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Friendship #3
The Rake and the Bishop's Daughter
Society’s beloved wastrel, Sir Harry Collyns, pushes his popularity past the point of acceptability when he posed for a statue that creates a social uproar. People line up for blocks to see Handsome Harry in the nude, sculpted by a female artist! Bored with the fuss and scandal, Harry hitches up his fastest team, heads for the country, and a near fatal curricle accident. When the bandages are removed from his head days later, he discovers the angel-voiced widow who’d cared for him is neither elderly nor as mild as her tone, but a straight-laced do-gooder unimpressed with his flamboyant past and dashing good looks. Head-battered and heading for a broken heart, he falls headlong into love with widow Olivia St. Clair, who might be the one woman in England that Harry can’t charm into loving him back.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2014
About the author
Julia Donner
35 books143 followersJulia Donner (aka M.L.Rigdon) grew up in historic Galena, IL, USA, and spent most of her time in the museum of her aunt, who encouraged her interest in history and understood the need to cherish a dream. She started writing in secret in her teens and never stopped, merging it with her mother's encouragement to study theater and music, which led to performing in the Midwest, California and as far away as Austria.
Donner never forgot what it was like to write alone as a girl and is a happy member of Summit City Scribes. Concern for the failing educational system led her to develop Your Futures in Ink, a panel of local and regional authors, who go into to schools to encourage students and answer questions about writing.
THE TIGRESSE AND THE RAVEN, first book in the regency Friendship Series, is an RWA contest finalist. The ninth book in the series, A ROGUE FOR MISS PRIM and the tenth, AN AMERICAN FOR AGNES, are available now. A LAIRD’S PROMISE will be released by Spring 2018.
Donner never forgot what it was like to write alone as a girl and is a happy member of Summit City Scribes. Concern for the failing educational system led her to develop Your Futures in Ink, a panel of local and regional authors, who go into to schools to encourage students and answer questions about writing.
THE TIGRESSE AND THE RAVEN, first book in the regency Friendship Series, is an RWA contest finalist. The ninth book in the series, A ROGUE FOR MISS PRIM and the tenth, AN AMERICAN FOR AGNES, are available now. A LAIRD’S PROMISE will be released by Spring 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 31, 2015
A good read...
Romance novels often have characters who could medal in Olympic level conclusion jumping and 'The Bishop's Daughter' of the title is one such. That said, I still like her for a couple of reasons. First, given her set of experiences prior to meeting the Rake, her outlook is reasonable. Second, thanks to the intervention of the 'Rake's' sister-in-law, the Bishop's Daughter sees the error of her ways and makes a notable and successful effort to make amends. These are good examples of the author's credible job of allowing her characters to grow over the course of this generally well-written story.
My criticisms are fairly minor. I felt references to the Rake's beauty were all to frequent and that the reason for his elaborate efforts to show a public persona so different from his real self was a bit thin. His characterization came off as slightly too perfect.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a very readable story of two people who are well suited, but must 'work to work it out.' This is the third book in Julia Donner's Friendship series and the first I've read of her work. I'm sufficiently impressed to backtrack to books 1 and 2.
Romance novels often have characters who could medal in Olympic level conclusion jumping and 'The Bishop's Daughter' of the title is one such. That said, I still like her for a couple of reasons. First, given her set of experiences prior to meeting the Rake, her outlook is reasonable. Second, thanks to the intervention of the 'Rake's' sister-in-law, the Bishop's Daughter sees the error of her ways and makes a notable and successful effort to make amends. These are good examples of the author's credible job of allowing her characters to grow over the course of this generally well-written story.
My criticisms are fairly minor. I felt references to the Rake's beauty were all to frequent and that the reason for his elaborate efforts to show a public persona so different from his real self was a bit thin. His characterization came off as slightly too perfect.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a very readable story of two people who are well suited, but must 'work to work it out.' This is the third book in Julia Donner's Friendship series and the first I've read of her work. I'm sufficiently impressed to backtrack to books 1 and 2.
January 25, 2016
This book was so bad, so absolutely bad, I think it left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. Laden with spelling mistakes (you don't staunch bleeding Ms. Donner, you
stanch
it), grammatical errors, and historical inaccuracies, completed by a highly predictable plot line and possibly the worst main characters the world has seen, The Rake and the Bishop's Daughter had me wanting to stab someone desperately. Ms. Donner, if you're American, please, please, I beg of you, do not write about English characters. The diction, the language, everything is so completely and totally off... I cannot imagine how this book has a rating of
four point fucking eleven
! Are people blind? Can't they read? Or is it just me? Do I expect too much from writers these days? *sighs*
January 13, 2026
this was pretty insufferable, even for a romance novel.
February 16, 2016
I read this romance novel without reading the other two in the series. I was hoping to find another author in the same vein as Julia Quinn, who is my favorite Regency era author. Sad to say that I was disappointed.
The two main characters are actually fleshed-out on the surface. Harry Collyns, the playboy who scandalizes London because he's bored (or more like he'd rather not subject his true self to the scrutiny of the judgmental ton). Olivia St. Clair, the widow who self-imposes chastity upon herself due to guilt and a lack of self-esteem after an marriage and childhood both absent of love. It's a damn shame that the romance between then is not quite as believable as their surface traits.
Due to lack of detail and realism, the novel comes across as a caricature of a romance rather than one the breath-stealing, heart-warming one it was intended to be.
The two main characters are actually fleshed-out on the surface. Harry Collyns, the playboy who scandalizes London because he's bored (or more like he'd rather not subject his true self to the scrutiny of the judgmental ton). Olivia St. Clair, the widow who self-imposes chastity upon herself due to guilt and a lack of self-esteem after an marriage and childhood both absent of love. It's a damn shame that the romance between then is not quite as believable as their surface traits.
Due to lack of detail and realism, the novel comes across as a caricature of a romance rather than one the breath-stealing, heart-warming one it was intended to be.
April 20, 2020
3+ Enough quibbles and issues that I can't round up, but still an enjoyable escape.
I don't know why I like this one so much, but I do. There's actually quite a few things knocking points for me, and a few character traits that drove me nuts, but somehow I still enjoyed it. There are a fair amount of historical inaccuracies and some spelling and grammar issues that were distracting. But I like the relationships between all the friends, I like the development of things between the leads (though they do have their irritating moments), and I felt the ending was a satisfying HEA.
I didn't mind Harry as a lead - actually liked his character well enough - though he was a bit too perfect and constantly described as to his looks. We get it! He's handsome! Olivia, on the other hand, bothered me more frequently. Like their big fight at the end - she's ignored so many rumors, talked to him and gotten the truth, but then this one, she's actually believing and refusing to talk to him about? One of those times where you just want to shake the character by the shoulders and yell, "Why don't you just talk to him!!" Self-inflicted drama - bah! And on that note - her views on abolition seemed... I dunno, anachronistic. She's so set in that belief, and to a modern reader, yes, we definitely understand why. But at the time, and without any personal connections to really trigger it, why was she determined? I dunno - it just never meshed cleanly for me with the rest of her personality and time period.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating or love triangle nonsense. The OW drama was brought on Olivia by herself. The OM drama was another (unsuitable) suitor aside from Harry - honestly an uncomfortably caricatured character. Mostly two people overcoming their lust long enough to actually pay attention and fall in love with the person beyond hormones and rumors. Enjoyable bit of escapism, but don't look to it for historical accuracy. HEA and no cliffhanger.
Would I read more in the series? Yes. This is in the middle of the series (well, earlier on - more have been written now) and stands alone well, while there are more characters introduced who could be entertaining to read about too.
I don't know why I like this one so much, but I do. There's actually quite a few things knocking points for me, and a few character traits that drove me nuts, but somehow I still enjoyed it. There are a fair amount of historical inaccuracies and some spelling and grammar issues that were distracting. But I like the relationships between all the friends, I like the development of things between the leads (though they do have their irritating moments), and I felt the ending was a satisfying HEA.
I didn't mind Harry as a lead - actually liked his character well enough - though he was a bit too perfect and constantly described as to his looks. We get it! He's handsome! Olivia, on the other hand, bothered me more frequently. Like their big fight at the end - she's ignored so many rumors, talked to him and gotten the truth, but then this one, she's actually believing and refusing to talk to him about? One of those times where you just want to shake the character by the shoulders and yell, "Why don't you just talk to him!!" Self-inflicted drama - bah! And on that note - her views on abolition seemed... I dunno, anachronistic. She's so set in that belief, and to a modern reader, yes, we definitely understand why. But at the time, and without any personal connections to really trigger it, why was she determined? I dunno - it just never meshed cleanly for me with the rest of her personality and time period.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating or love triangle nonsense. The OW drama was brought on Olivia by herself. The OM drama was another (unsuitable) suitor aside from Harry - honestly an uncomfortably caricatured character. Mostly two people overcoming their lust long enough to actually pay attention and fall in love with the person beyond hormones and rumors. Enjoyable bit of escapism, but don't look to it for historical accuracy. HEA and no cliffhanger.
Would I read more in the series? Yes. This is in the middle of the series (well, earlier on - more have been written now) and stands alone well, while there are more characters introduced who could be entertaining to read about too.
May 8, 2026
If I hear that Harry is handsome one more time, I will scream. The author seems to have padded the story with how gorgeous Harry was. Alternatively, Mrs. St. Clair was plain and average (ad nauseum). Then, there was the falderal of Harry's public persona vs. his private personality. This was redundant and tiresome.
Rakish Harry heads out of London with a pair of semi-trained horses. Before long, the horses are spooked by a flying hat, and Harry is severely wounded about the face. The widow Mrs. St. Clair finds him and takes him to her home. Because Olivia St. Clair's companion is not present, it is frowned upon for a man to live in the same home without a chaperone.
There is an incredible amount of discussion about the sensual nature of Olivia (who would know that, particularly Harry, who had his face covered with bandages)? There are multiple instances of premarital sex.
Near the end of the story, Olivia comes to Harry's townhouse and has a long discussion about why they broke up (decided not to marry). There was little tension in the story. I could not believe that Amazon labeled this story as a "clean, wholesome romance."
Friendship Series – 18 Titles
1. The Tigress and the Raven (2013)
2. The Heiress and the Spy (2013)
**3. The Rake and the Bishop's Daughter (2015)
4. The Duchess and the Duelist (2014)
Rakish Harry heads out of London with a pair of semi-trained horses. Before long, the horses are spooked by a flying hat, and Harry is severely wounded about the face. The widow Mrs. St. Clair finds him and takes him to her home. Because Olivia St. Clair's companion is not present, it is frowned upon for a man to live in the same home without a chaperone.
There is an incredible amount of discussion about the sensual nature of Olivia (who would know that, particularly Harry, who had his face covered with bandages)? There are multiple instances of premarital sex.
Near the end of the story, Olivia comes to Harry's townhouse and has a long discussion about why they broke up (decided not to marry). There was little tension in the story. I could not believe that Amazon labeled this story as a "clean, wholesome romance."
Friendship Series – 18 Titles
1. The Tigress and the Raven (2013)
2. The Heiress and the Spy (2013)
**3. The Rake and the Bishop's Daughter (2015)
4. The Duchess and the Duelist (2014)
June 12, 2021
Wonderfully entertaining
Enjoyed this book. Especially liked the characters which were well defined and likeable. The story was full of humour and highly entertaining. There are two negative aspects about this book: there were many typos, which quite frankly I find detract from the enjoyment of the story. Also I dislike when stories end abruptly. We are made aware of the existence of the heroine’s father and previous suitor, but there is no further mention of them. Were they invited to the wedding? Did they assist? Was there any kind of reconciliation between her father and her husband? And what about her grandfather, the duke? I hate it when things are left up in the air!
Enjoyed this book. Especially liked the characters which were well defined and likeable. The story was full of humour and highly entertaining. There are two negative aspects about this book: there were many typos, which quite frankly I find detract from the enjoyment of the story. Also I dislike when stories end abruptly. We are made aware of the existence of the heroine’s father and previous suitor, but there is no further mention of them. Were they invited to the wedding? Did they assist? Was there any kind of reconciliation between her father and her husband? And what about her grandfather, the duke? I hate it when things are left up in the air!
August 15, 2026
The story was okay but there was too much angst caused by the female character. I get that she had been made to feel unattractive and unlovable by her aunt and her father was a pompous domineering religious cleric but it became too much after a while. The male character, "Handsome Harry", was made into a saint by the end of the story and all I could think was ooooh, come on! Ms. Donner went too far with his character.
I did enjoy the book and will read at least one more but from a different series.
I did enjoy the book and will read at least one more but from a different series.
August 11, 2019
Decent
Decent read but does not stand out or engage me fully. Blurb lies as it promises an ice queen of a heroine and instead we get a sensual widow who has had a crush on the hero since she was twelve. Still, she is a level-headed and intelligent woman so I wasn't grumbling too much. Also, she is thirty. In regency romances that totally counts as a mature heroine!
Decent read but does not stand out or engage me fully. Blurb lies as it promises an ice queen of a heroine and instead we get a sensual widow who has had a crush on the hero since she was twelve. Still, she is a level-headed and intelligent woman so I wasn't grumbling too much. Also, she is thirty. In regency romances that totally counts as a mature heroine!
December 17, 2021
Good
Thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining, and with interesting characters. Olivia is an interesting personality but the author overplayed the domineering family routine. Saved herself with pointing out the difference between holding strong opinions on an issue and actually doing something about it
Also, great to have more mature lead characters fall in love.
Recommended
Thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining, and with interesting characters. Olivia is an interesting personality but the author overplayed the domineering family routine. Saved herself with pointing out the difference between holding strong opinions on an issue and actually doing something about it
Also, great to have more mature lead characters fall in love.
Recommended
July 20, 2026
This involves a rake encounters a young widow after a phaeton accident and she gets him back to health. Where she first met him and how they end up with their hea (after difficulties from her family) is told in the story. There are open door intimacies that I had to gloss over and I wad not happy about personally
November 25, 2018
I love your good there test run to read this book which is good enough to make sure that you are going to have a great life as you are now working hard as it happens with your writing style is also very good and bad people will think it's boring but I just like the good you made
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2021
Above Average
Well above average! Donner takes the usual tropes of this genre but through clever plotting and deeper exploration of trauma, delivers an interesting and clever variation on the regency romance. Recommended for anyone wanting something a bit different.
Well above average! Donner takes the usual tropes of this genre but through clever plotting and deeper exploration of trauma, delivers an interesting and clever variation on the regency romance. Recommended for anyone wanting something a bit different.
December 19, 2018
Charming
The characters were likeable, the story moved along smartly, and the wrap up was satisfying and made me happy. What more could one want?
The characters were likeable, the story moved along smartly, and the wrap up was satisfying and made me happy. What more could one want?
June 22, 2020
Another fun one in this series, having started with the later books and now going back it’s fun to read how the relationships are established.
October 31, 2022
Really good
Enjoyable. A bit risqué at times but a very good plot. I enjoy this author since she touches on issues that are here with us now. Sadly, still.
Enjoyable. A bit risqué at times but a very good plot. I enjoy this author since she touches on issues that are here with us now. Sadly, still.
July 4, 2023
This was good.
May 6, 2026
She's insufferable - a hand wringer, lacking in self confidence, but judgemental and..."lusty"
May 28, 2026
The Rake was a good man after all..
And bishop was just as flawed as any human. The angel's halo was tipped somewhat but all's well that finally ends well!
And bishop was just as flawed as any human. The angel's halo was tipped somewhat but all's well that finally ends well!
October 7, 2014
Even though, there were several typos in the book which tighter editing could have improved, it was still a good read. Harry & Olivia are very likeable characters.
He, a practised rake and she a widow of 30 years old. Olivia had been carrying a torch for Harry ever since he had done her a kindness when he was a young man and she an awkward 12-year-old girl. Years later, fate and an accident brought them together. Harry is badly injured when his horses are distracted by Olivia and as a result, she takes him back to her home to nurse him. Sparks fly as he heals, Olivia, a passionate woman who has had to tamp down her desires (being told they are sinful and wicked) finds her soul mate in Harry, who is a little damaged in soul as well as body.
Misunderstandings occur, as well as an unforeseen event or two to separate them on more than one occasion. There are sexual scenes in it so if this is not for you, best avoid. I have no problem with them and they were well written. Part of a series of books, I have not read the others, but it made perfect sense as a stand alone to me without having read the others.
He, a practised rake and she a widow of 30 years old. Olivia had been carrying a torch for Harry ever since he had done her a kindness when he was a young man and she an awkward 12-year-old girl. Years later, fate and an accident brought them together. Harry is badly injured when his horses are distracted by Olivia and as a result, she takes him back to her home to nurse him. Sparks fly as he heals, Olivia, a passionate woman who has had to tamp down her desires (being told they are sinful and wicked) finds her soul mate in Harry, who is a little damaged in soul as well as body.
Misunderstandings occur, as well as an unforeseen event or two to separate them on more than one occasion. There are sexual scenes in it so if this is not for you, best avoid. I have no problem with them and they were well written. Part of a series of books, I have not read the others, but it made perfect sense as a stand alone to me without having read the others.
December 12, 2015
LOVED this book!!
Primary characters Harry Collyns (Handsome Harry) and Olivia are perfectly ....... As different as night and day!
I loved this story, the era and behaviors of the day and a story displaying human foibles which are inherent no matter the time or place.
The story was told with an obviously well thought out plot which never veered toward a bizarre addition nor deviation but steadfastly developed towards a well told, believable tale of the beginning, middle and the final resolution of falling in love.
This relationship was affected with misplaced expectations, misunderstandings and the intrusion of too many people with too many opinions. And again.......inherent in human behavior no matter the time or place.
Really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book by this author which is waiting in my Kindle line-up.
I don't write SPOILER reviews. You need to enjoy the story for yourself. Time very well spent and I enjoyed the ride immensely!
Primary characters Harry Collyns (Handsome Harry) and Olivia are perfectly ....... As different as night and day!
I loved this story, the era and behaviors of the day and a story displaying human foibles which are inherent no matter the time or place.
The story was told with an obviously well thought out plot which never veered toward a bizarre addition nor deviation but steadfastly developed towards a well told, believable tale of the beginning, middle and the final resolution of falling in love.
This relationship was affected with misplaced expectations, misunderstandings and the intrusion of too many people with too many opinions. And again.......inherent in human behavior no matter the time or place.
Really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book by this author which is waiting in my Kindle line-up.
I don't write SPOILER reviews. You need to enjoy the story for yourself. Time very well spent and I enjoyed the ride immensely!
April 28, 2015
He is good natured, lovable, in fact, society's darling!
He is a lonely man. Somewhere, along the way, his life took a serious detour from what he wanted to do in life and he can't back on track! He wants what his brother Peregrine and Elizabeth have a love match with children. While driving to one of his estates he suffered a curricle accident and wakes to find himself under the care of widow, a bishop's daughter. He was the hero of her youth, for him it was love at first sight! This novel is a documentary on the insecurities and pitfalls inherent in a developing romance.
He is a lonely man. Somewhere, along the way, his life took a serious detour from what he wanted to do in life and he can't back on track! He wants what his brother Peregrine and Elizabeth have a love match with children. While driving to one of his estates he suffered a curricle accident and wakes to find himself under the care of widow, a bishop's daughter. He was the hero of her youth, for him it was love at first sight! This novel is a documentary on the insecurities and pitfalls inherent in a developing romance.
July 20, 2015
This novel is more sensuous than the previous novels have been -- a welcome change in Donner's style. I loved that the each book in the Friendship series uses a different social aspect of the Regency Period as a backdrop for the romance. Donner (M. L. Rigdon) creates real flesh and blood characters that you care about and want to cheer on in their struggles to be together. And Olivia's father, the Bishop Mainstay, makes a right awful brick in the road to true love. Altogether, this is a thoroughly (dare I say it?) satisfying read! Panting for the next one in the series!
February 4, 2016
An accidental meeting and a scandalous decision lead to a hasty marriage. It wasn't that bad, it suffered from a serious case of tell-not-show. The attraction was firmly established but the basis for friendship and love was not. Too much attention was spent making her a person that says they uses their convictions to make their family uncomfortable but given the chance does nothing about them, than actually making them friends with a relationship based on trust. There are better books out there but there are worse as well.
January 8, 2016
This was my first book by Julia Donner and what a delight. She captures the Regency era beautifully. Her characters are delightful and fun and her dialogue is witty. I loved the characters of Olivia and Harry. Their story was wonderful. I will definitely be reading the first two in the series and can't wait to read #4 as I'm hoping it involves Olivia's friend Evie. If you like Regency romance, you'll love this book.
February 8, 2016
Great Regency Romance
This was a wonderful book that told of Olivia and Harry. He was well know for his looks and his women. Olivia was a widow that lived a solitary life. An accident brings them together.
You can feel the love radiating from the pages. It is full of conflict and romance. A delightful book filled with colorful characters.
This was a wonderful book that told of Olivia and Harry. He was well know for his looks and his women. Olivia was a widow that lived a solitary life. An accident brings them together.
You can feel the love radiating from the pages. It is full of conflict and romance. A delightful book filled with colorful characters.
December 8, 2015
Deep story line
This isn't the first book in the series, so one should probably start with that, however this is an exceptional work. After reading this book you truly want to read the first and then continue on. Very good Julia, thank you.
This isn't the first book in the series, so one should probably start with that, however this is an exceptional work. After reading this book you truly want to read the first and then continue on. Very good Julia, thank you.
December 11, 2015
Very good
I didn't think this would be a book I would have liked. The title and cover didn't grab my attention. But I couldn't put it down. After reading it I realized I have read other books by this author. And will now go back and read them again.
I didn't think this would be a book I would have liked. The title and cover didn't grab my attention. But I couldn't put it down. After reading it I realized I have read other books by this author. And will now go back and read them again.
December 25, 2015
An entertaining historical romance/mystery of sorts. Set in London, 1819, a rake is involved in an accident and is nursed back to health by the Bishop's daughter. A series of unfortunate misunderstandings complicate their future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews