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Regency Charades #3
Katherine, When She Smiled
Katherine Rose has a secret. She was shocked to discover that her late father, a famous scholar, was secretly the author of lurid Gothic novels. These novels, wildly popular though critically disparaged, are her family’s main source of income. His last novel is unfinished and soon due at the publisher! In the family’s dire financial straits, Katherine must take up the fallen pen and finish the manuscript of a form of literature she has always disdained, while all around her the neighborhood goes mad over the arrival in their midst of a handsome and single young lord. Lord Charles Ramsey is home from the wars and ready to settle down. He’s looking for a suitable wife – a nice, easy-going lady, a ‘jolly girl’. The last thing he needs is a complicated, clever, critical young lady with secrets. Katherine and Lord Charles each have their own plans. But novel writing is more difficult than it looks, and finding a suitable wife is less straightforward than Charles imagined. And romance isn’t always where you expect it to be. (Author’s Katherine, When She Smiled takes place in the same universe as my previous Regency romances. It occurs after the events of A Feather To Fly With and Regency Road Trip, but before The World’s a Stage. This is a stand-alone novel, and can be read and enjoyed without having read the previous works. It is a traditional Regency and contains no sex scenes.)
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2015
355 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Harmon
13 books99 followersJoyce Harmon has been from one side of the galaxy to the other (slight exaggeration) and seen a lot of strange stuff (very true). Since retiring from the Navy, she has worked as a winery tour guide, a journalist for a local newspaper, selling collectibles on eBay, and making candles - and always, always, a writer. She shares her rural Virginia home with two haughty and indolent cats and one clever, busy dog, and is haunted by a noisy crowd of characters, all clamoring to be written down and set loose into the world. She accommodates them as quickly as she can. She is the author of the Passatonnack Winery mysteries, Died On The Vine and Bidding On Death. A Feather To Fly With is her first Regency romance, and she is currently working on a sequel.
Joyce blogs occasionally at http://joyceharmon.wordpress.com/ , mostly about her dog.
Joyce blogs occasionally at http://joyceharmon.wordpress.com/ , mostly about her dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 27, 2017
I'm the kind of romance reader who can enjoy hot sex between H and h when it's appropriately placed in the story. But I don't like it when the story itself is just a vehicle to allow the H and h to go at it in the backseat, front seat, hood and everywhere else they can think of. So fuddy-duddy me appreciates a reading break from sex that a book like Harmon's gives me.
You are warned that this is a 4- to 5-star book to me, but I doubt it would be across the board to all romance readers. If you've enjoyed, in the past, those Signet and Zebra traditional Regencies put out in the 1980s and 1990s, this is perfect for you. You need to enjoy rather quiet, witty low-key humor and romance. A comedy of manners, so to speak.
This is Harmon's third full-length Regency novel and fits into their timeline as following the first one (A Feather To Fly With) and its companion novella (Regency Road Trip, a novella), but it occurs chronologically before her second novel (The World's a Stage). You don't have to have read any of her previous work to enjoy this new one, but for those who have read FEATHER, you'll enjoy knowing that Lord Charles, the H of this one, is the younger brother of that one's H, Arthur, Duke of Winton.
Charles has been a career soldier. His father had left him an estate outside the lovely little village of Piddledean (!) and the Piddledeanians have been waiting years and years and years for him to come and take up the reins of it. Especially the Piddledeanian young ladies and their parents, who assume Charles must definitely be in need of a wife, preferably one from Piddledean.
Meanwhile, our heroine Katherine, a native of Piddledean, is struggling to keep hearth and home together after discovering that her recently-deceased father had been having to supplement their family income by writing Gothick romances. Of all things! Father had been a renowned scholar, an expert in the classics and Homer. But finances are not looking so good and when she discovers a half-finished manuscript in his desk she makes the decision to finish it.
Katherine, mind you, doesn't confide in the rest of the family. She's the sensible one and doesn't want them upset, so it's a heavy burden on her young shoulders. And there you are. We have Charles, newly arrived in Piddledean; Katherine with her secrets and her amusing struggle to finish up that Gothick sensation novel; Katherine's suitor, the young vicar; the unexpected visit of Charles' sister and brother-in-law along with a female friend of theirs; Hans, the artist brother of Cleo, h of FEATHER, doing his usual artist thing; Katherine's siblings and aunt; as many Piddledeanians as needed to round out the story, one in particular being Katherine's fair-weather friend whose obsession with marrying leaves no room for friendship anymore.
All in all, this is a very entertaining story with great characters and an amusing storyline. It's my favorite so far in the series. I'm hoping Harmon is encouraged to write more and more and more of these little stories
You are warned that this is a 4- to 5-star book to me, but I doubt it would be across the board to all romance readers. If you've enjoyed, in the past, those Signet and Zebra traditional Regencies put out in the 1980s and 1990s, this is perfect for you. You need to enjoy rather quiet, witty low-key humor and romance. A comedy of manners, so to speak.
This is Harmon's third full-length Regency novel and fits into their timeline as following the first one (A Feather To Fly With) and its companion novella (Regency Road Trip, a novella), but it occurs chronologically before her second novel (The World's a Stage). You don't have to have read any of her previous work to enjoy this new one, but for those who have read FEATHER, you'll enjoy knowing that Lord Charles, the H of this one, is the younger brother of that one's H, Arthur, Duke of Winton.
Charles has been a career soldier. His father had left him an estate outside the lovely little village of Piddledean (!) and the Piddledeanians have been waiting years and years and years for him to come and take up the reins of it. Especially the Piddledeanian young ladies and their parents, who assume Charles must definitely be in need of a wife, preferably one from Piddledean.
Meanwhile, our heroine Katherine, a native of Piddledean, is struggling to keep hearth and home together after discovering that her recently-deceased father had been having to supplement their family income by writing Gothick romances. Of all things! Father had been a renowned scholar, an expert in the classics and Homer. But finances are not looking so good and when she discovers a half-finished manuscript in his desk she makes the decision to finish it.
Katherine, mind you, doesn't confide in the rest of the family. She's the sensible one and doesn't want them upset, so it's a heavy burden on her young shoulders. And there you are. We have Charles, newly arrived in Piddledean; Katherine with her secrets and her amusing struggle to finish up that Gothick sensation novel; Katherine's suitor, the young vicar; the unexpected visit of Charles' sister and brother-in-law along with a female friend of theirs; Hans, the artist brother of Cleo, h of FEATHER, doing his usual artist thing; Katherine's siblings and aunt; as many Piddledeanians as needed to round out the story, one in particular being Katherine's fair-weather friend whose obsession with marrying leaves no room for friendship anymore.
All in all, this is a very entertaining story with great characters and an amusing storyline. It's my favorite so far in the series. I'm hoping Harmon is encouraged to write more and more and more of these little stories
August 30, 2019
3.5+ stars rounded down
The village of Piddledean in Dorset has been in a tizzy expecting the arrival of Lord Charles Ramsay, younger son of the Duke of Winton, who has inherited an estate there. Before Lord Charles can arrive, that dratted Napoleon gets in the way. Then what needs must Lord Charles do but rejoin his regiment to defeat the Corsican monster. The war hero arrives on the scene unexpectedly without fanfare. He's an old soldier (at 23!) who longs for the peace and quiet of country life. He promised his mother he would settle down to finding a wife. Charles wants a nice, jolly sort of girl who will be content to live in the country. He fears clever girls and prefers to shun them entirely. The neighborhood ladies are excited and hope he will choose one of them. His sister has other ideas. Katherine Rose, the eldest daughter of the late Sidney Rose, classical scholar, is the only young lady not interested in marrying Lord Charles. She has bigger things to worry about like how to support her family without Papa's income, which seems to be a big secret. She discovers the bulk of the family money came not from rents and not from his scholarly works on Ancient Greece but from gothic novels! It seems Papa had a secret life as a writer of popular gothic novels adored by hundreds including Katherine's sister and aunt. Katherine has no choice but to continue where Papa left off. How hard could it be?
This story started off great. It was quite witty in the Austen tradition. I liked how the characters were enjoying Sense and Sensibility (By A Lady) and how Katherine could make comparisons to her own life. They discuss what makes a villain and how difficult it would be to spot one in real life. The villains have to be newcomers because it would be hard to maintain that fiction for too long. So... I expected a plot entirely different from how the plot actually goes. It's not worse for not falling into the "let's copy Jane Austen" trap. Parts of the story are quite enjoyable. The story gets bogged down in the middle and the romance comes to a very unsatisfactory conclusion. I didn't like how many characters were in the story and how many plots had to be wrapped up before the main characters got their happily ever after. The epilogue tells us what happens next but I would have liked more showing and less telling. The schoolboy antics also weigh down the plot. The last chapter is in need of better editing as well.
Lord Charles is a nice sort of gentleman. Reading between the lines, he has what we would call Post Traumatic Stress. He's seeking a tranquil life with a happy family in the country far from the chaos of the battlefields and the social whirl of London. Charles is like his brother in that respect but I prefer his nerdy older brother. Katherine is a great heroine. She's serious, sensible and a good sister. She lets her brother get into mischief as long as he's not harming himself or others. She knows how not to scold and nag. She's just a tad overprotective in the beginning but who wouldn't be when their little brother meets a new friend? I believe the author must have brothers and/or sons to write schoolboys so convincingly. Jack is a true teenage boy, always dreaming up new adventures and getting into trouble. Han is more serious and sensitive. It's hard to remember he's just a boy because he sounds so worldly wise and is so perceptive. Still he has his moments when he acts his age.
The secondary characters are less memorable. Katherine's sister Helen is not yet "out" and she is a Marianne Dashwood character. Very typical of teen girls, Helen dreams of romance with a dashing hero. She is sadly disappointed in the prosaic Charles. Aunt Alice is "featherheaded" but she knows the social rules and can enforce them when she wants to. However, her lack of sense leaves Katherine with a heavy burden. Mister Downey, the vicar, is pretty boring and obtuse where women are concerned. I worry about his future. I am not convinced he will be happy. Julia Fordice, Katherine's best friend, is a nasty mean girl frenemy. I would not be so tolerant as Katherine.
Charles's sister Lady Clara, is a silly wigeon. I understand her frustration with Mama-in-law but she comes in like a hurricane and turns her brother's life upside down. She has zero sensitivity but she does have some tact. Her husband, Captain Hector Fernley, is also not clever. He appears to be a dandy and rather silly but as a military man he has hidden depths. He does seem fond of his wife. Clara's friend Mandy is a force of nature as well. Yes she's jolly but a little too much for me. She seems to have a good heart and a good head hidden underneath all that fashion. I admire an independent woman who knows what she wants and goes after it, but Mandy is too forceful and too energetic for me.
Mr. Grimethorpe, Papa Rose's dear friend, is rather silly but apparently brilliant because he came up with the scheme that saved Rosebourne and the family from ruin. He never appears in the novel but seems a kindly chap. His nephew, Mr. Grimethorpe, is nice enough but I don't trust him.
I enjoyed this story a little less than the first in the series but I do love this world and the author's writing. She is clever enough to come up with her own plots independent of Austen and Heyer which I commend. Read this if you love Jane Austen!
The village of Piddledean in Dorset has been in a tizzy expecting the arrival of Lord Charles Ramsay, younger son of the Duke of Winton, who has inherited an estate there. Before Lord Charles can arrive, that dratted Napoleon gets in the way. Then what needs must Lord Charles do but rejoin his regiment to defeat the Corsican monster. The war hero arrives on the scene unexpectedly without fanfare. He's an old soldier (at 23!) who longs for the peace and quiet of country life. He promised his mother he would settle down to finding a wife. Charles wants a nice, jolly sort of girl who will be content to live in the country. He fears clever girls and prefers to shun them entirely. The neighborhood ladies are excited and hope he will choose one of them. His sister has other ideas. Katherine Rose, the eldest daughter of the late Sidney Rose, classical scholar, is the only young lady not interested in marrying Lord Charles. She has bigger things to worry about like how to support her family without Papa's income, which seems to be a big secret. She discovers the bulk of the family money came not from rents and not from his scholarly works on Ancient Greece but from gothic novels! It seems Papa had a secret life as a writer of popular gothic novels adored by hundreds including Katherine's sister and aunt. Katherine has no choice but to continue where Papa left off. How hard could it be?
This story started off great. It was quite witty in the Austen tradition. I liked how the characters were enjoying Sense and Sensibility (By A Lady) and how Katherine could make comparisons to her own life. They discuss what makes a villain and how difficult it would be to spot one in real life. The villains have to be newcomers because it would be hard to maintain that fiction for too long. So... I expected a plot entirely different from how the plot actually goes. It's not worse for not falling into the "let's copy Jane Austen" trap. Parts of the story are quite enjoyable. The story gets bogged down in the middle and the romance comes to a very unsatisfactory conclusion. I didn't like how many characters were in the story and how many plots had to be wrapped up before the main characters got their happily ever after. The epilogue tells us what happens next but I would have liked more showing and less telling. The schoolboy antics also weigh down the plot. The last chapter is in need of better editing as well.
Lord Charles is a nice sort of gentleman. Reading between the lines, he has what we would call Post Traumatic Stress. He's seeking a tranquil life with a happy family in the country far from the chaos of the battlefields and the social whirl of London. Charles is like his brother in that respect but I prefer his nerdy older brother. Katherine is a great heroine. She's serious, sensible and a good sister. She lets her brother get into mischief as long as he's not harming himself or others. She knows how not to scold and nag. She's just a tad overprotective in the beginning but who wouldn't be when their little brother meets a new friend? I believe the author must have brothers and/or sons to write schoolboys so convincingly. Jack is a true teenage boy, always dreaming up new adventures and getting into trouble. Han is more serious and sensitive. It's hard to remember he's just a boy because he sounds so worldly wise and is so perceptive. Still he has his moments when he acts his age.
The secondary characters are less memorable. Katherine's sister Helen is not yet "out" and she is a Marianne Dashwood character. Very typical of teen girls, Helen dreams of romance with a dashing hero. She is sadly disappointed in the prosaic Charles. Aunt Alice is "featherheaded" but she knows the social rules and can enforce them when she wants to. However, her lack of sense leaves Katherine with a heavy burden. Mister Downey, the vicar, is pretty boring and obtuse where women are concerned. I worry about his future. I am not convinced he will be happy. Julia Fordice, Katherine's best friend, is a nasty mean girl frenemy. I would not be so tolerant as Katherine.
Charles's sister Lady Clara, is a silly wigeon. I understand her frustration with Mama-in-law but she comes in like a hurricane and turns her brother's life upside down. She has zero sensitivity but she does have some tact. Her husband, Captain Hector Fernley, is also not clever. He appears to be a dandy and rather silly but as a military man he has hidden depths. He does seem fond of his wife. Clara's friend Mandy is a force of nature as well. Yes she's jolly but a little too much for me. She seems to have a good heart and a good head hidden underneath all that fashion. I admire an independent woman who knows what she wants and goes after it, but Mandy is too forceful and too energetic for me.
Mr. Grimethorpe, Papa Rose's dear friend, is rather silly but apparently brilliant because he came up with the scheme that saved Rosebourne and the family from ruin. He never appears in the novel but seems a kindly chap. His nephew, Mr. Grimethorpe, is nice enough but I don't trust him.
I enjoyed this story a little less than the first in the series but I do love this world and the author's writing. She is clever enough to come up with her own plots independent of Austen and Heyer which I commend. Read this if you love Jane Austen!
July 7, 2017
Good, clean fun.
I know it's weird but I like a romance when the couple is not the only story or even the main story so this book was just my cup of tea. No racing hearts or sweaty palms, just two dear people becoming fonder and fonder of each other over time.
Katherine is struggling to make ends meet for her family when the handsome (rich) Charles moves into the neighborhood. You know how it's going to end before the story even takes off. But you have to hand it to Harmon for creating likable characters, intelligent dialogue and a nice little plot twist. I particularly enjoyed the young boy, Hannibal, with his artistic temperament and insights into the people he is drawing.
The skating-on-the-marble-floors-in-stocking-feet motif never really felt quite believable to me, but I could let it go since the rest of the novel was so enjoyable.
I know it's weird but I like a romance when the couple is not the only story or even the main story so this book was just my cup of tea. No racing hearts or sweaty palms, just two dear people becoming fonder and fonder of each other over time.
Katherine is struggling to make ends meet for her family when the handsome (rich) Charles moves into the neighborhood. You know how it's going to end before the story even takes off. But you have to hand it to Harmon for creating likable characters, intelligent dialogue and a nice little plot twist. I particularly enjoyed the young boy, Hannibal, with his artistic temperament and insights into the people he is drawing.
The skating-on-the-marble-floors-in-stocking-feet motif never really felt quite believable to me, but I could let it go since the rest of the novel was so enjoyable.
July 8, 2017
3.5 stars.
I'm so glad I gave this author another chance. I felt very underwhelmed with this author's A Feather To Fly With, but this book was, in a word, delightful. It was completely clean and the humour and witty banter had me chuckling. A sweet little gem, this was a quiet story of two sensible people taking their time and falling in love. There are no rakes, mistresses, or any ow/om drama. I adored how sincere both MCs were and the secret, surprisingly, didn't bother me at all. The plot wasn't predicated on this secret and the h was keeping it for someone else, not for herself or her own pride.
The supporting characters were very realistic and added value to this story. And Han. He was my favourite and I wish we could get his story. Overall, a delightful historical romance.
I'm so glad I gave this author another chance. I felt very underwhelmed with this author's A Feather To Fly With, but this book was, in a word, delightful. It was completely clean and the humour and witty banter had me chuckling. A sweet little gem, this was a quiet story of two sensible people taking their time and falling in love. There are no rakes, mistresses, or any ow/om drama. I adored how sincere both MCs were and the secret, surprisingly, didn't bother me at all. The plot wasn't predicated on this secret and the h was keeping it for someone else, not for herself or her own pride.
The supporting characters were very realistic and added value to this story. And Han. He was my favourite and I wish we could get his story. Overall, a delightful historical romance.
October 28, 2015
Delightful
Oh the travails of gothic authorship are explored as Miss Katherine Rose discovers where the majority of their family's income is actually coming from. Yet the arrival of Lord Charles in the small village as he finally comes to oversee his own estate creates waves of excitement disturbing all the locals. Sweet, charming and very Jane Austen in tone, this third book of the series has delightful little phrases and gentle humor interspersed with the story. Lovely read.
Oh the travails of gothic authorship are explored as Miss Katherine Rose discovers where the majority of their family's income is actually coming from. Yet the arrival of Lord Charles in the small village as he finally comes to oversee his own estate creates waves of excitement disturbing all the locals. Sweet, charming and very Jane Austen in tone, this third book of the series has delightful little phrases and gentle humor interspersed with the story. Lovely read.
December 26, 2019
Great Story / Poor Editing
This book continues character development from the previous books in this series exceptionally well. Its story is ingenious and intriguing. The editing, however, leaves much to be desired. From misspelled words to inconsistent verb tense to combining the names of two estates thus incorrectly identifying one of the estates, the copy editor should pull this book and fix their mistakes. It distracts from a compelling novel!
This book continues character development from the previous books in this series exceptionally well. Its story is ingenious and intriguing. The editing, however, leaves much to be desired. From misspelled words to inconsistent verb tense to combining the names of two estates thus incorrectly identifying one of the estates, the copy editor should pull this book and fix their mistakes. It distracts from a compelling novel!
September 28, 2020
4.5 probably. For the most part, I really liked this book. The MCs and the story were great. It was a couple of minor things I had trouble with. Hector, Lady Clara's husband, seemed to be asleep through most of the book. The childhood friend, Amanda, was hyperactive, forward, and far too outspoken for a young woman of the era. Rupert Grimthorpe should have been written with a bit more grit to him, I think. Hannibal was a super wonderful character and Jack was his perfect foil. I intend to read the other books in this series. Recommended.
December 1, 2018
What a fantastic regency! Everything good about Austen, but with more humor. And drama, it does have gothic novels in the plot. Oh, bravo! Well done!
June 21, 2023
2023 bk 215. I have so enjoyed this series and I believe this is my favorite so far. The characters were sensible, there was acknowledgement of the time it took to do daily activities in the regency era, the romance was sweet and endearing and in one case totally unexpected! Fun read.
June 24, 2020
4 stars. Harmon is really something! I enjoy her writing very much. Sweet little romance with a clever, competent heroine.
October 24, 2015
2.5 There were some unique turns to this Regency story and some enjoyable characters as well. Pacing, lack of some applicable details, need of more scenes with the protagonists led to the lower rating.
I just realized I've read another book by this author: A Feather To Fly With. It was also enjoyable with a more unique plot for a Regency. Hmmm . . . guess I'll need to check out her other books.
I just realized I've read another book by this author: A Feather To Fly With. It was also enjoyable with a more unique plot for a Regency. Hmmm . . . guess I'll need to check out her other books.
May 1, 2020
4.5 out of 5 stars
February 2, 2019
The cover says this is a "sparkling romantic romp in the classic Regency tradition." That is exactly what this book is. I enjoyed it very much.
March 16, 2019
Every Joyce Harmon book is a delight and this one is no exception. For anyone looking for a substitute for Georgette Heyer, here’s an author who might just fit the bill. She has a light hand with dialogue, a strong array of characters and plots that effortlessly unfurl. This one eschews the standard Regency settings of society London or Bath, being firmly set in a small village, but that makes it a gentler, more affectionate look at Regency life. And it’s very, very funny. I do love a book which makes me chuckle all the way through.
Heroine Katherine is the oldest of her family, now orphaned by the recent death of her father. But amongst his scholarly papers she finds a half-written Gothic novel, the latest in a long line of them, by which her father had secretly been supporting his family. Katherine realises that, to keep a roof over their heads, she has to continue her father’s novel-writing career.
Our hero is the long-awaited brother of a duke, a soldier returning from the wars to claim his estate and find himself a suitable wife. The ladies of the village have their own ideas on the subject of suitability, and handsome Lord Charles sets many a female heart a-fluttering - except for Katherine, who’s busy fending off the attentions of the worthy young vicar while shouldering all the burdens of her family.
As with Heyer, the subplots, which involve a couple of boys behaving boyishly and much Gothic fun and games, tend to overshadow the romance at times, and although we see Charles’ moment of revelation regarding Katherine, we never see hers towards him (or at least, it is so understated as to be almost invisible), which was a great pity. I do like to see the protagonists inching towards an understanding. But both of them behaved with intelligence and common sense, no one acted stupidly in pique and (hallelujah!) there were no contrived misunderstandings.
Some of the loose ends tidied up and the other pairings resulting seemed a little too convenient to me, but I won’t quibble. There were a very few typos, and a smattering of Americanisms (gotten, fall instead of autumn), but Harmon has such a strong grasp of the Regency era that it ever bothered me. This is a lovely traditional Regency, very much in the style of Georgette Heyer, and I highly recommend it, and all Harmon’s books, to all Heyer fans. Five stars.
Heroine Katherine is the oldest of her family, now orphaned by the recent death of her father. But amongst his scholarly papers she finds a half-written Gothic novel, the latest in a long line of them, by which her father had secretly been supporting his family. Katherine realises that, to keep a roof over their heads, she has to continue her father’s novel-writing career.
Our hero is the long-awaited brother of a duke, a soldier returning from the wars to claim his estate and find himself a suitable wife. The ladies of the village have their own ideas on the subject of suitability, and handsome Lord Charles sets many a female heart a-fluttering - except for Katherine, who’s busy fending off the attentions of the worthy young vicar while shouldering all the burdens of her family.
As with Heyer, the subplots, which involve a couple of boys behaving boyishly and much Gothic fun and games, tend to overshadow the romance at times, and although we see Charles’ moment of revelation regarding Katherine, we never see hers towards him (or at least, it is so understated as to be almost invisible), which was a great pity. I do like to see the protagonists inching towards an understanding. But both of them behaved with intelligence and common sense, no one acted stupidly in pique and (hallelujah!) there were no contrived misunderstandings.
Some of the loose ends tidied up and the other pairings resulting seemed a little too convenient to me, but I won’t quibble. There were a very few typos, and a smattering of Americanisms (gotten, fall instead of autumn), but Harmon has such a strong grasp of the Regency era that it ever bothered me. This is a lovely traditional Regency, very much in the style of Georgette Heyer, and I highly recommend it, and all Harmon’s books, to all Heyer fans. Five stars.
October 10, 2022
The marriage-minded citzens of the country town of Piddledean are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lord Charles. Charles' father (a duke) purchased for him the lovely, but long-vacant Piddledean estate of Greymere, but the renewed war with Napoleon has long delayed Lord Charles' residency in the neighbourhood.
When he finally arrives the local ladies are keen to get to know the new eligible bachelor. Everyone it seems but the lovely Miss Katherine Rose.
Katherine's father has recently passed away, leaving her and her younger siblings orphaned. Officially under the care of her kind Aunt, Katherine is actually the one seeing to the day to day running of their small estate (until her younger brother Jack comes of age). While examining her father's papers, she discovers that for years her scholarly father was secretly penning gothic novels to keep the estate's finances stable. She takes it upon herself to complete her father's latest manuscript.
All the while, the social manoeuvring of the local gentry and a friendship between Jack and Charles' brother-in-law Han, keeps the main characters orbiting each other.
This was a gentle, sweet story. Charles and Katherine have a quiet romance, not at all insta-love. In fact, even at the end, there is no real grand passion, just an acceptance that they find in each other the person who suits them best. There are other romantic pairings in the story which add some conflict and interest.
Best of all, I imagined the narration given in the voice of Lady Whistledown, a la Dame Julie Andrews. The period-perfect writing reminded me of my favourite Heyer novels.
This is a clean romance with no descriptive love scenes.
When he finally arrives the local ladies are keen to get to know the new eligible bachelor. Everyone it seems but the lovely Miss Katherine Rose.
Katherine's father has recently passed away, leaving her and her younger siblings orphaned. Officially under the care of her kind Aunt, Katherine is actually the one seeing to the day to day running of their small estate (until her younger brother Jack comes of age). While examining her father's papers, she discovers that for years her scholarly father was secretly penning gothic novels to keep the estate's finances stable. She takes it upon herself to complete her father's latest manuscript.
All the while, the social manoeuvring of the local gentry and a friendship between Jack and Charles' brother-in-law Han, keeps the main characters orbiting each other.
This was a gentle, sweet story. Charles and Katherine have a quiet romance, not at all insta-love. In fact, even at the end, there is no real grand passion, just an acceptance that they find in each other the person who suits them best. There are other romantic pairings in the story which add some conflict and interest.
Best of all, I imagined the narration given in the voice of Lady Whistledown, a la Dame Julie Andrews. The period-perfect writing reminded me of my favourite Heyer novels.
This is a clean romance with no descriptive love scenes.
March 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It's a quieter type of story, set in the country, which I prefer over London and the ton. Katherine is a lovely character, and I thoroughly enjoyed her struggles in writing a gothic novel with a heroine who's not stupid and a villain who's not obvious (very meta). Suffice it to say, it would be a very short novel. The Hero is not as interesting, however, it's refreshing that he's a good guy and not a flirt or a rake. His mother explains why that's the case and it's kind of endearing. I also enjoyed most of the secondary characters including the boys. There are references to previous books in the series but you can definitely follow the story without having read them (I read book 2 but not book 1). If you like your Regency fast paced with angst and evil characters, this is definitely not for you. This is a slower, ordinary people/life type of story that I found delightful.
September 27, 2020
A restful Regency story
I am so enjoying this author. Although I hear some of the dialogue in my mind spoken by Mae West, the setting is undoubtedly Regency England.
The heroine, Miss Katherine Rose, along with her sister Helen, live with their aunt Alice. They are in mourning following the death of her father, a respected Greek scholar who is gathering information about Homer. The bulk of their income is a check deposited in their bank several times a year.
Katherine recalls a time when the family was in such financial distress that her father feared he might have to sell the estate. Then it seemed that they were again solvent, thanks to Papa's Clever Investment. Katherine determines to find the source of these mysterious funds.
Although many events unfold, this is not an angsty story as Katherine is quite a clever girl herself.
23
I am so enjoying this author. Although I hear some of the dialogue in my mind spoken by Mae West, the setting is undoubtedly Regency England.
The heroine, Miss Katherine Rose, along with her sister Helen, live with their aunt Alice. They are in mourning following the death of her father, a respected Greek scholar who is gathering information about Homer. The bulk of their income is a check deposited in their bank several times a year.
Katherine recalls a time when the family was in such financial distress that her father feared he might have to sell the estate. Then it seemed that they were again solvent, thanks to Papa's Clever Investment. Katherine determines to find the source of these mysterious funds.
Although many events unfold, this is not an angsty story as Katherine is quite a clever girl herself.
23
February 13, 2021
Not funny but well written
Here is another Recency romance writer that I rather liked. Joyce Harmon writes an intelligent romance. Katherine Rose decides to clean up the papers left by her late father and discovers finally the secret of their income. Her father was the famous Mrs Winslow, author of gothic novels she has disdained.Just at that time Lord Charles Ramsey returns home to find a wife. But it's hard to find a wife when the woman who interests him is busy writing gothic novels. What bothered me most was the lack of wit in this novel--when there is definite room for it. Too bad.
Here is another Recency romance writer that I rather liked. Joyce Harmon writes an intelligent romance. Katherine Rose decides to clean up the papers left by her late father and discovers finally the secret of their income. Her father was the famous Mrs Winslow, author of gothic novels she has disdained.Just at that time Lord Charles Ramsey returns home to find a wife. But it's hard to find a wife when the woman who interests him is busy writing gothic novels. What bothered me most was the lack of wit in this novel--when there is definite room for it. Too bad.
June 27, 2020
Enjoyed
This sweet romance was so interesting and compelling that I read it in one sitting until the end. The characters were engaging and like an ensemble cast played well off of each other. I am an avid reader, having read two more novels, but had to come back and write a glowing review of this book when I saw it again in my library. The style of writing in the conversations and in the descriptions of scenes was like a breath of fresh air. It gives me a wholesome and hopeful reminder of the goodness found in real people when given a chance. Thank you.
This sweet romance was so interesting and compelling that I read it in one sitting until the end. The characters were engaging and like an ensemble cast played well off of each other. I am an avid reader, having read two more novels, but had to come back and write a glowing review of this book when I saw it again in my library. The style of writing in the conversations and in the descriptions of scenes was like a breath of fresh air. It gives me a wholesome and hopeful reminder of the goodness found in real people when given a chance. Thank you.
July 11, 2020
Charming!
This is my third book by this author. The first was A Feather to Fly with, which I quite enjoyed, and the second, A Town and Country Season, I don't really remember much of. Katherine, When She Smiled, is a book that I was simply in the mood for-- with two charming leads and especially a H who was simply one of the nicest, sweetest, and good natured heroes I have ever read. We don't usually get this kind of hero in Regency books. He reminded me a lot of the hero from another favourite book of mine, Sophie's Halloo by Patricia Wynn. Highly recommended!
This is my third book by this author. The first was A Feather to Fly with, which I quite enjoyed, and the second, A Town and Country Season, I don't really remember much of. Katherine, When She Smiled, is a book that I was simply in the mood for-- with two charming leads and especially a H who was simply one of the nicest, sweetest, and good natured heroes I have ever read. We don't usually get this kind of hero in Regency books. He reminded me a lot of the hero from another favourite book of mine, Sophie's Halloo by Patricia Wynn. Highly recommended!
November 12, 2020
Wonderful story!
This book in the series may be my favorite. It does not have the same level of humor as “A Feather to Fly With” or All the World’s a Stage,” but it has its own humor sweetness. Supporting characters from “A Feather” are brought back and put in a new setting in a delightful story of their own. And it has one of the most satisfying epilogues I’ve ever read. Many books have the H and h end up together finally, then the book ends abruptly. Ms. Harmon shares what happens to the characters in the years to come, which I very much appreciate. Enjoy!
This book in the series may be my favorite. It does not have the same level of humor as “A Feather to Fly With” or All the World’s a Stage,” but it has its own humor sweetness. Supporting characters from “A Feather” are brought back and put in a new setting in a delightful story of their own. And it has one of the most satisfying epilogues I’ve ever read. Many books have the H and h end up together finally, then the book ends abruptly. Ms. Harmon shares what happens to the characters in the years to come, which I very much appreciate. Enjoy!
May 2, 2023
Clean Regency Romance
Another enjoyable read from the Regency Charades series...sadly this is the last one, so far. Well drawn characters, humour, wit, tension, matchmaking, money troubles, village life in all its glory ala Piddledean by the River Piddle! And romance - more than one to satisfy all readers :)
Han Cooper is such an intriguing young boy - highly perceptive, talented, intelligent, quiet yet with all the spiritedness of a school child. I so hope Ms. Harmon writes a (or more) book about him. I wonder what kind of person will be the perfect match for the adult Han.
Another enjoyable read from the Regency Charades series...sadly this is the last one, so far. Well drawn characters, humour, wit, tension, matchmaking, money troubles, village life in all its glory ala Piddledean by the River Piddle! And romance - more than one to satisfy all readers :)
Han Cooper is such an intriguing young boy - highly perceptive, talented, intelligent, quiet yet with all the spiritedness of a school child. I so hope Ms. Harmon writes a (or more) book about him. I wonder what kind of person will be the perfect match for the adult Han.
June 21, 2020
Cute story
This story had a nice plot that involved a secret writer. Intermingled with the ongoing plot, the author did a great job of creating several characters with different personalities. She then mixed in their lives a bit throughout her story as she wove her plot to the finish. This all results in three sweet romances and an epilogue that shows how their marriages end up in the future. Nice read
This story had a nice plot that involved a secret writer. Intermingled with the ongoing plot, the author did a great job of creating several characters with different personalities. She then mixed in their lives a bit throughout her story as she wove her plot to the finish. This all results in three sweet romances and an epilogue that shows how their marriages end up in the future. Nice read
June 22, 2020
A character-driven Regency historical, written true to the period. The author writes the genre with obvious affection and gentle wit, creating an engaging heroine who is intelligent as well as emotionally mature, and a hero who learns that he is not intimidated by intelligent women. Includes a nice discussion of the value of reading for pure entertainment, and the development of novels as a literary form.
July 10, 2020
I loved it. For me, Georgette Heyer's novels (she invented the Regency/Georgian romance) is the gold standard. Katharine, When She Smiled has all the elements of a Heyer novel: above average style, interesting characters, good plot, excellent dialog, and, well, an appropriately period "feel". There's no sex, which is a plus for me. I don't object to explicit sex if it's actually integral to the story, but it seldom is. I am now going to seek out Ms. Harmon's other novels.
August 29, 2025
"I would hope that one day, a form of literature that gives so much pleasure to so many people would gain more respectability."
Que livro gostoso de ler! A Katherine percebendo que as histórias que a tia dela tanto gostava não são bobas, mas instigantes a partir do momento que tenta escrever um novo livro sob o codinome Sra. Wilson. E que bonito ver o Charles encontrando a paz que tanto queria apenas ao olhar um desenho da Katherine. Amei esses dois.
Que livro gostoso de ler! A Katherine percebendo que as histórias que a tia dela tanto gostava não são bobas, mas instigantes a partir do momento que tenta escrever um novo livro sob o codinome Sra. Wilson. E que bonito ver o Charles encontrando a paz que tanto queria apenas ao olhar um desenho da Katherine. Amei esses dois.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2019
Joyce Harmon has a talent for writing the most enjoyable characters who are believable and complex in nature. Katherine as a heroine is witty, personable but with a lot on her plate since she must come up with a way to support her family. Lord Charles is the courageous hero yet the man of steel and velvet that would make any lady's heart flutter. A great read and lots of fun.
January 23, 2019
What a joy!
Take a pinch of gothic, a hearty serve of romance, a soupçon of Austenesque satire and garnish with the extraordinary artistic prodigy, Han, combine ingredients till smooth and serve with humour.
Harmon handles a large group of delightful characters with ease and she writes superbly. Highly recommended.
Take a pinch of gothic, a hearty serve of romance, a soupçon of Austenesque satire and garnish with the extraordinary artistic prodigy, Han, combine ingredients till smooth and serve with humour.
Harmon handles a large group of delightful characters with ease and she writes superbly. Highly recommended.
June 29, 2020
Gliding on Marble and Other delights
Characters as diverse as could be, plots as realistic, charming yet intriguing as may be and emotional interchange as full of drama but not scandalous as should be, after all, power this novel from the first page to the end of the epilogue. More on gliding found within the book.
Characters as diverse as could be, plots as realistic, charming yet intriguing as may be and emotional interchange as full of drama but not scandalous as should be, after all, power this novel from the first page to the end of the epilogue. More on gliding found within the book.
June 29, 2020
Finding answers
This is a heart warming story about a young woman who felt compelled to discover what and how her father saved there home.what she discovered surprised her .And again she felt it was up to her to take up where her father left off, being the aka Mrs Wilson, But fate stepped in
and for Katherine in the way of love.
Thank you ❤
This is a heart warming story about a young woman who felt compelled to discover what and how her father saved there home.what she discovered surprised her .And again she felt it was up to her to take up where her father left off, being the aka Mrs Wilson, But fate stepped in
and for Katherine in the way of love.
Thank you ❤
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