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Bachelor Chronicles #1
Something About Emmaline
Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick, is a gentleman to be envied. He lives a rakish life of well-celebrated ease and contentment and has one person to thank for his perfectly ordered existence—his dearest wife, Emmaline. She never complains about his mistresses or his penchant for late nights out. His friends are envious, but they don't know the truth—Emmaline doesn't exist. But when he starts receiving bills from London for clothes, shoes, hats and a staggering amount of other female accoutrements, he realises something is decidedly amiss.
Posing as Emmaline isn't a stretch for the newly arrived Lady Sedgwick, she's been conning gentry for years. But as the popular baron's wife, she now has the one thing that has eluded her—entree into London's inner circles. Against Alexander's better judgment, Emmaline is impossibly fixed in his life. And suddenly Emmaline is challenging him to be the husband she deserves.
Posing as Emmaline isn't a stretch for the newly arrived Lady Sedgwick, she's been conning gentry for years. But as the popular baron's wife, she now has the one thing that has eluded her—entree into London's inner circles. Against Alexander's better judgment, Emmaline is impossibly fixed in his life. And suddenly Emmaline is challenging him to be the husband she deserves.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
126 people are currently reading
2031 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Boyle
91 books2,082 followersElizabeth Boyle is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 historical romance novels and several novellas. Her upcoming novel, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, is a mix of women's fiction and historical fiction, with a bit of magic thrown in. This story of friendship and empowerment is already getting rave reviews.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
October 19, 2015
Completely implausible plot.
Utterly ridiculous climax.
I loved every bloody second of it.
November 9, 2021
Sweet, fluffy and hilarious!
And a tad cutesy?
Also has this quite improbable and fantastical plot-line. In other words - fairy tale stuff!
Still, all considered, I enjoyed it.
I loved the way it began with the instant flareup between the stuffy, disapproving baron and the beautiful, wily imposter. His cunning and convenient ruse of a fake wife turns topsy-turvy when the h inveigles her way into his home as this till-now-unseen wife. He’s furious but cannot evict her as his avaricious cousin/heir and his wife are looking on suspiciously. He promises himself – soon! But finds himself making excuses for keeping the fake wife on for just a little while longer.
They have a sizzling and sparkling chemistry and fall in love soon enough but there are glitches galore before the happily. The H acquits himself beautifully by being ready to accept her and not doubting her despite everything – which is a lot ... and keeps growing exponentially!
It’s a good book with fine writing and I enjoyed the language which is appropriate for the period yet simple. Not heavy, neither forced.
Despite the convoluted plot, the book is riotous fun. Though funny turned a bit cutesy but it recovers well with mild angst (of her past), more escapades, eye-rolling revelations and a (almost) neat tying up of ‘stuff’.
And, her name is never revealed!
All secondary characters are great and well invested.
And a tad cutesy?
Also has this quite improbable and fantastical plot-line. In other words - fairy tale stuff!
Still, all considered, I enjoyed it.
I loved the way it began with the instant flareup between the stuffy, disapproving baron and the beautiful, wily imposter. His cunning and convenient ruse of a fake wife turns topsy-turvy when the h inveigles her way into his home as this till-now-unseen wife. He’s furious but cannot evict her as his avaricious cousin/heir and his wife are looking on suspiciously. He promises himself – soon! But finds himself making excuses for keeping the fake wife on for just a little while longer.
They have a sizzling and sparkling chemistry and fall in love soon enough but there are glitches galore before the happily. The H acquits himself beautifully by being ready to accept her and not doubting her despite everything – which is a lot ... and keeps growing exponentially!
It’s a good book with fine writing and I enjoyed the language which is appropriate for the period yet simple. Not heavy, neither forced.
Despite the convoluted plot, the book is riotous fun. Though funny turned a bit cutesy but it recovers well with mild angst (of her past), more escapades, eye-rolling revelations and a (almost) neat tying up of ‘stuff’.
And, her name is never revealed!
All secondary characters are great and well invested.
November 12, 2021
I was hesitant to pick this book up after the mixed reviews, but I decided to take a chance on it. I am so glad I did, because I really liked the book. It was light, frothy and alot of fun. Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick has life made, he is foot-loose and fancy free. He has a wife, Emmaline, but she has nothing to say about his sweet life. He has the Ton's sympathy for his sickly wife and has for the last five years. There is only one little bitty fly in the ointment...there is no Baroness Sedgewick. Alex and his friend Jack made her up one night in a fit of drunken enlightenment or stupidity, after Alex had had it with the matchmaking mamas.
But when he suddenly starts getting expensive bills for his London home. He hurries off to London to confront whomever is living in his house. Much to his surprise it is his Emmaline doing all the buying or she is going to be his Baroness for the next couple of weeks or all of London will know that there never was a wife. As mad as this beautiful trickster has made Alex, she has him over a barrel.
Once he agrees to the time-frame though, he realizes that Emmeline is not just a beautiful face. She sets out to shake up his life and eventually he can't live without her touch. She herself has fallen for her mark, will she take a gamble on his love and all the trappings that go along with being a Baroness?
Like I said this was a fun read and you could see what was coming from miles away, but it was light and frothy and just what I was in the mood for.
But when he suddenly starts getting expensive bills for his London home. He hurries off to London to confront whomever is living in his house. Much to his surprise it is his Emmaline doing all the buying or she is going to be his Baroness for the next couple of weeks or all of London will know that there never was a wife. As mad as this beautiful trickster has made Alex, she has him over a barrel.
Once he agrees to the time-frame though, he realizes that Emmeline is not just a beautiful face. She sets out to shake up his life and eventually he can't live without her touch. She herself has fallen for her mark, will she take a gamble on his love and all the trappings that go along with being a Baroness?
Like I said this was a fun read and you could see what was coming from miles away, but it was light and frothy and just what I was in the mood for.
August 10, 2020
This is... wow, I'm lacking adjectives to describe this book. Utterly ridiculous. Definitely farfetched. Improbable as hell. But so.much.fun.
Read it!
Read it!
March 5, 2022
I truly loved this one and thanks to Angie Elle who buddy read this one with me. It was so much fun to relax with a good historical (and this is no contemporary dressed up as a historical) So if you are looking for a fun lively regency romance....look no further than this one here.
February 25, 2020
Dejé pasar todas las incongruencias del libro pero lo del final fue terrible 🤨🤨🤨
Nada tenía sentido y todo se resuelve por arte de magia 😒😒😒
Nada tenía sentido y todo se resuelve por arte de magia 😒😒😒
March 4, 2015
I had to edit my review after all, to add that this was certainly worth of 3 stars. I think people without searching too much for realism and looking for something light and fun will enjoy this. I however, am looking for more emotional plots in my romances, even the fun ones, and this was too superficial to satisfy me.
So, this was not a bad read; it was as the tips above the rating stars say, an 'ok' read. Nice, entertaining but really there was no depth at all. Nothing, nada, rien. It read like a longer harlequin. But in a harlequin, you expect not to be able to get in touch with the heroes too much, basically because of the short length. Here, this shouldn't be a problem. However, the fact that for the first part of the book, we know almost nothing of the heroine's past, emotions or thoughts, makes it completely impossible to care for her. She's just a stranger and really, by the end of the book not much has changed. To add to that, I found most of the things we learn about her past, way too disturbing to overcome. On top of all that, being a cynical, I found way too many loop holes in this far-fetched plot which I'm afraid, I couldn't simply ignore in good faith. For example, the hero, a mere baron, acted as if he was next in line for the English throne! His lofty title, his illustrous family tree and coveted place in society were mentioned so many times, it was just silly to read after a while. And the ending... oh my, the ending had as much reality in it, as a fairytale.
It would take a very romantic, uncynical sort of reader to appreciate this book, or someone looking forward to a few hours of fun without delving at all on emotions and reality. And yet, it would be so much better, had the writer developed her heroes' characters more, because the writing was far from bad; it was rather nice. As they -the heroes- are, they're too sketchy to be memorable or interesting.
So, this was not a bad read; it was as the tips above the rating stars say, an 'ok' read. Nice, entertaining but really there was no depth at all. Nothing, nada, rien. It read like a longer harlequin. But in a harlequin, you expect not to be able to get in touch with the heroes too much, basically because of the short length. Here, this shouldn't be a problem. However, the fact that for the first part of the book, we know almost nothing of the heroine's past, emotions or thoughts, makes it completely impossible to care for her. She's just a stranger and really, by the end of the book not much has changed. To add to that, I found most of the things we learn about her past, way too disturbing to overcome. On top of all that, being a cynical, I found way too many loop holes in this far-fetched plot which I'm afraid, I couldn't simply ignore in good faith. For example, the hero, a mere baron, acted as if he was next in line for the English throne! His lofty title, his illustrous family tree and coveted place in society were mentioned so many times, it was just silly to read after a while. And the ending... oh my, the ending had as much reality in it, as a fairytale.
It would take a very romantic, uncynical sort of reader to appreciate this book, or someone looking forward to a few hours of fun without delving at all on emotions and reality. And yet, it would be so much better, had the writer developed her heroes' characters more, because the writing was far from bad; it was rather nice. As they -the heroes- are, they're too sketchy to be memorable or interesting.
November 28, 2019
3ish Stars
I was looking for a new historical romance author and I’m not sure Elizabeth Boyle is it, but I won’t hold this first book against her.
I read the summary and was interested in the storyline. Overall the storyline was pretty good and the book had low angst which is my jam.
However, the biggest issue I have with this book is the pace. It’s 100% slow and very long. I was just reading pages and pages of inner monologue which almost made the book impossible to read.
I hope her more recent books are faster to read through.
Alexander doesn’t want a wife and he’s tired of women throwing themselves at him so he invents a wife. The catch, his made-up wife actually shows up! Cute story right? I’m not sure if I like a Heroine has a “con artist” but I enjoyed the story.
I wouldn’t call this a steamy book which totally surprised me because usually older “vintage” Historical romance reads are pretty steamy, but this was pretty tame.
Anyhow, moving on to another.
I was looking for a new historical romance author and I’m not sure Elizabeth Boyle is it, but I won’t hold this first book against her.
I read the summary and was interested in the storyline. Overall the storyline was pretty good and the book had low angst which is my jam.
However, the biggest issue I have with this book is the pace. It’s 100% slow and very long. I was just reading pages and pages of inner monologue which almost made the book impossible to read.
I hope her more recent books are faster to read through.
Alexander doesn’t want a wife and he’s tired of women throwing themselves at him so he invents a wife. The catch, his made-up wife actually shows up! Cute story right? I’m not sure if I like a Heroine has a “con artist” but I enjoyed the story.
I wouldn’t call this a steamy book which totally surprised me because usually older “vintage” Historical romance reads are pretty steamy, but this was pretty tame.
Anyhow, moving on to another.
August 10, 2022
I really really like Elizabeth’s writing have I found a new fav 🫢
December 7, 2025
This is my second book by Elizabeth Boyle
Along Came a Duke was my first and even though I liked many elements of the story, I didn't like the whole of it that much. I'm so glad I gave the author another shot.
Truth be told, it was Narrator Susan Duerden that made me take the leap. She narrates The Secret, one of my all time favorite books ever, and her narration is also one of my favorite audiobooks ever. So, I figured even if I didn't like the story, her narration would make it enjoyable enough.
Oh, it was enjoyable, all right. Susan Duerden just makes it next level epic. She's one of the few narrators that actually coughs when there's an onomatopoeia or whispers when it says so.
Okay, enough gushing. Onto the review.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Along Came a Duke was my first and even though I liked many elements of the story, I didn't like the whole of it that much. I'm so glad I gave the author another shot.
Truth be told, it was Narrator Susan Duerden that made me take the leap. She narrates The Secret, one of my all time favorite books ever, and her narration is also one of my favorite audiobooks ever. So, I figured even if I didn't like the story, her narration would make it enjoyable enough.
Oh, it was enjoyable, all right. Susan Duerden just makes it next level epic. She's one of the few narrators that actually coughs when there's an onomatopoeia or whispers when it says so.
Okay, enough gushing. Onto the review.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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August 15, 2011
If I had to sum this book in one word, it would be amusing. The entire book is littered with gimmicks and coincidences, but it was a fun ride.
Alexander, our hero, creates himself a wife so that he doesn't have to marry. What he didn't expect that he would actually have a living, breathing embodiment of a wife. Especially one as attractive and inventive as the wife impersonator he has living in his house. Emmaline has had a hard life and has decided to provide for herself by impersonating members of genteel backgrounds. Of course, the pair will fall in love, but how will they overcome the lies? Interestingly, it all falls into place in the end.
Emmaline's not-so-pure past makes her one of the more delightful heroines to read about. She is smart and passionate, and not pure. Alexander is supposedly a rake. I see no signs of it, since he's often characterized of being dull. It was really an opposites attract type of situation.
The rest of the story progressed with absurd explanations and all too convenient coincidences, but it was all in good fun. I think anyone who isn't looking for something too serious would enjoy this book. I look forward to read about the rakish Jack, who I can really classify as a rake.
Alexander, our hero, creates himself a wife so that he doesn't have to marry. What he didn't expect that he would actually have a living, breathing embodiment of a wife. Especially one as attractive and inventive as the wife impersonator he has living in his house. Emmaline has had a hard life and has decided to provide for herself by impersonating members of genteel backgrounds. Of course, the pair will fall in love, but how will they overcome the lies? Interestingly, it all falls into place in the end.
Emmaline's not-so-pure past makes her one of the more delightful heroines to read about. She is smart and passionate, and not pure. Alexander is supposedly a rake. I see no signs of it, since he's often characterized of being dull. It was really an opposites attract type of situation.
The rest of the story progressed with absurd explanations and all too convenient coincidences, but it was all in good fun. I think anyone who isn't looking for something too serious would enjoy this book. I look forward to read about the rakish Jack, who I can really classify as a rake.
November 7, 2021
I loved this! It was such a fun time. Great characters and story.
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June 23, 2020
I wanted to like this so much more than I actually did.
✔️ Had a great premise - a gambling heroine who passes herself off as the hero's fake wife, whom he made up to avoid being hunted by matchmaking mamas
✔️ The 'bad girl/good boy' trope, complete with a historical romance heroine who ISN'T a virgin
✔️ It tried really, really hard to be funny, and on occasion it succeeded
❌ Could not feel the chemistry between hero and heroine
❌ Massively ahistorical behaviour, even quite apart from the implausible premise
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
✔️ Had a great premise - a gambling heroine who passes herself off as the hero's fake wife, whom he made up to avoid being hunted by matchmaking mamas
✔️ The 'bad girl/good boy' trope, complete with a historical romance heroine who ISN'T a virgin
✔️ It tried really, really hard to be funny, and on occasion it succeeded
❌ Could not feel the chemistry between hero and heroine
❌ Massively ahistorical behaviour, even quite apart from the implausible premise
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
December 11, 2020
Amusing, well written and interesting.
February 23, 2022
The plot looked interesting so I decided to read this one. The first half was great, while the chemistry between the hero and heroine wasn’t the best, they did get along. They weren’t mean to each other or anything.
I enjoyed the time they spent together in the country, at the lake because it was very sweet.
The second half of the book started becoming draggy and the hero and heroine did not spend time together as much as I would have liked them to. Other things took up their time, and I wanted to see more screen time between them. I was not fully convinced of the romance because they spent very little time together.
I did like Emmaline, she was a very interesting heroine, definitely different from the other ladies out there. Sedgewick was a little boring.
The author’s writing captivated me from the start, because of the short and sweet sentences.
All in all, it was a nice book to spend the time but it wasn’t anything special.
I enjoyed the time they spent together in the country, at the lake because it was very sweet.
The second half of the book started becoming draggy and the hero and heroine did not spend time together as much as I would have liked them to. Other things took up their time, and I wanted to see more screen time between them. I was not fully convinced of the romance because they spent very little time together.
I did like Emmaline, she was a very interesting heroine, definitely different from the other ladies out there. Sedgewick was a little boring.
The author’s writing captivated me from the start, because of the short and sweet sentences.
All in all, it was a nice book to spend the time but it wasn’t anything special.
October 4, 2020
Alex has the perfect wife, as in she doesn’t exist. 😆 After growing tired of being harassed at every turn by marriage-minded mothers & their conniving daughters, he invented a wife for himself one night while out drinking with his best friend. The trick of the faux bride worked and he was left blissfully alone and free to live his fabulous, rakish lifestyle. But when he receives a pile of bills from his very fake wife Emmaline, Alex sets off to toss the imposter from his London home. But of course once he meets “Emmaline” he is captivated with her and wants to learn more. Emmaline is determined, witty, full of sass, and brings some life & excitement to Alex’s otherwise ordinary days. Emmaline has easily captured the friendship and hearts of many she meets and soon enough Alex finds himself playing along with his “wife”.
This was my first read by Elizabeth Boyle and it was a fun one. Definitely a silly cute historical romance that was more of a fluffy, light read. While I do love my stories on the more angsty and steamy side, this was a fun read with low-stakes and not a lot of drama in the story. This one did last a little longer than I thought needed for the story & the chemistry was just ok for me for this couple. But it was a nice break of reading a lighter historical romance read.
This was my first read by Elizabeth Boyle and it was a fun one. Definitely a silly cute historical romance that was more of a fluffy, light read. While I do love my stories on the more angsty and steamy side, this was a fun read with low-stakes and not a lot of drama in the story. This one did last a little longer than I thought needed for the story & the chemistry was just ok for me for this couple. But it was a nice break of reading a lighter historical romance read.
March 28, 2024
4 stars
I agree with the reviews that describe this as silly and implausible, but super entertaining.
The plot is basically: Alexander (a Baron) has the perfect wife Emmaline… because he made her up. So why is he receiving very real bills for purchases made by his wife?? Lot of shenanigans and an MMC that ends up being very besotted - two things I always love in a historical romance.
My attention did wander a little around the 60% mark, but overall I had a great time listening to this audiobook.
I agree with the reviews that describe this as silly and implausible, but super entertaining.
The plot is basically: Alexander (a Baron) has the perfect wife Emmaline… because he made her up. So why is he receiving very real bills for purchases made by his wife?? Lot of shenanigans and an MMC that ends up being very besotted - two things I always love in a historical romance.
My attention did wander a little around the 60% mark, but overall I had a great time listening to this audiobook.
December 1, 2024
I mean there just really always is something about an emmaline
I found this is my parents house that I think they got from a yard sale and never read so I did while I was there for thanksgiving and I read it entirely in one sitting bless
I found this is my parents house that I think they got from a yard sale and never read so I did while I was there for thanksgiving and I read it entirely in one sitting bless
April 8, 2013
Kesinlikle eğlenceli bir kitaptı. Bu kadar komik ve entrikalı - tabi güzel entrikalar olabileceği aklıma gelmemişti. Ahh o son sayfalar varya küçük dilimi yutmama sebep olucaktı :D O nasıl bir şeydi hala anlayabilmiş değilim. Neyse sonuç olarak kitabı beğendim. Ve söylemeden geçemicem Emmaline sana hayran kaldım anacım :D
August 6, 2021
I originally did not read this book until AFTER I had read the others in the series. It may not be necessary, but I would not skip this one if you can avoid it! Emmaline is a fun character and her hero is a wonderful surprise!
August 3, 2016
This is possibly the most wtf plot I have read in an HR (and that is saying something) but ohmygosh it was so good and I was grinning the entire time. So awesome. <3
September 4, 2024
Well, I actually liked this book and the narration until I got to the very last chapter, really the final 2% of the book, when one simple line made it all fall apart. Baron Sedgwick, the wealthy, titled hero of the book, makes a casual request to his annoying cousin Hubert in an attempt to get him and his odious wife out of his life and gives him his plantation in the West Indies. Talk about a real record scratch moment. Plantation in the West Indies! Neat! What a gift! Sedgwick and his pretend turned real wife don't deserve an ounce of happiness, fictional though they may be and this book which was almost a 4 star is now a 1 star.
August 28, 2018
3.5/5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
At times it was slow but enjoyable nevertheless.
At times it was slow but enjoyable nevertheless.
Read
April 3, 2023Great premise, funny first few chapters, then sputtered out
April 9, 2022
The blurb on the front of Something About Emmaline from Stephanie Laurens proclaims that it's "Sure to leave you smiling." I'd go one farther and say it's sure to have you laughing out loud. It also moved me to tears and kept me racing through the pages due to its engaging plot. This story has it all and accomplishes it all so well. It left me wondering where Elizabeth Boyle had been all my life and eager to read the rest of her oeuvre.
Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick has a wife he never has to trouble himself with so he can get on with his well-ordered life of aristocratic responsibility. The reason his oft-ill wife is so conveniently absent? She doesn't exist! To avoid his grandmother's nagging to choose a bride and to get matchmaking mamas and their debutante daughters off his back, Alex invented Emmaline five years ago. Only now a woman has set up shop in his London townhouse, posing as Emmaline, entering society, and spending his money fast. Rather than evicting the brazen con artist, Alex finds himself entangled in her schemes and starting to have some fun for the first time in a long time. Only "Emmaline" has a lot of secrets of her own that could prohibit their chance at a happily ever after.
I found it refreshing to have a HR with a heroine who isn't an upper-class lady. In fact, the whole book has a wonderfully varied cast of characters across social classes from Alex's scheming relations and his quick-witted servants to Emmaline's colorful family tree. Alex is a hero of the delightfully stodgy variety who seriously needs to loosen his cravat and worry less about respectability and responsibility. Emmaline is a breath of fresh air, not to be thwarted in her pursuits and always ten steps ahead of Alex's attempts to rein her in. These two prove that opposites attract, and their polar opposite personalities play off each other beautifully.
The dialogue and writing are frequently hilarious. The descriptions—especially of Emmaline's redecoration of the London townhouse—are lovely and vivid. Boyle excels in thinking up wacky scrapes for her characters to get into. I was also struck by how poignant and emotionally real the story could become. The genuine emotional and sexual connection forged between Alex and Emmaline is achingly romantic and perfectly paced. It's the kind of story that can have you dreaming of true love again for yourself. I also really appreciated that the obstacles to their relationship weren't contrived or just a matter of poor communication. The problems they faced had real stakes. Compared to some HR heroes and heroines, they seemed more willing to express how they felt, which was a relief and felt more grown-up of them.
While this fun Regency romp can reach farcical heights of comedy, it can also feel tense with suspense, which is no mean feat to pull off. The climax is worthy of comparison to The Importance of Being Earnest. And I can't wait to read the 8 (!) other books in this series. Something About Emmaline is definitely going on my all-time favorites shelf. For a feel good romance, you can't go wrong with this one. Lady with a Black Umbrella would be a good readalike in terms of humor and vibe. And I couldn't resist making a playlist for Emmaline, so you know I really enjoyed it: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Ns...
Happy reading, folks :)
Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick has a wife he never has to trouble himself with so he can get on with his well-ordered life of aristocratic responsibility. The reason his oft-ill wife is so conveniently absent? She doesn't exist! To avoid his grandmother's nagging to choose a bride and to get matchmaking mamas and their debutante daughters off his back, Alex invented Emmaline five years ago. Only now a woman has set up shop in his London townhouse, posing as Emmaline, entering society, and spending his money fast. Rather than evicting the brazen con artist, Alex finds himself entangled in her schemes and starting to have some fun for the first time in a long time. Only "Emmaline" has a lot of secrets of her own that could prohibit their chance at a happily ever after.
I found it refreshing to have a HR with a heroine who isn't an upper-class lady. In fact, the whole book has a wonderfully varied cast of characters across social classes from Alex's scheming relations and his quick-witted servants to Emmaline's colorful family tree. Alex is a hero of the delightfully stodgy variety who seriously needs to loosen his cravat and worry less about respectability and responsibility. Emmaline is a breath of fresh air, not to be thwarted in her pursuits and always ten steps ahead of Alex's attempts to rein her in. These two prove that opposites attract, and their polar opposite personalities play off each other beautifully.
The dialogue and writing are frequently hilarious. The descriptions—especially of Emmaline's redecoration of the London townhouse—are lovely and vivid. Boyle excels in thinking up wacky scrapes for her characters to get into. I was also struck by how poignant and emotionally real the story could become. The genuine emotional and sexual connection forged between Alex and Emmaline is achingly romantic and perfectly paced. It's the kind of story that can have you dreaming of true love again for yourself. I also really appreciated that the obstacles to their relationship weren't contrived or just a matter of poor communication. The problems they faced had real stakes. Compared to some HR heroes and heroines, they seemed more willing to express how they felt, which was a relief and felt more grown-up of them.
While this fun Regency romp can reach farcical heights of comedy, it can also feel tense with suspense, which is no mean feat to pull off. The climax is worthy of comparison to The Importance of Being Earnest. And I can't wait to read the 8 (!) other books in this series. Something About Emmaline is definitely going on my all-time favorites shelf. For a feel good romance, you can't go wrong with this one. Lady with a Black Umbrella would be a good readalike in terms of humor and vibe. And I couldn't resist making a playlist for Emmaline, so you know I really enjoyed it: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Ns...
Happy reading, folks :)
June 5, 2015
First paragraph: “My last meal,” Lord John Tremont bemoaned as he tucked his knife and fork into the thick cut of beef before him. “But at least it is a fine one.”
“I suppose it helps that I am paying for all that, eh, Jack?” his best friend, Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick, commented dryly.
A fun, quirky historical romance that needs a large dose of suspension-of-belief to enjoy, "Something About Emmaline" will tickle your fancy if you let it.
The story begins with two gentlemen friends recounting how they've fooled the ton by making up a wife, who's perpetually absent from society due to her extended illness. With a fictitious, absentee wife, Alex, the Baron of Sedgewick, is off the marriage market and away from meddling matrons and starry-eyed daughters. A perfect set up for several years.
Too bad a conwoman and cardsharp appears in his London townhome, pretending to be his wife, Lady Emmaline, fully recovered from her illness...and ready to spend his money.
Lots of silly plot twits, meddling relations, nosy servants. Lots of fun, too, if you let it. Definitely a good read.
“I suppose it helps that I am paying for all that, eh, Jack?” his best friend, Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick, commented dryly.
A fun, quirky historical romance that needs a large dose of suspension-of-belief to enjoy, "Something About Emmaline" will tickle your fancy if you let it.
The story begins with two gentlemen friends recounting how they've fooled the ton by making up a wife, who's perpetually absent from society due to her extended illness. With a fictitious, absentee wife, Alex, the Baron of Sedgewick, is off the marriage market and away from meddling matrons and starry-eyed daughters. A perfect set up for several years.
Too bad a conwoman and cardsharp appears in his London townhome, pretending to be his wife, Lady Emmaline, fully recovered from her illness...and ready to spend his money.
Lots of silly plot twits, meddling relations, nosy servants. Lots of fun, too, if you let it. Definitely a good read.
January 28, 2008
This book was such fun. It took an impossible situation and made it work. What I enjoyed most was the hero's development. He simultaneously became self-aware and realized that being with the woman he loved was more important than upholding the strictures of society.
And then the ending went and ruined all that lovely development. Yep, in true genre fashion, the ending wrapped everything up in a pretty and implausible bow. I had a tough time stomaching it. How much better it would have been if they'd just said, "Dude, we're meant for each other. Screw the rest of the world; we can do this."
And I could have missed something, but I think the author forgot to mention the heroine's real name. That, if nothing else, ruined it for me. And that's a pity, because the first eighty percent of the book was delightful.
And then the ending went and ruined all that lovely development. Yep, in true genre fashion, the ending wrapped everything up in a pretty and implausible bow. I had a tough time stomaching it. How much better it would have been if they'd just said, "Dude, we're meant for each other. Screw the rest of the world; we can do this."
And I could have missed something, but I think the author forgot to mention the heroine's real name. That, if nothing else, ruined it for me. And that's a pity, because the first eighty percent of the book was delightful.
September 9, 2015
Emmaline is simply adorable. Alex, Baron Sedgwick is nonplussed when the imaginary bride he made up to get all the matchmaking mamas and his grandmother off his back, becomes a reality! Emmaline turns up in his London townhouse, posing as his countess and against all common sense, he goes along with it and becomes "besotted" with her! She is a great character and I loved this book! It was a pleasure to see how the two of them work things out and fall in love. Many mad-cap moments as Emmaline charms her way into Society, and Alex, against all good judgment and common sense - falls in love with his wife! A charming romance, light, fluffy and fun! 4/5
January 9, 2013
uzun zamandır bu kitabı okumak istiyordum kısmet yeni yılaymış.
çok eğlenceli, hele sonuna kesinlikle bayıldım. Sanki bir tiyatral komediyi izliyor gibiydim.
yazarın serisi çok beğeniyorum tavsiye ederim.
çok eğlenceli, hele sonuna kesinlikle bayıldım. Sanki bir tiyatral komediyi izliyor gibiydim.
yazarın serisi çok beğeniyorum tavsiye ederim.
January 10, 2015
2,5 Kitabı okurken ne kadar sıkıldım tarif dahi edemem. Hatta öyle bir zaman geldi ki of dedim bu kitap hala bitmiyor! Puanım tamamen yazara verildi. Ben konusu itibariyle daha keyifli bir şeyler bekliyordum. Mektubumu aldın mı? kitabı fena değildi, ama bu işkenceydi. Büyük hayal kırıklığı..
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