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Smugglers' Summer
What a difference there is in the way our two young ladies view a summer spent at an isolated castle in Wales! To beautiful young Julia Langston, used to the doings of the ton, it is a dreary incarceration; her father has banished her from London in the hope she will forget her most unsuitable suitor, James Winn. But to Octavia Gray, her plumpish, rather plain cousin, just to able to leave her busy home, where the hum of political discourse dominates all conversations, and see the countryside for the first time, is an adventure.
At Cotehele are only Tavy's languid aunt, her sullen cousin, and Julia's once-rejected suitor whose next proposal her parents hope will be accepted. Julia has no time for the engaging (and wealthy) Sir Tristram Deanbridge, however. To her cousin's half-listening ears, Julia must eternally sing the praises of her beloved. The young man, a gentleman without means, is a political radical whose essays, if not his actions, are fiery. An odd choice, indeed, for a diehard Tory's butterfly daughter, but who can predict where a heart might light?
Octavia, summoned to be company for Julia, doesn't have an easy task. Julia wants her sympathy and her help in furthering the forbidden romance with James. Sir Tristram looks to her for reassurance that his chances are still alive. And Octavia finds to her distress that --- dare we tell? --- she herself has a growing romantic interest in the delightful Sir Tristram, although he, alas, is smitten by the uncaring Julia.
In spite of all this, there are more adventures for Octavia than merely a change of scene. Before she even reaches the estate, she witnesses a smuggling raid and meets a smuggler himself, once more intriguing than ominous. Shortly after her arrival, Julia's maid transforms her appearance quite astonishingly, and the stay continues to provide a series of exciting adventures and misadventures that the most city-weary young women could wish for. There are searches by the King's men, a fall into the sea (and rescue by the combined efforts of a group of smugglers and a pod of dolphins), secret rooms and passageways, a wounded fugitive to be hidden and nursed, and even a visit by a glittering party of the ton. And although it appears at times that there is no way for true love to win out, do not despair, dear reader. Read on with hope.
At Cotehele are only Tavy's languid aunt, her sullen cousin, and Julia's once-rejected suitor whose next proposal her parents hope will be accepted. Julia has no time for the engaging (and wealthy) Sir Tristram Deanbridge, however. To her cousin's half-listening ears, Julia must eternally sing the praises of her beloved. The young man, a gentleman without means, is a political radical whose essays, if not his actions, are fiery. An odd choice, indeed, for a diehard Tory's butterfly daughter, but who can predict where a heart might light?
Octavia, summoned to be company for Julia, doesn't have an easy task. Julia wants her sympathy and her help in furthering the forbidden romance with James. Sir Tristram looks to her for reassurance that his chances are still alive. And Octavia finds to her distress that --- dare we tell? --- she herself has a growing romantic interest in the delightful Sir Tristram, although he, alas, is smitten by the uncaring Julia.
In spite of all this, there are more adventures for Octavia than merely a change of scene. Before she even reaches the estate, she witnesses a smuggling raid and meets a smuggler himself, once more intriguing than ominous. Shortly after her arrival, Julia's maid transforms her appearance quite astonishingly, and the stay continues to provide a series of exciting adventures and misadventures that the most city-weary young women could wish for. There are searches by the King's men, a fall into the sea (and rescue by the combined efforts of a group of smugglers and a pod of dolphins), secret rooms and passageways, a wounded fugitive to be hidden and nursed, and even a visit by a glittering party of the ton. And although it appears at times that there is no way for true love to win out, do not despair, dear reader. Read on with hope.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1987
11 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Carola Dunn
91 books898 followersCarola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 28, 2017
4.50 stars - pg/mild pg13
Fun, sweet, secular regency romance that is a bit more adventure story than feely-feely romance. A few things seemed to perhaps not be quite historically accurate. But ..... I Googled the Cornwall map location that this story was set in, just so I could kind of get a feel for the area where the smuggling was taking place. And I found that the houses and grounds in the story were real places that had been owned by the Earl of Mt. Edgcumbe (who is also a character in the book). And it's quite possible (probable?) that smuggling could have actually taken place. The Earl owned two properties at different places along the river, and messages could have been passed between tower to tower at night with lights or during the day with spyglasses. I find it to be so much more fun to read a story when I can picture the location.
The heroine had a minor blip of being tstl, but we got over that fairly quickly. Overall the story was fun and engaging with great secondary characters, but I felt that the ending was a bit weak (?). Too many different angles wrapped up too quickly and conveniently. And the ending was not even as romantic as the one and only, very brief kiss earlier in the story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and so far I think it's my favorite story from this author.
Fun, sweet, secular regency romance that is a bit more adventure story than feely-feely romance. A few things seemed to perhaps not be quite historically accurate. But ..... I Googled the Cornwall map location that this story was set in, just so I could kind of get a feel for the area where the smuggling was taking place. And I found that the houses and grounds in the story were real places that had been owned by the Earl of Mt. Edgcumbe (who is also a character in the book). And it's quite possible (probable?) that smuggling could have actually taken place. The Earl owned two properties at different places along the river, and messages could have been passed between tower to tower at night with lights or during the day with spyglasses. I find it to be so much more fun to read a story when I can picture the location.
The heroine had a minor blip of being tstl, but we got over that fairly quickly. Overall the story was fun and engaging with great secondary characters, but I felt that the ending was a bit weak (?). Too many different angles wrapped up too quickly and conveniently. And the ending was not even as romantic as the one and only, very brief kiss earlier in the story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and so far I think it's my favorite story from this author.
August 4, 2019
When her fashionable cousin Julia Langston is "exiled" to a remote location on the Cornish coast, in hopes that she will forget her unsuitable suitor - the "radical" speech-writer James Winn - Olivia Gray is asked to be her companion. The daughter of a reform-minded politician with a large family and modest means, Olivia had never been beyond the confines of London, and found the idea of peace and quite in the country quite attractive. Little did she realize that in her time at Cotehele she would befriend and help to rescue an amiable smuggler, win a number of admirers, from an older politician to a young Customs Lieutenant, and fall deeply in love with Sir Tristram Deanbridge - the man determined to marry her cousin...
An entertaining, light-hearted read, Smuggler's Summer is one of the first regency romances not written by the incomparable Georgette Heyer that I have read. Dunn is no Heyer, of course, and I did find her writing somewhat uneven, with occasional narrative interruptions to "explain" things. The ending also felt rushed and distant, with an almost bird's-eye-view of Sir Tristram dashing around arranging everything. Still, Dunn tells a fun story, and it has the added bonus of being a classic "Ugly Duckling" tale, which is always appealing. I'm not as enthusiastic as I'd hoped to be, but will probably pick up another regency by this author, when the opportunity presents itself.
An entertaining, light-hearted read, Smuggler's Summer is one of the first regency romances not written by the incomparable Georgette Heyer that I have read. Dunn is no Heyer, of course, and I did find her writing somewhat uneven, with occasional narrative interruptions to "explain" things. The ending also felt rushed and distant, with an almost bird's-eye-view of Sir Tristram dashing around arranging everything. Still, Dunn tells a fun story, and it has the added bonus of being a classic "Ugly Duckling" tale, which is always appealing. I'm not as enthusiastic as I'd hoped to be, but will probably pick up another regency by this author, when the opportunity presents itself.
May 8, 2012
I have to say I really enjoyed this traditional historical romance.
There were strong characters all around - not just the hero and heroine had more than one dimension in this one, but the whole cast did, which I really, really enjoyed (and made me realize I miss it, in the regencies written now). It is a very Austenesque type story, but with smugglers, a country house only reachable by boat, and, get this, a REAL setting, which you can go and visit yourself in Cornwall.
I love it when authors base their stories in real locations - it just makes it so much more credible.
The only downside to this one was that it shared several of the failings of other older regencies - the process of the hero and heroine falling in love is really very poorly written. One day they're just acquaintances, and the next, they want to marry each other, making the reader feel like they've missed a few pages somewhere. The other is that we don't see anything remotely naughty going on, but, hey-ho, that's life.
4 stars. A keeper for when I'm feeling like I need a quick trip to Cornwall.
There were strong characters all around - not just the hero and heroine had more than one dimension in this one, but the whole cast did, which I really, really enjoyed (and made me realize I miss it, in the regencies written now). It is a very Austenesque type story, but with smugglers, a country house only reachable by boat, and, get this, a REAL setting, which you can go and visit yourself in Cornwall.
I love it when authors base their stories in real locations - it just makes it so much more credible.
The only downside to this one was that it shared several of the failings of other older regencies - the process of the hero and heroine falling in love is really very poorly written. One day they're just acquaintances, and the next, they want to marry each other, making the reader feel like they've missed a few pages somewhere. The other is that we don't see anything remotely naughty going on, but, hey-ho, that's life.
4 stars. A keeper for when I'm feeling like I need a quick trip to Cornwall.
July 8, 2021
3.5 out of 5 stars
November 7, 2017
I am SO tempted to give this book 5 stars. I picked it up because I've enjoyed Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymple cozy mystery series, but this is the first of Ms. Dunn's regency romances I've read. This really hit the spot: a good story, good characters, and good editing. And there are some really funny bits, too!
February 8, 2014
Miss Octavia Gray is a Londoner born and bred. Her parents are reformers who would rather spend money on worthy causes than on a social life for their youngest daughter. Octavia longs for the countryside she's never seen and wishes for an adventure. Octavia's cousin Julia, a beautiful heiress, shares her wealth with Octavia whenever she can. Julia is kind and generous, almost to a fault. Julia's kindness lands her in trouble with her parents when she develops a tendre for the radical writer James Wynn, rejecting the hand of the most worthy Sir Tristram Deanbridge. Julia is banished to the country estate of friends for the summer and is miserable without company so she begs Octavia to join her. Octavia arrives on board a smugglers' ship and is stopped by a Customs Officer but she enjoys the adventure greatly. Julia and her maid give Octavia a make over, so she feels pretty and fashionable for the first time in her life. Joining the cousins and Julia's weak-willed aunt, is Sir Tristram, who happens to be the godson of the estate owner and grew up spending summers in the house and grounds. Sir Tristram leads the girls on an adventure to discover secret messages, lost treasure and hidden tunnels. Olivia enjoys the adventure and the company of Sir Trsitram, but Julia pines for James. Octavia tries to help Julia and push the girl into marrying Sir Tristram but finds herself falling for him instead. Add to her adventures a lovesick Lieutenant, a house party of dandies and members of the ton, a wounded smuggler and midnight adventures. Octavia has never had so much fun in her life (despite her tendre for one who loves another)! More description would give away the final zany adventures.
The characters are all likable, even the smugglers, and Octavia is a character many women can relate to. The characters could be a bit more developed but the story is more plot driven and the plot is a good one. It made me giggle out loud several times and I enjoyed the adventure. It's written in an old-fashioned style without emphasis on physical attraction and obsession over feelings. This is a good read for Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fans.
The characters are all likable, even the smugglers, and Octavia is a character many women can relate to. The characters could be a bit more developed but the story is more plot driven and the plot is a good one. It made me giggle out loud several times and I enjoyed the adventure. It's written in an old-fashioned style without emphasis on physical attraction and obsession over feelings. This is a good read for Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fans.
June 28, 2022
2022 reread: a little more cheesy and aggravating then my 5 stars raved previously. I still enjoyed it and would recommend but... The enchanting summer of smugglers fell flat a little.
2016: Ok, first off, this is definitely one of the better Carola Dunn novels.
Secondly, don't listen to those reviews that say she only starts getting good attention when she loses weight and cuts her hair; that is so wrong. I actually think Dunn made extra sure that that wasn't the case.
-First, she wasn't even in society in London, so nobody was paying her attention then, not because of her weight and long hair, but because she wasn't at the parties or gatherings, or much in the Parks, cause she was sheltered by her parents.
-When she does lose weight and cut her hair, the male MC notices, yet still loyally pursues the one he propposed to. It wasn't until her many rebuffs and reuniting with the one she actually loved (which stood the test of book-time amd was still constant even when the guy fell and looked ridiculous) that he spent considerable time with Octavia and loved her.
This is probably one of the more realistic (as realistic as these things can get) clean regencies in the fact that these romances didn't happen over night, or because of how a person looked. It was refreshing to read, and I would definitely recommend it as one of the better of its genre.
2016: Ok, first off, this is definitely one of the better Carola Dunn novels.
Secondly, don't listen to those reviews that say she only starts getting good attention when she loses weight and cuts her hair; that is so wrong. I actually think Dunn made extra sure that that wasn't the case.
-First, she wasn't even in society in London, so nobody was paying her attention then, not because of her weight and long hair, but because she wasn't at the parties or gatherings, or much in the Parks, cause she was sheltered by her parents.
-When she does lose weight and cut her hair, the male MC notices, yet still loyally pursues the one he propposed to. It wasn't until her many rebuffs and reuniting with the one she actually loved (which stood the test of book-time amd was still constant even when the guy fell and looked ridiculous) that he spent considerable time with Octavia and loved her.
This is probably one of the more realistic (as realistic as these things can get) clean regencies in the fact that these romances didn't happen over night, or because of how a person looked. It was refreshing to read, and I would definitely recommend it as one of the better of its genre.
October 29, 2009
Adorable regency romance--possibly one of Dunn's best. Olivia is pretty, plump, and constantly at the beck and call of her political father and charity-obsessed mother. Her much richer cousin Julia is her only glimpse into the fashionable Ton. When Julia disgraces herself by falling in love with a Whig, she is banished to the country. Olivia, who has never been out of the city, jumps at the chance to accompany Julia. The country is every bit as beautiful as she'd hoped, but far from relaxing--she befriends a smuggler, is much admired by a Lieutenant, and falls in love with Julia's beau.
I enjoyed this story a great deal; the one annoyance was that Olivia has to lose weight before anyone notices her. Very frustrating!
I enjoyed this story a great deal; the one annoyance was that Olivia has to lose weight before anyone notices her. Very frustrating!
June 29, 2012
A classic Regency Romance with a twist. Two cousins spend the summer at an isolated castle in Wales. One, who is beautiful and rich, is being banished for having fallen in love with a very ineligible suitor. Her cousin, who is poor and plain and plump, is sent along to be company for her. They manage to find love and adventure in an old castle filled with secret rooms, bored aristrocrats, smugglers and riding officers. This is an old favorite of mine that I was able to re-read because it was just a few dollars to download on my kindle.
July 3, 2016
As usual Carola Dunn has produced a chocolate smooth, delightful confection of gentle adventure and romance. So exactly right for a summer read or curled up on a winter's evening with a glass of wine and a box of candy!
March 8, 2020
A charming historical romance. There are no markers of the exact timing, but I think it all happened in the first half of the 19th century. The heroine Octavia, the youngest daughter of a radical MP, is steeped in self-doubts. She doesn’t think she could ever marry. She doesn’t consider herself pretty, or even passable, and she’s never had a marriage offer. Most of the time, men ignore her. On the other hand, her cousin Julia is an acknowledged Beauty of the ton and already refused several eligible offers.
Julia has a beau, rich and aristocratic Sir Tristram, but she loves poor James, a political writer. Angry at Julia’s refusal to accept Sir Tristram’s suit, Julia’s father exiles her to a remote estate in Cornwall to repent her defiance and forget about James.
Octavia loves her cousin and joins her in Cornwall. Octavia tries to promote the match between Julia and Sir Tristram, but as she labors on behalf of her cousin, she, of course, falls in love with Sir Tristram herself. And he with her, although neither realizes it until almost too late.
The convoluted plot also includes smugglers and the Excise officers hunting the smugglers along the Cornish coast. While Octavia and Tristram aid a wounded smuggler, James secretly arrives at the estate to further his love of Julia.
Through all this turmoil, Octavia undergoes a transformation as she emerges from her cocoon of uncertainties. She cuts her hair fashionably short. She accepts several of Julia’s stylish dresses. And suddenly, she is not a drab little female anymore but an elegant young lady, inviting admiration in many male eyes.
The entire summary sounds too much like one of Shakespearean comedies, and the book reads the same way. No deep insight into the characters. No serious analysis of the politics of the time. No profound contemplation of any kind. Just an enjoyable quick read, fluffy and light. There was an indulgent smile on my lips all the time it took me to finish this novel.
Julia has a beau, rich and aristocratic Sir Tristram, but she loves poor James, a political writer. Angry at Julia’s refusal to accept Sir Tristram’s suit, Julia’s father exiles her to a remote estate in Cornwall to repent her defiance and forget about James.
Octavia loves her cousin and joins her in Cornwall. Octavia tries to promote the match between Julia and Sir Tristram, but as she labors on behalf of her cousin, she, of course, falls in love with Sir Tristram herself. And he with her, although neither realizes it until almost too late.
The convoluted plot also includes smugglers and the Excise officers hunting the smugglers along the Cornish coast. While Octavia and Tristram aid a wounded smuggler, James secretly arrives at the estate to further his love of Julia.
Through all this turmoil, Octavia undergoes a transformation as she emerges from her cocoon of uncertainties. She cuts her hair fashionably short. She accepts several of Julia’s stylish dresses. And suddenly, she is not a drab little female anymore but an elegant young lady, inviting admiration in many male eyes.
The entire summary sounds too much like one of Shakespearean comedies, and the book reads the same way. No deep insight into the characters. No serious analysis of the politics of the time. No profound contemplation of any kind. Just an enjoyable quick read, fluffy and light. There was an indulgent smile on my lips all the time it took me to finish this novel.
January 6, 2022
Bravo!! Another wonderful novel by this outstanding author. I find that Ms Dunn has a slightly gentler approach to Regency Romances than some of the other authors, which to me makes the stories more believable. She relies on writing skills and plots rather than flashy dramatics. In general most of her characters leave the story happy or at least reasonably satisfied, without attempting constantly to murder or kidnap one another.
This book has a good solid story line, with believable characters. I like how the topic of smugglers
was interwoven into the story. I was a bit surprised that the subplot of treasure hunting didn't come to a resolution at the end, but it did provide a bit of diversion at times.
Well written and suspenseful; I do recommend this book very much!
This book has a good solid story line, with believable characters. I like how the topic of smugglers
was interwoven into the story. I was a bit surprised that the subplot of treasure hunting didn't come to a resolution at the end, but it did provide a bit of diversion at times.
Well written and suspenseful; I do recommend this book very much!
July 29, 2024
2024 bk 101 What are parents to do when their fliterbegit of a daughter refuses the man they wish her to wed - send her into exile till she sees reason of course. But they aren't entirely heartless. Their niece, raised in an upper class family but with no money might keep her company in the isolated (reached only by boat if the tide is right) house in the country. For Octavia it is a dream come true - she has always wanted to go to the country, but to also gain knowledge of the sea and smugglers. This visit to bolster her cousin's spirits turns into an adventure that neither girl nor their parents would anticipate. A fun romp.
July 21, 2024
The Napoleonic Wars are raging and the coast of Cornwall is a smuggler's heaven. Wine, lace, exotic fabrics and even tea are dropped of the decks of freetraders in the estuary if the Tamar, to be retrieved and sold to everyone in the south of England. Octavia, London born and bred, is sent out to an estate near Plymouth to keep her disgraced cousin company until the cousin agrees to give up her Whiggish beloved and settle down with the Tory of her father's choice .Unbeknownst to her father, his choice of hisband for his daughter is not only a reformer, he is also attracted to Octavia herself, knows all the smugglers along the river and owns his own extremely lucrative property further inland. Will each girl wind up with th correct suitor? Will the rougish smuggler and the housekeeper live happily ever after? One summer in Cornwall results in many pairings.
December 30, 2021
Fun muddle. But Customs men badly wound a smuggler.
Cornwall. Sir Tris 27 attends social Julia 19. Ju wants political James. Her cousin Octavia 20 comes out of her shell, so even boyish Customs Lt Cardin takes note. But smuggler Captain Red Jack is severely wounded, and the old castle with secret passages is useful.
Sir Tris and others see beauty and charm of Julia amd miss her cousin. A haircut, missed meals, extra exercise, finely altered hand-me-downs, and the cousin is confident and outgoing. When Julia falls for an intense political fellow, and he returns her love, her papa sends her off to an water-bound estate in Cornwall, where Sir Tris is settled as the godson.
Cornwall. Sir Tris 27 attends social Julia 19. Ju wants political James. Her cousin Octavia 20 comes out of her shell, so even boyish Customs Lt Cardin takes note. But smuggler Captain Red Jack is severely wounded, and the old castle with secret passages is useful.
Sir Tris and others see beauty and charm of Julia amd miss her cousin. A haircut, missed meals, extra exercise, finely altered hand-me-downs, and the cousin is confident and outgoing. When Julia falls for an intense political fellow, and he returns her love, her papa sends her off to an water-bound estate in Cornwall, where Sir Tris is settled as the godson.
December 23, 2016
The last chapter annoyed me, which knocked off a star -- the final twist just threw out my suspension of disbelief and bored me without adding anything good at all. But up until then I had been enjoying the characters and the tone.
June 12, 2020
Otavia Gray joins her cousin Julia in search of a husband & romance, James for Julia, Tristram For Octavia....maybe. There's customs inspector Cardin interested in Octavia & in the smuggler Red Jack. Interesting back & forth.
June 18, 2018
Another easy, fun read but with a different sort of heroine. Recommended!
October 31, 2018
Carola Dunn never disappoints. Yet another excellent and enjoyable read.
November 9, 2013
Miss Octavia Gray is a Londoner born and bred. Her parents are reformers who would rather spend money on worthy causes than on a social life for their youngest daughter. Octavia longs for the countryside she's never seen and wishes for an adventure. Octavia's cousin Julia, a beautiful heiress, shares her wealth with Octavia whenever she can. Julia is kind and generous, almost to a fault. Julia's kindness lands her in trouble with her parents when she develops a tendre for the radical writer James Wynn, rejecting the hand of the most worthy Sir Tristram Deanbridge. Julia is banished to the country estate of friends for the summer and is miserable without company so she begs Octavia to join her. Octavia arrives on board a smugglers' ship and is stopped by a Customs Officer but she enjoys the adventure greatly. Julia and her maid give Octavia a make over, so she feels pretty and fashionable for the first time in her life. Joining the cousins and Julia's weak-willed aunt, is Sir Tristram, who happens to be the godson of the estate owner and grew up spending summers in the house and grounds. Sir Tristram leads the girls on an adventure to discover secret messages, lost treasure and hidden tunnels. Olivia enjoys the adventure and the company of Sir Trsitram, but Julia pines for James. Octavia tries to help Julia and push the girl into marrying Sir Tristram but finds herself falling for him instead. Add to her adventures a lovesick Lieutenant, a house party of dandies and members of the ton, a wounded smuggler and midnight adventures. Octavia has never had so much fun in her life (despite her tendre for one who loves another)! More description would give away the final zany adventures. The characters are all likable, even the smugglers, and Octavia is a character many women can relate to. The characters could be a bit more developed but the story is more plot driven and the plot is a good one. It made me giggle out loud several times and I enjoyed the adventure. It's written in an old-fashioned style without emphasis on physical attraction and obsession over feelings. This is a good read for Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fans.
June 22, 2025
This enjoyable regency romance was just what I needed for a bit of light-hearted distraction. It is very similar to Georgette Heyer's novels, though not quite as well written, so just a bit of escapist fun.
I particularly enjoyed the setting along the Devon and Cornwall border since many years ago I spent a summer at a school there and know most of the (extremely scenic!) places.
I particularly enjoyed the setting along the Devon and Cornwall border since many years ago I spent a summer at a school there and know most of the (extremely scenic!) places.
January 17, 2010
I liked this one much more than Lavender Lady. There is no real villain, the female protagonist has a few suitors of her own, and of course it has smugglers (instead of prostitutes - the plot line in LL that I didn't like).
July 31, 2014
I have enjoyed all of Carola Dunn’s regency books I have read so far. They are a nice, quick, easy read and they have a Jane Austen feel to them. Each book is different enough from the others to feel fresh and her enjoyable writing style is consistent.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews