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Regency Proper Romance #1
My Fair Gentleman
In this Regency twist of My Fair Lady , Jack would rather be at sea than fixing the mistakes of his grandfather, the late Earl of Stansworth. Instead, he finds that inheriting his grandfather's wealth and title—and securing the welfare of his sister and mother—means joining the ranks of high society and living with the aristocracy. Luckily, Ivy Carlisle, the granddaughter of a dear friend of Jack's late grandmother, is willing to teach him etiquette and properly introduce him into society. Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving his new lifestyle but surviving the conspiracies against him—as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2016
43 people are currently reading
2610 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 668 reviews
August 20, 2022
Having read Allen before and enjoyed that book I looked forward to this one. I have so many issues with this book. If you are writing a HR be aware that you cannot give away the Earldom to another family member...you can give your fortune to them but not the title. The book started off with snappy dialogue and an intriguing setup in the first chapter...that was the high point of the book. I didn't see the "My fair lady" aspect that the book was based on in any form. The behavior of Ivy would never have been allowed and even more so after the actions of her sister. I could go on but there would be no point. Many have liked this book...I was not one of them.
February 10, 2017
This has been nominated for a 2016 Swoony Award. Share the love and vote for it here.
When I found out one of my favorite authors was writing a new book in my favorite genre I may have done a little happy dance! I have really been looking forward to this one, and it did not disappoint.
Lady Ivy Carlisle is everything that is proper, she lives her life conforming to societies strict rules and pretends to be happy about it. Every since her sister shamed the family, she feels its her duty to be the perfect society miss. She takes her role so seriously that she even anonymously writes edicate guidelines and helps tutor young girls about to make their debut into society. Her world is turned upside down when her next pupil turns out to be an attracted sailor who has just inherited a title. To say he is not happy about giving up the sea and the possibility of captaining his own ship to be a Lord is an understatement. Jack Elliot was a likable hero, broody on the outside and kind on the inside. Always a good combination in my book. He gives Ivy a hard time and it was fun watching their sparks fly. I thought they had good chemistry and it was fun watching them together.
I thought this was a fun read, so glad Ms. Allen decided to write in the Regency era, she's a natural! I look forward to reading hopefully a lot more books from her! If you enjoy Regency's give this one a try!
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Religious: None
Similar Read: The Scotsman And The Spinster
June 18, 2019
..
I enjoyed The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen so much that I decided to try another book by this author. And I am certainly glad that I did. This book is another great historical romance that entertains from page one all the way until the end, albeit with characters other than stuffy old societal types. I read these books out of order. Readers should begin with My Fair Gentleman first and then The Secret of the India Orchid.
Jack Eliot dreams of being the captain of his own ship. But then his grandfather, the Earl of Stansworth, names Jack as his heir — with a caveat. Jack must impress the aristocracy, or else his mother and sister will remain in poverty. Can a rough-and-tumble captain be transformed into a gentleman of society?
Ivy Carlisle is willing to try. Employed his tutor, she begins teaching Jack the ways of high society, but she quickly discovers that this dashing sailor is brash and bold, opinionated and passionate. If she's not careful, Jack might end up teaching her a thing or two about romance.
A Regency twist on My Fair Lady! Jack Eliot stripped from the only life he has known, his love of the sea, and sucked into the peerage by his estranged grandfather. He begrudgingly steps into this new life because of his love and concern for his mother and sister who have been living in poverty for years. Inside these pages, the reader is introduced to a different side of the characters and their bout with upper-crust stupidity.
Sparks fly when the sailor meets society, and Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving the ton, but surviving the conspiracies against him — as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.
This is a clean and wholesome historical romance at its best. The twists and turns are mere bumps in the road on the way to a happily ever after. I would recommend this book, along with The Secret of the India Orchid for anyone that enjoys this genre.
I enjoyed The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen so much that I decided to try another book by this author. And I am certainly glad that I did. This book is another great historical romance that entertains from page one all the way until the end, albeit with characters other than stuffy old societal types. I read these books out of order. Readers should begin with My Fair Gentleman first and then The Secret of the India Orchid.
Jack Eliot dreams of being the captain of his own ship. But then his grandfather, the Earl of Stansworth, names Jack as his heir — with a caveat. Jack must impress the aristocracy, or else his mother and sister will remain in poverty. Can a rough-and-tumble captain be transformed into a gentleman of society?
Ivy Carlisle is willing to try. Employed his tutor, she begins teaching Jack the ways of high society, but she quickly discovers that this dashing sailor is brash and bold, opinionated and passionate. If she's not careful, Jack might end up teaching her a thing or two about romance.
A Regency twist on My Fair Lady! Jack Eliot stripped from the only life he has known, his love of the sea, and sucked into the peerage by his estranged grandfather. He begrudgingly steps into this new life because of his love and concern for his mother and sister who have been living in poverty for years. Inside these pages, the reader is introduced to a different side of the characters and their bout with upper-crust stupidity.
Sparks fly when the sailor meets society, and Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving the ton, but surviving the conspiracies against him — as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.
This is a clean and wholesome historical romance at its best. The twists and turns are mere bumps in the road on the way to a happily ever after. I would recommend this book, along with The Secret of the India Orchid for anyone that enjoys this genre.
June 21, 2025
A pleasant and engaging read from start to finish. Not suitable for readers who prefer romance novels with passionate kisses and strong sexual tension.
This is a sweet and also funny novel set in regency era, with a plot different from the usual ones ( already read 1000 times) and far from the cliché of too frivolous regency romance.
____ PLOT IN SHORT ____
England in the Regency era.
Jack is a young man, grandson of the Earl of Stansworth, but raised in poverty because his father was disinherited for marrying a non-noble girl, dying under the hardships of work in the port leaving a wife and two children.
Jack embarked at just 12 years old to send money to his mother and sister and now that he has a stable job he is approaching the promotion to captain.
However, the count is dying and in order not to leave his inheritance to an inept nephew, he sends for Jack.
However, Jack is not interested in the world of the aristocracy, he despises it just as he mortally despises his grandfather, but for the sake of his mother, whose health is precarious and of his sister, a mistreated maid in the homes of nobles, he accepts to become the heir and for this he will have to be educated in the good manners of high society.
Ivy Carlisle is the granddaughter of a lady friend of Jack's grandmother and it is she who is hired as a tutor to help turn Jack into a gentleman.
It might seem like a daunting but doable task, if Jack wasn't prejudiced against all aristocracy, sometimes letting his sense of rebellion get the better of his reason...
But Ivy also suffers for a secret and for the injustices to which the world of nobles inevitably condemns and spending so much time together with a handsome, passionate and heartfelt man can only transport her into a world made of a feeling, which until recently she considered improbable and foolish.
__________________
The title and the introduction to the plot written on Goodreads, may make you think of the movie "My fair Lady", but it is misleading.
Here we do not have a rude boy and there are no strange and sometimes extreme teaching methods.
It's a clean romance where the plot focuses more on good content that makes the whole story solid, rather than on kisses and physical sensations.
I won't deny that I would have liked to read a longer and warmer description of the kisses that are present in the book (only 2 or maybe 3), but the mix of drama and light-heartedness and fun was so well balanced and the plot was so beautiful that I have no choice but to give it a full 5 stars.
___ THE CHARACTERS ___
They are wonderful and developed in every possible emotional aspect.
Except for the hateful grandfather and the cousin eager to inherit, equally hateful and slimy (and so is his wife), the two main characters and their family and new friends, have all won my affection and sympathy.
JACK : he is a young man, confident in himself but with a still open wound for having seen his family rejected and abandoned in pain and misery by his cold grandfather.
He grew up doing a hard job and yet his tenderness for his mother and sister is unmatched and if at first he judges Ivy as a snob, his sensitivity will allow him to understand her fears and make sure that Ivy finds the courage to live that great love.
What I appreciated in Jack is that he did not take his new fortune as something that was due to him. He generously gives a well-paid job to a new friend and to the staff and works to bring improvements and well-being to those who suffered because of the greed of others.
IVY : if at first glance she may seem a little presumptuous even to the reader, this is a feeling that flies away immediately.
Ivy takes her commitment seriously and despite dealing with the education of 3 people who have lived so far in a squalid and poor world (Jack, mother and sister), she never judges from a pedestal. Her innate goodness of soul allows her, through the in-depth knowledge of these people, to see her fortunes and misfortunes with different eyes and to accept some parts of her life with serenity and without shame.
Ivy's GRANDMOTHER is sweet and loving, but also very intelligent and modern.
Jack's MOTHER is sweet and was strong enough to raise two children alone even after being widowed and abandoned by everyone, but now she is also fragile, both in health and in this new world made of rich and haughty people. Luckily Ivy and her grandmother will know how to help her in the best way for her.
Jack's SISTER, not only suffered from hunger, but because of her great beauty, she suffered the vulgar advances of her employers and the envy and wickedness of the wives and other women in the houses where she worked.
Sophia, the sister, is proud, intelligent and ready to fight with anyone who challenges her, but she also has a big heart like her brother and will find new fantastic ideas, to make the most of her new wealth, also involving her new best friend.
DYLAN : noble, charming and about to inherit great wealth, he is someone who detests convention and acts according to his heart and his head. A true friend to Jack and the protagonist of the next book in the series, along with the beautiful Sophia.
CLARENCE FUDDLESTON : solicitor to the old earl and then Jack's right-hand man and new good friend. I loved him too!
___LOVE STORY ___ it is a slow-burning love, however it is so well developed, scene after scene, with lively and fully plausible dialogues, that there will never be a dull moment, on the contrary the reader can fully enjoy the approach and the falling in love of the couple Jack and Ivy.
They did not know each other before and despite Jack's aversion to society and its habits and stupid rules, he has a great respect for Ivy, so it is not even a story of enemies-lovers.
They simply find themselves facing the fears that every lover has when for the first time they understand how immense a feeling of love can be and how equally immense the suffering can be in losing the person they love.
Despite the absence of love-making and in-depth descriptions of kisses, I breathed the passion and the desire to live that feeling to the fullest, by the protagonists throughout the book.
There is no shortage of moments of suspense and twists that keep the pages turning one after the other.
A little mystery and good deeds enrich the general plot.
The writing style is fluid, the reading was light and fun, but also full of deep feelings.
It has been a satisfying read from start to finish !
I remember that when I was at work, every now and then I stopped to think: I can't wait to be finished to keep reading that story !!!
READABLE AS A STANDALONE : no unresolved plot points, happy ending guaranteed.
This is my first time reading something by Nancy Campbell Allen and I loved her ability to write a story, going into great detail without ever being boring.
I am ready to read book 2 of the series, featuring 2 supporting characters of this story 😃
Thanks for reading my opinion and please forgive my English, it's not my native language.
This is a sweet and also funny novel set in regency era, with a plot different from the usual ones ( already read 1000 times) and far from the cliché of too frivolous regency romance.
____ PLOT IN SHORT ____
England in the Regency era.
Jack is a young man, grandson of the Earl of Stansworth, but raised in poverty because his father was disinherited for marrying a non-noble girl, dying under the hardships of work in the port leaving a wife and two children.
Jack embarked at just 12 years old to send money to his mother and sister and now that he has a stable job he is approaching the promotion to captain.
However, the count is dying and in order not to leave his inheritance to an inept nephew, he sends for Jack.
However, Jack is not interested in the world of the aristocracy, he despises it just as he mortally despises his grandfather, but for the sake of his mother, whose health is precarious and of his sister, a mistreated maid in the homes of nobles, he accepts to become the heir and for this he will have to be educated in the good manners of high society.
Ivy Carlisle is the granddaughter of a lady friend of Jack's grandmother and it is she who is hired as a tutor to help turn Jack into a gentleman.
It might seem like a daunting but doable task, if Jack wasn't prejudiced against all aristocracy, sometimes letting his sense of rebellion get the better of his reason...
But Ivy also suffers for a secret and for the injustices to which the world of nobles inevitably condemns and spending so much time together with a handsome, passionate and heartfelt man can only transport her into a world made of a feeling, which until recently she considered improbable and foolish.
__________________
The title and the introduction to the plot written on Goodreads, may make you think of the movie "My fair Lady", but it is misleading.
Here we do not have a rude boy and there are no strange and sometimes extreme teaching methods.
It's a clean romance where the plot focuses more on good content that makes the whole story solid, rather than on kisses and physical sensations.
I won't deny that I would have liked to read a longer and warmer description of the kisses that are present in the book (only 2 or maybe 3), but the mix of drama and light-heartedness and fun was so well balanced and the plot was so beautiful that I have no choice but to give it a full 5 stars.
___ THE CHARACTERS ___
They are wonderful and developed in every possible emotional aspect.
Except for the hateful grandfather and the cousin eager to inherit, equally hateful and slimy (and so is his wife), the two main characters and their family and new friends, have all won my affection and sympathy.
JACK : he is a young man, confident in himself but with a still open wound for having seen his family rejected and abandoned in pain and misery by his cold grandfather.
He grew up doing a hard job and yet his tenderness for his mother and sister is unmatched and if at first he judges Ivy as a snob, his sensitivity will allow him to understand her fears and make sure that Ivy finds the courage to live that great love.
What I appreciated in Jack is that he did not take his new fortune as something that was due to him. He generously gives a well-paid job to a new friend and to the staff and works to bring improvements and well-being to those who suffered because of the greed of others.
IVY : if at first glance she may seem a little presumptuous even to the reader, this is a feeling that flies away immediately.
Ivy takes her commitment seriously and despite dealing with the education of 3 people who have lived so far in a squalid and poor world (Jack, mother and sister), she never judges from a pedestal. Her innate goodness of soul allows her, through the in-depth knowledge of these people, to see her fortunes and misfortunes with different eyes and to accept some parts of her life with serenity and without shame.
Ivy's GRANDMOTHER is sweet and loving, but also very intelligent and modern.
Jack's MOTHER is sweet and was strong enough to raise two children alone even after being widowed and abandoned by everyone, but now she is also fragile, both in health and in this new world made of rich and haughty people. Luckily Ivy and her grandmother will know how to help her in the best way for her.
Jack's SISTER, not only suffered from hunger, but because of her great beauty, she suffered the vulgar advances of her employers and the envy and wickedness of the wives and other women in the houses where she worked.
Sophia, the sister, is proud, intelligent and ready to fight with anyone who challenges her, but she also has a big heart like her brother and will find new fantastic ideas, to make the most of her new wealth, also involving her new best friend.
DYLAN : noble, charming and about to inherit great wealth, he is someone who detests convention and acts according to his heart and his head. A true friend to Jack and the protagonist of the next book in the series, along with the beautiful Sophia.
CLARENCE FUDDLESTON : solicitor to the old earl and then Jack's right-hand man and new good friend. I loved him too!
___LOVE STORY ___ it is a slow-burning love, however it is so well developed, scene after scene, with lively and fully plausible dialogues, that there will never be a dull moment, on the contrary the reader can fully enjoy the approach and the falling in love of the couple Jack and Ivy.
They did not know each other before and despite Jack's aversion to society and its habits and stupid rules, he has a great respect for Ivy, so it is not even a story of enemies-lovers.
They simply find themselves facing the fears that every lover has when for the first time they understand how immense a feeling of love can be and how equally immense the suffering can be in losing the person they love.
Despite the absence of love-making and in-depth descriptions of kisses, I breathed the passion and the desire to live that feeling to the fullest, by the protagonists throughout the book.
There is no shortage of moments of suspense and twists that keep the pages turning one after the other.
A little mystery and good deeds enrich the general plot.
The writing style is fluid, the reading was light and fun, but also full of deep feelings.
It has been a satisfying read from start to finish !
I remember that when I was at work, every now and then I stopped to think: I can't wait to be finished to keep reading that story !!!
READABLE AS A STANDALONE : no unresolved plot points, happy ending guaranteed.
This is my first time reading something by Nancy Campbell Allen and I loved her ability to write a story, going into great detail without ever being boring.
I am ready to read book 2 of the series, featuring 2 supporting characters of this story 😃
Thanks for reading my opinion and please forgive my English, it's not my native language.
January 26, 2016
I love a good Regency novel and when a twist on a classic favorite is added, I'm in heaven! Jack is a sailor who has no interest in becoming a part of the ton, but finds it more important to take care of his mother and sister, so he does just that. Lady Ivy's job is to teach him how to properly behave in society--which is not an easy task. Add a dash of mystery and some swoony moments and this story is the perfect recipe for a satisfying read. I also love how each chapter is headed with a bit of advice from Mistress Manners' Tips for Every-day Etiquette and had to smile at many of the headings.
Ivy has her own issues to deal with a a big secret to keep, but she's so delightful. I found her voice and personality to be so witty and fun. Jack seems bent on annoying her and bringing out the spitfire in her and those interactions are so sweet. Jack is a handsome man, one who wants to do things his way, but one who must conform for good reasons. He's charming, in his rough ways.
I can't imagine living in a time when there are certain gender roles that aren't considered acceptable and enjoyed seeing the way this issue was handled in this particular story. The sweet, stolen moments are so tender and I learning little snippets into the secondary characters lives. I would love to see a story about Sophie and even little Pug! This book is a great addition to the Proper Romance Line.
Content: mild romance; mild violence/moments of peril (accidents, non-graphic blood, etc). Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Ivy has her own issues to deal with a a big secret to keep, but she's so delightful. I found her voice and personality to be so witty and fun. Jack seems bent on annoying her and bringing out the spitfire in her and those interactions are so sweet. Jack is a handsome man, one who wants to do things his way, but one who must conform for good reasons. He's charming, in his rough ways.
I can't imagine living in a time when there are certain gender roles that aren't considered acceptable and enjoyed seeing the way this issue was handled in this particular story. The sweet, stolen moments are so tender and I learning little snippets into the secondary characters lives. I would love to see a story about Sophie and even little Pug! This book is a great addition to the Proper Romance Line.
Content: mild romance; mild violence/moments of peril (accidents, non-graphic blood, etc). Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
November 28, 2024
بالاخره بعد از خوندن اون همه داستان کوتاه پر مفهوووم که دیگه مغزم از دستشون و تحلیلهاشون درد گرفت
یه زنگ تفریح پیدا کردم.
آخيش!
یه زنگ تفریح پیدا کردم.
آخيش!
May 15, 2016
Jack Elliot is soon to take command of his own ship when a messenger from his estranged grandfather, the Earl of Stansworth arrives with the news the old man is on his death bed and demands Jack's presence. Jack's first thought is to not go but he decides to go and thumb his nose in his grandfather's face. The old Earl names Jack as his heir and while Jack would love to refuse, the old Earl knows Jack's sister and mother are on the brink of ruin. Jack can hardly refuse what will make his mother well again and his sister the ability to enter the world of the ladies whom she has been serving as a maid. Jack is bound and determined though to find a loophole in his grandfather's will and return to sea. Ivy Carlise's grandmother, the bosom friend of the late Countess of Stansworth, enlists the aid of her favorite granddaughter to help ease Jack into Society. Ivy is the best person for the job for she secretly writes an etiquette advice column for ladies and gets paid for it. Something about the big, raw Earl brings out the worst - and the best- in Ivy. Ivy must be careful though to keep her emotions in check and behave with the utmost propriety or her family, already under a cloud of scandal, will be socially ruined. Jack needs an occupation to keep him busy, other than needling Ivy. He thinks he can handle the ton on his own but it's so much fun to banter with Ivy instead. The one thing his tutor can't give him are lessons in love. What is a sailor turned Earl to do?
The author calls this a take on My Fair Lady but it's similar to Georgette Heyer's The Unknown Ajax and some other copycat plots. I really enjoyed the story for all it's a rehash of a plot I've read a few times before. The author did a great job studying up on etiquette of the period but she seems to have missed a few legal points. As far as I am aware, a peer can't pick and choose his heir. Usually the heir is the direct male descendant - either a son, grandson, nephew or cousin. If an Earl could choose his heir, Downton Abbey wouldn't have a plot. However, I believe the old Earl had every legal right to cut off financial support so the premise of the plot still works. Other than that, the writing style is modern enough to be accessible to newcomers to the genre but doesn't sound terrible modern. It sounds a little bit modern American to call one's grandmother "Nana" but mostly I didn't have a big problem with the language or story telling style.
I could do without the mystery, it doesn't sound plausible. It was actually a bit of a surprise to find out who the villain was. It wasn't who I thought it was or at least not entirely. Still the reveal isn't surprising. The action of catching the villain happens off page which is a let down. All that effort and poof the plot just wraps up nice and neatly.
I especially love the love story in this book. It develops slowly as first Jack and Ivy are wary of each other and must come to trust one another. Then they develop a friendship before falling in love. It does drag on a bit too long though. The love story features a few kisses but nothing at all more than a PG movie.
The characters is this story are great, for the most part. Jack is extremely proud and stubborn but not so proud that he would ruin his mother and sister. He cares for them very much and their bond is so sweet. He has a temper but never loses it at Ivy and restrains himself from killing his father's cousin because Jack thinks his cousin is a scoundrel. He also accepts friendship when given and knows who to trust once he gets to know someone. He is a great hero! Ivy is a character I think modern readers will like but also one that Jane Austen's readers would understand. Ivy has a cheerful character and a loving heart but that doesn't stop her from having a bit of a temper. She knows the rules though and knows she's on the brink of social ruin through no fault of her own. I especially love how her Nana encourages Ivy to be the best she can be and to be on the outside the woman she is on the inside. Though Ivy is young, she's very mature for her age. I liked her a lot.
I also liked Sophia. She's wordly wise but still young and innocent enough to dream of romance. It's nice to see a bond of female friendship form between Sophia and Ivy. I like how perceptive Sophia is and how she looks after her brother when he thinks he's looking after her. She has a lot of compassion and a beautiful heart to match her beautiful face. Nana is the most fun grandmother! She is progressive for the time, women of her day had more freedom, and she is the woman Ivy would be if she could. Nana is a big influence on Ivy because Nana is strong, strong willed and can get things done. Nana also knows how to catch more flies with honey than vinegar, though she can dish it out if needs be.
This story would appeal to Christian romance lovers. Though it is not specifically Christian, there does seem to be some Christian themes woven into the story. Traditional Regency lovers will probably enjoy this too but it is mostly recommended for newcomers to the genre or those who can't get through Heyer because of her excessive use of slang.
I really would love a sequel featuring Sophia and Lord Anthony Blake or just Sophia and one with Anthony. I'm not ready to let the characters go just yet!
The author calls this a take on My Fair Lady but it's similar to Georgette Heyer's The Unknown Ajax and some other copycat plots. I really enjoyed the story for all it's a rehash of a plot I've read a few times before. The author did a great job studying up on etiquette of the period but she seems to have missed a few legal points. As far as I am aware, a peer can't pick and choose his heir. Usually the heir is the direct male descendant - either a son, grandson, nephew or cousin. If an Earl could choose his heir, Downton Abbey wouldn't have a plot. However, I believe the old Earl had every legal right to cut off financial support so the premise of the plot still works. Other than that, the writing style is modern enough to be accessible to newcomers to the genre but doesn't sound terrible modern. It sounds a little bit modern American to call one's grandmother "Nana" but mostly I didn't have a big problem with the language or story telling style.
I could do without the mystery, it doesn't sound plausible. It was actually a bit of a surprise to find out who the villain was. It wasn't who I thought it was or at least not entirely. Still the reveal isn't surprising. The action of catching the villain happens off page which is a let down. All that effort and poof the plot just wraps up nice and neatly.
I especially love the love story in this book. It develops slowly as first Jack and Ivy are wary of each other and must come to trust one another. Then they develop a friendship before falling in love. It does drag on a bit too long though. The love story features a few kisses but nothing at all more than a PG movie.
The characters is this story are great, for the most part. Jack is extremely proud and stubborn but not so proud that he would ruin his mother and sister. He cares for them very much and their bond is so sweet. He has a temper but never loses it at Ivy and restrains himself from killing his father's cousin because Jack thinks his cousin is a scoundrel. He also accepts friendship when given and knows who to trust once he gets to know someone. He is a great hero! Ivy is a character I think modern readers will like but also one that Jane Austen's readers would understand. Ivy has a cheerful character and a loving heart but that doesn't stop her from having a bit of a temper. She knows the rules though and knows she's on the brink of social ruin through no fault of her own. I especially love how her Nana encourages Ivy to be the best she can be and to be on the outside the woman she is on the inside. Though Ivy is young, she's very mature for her age. I liked her a lot.
I also liked Sophia. She's wordly wise but still young and innocent enough to dream of romance. It's nice to see a bond of female friendship form between Sophia and Ivy. I like how perceptive Sophia is and how she looks after her brother when he thinks he's looking after her. She has a lot of compassion and a beautiful heart to match her beautiful face. Nana is the most fun grandmother! She is progressive for the time, women of her day had more freedom, and she is the woman Ivy would be if she could. Nana is a big influence on Ivy because Nana is strong, strong willed and can get things done. Nana also knows how to catch more flies with honey than vinegar, though she can dish it out if needs be.
This story would appeal to Christian romance lovers. Though it is not specifically Christian, there does seem to be some Christian themes woven into the story. Traditional Regency lovers will probably enjoy this too but it is mostly recommended for newcomers to the genre or those who can't get through Heyer because of her excessive use of slang.
I really would love a sequel featuring Sophia and Lord Anthony Blake or just Sophia and one with Anthony. I'm not ready to let the characters go just yet!
May 20, 2016
Wow. There is a lot of love on goodreads for this book that sounded so fun (regency twist on My Fair Lady!!), but I struggled to finish it. I couldn't get past the whole premise. How anyone would send a young, unchaperoned girl who hadn't been presented at court to teach manners to a sailor-turned-earl and introduce him to society, when she wasn't out yet, but had apparently attended balls and danced with every other man in the book...??? The tension was off throughout the book too, so the second half just had me rolling my eyes. I was looking for a good escapist book, but this wasn't it. Bummer.
June 11, 2018
With a nod to My Fair Lady Nancy Allen has created a fun tale of a sailor transformed into a gentleman. This book was very well done with great characters. It's a quick read that left me smiling.
Reread June 2018 - Enjoyed it as much as the first time
Content: Clean
Source: Review copy
Reread June 2018 - Enjoyed it as much as the first time
Content: Clean
Source: Review copy
July 1, 2020
Arg, it's been a few months since I read this and figured I should get around to reviewing it. To be completely honest, I found it eminently forgettable. If it was not for the rather distinctive reverse My Fair Lady vibe, I probably would have :)
Ivy Carsdale has been recruited to help "polish" the grandson of a friend's of her grandmothers, who is reluctantly bestowing the title and privileges of being heir. The sailor/grandson/heir Jack is very reluctant and unwilling, only going along with the scheme because of his poor mother and younger sister.
So, bla de bla, she is trying to polish and educate him, he is unwilling. More bla de bla, (a love-to-hate relationship oncoming!!). Extra bla bla bla (It got very boring and repetitive, I'm sorry. It's probably just me having read to much Georgette Heyer :) but It was childishly dull in areas...)
BUT
HA!!! He ALREADY knew everything she was trying to teach him, because he is a gentleman OF COURSE!! Take that for a stunning plot twist readers! He ALREADY knew! Fancy that!
Yup, sorry but that is about as deep as it gets...
So, if you just want some fluffy, light-as-air reading, then this book would be ok. Especially if you enjoy the My Fair Lady (or Laddy :D) troupe. It's clean, and I enjoyed some other the other characters and relationships. (aka Anthony)
Oh, one last though! I want to FIRE the person who selected the book cover! I mean, what were they thinking? The guy on the cover just looks like your average rake at a masquerade as a sailor! No loud, big, gruff person! Also she looks like a simpering debutante who is gleefully eyeing the fact her petty rival is wearing paste jewels! Ok, I'm all done now :)
( I mean look at them!!!)
Ivy Carsdale has been recruited to help "polish" the grandson of a friend's of her grandmothers, who is reluctantly bestowing the title and privileges of being heir. The sailor/grandson/heir Jack is very reluctant and unwilling, only going along with the scheme because of his poor mother and younger sister.
So, bla de bla, she is trying to polish and educate him, he is unwilling. More bla de bla, (a love-to-hate relationship oncoming!!). Extra bla bla bla (It got very boring and repetitive, I'm sorry. It's probably just me having read to much Georgette Heyer :) but It was childishly dull in areas...)
BUT
HA!!! He ALREADY knew everything she was trying to teach him, because he is a gentleman OF COURSE!! Take that for a stunning plot twist readers! He ALREADY knew! Fancy that!
Yup, sorry but that is about as deep as it gets...
So, if you just want some fluffy, light-as-air reading, then this book would be ok. Especially if you enjoy the My Fair Lady (or Laddy :D) troupe. It's clean, and I enjoyed some other the other characters and relationships. (aka Anthony)
Oh, one last though! I want to FIRE the person who selected the book cover! I mean, what were they thinking? The guy on the cover just looks like your average rake at a masquerade as a sailor! No loud, big, gruff person! Also she looks like a simpering debutante who is gleefully eyeing the fact her petty rival is wearing paste jewels! Ok, I'm all done now :)
( I mean look at them!!!)
July 13, 2016
Jack Elliot is a sailor. He has too much pride to bemoan the inheritance he should have had. And he wants nothing to do with the man who disinherited his family. But upon his deathbed, the old Earl pronounces Jack his heir, and Jack has little choice—with his mother & sister’s livelihoods held hostage—but to accept.
Enter Ivy Carlisle. Ivy’s job is to help ease the new Earl into society. It shouldn’t be a difficult calling. After all, Ivy even writes her own clandestine advice column on proper society manners. The problem is that Jack isn’t really amenable to advice. Or fond of high society. Or easy to ignore. In fact, she finds herself spending pretty much every last waking moment trying not to think about him.
Which naturally doesn’t work out very well.
I read My Fair Gentleman in less than two days, ALWAYS a good sign. Light historical romance with a death threat looming overhead. Plenty of fun. But it was the characters—Jack and Ivy—who pulled me through the book. Jack is brash and crass, with a real heart underneath. And Ivy is kind and splendidly patient, with just enough gumption to break all the rules in her advice column.
Enter Ivy Carlisle. Ivy’s job is to help ease the new Earl into society. It shouldn’t be a difficult calling. After all, Ivy even writes her own clandestine advice column on proper society manners. The problem is that Jack isn’t really amenable to advice. Or fond of high society. Or easy to ignore. In fact, she finds herself spending pretty much every last waking moment trying not to think about him.
Which naturally doesn’t work out very well.
I read My Fair Gentleman in less than two days, ALWAYS a good sign. Light historical romance with a death threat looming overhead. Plenty of fun. But it was the characters—Jack and Ivy—who pulled me through the book. Jack is brash and crass, with a real heart underneath. And Ivy is kind and splendidly patient, with just enough gumption to break all the rules in her advice column.
October 8, 2017
Nice reading, nice time.
First part (it deserved four stars) was better than the second. I am not sure why it worsened.
I liked Ivy and Jack. Their conversations were very charming and witty. I liked also Pug, Sophia, Blake and Nana of course.
But then there were the plot lines (that occurred in the second part) which were interesting but not fully thought through, not used like it could have been used: a school for former prostitutes, attempts to kill Jack, the character of Lord Anthony Blake, his relationship with Sophia, even Mary's growing self-confidence.
As QNPoohBear wrote although language wasn't so accurate like e.g. in Heyer's books: the writing style is modern enough to be accessible to newcomers to the genre but doesn't sound terrible modern.
And like QNPoohBear I would love to read the story of Sophia and Blake ;-)
First part (it deserved four stars) was better than the second. I am not sure why it worsened.
I liked Ivy and Jack. Their conversations were very charming and witty. I liked also Pug, Sophia, Blake and Nana of course.
But then there were the plot lines (that occurred in the second part) which were interesting but not fully thought through, not used like it could have been used: a school for former prostitutes, attempts to kill Jack, the character of Lord Anthony Blake, his relationship with Sophia, even Mary's growing self-confidence.
As QNPoohBear wrote although language wasn't so accurate like e.g. in Heyer's books: the writing style is modern enough to be accessible to newcomers to the genre but doesn't sound terrible modern.
And like QNPoohBear I would love to read the story of Sophia and Blake ;-)
April 11, 2017
Fun regency romance and a great spin off of My Fair Lady. I enjoyed the characters a lot and the growth that they went through. I found myself smiling and cheering on the MCs throughout the book.
Content: clean
My own personal copy.
Happy Reading!!!
Content: clean
My own personal copy.
Happy Reading!!!
February 4, 2016
**4.5 stars**
This book is part of "A Proper Romance" line of books from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The writing and stories are excellent. This is a line of books that I will not pass on reading. I have loved all of them.
This book is a take of "My Fair Lady". The difference is that the gender is reversed. Ivy Carlisle helps a sailor, who came into a recent inheritance, become a gentleman. It is pretty obvious from the start that Ivy and Jack will fall in love, it is the journey to the end that is entertaining.
Jack has enemies from the beginning. His grandfather named him as his heir on his deathbed. Jack does not want to be a member of the gentry, but capitulates for his mother and sister. His enemies add a bit of mystery to the story. It becomes important to find out who is trying to kill him before they actually succeed.
The book is a clean romance. I really liked the characters. I felt that Nancy Campbell Allen did a great job at their development and made them people with flaws, that gave a sense of realism to the story.
I anxiously anticipated reading this book, it did not disappoint. The book is clean with some non-graphic violence and kissing.
This book is part of "A Proper Romance" line of books from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The writing and stories are excellent. This is a line of books that I will not pass on reading. I have loved all of them.
This book is a take of "My Fair Lady". The difference is that the gender is reversed. Ivy Carlisle helps a sailor, who came into a recent inheritance, become a gentleman. It is pretty obvious from the start that Ivy and Jack will fall in love, it is the journey to the end that is entertaining.
Jack has enemies from the beginning. His grandfather named him as his heir on his deathbed. Jack does not want to be a member of the gentry, but capitulates for his mother and sister. His enemies add a bit of mystery to the story. It becomes important to find out who is trying to kill him before they actually succeed.
The book is a clean romance. I really liked the characters. I felt that Nancy Campbell Allen did a great job at their development and made them people with flaws, that gave a sense of realism to the story.
I anxiously anticipated reading this book, it did not disappoint. The book is clean with some non-graphic violence and kissing.
January 1, 2024
اتمام
۱۰/دی/۰۲
23:20
کتاب کوتاه و داستان عاشقانه ی ساده ای داشت!
درمورد مردی به نام جک که ملوان هستش و روزی خبر بهش میرسه پدربزرگی که دل خوشی ازش نداره و طردش کرده بوده دربستر مرگ تصمیم گرفته جک رو وارث خودش معرفی کنه! جک فقط بخاطر رفاه مادر و خواهرش این ارث رو به اجبار قبول میکنه و تحت این شرایط جک باید رفتار و روش زندگی نجیب زادگان رو زیرنظر دختری به نام آیوی آموزش ببینه!!
از خلاصه کاملا مشخصه داستان چجوری شروع میشه و به کجا پیش میره!
منو خیلی یاد رمانای ایرانی مینداخت موقع خوندنش
مخصوصا شخصیت جک که شبیه مردای ایرانی رمانا بود😂
غد و یه دنده و کمی بداخلاق
خدایا مدتیه ریویو ننوشتم یادم رفته چجوری باید باشه😭😂
۱۰/دی/۰۲
23:20
کتاب کوتاه و داستان عاشقانه ی ساده ای داشت!
درمورد مردی به نام جک که ملوان هستش و روزی خبر بهش میرسه پدربزرگی که دل خوشی ازش نداره و طردش کرده بوده دربستر مرگ تصمیم گرفته جک رو وارث خودش معرفی کنه! جک فقط بخاطر رفاه مادر و خواهرش این ارث رو به اجبار قبول میکنه و تحت این شرایط جک باید رفتار و روش زندگی نجیب زادگان رو زیرنظر دختری به نام آیوی آموزش ببینه!!
از خلاصه کاملا مشخصه داستان چجوری شروع میشه و به کجا پیش میره!
منو خیلی یاد رمانای ایرانی مینداخت موقع خوندنش
مخصوصا شخصیت جک که شبیه مردای ایرانی رمانا بود😂
غد و یه دنده و کمی بداخلاق
خدایا مدتیه ریویو ننوشتم یادم رفته چجوری باید باشه😭😂
August 29, 2024
I didn't hate hate the book but there were so many historical and cultural inaccuracies that I had a hard time enjoying it at all. It just wasn't realistic to the time period.
October 1, 2023
|4.8 Stars|Ages 13+|YAl/Regency|
My face at the end of this book: 🥹
It was so adorable y'all, and I just loved it.
My face at the end of this book: 🥹
It was so adorable y'all, and I just loved it.
January 27, 2016
Jack Elliot is a seaman months away from captaining his own merchant vessel. His grandfather, the Earl of Stansworth, is on his deathbed and has requested to meet with Jack. When Jack's father married his mother, his grandfather disinherited him. Jack's family was left penniless with mounds of debt when his father passed away. His grandfather wants Jack to become his heir rather than have his nephew inherit everything. Jack isn't interested until it's brought to his attention that this will help his mother and sister.
Ivy Carlisle is the granddaughter of Olivia Carlisle, the best friend of Jack's late grandmother. Olivia encourages Ivy to take Jack on as a client of sorts to teach him proper behavior so he will be accepted in society. Ivy agrees to it and has no idea what's in store.
There are some great characters in this story! I loved Olivia, or Nana. She's full of life and doesn't mind shaking things up a bit. Ivy is proper but her family has recently endured a scandal involving her older sister so she doesn't feel that she's worthy to find a love match for herself. Jack is rough but has a soft heart when it comes to his mother, Mary, and sister, Sophia. Mary and Sophia have had many hardships in their lives and are adjusting to high society. There are lots of other characters that helped shape the story and were fun to get to know.
I loved this book! I loved how it was My Fair Lady in reverse, the chemistry between Jack and Ivy, the characters, the story, the writing, and that it's clean! I wasn't ready for it to end and would love more of Sophia's story. I have loved all the books in the Proper Romance line and this one was no exception. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Ivy Carlisle is the granddaughter of Olivia Carlisle, the best friend of Jack's late grandmother. Olivia encourages Ivy to take Jack on as a client of sorts to teach him proper behavior so he will be accepted in society. Ivy agrees to it and has no idea what's in store.
There are some great characters in this story! I loved Olivia, or Nana. She's full of life and doesn't mind shaking things up a bit. Ivy is proper but her family has recently endured a scandal involving her older sister so she doesn't feel that she's worthy to find a love match for herself. Jack is rough but has a soft heart when it comes to his mother, Mary, and sister, Sophia. Mary and Sophia have had many hardships in their lives and are adjusting to high society. There are lots of other characters that helped shape the story and were fun to get to know.
I loved this book! I loved how it was My Fair Lady in reverse, the chemistry between Jack and Ivy, the characters, the story, the writing, and that it's clean! I wasn't ready for it to end and would love more of Sophia's story. I have loved all the books in the Proper Romance line and this one was no exception. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
October 31, 2017
I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. I browse the online library audiobooks and find one of these cheesy Proper Romance books and think, "This one might be good?....." No. They are mediocre at best, but if you need something to listen to while you do housework or run errands and it doesn't matter if you space out for a few chapters, then these are the books for you. Always far too contrived and extremely predictable, these books try to give me a taste of Jane Austen, but it never works. Why do these books keep referring to "the Ton?" Jane Austen used the term maybe once in passing. "The Ton" gets mentioned constantly. It borders on ridiculous. We get it. You did some research in Regency high society and here's some jargon to prove it!
I had some high hopes when Jack, our dashing hero, had multiple attempts on his life. I thought, "Hooray! A mystery to solve!" Nope, not much of a mystery and not much of a story. Oh well.
I had some high hopes when Jack, our dashing hero, had multiple attempts on his life. I thought, "Hooray! A mystery to solve!" Nope, not much of a mystery and not much of a story. Oh well.
May 30, 2016
4.5 stars...
I was lucky enough to spot this on the new shelf at the library last week, and I'm so glad! It is a regency romance (clean) written as a spin on My Fair Lady. I was drawn in almost as soon as I started reading and really liked the main characters of Jack (the Duke) and Lady Ivy. She attempts to school him out of his Sailor mind-set and into the ways of a Gentleman of the ton. In my opinion, this book is as much about friendship as it is about romance. Both deepen during the book, and it made my heart swell. The sideline characters also were well-penned and fleshed out and helped make this a successful storyline.
Anyone who enjoys a sweet, heart-warming romance will want to read this book! I will definitely be recommending it:)
I was lucky enough to spot this on the new shelf at the library last week, and I'm so glad! It is a regency romance (clean) written as a spin on My Fair Lady. I was drawn in almost as soon as I started reading and really liked the main characters of Jack (the Duke) and Lady Ivy. She attempts to school him out of his Sailor mind-set and into the ways of a Gentleman of the ton. In my opinion, this book is as much about friendship as it is about romance. Both deepen during the book, and it made my heart swell. The sideline characters also were well-penned and fleshed out and helped make this a successful storyline.
Anyone who enjoys a sweet, heart-warming romance will want to read this book! I will definitely be recommending it:)
May 27, 2016
It was what I expected. I went into it wanting an easy, predictable read, and that's what I got. Nothing groundbreaking or original here.
I gave it two stars instead of three (the rating I give books that meet my expectations) because:
1) the ending was extremely anti-climactic. "Oh btw, this is who's been trying to kill you." "Lol k." I mean, we all knew who it was, but I'd like a little more than that.
2) the run-on sentences! Dear god, the run on sentences.
It's one of those books I'll look back on at the end of the year and think, "oh yeah, which one was that again?"
I gave it two stars instead of three (the rating I give books that meet my expectations) because:
1) the ending was extremely anti-climactic. "Oh btw, this is who's been trying to kill you." "Lol k." I mean, we all knew who it was, but I'd like a little more than that.
2) the run-on sentences! Dear god, the run on sentences.
It's one of those books I'll look back on at the end of the year and think, "oh yeah, which one was that again?"
September 4, 2016
3.5 stars. A fun, regency retelling of My Fair Lady. Miss Manners is roped into helping a sailor, suddenly become an earl, make a smooth transition into society. Our fair gentleman isn't happy about becoming a proper Earl, but submits for the sake of his family. His mother and sister have been elevated from poverty and he wants them accepted by polite society. Nana was my favorite character, I'd love to be just like her!
December 3, 2018
I will admit I was about halfway through the book before I realized it was a take on "My Fair Lady". (geesh). Entertaining enough, but there were a lot of liberties taken with the regency setting that just didn't ring true.
January 27, 2025
به زور سه.
اصلا شبیه دوتا کتاب قبلی نانسی نبود ، فکر میکردم فانتزی و استیمپانکی باشه مثل اونا ولی فقط یه عاشقانه کلاسیک معمولی کوتاه بود! با موضوعی که … یجورایی خط قرمز منه ولی خب توی کلاسیکا میتونم بیشتر تحمل کنم چون اون دوران ب اون شکل بود ب هرحال ؛ گول خوردم:/
اصلا شبیه دوتا کتاب قبلی نانسی نبود ، فکر میکردم فانتزی و استیمپانکی باشه مثل اونا ولی فقط یه عاشقانه کلاسیک معمولی کوتاه بود! با موضوعی که … یجورایی خط قرمز منه ولی خب توی کلاسیکا میتونم بیشتر تحمل کنم چون اون دوران ب اون شکل بود ب هرحال ؛ گول خوردم:/
May 31, 2021
Not unappealing, but the story is a bit slow! I liked the characters, though.
dnf
January 13, 2025DNF at 33%
Just kind of boring. And the hero’s whole schtick gets old fast.
1.12.25
Just kind of boring. And the hero’s whole schtick gets old fast.
1.12.25
February 17, 2017
What a clever book! I love my Fair Lady and I loved the concept of flipping it. It was well-written, engaging, the characters were fantastic. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves a clean regency romance.
February 3, 2016
I'm so, so happy to be a part of reading and reviewing the Proper Romance line from Shadow Mountain this year! There are some fantastic books coming and well, it just makes me happy. Nancy Campbell Allen starts this year off perfectly with her regency twist on My Fair Lady.
In this story, the roles are reversed and Lady Ivy has embarked on a daring quest to help the new Earl of Stansworth adjust to his title and responsibilities. It is a daunting task because the new Earl (Jack) doesn't want any part of what lies ahead.
Ivy is a lively, kind and intelligent lady but suppressed by the ridiculous rules of society. Her new task in helping the Earl and his family gives her life and purpose. I love how kind Ivy is, how gently she deals with people. Her own experiences give her compassion.
Jack is angry and defiant to begin the story. He lashes out frequently but his storm cannot withstand Ivy's calm. His transformation is quite satisfying.
This book is romance but it has a bit of intrigue as well. Someone is out to kill Jack and so it lends another layer to the story. I am so hoping that Jack's sister has the next story. I sense some fun things happening for her!
I loved this book. It was all things happy to me.
Content: Clean!
In this story, the roles are reversed and Lady Ivy has embarked on a daring quest to help the new Earl of Stansworth adjust to his title and responsibilities. It is a daunting task because the new Earl (Jack) doesn't want any part of what lies ahead.
Ivy is a lively, kind and intelligent lady but suppressed by the ridiculous rules of society. Her new task in helping the Earl and his family gives her life and purpose. I love how kind Ivy is, how gently she deals with people. Her own experiences give her compassion.
Jack is angry and defiant to begin the story. He lashes out frequently but his storm cannot withstand Ivy's calm. His transformation is quite satisfying.
This book is romance but it has a bit of intrigue as well. Someone is out to kill Jack and so it lends another layer to the story. I am so hoping that Jack's sister has the next story. I sense some fun things happening for her!
I loved this book. It was all things happy to me.
Content: Clean!
January 20, 2016
I absolutely adored this book. It was a joy from start to finish. I loved all of it. Nancy did an incredible job with writing her characters. All them stood out to me and I longed for each of them to be in the story more. I especially enjoyed how the story started and ended with the same character. (He was a very pleasant surprise.) It took me a chapter or two to appreciate Jack's character and how rough around the edges he was, but he was great to get to know. Jack's love for his mother and sister, and those who were most important to him, showed in his actions. He is a very devoted person. Ivy, though, was my favorite. Her enjoyable demeanor and countenance leapt off the page and I loved it when she and Jack would have their battles of words. The story takes an interesting turn in regards to Jack and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't give anything away, but he is a great, great guy. Sophia, too, was a delight. I honestly can't say enough about the awesome book. The pages wouldn't turn fast enough. When I reached the end, I was wanting more.
I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2016
EDIT: I will say, despite all my issues with the book, that the romance was very clean. Any parent searching for something new to introduce to their child could certainly use this. While not a particularly good read, it contains nothing bad content wise.
1 and 1/2 stars. It was just really boring, really silly, and very unbelievable. Nothing ever happened that was unexpected, and everything felt tame and forced.
Also, the whole idea of Ivy basically living with the Elliots when she was little more than a tutor to their son was the very definintion of improper during that time. I only say this because every other word of this book was 'society is evil', 'society is boring', let's not be like society even though we're literally doing and actung the same way. Ivy was ALWAYS going around telling people what was propper or impropper, but the hipocracy was that she literally didn't give a fig about following the rules she enforced herself.
Before I get caught up in listing everything, I'll just ene with the fact that I had a lot of issues with this book, and a lot of these could have been resolved with a little more depth in thought and maturity in writing.
1 and 1/2 stars. It was just really boring, really silly, and very unbelievable. Nothing ever happened that was unexpected, and everything felt tame and forced.
Also, the whole idea of Ivy basically living with the Elliots when she was little more than a tutor to their son was the very definintion of improper during that time. I only say this because every other word of this book was 'society is evil', 'society is boring', let's not be like society even though we're literally doing and actung the same way. Ivy was ALWAYS going around telling people what was propper or impropper, but the hipocracy was that she literally didn't give a fig about following the rules she enforced herself.
Before I get caught up in listing everything, I'll just ene with the fact that I had a lot of issues with this book, and a lot of these could have been resolved with a little more depth in thought and maturity in writing.
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