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The dutiful daughter
THE PRETTY PREY
Chloe Rothwell had reached the ripe age of twenty-four without being wed. Her father's demise, and her forced exile from the Regency London marriage mart, had seen to that. But now an unexpected legacy had made Chloe a catch worth the time it took for fashionable gentlemen in need of cash to travel to Chloe's country home with their proposals.
How could Chloe resist the blandishments of the most skilled seducers in the realm? How could she deny the demands of the stepmother and the brother who had always told her what to do? How could this inexperienced young lady possibly sort out true love from feigned passion?
Chloe had many lessons to learn. But she had just as many she was able and eager to teach....
Chloe Rothwell had reached the ripe age of twenty-four without being wed. Her father's demise, and her forced exile from the Regency London marriage mart, had seen to that. But now an unexpected legacy had made Chloe a catch worth the time it took for fashionable gentlemen in need of cash to travel to Chloe's country home with their proposals.
How could Chloe resist the blandishments of the most skilled seducers in the realm? How could she deny the demands of the stepmother and the brother who had always told her what to do? How could this inexperienced young lady possibly sort out true love from feigned passion?
Chloe had many lessons to learn. But she had just as many she was able and eager to teach....
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 23, 2014
Okay, very old school quick read. Chloe is on the shelf. Chloe inherits. Oh, look at the suitors arrive. But alas, Chloe's family is full of greedy piglets...and so on.
There are not the usual "I read a book about fashion in this period" delightful detailed descriptions of gowns and waistcoats (well, there is a flowered waistcoat), nor the yummy descriptions of exactly what is served at tea, and for that I fault Ms. Gray, because if you are going to bother with this fluff you need the window dressing. So to speak.
On the positive side there is a lop eared puppy.
I really wanted more about the inherited property and better contact between our lovers, but in order to do all that the entire premise of the book would have had to be overturned, and I am certain it is unfair to expect an author to cater to my peculiar tastes. (but she'd have gotten more stars, what can I say?).
And also...really, Chloe is such a milk sop.
There are not the usual "I read a book about fashion in this period" delightful detailed descriptions of gowns and waistcoats (well, there is a flowered waistcoat), nor the yummy descriptions of exactly what is served at tea, and for that I fault Ms. Gray, because if you are going to bother with this fluff you need the window dressing. So to speak.
On the positive side there is a lop eared puppy.
I really wanted more about the inherited property and better contact between our lovers, but in order to do all that the entire premise of the book would have had to be overturned, and I am certain it is unfair to expect an author to cater to my peculiar tastes. (but she'd have gotten more stars, what can I say?).
And also...really, Chloe is such a milk sop.
December 1, 2025
Very moving - emotional roller coaster!
Very much enjoyed this book. This is a new author for me … I don’t believe I’ve read anything by her before. The storyline, although not original, contained a story filled with pain and abuse. There was emotional depth to the story, which I loved. I couldn’t help but be moved by the heroine’s attempts to free herself from her relatives’ control and manipulation. Naturally, it ends with her marrying the gentleman she loves, thank heavens! I only wish the story had been slightly longer so the reader could at long last see the happy couple together. I felt it ended too abruptly. The dialogue was well done, with no glaring modern expressions. The writing was mostly excellent. Thank you for a wonderful read.
Very much enjoyed this book. This is a new author for me … I don’t believe I’ve read anything by her before. The storyline, although not original, contained a story filled with pain and abuse. There was emotional depth to the story, which I loved. I couldn’t help but be moved by the heroine’s attempts to free herself from her relatives’ control and manipulation. Naturally, it ends with her marrying the gentleman she loves, thank heavens! I only wish the story had been slightly longer so the reader could at long last see the happy couple together. I felt it ended too abruptly. The dialogue was well done, with no glaring modern expressions. The writing was mostly excellent. Thank you for a wonderful read.
July 26, 2020
This was an entertaining book, but it also made me feel exasperated at Chloe's meekness and submission to a domineering family
All in all , it was diverting anyway
All in all , it was diverting anyway
September 15, 2024
DNF halfway through. This was just a bunch of misunderstanding tropes, which I don’t mind if the chemistry is there, but nah it wasn’t.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews