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Baleful Godmother #4.5
Discovering Miss Dalrymple
Who is he?
At the age of four Alexander St. Clare was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret—everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue.
But when Alexander finds his father’s diaries, he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past…
Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets. She has several herself—and one of those secrets is her ability to find missing people.
When Alexander turns to her for help, Georgiana sets out to discover just who he actually is…
At the age of four Alexander St. Clare was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret—everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue.
But when Alexander finds his father’s diaries, he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past…
Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets. She has several herself—and one of those secrets is her ability to find missing people.
When Alexander turns to her for help, Georgiana sets out to discover just who he actually is…
185 pages, ebook
First published October 24, 2017
356 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Emily Larkin
34 books370 followersEmily Larkin is the USA Today bestselling author of the Baleful Godmother historical romance series, a series that readers are calling “sexy, unusual and vastly entertaining,” and "ridiculously wonderful."
When not reading or writing, Emily can be found hiking—preferably somewhere off the beaten track. She loves to travel, and has lived in Sweden, backpacked in Europe and North America, and traveled overland in the Middle East, China, and North Africa. Her varied career includes stints as a field assistant in Antarctica and a waitress on the Isle of Skye.
Emily writes fantasy novels as Emily Gee, and historical romance novels as Emily Larkin. She has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA award, as well as the National Readers Choice, Booksellers Best, Australian Romantic Book of the Year, Sir Julius Vogel, and Koru awards. Her websites are www.emilylarkin.com and www.emilygee.com.
** Join Emily’s Readers’ Group to get an email whenever she has a new release or discounts a book—plus get some FREE ebooks as well!**
When not reading or writing, Emily can be found hiking—preferably somewhere off the beaten track. She loves to travel, and has lived in Sweden, backpacked in Europe and North America, and traveled overland in the Middle East, China, and North Africa. Her varied career includes stints as a field assistant in Antarctica and a waitress on the Isle of Skye.
Emily writes fantasy novels as Emily Gee, and historical romance novels as Emily Larkin. She has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA award, as well as the National Readers Choice, Booksellers Best, Australian Romantic Book of the Year, Sir Julius Vogel, and Koru awards. Her websites are www.emilylarkin.com and www.emilygee.com.
** Join Emily’s Readers’ Group to get an email whenever she has a new release or discounts a book—plus get some FREE ebooks as well!**
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 18, 2017
I've given this a B at AAR.
Readers who have been following Emily Larkin’s Baleful Godmother series will know that the various novels and novellas are linked by virtue of the fact that the heroines all receive a carefully chosen magical gift upon a landmark birthday (twenty-one, twenty-three or twenty-five, depending on the particular branch of the family they belong to) in recognition of a long-ago favour performed by one of their ancestors for the Faerie Godmother, Baletongue. Charlotte Appleby (Unmasking Miss Appleby) can shape-shift, Letty Trentham (Trusting Miss Trentham) can tell if someone is lying, and when Georgiana Dalrymple reached her twenty-third birthday, she chose the gift of being able to find things.
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is the sixth book in the series, and is, like most of the others, named for its heroine, although the stories in each have been as much about the hero’s journey as about the heroine’s. In this book, however, the emotional weight is very firmly shouldered by the male lead, Alexander, Duke of Vickery (mostly known as Vic), with Georgiana providing constant, loving support as he struggles to make sense of new information he has been given about his past and to re-define himself in the light of what he has learned.
Vic and Georgiana more or less grew up together, alongside her brother, Oliver, and Vic’s closest friend, Hubert Cathcart. Six years earlier, just after realising he’d fallen in love with her, Vic had to put on a brave face when Georgiana and Hubert became engaged. Tragically, however, the wedding never took place. Hubert had travelled to Scotland to visit his grandfather and never returned; for years, nothing was known of what had happened until about a year before this story begins, his grave was found in a remote churchyard near Craigruie.
Vic is as much in love with Georgiana as he ever was, and has hopes that perhaps she may feel the same way. He asks Lord Dalrymple for permission to court her and is given it – but before he can profess his love and ask for Georgina’s hand, he discovers something that turns his world upside down and makes him question everything he has ever known about himself.
He has always known what happened to him as a child; that when he was just four years old, he was abducted and sold to a chimney sweep in Exeter before he was found a year later and returned to his family. After that, his relationship with his previously distant father had changed for the better, and the two had become very close. It’s been a couple of years since his father died, and Vic is still moved to read some of the things the late duke wrote in his diaries about how proud he was of his son; but when Vic comes to an entry written shortly before his death, he is shocked to discover that toward the end of his life, his father had wondered if the boy he had rescued all those years ago was truly his own flesh and blood.
Shaken, Vic turns to Georgiana for help. Around a year ago, she had finally discovered the whereabouts of Hubert’s grave, explaining that she had seen the location in a dream. Another time, she had found a missing girl, once again, seeing the location in a dream. (Of course, the reader knows how Georgiana actually found them.) Knowing this, Vic thinks that if he isn’t his father’s son, maybe Georgina will be able to find the real Alexander in the same way; if not, then no such person exists and Vic will be able to accept that his father’s fears of having rescued the wrong boy were unfounded.
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is a long novella or short novel, depending on how you want to look at it, and it’s a fairly straightforward story in which Vic, Georgiana and her father undertake a short road-trip to see what they can find out about Alexander St. Clare, seventh Duke of Vickery, and the truth of what happened to him as a child.
Because it’s clear early on that Vic and Georgina are in love, there’s not a great deal of conflict in the story, which is focused on Vic’s search for the truth and his need to make sense of his life in light of the things he finds out. But that in no way means there’s not much going on. The author writes Vic’s sense of betrayal and confusion with a great deal of insight and the themes of love and trust which permeate the story are handled deftly, yet sincerely. There’s a point at which Vic goes through the “I am not worthy of her” stage, although this isn’t spurred solely by his worries about his origins, but by the fact he is still terrified of the dark (which is understandable given he had been put to work as a climbing boy). Ms. Larkin writes Vic’s visceral reactions to his fear in a way that jumps off the page and enables the reader to really feel his terror, but its inclusion feels a little misplaced within the context of the story, and I knocked my final grade down a bit because of it. On a positive note, though, this phase doesn’t last long, as Vic realises that Georgiana loves him regardless of his (perceived) weaknesses or who his real parents may have been and that the qualities that make him who he is – his sense of responsibility, his love of the land and his love for Georgiana – remain the same whether he’s a duke or a commoner. The familial relationships are well drawn, too; Georgiana’s parents are wonderfully warm, witty and loving, and while we only see Vic’s father through his diary entries, he obviously loved his son and was deeply proud of him.
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is an enjoyable addition to a favourite and consistently entertaining series from an author who has very quickly earned a place on my ‘must read’ list. This story doesn’t quite have the intensity of some of the longer entries (Trusting Miss Trentham or Ruining Miss Wrotham, for instance), but it’s nonetheless a well-developed and emotionally satisfying read and I’m happy to recommend it.
Readers who have been following Emily Larkin’s Baleful Godmother series will know that the various novels and novellas are linked by virtue of the fact that the heroines all receive a carefully chosen magical gift upon a landmark birthday (twenty-one, twenty-three or twenty-five, depending on the particular branch of the family they belong to) in recognition of a long-ago favour performed by one of their ancestors for the Faerie Godmother, Baletongue. Charlotte Appleby (Unmasking Miss Appleby) can shape-shift, Letty Trentham (Trusting Miss Trentham) can tell if someone is lying, and when Georgiana Dalrymple reached her twenty-third birthday, she chose the gift of being able to find things.
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is the sixth book in the series, and is, like most of the others, named for its heroine, although the stories in each have been as much about the hero’s journey as about the heroine’s. In this book, however, the emotional weight is very firmly shouldered by the male lead, Alexander, Duke of Vickery (mostly known as Vic), with Georgiana providing constant, loving support as he struggles to make sense of new information he has been given about his past and to re-define himself in the light of what he has learned.
Vic and Georgiana more or less grew up together, alongside her brother, Oliver, and Vic’s closest friend, Hubert Cathcart. Six years earlier, just after realising he’d fallen in love with her, Vic had to put on a brave face when Georgiana and Hubert became engaged. Tragically, however, the wedding never took place. Hubert had travelled to Scotland to visit his grandfather and never returned; for years, nothing was known of what had happened until about a year before this story begins, his grave was found in a remote churchyard near Craigruie.
Vic is as much in love with Georgiana as he ever was, and has hopes that perhaps she may feel the same way. He asks Lord Dalrymple for permission to court her and is given it – but before he can profess his love and ask for Georgina’s hand, he discovers something that turns his world upside down and makes him question everything he has ever known about himself.
He has always known what happened to him as a child; that when he was just four years old, he was abducted and sold to a chimney sweep in Exeter before he was found a year later and returned to his family. After that, his relationship with his previously distant father had changed for the better, and the two had become very close. It’s been a couple of years since his father died, and Vic is still moved to read some of the things the late duke wrote in his diaries about how proud he was of his son; but when Vic comes to an entry written shortly before his death, he is shocked to discover that toward the end of his life, his father had wondered if the boy he had rescued all those years ago was truly his own flesh and blood.
Shaken, Vic turns to Georgiana for help. Around a year ago, she had finally discovered the whereabouts of Hubert’s grave, explaining that she had seen the location in a dream. Another time, she had found a missing girl, once again, seeing the location in a dream. (Of course, the reader knows how Georgiana actually found them.) Knowing this, Vic thinks that if he isn’t his father’s son, maybe Georgina will be able to find the real Alexander in the same way; if not, then no such person exists and Vic will be able to accept that his father’s fears of having rescued the wrong boy were unfounded.
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is a long novella or short novel, depending on how you want to look at it, and it’s a fairly straightforward story in which Vic, Georgiana and her father undertake a short road-trip to see what they can find out about Alexander St. Clare, seventh Duke of Vickery, and the truth of what happened to him as a child.
Because it’s clear early on that Vic and Georgina are in love, there’s not a great deal of conflict in the story, which is focused on Vic’s search for the truth and his need to make sense of his life in light of the things he finds out. But that in no way means there’s not much going on. The author writes Vic’s sense of betrayal and confusion with a great deal of insight and the themes of love and trust which permeate the story are handled deftly, yet sincerely. There’s a point at which Vic goes through the “I am not worthy of her” stage, although this isn’t spurred solely by his worries about his origins, but by the fact he is still terrified of the dark (which is understandable given he had been put to work as a climbing boy). Ms. Larkin writes Vic’s visceral reactions to his fear in a way that jumps off the page and enables the reader to really feel his terror, but its inclusion feels a little misplaced within the context of the story, and I knocked my final grade down a bit because of it. On a positive note, though, this phase doesn’t last long, as Vic realises that Georgiana loves him regardless of his (perceived) weaknesses or who his real parents may have been and that the qualities that make him who he is – his sense of responsibility, his love of the land and his love for Georgiana – remain the same whether he’s a duke or a commoner. The familial relationships are well drawn, too; Georgiana’s parents are wonderfully warm, witty and loving, and while we only see Vic’s father through his diary entries, he obviously loved his son and was deeply proud of him.
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is an enjoyable addition to a favourite and consistently entertaining series from an author who has very quickly earned a place on my ‘must read’ list. This story doesn’t quite have the intensity of some of the longer entries (Trusting Miss Trentham or Ruining Miss Wrotham, for instance), but it’s nonetheless a well-developed and emotionally satisfying read and I’m happy to recommend it.
November 16, 2017
I really hope the author will continue with this series because these books are really sweet!
Every time I read one, I keep musing what would I chose! What whould you? ;-)
Georgiana chose the ability to find persons and things. It is only logical because her fiancee disappeared without trace. And, with her newfound ability she discovers that he's dead...
Alexander has been their good friend since forever. And also is in love with Georgiana since forever! Now that her time of mourning is at the end, he's ready to court her hoping that she'll accept and maybe fall in love with him!
But, then he finds his father's diaries and poses to Georgiana the rightwrong question... and discovers something that will turn his life on its head!
This is a romance friends-to-lovers, but is also the story of how Alex will overcome and re-create his life.
I'll be hoping another book will come soon!
Every time I read one, I keep musing what would I chose! What whould you? ;-)
Georgiana chose the ability to find persons and things. It is only logical because her fiancee disappeared without trace. And, with her newfound ability she discovers that he's dead...
Alexander has been their good friend since forever. And also is in love with Georgiana since forever! Now that her time of mourning is at the end, he's ready to court her hoping that she'll accept and maybe fall in love with him!
But, then he finds his father's diaries and poses to Georgiana the right
This is a romance friends-to-lovers, but is also the story of how Alex will overcome and re-create his life.
I'll be hoping another book will come soon!
October 16, 2017
This short story/novella lacks the emotional intensity, I have felt in her other books. It was predominantly about finding the hero's true identity, less about the romance between the main characters.
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley.
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley.
December 30, 2023
Good short story. The H has loved the h for years, even when she loved another. She's a very kind person who uses her 'gift' to resolve a family secret. Angsty H, loved how people were kind to him.
April 20, 2023
When he discovers the journals his late father left behind, Lord Vickery finds out that he may not be who he's always thought himself to be.
This is the last book in the Baleful Godmother series, which blends fantasy with Regency romance. I've consistently enjoyed these books (though I did skip Claiming Mister Kemp, due to the lack of the paranormal twist), so I was sorry to come to the end of them - at least there's the spin-off books!
Though the plot is facilitated by Georgiana's ability, the story focuses on Vickery and how he comes to terms with his past. It was a sweet and emotional story, and I liked how Vickery came to realize how he was loved for himself, and how he worked on tackling his fear of the dark.
However, I did think the romance was a bit weaker because Vickery and Georgiana are long-time friends and already in love by the start of this book, so the main obstacle between them was about Vickery having to realize that he is still worthy of Georgie even if he was not born a duke.
This is the last book in the Baleful Godmother series, which blends fantasy with Regency romance. I've consistently enjoyed these books (though I did skip Claiming Mister Kemp, due to the lack of the paranormal twist), so I was sorry to come to the end of them - at least there's the spin-off books!
Though the plot is facilitated by Georgiana's ability, the story focuses on Vickery and how he comes to terms with his past. It was a sweet and emotional story, and I liked how Vickery came to realize how he was loved for himself, and how he worked on tackling his fear of the dark.
However, I did think the romance was a bit weaker because Vickery and Georgiana are long-time friends and already in love by the start of this book, so the main obstacle between them was about Vickery having to realize that he is still worthy of Georgie even if he was not born a duke.
December 23, 2024
Georgiana Dalrymple is on the cusp of getting engaged when Alexander St. Clare asks her to locate the man who should be the seventh Duke of Vickery. Vic, who disappeared from his father's estate as a boy and was recovered at the age of five sweeping chimneys, is gutted to find out he's actually the son of a farmer. Between that and his fear of the dark, can he ever get around to proposing to Georgie?
1. This was very short and focused on some weird things.
2. Like, I knew from Ruining Miss Wrotham that Georgie asked for the ability to find things and used that power to locate the grave of her first fiance, Hubert, who'd disappeared 4 years previously. So there's that looming over Vic's forthcoming proposal—
3. —along with the fact that Vic has been in love with Georgie for years and years, before Hubert even thought to propose, and—
4. —Vic is still dealing with a fear of the dark and enclosed spaces from 2 month career as a chimney sweep (I say this semi-jokingly but honestly childhood trauma is no joke), and—
5. —A significant chunk of this is focused on Vic's relationship with Georgie's father. Which: in-law bonding. Cool. Except it overshadows the very slight hints how Georgie and Vic are going to function as a couple because it kind of makes Vic read as ... too immature for a serious relationship, let alone marriage? Hmm.
6. There was just too much in this for it to work successfully, unfortunately!
7. Also Georgie's faerie gift was kind of OP, lol! All you gotta do is as a "Where is...?" question and you can kind of true/false your way through almost any scenario, I guess?
1. This was very short and focused on some weird things.
2. Like, I knew from Ruining Miss Wrotham that Georgie asked for the ability to find things and used that power to locate the grave of her first fiance, Hubert, who'd disappeared 4 years previously. So there's that looming over Vic's forthcoming proposal—
3. —along with the fact that Vic has been in love with Georgie for years and years, before Hubert even thought to propose, and—
4. —Vic is still dealing with a fear of the dark and enclosed spaces from 2 month career as a chimney sweep (I say this semi-jokingly but honestly childhood trauma is no joke), and—
5. —A significant chunk of this is focused on Vic's relationship with Georgie's father. Which: in-law bonding. Cool. Except it overshadows the very slight hints how Georgie and Vic are going to function as a couple because it kind of makes Vic read as ... too immature for a serious relationship, let alone marriage? Hmm.
6. There was just too much in this for it to work successfully, unfortunately!
7. Also Georgie's faerie gift was kind of OP, lol! All you gotta do is as a "Where is...?" question and you can kind of true/false your way through almost any scenario, I guess?
April 16, 2019
Emily Larkin's Baleful Godmother books are thoroughly enjoyable, but this one felt a little unfocussed -- still an OK read, just not as satisfying as EL's other writing.
I've seldom read an HR where the H&h spent as little time together or where their on-page relationship was so slight. I get that the focus of the book is on the (slightly improbable) road-trip that will determine his parentage, with Vic's emotions at the heart of the quest. But that rather leaves Georgie as a bit of a spare part. She's been secretly in love with Vic for some time, so her emotional development isn't needed on voyage; she really only comes into play when (a) the plot needs a leg up to the next development or (b) Vic is required to be tortured by his secret love for her.
Apart from my slight disappointment at the lack of a real romance, Vic's fears and feelings are well done, and the story bowls along pleasantly enough.
As an aside, if the H - Alexander, Duke of Vickery - has been a long-time friend of Georgie & her family, and if his father died just a couple of years before the book opens, how come he's always been known as Vic?
I've seldom read an HR where the H&h spent as little time together or where their on-page relationship was so slight. I get that the focus of the book is on the (slightly improbable) road-trip that will determine his parentage, with Vic's emotions at the heart of the quest. But that rather leaves Georgie as a bit of a spare part. She's been secretly in love with Vic for some time, so her emotional development isn't needed on voyage; she really only comes into play when (a) the plot needs a leg up to the next development or (b) Vic is required to be tortured by his secret love for her.
Apart from my slight disappointment at the lack of a real romance, Vic's fears and feelings are well done, and the story bowls along pleasantly enough.
As an aside, if the H - Alexander, Duke of Vickery - has been a long-time friend of Georgie & her family, and if his father died just a couple of years before the book opens, how come he's always been known as Vic?
