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A Beautiful Dare
A free short story set in the roaring twenties by the author of the deliciously evocative love story A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD.It's 1922 in Concord, Massachusetts, a time when women are expected to do nothing more than marry as well as they can, as soon as they can. And whether she likes it or not, this is exactly what Evelyn Lockhart's conservative parents expect of her. While Evie's waiting for her handsome, wealthy neighbour Charles to propose, she has convinced her parents to let her study literature at college.But when a chance meeting leads to a day of exciting adventure, Evie begins to realise that there could be so much more in her future than marriage, if only she dared imagine it . . .If you loved THE PARIS WIFE and A NOVEL OF ZELDA FIZGERALD, you will devour this short story that takes place before the full-length novel A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD.'I loved this book.' Rachael Johns, bestselling author of THE PATTERSON GIRLS'I'm calling it, Natasha Lester is our generation's Louisa May Alcott.' Tess Woods, award-winning author of LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT'Remarkable, intelligent and heartfelt . . . one of the best Australian fiction releases of the year.' J. F. Gibson'I absolutely adored Natasha Lester's book! What a GEM!' Sara Foster, bestselling author 'Exquisite!' Vanessa Carnevale, author and blogger
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2016
91 people are currently reading
636 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Lester
19 books3,601 followersNatasha Lester is the multi-award winning and New York Times best-selling author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS, THE PARIS ORPHAN, THE PARIS SECRET and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ASTRID BRICARD. Her new book, THE MADEMOISELLE ALLIANCE, the story of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only female leader of a French Resistance network in WWII, is coming in April 2025.
Prior to writing, she worked as a marketing executive for L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing.
Natasha's books have been translated into twenty-one different languages and are published all around the world. She lives in Perth, Western Australia with her 3 children and loves fashion history, practising the art of fashion illustration, collecting vintage fashion, travelling and, of course, books.
Prior to writing, she worked as a marketing executive for L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing.
Natasha's books have been translated into twenty-one different languages and are published all around the world. She lives in Perth, Western Australia with her 3 children and loves fashion history, practising the art of fashion illustration, collecting vintage fashion, travelling and, of course, books.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 8, 2023
*3.5 stars *
A sweet, short story about Evelyn Lockhart, an ambitious young lady who is studying literature at college - nothing unusual there you’re thinking! However, this is 1922, Concord, Massachusetts, when well bred young ladies were expected to concentrate on making a good marriage, not a career.
Evelyn faces opposition on a daily basis, mostly from her own family. She sometimes wonders why it’s so important to her, until the day she meets medical student Rose.
A warm engaging look at the pioneering women who were the first to study alongside their male students, and how they were treated and perceived by society.
A sweet, short story about Evelyn Lockhart, an ambitious young lady who is studying literature at college - nothing unusual there you’re thinking! However, this is 1922, Concord, Massachusetts, when well bred young ladies were expected to concentrate on making a good marriage, not a career.
Evelyn faces opposition on a daily basis, mostly from her own family. She sometimes wonders why it’s so important to her, until the day she meets medical student Rose.
A warm engaging look at the pioneering women who were the first to study alongside their male students, and how they were treated and perceived by society.
December 24, 2020
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
A Beautiful Dare was an intriguing FREE very short story set in the 1920's where men didn't like women to expand their intelligence and go to college. They were supposed to want to marry and that was their main purpose in life.
Our protagonist is spirited Evelyn Lockhart and she is attending Radcliffe College but her mother wants her to marry Charles Whitman instead and not finish college.
An accidental meeting with a girl called Rose ends up with Evelyn (Evie) attending medical school classes.
This is certainly a bit of a teaser (prequel) to what happens next in the novel A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald by Natasha Lester and it's defiantly on my to be read list now!
A Beautiful Dare was an intriguing FREE very short story set in the 1920's where men didn't like women to expand their intelligence and go to college. They were supposed to want to marry and that was their main purpose in life.
Our protagonist is spirited Evelyn Lockhart and she is attending Radcliffe College but her mother wants her to marry Charles Whitman instead and not finish college.
An accidental meeting with a girl called Rose ends up with Evelyn (Evie) attending medical school classes.
This is certainly a bit of a teaser (prequel) to what happens next in the novel A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald by Natasha Lester and it's defiantly on my to be read list now!
July 21, 2020
A Beautiful Dare is a prequel to A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald
Evelyn (Evie) is my favourite character ever and I loved A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald so I didn't really need to read the prequel but it was on my kindle.
We read how Evie meets Rose and through her ends up attending medical school. It is very hard not to like both Evie and Rose they are headstrong and intelligent.
The story is only 10 pages but it also includes a few chapter of A Kiss and it's free so I recommend you grab it if you have a few spare minutes.
Evelyn (Evie) is my favourite character ever and I loved A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald so I didn't really need to read the prequel but it was on my kindle.
We read how Evie meets Rose and through her ends up attending medical school. It is very hard not to like both Evie and Rose they are headstrong and intelligent.
The story is only 10 pages but it also includes a few chapter of A Kiss and it's free so I recommend you grab it if you have a few spare minutes.
May 4, 2020
This free short story is well written and evocative...but it seems to be a prequel for the author’s novel A Kiss from Mr. Fitzgerald, and, the free novel includes a few chapters of the “Kiss” novel. So in that regard, I was somewhat annoyed at being lead on.
The short novel really is well written though. I had not read anything by this author previously but may look up some of her other titles. This was is particularly interesting because the young woman lead character aspires to much more than simply marrying at the earliest opportunity which makes her a bit of a rebel in the 1922 setting. She seeks higher education and adventure which is much to her mother’s chagrin. She is discouraged by her mother from pursuing either as it will surely make her unmarriagable. Her spunk and inquisitive nature lead her elsewhere, or at least pique her curiosity as to what life could be beyond marrying young.
I enjoyed the author’s spirit and use of the young woman”s naivety and rebellious nature which move her to follow her heart. Nothing sappy about her attitude! A refreshing read!
The short novel really is well written though. I had not read anything by this author previously but may look up some of her other titles. This was is particularly interesting because the young woman lead character aspires to much more than simply marrying at the earliest opportunity which makes her a bit of a rebel in the 1922 setting. She seeks higher education and adventure which is much to her mother’s chagrin. She is discouraged by her mother from pursuing either as it will surely make her unmarriagable. Her spunk and inquisitive nature lead her elsewhere, or at least pique her curiosity as to what life could be beyond marrying young.
I enjoyed the author’s spirit and use of the young woman”s naivety and rebellious nature which move her to follow her heart. Nothing sappy about her attitude! A refreshing read!
September 25, 2021
A Beautiful Dare is the prequel to A Kiss from Mr. Fitzgerald. After reading this novella I now can't wait to read this novel.
September 14, 2018
A Beautiful Dare (Kindle Edition)
Non-review rant
It was a short story, it was free - just enough to pick on kindle.
Review
The plot
There was no plot. It was only an introduction to upcoming full novels.
General observations about story and writer
For all the authors using short stories to promote their novels, learn it from Jeffrey Archer. He has a proper story and that follows by a sample of upcoming book. A sample, which is hardly a few pages. Most of this lot is writing a short non-story that is 30% of the total ebook, and the rest is sample of the novel. Kindle folks, are you taking a note? This is violating the policy. I am complaining because it wasted my time.
Non-review rant
It was a short story, it was free - just enough to pick on kindle.
Review
The plot
There was no plot. It was only an introduction to upcoming full novels.
General observations about story and writer
For all the authors using short stories to promote their novels, learn it from Jeffrey Archer. He has a proper story and that follows by a sample of upcoming book. A sample, which is hardly a few pages. Most of this lot is writing a short non-story that is 30% of the total ebook, and the rest is sample of the novel. Kindle folks, are you taking a note? This is violating the policy. I am complaining because it wasted my time.
July 27, 2023
I loved this short story! I read it on the train on the way to work and fell in love with the characters, I wanted more. Thankfully, a few days later, I found "A kiss from Mr. Fitzgerald", Natasha Lesters' continuation of the story - highly recommend!
September 15, 2023
I get that this is a short story and it's a prequel but I just didn't get enough from it. I may however be inclined to read the full length novel that continues the storyline... So, I guess it worked.
December 9, 2017
A beautiful introduction for Evie, and A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald
March 10, 2018
A fabulous short story set in the roaring twenties. Great prequel to A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald to encourage you to go for your dreams, no matter what.
November 27, 2018
Engaging teaser to her novel 'A kiss for Mr Fitzgerald'
March 24, 2019
A delight!
March 12, 2022
Extremely short but nice one.
"It was always the becoming he dreamed of, never the being."
"It was always the becoming he dreamed of, never the being."
May 23, 2023
A great story
Great reading. Natasha Lester is a gifted story teller who showcases amazing women in history. Her books always exceed my expectations.
Great reading. Natasha Lester is a gifted story teller who showcases amazing women in history. Her books always exceed my expectations.
April 8, 2024
A short little prequel to “A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald”.
April 10, 2016
I picked this up for free from Google Play because I'm really curious about the upcoming A Kiss From Mr. Fitzgerald.
Evelyn (Evie) Lockhart lives during the 1920s, and although her parents just want her to find a wealthy husband, she wants more from life. So she's taking some college courses. But a chance encounter on a rainy day leads her to Rose. A daring redhead who takes her to an anatomy class. A class that surprisingly interests Evie.
After stumbling across a book and a jazz record, she realises that she might be the kind of woman who wants more from life than just marriage.
I actually loved this story! It's a great introduction to this character and the world she lives in. During a time when women weren't allowed to do so much, yet started being daring and taking control of their own lives.
I'm definitely interested in reading the book now! :)
Evelyn (Evie) Lockhart lives during the 1920s, and although her parents just want her to find a wealthy husband, she wants more from life. So she's taking some college courses. But a chance encounter on a rainy day leads her to Rose. A daring redhead who takes her to an anatomy class. A class that surprisingly interests Evie.
After stumbling across a book and a jazz record, she realises that she might be the kind of woman who wants more from life than just marriage.
I actually loved this story! It's a great introduction to this character and the world she lives in. During a time when women weren't allowed to do so much, yet started being daring and taking control of their own lives.
I'm definitely interested in reading the book now! :)
April 8, 2016
What a tantalising prelude to Natasha Lester's captivating new historical novel, A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald. In this chapter-length prequel, we meet bright young Evelyn (Evie) Lockhart, whose longing for knowledge and a taste of freedom is stifled by conservative parents and the judgemental, hypocritical circles in which they move. "Mr Fitzgerald", which explores Jazz-era New York and follows Evie's trials and triumphs as she strives to become one of the first female physicians in the US, will be released later this month. I'm expecting an enthusiastic response from a wide range of readers. It combines Natasha's insightful eye for period detail and warm, witty storytelling with revelations about the real-life struggles of pioneering women medical students -- and all the glitz and glamour of the infamous Ziegfeld Follies. There's also a touch of romance...
April 10, 2016
I fabulous short story that I devoured in one sitting. I immediately liked Evie and can't wait to read more of her story in A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald. She has spunk and I can't wait to see how she pushes against society to find her way in the world.
This snippet of Evie's life took me back to my university days, into the Anatomy lab and the wonder/discomfort of discovering what's really inside someone. Natasha's writing is beautiful and engaging. She is able to balance attention to detail with action to keep the story flowing.
This snippet of Evie's life took me back to my university days, into the Anatomy lab and the wonder/discomfort of discovering what's really inside someone. Natasha's writing is beautiful and engaging. She is able to balance attention to detail with action to keep the story flowing.
April 24, 2016
I read this short story after reading 'A Kiss from Fitzgerald'.
I wish I hadn't.
I wish I had read it before!
In any case, knowing the background (or should I say future) story for this short story didn't make it any less enjoyable. I could imagine it would be a wonderful teaser. It has made me want to go straight back and reread 'A Kiss from Fitzgerald', the book I was too impatient not to read, the book I jumped straight into reading before finishing this story!
Thoroughly recommend both, and probably in the right order too.
I wish I hadn't.
I wish I had read it before!
In any case, knowing the background (or should I say future) story for this short story didn't make it any less enjoyable. I could imagine it would be a wonderful teaser. It has made me want to go straight back and reread 'A Kiss from Fitzgerald', the book I was too impatient not to read, the book I jumped straight into reading before finishing this story!
Thoroughly recommend both, and probably in the right order too.
April 8, 2016
This little teaser is sooo good! I can't wait to read A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald. I just wanted to keep reading....
April 21, 2016
Really enjoyed this but wanted more!! First time I have read this author. Will definitely read more.
February 23, 2018
This sounded like an interesting short story from an author I hadn't tried. It's entertaining and evocative, and well worth checking out.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews