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A Simple Lady
When her parents, the Earl and Countess of Ravingate, inform Elizabeth that her father has made arrangements for her to marry the embittered Marquess of Kenrick, she knows she must try to explain to the marquess that she is not the person her father has portrayed her to be. In other words, she is not simpleminded. But unforeseen events not only prevent her from enlightening the marquess but also conspire to convince him that she is, indeed, a simpleton.
Following a horrendous betrayal by his late wife, the Marquess of Kenrick has vowed never to wed again. And he would not have done so had his father not reached back from the grave to force his hand. Facing a deadline not of his choosing, he agrees to marry and provide for the Earl of Ravingate’s simpleminded daughter after being assured that she will never make any demands on his time.
To Kenrick’s disgust, his new wife turns out to be anything but a simpleton, leaving him with no alternative but to assume she’s a liar and a manipulator. Furious, he installs her in a small cottage in the country and tells her he never wants to see her again. To his chagrin, his mother has other ideas.
Forced to spend time in each other’s company, Kenrick and Elizabeth discover a growing regard for each other. However, misadventures, misunderstandings, and the machinations of Kenrick’s cousin and heir presumptive threaten the tenuous trust that has been building between them. Can their fledgling love survive when each is asked to believe the very worst about the other?
Following a horrendous betrayal by his late wife, the Marquess of Kenrick has vowed never to wed again. And he would not have done so had his father not reached back from the grave to force his hand. Facing a deadline not of his choosing, he agrees to marry and provide for the Earl of Ravingate’s simpleminded daughter after being assured that she will never make any demands on his time.
To Kenrick’s disgust, his new wife turns out to be anything but a simpleton, leaving him with no alternative but to assume she’s a liar and a manipulator. Furious, he installs her in a small cottage in the country and tells her he never wants to see her again. To his chagrin, his mother has other ideas.
Forced to spend time in each other’s company, Kenrick and Elizabeth discover a growing regard for each other. However, misadventures, misunderstandings, and the machinations of Kenrick’s cousin and heir presumptive threaten the tenuous trust that has been building between them. Can their fledgling love survive when each is asked to believe the very worst about the other?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2015
About the author
Carolynn Carey
35 books20 followersCarolynn Carey is an award-winning romance author of both sweet contemporaries and of historicals set in the Regency period.
In addition to writing, she loves to read, knit, and, on occasion, crochet if the pattern is super easy.
She lives in Tennessee, where her recent small-town contemporary novels are set. Family is important, both in her writing and in her real life.
In addition to writing, she loves to read, knit, and, on occasion, crochet if the pattern is super easy.
She lives in Tennessee, where her recent small-town contemporary novels are set. Family is important, both in her writing and in her real life.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2020
.
Elizabeth the simpleton and Kenrick the Earl who isn't too bright either.
Elizabeth is and always has been appallingly neglected by her parents. The author does her best to convince us that it's plausible for two self absorbed genius' to determine that their bright child is dumb as a post.
The suspension of disbelief gymnastics didn't bother me though. It was cute and I looked forward to Kenrick eating crow.
But he never really does...
The deliciousness I was awaiting was overshadowed by the lies spun by his cousin Gerald. Gerald was an OTT villain, that was so obvious it was painful to read about. I was so frustrated that Kenrick didn't just kick Gerald's ass. The author tries to spin the reasoning behind Kenrick's inability to stand up to Gerald, but I not only didn't buy it, I thought it was stupid. AND, he never does kick the turd's ass!
Frustrating lack of communication on all fronts.
Of course it all eventually sorts itself out, but I didn't really care by the end.
safety was good.
Elizabeth the simpleton and Kenrick the Earl who isn't too bright either.
Elizabeth is and always has been appallingly neglected by her parents. The author does her best to convince us that it's plausible for two self absorbed genius' to determine that their bright child is dumb as a post.
The suspension of disbelief gymnastics didn't bother me though. It was cute and I looked forward to Kenrick eating crow.
But he never really does...
The deliciousness I was awaiting was overshadowed by the lies spun by his cousin Gerald. Gerald was an OTT villain, that was so obvious it was painful to read about. I was so frustrated that Kenrick didn't just kick Gerald's ass. The author tries to spin the reasoning behind Kenrick's inability to stand up to Gerald, but I not only didn't buy it, I thought it was stupid. AND, he never does kick the turd's ass!
Frustrating lack of communication on all fronts.
Of course it all eventually sorts itself out, but I didn't really care by the end.
safety was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2023
DNF @55% and skimmed ahead. Read 1x only. This book
took place in 1818 England and had potential.
The "hero" Jeremy acted cold toward & abandoned
heroine wife Elizabeth for much of the book. Also he
withheld info on the baddie.
Jeremy wed Elizabeth because her "brilliant" science
enthralled parents described Elizabeth as "simple-
minded" and implied she'd not question or bother him
and he could park her @ one of his holdings. Actually
the heroine showed keen intellectual curiosity and
stuttered only when hero & her parents invalidated her
thoughts/ wishes. Both the hero & her parents were
cruel (isolated her, parents left her w/ insufficient food
& funds) & controlling toward her. Elizabeth would have
been happier w/ a better, more deserving man?
This "hero" could have ridden his horse backward through
the heart of London, & given away 1/2 his fortune to charity,
and he still would have been undeserving of Elizabeth.
took place in 1818 England and had potential.
The "hero" Jeremy acted cold toward & abandoned
heroine wife Elizabeth for much of the book. Also he
withheld info on the baddie.
Jeremy wed Elizabeth because her "brilliant" science
enthralled parents described Elizabeth as "simple-
minded" and implied she'd not question or bother him
and he could park her @ one of his holdings. Actually
the heroine showed keen intellectual curiosity and
stuttered only when hero & her parents invalidated her
thoughts/ wishes. Both the hero & her parents were
cruel (isolated her, parents left her w/ insufficient food
& funds) & controlling toward her. Elizabeth would have
been happier w/ a better, more deserving man?
This "hero" could have ridden his horse backward through
the heart of London, & given away 1/2 his fortune to charity,
and he still would have been undeserving of Elizabeth.
November 27, 2015
Rating: 3.75
Vikki’s Musings
I have read several regency books by Carolynn Carey, and have enjoyed them, so when I saw she had published a new one, I immediately downloaded it through the Kindle Unlimited program. A Simple Lady sounded intriguing because while it is a traditional plot for a regency, it has a twist. I am not going to do a synopsis since the book description is very clear.
A Simple Lady starts out very well. I love the heroine from the start, and she pulled me into the story immediately. The pacing is excellent, especially in the first half of the book. When the hero is introduced, I did not expect to like him, but as the story unfolds I found him to be an excellent hero.
Elizabeth Ashford is the perfect heroine for a regency. She’s kind, considerate and has a heart of gold. With the situation with her parents, it’s astonishing she turned out so well. Thank goodness for the nurse and the neighbors! One thing about her character that didn’t sit well with me was her easy acceptance of what the cousin told her regarding her husband’s character. I would have liked her to question it a bit more, at least internally.
Jeremy, the Marquess of Kenrick, is a bit more complicated than initially meets the eye. He definitely has reason to mistrust women after what happened with his first wife. As the story unfolds, he proves to be honorable and caring. He wants to have affection for Elizabeth, but he allows his past to influence his attitude toward her. I would have liked him to not run so hot and cold with Elizabeth.
Now, I dearly loved several of the secondary characters. The little boy Billy is a sweetheart, and I loved her cat Apollo. I also liked Jeremy’s mother. Her determination to see her son’s marriage work is commendable. The cousin Gerald is a villain I can appreciate. I always love a story with an antagonist, determined to thwart the romance.
While the plot weakens a bit as it unfolds toward the end of the book, I enjoyed this well-written tale of love. If you are looking for a traditional regency with a sweet, naïve heroine, then you will enjoy A Simple Lady. Happy reading!
Vikki’s Musings
I have read several regency books by Carolynn Carey, and have enjoyed them, so when I saw she had published a new one, I immediately downloaded it through the Kindle Unlimited program. A Simple Lady sounded intriguing because while it is a traditional plot for a regency, it has a twist. I am not going to do a synopsis since the book description is very clear.
A Simple Lady starts out very well. I love the heroine from the start, and she pulled me into the story immediately. The pacing is excellent, especially in the first half of the book. When the hero is introduced, I did not expect to like him, but as the story unfolds I found him to be an excellent hero.
Elizabeth Ashford is the perfect heroine for a regency. She’s kind, considerate and has a heart of gold. With the situation with her parents, it’s astonishing she turned out so well. Thank goodness for the nurse and the neighbors! One thing about her character that didn’t sit well with me was her easy acceptance of what the cousin told her regarding her husband’s character. I would have liked her to question it a bit more, at least internally.
Jeremy, the Marquess of Kenrick, is a bit more complicated than initially meets the eye. He definitely has reason to mistrust women after what happened with his first wife. As the story unfolds, he proves to be honorable and caring. He wants to have affection for Elizabeth, but he allows his past to influence his attitude toward her. I would have liked him to not run so hot and cold with Elizabeth.
Now, I dearly loved several of the secondary characters. The little boy Billy is a sweetheart, and I loved her cat Apollo. I also liked Jeremy’s mother. Her determination to see her son’s marriage work is commendable. The cousin Gerald is a villain I can appreciate. I always love a story with an antagonist, determined to thwart the romance.
While the plot weakens a bit as it unfolds toward the end of the book, I enjoyed this well-written tale of love. If you are looking for a traditional regency with a sweet, naïve heroine, then you will enjoy A Simple Lady. Happy reading!
Read
July 28, 2021Enjoyable Read
This is another book I like to revisit as it is such an engaging read. The book is well written, and the cover is eye catching with the the ginger kitten(Apollo) taking centre stage, the model is quite striking as well. Elizabeth the central female character is considered by her parents Lord and Lady Ravingdale, to be 'simpleminded ' someone should have recommended this couple never have had children, despite their literary brilliance they had not an iota of common sense between them! Elizabeth was married off to Lord Kendrick because he needed to overcome a clause in his father's will, and the marriage settlement benefited the cash strapped in laws. Despite repeated attempts by Elizabeth to tell her husband she wasn't simple when he found out he wasn't best pleased and accused her of any number of things, but eventually after much plotting by Kendrick's cousin and heir, along with interference by the in laws and Elizabeth's want for taking in waifs and strays love found a way.
I would thoroughly recommend this book .
This is another book I like to revisit as it is such an engaging read. The book is well written, and the cover is eye catching with the the ginger kitten(Apollo) taking centre stage, the model is quite striking as well. Elizabeth the central female character is considered by her parents Lord and Lady Ravingdale, to be 'simpleminded ' someone should have recommended this couple never have had children, despite their literary brilliance they had not an iota of common sense between them! Elizabeth was married off to Lord Kendrick because he needed to overcome a clause in his father's will, and the marriage settlement benefited the cash strapped in laws. Despite repeated attempts by Elizabeth to tell her husband she wasn't simple when he found out he wasn't best pleased and accused her of any number of things, but eventually after much plotting by Kendrick's cousin and heir, along with interference by the in laws and Elizabeth's want for taking in waifs and strays love found a way.
I would thoroughly recommend this book .
June 11, 2025
I am rather disappointed in the direction this story took. I thought it would be filled with banter and witticisms and discoveries of who our lovely heroine was. Instead it took on an adventure in the unknown sinister dark side of London with a mysterious evil accomplice. So even though the writing was good, it left me disappointed.
July 25, 2015
Very enjoyable
A book very worth reading. A slightly different story written by an author who knows how to keep your attention. It takes place in Regency England and concerns a young lady whom her parents call simple minded. Her parents are highly intelligent, but with no common sense, and who have left their daughter alone for years. Unbeknownst to them the girl is very smart only she stutters every time her parents see her. One day the parents come and tell her that they have arranged a marriage for her to a Lord who has to be married quickly in order to inherit a certain estate. Since I do not care to give away the whole story I will say that this book contains misunderstandings, love, compassion, kidnapping, two little boys and a very surprising ending.
A book very worth reading. A slightly different story written by an author who knows how to keep your attention. It takes place in Regency England and concerns a young lady whom her parents call simple minded. Her parents are highly intelligent, but with no common sense, and who have left their daughter alone for years. Unbeknownst to them the girl is very smart only she stutters every time her parents see her. One day the parents come and tell her that they have arranged a marriage for her to a Lord who has to be married quickly in order to inherit a certain estate. Since I do not care to give away the whole story I will say that this book contains misunderstandings, love, compassion, kidnapping, two little boys and a very surprising ending.
April 13, 2016
Horrible
I want my money back... Mind u I read it for free. The plot was boring characters were not developed enough to make u feel like u could relate to them. I really want a refund of my time I spent reading this garbage. I was simple minded for reach g this. Booooo two thumbs down. Hated it.
I want my money back... Mind u I read it for free. The plot was boring characters were not developed enough to make u feel like u could relate to them. I really want a refund of my time I spent reading this garbage. I was simple minded for reach g this. Booooo two thumbs down. Hated it.
March 12, 2021
Exciting Regency Romance
Really enjoyed this story! A catalogue of missed opportunities and entrenched views and a bit of a mystery in the background and a very satisfying conclusion.
Really enjoyed this story! A catalogue of missed opportunities and entrenched views and a bit of a mystery in the background and a very satisfying conclusion.
August 4, 2015
Just okay
I was waiting for a WOW factors , hence solid 5 stars, unfortunately A Simple Lady was just a Simple Story for me.
I was waiting for a WOW factors , hence solid 5 stars, unfortunately A Simple Lady was just a Simple Story for me.
December 18, 2015
Decent story - I liked that the characters had to work through misunderstandings instead of simply rushing through those parts.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews