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The Flirt
Librarian's note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00CMAS4RM.
Tongues were set wagging when Elizabeth Markham's glamorous young parents were killed, leaving their only child to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle Julius, Elizabeth was forbidden to participate in the season's festivities. Elizabeth realized that marriage was her only escape, and she decided on a daring plan: she would trick her way into the Duke of Dunster's exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors sure to be happy to dance with her.
Elizabeth's plan succeeded swimmingly, as she flirted with everyone with the exception of the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, who was considered by those in the know to be quite a catch. She ignored Charles thoroughly until her uncle discovered her deception and it was, of all people, Charles who saved her - by announcing their engagement!
But Elizabeth's troubles were far from over. In her absence she had come into an inheritance and her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Lovers are joined by force - by family pressure, by societal pressure, and cultural mores, but Chesney's heroes and heroines never seem to want to give up on their search for the real thing. They are willing to go through almost anything in their hunt to find love - they'll jump through hoops to avoid the tricks of outsiders who thrust them together for fortune (that doesn't exist), they'll dance their way into the hearts of the most eligible bachelors using all of their charms, and if it takes even lessons in love (the title of one of these page turners) then so be it. The Love Series is all about love in its various forms, from lukewarm to searing hot and we're along for the ride.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom.
Tongues were set wagging when Elizabeth Markham's glamorous young parents were killed, leaving their only child to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle Julius, Elizabeth was forbidden to participate in the season's festivities. Elizabeth realized that marriage was her only escape, and she decided on a daring plan: she would trick her way into the Duke of Dunster's exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors sure to be happy to dance with her.
Elizabeth's plan succeeded swimmingly, as she flirted with everyone with the exception of the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, who was considered by those in the know to be quite a catch. She ignored Charles thoroughly until her uncle discovered her deception and it was, of all people, Charles who saved her - by announcing their engagement!
But Elizabeth's troubles were far from over. In her absence she had come into an inheritance and her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Lovers are joined by force - by family pressure, by societal pressure, and cultural mores, but Chesney's heroes and heroines never seem to want to give up on their search for the real thing. They are willing to go through almost anything in their hunt to find love - they'll jump through hoops to avoid the tricks of outsiders who thrust them together for fortune (that doesn't exist), they'll dance their way into the hearts of the most eligible bachelors using all of their charms, and if it takes even lessons in love (the title of one of these page turners) then so be it. The Love Series is all about love in its various forms, from lukewarm to searing hot and we're along for the ride.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 1985
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About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books750 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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November 13, 2019
…
The Flirt is the introductory installation to 'The Regency Intrigue Series', a novel from Marion Chesney, writing as M.C. Beaton, New York Times–bestselling author of the popular Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series, both of which have been adapted for TV by the BBC and PBS. I have read and enjoyed many of the installations in the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series in the past.
This is not as personalized as some of the Historical Regency novels that are published. However, it still portrays a certain flavor that blends with the ways of the era. It is an okay read, but it just doesn't reel the reader in with the narrative, plot, or characters as much as one would hope or expect.
rReview:
To escape her cruel uncle’s guardianship, a debutante agrees to marry a man she despises in this regency romance from a New York Times–bestselling author.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
After her parents’ death, Elizabeth Markham is reduced to the unspeakable class of poor relations. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle, Elizabeth is forbidden to participate in the season’s festivities. Realizing that marriage is her only escape, she enacts a daring plan to trick her way into the Duke of Dunster’s exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors.
At the party, Elizabeth flirts with all but the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, though he’s considered to be quite a catch. But when her uncle discovers her deception, it is Charles who comes to her rescue—by announcing their engagement!
Meanwhile, Elizabeth has come into an inheritance. And her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive it. Even if she begins to see Charles for the kindhearted man he is, will their match be enough to save her?
This novel is clean, able to stand on its own, and delivers a H.E.A. However, it has been some time since I actually read the book. Since I experienced some difficulties with my computer, I am behind on the reviews and can't really recall any of the particulars. I do enjoy humor and mystery, which this book included.
-----------------------------
The Flirt
(The Regency Intrigue Series Book 1)
,,, Kindle Edition
by M. C. Beaton (Author)
Print Length: 203 pages
..
The Flirt is the introductory installation to 'The Regency Intrigue Series', a novel from Marion Chesney, writing as M.C. Beaton, New York Times–bestselling author of the popular Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series, both of which have been adapted for TV by the BBC and PBS. I have read and enjoyed many of the installations in the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series in the past.
This is not as personalized as some of the Historical Regency novels that are published. However, it still portrays a certain flavor that blends with the ways of the era. It is an okay read, but it just doesn't reel the reader in with the narrative, plot, or characters as much as one would hope or expect.
rReview:
To escape her cruel uncle’s guardianship, a debutante agrees to marry a man she despises in this regency romance from a New York Times–bestselling author.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
After her parents’ death, Elizabeth Markham is reduced to the unspeakable class of poor relations. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle, Elizabeth is forbidden to participate in the season’s festivities. Realizing that marriage is her only escape, she enacts a daring plan to trick her way into the Duke of Dunster’s exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors.
At the party, Elizabeth flirts with all but the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, though he’s considered to be quite a catch. But when her uncle discovers her deception, it is Charles who comes to her rescue—by announcing their engagement!
Meanwhile, Elizabeth has come into an inheritance. And her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive it. Even if she begins to see Charles for the kindhearted man he is, will their match be enough to save her?
This novel is clean, able to stand on its own, and delivers a H.E.A. However, it has been some time since I actually read the book. Since I experienced some difficulties with my computer, I am behind on the reviews and can't really recall any of the particulars. I do enjoy humor and mystery, which this book included.
-----------------------------
The Flirt
(The Regency Intrigue Series Book 1)
,,, Kindle Edition
by M. C. Beaton (Author)
Print Length: 203 pages
..
July 2, 2018
In this regency tale, our heroine is a riches to rags orphan Cinderella who lives with her radical evangelical uncle, his fat mean, moustache wearing wife and their 2 fat mean, moustache wearing daughters. Elizabeth, the heroine is bullied and beaten regularly by her vicious relatives and all she longs for is a chance to return to her old life. Elizabeth had been the belle of her debutante season and she had lived a life of luxury and happiness with her loving but spendthrift parents. After her parents were killed in a carriage accident, she was forced to live a hellish existence with her relatives. Her uncle is the worst type of vile, proselytizing radical evangelical who milks his poverty stricken parishioners for whatever little money they can spare. His equally villainous ugly wife and uglier daughters spend all day on their fat asses, doing nothing and scratching their fat:
They're jealous of Elizabeth's beauty and they treat her like a slave; the heroine is often starved to the point of emaciation. At the start of the novel, Elizabeth has decided to run away to a house party held at a neighbouring estate owned by the hero's father; the latter is a wealthy duke but the hero isn't his heir since he's merely a younger son. The H is Lord Charles and he's an entitled, stuck up asshole who has a low opinion of Elizabeth based on her popularity during her debutante season. Elizabeth had only been 17 yrs old then and had no intention of accepting any of the many marriage proposals she had received. As a result of this, Charles concluded that she was nothing more than a fickle and vain flirt:
“Are you determined to break all the hearts in London, Miss Markham?” he teased. “There is only one day of the Season left, and you have still to break mine.”
“Yours is said to be unbreakable, my lord.”
“Perhaps. But have you no pity for those you do break?”
“If they really broke, I would weep. But the gentlemen only pretend to admire me. This Season I am the fashion. They will find another belle the next.”
“So young and so cynical. What of young Cartwright, gone to the wars because you rejected his suit?”
Elizabeth gave an infinitesimal shrug. “I think you will find he really wanted to go."
M. C. Beaton. The Flirt (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 1) (Kindle Locations 33-39). RosettaBooks. Kindle Edition.
Elizabeth takes her fancy gowns ( which were hidden in the attic ), climbs out of the bedroom window and runs away to con her way into the H's family's house party. She decided that the only way she was ever going to escape her wicked relatives was if she were to find herself a suitable husband. There were quite a few young noblemen at the house party so the heroine thought it wouldn't be too hard to get one of them to propose; after all, she'd been the most popular debutante during her season. How hard could it be ? Elizabeth's biggest problem at the house party, was the hero. Charles kept getting in her way and making it impossible for her to make any headway with the men who were interested in her. The jealous H thought that she was just up to her old flirty tricks and he thought that he needed to prevent her from breaking these guys' hearts.
Elizabeth was lucky to meet an old friend of her parents and this woman ( Lady Burlington ) helped her out a lot. Unfortunately, she also encountered difficulties with the other women at the party. The young single women were jealous of her, the H's mother ( the duchess ) was condescending and made it clear that Elizabeth was not suitable for her son and the H's sister Jane was an uppity, aggressive bitch. In fact, the H himself lost his temper with his sister and told her that if she continued to behave the way she was currently doing, then she'd end up as an ape leader. I laughed a lot at that description but when I googled it, I was surprised to see that it was an actual term used during that era to refer to certain types of spinsters. The heroine's uncle soon starts to search for her when a lawyer turns up with information that she has just become an heiress. The nasty reverend wants all this money for himself so he's determined to find Elizabeth and ensure that she is back under his control. As long as Elizabeth is unmarried, then her uncle will be able to control her inheritance.
The evil reverend turns up at the house party with his piggy faced wife and daughters but the H saves Elizabeth by declaring that she's his fiancee. Charles had seen some of the bruises on the heroine's back so he figured out why she was so desperate to escape from her relatives. There was also a further complication due to the existence of 2 additional suitors for the heroine's hand. One of these was Derwent Pargeter, a distant cousin of Elizabeth's. Derwent wanted to marry Elizabeth in order to access her inheritance but she didn't know that and she almost fell in with his plans when she got tired of the way Charles kept blowing hot and cold. The H tried to protect the heroine but he was a bit too stupidly oblivious to the fact that his own mother was working with the reverend to try and destroy Elizabeth's reputation. The reverend and the H's mother planned to create a huge scandal, using a bit of playacting, to convince everyone that Elizabeth was insane. If that worked, then they could incarcerate her in an asylum, she wouldn't be able to marry Charles and the malicious uncle would be able to keep her inheritance. The duchess had also agreed to get invitations for the reverend's 2 fugly daughters to many of her friend's society balls and dinners. I have no idea how anybody could've possibly thought that any men would be attracted to these 2 unattractive, sourpuss harridans but that was the deal.
Anyway, the plan did work a little and even Charles started to question Elizabeth's sanity. The stupid H refused to communicate with Elizabeth and alienated himself from her. This left the field open for the gold digging cousin Derwent to try and court the heroine. Charles acted like the usual jealous hero and said some nasty things to Elizabeth. It is only after the heroine is kidnapped and almost killed by Derwent that the hero finally comes to his senses, but Elizabeth lets him know exactly how much he had hurt her with his coldness and mean comments:
Charles also defends her when his mother starts off on her final spate of vicious verbal abuses and this did salvage the H a lot, in my opinion. The H had invested his money and was extremely rich so he didn't depend on his father's ducal wealth and it was fabulous to see him tell this to his snobbish parents. The heroine's uncle, aunt and cousins ended up getting their comeuppance as well. They weren't beaten physically ( which is what I wanted to happen ) but they were humiliated when Charles ensured that everyone in the Ton knew what a disgusting, evil hypocrites they were:
He decided to call on Julius Markham. Julius had rented, courtesy of the duchess, an elegant house in Hill Street. Its white paint, however, had been marred by someone painting in red the word Murderer in large letters. Someone else had piled a mound of refuse on the steps that the harried servants were clearing away. Lord Charles presented his card with the corner turned down to show that he was calling in person. The butler, who had been rented along with the house, returned after a few moments to say that Mr. Markham was “not at home.” Lord Charles debated whether to force his way in but decided against it, deterred by the sounds of hysterical female weeping from the drawing room. The womenfolk of the family were obviously suffering from their new unpopularity.
M. C. Beaton. The Flirt (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 1) (Kindle Locations 2084-2089). RosettaBooks. Kindle Edition.
So, the MC's got their joyous ending, the reverend got no money and his 2 fugly, mean, fat, moustache wearing daughters had to return to the village and pray that some peasant guys will deign to marry them...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
This Cinderella-esque twist was quite intriguing. It was also an opportunity to glimpse a slightly different, deeper side of the era and social class. However, the protagonist's constant shifting between hatred (anger, disdain) and love (compassion, tenderness) was incredibly irritating. Generally, I'm used to Chesney's narrative pace—sometimes I even appreciate it as a fast-paced story—but this time, it came off a bit too cartoonish.
[2.5 stars]
[2.5 stars]
December 2, 2017
Once long ago I read a few Marion Chesney/M.C. Beaton novels, then just stopped. It was so long ago I don't even remember why, but picking up this free offering (which I notice is now at regular price again and don't get it, please, until it's free again) leads to the conclusion that she was just boring the heck out of me.
This particular story showed a bit of promise at first, although full of cliche and predictable characters and plot. The heroine, once a young diamond-of-the-first-water debutante but now come down in the world after the death of her parents, lives with her strict man-of-God uncle and his family, more or less in the role of Cinderella. A Cinderella who is starved and beaten and doesn't have one bird or mouse to befriend her. Her absolute hunger is portrayed well and is affecting.
But the story itself, although beginning rather well, devolved quickly into cliche after cliche. 1) There's the intransigent hero who is so conflicted about his feelings for her, kissing her one moment and treating her like dirt the next. 2) There's an inheritance unknown to the heroine which her unscrupulous family want for themselves. 3) There's upper-class snobbery in the form of the hero's mother and sister. 4) Threats on the life of our heroine. 5) An abduction, of course.
All of this and more in what seemed to be a never-ending book. I went skimming and skipping along by the time I got to perhaps 60% (or even before). Life's too short to spend reading all the words of this thing.
This particular story showed a bit of promise at first, although full of cliche and predictable characters and plot. The heroine, once a young diamond-of-the-first-water debutante but now come down in the world after the death of her parents, lives with her strict man-of-God uncle and his family, more or less in the role of Cinderella. A Cinderella who is starved and beaten and doesn't have one bird or mouse to befriend her. Her absolute hunger is portrayed well and is affecting.
But the story itself, although beginning rather well, devolved quickly into cliche after cliche. 1) There's the intransigent hero who is so conflicted about his feelings for her, kissing her one moment and treating her like dirt the next. 2) There's an inheritance unknown to the heroine which her unscrupulous family want for themselves. 3) There's upper-class snobbery in the form of the hero's mother and sister. 4) Threats on the life of our heroine. 5) An abduction, of course.
All of this and more in what seemed to be a never-ending book. I went skimming and skipping along by the time I got to perhaps 60% (or even before). Life's too short to spend reading all the words of this thing.
May 6, 2020
Work from home 2020: book 40.
Ahhh this was such a cute story!! I think part of the reason I was so enamored by it, is because some of the exaggerated parts (like where Lord Charles broke off the engagement and reinstated it three times in what felt like two days, because he couldn’t stop with the mood swings) felt like Chesney was laughing at herself. A bit tongue-in-cheek if you will.
I almost rated it 5 stars but I did get a little irritated with how moody Lord Charles was, as well as how Elizabeth responded in kind.
But overall a fun Regency romp that provided excellent escapism! I do like M. C. Beaton’s other books but so far I have LOVED the regency books she wrote. Really a gifted writer (although her Agatha Raisin series has dragged on a bit far...).
Ahhh this was such a cute story!! I think part of the reason I was so enamored by it, is because some of the exaggerated parts (like where Lord Charles broke off the engagement and reinstated it three times in what felt like two days, because he couldn’t stop with the mood swings) felt like Chesney was laughing at herself. A bit tongue-in-cheek if you will.
I almost rated it 5 stars but I did get a little irritated with how moody Lord Charles was, as well as how Elizabeth responded in kind.
But overall a fun Regency romp that provided excellent escapism! I do like M. C. Beaton’s other books but so far I have LOVED the regency books she wrote. Really a gifted writer (although her Agatha Raisin series has dragged on a bit far...).
November 26, 2018
Elizabeth Markham, beautiful and wealthy, is enjoying her London Season flirting with the gentlemen and breaking hearts. Then her parents tragically die in an accident leaving Elizabeth penniless and at the mercy of her uncle Julius and his family. Julius Markham is a dissenting minister and finds the need to cruelly beat and starve Elizabeth as punishment for trying to break free of his austere management. Elizabeth conducts parish duties and suffers being beaten, starved and locked in her room until she can stand it no longer. When she discovers a ball is to be held at the Duke of Dunster's nearby estate, Elizabeth is determined to crash the party and find a way to escape her uncle. Crashing the party isn't so easy when the Duchess is a high stickler but with the help of her Mama's old friend, Elizabeth has an in. She quickly realizes that marriage is her only option, but to whom? The arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, only son of the Duke; his kind friend or even her distant cousin Derry Pargeter? Can she accomplish her goal without her uncle finding her? What will happen if he does?
This story starts out as a Cinderella tale but quickly turns much darker. There's WAY too much going on in this book. There's Julius Markham's cruel treatment of Elizabeth, which is done very well. I had a lot of sympathy for her and found Elizabeth a likable character. There's also the marriage plot surrounding Lord Charles. He's an arrogant jerk, worse than Mr. Darcy, who can't decide whether he wants to bed Elizabeth or marry her or if he hates her. Then there's an inheritance plot and a murder plot. All these things unnecessarily complicate the story and make it way too long. It lacks Marion Chesney's usual laugh out loud humor though there are moments of lightness. The period details are excellent as usual, especially what happens to impoverished young ladies. The double standard for men and women is what drives me absolutely crazy about this time period. Elizabeth rightly calls Charles on his cruelly labeling her a flirt. She has no other way of letting a gentleman know she's interested in marriage. This is something Charlotte Lucas tries to point out to Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. In this book, Elizabeth's life literally depends upon her finding a husband.
I did not at all buy the romance. I don't see why Elizabeth loves Lord Charles. He shows her moments of compassion but then he's yelling at her again and being cruel. His mother and sister are completely awful. His sister is spoiled and silly and I understand why she feels the way she does about her brother's suitors. I am willing to give her more leeway than the Duchess. The Duchess is appropriately haughty for the time period at first but then she goes beyond that and becomes unacceptable.
While Lord Charles is Mr. Darcy, there's also a Mr. Bingley and a Mr. Wickham, in addition to Elizabeth's cruel uncle. Julius Markham is a hypocrite and a bully. He is stingy in the extreme and it affects all those around him. His God is an angry, punishing God and Julius trots out Scripture to suit his own ends whenever he feels like it. His family is just as bad. I was shocked at some of the things they did to Elizabeth. This is far worse than Cinderella. There's another villain, a Mr. Wickham type who is obvious to anyone who reads these types of novels. I didn't like having that extra complication in the plot.
The narrator starts off well enough. I could tell when sweet, young Elizabeth was speaking and when the other characters were speaking, especially the sister of Lord Charles. Then about 2/3 of the way through the book, the narrator changes her voice briefly and I didn't think it was the same person reading the story! The different voices for the characters disappear briefly and return again.
Read this if you like arrogant, alpha heroes, mysteries and Cinderella stories all rolled into one.
This story starts out as a Cinderella tale but quickly turns much darker. There's WAY too much going on in this book. There's Julius Markham's cruel treatment of Elizabeth, which is done very well. I had a lot of sympathy for her and found Elizabeth a likable character. There's also the marriage plot surrounding Lord Charles. He's an arrogant jerk, worse than Mr. Darcy, who can't decide whether he wants to bed Elizabeth or marry her or if he hates her. Then there's an inheritance plot and a murder plot. All these things unnecessarily complicate the story and make it way too long. It lacks Marion Chesney's usual laugh out loud humor though there are moments of lightness. The period details are excellent as usual, especially what happens to impoverished young ladies. The double standard for men and women is what drives me absolutely crazy about this time period. Elizabeth rightly calls Charles on his cruelly labeling her a flirt. She has no other way of letting a gentleman know she's interested in marriage. This is something Charlotte Lucas tries to point out to Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. In this book, Elizabeth's life literally depends upon her finding a husband.
I did not at all buy the romance. I don't see why Elizabeth loves Lord Charles. He shows her moments of compassion but then he's yelling at her again and being cruel. His mother and sister are completely awful. His sister is spoiled and silly and I understand why she feels the way she does about her brother's suitors. I am willing to give her more leeway than the Duchess. The Duchess is appropriately haughty for the time period at first but then she goes beyond that and becomes unacceptable.
While Lord Charles is Mr. Darcy, there's also a Mr. Bingley and a Mr. Wickham, in addition to Elizabeth's cruel uncle. Julius Markham is a hypocrite and a bully. He is stingy in the extreme and it affects all those around him. His God is an angry, punishing God and Julius trots out Scripture to suit his own ends whenever he feels like it. His family is just as bad. I was shocked at some of the things they did to Elizabeth. This is far worse than Cinderella. There's another villain, a Mr. Wickham type who is obvious to anyone who reads these types of novels. I didn't like having that extra complication in the plot.
The narrator starts off well enough. I could tell when sweet, young Elizabeth was speaking and when the other characters were speaking, especially the sister of Lord Charles. Then about 2/3 of the way through the book, the narrator changes her voice briefly and I didn't think it was the same person reading the story! The different voices for the characters disappear briefly and return again.
Read this if you like arrogant, alpha heroes, mysteries and Cinderella stories all rolled into one.
February 13, 2015
Elizabeth Markham became her Uncle Julius's poor relation when her parents are killed in a carriage accident leaving her destitute. She has just had her first London season where she was a huge success but turned down all the marriage proposals she received. Now after two years being treated worse than her uncle's servants and dressed in worn out clothes she is wishing she'd accepted the first proposal which came her way. Now she is looking for a plan of escape and conceives the idea of running away to a house party at which the haughty Lord Charles is staying with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Dunster. There she hopes to persuade someone to offer for her.
Even Elizabeth knows this plan is rash in the extreme but anything seems better than staying where she is, half starved and beaten regularly. What happens when Elizabeth succeeds in running away and gate crashing the house party is a web of misunderstandings and broken hearts as men fall for her fair beauty. But it is Lord Charles who seems most affected by her appearance.
I found this an enjoyable read for a cold winter afternoon. Julius has to be one of the most unpleasant and hypocritical characters in fiction - worthy of Dickens almost. I found myself wanting someone to tell him where he got off almost more than I wanted Elizabeth to find happiness. If you want a light read in the Regency genre then try any of M C Beaton's historical romances - Georgette Heyer they aren't but they are very good in their own way.
Even Elizabeth knows this plan is rash in the extreme but anything seems better than staying where she is, half starved and beaten regularly. What happens when Elizabeth succeeds in running away and gate crashing the house party is a web of misunderstandings and broken hearts as men fall for her fair beauty. But it is Lord Charles who seems most affected by her appearance.
I found this an enjoyable read for a cold winter afternoon. Julius has to be one of the most unpleasant and hypocritical characters in fiction - worthy of Dickens almost. I found myself wanting someone to tell him where he got off almost more than I wanted Elizabeth to find happiness. If you want a light read in the Regency genre then try any of M C Beaton's historical romances - Georgette Heyer they aren't but they are very good in their own way.
April 18, 2020
Not as funny and charming as the two series I'd read before--and while this is the part of the Regency Intrigue series, it doesn't appear to actually be a series with connected plotlines. So I think will go onto some of Chesney's other connected series before coming back to this one. But despite not living up to Traveling Matchmaker or Poor Relation, this was an enjoyable listen. Started out as a Cinderella story, but turned darker, with everyone either wanting to kill our heroine or prove she was insane. It actually got to a point where I felt very anxious for everything that was being plotted against her! Pretty forgettable, but it was a fun diversion.
March 12, 2019
This audiobook was available from my library, so I gave it a spin even though I'd never read anything by this author before. It was a decent historical romance, with the beginning pretty much a retelling of Cinderella or Jane Eyre, a young aristocratic woman loses her parents and is being raised by cruel relatives. The depths of their cruelty were almost comically devious. There was a sensitive portrayal of hunger, which I liked. This beginning was pretty good.
She escapes and heads to a big fancy party held by some Duke whose not-oldest son was snubbed by our heroine her one and only year of being "out" in London, prior to her parents deaths, when she was but 17. He still thinks she's a player, and declares her a flirt as she determinedly throws herself at various of his party guests, but not him.
Relatives are evil.
Secret plots abound.
Really, not that many people were likable here.
The characters and plot were decent, but nothing that would make me seek out the rest of this series.
She escapes and heads to a big fancy party held by some Duke whose not-oldest son was snubbed by our heroine her one and only year of being "out" in London, prior to her parents deaths, when she was but 17. He still thinks she's a player, and declares her a flirt as she determinedly throws herself at various of his party guests, but not him.
Relatives are evil.
Secret plots abound.
Really, not that many people were likable here.
The characters and plot were decent, but nothing that would make me seek out the rest of this series.
June 15, 2015
A very light regency romance. Not much in the way of plot in this one, but kind of fun to read when you want something you know will end happy. Pretty typical of Chesney. Hers can be a little redundant so I don't recommend trying to binge on them for very long. But, they are good when you want to read something like this. I enjoy these as a break from "harsher" books or when I want something I can finish quickly. My favorites so far of hers are those in "The Poor Relations" series. They often brought a smile & a giggle to me. I have lots of hers on my kindle, so I look forward to finding more along those lines.
October 18, 2010
This is the kind of Cinderella story I like to read... the sort where the main character takes action for herself and is determined to win. A more recent Cinderella story, An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn, reads far too much like this book and just doesn't past muster.
If you liked An Offer from a Gentleman, I think you'll really enjoy this book. More intrigue, less steam, but a very entertaining read.
If you liked An Offer from a Gentleman, I think you'll really enjoy this book. More intrigue, less steam, but a very entertaining read.
September 26, 2019
Listened to audio, fluffy and fun as are all Marion Chesney's Regency Romances
March 14, 2018
You know how it goes...
Was sick. Needed something light. A "guilty pleasure" so to say. And ended up liking it well enough.
The story is neither too funny or too romantic. Kinda meh overall...
Was sick. Needed something light. A "guilty pleasure" so to say. And ended up liking it well enough.
The story is neither too funny or too romantic. Kinda meh overall...
February 10, 2024
Good one. A bit dark and angsty compared to her usual light hearted ones.
The poor orphaned heroine now lives with her cruel uncle and his family who constantly torment her and treat her badly. They beat her and starve her.
The heroine remembers her come out, where she was a popular debutant and had many suitors. She was only 17, so she thought she had a lot of time to enjoy herself before choosing a husband. She meets the Hero during this period and he labels her a flirt. Unfortunately her young parents get killed in an accident and she is left orphaned and destitute. Her cruel uncle takes her in only to mistreat her.
Its now been two years and the heroine hears that the Hero’s family is having a party at their estate, not too far from where the uncle lives. She had just been beaten again and is being starved so she decides to try and crash the party, for no other reason than that, at least there, they will have food.
Fortunately for her she encounters an old friend of her mother on the way who agrees to give her a ride to the party and as they arrive together, she is just accepted as part of Mrs B’s party.
Funnily enough the first time the heroine meets the Hero again, its at the breakfast table where she eats 3 full servings. The Hero can hardly believe his eyes.
Its only later that the heroine figures that if she marries someone, she can be free of her abusive uncle. So she starts flirting w the other male guests. But not the Hero, because she figures, as a son of the Duke, he’s a bit too out of her reach. It kinda annoys the Hero that she is not flirting w him though.
Her uncle couldnt have cared less if she were missing except he gets a visit from some country lawyer who tells him that a distant relative died and left his money to the heroine. Now the uncle wants her back and actually finds her at the Duke’s estate. He is about to take her away when the Hero steps in to protect her by declaring that she is his fiancée.
So many angst filled moment in this book. The Hero suddenly starts doubting the heroine. His possessive mother dislikes the heroine so starts plotting with the evil uncle to destroy the reputation of the heroine, another cousin plotting her death so he can be the heir….Ay yay yay 😩 a whole bunch of evil relatives galore!
The heroine is constantly tense and haunted by all these stress inducing situations. The Hero is also unsure of the heroine so he is alternately tender and caring but is also a brute to her at times.
Its a long hard road but thankfully they overcome it. Finally declare their love for each other. All the villains are dispatched satisfactorily, and the Hero breaks off relations w his nasty mother. He has his own estate so thankfully the heroine wont have much to do with her spiteful MIL.
The poor orphaned heroine now lives with her cruel uncle and his family who constantly torment her and treat her badly. They beat her and starve her.
The heroine remembers her come out, where she was a popular debutant and had many suitors. She was only 17, so she thought she had a lot of time to enjoy herself before choosing a husband. She meets the Hero during this period and he labels her a flirt. Unfortunately her young parents get killed in an accident and she is left orphaned and destitute. Her cruel uncle takes her in only to mistreat her.
Its now been two years and the heroine hears that the Hero’s family is having a party at their estate, not too far from where the uncle lives. She had just been beaten again and is being starved so she decides to try and crash the party, for no other reason than that, at least there, they will have food.
Fortunately for her she encounters an old friend of her mother on the way who agrees to give her a ride to the party and as they arrive together, she is just accepted as part of Mrs B’s party.
Funnily enough the first time the heroine meets the Hero again, its at the breakfast table where she eats 3 full servings. The Hero can hardly believe his eyes.
Its only later that the heroine figures that if she marries someone, she can be free of her abusive uncle. So she starts flirting w the other male guests. But not the Hero, because she figures, as a son of the Duke, he’s a bit too out of her reach. It kinda annoys the Hero that she is not flirting w him though.
Her uncle couldnt have cared less if she were missing except he gets a visit from some country lawyer who tells him that a distant relative died and left his money to the heroine. Now the uncle wants her back and actually finds her at the Duke’s estate. He is about to take her away when the Hero steps in to protect her by declaring that she is his fiancée.
So many angst filled moment in this book. The Hero suddenly starts doubting the heroine. His possessive mother dislikes the heroine so starts plotting with the evil uncle to destroy the reputation of the heroine, another cousin plotting her death so he can be the heir….Ay yay yay 😩 a whole bunch of evil relatives galore!
The heroine is constantly tense and haunted by all these stress inducing situations. The Hero is also unsure of the heroine so he is alternately tender and caring but is also a brute to her at times.
Its a long hard road but thankfully they overcome it. Finally declare their love for each other. All the villains are dispatched satisfactorily, and the Hero breaks off relations w his nasty mother. He has his own estate so thankfully the heroine wont have much to do with her spiteful MIL.
February 20, 2016
This a somewhat dark Regency. When Elizabeth Markham makes her curtsey to the Queen she is one of the leading debs of the season. Then her parents sudden death leaves her destitute and she is sent to her father's brother a cruel Minister. He endeavors to discipline her wild ways, through cruelty and starvation. She spends two years and an unpaid servant to his family.
When news spreads of a House Party at a near by estate Elizabeth is determined to escape her captors and find a way out through a hastily made marriage. After she disappears from her uncle's home he learns of a reason to force her to return.
At the house party she lies and plots to try to find a husband; much to her surprise the Duke's son, Lord Lufford, announces their engagement. But Elizabeth's troubles have just begun as a veritable army of people conspire to end her engagement each for their own benefit.
When news spreads of a House Party at a near by estate Elizabeth is determined to escape her captors and find a way out through a hastily made marriage. After she disappears from her uncle's home he learns of a reason to force her to return.
At the house party she lies and plots to try to find a husband; much to her surprise the Duke's son, Lord Lufford, announces their engagement. But Elizabeth's troubles have just begun as a veritable army of people conspire to end her engagement each for their own benefit.
July 7, 2015
I did enjoy this one, although I still think Sir Charles is a brute, and I don't have high hopes for fidelity on his side of the marriage. That part where he is wondering why he out of the blue kissed her when she made him mad, and he comes to the conclusion that she must not be a lady underneath... that really ticked me off. What a cad. I was hoping he'd redeem himself, but he never did explain why he loved Elizabeth, other than that he was really attracted to her... Nice.
I listened to the audiobook, and I'm sorry to say the narrator was terrible. Made Elizabeth sound like she had no emotions whatsoever. I think I would have liked this one better if I'd read the book or listened with another narrator.
I listened to the audiobook, and I'm sorry to say the narrator was terrible. Made Elizabeth sound like she had no emotions whatsoever. I think I would have liked this one better if I'd read the book or listened with another narrator.
September 27, 2020
This book taught me to never try to do anything on an empty stomach, because tempers will be lost and you will say things you regret.
I don't read Beaton novels for beautiful heart wrenching romance, but satire, humor, historical truths about bathing (or lack of), and just a tinge of horror to what life could be like for women in desperate straits.
I don't read Beaton novels for beautiful heart wrenching romance, but satire, humor, historical truths about bathing (or lack of), and just a tinge of horror to what life could be like for women in desperate straits.
April 6, 2016
4 Stars
Hopefully I have discovered a new Historical Romance author who writes great stories.
review to come
Hopefully I have discovered a new Historical Romance author who writes great stories.
review to come
March 8, 2022
(Charles & Elizabeth): TRIGGERS: abuse, drugging, attempted murder. Okay, so I thought I would give this book a shot and I honestly wanted to pull a "DNF" more than a few times. I have never read a book where 99% of the characters were just downright unlikeable. Elizabeth is under the care of her uncle after her parents death. She's living with him, his wife and two daughters. They treat her like crap and oftentimes only give her bread and water as a part of a punishment for simple things along with beatings. She plans to run away to go to a party at the home of the duchess in hopes of finding a husband to get her away from her uncle. It's a major social event with several parties that allow single men and ladies to court. What annoyed me more than anything is that no one was particularly loyal to anyone, Elizabeth was always the target of everyone's fury, especially Charles', and everyone was wishy washy with their stance on what was going on. Most of the book was this back and forth of their judgment of Elizabeth. No one ever actually spoke to her first, they just passed along the rumor mill and made things worse. The part that I actual enjoyed was the plot between her uncle and the duchess and watching Charles uncover the truth of what was happening to Elizabeth. I think if the story was more if the mystery and less of the gossip I could've liked it more.
September 16, 2022
DNF'ed with only a little over 2 hours left I think? I literally couldn't take it any more. For a while I thought maybe I just wasn't vibing with the audio narration, but I can't imagine my reading the physical text would make enough of a difference. This was clearly trying to reproduce the sort of knife-sharp, witty sociocultural and intrapersonal criticism of Jane Austen, but all it had to work with was an old butter knife; I don't think I've ever read a book that considered its own characters with such disdain. There was no wit to speak of, no humor, no compassion for the circumstances that might drive a person to behave in these ways or hold these attitudes. It felt mean-spirited in a way that I found really unpleasant to listen to, and once I realized the inevitable happy ending would have to be something really spectacular to justify the annoyance I'd endure to get there, it seemed like a good time to go ahead and return this to my library. Yeesh.
November 21, 2023
AUDIOBOOK review of The Flirt
⭐️⭐️
At 17, Elizabeth Markham had been the toast of the London Season, breaking hearts wherever she went. But, when Elizabeth’s parents are killed in an accident and she is sent to live as the poor relation with her religious zealot of an Uncle, Elizabeth is relegated to spinsterhood and mocked by memories of bedazzling the bachelors of the Ton. But when she hears of a ball being held by ‘the one that for away’, Elizabeth is willing to break all the rules to finally find happiness.
I really enjoyed the audiobooks of Beatons ‘Poor Relation’ series, but this one was not comparable. I liked the regency spin on a Cinderella retelling, but The Flirt lacked all the humour from the authors previous books and fell flat. I also found it really hard to follow the narrators stilted way of reading, and couldn’t lose myself in the story as usual. Not a win for me, this time.
⭐️⭐️
At 17, Elizabeth Markham had been the toast of the London Season, breaking hearts wherever she went. But, when Elizabeth’s parents are killed in an accident and she is sent to live as the poor relation with her religious zealot of an Uncle, Elizabeth is relegated to spinsterhood and mocked by memories of bedazzling the bachelors of the Ton. But when she hears of a ball being held by ‘the one that for away’, Elizabeth is willing to break all the rules to finally find happiness.
I really enjoyed the audiobooks of Beatons ‘Poor Relation’ series, but this one was not comparable. I liked the regency spin on a Cinderella retelling, but The Flirt lacked all the humour from the authors previous books and fell flat. I also found it really hard to follow the narrators stilted way of reading, and couldn’t lose myself in the story as usual. Not a win for me, this time.
January 30, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. It starts off by introducing the heroine and you find yourself rooting for her against her horrible family. Unfortunately the heroine isn't very likeable and is quite shallow. Through some creativity and luck the heroine makes her way into a house party attended by members of her former social circle. Here we meet the hero, who is also not very likable. He does the good hero thing and tries to "save" the heroine but then the two waffle back and forth in a love/hate, on/off relationship that is kind of annoying. Pretty much all of the supporting characters are unlikeable in some way. Even the comic relief character is shallow and petty. I read the whole thing quickly. I found the flow to be nice and the storyline interesting, but I just didn't like any of the characters so I felt unfulfilled after reading it.
July 24, 2025
This book is a traditional Regency with a twist. The heroine was appreciated during her season, but after being orphaned (both parents died during a carriage accident), she was sent off to live with her uncle and his family. Think Cinderella, minus the singing animals and fairy godmother. Instead, the reader gets a glimpse of the hard life of the less privileged. There is emotional and physical abuse, too.
Our hero, while not a Prince, certainly starts with an elevated view of his status and his family's place in the world. What I enjoyed was his slow but steady realization that his worldview wasn't necessarily correct. His growth came in fits and starts, which made it seem more realistic to me.
I'd suggest it for fans of traditional Regencies who can cope with descriptions (not overly graphic) of abuse.
Our hero, while not a Prince, certainly starts with an elevated view of his status and his family's place in the world. What I enjoyed was his slow but steady realization that his worldview wasn't necessarily correct. His growth came in fits and starts, which made it seem more realistic to me.
I'd suggest it for fans of traditional Regencies who can cope with descriptions (not overly graphic) of abuse.
August 7, 2020
When Elizabeth Markham's parents die in an accident, she goes from being the belle of the London season, to being the poor relation at her uncle's home. After two years of drudgery, abuse, and starvation, Elizabeth takes a chance and and runs away - and she runs away to the Duke of Dunster's exclusive house party, where her only hope is to first, get a good meal, and second, find a husband before she is found out. But Elizabeth may have bitten off more than she can chew, and it may be harder than she thinks, especially because she has nothing, not even a coin to her name or a change of clothes.
Such a fun story, and I really enjoyed it. Cute, clean, and quirky. I think I liked it even more, because I have been reading a lot of nonfiction and rather serious books lately. 3.5 stars
Such a fun story, and I really enjoyed it. Cute, clean, and quirky. I think I liked it even more, because I have been reading a lot of nonfiction and rather serious books lately. 3.5 stars
March 2, 2024
Hmmmm, seems an awful lot like some other Regency Mysteries that MC has written. The society girl, so lovely and popular, who, through no fault of her own, has suddenly been orphaned and become “the poor relation”! Horrors!
She finds herself cast in the role of Cinderella to her two ugly cousins and her fundamentalist uncle who does not approve of “the Season” as a way of finding an appropriate husband for his charges but instead behaves like a punitive beast, starving, beating and trying to break the beautiful Elizabeth.
She will not be tamed! She escapes and the plot is afoot. Entertaining enough for me to finish, stock characters abound and the highlights are the descriptions of clothes scenery and food.
She finds herself cast in the role of Cinderella to her two ugly cousins and her fundamentalist uncle who does not approve of “the Season” as a way of finding an appropriate husband for his charges but instead behaves like a punitive beast, starving, beating and trying to break the beautiful Elizabeth.
She will not be tamed! She escapes and the plot is afoot. Entertaining enough for me to finish, stock characters abound and the highlights are the descriptions of clothes scenery and food.
August 29, 2018
I love the descriptions of the clothes and hair, but I hate that so many of this author's leading "men" are such assholes. They act like big spoiled children.
There's nothing alluring about bratty, territorial, entitled, jerks. It makes me hate the main character for being such an idiot doormat. This guy has been domineering, icy, presumptuous, and at times even cruel to her the whole book, yet she's still in love with him though were given her no reason for it other than that he's a good kisser and handsome.
It's hard to rally behind a main character who is content to be treated that way.
Just gross.
There's nothing alluring about bratty, territorial, entitled, jerks. It makes me hate the main character for being such an idiot doormat. This guy has been domineering, icy, presumptuous, and at times even cruel to her the whole book, yet she's still in love with him though were given her no reason for it other than that he's a good kisser and handsome.
It's hard to rally behind a main character who is content to be treated that way.
Just gross.
August 29, 2023
A delightful story about a young lady, orphaned when her parents were killed in an accident. She, Elizabeth Markham, is sent to live with her miserly uncle. She escapes to attend a house party and find a husband. She finds instead Lord Charles Lufford, the tons catch of the season. When Elizabeth's rouse is found out, Lord Charles saves her by announcing the pair is engaged. Of course, there's more to the story, like an unknown inheritance and attempts on Elizabeth's life. Enjoyed this one a lot, the storyline and the characters. A typical Chesney romance, but oh so delightful.
October 20, 2022
The first part is a little depressing and may make you angry, but it gets better in time. A Cinderella style story, set in England with the aristocrat thinking they can decide who you marry. One gets infuriated as a young female sets about to capture a husband, only to find a certain attraction to each other! It's a far different story from her usual ones, and she takes you from being sad to scared to happiness!
Read
January 17, 2024Lufford was unbearable. Omg. If he had died trying to protect her or something I would have more sympathy for him. Funny but rly annoying.
Not quite Knightley. Very grumpy. He was funny at first but instead of having a dry sense of humour he was just judgemental and mean. Boring.
Elizabeth was charming at first but by the end she was just reckless and silly.
I guess they deserved each other.
Not quite Knightley. Very grumpy. He was funny at first but instead of having a dry sense of humour he was just judgemental and mean. Boring.
Elizabeth was charming at first but by the end she was just reckless and silly.
I guess they deserved each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
It was alright. It started out so Cinderella-esque but quickly made its own way, which I liked. Although the plot was alright, I did not care for the way the narrator did Charles’ voice - even though he was mid-30s it sounded like he was 50 or more. Several voices, in fact, were grating. However, I did like that the MFC and MMC both had moments of self-reflection and made some good changes throughout the book.
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