November 16, 2020
4 1/2 STARS ****
Finding his father's diaries after his death, Alexander, Duke of Vickery, questions his identity. Is he really the old Duke's son? Geogiana's gift is finding things. She can't refuse to help the man she loves discover his past. Only confronting his past will give them a future, except Alexander has a secret! How sad, but sweet.
Finding his father's diaries after his death, Alexander, Duke of Vickery, questions his identity. Is he really the old Duke's son? Geogiana's gift is finding things. She can't refuse to help the man she loves discover his past. Only confronting his past will give them a future, except Alexander has a secret! How sad, but sweet.
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November 23, 2017
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts... for more, visit Punya Reviews...
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is the book 6 of Emily Larkin’s intriguing Baleful Godmother series. I’ve been following this series since book 1, and to tell you the truth, despite having a bit of a hiccup in the beginning of it, I have come to love this series. This latest installment was no different with a storyline of the usual flair of magic and it’s lovely characters.
The Baleful Godmother is a Regency-set series based on female characters who have special “gifts” or powers. But if you want to start from the very beginning, you can with The Fey Quartet. These are a set of novellas listed as “prologue” to this series. Set in Medieval-era England, the prologues explain exactly how our unique heroines come to inherit their “gifts”.
Books 1 and 2, Unmasking Miss Appleby and Resisting Miss Merryweather had something common in them apart from Baletongue, our dubious Fairy Godmother. Heroines of both of these books, Charlotte and Anne AKA Merry (respectively), were bestowed their gifts at the age of 25, which I thought was THE age they were supposed to have their wish fulfilled and 2. They were cousins so the stories were linked that way. However, the h of book 3 Trusting Miss Trentham, Letty, has had her wish fulfilled at 21. “Why” is explained in this installment as the h, Eleanor or Nelly, had her wish fulfilled at 23. The women, who were originally granted a wish each, were sisters, and our heroines simply descended from a different sister each, hence the age of their wish fulfillment differs from one another. Therein lies the uniqueness of this series, you never know to which direction the author is going to lead you. An element of surprise is always there.
Charlotte had no idea about her gift because she was orphaned at an early age, so Baletongue took her by complete surprise. She was living quite miserably with her mean uncle’s family and this gave her the opportunity to get out of there and earn money on her own. She chose shapeshifting and transformed herself into a man to get the lucrative job offered by Marcus, Lord Cosgrove, our H, in a newspaper advert. Merry, on the other hand, wasn’t introduced in book 1 but she was already aware of her Fey inheritance. She knew she’d be visited by Baletongue but was ever unsure of what to choose. She was also an orphan by the time her story began so she was living with Charlotte and Marcus when she met Sir Barnaby Ware, who is also Marcus’s closest buddy. Well, at that time, they had a falling out but book 2 helps mend that bridge bit by bit. His visit also brings Merry and Barnaby together. Something closer to a tragedy later in the story prompts Merry to choose the gift of healing to save people’s lives. By the time book 3 begins, both girls were happily married and expecting.
Letty had her own inheritance, yet she had a really bad luck in the marriage mart. Her ‘plain’ looks wouldn’t have been a barrier for any fortune-hunter eager to snare her fortune. But she’d already had her wish fulfilled by then, so she could hear lies from truth and none of those idiots even had a chance with their sweet nothings. Letty’s gift or ‘quirk’, as others thought of it, was quite known to her circle and that’s how Icarus Reid, a former soldier, found her. He was bend on exacting revenge, a mission of life and death. He needed Letty’s help in locating a traitor. I loved, LOVED their book and couldn’t wait for the next one!
I’d like to note here that Merry, Barnaby and Marcus do make an appearance here and finally, Letty got to know that she’s not the only one with the same dubious godmother! How fun, right?
Book 4, Claiming Mister Kemp, is a novella between two characters who appeared in book 3 but it’s an M/M romance. I don’t usually read M/M but I enjoyed this novella. The story also takes place quite simultaneously around Letty and Icarus’s book so if you’re not into M/M romances, you can skip it. But IMO, you should give this a try. :)
Book 5, Ruining Miss Wrotham has to be my most favorite one thus far! The central characters, Eleanor and Mordecai were totally new to the series, yet it felt like I’ve known them always. Their chemistry was incredible, as was the way the author made us fell in love with them as they fell in love with each-other. Mordecai was already in love with Eleanor, longing for her, hoping to find a way to gain her attentions. His past still made him a blacksheep despite his money and influence which is the reason why he didn’t think he was worthy of someone as pure and proper as Eleanor. Don’t you just love it when they’re proven wrong? :D Eleanor’s journey to locate her runaway sister proved to be the most enlightening one of her life. Her a-hole of a fiancé refused to provide the help needed for the venture and Eleanor was despairing. Mordecai stepped in instantly, no questions asked. But then he’d have done anything to help her, hoping that she took notice of him. What he didn’t know that Eleanor had, indeed, taken notice of him many times. Only she was already engaged, and didn’t know what to do with a tall and dark, broody handsome man. Mordecai was only happy to show her in that journey. ;)
Eleanor’s chosen gift was to manipulate fire. It was a dangerous one to be sure, but her gift becomes something absolutely crucial at the climax of the story. Predictably, Mordecai didn’t take it as easily knowing what she’s capable of. But with a little help from Lord Marcus it was easier for him to come to terms with the possibility of the existence of magic in his life. :)
I believe from Ruining Miss Wrotham this series veered a little away from the original characters. The new set of characters are equally lovely, though they aren’t directly related to our first heroines. Discovering Miss Dalrymple is connected to book 5 slightly because our h, Georgiana, is a cousin to Eleanor.
But the story begins with the narration of our Duke of Vickery, the handsome and accomplished Alexander St. Clare. TBH, he takes the center stage during the whole narrative but that only made me love the story even more. We get a glimpse of Alexander’s life and the fact that he’s been madly in love with Georgiana for the better part of his teenage years and whole of adulthood. His love of her was so completely true that he’d stand by her whenever she needed his help. But knowing Georgiana never showed any romantic interest in him, Alexander never pushed his luck. He even supported her when she became engaged to one of their closest friends, Hubert. Unfortunately, that wedding never took place as her fiancé went missing. When that happened, Alexander was equally bereaved and glad. Bereaved for Georgiana; also because Hubert was one of his closest friends. But glad in a way that he still had a chance with his beloved Georgiana. For the past few years since Huber’s disappearance, he and Georgiana have became quite close. It was not that he directly went in pursuit of her, but Alexander provided the much needed support and companionship she needed in those difficult days. And hoped that she’d come to see him in a different way.
Thankfully, Georgiana has. Their beautiful friendship has just started blossoming into something deeper. Alexander knew Georgiana has started to look at him in a different way, something other than ‘just a good friend’. He should’ve been elated, rushing to solidify their relationship by proposing to her. But his world tilted on its axis when he found a diary by his deceased father implementing that he may not be the real Alexander St. Clare. The implication shook him so badly that Alexander didn’t know what to do, so he turned to the only family he knew who could provide some insight, maybe some reassurance too. And the only person who’d give him the much needed comfort. It was Georgiana and her family.
Georgiana’s parents already loved Alexander like a son knowing him since his childhood. Their estates were close by, which is how the friendship formed. Alexander’s suspicion came as much a surprise to them as it was for him. No he didn’t know that Georgiana had a fairy godmother, and that she could help locate anything missing, be it someone living or an inanimate object. That was another momentous part of the story, from where Alexander must decide the course of his life; whether he should continue living as he was, or try and find out the truth of his birth. His origins. Magic should’ve had no place in the whole process, but then he didn’t know that his perspective of life will change once again when Georgiana decides to confess her carefully guarded secret to Alexander with her parents’ permission. Her intention was good no doubt. She simply wanted to help the man she loved, but she also knew that the whole thing could go horribly wrong. Nevertheless, it was a risk she was willing to take as long as it helped Alexander find closure.
The journey to seek the truth wasn’t an easy one by any means. It was heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. There were scenes in the story that made me teary-eyed. Alexander would’ve been lost had Georgiana and her family not provided the much needed love and support he badly needed. It was honest and loving, the difficult journey made easy with her presence in his life. All I can say is that there was no doubt in my mind that Alexander and Georgiana belonged together. They had this easy and loving relationship, in total adoration of one-another and I was only happy to see them happy in the end.
The only thing that *kind of* bugged me was the fact that everybody called Alexander as Vickery or Vic. I love the name Alexander and, though I could care less about the others, Georgiana calling him Vickery ALL THE TIME kinda felt weird. I had hoped she’d start calling him Alexander regularly when they finally figured out that they want to be more than ‘just friends’. She may have called him Alexander maybe once or twice in the story but not enough for my liking. I don’t know why it bothered me so much, but it did. :/
In conclusion, I’d say Discovering Miss Dalrymple was a great ending to the series. No, it’s not the official ending just yet as Emily assured me. However, there won’t be any installments until next year. I was happy to know that she has plans for a sub-series of sort based on the same fairy godmother theme. She gave me some hints but I’m sure I’m not at a liberty to announce her plans on my review. hahaha So yes, I’d be eagerly waiting to see what our beloved (?) Baletongue is up to next. :D 4.5 stars.
Review copy received from the author, thanks Emily!
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is the book 6 of Emily Larkin’s intriguing Baleful Godmother series. I’ve been following this series since book 1, and to tell you the truth, despite having a bit of a hiccup in the beginning of it, I have come to love this series. This latest installment was no different with a storyline of the usual flair of magic and it’s lovely characters.
The Baleful Godmother is a Regency-set series based on female characters who have special “gifts” or powers. But if you want to start from the very beginning, you can with The Fey Quartet. These are a set of novellas listed as “prologue” to this series. Set in Medieval-era England, the prologues explain exactly how our unique heroines come to inherit their “gifts”.
Books 1 and 2, Unmasking Miss Appleby and Resisting Miss Merryweather had something common in them apart from Baletongue, our dubious Fairy Godmother. Heroines of both of these books, Charlotte and Anne AKA Merry (respectively), were bestowed their gifts at the age of 25, which I thought was THE age they were supposed to have their wish fulfilled and 2. They were cousins so the stories were linked that way. However, the h of book 3 Trusting Miss Trentham, Letty, has had her wish fulfilled at 21. “Why” is explained in this installment as the h, Eleanor or Nelly, had her wish fulfilled at 23. The women, who were originally granted a wish each, were sisters, and our heroines simply descended from a different sister each, hence the age of their wish fulfillment differs from one another. Therein lies the uniqueness of this series, you never know to which direction the author is going to lead you. An element of surprise is always there.
Charlotte had no idea about her gift because she was orphaned at an early age, so Baletongue took her by complete surprise. She was living quite miserably with her mean uncle’s family and this gave her the opportunity to get out of there and earn money on her own. She chose shapeshifting and transformed herself into a man to get the lucrative job offered by Marcus, Lord Cosgrove, our H, in a newspaper advert. Merry, on the other hand, wasn’t introduced in book 1 but she was already aware of her Fey inheritance. She knew she’d be visited by Baletongue but was ever unsure of what to choose. She was also an orphan by the time her story began so she was living with Charlotte and Marcus when she met Sir Barnaby Ware, who is also Marcus’s closest buddy. Well, at that time, they had a falling out but book 2 helps mend that bridge bit by bit. His visit also brings Merry and Barnaby together. Something closer to a tragedy later in the story prompts Merry to choose the gift of healing to save people’s lives. By the time book 3 begins, both girls were happily married and expecting.
Letty had her own inheritance, yet she had a really bad luck in the marriage mart. Her ‘plain’ looks wouldn’t have been a barrier for any fortune-hunter eager to snare her fortune. But she’d already had her wish fulfilled by then, so she could hear lies from truth and none of those idiots even had a chance with their sweet nothings. Letty’s gift or ‘quirk’, as others thought of it, was quite known to her circle and that’s how Icarus Reid, a former soldier, found her. He was bend on exacting revenge, a mission of life and death. He needed Letty’s help in locating a traitor. I loved, LOVED their book and couldn’t wait for the next one!
I’d like to note here that Merry, Barnaby and Marcus do make an appearance here and finally, Letty got to know that she’s not the only one with the same dubious godmother! How fun, right?
Book 4, Claiming Mister Kemp, is a novella between two characters who appeared in book 3 but it’s an M/M romance. I don’t usually read M/M but I enjoyed this novella. The story also takes place quite simultaneously around Letty and Icarus’s book so if you’re not into M/M romances, you can skip it. But IMO, you should give this a try. :)
Book 5, Ruining Miss Wrotham has to be my most favorite one thus far! The central characters, Eleanor and Mordecai were totally new to the series, yet it felt like I’ve known them always. Their chemistry was incredible, as was the way the author made us fell in love with them as they fell in love with each-other. Mordecai was already in love with Eleanor, longing for her, hoping to find a way to gain her attentions. His past still made him a blacksheep despite his money and influence which is the reason why he didn’t think he was worthy of someone as pure and proper as Eleanor. Don’t you just love it when they’re proven wrong? :D Eleanor’s journey to locate her runaway sister proved to be the most enlightening one of her life. Her a-hole of a fiancé refused to provide the help needed for the venture and Eleanor was despairing. Mordecai stepped in instantly, no questions asked. But then he’d have done anything to help her, hoping that she took notice of him. What he didn’t know that Eleanor had, indeed, taken notice of him many times. Only she was already engaged, and didn’t know what to do with a tall and dark, broody handsome man. Mordecai was only happy to show her in that journey. ;)
Eleanor’s chosen gift was to manipulate fire. It was a dangerous one to be sure, but her gift becomes something absolutely crucial at the climax of the story. Predictably, Mordecai didn’t take it as easily knowing what she’s capable of. But with a little help from Lord Marcus it was easier for him to come to terms with the possibility of the existence of magic in his life. :)
I believe from Ruining Miss Wrotham this series veered a little away from the original characters. The new set of characters are equally lovely, though they aren’t directly related to our first heroines. Discovering Miss Dalrymple is connected to book 5 slightly because our h, Georgiana, is a cousin to Eleanor.
But the story begins with the narration of our Duke of Vickery, the handsome and accomplished Alexander St. Clare. TBH, he takes the center stage during the whole narrative but that only made me love the story even more. We get a glimpse of Alexander’s life and the fact that he’s been madly in love with Georgiana for the better part of his teenage years and whole of adulthood. His love of her was so completely true that he’d stand by her whenever she needed his help. But knowing Georgiana never showed any romantic interest in him, Alexander never pushed his luck. He even supported her when she became engaged to one of their closest friends, Hubert. Unfortunately, that wedding never took place as her fiancé went missing. When that happened, Alexander was equally bereaved and glad. Bereaved for Georgiana; also because Hubert was one of his closest friends. But glad in a way that he still had a chance with his beloved Georgiana. For the past few years since Huber’s disappearance, he and Georgiana have became quite close. It was not that he directly went in pursuit of her, but Alexander provided the much needed support and companionship she needed in those difficult days. And hoped that she’d come to see him in a different way.
Thankfully, Georgiana has. Their beautiful friendship has just started blossoming into something deeper. Alexander knew Georgiana has started to look at him in a different way, something other than ‘just a good friend’. He should’ve been elated, rushing to solidify their relationship by proposing to her. But his world tilted on its axis when he found a diary by his deceased father implementing that he may not be the real Alexander St. Clare. The implication shook him so badly that Alexander didn’t know what to do, so he turned to the only family he knew who could provide some insight, maybe some reassurance too. And the only person who’d give him the much needed comfort. It was Georgiana and her family.
Georgiana’s parents already loved Alexander like a son knowing him since his childhood. Their estates were close by, which is how the friendship formed. Alexander’s suspicion came as much a surprise to them as it was for him. No he didn’t know that Georgiana had a fairy godmother, and that she could help locate anything missing, be it someone living or an inanimate object. That was another momentous part of the story, from where Alexander must decide the course of his life; whether he should continue living as he was, or try and find out the truth of his birth. His origins. Magic should’ve had no place in the whole process, but then he didn’t know that his perspective of life will change once again when Georgiana decides to confess her carefully guarded secret to Alexander with her parents’ permission. Her intention was good no doubt. She simply wanted to help the man she loved, but she also knew that the whole thing could go horribly wrong. Nevertheless, it was a risk she was willing to take as long as it helped Alexander find closure.
The journey to seek the truth wasn’t an easy one by any means. It was heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. There were scenes in the story that made me teary-eyed. Alexander would’ve been lost had Georgiana and her family not provided the much needed love and support he badly needed. It was honest and loving, the difficult journey made easy with her presence in his life. All I can say is that there was no doubt in my mind that Alexander and Georgiana belonged together. They had this easy and loving relationship, in total adoration of one-another and I was only happy to see them happy in the end.
The only thing that *kind of* bugged me was the fact that everybody called Alexander as Vickery or Vic. I love the name Alexander and, though I could care less about the others, Georgiana calling him Vickery ALL THE TIME kinda felt weird. I had hoped she’d start calling him Alexander regularly when they finally figured out that they want to be more than ‘just friends’. She may have called him Alexander maybe once or twice in the story but not enough for my liking. I don’t know why it bothered me so much, but it did. :/
In conclusion, I’d say Discovering Miss Dalrymple was a great ending to the series. No, it’s not the official ending just yet as Emily assured me. However, there won’t be any installments until next year. I was happy to know that she has plans for a sub-series of sort based on the same fairy godmother theme. She gave me some hints but I’m sure I’m not at a liberty to announce her plans on my review. hahaha So yes, I’d be eagerly waiting to see what our beloved (?) Baletongue is up to next. :D 4.5 stars.
Review copy received from the author, thanks Emily!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2017
Oh my gosh!!! I am absolutely in love with this book!
Alexander St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery has been in love with Georgiana Dalrymple for the last six years. Unfortunately, that was at the same time she was betrothed to his best friend. When Hubert went missing for so many years everyone’s life ceased to move forward until miraculously Georgiana had a dream that showed where Hubert was buried. It has now been over a year and Vic hungers to proclaim his feelings toward Georgie but uncertainty holds him back.
Now that he’s got himself in hand and is ready to step forward, he is hit with a tumultuous dilemma. Turning to Georgie for help, he learns she has a special gift. Unbelievably, that gift has brought him the greatest pain and confusion of his life. Together, they set out on a journey to uncover what further secrets have been hidden and the truth behind Alexander St. Clare.
First and foremost, I cannot say how much I absolutely loved Vic! His point of view is beautiful, strong, heartfelt, and so darn angsty I felt absolutely shattered by it at times. His character is made up of all the little imperfections that makes a person real. His struggles are true and his transformation from uncertainty to determined, confused to broken to shredded and then stronger than before was a beautiful thing to read.
Georgiana was the perfect heroine to Vic’s hero. She was determined to give him the truth despite what the result might be. She trusted him and trusted their relationship enough to know that anything else would only tarnish what she hoped they would one day have together. Her ability to hold strong for Vic while his world crumbled around him made me love her all the more. The fact that she wouldn’t take “No” from him or allow him to turn away from what she was offering proved her strength.
This author has the ability to shake me up, toss me out, scoop me up and bring me back together again all within a few well-chosen words. Her writing talent is extraordinary. I can’t describe it except to say I have never read another style like it. And I love it!
Please, please, please check this one out if you like some angst with your historical romance as well as a broken hero that you just want to wrap your arms around. It’s a beautiful story!
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley, Emily Larkin and Red Adept Publishing
Dual POV
Safe
No apparent triggers
Alexander St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery has been in love with Georgiana Dalrymple for the last six years. Unfortunately, that was at the same time she was betrothed to his best friend. When Hubert went missing for so many years everyone’s life ceased to move forward until miraculously Georgiana had a dream that showed where Hubert was buried. It has now been over a year and Vic hungers to proclaim his feelings toward Georgie but uncertainty holds him back.
Now that he’s got himself in hand and is ready to step forward, he is hit with a tumultuous dilemma. Turning to Georgie for help, he learns she has a special gift. Unbelievably, that gift has brought him the greatest pain and confusion of his life. Together, they set out on a journey to uncover what further secrets have been hidden and the truth behind Alexander St. Clare.
First and foremost, I cannot say how much I absolutely loved Vic! His point of view is beautiful, strong, heartfelt, and so darn angsty I felt absolutely shattered by it at times. His character is made up of all the little imperfections that makes a person real. His struggles are true and his transformation from uncertainty to determined, confused to broken to shredded and then stronger than before was a beautiful thing to read.
Georgiana was the perfect heroine to Vic’s hero. She was determined to give him the truth despite what the result might be. She trusted him and trusted their relationship enough to know that anything else would only tarnish what she hoped they would one day have together. Her ability to hold strong for Vic while his world crumbled around him made me love her all the more. The fact that she wouldn’t take “No” from him or allow him to turn away from what she was offering proved her strength.
This author has the ability to shake me up, toss me out, scoop me up and bring me back together again all within a few well-chosen words. Her writing talent is extraordinary. I can’t describe it except to say I have never read another style like it. And I love it!
Please, please, please check this one out if you like some angst with your historical romance as well as a broken hero that you just want to wrap your arms around. It’s a beautiful story!
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley, Emily Larkin and Red Adept Publishing
Dual POV
Safe
No apparent triggers
dnf
May 24, 2020I wanted to like this, and the storyline was good, but the hero cried way too much for me. Which was probably realistic, but I read fiction, and I like my heroes decisive and strong.
November 29, 2018
So Larkin was doing quite well. She has come really far as an author since her first in this series, which was...different in good ways and bad.
I feel like she didn't try with this one. We have a young Duke who may or may not be what he appears. His love interest, Georgiana, knows exactly who he is because of her fairy gift and helps him discover new things about himself.
Much like Larkin's previous works, the plot is literally driven by driving around. They must travel to different places and learn about each other along the way. There's not much in way of conflict so it gives the novel a meandering where-are-we-going-with-this? feel.
Also, if you are a historical romance type of person, you are already aware of the bedroom tropes. You know the ones: the Regency era virgin is completely innocent and inexperienced but the moment she sees that manly package, she becomes a sex goddess who climaxes at the drop of a hat, all inhibitions and modesty tossed out the window like so many silk stockings? If you ever need to show someone an example of this, use this book. Larkin finally wrote a sex scene where the woman couldn't be substituted with a sawhorse and she went mega-basic with it.
If you got this far in the series, stop with the previous one. I think that's as good as it's going to get.
I feel like she didn't try with this one. We have a young Duke who may or may not be what he appears. His love interest, Georgiana, knows exactly who he is because of her fairy gift and helps him discover new things about himself.
Much like Larkin's previous works, the plot is literally driven by driving around. They must travel to different places and learn about each other along the way. There's not much in way of conflict so it gives the novel a meandering where-are-we-going-with-this? feel.
Also, if you are a historical romance type of person, you are already aware of the bedroom tropes. You know the ones: the Regency era virgin is completely innocent and inexperienced but the moment she sees that manly package, she becomes a sex goddess who climaxes at the drop of a hat, all inhibitions and modesty tossed out the window like so many silk stockings? If you ever need to show someone an example of this, use this book. Larkin finally wrote a sex scene where the woman couldn't be substituted with a sawhorse and she went mega-basic with it.
If you got this far in the series, stop with the previous one. I think that's as good as it's going to get.
August 18, 2020
2.75 stars.
This felt a little rushed but had enough substance and character development to be interesting. The hero was a genuine nice man, not a rake, with absolutely no mention of his past. This delve back into the series was fun for me. The idea of every heroine having a superpower (fae gift) is pretty fun.
This felt a little rushed but had enough substance and character development to be interesting. The hero was a genuine nice man, not a rake, with absolutely no mention of his past. This delve back into the series was fun for me. The idea of every heroine having a superpower (fae gift) is pretty fun.
November 22, 2017
It's 1814 and Georgiana Dalrymple has received her gift, the gift of finding places, objects or people. But close friend of the family is suspicious of his birth, is he really Alexander St. Clare, 7th Duke of Vickery. What he finds out leads him and Georgiana on a trip of discovery.
This next in the series is a very enjoyable story, likeable characters, well-written, and easy to read. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone story.
A NetGalley Book
This next in the series is a very enjoyable story, likeable characters, well-written, and easy to read. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone story.
A NetGalley Book
March 11, 2023
WARNING - ENTIRE PLOT SUMMARY AHEAD (used for me to keep track of series events)
REALLY - DON'T READ THIS; IT SUMMARIZES BOOK.
TREASURES ON THE TERRACE bonus scene
some content may be copied from other reviews
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is the sixth book in the series, and is, like most of the others, named for its heroine, although the stories in each have been as much about the hero’s journey as about the heroine’s. In this book, however, the emotional weight is very firmly shouldered by the male lead, Alexander, Duke of Vickery (mostly known as Vic), with Georgiana providing constant, loving support as he struggles to make sense of new information he has been given about his past and to re-define himself in the light of what he has learned.
Vic and Georgiana more or less grew up together, alongside her brother, Oliver, and Vic’s closest friend, Hubert Cathcart. Six years earlier, just after realising he’d fallen in love with her, Vic had to put on a brave face when Georgiana and Hubert became engaged. Tragically, however, the wedding never took place. Hubert had travelled to Scotland to visit his grandfather and never returned; for years, nothing was known of what had happened until about a year before this story begins, his grave was found in a remote churchyard near Craigruie.
Vic is as much in love with Georgiana as he ever was, and has hopes that perhaps she may feel the same way. He asks Lord Dalrymple for permission to court her and is given it – but before he can profess his love and ask for Georgina’s hand, he discovers something that turns his world upside down and makes him question everything he has ever known about himself.
He has always known what happened to him as a child; that when he was just four years old, he was abducted and sold to a chimney sweep in Exeter before he was found a year later and returned to his family. After that, his relationship with his previously distant father had changed for the better, and the two had become very close. It’s been a couple of years since his father died, and Vic is still moved to read some of the things the late duke wrote in his diaries about how proud he was of his son; but when Vic comes to an entry written shortly before his death, he is shocked to discover that toward the end of his life, his father had wondered if the boy he had rescued all those years ago was truly his own flesh and blood.
Shaken, Vic turns to Georgiana for help. Around a year ago, she had finally discovered the whereabouts of Hubert’s grave, explaining that she had seen the location in a dream. Another time, she had found a missing girl, once again, seeing the location in a dream. (Of course, the reader knows how Georgiana actually found them.) Knowing this, Vic thinks that if he isn’t his father’s son, maybe Georgina will be able to find the real Alexander in the same way; if not, then no such person exists and Vic will be able to accept that his father’s fears of having rescued the wrong boy were unfounded.
Georgiana finds that real duke heir was dead, Vic's real parents are conveniently dead.
Vic, Georgiana and her father undertake a short road-trip to see what they can find out about Alexander St. Clare, seventh Duke of Vickery, and the truth of what happened to him as a child. Handed off many times to different relatives, then taken by servant and sold.
Because it’s clear early on that Vic and Georgina are in love, there’s not a great deal of conflict in the story, which is focused on Vic’s search for the truth and his need to make sense of his life in light of the things he finds out. But that in no way means there’s not much going on. The author writes Vic’s sense of betrayal and confusion with a great deal of insight and the themes of love and trust which permeate the story are handled deftly, yet sincerely. There’s a point at which Vic goes through the “I am not worthy of her” stage, although this isn’t spurred solely by his worries about his origins, but by the fact he is still terrified of the dark (which is understandable given he had been put to work as a climbing boy). Ms. Larkin writes Vic’s visceral reactions to his fear in a way that jumps off the page and enables the reader to really feel his terror. On a positive note, though, this phase doesn’t last long. He saves a kid from a cliff cuz he isn't afraid of heights like G's dad is.
Vic realises that Georgiana loves him regardless of his (perceived) weaknesses or who his real parents may have been and that the qualities that make him who he is – his sense of responsibility, his love of the land and his love for Georgiana – remain the same whether he’s a duke or a commoner. The familial relationships are well drawn, too; Georgiana’s parents are wonderfully warm, witty and loving, and while we only see Vic’s father through his diary entries, he obviously loved his son and was deeply proud of him.
Find more distant relatives, who are living in poverty. G finds a fortune in the walls of their house. Also find a neighbor who temporarily raised him. All love him. Find a portrait of his family, and his dad's watch.
Epilogue - Wedding with his other family present. He's less scared of dark (only one candle instead of tons at night).
REALLY - DON'T READ THIS; IT SUMMARIZES BOOK.
TREASURES ON THE TERRACE bonus scene
some content may be copied from other reviews
Discovering Miss Dalrymple is the sixth book in the series, and is, like most of the others, named for its heroine, although the stories in each have been as much about the hero’s journey as about the heroine’s. In this book, however, the emotional weight is very firmly shouldered by the male lead, Alexander, Duke of Vickery (mostly known as Vic), with Georgiana providing constant, loving support as he struggles to make sense of new information he has been given about his past and to re-define himself in the light of what he has learned.
Vic and Georgiana more or less grew up together, alongside her brother, Oliver, and Vic’s closest friend, Hubert Cathcart. Six years earlier, just after realising he’d fallen in love with her, Vic had to put on a brave face when Georgiana and Hubert became engaged. Tragically, however, the wedding never took place. Hubert had travelled to Scotland to visit his grandfather and never returned; for years, nothing was known of what had happened until about a year before this story begins, his grave was found in a remote churchyard near Craigruie.
Vic is as much in love with Georgiana as he ever was, and has hopes that perhaps she may feel the same way. He asks Lord Dalrymple for permission to court her and is given it – but before he can profess his love and ask for Georgina’s hand, he discovers something that turns his world upside down and makes him question everything he has ever known about himself.
He has always known what happened to him as a child; that when he was just four years old, he was abducted and sold to a chimney sweep in Exeter before he was found a year later and returned to his family. After that, his relationship with his previously distant father had changed for the better, and the two had become very close. It’s been a couple of years since his father died, and Vic is still moved to read some of the things the late duke wrote in his diaries about how proud he was of his son; but when Vic comes to an entry written shortly before his death, he is shocked to discover that toward the end of his life, his father had wondered if the boy he had rescued all those years ago was truly his own flesh and blood.
Shaken, Vic turns to Georgiana for help. Around a year ago, she had finally discovered the whereabouts of Hubert’s grave, explaining that she had seen the location in a dream. Another time, she had found a missing girl, once again, seeing the location in a dream. (Of course, the reader knows how Georgiana actually found them.) Knowing this, Vic thinks that if he isn’t his father’s son, maybe Georgina will be able to find the real Alexander in the same way; if not, then no such person exists and Vic will be able to accept that his father’s fears of having rescued the wrong boy were unfounded.
Georgiana finds that real duke heir was dead, Vic's real parents are conveniently dead.
Vic, Georgiana and her father undertake a short road-trip to see what they can find out about Alexander St. Clare, seventh Duke of Vickery, and the truth of what happened to him as a child. Handed off many times to different relatives, then taken by servant and sold.
Because it’s clear early on that Vic and Georgina are in love, there’s not a great deal of conflict in the story, which is focused on Vic’s search for the truth and his need to make sense of his life in light of the things he finds out. But that in no way means there’s not much going on. The author writes Vic’s sense of betrayal and confusion with a great deal of insight and the themes of love and trust which permeate the story are handled deftly, yet sincerely. There’s a point at which Vic goes through the “I am not worthy of her” stage, although this isn’t spurred solely by his worries about his origins, but by the fact he is still terrified of the dark (which is understandable given he had been put to work as a climbing boy). Ms. Larkin writes Vic’s visceral reactions to his fear in a way that jumps off the page and enables the reader to really feel his terror. On a positive note, though, this phase doesn’t last long. He saves a kid from a cliff cuz he isn't afraid of heights like G's dad is.
Vic realises that Georgiana loves him regardless of his (perceived) weaknesses or who his real parents may have been and that the qualities that make him who he is – his sense of responsibility, his love of the land and his love for Georgiana – remain the same whether he’s a duke or a commoner. The familial relationships are well drawn, too; Georgiana’s parents are wonderfully warm, witty and loving, and while we only see Vic’s father through his diary entries, he obviously loved his son and was deeply proud of him.
Find more distant relatives, who are living in poverty. G finds a fortune in the walls of their house. Also find a neighbor who temporarily raised him. All love him. Find a portrait of his family, and his dad's watch.
Epilogue - Wedding with his other family present. He's less scared of dark (only one candle instead of tons at night).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2018
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 4.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 4.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
August 20, 2020
4.5 stars.
Another great installment of the series. I guess this is considered a novella, but in actuality it's longer than most.
Another great installment of the series. I guess this is considered a novella, but in actuality it's longer than most.
November 14, 2017
4.5 Stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-FW
Georgiana "Georgie" Dalrymple has a very unique family history. The females in her family line are able to select a special power or ability they'd like to have, and on their twenty-third birthday, their wish will be granted. This is due to a fairy godmother (yes, really) being in debt to one of her ancestors. When Georgie was eighteen, she fell in love with Hubert, and they became engaged. Before they could marry, Hubert disappeared and was never seen again. Five years later, when Georgie was able to choose her gift, she chose the ability to find things. Unfortunately, she learned that Hubert was dead, and all she found was his grave. In the year since she learned of Hubert's death, she has been spending time with lifelong friend, Alexander "Vic" St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery, and slowly falling in love again.
Vic has loved Georgie for years, and his heart broke when she became engaged to his best friend, Hubert. Still, he hid his feelings, and wished them well, never wishing for any harm to come to Hubert. In the past year, Vic and Georgie have gone riding almost every day, and have become very close. Vic feels that Georgie is healing, and plans to ask her to marry him. All his plans go by the wayside when he reads his deceased father's journals, and his father questions whether Vic is truly his biological son.
There was a tragic incident from Vic's distant past. When he was a very young child, the maids who were watching him let their attention lapse, and Vic disappeared. It was believed he was kidnapped. His father, up to that point, had actually spent very little time with him, and was only aware of his most unique feature - mismatched eyes, one blue, and one green. When the previous duke tracks down a child who was forced to work as a chimney sweep, and has those same odd eyes, he's convinced he's found his son and heir. Yet, as Vic grows up, he bears no other resemblance to either parent or their family, so the duke has a niggling doubt.
Vic doesn't feel he can offer for Georgie until he knows the truth about his past. He asks her to confide in him how she was able to find Hubert, and Georgie decides to share her ability. They then begin a journey of discovering Vic's past and who he really is. Though Georgie is the gifted one, this book is truly Vic's story. Each person they encounter who was part of Vic's long ago life puts in place a missing piece of the puzzle. What will happen if Vic is truly not the duke's son? How can he even consider marriage to Georgie?
The romance, while heartfelt, takes a back seat to Vic's fear and confusion. He was raised to be such an honorable man, yet he doesn't seem to be able to see his own worth anymore. I love how Georgie supported him, and was patient with him, while he dealt with the shocking events of his past. DISCOVERING MISS DALRYMPLE provided a happy ever after that was very satisfying, though with some surprising revelations. I am really enjoying Emily Larkin's BALEFUL GODMOTHER series, with her memorable and unique characters, the magic, and most of all, the romance. Recommended.
Georgiana "Georgie" Dalrymple has a very unique family history. The females in her family line are able to select a special power or ability they'd like to have, and on their twenty-third birthday, their wish will be granted. This is due to a fairy godmother (yes, really) being in debt to one of her ancestors. When Georgie was eighteen, she fell in love with Hubert, and they became engaged. Before they could marry, Hubert disappeared and was never seen again. Five years later, when Georgie was able to choose her gift, she chose the ability to find things. Unfortunately, she learned that Hubert was dead, and all she found was his grave. In the year since she learned of Hubert's death, she has been spending time with lifelong friend, Alexander "Vic" St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery, and slowly falling in love again.
Vic has loved Georgie for years, and his heart broke when she became engaged to his best friend, Hubert. Still, he hid his feelings, and wished them well, never wishing for any harm to come to Hubert. In the past year, Vic and Georgie have gone riding almost every day, and have become very close. Vic feels that Georgie is healing, and plans to ask her to marry him. All his plans go by the wayside when he reads his deceased father's journals, and his father questions whether Vic is truly his biological son.
There was a tragic incident from Vic's distant past. When he was a very young child, the maids who were watching him let their attention lapse, and Vic disappeared. It was believed he was kidnapped. His father, up to that point, had actually spent very little time with him, and was only aware of his most unique feature - mismatched eyes, one blue, and one green. When the previous duke tracks down a child who was forced to work as a chimney sweep, and has those same odd eyes, he's convinced he's found his son and heir. Yet, as Vic grows up, he bears no other resemblance to either parent or their family, so the duke has a niggling doubt.
Vic doesn't feel he can offer for Georgie until he knows the truth about his past. He asks her to confide in him how she was able to find Hubert, and Georgie decides to share her ability. They then begin a journey of discovering Vic's past and who he really is. Though Georgie is the gifted one, this book is truly Vic's story. Each person they encounter who was part of Vic's long ago life puts in place a missing piece of the puzzle. What will happen if Vic is truly not the duke's son? How can he even consider marriage to Georgie?
The romance, while heartfelt, takes a back seat to Vic's fear and confusion. He was raised to be such an honorable man, yet he doesn't seem to be able to see his own worth anymore. I love how Georgie supported him, and was patient with him, while he dealt with the shocking events of his past. DISCOVERING MISS DALRYMPLE provided a happy ever after that was very satisfying, though with some surprising revelations. I am really enjoying Emily Larkin's BALEFUL GODMOTHER series, with her memorable and unique characters, the magic, and most of all, the romance. Recommended.
July 2, 2023
Well-Described Narrative; Heartfelt, Affectionate Romance
I read a lot of Regency romance, but this is the first book I've read by this author, and I am impressed! I loved her narrative descriptions of place right from the first page. That's usually glossed over in romances written these days, so for it to be so well done and evocative moved me and pulled me right into the story. In this beginning scene and throughout the book, the author makes you feel as if you are right there, experiencing the beautiful coastal scenes.
Another aspect of this book I found absolutely charming is its magical aspect. The heroine and her mother belong to a line of females who are granted a wish to gain a certain power when they turn 23. Her mother wanted to walk on air; the heroine chose the ability to locate by simply asking a question in her mind based on ‘where.’ In the short time she has had this ability, she's become quite clever in formulating ‘where’ questions to gain far more information than simply where people or things might have been or may be.
Aside from these little magical moments, this reads like a regular Regency romance. The book certainly tugs at the heartstrings when the hero realizes that what he believed he was and his life was are completely different. He struggles, trying to wrap his head around what this means for him now and for his future. His past had seemed straightforward before, but his life changed in a heartbeat. Before that fateful moment, he had intended to ask the heroine to marry him and was looking forward to their life together. He also suffers from what we would call now PTSD because of something that happened in his childhood, but they didn't have words—let alone treatment—for that back then, and because of it, he feels unworthy of her as well.
The heroine's father is a fantastic secondary character of surprising depth. He loves his daughter immensely and has come to feel for the hero much as a father does towards a son. His children and the hero grew up together as good friends, so he's known the hero since he was a small boy. The father is fun to watch in his nerdy joy as he looks for fossils and waxes eloquent about them. His compassion toward the hero is sweet and just what the hero needs. I enjoyed this story immensely, and I'm looking forward to reading others by this author.
I received a free digital copy of this book, but that did into affect my review.
I read a lot of Regency romance, but this is the first book I've read by this author, and I am impressed! I loved her narrative descriptions of place right from the first page. That's usually glossed over in romances written these days, so for it to be so well done and evocative moved me and pulled me right into the story. In this beginning scene and throughout the book, the author makes you feel as if you are right there, experiencing the beautiful coastal scenes.
Another aspect of this book I found absolutely charming is its magical aspect. The heroine and her mother belong to a line of females who are granted a wish to gain a certain power when they turn 23. Her mother wanted to walk on air; the heroine chose the ability to locate by simply asking a question in her mind based on ‘where.’ In the short time she has had this ability, she's become quite clever in formulating ‘where’ questions to gain far more information than simply where people or things might have been or may be.
Aside from these little magical moments, this reads like a regular Regency romance. The book certainly tugs at the heartstrings when the hero realizes that what he believed he was and his life was are completely different. He struggles, trying to wrap his head around what this means for him now and for his future. His past had seemed straightforward before, but his life changed in a heartbeat. Before that fateful moment, he had intended to ask the heroine to marry him and was looking forward to their life together. He also suffers from what we would call now PTSD because of something that happened in his childhood, but they didn't have words—let alone treatment—for that back then, and because of it, he feels unworthy of her as well.
The heroine's father is a fantastic secondary character of surprising depth. He loves his daughter immensely and has come to feel for the hero much as a father does towards a son. His children and the hero grew up together as good friends, so he's known the hero since he was a small boy. The father is fun to watch in his nerdy joy as he looks for fossils and waxes eloquent about them. His compassion toward the hero is sweet and just what the hero needs. I enjoyed this story immensely, and I'm looking forward to reading others by this author.
I received a free digital copy of this book, but that did into affect my review.
November 16, 2017
Emily Larkin continues to write fresh, fun, fanastical regency romance. She brings a contemporary eye to her characters while keeping largely true to the setting - with that little splash of magic that underpins the series.
Georgiana Dalrymple has the gift of finding things, given to her by a faerie godmother. She asked for this gift so she could find her former fiance, only to learn he had died. Able to accept his loss at last, she's fallen in love with her dear friend, Alexander St. Clare.
Alexander - Lord Vickery - Vic to Georgie - is about to propose when he discovers his father's hidden diaries and learns he may not actually be the real Lord Vickery at all. It's widely known that Alexander disappeared for some months as a small boy. It's only in the diary he discovers his father's occasional doubts that the right boy was found.
Georgie's magical gift helps to find the truth - but she also has to risk herself by explaining how she knows things that can't possibly be known.
It's a ripe set-up for angst and doubt, and to Larkin's credit she doesn't milk it or succumb to any "Lovers misunderstanding" tropes that are so easily fixed if people who purport to love each other actually just talked for a bit. There's just enough angst, enough realistic doubt and distress, enough drama and conflict both internal and external to make this a delicious read with an emotionally satisfying conclusion. It also contains a delightfully naughty (and loving) sex scene.
I'm already eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
Georgiana Dalrymple has the gift of finding things, given to her by a faerie godmother. She asked for this gift so she could find her former fiance, only to learn he had died. Able to accept his loss at last, she's fallen in love with her dear friend, Alexander St. Clare.
Alexander - Lord Vickery - Vic to Georgie - is about to propose when he discovers his father's hidden diaries and learns he may not actually be the real Lord Vickery at all. It's widely known that Alexander disappeared for some months as a small boy. It's only in the diary he discovers his father's occasional doubts that the right boy was found.
Georgie's magical gift helps to find the truth - but she also has to risk herself by explaining how she knows things that can't possibly be known.
It's a ripe set-up for angst and doubt, and to Larkin's credit she doesn't milk it or succumb to any "Lovers misunderstanding" tropes that are so easily fixed if people who purport to love each other actually just talked for a bit. There's just enough angst, enough realistic doubt and distress, enough drama and conflict both internal and external to make this a delicious read with an emotionally satisfying conclusion. It also contains a delightfully naughty (and loving) sex scene.
I'm already eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
October 15, 2017
Publisher's Description:
Who is he?
At the age of four Lord Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret—everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue.
But when Vickery finds his father’s diaries, he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past…
Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets. She has several herself—and one of those secrets is her ability to find missing people.
When Vickery turns to her for help, Georgiana sets out to discover just who Lord Vickery actually is…
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this well written long novella/short novel.
This story is more about Vic (The Duke of Vickery) than about Georgiana.
At the age of four the future Duke of Vickery was stolen from his home by gypsies or was he?
What really happened to that child and who is the child who was recovered?
This is the mystery that Georgiana will use her gift to help the man she loves solve.
Will the truth bring Vic and Georgiana closer or tear them apart?
I gave this well written short read 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.0 of 5.0 flames. The single intimate scene between our hero and heroine is rather heated.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the author via book funnel to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Who is he?
At the age of four Lord Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret—everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue.
But when Vickery finds his father’s diaries, he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past…
Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets. She has several herself—and one of those secrets is her ability to find missing people.
When Vickery turns to her for help, Georgiana sets out to discover just who Lord Vickery actually is…
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this well written long novella/short novel.
This story is more about Vic (The Duke of Vickery) than about Georgiana.
At the age of four the future Duke of Vickery was stolen from his home by gypsies or was he?
What really happened to that child and who is the child who was recovered?
This is the mystery that Georgiana will use her gift to help the man she loves solve.
Will the truth bring Vic and Georgiana closer or tear them apart?
I gave this well written short read 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.0 of 5.0 flames. The single intimate scene between our hero and heroine is rather heated.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the author via book funnel to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
October 20, 2017
Alexander St Clare who is now the Duke of Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep, at the age of four. Despite being separated from his family for a year, he has no memory of his absence except a fear of the dark. He is also madly in love with Georgiana Dalrymple, and hopes that they will soon marry. However, he discovers his father’s diaries and begins to wonder whether he is rather Alexander St Clare. He seeks Georgiana’s help as she has been granted the gift of ‘finding things’ (which links nicely to Book 5 in this series). The secrets that she uncovers bring about a chain of events that will change the lives of many people.
I have loved many books in this series but what made this book quite different, was that Georgiana also loved Alexander from the beginning of the story. I wondered how this would work given but in it is their strong feelings for each other that ensures that the novel does not become ‘ordinary’. Sorrow permeates the book but the relationship between Georgiana, her father Lord Dalrymple and Alexander, help to bring almost a reassuring glow to the story. These characters help to uplift the story when at times, it felt that all was lost for Alexander.
This is a sweet romance but in no ways simplistic. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions but left feeling rewarded for the experience.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 24th October 2017 from Red Adept
I have loved many books in this series but what made this book quite different, was that Georgiana also loved Alexander from the beginning of the story. I wondered how this would work given but in it is their strong feelings for each other that ensures that the novel does not become ‘ordinary’. Sorrow permeates the book but the relationship between Georgiana, her father Lord Dalrymple and Alexander, help to bring almost a reassuring glow to the story. These characters help to uplift the story when at times, it felt that all was lost for Alexander.
This is a sweet romance but in no ways simplistic. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions but left feeling rewarded for the experience.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 24th October 2017 from Red Adept
October 14, 2017
At the age of four Alexander St Clare now Duke of Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue. By accident Vickery finds his father’s diaries & he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past. Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets one of her secrets is her ability to find missing people. Vic has loved Georgie for years & at last seeks & gets her parents’ approval. She tells him the truth about herself & he turns to her for help, so Vic, Georgiana & her father sets out to discover just who Lord Vickery actually is.
I’m loving this series & found this book very hard to put down & read it in two sittings. The characterisation is very good. The plot very well paced & definitely a page turner. Although this is the sixth in the series it could be read as a stand alone book, however I’d recommend reading the series from the start to fully appreciate this engrossing series. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, Alex’s reaction to Lady Dalrymple’s gift had me laughing then I felt for both him & Lord Dalrymple when confronted by their fears and finally brass watch & coral necklace had me in tears. I look forward to more in this lovely series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I’m loving this series & found this book very hard to put down & read it in two sittings. The characterisation is very good. The plot very well paced & definitely a page turner. Although this is the sixth in the series it could be read as a stand alone book, however I’d recommend reading the series from the start to fully appreciate this engrossing series. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, Alex’s reaction to Lady Dalrymple’s gift had me laughing then I felt for both him & Lord Dalrymple when confronted by their fears and finally brass watch & coral necklace had me in tears. I look forward to more in this lovely series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
October 24, 2017
This book was an easy, but as I must unfortunately say, boring read. It lacks romance and suspense, two components which usually characterize Emily Larkin’s novels.
Romance:
There was no electricity sizzling between Alexander and Georgiana, he has loved her for six years, and now that her fiancé is dead it is his turn. But before he proposes, he reads his late father’s diaries which arose doubts whether he really is his father’s son. Because of that he feels unworthy of Georgina, later he has various panic attacks and feels even more unworthy.
Suspense:
He tries to find his natural parents and has no problems at all because of Georgina’s fairy gift and that continues, they always find what they set out to look for.
Characters:
Everybody, Georgina, her parents, various innkeepers, farmers….. is very good hearted, all the villains are already dead.
If this was a draft, I would say good storyline, go ahead, create some diversion with anxiety but without the know-it-all heroine, a plot where he has to overcome his achluophobia, maybe save the heroine or fight for his political ambition to abolish child labour.
This was an ARC provided by the author.
Romance:
There was no electricity sizzling between Alexander and Georgiana, he has loved her for six years, and now that her fiancé is dead it is his turn. But before he proposes, he reads his late father’s diaries which arose doubts whether he really is his father’s son. Because of that he feels unworthy of Georgina, later he has various panic attacks and feels even more unworthy.
Suspense:
He tries to find his natural parents and has no problems at all because of Georgina’s fairy gift and that continues, they always find what they set out to look for.
Characters:
Everybody, Georgina, her parents, various innkeepers, farmers….. is very good hearted, all the villains are already dead.
If this was a draft, I would say good storyline, go ahead, create some diversion with anxiety but without the know-it-all heroine, a plot where he has to overcome his achluophobia, maybe save the heroine or fight for his political ambition to abolish child labour.
This was an ARC provided by the author.
July 9, 2024
This is a really cute romantic mystery. Alexander, "Vick", loves Georgiana whom he's. known since he was a child.
Georgiana's family has a magical history where each female is given on her 23rd birthday the ability to ask for one thing. Georgiana asked to be able to find things. So if she asks any question in the form of a correct question, the answer is given to her.
Alexander is ready to propose to Georgiana when he reads his late father's diary and learns he may not be the child he thought he was. When he was young he had been kidnapped and sold to a chimney sweep. His father came and got him and they had a great relationship until his father died. In the diary his father questions if Alexander was the correct child (he was pretty certain because Alexander has two different colored eyes). Georgiana finds out the truth. From then on they spend the rest of the book trying to find out who Alexander really is.
Ultimately the mystery was interesting but also a larger portion of it is Alexander finding himself. It was a very PG or less rated story so I don't know that I'll read more of hers, but I enjoyed this one.
Georgiana's family has a magical history where each female is given on her 23rd birthday the ability to ask for one thing. Georgiana asked to be able to find things. So if she asks any question in the form of a correct question, the answer is given to her.
Alexander is ready to propose to Georgiana when he reads his late father's diary and learns he may not be the child he thought he was. When he was young he had been kidnapped and sold to a chimney sweep. His father came and got him and they had a great relationship until his father died. In the diary his father questions if Alexander was the correct child (he was pretty certain because Alexander has two different colored eyes). Georgiana finds out the truth. From then on they spend the rest of the book trying to find out who Alexander really is.
Ultimately the mystery was interesting but also a larger portion of it is Alexander finding himself. It was a very PG or less rated story so I don't know that I'll read more of hers, but I enjoyed this one.
October 12, 2017
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
This differs from the other instalments in this series in that Georgiana, the heroine, is already established in her magical gift when the story opens. Her gift is that of finding out where things and people are (although the way this works in practice means she seems able to find out pretty much anything, provided she asks herself the right questions). She is also in love with a man who loves her back: her childhood friend and neighbour Alexander. So no surprises there either. The plot kicks off with Alexander (who was briefly lost and then recovered as a child) beginning to wonder if he truly is the lost heir, or whether he is not really a duke after all. Who will be able to tell him where the real duke is...?
The majority of the story is a road trip through Devon and Cornwall made by Alexander, Georgiana and Georgiana's father. I enjoyed this novel, although there isn't much by way of conflict and everyone they encounter in the West Country turns out to have a heart of gold. Gently entertaining and sweet.
This differs from the other instalments in this series in that Georgiana, the heroine, is already established in her magical gift when the story opens. Her gift is that of finding out where things and people are (although the way this works in practice means she seems able to find out pretty much anything, provided she asks herself the right questions). She is also in love with a man who loves her back: her childhood friend and neighbour Alexander. So no surprises there either. The plot kicks off with Alexander (who was briefly lost and then recovered as a child) beginning to wonder if he truly is the lost heir, or whether he is not really a duke after all. Who will be able to tell him where the real duke is...?
The majority of the story is a road trip through Devon and Cornwall made by Alexander, Georgiana and Georgiana's father. I enjoyed this novel, although there isn't much by way of conflict and everyone they encounter in the West Country turns out to have a heart of gold. Gently entertaining and sweet.
October 15, 2017
The Baleful Godmother has come and gone almost a year ago and Georgiana asked for the ability to find things. She found what happened to her fiancée several years ago and she is now ready to move forward with her life. Georgiana is a great character. She is generous and loving and hoping that Alexander St Clare, Duke of Vickery turns her love. That goes on a very different track when Alexander asks her to find out where he was when he was stolen as a child years ago. Alexander is torn when he learns both the answer and the gift Georgiana got from her godmother. This one is a little different. The focus is not on Georgiana, it is on Alexander and his struggle to find the balance between who he though he was and who he really is. A very nice addition to the story line. The change in focus helps keep the series fresh and new.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
October 21, 2017
"Discovering Miss Dalrymple" by Emily Larkin is a fun captivating read that has secrets with the power to change lives... I loved this story... and you should read this one, too. The love and support the characters shared.. We should all have family and friends who would show the same honest caring support. You can read the blurbs to find out more of what the trials and tribulations the characters face .. but my only responsibility is to write an honest review. And, if you have not already figured it out.. I really did love this story. I couldn't have been more than a page or two into the story when I knew I was not going to be able to put this book down. Yes, I was one of the lucky people who received an ARC of the book. and you will want to read this book, too. I am sure. And yes it did take me longer to read this book that I thought... I had company ... and you just do not sit with your nose in a book when company comes to stay for a few days.
October 23, 2017
I've read a couple of the other books in the Baleful Godmother series from Emily larkin and have really enjoyed them. This book is an enjoyable shorter story in the series. In the series, the women in this family line get a wish from a fairy godmother when they turn 23. We had already met Georgiana in the last book where she had made the wish to be able to find things. This means she can think of a question of where something or someone is and she'll be able to see the answer. Lord Vickery is a childhood friend who suddenly discovers that he may not be who he had thought he was. The story becomes a journey of trying to figure out his past with the help of Georgie. It is a light and quick read, and while not as action packed as Emily's other books, it still very enjoyable. The relationship between Georgie and Alex is very sweet and innocent.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 16, 2017
Somehow I missed this review book. It is finally finished. I like this series. It starts with a fairy. It keeps going through the families in the women. Georgie has it now. She is waiting to choose her choice and decides on how to find things. Alexander is now the Duke of Vickery. He reads his father's diary and finds out he is not his son. Georgie is helping him. Major Spoiler! There are so many people and places where they go to see who he chooses to be. There is a lot of action in this story. Georgie has wanted to marry him since she found her fiancee is dead in Scotland. Now they go on a hide and seek game. They travel to Cornwall and check out where Georgie shows them where to check. This is a short story to read yet it seems longer. I enjoyed reading of their travels. I would like to go there. Check out this book. Enjoy reading this story!
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