What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Takes Root #4
The Bolingbroke Chit
Earning the nickname Lady Agony was no minor achievement for Lady Agatha Bolingbroke. It required a great deal of effort to make herself so disagreeable, but she did it for a good The fewer invitations she received, the more time she had to paint. Her mother, refusing to accept an unpopular daughter—or, worse, a talented one—insists on dragging her to every event of the season.To thwart her parents and to vent her frustration, Agatha creates a wicked alter a caricaturist whose mocking illustrations take ruthless aim at the ridiculousness of the ton. Her most recent target is Viscount Addleson, whom she dubs Viscount Addlewit for his handsome but empty head. Then one of Agatha’s drawings goes too far and a villain threatens to reveal her true identity if she doesn’t comply with his demands.Now she has an impossible choice—ruin herself or an innocent young lady—and to her utter amazement the only person who can help her is Lord Addleson, whose handsome head, upon closer inspection, isn’t empty at all and whose eyes are full of mischief.Suddenly, she finds it very difficult to be disagreeable to him.————————————————————
Readers find Love Takes Root Series wonderfully This book was absolutely delightful! - Noorammk, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐OMG! I love this series. - PLP, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Excellent plot and filled with intrigue! I adored the heroine and her hoydish, devil may care attitude! - Lisa, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐It is a delight, and my favorite of the series. It is full of impertinence & delightfully devious thinking. - Barbie, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Oh, what a grand adventure! The whole story was wrapped in layers of intrigue and distrust. What fun I had peeling those layers away page after page. - Charlotte, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Readers find Love Takes Root Series wonderfully This book was absolutely delightful! - Noorammk, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐OMG! I love this series. - PLP, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Excellent plot and filled with intrigue! I adored the heroine and her hoydish, devil may care attitude! - Lisa, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐It is a delight, and my favorite of the series. It is full of impertinence & delightfully devious thinking. - Barbie, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Oh, what a grand adventure! The whole story was wrapped in layers of intrigue and distrust. What fun I had peeling those layers away page after page. - Charlotte, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2015
1092 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Messina
64 books657 followersLynn Messina is author of more than a dozen novels, including the best-selling Fashionistas, which has been translated into sixteen languages, and a series of Regency romance novels. Her essays have appeared in Self, American Baby and the New York Times Modern Love column. She lives in New York City with her sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
November 13, 2020
1.5 stars
On the bright side, I didn't spend any money on this one because it was Kindle freebie. And I definitely would have spent money because I genuinely enjoy Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries. They are the best regency cozy mysteries I've found. And I really hoped this Love Takes Root series by her would give me something similar.
It did not.
Oh, some of the plot was similar. She has a certain dynamic with her couples that comes through and random plot elements that felt a tad recycled. There were moments I chuckled and I certainly spent about half the book expecting to finish and go buy all the others in the series. But by the end I realized I didn't want more of this series:
1. This was the light read I picked up while I moved and expected to zip right through and yet it still took me over a week to finish. That's either the sign of a really thought-provoking book or a really slow one. And let's just say The Bolingbroke Chit didn't leave me with any highlighted quotes to ponder.
2. The story often felt campy. It was not just historically inaccurate or irritatingly anachronistic, though both are true. The characters often felt like caricatures. But at the same time, the plot wasn't funny enough to pull off the caricatures. This wasn't a comedy of manners. It also wasn't really a cozy mystery. But it also wasn't a romance novel. It sits uncomfortably in the crossroads of all three and accordingly fell short of all three.
3. The romance gets weirdly steamy at the end and it kind of comes out of left field. Maybe I just wasn't expecting it because I don't remember anything particularly edgy in the other Messina books I've read. (And as a disclaimer, I haven't read the earlier books in this series, so maybe this is simply her edgier series.) But at the same time, it wasn't edgy enough. It was like a homeschooler who thinks it is cool to f-bomb. Aka: not cool and totally awkward. The story doesn't want to commit to being a genuine bodice ripper so instead it settles for enough behavior to flirt with rated R...but not enough to actually appeal to rated R readers.
I honestly don't know who the intended audience would be. It isn't clean enough that I would recommend it to anyone. At the same time, it tries to go from edgy to campy and fails, so I don't see hard-core romance readers liking it either.
This ends up being a mess of a book that could have been genuinely entertaining and instead trips over its own feet by not firmly settling on what is aiming for: funny, romantic, edgy, etc.
On the bright side, I didn't spend any money on this one because it was Kindle freebie. And I definitely would have spent money because I genuinely enjoy Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries. They are the best regency cozy mysteries I've found. And I really hoped this Love Takes Root series by her would give me something similar.
It did not.
Oh, some of the plot was similar. She has a certain dynamic with her couples that comes through and random plot elements that felt a tad recycled. There were moments I chuckled and I certainly spent about half the book expecting to finish and go buy all the others in the series. But by the end I realized I didn't want more of this series:
1. This was the light read I picked up while I moved and expected to zip right through and yet it still took me over a week to finish. That's either the sign of a really thought-provoking book or a really slow one. And let's just say The Bolingbroke Chit didn't leave me with any highlighted quotes to ponder.
2. The story often felt campy. It was not just historically inaccurate or irritatingly anachronistic, though both are true. The characters often felt like caricatures. But at the same time, the plot wasn't funny enough to pull off the caricatures. This wasn't a comedy of manners. It also wasn't really a cozy mystery. But it also wasn't a romance novel. It sits uncomfortably in the crossroads of all three and accordingly fell short of all three.
3. The romance gets weirdly steamy at the end and it kind of comes out of left field. Maybe I just wasn't expecting it because I don't remember anything particularly edgy in the other Messina books I've read. (And as a disclaimer, I haven't read the earlier books in this series, so maybe this is simply her edgier series.) But at the same time, it wasn't edgy enough. It was like a homeschooler who thinks it is cool to f-bomb. Aka: not cool and totally awkward. The story doesn't want to commit to being a genuine bodice ripper so instead it settles for enough behavior to flirt with rated R...but not enough to actually appeal to rated R readers.
I honestly don't know who the intended audience would be. It isn't clean enough that I would recommend it to anyone. At the same time, it tries to go from edgy to campy and fails, so I don't see hard-core romance readers liking it either.
This ends up being a mess of a book that could have been genuinely entertaining and instead trips over its own feet by not firmly settling on what is aiming for: funny, romantic, edgy, etc.
August 10, 2020
Regency. This had kisses + some handsy action. No actual
sex.
Jonah, a viscount, blathered on about trivial ideas. Many
considered him a lightweight. He cultivated this persona
when actually he had a razor-sharp wit.
Lady Agatha, an artist, acted unpleasant and too bold, to
hold her suitors at bay. She did unflattering caricatures
(using a male name) of some ton members which she
called a "tiny deception." Which seemed more character
assassination on her part. I disliked her until she changed
for the better.
There was pushback RE Lady Lavinia, twin sis of a duchess,
around her wanting to join an all male gardening society.
The society accepted her as a member. Mystery stemmed
from this one action. Who was Lady L? How did her
fiancee die?
Jonah, who became bored easily, was never bored in the
company of Agatha & he grew to love her. Kudos to mature,
masculine and witty Jonah.
My fav scene involved Agatha watering the lilies. I can't give
away more.
sex.
Jonah, a viscount, blathered on about trivial ideas. Many
considered him a lightweight. He cultivated this persona
when actually he had a razor-sharp wit.
Lady Agatha, an artist, acted unpleasant and too bold, to
hold her suitors at bay. She did unflattering caricatures
(using a male name) of some ton members which she
called a "tiny deception." Which seemed more character
assassination on her part. I disliked her until she changed
for the better.
There was pushback RE Lady Lavinia, twin sis of a duchess,
around her wanting to join an all male gardening society.
The society accepted her as a member. Mystery stemmed
from this one action. Who was Lady L? How did her
fiancee die?
Jonah, who became bored easily, was never bored in the
company of Agatha & he grew to love her. Kudos to mature,
masculine and witty Jonah.
My fav scene involved Agatha watering the lilies. I can't give
away more.
Read
May 2, 2019DNF at 22%. I couldn't keep going with this one. The heroine is not a nice person and draws caricatures that make fun of members of the ton. She basically thinks everyone is stupid and actively tries to get others to dislike her and leave her alone. The hero is a bona fide genius and also thinks that everyone is a boring plebe with limited intelligence. In the first fifth of this book, he sends his current paramour a congè, so he hasn't left behind the habit of paying for sex. At all. I never end up liking a hero who has a mistress up until the beginning of the story, or even through it really, so I'm going to pass on the rest and save myself the grief. :)
February 23, 2023
Not bad.
September 15, 2018
Two people who learn to live out loud.
A very strong aspect of this novel is character development that is consistent but also allows the characters to evolve throughout the course of the novel. There were also elements of dialogue that were just achingly lovely. The pacing was at times a little bit slower than I liked but overall, the story is strong and avoids many of the more ridiculous tropes often found in Regency romance novels.
All of that said, the strongest element is two characters who act in believable, adult-like ways. Lady Agatha, is a talented painter and caricaturist in a time when women were merely meant to be decorative accessories to the aims and ambitions of their husbands. While she has to practice her art in secret, she is still very strong and rejects societal expectations by adopting a persona that repels potential suitors. She is her mother’s greatest challenge and honestly, I appreciated the fact that the mother was treated fairly throughout the story.
Lord Addelson, also has an “adopted personality” designed to cope with the issues of his upbringing. While Lady Agatha’s serious, forbidding demeanor repels, Lord Addelson’s personality is frivolous and fun. The reason behind his adopted personality borders on heartbreaking. Despite their differences, how these two get together is reasonably believable. Unraveling their real personalities is what makes for some of that lovely dialogue I mentioned earlier.
Bottom line: Apart from a few slight eye-rolls at “mystery-suspense” part of the plot, this is a story about two people who find in each other, the courage to live out loud, to be who they really are. The story is told with sensitivity and doesn’t demonize anyone apart from “villain” of the piece. There is a bit of sex, but it is minimal and toward the very end.
A very strong aspect of this novel is character development that is consistent but also allows the characters to evolve throughout the course of the novel. There were also elements of dialogue that were just achingly lovely. The pacing was at times a little bit slower than I liked but overall, the story is strong and avoids many of the more ridiculous tropes often found in Regency romance novels.
All of that said, the strongest element is two characters who act in believable, adult-like ways. Lady Agatha, is a talented painter and caricaturist in a time when women were merely meant to be decorative accessories to the aims and ambitions of their husbands. While she has to practice her art in secret, she is still very strong and rejects societal expectations by adopting a persona that repels potential suitors. She is her mother’s greatest challenge and honestly, I appreciated the fact that the mother was treated fairly throughout the story.
Lord Addelson, also has an “adopted personality” designed to cope with the issues of his upbringing. While Lady Agatha’s serious, forbidding demeanor repels, Lord Addelson’s personality is frivolous and fun. The reason behind his adopted personality borders on heartbreaking. Despite their differences, how these two get together is reasonably believable. Unraveling their real personalities is what makes for some of that lovely dialogue I mentioned earlier.
Bottom line: Apart from a few slight eye-rolls at “mystery-suspense” part of the plot, this is a story about two people who find in each other, the courage to live out loud, to be who they really are. The story is told with sensitivity and doesn’t demonize anyone apart from “villain” of the piece. There is a bit of sex, but it is minimal and toward the very end.
October 31, 2018
I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand, Lynn Messina really tried to construct believable and interesting Regency romance, what isn't an easy task, contrary to what some may be thinking. And I can't tell she failed. There was a wit, there was something interesting (mocking illustrations, British Horticultural Society), there were common traits of the genre (handsome, intelligent hero, independent spiritually heroine who got in troubles), the whole atmosphere of Regency era wasn't also spoilt.
But, there was one, a big thing that messed the book: it wasn't a standalone novel. Like Lisa wrote: the story was far too drawn out and there were extra viewpoint characters that did not add anything important to THIS story. Writing the series one must balance between connecting books and treating them as a standalone. It is possible (see e.g. Patricia Veryan's series or The Six Sisters by Marion Chesney). In this case, Lynn Messina did a poor job. It is not only that I had to read too much about characters from previous parts. The worst thing was that I know now exactly what happened earlier. I know, that reading one part of series I would know the endings of previous, but there is no reason to give me all the details. Even worst, I don't understand why someone decided to give this book for free. I don't see the point of reading previous parts now. They should have given me the first part since there were so many spoilers in this one. I think that I would have picked the second book if I had read the first. As it is, it was a big marketing error.
On the one hand, Lynn Messina really tried to construct believable and interesting Regency romance, what isn't an easy task, contrary to what some may be thinking. And I can't tell she failed. There was a wit, there was something interesting (mocking illustrations, British Horticultural Society), there were common traits of the genre (handsome, intelligent hero, independent spiritually heroine who got in troubles), the whole atmosphere of Regency era wasn't also spoilt.
But, there was one, a big thing that messed the book: it wasn't a standalone novel. Like Lisa wrote: the story was far too drawn out and there were extra viewpoint characters that did not add anything important to THIS story. Writing the series one must balance between connecting books and treating them as a standalone. It is possible (see e.g. Patricia Veryan's series or The Six Sisters by Marion Chesney). In this case, Lynn Messina did a poor job. It is not only that I had to read too much about characters from previous parts. The worst thing was that I know now exactly what happened earlier. I know, that reading one part of series I would know the endings of previous, but there is no reason to give me all the details. Even worst, I don't understand why someone decided to give this book for free. I don't see the point of reading previous parts now. They should have given me the first part since there were so many spoilers in this one. I think that I would have picked the second book if I had read the first. As it is, it was a big marketing error.
Read
May 10, 2019I read this out of order in the series. I started with this one first. First of all, I hate the word chit. To me it sounds very dismissive of women, like calling women chicks.
Anyway, it was interesting to me how Agatha was at first unaware of her hypocracy. How she hated and made fun of the Holloway Hoyden, where Emma Holloway was trying to break through the very strict ton rules of how unmarried young ladies should behave. Agatha hated the rules herself, which restricted her life and everyone not taking her talent in painting seriously. In the end she realized she was a coward and envied Emma her courage for trying to break out of societies strict rules for unmarried women's behavior.
While reading the series (I then read books #1 and #2) I kept thinking how did we get from the incredible restrictions on women in those times to where we are now? Obviously, today's women in the US and developed countries still have to overcome mysogony, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, but still, we've come a long way. One conclusion I've come to is that women such as Emma and Agatha, as mild examples of women who had the courage to believe in themselves, and push against the strictures that society placed on them, is one of the ways we got to where we are now. Change in society rules is Mavericks pushing and pushing the envelope. The women of the past who did this pushing are true heroes on my book, and I admire them greatly. If not for these intrepid women, women today would have no sexual freedom, not be able to enter any field they choose, etc.
Anyway, it was interesting to me how Agatha was at first unaware of her hypocracy. How she hated and made fun of the Holloway Hoyden, where Emma Holloway was trying to break through the very strict ton rules of how unmarried young ladies should behave. Agatha hated the rules herself, which restricted her life and everyone not taking her talent in painting seriously. In the end she realized she was a coward and envied Emma her courage for trying to break out of societies strict rules for unmarried women's behavior.
While reading the series (I then read books #1 and #2) I kept thinking how did we get from the incredible restrictions on women in those times to where we are now? Obviously, today's women in the US and developed countries still have to overcome mysogony, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, but still, we've come a long way. One conclusion I've come to is that women such as Emma and Agatha, as mild examples of women who had the courage to believe in themselves, and push against the strictures that society placed on them, is one of the ways we got to where we are now. Change in society rules is Mavericks pushing and pushing the envelope. The women of the past who did this pushing are true heroes on my book, and I admire them greatly. If not for these intrepid women, women today would have no sexual freedom, not be able to enter any field they choose, etc.
May 8, 2024
I disliked Agatha in the beggining, but She did some serious self-reflection. And I enjoyed the romance.
January 20, 2025
Delightful indeed!
Lynn Messina is a master of inner dialog, and of building the relationship of hero and heroine from nothing to everything. You can’t help rooting for them as they discover their feelings and work out their destiny together one meeting at a time. Extremely funny and satisfying. (The end scene does have some spice. )
Lynn Messina is a master of inner dialog, and of building the relationship of hero and heroine from nothing to everything. You can’t help rooting for them as they discover their feelings and work out their destiny together one meeting at a time. Extremely funny and satisfying. (The end scene does have some spice. )
September 28, 2022
While this wasn’t the grand finale I expected, it was a cute wrap-up of the series. We get Emma and Vinny as main characters again alone with the female lead. Townsend finally gets his due.
The intimate scenes in these final two books are a bit awkward and sudden. I wonder if they were added after the rest of the book was written just to give it the tiniest bit of spice?
The intimate scenes in these final two books are a bit awkward and sudden. I wonder if they were added after the rest of the book was written just to give it the tiniest bit of spice?
March 4, 2020
I absolutely loved both Agatha and Addleson! I wish there were more heroes and heroines like these two.
Agatha was absolutely brilliant! She's a self-designated outcast because she can't be bothered with the ton and thus, deliberately scares them off with her sharp tongue. She's nicknamed Lady Agony, describing the emotion when trying to talk to her. And by not receiving invitations (which her mother would force her to accept), she has more time to spend on her art.
And the hero, Lord Addleson, is extremely intelligent and charming but poses as a brainless dandy. He sees through most people of the ton but Agatha intrigues him.
Whenever Lord Addlewit and Lady Agony meet, it's a true delight.
I'm torn between giving this book 4 or 5 stars because although the main couple was great, it felt like something was missing.
I agree with other reviewers that I would've preferred it if the PoVs of earlier books' heroines had been omitted. That way, the main couple would've had more space and maybe the elusive something that I would have wanted from this book had been filled.
Whenever I try to think of what kind of scene I would've wanted, I realise that one that fills a similar purpose is already in the book.
Maybe it's just that I love the main couple so much that I didn't get enough of them. I really would've loved it if they had more time together.
I usually forget most names of h/H of each book but not so with this one. They're both very unique - which is a shame because I need more of them!!! I love that Agatha is a proud and ambitious woman, but still has weaknesses and insecurities. And I love that Addleson is dandy-like and charming, and not some kind of bulky, scarred and tortured hero that broods and scowls all the time.
I read historical romances BECAUSE I want a hero like Addleson! (and not the "hurr-durr, get away from me cuz I'M DANGEROUS *flexes muscles, which are huge btw*"-kind).
Thank you, Lynn Messina, for such wonderful characters and a delightful read!
If you happen to read this, I would be overjoyed if this couple appeared in future books (I already read the next one and squealed in delight when they were mentioned shortly).
Agatha was absolutely brilliant! She's a self-designated outcast because she can't be bothered with the ton and thus, deliberately scares them off with her sharp tongue. She's nicknamed Lady Agony, describing the emotion when trying to talk to her. And by not receiving invitations (which her mother would force her to accept), she has more time to spend on her art.
And the hero, Lord Addleson, is extremely intelligent and charming but poses as a brainless dandy. He sees through most people of the ton but Agatha intrigues him.
Whenever Lord Addlewit and Lady Agony meet, it's a true delight.
I'm torn between giving this book 4 or 5 stars because although the main couple was great, it felt like something was missing.
I agree with other reviewers that I would've preferred it if the PoVs of earlier books' heroines had been omitted. That way, the main couple would've had more space and maybe the elusive something that I would have wanted from this book had been filled.
Whenever I try to think of what kind of scene I would've wanted, I realise that one that fills a similar purpose is already in the book.
Maybe it's just that I love the main couple so much that I didn't get enough of them. I really would've loved it if they had more time together.
I usually forget most names of h/H of each book but not so with this one. They're both very unique - which is a shame because I need more of them!!! I love that Agatha is a proud and ambitious woman, but still has weaknesses and insecurities. And I love that Addleson is dandy-like and charming, and not some kind of bulky, scarred and tortured hero that broods and scowls all the time.
I read historical romances BECAUSE I want a hero like Addleson! (and not the "hurr-durr, get away from me cuz I'M DANGEROUS *flexes muscles, which are huge btw*"-kind).
Thank you, Lynn Messina, for such wonderful characters and a delightful read!
If you happen to read this, I would be overjoyed if this couple appeared in future books (I already read the next one and squealed in delight when they were mentioned shortly).
April 11, 2016
The h was too hard to like thru most of the story, which I get, because she eventually changes into someone more likeable, but it took so long I just couldn't enjoy her. And I didn't understand the H's attraction to her, since she made herself so unapproachable. Enjoyed the Harlow twins cameos, though.
September 6, 2018
Dnf
Could only make it through about 15%. Who are all these people? Is this a continuation in a series i don't know about? Must be 20 characters in this small percent read. Forget about it
Could only make it through about 15%. Who are all these people? Is this a continuation in a series i don't know about? Must be 20 characters in this small percent read. Forget about it
January 24, 2020
I really liked Lady Agatha. She wasn't the prettiest or the smartest and she certainly wasn't obsessed with flowers as the ladies in the first two books. She is cynical, desperate to be allowed to do her art and pokes fun at everyone, including herself.
Our hero, the viscount has the precise amount of droll amusement and quickness of mind that would appeal to Agatha. Fortunately they manage to join forces and discover more about each other when Agatha is threatened and both discover that they get along a lot better than they planned.
I liked the premise of 2 people who are misunderstood and belittled by their loved ones for their talent and quickness of mind getting together. Discovering support and mutual admiration is something they didn't realise they craved.
I was ready to give this book a well deserved 3.8 to be made 4 stars when the now incredibly annoying, heroine from the 1st book in the series arrived towards the end of the book and the author, yet again tried to make her the center of attention. Whilst it's perfectly normal to include previous heroes from the series, they shouldn't dominate. It seems like the author cannot let go of Emma from book 1. Unlike the author, I let go 1 star from my review quite easily just for that insertion.
Our hero, the viscount has the precise amount of droll amusement and quickness of mind that would appeal to Agatha. Fortunately they manage to join forces and discover more about each other when Agatha is threatened and both discover that they get along a lot better than they planned.
I liked the premise of 2 people who are misunderstood and belittled by their loved ones for their talent and quickness of mind getting together. Discovering support and mutual admiration is something they didn't realise they craved.
I was ready to give this book a well deserved 3.8 to be made 4 stars when the now incredibly annoying, heroine from the 1st book in the series arrived towards the end of the book and the author, yet again tried to make her the center of attention. Whilst it's perfectly normal to include previous heroes from the series, they shouldn't dominate. It seems like the author cannot let go of Emma from book 1. Unlike the author, I let go 1 star from my review quite easily just for that insertion.
August 24, 2023
I’m going to be honest here and say that I do like this series by Lynn Messina, because I enjoyed the previous books in this series I chose to read and listen 🎧 to this book as well, but I can tell you that Lady Agatha is not likable through almost 80% of the book. I’m not a quitter so, a “DNF” was not on the table for me, which ultimately was good, because Agatha finally found a sense of humor and became human.
Seriously slow burn here and definitely a closed door romance, I would say that nothing happened between the MMC & MFC until about 96% of the book and then suddenly you are indeed rewarded with the hea we are looking for in our story.
This story was a bit difficult for me to concentrate on, because I found the MFC unlikable the majority of the story. There were so many times when I thought that Agatha was going to actually become likable and then I was disappointed with her reaction to the situation.. ugh! She finally redeems herself at almost the end of the book.
Lucy Rayner does a wonderful job at narrating the voices in the story and brings all of the characters to life 💗
Seriously slow burn here and definitely a closed door romance, I would say that nothing happened between the MMC & MFC until about 96% of the book and then suddenly you are indeed rewarded with the hea we are looking for in our story.
This story was a bit difficult for me to concentrate on, because I found the MFC unlikable the majority of the story. There were so many times when I thought that Agatha was going to actually become likable and then I was disappointed with her reaction to the situation.. ugh! She finally redeems herself at almost the end of the book.
Lucy Rayner does a wonderful job at narrating the voices in the story and brings all of the characters to life 💗
May 4, 2023
As much fun as all the others!
This is a perfect book if you love regencies and want a bit of fun! Having recently discovered her, I have been reading through Messina's catalogue and can't seem to stop. So far I have read the first two Lark books, as well as the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, and I can't wait for the two women to meet! Her female characters always have some trait that is outside the norm, the situations they get into are absurd, and the quirky heroes come through the tempest-in-a- teapot with aplomb and loving their heroines madly. (Now that's an idea -- instead of tea being de rigueur in all social situations, an exploding teapot full of real gunpowder rather than the arboreal kind....) I started reading her because I got tired of skimming through sex scenes, which I regularly find to be the least interesting parts. (The last one I read - and by an author I generally admire greatly- was so full of sexual exploits that the H &H must have been Olympic level gymnasts to accomplish anything).
This is a perfect book if you love regencies and want a bit of fun! Having recently discovered her, I have been reading through Messina's catalogue and can't seem to stop. So far I have read the first two Lark books, as well as the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, and I can't wait for the two women to meet! Her female characters always have some trait that is outside the norm, the situations they get into are absurd, and the quirky heroes come through the tempest-in-a- teapot with aplomb and loving their heroines madly. (Now that's an idea -- instead of tea being de rigueur in all social situations, an exploding teapot full of real gunpowder rather than the arboreal kind....) I started reading her because I got tired of skimming through sex scenes, which I regularly find to be the least interesting parts. (The last one I read - and by an author I generally admire greatly- was so full of sexual exploits that the H &H must have been Olympic level gymnasts to accomplish anything).
Read
March 13, 2024A bit of entertaining nonsense. Many things did not make sense, including the logistics of the main plot device. But, I did enjoy the fact that the male protagonist was intelligent.
There is an abundance of Lynn Messina’s witty banter and absurd disguises. Somehow, though, while Verity Lark of A Lark's Flight comes off as supernaturally competent, I could not suspend disbelief in this one. The scene at the horticultural society was particularly challenging.
We are familiar with the villain in all his pettiness and ineptitude. While it is beyond comprehension that he would not simply give up something as trivial as horticultural standing, it does set the table for the reappearance of practically the entire cast of characters from the first two books. Yes, Emma's informant network is back in full force!
There is an abundance of Lynn Messina’s witty banter and absurd disguises. Somehow, though, while Verity Lark of A Lark's Flight comes off as supernaturally competent, I could not suspend disbelief in this one. The scene at the horticultural society was particularly challenging.
We are familiar with the villain in all his pettiness and ineptitude. While it is beyond comprehension that he would not simply give up something as trivial as horticultural standing, it does set the table for the reappearance of practically the entire cast of characters from the first two books. Yes, Emma's informant network is back in full force!
May 23, 2024
Listened to this as an audiobook. The first part drug a little for me, but, overall, I'd say this is a decent historical romance. Our main character is a young woman who really just wants to be an artist. She's also secretly become a caricaturist whose mocking illustrations take ruthless aim at the ridiculousness of the ton. In this way it reminded me a a similar plot line in the Bridgerton series (Lady Whistledown's journalism).
I was pleasantly pleased that our enemies to friends couple didn't actually have any physical contact until the last quarter of the book, at least. I'm tired of couples (especially historical novels) where the couple jump each other almost immediately and we spend the rest of the book listening to their inner thoughts that are about each other and sex). This book has more of a plot and banter. It isn't my favorite romance, but it's a decent read. I enjoyed the last part the best.
I was pleasantly pleased that our enemies to friends couple didn't actually have any physical contact until the last quarter of the book, at least. I'm tired of couples (especially historical novels) where the couple jump each other almost immediately and we spend the rest of the book listening to their inner thoughts that are about each other and sex). This book has more of a plot and banter. It isn't my favorite romance, but it's a decent read. I enjoyed the last part the best.
September 15, 2018
An 'ok' regency romance
The story had great potential and the main characters' inner monologues were very, very good in a couple of scenes. But there were other scenes featuring secondary characters that did not add to the story, although they may have pleased readers who were already familiar with these characters from previous books.
In short, there were some very good scenes between the two main characters and insightful inner monologues, but the story was far too drawn out and there were extra viewpoint characters that did not add anything important to THIS story. The plot itself had a lot of potential, but I put down the story at the point where the male lead kissed the female lead and immediately left her, promising himself he'd sort it out with her the following day. It felt too contrived and flimsy.
The story had great potential and the main characters' inner monologues were very, very good in a couple of scenes. But there were other scenes featuring secondary characters that did not add to the story, although they may have pleased readers who were already familiar with these characters from previous books.
In short, there were some very good scenes between the two main characters and insightful inner monologues, but the story was far too drawn out and there were extra viewpoint characters that did not add anything important to THIS story. The plot itself had a lot of potential, but I put down the story at the point where the male lead kissed the female lead and immediately left her, promising himself he'd sort it out with her the following day. It felt too contrived and flimsy.
May 29, 2019
Disappointed at the inappropriate turn
I would have given this book 5 stars. It was so fun and witty and engaging and well written and well on the way to becoming my new favorite book of all time. And then, right at the very end, out of nowhere, inserted into this chaste, sweet, witty story is a completely inappropriate, explicit scene. I was so completely shocked. It did not match with ANY of the rest of the story or fit with the way that the characters had been developed at all and I was so thoroughly disappointed that my new favorite book could never be purchased in print for fear of my children stumbling upon it and could never be recommended to any friends or family since I would be so embarrassed to have them have to read what I did.
I would have given this book 5 stars. It was so fun and witty and engaging and well written and well on the way to becoming my new favorite book of all time. And then, right at the very end, out of nowhere, inserted into this chaste, sweet, witty story is a completely inappropriate, explicit scene. I was so completely shocked. It did not match with ANY of the rest of the story or fit with the way that the characters had been developed at all and I was so thoroughly disappointed that my new favorite book could never be purchased in print for fear of my children stumbling upon it and could never be recommended to any friends or family since I would be so embarrassed to have them have to read what I did.
December 4, 2021
Wonderful repair
This is an endearing work and a wonderful return to Lynn Messina’s fine form after her misstep in book three.
All of the diabolical cleverness of her other works is here, as well as a finely drawn male character who first appears in the work foolishly (and seemingly endlessly) praising his own clothes, his fine tailor, and his good breeding.
Is he really so narrow minded and such a buffoon?
And the being of Lady Agatha is of a type seldom encountered in most Regency romance (and similar shenanigans).
It is a fine recipe for misadventures as fruitful as those served up by the Harlow sisters in the first two volumes in the series.
Definitely recommended.
This is an endearing work and a wonderful return to Lynn Messina’s fine form after her misstep in book three.
All of the diabolical cleverness of her other works is here, as well as a finely drawn male character who first appears in the work foolishly (and seemingly endlessly) praising his own clothes, his fine tailor, and his good breeding.
Is he really so narrow minded and such a buffoon?
And the being of Lady Agatha is of a type seldom encountered in most Regency romance (and similar shenanigans).
It is a fine recipe for misadventures as fruitful as those served up by the Harlow sisters in the first two volumes in the series.
Definitely recommended.
March 20, 2023
I usually like this author (ok..I really like Bea's books).. and first 2 books of this series were also OK. Here, I would not say stand alone as it relies heavily on previous books, which would not be a problem for me.
That being said, Agatha was the problem for me. Mainly, she has the unlikeable turn reformed character arc which is in my experience rarely enjoyable. Mostly, because the unlikeable character is so overdone that they lack humanity enough for me to be able to even get through their unlikeable stage. Here, Agatha was just terrible without any sufficient reason. Also, you know that the character is too unlikeable when there is nothing about them to inspire the potential love interest apart from vague ear buzz when they are near.
That being said, Agatha was the problem for me. Mainly, she has the unlikeable turn reformed character arc which is in my experience rarely enjoyable. Mostly, because the unlikeable character is so overdone that they lack humanity enough for me to be able to even get through their unlikeable stage. Here, Agatha was just terrible without any sufficient reason. Also, you know that the character is too unlikeable when there is nothing about them to inspire the potential love interest apart from vague ear buzz when they are near.
February 27, 2024
I loved this story it might be my favorite of the series so far. While it was a jalapeño popper on the spice level and I’m more partial to scotch bonnets and Carolina reaper level spice it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The first 7 chapters had me truly disliking the heroine, she was not nice but true to form the author gave her a complete character reformation, complete with self awareness of her misdeeds and the perfect amount of contrition. The hero was great he was affable and charming and hid an incredible amount of intelligence and wit behind a foppish facade. The story was humorous and interesting and I loved the way they dealt with the villain, who was just loathsome to say the least. Their relationship progressed naturally and I loved that they became friends while also being attracted to each other. I also enjoyed seeing the Harlow sisters and their beaus again. Overall this has been a truly enjoyable series so far, looking forward to the final story in the lot.
October 28, 2024
Honest Madcap Hilarity
It may be a Recency Romance, but it is definitely more fun than a straight laced Victorian novel. You and I would have a hard time keeping ourselves from bursting into raucous laughter and being escorted from any genteel drawing room of that era if the antics in this story were to be related to us in said room. The characters of the Harlow hoyden, Vinnie (her twin sister) and Lady Agatha/Agony and the men who are intelligent enough and brave enough to love them is a tale worth reading. You will wish you had friends as determined, loyal and eccentric as the wonderful characters inhabiting this truly refreshing read. I recommend it for anyone who is a Recency devotee, and for those looking for an uplifting escape from the day's drudgery.
It may be a Recency Romance, but it is definitely more fun than a straight laced Victorian novel. You and I would have a hard time keeping ourselves from bursting into raucous laughter and being escorted from any genteel drawing room of that era if the antics in this story were to be related to us in said room. The characters of the Harlow hoyden, Vinnie (her twin sister) and Lady Agatha/Agony and the men who are intelligent enough and brave enough to love them is a tale worth reading. You will wish you had friends as determined, loyal and eccentric as the wonderful characters inhabiting this truly refreshing read. I recommend it for anyone who is a Recency devotee, and for those looking for an uplifting escape from the day's drudgery.
May 29, 2018
The Bolingbroke Chit: A Recency Romance (Love Takes Root, Book 4)
The love story of Lady Agatha and Viscount Addleson. Lady Agatha is an artist of the first order. She does caricatures of the Ton and know one knew her name. She is know as Lady Aging because she want everyone to stay away from her.
Viscount Addleson is know as a fob and he like it. When a caricature of him is make he want a big one do. Because of that someone know her I'd and is blackmailing her to ruin Vinnie. Will she do it or with the help of Viscount Addleson will she be able to stop him? Great story.
The love story of Lady Agatha and Viscount Addleson. Lady Agatha is an artist of the first order. She does caricatures of the Ton and know one knew her name. She is know as Lady Aging because she want everyone to stay away from her.
Viscount Addleson is know as a fob and he like it. When a caricature of him is make he want a big one do. Because of that someone know her I'd and is blackmailing her to ruin Vinnie. Will she do it or with the help of Viscount Addleson will she be able to stop him? Great story.
September 10, 2018
A witty and sparkling Regency romance!
Lady Agatha Bolingbroke has no desire to be noticed by society let alone married and subject to the control of a husband! Jonah , Viscount Addleson, meets her by chance at the theatre and is unexpectedly drawn to her.
What no one suspects is that Lady Agatha is an artist whose parents don't take her seriously and, in rebellion, she turns her hand to drawing caricatures under the name of Mr Holyroodhouse. They have become immensely popular but eventually draw her into danger.
This is a witty and sparkling Regency romance which will hold your interest to the end.
Lady Agatha Bolingbroke has no desire to be noticed by society let alone married and subject to the control of a husband! Jonah , Viscount Addleson, meets her by chance at the theatre and is unexpectedly drawn to her.
What no one suspects is that Lady Agatha is an artist whose parents don't take her seriously and, in rebellion, she turns her hand to drawing caricatures under the name of Mr Holyroodhouse. They have become immensely popular but eventually draw her into danger.
This is a witty and sparkling Regency romance which will hold your interest to the end.
October 6, 2018
I find Messina's books in general to be some of the wittiest Regency novels; I actually highlight more hilarious or philosophical quotes in the book than I highlight mistakes, and that's RARE. She is much more true to the times in terms of the misogyny towards women and the pressure to become perfectly insipid, but presents those thoughts in a deadpan yet lampooning way. It's marvelous.
Even though I didn't find Agatha completely likeable for plenty of it I thoroughly enjoyed the book. She has a huge amount of character growth and even before that I agreed with her rebellion and snarky insights.
Even though I didn't find Agatha completely likeable for plenty of it I thoroughly enjoyed the book. She has a huge amount of character growth and even before that I agreed with her rebellion and snarky insights.
May 18, 2019
I think this has been my favorite of the series so far, and I didn't even think that was going to be possible because I love the Harlow sisters so much, but Agatha was so lovingly written and her arc and development was so lovely, I'm afraid I can't help it. Plus, the climax of the novel was so good (and I don't want to spoil it because it truly was great) that I genuinely laughed out loud. I'm taking off a star because sometimes there was just too much referencing of the other books which could get a bit tedious and there were several grammatical errors, but overall it was a lovely book and the romance was sweet and engaging and satisfying.
July 16, 2021
Lady Agatha AKA Lady Agony and Viscount Addleson AKA Viscount Addlewits are the only ones who see themselves for what they are. They've seen the mask each other wears and the act each elaborately performs 🎭. Most see him as a remarkable wit. And almost all see her as a social void. But they see the truth of each other almost from the start. That's how he knows about her art 🎨 and why she turns to him when it gets her into trouble with a man willing to kill to get what he wants and when there's possible treason involved. Yes, there's danger and intrigue, but there's plenty of lightheartedness as well. And love, of course. Definitely an author to read more of. Recommended.
August 17, 2021
Shrew!
It took me forever to get thru the first half of this book. I kept putting it down because the main character was so unlikable. I found Lady Agatha to be mean spirited, spiteful, egotistical and just downright unpleasant. I know this was the author's intent but geeze it was unbearable. It wasn't until the second half when the actual action and drama began that the story was at least interesting. The "love story" such as it was, was predictable and followed the same paint by numbers as the previous books in the series. I would have given 2* but by incorporating the 2 previous stories so well I reluctantly gave it that 3rd*.
It took me forever to get thru the first half of this book. I kept putting it down because the main character was so unlikable. I found Lady Agatha to be mean spirited, spiteful, egotistical and just downright unpleasant. I know this was the author's intent but geeze it was unbearable. It wasn't until the second half when the actual action and drama began that the story was at least interesting. The "love story" such as it was, was predictable and followed the same paint by numbers as the previous books in the series. I would have given 2* but by incorporating the 2 previous stories so well I reluctantly gave it that 3rd*.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews