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Regency Trilogy #1
Quiet Meg
Architect and landscaper Charles Cabot, a descendant of dukes, finds himself much in demand. Wealthy landowners are enthusiastically improving their vast country estates. When Sir Eustace Lawrence, renowned King's Counsel, invites Cabot to visit his Berkshire home, Cabot plans to apply his talents to a modification of the grounds. But he soon discovers that other skills are called for. All is not well with the amiable Lawrence family. One daughter, Margaret, has for years drawn the unwelcome, jealous attentions of the powerful Earl of Sutcliffe. The earl has essentially placed Meg under siege. Meg has had ample proof of Sutcliffe's deadliness. She has not dared to bestow her hand or her heart on any suitor for fear of what may befall him. But she is unaware of the lengths to which their new family friend, Charles Cabot, will go in order to protect her. When her family visits London for the season and a confrontation looms, Meg and her awakened affections must face the ultimate test.
265 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 9, 2015
Upon her return from a year-long stay with her aunt, Margaret Lawrence returned home only to find an instant fierce connection with a unknown gentleman at her father's estate. Charles 'Chas' Cabot is a landscaper and architect. His services are seeked out by nobility for their looks and charm. Intrigued, he asks her advice with his plans several times but she rudely treats him with indifference. Meg, as her family calls her, is an amateur hobbyist-gardener and feels somewhat threatened by Chas. She has never had such an intense attraction for a man before and her response is awkwardness.
Amongst her worries, Meg is threatened by the attentions of the Earl of Sutcliffe. A few years before, at her coming out, he briefly kidnapped her to make her his mistress. But before any damage could be done her father and brother saved her. Sutcliffe is powerful and a widower now: his maniacal diligence wants her as his wife.
Within her first week home everyone knows she is being followed again by a stranger. Chas feels protective of her. Her response to him? All she wants to do is live quietly at home.
"Quietly?" Cabot repeated the word. "You cannot live quietly. Even if Sutcliffe had never existed you could not live quietly. The idea is preposterous....You were created to cause havoc. You should heed those who recognize it, for there will always be a Sutcliffe."
Meg becomes confused. She finds Chas kind sometimes yet intense at others. She is naive; her feelings are not yet mature like this older gentleman's.
Charles Cabot's childhood was a bumpy road. He lost many loved ones. So when his grandmother tries to explain his actions to Meg, she pushes the envelope.
"So much of home-to slip so quickly from him! I think this is why he builds, why he must arrange the earth. The trees and streams must go here just so....but some things he does not touch. They please him."
This Regency romance featured deep feelings between Chas and Meg. It is not a light romp and yet at times I thought I was reading an adult fairy tale. The story starts out slowly but don't be fooled. As you finish each chapter, the plot builds.
There is a secondary story with Sutcliffe that might be called *The Art of Dueling* -OR- *Stalking 101*. The seriousness of this type of tragedy only elevates this conspiracy. And if you are like me, you will feel a combination of emotions by the time you finish this delicious love story. I will look more from this little-known author.
Amongst her worries, Meg is threatened by the attentions of the Earl of Sutcliffe. A few years before, at her coming out, he briefly kidnapped her to make her his mistress. But before any damage could be done her father and brother saved her. Sutcliffe is powerful and a widower now: his maniacal diligence wants her as his wife.
Within her first week home everyone knows she is being followed again by a stranger. Chas feels protective of her. Her response to him? All she wants to do is live quietly at home.
"Quietly?" Cabot repeated the word. "You cannot live quietly. Even if Sutcliffe had never existed you could not live quietly. The idea is preposterous....You were created to cause havoc. You should heed those who recognize it, for there will always be a Sutcliffe."
Meg becomes confused. She finds Chas kind sometimes yet intense at others. She is naive; her feelings are not yet mature like this older gentleman's.
Charles Cabot's childhood was a bumpy road. He lost many loved ones. So when his grandmother tries to explain his actions to Meg, she pushes the envelope.
"So much of home-to slip so quickly from him! I think this is why he builds, why he must arrange the earth. The trees and streams must go here just so....but some things he does not touch. They please him."
This Regency romance featured deep feelings between Chas and Meg. It is not a light romp and yet at times I thought I was reading an adult fairy tale. The story starts out slowly but don't be fooled. As you finish each chapter, the plot builds.
There is a secondary story with Sutcliffe that might be called *The Art of Dueling* -OR- *Stalking 101*. The seriousness of this type of tragedy only elevates this conspiracy. And if you are like me, you will feel a combination of emotions by the time you finish this delicious love story. I will look more from this little-known author.
July 23, 2014
This was really enjoyable. It had a little more serious plot than some of the other regency stories I’ve read lately. Our villain, Lord Sutcliff, is stalking Meg. He has turned her life upside down in true stalker fashion and even killed her fiancé forcing her into hiding. Now, almost a year later she has decided to stop living in fear and reenter society. If I don’t analyze the story or the characters and simply read, I enjoyed the story and plot. It moved along quickly and I was curious to see what would happen next.
I’m trying to decide if I should vent or leave it that it was a fun read.
I guess I’ll vent. Just a little.
On their own, I liked Meg and Chas (Charles), but together I didn’t feel much chemistry. I guess because they spend hardly any time together, and when they are together they are arguing or almost kissing. I don’t usually buy the whole “love at first sight” storyline, and this one seemed a bit overdone. What made Charles different from Lord Sutcliff, or all the other countless men who all wanted Meg for themselves? I would have actually liked if Meg was a little more real, instead of being so beautiful that men were killing themselves over her, before even getting to know her in any way. I would have liked for them to have a stronger foundation to their relationship besides being instantly attracted to one another. I just have a hard time believing in their love when they’ve spent so little time together.
Towards the end I was a little confused by things. For example, was Chas’ cousin David suddenly in love with Meg (after meeting her for all of two seconds)? By this time I just wanted to finish so I didn’t bother re-reading to figure that out. But, it bugged me that here was ANOTHER guy instantly in love with her. I also thought the ended was kind of weird with Lord Mulmgren and a little anticlimactic.
Again though, if you just read it and not analyze too much it really is a lot of fun and I’ll probably like it more a second time around. I look forward to reading more from Sherry Ferguson.
Content: Clean romance.
I’m trying to decide if I should vent or leave it that it was a fun read.
I guess I’ll vent. Just a little.
On their own, I liked Meg and Chas (Charles), but together I didn’t feel much chemistry. I guess because they spend hardly any time together, and when they are together they are arguing or almost kissing. I don’t usually buy the whole “love at first sight” storyline, and this one seemed a bit overdone. What made Charles different from Lord Sutcliff, or all the other countless men who all wanted Meg for themselves? I would have actually liked if Meg was a little more real, instead of being so beautiful that men were killing themselves over her, before even getting to know her in any way. I would have liked for them to have a stronger foundation to their relationship besides being instantly attracted to one another. I just have a hard time believing in their love when they’ve spent so little time together.
Towards the end I was a little confused by things. For example, was Chas’ cousin David suddenly in love with Meg (after meeting her for all of two seconds)? By this time I just wanted to finish so I didn’t bother re-reading to figure that out. But, it bugged me that here was ANOTHER guy instantly in love with her. I also thought the ended was kind of weird with Lord Mulmgren and a little anticlimactic.
Again though, if you just read it and not analyze too much it really is a lot of fun and I’ll probably like it more a second time around. I look forward to reading more from Sherry Ferguson.
Content: Clean romance.
August 1, 2014
Strong story telling. I didn't feel like I had to keep turning back to earlier chapters or another book to understand and enjoy what I was reading. Quiet Meg is the opener of a series and it sets up two believable interesting families. Meg Lawrence is a beauty but also sincere and loving daughter/sister. She's pursued by arrogant, sinister Sutcliff. To the rescue is one of three grandsons of a duke. But the hero isn't the usual Regency dandy. suspense and romance.
February 6, 2016
Unabashedly romantic, sweet and clean, Regency romance. Flowery writing but in a good way. I enjoyed it. I don't fall for insta-love usually but in this case, the author makes the coup de foudre between the two protags plausible and enjoyable. Towards the end of the book, the story petered out a bit for me with an unnecessary Fourth Act involving a minor character who at the eleventh hour becomes yet another villain standing in the way of the two would-be lovers. Overall, it was an enjoyable if not extraordinary read.
August 11, 2015
#1 of a regency trilogy with interesting characters and a plot that's more suspenseful. Love the families and the grandmother, who's in all three stories. Many funny bits but not the usual comedies. Love story is the main event. Really captured the period.
August 9, 2014
Wow! Romance, suspense and action, some of my favorites, all in a pretty short book. Surprising. Will reread!
June 4, 2015
A regency with enough suspense to keep the pages turning. I honestly didn't know how this would turn out.
December 17, 2015
Excellent tension and (clean) romance right up to a surprise of an ending.
March 15, 2016
2.5 stars
Some good things going on here - an architect as hero, plus Regency-era stalking. Ultimately, though, this didn't quite work, due to two things.
Firstly, the writing style is unmemorable. I don't mean it's bad, but it's functional above all else, so the book needs to depend on the plot and characters to carry the reader along.
And, ironically, it's the very strength of the plot that lets the book down, I think. Here you've got a very strong villain, pitted against a (sorry) fairly bland H&h. So, if the villain carries on being Evil enough, the H&h can't win - OK, so that's not going to happen in this genre. The other choice, the one made here, is to water down the plot so that the H&h can win. And that leaves a lop-sided book - big situation and conflict set up in the first half, which is diluted by frankly too many "goodies" (most of whom are ineffectual) and authorially sabotaged in order to create a HEA.
I would have wanted to see what happened if the H&h had been more willing to think laterally about how to deal with the situation.
Some good things going on here - an architect as hero, plus Regency-era stalking. Ultimately, though, this didn't quite work, due to two things.
Firstly, the writing style is unmemorable. I don't mean it's bad, but it's functional above all else, so the book needs to depend on the plot and characters to carry the reader along.
And, ironically, it's the very strength of the plot that lets the book down, I think. Here you've got a very strong villain, pitted against a (sorry) fairly bland H&h. So, if the villain carries on being Evil enough, the H&h can't win - OK, so that's not going to happen in this genre. The other choice, the one made here, is to water down the plot so that the H&h can win. And that leaves a lop-sided book - big situation and conflict set up in the first half, which is diluted by frankly too many "goodies" (most of whom are ineffectual) and authorially sabotaged in order to create a HEA.
I would have wanted to see what happened if the H&h had been more willing to think laterally about how to deal with the situation.
December 14, 2014
Regency Stalker
It's so wonderful to read a Regency Romance with a different plot, and this book definitely qualifies. Our heroine, Meg is being stalked by a powerful Earl. He has already killed one of her suitors in a duel and threatened anyone else who might be interested in her. Into this mess walks Charles Cabot, architect and landscape designer, who immediately is attracted to Meg. Well you can see the trouble coming, and so it does, with twists and turns the dangers mount. Excellent story, plot, writing and well developed characters. I'm off to read the rest of the series, and am putting Sherry Lynn Ferguson on my list of authors to follow.
It's so wonderful to read a Regency Romance with a different plot, and this book definitely qualifies. Our heroine, Meg is being stalked by a powerful Earl. He has already killed one of her suitors in a duel and threatened anyone else who might be interested in her. Into this mess walks Charles Cabot, architect and landscape designer, who immediately is attracted to Meg. Well you can see the trouble coming, and so it does, with twists and turns the dangers mount. Excellent story, plot, writing and well developed characters. I'm off to read the rest of the series, and am putting Sherry Lynn Ferguson on my list of authors to follow.
August 19, 2014
From the other descriptions I didn't know what to expect. Definitely an unusual Regency with something dark about it -- maybe a hint of Gothic? Whatever -- it's an excellent story with a happy ending.
July 15, 2012
Read this after Merely A Mister, but that didn't seem to matter. Loved the action and descriptions. Old-fashioned romance.
July 17, 2013
This was refreshing and captivating. With an unusual ending.
May 30, 2014
Charles Cabot is a landscape architect. He has more commissions than he has time for, but he couldn't help but accept one from his old school friend Bertram Lawrence. The Lawrence's estate is going to be a bit of a challenge because everyone wants something different. Sir Eustance, Bertram's father, is confined to a wheeled chair and Charles has grand plans to make the grounds more accessible, which pleases the old man. He manages to convince Bertram to accept the changes and Bertram's little sister Lucy, about to have her come-out, appears to be infatuated with him. Charles wants nothing to do with the spoiled beauty. He is, however, intrigued by the one member of the family he has never met: Miss Margaret Lawrence. She seems to share his passion for landscape design for the kitchen garden she designed for Cook is incredible. When he learns that Meg has been the victim of harassment by the wealthy and powerful Earl of Sutcliffe, her plight brings out his protective instincts. Then he finally sees Margaret and tumbles head first into love. He knows he shouldn't, for the last man who dared to love Meg paid dearly for it. At last Meg returns home from living in seclusion with her elderly aunt. She's disconcerted by having a stranger in the house, especially one so handsome and clever. She can't help being attracted to him, though she's terrified of what will happen if Mr. Cabot returns her feelings. She can only hope that Lord Sutcliffe has forgotten her. Alas, it seems that he has not and is still determined to possess her at any cost.
This story is vastly different from any other Regency I've ever read. It more closely resembles Phantom of the Opera. (Yes, girls, the Phantom is a psycho maniac murderer determined to have Christine). The plot takes many different turns which differ from Phantom. Phantom is of course a crime novel with a Gothic plot but the basic idea is the same. I stayed up long past my usual cut off time finishing this book. This story is also unique because the story opens with the hero's point-of-view and the heroine is discussed, but doesn't appear, for a couple chapters. The story is truly unpredictable. The plot moves in a different direction than the one I thought it should go in but I think my way would not have solved the problem. I didn't like the romance so much. It begins with love at first sight, which I don't like. The love between the hero and heroine grows as they get to know each other, but they spend a lot of time misunderstanding each other and arguing for no reason. I didn't really feel that they shared enough of a connection but of course I rooted for them because of the wicked villain determined to destroy their lives.
I wasn't crazy about Meg. She's a regular Helen of Troy. Men fall in love with her as soon as they see her. She's a little meek but that's due to her circumstances. She's terrified and wants to keep a low profile. I certainly empathized with her and felt she deserved happiness, but I didn't exactly relate to her or love her.
Charles is actually similar to Meg. He's handsome and a bit quiet. He's passionate about what he does and seems to enjoy it. He's also not so secretly related to half the nobility in Europe. I don't really get why he has to protect someone he doesn't know. He's a little too noble for my liking.
The secondary characters are wonderful. I liked the Lawrence family, with the exception of Lucy. Lucy's fault is being young and silly. She talks too much too. Sir Lawrence is a doting father. He adores his children and wants to protect his eldest daughter. He doesn't wallow in pity for being an invalid. He doesn't have a tyrannical temper because of his condition either. He cares about his estate and is a moral man. I'd want him for my father! Louisa is a realistic big sister. Instead of being social climbing and snobby like most older sisters, she married for love and she has a good relationship with her siblings. Bertram is a bit of an idiot but he cares about his sister very much. They tease each other as siblings often do but it's never mean or malicious.
Charles' Grandmere is delightful! She's very wise and knows what her grandsons are thinking before they do. She's a bit spirited and not a haughty grande dame. Charles' cousins, Hayden and David, add some humor to the story. Hayden is an atypical dandy and I liked that about him. David is very clever and must have been an excellent soldier. I'd like to know how the Marquis became such an expert on women and David needs a bit more backstory too.
The villain is particularly nasty. He's well beyond the typical villain who wishes to possess the heroine as an object. Unlike Erik in Phantom of the Opera, he doesn't have a backstory. We don't know why he's the way he is. He just likes toying with Meg and doesn't like to be thwarted. he enjoys the hunt and playing with his prey. He must not be right in the head to be so cruel. He's truly a maniac who doesn't deserve any sympathy.
This story is vastly different from any other Regency I've ever read. It more closely resembles Phantom of the Opera. (Yes, girls, the Phantom is a psycho maniac murderer determined to have Christine). The plot takes many different turns which differ from Phantom. Phantom is of course a crime novel with a Gothic plot but the basic idea is the same. I stayed up long past my usual cut off time finishing this book. This story is also unique because the story opens with the hero's point-of-view and the heroine is discussed, but doesn't appear, for a couple chapters. The story is truly unpredictable. The plot moves in a different direction than the one I thought it should go in but I think my way would not have solved the problem. I didn't like the romance so much. It begins with love at first sight, which I don't like. The love between the hero and heroine grows as they get to know each other, but they spend a lot of time misunderstanding each other and arguing for no reason. I didn't really feel that they shared enough of a connection but of course I rooted for them because of the wicked villain determined to destroy their lives.
I wasn't crazy about Meg. She's a regular Helen of Troy. Men fall in love with her as soon as they see her. She's a little meek but that's due to her circumstances. She's terrified and wants to keep a low profile. I certainly empathized with her and felt she deserved happiness, but I didn't exactly relate to her or love her.
Charles is actually similar to Meg. He's handsome and a bit quiet. He's passionate about what he does and seems to enjoy it. He's also not so secretly related to half the nobility in Europe. I don't really get why he has to protect someone he doesn't know. He's a little too noble for my liking.
The secondary characters are wonderful. I liked the Lawrence family, with the exception of Lucy. Lucy's fault is being young and silly. She talks too much too. Sir Lawrence is a doting father. He adores his children and wants to protect his eldest daughter. He doesn't wallow in pity for being an invalid. He doesn't have a tyrannical temper because of his condition either. He cares about his estate and is a moral man. I'd want him for my father! Louisa is a realistic big sister. Instead of being social climbing and snobby like most older sisters, she married for love and she has a good relationship with her siblings. Bertram is a bit of an idiot but he cares about his sister very much. They tease each other as siblings often do but it's never mean or malicious.
Charles' Grandmere is delightful! She's very wise and knows what her grandsons are thinking before they do. She's a bit spirited and not a haughty grande dame. Charles' cousins, Hayden and David, add some humor to the story. Hayden is an atypical dandy and I liked that about him. David is very clever and must have been an excellent soldier. I'd like to know how the Marquis became such an expert on women and David needs a bit more backstory too.
The villain is particularly nasty. He's well beyond the typical villain who wishes to possess the heroine as an object. Unlike Erik in Phantom of the Opera, he doesn't have a backstory. We don't know why he's the way he is. He just likes toying with Meg and doesn't like to be thwarted. he enjoys the hunt and playing with his prey. He must not be right in the head to be so cruel. He's truly a maniac who doesn't deserve any sympathy.
December 18, 2014
Loved it!
It was a very well written book very much in the style of Jane Austen, with perhaps a bit more "modern" drama. There was plenty of romance without trashy sex scenes.
It was a very well written book very much in the style of Jane Austen, with perhaps a bit more "modern" drama. There was plenty of romance without trashy sex scenes.
April 6, 2011
On one of goodread's groups a member suggested Ms. Ferguson's 'Lord Sidley's Last Season' as a possible alternative to those fans of Georgette Heyer who were about to perish from deprivation, having finished unwisely Heyer's wonderful and varied historical romances and mysteries.
I looked up the author and decided that I liked both the cover and the blurb on its jacket. I then looked up its price, added international shipping charges, then ran back to goodreads, found the author's page and complained to her about the high prices of her books and the absence of any paperback and ebook versions.
The author very politely apologised for my inconvenience and explained that her publishers only print hardback copies because they are meant for library shelves. Since I complained about the price so loudly she even offered to send me any book of her writing that I choose.
Suspicious and wary, I warned her that I lived in India and the shipping charges might be high...and then held my breath because I was very, very excited.
I had added my address and in the next message, she told me that she had sent off the package and that it should arrive in about three weeks.
It arrived in five days and not only had she included 'Lord Sidley's...', but 'Quiet Meg' as well!
And they were both signed!
I admit I was embarrassingly grateful- much more so once I began reading the two books.
######################################################################
Now. For that review.
In regency novels, even Heyer's novels, I had began to sense that the hero could be one of three things- a peer of the realm (a dashing\clever\stylish rogue- a veritable tulip!), the younger son of a peer of the realm (a sombre gentleman, who is a handsome, witty and a positively deserving hero) or a naval\army officer (the beautiful noble and proud souls).
Chas Cabot is an architect. A gentleman architect who chooses his clientèle carefully and usually likes to work only for Dukes and such. He is passionate about his work, resourceful, well-connected through his cousins and very well liked in society. He is quite an eligible parti.
Meg Lawrence, daughter of Sir Eustace Lawrence K.C. is an acclaimed beauty and had received ten proposals in the first weeks of her very first season.
Naturally, Chas thought this ridiculous. Surely, his source was flawed.
But that was before he met Miss Margaret.
The heroine of 'Quiet Meg' is a reserved, dignified but kind-hearted young woman who has for the longest time, felt too old for her age. In that first season she had caught the eye of a man who refused to believe that she would not want to be his and was the reason her family and she had suffered for the last few years. Meg knew that if she ever agreed to marry a man, she would be sending him to his death, for that sinister devil who wants her in his clutches will stop at nothing to own her at last!
Wow. I sound like the back of a lurid gothic novel.
Don't worry though, Quiet Meg hardly has anything gothic and absolutely nothing lurid about it. The issues here are those of morality and ethics and that gentleman's pride that made the English so famous throughout the world.
But the story isn't just about issues. It's about the inexplicable attraction Chas feels towards Meg and the pages that turn through days in which they get to know each other, and fight, for in those uncertain first days it's too easy to hurt one another. It's about a duel and a chase on horseback. It's about courage and love.
The author must really have spent some time researching the ways of that time, for she really gets it right. A more knowledgeable person might disagree, but not only did I find her narration absorbing- seamlessly blending with that time in the past- but also informative.
Did you know that Vauxhall "was laid out as a parallelogram...The walks cross so-and here is the central square. Should the paths not meet at right angles-you have reached an outer edge."
Put in context, this makes sense.
The end of that speech by Chas was: "So you need never," he said looking down at her, "be lost in Vauxhall-again."
I wish I could tell you why this is pertinent but I don't want to give any more away.
I liked the book a lot and recommend it only to those readers who love traditional historicals. It's a completely clean book, but as readers of Heyer know, you don't need smut in a well-written regency.
I looked up the author and decided that I liked both the cover and the blurb on its jacket. I then looked up its price, added international shipping charges, then ran back to goodreads, found the author's page and complained to her about the high prices of her books and the absence of any paperback and ebook versions.
The author very politely apologised for my inconvenience and explained that her publishers only print hardback copies because they are meant for library shelves. Since I complained about the price so loudly she even offered to send me any book of her writing that I choose.
Suspicious and wary, I warned her that I lived in India and the shipping charges might be high...and then held my breath because I was very, very excited.
I had added my address and in the next message, she told me that she had sent off the package and that it should arrive in about three weeks.
It arrived in five days and not only had she included 'Lord Sidley's...', but 'Quiet Meg' as well!
And they were both signed!
I admit I was embarrassingly grateful- much more so once I began reading the two books.
######################################################################
Now. For that review.
In regency novels, even Heyer's novels, I had began to sense that the hero could be one of three things- a peer of the realm (a dashing\clever\stylish rogue- a veritable tulip!), the younger son of a peer of the realm (a sombre gentleman, who is a handsome, witty and a positively deserving hero) or a naval\army officer (the beautiful noble and proud souls).
Chas Cabot is an architect. A gentleman architect who chooses his clientèle carefully and usually likes to work only for Dukes and such. He is passionate about his work, resourceful, well-connected through his cousins and very well liked in society. He is quite an eligible parti.
Meg Lawrence, daughter of Sir Eustace Lawrence K.C. is an acclaimed beauty and had received ten proposals in the first weeks of her very first season.
Naturally, Chas thought this ridiculous. Surely, his source was flawed.
But that was before he met Miss Margaret.
The heroine of 'Quiet Meg' is a reserved, dignified but kind-hearted young woman who has for the longest time, felt too old for her age. In that first season she had caught the eye of a man who refused to believe that she would not want to be his and was the reason her family and she had suffered for the last few years. Meg knew that if she ever agreed to marry a man, she would be sending him to his death, for that sinister devil who wants her in his clutches will stop at nothing to own her at last!
Wow. I sound like the back of a lurid gothic novel.
Don't worry though, Quiet Meg hardly has anything gothic and absolutely nothing lurid about it. The issues here are those of morality and ethics and that gentleman's pride that made the English so famous throughout the world.
But the story isn't just about issues. It's about the inexplicable attraction Chas feels towards Meg and the pages that turn through days in which they get to know each other, and fight, for in those uncertain first days it's too easy to hurt one another. It's about a duel and a chase on horseback. It's about courage and love.
The author must really have spent some time researching the ways of that time, for she really gets it right. A more knowledgeable person might disagree, but not only did I find her narration absorbing- seamlessly blending with that time in the past- but also informative.
Did you know that Vauxhall "was laid out as a parallelogram...The walks cross so-and here is the central square. Should the paths not meet at right angles-you have reached an outer edge."
Put in context, this makes sense.
The end of that speech by Chas was: "So you need never," he said looking down at her, "be lost in Vauxhall-again."
I wish I could tell you why this is pertinent but I don't want to give any more away.
I liked the book a lot and recommend it only to those readers who love traditional historicals. It's a completely clean book, but as readers of Heyer know, you don't need smut in a well-written regency.
November 20, 2016
You can find this review in English below.
Creo que esta historia ha sido demasiado melodramática para mí. Y Meg no lo ha hecho más fácil.
Me encantan los romances históricos donde los protagonistas no son de la realeza, son tan difíciles de encontrar, por eso, y porque me encantó el tercer libro de esta serie—decidí darle una oportunidad. Pero esta historia no ha funcionado para mí.
Meg me ha parecido demasiado buena, tan buena que ha sido un poco sosa. No he tenido ese problema con Chas. Ha sido un personaje delicioso. Pero el malo… el malo ha sido tan malo que es casi melodramático. Igual que el suspense también me ha parecido un poco OTT, casi no se acaba! Y si los protagonistas hubiesen hablado entre ellos y se hubiesen contado los planes… habría pasado por alto lo anterior, pero la suma de todo ha hecho que no disfrute de la historia.
:(
***
I think this story has been too melodramatic for my taste. And Meg has not made it any easier.
I love historical romances which its MC´s are not peers of the realm, they are so difficult to find, that's why, and because I loved the third book in this series that I decided to give it a try. But this story has not worked for me.
Meg has been too good for her own good, so good that she has seemed a bit bland. I have not had that problem with Chas. He has been a delightful character. But the baddie ... the baddie has been so bad that it's been almost melodramatic. Just like the suspense, it has also seemed a bit OTT, it almost does not end! And if the MC´s had spoken to each other and told about their plans ... I would have overlooked all of the above, but the sum of everything has prevented me from enjoy the story.
:(
Creo que esta historia ha sido demasiado melodramática para mí. Y Meg no lo ha hecho más fácil.
Me encantan los romances históricos donde los protagonistas no son de la realeza, son tan difíciles de encontrar, por eso, y porque me encantó el tercer libro de esta serie—decidí darle una oportunidad. Pero esta historia no ha funcionado para mí.
Meg me ha parecido demasiado buena, tan buena que ha sido un poco sosa. No he tenido ese problema con Chas. Ha sido un personaje delicioso. Pero el malo… el malo ha sido tan malo que es casi melodramático. Igual que el suspense también me ha parecido un poco OTT, casi no se acaba! Y si los protagonistas hubiesen hablado entre ellos y se hubiesen contado los planes… habría pasado por alto lo anterior, pero la suma de todo ha hecho que no disfrute de la historia.
:(
***
I think this story has been too melodramatic for my taste. And Meg has not made it any easier.
I love historical romances which its MC´s are not peers of the realm, they are so difficult to find, that's why, and because I loved the third book in this series that I decided to give it a try. But this story has not worked for me.
Meg has been too good for her own good, so good that she has seemed a bit bland. I have not had that problem with Chas. He has been a delightful character. But the baddie ... the baddie has been so bad that it's been almost melodramatic. Just like the suspense, it has also seemed a bit OTT, it almost does not end! And if the MC´s had spoken to each other and told about their plans ... I would have overlooked all of the above, but the sum of everything has prevented me from enjoy the story.
:(
September 4, 2021
Regency England, 1814.
Charles Cabot, who went by "Chas" was hired as an architect
and landscape artist for barrister, Sir Eustace Lawrence, who
navigated by means of a wheeled chair. His beautiful dtr Meg
designed the kitchen garden and felt somewhat threatened
by Chas. Meg just returned from a visit w/ a relative for nrly
a yr. A menacing stalker from her past, an earl, bothered her
still. (A few yrs back he kidnapped her.)
I especially enjoyed the building love of the MCs & the dialo-
gue. At one point, Meg brought Chas down a peg by referring
to him as a "gardener" & rejecting his silver bell sapling gift.
Well-traveled & well-read Chas knew several languages. And
was prepared to make a sacrifice for Meg. (He also had an
Austrian connection). It has been awhile since I read a HR
with a hero as mature & honorable as this one had.
Charles Cabot, who went by "Chas" was hired as an architect
and landscape artist for barrister, Sir Eustace Lawrence, who
navigated by means of a wheeled chair. His beautiful dtr Meg
designed the kitchen garden and felt somewhat threatened
by Chas. Meg just returned from a visit w/ a relative for nrly
a yr. A menacing stalker from her past, an earl, bothered her
still. (A few yrs back he kidnapped her.)
I especially enjoyed the building love of the MCs & the dialo-
gue. At one point, Meg brought Chas down a peg by referring
to him as a "gardener" & rejecting his silver bell sapling gift.
Well-traveled & well-read Chas knew several languages. And
was prepared to make a sacrifice for Meg. (He also had an
Austrian connection). It has been awhile since I read a HR
with a hero as mature & honorable as this one had.
April 18, 2016
Consistently excellent trilogy.
Read these books back-to-back over a weekend and thought they were an excellent read. All the characters were likable, except for the villains!, and I have to say that the heroes were more attractive to me than many in traditional regencies. Love and classic romance, not sex as others have said here.the conversations were splendid and clever. INteresting history and plots. All the stories end well and leave me wishing there were more. Highly recommended!
Read these books back-to-back over a weekend and thought they were an excellent read. All the characters were likable, except for the villains!, and I have to say that the heroes were more attractive to me than many in traditional regencies. Love and classic romance, not sex as others have said here.the conversations were splendid and clever. INteresting history and plots. All the stories end well and leave me wishing there were more. Highly recommended!
September 25, 2022
2-2.5. Disappointed because I was really looking forward to this one. Chas and Meg fell in love for no reason, except that Meg is beautiful and in danger. Within a few chapters Chas is planning Sutcliffe’s demise at his hands. Getting involved with Meg means you become an instant target by a madman, so his instant determination to save her at any cost felt too quick.
I also wish there was more depth to the villain and his crony. His dialogue felt flat without much personality. He could’ve been really scary by diving into his past, his mental instability, how dangerous it was when he walked into a room. He seemed to make people uncomfortable, but with his reputation I feel like I’d be GONE if he was in my vicinity.
I just feel like this had a lot of potential, but the story was still cute and I’ve heard really good things about the next books in the series so I still think I might give them a shot.
I also wish there was more depth to the villain and his crony. His dialogue felt flat without much personality. He could’ve been really scary by diving into his past, his mental instability, how dangerous it was when he walked into a room. He seemed to make people uncomfortable, but with his reputation I feel like I’d be GONE if he was in my vicinity.
I just feel like this had a lot of potential, but the story was still cute and I’ve heard really good things about the next books in the series so I still think I might give them a shot.
June 9, 2016
Quiet Meg (2008, Montlake Romance), first in the Regency Trilogy series by Sherry Lynn Ferguson, is a sweet Regency romance. I selected this book because I adore clean Regency romance novels, and this novel seemed like it might be just my thing. I did not expect to be crazy about it! Partway through reading, I wanted to see what else Ferguson has to offer, and I was very surprised to see that she has pretty much zero Internet presence. I assume that’s by design, but I was bummed. I was hoping to learn a little bit about her, and maybe write a note. I hope that there will be more wonderful books from Sherry Lynn Ferguson!
The Heroine: Meg Lawrence is a bit of a tragic character. She is so stunningly beautiful that she received ten offers of marriage in her first season in London. She eventually becomes betrothed to one young man. Unfortunately, she has the unwavering (and unwanted) attention of the Earl of Sutcliffe, who is quite possessive of her. It doesn’t end well at all, and Meg has been hiding at her aunt’s in Wales for the last year. Now she’s coming home, and the looming menace of Sutcliffe is a concern for the family.
The Hero: Charles Cabot is not lacking for money, but is happiest when occupied. He is a much in demand landscape architect, and is working on Meg’s father’s estate as a favor to her brother Bertie. With very close, amiable relationships with his noble relatives, as well as his French/Austrian/English genealogy, he is a unique character. I loved him!
What I liked:
*Meg and Charles are incredibly considerate of each other. I love the way this plays out in the story.
*The secondary characters in this book are absolutely fabulous. They are so strong. Two of the hero’s cousins star in books two and three of Ferguson’s trilogy, and I’m really looking forward to sampling them!
*The landscaping elements of the story were extremely interesting!
What I didn’t like:
*At one point, the hero and heroine are separated for a long time. However, it was totally appropriate for the storyline, so I can’t legitimately complain.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves clean Regency or historical romance. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of Georgette Heyer or Barbara Metzger. I will be starting the next book soon!
The Heroine: Meg Lawrence is a bit of a tragic character. She is so stunningly beautiful that she received ten offers of marriage in her first season in London. She eventually becomes betrothed to one young man. Unfortunately, she has the unwavering (and unwanted) attention of the Earl of Sutcliffe, who is quite possessive of her. It doesn’t end well at all, and Meg has been hiding at her aunt’s in Wales for the last year. Now she’s coming home, and the looming menace of Sutcliffe is a concern for the family.
The Hero: Charles Cabot is not lacking for money, but is happiest when occupied. He is a much in demand landscape architect, and is working on Meg’s father’s estate as a favor to her brother Bertie. With very close, amiable relationships with his noble relatives, as well as his French/Austrian/English genealogy, he is a unique character. I loved him!
What I liked:
*Meg and Charles are incredibly considerate of each other. I love the way this plays out in the story.
*The secondary characters in this book are absolutely fabulous. They are so strong. Two of the hero’s cousins star in books two and three of Ferguson’s trilogy, and I’m really looking forward to sampling them!
*The landscaping elements of the story were extremely interesting!
What I didn’t like:
*At one point, the hero and heroine are separated for a long time. However, it was totally appropriate for the storyline, so I can’t legitimately complain.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves clean Regency or historical romance. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of Georgette Heyer or Barbara Metzger. I will be starting the next book soon!
October 21, 2015
PG -
Language: no bad language,
Sex: no sex, some kissing,
Violence: implied violence.
LOVED THIS BOOK. It was well written, the plot moved, and without it being over-sexed, I felt the passion between the H and h. I think readers of Julianne Donaldson's books would enjoy this. I'm looking forward to reading more by Sherry Lynn Ferguson.
Language: no bad language,
Sex: no sex, some kissing,
Violence: implied violence.
LOVED THIS BOOK. It was well written, the plot moved, and without it being over-sexed, I felt the passion between the H and h. I think readers of Julianne Donaldson's books would enjoy this. I'm looking forward to reading more by Sherry Lynn Ferguson.
July 3, 2009
I picked this up at the library. I really enjoyed this book. It is very classicly written and has suspense and romance. A fairly quick read.
August 2, 2014
Great fun!
August 25, 2014
I really enjoy this author. Intelligent and discreet regency romance. Wish she would write more books!
August 9, 2015
I am afraid that it was fairly mediocre overall.
There were mistakes in punctuation (it's too hot though to do a "the good, the bad and the ugly" on my blog, so I'm going to let them go). It also dipped in and out of the slightly more formal language, just like the previous book I reviewed by this author.
However, I did like the ending. It rounded off at a decent pace, and was satisfactory; it warrants three stars due to the ending, otherwise it would have only reached two.
There were mistakes in punctuation (it's too hot though to do a "the good, the bad and the ugly" on my blog, so I'm going to let them go). It also dipped in and out of the slightly more formal language, just like the previous book I reviewed by this author.
However, I did like the ending. It rounded off at a decent pace, and was satisfactory; it warrants three stars due to the ending, otherwise it would have only reached two.
April 7, 2017
I got this off of one of Goodreads' Best Of lists. Definitely wouldn't make my top ten regency romances list. Sadly this genre is full of terrible, cringe-worthy writing, and this book isn't badly written, just sort of boring, so perhaps that's why it rates so highly.
March 20, 2016
It was harmless fun. I do quibble with the whole "Meg is so wonderful EVERYBODY wants her" nonsense. That got wearing pretty quickly. Overall, though, it was a calm afternoon read.
December 17, 2018
Why the title?
This is a very well written book. The composition and editing are first rate. The characters are well formed and mostly likable, except of course the evil villains. The relationship between Meg and Cabot , however, is never really developed even though it is absolutely central to the plot. On the day they meet it seems as if they're smitten before they've even had a good look at each other. They didn't even have to earn the respect or affection of the other, which would have been nice to see. Their few interactions are sort of cold and confrontational.
Nonetheless, an enjoyable story. The title puzzles me. Meg is not quiet in the book. The only reference to quiet is her wish that her troubles would disappear so that she could live at home quietly and normally. But Cabot responds to that statement by practically attacking Meg with the comment that there's no way she could ever live quietly as it's not her nature. That was, I felt, a strange exchange between then.
Overall I liked the book. It was frequently melodramatic, but a fun read.
This is a very well written book. The composition and editing are first rate. The characters are well formed and mostly likable, except of course the evil villains. The relationship between Meg and Cabot , however, is never really developed even though it is absolutely central to the plot. On the day they meet it seems as if they're smitten before they've even had a good look at each other. They didn't even have to earn the respect or affection of the other, which would have been nice to see. Their few interactions are sort of cold and confrontational.
Nonetheless, an enjoyable story. The title puzzles me. Meg is not quiet in the book. The only reference to quiet is her wish that her troubles would disappear so that she could live at home quietly and normally. But Cabot responds to that statement by practically attacking Meg with the comment that there's no way she could ever live quietly as it's not her nature. That was, I felt, a strange exchange between then.
Overall I liked the book. It was frequently melodramatic, but a fun read.
May 29, 2017
Nice, pleasant read
Quiet Meg is a novel about nobleman/architect, Charles Cabot who falls in love with lady Margaret Lawrence.
She is the victim of a ruthless Earl who is obsessed with
and stalks her. The story is the first of a trilogy based on Cabot, and his cousins Myles, Lord Hayden and his brother Major Lord David. The story was well written, and did a good job in immersing one into the Regency time period. The descriptions of Cabot's architectural and landscaping work was interesting without being too technical or heavy-handed. The romance between the hero and heroine was sweet, but seemed a bit too instantaneous. I enjoyed the interplay between Cabot and his cousins; this was the strength of the book. The novel is sweet and clean, but it lacked a certain sparkle and chemistry that was evident in the third installment of the trilogy, "Merely A Mister". Definitely still worth the read.
Quiet Meg is a novel about nobleman/architect, Charles Cabot who falls in love with lady Margaret Lawrence.
She is the victim of a ruthless Earl who is obsessed with
and stalks her. The story is the first of a trilogy based on Cabot, and his cousins Myles, Lord Hayden and his brother Major Lord David. The story was well written, and did a good job in immersing one into the Regency time period. The descriptions of Cabot's architectural and landscaping work was interesting without being too technical or heavy-handed. The romance between the hero and heroine was sweet, but seemed a bit too instantaneous. I enjoyed the interplay between Cabot and his cousins; this was the strength of the book. The novel is sweet and clean, but it lacked a certain sparkle and chemistry that was evident in the third installment of the trilogy, "Merely A Mister". Definitely still worth the read.
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