall victims.
Typo: c2 p28 coining is coming

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Carola Dunn’s regency books I have read so far. They are a nice, quick, easy read and they have a Jane Austen feel to them. Each book is different enough from the others to feel fresh and her enjoyable writing style is consistent.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stilted language made this a bit of a struggle, but I did eventually get into the swing of it.

[☆Ruth☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, simple read; typical Carole Dunn.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Carola Dunn's stuff.

[Noe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