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The Regency Spies of London #2
A Viscount's Proposal
Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society's shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She's determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents' or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress's husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall's coach "accident" was no such the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress's husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall's coach "accident" was no such the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2017
341 people are currently reading
3989 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Dickerson
41 books6,528 followersMelanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author of happily-ever-after romance. She believes in love, laughter, afternoon tea, and the power of story.
With a million books sold and numerous awards, including two Christy Awards, two Golden Quills, a National Readers Choice Award, Christian Retailing’s Best, and Book Buyers’ Best Awards, her books have hit #1 in her category on the New York Times bestseller list.
When she’s not writing, Melanie can be found watching Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time, cozying up to her handsome hero husband, or shaking her head at her slightly unhinged Jack Russell terrier. She lives in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians near Huntsville, Alabama.
With a million books sold and numerous awards, including two Christy Awards, two Golden Quills, a National Readers Choice Award, Christian Retailing’s Best, and Book Buyers’ Best Awards, her books have hit #1 in her category on the New York Times bestseller list.
When she’s not writing, Melanie can be found watching Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time, cozying up to her handsome hero husband, or shaking her head at her slightly unhinged Jack Russell terrier. She lives in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians near Huntsville, Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 412 reviews
February 20, 2021
About this book:
“Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.”
Series: Book #2 in “The Regency Spies of London” series. Review of #1 Here!
Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking God; A few Scriptures are mentioned; Talks about God & Jesus; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of Christians, an evangelical writer & Christian books about morals; Mentions of clergymen; Mentions of Christmas; A few mentions of Bibles & reading; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of church going; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of Lent;
*Note: A mention of damning evidence; A mention of something seeming damning; A “Good God, man,” is said once; A ‘what the devil’.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘Egads’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘shut up’, three ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Pain (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of duels & a death; Mentions of fighting, guns aimed & trying to shoot a person (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of murder, a plan to murder someone, a would-be assassin, threats & hatred (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries, blood, a carriage accident & a body (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drinking, drunks & spirits; Mentions of hangings & jail; Mentions of hunting & shooting at people and animals; A few mentions of a suicide; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of lying & lies; A couple mentions of beatings.
Sexual Content- a palm kiss, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, an almost kiss, two not-detailed kisses, four barely-above-not-detailed kisses, & three semi-detailed kisses; Touches, Embraces, Nearness, & Flutters (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing; a ‘wench’; Many mentions of scandals, mistresses/courtesans, lovers, affairs & passion (mentions are barely barely-above-not-detailed in what it all means); Many mentions of reputations, ruin reputations & compromising situations; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of flirts, flirting & touching; A few mentions of mistletoe & kissing under it; A few mentions of an illegitimate child; A couple mentions of blushing & a man loving his wife with his body; A couple mentions of scandalous romance novels; A mention of a man seducing & keeping a young girl as his mistress; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of unmentionables.
-Leorah Langdon, age 22
-Edward Withinghall, age 29
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1813-1814
279 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I don’t know about y’all, but I love reading romances where the main couple don’t get a long—or even like each other—at first. It’s such a nice change from the typical love/attraction at first sight, wouldn’t you agree? I honestly adored this novel. Even for dealing with mentions of mistresses, men who keep one & affairs, it was all very clean. I enjoyed the first book, but Leorah and Edward just made this book. At first I was getting a Mr. Darcy vibe almost from Edward, but I was happy when it was different. I honest-to-goodness, loved Leorah (& her name!) and thought she was just brilliant. I did love seeing Julia & Nicholas again and learning what was new with them. (I always love reading series connected by siblings or dear friends because you have a high chance of seeing the previous couple again in the next book.) I’m hoping for Felicity’s story next; I want to hear about her twelve siblings!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the author for this honest review.
“Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.”
Series: Book #2 in “The Regency Spies of London” series. Review of #1 Here!
Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking God; A few Scriptures are mentioned; Talks about God & Jesus; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of Christians, an evangelical writer & Christian books about morals; Mentions of clergymen; Mentions of Christmas; A few mentions of Bibles & reading; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of church going; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of Lent;
*Note: A mention of damning evidence; A mention of something seeming damning; A “Good God, man,” is said once; A ‘what the devil’.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘Egads’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘shut up’, three ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Pain (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of duels & a death; Mentions of fighting, guns aimed & trying to shoot a person (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of murder, a plan to murder someone, a would-be assassin, threats & hatred (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries, blood, a carriage accident & a body (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of drinking, drunks & spirits; Mentions of hangings & jail; Mentions of hunting & shooting at people and animals; A few mentions of a suicide; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of lying & lies; A couple mentions of beatings.
Sexual Content- a palm kiss, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, an almost kiss, two not-detailed kisses, four barely-above-not-detailed kisses, & three semi-detailed kisses; Touches, Embraces, Nearness, & Flutters (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing; a ‘wench’; Many mentions of scandals, mistresses/courtesans, lovers, affairs & passion (mentions are barely barely-above-not-detailed in what it all means); Many mentions of reputations, ruin reputations & compromising situations; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of flirts, flirting & touching; A few mentions of mistletoe & kissing under it; A few mentions of an illegitimate child; A couple mentions of blushing & a man loving his wife with his body; A couple mentions of scandalous romance novels; A mention of a man seducing & keeping a young girl as his mistress; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of unmentionables.
-Leorah Langdon, age 22
-Edward Withinghall, age 29
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1813-1814
279 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I don’t know about y’all, but I love reading romances where the main couple don’t get a long—or even like each other—at first. It’s such a nice change from the typical love/attraction at first sight, wouldn’t you agree? I honestly adored this novel. Even for dealing with mentions of mistresses, men who keep one & affairs, it was all very clean. I enjoyed the first book, but Leorah and Edward just made this book. At first I was getting a Mr. Darcy vibe almost from Edward, but I was happy when it was different. I honest-to-goodness, loved Leorah (& her name!) and thought she was just brilliant. I did love seeing Julia & Nicholas again and learning what was new with them. (I always love reading series connected by siblings or dear friends because you have a high chance of seeing the previous couple again in the next book.) I’m hoping for Felicity’s story next; I want to hear about her twelve siblings!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the author for this honest review.
September 23, 2017
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
(Sorry, just needed to get that out of my system.)
This may be Melanie's best book yet! I certainly think it's one of her most well-written books, though I miiiight still like a couple of hers better. It's definitely in the top three favourites of mine!
Shall we get on to the review? (Warning: much fangirling ahead. *innocent smile*)
Lovely Things:
- E V E R Y T H I N G. Let me say it again: I loved basically everything about this book.
- Okay, but the characters. Yessssssss. Let's talk about these wonderful people! Leorah and Edward probably have to be my favourite Melanie Dickerson couple out there. THEY ARE JUST SO PRECIOUS. I WANT TO HUG THEM BOTH. (Okay, maybe not Edward; he would probably disapprove. XD) Leorah is hilarious and reminded me a lot of Emma Woodhouse for some reason. She spoke her mind, didn't care a whit for social expectations, and had the funniest things to say about Lord Withinghall (aka Edward). *cackles because their interactions were the best* She was extremely honest (sometimes overly so) but also very sweet and kind and a great friend. AND EDWARD. YES. I maaaay or may not be a little in love with him. Ahem. His growth throughout the story is top notch, and I absolutely adore the Mr. Darcy/Knightley vibes I'm getting. (He's an interesting character.) Besides the main characters, I also rather loved watching Nicholas and Leorah's brother-sister relationship (oh, the teasing!) and getting to see more of Felicity. She was a sweetheart.
- The banter. Does this really need an explanation??
- The setting. Hello yes, it's regency England with a hint of mystery. SIGN ME UP. I adored all the Jane Austen references (can we talk about the scene with Edward reading Sense and Sensibility??) and all the lovely balls and such. It was just the kind of light read I needed.
- BUT THE HUMOUR THOUGH. (Yes, I'm obsessed. Fight me on this.)
Not So Lovely Things:
- Um...it ended? I was just sad to see this story go, honestly. Everything was amazing, and I already want to reread this! IT'S JUST THE BEST. <3333 However, I will say that Melanie Dickerson has a very simplistic, plain-as-the-nose-on-your-face writing style which I generally dislike. For some reason, though, I don't mind it in her books. I keep coming back to her stories and adoring them. I guess they're my guilty pleasure reads. ;)
Summary? If you ever read a Melanie Dickerson book, read this one. It's honestly one of her strongest stories, and I heartily recommend it if you like hilarious banter and wonderful characters.
5 stars!
(Sorry, just needed to get that out of my system.)
This may be Melanie's best book yet! I certainly think it's one of her most well-written books, though I miiiight still like a couple of hers better. It's definitely in the top three favourites of mine!
Shall we get on to the review? (Warning: much fangirling ahead. *innocent smile*)
Lovely Things:
- E V E R Y T H I N G. Let me say it again: I loved basically everything about this book.
- Okay, but the characters. Yessssssss. Let's talk about these wonderful people! Leorah and Edward probably have to be my favourite Melanie Dickerson couple out there. THEY ARE JUST SO PRECIOUS. I WANT TO HUG THEM BOTH. (Okay, maybe not Edward; he would probably disapprove. XD) Leorah is hilarious and reminded me a lot of Emma Woodhouse for some reason. She spoke her mind, didn't care a whit for social expectations, and had the funniest things to say about Lord Withinghall (aka Edward). *cackles because their interactions were the best* She was extremely honest (sometimes overly so) but also very sweet and kind and a great friend. AND EDWARD. YES. I maaaay or may not be a little in love with him. Ahem. His growth throughout the story is top notch, and I absolutely adore the Mr. Darcy/Knightley vibes I'm getting. (He's an interesting character.) Besides the main characters, I also rather loved watching Nicholas and Leorah's brother-sister relationship (oh, the teasing!) and getting to see more of Felicity. She was a sweetheart.
- The banter. Does this really need an explanation??
- The setting. Hello yes, it's regency England with a hint of mystery. SIGN ME UP. I adored all the Jane Austen references (can we talk about the scene with Edward reading Sense and Sensibility??) and all the lovely balls and such. It was just the kind of light read I needed.
- BUT THE HUMOUR THOUGH. (Yes, I'm obsessed. Fight me on this.)
Not So Lovely Things:
- Um...it ended? I was just sad to see this story go, honestly. Everything was amazing, and I already want to reread this! IT'S JUST THE BEST. <3333 However, I will say that Melanie Dickerson has a very simplistic, plain-as-the-nose-on-your-face writing style which I generally dislike. For some reason, though, I don't mind it in her books. I keep coming back to her stories and adoring them. I guess they're my guilty pleasure reads. ;)
Summary? If you ever read a Melanie Dickerson book, read this one. It's honestly one of her strongest stories, and I heartily recommend it if you like hilarious banter and wonderful characters.
5 stars!
October 15, 2019
..
Leorah Langdon, from a very reputable family, was introduced in the first installation of this series as a stubbornly independent thinker, not afraid of going against societal rules. It was a delight to get to know her better in this volume and ride along on her adventure toward marital bliss. The author sure captivates the reader with excitement in this one!
DESCRIPTION
Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.
Viscount Withinghal was originally portrayed as a strict, law-abiding, member of Parliament, who guarded his reputation staunchly. Leorah Langdon was described as a carefree, unconventional, and fun-loving woman not interested in the activities deemed appropriate for women in their societal realm.
Of course, who else would Leorah be caught in a compromising position with? Can two people that abhor one another avoid a scandal?
As the book progressed from there, they each discovered new qualities and characters not apparent in the countenance of their character originally. Can it change the way they feel about one another?
CON: I was totally distracted by the spelling of the main character's name, Leorah. I realize that in this day and age, given names are outrageous, spelled incorrectly, and more such aversions. But this spelling makes one wonder each time it is viewed why someone would purposely use such a difficult spelling since it is used repeatedly throughout the book. It just doesn't flow off the tongue with any ease at all. Maybe this only bothered me, but maybe others were flabbergasted as well.
This book concludes with a H.E.A. guaranteed to make one smile. This installation is able to stand on its own. However, if you read the entire series in order, you will benefit from gleaning more about the characters that carry over from installation to the next.
-------------------------
A Viscount's Proposal (The Regency Spies of London Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Melanie Dickerson (Author)
Print Length: 290 pages
..
Leorah Langdon, from a very reputable family, was introduced in the first installation of this series as a stubbornly independent thinker, not afraid of going against societal rules. It was a delight to get to know her better in this volume and ride along on her adventure toward marital bliss. The author sure captivates the reader with excitement in this one!
DESCRIPTION
Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.
Viscount Withinghal was originally portrayed as a strict, law-abiding, member of Parliament, who guarded his reputation staunchly. Leorah Langdon was described as a carefree, unconventional, and fun-loving woman not interested in the activities deemed appropriate for women in their societal realm.
Of course, who else would Leorah be caught in a compromising position with? Can two people that abhor one another avoid a scandal?
As the book progressed from there, they each discovered new qualities and characters not apparent in the countenance of their character originally. Can it change the way they feel about one another?
CON: I was totally distracted by the spelling of the main character's name, Leorah. I realize that in this day and age, given names are outrageous, spelled incorrectly, and more such aversions. But this spelling makes one wonder each time it is viewed why someone would purposely use such a difficult spelling since it is used repeatedly throughout the book. It just doesn't flow off the tongue with any ease at all. Maybe this only bothered me, but maybe others were flabbergasted as well.
This book concludes with a H.E.A. guaranteed to make one smile. This installation is able to stand on its own. However, if you read the entire series in order, you will benefit from gleaning more about the characters that carry over from installation to the next.
-------------------------
A Viscount's Proposal (The Regency Spies of London Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Melanie Dickerson (Author)
Print Length: 290 pages
..
February 7, 2017
So happy I finally got to read another amazing Melanie Dickerson book! I finished this book in one day and it was worth every second I spent on reading it. The romance between Leorah and Edward was very well done and kept me entertained till the end. Such a great read :) I highly recommend it.
February 17, 2021
This was good! I enjoyed the first book in this series a lot and have been looking forward to the second one for some time. I was a little afraid at first that I wouldn't connect with Leorah because she's such a different personality from me, but the author did well in helping me understand why Leorah is the way she is and by the end I liked her and was rooting for her.
I also ended up liking Withinghall by the end. He was a tad grumpy at first, but again, by the end you understand why and he even ends up regretting it and making a change. (And underneath the grumpiness he was never actually bad or mean, otherwise I wouldn't have been won over.)
The references to an actual historical figure like Hannah More was nice as well. Turns out I even read the same biography about her as Dickerson did when she was planning this novel!
The one minor disappointment that I had was that, while there was political intrigue, this story never got quite as exciting as the first book. I kept hoping it might and it didn't. It was still a good story, just a little more subdued. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Advisory:
Violence:
Leorah falls off her horse and breaks her wrist. Pain and bruising are mentioned.
A carriage accident results in Withinghall's leg being broken, plus a bloody cut on his forehead. His valet/carriage driver is also killed, apparently having fallen off the carriage and then gotten run over by it, but the body is not described in any detail.
There are several attempts at murdering someone via gunshot, but no one gets hurt.
Several mentions of Withinghall's father being killed in a duel with the husband of his mistress.
Sexual:
Several mentions of Parliment members keeping mistresses, but it is made clear that this (and quite a few other things the upper class of the day liked to wink and ignore) is wrong.
Withinghall has a memory from his childhood of following his father and discovering that he had a mistress. No inappropriate details given.
As stated in the synopsis, after the carriage accident, Leorah and Withinghall are forced to take shelter in the overturned carriage and are then discovered there together by their rescuers. While all they did was sleep and wait for rescue, rumors fly about them having been alone together for so long, thus ruining their reputations.
Leorah has a friend who is an unwed mother. Discovering the identity of the man is a major plot point.
A man attempts to lure Leorah to the garden alone, but his attempts fail.
Leorah and Withinghall share a few kisses after their engagement. The first two are barely described at all. The third is a little more described but not lengthy.
Withinghall quotes a Bible verse that hints mildly at the physical relationship between husband and wife (as well as loving each other with heart, soul, and mind.)
Spiritual:
Characters pray to God, reference Biblical morality, occasionally quote Bible verses, and credit God for changes in their attitudes and lives.
Other:
Mentions of drinking alcohol in social settings. Most characters don't get drunk, but Leorah's father is mentioned as becoming even more loud and rude when he has alcohol in him.
Leorah's father is a selfish jerk. He cares very little about her besides the social standing he can gain if she marries well, and treats her brothers as if they have more value than her. At one point he yells at her for having turned down a proposal from an affluent person, causing her to break down in tears. His own marriage is cold and loveless and he can often be rude to people outside his family as well.
I also ended up liking Withinghall by the end. He was a tad grumpy at first, but again, by the end you understand why and he even ends up regretting it and making a change. (And underneath the grumpiness he was never actually bad or mean, otherwise I wouldn't have been won over.)
The references to an actual historical figure like Hannah More was nice as well. Turns out I even read the same biography about her as Dickerson did when she was planning this novel!
The one minor disappointment that I had was that, while there was political intrigue, this story never got quite as exciting as the first book. I kept hoping it might and it didn't. It was still a good story, just a little more subdued. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Advisory:
Violence:
Leorah falls off her horse and breaks her wrist. Pain and bruising are mentioned.
A carriage accident results in Withinghall's leg being broken, plus a bloody cut on his forehead. His valet/carriage driver is also killed, apparently having fallen off the carriage and then gotten run over by it, but the body is not described in any detail.
There are several attempts at murdering someone via gunshot, but no one gets hurt.
Several mentions of Withinghall's father being killed in a duel with the husband of his mistress.
Sexual:
Several mentions of Parliment members keeping mistresses, but it is made clear that this (and quite a few other things the upper class of the day liked to wink and ignore) is wrong.
Withinghall has a memory from his childhood of following his father and discovering that he had a mistress. No inappropriate details given.
As stated in the synopsis, after the carriage accident, Leorah and Withinghall are forced to take shelter in the overturned carriage and are then discovered there together by their rescuers. While all they did was sleep and wait for rescue, rumors fly about them having been alone together for so long, thus ruining their reputations.
Leorah has a friend who is an unwed mother. Discovering the identity of the man is a major plot point.
A man attempts to lure Leorah to the garden alone, but his attempts fail.
Leorah and Withinghall share a few kisses after their engagement. The first two are barely described at all. The third is a little more described but not lengthy.
Withinghall quotes a Bible verse that hints mildly at the physical relationship between husband and wife (as well as loving each other with heart, soul, and mind.)
Spiritual:
Characters pray to God, reference Biblical morality, occasionally quote Bible verses, and credit God for changes in their attitudes and lives.
Other:
Mentions of drinking alcohol in social settings. Most characters don't get drunk, but Leorah's father is mentioned as becoming even more loud and rude when he has alcohol in him.
Leorah's father is a selfish jerk. He cares very little about her besides the social standing he can gain if she marries well, and treats her brothers as if they have more value than her. At one point he yells at her for having turned down a proposal from an affluent person, causing her to break down in tears. His own marriage is cold and loveless and he can often be rude to people outside his family as well.
May 5, 2018
This book was really fun to read! I think the story captured everything I loved about Leorah's sassy but sweet character from book one, A Spy's Devotion. I felt this story wasn't as intense or as cloak-and-dagger as the first book. But it was still an exciting ride with plenty of surprises. Reading the trouble that Edward and Leorah get into, while navigating through the rengency social scene of the time. I couldn't help but enjoy every page.
I love how Leorah doesn't try to fit in the society's expectations of who she sould be, but she loves great novels, her horse Buckey and really caring for others. Lol! If she were a real person I feel like we could totally be besties!
Edward was really great character to play off Leorah's. Edward was so serious and driven, but he really had a kind heart.
I loved the banter between Edward and Lenorah it just everything! Haha! Plus the pirate bit throughout the book was just my favorite!
As much excitement that this book had it had a lot of great lessons with a great thread of faith. I enjoy this series so much! I can't for the next one! :-)
I love how Leorah doesn't try to fit in the society's expectations of who she sould be, but she loves great novels, her horse Buckey and really caring for others. Lol! If she were a real person I feel like we could totally be besties!
Edward was really great character to play off Leorah's. Edward was so serious and driven, but he really had a kind heart.
I loved the banter between Edward and Lenorah it just everything! Haha! Plus the pirate bit throughout the book was just my favorite!
As much excitement that this book had it had a lot of great lessons with a great thread of faith. I enjoy this series so much! I can't for the next one! :-)
March 4, 2017
A charming tale about a likable, spirited young lady and an uptight viscount who learns to overcome their prejudices about each other, meet in the middle, and fall in love. It was a good clean read but still had plenty of chemistry with a great ending--all the loose ends tied up in a wholly satisfying way. Although the series is labeled Regency Spies of England, there is no spying in this book. However, there are a few murder attempts so there is an element of danger and intrigue. I have not read all of Ms. Dickerson's books, nor any others in this series, but this is one of her best that I've read so far.
July 11, 2017
I am not a Dickerson fan after reading a couple of her fairytale books. I had issues with the way she writes a story. I try to be fair and I love regency so I thought I would give her another try. There were things I liked about this story. The changing characters as they learned and grew. The leading lady had spunk and a backbone and I really liked her. I did finish it and wanted to know how it would wrap up and how they would end up together in the end. There was a lot I didn't like tho. This had a very slow pace, the characters hardly talked to each other. There were parts that were too similar to Pride and Prejudice almost like she was following that story outline. I thought the leading man was a self righteous dork and had a hard time shifting him in my brain. The bad guy always gives in too easily and the conflict resolves too easily. At the end of the novel I didn't know how these two were even going to get over there weirdness and kiss each other and that is just odd. So I guess Dickerson isn't for me after all and that is sad because I really want to like her! This was Squeeky Clean.....like high pitched squeekyness:}
February 8, 2017
"Except I was hoping someday to see you standing on a ship's deck in your shirtsleeves with a cutlass between your teeth."
"Maybe it can be arranged"
Go ahead and "Squee"..you will be doing it A LOT in this book!
There is so much to say about this book but I do not want to give away all the twists and turns. This book is a lot like Pride and Prejudice but with a passionate feel. I couldn't believe how much I acted like a school girl reading this...it was absolutely wonderful!
Leorah is a strong woman with a sense of adventure and Edward is trying to escape his past by thinking being miserable will do it. Their banter was funny and the little side comments I just could not get enough of. My only fault is that I never wanted this book to end. This is going on my shelf (not to be kept for long because I already want to re read) as one of my favorite books of all time.
"Maybe it can be arranged"
Go ahead and "Squee"..you will be doing it A LOT in this book!
There is so much to say about this book but I do not want to give away all the twists and turns. This book is a lot like Pride and Prejudice but with a passionate feel. I couldn't believe how much I acted like a school girl reading this...it was absolutely wonderful!
Leorah is a strong woman with a sense of adventure and Edward is trying to escape his past by thinking being miserable will do it. Their banter was funny and the little side comments I just could not get enough of. My only fault is that I never wanted this book to end. This is going on my shelf (not to be kept for long because I already want to re read) as one of my favorite books of all time.
March 9, 2017
This story really grabbed me and would not let me go. Leorah was my kind of girl; she refused to comply with society's ridiculous rules for women and she was not afraid to speak up and out. I just laughed and laughed when she and her friend Felicity were caught comparing Lord Withinghall to a pirate! The fact that Lord Withinghall and Leorah had an immediate dislike for each other made the story so much more interesting with every encounter between the two! The verbal sparring was intense and I imagined I was there watching it all unfold! Then everything cranked up a notch when the mystery, murder and secrets began! Dickerson masterfully tells a story that will draw you in and hold you captive until the very last word is read! I was completely intrigued and loved every minute of The Viscount's Proposal and you will too! I received a copy of this via netgalley and was under no obligation to review it.
March 23, 2018
I switched back and forth from the kindle ebook and audible version of this story using Kindle Unlimited. I must say that I was really not a fan of this particular narration. I did not like the narrator's voice for Edward at all. Aside from that, I enjoyed this story.
A Viscount's Proposal is a fun and interesting story set in Regency England. It is a nice pick for someone who enjoys reading novels that are set in that time period, while looking for a clean and wholesome book.
The villains behind the mayhem are pretty easy to figure out, however, I still enjoyed watching the characters make their own discoveries. The changing attitudes and interactions between Leorah and Edward were very fun and I liked the progression of the story. I also enjoyed catching up with the two main characters from the first book in this series, however, this title can stand alone if you have not read the first book.
A Viscount's Proposal is a fun and interesting story set in Regency England. It is a nice pick for someone who enjoys reading novels that are set in that time period, while looking for a clean and wholesome book.
The villains behind the mayhem are pretty easy to figure out, however, I still enjoyed watching the characters make their own discoveries. The changing attitudes and interactions between Leorah and Edward were very fun and I liked the progression of the story. I also enjoyed catching up with the two main characters from the first book in this series, however, this title can stand alone if you have not read the first book.
June 23, 2018
It kept me engaged throughout most of the story until I realized the entire plot and many of the lines spoken by the main character were taken straight out of Pride and Prejudice. At that point I was a little more exasperated than engaged as a reader. I did like the hero and heroine’s chemistry, but then they seemed to have lost track of it—trying to keep up with mimicking P&P—and the ending seemed conveluded and was just meh. I’d had pretty high hopes for the book through about half way.
February 16, 2017
You guys! I can't wait to give you my thoughts on this book. It will have to wait until after our live show :(
April 18, 2018
I mostly listened to this on audiobook, but I did read some of it on Kindle ... and enjoyed those parts the most. I'm so glad I read the last few chapters versus listened to them (I didn't like how Lord Withinghall was portrayed in the audiobook, but it was more convenient to listen most times, so ... *shrugs*), because they were an absolute delight! So swoony and sweet. *winks*
I loved the banter and squabbles between Leorah and Edward. It was very well-written and witty - just a pleasure to read. The way the romance developed was quite endearing. And there were some very heartfelt themes. I'm so glad I read this book, and am excited to read the third in THE REGENCY SPIES OF LONDON series!
Well done, Melanie Dickerson!
I loved the banter and squabbles between Leorah and Edward. It was very well-written and witty - just a pleasure to read. The way the romance developed was quite endearing. And there were some very heartfelt themes. I'm so glad I read this book, and am excited to read the third in THE REGENCY SPIES OF LONDON series!
Well done, Melanie Dickerson!
March 16, 2017
This is post originally on Vivian's Book Pavilion
Really? I’m totally reading Pride and Prejudice. I don’t know whether I like it or not…but…somehow it interested me, but not impressed. I remember when I first read A Spy’s Devotion, I was pretty impressed, and to be honest, it’s one of the best books I’ve read from Melanie Dickerson. During that review, I also mentioned that it’s quiet similar to the setting of Pride and Prejudice, but, it wasn’t similar in that way. it got its own unique plot, its own adventure. And I love it, it’ll impressed every Pride and Prejudice lover. And…A Viscount’s Proposal??? Just wait and see!
So…back to A Viscount’s proposal…I must say I did enjoy it, but since I’d mentioned before…it’s too similar to Pride and Prejudice. The plot is predictable and somehow the adventures lack of excitement. To be honest…I’m slightly disappointed with this one, since Leorah was such a perfect character in A Spy’s Devotion, and…well…as you might guess, she was exactly like Lizzy in this book. From Leorah and Edward’s interaction…it’s just basically the copy of Pride and Prejudice. Edward came into the party with an unlikable face, Leorah said bad words about him, and they argued with each other. So as you might guess…their future acquaintance was horrible. Oh!!! But there are still good action parts in the story…otherwise…I really love the part where Leorah and Edward stuck together, and I won’t tell you in case of spoiling you. I really love how Nicolas and Julia also played a huge part in this story, which makes the story more…appealing?
Really? I’m totally reading Pride and Prejudice. I don’t know whether I like it or not…but…somehow it interested me, but not impressed. I remember when I first read A Spy’s Devotion, I was pretty impressed, and to be honest, it’s one of the best books I’ve read from Melanie Dickerson. During that review, I also mentioned that it’s quiet similar to the setting of Pride and Prejudice, but, it wasn’t similar in that way. it got its own unique plot, its own adventure. And I love it, it’ll impressed every Pride and Prejudice lover. And…A Viscount’s Proposal??? Just wait and see!
So…back to A Viscount’s proposal…I must say I did enjoy it, but since I’d mentioned before…it’s too similar to Pride and Prejudice. The plot is predictable and somehow the adventures lack of excitement. To be honest…I’m slightly disappointed with this one, since Leorah was such a perfect character in A Spy’s Devotion, and…well…as you might guess, she was exactly like Lizzy in this book. From Leorah and Edward’s interaction…it’s just basically the copy of Pride and Prejudice. Edward came into the party with an unlikable face, Leorah said bad words about him, and they argued with each other. So as you might guess…their future acquaintance was horrible. Oh!!! But there are still good action parts in the story…otherwise…I really love the part where Leorah and Edward stuck together, and I won’t tell you in case of spoiling you. I really love how Nicolas and Julia also played a huge part in this story, which makes the story more…appealing?
February 8, 2018
This book was very much like a Jane Austen book - avoiding scandal and all that. I liked the main character, and the book did have some witty dialogue. There weren't any major plot twists, but it was fun to read. Like Jane Austen's books, it was a clean book, but also the main plot line was of a romantic nature. Nothing wrong with that, just the "spy" part of the story wasn't very strong.
Read
January 29, 2018I DNF books pretty fast. I won’t force myself to read something that isn’t working. This book just didn’t work. The writing was all telling, no showing, which really bothered me and doesn’t fit in this genre. Bummer too; the premise sounded good.
January 1, 2018
A sweet regency romance that I enjoyed!
August 9, 2017
Fantastic read from beginning to end. Edward is the perfect Austenian hero, much like the dashing and proper Mr. Knightley. Highly recommend this great book!
June 3, 2017
This is my third book by Melanie Dickerson, and though I’m willing to give her one more chance, reading Felicity’s story in the next installment of The Regency Spies of London, I think I won’t read anymore by this author. Perhaps it is me, but in two of the three books I read by her, the story was completely predictable (this one included), and although I’ve seen glowing, five star reviews, I can’t give it more than three. Let me explain myself.
In this book, we get to know more about Leorah Langdon, Nicholas’s sister from the first book. I was really eager to read more about her, as I loved her in A Spy’s Devotion, and I had great expectations on her love story, given that the man who would fall in love with her would have to be utterly special, as she wouldn’t accept any less than true passion, after witnessing her parents’ loveless marriage. She’s a strong-willed, spirited young woman. She knows when a rule is worth following, and when it is completely ridiculous or rooted in convention, and she enjoys being unconventional, which is a very modern-day way of thinking, considered out of place in a society like the Regency England one. On the other hand, we have our hero, Edward, lord Withingall, who is exactly the opposite of Leorah. He strictly follows conventions and obeys every rule, reads books about morals, and doesn’t allow himself to do anything that can distract him from his political dignity and career. He speaks his mind, and lives to overcome the scandal that has surrounded his family since his father was killed in a duel with his lover’s husband. He has the talent and the potential to become Prime Minister and doesn’t want anything to distract him from his goal.
Their story is briefly insinuated in the previous book, when Leorah tells Julia some story to distract her about a man whose hat got ruined when she was riding in Hyde Park and didn’t see him coming; he called her “a reckless hoyden” then, and in this book, we get to know that man was actually Lord Withingall. Right from the start, their encounters are somewhat shocking for him, as she isn’t like any other girl he has ever met, always hearing her saying things that could be considered inappropriate, like calling him a pirate, or an undertaker, for always dressing in black clothes from head to toe, but that’s before they get both involved in the carriage accident in which both are discovered in a compromising position, and hence, gossip and scandal follows.
There was a point in which I asked, “are they going to explain this any more times?”. I lost track of how many times the carriage accident was explained, over and over again, both by Leorah and Lord Witinghall. I understand that, to avoid a scandal, they kept clinging to their version of what happened, but I think that, after explaining it once, a simple sentence could sum up all the other hundred times they described it, like saying “so Leorah explained to him what had actually happened”, or something of the sort. But instead, we have to read, over and over again, how Leorah broke her wrist when her horse threw her from the saddle and Lord Withingall just happened to be passing by, how the carriage got overturned, how Pugh, the coachman, was killed, how Edward got his leg broken… And there’s a point in which enough is enough. The only moment I justify yet another explanation, because it is actually funny, is when Leorah uses it to provoke Miss Norbury, the woman Edward plans on marrying, because that’s how she is, she enjoys provoking people when they are so stuck to convention and rules, and seeing their reactions. But again, it is like the author tries to convince us, readers, that nothing actually happened in the accident, when in fact, we were there the whole time, and know exactly how things were.
Later on, Lord Withingall discovers that the accident was actually no accident. His carriage was sabotaged as an attempt to kill him. But again, the whole plot around it was absolutely predictable! There was no surprise, whatsoever. The culprits are exactly the suspected ones, and although I was expecting (I don’t know why) some sort of plot twist by the end to prove all of us wrong, there was no such a thing. Perhaps Pinegar’s motive was a surprise, but that it was him, the entire time? No. Villains do not hold any surprise on their identities, you know who they are, and although there is some sort of try into adding a little more suspense, it didn’t work. So, my question is, why trying to create intrigue, if the identities of the villains are revealed from the very first moment? Although they are not said right away, come one, people! It can be seen coming from miles away.
And please, although Rachel Becker wouldn’t say, it was more than obvious than her lover and father of her child was Felton Pinegar! If it would have been Hastings, that would have been a worthwhile plot twist, but no. Again, the author went down the obvious, predictable path.
Oh, and although the series is named The Regency Spies of London, this book has no spying at all, only politics. And there’s also some useless characters that come to the stage, but do absolutely nothing for the story, like Elizabeth Mayson, Felicity’s younger sister, and Miss Agnes Appleby, their aunt. They play no role in the story, they just come into some random scenes, but they don’t add anything new the plot (not in this book, at least, perhaps in the next one they will).
But leaving that aside, let’s go to the part I actually liked very much. Leorah and Edward’s love story is really beautiful, and I loved every minute of it. They are complete opposites, and what enchants Edward about Leorah is that she never feels intimidated by him, and every phrase that could scare away any other woman, for her is a motive of laughter. He sees that she wants her life to mean something, and wants to be loved and wanted utterly for herself. She won’t follow convention just because she has to, and she proved it when she refused his offer of marriage, out of duty. I loved her attitude:
“I will not be frightened into making such an important decision simply because idle people have nothing better to do than gossip.”
It is her unconventionality what makes Edward fall for her utterly and completely. She is unique in a world in which women are only allowed a number of things to do with their lives, being the most important one catching a wealthy husband, and behaving properly, being accomplished in only a few, useless things. But Leorah wants to make her life count, and she doesn’t fear spinsterhood. It’s love or nothing for her, and that’s why I like her. She’s bold and outspoken, and she defies lord Witinghall with her attitude. She’s everything he wouldn’t want in a wife, but discovers she’s worthy of being loved.
Although short, I loved their brief visit to his castle, and how it was a metaphor of her:
“And you don’t think I should change it—flatten those hills over there and make a formal garden?”
“Oh no. Certainly not. To change the natural landscape would be to take away the wild beauty of the place. Plant a few flowers if you like, but it would be a sin to change the wildness or the freedom of it.”
Leorah is beautiful because she’s not formal, and her freedom and wildness are what there’s to love about her. Edward looks at her the entire time as they speak in the castle’s roof, knowing, once more, that he’s lost to her. She took him out of his strict world of rules and stern morals to give him a taste of freedom, and he learned to be a little more like her. His love changed him, and I like when that happens. Otherwise, it is pointless, or it isn’t love.
Their romance has a lot of Jane Austen on it, I recognized lots of things from her books. I never doubted if they would end up together, and there’s some things that bothered me, like his relationship with Miss Norbury. Clearly, he called on her to tell her that he wouldn’t be proposing, after all, but we don’t know for sure. And even by the end of the book, Leorah refused to believe Edward was in love with her, and kept telling to herself why she should care about him, because she actually didn’t… And it kept me rolling my eyes. It gets tiring, and, in my opinion, if there’s something a book shouldn’t be, is repetitive.
So, in short, I liked this book, but not as much as I was hoping for, and although I will read the next book on the series, just to complete it, I don’t think I’ll read Melanie Dickerson again. If with more than one book, an author proves her stories predictable and somewhat repetitive, then it’s not for me. This one isn’t bad, but it could’ve been better.
*If you like what you read, you can find me in my blog for more reviews and other articles: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com.ar/*
In this book, we get to know more about Leorah Langdon, Nicholas’s sister from the first book. I was really eager to read more about her, as I loved her in A Spy’s Devotion, and I had great expectations on her love story, given that the man who would fall in love with her would have to be utterly special, as she wouldn’t accept any less than true passion, after witnessing her parents’ loveless marriage. She’s a strong-willed, spirited young woman. She knows when a rule is worth following, and when it is completely ridiculous or rooted in convention, and she enjoys being unconventional, which is a very modern-day way of thinking, considered out of place in a society like the Regency England one. On the other hand, we have our hero, Edward, lord Withingall, who is exactly the opposite of Leorah. He strictly follows conventions and obeys every rule, reads books about morals, and doesn’t allow himself to do anything that can distract him from his political dignity and career. He speaks his mind, and lives to overcome the scandal that has surrounded his family since his father was killed in a duel with his lover’s husband. He has the talent and the potential to become Prime Minister and doesn’t want anything to distract him from his goal.
Their story is briefly insinuated in the previous book, when Leorah tells Julia some story to distract her about a man whose hat got ruined when she was riding in Hyde Park and didn’t see him coming; he called her “a reckless hoyden” then, and in this book, we get to know that man was actually Lord Withingall. Right from the start, their encounters are somewhat shocking for him, as she isn’t like any other girl he has ever met, always hearing her saying things that could be considered inappropriate, like calling him a pirate, or an undertaker, for always dressing in black clothes from head to toe, but that’s before they get both involved in the carriage accident in which both are discovered in a compromising position, and hence, gossip and scandal follows.
There was a point in which I asked, “are they going to explain this any more times?”. I lost track of how many times the carriage accident was explained, over and over again, both by Leorah and Lord Witinghall. I understand that, to avoid a scandal, they kept clinging to their version of what happened, but I think that, after explaining it once, a simple sentence could sum up all the other hundred times they described it, like saying “so Leorah explained to him what had actually happened”, or something of the sort. But instead, we have to read, over and over again, how Leorah broke her wrist when her horse threw her from the saddle and Lord Withingall just happened to be passing by, how the carriage got overturned, how Pugh, the coachman, was killed, how Edward got his leg broken… And there’s a point in which enough is enough. The only moment I justify yet another explanation, because it is actually funny, is when Leorah uses it to provoke Miss Norbury, the woman Edward plans on marrying, because that’s how she is, she enjoys provoking people when they are so stuck to convention and rules, and seeing their reactions. But again, it is like the author tries to convince us, readers, that nothing actually happened in the accident, when in fact, we were there the whole time, and know exactly how things were.
Later on, Lord Withingall discovers that the accident was actually no accident. His carriage was sabotaged as an attempt to kill him. But again, the whole plot around it was absolutely predictable! There was no surprise, whatsoever. The culprits are exactly the suspected ones, and although I was expecting (I don’t know why) some sort of plot twist by the end to prove all of us wrong, there was no such a thing. Perhaps Pinegar’s motive was a surprise, but that it was him, the entire time? No. Villains do not hold any surprise on their identities, you know who they are, and although there is some sort of try into adding a little more suspense, it didn’t work. So, my question is, why trying to create intrigue, if the identities of the villains are revealed from the very first moment? Although they are not said right away, come one, people! It can be seen coming from miles away.
And please, although Rachel Becker wouldn’t say, it was more than obvious than her lover and father of her child was Felton Pinegar! If it would have been Hastings, that would have been a worthwhile plot twist, but no. Again, the author went down the obvious, predictable path.
Oh, and although the series is named The Regency Spies of London, this book has no spying at all, only politics. And there’s also some useless characters that come to the stage, but do absolutely nothing for the story, like Elizabeth Mayson, Felicity’s younger sister, and Miss Agnes Appleby, their aunt. They play no role in the story, they just come into some random scenes, but they don’t add anything new the plot (not in this book, at least, perhaps in the next one they will).
But leaving that aside, let’s go to the part I actually liked very much. Leorah and Edward’s love story is really beautiful, and I loved every minute of it. They are complete opposites, and what enchants Edward about Leorah is that she never feels intimidated by him, and every phrase that could scare away any other woman, for her is a motive of laughter. He sees that she wants her life to mean something, and wants to be loved and wanted utterly for herself. She won’t follow convention just because she has to, and she proved it when she refused his offer of marriage, out of duty. I loved her attitude:
“I will not be frightened into making such an important decision simply because idle people have nothing better to do than gossip.”
It is her unconventionality what makes Edward fall for her utterly and completely. She is unique in a world in which women are only allowed a number of things to do with their lives, being the most important one catching a wealthy husband, and behaving properly, being accomplished in only a few, useless things. But Leorah wants to make her life count, and she doesn’t fear spinsterhood. It’s love or nothing for her, and that’s why I like her. She’s bold and outspoken, and she defies lord Witinghall with her attitude. She’s everything he wouldn’t want in a wife, but discovers she’s worthy of being loved.
Although short, I loved their brief visit to his castle, and how it was a metaphor of her:
“And you don’t think I should change it—flatten those hills over there and make a formal garden?”
“Oh no. Certainly not. To change the natural landscape would be to take away the wild beauty of the place. Plant a few flowers if you like, but it would be a sin to change the wildness or the freedom of it.”
Leorah is beautiful because she’s not formal, and her freedom and wildness are what there’s to love about her. Edward looks at her the entire time as they speak in the castle’s roof, knowing, once more, that he’s lost to her. She took him out of his strict world of rules and stern morals to give him a taste of freedom, and he learned to be a little more like her. His love changed him, and I like when that happens. Otherwise, it is pointless, or it isn’t love.
Their romance has a lot of Jane Austen on it, I recognized lots of things from her books. I never doubted if they would end up together, and there’s some things that bothered me, like his relationship with Miss Norbury. Clearly, he called on her to tell her that he wouldn’t be proposing, after all, but we don’t know for sure. And even by the end of the book, Leorah refused to believe Edward was in love with her, and kept telling to herself why she should care about him, because she actually didn’t… And it kept me rolling my eyes. It gets tiring, and, in my opinion, if there’s something a book shouldn’t be, is repetitive.
So, in short, I liked this book, but not as much as I was hoping for, and although I will read the next book on the series, just to complete it, I don’t think I’ll read Melanie Dickerson again. If with more than one book, an author proves her stories predictable and somewhat repetitive, then it’s not for me. This one isn’t bad, but it could’ve been better.
*If you like what you read, you can find me in my blog for more reviews and other articles: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com.ar/*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2022
Well that was really fun! I enjoyed it immensely. 🥰 This had all the Pride & Prejudice vibes. Enemies to lovers at its finest.
Leorah and Edward cracked me up so much. Watching them go from despising each other to loving each other was really sweet. ❤️
Random things I loved about this book:
•her making him read Sense and Sensibility
•pirate eyebrows and her being his favorite hoyden
•the sweet letters
•the daring rescue
There’s more, I know… but those are few.☺️
I ended this book with a big smile on my face! I enjoyed it a lot.☺️
Leorah and Edward cracked me up so much. Watching them go from despising each other to loving each other was really sweet. ❤️
Random things I loved about this book:
•her making him read Sense and Sensibility
•pirate eyebrows and her being his favorite hoyden
•the sweet letters
•the daring rescue
There’s more, I know… but those are few.☺️
I ended this book with a big smile on my face! I enjoyed it a lot.☺️
February 7, 2017
Leorah Langdon a free spirited young lady who has no desire to settle for a cold, love less marriage like her parents, is waiting for a man that she will love more than her horse, Buccaneer. Edward Withinghall wants a demure, pious wife who will be a good hostess and support his political career. Then fate intervenes, Leorah is thrown from a horse and then she and Withinghall are in a carriage accident. Because they are alone, unchaperoned for hours their reputations are at stake. Will she give up her freedom for an uncertain marriage?
Melanie Dickerson is one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint, but always prove to be quite entertaining. She weaves the gospel through her stories showing how G-d works in our lives.
From Amazon:
Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.
About the author from Amazon:
Historical romance author Melanie Dickerson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and has taught special education in Georgia and Tennessee. She has also taught English in Germany and Ukraine. Dickerson won the 2012 Carol Award in young adult fiction and the 2010 National Readers’ Choice Award for best first book. Her novels The Healer’s Apprentice and The Merchant’s Daughter were both Christy Award finalists.
She lives with her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.
I was given this novel by Netgalley for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.
Melanie Dickerson is one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint, but always prove to be quite entertaining. She weaves the gospel through her stories showing how G-d works in our lives.
From Amazon:
Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.
Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.
Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.
About the author from Amazon:
Historical romance author Melanie Dickerson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and has taught special education in Georgia and Tennessee. She has also taught English in Germany and Ukraine. Dickerson won the 2012 Carol Award in young adult fiction and the 2010 National Readers’ Choice Award for best first book. Her novels The Healer’s Apprentice and The Merchant’s Daughter were both Christy Award finalists.
She lives with her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.
I was given this novel by Netgalley for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.
September 2, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
January 14, 2017
Melanie Dickerson's second book in the Spies of London series is one of her best yet! Leorah Langdon doesn't care a wit for societies silly rules. This makes her modern and relatable, yet she stays within the voice of the time period. I love the romance. Oh, I love the romance in this book! Expertly done!
October 21, 2024
I loved all the Jane Austen references in this book and I think Melanie really did a good job bringing this time period to life through her characters! Really enjoyed this read!
January 25, 2020
Regency England. I debated between rating this a
3.5 VS a 4 star book. Or a 3.75? There were religious
overtones but it did not feel overly preachy to me.
Unconventional Leorah & duty-driven Edward, House
of Lords member, misjudged each other from the start.
She thought Edward dour, rude and he dressed like an
undertaker. He thought Leorah flighty, impulsive & an
attention-seeker. Both were mullish + poor listeners
at times. I liked how the MCs went from mutual active
dislike to friends to a couple in love. It seemed hopeless
and then....
I felt their love would last.
3.5 VS a 4 star book. Or a 3.75? There were religious
overtones but it did not feel overly preachy to me.
Unconventional Leorah & duty-driven Edward, House
of Lords member, misjudged each other from the start.
She thought Edward dour, rude and he dressed like an
undertaker. He thought Leorah flighty, impulsive & an
attention-seeker. Both were mullish + poor listeners
at times. I liked how the MCs went from mutual active
dislike to friends to a couple in love. It seemed hopeless
and then....
I felt their love would last.
August 26, 2022
Enjoyable read!
April 20, 2020
Overall this was a good book. Mostly it seemed to drag in some parts, for me anyway. And while I did have a few problems with it. I did enjoyed it.
First of all, there was my (one of my) all-time favorite character, Leorah. She was strong and didn't care what society said, she did what she wanted (you go girl) and only allowed God to tell her when she shouldn't do something.
Some of my favorite scenes had her standing up for novels, the things she believed in, and only marrying the guy who she loves just as much as she loves her horse. She literally thinks how I do! Why should we marry someone who we don't love as much as our horse, puppy, cat, frog, mouse, bird? Why should we marry someone who we don't anticipate our return to? Think about it! Those of you who have pets have to clean cages, feed them, groom them, walk them, the list goes on! And yet we anticipate going home to do these things with them, to see them, to spend time with them, because we love our pets. We trust them, we expect them not to be perfect at all times, but yet, we still love them. If we can't love someone the same as we love our pets, then why do we get married at all? Leorah, I feel everything you did when you were talking to your horse.
The huge issue I had with Leorah, was not Leorah herself. But I think that a lot of the times she wasn't allowed to do her full potential. I think if she was let lose she could change the world if she wanted too. Only she never seems to have that chance.
First of all, we have everyone doing everything and saying things to her. Like: "Hey Leorah! Do you know that everyone in London is gossiping about you? Now you need to go and marry the viscount before your reputation is ruined!" Ruined indeed. Why couldn't she just go into London, hear the gossip herself, and let her deal with it? I mean it's fine that she has friends that care about her. But I thought a lot of the book was just people telling her what was going on and not her actually seeing it for herself and of course dealing with it herself.
Plus to make things worse, when Leorah was just about to do something hero-like, Edward does it for her. I mean, it made sense for the story, but I really thought that it was Leorah's turn to do something.
I did enjoy the romance pretty well. There was times where I thought they may have been concentrating too much on each other's looks. But being the fact that two people who hated each other later finds passionate love with each other, the type of love that most people crave? Yeah, you could say that I kinda like this part of the book.
Also this book doesn't seem to have much "spying" like the last one.... At least, Leorah had little to do with any of it.
Content in Book:
1. Mentions of men getting woman getting pregnant out of wedlock.
2. Violence (sabotage, intending to assassinate, fighting, killing someone in a duel).
Who Would I Recommend This Book To:
Those who first read A Spy's Devotion. Historical fiction fans. England's Regency era fans. Jane Austen fans, (I know nothing about her books, but this book was supposedly inspired by Jane Austen's works. So maybe you'll like this?). Romance fans, (there is a lot to love =)).
Special thanks to my friend, Melanie Kilsby, for recommending me this book. I did really enjoy it. Also take a look at her really cool YouTube channel. =)
First of all, there was my (one of my) all-time favorite character, Leorah. She was strong and didn't care what society said, she did what she wanted (you go girl) and only allowed God to tell her when she shouldn't do something.
Some of my favorite scenes had her standing up for novels, the things she believed in, and only marrying the guy who she loves just as much as she loves her horse. She literally thinks how I do! Why should we marry someone who we don't love as much as our horse, puppy, cat, frog, mouse, bird? Why should we marry someone who we don't anticipate our return to? Think about it! Those of you who have pets have to clean cages, feed them, groom them, walk them, the list goes on! And yet we anticipate going home to do these things with them, to see them, to spend time with them, because we love our pets. We trust them, we expect them not to be perfect at all times, but yet, we still love them. If we can't love someone the same as we love our pets, then why do we get married at all? Leorah, I feel everything you did when you were talking to your horse.
The huge issue I had with Leorah, was not Leorah herself. But I think that a lot of the times she wasn't allowed to do her full potential. I think if she was let lose she could change the world if she wanted too. Only she never seems to have that chance.
First of all, we have everyone doing everything and saying things to her. Like: "Hey Leorah! Do you know that everyone in London is gossiping about you? Now you need to go and marry the viscount before your reputation is ruined!" Ruined indeed. Why couldn't she just go into London, hear the gossip herself, and let her deal with it? I mean it's fine that she has friends that care about her. But I thought a lot of the book was just people telling her what was going on and not her actually seeing it for herself and of course dealing with it herself.
Plus to make things worse, when Leorah was just about to do something hero-like, Edward does it for her. I mean, it made sense for the story, but I really thought that it was Leorah's turn to do something.
I did enjoy the romance pretty well. There was times where I thought they may have been concentrating too much on each other's looks. But being the fact that two people who hated each other later finds passionate love with each other, the type of love that most people crave? Yeah, you could say that I kinda like this part of the book.
Also this book doesn't seem to have much "spying" like the last one.... At least, Leorah had little to do with any of it.
Content in Book:
1. Mentions of men getting woman getting pregnant out of wedlock.
2. Violence (sabotage, intending to assassinate, fighting, killing someone in a duel).
Who Would I Recommend This Book To:
Those who first read A Spy's Devotion. Historical fiction fans. England's Regency era fans. Jane Austen fans, (I know nothing about her books, but this book was supposedly inspired by Jane Austen's works. So maybe you'll like this?). Romance fans, (there is a lot to love =)).
Special thanks to my friend, Melanie Kilsby, for recommending me this book. I did really enjoy it. Also take a look at her really cool YouTube channel. =)
May 8, 2019
Ooh, I really enjoyed this, much more than I anticipated. I love retellings, so to read a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice was such a treat, especially one that was thoroughly delightful from beginning to end. This is one of the best enemies-to-lovers romances I've read; other than the original Pride and Prejudice, I can't think of one I've liked so well. Most feature couples who begin their relationship far too antagonistic for my taste, so this one was incredibly refreshing.
Leorah was a fun character. She was independent and feisty with a sense of adventure, all while not being overly so, and while also being an incredibly sweet and good person. Edward was so brooding and serious, but with such a good heart. I loved the gradual development of their romance—it was fascinating watching the progression of these two characters who start off disliking one another and who seem entirely opposite in every way come to discover who the other really is and that they're perfect for one another. I especially loved their witty banter. So much fun.
Unlike the other books in the series, this story didn't feature any intrigue or spying, but instead a subtle mystery about who is trying to murder the Viscount, which I personally enjoyed more, especially as it was definitely the secondary plot, making the developing romance between Leorah and Edward the primary focus. This gave ample time for their adorable and endearing romance to develop in a gradual and realistic way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and inhaled this in one sitting, staying up far too late doing so. This is definitely a book I'll want to reread in the years to come.
Leorah was a fun character. She was independent and feisty with a sense of adventure, all while not being overly so, and while also being an incredibly sweet and good person. Edward was so brooding and serious, but with such a good heart. I loved the gradual development of their romance—it was fascinating watching the progression of these two characters who start off disliking one another and who seem entirely opposite in every way come to discover who the other really is and that they're perfect for one another. I especially loved their witty banter. So much fun.
Unlike the other books in the series, this story didn't feature any intrigue or spying, but instead a subtle mystery about who is trying to murder the Viscount, which I personally enjoyed more, especially as it was definitely the secondary plot, making the developing romance between Leorah and Edward the primary focus. This gave ample time for their adorable and endearing romance to develop in a gradual and realistic way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and inhaled this in one sitting, staying up far too late doing so. This is definitely a book I'll want to reread in the years to come.
Read
February 20, 2022Stalled after a few chapters. Maybe it was my mood, but this wasn't grabbing me. The heroine didn't have enough personality for me, though her charitable work with unwed mothers did sound like it could be interesting. As for the guy, he seems like yet another Mr. Darcy knock-off but with less fashion sense. I got so tired hearing about his sour demeanor and bland attire. The only thing interesting about him are his eyebrows which the heroine insists makes him look like a pirate. Me thinks the eyebrows hint that there's more to him than meets the eye, but I'm not interested enough in either of the main characters to stick around and find out. Maybe I just didn't give it enough time, as it has high ratings, but with so many other books out there I'm moving on.
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