The Reluctant Debutante

Light Division Romances #2

by Lynn Bryant

It is 1818 and Waterloo is three years in the past.

When Cordelia Summers, daughter of a wealthy City merchant, reluctantly agrees to a London season it is purely to please her much loved father who is anxious to see her respectably settled in life. Intelligent and strong-willed, Cordelia has no wish to barter her fortune for a title and no wish to be married to any man who wants to curb her independent spirit.

Giles Fenwick, Earl of Rockcliffe shares Cordelia's distaste for matrimony. A scarred Waterloo veteran who spent much of the war as one of Wellington's exploring officers, he came into his title and fortune unexpectedly and has little respect for the polite world and the ambitions of the matchmaking mammas who see him as an eligible prospect for their daughters.

The cynical Earl and the high-spirited merchant's daughter form an unlikely alliance based on their mutual determination to avoid matrimony. But Giles and Cordelia quickly discover that friendship can easily turn into much more, and that all marriages are not created equal...

“The Reluctant Debutante” is the sequel to “A Regrettable Reputation” and the second of the Light Division Romances, a spin-off series to the Peninsular War Saga.

Genres: Historical Romance

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2017

About the author

Lynn Bryant was born and raised in London’s East End. She studied History at University and had dreams of being a writer from a young age. Since this was clearly not something a working class girl made good could aspire to, she had a variety of careers including a librarian, NHS administrator, relationship counsellor and manager of an art gallery before realising that most of these were just as unlikely as being a writer and took the step of publishing her first book.

She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.

“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.

Reviews

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟
First read for this author. I enjoyed the story and relationship between the couple.
A rake and a straight talking debutant. Who meet for the first time in a roadside inn. Drunken kiss.
They meet again at a ton ball. The banter between them was fun and the story kept my interest.

Will definitely read more of Lynn’s books 📚

[Crazychriss889]

First, let me thank Bethan Taylor for commenting on my review!
I took the opportunity and rewrote parts of my original review. Guess I was pretty upset after reading this book and I may have been a bit too hard.
Especially because I DID NOT finish this book. So I have no idea what happened after I stopped reading the book. The hero might redeem himself. I don't know. So just beware and don't only trust my review.

Anyways, please know that this one might just be the book for you!

So, I started with
What a disgrace...
which really was pretty hard but I was upset.

Now let me explain why (spoilers)

In my original comment I wrote that this book is one of those that glorify sexual assault. It all starts with a drunk earl who locks himself in a room with a merchant's daughter, he repeatedly grabs her without her consent and forces her to kiss him.
Now, hey of course our heroine is offended but the kiss is just so great so it was completely okay for the Earl to force himself on her.

This scene was a bit too much for me and I felt deeply offended. I mean, yeah, the Earl was drunk but in my opinion, that doesn't excuse what he did.

But that wasn't my only problem. I disliked that he couldn't even acknowledge that what he did was assault. And then I wrote: and the only regret he has is that he couldn't rape her.
Okay, yeah, that was a bit much because that's not exactly what he said. But he did regret not continuing with what he had in mind with her cause they were interrupted. And my problem was that at that time, he still didn't acknowledge that what he did was wrong.

That's when I said: Thank you. I am out.

Now please let me remind you again that I didn't finish this book (DNf 8%), meaning that it could very well be that the hero later on makes up for what he did, that he shows regret.
It's just, I didn't feel good when reading that particular scene.

Btw, the writing style was good. Sure, there were five mistakes in the first chapter alone but that doesn't say anything, really.

[Jennifer Macaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a refreshing Regency romance - the heroine, Cordelia Summers, is a sensible, intelligent woman who is not part of the nobility. So, although her father is a merchant and they are very wealthy, she's not considered part of the 'ton'. Despite this, Lady Carlton convinces Cordelia's father to let Cordelia stay with her in order to make her debut into society during the season. Her father agrees, in hopes that she find a good match. Cordelia does not particularly want to marry, she's happy in her house in the country, and has no use for balls, lovely gowns, or fopish suiters. All that changes when Cordelia’s carriage breaks down on the way to London and she takes refuge in an inn while her groom changes carriages. Enter the Earl of Rockcliffe, who is very drunk, and who sees Cordelia and mistakes her for a tavern wench, and proceeds to try to seduce her. Not an auspicious beginning - but before things get out of hand, Rockcliffe comes to his senses and manages a clumsy exit. The two don't know it, but they are going to meet again during the first ball of the season. And that's when things get interesting. I really enjoyed this story. Cordelia and Rockcliffe are completely frank with each other, there is no "I hate him I hate him I love him" nonsense - the couple are well matched and their banter is fun. There is a happy ending, of course, but there are several twists that keep the reader turning pages to make sure everything turns out all right! I will be getting more of this author's books! Highly enjoyable!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I find some of the reviews on Amazon rather odd. Yes, it is of a genre, but that is obvious before purchase and if you don't care for the genre, why read it? In addition I find the comparison to Heyer invidious; it is not trying to be a Heyer pastiche, why should it try to be more like it? Having got that off my chest, I found this to be a nice, enjoyable romp, with engaging, likeable, well written characters. Yes, the main plot outcome was guessable, but that is de rigeur for this genre and there are many unexpected quirks. I found the writing well paced and felt that the sexual content was perfectly appropriate for the plot; well handled (if you pardon the phrase) and neither too pornagraphic nor too missish. Just right, in fact. I take the point of another reviewer that it appears to start with an assault, but I do feel that it is unfair to make such a detailed review of a book one has not actually read - and the near assault is by no means shown as acceptable behaviour. It is a plot device to show how far the character of the perpetrator develops in the storyline, which is believably written and creates a number of characters that become very likeable. It was a real page turner and I was disappointed that I'd come to the end of it.

[Bethan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from this author. This is a traditional regency romance, well written and very funny in places. Cordelia is another excellent heroine who knows what she wants but she’s not so overdone as to be unbelievable. I particularly liked Giles and the journey he makes from bored cynic to a man it is easy to like. Sometimes in romances I find it hard to imagine why anyone would fall in love with a man behaving so badly but Giles’ charm shines through right from the start. And I loved the references to the peninsular war books - Giles was from the 110th!!!!! I’m hoping we get to meet his younger self in some of the series. A lovely, light-hearted romance, not as deep as An Unconventional officer but great fun.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Romance

I'm beyond happy to have discovered Lynn Bryant. After reading A Respectable Woman and then devouring The Peninsular War saga, I read both of the Light Division Romances. I loved reading Giles's story, and it's so nice to see him happy. Even if you haven't read any of her other books, you can start here. I love Georgette Heyer novels, but wish they were just a tad spicier while maintaining their historical accuracy. Lynn Bryant gets the balance just right. As a historian, I get fed up with most modern romances because they are so unlikely, but I adore Lynn Bryant's novels because she gets it right! Lynn, if you're reading this, please write more Light Division romances! I want Leo Manson to have his own book!

[Cindy Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent romance novel

I read in the author's notes this was her first attempt at a romance novel. As a first attempt she has done a beautiful job here.

The era after Waterloo in Britain is the setting. The characters are wonderfully described and developed. The dialogue is just great.....witty, funny, and at times outlandish as Giles and Cordelia exchange intelligent banter. It made for an excellent read. Giles' not-so-subtle statements and the forthright responses by Cordelia are a joy to read.

Hard to put down. Great historical romance!

[Henry C. Schumacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

a five star read

All of Lynn Bryant’s books and short stories are 5 star , I think Gil’s Fenwick has a touch of PTSD , but he’s doing better. I’ve read all the novels and now I’m wondering when more are forthcoming, I’ve binge read everything and now I have to find something else to read,I’m sad these novels are page turner’s and I got caught up in all the characters , Lynn please get writing
Henry Schumacher

[John Nino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Society’s Rewards

What an enjoyable book. Well plotted. Well written. Wonderful characters. A very nice read. Good follow on to the Peninsula Campaign novels by the same author.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The h, Miss Cordelia Summers, a wealthy Cit’s daughter and the H, Giles Fenwick, Earl of Rockcliffe, meet in inauspicious circumstances when Cordelia’s carriage suffers a mishap on the road to London and she takes temporary refuge in a poor but respectable inn. Rockcliffe and two of his friends turn up, thoroughly drunk, and in spite of the landlord’s valiant efforts to protect his young female guest, Rockcliffe forces his way into the small, private parlour and, mistakenly thinking Cordelia is a tavern wench or a governess, proceeds to “seduce” her, although it is closer to an assault than a seduction. Luckily, he doesn’t succeed and neither of them expect to meet again. However, this is an HR and to have the ‘R’ part, they have to meet again, which they do at Lady Carlton’s ball. Cordelia is Lady Carlton’s protégé for the Season, but again, Rockcliffe’s behaviour to her, although more circumspect than their previous meeting, is rather appalling. Cordelia more than holds her own and confounds the Earl with her attitude. He is drawn to her and begins showing up at all the Society functions he has previously shunned, so that he can spend time with her. He calls on Lady Carlton and takes Cordelia riding every morning in the Row, usually with Sir Justin Crane and Miss Mavis Avey, two of Cordelia’s friends. They enjoy each other’s company and the dialogue is sparkling and vey witty.

Cordelia and Rockcliffe are two very enjoyable characters and are well-drawn. The main problem with their relationship is that Rockcliffe has already lost his reputation, but Cordelia’s loss of reputation would be disastrous, and Rockcliffe doesn’t seem to give that much thought. Their shared sense of humour is delightful, but I think the honours go to Cordelia for repartee. There is a lot of humour in this story and only one (rather big) misunderstanding that is soon sorted out. Rockcliffe is a H to give one a few heart palpitations once he gets over his drunkenness and arrogance. Cordelia is a strong heroine and is probably my favourite character in the book. The secondary characters are also depicted well and some of them are memorable for one reason or another. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the characters. On the whole it is a delightful, well-written book that I can recommend, but….

I have some “buts” and I am going to be picky. In some chapters, just about EVERY sentence of dialogue has an exclamation mark! That is too many! There is too much lust and one fairly explicit sex scene that did not add anything to the story. I am also a bit dubious about the h “knowing what to do by instinct” in that sex scene. The author says she grew up with a love of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, but I don’t recall all this lust and sex in any of their books I have read. Please, can we have modern writers of Regency romances keeping the bedroom door closed? There is no bad language, but there are some blasphemies. Lastly, there is a difference in meaning between “discrete” and “discreet”.