What do you think?
Rate this book
Ridiculous Lovers #2
Obstreperous
The adventures of the Boarder family (Ridiculous, D. L. Carter) continues... The disadvantage of inheriting a considerable estate by an illegal trick is it puts the family of Mr. North at a disadvantage when someone tries to present a fraudulent Will claiming half of that estate.
Timothy, the Duke of Trolenfield, and his new wife, Millicent (the sometimes "Mr. North), depart to investigate the claim leaving the ladies of the Boarder family in Bath to enjoy themselves. Two single ladies, one seeking adventure, the other seeking security, are left unsupervised.
...You know that can't end well.
Timothy, the Duke of Trolenfield, and his new wife, Millicent (the sometimes "Mr. North), depart to investigate the claim leaving the ladies of the Boarder family in Bath to enjoy themselves. Two single ladies, one seeking adventure, the other seeking security, are left unsupervised.
...You know that can't end well.
611 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2015
199 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 19, 2017
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
Much as I enjoyed this, the story doesn't reach the very high bar set by its predecessor, Ridiculous. This story is more convoluted and spins off into multiple directions. Another reason I can't rate it as highly, though, is the distraction of writing marks throughout the entire book. The reader sees both the error and the correction, so obviously another step in the publication process was accidentally skipped.
Having married off Millicent and Mildred Boarder at the end of the previous book, the author now turns the reader's attention to Maude Boarder and Shoffer's sister, Lady Beth. Ridiculous hits the ground running from the first page; the plot here takes a while to gather steam. (To be fair, some of that is because a certain plot points from Ridiculous relevant to this story must be reviewed.)
The wealth and properties inherited by the Boarder sisters from Mr. Anthony North are threatened by the appearance of Mr. Botswell with his sister, Judith, who has a claim on Mr. Perceval North's portion of their inheritance. This requires investigation to disprove, so Millicent and her spouse head off in one direction while Mildred and her husband head off in another in search of the truth.
Lady Beth and Maude are left behind in Bath under the dubious supervision of the flighty Mrs. Felicity Boarder. (Think of Pride and Prejudice's Mrs. Bennet, and you've got the right idea.) Without the Duke or her daughter Millicent around to rein her in, Felicity follows her own agenda. She's engaged in social competition with an old childhood friend, Lady Bennington, who turns out not to be a friend at all. Felicity does not handle set-backs well and her response only raises the level of malicious gossip surrounding her.
Throughout the book, she encourages highly inappropriate suitors for both girls. Mr. Wentworth has already proven himself to be nothing more than a fortune hunter, and he doggedly pursues Maude. Dr. Henry Mortica is a cleric, the small-minded, self-important private secretary of the Bishop of Bath and Wales who believes himself to be of sufficient social standing for the sister of a Duke. Neither lady can tolerate the gentleman of Felicity's choice, so a great deal of the story revolves around the girls trying to avoid the men while Felicity is doing her best to force their compliance with her wishes.
Another storyline is Lady Beth's immature desire for "adventure." Maude does her best to stunt her young friend's enthusiasm for the idea, but Beth is enjoying more independence than she had under her grandmother's dictatorial control and, having lived an oversheltered life until recently, doesn't understand the potential negative consequences for her behavior. Between her mother and her good friend, sensible Maude has her hands full.
Yet another branch of the tale tells of the identical Hobart twins. Nick (Olivander) is the younger by two minutes and also happens to be left-handed. The unfortunate combination leads narrow-minded, superstitious folk (such as Dr. Mortica, or "Mad Harry," as the brothers call him) to assume that a) his mother was unfaithful to his father, and/or b) he's the spawn of the devil. His twin is Reverend Tristan Hobart, and their father is Captain Sir Clement Hobart. A good part of the book follows the Shakespearean device of one twin being mistaken for the other, and visa versa.
Nick has served successfully in the Navy for years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. However, the Board of Admirals has denied him the rank of Captain that he clearly deserves and also has not released considerable monies due him. Something is afoot here, and the Hobarts and their friend Albert Smythe begin to look into the matter. Admiral Farnsworthy, who is on the Board, may or may not be an ally in their investigation.
The book doesn't completely abandon Millicent and Mildred. We return to their travels and findings sporadically. Millicent continues to change accents and male identities, her husband as her reluctant sidekick, outwitting those who don't immediately come forward with the information they seek. Unfortunately, this only serves to remind the reader how much Millicent is missed in the primary storyline.
As I said earlier in this review, the plot here is very convoluted. Somehow everyone shows up in the same place for the climax in the final pages, but the connection among the various storylines seems forced.
I do appreciate how good this author is at distinguishing each of her characters. They are exceptionally well drawn and feel like believable people.
The edit marks are a problem that I hope is corrected in the near future. (As I write this review, the book was originally released less than 2 months ago.)
Much as I enjoyed this, the story doesn't reach the very high bar set by its predecessor, Ridiculous. This story is more convoluted and spins off into multiple directions. Another reason I can't rate it as highly, though, is the distraction of writing marks throughout the entire book. The reader sees both the error and the correction, so obviously another step in the publication process was accidentally skipped.
