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The Traveling Matchmaker #2

Belinda Goes to Bath

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On the London Quicksilver 1800s stagecoach to "The Bath", Miss Hannah Pym 45 finds Miss Belinda Earle banished for running off with a footman, so her fond-of-drink chaperone Miss Wimple gossips. Coach overturned in a river, passengers rescued to nearby Baddell Castle by dashing Marquess of Frenton to divert snobs Lord and Jordan, greedy for Penelope.

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First published August 1, 1991

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About the author

Marion Chesney

139 books750 followers
Marion 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.

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5 stars
520 (25%)
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746 (36%)
3 stars
663 (32%)
2 stars
103 (4%)
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34 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
Profile Image for Zain.
1,884 reviews287 followers
January 5, 2024
Exciting!

A historical romance told during the regency period of King George III, and book 2 in the series.

Miss Pym is a spinster who likes to travel on the stagecoach. She considers her travels adventures. And an adventure is what she has.

On this adventure she meets a husband and wife who are not getting along. And she meets Belinda, a young lady who is in disgrace, so she is being sent to live with her demented great aunt, Lady Bellamy.

Miss Wimple is the companion who is sent with her to protect her. There’s a lot of stuff going on with her.

And there are other characters in this story that help make this book hilarious. For example, the Marquess of Frenton, who may or may not love Belinda.

This book has a lot of interesting and fascinating action filled scenes that twist and turns and have your mouth hanging open with laughter.

This book gets five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Amy.
3,051 reviews619 followers
October 23, 2018
That's it. I think I am done with 'Marion Chesney.' My annoyance with these plots has finally turned to flat out anger.
Belinda ran off with footman and so is being sent off to Bath in disgrace. On the coach she meets Ms. Hannah Pym, aka the Travelling Matchmaker. They end up meeting the stereotypical Chesney hero (30s, handsome, good with old ladies) and Hannah decides to set them up. But the stupid hero whose name I do not care to remember learns of Belinda's disgrace and decides that since she's damaged goods, he might as well have his bit of fun.
Of course, he discovers his mistake and falls in love with her. Or in lust, to be more accurate.
I passionately hated the "romance" in this book. The hero behaves like a lecherous creep and is never condemned for it. Belinda is a young innocent who gets seduced by him. Throw in the moralizing Hannah, the insane (but-why?) aunt, and several other ridiculous plot points and the whole thing left me with nothing but a deep frustration and annoyance. Not even Ms. Pym saved the story this time. Rather, she added to my irritation by both furthering the lecherous hero's interest in Belinda and behaving like an idiot over what's-his-name, the brother of her old master.
I'm disappointed....but done. (At least with this series. Got to wind up the others.)
Profile Image for Treece.
521 reviews150 followers
December 22, 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Although this second installment was similar to book one in some ways, the characters weren't as engaging for some reason. Still, I did enjoy them. Miss Pym was not quite as feisty which made her more human. It was nice veering more into her past and personality. Her matchmaking skills are growing . What is interesting is that despite her excellent observance of others, she has yet to discover who she truly is. After all, money changes everything.

Overall, I truly liked this audio. There were a few fun surprises and unexpected twists and turns. Another successful ending for Miss Pym.
Profile Image for Sarah.
960 reviews
April 4, 2020
3.5 stars. This had a bit more silliness in it than the first one, which is exactly what I was hoping for. This is my second Marion Chesney series and what I am enjoying about them is that while the hero and heroine of each romantic plotline are a bit interchangeable from those from the other books, the main series characters are unique and interesting. In this case, the main character is Miss Hannah Pym, a 45-year-old former housekeeper who received an inheritance and wants nothing more than to see England by stagecoach. Along the way, she takes it upon herself to match up young couples who she thinks are well-suited. Hannah is a bit of a busybody, but totally lovable, and I love the little hints we are getting about a future romance for her, which I assume and hope will come to fruition in book six!
Profile Image for Lauren.
288 reviews8 followers
February 25, 2015
Marion Chesney is remarkably good at writing romances where I am 100% TEAM NOBODY. (See also: The Miser of Mayfair, The Marquis Takes a Bride)

...and yet, I keep reading them.
928 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2019
Fun! Enjoy the comedy of manners, with period insights and history lesson artfully tucked into romantic perils and hijinx, with believable antics. Many reminders of the variety in society - men do propose based on jealousy, pathetic women do gossip viciously, people do travel out of interest or boredom, hosts do contrive to free themselves of unwanted visitors, people do act outside of their own best interests, fools do 'press-on' even when experience and good sense tells them to wait. I love Miss Pym, having previously run an entire household, turning to 'fixing' others' lives. Sooner or later this may bite her back, but her courage and innocent delight are contagious.
Profile Image for Elevetha .
1,931 reviews197 followers
September 18, 2023
What utter trash. Never have I ever despised the male love interest in any book so much. Nay, all but one of the male characters at all should be shot.

And because Hannah just goes along with the narrative of men can do whatever they want, be lecherous disgusting creeps, and woman must simply put up with it, I started to hate her too.

The romance is awful and nothing but lust. There's more content than I was expecting too. Though nothing was graphic, it was in SUCH poor taste, it left me with a sour feeling. The characters are infuriating to boot.

Readers, I hated it.
348 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2017
These books are hilarious! They are really over the top, drama filled, and ridiculous, while simultaneously being extremely light hearted and sweet. I really love Miss. Pym and am super excited for when she ends up with Sir George. :)
Profile Image for Nancy Cook-senn.
773 reviews13 followers
January 25, 2020
Perspicacious Miss Pym once again finds a mistreated young thing and a self-satisfied gentleman to throw together amid misunderstandings and social gaffes and all their complications, while also taking a hand in straightening out other troubled couples and individuals. Frothy and fun.
Profile Image for Penelope.
1,465 reviews15 followers
September 7, 2023
MY RATING GUIDE: 3-3.5 Stars. This was overall a decent read; it read very quickly (completing it before I headed off to bed).
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

A Georgian novel, Winter, 1800.
Miss Hannah Pym, at 45, is the former housekeeper of a wealthy but reclusive man in Kenningston. When her employer dies, Hannah is bequeathed with a generous gift of 5000 pounds in appreciation for her 33yrs of service. Considering her sudden financial gain, Hannah decides to indulge a little. She will travel throughout England by stagecoach, and experience life through the sights and the people she meets.

Hannah is on her second adventure in BELINDA GOES TO BATH where she again meets a small group of people. Among them is Miss Belinda Earle, 19, a young orphaned heiress, accompanied by her strict spinster companion. Belinda has decided she does not wish to marry. Subsequently she is being sent off to Bath in isolation to reconsider her obligations and her familial duty. Along the journey to Bath the stagecoach overturns, stranding the passengers near the expansive grounds of the Marquis of Frenton. Although the Marquis, 33, is entertaining guests at the time, he decides to open his doors to the disassembled group of travelers until their coach can be repaired and the weather improves. By temperament, Hannah is a problem solver and a matchmaker so naturally she applies her efforts during their stop-over. Mild drama ensues.

Comments ~
I enjoy Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth Mystery series and a number of her other novels are currently free through my audiobook subscription service. I decided to check out a few. After finishing bk1 of Beaton’s Traveling Matchmaker series with somewhat ambivalent feelings, I moved on to bk2, BELINDA GOES TO BATH. Hannah Pym, the main character, is a busybody to my way of thinking. That part of the story (the matchmaking) doesn’t really interest me. I did find that I liked the Marquis, however, and was curious about a few other characters. I could admire the Marquis’ work ethic and wanted the best for him. Unlike Hannah, I wasn’t always convinced that would be accomplished by adding Belinda into his life.

The narrator, Helen Lisanti, again pulled me into the story quickly. I was better prepared for the older voice she uses for Hannah so no complaints there.

I consider BELINDA GOES TO BATH a “Comfort read” - Clean & slightly Quirky, a Historical Romance with included Adventures. It’s a very easy read perhaps with quiet undertones relating to class differences, hypocrisy, autonomy, prejudices and more. My favorite section actually deals with 2 side characters and then the last chapter as Hannah again meets with Sir George, her former employer’s younger brother. Sir George is a minor character (from bk1) that I’d like to see (a lot) more - which seems unlikely at this point. Interestingly, Hannah’s personal feelings regarding the possibility of mutually satisfying male-female relationships (beyond purely sexual or “stirred passions”) seems to be warming. As I read, a couple of times I surprised myself by laughing out loud. Mostly because I’m curious for additional information regarding Sir George, I’ll be moving on to PENELOPE GOES TO PORTSMOUTH next.

BELINDA might be a good book to use as a light palate cleanser or that quick read before heading off to bed (as I did).

READER CAUTION ~ None. Suitable for most readers.
PROFANITY - None.
VIOLENCE - PG.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Nonexistent
Profile Image for Tracy Enright.
123 reviews9 followers
January 25, 2015
This book is the second in the Travelling Matchmaker series written by MC Beaton under the name Marion Chesney.

Miss Hannah Pym takes the Flying Machine stagecoach to Bath and encounters adventure along the way when, thanks to a drunken coachman, the stagecoach ends up in the river. Miss Pym, a romantic at heart with a wide practical streak, notices the spark between her travelling companion, Miss Belinda Earle, and the handsome marquess who rescues them, and determines to do what needs to be done. Miss Pym succeeds despite the obstacles of the marquess, Belinda and Belinda's companion, but then she doesn't believe that the course of love should run smoothly.

This is a light read with a wealth of historical titbits that really puts you in the period and memorable characters. There are some similarities between this and the first book – the redoubtable Miss Pym at the centre, the lovers who dislike each other at first sight, the miscommunications that leave them believing the other has no interest in them and the other travellers who are determined the prevent any relationship developing, and even the unlikely pairing of other characters. Despite this, the characters are sufficiently different to be engaging. If I had one criticism, it would be that a glossary to explain some of the more archaic terms that have fallen out of use since the 1800s would be helpful.
Profile Image for QNPoohBear.
3,583 reviews1,562 followers
February 7, 2014
Miss Hannah Pym so enjoyed her adventure on the stage coach, she decides she's not done traveling and wishes to have another voyage. On this trip she meets the Judds, a married couple who are always bickering, Miss Belinda Earle, whose family sent her away for running off with a footman and Belinda's self-righteous moralizing companion Miss Whipple. A terrible accident leaves the coach passengers injured and stranded at Baddell Castle, the home of the Marquess of Frenton. Hannah decides to play matchmaker and determines that Belinda and the Marquess would suit, however, the Marquess is entertaining Penelope Jordan and her parents, who hope to match her with the Marquess. The Marquess has a reputation for being cool and disliking visitors and Belinda takes him into dislike until her chaperone's loose tongue sends the Marquess chasing after her. Meanwhile, Hannah also seeks to repair the relationship of the Judds and help them on the path to a better life. Hannah also has her own romantic subplot involving her former employer's brother, Sir George Clarence. I didn't care for this story. I liked Belinda, who was a very modern heroine, but the Marquess was snobby, cold and driven by lust. He was one of Chesney's most unappealing heroes.
Profile Image for Helene Harrison.
Author 3 books79 followers
November 18, 2018
Review - I did really enjoy this book, but I think I need to re-read the rest of the series as this is the second one, but it does also stand on its own. I love Hannah Pym as a character as she seems so unusual, and offers different outside insights on the events of the novel and the romantic relationships in particular. I did really like the heroine, Belinda Earle, in this particular novel as she was determined to get what she wanted, but was constantly being pulled back.

Genre? - Romance / Historical

Characters? - Hannah Pym / Belinda Earle / Marquis of Frenton / Sir George Clarence

Setting? - Bath (England)

Series? - Travelling Matchmaker #2

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 16/20
Profile Image for Jess.
557 reviews22 followers
May 27, 2017
Terrible! The MC, Hannah Pym moves between moralizing and matchmaking with a skill at neither. Belinda starts out as a woamn of independence before falling into the lazy trap of romance with a brutish partner of Frenton. Once again it's a case of lazy writing as to the moralizing stories (and yes, there are a few). Everyone feels less than one-dimensional, honestly. There are so many women yet none of them seems to be developed beyond plot point. The romance borders on the 1980s bodice-ripper tropes, just toned down. Everything is terrible. Avoid at all costs.
Profile Image for Donna Alexander.
55 reviews
November 9, 2011
Nothing more than a distraction really. I enjoyed the first book in the series for this reason, but this is just more of the same. It's never about the destination, only the people on the stage. Same theme, different people. Sadly, I am not that interested to find out if Miss Pym's relationship with her former employers brother turns into anything. For now, I have other books I'd rather read.
Profile Image for Jodie.
256 reviews3 followers
June 1, 2018
Another great book. Sweet and charming. No stress. Perfect quick read.
Hannah, the matchmaker, is back at it again. This time she meets Miss Belinda Earle, who is being sent to her widowed aunt’s home in Bath. Belinda isn’t a typical young woman of the era. She speaks her mind and doesn’t play games. Because of this, the handsome Marquess of Frenton finds her fascinating.
Profile Image for Moira Fogarty.
443 reviews22 followers
October 23, 2017
These are such elaborate little tales of Regency romance, I enjoy their over-the-top quality immensely. Spirited heroines, reluctant heroes, the determined and forthright Ms. Pym... it’s all smashing as a short vacation for the brain.
Profile Image for Patricia.
2,035 reviews
September 17, 2016
I have read her mysteries and this is one of her romances with a 'matchmaker' being the connecting character, easy, fun read.
Profile Image for Seren.
141 reviews
November 3, 2017
Enjoyable for the silliness and predictability. Excellent for a night of insomnia.
Profile Image for Eden.
2,218 reviews
November 17, 2021
2021 bk 348. I've read most of the series in the past - but this one was new to me, and perhaps the one I've enjoyed the most. Belinda is naive, Miss Pym is enchanted by how naive and how Belinda's story mirrors her former Mistress. She ran off with the Footman only to find out he was helping her escape her aunt and uncle with no intention of marriage. Having returned to them, they wash their hands and send her off to Bath along with a sanctimonuous jailor. Miss Pym does not approve. A drunk coach driver, spring rains, snow, etc. result in a visit to a castle with a single man as host. And the story fun begins! I will re-read this on a wet, dreary day.
Profile Image for Colleen.
94 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2023
Oh Miss Pym! I think I like the first book in the series much better. A nice and easy quick read. I enjoy the window into the past.
Profile Image for Michelle Louise.
441 reviews20 followers
February 2, 2020
So much regency fun!

Hannah Pym is a delight. The former servant now turned traveler delights as through various misadventures she ends up in countering the disgraced Belinda and the incorrigible Marquis Fenton. Marion Chesney has always been one of my favorite regency authors. I picked this up since I never had a chance to read it back when I was going through my read all the romance novels phase. It’s just as much fun as I remember her other books being there’s a lightness of whimsy end of the world is populated by so many diverse characters that you swear your part of the action.

Five easy stars.
117 reviews
February 24, 2020
Fun, clean, Recency read!

Innocent orphaned girl who wasn't/didn't wish to be picked in her first season has an experience and is judged as wanton & willful by her aunt & uncle, is banished from London to 'The Bath' to live with another, far stricter, aunt who's to make sure she learns her moral duty.

Instead of placing her in her parent's far more comfortable coach she's made to take a common stagecoach with a fearsome matron overseer for her companion. And there begins the adventure with Miss Hanna Pym as one of the travelling companions.

The story follows in the paths of all these stories, but it's the changes in the journey that makes it a fun read!

Profile Image for Patrice Doten.
1,286 reviews19 followers
April 13, 2020
I’ve read a lot of this author’s work and she has a habit of portraying all people of faith as hypocrites or lunatics, which I find disappointing. It would be much more effective and believable if she contrasted those types with people of genuine faith to show the difference. But, aside from that, the story itself is entertaining, with always some little mystery, and I adore Miss Pym and her adventures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews

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