Phoebe

Families of Dorset #4.5

by Martha Keyes

Phoebe Matcham is finally home from London, having complied with her mother's wish that she spend a season in town before committing to marriage with the man she loves. With butterflies in her stomach and visions of the future they promised each other, she awaits his arrival home from his year away. Never did she anticipate he would come home in love with another woman.

George Sydney arrives home from his tour of the Continent, ready to marry the girl he's loved for years and sweep her off to France as soon as he possibly can. He can hardly believe his ill fortune, though, as he listens to Phoebe tell him of the soldier she is secretly courting.

When the very soldier arrives unexpectedly in town, Phoebe and George are faced with unraveling a situation that becomes more perplexing and knotty by the minute—one that must be untangled before George leaves back to France.

Genres: Regency, Novella, Romance, Historical Romance, Clean Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2019

Reviews

[Μαρία Ν. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miscommunication is my least favorite trope in romances,but I think it was executed nicely here.The subversing of the love triangle trope was also much appreciated.For such a short book such as this I think the plot progressed well,not too hasty not too slow,and the revelations did not appear out of the blue.I found Phoebe's lie turning out the way it did very didactic,as it would have been better for Phoebe say the truth from the beginning,soon as see saw George.The ending was so satisfying.The writing was superb and felt very regency-like.Even though I liked both George and Phoebe,the miscommunication between them let me down.

[PhyllisRBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miscommunication coupled with a relationship ruse gets Phoebe in more trouble then she thinks and begins to bring her heartache very quickly. But how do you get out of lying without losing your pride or causing more trouble? Martha Keyes does an exceptional job writing this sweet love story. Since it is a novella, it is not as polished as it could be; however, I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I have already purchased more ebooks from this author and look forward to reading more of her stories.

This book does not contain bad language or inappropriate scenes. It is suitable for teens and older.

[Grace M-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a novella it needs to be short but there was so much missed. The background between Phoebe and George. Why Pheobe’s mother was in London because it didn’t seem like she would be from Kate’s story. Kate had to stay with an Aunt, but with Phoebe they had a townhouse? So did the step-dad only dislike Kate, etc.
Besides all those questions, it was a cute story about how Phoebe gets herself into trouble believing gossip she overheard and wanted to not look like she waited for someone who she thought hadn’t waited for her.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming novella about Phoebe, the younger sister of Kate(from Wyndcross, Families of Dorset) and her reunion with her long-time love, George. As I have read through the entire Dorset series over the past month, this was the last book I will have had the pleasure to read in this series. I highly recommend it.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super short, sweet novella and the story moves on at a quick pace. It is a story of misunderstanding and I think had it gone on any longer I would have found it annoying but this story was just the right length for that trope and I was glad the misunderstanding was cleared up in the manner it was.

No sex, language or violence

[Alexis Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever had a misunderstanding with a friend? The situation got expand and bigger cause you both thought something different had happened.

Martha Keyes has done a wonderful job on this novella of painting the bigger picture for us and wanting to find of what was going to happen in such a short story. All along with a happy ending.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my type of story. I love romance, but that's not what this is. The book starts after the couple has already fallen in love, so you enter the story in the middle of a misunderstanding that keeps them apart. To me this is not enjoyable to read to just get all the hardship with a small payoff at the end and not get any of the fun story of them Falling in Love.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I really enjoyed this book by Martha. The characters were great and the story line was interesting. I would recommend reading this book.

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a darling short regency romance. It is the story of Phoebe and the man she loves. Thinking they will reunite after a year apart. But eavesdropping will always get you in trouble! Super quick read, if you need a regency fix.

[Kimberly Hampton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 Star Novelette - a cute story about the importance of communicating and the idea you shouldn’t believe everything you hear (especially whilst eavesdropping).
Note, the novelette is only 52 pages not 64. It was almost a short story rather than a novelette.

[Rosanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short story. It was perfect to read before bed.

[Pauline Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet free story from one of my new favourite authors. Phoebe is awaiting the return of the man she loves from his tour of the continent. Without a formal betrothal, she wasn’t able to write to him, but every day she wrote a line or two in a year-long letter. Now she awaits his arrival at a ball, with the letter heavy in her reticule. But before he appears, she overhears dreadful news - he’s enamoured of a woman he met he France. So when she finally meets him again, to save her pride she makes up an attachment to another man.

And so the stage is set for a story that’s based entirely on that time-honoured plot, the Great Misunderstanding. We know this because we can see inside the head of lover George, and know that he’s stayed faithful to Phoebe and he’s bewildered and hurt by her seeming defection. Fortunately, Phoebe’s sensible enough not to let George leave again without at least showing him her letter, and the story is short enough that matters get resolved speedily.

I have some very minor quibbles. I’d have preferred the letter to play a bigger role in the resolution than it did, purely for the symmetry, and I felt there was too much explanation at the end of things which the reader already knows and don’t need to be spelt out. There would have been more tension, too, if we hadn’t known exactly what George was feeling. But the romance ended beautifully, and the writing is excellent, as always. Four stars.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting, a rare feat for me, even with novelettes. Although the book is short, it is most certainly a complete and satisfying story and never once felt rushed in any way. It shares adequate backstory, solidly establishes believable characters, relationships, and scenarios, manages to create some mystery and tension, and includes a lovely romance. It's the perfect little pick-me-up for any Regency romance fan.

*I received a free copy of this book, and this voluntary review is my honest opinion.*

[Kbmaxwell Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little romance that turns on a misunderstanding.