Having married off Millicent and Mildred Boarder at the end of the previous book, the author now turns the reader's attention to Maude Boarder and Shoffer's sister, Lady Beth. Ridiculous hits the ground running from the first page; the plot here takes a while to gather steam. (To be fair, some of that is because a certain plot points from Ridiculous relevant to this story must be reviewed.)
The wealth and properties inherited by the Boarder sisters from Mr. Anthony North are threatened by the appearance of Mr. Botswell with his sister, Judith, who has a claim on Mr. Perceval North's portion of their inheritance. This requires investigation to disprove, so Millicent and her spouse head off in one direction while Mildred and her husband head off in another in search of the truth.
Lady Beth and Maude are left behind in Bath under the dubious supervision of the flighty Mrs. Felicity Boarder. (Think of Pride and Prejudice's Mrs. Bennet, and you've got the right idea.) Without the Duke or her daughter Millicent around to rein her in, Felicity follows her own agenda. She's engaged in social competition with an old childhood friend, Lady Bennington, who turns out not to be a friend at all. Felicity does not handle set-backs well and her response only raises the level of malicious gossip surrounding her.
Throughout the book, she encourages highly inappropriate suitors for both girls. Mr. Wentworth has already proven himself to be nothing more than a fortune hunter, and he doggedly pursues Maude. Dr. Henry Mortica is a cleric, the small-minded, self-important private secretary of the Bishop of Bath and Wales who believes himself to be of sufficient social standing for the sister of a Duke. Neither lady can tolerate the gentleman of Felicity's choice, so a great deal of the story revolves around the girls trying to avoid the men while Felicity is doing her best to force their compliance with her wishes.
Another storyline is Lady Beth's immature desire for "adventure." Maude does her best to stunt her young friend's enthusiasm for the idea, but Beth is enjoying more independence than she had under her grandmother's dictatorial control and, having lived an oversheltered life until recently, doesn't understand the potential negative consequences for her behavior. Between her mother and her good friend, sensible Maude has her hands full.
Yet another branch of the tale tells of the identical Hobart twins. Nick (Olivander) is the younger by two minutes and also happens to be left-handed. The unfortunate combination leads narrow-minded, superstitious folk (such as Dr. Mortica, or "Mad Harry," as the brothers call him) to assume that a) his mother was unfaithful to his father, and/or b) he's the spawn of the devil. His twin is Reverend Tristan Hobart, and their father is Captain Sir Clement Hobart. A good part of the book follows the Shakespearean device of one twin being mistaken for the other, and visa versa.
Nick has served successfully in the Navy for years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. However, the Board of Admirals has denied him the rank of Captain that he clearly deserves and also has not released considerable monies due him. Something is afoot here, and the Hobarts and their friend Albert Smythe begin to look into the matter. Admiral Farnsworthy, who is on the Board, may or may not be an ally in their investigation.
The book doesn't completely abandon Millicent and Mildred. We return to their travels and findings sporadically. Millicent continues to change accents and male identities, her husband as her reluctant sidekick, outwitting those who don't immediately come forward with the information they seek. Unfortunately, this only serves to remind the reader how much Millicent is missed in the primary storyline.
As I said earlier in this review, the plot here is very convoluted. Somehow everyone shows up in the same place for the climax in the final pages, but the connection among the various storylines seems forced.
I do appreciate how good this author is at distinguishing each of her characters. They are exceptionally well drawn and feel like believable people.
The edit marks are a problem that I hope is corrected in the near future. (As I write this review, the book was originally released less than 2 months ago.)
November 21, 2015
Wonderful
I was a little concerned about a sequel to "Ridiculous," which I love greatly. The way Ms. Carter manages to convey just how little power women had in Regency England, while simultaneously telling an absorbing story with vivid characters, is utterly unique. "Ridiculous" managed to be fun and interesting and new, and I was afraid "Obstreperous" wouldn't live up to it's predecessor.
It does. And it's a whole different kind of story - it's less funny, but not in a bad way. At the end of "Ridiculous," Millicent Boarder gave up the identity of Mr. North to marry Mr. North's friend, the Duke. Making Millicent a Duchess, obviously, and in possession of her own fortune, since "Mr. North" left all his funds to the Boarder family. Mildred, the second sister, had married the Duke's secretary, Mr. Simpson.
There's a sudden, mysterious claim on the will from another party, and the two married couples go off on their wedding trips to investigate. Felicity Boarder (who's a total nincompoop, established in the previous book) left in fashionable Bath to supervise her one remaining daughter, Maude, and the Duke's young sister, Lady Elizabeth.
The is Maude's story. She doesn't really remember when her father was alive and when they had some money. She vividly recalls the workhouse, working as a virtual slave in her cousin's household, and the grinding poverty and utter helplessness of four landless women with no male relatives to take them in (because this is how things actually worked, in Recency England). Maude takes enormous comfort in the inheritance she has from "Mr. North," which is hers independently and means she will never go homeless or hungry. The sudden claim against the will that might reduce or even eliminate that money is more terrifying to Maude than any one can imagine, and being left in a house with a sweet, uneducated young lady her own age who has always had money and power, supervised by her flighty, undependable mother, just makes it worse. She and Beth are friends, but they're from two different worlds. Maude craves safety; Beth longs for adventure.
There are balls and dresses and society and dancing, but Carter writes it in such a way that you can see just how precarious a single woman's status could be. The wrong dress, the wrong association, and you're unmarriagable. Beth is dragged from place to place and person to person by Maude's mother, who turns into the worst sort of snob because Beth is the Sister Of A Duke and therefore of consequence and has been left in her care. Major missteps by Felicity mean hideous social embarrassment for both Beth (who, as the sister of a Duke, can weather almost anything) and Maude (whose prospects can be totally ruined by her mother's behavior).
The mystery, meanwhile, is investigated by Millicent and the Duke at one end and Simpson and Mildred at the other. Lots of squishy, unpleasant weather, uncomfortable coaches, and Millicent performing brilliantly in a whole range of male personas.
There are love interests, with issues of their own - a set of identical twins, with the second-born recently retired from the Navy and firstborn serving as a vicar. A bishop decided, long ago, that the second born twin, being left handed, was cursed, and has done his best to screw up the poor guy's life completely. There's old school rivalries, entertaining confusion regarding whether or not the twins are one person, and the vicar and the sailor meet Maude and Beth.
Hijinks ensue. Also skullduggery, kidnapping, pistol practice, impromptu house parties, gypsies, and Maude's mother taking up drinking excessively. A lot of it is really funny, but Carter doesn't let the reader forget that a lot of this excitement could quite literally ruin the rest of Maude's life. Maude just wants to be safe. She wants a home no one can take from her, and she'd rather like a husband who intends to stick by her.
The mystery is resolved, Maude and the wrong twin fall in love (but he's the right one for her) and the married couples return home to see the total hash of things Felicity has made, even going so far as accepting a proposal from a fortune-hunting younger son of good family so that Maude can be "properly" married. Everything gets wrapped up with a HEA, except for Beth, who needs a lot of maturing before she's an adult, despite the fact that she's the same age as Maude. It's insinuated at the end that Beth's story will be next.
The book has all the trappings of a tradition Recency romance - gowns, parties, the town, nobility gentry, mystery, romance, mistaken identities, misunderstandings, unabashedly evil villains. And the plot moves along at a good clip, though I sometimes wanted Millicent to shut up while gathering info as a farmer to get back to Maude. But like "Ridiculous," the book never lets you forget just how precarious life was for women at that time.
I was a little concerned about a sequel to "Ridiculous," which I love greatly. The way Ms. Carter manages to convey just how little power women had in Regency England, while simultaneously telling an absorbing story with vivid characters, is utterly unique. "Ridiculous" managed to be fun and interesting and new, and I was afraid "Obstreperous" wouldn't live up to it's predecessor.
It does. And it's a whole different kind of story - it's less funny, but not in a bad way. At the end of "Ridiculous," Millicent Boarder gave up the identity of Mr. North to marry Mr. North's friend, the Duke. Making Millicent a Duchess, obviously, and in possession of her own fortune, since "Mr. North" left all his funds to the Boarder family. Mildred, the second sister, had married the Duke's secretary, Mr. Simpson.
There's a sudden, mysterious claim on the will from another party, and the two married couples go off on their wedding trips to investigate. Felicity Boarder (who's a total nincompoop, established in the previous book) left in fashionable Bath to supervise her one remaining daughter, Maude, and the Duke's young sister, Lady Elizabeth.
The is Maude's story. She doesn't really remember when her father was alive and when they had some money. She vividly recalls the workhouse, working as a virtual slave in her cousin's household, and the grinding poverty and utter helplessness of four landless women with no male relatives to take them in (because this is how things actually worked, in Recency England). Maude takes enormous comfort in the inheritance she has from "Mr. North," which is hers independently and means she will never go homeless or hungry. The sudden claim against the will that might reduce or even eliminate that money is more terrifying to Maude than any one can imagine, and being left in a house with a sweet, uneducated young lady her own age who has always had money and power, supervised by her flighty, undependable mother, just makes it worse. She and Beth are friends, but they're from two different worlds. Maude craves safety; Beth longs for adventure.
There are balls and dresses and society and dancing, but Carter writes it in such a way that you can see just how precarious a single woman's status could be. The wrong dress, the wrong association, and you're unmarriagable. Beth is dragged from place to place and person to person by Maude's mother, who turns into the worst sort of snob because Beth is the Sister Of A Duke and therefore of consequence and has been left in her care. Major missteps by Felicity mean hideous social embarrassment for both Beth (who, as the sister of a Duke, can weather almost anything) and Maude (whose prospects can be totally ruined by her mother's behavior).
The mystery, meanwhile, is investigated by Millicent and the Duke at one end and Simpson and Mildred at the other. Lots of squishy, unpleasant weather, uncomfortable coaches, and Millicent performing brilliantly in a whole range of male personas.
There are love interests, with issues of their own - a set of identical twins, with the second-born recently retired from the Navy and firstborn serving as a vicar. A bishop decided, long ago, that the second born twin, being left handed, was cursed, and has done his best to screw up the poor guy's life completely. There's old school rivalries, entertaining confusion regarding whether or not the twins are one person, and the vicar and the sailor meet Maude and Beth.
Hijinks ensue. Also skullduggery, kidnapping, pistol practice, impromptu house parties, gypsies, and Maude's mother taking up drinking excessively. A lot of it is really funny, but Carter doesn't let the reader forget that a lot of this excitement could quite literally ruin the rest of Maude's life. Maude just wants to be safe. She wants a home no one can take from her, and she'd rather like a husband who intends to stick by her.
The mystery is resolved, Maude and the wrong twin fall in love (but he's the right one for her) and the married couples return home to see the total hash of things Felicity has made, even going so far as accepting a proposal from a fortune-hunting younger son of good family so that Maude can be "properly" married. Everything gets wrapped up with a HEA, except for Beth, who needs a lot of maturing before she's an adult, despite the fact that she's the same age as Maude. It's insinuated at the end that Beth's story will be next.
The book has all the trappings of a tradition Recency romance - gowns, parties, the town, nobility gentry, mystery, romance, mistaken identities, misunderstandings, unabashedly evil villains. And the plot moves along at a good clip, though I sometimes wanted Millicent to shut up while gathering info as a farmer to get back to Maude. But like "Ridiculous," the book never lets you forget just how precarious life was for women at that time.
November 24, 2017
Well, I'm finally finished with this sometimes seemingly interminable book, and while there were some enjoyable moments, and I kept reading and actually finished the book, I have to say that I was disappointed in this story and left unsatisfied. Honestly, after the mixed reaction I had to the first book in the series, I'm not sure why I purchased the second book, unless i got them at the same time (I honestly can't remember.).
I felt like this book had many of the same weaknesses as Ridiculous, but additional ones as well. Millicent, who was the most engaging part of the first story, is sadly underused in this story, and her relationship with Shoffer has lost its charm for me. I felt like the scenes with Millicent were mostly an exercise in "look, Millicent is a good actor. Isn't this clever of her?" which got boring fast. Mildred and Simpson appeared in this story as well, and were even more boring than I remember. I honestly don't remember Maude from the first story, but she ended up being one of the only characters in this book that I liked or found engaging. I mostly liked her beau Nick, and his brother, but Nick's absolute obsession with Maude's spine went from odd to annoying to almost creepy. who obsesses over a loved one's spine? I mean, really obsesses, mentioning it constantly and thinking about it just as much? Nick's brother is a nice enough character too, but his romantic focus left me questioning him as a character, both his taste in who the person was, and what that said about his (in) ability to read a person's personality and character. I'd expect more from a decent person and cleric. The twin's father seems like a decent, if hot-headed guy as well.
However, Felicity, the girls' mother, is one of the most detestable characters I've had the misfortune to read about recently. I'd think she was just being presented as a cartoony Mrs Bennett, if we weren't also given glimpses of her POV and her reasons for a certain aspect of her behavior that seem intended to make her sympathetic. which she wasn't. She had serious, serious issues, and that left me feeling conflicted about her character's resolution, as in some ways I felt like she deserved what she got, and in other ways, I was really uncomfortable as a woman for the way another woman was treated. However deservedly.
Beth is another character who seemed to deserve everything she had coming. I grew to detest Beth too. I know, given her upbringing, we're supposed to feel sympathy for her, and I'm not saying her personal shortcomings couldn't have been natural results of that upbringing, but god I hated her. Poor Maude was left surrounded by godawful people, and I wanted to slap most of them. Also, have I mentioned how MANY people she was surrounded by? I mean, a lot of people, with writing from many of their POV at least once, in seemingly random appearance. This was an overstuffed book, and it really bogged down the story for me. Being overstuffed with people doing things seemingly inappropriate to their historical setting and culture also bogged things down for me and distracted me.
Also, although I do not usually complain about errors in the typesetting, as that's not necessarily the author's fault, this Kindle text had some very glaring errors--incorrect words used in place of similar words, random punctuation, and completely omitted/ missing words, among other issues. I was not impressed, and it really was distracting.
The sad thing is that, like with Ridiculous, there's a kernel of promise to this story, glimpses of issues that historical romance novels never seem to touch on (the reality of poverty, and, apparently, the stigma of being a second twin and/or left handed--which I really need to look into more, as I'm curious about the topic now). I a;so appreciated that DL Carter seemed to be trying to address the psychological issues that modern readers would understand would arise from circumstances her characters had endured previously. Unfortunately, execution of those ideas was lacking enough to leave me disappointed, and I can't really recommend this book to any other than the most forgiving historical romance readers.
I felt like this book had many of the same weaknesses as Ridiculous, but additional ones as well. Millicent, who was the most engaging part of the first story, is sadly underused in this story, and her relationship with Shoffer has lost its charm for me. I felt like the scenes with Millicent were mostly an exercise in "look, Millicent is a good actor. Isn't this clever of her?" which got boring fast. Mildred and Simpson appeared in this story as well, and were even more boring than I remember. I honestly don't remember Maude from the first story, but she ended up being one of the only characters in this book that I liked or found engaging. I mostly liked her beau Nick, and his brother, but Nick's absolute obsession with Maude's spine went from odd to annoying to almost creepy. who obsesses over a loved one's spine? I mean, really obsesses, mentioning it constantly and thinking about it just as much? Nick's brother is a nice enough character too, but his romantic focus left me questioning him as a character, both his taste in who the person was, and what that said about his (in) ability to read a person's personality and character. I'd expect more from a decent person and cleric. The twin's father seems like a decent, if hot-headed guy as well.
However, Felicity, the girls' mother, is one of the most detestable characters I've had the misfortune to read about recently. I'd think she was just being presented as a cartoony Mrs Bennett, if we weren't also given glimpses of her POV and her reasons for a certain aspect of her behavior that seem intended to make her sympathetic. which she wasn't. She had serious, serious issues, and that left me feeling conflicted about her character's resolution, as in some ways I felt like she deserved what she got, and in other ways, I was really uncomfortable as a woman for the way another woman was treated. However deservedly.
Beth is another character who seemed to deserve everything she had coming. I grew to detest Beth too. I know, given her upbringing, we're supposed to feel sympathy for her, and I'm not saying her personal shortcomings couldn't have been natural results of that upbringing, but god I hated her. Poor Maude was left surrounded by godawful people, and I wanted to slap most of them. Also, have I mentioned how MANY people she was surrounded by? I mean, a lot of people, with writing from many of their POV at least once, in seemingly random appearance. This was an overstuffed book, and it really bogged down the story for me. Being overstuffed with people doing things seemingly inappropriate to their historical setting and culture also bogged things down for me and distracted me.
Also, although I do not usually complain about errors in the typesetting, as that's not necessarily the author's fault, this Kindle text had some very glaring errors--incorrect words used in place of similar words, random punctuation, and completely omitted/ missing words, among other issues. I was not impressed, and it really was distracting.
The sad thing is that, like with Ridiculous, there's a kernel of promise to this story, glimpses of issues that historical romance novels never seem to touch on (the reality of poverty, and, apparently, the stigma of being a second twin and/or left handed--which I really need to look into more, as I'm curious about the topic now). I a;so appreciated that DL Carter seemed to be trying to address the psychological issues that modern readers would understand would arise from circumstances her characters had endured previously. Unfortunately, execution of those ideas was lacking enough to leave me disappointed, and I can't really recommend this book to any other than the most forgiving historical romance readers.
May 6, 2018
Ridiculous lovers indeed
This continuation of “Ridiculous “ deals with the Boarder family again and they are now residing in Bath and there is more craziness. Especially when Mrs Felicity Boarder is in charge. Something is afoot and this takes Millicent and the Duke away to investigate along with Mildred and her husband. Everything gets all messed up with villains everywhere. Who can they trust.
Excellent story and very entertaining!
This continuation of “Ridiculous “ deals with the Boarder family again and they are now residing in Bath and there is more craziness. Especially when Mrs Felicity Boarder is in charge. Something is afoot and this takes Millicent and the Duke away to investigate along with Mildred and her husband. Everything gets all messed up with villains everywhere. Who can they trust.
Excellent story and very entertaining!
January 24, 2017
"Ridiculous" (the first book in this series) is one of my favorite books of all time. It's an enormously fun read with instantly-lovable and memorable characters which stick with me and make me smile throughout the day and I read their adventures over and over again. When I realized that DL Carter had written a sequel, I couldn't buy it fast enough, and read it through in a night. The book is not without flaws (it breaks the characters into groups and then sends them off on information scouting missions which all gather the same information, so we learn the same facts over and over about a mystery which isn't that interesting, plus there are a lot of typos), but I adored it. Fun and romantic, with strong women who each have their own agency, drives, passions, and motivations, as well as the old "Ridiculous" mad-cap zaniness of mistaken identities, disguises, and overcoming social restraints. Even if the questions of the probate will and possible con artists is a slog at times, the dynamics between the characters and their moments together make it all worth it. I don't know if the book would be as enjoyable to someone who didn't love the "Ridiculous" characters as much as I do, but I'm so happy that these heroes are going to get more adventures that I don't even care. Can't wait for the next book.
January 2, 2017
Excellent sequel to Ridiculous!
Ridiculous! was a funny romp of a story and Obstreperous follows in its path. The further tale of the Boarder family, it details the events of the next few months. Millicent has married the Duke, Mildred has married Mr. Simpson, and Mrs. Felicity Boarder is settled in Bath with Maude and Lady Elizabeth for the summer as the two couples go on their wedding trips. At least, that was the plan. Things get hilariously complicated, and Millicent once again dons male disguises, to my delight! She is a fabulous character and I vastly enjoyed spending time with her. I recommend you make her acquaintance!
Ridiculous! was a funny romp of a story and Obstreperous follows in its path. The further tale of the Boarder family, it details the events of the next few months. Millicent has married the Duke, Mildred has married Mr. Simpson, and Mrs. Felicity Boarder is settled in Bath with Maude and Lady Elizabeth for the summer as the two couples go on their wedding trips. At least, that was the plan. Things get hilariously complicated, and Millicent once again dons male disguises, to my delight! She is a fabulous character and I vastly enjoyed spending time with her. I recommend you make her acquaintance!
December 8, 2015
Really enjoyed this book; I thought 'Ridiculous' (the first in the series about the Boarder family)was amazing, and this is equally as good. The characters are well rounded (even the secondary characters) and engaging; the villains are wonderfully villainous, but not too over the top. The story line, while complicated, made sense (well, to me, and that's what counts for me to enjoy a book). The heroes were all that I could wish for and the heroines were all strong, feisty, quirky, but feminine. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.
January 10, 2020
While there is still some of the wit evident that I loved in the previous "Ridiculous" story, it is combined with an overload of melodramatic plots that overshadows the character development I was looking for. While multiple plots are woven masterfully together to meet at the dramatic close, there were so many pointless misunderstandings that got in the way! And the killer for me...so many poor/stupid decisions by the characters themselves that I pretty much lost my respect for all but the leads from the previous story.
December 3, 2015
So worth the money
Wonderful sequel. Known characters but we get to learn more about them, yet still keep up with original characters. New plots and mysteries. Does have a major cliffhanger. But, well worth it. Know just can't wait for next part to come out. Easy to read and follow the story.
Wonderful sequel. Known characters but we get to learn more about them, yet still keep up with original characters. New plots and mysteries. Does have a major cliffhanger. But, well worth it. Know just can't wait for next part to come out. Easy to read and follow the story.
August 15, 2017
Obstreperous
Just when you think things can't get any more complicated, the plot takes a left turn. Venal vicars, fortune hunting third sons, drunken chaperones, identical twins, and a mad hunt which culminates in a completely insignificant hovel in Cornwall. Hang on tight for a mad ride.
Just when you think things can't get any more complicated, the plot takes a left turn. Venal vicars, fortune hunting third sons, drunken chaperones, identical twins, and a mad hunt which culminates in a completely insignificant hovel in Cornwall. Hang on tight for a mad ride.
April 14, 2020
I loved the first book in this series, but really didn’t get on with this one. It’s so very long, for a start. And the Captain came across as a little sleazy, ogling away. Lady Beth was incredibly immature and selfish, Felicity an odious drunkard. And then the story didn’t have a proper ending, many parts were left unresolved - in such a long book too! Just not my cup of tea.
August 8, 2016
A fun romp through Regency England
Two young ladies, an inappropriate parent, a fortune hunter, a pompous cleric and twins... What could go wrong? Fun book to follow "Ridiculous" but you really need to read it first for context
Two young ladies, an inappropriate parent, a fortune hunter, a pompous cleric and twins... What could go wrong? Fun book to follow "Ridiculous" but you really need to read it first for context
January 15, 2017
I enjoyed this book; a fun sequel. This has only minor adult romantic content; PG13. I like the mysteries aspect. I appreciate that the silly, childish girl doesn't get married at the end of the story. I also like that the married main characters continue to evolve in their relationship.
February 16, 2017
Happy
I haven't even finished with this read and I am happy. I have several favorite authors. My top one is Georgette Heyer (These Old Shades in particular). D. L. Carter reminds me of her. I want to read all of her stories. And will. Fun. Twisty. Interesting. Thank you.
I haven't even finished with this read and I am happy. I have several favorite authors. My top one is Georgette Heyer (These Old Shades in particular). D. L. Carter reminds me of her. I want to read all of her stories. And will. Fun. Twisty. Interesting. Thank you.
December 7, 2024
LB
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you enjoy a twist and turns and humor you will enjoy this book. A can't stop reading to the end book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you enjoy a twist and turns and humor you will enjoy this book. A can't stop reading to the end book.
February 18, 2020
Entertaining
An entertaining read, but more of an adventure than a romance which is secondary. The characters from the first book are back, together with various new ones. The scenarios are slightly over the top at times and the actions of certain characters are ridiculous, but that is what it is all about. The story is told from several character points of view.
I did feel sorry for Tristan, but hopefully he will get his story.
Maude Boarder (sister of Millicent who was the main character in the first book), her mother Felicity and Lady Beth, sister to the Duke of Tolenfield have been left behind in Bath. Millicent and her other sister Mildred are separately taking their honeymoon trips. However, these trips have had to take second place to investigating a claim by siblings that they are the rightful heirs to the substantial inheritance left in the first book.
Tristan and Olivander (or Nick as he is known) are twins. Nick has been discharged under odd circumstances from the Navy and cannot understand why his back pay and prize money have been refused to him.
Events throw the characters together as they each investigate their own problems, but find them intertwined.
An entertaining read, but more of an adventure than a romance which is secondary. The characters from the first book are back, together with various new ones. The scenarios are slightly over the top at times and the actions of certain characters are ridiculous, but that is what it is all about. The story is told from several character points of view.
I did feel sorry for Tristan, but hopefully he will get his story.
Maude Boarder (sister of Millicent who was the main character in the first book), her mother Felicity and Lady Beth, sister to the Duke of Tolenfield have been left behind in Bath. Millicent and her other sister Mildred are separately taking their honeymoon trips. However, these trips have had to take second place to investigating a claim by siblings that they are the rightful heirs to the substantial inheritance left in the first book.
Tristan and Olivander (or Nick as he is known) are twins. Nick has been discharged under odd circumstances from the Navy and cannot understand why his back pay and prize money have been refused to him.
Events throw the characters together as they each investigate their own problems, but find them intertwined.
January 20, 2025
Well. That was a frustrating read.
The first book was good enough to have me excited to read the series. This book made such a hash of characters, was so full of inconsistencies and repetitive scenes that I'm afraid I simply do not care to find out what happens next.
What is so hard to understand about the existence of twins? What is so hard to understand about an actor being good at, well, acting? What is the point of infantilizing a character that previously seemed to be sensible enough?
Also, I'm sorry, but a trip to Gretna Green is not a satisfying resolution for a woman who in no way has impugned her reputation.
There's a bunch of real world history stuff that was mishandled as well, that I would normally not hold a book like this to. (I'm looking at you ladies shooting and you men's "small clothes", for example.) But if you want me to overlook that stuff you've got to come correct with the story itself. And this failed. I actually dreaded picking the book back up for the last few chapters.
The use of the Romani slur is additionally shocking.
I'm sorry to say this greatly disappointed.
The first book was good enough to have me excited to read the series. This book made such a hash of characters, was so full of inconsistencies and repetitive scenes that I'm afraid I simply do not care to find out what happens next.
What is so hard to understand about the existence of twins? What is so hard to understand about an actor being good at, well, acting? What is the point of infantilizing a character that previously seemed to be sensible enough?
Also, I'm sorry, but a trip to Gretna Green is not a satisfying resolution for a woman who in no way has impugned her reputation.
There's a bunch of real world history stuff that was mishandled as well, that I would normally not hold a book like this to. (I'm looking at you ladies shooting and you men's "small clothes", for example.) But if you want me to overlook that stuff you've got to come correct with the story itself. And this failed. I actually dreaded picking the book back up for the last few chapters.
The use of the Romani slur is additionally shocking.
I'm sorry to say this greatly disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2023
GREAT SERIES, BETTER THAN JANE AUSTEN!
Poe hadn't invented the mystery genre when Austen was writing, but now this series has everything -- page turning intrigue with several mysteries going on concurrently, humor, drama, camera-rolling visuals with the settings and characters, great whit, and snappy dialogue, And clean.
This one will also fill in some of the motivations and back stories of the characters that just wasn't possible to fit in the first book,
If you haven't read book#1 RIDICULOUS! yet you have to start with that one. It has a satisfying finish, but does a great job of setting up this one.
If audios, are your jam, you'll really like the narrater's many voices and dialects. She does a great job with men's voices and it is always clear who's talking. What a fabulous vocal range! You'll feel like you're right there!
This book is really satisfying, unique and memorable. I highly recommend it !
Here's hoping there will be a #3, just because it's that delicious.
Poe hadn't invented the mystery genre when Austen was writing, but now this series has everything -- page turning intrigue with several mysteries going on concurrently, humor, drama, camera-rolling visuals with the settings and characters, great whit, and snappy dialogue, And clean.
This one will also fill in some of the motivations and back stories of the characters that just wasn't possible to fit in the first book,
If you haven't read book#1 RIDICULOUS! yet you have to start with that one. It has a satisfying finish, but does a great job of setting up this one.
If audios, are your jam, you'll really like the narrater's many voices and dialects. She does a great job with men's voices and it is always clear who's talking. What a fabulous vocal range! You'll feel like you're right there!
This book is really satisfying, unique and memorable. I highly recommend it !
Here's hoping there will be a #3, just because it's that delicious.
August 6, 2018
I am suffering from book hangover. I do not want to start another anything, because it isn't going to be as funny or entertaining. There will be no Millicent being roguish, or Maude being smart, or Beth being feisty. And honestly, it's just unfair to any other book when I'm feeling so forlorn over this series.
The second book in the series finds the Boarder/Trolenfield family off to Bath. Barely settled into their none to humble abode, do they find certain someones nosing about the Boarder family's newly gained inheritance. And there they begin digging into the mystery of the who and the what, the why is obvious. As the adventure begins, they find the rabbit hole is far more crowded than expected, and eventually all paths converge to the sounds of the audiences laughter.
While not as funny as the first, it was still humorous. It was also cleaner, and the romance was a little more fitting of regency period pieces. All together, the book was a delight that I need more of. And stat!
The second book in the series finds the Boarder/Trolenfield family off to Bath. Barely settled into their none to humble abode, do they find certain someones nosing about the Boarder family's newly gained inheritance. And there they begin digging into the mystery of the who and the what, the why is obvious. As the adventure begins, they find the rabbit hole is far more crowded than expected, and eventually all paths converge to the sounds of the audiences laughter.
While not as funny as the first, it was still humorous. It was also cleaner, and the romance was a little more fitting of regency period pieces. All together, the book was a delight that I need more of. And stat!
August 24, 2017
Another funny tale
This was another amusing comedy of errors involving the misadventures of the Boarder sisters and their friends. I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't contain editing corrections. I'm easily able to read around them so they didn't slow me down from getting through the story. However, if I'm going to pay money for a digital book, even if it's a relatively small amount of money, I would appreciate at least receiving a final draft. I liked the characters and the story well enough that I probably would have continued on to find out what happens with Lady Beth. But considering the incomplete state of the manuscript for the second book and it's publishing date couple of years ago, I fear we may never get to read that story.
This was another amusing comedy of errors involving the misadventures of the Boarder sisters and their friends. I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't contain editing corrections. I'm easily able to read around them so they didn't slow me down from getting through the story. However, if I'm going to pay money for a digital book, even if it's a relatively small amount of money, I would appreciate at least receiving a final draft. I liked the characters and the story well enough that I probably would have continued on to find out what happens with Lady Beth. But considering the incomplete state of the manuscript for the second book and it's publishing date couple of years ago, I fear we may never get to read that story.
April 22, 2022
Audiobooks.com
Except for the "Admirality" mispronunciation that continually happens in the audio version this book is a ton of fun. I really enjoyed revisiting the characters from ridiculous! And getting to know some new ones. It does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger for me. I am dying for book 3 but it's been 10 years so I don't have a lot of Hope. It's a series that reminds me a lot of the grand Sophie with running around and costumes and crazy Tom happening but the villains are villains and the good guys are good guys and the heroes are good and lovable and the women are awful or awesome.
Except for the "Admirality" mispronunciation that continually happens in the audio version this book is a ton of fun. I really enjoyed revisiting the characters from ridiculous! And getting to know some new ones. It does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger for me. I am dying for book 3 but it's been 10 years so I don't have a lot of Hope. It's a series that reminds me a lot of the grand Sophie with running around and costumes and crazy Tom happening but the villains are villains and the good guys are good guys and the heroes are good and lovable and the women are awful or awesome.
January 30, 2018
Obstreperous is the sequel to Ridiculous!, and I loved it. There is much going on in this book but I was satisfied by how the author brought all the threads together for a very enjoyable sequel to the first book. Very funny parts, amusing new characters, but my favorite was the episode with Mad Harry. I also enjoyed the casual mentions of pistols and dry powder throughout. I highly recommend this book, but urge you to read Ridiculous! first. I'm also looking forward to Lady Elizabeth's story.
July 20, 2018
Obstreperous, Indeed!
I had to look up the meaning of "obstreperous", which I did not manage to get to until I finished the book. Everything about this book fulfills its title. And, for awhile,it is difficult to stay with all the various threads. It is wrapped up well, though, and I am happy to have met these characters.
No spoilers here - you can look up the meaning of "obstreperous" yourselves!
I had to look up the meaning of "obstreperous", which I did not manage to get to until I finished the book. Everything about this book fulfills its title. And, for awhile,it is difficult to stay with all the various threads. It is wrapped up well, though, and I am happy to have met these characters.
No spoilers here - you can look up the meaning of "obstreperous" yourselves!
August 10, 2018
Lightweight Regency reading
The Boarder family faces new challenges when a rival heir appears. Sensible Maude, adventurous Beth, and foolish Felicity are left in Bath while the rest of the family scrambles to investigate the claim.
The author handles her storyline well, and the characters develop because of the events. The author should have done more period research --some of her facts were incorrect. But all in all, enjoyable escapism.
The Boarder family faces new challenges when a rival heir appears. Sensible Maude, adventurous Beth, and foolish Felicity are left in Bath while the rest of the family scrambles to investigate the claim.
The author handles her storyline well, and the characters develop because of the events. The author should have done more period research --some of her facts were incorrect. But all in all, enjoyable escapism.
July 14, 2021
Disappointing.
I had high hopes for this book, considering I loved the first one so much, but it paled in comparison to the fun and humor and romance of the first.
It also took a character I liked (Lady Beth) and made her insufferable. Felicity was even WORSE. my sympathies to Maude. I loved her so dearly in this and I wish she hadn’t had to go through a majority of the chaos she had to.
I had high hopes for this book, considering I loved the first one so much, but it paled in comparison to the fun and humor and romance of the first.
It also took a character I liked (Lady Beth) and made her insufferable. Felicity was even WORSE. my sympathies to Maude. I loved her so dearly in this and I wish she hadn’t had to go through a majority of the chaos she had to.
May 5, 2022
None of the characters in this book are likeable. They keep adding new character pov from worse and worse characters. I am not enjoying this book at all. The narrator does weird accents to try to distinguish different characters. They don't make sense and they aren't consistent.
I am abandoning this Audio book about halfway through.
I wish I could return or exchange this book.
I am abandoning this Audio book about halfway through.
I wish I could return or exchange this book.
Read
April 5, 2020Not nearly as entertaining as Ridiculous was. Beth was a horror, Maude was ineffective, Felicity was enraging, and sending the other two couples off in separate directions to follow the will was very confusing.
December 31, 2020
A delightful sequel
It's rare for a sequel to be as good or better than the original, but this book manages it. Beth and Maude get some adventures of their own, with a fun new set of characters, including identical twin suitors. Even better, Millicent and her duke are not ignored. Even Bow Street and the Royal Navy get involved.
It's rare for a sequel to be as good or better than the original, but this book manages it. Beth and Maude get some adventures of their own, with a fun new set of characters, including identical twin suitors. Even better, Millicent and her duke are not ignored. Even Bow Street and the Royal Navy get involved.
May 5, 2021
It was not as good as the first book. I think there were just too many main characters and their introduction (or re-introduction) slowed down the pacing quite a bit. Also, the main characters just weren't as interesting as Millicent, which is probably why she is again in this book.
December 13, 2022
Not as fun as the first book but definitely a good story and I'm looking forward to the third book in the series. Boy, Felicity and Beth both need a pie to the face in this one. They were unrepentantly irritating and really started to diminish my overall enjoyment of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews